Team Renfroe - Pre-Trip Report for May 15-22, 2009 **Final Chapter**

[alan_renfroe]

Hi Alan. I saw what you're considering for next May. We LOVE having a park hoppers, although when we go in two weeks we're just doing the basic tickets to save ourselves $200--this is a budget trip for us. I would encourage you to consider them because your kids are old enough to spend half the day at one park, freshen up, eat dinner and then head out to another in the evening--depending on EMH and things like that. If we weren't doing a budget trip the park hopper would be the first thing I added back. I love leaving one park and then just hopping over to another for dinner or lunch. We will miss it this trip, but there's always next time. Personally I think the hopper becomes more relevant if your trip is shorter, allowing you ample time to go back and do the rides/attractions again that you might miss if you don't have the opportunity to hop.

Hi Bibbidi! Last trip, we did the Water Parks option and sort of used the water parks like a park hopper. We could go from a water park to a park, or vice versa. There were a couple of days, however, when the Park Hopper would have been nice. Hopefully the budget will allow us to do park hopper, but we'll see. I would LOVE to have that freedom, especially if the weather was bad.

Oh my where the heck have i been since you started this-i had no idea about you starting a pre trippie.Well i have just read thru all of it+i am sorry if i forget to mention anything...............
Love the new car-very nice.
Your beach photo's are fantastic-that is one gorgeous beach .Loved the big family photo.
We have never eaten in Margaritaville but are hoping to next year at Citywalk(and sampling some cocktails of course)-how big was that portion of Nacho's .WOW what a slab of prime rib-you know me+my prime rib,that looked so melt in your mouth delicious.
Can't help with many of your dining options you want to try-but thumbs up for Earl Of Sandwich-The Full Montagu for me everytime.Great after a long morning of shopping at DTD,then it refuels you ready for the afternoon to do even more shopping at DTD .
Can't believe i have 8 months to spend with the Renfroe's whilst you plan your next trip.x.

Woohoo! Michelle x is here! It's about time you made it....thought you didn't love us anymore!!

Thanks for the comments about the new car and the beach trip. We had a lot of fun....but we all agreed that now that we've been to Disney, nothing else compares!

Those nachos are Margaritaville could feed a small third-world nation. Quite a bargain for only $9.95!

Yes indeed, 8 more mothes with the Renfroes!

Your plans sound great. Is it official? Did you book-it? Can we start the official count-down?

I haven't booked anything yet. I want to wait until I apply for my Disney credit card and book my trip on that for the points!

Hey Alan!
Just caught up on all you've written, I've been so busy lately I've had absolutely no time to Dis at all! Your trip to FL looks fantastic, love all the pictures, looks like you had a brilliant time!
So exciting your trip finally has dates and you are beginning to plan it properly! Can't wait to read more!

Hey! Great to "see" you! Florida trip was awesome, but now it's back to Disney planning!

Hi Alan I thought I posted yesterday but apparently not! Wonder where I did post It looks like May for me too !!Probably as a solo and of course I will stay at Pop!!Will get the Basic DDP and the Hopper. When we all go which is prolly Sept we don't get the hopper as Kyle is a little to young to handle more than one a day! But I love hopping when I;m alone I check out other resorts and eat at some it's fun !!

Oh, I'll bet your post was on my trip report thread. You did have one there! We are planning on the basic DDP right now, but that is my FIRST PRIORITY in terms of upgrades. We absolutely LOVED feeling like we could eat whatever we wanted and it was pre-paid! Didn't even have to bring a wallet to the theme parks!

I would love to get the park hopper on this trip, but we'll see.

Well life has been super hectic the last few weeks and I have hardly been on the DIS (how did I survive without it I wonder??) but I did notice that they opened up next year and presented the new dining plans.
Alan did you notice that it seems quite a few restaurants were taken off the list? That will make me rethink my planned ADRs now. Oh well, more planning.
I have even been thinking of canceling May and going in April and again in October instead. That would let us try even more things.
Oh, Alan I wanted to ask you if you knew about the AAA packages. If you are a AAA member you can sometimes get a little bit of a deal on your package so it is worth checking out.

