The NEW Official November 2010 Countdown & Planning Thread ~ Come join us! (Part 1)

[CrazyaboutGoofy]

I just went on SW website again this evening. I just happened to look at our flight that I booked this morning and the price dropped $16.00 pp. I am so excited, we just saved $80.00. So, if you just booked with SW this morning, check your flight again and maybe you can save some money too.

 

[Melodious]

Hi We're booked Nov 10-23 It's my DMom, me, and a friend will join us for a week in the middle. I had a question though. My mom bought the UG book and the touringplans.com subscription, but we've never used a touring plan before. Do we need to use a touring plan during our dates? I know things will pick up the week going into Thanksgiving, but until then it seems like very low crowds are expected. We don't want to be running all over the park trying to follow the plan, but we don't want to be the schmucks standing in line all day either. And we don't go to WDW that often so we want to ride everything at least once Any suggestions or thoughts for using it?

 

[DisneyFam09]

We booked Nov 14th - 21st Me, DH, DD(4), my mom and dad!!!!
We just got our flights from SW and booked Bonnet Creek yesterday.
We originally thought we would go down the week before but the flights were cheaper the week after. I have always wanted to see the Christmas decorations!! I'm so excited. This will be my 6th trip and I have never been in the fall.
Our ADR's
Cinderella's Royal Table (dinner)
1900 Park Fare (dinner)
Chefs de France (lunch)
and of course Bippidi Bobbidi Boutique same day as CRT

 

[DisneyFam09]

I just went on SW website again this evening. I just happened to look at our flight that I booked this morning and the price dropped $16.00 pp. I am so excited, we just saved $80.00. So, if you just booked with SW this morning, check your flight again and maybe you can save some money too.

I checked last night and our flights went up about $100pp
But good for you!!! I do plan on checking to see if can get a credit and if they open up more times. we would like to leave later.

 

[Trackey79]

For us with stops it's anywhere from 9-10 hours. I'm hoping to cut some of that time off this time around!

Wow, I couldn't imagine!! My kids are going nuts by the time we get there, so I cannot imagine what they would be like with that long of a drive!

 

[jillyb]

Wow, I couldn't imagine!! My kids are going nuts by the time we get there, so I cannot imagine what they would be like with that long of a drive!

It takes us so long because we make at least two stops for potty breaks, stretching and to get some time away from each other. My van has a DVD player so they can watch movies. Then they have their DS games, books, etc. so they do pretty good. They'll probably sleep some too.

We went to Washington, D.C. last year for vacation and I found a book that has lots of questions in it. It was fun hearing the answers so we'll probably use that on this trip.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Well, after all that waiting, I am sorry to say SW fares are too high to even consider. I've been playing around with the dates and I can't get anything for less than $360 each THAT'S JUST NUTS!!

So now we're looking at Air Tran or Jet Blue, but these are out of Boston, which is nowhere near as convenient for us as Providence.

I'm sorry SW didn't work out for you. I can't seem to get good rates with them anymore. They used to be so great. Now it's cheaper to fly with other airlines even when you include paying the baggage fees.

Momof2disneyboys - please add another day to our dates! We are now staying until November 18.

I'll get you updated!

Thanks! But how do I get them to show up without clicking on a link? I am not tech savy apparently! Just read Tech FAQ board and still at a loss.

I don't know. I've never used snapfish. Photobucket is pretty easy, maybe you'll want to give it a try.

I was going to ask you all how long the drives were for those of you who opt to fly...for us it's a solid 16hours..... my hubby spends lots of time driving for our business and he doesnt like to drive more than he has to on time off....besides...that would shave at least 4 days off our vacation time....plus 2 extra hotel nights, and at least 6 meals on the road....if we have some whopping RV I might consider it...but not without it!!!

It would be 19-20 hours for us to drive straight through (which we could never do). So figure in a hotel on the way down and one on the way back, gas, meals on the road, vacation time missed, and the fact that we would probably kill each other in the car for that long together -- airfare is well worth it!!

Plus my DH is like yours, he doesn't want to drive on vacation. He always says his vacation starts as soon as he parks the car at the airport! No more driving!!

