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

[alexensmom]

Ahhh, its so nice to be back.:surfweb We were camping over a week and without cell service! We were real troopers, my husband and I, without our links to the universe. Now that we're back in the real world, Im very happy to inhale the magic that is the November Countdown Thread (remember my daily scope of experiences revolves around a two year old) and get back into Dis planning mode. Really tried to catch up on all the posts, but a week and a half of posts just seems alittle too daunting. Cant wait to catch up with what you all have been up too.

 

[Mindy5767]

Hey, Momof2disneyboys -- can you please list my stay when you do your next update to post #2?

We are now staying Nov 20 - 24 at SSR. I just added another night to our trip (20th).

Thanks!

Yeah on the extra day!! Now you're coming down the day before me! Of course, I'm also coming down next Sunday!! single digit dance

 

[Mindy5767]

With the exception of last year normally we head to MK the night we arrive, my DS and Ddil did go to MK last year but DH was too tired so we stayed at the resort. Oh and the year we stayed at YC we headed over to Epcot for a short while when waiting for our room.

I have never used any of the touring plans so with us it is just hit or miss as far as the crowds go. The last time we went as a family(DH,myself and DS's) was in '97 and the only ADR's we ever made were for HDDR and Cinderella Castle as it use to be quite easy to get into restaurants as a walk up or make a ressie the morning/day of when you wanted to eat someplace.

Last year I call our Helter Skelter Trip since Ddil did all the planning
the only ressie we had was for HDDR and we could not get into anyplace without at least an hours wait, except Rainforest Cafe in AK, ESPN, Biergarten and Olivia's at OKW in fact the night we went to DTD we ended up at McDonalds

Times sure changed since our last visit in '98 and even when I visited in 2005 with a friend we were able to do walk in at places, but at least I am prepared this trip with ADR's and I have my fingers crossed we don't hit big crowds on the days we visit the parks.

My plans are:
Monday(arrival day) MK for MVMCP
Tues & Wed Epcot
Thurs DHS OL and Fantasmic (hopeing they add a second show)
Fri DTD and DAK
Sat MK and fly home

We are not doing park hoppers so if I planned wrong we will have to tuff it out or head back to the resort and everyne can blame me

My usual plan is to do whatever park had late EMH the night before, that way, logically, it should be less crowded. However, if you're talking DHS, if its a Fantasmic Night, and I'm NOT going to Fantastmic, I'd pick another park. Then, we generally hop over to the EMH park with a few exceptions. If MK is having EMH and its open til 2 or 3am! Fuhgetaboutit! We usually also will be required by DD8 to race over to Its a Small World before we do anything... or Tomorrowland Motor Speedway. However, IASM is under rehab for our trip in a week, and we're also arriving on a Wednesday evening instead of our usual Sunday, so that might change things. If we come in later in the evening, if its too late to get to a park, we will usually visit DTD. We've always talked about trying to make early EMH... its a nice thought... but we NEVER move well in the morning... not even with extra coffee! We'll just keep that as a dream for the future.

Since we have 3 trips in 2010, its less important to get to everything. We probably will do more hopping because we'll look at each park, decide what is the most important things to do, do them, then move along. I want to do more relaxing by the pool this trip.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, when EPCOT has EMH, we like to make sure we get there for the EMH because we're always in a quest for a shorter line for Soarin' and Test Track. In fact, Test Track will be high on our August list since we haven't been on it since 2008!

 

[Disneymommy2006]

99 days!!!!!

