Shh, do you hear that? It's the winds of change~link to new thread post#3501

[gwynne]

Here I am, 2 days back from our trip....and since I don't go back to work until Monday, I have been pricing trips for April...

I am having such a hard time, because I want to book so badly, but I promised myself I wouldn't book until I am sure where we want to stay. Oct 22, 2012 is pretty much my deadline for booking though, because that's 180 days out and I'll need to make my ADR's....

I probably won't know anything about the military discount until closer to the Oct date anyways....but I could book either POR or POFQ now with AAA discount (for now) and always change later if pixie dust comes my way and we could book WL CL with a good discount....what's a girl to do???

DH doesn't help either, he texted me from work today and asked "Have you booked April yet?"

If you go ahead and book now, you've got a very nice resort reserved with POR or POFQ. You can always change if (hopefully when!) the military discount is offered. That way you could work on your ADR's and be ready for your 180 out date. Happy Planning!!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Dani, so sorry to read about what your boss is doing. I do hope you go on the vacation, you can deal with all of it when you return.

 

[chimo2u]

Hello My RCer friends! I am questioning my sanity and thinking I may have set us up for exhaustion....I sure hope not! travelers are my DS 16/DS 20, myself, and my BFF. I am flying from the West...... Western Canada. Usually flights take us all day (7.5 hrs or so). What I decided to do this time was break up the trip a little by flying to Toronto the first night, staying over in the airport hotel, then onto Orlando the following morning. This gets us into Orlando around 1:30 pm.

This is the first time I have decided to NOT get Park Hoppers because there isn't really any late night EMH's during our trip. I think it would be a waste of $200 to purchase this add-on.

My boys are 16/20.....so up to late nights // and commando touring is probably their cup of tea.....My BFF is a first timer, she won't see it all, but I've tried to make it very special kind of a trip.

As most of you know, our dates have us Arrive Friday, Sept 28, check into the POLY around 2:30 pm. I was thinking of heading to MK for the rest of the day to try and do rides that aren't open at MNSSHP like Carousel of PRogress, etc..... Since It's a MNSSHalloween Party night, MK closes at 7pm. We have a ressie for California Grill at 7:45 pm. I'm sure we'll be tired and want to just hit the pool after dinner/ or the sack!!!

Sat Sept 29 - I want to take BFF to watch the Magic Kingdom opening show then head to Kona Cafe (will meet the boys here ) for breakfast at 9:30 am. After breakfast, head over to AK until 6 pm. Dinner is at 7 pm OHANA

Sunday Sept 30. This is MNSSHP night for us. Rest day at the POLY Cabana, 10 - 2pm. Head to MK to enter at 4 for the party. for us, this party is mostly about the rides as we don't have a dedicated MK day// except for our arrival afternoon. The Party runs until midnight, if I can make it that late!!!

Monday Oct 1 - was supposed to be a Epcot day, but because of Epcots 30th bday, changed to Discovery Cove.... Relaxing day at tranquil Discovery Cove, but it'll be a long day as we have to be at DC around 8:30 AM! Evening plans will be taxi drop off at DTD after DC and dinner at Wolf Gang Puck Express

Tue Oct 2 - Epcot day. Trying to get both WS and future world in today!! Dinner at 6:20 pm at Teppan Edo

Wed Oct 3 - DHS day. Lunch at Sci Fi diner 11:40 and Dinner at KONA CAFE at 6:40 pm. ( I am thinking should I make this closer to 7 pm instead???) We really don't plan on staying for Fantasmic, so I think by 6 we should have had enough of DHS. Tonight there are EMH at MK until midnight? 'ish...... maybe my teens will want to go. If so, I'll pay the extra $30 for them to Park Hop tonight....My BFF and I will relax after dinner at the resort pool.

Thur. Oct 4 - today we leave for Universal Studios.....we have 3 day Park to Park tickets, and will visit US/ IOA afternoon of the 4th, all day the 5th and the 6th of October. staying onsite at Hard Rock Hotel.

Sunday Oct 7 - fly home....flight departs at 2 pm.

