~*~The OFFICIAL 2014 Dates Thread - Come Join Us!~*~

[SAT887]

Epcot seemed OK other than Friday night. So if you do HS on a Saturday or Sunday and then head over to Epcot you should be fine.



Have you looked into getting a Tables of Wonderland card to save 20% of dining? That is what we are going to do instead of the dining plan this year.



There are a lot of detours set up but traffic does move. The buses even take different routes because of the marathon.

Thanks! I think we are going to go to Kona for breakfast and then to HS for the afternoon, and then to Epcot - I plan on it just being a very low key day with our only expectations getting on TSM and Star Tours and maybe ToT if my kiddo is interested.... The good/bad thing is with both my kiddos being so young it means unless one of the adults wants to ride alone that we skip the thrill rides. Good to know that the traffic does move, we drive, and figured regardless it is just going to take more time....

We love our TiW card! So glad they offer it to DVC now for the years that we don't end up with AP's. I loved the freedom and flexibility of it.

 

[mickeyplanner]

Thanks! I think we are going to go to Kona for breakfast and then to HS for the afternoon, and then to Epcot - I plan on it just being a very low key day with our only expectations getting on TSM and Star Tours and maybe ToT if my kiddo is interested.... The good/bad thing is with both my kiddos being so young it means unless one of the adults wants to ride alone that we skip the thrill rides. Good to know that the traffic does move, we drive, and figured regardless it is just going to take more time....

We love our TiW card! So glad they offer it to DVC now for the years that we don't end up with AP's. I loved the freedom and flexibility of it.

Sounds like a great plan for that day. We have never eaten at Kona but we do Ohana every trip. It is become a family tradtition.

We bought at TIW last year and used it to supplement meals outside the dining plan. But I started crunching numbers and it seems like we might save more by just usign TIW instead of the dining plan all together. Would you agree? Especially since DS will be 3 in September, I don't think he will still eat even to pay for seperate meals for him. I am hoping with TIW only we have better flexibility.

 

[BDL]

Hmm something to look at- I really want to go to one of them... Wine... Cheese.... Italian delights.....

Does Boatwrights have the brownie sundae anymore? But bananas foster mmmm... I'm getting hungry over here!!

Here are the crawfish bites



And here are the desserts...

Spongecake banana foster



Pecan pie



Chocolate cake

 

[auprincess]

CSR has those doors that block off the bathroom counter area from the rest of the room right? Those would probably be nice when you're trying to get up and moving first thing in the morning but don't want to wake the kids yet.

That is nice ~ too bad our kids are the ones waking us up every morning at 6 am! Maybe we can teach them to use the door

Thanks! I think we are going to go to Kona for breakfast and then to HS for the afternoon, and then to Epcot - I plan on it just being a very low key day with our only expectations getting on TSM and Star Tours and maybe ToT if my kiddo is interested.... The good/bad thing is with both my kiddos being so young it means unless one of the adults wants to ride alone that we skip the thrill rides. Good to know that the traffic does move, we drive, and figured regardless it is just going to take more time....

We love our TiW card! So glad they offer it to DVC now for the years that we don't end up with AP's. I loved the freedom and flexibility of it.

Yum ~ Kona breakfast!! So good!

Here are the crawfish bites



And here are the desserts...

Spongecake banana foster



Pecan pie



Chocolate cake

That all looks delicious!

 

[momjeeps]

I can take you off the October list, momjeeps, no problem, but don't go anywhere! Feel free to stick around, keep chatting, and let us know how your plans for DL are coming along!

Thanks Bearcats,

So far so good with the planning. I spent most of the evening investigating options last night. Fun! Would love to fly. But with a large family it's just so expensive. Basically we could do two weeks for the price of one flying if we drive. Hmm. Dates aren't set yet but I think it'd be fun to be at Dland on their 59th Anniversary which is one year from today! Happy Anniversary Disneyland! 58 years!

If we do one week we will Prob do 3 Disney days and a Knotts day. We haven't been to Knotts since we were kids and are wanting to relive the childhood. I know it doesn't compare to Disney, but its more a family thing.

If we do two weeks I think we will do the city pass thing and hit sea world and universal too. The kids have never been to either. Well the older two have as babies, but they don't remember.

Getting excited all over again!

 

[SAT887]

Sounds like a great plan for that day. We have never eaten at Kona but we do Ohana every trip. It is become a family tradtition.

We bought at TIW last year and used it to supplement meals outside the dining plan. But I started crunching numbers and it seems like we might save more by just usign TIW instead of the dining plan all together. Would you agree? Especially since DS will be 3 in September, I don't think he will still eat even to pay for seperate meals for him. I am hoping with TIW only we have better flexibility.

