We must return to the magic!! But where? And when?!

[MidnightParade]

lol, Disney overload!!

Yay for Disney movies! I've been trying to do the same. So far only Lilo&Stitch, but I have Hercules and Little Mermaid standing by for the next time.

Seems safer to bring some of your own food, I agree. Plus, unless its the free dining plan, sometimes its not always better. I worked out the prices for our trip(using the menus prices on allears) and the DP would have cost more then we would have ate. But its also nice to have the food paid for ahead of time and by pass the sticker shock when you get the bill.

Well for the restaurants you really want there are 7, so going down to 5, while still difficult, is not impossible(mostly). It may just come down to your schedule after that.

As for park hoppers. We're probably only going to use it twice on our trip. I just like having the option of hopping if needed. And its convenient to spend the day in one park and then hop to another for an ADR. But we have done two parks in one day as well. Our 2010 trip we did 1 full day in each park and then the last two days we did two parks each day.

Yay for the ticker though! And your mom possibly coming along! And seriously 10 months is not that far away at all!

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Happy Wednesday everyone!

So review: the potential dates for our trip would be March 6-14. Just 309 days away, no big deal

So I'm really trying to figure out how to use park hoppers efficiently with FP and ADRs and making the most out of our time! Ahh! But no worries! At work I did a very rough draft of an itinerary! It is based off of March 2014 crowd calendar. But I'm sure it will be pretty much the same, and I can just switch things around
Side note: If in the second week of March 2015 are still mostly 9's I'll be changing my dates for sure! But I have an old co-worker who works for Disney, and she says the first 2 weeks of March are nice! Soo....


Friday, March 6:
--Arrival day. No parks

Saturday, March 7:
--Hollywood Studios has an morning EMH. Figured 8am-10 or 11am. Probably go straight to TSMM, then Star Tours(maybe ride like 4 times ). I have a feeling we'll have a lot of time (depending on the wait for Toy Story). So just chill, maybe ride some other things, maybe meet some characters.
--From there we could either rest at the room, or go straight to Animal Kingdom. It's open until 8pm. I think I'll get FPs for AK. Probably Kali, Safari, and Dinosaur? We'll stay until 6-7pm at the latest.
--Magic Kingdom! Because it is open until 1am! Now it might be crazy..if it's absolutely ridiculous we'll leave But I've seen people's TRs when they're there when it's open that late, and it's never looked THAT bad... I'm sure we'll be able to see Wishes/MSEP. I'm not really sure what we could do in the way of rides..? Maybe see what FPs we could get? Or just ride whatever seems to have a short wait?

Sunday, March 8:
--Epcot! We may not do RD, but we should be there by 10am I'll probably get FP for Soarin, TT, and Nemo or Maelstrom? I'd plan on leaving somewhere between 3-5pm.
--Hollywood Studios is open until 10pm. So we'd make it here to see Fantasmic. Maybe ride a couple things and walk around some.

Monday, March 9:
--Pool/Rest/DTD day! We will definitely hit up Earl of Sandwich!

Tuesday, March 10:
--I'm thinking RD Magic Kingdom and spending the entire day here. With a break in the afternoon. If I were to make my park plan right now it would go(not in this exact order)... Get there. Ride Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, maybe Under the Sea? Then at some point during the day, I would use FP on Splash, Mine Train, and Peter Pan. Obviously we will be doing more rides than just these but you know...
Dining: breakfast at Ohana. Maybe lunch or dinner at BOG.

Wednesday, March 11:
--Animal Kingdom has a morning EMH. I can't imagine we would be here very long..maybe just to do our favorites or something we didn't get a chance to do earlier.
--Epcot is open until 9pm. We would probably spend most of our day here. Again, just re-doing our favorites or doing something we didn't get a chance. Watch Illuminations since this would be our first chance this trip!
--Magic Kingdom is once again open until 1am, soo why not wander over there?!
Dining: Maybe breakfast at Tusker House? Maybe dinner at Biergarten?

Thursday, March 12: Water park day! Breakfast at Chef Mickey's or Boma?

Friday, March 13:
--RD at Epcot. Once again to just spend more time there
--Magic Kingdom the rest of the day. It's open until 1am again!


So there you have it! How does it look to you guys? Anything you would change?​

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Hello!