WHEW!!! looking at all that, I am feeling like I may have jammed too much in!!! I sure hope it's workable and not too exhausting. Have I set myself up for failure with this full itinerary??? Oh I'm worried! thing is , it's all stuff that I consider must do!!!
I am a tad nervous now!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hello My RCer friends! I am questioning my sanity and thinking I may have set us up for exhaustion....I sure hope not! travelers are my DS 16/DS 20, myself, and my BFF. I am flying from the West...... Western Canada. Usually flights take us all day (7.5 hrs or so). What I decided to do this time was break up the trip a little by flying to Toronto the first night, staying over in the airport hotel, then onto Orlando the following morning. This gets us into Orlando around 1:30 pm.

This is the first time I have decided to NOT get Park Hoppers because there isn't really any late night EMH's during our trip. I think it would be a waste of $200 to purchase this add-on.

My boys are 16/20.....so up to late nights // and commando touring is probably their cup of tea.....My BFF is a first timer, she won't see it all, but I've tried to make it very special kind of a trip.

As most of you know, our dates have us Arrive Friday, Sept 28, check into the POLY around 2:30 pm. I was thinking of heading to MK for the rest of the day to try and do rides that aren't open at MNSSHP like Carousel of PRogress, etc..... Since It's a MNSSHalloween Party night, MK closes at 7pm. We have a ressie for California Grill at 7:45 pm. I'm sure we'll be tired and want to just hit the pool after dinner/ or the sack!!!

Sat Sept 29 - I want to take BFF to watch the Magic Kingdom opening show then head to Kona Cafe (will meet the boys here ) for breakfast at 9:30 am. After breakfast, head over to AK until 6 pm. Dinner is at 7 pm OHANA

Sunday Sept 30. This is MNSSHP night for us. Rest day at the POLY Cabana, 10 - 2pm. Head to MK to enter at 4 for the party. for us, this party is mostly about the rides as we don't have a dedicated MK day// except for our arrival afternoon. The Party runs until midnight, if I can make it that late!!!

Monday Oct 1 - was supposed to be a Epcot day, but because of Epcots 30th bday, changed to Discovery Cove.... Relaxing day at tranquil Discovery Cove, but it'll be a long day as we have to be at DC around 8:30 AM! Evening plans will be taxi drop off at DTD after DC and dinner at Wolf Gang Puck Express

Tue Oct 2 - Epcot day. Trying to get both WS and future world in today!! Dinner at 6:20 pm at Teppan Edo

Wed Oct 3 - DHS day. Lunch at Sci Fi diner 11:40 and Dinner at KONA CAFE at 6:40 pm. ( I am thinking should I make this closer to 7 pm instead???) We really don't plan on staying for Fantasmic, so I think by 6 we should have had enough of DHS. Tonight there are EMH at MK until midnight? 'ish...... maybe my teens will want to go. If so, I'll pay the extra $30 for them to Park Hop tonight....My BFF and I will relax after dinner at the resort pool.

Thur. Oct 4 - today we leave for Universal Studios.....we have 3 day Park to Park tickets, and will visit US/ IOA afternoon of the 4th, all day the 5th and the 6th of October. staying onsite at Hard Rock Hotel.

Sunday Oct 7 - fly home....flight departs at 2 pm.

WHEW!!! looking at all that, I am feeling like I may have jammed too much in!!! I sure hope it's workable and not too exhausting. Have I set myself up for failure with this full itinerary??? Oh I'm worried! thing is , it's all stuff that I consider must do!!!
I am a tad nervous now!

I think the only potential problem would be Discovery Cove and having to leave so early in the a.m after a potentially late night at MK the night before...

Otherwise, it is jam packed but looks manageable! And, you have a long flight home to sleep on.

 

[chimo2u]

I think the only potential problem would be Discovery Cove and having to leave so early in the a.m after a potentially late night at MK the night before...

Otherwise, it is jam packed but looks manageable! And, you have a long flight home to sleep on.

I know, Candace.....I've thought about that too! but I already changed it from Oct 2 to the 1st when I heard of the birthday bash at Epcot on the first....all touring plans are saying stay away on the 1st at Epcot.....so I got my one free change already. Any other changes, I have to pay $50.

I hope being that DC is a very relaxing day, it will make up for the early morning!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I know, Candace.....I've thought about that too! but I already changed it from Oct 2 to the 1st when I heard of the birthday bash at Epcot on the first....all touring plans are saying stay away on the 1st at Epcot.....so I got my one free change already. Any other changes, I have to pay $50.

