September 2011 - The Planning Has Started!!!

[MamaJessie]

Have a lot of people here done photopass? When I ws on the feb countdown thread they had a facebook group with a photopass share but I just found the whole thing so confusing . Then a friend of mine posted her Photopass pics from her recent trip and they're so nice. It would be great to have a picture with my whole family in it. We don't have ANY.

I'll have to look up some prices...

 

[pinkle]

Wow, it's kinda quiet here! What are we going to talk about now that our ADR's are all made?

What can we talk about?????? We obviously are way too organized!!! We need a plan!

All we really need to do is come up with something else to obsess over for the next 5 months!

How hard could that be?

hmmmmm................looking for a new obsession! I've done Disney 6 times and have read so much, I am finding it hard to find new info. Any news on Star Tours?

Have a lot of people here done photopass? When I ws on the feb countdown thread they had a facebook group with a photopass share but I just found the whole thing so confusing . Then a friend of mine posted her Photopass pics from her recent trip and they're so nice. It would be great to have a picture with my whole family in it. We don't have ANY.

I'll have to look up some prices...

I did photopass loved year. It was good! We made a really nice calender when we got home. The thing is even if you aren't doing photopass the photographers will take a photo for you with your camera

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

All right, we had my brother and his wife over last night and my sister in law made it clear that she thinks it weird that two adults are traveling to Disney for their anniversary. How do we get her to understand?????? (She has never been there)

Some people just have never been dusted with Pixie Dust - and it's sad actually. Our family has stopped telling us that there are other places to go on vacation - finally!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Have a lot of people here done photopass? When I ws on the feb countdown thread they had a facebook group with a photopass share but I just found the whole thing so confusing . Then a friend of mine posted her Photopass pics from her recent trip and they're so nice. It would be great to have a picture with my whole family in it. We don't have ANY.

I'll have to look up some prices...

We usually only have a few Photopass pictures each trip. One, because sometimes the lines are too long or the crowds too great and, two, it's hard to find a window of time where our young children are presentable and agreeable to pose for photos!

The only way to get your Photopass pictures is to print out individual photos through Disney (online or in park) or you can order the CD of all the photos Photopass photographers have taken. The CD is $150 online and in the parks. However, if you pre-order the CD before your vacation starts using this special link, its $100: http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx.

We've never seen the need to get the CD before. However, this year we are going on a cruise with many other family members. Therefore, I am planning on pre-ordering the CD and splitting the cost of the CD with other family members who will benefit from the family photos.

 

[sillylily]

Since the previous Special Offers have expired, Disney just released a new one. It doesn't necessarily help those in this thread, and it's not really better than the last one they had, but here it is: Room Discount Only at this point.

This summer at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts save up to 30% for stays most nights June 15 to August 13, 2011. Also, check for rates for stays most nights April 22 to June 14, 2011!

Book through April 30, 2011 for travel April 22 to May 28, 2011
Book through May 28, 2011 for travel May 29 to August 13, 2011

Save 25% at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Polynesian Resort for stays most nights June 15 to August 13, 2011.

Am I the only one who's glad I didn't hold out hope for the summer months? I know they don't have to offer them at all, but this special has got to be a letdown for the ones hoping FD would go GP after the pins went out. I'm hoping that everyone who needed a pin still gets one!!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Am I the only one who's glad I didn't hold out hope for the summer months? I know they don't have to offer them at all, but this special has got to be a letdown for the ones hoping FD would go GP after the pins went out. I'm hoping that everyone who needed a pin still gets one!!

Yeah, it wasn't the best offer I've seen, but I guess it's something. They must have too much vacancy at their pricier resorts this summer. If this hints at future offers for late summer and early fall, it doesn't look good for free dining being offered again.

 

[Smile4Me]

Speaking of deals, anyone hear anything about a bounce back offer at all? I'll be really interested come August to see if they are offering one. Its so tempting,,,especially because even though we've gone consecutive years we've never really planned an annual vacation like this (never been in the place to do so!)...its always been 'yeah we'd love to, and maybe we can, we'll just have to wait and see how schedules work out, and hope FD is offered again"

So how many September travelers have taken advantage of bounce back in the past? How many of you make Disney your annual vacation? Is it a regularly budgeted for item in your house?

As far as things to talk about I'm always up to talk about ways people save toward vacation (or any kind of saving for that matter)-I figure some of you have to be having yard sales this spring-Maybe we can give each other ideas on how to make the most of those opportunities and what not!