 

[Disneymommy2006]

Now that we are close to the 3 month exactly date...I am reworking some of my park days...will have to change a few ADRs around, but I don't think it'll be a biggie....mostly lunch and only one or two will have to be changed. What I wanted to ask you is this...do you tend to always go to certain parks on certain days of the week time after time? I do!! Most of the days I have planned are days that are green on TGMs website, and it's what we usually do...just curious if it was just me....for example:
we arrive on Saturdays, so we just hang around the resort and eat/swim whatever...
Sun-usually MK....we have done AK 1/2 day here to get it out of the way...
Mon-Epcot or DHS
Tues--Epcot or DHS
Wed...Mk again.WS dinner...if we can't get the castle
Thur is usually our slow day...swim, laundry, this is the night we usually do the MK parties...
Fri...Mk, DHS...whatever we reaaaally need to go back to...WS dinner
Sat...DTD...WS dinner
Sun..sometimes we just do a character breakfast and go to the airport...sometimes it's breakfast, a park & lunch, then the airport....
I have gotten all the TGM advice for this year...pretty much coincides with my usual plans with just a few good ideas with the partiesnand such...I like the #s for the UGs crowd calendar but they are always the exact opposite of TGM for recommended park days. Last year I did go by the UG guide for a couple of days and it was crowded...wouldn't have been if I had stuck with TGM I think! But...with crowds in general being lower this time of year, I am not going to be do-or-die.Just wondering what your stategy is with the expected low crowds and if you go by a certain park-per-day every year...seems like I am such a routine girl, i can't even break out for vacation!! LOL

Do you prefer TGM? We always use touring plans and UG.

 

[ksueboo]

I just had a dream last night that we were at Disney and I forgot everything! No autograph book for my daughter, no camera, no plans! We were just wandering around not knowing where to start! It was like a nightmare!
I guess that is my cue, now that summer vacation trips are over I need to get back to my Disney planning!

 

[sjs314]

My usual plan is to do whatever park had late EMH the night before, that way, logically, it should be less crowded. However, if you're talking DHS, if its a Fantasmic Night, and I'm NOT going to Fantastmic, I'd pick another park. Then, we generally hop over to the EMH park with a few exceptions. If MK is having EMH and its open til 2 or 3am! Fuhgetaboutit! We usually also will be required by DD8 to race over to Its a Small World before we do anything... or Tomorrowland Motor Speedway. However, IASM is under rehab for our trip in a week, and we're also arriving on a Wednesday evening instead of our usual Sunday, so that might change things. If we come in later in the evening, if its too late to get to a park, we will usually visit DTD. We've always talked about trying to make early EMH... its a nice thought... but we NEVER move well in the morning... not even with extra coffee! We'll just keep that as a dream for the future.

Since we have 3 trips in 2010, its less important to get to everything. We probably will do more hopping because we'll look at each park, decide what is the most important things to do, do them, then move along. I want to do more relaxing by the pool this trip.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, when EPCOT has EMH, we like to make sure we get there for the EMH because we're always in a quest for a shorter line for Soarin' and Test Track. In fact, Test Track will be high on our August list since we haven't been on it since 2008!

My plan is to go see the OL while Fantasmic is going on, so unless there is a second show added no Fantasmic for us this year.

We use to Park Hop and even make the EMH at MK since my youngest favorite ride was Splash Mt and I was the Commando Queen, waking up everyone with a loud "Rise and Shine" at 6 am (they all hated me)

Now that I am older I prefer to relax on the balcony with my coffee taking time to enjoy the resort and get to the parks when we get there

I rode Soarin' in 2005 and never again My fear of heights got the better of me on that one and forget test track I did not venture to try it last year while everyone else rode it, I am not a fan of thrill rides, I have done Splash Mt , Space Mt, each only one time , TOT twice only because the year we took my DS18 at the time and his best friend also 18 with us, DS friend dared me to go on it again....I did but that was the last time for me

If there were more people like me the lines at WDW would be a whole lot shorter

 

[sjs314]

I just had a dream last night that we were at Disney and I forgot everything! No autograph book for my daughter, no camera, no plans! We were just wandering around not knowing where to start! It was like a nightmare!
I guess that is my cue, now that summer vacation trips are over I need to get back to my Disney planning!

That is funny, I woke up this morning and looked at the calendar thinking 98 days I need to organize my trip planning notes it is coming up fast

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

99 days!!!!!

Do you prefer TGM? We always use touring plans and UG.