I hope being that DC is a very relaxing day, it will make up for the early morning!

FWIW, we have never gone by touring plans and have never had an issue. I am also a strong believer that Disney jacks up wait times to thin out a crowd...for instance....the other night, a 115 min wait time was posted for Soarin' but it was our last night and the girls wanted to do it, so we hopped in line....we waited 30 minutes. This happened to us on several occasions.

 

[Janet B]

Haven't had time to go thru all 10+ pages, but I did want to say a big welcome back to you Candace!! Know you an awesome time and I look forward to seeing / reading about your travels.

Also, Marie ... I was not able to see your new 'do pix but sure it was spectacular!! Can you post again?

I know, Candace.....I've thought about that too! but I already changed it from Oct 2 to the 1st when I heard of the birthday bash at Epcot on the first....all touring plans are saying stay away on the 1st at Epcot.....so I got my one free change already. Any other changes, I have to pay $50.

I hope being that DC is a very relaxing day, it will make up for the early morning!

Marie, no matter what, when were Disney, we can go all night and still get up early the next day!! Being on vacation makes all the difference .. I'm sure this will be true for you on your DC day.

FWIW, we have never gone by touring plans and have never had an issue. I am also a strong believer that Disney jacks up wait times to thin out a crowd...for instance....the other night, a 115 min wait time was posted for Soarin' but it was our last night and the girls wanted to do it, so we hopped in line....we waited 30 minutes. This happened to us on several occasions.

Marie ... I agree with MM on the whole touring plans thing ... we have found that on certain rides, the wait times are less than noted so don't sweat it!

 

[Lillian Gracey]

No problem about missing the call ... I realized that you might be sleeping in, sure you are exhausted with everything going on.

And I firmly believe that things happen for a reason ... and you will find that it's true, when one door closes another door will open... and won't it be so good to slam that door on your old boss?!! (note the use of double exclamation points!! ))

hang in there my friend!!

Hi ya Miss!! Thought of you and Hannah while I was bidding (and biting my nails) at Ohare waiting for my flight tuesday!)

Awe! Yay! If only there was a way to visit people at the airport. I would do it all the time.

 

[chimo2u]

Hi Janet I was having trouble posting the pic, so KOOK reposted in her reply for me. It was a fairly large pic...if you go back to around page 20/22'ish it should be there.....I was wearing a blue tshirt, glasses, short'ish blonde hair and in my truck Hope you are able to see it!

 

[pixarmom]

Glad I'm not the only one...and I think an ADR at Tokyo is well deserved for all mom does for her boys.....

Thanks to pas and kook for the encouragement! I still haven't been able to get myself to cancel SAI for October, but I'm looking at January ADRs now and considering Tokyo for arrival day. ADR booking begins Monday!

pixarmom - I love hearing about all of your plans! Don't save it for the just ADR thread!

Thanks iheart!

Bay Lake Tower One Bedroom Lake View with the military 40% discount!

Update? Why certainly! YC/CL is no more and BLT is booked! This will be our first villa - yeah for something different and with two bathrooms

Yes, I'm often stunned by what she says. Like when I just made the switch from YC to BLT she said, (rather emphatically): "Do not change this no matter what, OK?" I can't wait to eat at The Wave's breakfast buffet again, so don't change anything!"

KOOK, of course I'm sad to see YC/CL go, but this sounds wonderful and glad to hear your daughter loves the breakfast at Wave! I need a backup plan if CL is not available when/if AP discounts come out for October, so Wave might fit in there! Have you been there for dinner?

Janet, welcome home! Chimo, I agree with Janet and MM entirely on touringplans. I've used it (and the lines app) for both WDW (many times) and DL (just this year) and I used to like it, but don't find it all that reliable anymore. Funny thing is that our most successful morning at MK ever was during Easter week when EMH was at 7am. Those crowd levels were supposed to be really high (and they probably were later in the day.) In March, the DL crowd level was a "1" and it seemed more crowded to us than our most recent summer DL visit when it was supposed to be a "9!"

Dani, more big hugs. Really hope it all works out and please keep us posted. Glad to hear that you aren't giving up on your trip - hope to be reading your live reports and hearing about happy times soon!

