I'm on board for your trip...I know you're excited. We're going in June too..14th-23rd, staying at Pop!! And you look very, very pretty in that red dress
that you sat down and calculated the expected cost for the meals. I do that too!! I want to know for sure if the dining plan is going to be worth it! Of course...my list of TS restaurants that I want to try far exceeds the number of meals I can have on my trip...heh.
I
I could so easily get the deluxe plan and go to 3 TS a day! 
I worry that they are beyond boring, but for those that like details, it may help. I hope it does.
) but not quite as hot.
We'll be back in school then, so I'll have to relive our trip through yours!
So Akershus made the list. For lunch.
So, since we are honoring our anniversary on this trip. I think I might order a cake to be served here. I've heard about people doing things like this. I need to research it more. It seems a fitting place to do it. I know that some other place may be more romantic, but this one has some sentimental value after all. Too bad I don't have any pictures from that meal.
I still haven't decided which way to go with the meal plan. We are starting to add a few TS meals. They aren't super expensive TS meals. We have some Disney Reward Dollars to spend too.
Donald's Safari Breakfast
Adults (2) $18.99
Holiday surcharge 8.00
Child 10.99
Holiday surcharge 2.00
Subtotal 58.97
Tax (6%?) 3.54
Total $62.50 ($73.11 for 3 adults)
Akershus Lunch
Adults (3) $30.99
Holiday surcharge 12.00
Subtotal 104.97
Tax 6.30
Total $111.27
Donald's Breakfast: $62.50
Arkershus Lunch: 111.27
Ragland Road: $67.71 min $94.15 max
Total $241.48 min $267.92 max
Difference ($31.48) min ($57.92) max
At this point, it isn't worth it to me to get the DDP TS. Not yet. I don't have enough TS meals to make it worth while. Right now I am looking at a total of 42 CS meals, 42 snacks, 3 family trips to TS, and 3 refill cups for the cost of the DPP Basic plus $60 max. That seems like a lot of flexibility and some TS fun for the money.
(what if I included a flower?) I feel like such a numbskull when it comes to these dining plans....
) and thinking my two boys would like it ... And we are looking at a pirate cruise so my DH and I can have a mimosa-filled breakfast out while the boys are "captive" and captivated! The trip is a surprise for my sons (both June boys) and my DH (also June Bday). I can't take them out of school so all three of them have their actual B-day there, only two... Hubby and oldest boy. And I do mean out of school for all three b/c my DH is a teacher 
I am trying to figure out how to actually "surprise" the kids. They still talk about our Nov trip, so I know they will be thrilled.
If you check out my trip report, the Princess party I had for the boys at Akershus included a nice sized cake. There is a small glimpse of it, in the picture where they are blowing out candles...
Am I asking you for too much to look on my behalf?
Thanks, Donna
First, The Wave is great. At least we thought so when we went in November, but we had dinner.
Second, We are going to WL in June as well, and I agree, It is super exciting to think about! We have never been in the summer. Only the fall. I am a little nervous about that. We live in MD, so no strangers to humidity, etc., but we live at the pool in the summer, vs. touring theme parks.
Your planning sounds great! I am now rethinking the whole Askershus idea after reading your post and others (if I can ever remember how to spell it
Here's to March and ADR day!
Great minds think alike! 
There is something that we definitely want to repeat. And something that we will definitely NEVER do again.
) to Beach Club, also std view. Many had gotten better deals. Many had gotten upgraded views, etc. I tried to quench my envy of others and determined to be grateful to get the Beach Club, which was a pretty good upgrade in and of itself.
You are! Please follow me.
Do we still? No, not to that extent anymore. We have matured into responsible parents, who take that responsibility to heart. We have learned moderation. But let's just say that when the ocassion calls for it, we fully know how to take advantage of FREE. Especially when adult libation is involved.
They aren't thinking concierge when they plan their food. They may think convenience and saving money, but not concierge. 
Down time has to be a regular part of our vacation days.
Get out of the sun in the afternoon, or go back to your resort and get into the pool.
Spring Break touring was all about the parks. Really. The weather wasn't condusive to swimming. It was a time to focus on the parks, the rides, the shows, the food. Spring Break was all about DO DO DO.
Make FUN the ultimate goal of the trip, NOT riding as many rides as you possibly can so that you can be exhausted by the end of your vacation and need another vacation just to recover.
Surprising your boys is going to be so much fun! You'll definitely have to tell how you do when you do!
) So it was a fun week, in the sense that we took in a lot, rode rides galore (at least DS got to ride Space Mtn before it closed up) but each evening we all collapsed at the resort. I just felt wound up the whole time. 
