September 2011 - We are going to Disney World {THIS MONTH}! (Third Thread)

[janabananas]

Thanks! I decided to start a Trip Report. I wasn't sure if I was going to do one, but the cruise was such a new experience for me that it will be fun to document it. It's going to take some time to load all the pictures and detail the trip, but here it is:

Splish, Splash, the Dream was a Blast! 9/1/2011 Trip Report

I'll put a link in my signature, too.

Love the title, I am gonna sub right now!

 

[Glendamax]

We leave tomorrow !

I hope I see you!!! I'll be there on Saturday! Please keep an eye out for me! I'll be listening for someone to call out my name!

 

[KELLY]

Welcome back, KELLY!!!! It's so great to hear some reviews! I would LOVE to hear more about Pop's activities, pools, and the Goofy jets which I hear aren't working. Anything a first timer to Pop should know? How were the waits for TSM? We plan on going to HS at rope drop anyway... I just want to hear it all!!! We leave tomorrow!!!

We got our TSM passes at around 1030 am for a return time of 330-430. We never did rope drop. Most of the days we got to the parks around 10am. We sort of let the kids sleep so they weren't grumpy. The one day I tried to get to the MK early my 3 year old had a meltdown right out of bed. So we just went with the flow. But we still saw everything we wanted most of the time the girls were in bed by 10pm. We rode most things 2 or 3 times at the MK and Epcot were we had 2 days. My girls enjoyed the duffy bear but we never finished as we needed to get to soarin for our FP time.

I really couldn't make sense out of the FP system. Sometimes we could get a FP within a hour. Other times is was around 2 hours. But we did use it alot. Another hint if you want to meet Mickey and the princess at MK we went around 6pm with no line at all for both we also got minnie with Mickey.

Have a great trip!!

Pop Jets were down in fact one night they had the movie there. Most of the time they had it by the blue yo yo in the grass. But one night they had it at the hippy pool and one night at the bowling pin pool.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

And for anyone celebrating something at Disney....

We were celebrating our Anniversary and had it noted on our reservation. After we checked-in, we saw they had placed Happy Anniversary pins in our packet. Then, when we got to the room, we had a voicemail message from Mickey and Minnie and they sang "Happy Anniversary" to us (to the tune of "Happy Birthday"). It was really cute!

We also had an Anniversary noted on our dining reservation (as well as the Anniversary of other family members who were traveling with us), but the server didn't mention either of our anniversaries and nothing else was done differently at our dinner.

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect (if anything), so the voicemail song was enough of a surprise for me!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I really couldn't make sense out of the FP system. Sometimes we could get a FP within a hour. Other times is was around 2 hours. But we did use it alot. Another hint if you want to meet Mickey and the princess at MK we went around 6pm with no line at all for both we also got minnie with Mickey.

Our fast passes were all over the place, too. Sometimes they were for a quick return, and other times they wanted us to come back hours later. Some rides had high wait times, but we just kept going until we found rides with short lines.

We also met the Princesses and Mickey before dinner around 6:30pm (Minnie was there for us, too! They said she's with Mickey about 80% of the time). Mickey was a 15 minute wait and the Princesses were 20 minutes. You can always grab a FP for one of them, go in line for the other, and then use the FP for the other when you get out.

The Mickey setup was really funny because they only allow one family at a time down the hallway. There are multiple closed doors, with multiple Mickeys behind them, and they don't want to ruin the magic for the kids!

 

[sillylily]

ThereYouSeeHer, great pics, your DDs are just adorable! Welcome home! KELLY, welcome home to you as well, and sorry about your camera. At least you do have FP pics, so not all is lost!

L-Harper, I have something for you:
YOU'RE GOING TO DISNEY TOMORROW!! We're all so excited for you!!!Can't wait to hear your update when you get back, but for now we dance!

 

[wubbogirl]

So excited for you


ME TOO!!! Where are you staying???


