UnOfficial March 2012 Trip Planners Tread-DIS Meet 3/8 Info Pg 1

[Beiji]

to the new March Travelers

Thank you, sjs!

 

[MrsFerrell]

Our ADRs are

March 1-- Chef Mickeys @ 5:20
March 3-- 50's Prime Time Cafe @ 6:30pm
March 4-- Akershus @ 12:20.. wanted dinner but they where booked until 8pm :-(.. but still trying ;-)
March 5-- Liberty Tree Tavern @ 6:40pm
March 6-- Crystal Palace @ 8:35... wanted 8am but it was booked.. still trying though hah

 

[Lidian]

Just to show what a dummy I was we have been members of AAA since 1977 or first trip to Disney was in 1989 and I never used them for a Discount

In 2009 we traveled with my DS and Ddil who works for ESPN and got a 50% discount on the room plus she got us into the parks for free plus discounts at the stores and food places, even 50% on tix for HDDR.
Now that my DS has passed I could probally ask her about the friends and family rates she can get but I decided just not to bother since I know in 2010 and 2011 she took her side of the family. I am one of those people who unless someone offers something to me I just don't bother asking.

On a much Happier Note Only 44 more days !

I'm the same way, I don't ask unless I'm offered, but I do like to use search engines. Honestly, I had no hopes of EVER going to WDW ... but DH said that it was time to take a family vacation. I knocked WDW out because I didn't think we could afford it, and after much searching, we couldn't decide where or what to do. So I called dad, who said to call a TA, and that put me to AAA. I just told her my budget, the ages of my kids, and said it was our first family vacation ever -- where could we go? She said she could get us to WDW! So I said DO IT! I didn't even consider asking if there was discounts or anything. She said that AAA reserves X amount of rooms at resorts and can stick us in one of those. So we picked ASMovies and had a blast. But she messed up TONS of stuff for our trip (she didn't book my 2nd hotel, since I had never seen the beach, we were heading to the beach after our WDW trip) and didn't tell us info we needed. So I swore I'd never use a TA after a bad experience with her ... which is what put me on the WDW website the following year. So now I'm not mad at her anymore, because she actually did me a good thing and I learned about special offers.

I'm sorry about your DS.

And yes, on a much happier note ... it will be here before we know it!!!

Been meaning to post our dates.....

BWI March 26-31. It's our first time seeing the Flower and Garden Festival----can't wait

I'm so excited for F&G festival, too!!!

to our thread! Adding you both to the list on page 1

kathie - if you like taking pictures the F & G festival is wonderful, the topiaries are amazing !

I totally agree!!!!

Just wanted to say I LOVE that I am still on the list as an honorary traveler

We love that you're still hanging around!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I'm the same way, I don't ask unless I'm offered, but I do like to use search engines. Honestly, I had no hopes of EVER going to WDW ... but DH said that it was time to take a family vacation. I knocked WDW out because I didn't think we could afford it, and after much searching, we couldn't decide where or what to do. So I called dad, who said to call a TA, and that put me to AAA. I just told her my budget, the ages of my kids, and said it was our first family vacation ever -- where could we go? She said she could get us to WDW! So I said DO IT! I didn't even consider asking if there was discounts or anything. She said that AAA reserves X amount of rooms at resorts and can stick us in one of those. So we picked ASMovies and had a blast. But she messed up TONS of stuff for our trip (she didn't book my 2nd hotel, since I had never seen the beach, we were heading to the beach after our WDW trip) and didn't tell us info we needed. So I swore I'd never use a TA after a bad experience with her ... which is what put me on the WDW website the following year. So now I'm not mad at her anymore, because she actually did me a good thing and I learned about special offers. :thumbsup

Liddy, that is a great story! Thanks for sharing it!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome! I'm so excited that were in double digits (44 days now) that I can hardly stand it!!

