September 2011 - The Planning Has Started!!!

[JoBird]

Wow- I have to tons to catch up on here!!
You guys have been so busy!!

Not really sure yet how to reply to other posts but .....

I also have a friend who thinks I'm totally ape for this disney trip.....she said something like why would I pay to be in hell for 10 days....nice! She is a totally negative nellie too so it doesn't shock me! I also have another friend at work who's going to Disney in July for 4 days with her 2 young DD's ...she's skipping Epcot and HS and hasn't really worried with ADR's...I've tried to make suggestions but I can tell she's a no go for planning so every time we talk Disney it's so hard for me.....I think she thinks I'm nuts with all of my planning...

I am soooo ready to book our flights because we're going to try to use Alligant Air as they have some awesome deals for non-stop to Orlando but they only fly on certain days....they aren't releasing the Sept dates until APRIL!!.AGHGHGH!!!

Okay, so some suggestions regarding ADR's....my DD1 is a princess FREAK...she loves all things princess and watches her Disney movies OVER and OVER.....so I really want to try to do CRT for her as well as the Princess Storybook at Akershus. Do you recommend breakfast, lunch or dinner for these? I'm using Tour Guide Mike and he seems to be big on go early and see all you can early and then leave for break so that doesn't leave much for breakfast ADR's? I'm really more concerned with DD getting a lot of princess time though so I'm open to Breakfast if that's the best time??? I'm just not sure?

Thanks everyone!!

Just wanted to say hi to ya-- we are in NWA. Glad you joined our thread!

JoBird -- I thought of something this weekend that you will just LOVE! Last September, we listened to Voices of Liberty at Epcot and they sang "Rocky Top". And THEN, last weekend, we heard the music for the little hoedown they do in the street in Frontierland about 3 times. Each time, guess what song was on? "Rocky Top!" Be sure to make some extra time to enjoy!

*Ahem*..........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMqvZbxW3NI

Start it at 1:26.
Chomp, Chomp.





Hope your DD is better now!



Welcome to the rest of the new travelers!

 

[disneydreamin247]

My baby monster is doing much better, thank you!

I was just reading on the CL thread that they will book all of the ADRs for the whole time as long as you are CL on both reservations, which we would be, so I may have to give up control on an ADR or two.

My biggest fear is CRT. If we do a split stay, we would probably do AKL Friday to Monday or Tuesday and CR Tuesday to Friday. I was going to do CRT on Monday, but I don't want to hassle with getting there from AKL, so we'd probably move it to Friday. If we did that, I'd be worried about waiting to do the ADR until the 180 days from Tuesday because it's free dining and I'm sure that will be g-o-n-e really quick for that whole week.

Oh, decisions, decisions!

All of my other ADRs are pretty easy to get. We'd have to move some around a little bit, but nothing major.

Can't you still make reservations for 180+10 on your first reservation since you will still be in WDW? I don't see why you can't... Granted, I have never made reservations before so I don't know if it will lock you out after your reservation date or what. Good luck in your decisions!

As long as you do them by phone you won't have a problem doing your whole trip.

 

[Antigua08]

How have l only just found this thread! I'm ridiculously excited about my DDs 1st trip this Sept 15th - 29th (staying off site as going with extended family)

This looks like a great place for tips, as in definite need of help with planning.

Cannot wait to join in

 

[KellyWasHere]

MissLiz - Glad your little one is doing better!

Not really sure yet how to reply to other posts but .....

I also have a friend who thinks I'm totally ape for this disney trip.....she said something like why would I pay to be in hell for 10 days....nice! She is a totally negative nellie too so it doesn't shock me! I also have another friend at work who's going to Disney in July for 4 days with her 2 young DD's ...she's skipping Epcot and HS and hasn't really worried with ADR's...I've tried to make suggestions but I can tell she's a no go for planning so every time we talk Disney it's so hard for me.....I think she thinks I'm nuts with all of my planning...

I am soooo ready to book our flights because we're going to try to use Alligant Air as they have some awesome deals for non-stop to Orlando but they only fly on certain days....they aren't releasing the Sept dates until APRIL!!.AGHGHGH!!!

Okay, so some suggestions regarding ADR's....my DD1 is a princess FREAK...she loves all things princess and watches her Disney movies OVER and OVER.....so I really want to try to do CRT for her as well as the Princess Storybook at Akershus. Do you recommend breakfast, lunch or dinner for these? I'm using Tour Guide Mike and he seems to be big on go early and see all you can early and then leave for break so that doesn't leave much for breakfast ADR's? I'm really more concerned with DD getting a lot of princess time though so I'm open to Breakfast if that's the best time??? I'm just not sure?