Super hectic? I know what you mean!!

I did notice about many restaurants not being on the list, but I think it may be because they are not Disney-owned. From what I've learned on other threads, usually contracts have to be signed and those restaurants are added later. My faves are on there anyway!!

I'm going to check into that AAA package this time before I book...that may be a great deal for our situation. Thanks for the tip!!

I'm not sure what restaurants you're talking about; but I do know that the restaurants that aren't owned by Disney usually get added later on.

So Alan, did you do the Deluxe DP last trip or just the DP. What's making you want to upgrade? I know for me, wanting to try the DP for the first time, alot of the restaurants we'll go to are two TS credits, so I'm wondering if the upgrade is what I should be looking at.

Yep, that's my understanding - the non-Disney restaurants usually are added later on.

Hi, Cammie! We did do the Deluxe dining plan on our last trip. It was great because we ate at SOO many 2TS restaurants: California Grill, Narcoossee's, Yachtsman Steakhouse....it was awesome! It was honestly TOO much food, but it really is a great value if you compare to paying out of pocket. You should definitely consider the Deluxe plan.

 

[Jeanine3kids]

Alan I finally finished your trip report excellent. You guys seem to have really had a good time no fighting or melt downs excellent. You got a chance to eat at a lot of great restaurants, I hope my trip goes just as well in just 6 days.

 

[Supermom3]

Alan, I loved your mini TR on the FL gulf coast. We love that area and were so disappointed that we had to cancel our trip to Seaside this year due to DH's work schedule. Too funny taking pictures of food outside of Disney. Your extended family must have thought you were nuts, but I know we DISers could all relate.

We are also debating the park hopper for our Feb 09 trip. We had it on our last trip and loved the convenience even though we only used it twice in a week. But when we did we really appreciated having it. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Jeanine3kids]

Alan I am sure you will be find without the park hopper you seem like a very organized trip planner my family on the other hand is all over the place and my husband refuses to be restricted he has a very hard time sticking to the plans he drives me nuts. We Bought DVC last year and got great discounts on annual passes so we get 2 trips on the annual passes which is a hugh savings.


Jeanine

 

[alan_renfroe]

Alan I finally finished your trip report excellent. You guys seem to have really had a good time no fighting or melt downs excellent. You got a chance to eat at a lot of great restaurants, I hope my trip goes just as well in just 6 days.

Awww...thanks very much! I'm glad you enjoyed the trip report. It was a great way to chronicle our greatest vacation ever! We go back sometimes and read it ourselves!

Have fun on your trip and good luck! You'll have to let us know if you do a trip report!

Alan, I loved your mini TR on the FL gulf coast. We love that area and were so disappointed that we had to cancel our trip to Seaside this year due to DH's work schedule. Too funny taking pictures of food outside of Disney. Your extended family must have thought you were nuts, but I know we DISers could all relate.

We are also debating the park hopper for our Feb 09 trip. We had it on our last trip and loved the convenience even though we only used it twice in a week. But when we did we really appreciated having it. Decisions, decisions.

Yeah, we love that area also. I've been to PCB so many times, I often feel like I used to live there or something. We love Seagrove as well. My DW and her girlfriends are doing a "girls only" trip to Seagrove in September. I'm more than happy to keep the kids while she goes. I may do a "guys only" Vegas trip sometime in the not-so-distant future....we'll see!

From now on, I'm taking food pictures on EVERY trip! One of our favorite things about vacation is eating out....so why not take pictures!

Decisions indeed - I think we would love the park hopper and use it, but I don't know how often we would use it and if it would constitute the extra $200. I am such a planner that the spontenaity would be a nice change!

Alan I am sure you will be find without the park hopper you seem like a very organized trip planner my family on the other hand is all over the place and my husband refuses to be restricted he has a very hard time sticking to the plans he drives me nuts. We Bought DVC last year and got great discounts on annual passes so we get 2 trips on the annual passes which is a hugh savings.


Jeanine

Yep, I'm a planner for sure. My day job is primarily event planning...so it is a part of who I am. That being said, I do think we make solid plans without the hopper....but it would be nice to be in one park, and suddenly decide we'd like to be in another!