A little like the "Dumbo or Die" tour that is described in the "Unofficial Disney Guide" ! And so I have officially learned my lesson. We will be going back to the resort every day around noon, I just see it as the best thing to do, and the WL pool is great. We were there last when our boys were 3 and 6 mos. But we came with the MIL and a great grandmother, so they were the key. I realize that there was plenty we didn't do in November, so I am looking forward to this more leisurely trip to do those things and catch the rides we loved and to "have FUN" as you said! I will share my B-day surprise as soon as I come up with a good idea. I am looking forward to your ideas! If I have any I will let you know!
I love your ideas for bringing "gourmet" snack stashes to dress up your Courtyard view! We plan to bring wine and other things for the kids and us too. Breakfast mostly. I read on a post somewhere about people bringing toasters, I laughed originally, but it isn't a bad idea. One can only eat cherrios for so many days...
I haven't had my blender for a while, so I totally forgot about it, but I LOVE smoothies in the morning. I just might bring MY blender!
he won't complain about a toasted bagel DO the WL resort rooms have space? I know the Villas have the wet bar space, and I think they come with them (and microwaves) We actually had a reservation for a studio, but I wanted to stay in the "resort" building this time, so we changed it. DH said we shouldn't stay in the studio just because we get a yard of counter space -- at SSR we only used the fridge and the sink to rinse out things anyway. When we stayed at WLV before, we had the kitchen, and we used it, but that was a different trip with a baby and more people involved. 
about that!
I was able to come up with some great "lessons" for him, while he was there, he loved doing math and writing about Disney, and he had lots to share when he got back. Someone on the board had recommended giving kids disposable cameras. It was a great tip. I bought two before we left, and he had so much fun taking pictures of his own and was so proud of them. Your PTR is a place for you to tell us more about what you are doing! I will enjoy hearing all you plan until the big day! And I hope you meet your goals along the way as well!
My husband will think I am going way overboard if I bring appliances on this trip. But if a toaster magically appears ...
) He got to the part about my bringing toasters and crock pot and he gave me that look. The are you serious? look. I haven't done a major search for room pics yet. I think the rooms are pretty similar to AKL. At AKL, I would probably set up shop on top of the dresser. If you look at the floor plan of the rooms, here on the resort info pages, you can see a box inbetween where the door comes into the room and the closet that is across from the sink area. That is the dresser. In AKL, it was fairly tall, maybe 5-6 drawers? The kind an adult can see the top of, but not a kid. I can't remember if there was electricity there though. I'm really hoping there is. That's where I anticipate putting the appliances I might bring. SO have you finally decided to NOT do the DDP? Your notes and calculations for your plans seem like you are going to use QS meals mostly, so you can have the flexibility. I really appreciated your insight into the DDP and at what point it is or isn't a value. Are you an accountant?!!
I am not an accountant. But the way I love math and puzzles, you'd think I would be! I studied marketing though. And then went on to graphics design and desktop publishing. But I was best at technical writing. The details, you understand. 
Your dance classes sound so fun -- what a great idea. We don't have anything like that readily available, close, that is, except kick boxing where my kid takes Karate... Which I am not sure I am ready for!
I think you posted back somewhere about waiting for the June park schedules and I am equally as
And I was glad to hear June won't be HOT hot, but only mostly hot
Did you say your son is in 1st grade? Or 2nd? Mine is in 1st. He will turn 7 this June. I understand the GT profile you were describing earlier in your TR... We did take ours out of school this past Nov, but b/c there were two days with no school (for a teacher workday and election day) he only missed three days. We left on Nov 1st, and stayed a week (we had to do Halloween at home it is insane in our neighborhood) but that was also Jersey Week, which, contrary to many reports, was not crazy crowded
I hope you don't mind me being so chatty and asking you all these questions... I talk a lot too...
It's why I started a PTR! To chat! 
So I need to do something productive as well.
I haven't done a major search for room pics yet. I think the rooms are pretty similar to AKL. I DO remember that the little coffee maker was in the bathroom area.
The fact is that the DDP is a steal for the kids, especially the QS one. It's like they get free snacks and a free refill mug, because two kids meals pays for the DDP daily cost. I think that we will still do the QS DDP, and add on the 3 TS that I have already talked about.
I need the majority of the cost of food to be a part of the vacation package so that I have 6 months to pay it off.
That's the umpteenth time I've read about giving your kid their own camera. I have GOT to remember that! I definitely want to do it. I would love to see what DS would take pictures of!
And dishes and me...well we don't get along so well. DH cleaned the kitchen for me this morning though.
Not that this isn't productive.
And since the mound that I have just pulled out of the dryer is calling me, I am off to fold!
in July. 
.
Our trip is the last week of April and we are going to Florida again (non Disney trip) in July. That has me totally stressed in the time and money department, so I can't imagine how this wedding is impacting you. Luckily at the moment I know there will be no surprises such as that in my future. I'm sure all will go just as great as you are hoping! 
Do you make smoothies? That is what I was using my blender for. Seriously.
