This is exactly what I did in Feb 2014. I had a magic your way package that trip. On the last day of the trip I went to the Guest Services at HS and upgraded my ticket to an AP. I only had to pay the difference between the AP and my original ticket for the week. I'm pretty sure that as long as you do it before you exit the park on your last ticket day this will work. Also I had to go to an actual park to do the upgrade, couldn't do it at my resort. I'm not sure if that is still the case. If you do this though, you won't be able to use a TiW card the whole week because you can't buy it till you have the AP. This was not a problem for me that February because we were on the dining plan.
Yes you would qualify for the TiW card. It costs an additional $100 to buy the card but then you get a 20% discount on your table service meals including alcoholic beverages. There are some blackout days but I think they are all peak times and holidays so you may want to research that. I ended up buying my TiW card on my second trip in 2014. It's good for a year so even after the AP expired I was still able to use if for a couple of months. I did find that it worked well and I saved money even having to pay the $100 for the card. It's easy to do the math though if you have an idea which restaurants you might eat at and figure the discount, then compare to the $100 price.
The AP discount for the stores was very easy to use. When I bought the AP I got a plastic card that I just showed any time I purchased something and I got the discount. If you plan on using it for other people though, some CMs will not let you unless you make the actual purchase. I found that sometimes my Mom could use it and others they said no.
I think that answers all your questions, let me know if you have any more.
Thank you for such a detailed response Ariana!
Such good information here... So, it's probably best if I buy my 5 day hopper before I go, so I can get my FPs booked... Then, it's probably best to upgrade to an AP on my first day, so then I can buy the TiW card and use it for this entire trip... The only bummer - well there are two... First, is that they add 18% gratuity on to each meal, regardless if that's what I want to pay for a tip or not... That kind of sucks, because sometimes I don't tip at 18% - not everyone deserves that much... Most of the time they do, but not always. Also, we are planning to do pleanty of CS meals for the Nov trip and they don't appear to be part of the TiW card - which is a bummer... but I could still use this card for my stays in Jan and October - which we will likely get lots of use out of it then. Definitely something to consider.
Awesome about the AP discount... I am sure I will get much use out of that!
Seeing as I need to get a new VB Perfect Petals Hipster... mine has been worn to death! LOL
Sounds like you had a busy weekend.
Looks like the dogs enjoys each other.
I went to Sweden this weekend visiting some friends. It was a long dirve 808 miles in total. I had a good time, but it was still nice coming back home.
I did! I have been so busy! It's been crazy!
The dogs are enjoying eachother, most of the time... Sometimes we need to separate them, as Cooper likes to chew on MM - and MM doesn't stand up for himself enough... It makes me sad, so I separate them often. They still have time to play together, but also time apart.
How fun - your trip to Sweden! But WOW - lots of miles!!! I bet you were glad to be home!
Hahahaha....."If you have an idea....." Heck yes we have an idea! I am the spreadsheet queen afterall!
So, would this TIW discount come off the total bill, or just D's portion? Sorry, probably a dumb question, but when we are figuring things, I need to know what to save for.
Hahaha... Yes, Suzi has it all planned out! Love her!
I think it's the total bill? As long as I pay? So, if I am bringing GCs to pay for our meals, I think as long as I hand them over, we'd get the discount? Pretty sure - since we are on the same room/trip reservation?
She can use it on the bill if she pays. They won't let her use it on both bills if you guys split. Found that out when I went with my Mom last October. She had to pay me back at the end of the week. Of course that all depends on when D~ upgrades to the AP. She can't buy the TiW card until she is an AP holder. So if she upgrades the first day, she can buy the TiW card then and you guys can use it for the week.
Do you know if I can pay with GCs Ariana?
I would upgrade once you get there. And I have to tell you, I will never go back to the dining plan again. I LOVE my TIW card. You get 20% off at most restaurants. You can use for up to ten people in your party...but you have to use your credit card or your cash to pay (the others can pay you after you pay; CM's have gotten fired for using someone else's credit card with another person's TIW). The 20% is also good on alcoholic beverages, etc.
I love Cooper laying on top of the other dog...so very sweet.
OK - this is what worries me... We have to use a CC or cash? Can we use GCs?
I am a bit nervous that I will enjoy the AP and TiW a little too much... And you know what that means... Sigh. LOL Although - once the girls leave, I can do a few solo trips? LOL
LOL - yah - they are so cute together!
Here's a great link that has a ton of info about the TiW Card:
http://allears.net/din/dde.htm
This is an awesome link Ariana!! THanks you!!!!
Pluto0809 seems to have answered your questions about AP/TiW...we got some great discounts last time I had an AP (of course that was like 10 years ago! )
I love the picture of the dogs in the sit stance on the deck...poor little Cooper...his butt looks like it just can't stay flat on the ground...Kaylee was like that...she would sit, but be so excited, her rear would just pop up off the ground so she could wiggle it more. LOL!