Yay for 99!!!! I like TGMs logic, that's for sure!! I also like to look at UGs crowd calendar...I dont stick to it 100% that's for sure!! But, TGM does make sense and I like to know why (and he explains) each park is rated like it is for everyday. This year, several parks are good for each day...so you do get some variety, and not alllll the people will flow to one specific park...you can have choices. And based on his explanations and how you want to plan your trip, and what your family likes, all itenararies are different.

I just had a dream last night that we were at Disney and I forgot everything! No autograph book for my daughter, no camera, no plans! We were just wandering around not knowing where to start! It was like a nightmare!
I guess that is my cue, now that summer vacation trips are over I need to get back to my Disney planning!

Geez I hate that! I do it all the time, but more & more as the trip gets closer!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

That is funny, I woke up this morning and looked at the calendar thinking 98 days I need to organize my trip planning notes it is coming up fast

I got my notes out last night and reworked some days!! I have a large-ish dry erase board in our school room...I got all the days of the week written across the top, then put each park as TGM codes it for each day,and the # suggested by the UG crowd calendar and just sat and stared at it for a while with my previous park plans in hand. I can see there are a few days I want to shuffle around....I have been thinking I want to change a few things...so, I think I know what I want to do...then I will see if the ADRs I made are gonna be as easy to switch as I am hoping they are!!!! My week isn't up for FD, so hopefully it won't be too bad!
DD asked me yesterday if we could do something for 101 days since they just watched 101 Dalmations!!! I never thought of that...so I guess in a couple of days we will watch it again!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good morning!

I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to parks on certain days. I just go with what has always worked well for me in the past and avoid EMH's.

Mondays tends to be a "no park" day for us. We learned the hard way to not go to MK on Mondays!! Tuesdays is either MK or DHS. Wednesday is usually Epcot or MK. Thursday is either Epcot or MK. Friday is usually AK or DHS. Sat & Sun are always up in the air, Depends on arrival and departure, etc. We have done MK on Saturdays a few times and AK on Sunday.

I was just looking over our plans last night too! I think a few changes are in order due to our flight arriving much earlier and extending the trip a day!

I may be cancelling a few ADR's as well. If I do I will post them here first in-case anyone wants to try to get them.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Well, at least I know it's not just me!! LOL...I,for example, come in on Sat and have done MK almost every Sunday!!! It's a habit!!!

 

[CrazyaboutGoofy]

My mom who is going with us in November asked me, if you can you a Disney Gift card for the CS restaurants. I told her that I thought so, but I wasn't sure. We have the BDP, which we use for breakfast and dinner.

If we can save $$ now for any lunches, it would be better on our KTTW card. Any thoughts??

BYW, my countdown ticker says 3 months

 

[Px4]

So is this our official QOTD? If not it should be! I will make it one, just in case!


QOTD: What are your plans thus far for your Nov trip?




We aren't going with a complete plan this year. And I have to say that, plus staying outside of the MK area is starting to get to me. 1) Because the only time we have went without a plan was New Years 04/05 and that was only because we went with a 2 week notice at the busiest time of the year. 2) I feel lost planning transportation coming from somewhere other then the MK area. I know that seems silly, but in 30 years other then a few days trips from our condo, I have only stayed outside the MK area 1 time and that was at All Star Sports and I didn't like it at all. I am sure I will be fine once arriving. I am just a bit OCD and leaving my comfort zone is a bit stressful. lol

Here are our plans....

Sat Nov 20 - Arrival Day
We have no plan. Depends on what time we arrive. We are going to do most of our driving Friday. Depending on the weather, we may actually go to a Water Park. Yes, I said we weren't, but the kids are driving me batty about it. Only set plan is dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse

Sun Nov 21 - MK Day
We will start with breakfast at Ohana. We plan to stay in the MK area until EMH are over. Its going to be a loonnnggggg day! Our dinner at Narcoossee will be our break. We will probably go over a bit early and check out the GF Christmas decor around 3pm.

Mon Nov 22 - AK Day
Starting with breakfast at Tusker House. We are going to attempt to spend the entire day in AK. We have never made it past 1pm there. It just gets so hot in the summer, the stuff we have missed is just not worth it. But this year, we want to see everything if possible. We are taking a backpack with extra clothes (in a locker) just in case, so we can change and clean up before dinner at Jiko.

