The End is... NOWHERE in sight! - Sept/Oct 2016 PTR *Update 9/14*

[*sammi*]

Following along. Haven't read all of it yet but I'm planning a trip tentatively for September (might be moving to October or even November) so I'm reading up on other people's plans for around this time. Looks like you will have a fun time with your family party! I've never tried a trip with a group to Disney before I'm keen to hear how it goes. My family is huge! We would drive each other bananas if we all went together!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

It's official..... OUR FLIGHTS ARE BOOKED!!!

YAY! Having the flights booked must be a big weight off of your shoulders!!

Although I've made it abundantly clear that I'm not a fan of Southwest... they really hooked us up with some great flights.
I was able to get round trip, non-stop, flights for $264.96/person!!

Great deal!!

Also, your first two bags fly free with SW, so no additional charge for those.
The flight times are great too. Our flight on arrival day is scheduled to leave at 8:05am, arriving in Orlando at 10:40am. Our flight on departure day leaves Orlando at 6:45pm and arrives back in Buffalo at 9:20pm. I'm always up for a little extra park time before we have to catch our flight!

Perfect times!! Especially for those rates

We're finally making moves! Next milestone... ADR's!!

While it can be stressful sometimes making reservations 180 days in advance, I love booking the ADRs - it's just so much fun imagining yourself sitting in those restaurants!

 

[Stacey1980]

It's official..... OUR FLIGHTS ARE BOOKED!!!

So exciting! We booked our flight yesterday, too! We are going on September 24th. It really makes the trip seem real once you book the plane tickets, doesn't it?

 

[vrajewski10513]

So exciting! We booked our flight yesterday, too! We are going on September 24th. It really makes the trip seem real once you book the plane tickets, doesn't it?

Absolutely!! I feel like time is actually moving now lol

 

[pkondz]

It wouldnt be a disney vacation if the planning didnt come with frustration!

Maybe just a little.

Just a tad.

It's official..... OUR FLIGHTS ARE BOOKED!!!

Yes!! Woot!

I was able to get round trip, non-stop, flights for $264.96/person!!

Nice! Practically giving 'em away.

Also, your first two bags fly free with SW, so no additional charge for those.

And that's not an insignificant amount, either.

The flight times are great too. Our flight on arrival day is scheduled to leave at 8:05am, arriving in Orlando at 10:40am.

Our flight on departure day leaves Orlando at 6:45pm and arrives back in Buffalo at 9:20pm.

Not bad! Wish I could get anything close to that.

 

[vrajewski10513]

Following along. Haven't read all of it yet but I'm planning a trip tentatively for September (might be moving to October or even November) so I'm reading up on other people's plans for around this time. Looks like you will have a fun time with your family party! I've never tried a trip with a group to Disney before I'm keen to hear how it goes. My family is huge! We would drive each other bananas if we all went together!

I'm sure there will be some banana driving, but its part of the territory when you travel with family Good luck with your planning!

YAY! Having the flights booked must be a big weight off of your shoulders!!

Great deal!!

Perfect times!! Especially for those rates

While it can be stressful sometimes making reservations 180 days in advance, I love booking the ADRs - it's just so much fun imagining yourself sitting in those restaurants!

It always feels great to have flights booked, and be able to stop stressing about that and move onto the next stress.. booking ADRs!

Just a tad.



Yes!! Woot!



Nice! Practically giving 'em away.



And that's not an insignificant amount, either.



Not bad! Wish I could get anything close to that.

We really did get an excellent price! And, you're right, the cost of baggage alone for 11 people is crazy!

 

[vrajewski10513]

So.. SOMETIMES people may acknowledge that my type A personality has its advantages... like my insistance to book our flights on the day they were released.

Like I previously stated, we were able to secure out RT flights for right around $265/person.

I check the southwest site atleast once a day to see if there have been any prices drops so we can get prices adjustments.