Welcome back Kelly, please tell us more!!!!!!!!!!!!!

port orleans riverside

 

[sparks19]

Our fast passes were all over the place, too. Sometimes they were for a quick return, and other times they wanted us to come back hours later. Some rides had high wait times, but we just kept going until we found rides with short lines.

We also met the Princesses and Mickey before dinner around 6:30pm (Minnie was there for us, too! They said she's with Mickey about 80% of the time). Mickey was a 15 minute wait and the Princesses were 20 minutes. You can always grab a FP for one of them, go in line for the other, and then use the FP for the other when you get out.

The Mickey setup was really funny because they only allow one family at a time down the hallway. There are multiple closed doors, with multiple Mickeys behind them, and they don't want to ruin the magic for the kids!

really? hmmm that's interesting. The things you learn on the Dis lol. I like that set up.

I was thinking of making that the first place we stop when we get in the park at RD. go see the princesses and grab a fast pass for mickey... or vice versa.

I SO hope minnie is with mickey when we go or DD is going to be so upset lol. Minnie is her favorite... I think she's even surpassed Cinderella as the fav.

 

[L-Harper]

L-Harper, I have something for you:
YOU'RE GOING TO DISNEY TOMORROW!! We're all so excited for you!!!Can't wait to hear your update when you get back, but for now we dance!

Aww! Thank you!!!

 

[sparks19]

ThereYouSeeHer, great pics, your DDs are just adorable! Welcome home! KELLY, welcome home to you as well, and sorry about your camera. At least you do have FP pics, so not all is lost!

L-Harper, I have something for you:
YOU'RE GOING TO DISNEY TOMORROW!! We're all so excited for you!!!Can't wait to hear your update when you get back, but for now we dance!

WOOHOO



These dancing bananas crack my daughter up lol

 

[basketkat]

In 24 hours from right now we should be on Magical Express pulling into DISNEY WORLD!!!! Nope I'm not excited at all....

Who has 2 thumbs and is SUPER excited for you?!?! THIS girl!!!!!

Well we are back!!

Welcome home!!! I'm sorry about your camera troubles, but I'm glad you were able to use photopass!

That's great that you enjoyed POP so much!
Yeah for bounceback!!!!!!

Just bought my MNNSHP tickets! It's official and I'm am so excited to be surprising my "boys" with this party! (adult son and DH)

MNSSHP is my husban's FAVORITE thing at WDW!!!!

Then, when we got to the room, we had a voicemail message from Mickey and Minnie and they sang "Happy Anniversary" to us (to the tune of "Happy Birthday"). It was really cute!

That is SO cute!!!!!

 

[MamaJessie]

We booked around April 2010 for a September 2011 cruise. So, for a similar booking window, you would need to start researching September 2013 travel dates as soon as they open up (potentially at the end of this year or beginning of 2012). We looked into cruising in December, but for about the same cost, we would get an inside stateroom in December or a balcony room in September.

Never realized Sept and Dec were so different. Good to know!

The Mickey setup was really funny because they only allow one family at a time down the hallway. There are multiple closed doors, with multiple Mickeys behind them, and they don't want to ruin the magic for the kids!

Smart!

KELLY - Thanks for updating us, welcome back!

LHarper - good luck sleeping tonight

 

[MamaJessie]

My sister is taking the 23 off work so I can get stuff done the day before we leave. Yay for sisters!!

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

We totally thought the same thing about price, but we were able to manage our costs a number of ways. First, we cruised in September which is one of the cheapest, if not THE cheapest time to travel due to hurricane season and back-to-school. Two, we did a 3-night Bahamian cruise, which is the shortest and cheapest itinerary. Three, we booked 1.5 years out, which is also the cheapest time to book (the cost goes up as bookings increase closer to the sail date). We were also fortunate to have a 2 year old (whose cost is greatly reduced) and a 6 year old (whose cost is also reduced).

