This Is A Poncho-Free Zone!--May 22-29, 2010 PTR (New PTR!!!! 5/31)

[ladybugmom]

Oh Awesome!!!! Thank you so much!!! They will love it!!!!

No problem!! I'm glad I can spread some Disney magic like so many have done for my girls!!

Woohoo for Mickey Mail!!!​

I love all the extra things your TA sent you! How thoughtful!

Whoo hoo!! Yes, my TA is the BEST!!!

Hi Becky!

I'm all caught up now....I admit it's hard for me to get back on the boards right after I get back from vacation.

Your trip is so close...HOW EXCITING! Love all the shopping purchases and Mickey Mail!

Your bedroom looks great! I love the bedding...so pretty.

We were at MK on Saturday and Toontown is still open. There is a long wall from Ariel's Grotto to the entrance of Toontown. It's not bad though...it's decorated and cute! Everything else in Fantasyland is open.

I know it must be hard, Missy!! It looks like you had a wonderful time (from the pics I saw on FB)!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!

Yes, I read that Toontown isn't supposed to close until early 2011--so we should be able to see everything again in December!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Ok--so we're at 10 days and counting which means I can do online check-in if I want!!! I've never done online check-in before--have you?! Is it worth it?! What are the pros/cons?! Let me know your opinions!!!! And where do you do this online? Is it pretty easy? Is it a problem if I booked through my TA?! We didn't do it last year and didn't have any wait at check-in really. Can you still get magically upgraded if you do online check-in?! I want details since I know very little about this!! TIA!!


Yesterday we officially booked our Nov/Dec trip for a Standard Room at the Wilderness Lodge from Nov. 27-Dec. 4!!!!!! I plan on booking the Bounceback Offer while we're on our May trip but wanted to secure a room in case there were any problems!! Here is the BB Offer info that I found on the DIS (apparantly you don't HAVE to have the physical piece of paper in your room to book):

Get 20% off a Select Disney VALUE Resort: 1/3-1/14/2010, 1/18-2/11, 2/15-3/27, 4/11-7/1, 7/5-11/23, 11/28-12/24/2010

Get 35% off a Select Disney MODERATE Resort: 1/3-1/14, 1/18-2/11, 2/15-3/27, 4/11-7/1, 7/5-11/23, 11/28-12/24/2010

Get 40% off WILDERNESS CABINS: 1/3-1/14, 1/18-2/11, 2/15-3/27, 4/11-7/1, 7/5-11/23, 11/28-12/24/2010

Get 40% off a Select Disney DELUXE Resort: 1/3-1/14, 1/18-2/11, 2/15-3/27, 4/11-7/1, 7/5-11/23, 11/28-12/24/2010

Get 45% off a Select Disney DELUXE VILLA Resort: 1/3-1/14, 1/18-2/11, 2/15-3/27, 4/11-7/1, 7/5-9/30/2010 (Offer excludes 3 bedroom grand villas) * Note: another nice DISer added these dates for the Villas 8/15-11/23 and 11/28-12/16/2010)


Call extension 8844 using code OKR from your resort room BEFORE checking out to book

So if all works well with the BB offer, we'll just cancel the other one!!

Oh--and we will be making our ADRs 2 days after we get back (May 31st)!! So I need opinions about where to eat!! Anywhere we shouldn't miss during Christmas?! We want to book the CP package probably at Le Cellier or Chefs de France. And we will be doing the MVMCP--I just need to decide on ADRs!! HELP!!


So we've been trying to sell our house--and we thought someone was going to make an offer on it yesterday. Our house was one of their top 2 picks--and their realtor's #1 pick!! They also needed to be moved in by the end of May--perfect for our situation! Well I was told they put an offer on the other house yesterday and that it didn't go through--so my realtor thought they'd make an offer on our house. Well I found out last night that they are still working to get the other house?! I'm soooo bummed and upset! I really got my hopes up and it makes me wonder why they didn't choose ours?! I'm so ready for all of this to be over!!!


So to recap--I need your opinions on online check-in and ADRs for December!! And prayers that our house will sell SOON!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I did online check in for my trip with Mom, and honestly, I didn't see where it saved us any time at all. People were going into the regular check in line where there were lots of CMs working and walking right up to the counter while we had to wait in the one line that was for online check in. It also didn't seem to me that it went much faster once we got to the front of the line, we still had to wait for them to print out documents and get our keys. I don't think I'd do it again. If you do decide that you want to, having booked with a TA won't effect it at all. I booked with one and was still able to do the online check in.

Sorry about your house, keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get an offer soon!