Tue Nov 23 - Epcot Day
We are going to eat something quick for breakfast. Poptart, granola bar... just something small to hold us over. We are going to do EMH at Epcot and thy to get the big 3 out of the way. Then what we are calling brunch at Akershus Princess. 10:55am is brunch for us, since we normally eat so early. Even 8am is late for us during our normal school year schedule. I am just hoping they are still serving breakfast when we sit down, because that is what we are booked for! Then we will go back to the room for a while before our dinner at LeCellier.

Wed Nov 24 - MGM Day
This is another park we can never seem to do more then a few hours at. But we are going to attempt to. We have breakfast at Hollywood and Vine and a early dinner at 50s Prime Time Cafe. We have no plans to see FANTASMIC! Which is another thing that is bothering me. But I am over the hype (and the lines!) that come with FANTASMIC!

Thur Nov 25 - Thanksgiving
We have breakfast at Cape May and a early dinner at Whispering Canyon. That is it for our plans.

Fri Nov 26
We have breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. Not sure what we are going to do after that, but we are going to spend the later part of the day at Epcot for the Santas and dinner at Tutto Italia. DH thinks we should move dinner to late this evening. That way we have time to see all the Santas and not have to stop for dinner. He may have a point....

Sat Nov 27 - Last Day!
And because it is our last day, we have to go to MK to say Good-bye! Its tradition. We have to ride the Ferry Boat across 7 Seas Lagoon and wave good-bye. We have breakfast at Crystal Palace before the park opens, unless the hours change and then dinner at Ohana. We plan to leave after dinner. We are going to valet our car at the Poly for the day so we can eat and gooooooo!

So I guess I do have plans somewhat, just not my typical type of plan. I am pretty certain I could give TGM a run for his money when it comes to planning! LOL We are just going to take it easy a go with the flow. Knock out the rides we want to ride in the mornings and then spend the rest of the day doing whatever else it is we want to do. This is the first time in 5 years we have went with it just being the 4 of us. I am really looking forward to going at our pace and not having to show people around.

Oh yea.... Guess my strike is over, huh? That didn't last very long! LOL

 

[Px4]

Well, at least I know it's not just me!! LOL...I,for example, come in on Sat and have done MK almost every Sunday!!! It's a habit!!!

Us too! Sunday at MK till 3am! Thats the one thing that hasn't changed in years is evening EMH at MK on Sundays!

 

[vllygrrl]

Hi all - late joiner here! DH just turned our 10th anniversary cruise into a 10th anniversary Disney trip deluxe! I don't know who this man is, or where he's been the past 10 years, but we got a pin code a couple weeks ago that allows us to get free dining on an off week. He took the code and booked us into AKL (where he swore he'd never stay, because it's too far away from everything) in a club level room, and upgraded dining to the deluxe plan! Then, he spent 3 hours at the computer yesterday morning, got us MVMCP for our anniversary on the 11th, and booked all of our ADR's...here's what he came up with:

11/7 - Brown Derby
11/8 - Ohana breakfast, Flying Fish dinner
11/9 - Boma breakfast, Yachtsman steakhouse dinner
11/10 - Yak & Yeti early lunch, Artist Point dinner
11/11 - Anniversary! Akershus breakfast, Narcoossee's dinner, MVMCP
11/12 - Marrakesh lunch, California Grill late dinner
11/13 - Tusker House lunch, Jiko dinner
11/14 - Boma breakfast

I honestly don't know who this man is...he who hates Epcot has agreed to tour the world showcase to "sample drinks" after our dinner at the Brown Derby. There's not much I need to mess with here! I feel like we've been sprinkled with Pixie Dust!

 

[mousescrapper]

Mousescrapper~ Love the paper chain and Mickey heads!! How cute!!!

thanks

What I wanted to ask you is this...do you tend to always go to certain parks on certain days of the week time after time? I do!! Most of the days I have planned are days that are green on TGMs website, and it's what we usually do...just curious if it was just me....for example:

I don't think I have specific days for specific parks when we go...we tend to do a Thursday or Friday arrival and stay up to 10 days in....