Thanks everyone!!

TGM really does stress how important it is to get there early, doesn't he?

What I'm trying for is an 8 am reservation at CRT on a day when MK opens at 9. That way we'll be in the park and already at the castle when it officially opens.

You could book a late breakfast at Akershus, maybe 10:30. That way you can already have done some attractions in the Future World section of Epcot and maybe picked up a FP or 2 to use later in the day. (You can use the FPs anytime after the return time, as long as it's the same day. Just FYI in case you didn't know. I didn't until my last Disney trip.)

We did Akershus last year for breakfast. It was a late breakfast, around 10:30. They were setting up lunch when we left. The character interaction was great, and they do a little parade through the restaurant, the princesses with the kids. And bonus, we were able to walk right on Maelstrom after we were done, there was no line! However, both of my girls cried the entire ride. Fun times!

 

[L-Harper]

How have l only just found this thread! I'm ridiculously excited about my DDs 1st trip this Sept 15th - 29th (staying off site as going with extended family)

This looks like a great place for tips, as in definite need of help with planning.

Cannot wait to join in

Yay! I'm glad you found us then. These ladies have helped me a lot in planning my first trip. I have you added to the first post!

 

[basketkat]

How have l only just found this thread! I'm ridiculously excited about my DDs 1st trip this Sept 15th - 29th (staying off site as going with extended family)

This looks like a great place for tips, as in definite need of help with planning.

Cannot wait to join in

 

[TinyDancer]

You converted her! That's awesome.



That's how my friend is too. She's also the type that would rather have the extra 4 grand in the bank to waste on other things. When I say waste, I do mean waste. I'm not just being mean. I guess to me there's no price for my children's happiness.

See, here is where I will sound selfish. I love WDW for ME! Yes, my kids happiness is priceless but I LOVE it for ME!!!!

 

[TinyDancer]

I checked AirTran again today and the price went up!!

What do I do? Will they go up again? Stay the same or go down???

 

[Smile4Me]

I checked AirTran again today and the price went up!!

What do I do? Will they go up again? Stay the same or go down???

I noticed that too, I'm hoping that as the October dates come up and it gets closer that maybe a fare sale or two will come around as well and bring them back down!

Also for people who scoff at our trips, it makes me happy because its one less person we have to stand in line behind or with! And gets us to our happy places quicker!!

 

[MissLiz]

Wow- I have to tons to catch up on here!!
You guys have been so busy!!




Just wanted to say hi to ya-- we are in NWA. Glad you joined our thread!




*Ahem*..........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMqvZbxW3NI

Start it at 1:26.
Chomp, Chomp.





Hope your DD is better now!



Welcome to the rest of the new travelers!

Yes, but he SANG it! No matter how much you want to say you don't like it, the song gets in your head and sticks.

I had my girls walking through the grocery store a couple of months ago, chanting "It's great...to be...a Tennessee Vol!" Well, the older one was chanting, the younger one was moving and clapping and making random sounds that sounded close to the chant.

We usually have one day that we all wear our TN gear at WDW. In May, we were at HS on that day and the Idol Experience guy came up to have us yell about being the next American Idol. Then he said, kind of sarcastically, "And, gee, I wonder where you're from". We really confused him when we all said Georgia!

 

[MissLiz]

Come on, people! I'm bored at work. I need some distraction!!!




Ask questions, post ADRs (to give me more ideas on mine), schedules....

I'm going nutso today!!!


Right now in my little notebook, I have two separate itineraries. One for staying at CR the whole trip and one for a split stay. I've at least narrowed that down.

I'm pretty sure we won't do much on Friday night. I may make an ADR, but it all depends on traffic and what time we get on the road. Our two ADR choices would be Whispering Canyon Cafe or Boma.

If we don't do Whispering Canyon Cafe that night, then we'll just skip it this trip. I'm pretty sure we'll do Boma some time during the week.

I'm trying to put all of our favorites in the beginning of the trip because it never fails that we decide we aren't in the mood to eat so much by the end of the trip and cancel a bunch of ADRs.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I checked AirTran again today and the price went up!!

What do I do? Will they go up again? Stay the same or go down???

I didn't like the price mine came out at -- $114. We usually pay $79. So I decided to wait them out. They are now $119. So I am left wondering the same as you -- will they stay the same, will they go up, and will they ever go down???

 

[Millermom0606]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

ok just had to let that out!!

I am SO BEYOND excited for this trip!! Not only does it mean my husband will be back from his deployment, but we get to leave reality behind and just be a family having fun!!