 

[Snowy-girls]

Woohoo! Michelle x is here! It's about time you made it....thought you didn't love us anymore!!

Thanks for the comments about the new car and the beach trip. We had a lot of fun....but we all agreed that now that we've been to Disney, nothing else compares!

Those nachos are Margaritaville could feed a small third-world nation. Quite a bargain for only $9.95!

Yes indeed, 8 more mothes with the Renfroes!

How could i forget you guy's .How could anyone not love the Griswolds .x.

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

So after another week's thought I am pretty much decided on going in April. I know the crowds will be a little thicker with the Easter holidays and all but it will also be cooler and just works better for our plans. We are thinking about the regular dining plan as well but I would like to do deluxe because I want to try several 2ts places this time. We will see how money is I guess. The lady I spoke with the other day told me that if I do book the regular plan there is no problem trading up as long as it is payed off in time. And we are going to stay at pop as well. I have never stayed there before but I have been to all star music years ago and it was fine, especially considering the ammount of time we actually spent at the room.
So just a few months to go until I can make adrs! I have so much to do... Alan you really should get started making plans so I can copy them!

 

[alan_renfroe]

How could i forget you guy's .How could anyone not love the Griswolds .x.

The Griswolds in their attempts to have some good old fashioned family fun!!

So after another week's thought I am pretty much decided on going in April. I know the crowds will be a little thicker with the Easter holidays and all but it will also be cooler and just works better for our plans. We are thinking about the regular dining plan as well but I would like to do deluxe because I want to try several 2ts places this time. We will see how money is I guess. The lady I spoke with the other day told me that if I do book the regular plan there is no problem trading up as long as it is payed off in time. And we are going to stay at pop as well. I have never stayed there before but I have been to all star music years ago and it was fine, especially considering the ammount of time we actually spent at the room.
So just a few months to go until I can make adrs! I have so much to do... Alan you really should get started making plans so I can copy them!

Hey, Michelle & Aaron! Sorry to hear that you will not be going in May, but April will be nice also. May just seems to be the best option for us because of the following: (1) The kids have finished their standardized testing for the year, and the principal gives us permission to have them out of school for the week, (2) The crowds at WDW are much lower after April, but before Memorial Day, and (3) the weather is really nice: hot enough to swim, but not July-August hot.

On the dining plan, this may seem extraneous but I am going to sit down and do a little study. I intend to plan out our restaurants we'd like to eat at on our next trip, have each family member pick what items they would order from the menu, then add up what it would cost out of pocket vs. deluxe dining plan vs. basic dining plan. Obviously there would be outside factors involved, but it might give me a better idea. My thoughts are that if we go with the basic dining plan, we would do without certain things at certain places. For instance, we are going for 6 nights, which would give us 6TS, 6CS, and 6 snacks each. We would use snacks primarily for breakfast. On the table service credits, we also like the 2TS restaurants, so we would probably use our credits at California Grill, Artist Point, and perhaps the Flying Fish, leaving us three evenings where we would have to pay out of pocket. One of those nights would be at Kona...and I would probably just order the sticky wings appetizer, which is PLENTY enough food for a meal. Another example might be to eat at Le Cellier, pay out of pocket, and order the cheese soup appetizer as a meal (with pretzel bread and Moosehead beer on the side, of course!)

Anyway, the EASIEST thing would be for us to bite the bullet and get the Deluxe Dining Plan. We were on the deluxe on our last trip, and it was WONDERFUL!! I did feel a little gluttonous eating that much...so I know we could get by on the basic dining plan if need be. We'll see!

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Alan I too had thought about the Dlx but it would be too much food for me! I may supplement the basic with a couple of oop breakfasts at a table service restaurant , I know I want to try Boma and that is not bad in price for oop.I am still looking at mid May 09. March scaresme due to spring break crowds and Feb was alittle to cool, and April is forget it. I have to stay away from the last few days and first few of each month due to work and in May there is Mothers Day too !! So choices are going to be easy!!

