September/October 2013 check in

[Michaella]

We surprised our children with our 2010 trip.

We spent the morning ice skating, then went to Disney on Ice. On our arrival at home the children found a note addressed to them.. it was the beginning of a treasure hunt with clues along the way. They included check in the letterbox, look in the fridge, feed the bird then look under the bird seed box .. At the end of the treasure hunt they were led to our dining table which we covered with Disney souvenirs, a plush mickey and Minnie and maps. We also had helium balloons, shirts, 1st visit pins etc. (I snuck back to set it all up whilst my husband took the kids to see his parents in the morning.)

Here is a pic.

 

[5ofus]

I was going to not tell them until they see us pull up at DLR . Was going to tell them that we are going to drive past since we are nearby.

I've read some beautiful ideas though on here that I might have to copy Although my youngest hates surprises.

How are HoJos holding your parcel? Or rather how long will they hold it for? I am thinking if I did order it would be a few days before We arrive...I might just tell them we are ordering them for Aussie Halloween. they will believe that because it's a major event here where we live. Children venture from everywhere to trick n treat in our streets!

My eldest needs a day to get use to the idea, which is why we are telling them the day before, otherwise I'd love to just turn up

I emailed HoJos asking if they were okay to hold it. They've been super friendly and helpful. They received it about 9 weeks before our check in date.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Exciting news for DCL cruisers during Oct and late Sep - Halloween celebrations are coming to the ships.

According to this article, it looks like my Sep 21st Fantasy cruise will just slip into the applicable dates. Woohoo! Even more things to look forward to.

http://dclnews.com/2013/07/17/a-fri...s-disney-cruise-line-guests-this-halloween-2/

 

[PrincessInOz]

Exciting news for DCL cruisers during Oct and late Sep - Halloween celebrations are coming to the ships.

According to this article, it looks like my Sep 21st Fantasy cruise will just slip into the applicable dates. Woohoo! Even more things to look forward to.

http://dclnews.com/2013/07/17/a-fri...s-disney-cruise-line-guests-this-halloween-2/

Congrats! Super magic.

 

[australiankaren]

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Welcome to the new people, I love the surprises I am struggling not to tell the kids and loved reading about the kids reactions!

46 Sleeps to go How quick is this going

I have our flight booked from Houston to LA finally got a decent price but it includes a stopover in Denver I couldn't justify an extra $400 plus bags for direct flight! Booked the last nights accommodation I had to do!
I have so many things to still to pay for but am at a standstill for a few weeks there are other things at the top of the list a lot of little things that add up quickly! Our spending money is coming from Augusts and Septembers pay I hope the $ holds up

 

[PrincessInOz]

Welcome to the new people, I love the surprises I am struggling not to tell the kids and loved reading about the kids reactions!

46 Sleeps to go How quick is this going

I have our flight booked from Houston to LA finally got a decent price but it includes a stopover in Denver I couldn't justify an extra $400 plus bags for direct flight! Booked the last nights accommodation I had to do!
I have so many things to still to pay for but am at a standstill for a few weeks there are other things at the top of the list a lot of little things that add up quickly! Our spending money is coming from Augusts and Septembers pay I hope the $ holds up

Hope it all works out!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble knowing when to stop booking things?

I've completely blown my budget for this trip, but I feel like I'm a crazed woman on a mission constantly looking for new things to reserve. After getting the 2 things I really wanted for my cruise (Palo Brunch and Shore excursion) you think I'd be content to stop looking at other options. But No. Now I have also booked a Palo dinner, tube rental at Castaway Cay, and a pedicure in the spa, and I still keep looking in case there is something else I might have missed.

It was like back at my 180 day ADR window. My 8 or 9 bookings somehow turned into 13.

There are just so many wonderful options, I'd rather have them booked now and then cancel later if I change my mind, than decide I want them later and discover that they are booked out.

Anyone else feel like this, or do you just all have much more self-control than I do?

 

[Caroline NZ]

Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble knowing when to stop booking things?

I've completely blown my budget for this trip, but I feel like I'm a crazed woman on a mission constantly looking for new things to reserve. After getting the 2 things I really wanted for my cruise (Palo Brunch and Shore excursion) you think I'd be content to stop looking at other options. But No. Now I have also booked a Palo dinner, tube rental at Castaway Cay, and a pedicure in the spa, and I still keep looking in case there is something else I might have missed.

It was like back at my 180 day ADR window. My 8 or 9 bookings somehow turned into 13.

There are just so many wonderful options, I'd rather have them booked now and then cancel later if I change my mind, than decide I want them later and discover that they are booked out.

Anyone else feel like this, or do you just all have much more self-control than I do?

I'm kind of the opposite at the moment, holding off on booking in case the exchange rate gets better, or last minute deals come out. Still to purchase:

San Diego Go Cards (to cover Knotts, LEGOLAND, Wild Animal Park, Zoo, SeaWorld and whatever else we can fit in).
Universal Studios tickets
Love or O tickets in Las Vegas
Hearst Castle tickets.
Sequoia NP tour tickets
Photopass +
Medieval Times (not sure about this)
Halloween Party tickets (not sure about this, probably not, as it is a lot of extra money when we already have 10 day tickets)

I do have our Disneyland 10 day passes though

Will probably get on with purchasing everything in the next few weeks though.