Lynn
LOL - yes there is some great info up there!
LOL - Nope, Cooper has a hard time sitting still... but he is getting better and better every day - he knows he doesn't get treats until his bottom is firmly planted - which is difficult for him, because the momentum of his tail is sometimes too much for his little behind to control. LOL
Oh Cooper. Too cute!
We're you getting the dining plan on your first trip? If not then do the upgrade and buy the tiw card. Think of the $$ you'll save! .... that's what.... 1 ... at the most 2 extra bags to make????? You could whip them out in your sleep!
I know - we love him more and more every day!
No, no dining plan for the first or second trip... OOP for both... Just not sure on the third trip yet? If I get an AP - it will be best to get a room discount for V's trip, me thinks...
Hahaha... Not sure about that. Gotta get to work... After I get home from Maine - that's where my focus will be, to get Allison's trip paid off.
Ok, another question.....can you use TIW at QS locations? We have mostly QS....
I don't think so... Just a few of them - from what I've read. But that's OK - I have other trips too, so it won't go to waste.
It's only good at a very few, Suzi
It is only good at the food courts at resorts that don't have a table service restaurant - so it is good at the value resorts and the food court at POFQ.
The TiW card is really nice to use because they add an 18% tip onto the bill, so when you get the check it already has the tip and they don't have to bring your check out a second time like they do when you have to add a tip. The TiW card also works at resort lounges.
That is kind of nice though... I didn't think of it that way. Thanks Sue!
If you follow the link I posted it has a list of all the places that accept the TiW card.
Thanks so much for that list Ariana!
It's also good at Flame Tree and Pizzafari at AK.
Love FTBBQ, haven't eaten there since 2008.
The AP will definitely be worth it with three trips coming up. The first time we had decided to get AP's we first bought the 6 day park hoppers so that I could make the fastpasses for those days. The trick to upgrading to an AP is to use your park tickets at least once, then go to guest relations and upgrade to the AP. You can also buy the TiW card as long as you go to a Guest Relations booth. They don't sell them at the Ticket booth. We upgraded our tickets on the way out of a park at night, when the lines at guest relations were short or non-existent.
So, theoretically... Suzi and I could go to MK on our first day... Get through the tunstiles, and go straight to Guest Relations at MK, upgrade to an AP, then buy the TiW then and there? Not saying we have to do this at this time of day - because it's probably super busy then - but theoretically, we could?
View attachment 99337 just checking in from the most magical place! I briefly read all the posts and will follow up once I get home. Tonight we came back early as someone is tired (it's not me! LOL). Tomorrow we are up bright and early. Here is s pic of us. Hope it appears.
Have a great day!!
Eeep!!! I hope you are having a great trip! Loved the pic!!! It showed up perfectly, and you got to hold the slipper! How cool is that!
Back again...and yeah sounds like the AP would definitely be the way to go for you! Sounds like it's pretty easy to to the upgrade there and that may be the best way to go. Our APs were purchased online with our DVC discount, so I've never done the upgrade.
So glad you got all your airfare done and things are falling into place. Seems so far away but I know it will be here before you know it!
We have always loved the Contemporary Resort so I think if you end up there it will be good. Not that Poly wouldn't be good as well, but the convenience of walking to MK from the Contemporary really is nice!
I think so too... Just have to save up enough $$.
I know, me too - it's such a relief to have that out of the way. Now to get Allison's trip paid for... I am super nervous about that.
I am very excited to be staying there, the more I read about it, the more excited I get. It should be a lot of fun!
The furry kids are adorable.
I would get an AP.. The pros- here can teach you the ways! LOL!! they know everything!!!
Oh yes.. they are VERY strict on Discounts- the holder is the ONLY one who can pay.
It DID and you were able to hold the slipper!!! that's amazing!!
Thanks! I love them so much! They are such good brothers... Although - they seem to fight like their sisters... Sigh. LOL
Which is fine - I just hope I can pay with GCs, that would make life easier.
I don't think I have bought an AP directly. My first AP- FIL was upgrading his tickets to a florida resident seasonal pass. It was the week after easter. While we were at Guest services in MK waiting for them, we decided to price out what it would cost to upgrade our tickets. That years AP was great since FIL had paid for our tickets.
Last AP was December 2013. Girls were sad that it was too cold for a lot of stuff, so we upgraded to the AP at the end of our trip. Having the AP just meant we had to plan 2 more trips.
For the way my family eats TIW works out better, as long as we didn't have set price TS meals.
How cool that FIL paid for your APs... that's awesome!
I am thinking a TiW is the best route - it's doesn't pay to NOT have it if you have an AP, kwim?
We love our TIW but then again we eat only one meal in the park a day and indulge in a bottle of wine. Breakfast is always in our Villa
I am sure it makes a lot of sense for you.
I would look into upgrading once you get to Disney. we did it once a long time ago and it was relatively painless.
I think this is what I am planning to do... It's kind of like a payment plan.