 

[MissLiz]

Hey everyone!

I was able to catch up pretty quickly today. Not like you guys at all!


So, I just wanted to pop in and say see you guys in about a week! We are heading out tomorrow for a cruise and we won't get back until next Sunday. I'm going to try to stay away from the internet while onboard.

Hope you all have a great week and I'll spend two days trying to read everything to catch up when I get back!

 

[MamaJessie]

So how many September travelers have taken advantage of bounce back in the past? How many of you make Disney your annual vacation? Is it a regularly budgeted for item in your house?

As far as things to talk about I'm always up to talk about ways people save toward vacation (or any kind of saving for that matter)-I figure some of you have to be having yard sales this spring-Maybe we can give each other ideas on how to make the most of those opportunities and what not!

I am such a dingaling I didn't realize the offer I ahd in my room last time was a bounceback, I thought it was just an ad for the current promo. This will be my first post-disboards vaca. I am much wiser now

As for money savings I have signed up for sunshine erwards (not so great so far) I use swagbucks and a survey site with pretty good payouts. I am also an obsessive coupon clipper and frugal mama in general. Also use all holidays as a way to slip in useful/practical for vaca things. Like the create your own vinylmations - they will be in their easter hunt.

Haven't done a yard sale in awhile, but we could really use one anyway. WDW trips are a great motivator, maybe I'll do one. Any tips?

Hey everyone!

I was able to catch up pretty quickly today. Not like you guys at all!


So, I just wanted to pop in and say see you guys in about a week! We are heading out tomorrow for a cruise and we won't get back until next Sunday. I'm going to try to stay away from the internet while onboard.

Hope you all have a great week and I'll spend two days trying to read everything to catch up when I get back!

Hope your daughter feels better! Enjoy the cruise. I am so jealous of all your vacations

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Speaking of deals, anyone hear anything about a bounce back offer at all? I'll be really interested come August to see if they are offering one. Its so tempting,,,especially because even though we've gone consecutive years we've never really planned an annual vacation like this (never been in the place to do so!)...its always been 'yeah we'd love to, and maybe we can, we'll just have to wait and see how schedules work out, and hope FD is offered again"

So how many September travelers have taken advantage of bounce back in the past? How many of you make Disney your annual vacation? Is it a regularly budgeted for item in your house?

That's a good question. I haven't heard about any current bouncebacks, but I know they were slim to none during Fall and Winter 2010. In general, Disney has said they are trying to wean us off the deeply discounted special promotions they have!

We haven't booked a bounceback yet, only because it's so hard to plan that far in advance. With work schedules and kids' school schedules, I need a little more time to find the right time for our vacation. Plus, I've always found that other special offers and PINs were either the same or better than the bounceback that was offered. That might change in the future, though.

We now consider Disney to be our annual vacation. When we went for the first time as a family in 2007, I wasn't sure we could go again. In 2008, pretty much at the last minute, we realized we could afford a small trip. Since then, I feel that even if it's only for a couple days in the parks, it's still worth the trip. It gives us something to look forward to and plan all year and it's nice to formally "get away." We do other mini vacations, but there's just something different about having a Disney vacation!

I am such a dingaling I didn't realize the offer I ahd in my room last time was a bounceback, I thought it was just an ad for the current promo.

Actually, the last time we were there in December, the only Bounceback they had was an ad for the current promo. So maybe you didn't miss out at all!

 

[KellyWasHere]

Hey everyone!

I was able to catch up pretty quickly today. Not like you guys at all!


So, I just wanted to pop in and say see you guys in about a week! We are heading out tomorrow for a cruise and we won't get back until next Sunday. I'm going to try to stay away from the internet while onboard.

Hope you all have a great week and I'll spend two days trying to read everything to catch up when I get back!

Have fun!

I have been crazy busy so not much time to come on the boards lately...

 

[Elianor]

Disney Plan for September

Sunday
Travel/Downtown Disney/Resorts
Cooks of Dublin (CS1), Lego store, World of Disney, Once Upon a Toy, Pin Traders (would like to check out the campground at some point)

Monday
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast at Crystal Palace (TS1), late lunch at Cosmic Rays (CS 2) snack out for dinner

Tuesday
Epcot (early hours)
Light breakfast in room, early lunch at Rose and Crown (TS 2), dinner at Tangierine (any CS 3) Mickey’s Halloween Party, up late…!