 

[sjs314]

I'm the same way, I don't ask unless I'm offered, but I do like to use search engines. Honestly, I had no hopes of EVER going to WDW ... but DH said that it was time to take a family vacation. I knocked WDW out because I didn't think we could afford it, and after much searching, we couldn't decide where or what to do. So I called dad, who said to call a TA, and that put me to AAA. I just told her my budget, the ages of my kids, and said it was our first family vacation ever -- where could we go? She said she could get us to WDW! So I said DO IT! I didn't even consider asking if there was discounts or anything. She said that AAA reserves X amount of rooms at resorts and can stick us in one of those. So we picked ASMovies and had a blast. But she messed up TONS of stuff for our trip (she didn't book my 2nd hotel, since I had never seen the beach, we were heading to the beach after our WDW trip) and didn't tell us info we needed. So I swore I'd never use a TA after a bad experience with her ... which is what put me on the WDW website the following year. So now I'm not mad at her anymore, because she actually did me a good thing and I learned about special offers.

I'm sorry about your DS.

And yes, on a much happier note ... it will be here before we know it!!!

That was a great story, sorry the TA messed up the 2nd half of your trip.

Our first trip was on a Peter Pan Bus. I had wanted to go to WDW forever but DH insisted he was never going to FL again after the summer he spent there after HS. So I booked me and my 2 sons on a trip over Easter Break to go to WDW came home and told DH. He was like what you didn't book me? That's right , you said you did not want to go back to FL ever. Long story short he went to work the next day put in for the time off and I booked him on the trip too. We stayed at The travellodge on Hotel Plaza near DTD there were not many places back then onsite. In fact we liked it so much the next year found us staying there again but we drove down 1200 Miles each way . Our third trip found us staying at the new resort on site Port Orleans now POFQ
I still find Disney to be a good value for a vacation.
Even though I studied to be a TA I do not like using them, I rather be in control myself.

 

[sjs314]

Our ADRs are

March 1-- Chef Mickeys @ 5:20
March 3-- 50's Prime Time Cafe @ 6:30pm
March 4-- Akershus @ 12:20.. wanted dinner but they where booked until 8pm :-(.. but still trying ;-)
March 5-- Liberty Tree Tavern @ 6:40pm
March 6-- Crystal Palace @ 8:35... wanted 8am but it was booked.. still trying though hah

Your ADRs look good. CP is a hard one to get the first one is 8:05am, I booked at the 180 day mark and ended up with 8:10. Hope you can snag a cancellation for an earlier time.

I will get them posted on the ADR List shortly for you .

 

[MrsFerrell]

Your ADRs look good. CP is a hard one to get the first one is 8:05am, I booked at the 180 day mark and ended up with 8:10. Hope you can snag a cancellation for an earlier time.

I will get them posted on the ADR List shortly for you .

It's going to be our second day at MK so I figure if we get a later start it will be okay. Hopefully it will be a more relaxed day

 

[Lidian]

Liddy, that is a great story! Thanks for sharing it!

You're welcome! I like to write novels.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome! I'm so excited that were in double digits (44 days now) that I can hardly stand it!!

HUZZAH FOR 44 DAYS!!!!

That was a great story, sorry the TA messed up the 2nd half of your trip.

Yeah, I was sorry, too. At least she did try to make things right ... we ended up at a different beach ... but we had a waterfront view, and I enjoyed drinking coffee on the balcony and watching the dolphins. So in the end, it worked out great, I just hated that she didn't listen to me and didn't do what she said she was going to. (We were originally going to Cocoa Beach, but she didn't book the room, and by the time I caught it, there was nothing available waterfront. So we went to Ormond Beach instead.)

Our first trip was on a Peter Pan Bus. I had wanted to go to WDW forever but DH insisted he was never going to FL again after the summer he spent there after HS. So I booked me and my 2 sons on a trip over Easter Break to go to WDW came home and told DH. He was like what you didn't book me? That's right , you said you did not want to go back to FL ever. Long story short he went to work the next day put in for the time off and I booked him on the trip too. We stayed at The travellodge on Hotel Plaza near DTD there were not many places back then onsite. In fact we liked it so much the next year found us staying there again but we drove down 1200 Miles each way . Our third trip found us staying at the new resort on site Port Orleans now POFQ
I still find Disney to be a good value for a vacation.
Even though I studied to be a TA I do not like using them, I rather be in control myself.

What is a Peter Pan bus?