LOL
1 more full day... I never count today, and I will be in Chicago by this time on Wednesday - waiting for your arrival at the airport. You do realize, I will be leaving MSP at the exact time you leave your house, and we will probably arrive at MDW at the same time. LOL
I've been reading your PRs and TR s for quite awhile now. I love seeing all your creations, the fun you have with your girls and your family, but I think one of my favorite parts is your own health transformation. You have been an inspiration to me to not only get my creative juices flowing again, but to take control of my health. I do have a question, when you reference the 30 day shred do you mean Jillian Michaels? Any suggestions for a fellow DISer that wants to finally make a real commitment to a healthy lifestyle? Love reading along!
Hi Welcome~!!!!! So happy to have you here and following along!
Thank you... Well... First off - yes, I am referring to Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.
It's pretty brutal, but I feel like I get such a great work out with it - and it's over in 20 minutes.
I would start slowly... It seems to me that most people, when they start a diet - they go all "gung ho" on it... and it a matter of weeks/months, it's just no longer sustainable. I would take your time... Change one thing at a time and give it a good go getting used to that, before you change something else. They first thing I gave up was Soda, and I let that sink in for a good few weeks before I started changing other things - meanwhile, working out... The next thing I gave up was anything in a bag/box/bottle/can - one at a time, but this took me several months to get through. It's a process, and one you have to commit to for your entire life... It's not a "give this up and I'll be skinny in 6 months" sort of deal... Give yourself the time to make it work and make it last - you have your entire life - however long that may be, but I can almost guarantee it will be much longer by giving up the processed stuff.
I try to stick to the 80/20 rule as much as possible... Which means, I eat great 80% of the time and 20% of the time, I allow myself treats... This keeps me in line... most of the time - this is an excellent breakfast, and excellent lunch and either a Starbucks treat in the afternoon, or something on my plate at dinner that isn't perfectly in line with how I choose to eat... That being said... It's usually the former and not the latter. But sometimes - that means a bun with my burger... or some bbq sauce on my chicken... It doesn't have to be something big, but something that makes life better.
So, that's where I'd start... That's where I did start. But most of all - enjoy life... don't make this something that you don't love, find a way to love it, find foods that are good for you that you love and really love them.
I hope that helped.
I wish you the best of luck! If you have any other questions, I am always happy to help out!
Have fun on your girls birthday ~ reunion ~ extravaganza weekend!
Jane
Hi Jane!!! How are you???? I hope you are well! I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering about you!
Thank you - I am very excited! I cannot wait to see Suzi and MO!
Hope you have a fabulous time on your girls trip!!!
Thank you!!! I am very excited!!! I cannot wait to see them again! It's been a whole year - it seems like yesterday, yet it seems like eons ago!
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I feel like I am constantly apologizing for not being here lately... It's been much more difficult to check in, than I thought it would be, due to Cooper. But I think I am finally getting a handle on potty training - just in time for me to leave for Maine. Sigh.
It's been a crazy week...
I finally got a new phone - it was desperately needed before my trip to Maine... I didn't realize how bad my phone was until I got this one. As much as I loved my Samsung - there were aspects of the S5 and S6 that I couldn't live with... So, I opted for the LG G3 - I really wanted the G4, but that doesn't get released until Wednesday - I fly on Wed, so that wasn't going to work. I am very happy with it though!
Cooper is doing good... Slowly potty training. He just hit 12 weeks old on Saturday - so I really wasn't expecting too much to stick until now, as they say that puppies really can't hold their bladders until 12 weeks anyways. Now I am expecting some progress though. He is growing fast - as you will see in some of the pictures below... When I had him to the vet for shots on Friday, he was a whopping 27 lbs... for reference, MM was 32 lbs at 16 weeks... I think Cooper should hit 32 lbs this week or next... So, maybe he isn't that much bigger than MM was - but it sure feels that way.
So... a bazillion pictures of MM and Cooper over the course of this last week for you all.
In other exciting news...
I leave for the Island of Maine on Wednesday morning... I am so very excited to go!!!! I cannot wait to see Suzi and Mo again and see what adventures we find. I am very excited to meet Suzi's family and to see Bradey again! YOu all have no idea! Amazing friendships here people!
So, today...
Well, I've already worked out - so that's out of the way...
I am going to have breakfast here shortly...
Then I am going upstairs to work for a little while.
I plan to have a mani/pedi today... I am very excited about this... I was going to skip it this trip, but it's been a few months since I've had a mani, and seriously - my feet are in DIRE need of a pedi... So, I am biting the bullet and pampering myself today... I cannot wait to have my Disney nails on again!
That's about all... Nothing else new or exciting. Just lots of laundry... lots of packing... lots of being excited to see my best girls again!!!
I hope you all have a wonderful day today! You are all always on my thoughts, even if I don't get the chance to check in as often as I'd like... I am hoping this gets better once Coop is potty trained. Love to you all!
D~
I hope you have a great day 