Today I signed on, like I normally do, checked the prices and there was a DRASTIC increase to our exact flights! What was $265/person, now turned into $433/person!

Those poor unfortunate souls...

​

 

[pkondz]

Today I signed on, like I normally do, checked the prices and there was a DRASTIC increase to our exact flights! What was $265/person, now turned into $433/person!

Whoa!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I check the southwest site atleast once a day to see if there have been any prices drops so we can get prices adjustments.

I do the same - it is very worth it - because there is always a chance they can go down even more! Or go up...

Today I signed on, like I normally do, checked the prices and there was a DRASTIC increase to our exact flights! What was $265/person, now turned into $433/person!

WOW! That's a big increase!! I hate when airlines do that...
It's good that you booked so early!

 

[DMGeurts]

Well - I am only a year late, right? Hahaha... I am so terrible at reading people's siggys - but once in a while, I remember to look and go check out other's PTRs/TRs... Which, I admit, is much easier to do, when I am not writing 2 simultaneously.

Hope you enjoyed!! And because I'm curious, please play along! What are some of your favorites??

Favorite Park?
Favorite Ride?
Favorite Disney movie?
Favorite Disney Character?
Favorite Disney Restaurant?

Favorite Park? It was MK - and MK is still up there... but really - It's AK... The theme there is just incredible, and who doesn't love EE?
Favorite Ride? It's a toss up - Splash or EE... Again - both incredible rides with incredible theming.
Favorite Disney movie? Definitely Tangled - it's just so well done, even if it isn't a Disney Classic - it's sure to be some day.
Favorite Disney Character? I love me some Donald... But lately Chip * Dale have been near and dear to my heart too.
Favorite Disney Restaurant? Oh yah - this is a no brainer... It's The Wave. But if you are looking for a fav character meal - it's Crystal Palace (Breakfast PPO of course).

Love this!!!!

not going to work... Theres no way we can afford to tack on an additional $1600+ to our vacation budget. SO I decided to do a little more research and found another 4-day Bahamian cruise with Carnival that leaves on Sunday Sept 25 and comes back on Thursday Sept 29.. for $229 per person!!

Awesome!!! Did you book this?

WE'RE BOOKED!!!

It may change in the future.. but for the time being we are officially booked at Caribbean Beach Resort for September 28 - October 8, 2016!!

Wahoo!!! Congrats!!!

I also quit my second job, and started a new one about a month ago. I'm much happier at this new place, and apparently they're happy with me because I was promoted to a part-time manager! I figure I'll give it a shot, but if that along with my full-time day job gets to be too much I'll just go back to being a regular associate after the holidays.

This is awesome! WTG!!! Are you back to normal now?

That's about all I have for now... I'll end the post with the three new Magic Band decals that I made recently. The first one is "take two" on the Little Mermaid band. I think this one came out MUCH MUCH better than the last one. I'm really happy with is and so is my SiL. The second one I made for my FiL, but when my BiL saw it he loved it as well! so thats works out and I killed two birds with one stone since magicyourband.com sends you two of each of your designs! The last Scooby Doo one is for my MiL, Scooby is her favorite character.

I am loving all of these!!! Are you going to get a chance to wear all of them?

Yes, I'm one of those crazies that starts to get excited about Christmas the day after Halloween lol I don't devalue Thanksgiving, I just love Christmas so much I can hardly contain myself!!

Same!!!! I LOVE Christmas!!!!

I just ordered a Lilly Pulitzer inspired magic band decal!

and I made myself a Disney Vera Bradley decal!!!

Ahhhhh!!!!!! I swear we are WAY TOO MUCH alike!!!! LOL I love me some Lilly too!!!!

In other news, my husband has this new thing about getting our "Disney bods" on. I'm not really sure what a disney bod is, but the first thing that comes to mind is dad bod lol

Bhahahahahaha!!!!! OMG!!!! Spit out my coffee right here!!!