 

[kaysmommie]

Hi Becky,
I love the pics of the girls with their dance costumes, just adorable!! Sorry about your rough start to Mother's day but happy to hear the day got better So is your minivan okay or do you need some new paint? Also on the Beauty and the Beast tickets!! I loved it on Broadway, we saw it twice and it was awesome! I'm excited for your family since your trip is so close. As for online check in I did on our last 2 trips and it worked out great for us. Our room was ready both times and i got what we requested as well. On our Anniversary trip to Yacht Club we even ended up with a King bed which was great when it was Tommy and I. Sorry about your house. I'm sure it will sell soon don't get discouraged. that you already booked for Nov/Dec at WL. I'm sure you will love it there as much as Poly. I loved MVMCP so hopefully that is on your list. Since your staying at WL I would book Whispering Canyon for dinner and definitely some kind of Princess meal too. You can never have too many of those with the ages of your girls.

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok--so we're at 10 days and counting which means I can do online check-in if I want!!! I've never done online check-in before--have you?! Is it worth it?! What are the pros/cons?! Let me know your opinions!!!! And where do you do this online? Is it pretty easy? Is it a problem if I booked through my TA?! We didn't do it last year and didn't have any wait at check-in really. Can you still get magically upgraded if you do online check-in?! I want details since I know very little about this!! TIA!!


Ok so I never was able to access the system for our March trip lat yr, but my Mom did for her room...

You do it online on the main WDW site...think under the "my vacation" tab...just toy around to find it. All you need is your ressie #

for our experience really my Mom's...this was at CSR...wonder if the other Disers experience can be swayed by resort and or time you are checking in...

there wasn't really a line when we checked in but my Mom's docs and things were all printed and ready to go in an envelope...mine took a little longer.

IMHO if it might save you an ounce of time why not, shouldn't take long at all. I plan to do for both the resorts of our Split stay in Nov.




Oh--and we will be making our ADRs 2 days after we get back (May 31st)!! So I need opinions about where to eat!! Anywhere we shouldn't miss during Christmas?! We want to book the CP package probably at Le Cellier or Chefs de France. And we will be doing the MVMCP--I just need to decide on ADRs!! HELP!!

Ok this is what I know about the CLP pkg...sorry you'll read this again on my PTR...I've read, informed by another Diser and called Disney Dining today... you can only book the pkg by calling Disney Dining, not online. You can only book 90 days out after the schedule is out for the CLP...which potentialy will not be out till August. You can only book w/in a very tiny window of time for each show...such as lunch for the 5 pm show is approx 1:45-2:45 and dinner for the 6:45 pm show is 3:30 to 4:30.

We want to do this too Becky but I don't like this 90 day out thing or the tiny windows....I am planning to book on Mon (our ADR day) 2 reg 1-credit TS's as back-up if the pkg thing just doesn't work out...

as far as other TS...not sure if any restaurants do anything more special for the holidays or not...I do know various places on Thanksgiving (before your trip) will have a special menu. I'd just pick places you love or have never tried and resorts that will decorated to the till like the GF or Beach Club...



So we've been trying to sell our house--and we thought someone was going to make an offer on it yesterday. Our house was one of their top 2 picks--and their realtor's #1 pick!! They also needed to be moved in by the end of May--perfect for our situation! Well I was told they put an offer on the other house yesterday and that it didn't go through--so my realtor thought they'd make an offer on our house. Well I found out last night that they are still working to get the other house?! I'm soooo bummed and upset! I really got my hopes up and it makes me wonder why they didn't choose ours?! I'm so ready for all of this to be over!!!


So to recap--I need your opinions on online check-in and ADRs for December!! And prayers that our house will sell SOON!

sorry that the house still hasn't sold...

J~

 

[leamom2princesses]

I did my online check-in this morning. I found it to be a bit faster using it last year at CBR. There were two people in our line rather than 20 like in the other line. Like PP said, even if it saves 5 minutes, it's worth it (to me anyway). The online process only takes a few seconds...super fast and quick.

Sorry the house hasn't sold but just be patient girl. It may not work out at all with the other house and those buyers' agent may be calling tomorrow.

We are going to WDW Nov. 20-28 and I'm working on the same ADR issues. I have to book while we're down there in two weeks though. What a great problem to have huh!

 

[ladybugmom]

I did online check in for my trip with Mom, and honestly, I didn't see where it saved us any time at all. People were going into the regular check in line where there were lots of CMs working and walking right up to the counter while we had to wait in the one line that was for online check in. It also didn't seem to me that it went much faster once we got to the front of the line, we still had to wait for them to print out documents and get our keys. I don't think I'd do it again. If you do decide that you want to, having booked with a TA won't effect it at all. I booked with one and was still able to do the online check in.

