Top Secret Pixie Dust! A Surprise 13th Birthday PTR! NEW! TRIP REPORT LINK PAGE 220!

[swwake]

I totally understand the indecision. Don't worry that you have to decide so quickly. What's a couple of weeks in the grand scheme of things?

My only 2c would be - why not rent the DVC points and stay DVC (try before you buy). The DVC will always be there, so there's no rush to buy in today, is there? You could wait until things settle down a little bit and there is less of the "unknown" factor.

I still think CBR is a great option, but if you can do DVC cheaper, I'd try that.

 

[IluvXU]

Jackie... it is okay to wait and see what you decide you want to do. You could do the GAD and apply those tickets to a bigger ticket to save some $$$ too.

 

[Roxychica7]

Don't be so hard on yourself girl! Thinking and pricing out Disney is still accomplishing something! At least now you'll be a Fuzzy Disney math expert!
I really agree with you on the meal plan. I don't remember how well your kids eat based on your other TR's, but from a lot of the TR's I have read, kids are just so touch and go on meal plans. A lot of the times, especially on their mood, you could go anywhere with it, from them eating everything to nothing. So if your kids aren't reliable like that, you two probably would be best just paying out of pocket on it. Blake and I did that one year. On our Dec 2008 trip, we literally picked all of our counter service meals out and snacks (a liberal amount) ahead of time, priced it out with tax and everything and had a very close number of what we would spend. We saved SO much compared to the dining plan. Now don't get me wrong I love the dining plan, when you have the money for it, but we're very comfortable doing counter service because there's SO many great choices/variety now.

Good luck with it all!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Ok, I must be behind Jackie. What happened to the GF? CBR is the next resort on our list. It looks like so much fun there! We used Undercover Tourist for our December trip and were very pleased!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Sometimes all the options need to marinate in your head for awhile. The best decision usually floats to the top sooner or later!

 

[Native NYer]

I agree with the others. Take your time with the decision and you'll make the choice that's right for you and your family.

And Susan's idea is great. Renting points will give you the chance to try out DVC. Are you considering buying at AKV or BLT?

Good luck with your decision

 

[eandesmom]

Doing nothing is a perfectly acceptable, dare I say, appropriate response!

Marinate. FDM will give the best of us a headache and I imagine, many a dream where a new option pops into your head and then you have to go crunch those numbers!

I've been dreaming in FDM for a couple of weeks now. Oddly pleasant, and stressful at the same time.

I think it's good that you are sifting, thinking, stepping back and not rushing to make the change.

The summer surcharge and that turning 10 is pricey, I can really relate to looking hard at that (as you know!). And, not to be a DVC enabler but there is a lot of $$ to be saved by having that kitchen and groceries for breakfasts, snacks and evening libations!

I'd trade a Mickey bar for a sit down dessert any day!!!!!!!!!

Don't be hard on yourself about not rushing to re-decide your plan, sometimes it seems to me that when I can't decide it's because for whatever
reason that "right" solution hasn't appeared yet and when it does, things just fall into place. That's certainly what just happenediwith our little reconfiguration!

Taking a break from thinking too hard can produce magical results. Sending you "aha" moment vibes. It will happen.

 

[TarzansKat]

CP, don't worry, you'll figure it out! I must admit, I do like the idea of not doing a dining plan. So much freedom! It makes me giddy.

 

[manntra]

It will all come to you Jackie.....most likely it will wake you up in the middle of the night!

Tracy

 

[disneyfan61]

It's very smart of you Jackie to weigh all your options & decide what is best for you. I know how expensive it is with older children. Most of our trips have been with our 2 DS's as teenagers & it is NOT cheap!! That is why we have stayed twice at value resorts & 4 times at moderate.

You will figure it all out & we will be here right along with ya Have a great weekend (even if your dreaming about numbers)!!

 

[KathyRN137]

Sometimes all the options need to marinate in your head for awhile. The best decision usually floats to the top sooner or later!

I second the motion.

(If there's anyone who knows what he's talking about when it comes to both marinating and floaters, its Jordan.)


Kathy

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Sometimes it's good to just take a break from all of the thinking and number crunching. When your mind is at peace, that's when the perfect solution will hit you. Or so I like to think.

Not sure if you knew I have a new PTR going. I'd love for you to stop by if you get a chance.

I find the same thing, if I have a decision to make that is eluding me I take a nap and usually dream about a solution. Weird I know but it works for me.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I second the motion.

(If there's anyone who knows what he's talking about when it comes to both marinating and floaters, its Jordan.)