So yay for awesome Disney related things happening!
So Thursday night I asked William where he would want to stay on our next trip, like if he wanted to go cheap and stay at POP or AoA or be fancy and stay at a deluxe? I didn't even finish my sentence and he goes "Oh no, I'm definitely staying at the Polynesian next trip!" WHATTTT.Yes!

Or he said the Wilderness

So yayy! But if my mom comes, we might have to get a villa somewhere. So that would be no Polynesian, unless their new DVC would be done by then...

So yeah. Awesomeness!


So let's figure out prices shall we? I'm going off of First week of December prices? I figure they MIGHT be similar to last week of Feb/into the first week of March?


So we'll start with if just Billy and I go (because obviously it would change everything if my Mom or anyone else came with us)

-The Poly would obviously be the most expensive. But frankly, I wouldn't want to stay there if there's too much construction going on.. But I would LOVEEEEE to stay here..

-Then there's the Wilderness, just a standard room. It's about $200 less each for the entire trip. Which, IMO, would be worth the extra 200 to stay at the Poly..

-I also have WL Villas Studio which is almost exactly in between the price for the standard room and the Poly

-Then there's a studio at OKW. This is about the same price as it would be for a standard room at WL.

-Animal Kingdom Lodge standard room, which is actually the cheapest option out of the ones that I have mentioned so far.

-Then I have AKL Villas for Kidani and Jambo. Around the same price as WL Villas.


Then the choices if my Mom ends up going would be a 1 bedroom villa at Wilderness, OKW, and Kidani/Jambo.
Cheapest would be OKW, and most expensive is Kidani.

The most amazing thing that could happen would be if the villas at the Poly would be open by then... I'm praying this happens because that will totally be what I choose to do!!!​

 

[MidnightParade]

Yay for deluxe!! That is awesome that Billy is all for it! Poly is my dream resort as well! Not sure when that will happen. If renting DVC works out well on our October trip then its something I will be absolutely looking into for Poly when it opens. Especially as they just announced they will be opening Trader Sams Grog Grotto at the Poly. its a version of the Trader Sams Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, which has always looked awesome in articles I have read.

Do you have a deadline as to when your mom will confirm for sure if she's going to come with?

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Yay for deluxe!! That is awesome that Billy is all for it! Poly is my dream resort as well! Not sure when that will happen. If renting DVC works out well on our October trip then its something I will be absolutely looking into for Poly when it opens. Especially as they just announced they will be opening Trader Sams Grog Grotto at the Poly. its a version of the Trader Sams Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, which has always looked awesome in articles I have read.

Do you have a deadline as to when your mom will confirm for sure if she's going to come with?

Hmm I'm not sure....I would want to know for sure by like, September..

 

[MarbleBob]

Just stumbled up on your PTR and had fun reading along as you explore options and fine tune your decisions.

We stayed the the Poly once about about 10 years ago and it was amazing. We would have been staying there next month, but choose to go to Grand Floridian (first time) in order to avoid the construction. To be honest, I'd much rather stay at the Poly, but happy to knock GF off the bucket list. Of all the places we've stayed at DW likes the Poly the best. Personally, I like Wilderness Lodge a little bit better (I'm a sucker for the architecture and theming of the old National Parks Lodges.) That being said, we stayed at the Disneyland hotel last October and got to experience the Trader Sam's Tiki Bar a couple times. (Over the top amazing!!!) Now that the Poly is getting a Trader Sam's of their own, I really look forward to the day when we get to go back!!!

Also, that would be awesome if your mom can join you. I'm lucky that my mom loves Disney as much (if not more) than I do and we've had the opportunity to go with my parents several times. Good times!

We've eaten at most of the restaurants that you listed off except for BOG. (Have ADR's for it next month.) I think you have some great choices!

We've eaten at Biergarten three or four times. It's one of my favorites. I love the atmosphere inside. And the food is really good. I never thought that I was a fan of German food, but I love the various sausages and schnitzel. If you have a small group, they'll probably seat you with strangers. This happened to us once or twice, and it was actually fun. The guy next to me had a little much to drink and he was really getting into the oompah band. Pretty funny stuff. LOL.

We've been to 'Ohana a couple of times, but never for breakfast. Such an amazing setting and great food. Our kids love the coconut races and the lady that goes around and plays the ukulele is awesome. Hopefully she's there for breakfast too.