After a few trips...this one I may have the arrival and departure days down...but for the last two trips...3 trips we have NOT done parks on the first day (arrival) just check in the resort...and get adjusted back into Disney life...I also tend not to plan anything major like ADR's so in case delays occur w/ traveling I don't get stressed.

I too use a crowd calendar to help plan out our park days...I have used both TGM and UG...not sure the difference

mousescrapper -- I love the idea of doing Disney nights in preparation for upcoming trip. We do movie nights and my DD5 loves to pretend she is at WDW. but I can bump that up a level and plan some special nights.

What a great idea!

thanks Marsha! and congrats on adding that extra night! My inlaws are staying through Wed the 24th as well

I just had a dream last night that we were at Disney and I forgot everything! No autograph book for my daughter, no camera, no plans! We were just wandering around not knowing where to start! It was like a nightmare!
I guess that is my cue, now that summer vacation trips are over I need to get back to my Disney planning!

Aw man...I had one of those last week too....

My mom who is going with us in November asked me, if you can you a Disney Gift card for the CS restaurants.

I am pretty sure you can use Disney gift cards on anything on property...DTD probably just the shops...I'd ask over on the budget boards they may know for sure

 

[mousescrapper]

So is this our official QOTD? If not it should be! I will make it one, just in case!


QOTD: What are your plans thus far for your Nov trip?


Px4 we are going basically the same days...and our Thanksgiving Day looks almost just like yours...just different breakfast ADR

Thur Nov 25 - Thanksgiving
We have breakfast at Cape May and a early dinner at Whispering Canyon. That is it for our plans.

so to answer the official QOTD....


Arrival Fri 19th we are flying should be arrival at MCO around 12 pm...hopefully we'll be checking in at POP before 2 pm...keeping fingers crossed room is ready. We'll have 3 rooms for this one night: 2 for our 6 and 1 for my inlaws. Basic day plan is to get lunch at the f/c and based on weather swim, hang out at POP, do this cool Scavenger hunt I found on the POP official thread. Plus at some point DH and I will head over solo to the Marketplace to grab a bite to eat at EOS, some pre-shopping (basically some room surprises and birthday presents for our 2 kids who are celebrating this week) and pick up our AP's. We'll also pre-arrange a taxi for early the next morning...

Day 2 Sat 20th (my DD Naomi-Ruth's 4th b-day) early head out (7 am) over to BLT/CR to check-in (2 BR dedicated villa) there and pick up keys so we have activated DDP for the rest of our trip. My 3 girls have BBB appts at 8:30 am in the Castle. Tour MK (Fantasyland) till our lunch ADR at CRT. Then back over to BLT to rest and chill. Hopping over to Epcot for an early dinner and some touring, leaving before Illuminations. Hoping to catch Wishes from the Top of the World Lounge at BLT this night.

Day 3 Sun 21st Animal Kingdom in the morning touring through lunch time, then back to BLT for a swim, rest, etc...our 6 will head over to MK for dinner there and play it by ear for the evening EMH, my inlaws have an evening ADR at Cali Grill

Day 4 Mon 22nd DHS in the morning, tour through lunch again back to BLT for a quick rest and then over to FWC to check out the horses and we have a 5 pm ADR for HDDR. Back to BLT, try to watch Wishes/EWP from BLT again and possibly DH & I head into MK for just a couple quick rides...leave kids w. the grandparents...

Day 5 Tues 23rd (My DD Rachel's 8th b-day) 1900 PF ADR bright and early then off to MK for 1/2 day. DS has a Pirates League appt this afternoon too. After that, we'll ride POC and head back over to BLT for mid day break. Have early dinner QS in the CR before heading over to DHS for Osborne Lights and a few attractions...leave before park closing to avoid the exodus of departing F! crowds.