Kathy

I like that idea too! marinate!
Take a few days and do other things, don't crunch any numbers, don't debate it. Just see what floats up. The best will rise to the top.

We decided that for dining - this will be our last trip with a dining plan for a while. We really don't save tons of money, but we enjoy the pre-paid aspect and then being able to order whatever we want. We would not order that stuff otherwise. And we won't do it after this year partly because our kids are SO picky and DD8 is turning 9 in about a week. When she hits 10, there is NO WAY I'm paying for an adult meal plan for her to eat chicken strips. So this trip, we're going deluxe and going out with a bang!

Good luck!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I know this must be driving you crazy but you will feel better if you take your time and think it out. Have you checked the rent boards to see whats available?
Oh what a silly question.....

You know we rarely do the dining plan anymore.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Don't think too hard, CP, you'll get a headache! It is hard paying for 4 "adults" no matter how you do it. Maybe you could go OOP and do one extra special TS meal to celebrate, then do mostly CS meals. There are alot of healthy choices and variety. Breakfast in the room saves alot, too!

 

[wsushocker]

I have traded in my Charleston Princess crown and am currently wearing the crown of Queen of Indecision.

 

[mousescrapper]

So, since I posted last week, I have decided....

NOTHING!



I have traded in my Charleston Princess crown and am currently wearing the crown of Queen of Indecision.

I generally feel any decision concerning Disney is a good one...when it comes to Disney and Money...well you know who will win on the money end but we win on the MAGIC end...I tend to think the decison will make it self and we just go along w/ it...may not be smart, but it can be fun...

I have run numbers until I dream in Disney Fuzzy Math.

I know that feeling


Of course, on the flip side of this scenerio, is my all-consuming desire for DVC membership. I have also run numbers until my head feels like it is going to explode.

I ran the numbers and just really felt quite overwhelmed...looked around on the reslae sites...dwindled on the dvc threads...heard some of the good and bad from other dvc members...looked through a member book and then it just seemed right that hot sweaty afternoon to take the tour...

Some may say it's a hard sell and I bet it all depends on your guide...but if you are even considering it...it is worth it take the tour and see first hand...yes there will be incentives to act upon before you leave and maybe others after you get home...but hey you can get some free ice cream when you are done. Happy to chat more or recommend my guide just PM.

See, I have accomplished almost nothing this week in regards to the trip! Nothing has changed since last Saturday.

as long as your ticker is still ticking you have accomplised something...the trip is still on....

 

[micandminforever]

Last Sept. with free dinning I kept track of what the meals would have cost, and would not have broke even if I had paid for the plan. So this summer my DH and I are paying as we go. We just do not eat a snack a day or two desserts a day. The dinning plan is wonderful for some people, but with the dinning plan, I felt as if my whole vacation was centered around food, not fun and rides.

 

[Happydog]

Oh I am sure this will fall into place, but I hear you Jackie, slow goes it, the right answer will present itself! I think all of those options sound great! I am sure the right decision will make itself known. We didn't do the DP this short trip, and I too know dessert at lunch, heck, lunch in general, is not our style always, either. I think on vacation you want to eat the way you wish to eat, and do what works for you. I am sure the resort plans will sort themselves out just the way you need them to if you don't feel pressured to make a decision to quickly. But I also know how it feels not to have it all organized and that is stressful too! It will work out!

 

[Lady Lallie]

So, since I posted last week, I have decided....

NOTHING!



I have traded in my Charleston Princess crown and am currently wearing the crown of Queen of Indecision.

I have run numbers until I dream in Disney Fuzzy Math.

A couple of things I have come across:

If I buy our tickets through Undercover Tourist with the Mousesavers link, we would save $65.

If we don't do the dining plan with all of its summer surcharges and Connor being 10 now, we could save almost $200. That's a lot of money! We don't usually like to eat dessert with our counter service meals -- we would much rather buy Mickey ice cream bars, and knowing my kids, they won't always want to eat off the adult menu.

So, I am thinking of just putting all of our food money on a Disney gift card, buying our tickets from UT, and using the room only discount on CBR or renting DVC points.

Of course, on the flip side of this scenerio, is my all-consuming desire for DVC membership. I have also run numbers until my head feels like it is going to explode.

See, I have accomplished almost nothing this week in regards to the trip! Nothing has changed since last Saturday.

There is nothing wrong with indecision. I have to say that I really love putting money on a gift card for food expenses. It gives you so much more freedom than the dining plan. You can eat an appetizer for your meal if you want, it works better for me than the dining plan.