Sorry about your house, keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get an offer soon!

Thanks for the info, Michelle!!

Hi Becky,
I love the pics of the girls with their dance costumes, just adorable!! Sorry about your rough start to Mother's day but happy to hear the day got better So is your minivan okay or do you need some new paint? Also on the Beauty and the Beast tickets!! I loved it on Broadway, we saw it twice and it was awesome! I'm excited for your family since your trip is so close. As for online check in I did on our last 2 trips and it worked out great for us. Our room was ready both times and i got what we requested as well. On our Anniversary trip to Yacht Club we even ended up with a King bed which was great when it was Tommy and I. Sorry about your house. I'm sure it will sell soon don't get discouraged. that you already booked for Nov/Dec at WL. I'm sure you will love it there as much as Poly. I loved MVMCP so hopefully that is on your list. Since your staying at WL I would book Whispering Canyon for dinner and definitely some kind of Princess meal too. You can never have too many of those with the ages of your girls.

Thanks Nichole!! Brent ended up ordering some paint from Honda and when it comes in he'll use it to buff out the scratches. Sounds like online check-in worked great for you!! Yes, we'll definitely do MVMCP!!! Oooh--it would be nice to eat at Whispering Canyon since we'll be staying at WL--we've never eaten there before!!

sorry that the house still hasn't sold...

J~

WOW!! You made some great points, Julie!!! Thanks for sharing all of that info! It was very helpful!! Lots to think about!!

I did my online check-in this morning. I found it to be a bit faster using it last year at CBR. There were two people in our line rather than 20 like in the other line. Like PP said, even if it saves 5 minutes, it's worth it (to me anyway). The online process only takes a few seconds...super fast and quick.

Sorry the house hasn't sold but just be patient girl. It may not work out at all with the other house and those buyers' agent may be calling tomorrow.

We are going to WDW Nov. 20-28 and I'm working on the same ADR issues. I have to book while we're down there in two weeks though. What a great problem to have huh!

Great!! Thanks Leanne!! Sounds like online check-in may be the way to go! I appreciate your encouragement. Oh yeah--making ADRs while in WDW sounds horrible!!!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

LOVE the dance pictures!! I cannot wait to start Sarah Kate in dance classes.

Oh my, what a way to begin your Mother's Day!! I would have been in tears, also! I backed my van into DH's car a couple of weeks ago and dented the bumper pretty badly. Ugh! I'm glad the nail polish came out for the most part. Beautiful pictures of your girls! YAY for Beauty and the Beast tix!!! My SIL bought Darren and I tix to the show in Knoxville for Christmas, and we went last night. It was great!! We didn't take the kids because it was such a late showing (we didn't get home until close to midnight!!), but they would have enjoyed it.

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Sorry for the double post! I just didn't want to forget anything.

Sorry to hear that the buyers didn't put in an offer on your house. I hope it sells soon!!

We did online check-in last year and it went really well. There was no line at all when we arrived, and all of our docs were already printed.

YAY for booking your Nov/Dec trip!!!!! I'm no help with ADR's - I usually end up booking the same places every time we go. LOL!

 

[MaryAz]

Think I am going to do online check in. My partmer in crime is taking care of most of the Sep ressies and I get to make ADR's for our Dec trip on my bday in June. I hope to do the CP package as well.

 

[ladybugmom]

So yesterday I did some more shopping for the trip!! Here's what I got!!

colorful bandanas to tie to the stroller (this helps me spot our stroller as soon as we come off of a ride or leave a show--if you have a good memory, these are the SAME ones I bought last year--we ended up having to throw last year's bandanas away b/c they got mildewed from all of the rain)

a Cupcake Pink VB lanyard to hold my KTTW (last year I put all of our KTTW in the front pocket of my VB Hipster and I was constantly checking that pocket to be sure they were still there--I was so afraid I would lose them--the lanyard matches my VB Hipster that I'm taking)

A few days ago I had the girls try on their bathing suits I had bought at the Disney Store on clearance last year (the ones I posted pics of way back). Well guess what?! They are too small!!! YIKES!! Good thing I didn't just pack them! My girls are so tall that the bathing suits barely covered their chests! The Disney Store has their bathing suits on sale right now for $15 so I ended up getting 2 for both of them. The ones I bought were the reversible ones so it's like having two suits in one!!!

