There's no place like home, a December 2011 DVC pre-trip. 12/2 p56 DL and WDW updates

[rentayenta]

Nope but seeing as though I have to wear my Moms Panel Polo shirt one day, my Moms Panel t-shirt for the race and for MNSSHP we've all made pink shirts with our names on. So that only leaves me a couple of outfits to plan

Darling, love it. Tracy said you guys have made contact and may meet up. Can I tell you how unfair that is?

How many days is your trip? I think it will be pretty warm there still so I am thinking capris and shorts and of course shirts.

OMG you have no clue What kind of DISer are you?

I know, I feel so ashamed. Clearly I am a poor DISer! I am also a fool for almost allowing DH to talk me into a triple split stay again. It was easy as far as bell servces taking and moving our stuff but still, it's a little more work that I enjoy while on vacation. I guess if we do a triple move, I will know tons about SSR.

 

[vamassey1]

Poor Jenny. I so do not like it when people mess with my plans. But then again I love planning too, and since you have time what the heck change things up.

Not much plans for the weekend. It's going to rain the entire weekend here. I'm trying to get the house cleaned. I might have guest tonight. LSU home game and my cousin has tickets. They stay here when they come in for the games, but I never know until the last minute. We have my nieces birthday party from 2-4 at the skating rink. And of course we'll be parked in front of the tv for the game tonight. Dennis even went and picked up the digital cable box yesterday so we could catch the game. It's on ESPN U.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

 

[Native NYer]

Love your DH's plans. Sea World sounds like fun I haven't been in years.

Are you going to rent a car to get there?

 

[rentayenta]

Poor Jenny. I so do not like it when people mess with my plans. But then again I love planning too, and since you have time what the heck change things up.

I do enjoy planning as well. Him having an opinion is more than eerie!

Not much plans for the weekend. It's going to rain the entire weekend here. I'm trying to get the house cleaned. I might have guest tonight. LSU home game and my cousin has tickets. They stay here when they come in for the games, but I never know until the last minute. We have my nieces birthday party from 2-4 at the skating rink. And of course we'll be parked in front of the tv for the game tonight. Dennis even went and picked up the digital cable box yesterday so we could catch the game. It's on ESPN U.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Sounds fun! Staying home, watching football, and snacking is a favorite of mine. I enjoy the snacks and drinks more than the game.

Love your DH's plans. Sea World sounds like fun I haven't been in years.

Are you going to rent a car to get there?

If our friends want to go to Sea World too then we will drive with them; if not then I guess we will rent a car for the day. Too bad there isn't a shuttle. I think it's only 20 minutes away. I hope it's not more than that.

 

[jenna]

13 pages in and I'm joining the party!!


Jenny wanted me to post to show that I do exist!!

Now I have to go back & read what is planned.....although Jenny has kept me informed all along the way through texts & phone calls.

 

[rentayenta]

13 pages in and I'm joining the party!!


Jenny wanted me to post to show that I do exist!!

Now I have to go back & read what is planned.....although Jenny has kept me informed all along the way through texts & phone calls.

Hi friend. At first I read that as go back and read what I planned.

I know you aren't nearly the whacked out year a head planner I am but luv ya just the same. It's probably a good thing or we'd have CS meals down to the soda planned out.

Let me know what you think. Plus because you have 3 whole days without us before you get there, fill me in on what you guys will do.

 

[rentayenta]

20 days until AZ/Vegas!!! ​

181 days until Mexico!!! ​

54 days until DVC ressie!!! ​

213 days until ADRs!!! ​

392 days until THV!!! ​

Today is the first day back for religious school (Jewish). This year I am co-teaching the 1st and 2nd graders. Lots of crafts will be in order and I am not the most crafty of peeps. My co-teacher is nice albeit a little on a entitled side so wish me luck!


Hope everyone is well and that all their college football teams won.

 

[jenna]

Hi friend. At first I read that as go back and read what I planned.

I know you aren't nearly the whacked out year a head planner I am but luv ya just the same. It's probably a good thing or we'd have CS meals down to the soda planned out.

Let me know what you think. Plus because you have 3 whole days without us before you get there, fill me in on what you guys will do.

Honestly, besides knowing the date we will arrive, I got nada......no resort choice, no ADR thoughts, no park plans. I'm not thinking that far ahead. Still trying to convince Nate that we need a vacation alone.

You may not think that I'm not the crazy planner type, but I have plotted out CS meals and snacks (frozen Cokes & roasted nuts) in the past!

20 days until AZ/Vegas!!! ​

181 days until Mexico!!! ​

54 days until DVC ressie!!! ​

213 days until ADRs!!! ​

392 days until THV!!! ​

Today is the first day back for religious school (Jewish). This year I am co-teaching the 1st and 2nd graders. Lots of crafts will be in order and I am not the most crafty of peeps. My co-teacher is nice albeit a little on a entitled side so wish me luck!


Hope everyone is well and that all their college football teams won.

I didn't realize your AZ trip was so soon! That'll be here before you know it & when you get back, there will only be a month until we can make DVC ressies!

