September 2011 - The Planning Continues! (2nd Thread)

[basketkat]

ehh - come to Canada - ours hit 1.33 a litre which would make it it roughly $5 a gallon - its killer to the disney budget... lol

Yikes!!! It has been $4.23 here...and last weekend we went to Chicago and it was $4.50...

My husband drives about 200 miles everyday for work...ugh...budget killer indeed!

 

[disneydiva16]

Yikes!!! It has been $4.23 here...and last weekend we went to Chicago and it was $4.50...

My husband drives about 200 miles everyday for work...ugh...budget killer indeed!

Gas here in Syracuse, NY is still around $3.98. My husband has to drive around the same amount of miles as your husband Our only saving grace is that his company pays for his gas. Thank goodness or we would be in the poor house!!!!

 

[Elianor]

I used to commute 90 miles a day in and out of Little Rock and then 60 miles a day back and forth from Jefferson City to Columbia Missouri.

Getting a job in the town I lived in was like getting a major raise! These days I feel pretty blessed that my daily round town is about 10 miles total.

We've been cutting back in a lot of different ways to afford to do things like Disney. We're building reward dollars, eating vegetarian once or twice a week, etc.

For those of you taking kids to Disney, check out the Yes Program. Meredith is taking an Ocean Discovery class while we are there and we are getting her park passes and mine for $162.06 each (6 day base ticket). The class is three hours and talks about sustainable oceans, predators in the East Australian Current, and keeping sea turtles out of fishnets. Not to mention they get to hang out at the 5 million gallon aquarium. It's right up her alley and it will save us $$$ on our tickets.

 

[starstruck93]

We'll be there Sept. 23-29 at BCV! I actually booked this trip the day after we returned from our March trip at BCV this year (March 12th). It was actually less than 7 months out so I'm shocked I was able to get a room, BLT is our home resort. This is the 2nd time I've booked a studio at BCV at 7-6 months out and gotten it! I didn't tell DH that I booked the Sept. trip because he wanted to rent our DVC points and not go back for a while. I went ahead and made our dining reservations at 180 out too!. While we were there in March I spoke to a couple on the bus about DVC.... they ended up taking my name and purchasing a contract so I got a $200 visa card! I'm using that towards our dining plan. Then, I checked our Visa card points and realized we had enough for 2 full round trip tickets! This may be the cheapest trip we've ever taken.... Hotel paid for by DVC, we're using our annual passes we purchased back in Dec... so after the $200 credit towards our dining plan and our Visa card points for the airline tickets... this trip is costing us ..... $600 for the 6 days! After DH realized we had 2 of the 3 airline tickets taken care he was SOLD on going back! Yeaaaaaa! Let the itinerary planning begin! April

 

[starstruck93]

I hope all the moms had a great Mother's Day! I'm up at my parent's cabin enjoying nature and their hot tub.

We had some great Disney times this weekend: my mom recently found her journals from our 1983 trip to Disneyland (I was 2.5) and our 1987 trip to WDW (I was 6.5). They were full of great details like the prices back then and what we saw. Apparently we ate McDonalds at least 2x a day! Also I have always remembered the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride fondly but apparently it terrified me at the time. My dad also unearthed the slide projector and we saw the few slides we had from Disneyland too.

Now that warmer weather is here, our trip feels like it's right around the corner! I like your motto, Smile4Me! Just fun summer months left and there we are!

That is so cool that that your mom kept journals! That's something really special that you'll always cherish!

Wanted to add... We'll be at MNSSHP on Sept. 27th!!

 

[L-Harper]

We'll be there Sept. 23-29 at BCV! I actually booked this trip the day after we returned from our March trip at BCV this year (March 12th). It was actually less than 7 months out so I'm shocked I was able to get a room, BLT is our home resort. This is the 2nd time I've booked a studio at BCV at 7-6 months out and gotten it! I didn't tell DH that I booked the Sept. trip because he wanted to rent our DVC points and not go back for a while. I went ahead and made our dining reservations at 180 out too!. While we were there in March I spoke to a couple on the bus about DVC.... they ended up taking my name and purchasing a contract so I got a $200 visa card! I'm using that towards our dining plan. Then, I checked our Visa card points and realized we had enough for 2 full round trip tickets! This may be the cheapest trip we've ever taken.... Hotel paid for by DVC, we're using our annual passes we purchased back in Dec... so after the $200 credit towards our dining plan and our Visa card points for the airline tickets... this trip is costing us ..... $600 for the 6 days! After DH realized we had 2 of the 3 airline tickets taken care he was SOLD on going back! Yeaaaaaa! Let the itinerary planning begin! April

YAY! That sounds absolutely fantastic! I have you added to the first post!

 

[L-Harper]

AHHHHH!!!! I'm sitting here with the CRT reservation open and just can't push forward to book it. I don't know if 2 TS credits will be worth it... We get in to MCO at 9:30 that morning on a direct flight so I'm not worried about making a dinner reservation. We will be hitting MK our first day. If we don't do CRT for dinner, we'll be doing Chef Mickey's. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?!?!