Wednesday
Animal Kingdom (early hours)
Light breakfast in room, early lunch at Flame Tree grill (CS 4), dinner at BOMA (TS 3)

Thursday
Mere’s choice ( likely MK)
Light breakfast in room, early lunch at any (CS 5) place, dinner at 'Ohana (TS 4) at the Polynesian

Friday
Travel day
Leisurely breakfast at BOMA (TS 5), packing and pool time for kids, Magical Express to MCO


This is the tentative plan!

 

[pinkle]

Speaking of deals, anyone hear anything about a bounce back offer at all? I'll be really interested come August to see if they are offering one. Its so tempting,,,especially because even though we've gone consecutive years we've never really planned an annual vacation like this (never been in the place to do so!)...its always been 'yeah we'd love to, and maybe we can, we'll just have to wait and see how schedules work out, and hope FD is offered again"

So how many September travelers have taken advantage of bounce back in the past? How many of you make Disney your annual vacation? Is it a regularly budgeted for item in your house?

As far as things to talk about I'm always up to talk about ways people save toward vacation (or any kind of saving for that matter)-I figure some of you have to be having yard sales this spring-Maybe we can give each other ideas on how to make the most of those opportunities and what not!

This is our second bounceback..it took me a few to catch on! Waiting for FD can be soooo stressfull! I hope Disney will still be offering discounts in the future or many people will choose to stay off-site

 

[BorkBorkBork]

Speaking of deals, anyone hear anything about a bounce back offer at all? I'll be really interested come August to see if they are offering one. Its so tempting,,,especially because even though we've gone consecutive years we've never really planned an annual vacation like this (never been in the place to do so!)...its always been 'yeah we'd love to, and maybe we can, we'll just have to wait and see how schedules work out, and hope FD is offered again"

So how many September travelers have taken advantage of bounce back in the past? How many of you make Disney your annual vacation? Is it a regularly budgeted for item in your house?

As far as things to talk about I'm always up to talk about ways people save toward vacation (or any kind of saving for that matter)-I figure some of you have to be having yard sales this spring-Maybe we can give each other ideas on how to make the most of those opportunities and what not!

The bounceback offer we had in our room in May 09 was for vacations in fall 2009--hopefully this year the offers will be for a more realistic timeframe! I would love to go back in 2012 to sneak in one more trip before DD is 3 and free but more logically, we will wait until 2013 when hopefully New Fantasyland is at least partially open, plus Art of Animation! This'll give us more time to save which brings us to...

Saving for vacations! I've only been a SAHM since July and we are missing that income I used to bring in but we're doing OK. Vacations are important to us so we put some aside every month. Right now we're doing $20 a week into savings which is a bit over $1000 a year. We'll put $500 from tax refunds every year plus whatever extra we can extract from our tight budget. We'd have a hard time doing WDW for $1500 every year but if we go every 2 years, now we're talking! Our DD will be our only one so we don't see costs getting too high down the road.

Also, I've been doing QuickRewards.net surveys etc. since late Feb. I've earned $100 in Disney gift cards so far! If I average $50 in gc's a month, that's $600 a year towards vacations too. Plus this is free money so even better! We also have the Disney Visa but don't use it too much. We should have about $50 in those rewards for this trip.

OK I'll stop now! Disney budgeting is a favorite topic for me, can't you tell?

 

[ShhhQ]

That's a good question. I haven't heard about any current bouncebacks, but I know they were slim to none during Fall and Winter 2010. In general, Disney has said they are trying to wean us off the deeply discounted special promotions they have!

We haven't booked a bounceback yet, only because it's so hard to plan that far in advance. With work schedules and kids' school schedules, I need a little more time to find the right time for our vacation. Plus, I've always found that other special offers and PINs were either the same or better than the bounceback that was offered. That might change in the future, though.

We now consider Disney to be our annual vacation. When we went for the first time as a family in 2007, I wasn't sure we could go again. In 2008, pretty much at the last minute, we realized we could afford a small trip. Since then, I feel that even if it's only for a couple days in the parks, it's still worth the trip. It gives us something to look forward to and plan all year and it's nice to formally "get away." We do other mini vacations, but there's just something different about having a Disney vacation!
Actually, the last time we were there in December, the only Bounceback they had was an ad for the current promo. So maybe you didn't miss out at all!