TiW was considerably cheaper for us than the dining plan. And much suited for our dining style. We had a group of 8 in December and it paid for itself in probably 2 meals. The discount on alcohol was nice, as well as appetizers since there are times we just do them instead of full entrees.... Plus, We generally have a difficult time with dinner and dessert.... And are more likely to split one or grab one somewhere else.... We also don't drink soda, so the refillable mugs were not a value.... So for us, it makes sense plus we try to get 2 trips out of it

BDL... Hmm think crawfish bites and dessert! Who needs the entree!!

 

[mickeyplanner]

TiW was considerably cheaper for us than the dining plan. And much suited for our dining style. We had a group of 8 in December and it paid for itself in probably 2 meals. The discount on alcohol was nice, as well as appetizers since there are times we just do them instead of full entrees.... Plus, We generally have a difficult time with dinner and dessert.... And are more likely to split one or grab one somewhere else.... We also don't drink soda, so the refillable mugs were not a value.... So for us, it makes sense plus we try to get 2 trips out of it

Glad to read all this...what are everyone's favorite places to go for appetizers in place of a meal? We hope to do that often this trip but are looking for suggestions...ADRs open on July 22 for us.

 

[SAT887]

Glad to read all this...what are everyone's favorite places to go for appetizers in place of a meal? We hope to do that often this trip but are looking for suggestions...ADRs open on July 22 for us.

We enjoyed appetizers at the California Grill I had also ordered a specialty cake.... However, I enjoyed my appetizer meal at The Coral Reef too..... Raglan Road had good appetizers as well and Fultons ... I find most places you can get great appetizers.... The only place I never liked them was at WCC but now they don't have that style menu anymore.....

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Have you looked into getting a Tables of Wonderland card to save 20% of dining? That is what we are going to do instead of the dining plan this year.

I was trying to research it. What are the restrictions? The information I read said that you either had to be a Florida resident, DVC member, or AP holder. Is that true? Cause if it is, I am none of those and that would be a bummer. I would love to save extra $$. I am all about doing Disney right but still on a budget (shoestring or otherwise)

 

[SAT887]

I was trying to research it. What are the restrictions? The information I read said that you either had to be a Florida resident, DVC member, or AP holder. Is that true? Cause if it is, I am none of those and that would be a bummer. I would love to save extra $$. I am all about doing Disney right but still on a budget (shoestring or otherwise)

Yes, you have to be one of the the 3.... Sorry

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Yes, you have to be one of the the 3.... Sorry

Thanks. I thought so. It's really ok though. I am still doing the restaurants I want and the food I want (and as much of it as I can eat, really) and still saving money. My budget already includes 20% tips at all the places and still saving $2000 off the DxDP price. It's all good!!!

 

[ShhhQ]

Landscape of Flavor is the food court at AOA resort.

This is the CS at the newest resort Art of Animation. They have a nice selection of international flavors. Not just your standard burger joint. Check out their menus online. It's good. My favorite thing is the surf and surf burger. Crab cake topped with fried shrimp, lettuce, tomato, and a sauce. So good!

Ty for letting me know.... sounds good, may have to give it a try next year!

 

[GirlDreamer]

So I'm trying to decide wether I should pay off my balance when my paycheck comes in on tuesday. When I get my pay, we'll have enough money to pay the balance for our hotel/FD/tickets. Our Disneymoon is in nov 2014, but the wedding is in june. Our balance is due sept 18th 2014. Now, is it better to just pay off the balance right away, or should I wait, just in case we need some of that money for the wedding? We'll have to pay for plane tickets around nov/dec this year anyway (I think). That leaves us a few extra months to pay off the package after the wedding, and then another few to save up for spending (I know we get some cash as wedding present towards the disneymoon).

When I think about it, it's probably better to wait and let the money gather up some interest. It's not like it'll disappear as we're very strict on our spending these days...

 

[SAT887]

So I'm trying to decide wether I should pay off my balance when my paycheck comes in on tuesday. When I get my pay, we'll have enough money to pay the balance for our hotel/FD/tickets. Our Disneymoon is in nov 2014, but the wedding is in june. Our balance is due sept 18th 2014. Now, is it better to just pay off the balance right away, or should I wait, just in case we need some of that money for the wedding? We'll have to pay for plane tickets around nov/dec this year anyway (I think). That leaves us a few extra months to pay off the package after the wedding, and then another few to save up for spending (I know we get some cash as wedding present towards the disneymoon).

When I think about it, it's probably better to wait and let the money gather up some interest. It's not like it'll disappear as we're very strict on our spending these days...

I think putting it in savings is a good idea when your trip is so far off...