DH actually wanted to go in 2009. He had never been, and even though he hates theme parks and Disney, he was willing. And every year he comments "Next time we come here we have to do ____." And then when we get home it's, "We're NEVER, EVER going back." (You can tell who rules this family, right? )

I'm glad you had some great first experiences! My first WDW experience was AWFUL! And I guess that surprises DH the most on why I wanted to go back. Well, I had to get my magical one, right? (So 2010 DH agreed because he felt sorry for me since our 2009 trip was so bad.)

I'd love to study to be a TA. But then I'd spend any spare income we had on trips. I don't blame you for wanting to be in control. I feel the same way! But right now, since I don't get many options to make changes anyway ... it doesn't matter who has control.

 

[sjs314]

You're welcome! I like to write novels.



HUZZAH FOR 44 DAYS!!!!



Yeah, I was sorry, too. At least she did try to make things right ... we ended up at a different beach ... but we had a waterfront view, and I enjoyed drinking coffee on the balcony and watching the dolphins. So in the end, it worked out great, I just hated that she didn't listen to me and didn't do what she said she was going to. (We were originally going to Cocoa Beach, but she didn't book the room, and by the time I caught it, there was nothing available waterfront. So we went to Ormond Beach instead.)



What is a Peter Pan bus?

DH actually wanted to go in 2009. He had never been, and even though he hates theme parks and Disney, he was willing. And every year he comments "Next time we come here we have to do ____." And then when we get home it's, "We're NEVER, EVER going back." (You can tell who rules this family, right? )

I'm glad you had some great first experiences! My first WDW experience was AWFUL! And I guess that surprises DH the most on why I wanted to go back. Well, I had to get my magical one, right? (So 2010 DH agreed because he felt sorry for me since our 2009 trip was so bad.)

I'd love to study to be a TA. But then I'd spend any spare income we had on trips. I don't blame you for wanting to be in control. I feel the same way! But right now, since I don't get many options to make changes anyway ... it doesn't matter who has control.

Peter Pan is just a bus company, the buses are green and back had Peter Pan on the side, was quite fitting seeing how we were headed to WDW.

Honestly my first trip was the best but DH would argue the point he did not care for traveling on the bus at all. We left on Good Friday, stopped in Washington DC, Visted the Lincoln Memorial , it was raining then onto N, Carolina where we stayed over night , arrived in WDW Saturday before Easter. The return trip was also 2 days with a stop again in N. Carolina overnight but with there only being MK and Epcot we had so much time in the parks even went to Disney Villiage Marketplace(DTD now) and went to Nasa one of the days. WDW was just so much more enjoyable when it was smaller. IMO MK and Epcot are my two favorite parks anyway. By time we visited the next year MGM had opened.

Sitting on a balcony watching dolphins sounds fantastic, I could go for a vacation like that someday but DH is not a fan of the beach, I would never convince him to go on a beach holiday.

I wanted to be a TA so I could travel more, nice perks but I never finished my last couple of courses, had to use my money on glasses for DH and DS, fully intended to go back the following semester but it just never happened.

I know how hard it is to balance life and school, glad it is working out for you.
I had a full time job but my boys were older so even though I went to school 3 nights a week it worked for me. I do not know if I could handle it with younger children at all.

 

[sjs314]

I have updated the information on This years F & G Festival on page 1 but will also post it here.

Unfortunately Since I am leaving on March 9th, I will miss the concerts/shows but many of you can benefit from this information and make plans accordingly.


Flower and Garden Festival Flower Power Concert Lineup

Date Act “Known For(?)”

March 9 to 11 Jose Feliciano Light My Fire
March 16 to 18 Starship Starring Mickey Thomas We Built This City
March 23 to 25 The Guess Who American Woman
March 30 to April 1 The Spinners Cupid

HGTV Presenters During Flower and Garden Festival

Date Celebrity, Show

March 9 – 11 John Gidding, HGTV’s Curb Appeal: The Block

March 16 – 18 Sabrina Soto, HGTV’s The High/Low Project

March 23 – 25 Jason Cameron, DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves

March 30 – April 1 Camille Styles, HGTV.com Entertainment contributor

 

[sjs314]

The Dumbo refurbish ment and re-opening has officially been changed from February to March 12th.

 

[meandthemouse]

Well I've been indecisive, I switched my Citricos ADR to Narcoossee's on 3/5. Happy (late) birthday to me from boyfriend yum yum can't wait

 

[meandthemouse]

Hey all! I'm hoping you will help me out since no one is responding to my individual posts......