We haven't booked bounceback either.... our 1st trip in 2007 we thought, this is it, our only trip...
As we were heading home, DM said something about next time we will fly (we still drive though) but I was like WOO-HOO there might be a next time. In 2008 we planned again, this time my Bro came along (our excuse was that he got left home the previous trip and he had to have a trip) as well as my BFF and her family! The next year we opted for a lower priced trip and went to Branson... we decided we liked Disney better so in 2010 we returned.... and I planned on booking a bounceback.. however, there was the FD offer at the same time so bounceback was unnecessary! So here we are in 2011 planning our 4th trip... but unsure of what we will do next year!

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Just wanted to share a pic of the costume I'm getting for both DDs for PL :


Here is a pic of a little girl wearing the costume(the pink and black one) from the PL thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2428848&page=7


Here is another pic:
http://www.buycostumes.com/Treasure-Hunt-Pirate-Girl-Child-Costume/61965/ProductDetail.aspx

It's more pink than pirate but my girls loved the costume and I can't wait for them to wear them in September

My replacement costume is on its way , now I need to find a size small for my 4 year old.

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Disney Plan for September

Sunday
Travel/Downtown Disney/Resorts
Cooks of Dublin (CS1), Lego store, World of Disney, Once Upon a Toy, Pin Traders (would like to check out the campground at some point)

Monday
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast at Crystal Palace (TS1), late lunch at Cosmic Rays (CS 2) snack out for dinner

Tuesday
Epcot (early hours)
Light breakfast in room, early lunch at Rose and Crown (TS 2), dinner at Tangierine (any CS 3) Mickey’s Halloween Party, up late…!

Wednesday
Animal Kingdom (early hours)
Light breakfast in room, early lunch at Flame Tree grill (CS 4), dinner at BOMA (TS 3)

Thursday
Mere’s choice ( likely MK)
Light breakfast in room, early lunch at any (CS 5) place, dinner at 'Ohana (TS 4) at the Polynesian

Friday
Travel day
Leisurely breakfast at BOMA (TS 5), packing and pool time for kids, Magical Express to MCO


This is the tentative plan!

Plans look good! Are you planning on going to AK for the early hours on Wed after a late night at MK for MNSSHP?

You might be too tired from a late night at MNSSHP to get up early for AK?

We're always tired the next morning after the party so the following day I have scheduled a sleep in late day / hit the parks in the PM
But it seems like you have a nice plan!

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Speaking of deals, anyone hear anything about a bounce back offer at all? I'll be really interested come August to see if they are offering one. Its so tempting,,,especially because even though we've gone consecutive years we've never really planned an annual vacation like this (never been in the place to do so!)...its always been 'yeah we'd love to, and maybe we can, we'll just have to wait and see how schedules work out, and hope FD is offered again"

So how many September travelers have taken advantage of bounce back in the past? How many of you make Disney your annual vacation? Is it a regularly budgeted for item in your house?

As far as things to talk about I'm always up to talk about ways people save toward vacation (or any kind of saving for that matter)-I figure some of you have to be having yard sales this spring-Maybe we can give each other ideas on how to make the most of those opportunities and what not!

We have done bounce back twice and we really liked having the free dining as a sure thing for the following year before leaving Disney. The wait on the boards for the general free dining to (maybe/maybe not) come out is too stressful if that's the discount you're hoping for

2007 was my first trip to Disney (finally happened as an adult ) and it was supposed to be a once in a lifetime trip for us. Well, as you can see from siggie how well that theory played out My whole family was hooked and we have made Disney an annual vacation since

We use our tax return to pay for the trip

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Hey everyone!

I was able to catch up pretty quickly today. Not like you guys at all!


So, I just wanted to pop in and say see you guys in about a week! We are heading out tomorrow for a cruise and we won't get back until next Sunday. I'm going to try to stay away from the internet while onboard.

Hope you all have a great week and I'll spend two days trying to read everything to catch up when I get back!

Have a great trip!

 

[sillylily]

Yeah, it wasn't the best offer I've seen, but I guess it's something. They must have too much vacancy at their pricier resorts this summer. If this hints at future offers for late summer and early fall, it doesn't look good for free dining being offered again.

I was thinking the same thing. I was holding out a small but fervent hope that it woulf be re-offered for our dates, since we were originally booked for spring and kind of fell into September, but I gave that hope up when the room only came up this morning. BUT, I did pay our trip off today, and I'm grateful we can afford to go! Now hurry up, September! Oh, and Disney... we would all like an awesome bounceback in our rooms, please and thank you!