I 'think' I have the ADRs figured out.... just have to go over to the Restaurant board and ask a few questions...... we are going at the EXACT same time we went in 2009 how crazy is that?!?!?

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Wow! So many posts since I was last able to check this thread! Yay for all the Disney adventures everyone has planned!!!

I'm trying to decide something and wondering if anyone is in the same boat... we booked through a travel agent (who we love and was able to get us a great deal!), and part of their services is to book our dining for us.... and since it's our first time going I'm kind of thinking this might be a good idea! However, I'm also totally a hands on person, and also think booking myself would be a good learning experience, you know? Plus, they pick our restaurants for us based on our family's likes and ages, etc..(I can add suggestions if I want but they also assume that people who are 1st timers need some help... but they don't know I hang out here in my spare time LOL), and maybe I should just let them pick for us... other than a few I know we definitely want..... Any suggestions on this?

Wow, I am such a hands on planner this is something I have to do myself. There is an overwhelming amount of information available including menus on each of the restaurants available on the Dis, that you would probably be well served if you made your own reservations. Where I would ask the "travel agent" to help, is if I wasn't able to get a reservation for a restaurant we or the children really wanted. As a Disney resort guest, you can book your dining reservations 180 days from the date of your arrival in the resort. Happy Planning.

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

ok just had to let that out!!

I am SO BEYOND excited for this trip!! Not only does it mean my husband will be back from his deployment, but we get to leave reality behind and just be a family having fun!!

I 'think' I have the ADRs figured out.... just have to go over to the Restaurant board and ask a few questions...... we are going at the EXACT same time we went in 2009 how crazy is that?!?!?

Thank you to you and your family for making the sacrifice of serving our country. I hope you have the most amazing Disney vacation. Are you staying at Shades of Green?

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Hello everyone! I swear I think I've spent the last week trying to read through this entire thread!! I love all of the great info on here! This will be our FIRST family trip to WDW!! I'm so excited! We're doing 10 days at the Beach Club Sept 18-25! DD1 will be almost be 4 at the time and DD2 will be 18 months. DD1 is a princess FANATIC and she also loves MM clubhouse so I just can't wait to see her reaction to everything! We actually used Disney to potty train her! LOL!

I guess I just don't know where to start with all of the planning and I'm starting to stress about how close the ADR period is getting! Any suggestions on how you start with your plan? I forgot to mention that my parents will be going us for the first half of the trip so I'm trying to figure out what to include them in and not? Make sense? Anyway....I have gone on and on here so I will get off.....look forward to chatting with everyone these next months leading up to the trip!!

We generally try to maximize the amount of time available in the parks by identifying when Extra Magic Hours are for each park. Do you have park hopper tickets? Park Hopper tickets will make a difference in planning your touring schedule. If you don't have park hopper tickets, then you generally have to be even more specific about advance plans in order to leave yourself a down day, and still see and experience everything you have your heart set on. Good luck with your planning.

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Have you tried Big River Grille on the Boardwalk? We love it. It isn't Disney owned, so the food is a little different. They have even made my kids things that aren't even on the kids menu. And you don't need an ADR!

My husband put that on his list of restaurants for our down day this year. We had dinner there 2 years ago and he really enjoyed it, so we are looking forward to eating here. We enjoy the atmosphere on the Boardwalk, and it's really nice all lit up in the evening.

 

[pinkle]

I checked AirTran again today and the price went up!!

What do I do? Will they go up again? Stay the same or go down???

Have you checked Southwest????? I know if you book with them and the prices go down later you can get a refund to use another time. I book with them, that way I know I won't lose moneyif the prices drop. I would rather do that than miss the lower price if they go up .......just a thought! Happy Planning

 

[Millermom0606]

We're actually staying at the BLT in a Lake View Villa, I'm hoping beyond hope to get one of the lake views that also has a hint of the theme park

I don't know why but this year seems so much harder to plan...... last year I didn't even book till I think June (?) and had no problems booking, this year I tried to move our reservation one day and everything we fit in is booked!! its crazy!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

My husband put that on his list of restaurants for our down day this year. We had dinner there 2 years ago and he really enjoyed it, so we are looking forward to eating here. We enjoy the atmosphere on the Boardwalk, and it's really nice all lit up in the evening.

We love BRG and the BW! Such a fun area. I don't have any BW time planned for this trip since we spent every night on the BW on the last trip, but I have been wondering lately if we will miss it this trip.

I'm sure we will be fine, we will be over at CBR and then the Poly enjoying lots of tropical atmosphere.