Hi We're booked Nov 10-23 It's my DMom, me, and a friend will join us for a week in the middle. I had a question though. My mom bought the UG book and the touringplans.com subscription, but we've never used a touring plan before. Do we need to use a touring plan during our dates? I know things will pick up the week going into Thanksgiving, but until then it seems like very low crowds are expected. We don't want to be running all over the park trying to follow the plan, but we don't want to be the schmucks standing in line all day either. And we don't go to WDW that often so we want to ride everything at least once Any suggestions or thoughts for using it?

WELCOME to our group!

Just my opinion - I wouldn't worry about a touring plan very much for the 2 full weeks prior to Thanksgiving. It's not very busy. I would however plan your park days carefully. Certain things like Fantasmic will make DHS busier on that day (since it doesn't show daily anymore), and the same with Spectro at MK. I do pay attention to things like that, avoid EMH, and plan out which days we will be in which park for every trip. But I don't have a touring plan once inside the park.

We booked Nov 14th - 21st Me, DH, DD(4), my mom and dad!!!!
We just got our flights from SW and booked Bonnet Creek yesterday.
We originally thought we would go down the week before but the flights were cheaper the week after. I have always wanted to see the Christmas decorations!! I'm so excited. This will be my 6th trip and I have never been in the fall.
Our ADR's
Cinderella's Royal Table (dinner)
1900 Park Fare (dinner)
Chefs de France (lunch)
and of course Bippidi Bobbidi Boutique same day as CRT

Your plans sound great!

 

[mousescrapper]

First I too waited and was annoyed w/ SWA site yesterday and then finally booked our airfare...a very scary whopping amount of money later we have flights going and coming back for our fam of 6...not thrilled w/ the price coming home, but I guess what can I expect flying home the sunday after thanksgiving...driving is not an option for us...so just glad this part is done...

Hi We're booked Nov 10-23 It's my DMom, me, and a friend will join us for a week in the middle. I had a question though. My mom bought the UG book and the touringplans.com subscription, but we've never used a touring plan before. Do we need to use a touring plan during our dates? I know things will pick up the week going into Thanksgiving, but until then it seems like very low crowds are expected. We don't want to be running all over the park trying to follow the plan, but we don't want to be the schmucks standing in line all day either. And we don't go to WDW that often so we want to ride everything at least once Any suggestions or thoughts for using it?

now to answer the question about tourinplans site's touring plans....

do you need them? no

are they helpful? I think so...

It really depends on your style of touring

it's a good guide to what things you should do first at night or as fillers....touring plans has some great printable cheat sheets too that tells you which rides are best a t which times of the day too.

I like to make my own custom tp using their software by putting in my choices in order then printing out a custom map and order of our attractions, rides, etc...you don't have to follow it concretely...

but I feel you really need some idea of what you want to do each day and how to go about it instead of wasting precious time just totally winging it...not that winging is all bad to stop and look at characters, talk to CM's find the small bit's of MAGIC that is often overlooked...

good luck! and happy planning

 

[Caitsmama]

We have our TG week flights all booked as well...

We were looking at coming home on the Sunday after TG, but there were no flights available for the lowest fare catagory - it said sold out.. so after we figured in the cost of the next catagory flight costs - we decided to stay another night and come home on Monday.. we have 7 of us traveling, so the cost about washes out - and we got an extra day and we are all able to go to MVMCP now on the Sunday night!!!

 

[Caitsmama]

BTW -- cost for SW roundtrip PVD-MCO was about $475 per person!!!! But, the inlaws insist on flying out of Providence, and going non-stop, and they pay the flights.. so i can't argue.. And we pay about this every year..

And, i noticed our same flights went up since yesterday!

 

[Caitsmama]

OMG. $360? I got November air fare from Providence for $144 one way. What dates are you flying?

Ha, not for the weekend before and after TG! That's for sure!! LOL Ours were $225 going down, and about $265 coming home.. (That was the cheapest air fare catagory!!)

 

[DisneyBarlans]

Hi there!
Can I join in? We'll be there November 19-27th staying at Poly and POR. Can't wait!!!