Good luck with religious school today! Hope it goes smoothly!!

 

[rentayenta]

Honestly, besides knowing the date we will arrive, I got nada......no resort choice, no ADR thoughts, no park plans. I'm not thinking that far ahead. Still trying to convince Nate that we need a vacation alone.

Good luck with that! I would ask him right before he leaves for his big hunting trip- when his guilt is the heaviest!!!

You may not think that I'm not the crazy planner type, but I have plotted out CS meals and snacks (frozen Cokes & roasted nuts) in the past!

Plot away!!!!!!!

I didn't realize your AZ trip was so soon! That'll be here before you know it & when you get back, there will only be a month until we can make DVC ressies!

I know, it's so close and I am so looking forward to it. I need a major break in the worst way! And I can't wait until we make our ressie. I am guessing on the 12 hour drive to AZ, Michael will have a chance to put in all final requests.

Good luck with religious school today! Hope it goes smoothly!!

Co-teaching bites! Let's just say my co-teacher makes me look mellow and disorganized. I don't do well with micro-managing.

Feeling any better?

 

[rentayenta]

DDP- yay or nay? I am going to think aloud for a moment.

A little DDP history.......................Our first trip to WDW was in 2007 during free dining. At that time the DDP included an appetizer, entree, dessert, non-alcoholic drink, and an 18% tip. Free or not, it was a smokin' deal. Having said that, it was also too much food for us. I despise wasting food, free or not; it's the principle of waste that I am against. Too many hungry people, utilizing resources, blah blah blah. We end up with over 30+ snack credits after cashing in the two TS, five CS, and snack credits we had leftover. Shocking, I know.

Moving forward to our last trip this past May 2009..........we did a split stay so were able to do the DDP for 5 of the 10 nights which for the most part, eliminated the whole waste dilemma . Five nights was perfect. We could eat at the spendier restaurants and buffets and only have to pay for booze and tip....and the occasional appetizer. We our starters!

Normally we are a big sharing family when it comes to food. It's just how we roll. If the kids are really hungry and are really going to eat, they order their own meals. If not, and they know how to assess their hunger level, we share. It's been this way since the concept of dining out began for mi familia. They are used to it, there is no complaining, and most importantly, there is no waste.

We do allow them foo-foo drinks and soda when we go out so it's not like we are making them drink water with lemon and adding sweetener to make cheap lemonade and sharing one salad bar with 5 plates. I know what some of you were thinking. Again, if they will eat, we will spend.

Even with the new DDP price increase, if we were going to have a TS daily it would be worth it but now that we have DVC and a full kitchen, I am thinking the DDP might not be right for us. We have learnt the beauty of the midday break and will take full advantage of it regardless of DH's Disney commando nature to stay all day, sir yes sir. My prediction:

• breakfast in the villa
• parks by 10 or 11 am
• CS for lunch
• midday break about 3ish
• swim, chill
• Dinner in the villa
• back to parks by 7ish for EMH

Obviously this wouldn't be the plan for all of the days like MNSSHP and our Sea World day but for most of the days, this is how we tour anyway.

We still want to do 'Ohana and Tony's but neither of those are expensive. Tony's portions are huge. We always eat there on the last night and I think we got 2 apps, 2 salads, 2 entrees, sodas, and dessert and even with a 20% tip our bill was under $75. 'Ohana with tip will be about $150.

Now the snacks my kids enjoy. But if I remember correctly the ice creams seemed to have decreased in price which surprised me but helps my argument, for now, against using the DDP. We never used credits for sodas or water as we brought our own in so paying $2.75 for a drink is not an issue.

So for now I am thinking no to the DDP. Will post the numbers later.

 

[Native NYer]

You make a good arguement against the DDP for your trip. If you're having breakfast and dinner in the villa, it doesn't seem to make sense. It definitely is a lot of food.

We do the DDP b/c we just like having everything prepaid. We ended up using snack credits for treats to bring home.

Are you going to go grocery shopping? Or place a Garden Grocer order and have it delivered to your villa?

 

[wdwgirl03]

I say no to the DDP. We have never done it and probably never will. We are also big on sharing, even though my sisters and I are 24, 22, and 19. I will never forget one of our first trips when we stayed at the Polynesian and saw a tray literally full of food that might've had a couple bites taken out of everything. Such a waste! And on our most recent trip we had people giving us their extra food from the DDP! One lady offered us an unopened bottle of orange juice which we didn't really want and just threw it away. Needless to say we do not like the dining plan.

 

[rentayenta]

You make a good argument against the DDP for your trip. If you're having breakfast and dinner in the villa, it doesn't seem to make sense. It definitely is a lot of food.

We do the DDP b/c we just like having everything prepaid. We ended up using snack credits for treats to bring home.

Are you going to go grocery shopping? Or place a Garden Grocer order and have it delivered to your villa?