You would not believe how much stressing I've been doing over choosing a boarding facility. I even tried to talk DH into taking them on the plane with us and checking them into Disney's pet care facility so we could go see them everyday. I mean come on, how could you leave these faces at a kennel?!

One of the reasons I am sort-of thankful that DH isn't a Disney fan... At least I don't have to worry about boarding MM and SC.

Although I've made it abundantly clear that I'm not a fan of Southwest... they really hooked us up with some great flights.
I was able to get round trip, non-stop, flights for $264.96/person!!

Congrats!!!! Our flights on the day of release were way over budget - of course they are much higher now, but my budget limit is $250 p/p r/t... And I prefer to get them for -$200... So I am holding out and praying for better. I know it probably won't happen, but hopefully it will.

Anyways - here and following along now. Looking forward to seeing how your trip plans shape up, now that you are getting closer!

D~

 

[vrajewski10513]

Well - I am only a year late, right? Hahaha... I am so terrible at reading people's siggys - but once in a while, I remember to look and go check out other's PTRs/TRs... Which, I admit, is much easier to do, when I am not writing 2 simultaneously.

Better late than never! But, seeing as I'm still 8 months out, I wouldn't exactly say you're late lol

Favorite Park? It was MK - and MK is still up there... but really - It's AK... The theme there is just incredible, and who doesn't love EE?
Favorite Ride? It's a toss up - Splash or EE... Again - both incredible rides with incredible theming.
Favorite Disney movie? Definitely Tangled - it's just so well done, even if it isn't a Disney Classic - it's sure to be some day.
Favorite Disney Character? I love me some Donald... But lately Chip * Dale have been near and dear to my heart too.
Favorite Disney Restaurant? Oh yah - this is a no brainer... It's The Wave. But if you are looking for a fav character meal - it's Crystal Palace (Breakfast PPO of course).

I have to agree with you, I love MK but on my last trip I really grew to love AK!
Tangled is a fantastic choice! And who doesn't love some Eugene?!
Chip & Dale are just so much fun to interact with at the parks.
I've read about The Wave in our trip reports and the way you rave about it I definitely need to get over there to check it out soon!

Awesome!!! Did you book this?

Unfortunately no It just wasnt in the budget this year. After taxes, fees and a drink package those $229 tickets jump to almost $500 real quick. We're thinking maybe we will try and do a longer cruise while were on our break from Disney trips in the next few years.

This is awesome! WTG!!! Are you back to normal now?

Yeah, I'm back to normal now. They said I did a great job, and that I'm already on the hook for next season. Unfortunately, our store took a HUGE cut in hours after the holiday and I'm only getting 4-5 hours a week when I was getting 15-20 consistently. I love working there, but for me 4-5 hours isn't going to cut it so I have a meeting with the GM tonight to figure out what were going to do. I told him that if I can't get more hours that they will have to pick one day they want me to work and I have to find something else, and add a 3rd job to pick up the slack

I am loving all of these!!! Are you going to get a chance to wear all of them?

Well the only ones that are mine are the Lilly and Vera two. Everything else I made for family members. I put the Lilly decal on my old Green MB, and I think I'm going to get a new yellow band for this trip for the Vera decal

Ahhhhh!!!!!! I swear we are WAY TOO MUCH alike!!!! LOL I love me some Lilly too!!!!

Thats too funny! You know what they say, great minds think alike! Now only if I had your master sewing skills

Bhahahahahaha!!!!! OMG!!!! Spit out my coffee right here!!!

One of the reasons I am sort-of thankful that DH isn't a Disney fan... At least I don't have to worry about boarding MM and SC.

Lucky! I'm really hoping that my dogs are well behaved enough for my mom that she can keep them for our whole vacation. Or atleast half..

Congrats!!!! Our flights on the day of release were way over budget - of course they are much higher now, but my budget limit is $250 p/p r/t... And I prefer to get them for -$200... So I am holding out and praying for better. I know it probably won't happen, but hopefully it will.