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

Alan that is a great plan to price out which plan would be better. I had already been deciding what I will order at the places so it shouldn't be too hard to get the guys to do the same then I can decide if deluxe truly would be best for us. I really think it will work out better for us to go deluxe because we want to do the polynesian dinner show, Narcoossees and California Grill and they alone are 6 ts credits. And there are still many others on my list as well. Oh by the way did you check into the AAA packages? Ours last year was not a huge discount but worth going through them.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Hi Alan I too had thought about the Dlx but it would be too much food for me! I may supplement the basic with a couple of oop breakfasts at a table service restaurant , I know I want to try Boma and that is not bad in price for oop.I am still looking at mid May 09. March scaresme due to spring break crowds and Feb was alittle to cool, and April is forget it. I have to stay away from the last few days and first few of each month due to work and in May there is Mothers Day too !! So choices are going to be easy!!

If we go on the basic dining plan, we will have some out of pocket meals for sure. There are three 2TS restaurants we want to eat at on our next trip: California Grill, Artist Point, and Flying Fish Cafe. We ate at Yachtsman Steakhouse and Narcoossee's on our previous trip and loved them both...so this time we thought we'd try Artist Point and Flying Fish.

Sounds like you've pretty much got your dates chosen! A lot of your reasoning on choosing May is the same as ours.

Alan that is a great plan to price out which plan would be better. I had already been deciding what I will order at the places so it shouldn't be too hard to get the guys to do the same then I can decide if deluxe truly would be best for us. I really think it will work out better for us to go deluxe because we want to do the polynesian dinner show, Narcoossees and California Grill and they alone are 6 ts credits. And there are still many others on my list as well. Oh by the way did you check into the AAA packages? Ours last year was not a huge discount but worth going through them.

I've been working on pricing things out and I will post my findings in my next post. Sounds like you all need the deluxe plan to accommodate ther restaurants you wish to try.

I have not checked on the AAA packages yet, but I will for sure. Thanks!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Okay...time to reveal to everyone just how much of an obsessive/compulsive planner I really am! I have been doing some research and putting an initial itinerary together. The primary goal of this study is to determine if we would be better off with the Deluxe Dining Plan or the Basic Dining Plan and pay for some meals out of pocket.

Here is the tentative itinerary we are using as a starting point, assuming we go on the Basic Dining Plan:

Saturday, May 16, 2009
Arrive at Pop Century by 4pm
Dinner at Kona (out of pocket)

Sunday, May 17, 2009
Epcot
Le Cellier for lunch (out of pocket)
Dinner at Flying Fish Café (table service #1 & #2)

Monday, May 18, 2009
Animal Kingdom
Breakfast at Everything Pop (counter service #1)
Yak & Yeti for lunch (counter service #2)
Dinner at Boatwright’s (out of pocket)

Tuesday, May 20, 2009
Magic Kingdom
Chef Mickey’s for breakfast (out of pocket)
Casey’s for lunch (counter service #3)
Tony’s Town Square for dinner (out of pocket)

Wednesday, May 21, 2009
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Counter service lunch (counter service #4)
Artist Pointe for dinner (table service #3 & #4)

Thursday, May 22, 2009
Epcot
San Angel for lunch (counter service #5)
California Grill for dinner (table service #5 & #6)

Friday, May 23, 2009
Magic Kingdom & Downtown Disney
Earl of Sandwich for lunch (counter service #6)
‘Ohana for dinner (out of pocket)

Of course, these days will get moved around but this is a good starting point. This plan encompasses all of the restaurants we MOST want to visit. There are others we'd like to try also, but again this is a starting point.

Now...

Let's compare the price of the Basic Dining Plan with the price of the Deluxe Dining Plan. Our family has three adults and one child.