We've been to Tusker House for breakfast once. The food was good as any similar Disney breakfast (seems like a lot of them have the same food), but I don't really remember anything outstanding about the experience as a whole.

We've been to Chef Mickey's for breakfast two or three times, but it's been quite a few years ago. This was always one of our favorites. Again, it was standard Disney breakfast food (which is a good thing), but the ambiance is awesome. Having the monorail pass through above you is cool. I assume the still do this, but at certain times, they'd play loud music and the characters would come out and dance around - prompting everyone to wave their cloth napkins in the air. Sounds corny, but it was lots of fun. And as far as character breakfasts go, I love that this one has the Mickey and Minnie!

We've been to Crystal Palace for breakfast. The food was similar to Chef Mickey's and was good. However, the palace itself seemed a little worse for the wear and ready for a refurbishment (which I'm sure they've done since.) This one was fine, great location. Fun to see Cinderella Castle out the windows, but I don't think I'll ever need to eat there again.

We've been to Boma for dinner 4 or 5 times through the years. This is one of our favorites. Animal Kingdom Lodge is amazing and all, but the food is the star. It's an open kitchen and you can see them making the food behind the buffet. Everything is fresh and amazing. Such unique and tasty options here!

We've eaten at Akershus for dinner (once) and breakfast (twice) before. I hated the dinner (it was like 15 years ago, it may be different now. but it was bad enough that I never wanted to go back.) Breakfast is good though. Again seems like the same food as the other breakfast places. That being said, the theming and atmosphere of the place is awesome. And the princesses here are great, especially when you can't get an ADR for Cinderella's Royal Table (or don't want to pay that much for it.)

Pinocchio Village Haus. This was standard counter service food, nothing to write home about, but the atmosphere is cool. Especially if you sit over by the window that overlooks It's a Small World. It's fun to wave at the people as they float by.

Of the remaining on your list, I've been to Whispering Canyon Cafe (loud and obnoxious, but great food and lot's of fun. Wilderness Lodge is AMAZING.) I've been to Backlot Express a couple times, it was just OK. Nothing too memorable. Had lunch at Sci Fi once. I don't really remember the food, but eating at the car tables and watching the old movies was a hoot! Finally, we usually eat at Columbia Harbor house at least once on each trip. The clam chowder is awesome!

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Hello!And Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mothers/Mothers to be/your Mother's out there!!!

Just thought I'd touch base because (as promised) things have changed!

So, DBF is like, such a wishy washy person (as a lot of men are, so I've heard JOKEEE! lol) So anyway, I may have to end up surprising him! Which if that's the case, we probably wouldn't be able to go until September of next year.. But that's not SUPERRRRRR far away, right?

My birthday is in September, so I'm going to ask my Mom if for my birthday this year, Christmas, and my birthday next year...my gift could kinda sorta be Disney World...? haha. Hey, it might work! Then I could just save up Billy's share of the trip and my share will be covered by my mom!

So keep your fingers crossed for me!!! I'll probably come up with a whole presentation for my mom sometime before my birthday!

Have a great day everyone!!!!​

 

[Surfinpiratee]

So today, Billy and I had a random Disney discussion, which happens a lot! Basically it went like this:

Billy: So we're going back to my house?
Me: Yeah, unless you wanna go to Disney! (we always do things like that )
Billy: I have enough money for both of us! We could!
Me: It's only 'blah' amount! That's 3 nights at the WL and 5 nights Poly!
Billy: I feel like I wouldn't want to do a split stay between deluxes, I'd rather split them up between trips
Me: Well, the only other option would be POFQ
Billy: done!
Me: ORR we could save even more money and stay at POP the first 2-3 nights!


Sorry if that bored anyone.... haha. But hey, it's a PTR, nothing too exciting is gonna happen! Anyway, yayy! I'll be saving money! Now to calculate the new trip total!

I'm watching Fantasia currently ​

 

[MidnightParade]

Random Disney discussions are awesome!

So it's 2-3 nights Pop and then the Poly?! Thats wonderful! I may need to consider that option for next trip myself now!

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Random Disney discussions are awesome!

So it's 2-3 nights Pop and then the Poly?! Thats wonderful! I may need to consider that option for next trip myself now!