 

[peachydreamyxx]

AHHHHH!!!! I'm sitting here with the CRT reservation open and just can't push forward to book it. I don't know if 2 TS credits will be worth it... We get in to MCO at 9:30 that morning on a direct flight so I'm not worried about making a dinner reservation. We will be hitting MK our first day. If we don't do CRT for dinner, we'll be doing Chef Mickey's. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?!?!

I've done both, and for arrival night I would keep Chef Mickeys! Since this is your first trip and you have two young boys I would start disney off with the fab 5! I have done both, and while CRT is great and we are going back this trip, we are (and always do) start the trip off with Chef Mickeys, just gets us into the disney mood! I really think your boys will love it, I know my son did! If possible, maybe you could try CRT another night because it really is a great meal, and my son went crazy from all the princess attention! He really could not get enough of them!

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

AHHHHH!!!! I'm sitting here with the CRT reservation open and just can't push forward to book it. I don't know if 2 TS credits will be worth it... We get in to MCO at 9:30 that morning on a direct flight so I'm not worried about making a dinner reservation. We will be hitting MK our first day. If we don't do CRT for dinner, we'll be doing Chef Mickey's. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?!?!

We have gone to CRT twice and both times we have had the dining plan but we always pay OOP for this meal because we don't think it is worth 2 TS credits, just our opinion of course . We have only done breakfast though, never dinner.

I think Chef Mickey's is such a great way to kick off your Disney vacation! On our very first trip ever to WDW (like you) we went to Chef Mickey's for dinner on our first night and it was great to see Mickey Mouse and friends in such a fun, loud, napkin-twirling atmosphere plus your boys would probably love the monorail going through the restaurant! If it were me I would keep the CM reservation and save the other credit to try out another restaurant.

Good luck Both are fun and unique in their own way

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

I hadn't been considering PL for DD6 until I saw this:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ingdom-park/?CMP=SOC-WDWFY11WDW_SocMedBFB0037
And then realized it only runs through July 2.

The Mermaid looks really cool! I think it's great that there's another option for the girls We're going to stick with the pirate princess look, though I'm really liking the OPI POTC nail polish. I think I might have to pick some of that up! I did read on the official PL thread that depending on the popularity of the Mermaid, they may bring it back for Halloween, and then possibly permanently after that so there's still hope ;-)

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

We'll be there Sept. 23-29 at BCV! I actually booked this trip the day after we returned from our March trip at BCV this year (March 12th). It was actually less than 7 months out so I'm shocked I was able to get a room, BLT is our home resort. This is the 2nd time I've booked a studio at BCV at 7-6 months out and gotten it! I didn't tell DH that I booked the Sept. trip because he wanted to rent our DVC points and not go back for a while. I went ahead and made our dining reservations at 180 out too!. While we were there in March I spoke to a couple on the bus about DVC.... they ended up taking my name and purchasing a contract so I got a $200 visa card! I'm using that towards our dining plan. Then, I checked our Visa card points and realized we had enough for 2 full round trip tickets! This may be the cheapest trip we've ever taken.... Hotel paid for by DVC, we're using our annual passes we purchased back in Dec... so after the $200 credit towards our dining plan and our Visa card points for the airline tickets... this trip is costing us ..... $600 for the 6 days! After DH realized we had 2 of the 3 airline tickets taken care he was SOLD on going back! Yeaaaaaa! Let the itinerary planning begin! April

deal on your trip!

We're staying at the Beach Club for the first time in September (first time at a deluxe, we've only stayed value) and we are soo excited
Can't wait to hit SAB, Beaches and Cream, Cape May, Boardwalk, and walk to Epcot

 

[MikellaCinderella]

What time do you arrive? Were you planning on going to a park on arrival day? I know last year we got in around noon, so we went to MK...but this year we are taking a later flight...so no park the first day for us. So...that might make a difference for you.

We are eating at CRT for the first time this trip, so I can't really let you know if it is worth the 2 TS credits or not. I think it would be a magical way to start your trip!!!

But if you aren't planning on doing anything else in the park but go to CRT I would just stick with Chef Mickey's. You will meet the Fab Five...and you get great views of Magic Kingdom...

Not sure if that helps or not...I tend to be a fence sitter...always seeing the pros and cons of BOTH sides! Ha!

I used to read a lot of reviews of CRT that it wasn't worth the 2 TS credits. Last April, Mikella (4) and I had our first ADR at CRT on the day we arrived at WDW. OMG, I thought it was FABULOUS!!!!! The ENTIRE experience!!! You get a wonderful, yummy sit-down dinner (verses the buffet at Chef Mickey's), a photo package with Cinderella, and all the princesses that come to the table for photos and autographs. The castle is BEAUTIFUL inside and the stained glass windows glow as the sun hits them. Our ADR was at 715pm, I believe. They also do a "wishing ceremony" where all the little girls (and boys) are given wishing wands and wishing stars (that they get to keep)....they ask all the kids to close their eyes and wave their stars and wands......it's very cute. Mikella LOVED this experience!! Even if we weren't doing the dining plan again this year, I would PAY OUT OF POCKET to go to CRT again! The food, alone, is spectacular!! Can't wait for our next trip!