We were determined not to spend additional money, since all food and onboard activities are already included. So we didn't purchase any port excursions and, really, our only extra expense were tips.

The only splurge we made was on getting a room with a balcony. Since I get motion sickness, we thought having some fresh air would help. We also figured that while our children were still young and relatively cheap, now would be the time to upgrade. As they get older, they will get more expensive, and any future cruises will probably be a non-balcony room. All in all, the booking cost for our family of four with a Verandah stateroom was $1400 plus tax and vacation insurance (if you want it). As I mentioned, we held really close to that number by not making other purchases or adding expenses. We also received a $25 onboard credit for booking online, which we applied to tips for the cruise.

A WDW vacation is priced more reasonably (especially when there are special offers like free dining), so we will still consider WDW to be our annual vacation spot. However, we loved the cruise so much that we will be looking to return in the next few years or so. We will just keep our eyes open for any special offers or affordable itineraries in the future!

Welcome Back!! Love your photos!!

Ok so here is my 2 cents on the cruising! We have cruised Disney 4 times. I don't find it that bad.....I mean this WDW vacation cost me $2500(I think) and that's with reg dining(I would consider cruise delux dining) which would have cost me like $3500 at WDW. Our Fantasy cruise is costing me $3400 for 7 NIGHTS!!! So honestly cruising isn't that bad. I will say the best way to get a deal is like you said Sept/Oct. Also if you sail, ALWAYS rebook onboard. You get a savings and then a substantional OBC. You can book a yr or more out and put down your 500 and then move the date later when something else comes out you like better! I plan on always rebooking onboard...we got a great OBC that will cover almost all our tips($300). I can't imagine cruising less then 7....we love the week...3/4 is too short!! I know people like it but we spoiled ourselves cruising 7 right from the start. Well I can't wait to see and hear about your vacation!! Hope you get to Live on the Fantasy once and enjoy 7nts

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Also if you sail, ALWAYS rebook onboard. You get a savings and then a substantional OBC. You can book a yr or more out and put down your 500 and then move the date later when something else comes out you like better! I plan on always rebooking onboard...we got a great OBC that will cover almost all our tips($300). I can't imagine cruising less then 7....we love the week...3/4 is too short!! I know people like it but we spoiled ourselves cruising 7 right from the start. Well I can't wait to see and hear about your vacation!! Hope you get to Live on the Fantasy once and enjoy 7nts

I had considered rebooking and moving our dates back as needed, but all the cruise options were so overwhelming that I couldn't settle on one before we disembarked. Plus, we will be cruising with family again, and we all couldn't agree on a potential cruise or timeframe before leaving the ship. But I definitely will keep that in mind for the future!

I would love to see the Fantasy, and 7 nights would be crazy good, but we would also want to add nights at Disney World. Unfortunately, it's so hard for me and DH to get off of work for that long. But we have alot to consider for our future trips and cruises!

 

[DisneyLifer87]

So today I have the goal of sifting through costume ideas and post the top selections on my PTR so that I can make my purchase this weekend. I'm hoping to get feedback. Ultimately I just need to get this off of my to do

 

[anjalee6]

Glad to hear that people are coming back and had a great time! Makes me so excited to go!

Today I started packing bathing suits and shirts that we won't be wearing and costumes. So excited to try our first MNSSHP! The new fall decorations look great! It's my favorite time of year!

Can't wait to read trip reports!

 

[pinkle]

port orleans riverside

POFQ see you on the bus!

 

[haven_alise1997]

Welcome back Thereyouseeher and Kelly! Love the trip info so far.

LHARPER You are going to be soooooo tired tomorrow! due to lack of sleep tonight! lol. I hope it's everything you are expecting!

awwwww, the rest of us get to live vicariously thru our fellow returnee's trip reports....until we get to go!

 

[L-Harper]

I want to tell you all thank you so much for being this excited for me and caring so much! It really does mean a lot to me. I've made some real Disney friends through this thread. You guys seriously ROCK!