Our friends always drive so last time they brought the non-perishables, soda, water, booze etc and then went to Walmart that night and got the perishable foods. I looked at the DVC grocery order forms and their are prices are totally OUTRAGEUOS! Seriously. We ordered from Garden Grocer on our first trip and I don't remember it being too costly and the service was good so I think that's what we'd do at least for the last 4 nights because even if our friends bring the first 8 nights of grub, fruits, veggies, milk etc won't last longer than a week and stay fresh for the most part. Plus I hate to ask them to drive us to the store. How boring is that?!

If we ever do an adults' only trip, we might try the DDP again as we'd have time to really dine and relax. After about 90 minutes all of the kids lose total interest and I don't blame them.

Breakfast isn't a huge meal for us, maybe some cereal, fruits, eggs, waffles but all easy and quick. Our last trip really taught us to enjoy the whole vacation including the resort. And with DH learning first hand the gift of a midday break, that will now be a permanent part of our vacation.

 

[rentayenta]

I say no to the DDP. We have never done it and probably never will. We are also big on sharing, even though my sisters and I are 24, 22, and 19. I will never forget one of our first trips when we stayed at the Polynesian and saw a tray literally full of food that might've had a couple bites taken out of everything. Such a waste! And on our most recent trip we had people giving us their extra food from the DDP! One lady offered us an unopened bottle of orange juice which we didn't really want and just threw it away. Needless to say we do not like the dining plan.

I hear ya. It forces us to eat much more than we normally would and while food is a fun part of Disney and we do enjoy good meals, I think preparing dinner will be healthier for sure and less restrictive of our time. I will make ADRs on days we might stay in the parks and then cancel if we decide against them.

That waste drives me insane. At least people were trying to give stuff away. I think some equate the concept of "free" with not costing anyone anything. Waste is waste regardless.

 

[jenna]

Good luck with that! I would ask him right before he leaves for his big hunting trip- when his guilt is the heaviest!!!

You know I will too!

Co-teaching bites! Let's just say my co-teacher makes me look mellow and disorganized. I don't do well with micro-managing.

Feeling any better?

She's that bad, huh?!

You know I you!!

And yes, I am feeling better....up until 6:30 tomorrow morning.

DDP- yay or nay?

Well, with a split stay again, you can do it for half of the trip & eat at the pricier restaurants when you are on the DDP.

Our friends always drive so last time they brought the non-perishables, soda, water, booze etc and then went to Walmart that night and got the perishable foods. I looked at the DVC grocery order forms and their are prices are totally OUTRAGEUOS! Seriously. We ordered from Garden Grocer on our first trip and I don't remember it being too costly and the service was good so I think that's what we'd do at least for the last 4 nights because even if our friends bring the first 8 nights of grub, fruits, veggies, milk etc won't last longer than a week and stay fresh for the most part. Plus I hate to ask them to drive us to the store. How boring is that?

You know we don't mind!! At least I don't. Nate on the other hand thinks you a total PITA. Just kidding!!

And with DH learning first hand the gift of a midday break, that will now be a permanent part of our vacation.

He really did learn that lesson well, didn't he?

 

[rentayenta]

You know I will too!

As you should! A huntin' trip with the fellas entitles you to at least an adults' only trip to WDW....................and then some.

She's that bad, huh?!

Yes, she is that bad. It's the micro-managing I can't handle.

You know I you!!

I know you do.

And yes, I am feeling better....up until 6:30 tomorrow morning.

What's at 6:30 in the morning or do you just feel worse in the morning?

Well, with a split stay again, you can do it for half of the trip & eat at the pricier restaurants when you are on the DDP.

You mean we?

You know we don't mind!! At least I don't. Nate on the other hand thinks you a total PITA. Just kidding!!

Nate rivals my PITAness just in different areas.

He really did learn that lesson well, didn't he?

I was so ready to throttle him! He was a fool!




Do you want to do the DDP? You have a say in all this ya know! At least while we are sharing a villa.

 

[Trentmom]

Since you have the kitchen and plan on eating breakfast and some dinner at hotel, I would pass on the DDP

 

[rentayenta]

Since you have the kitchen and plan on eating breakfast and some dinner at hotel, I would pass on the DDP

Without the kitchen we would do it because well, we wouldn't have a kitchen but my kids just love my copycat egg mcmuffins, Eggo waffles, omelets, and the like. And truly, I wake up so much earlier than everyone so cooking breakfast is easy. The only one that rivals me is Nate, Jenna's hubby, and he is the coffee brewmeister. We are going to need a more extensive grocery list for sure this trip. Plus less Disney food means healthier dining for me.

I kinda like Jenna's half and half and half idea but the two TS I have to have are just not that spendy.....

 

[rentayenta]

19 days until AZ/Vegas!!! ​

180 days until Mexico!!! ​

53 days until DVC ressie!!! ​

212 days until ADRs!!! ​

391 days until THV!!! ​

 

[DisneyJo]

I've been debating this for our December trip and came to the conclusion that we won't buy it. The girls like Sci-Fi and B&C both of which are cheap places to eat, OK when the DDP is free but when you have to pay not so good. Also as I already have tickets I would have to spend $75 each to buy a ticket plus the cost of the DDP so not good value for us. When we go in August it's always way too much food too, not sure if that's due to the heat or not?!?!?