I probably would have waited if our tickets were way over budget too, but our budget was $500 for the two of us, and we came out at $530 so I figured that was close enough

Anyways - here and following along now. Looking forward to seeing how your trip plans shape up, now that you are getting closer!

Thanks for joining in!

 

[vrajewski10513]

Alright folks... I feel like time is FINALLY moving!!
We're T-minus...

...until our ADR day!!!
I've been driving everyone nuts the last few weeks (ok probably for the last year, realistically) because I need a FINAL head count for each and every ADR I'm making on FRIDAY.

There's been some recent developments that may really change up our group.

First, my DB and DSiL won't be joining us any longer. They just put an offer on a house, and it was accepted! Excellent news for them, but stinks because that means that all their funds will be allocated towards the house, and Disney doesn't exactly fit in there anymore. I'm really happy for them, but they will be missed during our trip!

Second, DH's best friend Carlton was over our house about a week ago, and he was asking alot of questions about Disney. So, I popped in the Disney planning DVD and we started discussing our trip and everything Disney has to offer. He was REALLY interesed in possibly going with us. On top of that, he thought it would be a great idea to bring along his sister, and his 5 y/o nephew. GREAT! The more the merrier! Seriously, I'd love to have them along. But, this puts Carlton into the predicament of having to make a very hasty decision as to whether he is definitely going to go or not because I need to know if I have to include 3 extra heads on our dining reservations. Of course I could always just make reservations for 12 instead of 9, but I dont know how that would work if I need to alter them later if they decide not to go?? I'll have to look into it further.

SO.. This is the FINAL draft of our dining plans... not the final draft of our schedule because obviously things like FP+, and actual show times of RoL will be fixed up later.. but this is where were at, and hopefully if everything goes to plan, where we will be staying as far as ADR's are concerned.



We have Club Villian in there tentatively.. I'm REALLY hoping this is still going to be around for our trip. Expecially since it's around Halloween. Its definitely pricey ($99/person) but from the reviews, I will its totally worth it for our group. Dates are only released through the end of May right now for that, so I'll have to keep my eye out.

So, since I'm feeling super excited about all the booking I can ACTUALLY do now, I'll leave you with a throwback to my very first trip to Disney!! (I'm the little one all the way on the right



Have a great week everyone!! I'll be checking in on Friday to let you know how I made out with ADRs!!
​

 

[afwdwfan]

I almost flipped out! I thought you had a lot longer than 3 days before your trip!



Then I realized it was an ADR countdown.

First, my DB and DSiL won't be joining us any longer. They just put an offer on a house, and it was accepted! Excellent news for them, but stinks because that means that all their funds will be allocated towards the house, and Disney doesn't exactly fit in there anymore. I'm really happy for them, but they will be missed during our trip!

That stinks, but at the same time, good for them! Sorry they'll miss the trip, but sometimes you have to just suck it up and be an adult.

Seriously, I'd love to have them along. But, this puts Carlton into the predicament of having to make a very hasty decision as to whether he is definitely going to go or not because I need to know if I have to include 3 extra heads on our dining reservations. Of course I could always just make reservations for 12 instead of 9, but I dont know how that would work if I need to alter them later if they decide not to go??

This is a tough one... I can say that making an ADR for 12 and then showing up with 9 won't be a big deal and you shouldn't get charged. I know some Disdads have done this and it worked out fine. In one case, I had to cancel on Ohana with them in January and offered to pay if they were charged for one of the guests being a no-show and it wasn't an issue. What I've been told is that if you have a party that is over 50% of the initial ADR party size, they won't give you any problems.

So, since I'm feeling super excited about all the booking I can ACTUALLY do now, I'll leave you with a throwback to my very first trip to Disney!! (I'm the little one all the way on the right

Cool! I like the matching shirts! What year was this?

 

[vrajewski10513]

I almost flipped out! I thought you had a lot longer than 3 days before your trip!



