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

[janabananas]

I hope that everything turns out for you.

Thanks!

I am trying to look at it this way, (trying to be calm and collected), I can cancel my ADR's (except for 1 at Tokyo Dining for my bday, that is a must!) and we can eat qs and save money and time and aggrivation by not "having" to get to the ADR and paying for the buffets at BOMA and Cape May. But I really would like to go to them. Breathing, woooosaaaaa! I will just plan on doing it and if I cannot get the money together I will cancel them. I should know about 4-5 days before we leave so that way the spaces are open for late ADR makers.

 

[disneychic2]

So this is our first trip during this time of year (september 25-30th). I know there is free dining and ADR's filled up VERY quickly but everyone says the crowds are really low and most things are almost walk ons.

I'm having a hard time picturing this with restaurants being so booked up so quickly.

So just looking for a little insight from the September 2011 crowd

DH and I have gone several times in September, and have found the crowds to be very small. The wait times at lots of attractions are non existent. And the fastpasses don't run out nearly as early if at all. It's a great time of year to go if you can stand the heat! Enjoy!

We have 3 WDW trips booked. Being a DVC member cuts down on the out of pocket costs and we bought APs at the start of our trip last June so the more days we're in the parks the less each one costs. It seems like our duty to go as much as we can.

I would feel the exact same way. I wish we would have purchased DVC a long time ago. Seems a little late for us empty nesters at this point.

Thanks!

I am trying to look at it this way, (trying to be calm and collected), I can cancel my ADR's (except for 1 at Tokyo Dining for my bday, that is a must!) and we can eat qs and save money and time and aggrivation by not "having" to get to the ADR and paying for the buffets at BOMA and Cape May. But I really would like to go to them. Breathing, woooosaaaaa! I will just plan on doing it and if I cannot get the money together I will cancel them. I should know about 4-5 days before we leave so that way the spaces are open for late ADR makers.

Oh, this makes me sad. You deserve a great Birthday celebration that includes everything you've worked so hard to have! I hope it all works out for you.

 

[janabananas]

Oh, this makes me sad. You deserve a great Birthday celebration that includes everything you've worked so hard to have! I hope it all works out for you.

Thanks! I have decided I WILL have a great birthday regardless of what happens!! I will not let this weigh me down.

 

[JewelsG]

Thanks! I have decided I WILL have a great birthday regardless of what happens!! I will not let this weigh me down.

Sorry to hear your plans are going the way the should - not fair at all - my dad used to be the same way as your ex with regard my mom & supporting us when we were kids... its unfortunate and frustrating...

One positive way to look at it though is that if you eat more QS you get more time in the parks less sitting in restaurants

 

[basketkat]

Background: I have two boys, and I am no longer with their dad. We have been separated for over two years, and everything is friendly and amicable between us.

Now, as everyone knows, is Back To School time. We have always done a pretty even 50/50 split of school supply/clothes/etc. shopping for the boys.
I budgetted my money and had it put away to pay for my part of this. (BTW kids are expensive, as we all know!!) As well as budgetting money for my birthday trip in September.

I took the boys and got what I said I would and let him know what else was needed. He told me he didn't have ANY!!!! money to get them ANYTHING!!! He HAD!! to buy a new cellphone. It is not for work, he doesn't have to have one for work. He just wanted a new cellphone.

I cried, had a panic attack, got livid, calmed down, and now I am just crushed. I told my boss I was rethinking my vacation now, and he said "HECK NO!! YOU ARE GOING!! You need to get out of this office and do something for yourself for a change."

We do not have an agreement or anything, since we have been able to agree on everything in regards to the boys. He also knows that I won't let the boys go without something they need.

He knew I was saving money for my bday trip, so I guess he assumed I would cover his portion til whenever he could???

This leads to my problem.... The hotel is paid for and I have AP's (at least I do not have to worry about this part of it), but my food budget just got cut drastically. I worked my buns off this summer..... I guess I have to go back to working 50 hours a week......

I know I am lucky that my total trip isn't in jeopardy like I have read that some people are going through. But I am just really pissed right now!!

I am so sorry!! That sounds so frustrating! Like others have said you will still have a fabulous birthday! I hope it all works out quickly!

 

[lelei]

Thanks MamaJessie!

I love these forums, they have been unbelievably helpful in the trip planning. With 6 days left to pay off our vacation, we decided to upgrade from POR to the Wilderness Lodge yesterday morning. I am soo excited! We haven’t told the kiddos yet, and its killing me.

But, now I’m a bit worried. We stayed at POFQ last year so we kinda knew our way around that resort area, I am wondering if we are gonna miss out on anything fun or cool due to not being very familiar with the WL.

Does anyone happen to know how the boat travel times to MK are at the end of September? Last year we went the week of Halloween and travel from POFQ was easy, but with everything being soo booked at the resorts I’m a bit worried about our trip, which starts Sept 23rd!

Were the resorts this booked last year?

 

[lelei]

Background: I have two boys, and I am no longer with their dad. We have been separated for over two years, and everything is friendly and amicable between us.