Hi Mousemommy! First, love your report in that separate thread - makes me think more about a return to WL (although we'd need a deluxe room now.) We're booking Artist Point for January and I think our boys will be very nostalgic when we head over there for dinner. As for next April, I agree with gwynne - book now and you can change later. I used to wait for the discounts to come out, and then I just decided to book and then either apply the discount or change when/if they do. Makes me less nervous about availability (which seems to be a little unpredictable sometimes.)

 

[Mousemommy1]

DH came home tonight with a grand idea....let's do a Disney cruise in April!!!

Well, we are complete cruise virgins, but I have been looking into it and have pieced together this scenario....

4/20 - Fly down to Disney - stay at AoA LM room for the night.
4/21 - Ground transfer to Port Canaveral to sail on the Disney Dream - a four night cruise to the Bahamas.
4/25 - return from cruise - ground transfer back to WDW - check into POR/RGR for 3 nights and depart on 4/28 back home.

Total cost would be $3729.48 + we'd bring $1000 for food (when on land) and souvenirs....and airfare will be about $1200, so about $5929.48 for the whole trip...does that sound good???

And how do the ground transfers work...I know we could do ME from airport to AoA, but how do we get from AoA to Port Canaveral??? And likewise, from Port Canaveral to POFQ?

And is there a certain time the ship will usually depart and come back? Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[sjs314]

KOOK Congrates on scoring the 1Bdrm @BLT!


Dani I hope things work out for you at work.

 

[pixarmom]

DH came home tonight with a grand idea....let's do a Disney cruise in April!!!

Well, we are complete cruise virgins, but I have been looking into it and have pieced together this scenario....

4/20 - Fly down to Disney - stay at AoA LM room for the night.
4/21 - Ground transfer to Port Canaveral to sail on the Disney Dream - a four night cruise to the Bahamas.
4/25 - return from cruise - ground transfer back to WDW - check into POR/RGR for 3 nights and depart on 4/28 back home.

Total cost would be $3729.48 + we'd bring $1000 for food (when on land) and souvenirs....and airfare will be about $1200, so about $5929.48 for the whole trip...does that sound good???

And how do the ground transfers work...I know we could do ME from airport to AoA, but how do we get from AoA to Port Canaveral??? And likewise, from Port Canaveral to POFQ?

And is there a certain time the ship will usually depart and come back? Any help would be much appreciated!

Mousemommy, love it! We did BWI, Dream cruise, BC last August - and Padawans has experience with the same routine! There are many different ways to get from WDW to the port - rent a one-way car, private car services and DCL transfers. For our family of five, DCL transfers were the most convenient but also the most expensive. (It's $70 pp roundtrip and includes the luggage transfer from your resort to the ship so you don't have to touch your luggage on the way there.) So you'll need to consider both cost and port arrival time. I know many cruisers like to either rent a car or hire a service because that allows them to control their port arrival time/arrive early and because (depending on the size of your party) it can be far less expensive.

We decided that, because of crowds in the terminal, we would prefer to stick around the Epcot resort area in the morning and take the DCL bus to the port. So we booked DCL transfers when we booked the cruise - they just add the transfers to your total cruise cost. For us, the cost of DCL transfers was absolutely worth it - DCL picked up our luggage from our room at BWI at 8am and then we enjoyed our morning and had a great early lunch at Beaches N' Cream. We boarded the DCL bus around 12:45 and we arrived at the terminal after the crowds cleared out. We checked in, walked right on the ship and to our room (which was ready because we boarded later) and our luggage appeared outside our door shortly afterwards. We had a great lunch before we left, so no need to deal with any crowds on the ship for lunch. We didn't mind boarding later (around 2:30pm - I think the ship sailed around 4pm, but our schedule was different because of Hurricane Irene.) Super easy!

At the end of the cruise, we disembarked early (around 7:30am) and hopped onto the DCL bus again. We were at BC checking in by 10am. We loved the DCL bus - it was SO festive and they showed videos of the port and the cruise, followed by Disney movie clips and trivia. Our boys loved it. We would use DCL transfers again (and we are - from port to airport in Seattle, even though it won't be the fun themed bus.)