Basic Dining Plan cost: $39.99 per adult, $10.99 per child per night
Our family’s cost: $130.96 per night x 6 nights = $785.76

Deluxe Dining Plan cost: $71.99 per adult, $20.99 per night
Our family’s cost: $236.96 per night x 6 nights = $1,421.76

Difference: $636

Now....here is a sample breakout of the estimated cost of the out of pocket meals based on what we would like to order from the menus posted on allears:

Kona (dinner) – total before taxes = $91.02

Le Cellier (lunch) – total before taxes = $52.05

Boatwright’s (dinner) – total before taxes = $107.03

Chef Mickey’s (breakfast) – ($22.99 for adults, $12.99 for kids) = $81.96

Tony’s Town Square (dinner) – total before taxes = $102.52

‘Ohana (dinner) – ($26.99 for adults, $12.99 for kids) = $93.96


Total before taxes, not including drinks = $528.54

Soft drinks are$2.29 each for adults x 3 adults = $6.87 per meal for soft drinks x 6 meals = $41.22

Grand total before taxes = $569.76

Difference before taxes = $66.24

Assuming 6.5% sales tax, tax on dining plan would be $41.34 and tax on our plan would be $37.03
Difference = $4.31

Assuming 18% gratuity, deluxe plan gratuities would be an extra $114.48 and on our plan would be $102.56
Difference = $11.92

TOTAL DELUXE DINING PLAN INCLUDING TAXES & GRATUITIES = $791.82

TOTAL OUT OF POCKET PLAN INCLUDING TAXES & GRATUITIES = $709.35

DIFFERENCE = $82.47

Conclusion: Yes, we would save a little bit of money by going with the basic dining plan, but for only $82 more we can eat table service meals for lunch and dinner, which gives us more options. Also, we can order anything we want off the menus and not have to worry about having to pay out of pocket for meals. Therefore, I conclude that Team Renfroe would be better off purchasing the Deluxe Dining Plan once again.

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

I whole heartedly agree with you Alan. And also weren't you including smaller meals than you would get on the deluxe plan where apps are included. I could be wrong I thought you had mentioned getting wings as your meal at Kona and etc. Also you have to remember with the dlxdining you get the resort mug and not with the basic next year. So if you guys will be using them that is another about $12 value per person.
Aaron and I (well I but Aaron goes with most everything I ask him to go with) have decided that deluxe is best for us.

 

[englishrose47]

Alan I love your detailed planning! Yes I agree Deluxe would be better for you !Even though I haven't booked so haven't yet started a PTR I have an idea of which restaurants I as a Solo want to try, some of course repeats :-
Kona based on Team Renfroe report
Le Chefs ( love the scallop & shrimp and the apple crepes)
Raglan Road want to try the Chowder besed on eeyoretail review
Le Cellier
Biergarten
Grand Floridian
O'Hanas
Crystal Palace ( my most do every trip)
Boma
Cape May
Now I have to cut something but these are the ones I' m thinking of also Teppon Edo is a growing possibilitie although the desserts don't really appeal!!I will stay at Pop as usual!!

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

Oh Alan, speaking of Teppan Edo would you reccomend that for someone who does not like seafood? I know they had steak and the main reason you had an unpleasant meal was your table mate but the aps and entrees still seemed heavily seafood. Also sometimes at those places the taste of fish just kind of invades all the other food, did you notice that at all? Also what did you think about the desserts there? I can not remember what you guys ate but from the menu nothing jumps out at me dessert wise but Josh loves teppan style places so I am thinking about adding it for lunch instead of San Angel Inn.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I agree that with the Deluxe Dining Plan you just go and eat all you want and not have to worry about money or how much things cost. I think it's a smart decision for Team Renfroe!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Therefore, I conclude that Team Renfroe would be better off purchasing the Deluxe Dining Plan once again.

I concur! Excellent conclusion! You enjoyed it so much last time you have to do it again!! And selfishly I'm already thinking about the reviews you'll do!

 

[Snowy-girls]

Good decision for you Alan,the difference is peanuts really.No worries about money etc.. when dining out.You all really enjoyed it last time-it would be rude not to .And i cannot wait to see them steaks again .x.

 

[Figment's Friend]

It's funny, we did something very similar to this earlier this year to figure meals and everything, it's a great idea! Yep....I KNEW the Deluxe Dining would make all of you much happier, hey the more options the better! I like all of your tentative choices so far, can't wait to see what you will end up with!

 

[LuccaDrake]

I love the food algorithms. I'm excited as more food for you means more food pics for the rest of us!

~Beka~