Boyfriend and I are using the ME and I'm unsure whether or not to take advantage of the luggage portion. I'm so afraid my luggage will get lost. What if we decide to move resorts when we get there......what will happen to my bag then? If I take a carry on I'm limited. Smaller bag, limitations on what I can bring, example shampoo and such not much fits in one quart sized bag and I bring the following: two small shampoos, small conditioner, face wash, moisturizer, eye cream, toothpaste, perfume, mascara, hand sanitizer, lipgloss, Rx nasal spray, afrin. So I have to make Gabe put half of my stuff in his zipbaggie. So what should I do? Is the ME reliable? Please please please help me! Thanks - Ashley

 

[sjs314]

Hey all! I'm hoping you will help me out since no one is responding to my individual posts......

Boyfriend and I are using the ME and I'm unsure whether or not to take advantage of the luggage portion. I'm so afraid my luggage will get lost. What if we decide to move resorts when we get there......what will happen to my bag then? If I take a carry on I'm limited. Smaller bag, limitations on what I can bring, example shampoo and such not much fits in one quart sized bag and I bring the following: two small shampoos, small conditioner, face wash, moisturizer, eye cream, toothpaste, perfume, mascara, hand sanitizer, lipgloss, Rx nasal spray, afrin. So I have to make Gabe put half of my stuff in his zipbaggie. So what should I do? Is the ME reliable? Please please please help me! Thanks - Ashley

I have only used ME twice in 2006 right after it was implemented and again in 2009 and I'd swear by it. It is so nice not having to go to baggage claim when arriving at MCO and again when heading home RAC at the resort if great just head to the airport and pick up the bags once home.

I would guess if you changed resorts upon arrival your first resort would just send your bags to your new resort like when you do a split stay.

I say check your bag and relax it will be fine.

 

[sjs314]

Well I've been indecisive, I switched my Citricos ADR to Narcoossee's on 3/5. Happy (late) birthday to me from boyfriend yum yum can't wait

Updated the ADR list

 

[MrsFerrell]

The Dumbo refurbish ment and re-opening has officially been changed from February to March 12th.

Thats sucky.. DD3 has been excited to ride the "flying elephant" (shes never seen Dumbo the movie)... Oh well... maybe its a good thing for us and it wont be their FAVORITE ride lol But still sad :-(

 

[Lidian]

Peter Pan is just a bus company, the buses are green and back had Peter Pan on the side, was quite fitting seeing how we were headed to WDW.

Honestly my first trip was the best but DH would argue the point he did not care for traveling on the bus at all. We left on Good Friday, stopped in Washington DC, Visted the Lincoln Memorial , it was raining then onto N, Carolina where we stayed over night , arrived in WDW Saturday before Easter. The return trip was also 2 days with a stop again in N. Carolina overnight but with there only being MK and Epcot we had so much time in the parks even went to Disney Villiage Marketplace(DTD now) and went to Nasa one of the days. WDW was just so much more enjoyable when it was smaller. IMO MK and Epcot are my two favorite parks anyway. By time we visited the next year MGM had opened.

Sitting on a balcony watching dolphins sounds fantastic, I could go for a vacation like that someday but DH is not a fan of the beach, I would never convince him to go on a beach holiday.

I wanted to be a TA so I could travel more, nice perks but I never finished my last couple of courses, had to use my money on glasses for DH and DS, fully intended to go back the following semester but it just never happened.

I know how hard it is to balance life and school, glad it is working out for you.
I had a full time job but my boys were older so even though I went to school 3 nights a week it worked for me. I do not know if I could handle it with younger children at all.

I think having to travel by a vehicle for the course of two days would be rough. I know it's rough on us and it's just a 10 hour drive. But we stop so DH can stretch his legs and so the kids can run some energy off.