 

[Caroline NZ]

And look at our tickers Wanderlust, can't believe how close we are

 

[Royal Consort]

Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble knowing when to stop booking things?

I've completely blown my budget for this trip, but I feel like I'm a crazed woman on a mission constantly looking for new things to reserve. After getting the 2 things I really wanted for my cruise (Palo Brunch and Shore excursion) you think I'd be content to stop looking at other options. But No. Now I have also booked a Palo dinner, tube rental at Castaway Cay, and a pedicure in the spa, and I still keep looking in case there is something else I might have missed.

It was like back at my 180 day ADR window. My 8 or 9 bookings somehow turned into 13.

There are just so many wonderful options, I'd rather have them booked now and then cancel later if I change my mind, than decide I want them later and discover that they are booked out.

Anyone else feel like this, or do you just all have much more self-control than I do?

No no, you're not the only one. This was meant to be a budget trip this year. We were going to:

Stay at Hotel Cheyenne in Disneyland Paris for 4 nights (now it's the Disneyland Hotel - but it was 50% off, what can you do?)

We were going to Disneyland for three days (it's now 4); were going to stay offsite (we're now in a view room at the Disneyland Hotel); were going to one halloween party in Disneyland (we're going to two) as well as the halloween party in Magic Kingdom.

Weren't going to bother with Photopass this trip (now pre-ordered photopass+).

My theory goes if I book cheap things to begin with for a 'budget trip' it doesn't seem so bad when I increase it in increments and I tend to have an easier time convincing my partner. My solution has been to buy some wine and THEN discuss planning with my other half. Works every time.

 

[Caroline NZ]

Oh, I did forget to mention that the trip has extended in length though. Originally 3.5 weeks, then 4, and now settled on 5 weeks

 

[PrincessInOz]

Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble knowing when to stop booking things?

I've completely blown my budget for this trip, but I feel like I'm a crazed woman on a mission constantly looking for new things to reserve. After getting the 2 things I really wanted for my cruise (Palo Brunch and Shore excursion) you think I'd be content to stop looking at other options. But No. Now I have also booked a Palo dinner, tube rental at Castaway Cay, and a pedicure in the spa, and I still keep looking in case there is something else I might have missed.

It was like back at my 180 day ADR window. My 8 or 9 bookings somehow turned into 13.

There are just so many wonderful options, I'd rather have them booked now and then cancel later if I change my mind, than decide I want them later and discover that they are booked out.

Anyone else feel like this, or do you just all have much more self-control than I do?

I prefer to call it "Value for Money".

 

[australiankaren]

 

[WanderlustNZ]

And look at our tickers Wanderlust, can't believe how close we are

I know! How awesome is it that they now start with 1 month?!

Time is just flying. I'm actually starting to think of the more practical things now like what toiletries and medicines to take.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I prefer to call it "Value for Money".

I like that. From now on 'Excessive indulgence' becomes 'Value for money'. We have to make the most out of those thousands of dollars worth of airfares.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

No no, you're not the only one. This was meant to be a budget trip this year. We were going to:

Stay at Hotel Cheyenne in Disneyland Paris for 4 nights (now it's the Disneyland Hotel - but it was 50% off, what can you do?)

We were going to Disneyland for three days (it's now 4); were going to stay offsite (we're now in a view room at the Disneyland Hotel); were going to one halloween party in Disneyland (we're going to two) as well as the halloween party in Magic Kingdom.

Weren't going to bother with Photopass this trip (now pre-ordered photopass+).

My theory goes if I book cheap things to begin with for a 'budget trip' it doesn't seem so bad when I increase it in increments and I tend to have an easier time convincing my partner. My solution has been to buy some wine and THEN discuss planning with my other half. Works every time.

Pleased I'm not the only one. I'm also guilty of 'upsizing my combo'. I was originally going to stay in Pop, then it became Coronado Springs, and then finally I booked AKV and BWV. Renting DVC points was just so tempting.

Also, I fully agree with your theory about starting on a budget and then slowly start adding things. Doing it this way makes it so much easier to convince my partner as well.

 

[australiankaren]

Pleased I'm not the only one. I'm also guilty of 'upsizing my combo'. I was originally going to stay in Pop, then it became Coronado Springs, and then finally I booked AKV and BWV. Renting DVC points was just so tempting.

Also, I fully agree with your theory about starting on a budget and then slowly start adding things. Doing it this way makes it so much easier to convince my partner as well.

upsizing my combo.....yep, stealing that one for sure

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oh, I did forget to mention that the trip has extended in length though. Originally 3.5 weeks, then 4, and now settled on 5 weeks

5 weeks? Good work!

 

[alicia1506]

so i've finally sorted my trip out, and sat down today to figure out what i still have to pay for... i think i've been holding out for better deals/exchange rates etc...

so... i still have to pay for:

dlr accomodation
dlr tickets (aussie dollars though, so they can wait a bit longer)
dlr transport
travel insurance
convert some aussie $ into usd (cash)
pay off the balance on the mickey boat
pay off the balance of universal studios (all inclusive)
halloween party @ dlr
halloween party @ wdw
port adventures