Now, as everyone knows, is Back To School time. We have always done a pretty even 50/50 split of school supply/clothes/etc. shopping for the boys.
I budgetted my money and had it put away to pay for my part of this. (BTW kids are expensive, as we all know!!) As well as budgetting money for my birthday trip in September.

I took the boys and got what I said I would and let him know what else was needed. He told me he didn't have ANY!!!! money to get them ANYTHING!!! He HAD!! to buy a new cellphone. It is not for work, he doesn't have to have one for work. He just wanted a new cellphone.

I cried, had a panic attack, got livid, calmed down, and now I am just crushed. I told my boss I was rethinking my vacation now, and he said "HECK NO!! YOU ARE GOING!! You need to get out of this office and do something for yourself for a change."

We do not have an agreement or anything, since we have been able to agree on everything in regards to the boys. He also knows that I won't let the boys go without something they need.

He knew I was saving money for my bday trip, so I guess he assumed I would cover his portion til whenever he could???

This leads to my problem.... The hotel is paid for and I have AP's (at least I do not have to worry about this part of it), but my food budget just got cut drastically. I worked my buns off this summer..... I guess I have to go back to working 50 hours a week......

I know I am lucky that my total trip isn't in jeopardy like I have read that some people are going through. But I am just really pissed right now!!

Ugh, Janabananas, I feel your pain. My ex-husband is the same way, it drives me nuts.

I hope you have an extra special birthday, you definately deserve it.

 

[Marblies]

Thanks MamaJessie!

But, now I’m a bit worried. We stayed at POFQ last year so we kinda knew our way around that resort area, I am wondering if we are gonna miss out on anything fun or cool due to not being very familiar with the WL.

Congrats! How fun for your family. If I were you, I would check out the WL thread that has all the bus info., maps, and tips you should know.
here's one:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2319081&highlight=wilderness+lodge

 

[Marblies]

Ugh, Janabananas, I feel your pain. My ex-husband is the same way, it drives me nuts.

I hope you have an extra special birthday, you definately deserve it.

At least you have an awesome boss Janabananas!

 

[lelei]

Do you happen to know if there are any websites out there just about the Wilderness? There was an awesome one about Port Orleans that had all the info you could possibly imagine along with pictures, maps, etc that was really easy to navigate.

I get lost in those long threads!

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

DH and I have gone several times in September, and have found the crowds to be very small. The wait times at lots of attractions are non existent. And the fastpasses don't run out nearly as early if at all. It's a great time of year to go if you can stand the heat! Enjoy!



I would feel the exact same way. I wish we would have purchased DVC a long time ago. Seems a little late for us empty nesters at this point.



Oh, this makes me sad. You deserve a great Birthday celebration that includes everything you've worked so hard to have! I hope it all works out for you.

Not sure how to quote just part of your post. We have always come sans kids. DD is in collage and has only come with us once a couple of years ago. We enjoy doing what we want, going on tours, eating when and where we want and changing plans on the fly. If you're at a DVC resort an do happen to bring the kids/grandkids you will have a nice place to stay. We certainly thought it was worth it. Another perk of going by yourselves, as you have stated, is the lower crowd levels when most schools are in session. Most of the time that corresponds to lower point values for DVC rooms so it's a win win.

 

[Marblies]

Do you happen to know if there are any websites out there just about the Wilderness? There was an awesome one about Port Orleans that had all the info you could possibly imagine along with pictures, maps, etc that was really easy to navigate.

I get lost in those long threads!

Check out the one I mentioned previously
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2319081&highlight=wilderness+lodge

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Do you happen to know if there are any websites out there just about the Wilderness? There was an awesome one about Port Orleans that had all the info you could possibly imagine along with pictures, maps, etc that was really easy to navigate.

I get lost in those long threads!

Here's allears version: http://allears.net/acc/faq_wl.htm

And another independent one....www.wildernesslodgesite.com

I'm sure there are probably more...but it's a start!

 

[lelei]

Thanks for the links!

My DBF doesn't seem to like forum posts, but if the same info is posted on a webpage, he enjoys it. Wierd man, but he's with me, so I guess thats no surprize!

 

[KELLY]

I love this thread. Thanks to everyone there is things I didn't even think of bringing. Like a stroller cover.
Ok girls this is it my weekend to start packing and getting down to business. I cannot really pack alot since we are still wearing are summer clothes. But my oldest is coming home tommorow with 2 weeks worth of clothes so I can wash hers and get her packed at least. Any my younger dd I went to gap and got her some stuff. I may head to the gap outlet tommorow and see what I can find myself for cami's.
.

 

[KELLY]

Thanks for the links!

My DBF doesn't seem to like forum posts, but if the same info is posted on a webpage, he enjoys it. Wierd man, but he's with me, so I guess thats no surprize!

We stayed at WL once and we loved it. Dh would stay there again in a minute.