Sitting on a balcony watching the dolphis is fantastic. However, I couldn't do that for a week. My philosophy is "I can sit around at home anytime I want. I need to do SOMETHING when I go on vacation." DH would prefer to go to the beach every year ... but it's too boring. I won't get in the water (OMG a fish just touched me) and I won't play in the sand (Is that a squid?!). Yes, those are my experiences from our first and only beach trip. I was fine in the water until a fish ran into me. I had no clue what it was, and didn't want to stick around and find out. And one of ther people in our large group of eight found a squid on the beach and proceeded to chase me and the kids around with it. I spent the rest of the trip on the balcony .. bored (well, the mornings were really nice, peaceful and interesting). (Well, I did get in the pool a lot.)

I think one of my advantages is that I don't work, I just go to school and then tend to the kids. And I really try to do as much as I can when the kids aren't here or when they're sleeping.

The Dumbo refurbish ment and re-opening has officially been changed from February to March 12th.

I'm hoping for a soft opening!!!!!! Let's all cross our fingers together!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Just checking in, I don't know how many days but once I post I will see our ticker. I have made a trivia countdown chain and need to make at least one new set of custom outfits for Legoland and one for Disney.

We have an international move pending with this trip just 35 days before DH leaves. Needless to say, I haven't put much energy into this trip. We have our minivan rented, DVC and CSR resort reservations were made long ago and we have ADR's. FF miles were used for our flights and book back in September.

I should order a birthday cake for DS but we have time for that.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[sjs314]

I think having to travel by a vehicle for the course of two days would be rough. I know it's rough on us and it's just a 10 hour drive. But we stop so DH can stretch his legs and so the kids can run some energy off.

Sitting on a balcony watching the dolphis is fantastic. However, I couldn't do that for a week. My philosophy is "I can sit around at home anytime I want. I need to do SOMETHING when I go on vacation." DH would prefer to go to the beach every year ... but it's too boring. I won't get in the water (OMG a fish just touched me) and I won't play in the sand (Is that a squid?!). Yes, those are my experiences from our first and only beach trip. I was fine in the water until a fish ran into me. I had no clue what it was, and didn't want to stick around and find out. And one of ther people in our large group of eight found a squid on the beach and proceeded to chase me and the kids around with it. I spent the rest of the trip on the balcony .. bored (well, the mornings were really nice, peaceful and interesting). (Well, I did get in the pool a lot.)

I think one of my advantages is that I don't work, I just go to school and then tend to the kids. And I really try to do as much as I can when the kids aren't here or when they're sleeping.



I'm hoping for a soft opening!!!!!! Let's all cross our fingers together!

Having a very snowy day here in Connecticut. It snowed a little Thursday night but today is suppose to give us 5-6 inches most since our Oct Blizzard. It can snow all it wants this month and next as long as it doen't snow and delay my flights in March(fingers crossed) not sure what I will do.
I did buy trip insurance for the first time ever just in case.

Honestly I like traveling by bus it stops quite frequently every 3-4 hours at places to eat, as opposed to the Train which I took once from KY to DC -12 hours only way to stretch your legs was the bathroom or dining car. I took a bus once from Ohio to Minn. it was like a 2 day trip and would do it again.

That is funny about the fish running into you. I spent more days than I can count at the beach growning up in So, Connecticut. Beaches were everywhere and everyone took full advantage of them as a cheap from of entertainment. It is a wonder I never learned to swim but I never did and even went out up to my nect a few times with my cousins.Most of the time only went waist deep though. I had a crab latch onto my toe once I rememeber coming out of the watch screaming and shakeing my foot to try to get it off until my aunt saved me from the creature,

I am really hopeing I love the BW since the whole theme takes me back to my childhood, the Circus use to come into town and set up eveything down by the water each summer at Seaside Park one of the beaches.
My one uncle worked at the Amusement area at Pleasure Beach and we found ourselves there most weekends.

My DH idea of a vacation is to sit on the balcony or in a lobby with a good book. I tend to go go go although with age I am being forced to slow down.

I agree about the soft opening for Dumbo. Keep your ears open when on the bus, that was how we found out about EE doing a soft opening. In DL they were doing a soft opening of 20000 leagues not sure if that is what the call it and a CM approached us offering we could ride it.

Not sure what they would do in MK to keep it from being totally mobbed during a soft opening. Maybe Guest Services in the Resort will get word?

You got me starting to think about US, so since yesterday I have been starting to plan a universal trip. Probably will not happen until 2013 but DH is on board to stay at Portofino Bay in US I had him check out the web site