It is smart!! I asked Billy a while ago where he would want to stay next time; either going value(POP) or not. He said he definitely wanted to stay at the Poly next time. So I guess I just thought the POP was out? I don't know..I wasn't even thinking about it! Or POFQ...either one really!

Even though we'll have 48,647 Disney conversations and talking about our next trip and everything...I'm still going to try to keep it a secret and make it a surprise...but it's going to be hard when he's like, let's make reservations! If it happens it'll be hard to resist not doing it and saving myself his whole half of the trip!!!! *sighh*

 

[afwdwfan]

So, DBF is like, such a wishy washy person (as a lot of men are, so I've heard JOKEEE! lol)

Well, I've read enough of this PTR...

So keep your fingers crossed for me!!! I'll probably come up with a whole presentation for my mom sometime before my birthday!

Spreadsheets and power points... Nothing says Disney nerd more than that. I showed DW a rough draft of ADR's last night in a color coded spreadsheet. She wasn't impressed.

I like that you're getting to have some discussions about your plans. If you both want to stay at Poly, then by all means, I think that should be your first choice, but I'd definitely make sure you look at their construction schedule. I've got no plans to stay there for the next year or 2, so I have no idea what their timelines are, but I personally, would not want to stay there if they're still doing construction. It could be loud, obstructed sightlines, etc. and you're still paying Poly prices. If you have other resorts you'd like to try I'd stay there and come back to Poly sometime after the work is done. Now if the construction is supposed to be done by the time you take your trip, whenever that may be... by all means go for it!

As for your other options, I love WL. It is my absolute favorite resort, and the fact that it is less expensive than the other deluxes makes it hard for me to want to stay at most of them. Even if it isn't your first choice, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I've stayed at POP and I really like it. I get what you said about the huge pop culture icons being a little unsightly. I can't argue with that. But for the money you save to stay there, you get a nice room with good pools and an excellent food court and it typically has better bus service than a lot of the moderate and deluxe resorts. It isn't really anything extra special, but I'd have no problem staying there again. And since you've read my PTR, I think you know how I feel about AoA. Yes, I'm a guy. Yes, I'm staying in a Little Mermaid room. I'd rather be in a Cars suite, but I'm still excited about staying there and checking the place out.

For meals... well, if you're doing Dining plan, go for all the character meals and buffets you want. That's the best value on DP. Otherwise, just check menus and find places with entrees you want and I'd likely shy away from the buffets and character meals if paying out of pocket. One of your posts mentioned a possibility of doing the Dining Plan but asked which restaurants to cut out. Just because you're on the Dining Plan, it doesn't mean you have to cut them. You can always do the more expensive meals like Chef Mickey on the DP and then pay out of pocket for something like a Kona breakfast. We're doing something like that with Via Napoli. We love their pizza, so we just buy a $30 pizza and split it among all of us, and it is a great value. Just an idea to think about.

And they're great about working with people who have certain food allergies or just certain tastes preferences at Table Service places. I wouldn't worry about limiting your table service meals based on someone being a picky eater or having certain tastes. They'll find something that will work for him.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Well, I've read enough of this PTR...

Spreadsheets and power points... Nothing says Disney nerd more than that. I showed DW a rough draft of ADR's last night in a color coded spreadsheet. She wasn't impressed.

Welcome! Thanks for reading!

DBF literally went from:
"It's never too early to start saving for the next trip!"
"OMG. Let's go soon!" (After we found out my friend works for disney)
I said I wanted to go in September and he says "I don't know if i can wait that long! "
"I wanna go end of February."
"I want to go in September."
Then the last time I said something:
"I'm not even thinking about our next trip right now"

Sighhhh. So my new plan is to surprise him! Lol

I gotta start planning my speech for my mom soon!!!

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Good evening everyone!! So I've decided to add some things to this trip report since you can really only plan so much of your trip at a time with it being so far in advance, so in order to keep me motivated, I'm going to keep track of my savings here as well!! Alsooo I want to re watch all of the Disney movies! Which I'll try to keep track of here as well

Disney Savings:

So far I have $180 total in savings! Yay!
I'm just putting random cash I obtain in my savings ziplock I also have my tax return to put in there, but since I haven't yet, I'm not counting it!