Tinkerbell (ended up getting Claire the 4 and Ally the 7/8--the pics show the swimsuit reversed, too)

Ariel

Here is the other bathing suit they'll be taking (I bought this back when I bought the giraffe dress--it's from Gymboree)

I found this umbrella stroller at Target for just $15 (we'll use it in the airport and any other time we don't have the rental--I needed something small and light)

I just LOVE the fabric!!

 

[ladybugmom]

LOVE the dance pictures!! I cannot wait to start Sarah Kate in dance classes.

Oh my, what a way to begin your Mother's Day!! I would have been in tears, also! I backed my van into DH's car a couple of weeks ago and dented the bumper pretty badly. Ugh! I'm glad the nail polish came out for the most part. Beautiful pictures of your girls! YAY for Beauty and the Beast tix!!! My SIL bought Darren and I tix to the show in Knoxville for Christmas, and we went last night. It was great!! We didn't take the kids because it was such a late showing (we didn't get home until close to midnight!!), but they would have enjoyed it.

Thanks Julia!! Oh nice!! I'm so glad that you enjoyed B&B!!! I can't wait to see it again!!

Sorry for the double post! I just didn't want to forget anything.

Sorry to hear that the buyers didn't put in an offer on your house. I hope it sells soon!!

We did online check-in last year and it went really well. There was no line at all when we arrived, and all of our docs were already printed.

YAY for booking your Nov/Dec trip!!!!! I'm no help with ADR's - I usually end up booking the same places every time we go. LOL!

No problem!! Great--sounds like I'll be doing online check-in!! I'm the same way--that's why I'm trying to get ideas of other places to eat!!

Think I am going to do online check in. My partmer in crime is taking care of most of the Sep ressies and I get to make ADR's for our Dec trip on my bday in June. I hope to do the CP package as well.

Sounds like I will, too!! Isn't it fun that we have trips to look forward to already wen we get back?! It MIGHT make leaving WDW a little easier!!

 

[shelbys mommy]

I love the stroller! Good idea about the bandanas! I will have to definitley get some for Shelby's stroller!

Love the swimsuits!!!

The boys got New Orleans Hornets lanyards, so I will just use one of theirs to put my KTTW in.

 

[ladybugmom]

I love the stroller! Good idea about the bandanas! I will have to definitley get some for Shelby's stroller!

Love the swimsuits!!!

The boys got New Orleans Hornets lanyards, so I will just use one of theirs to put my KTTW in.

Thanks!! I found these at Hobby Lobby! They had a lot of Disney-themed ones!!

 

[shelbys mommy]

Thanks!! I found these at Hobby Lobby! They had a lot of Disney-themed ones!!

You must have a better Hobby Lobby than we do. When I got the material for Shelby's pillowcase dresses, those 3 were the only thing I could find Disney related!

 

[ladybugmom]

You must have a better Hobby Lobby than we do. When I got the material for Shelby's pillowcase dresses, those 3 were the only thing I could find Disney related!

Be sure when you look for the bandanas that you don't look for them in the fabric section. They are on a craft aisle across the store from the fabric!!

 

[shelbys mommy]

Be sure when you look for the bandanas that you don't look for them in the fabric section. They are on a craft aisle across the store from the fabric!!

Well that's probably why I didn't find them!!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Well that's probably why I didn't find them!!!

Probably!!

 

[klacey1]

I don't have any experience with online check-in-- we did regular in late August, had zero wait, got DBF's "First Visit" button, AND our room was ready at 12:30 p.m.! I don't know how online could beat that, but I've heard both positives and negatives about both processes!
I second Nichole's vote for Whispering Canyon-- very Christmasy! It'd be good for your first night-- you can eat at your resort and then relax and prepare for your first full Disney day! I also love Liberty Tree Tavern; it has that "homey" feel that I love around Christmastime!
Oh no about the bathing suits! I'm assuming you can't return them, but I'm sure you can sell them to a consignment place or on ebay. NWT items always sell well!
Love the lanyard-- Cupcakes Pink is my favorite pattern! Now that it's on sale on the VB website, my collection is growing to epic proportions!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Becky!
Congrats on booking the Nov/Dec trip.... now you have two trips to WDW planned, it's a magical feeling!!

Sure you know this already but MVMCP is on these nights during your stay:
November 28th & 30th - and December 2nd & 3rd
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/pa...al-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/

and ADRs to plan too!
The first thing that came to my mind was 1900 Park Fare.. maybe an early dinner there before MVMCP as you'll be right on the Monorail and close to MK!

Tusker House breakfast is really good fun.... and Cape May Cafe!


Emma x