 

[DisneyBarlans]

Also-we're planning on going to MVMCP on Nov. 19th. Went the Sunday after Thanksgiving 3 years ago and it was PACKED. Has anyone gone the Friday before? How was it? TIA!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We have our TG week flights all booked as well...

We were looking at coming home on the Sunday after TG, but there were no flights available for the lowest fare catagory - it said sold out.. so after we figured in the cost of the next catagory flight costs - we decided to stay another night and come home on Monday.. we have 7 of us traveling, so the cost about washes out - and we got an extra day and we are all able to go to MVMCP now on the Sunday night!!!

YAY for an extra day!!

BTW -- cost for SW roundtrip PVD-MCO was about $475 per person!!!!

OMG I think I would be forced to drive at that point.

I guess we are lucky. One good thing about PA - flights out of PIT aren't as high as many other places!!

Hi there!
Can I join in? We'll be there November 19-27th staying at Poly and POR. Can't wait!!!

Absolutely! Welcome!

 

[Trackey79]

It takes us so long because we make at least two stops for potty breaks, stretching and to get some time away from each other. My van has a DVD player so they can watch movies. Then they have their DS games, books, etc. so they do pretty good. They'll probably sleep some too.

We went to Washington, D.C. last year for vacation and I found a book that has lots of questions in it. It was fun hearing the answers so we'll probably use that on this trip.

Sounds fun. We do movies and breaks along the way as well, but even so they get pretty anxious towards the end. Of course it could be that they realize they are getting close to Disney when they start seeing all the signs a hundred or so miles out,

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Hi there!
Can I join in? We'll be there November 19-27th staying at Poly and POR. Can't wait!!!

We will be at the Poly 11/18-11/26!! We CANNOT wait either!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Is anyone working on anything else for the trip besides the shirts? I have been working on making some Epcot Passports for the boys and finally finished them up this week. I got the idea from this thread ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1509917 There are several ways to put them together. This is how mine turned out. . .

Front~

Back~

I put their names inside the front cover too. I thought these would be neat since they have done the masks before and are getting a little too old for them. Plus we plan to spend a lot of time at Epcot since we are staying at the BW.

 

[DisneyBarlans]

Cute!! We made those same passports last year. The kids loved getting stamps from the different countries.

I'm working on a character scrapbook for my boys, also I have a countdown calendar that I made a few trips ago-goes up 30 days before our trip. I laminated it so we could re-use it. Here's a pic:

I need to start looking at shirt designs....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Cute!! We made those same passports last year. The kids loved getting stamps from the different countries.

I'm working on a character scrapbook for my boys, also I have a countdown calendar that I made a few trips ago-goes up 30 days before our trip. I laminated it so we could re-use it. Here's a pic:

I need to start looking at shirt designs....

Very cool!

 

[mousescrapper]

We were looking at coming home on the Sunday after TG, but there were no flights available for the lowest fare catagory - it said sold out.. so after we figured in the cost of the next catagory flight costs - we decided to stay another night and come home on Monday.. we have 7 of us traveling, so the cost about washes out - and we got an extra day and we are all able to go to MVMCP now on the Sunday night!!!

that is great....so we wish had the time or points to do that...brillant good for you!

Is anyone working on anything else for the trip besides the shirts? I have been working on making some Epcot Passports for the boys and finally finished them up this week. I got the idea from this thread ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1509917 There are several ways to put them together. This is how mine turned out. . .

Front~

Back~

I put their names inside the front cover too. I thought these would be neat since they have done the masks before and are getting a little too old for them. Plus we plan to spend a lot of time at Epcot since we are staying at the BW.

this is really great I LOVE IT!!!!

I may have just added something to my list of goodies to make...

So I have not started anything yet...but after they are done I will post to bounce off for more ideas.

I make take your passport idea for the countries and turn it into a Holiday version, since that is our plan on the Sat after Thanksgiving to try and visit as many countries and see/hear the story tellers this would be a great way to share the stories and memories for later

Other things I want to do besides a few shirts...

* a custom Autism awarness card and guide book for my son

* custom b-day buttons for my little girls (have the design already from one of the DISigners)

* custom autgraph books for my 4 kids

* custom b-day memory books for my little girls (to fill in when we get home)

* plus some other misc things