Then I realized it was an ADR countdown.

HA! Don't I wish!!

That stinks, but at the same time, good for them! Sorry they'll miss the trip, but sometimes you have to just suck it up and be an adult.

Yeah, DH and I will have to start that adulting thing soon... DM is itching for some grandbabies. I told her Disney first, babies later.

This is a tough one... I can say that making an ADR for 12 and then showing up with 9 won't be a big deal and you shouldn't get charged. I know some Disdads have done this and it worked out fine. In one case, I had to cancel on Ohana with them in January and offered to pay if they were charged for one of the guests being a no-show and it wasn't an issue. What I've been told is that if you have a party that is over 50% of the initial ADR party size, they won't give you any problems.

This is good to know, thanks. As long as we wont be penalized for having 9 instead of 12 I might as well book for 12 just in case

Cool! I like the matching shirts! What year was this?

This was 1989. I was 16 months for my first visit. It only took me 24 years to get back for my second!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Yay for your almost ADR day! While fun it can be a bit stressful depending on how many you want to make and if you have a lot of people to plan for.
That's exciting you might be having more guests join you on this trip!

So, since I'm feeling super excited about all the booking I can ACTUALLY do now, I'll leave you with a throwback to my very first trip to Disney!! (I'm the little one all the way on the right

Oh my gosh this is too cute! I love how you have the biggest smile on your face The matching shirts you all have on and the fact you are in size order is also adorable.

Have a great week everyone!! I'll be checking in on Friday to let you know how I made out with ADRs!!

Good luck! I hope you are able to get everything you want! You have a great list of places!
Oh! And also, that is SO exciting that you may do Club Villan. I would really look forward to hearing about that if you decide to do it!

 

[pkondz]

I've been driving everyone nuts the last few weeks (ok probably for the last year, realistically) because I need a FINAL head count for each and every ADR I'm making on FRIDAY.

So close! Hope you get everything!

First, my DB and DSiL won't be joining us any longer. They just put an offer on a house, and it was accepted! Excellent news for them, but stinks because that means that all their funds will be allocated towards the house, and Disney doesn't exactly fit in there anymore. I'm really happy for them, but they will be missed during our trip!

Good news/bad news.
Still... A house. That's pretty big.

Second, DH's best friend Carlton was over our house about a week ago, and he was asking alot of questions about Disney.

Do you think he'll take the plunge?

We have Club Villian in there tentatively.. I'm REALLY hoping this is still going to be around for our trip. Expecially since it's around Halloween. Its definitely pricey ($99/person) but from the reviews, I will its totally worth it for our group.

Club Villain? I've never heard of that?

So, since I'm feeling super excited about all the booking I can ACTUALLY do now, I'll leave you with a throwback to my very first trip to Disney!! (I'm the little one all the way on the right

Aw! Look at tiny you!

 

[vrajewski10513]

While fun it can be a bit stressful depending on how many you want to make and if you have a lot of people to plan for

I'm definitely feeling the pressure this trip. Normally it's just me and DH so if I don't get something it's no big deal. But we have a couple newbies in our group so I want to make sure we get everything they want to do... Then add in the number of people we have going, it just seems crazy!

h my gosh this is too cute! I love how you have the biggest smile on your face The matching shirts you all have on and the fact you are in size order is also adorable

Thanks

Good news/bad news.
Still... A house. That's pretty big.

Yeah I guess that's a decent excuse... Lol

Club Villain? I've never heard of that?

It's only the coolest new dinner/show this side of the Mississippi! It's a dinner where you get to hang out with a bunch of Villians! And booze is included!!

 

[pkondz]

It's only the coolest new dinner/show this side of the Mississippi! It's a dinner where you get to hang out with a bunch of Villians! And booze is included!!

Cool! Where?

 

[vrajewski10513]

Cool! Where

Sunset Showcase at Hollywood Studios

 

[pkondz]

Thanks!