Day 6 Wed 24th My inlaws depart this afternoon...this is our sleep in morning. head over to Epcot by 11 am and straight to an early lunch ADR at Tutto Italia. tour here for rest of day and possibly stay for Illuminations

Day 7 Thurs 25th Thanksgiving Day...this is our REST DAY! We have a Chef Mickey's ADR for breakfast, plan to hang out at BLT and have a dinner ADR at WCC.

Day 8 Fri 26th starting off day at MK again, hit a couple favorites and then head over to Toontown or wherever the Fairy Meet and Greet is, then hop over to AK for lunch, touring and stay for the parade. Back to BLT for dinner in the villa and then some of us will head back over to MK for more rides and such...

Day 9 Sat 27th last park day...Epcot is today's choice and we are going for the Holiday Santas/storytellers and CLP

Day 10 Sun 28th is a our departure day...we'll eat breakfast one last time in the villa, finish re-packing and check-out then hang out at the resort till our DME pick up around 11:30 am...

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

vllygrrl, fabulous! Sounds as if you have trained him up right and are reaping the rewards.

I know you will all have a great time and then he will want to go back again and who knows what he will come up with next, Illuminations Cruise or maybe a real Disney Cruise to go with your land trip? One can only guess where this obsession will lead.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Mindy5767]

Do you prefer TGM? We always use touring plans and UG.

ok.. UG is Unofficial Guide... what is TGM (Tour Guide Mike?) and Isn't Touring Plans the same things as UG?

My plan is to go see the OL while Fantasmic is going on, so unless there is a second show added no Fantasmic for us this year.

We use to Park Hop and even make the EMH at MK since my youngest favorite ride was Splash Mt and I was the Commando Queen, waking up everyone with a loud "Rise and Shine" at 6 am (they all hated me)

Now that I am older I prefer to relax on the balcony with my coffee taking time to enjoy the resort and get to the parks when we get there

I rode Soarin' in 2005 and never again My fear of heights got the better of me on that one and forget test track I did not venture to try it last year while everyone else rode it, I am not a fan of thrill rides, I have done Splash Mt , Space Mt, each only one time , TOT twice only because the year we took my DS18 at the time and his best friend also 18 with us, DS friend dared me to go on it again....I did but that was the last time for me

If there were more people like me the lines at WDW would be a whole lot shorter

We have a Fantasmic Dinner package for Mama Melrose on Tuesday the 23rd, then after the show, we drive to Florida Tech and pick up my son from school and bring him back to the resort. We last did Fantasmic with the buffet dinner at Hollywood & Vine. My youngest DD ate a rice krispie treat and a piece of bread! Never again will I pay $17.99 for her til she actually will eat! whenever that will be No Fantasmic for us (at least planned) on our trip next week.... but they've added some 10:30pm Fantasmics a couple days, so maybe.... if its not too crowded... and I am not too tired

I am RIGHT there beside you NOT riding on half the rides! I do not like heights or drops. I will not EVER try Rock N Rollercoaster, ToT, Expedition Everest.... This is how I did Soarin' .. I first feel more secure with the child strap on between my legs. Then I keep telling myself that its not real.. and if I close my eyes, it goes away.. It took me months to get ready to ride Splash Mountain... I went on Youtube and watched videos of the ride over and over so I could anticipate when the big drop is. Then I found that my biggest problem is seeing the log come out of the cave and point slightly up over the top edge... so when I got there, I closed my eyes. That worked ok.. and I did it! I have studied space mountain from the inside when it is closed...(going through on the WEDway Peoplemover)but haven't tried it yet... afterall the parks only been open for 39 years! Test Track by the way, has no height or drops. It goes through all these "testing" trials, like heat, bumps etc.. then at the end of the ride it goes outside on a track and starts to speed up and go faster and faster (there is a speed thing telling you how fast it goes)... when it gets to 60mph it slows down quickly. The only thing that makes it seem faster than it is is that its open. Not closed like a real car (unless you have a convertible). It was fun, but I have very curly hair so for me, next time, I am SO bringing a scarf! I don't want to end up looking like Rosanne Rosannadanna!