Good luck with your decision, and let me know if you have more questions. I'm no cruise expert - our cruise next month is only our second - but I'm happy to try to help!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Mousemommy, love it! We did BWI, Dream cruise, BC last August - and Padawans has experience with the same routine! There are many different ways to get from WDW to the port - rent a one-way car, private car services and DCL transfers. For our family of five, DCL transfers were the most convenient but also the most expensive. (It's $70 pp roundtrip and includes the luggage transfer from your resort to the ship so you don't have to touch your luggage on the way there.) So you'll need to consider both cost and port arrival time. I know many cruisers like to either rent a car or hire a service because that allows them to control their port arrival time/arrive early and because (depending on the size of your party) it can be far less expensive.

We decided that, because of crowds in the terminal, we would prefer to stick around the Epcot resort area in the morning and take the DCL bus to the port. So we booked DCL transfers when we booked the cruise - they just add the transfers to your total cruise cost. For us, the cost of DCL transfers was absolutely worth it - DCL picked up our luggage from our room at BWI at 8am and then we enjoyed our morning and had a great early lunch at Beaches N' Cream. We boarded the DCL bus around 12:45 and we arrived at the terminal after the crowds cleared out. We checked in, walked right on the ship and to our room (which was ready because we boarded later) and our luggage appeared outside our door shortly afterwards. We had a great lunch before we left, so no need to deal with any crowds on the ship for lunch. We didn't mind boarding later (around 2:30pm - I think the ship sailed around 4pm, but our schedule was different because of Hurricane Irene.) Super easy!

At the end of the cruise, we disembarked early (around 7:30am) and hopped onto the DCL bus again. We were at BC checking in by 10am. We loved the DCL bus - it was SO festive and they showed videos of the port and the cruise, followed by Disney movie clips and trivia. Our boys loved it. We would use DCL transfers again (and we are - from port to airport in Seattle, even though it won't be the fun themed bus.)

Good luck with your decision, and let me know if you have more questions. I'm no cruise expert - our cruise next month is only our second - but I'm happy to try to help!

Cool! So you think it sounds good??? I just know nothing about cruises...what do you do on the boat??? (I know that sounds so elementary)...

 

[jennyjinx3]

Cool! So you think it sounds good??? I just know nothing about cruises...what do you do on the boat??? (I know that sounds so elementary)...

I am so excited!! Now we can talk cruises!! (maybe...right?) I just put an email in to have our cruise moved to the Nov. 9, 2013 3 night to the Bahamas, DH wanted 4 nights WDW not 3 after so this saves us a little bit of $$. Plus I think the crowds might be a wee bit lower then in December.

So of course I think your plans sound great!! We are going to do DCL transfers too, convenient and we love it! MCO to Port, Port to POR.

I guess we will both find out about the fun things to do on the ship!!
Will you be bringing the extended family along??

 

[Mousemommy1]

I am so excited!! Now we can talk cruises!! (maybe...right?) I just put an email in to have our cruise moved to the Nov. 9, 2013 3 night to the Bahamas, DH wanted 4 nights WDW not 3 after so this saves us a little bit of $$. Plus I think the crowds might be a wee bit lower then in December.

So of course I think your plans sound great!! We are going to do DCL transfers too, convenient and we love it! MCO to Port, Port to POR.

I guess we will both find out about the fun things to do on the ship!!
Will you be bringing the extended family along??

If we do the cruise its just us! We are going to talk to DFIL tomorrow to get his final decision..and then we'll book!

DH is EXTREMELY excited about this, and I'm pretty psyched too! I think it will be fun!

 

[jennyjinx3]

If we do the cruise its just us! We are going to talk to DFIL tomorrow to get his final decision..and then we'll book!

DH is EXTREMELY excited about this, and I'm pretty psyched too! I think it will be fun!

Nice!! I officially pledge my support for this move!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Nice!! I officially pledge my support for this move!!

Thanks!!!! It seems perfect, and reasonably priced....and it will be a new experience for the girls....just a little nervous because its outside of our "normal" but I'm sure it will be great!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Just saving us from 2nd page OBSCURITY!!!!

 

[stepdisney]

Oh my. Where IS everyone? We were almost on page two

I started my PTR but I can't figure out how to post picures. I posted pictures a loongg time ago but there must be a way to it the pictures in my text and to cut and paste it into a PTR. I want to post chapter links as well. Basically, I am going to need a tutorial or a refresher course. I know that someone in our RC family can help.