I could post some pics from our CRT experience if you'd like?!

 

[MikellaCinderella]

Hi September friends!!!!! I'm BAAAAAACKKKKK!!!!! Just took my last final exam for the Spring semester!!! No more classes for me until Fall!! Time to celebrate and get back to DIS'ing!! So excited!!!!!

 

[basketkat]

Hi September friends!!!!! I'm BAAAAAACKKKKK!!!!! Just took my last final exam for the Spring semester!!! No more classes for me until Fall!! Time to celebrate and get back to DIS'ing!! So excited!!!!!

Awesome!

And yes...bring on the pictures of CRT!!! I think everyone's pictures help me fell that Disney magic!

 

[MikellaCinderella]

No it's NOT a chain per say. It's the top park in the Cedar Fair Co...which some of our other parks are Dorney in PA, Michigan Adventure, Kings Island, Knott's Berry Farm(CA), Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Valleyfair, Worlds & Oceans of Fun, California's Great America, and more. But Cedar Point is the where all the coorporate offices are and the main hub. It's only THE BEST amusement park. If your a coaster person you would have heard of it!! I am such a coaster person!!!

I've definitely heard of it, but still never been there! One of these days.....I WILL get there! I'm a roller coaster freak!! LOL!

 

[MikellaCinderella]

Awesome!

And yes...bring on the pictures of CRT!!! I think everyone's pictures help me fell that Disney magic!

I got all excited about sharing a few pics....and I've been battling with Photobucket for hours now.....something is wrong with it. I'll try again tomorrow!

 

[sillylily]

I've definitely heard of it, but still never been there! One of these days.....I WILL get there! I'm a roller coaster freak!! LOL!

If you're a coaster freak, this is DEFINITELY your spot, Amy! My problem is, I have a harder time with coasters than I did as a teenager. I had a very traumatic experience with heights (not a coaster, just a high place) while pregnant with my oldest daughter, and it has left a very unwelcome side effect: I have developed an extreme phobia of heights. I am really proud that I'm no longer hyperventilating on the ground in front of one, though, so I hope I'm making progress!I hate it, I always loved coasters and miss that so much!

 

[KELLY]

I used to read a lot of reviews of CRT that it wasn't worth the 2 TS credits. Last April, Mikella (4) and I had our first ADR at CRT on the day we arrived at WDW. OMG, I thought it was FABULOUS!!!!! The ENTIRE experience!!! You get a wonderful, yummy sit-down dinner (verses the buffet at Chef Mickey's), a photo package with Cinderella, and all the princesses that come to the table for photos and autographs. The castle is BEAUTIFUL inside and the stained glass windows glow as the sun hits them. Our ADR was at 715pm, I believe. They also do a "wishing ceremony" where all the little girls (and boys) are given wishing wands and wishing stars (that they get to keep)....they ask all the kids to close their eyes and wave their stars and wands......it's very cute. Mikella LOVED this experience!! Even if we weren't doing the dining plan again this year, I would PAY OUT OF POCKET to go to CRT again! The food, alone, is spectacular!! Can't wait for our next trip!

I could post some pics from our CRT experience if you'd like?!

Hi September friends!!!!! I'm BAAAAAACKKKKK!!!!! Just took my last final exam for the Spring semester!!! No more classes for me until Fall!! Time to celebrate and get back to DIS'ing!! So excited!!!!!

I got all excited about sharing a few pics....and I've been battling with Photobucket for hours now.....something is wrong with it. I'll try again tomorrow!

Glad your Back. Yes yesterday photobucket was giving me a hard time. I took me a while to upload pictures from last years trip. Yes I'm just doing that now. I'm going to take the photopass cd to walmart this week. So I can get my pics developed. I think since this year we get the photobook free and I only have a bit to get it done. I will do it.

 

[L-Harper]

Yes, I would love to see pictures of CRT! I currently have a reservation at CRT for 4:25 and one at Chef Mickey's for 5:15. I have to decide which one to keep. I keep swaying back and forth on it.

 

[MamaJessie]

Yes, I would love to see pictures of CRT! I currently have a reservation at CRT for 4:25 and one at Chef Mickey's for 5:15. I have to decide which one to keep. I keep swaying back and forth on it.

Usually I'd go with Chef Mickey the first night, but since you are definitely going to the park the first day I'd just stay there and go to CRT. You're already going to be driving to the airport, going on the plane, driving to the resort, to the park, I know once I got to the park I'd just want to stay there until it was time to go. Have fun! Never been to CRT but have heard so many wonderful things