 

[Smile4Me]

Never been to see Bob Jackson (sounds entertaining) although DD21 and I will be heading to Jellyroll's on the 14th and we will be doing MNSSHP on the 20th. (although we are waiting to buy tickets until we see weather reports closer in.) PM me and we can start a little DIS meet.

We will be at the MNSSHP on the 20th too! ( I had to double check, but with all my scheduling obsessing you'd think I'd have known off the top of my head! lol) We do have our tickets already too!

Congrats on your new house! Renovations can be fun if you know what you're doing! We stayed at Mykonos Resort at Mt Olympus, it was really cheap because of the time share presentation we had to do. But the hotel was actually the recently acquired Raintree resort and was NOT as pictured in all the info we'd received and housekeeping was abyssmal--I found potato chips next to the bed that didn't get picked up the whole time we were there (until I did it that is!). Plus, the timeshare guy asked us where we go on vacations, we said "Disney World" and he showed us one of their properties, The Fountains in Orlando, and said "The monorail picks you right up!" in all seriousness. Yeah.... Just can't wait to be at our happy place!

We'll be at MNSSHP on the 20th too! Already have the tickets so hoping for no rain!

Good to know about Mt. Olympus, I've always wondered about that resort. I've also read a lot of similar cutting comments about the wilderness so we've been hesitant to try staying there. We usually stay Kalahari or Great wolf, but on our last trip at Kalahari the water was FREEZING so I'm afraid to go back and leaning toward great wolf again. We're hoping to head up for a few days this winter!!

I'm jealous of everyone already booking 2012 trips!!! DH and I were oh so tempted but we have to keep repeating to ourselves not next year, not next year! We are thinking November 2013 for our next trip so things don't get too routine, plus we have a bunch of projects around the house (and hopefully one really big project in the next year or so ) to take care of... so I'll just have to keep reminding myself must take year off... must! 2013 really isn't too far away!

We usually go to the Wilderness when we go to the Dells,and generally really like it there.I think it must be across the board though with cuts to staffing and facilities, we went to Mt. Olympus last year and just wasn't impressed. Their wave pool was wayyy over crowded and just threw people into each other or onto the ground. Its nice for the winter months to get out of the house and do some swimming for a weekend but during the summer especially when the crowds descend,,,its no comparison!

Well we did it - booked at PO-FQ for September 2012... is it bad to book your next before you even have gone on the current one... lol...

Congratulations!!

Background: I have two boys, and I am no longer with their dad. We have been separated for over two years, and everything is friendly and amicable between us.

We do not have an agreement or anything, since we have been able to agree on everything in regards to the boys. He also knows that I won't let the boys go without something they need.

Sending good thoughts your way Jana,,,I'm sure you've heard this before from people closer to your situation but please please please get an agreement in writing with a lawyer. Protect yourself and your boys. As you said kids are expensive, and their needs and wants are just going to go up in price. And even if this is the first time its happened, who says its going to be the last. I know it may be expensive but in the long run its in your best interest and your boys' best interest too.

 

[Pookasaurus]

Jana - I'm sorry about your ex and what he is pulling, thats terrible I'm glad you're still able to go! I've seen some threads around the board about eating on a budget, and I'm sure google would find a bunch to help you work better with the smaller budget.




Does anyone have any input about a quick beach stay before disney? We've been going back and forth on this since we booked our trip (last september) and had ruled it out, but now we're leaning toward going again. I really think the boys would have a blast. We'd only go for one day (day before we check in) and we drive and already have the time off so none of that is an issue, but we're having issues deciding on which beach, and if it would be more hassle than its worth. We'll already be stopping to see my grandparents on the drive down and then in Georgia over night, so I worry that at that point we might just be ready to get to Disney and settle in! But again, I think the boys would be amazed (my oldest has been on a cruise and "swam" in the ocean but he was 10mo so he obviously doesn't remember). We probably won't book the hotel until the week before when we can see what the weather was doing - Igor was churning in the Atlantic on last trip so all the beaches on the Atlantic side were closed for swimming so I'd like to avoid that if we do go (of course I'd like to avoid any hint of a hurricane!).

Anyway - any input would be appreciated! Worth it to go? no? Beach/hotel suggestions? Thank you

 

[janabananas]

Thanks for all the words of encouragment, everyone. I do have a great boss. I am determined not to let this get me down.

I make the schedule at work and did a prelim assessment and it looks like I will have to work OT due to limited staffing with other folks vacations, so at least I will have a valid reason to work the OT. And lemonade side of it, if he does pay me back then it means I can get souvenirs I wasn't planning on getting.

 

[MamaJessie]

janabananas - Sorry your ex is being a pain. There are definitely a lot of great $ saving tips for eating while on vaca at wdw. Are you going to have a car?

We had a Mulan party yesterday. My 12 yo set up a "training to be a warrior" obstacle course, they drew pictures of their family guardians, and we ate some chinese food with chopsticks) while we watched. We all forgot how much we liked that movie

Still waiting for an answer. made some back up ADRs for Nov just in case but optimistic.