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

So I'm trying to decide wether I should pay off my balance when my paycheck comes in on tuesday. When I get my pay, we'll have enough money to pay the balance for our hotel/FD/tickets. Our Disneymoon is in nov 2014, but the wedding is in june. Our balance is due sept 18th 2014. Now, is it better to just pay off the balance right away, or should I wait, just in case we need some of that money for the wedding? We'll have to pay for plane tickets around nov/dec this year anyway (I think). That leaves us a few extra months to pay off the package after the wedding, and then another few to save up for spending (I know we get some cash as wedding present towards the disneymoon).

When I think about it, it's probably better to wait and let the money gather up some interest. It's not like it'll disappear as we're very strict on our spending these days...

Hi GirlDreamer. First of all congrats on getting married. How exciting and wonderful to have a Disneymoon. I do understand your dilemma. You are torn perhaps between your head ( it's better to wait there are no financial incentives to paying now ) than pay now. However all I can say as one that when it comes to Disney I follow my heart. It's the one part of my life I do. Every thing else I play by the book of what makes financial sense. I often pay my DCL balance and WDW balance early. Why because I cannot put a price on knowing from the time I do this till the time I go I have that security if no matter what I am going to Disney it's already bought and paid for!

People will say I am crazy but I don't care. I am very ill, suffered great loss of my mobility and understand the importance of experience and getting in as much as you can in the time you have left. At this moment in time you can afford it. Capture it. Use it. Life might not be the same in Nov 2014 but if you look at life the way I do I wouldn't regret putting the money down. It was in the past for future enjoyment! Go for it. Then just relax.

 

[Tulles]

We're booked at CR for 4 right now, me, DMIL, DS & DD. DH still hasn't decided whether he's coming to Disney or not. He's definitely coming for the week at the beach house in Tampa afterwards. So I'm making my ADRs on the 26th regardless. My plan is right now to make most of them for 5 and CRT for 4. The morning we go to CRT (if he comes) he'll stay at the resort and rent a boat to scoot around the bay and meet up with us afterwards. So here's my ADR plan for that situation.

Jan. 22 - arrival late no meals needed
Jan. 23 - CRT breakfast, CS lunch & dinner
Jan. 24 - snack breakfast, CS lunch & CM dinner
Jan. 25 - Kona breakfast check out and head to Tampa

We're on the dining plan so the extra 2 credits we'll have from him not going to CRT we'll use towards Kona and pay the 1 adult and 2 kids OOP.

 

[MrsJessica]

Finally caught up on all the posts since I was last here So far, we've got a really great looking house rented for the (potential) 8 of us and tickets just came in from UT! The last time around, we used the DDP to eat at all the restaurants that we were interested in. It was fun as it was our first trip and all, but ended up being food overload for us... This trip, I think we'll pick a few faves and pack some picnics from the house - 50's Prime Time, a BOG lunch, and hopefully the Wishes party are the plan!

Also, we're a shareable-type family - we'd rather get 4 snacks and eat 1/4 of 4 different things than have one whole something to ourselves. Any favorites from the parks that can't be missed? Dole Whips and Mickey Bars aside of course

 

[auprincess]

Finally caught up on all the posts since I was last here So far, we've got a really great looking house rented for the (potential) 8 of us and tickets just came in from UT! The last time around, we used the DDP to eat at all the restaurants that we were interested in. It was fun as it was our first trip and all, but ended up being food overload for us... This trip, I think we'll pick a few faves and pack some picnics from the house - 50's Prime Time, a BOG lunch, and hopefully the Wishes party are the plan!

Also, we're a shareable-type family - we'd rather get 4 snacks and eat 1/4 of 4 different things than have one whole something to ourselves. Any favorites from the parks that can't be missed? Dole Whips and Mickey Bars aside of course

My husband and I really like the jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzels at Animal Kingdom!

 

[mamabear0222]

Finally caught up on all the posts since I was last here So far, we've got a really great looking house rented for the (potential) 8 of us and tickets just came in from UT! The last time around, we used the DDP to eat at all the restaurants that we were interested in. It was fun as it was our first trip and all, but ended up being food overload for us... This trip, I think we'll pick a few faves and pack some picnics from the house - 50's Prime Time, a BOG lunch, and hopefully the Wishes party are the plan!

Also, we're a shareable-type family - we'd rather get 4 snacks and eat 1/4 of 4 different things than have one whole something to ourselves. Any favorites from the parks that can't be missed? Dole Whips and Mickey Bars aside of course

If you're renting a house you can be on DDP???

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

 

[disney-inspired]

Put me down for January 24 - 27th!

It's looking more and more likely that my little sister (13) will be coming with me. Strangely enough, she is not a Disney fanatic. She enjoys it but really she is such a homebody. The last time she went she was 6 so a lot has changed. She is very much looking forward to the Japan pavilion in Epcot. She loves Anime!

Of course this trip is tentative depending on whether my work contract is renewed (which is highly likely ) but if for some reason it isn't, I'll have to push it back until I receive my tax refund. Either way, I'm saving up as much as I can for now!