Ways I'm trying to save:
1. The 52 week challenge. EXCEPT I'm not putting away $1 for week one, $5 for week five...because I can put more money in than just a couple dollars! So for example, I started it last week, I put $5 away for week one. ANOTHER way I'm changing it up is not doing the weeks in order. I cut up the chart and put the slips that say the week number in a cup and I'll be randomly pulling out a slip, so I won't know what I'll be getting! This week, I drew week four. I"ll probably put away $5 for this week.

2. I signed up for quick rewards and swag bucks. Neither make sense to me lol, anyone have any experience?

3. Basically, if I'm out and about and want to buy something...like, it's in my hand and I'm planning on buying it. I'll ask myself, do I really need this? If I end up putting it back, I'll put the money I would have spent on that in my savings. I've seen a lot of people doing that here on the DIS.

4. I've seen this posted on here as well, but basically, whatever money I save while I'm out shopping (from coupons or Target 5%) I'll try to put that in my Disney savings as well!


That's all for now! I'm currently watching Cinderella 2!​

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Happy Friday! My Friday was yesterday, so yay?

As far as Disney savings go:

$185 cash.
I do have change in a Hippo bank (he's rad)
236 Swagbucks! Which I started basically today
I have about $300 left from my tax return I gotta put into my savings
I also have a $10 Target GC which I'm going to use to buy a $50 Disney GC AND use my 5%

It's looking pretty solid!! ​

 

[afwdwfan]

Good strategy for your savings plan. It looks like you're off to a great start. Having a plan in place like this sure has to help keep you accountable and make it easier to save.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Good strategy for your savings plan. It looks like you're off to a great start. Having a plan in place like this sure has to help keep you accountable and make it easier to save.

Thanks!
I like having fun with it...I can't have a set amount I HAVE to take out every week...sometimes I can't take out $30 a week because of other obligations or whatever! Or I feel like it's too much to take out of my account at one time. So it works better for me to just take a little at a time

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Alright. Forget Swagbucks! (not really, i'll still be doing surveys randomly)

But I found an amazing app called...Shopkicks!!!! DO IT. It's so much fun! I WILL NEVER BE BORED AGAIN!

Basically...you "check in" at certain stores and you get like... 30-100 kicks for that. Then they have certain items you can go around the store and scan that give you like 25 kicks.

In the end, 500 kicks is a $5 Target GC. So 5,000 kicks is a $50 GC. Which is definitely do able I believe.

I just downloaded it this evening, went to Target and I have 191 kicks!!! I didn't even do all of the scanable things you could do! Basically, I think getting kicks is WAYYYYYY quicker and easier to earn than 5,000 swagbucks!


So I've had this $10 Target gift card I got for free for buying razors, and figured I should probably just use it for a Disney card! So I got a $50 Disney GC for $38!!!!! I feel like I just won the lotto ​

 

[Surfinpiratee]

HELLO DISNEY FRIENDS!!!

I haven't updated in a while...so here's a nice rambling update for you all!

First off, savings:

-Change in my Hippo bank! I feel like it's a decent amount..feels heavyish..
-$373 - including a Disney GC in there! TECHNICALLY I have $673, but I haven't put the other $300 in there yet...sooo lol
-562 Swagbucks, I believe you need 5,000 for a $50 Target GC, maybe someday!
-741 Shopkick points. You need like 6200 for a $25 Target GC, but these points are sooo easy to get.
- I also have about $8.50 from money that I have 'saved' during shopping trips! Any money I save (like at the bottom of the receipt, it will say you saved .50! Or whatever) I take that and put it into savings.


The plan is still 8 nights. Probably 3 nights at POP or MAYBE POFQ. Then 5 nights at the Poly. I plan on going in May, so the construction will be all done!!

I want to make reservations after Christmas. Then I can also use any Disney GC I got!
That's my goal reservation making time! If I'm still short money, I'll give it until like mid February...if I don't have it by then I'll probably change my dates to some other month, maybe September? BUT THE PLAN IS MAY!!

That means I need all of my money saved by end of December! I still need about $1,593 to save! Which is like, $227 a month/$56 a week...which I really wouldn't be able to do EVERY week...I'm not sure.. Just gotta keep saving

BUT. If you remember from a few updates ago, I was going to ask my Mom for my birthday and Christmas (MY ONLY CHRISTMAS GIFT.) If she could sorta contribute to my Disney trip!!! I'll be making a whole presentation for her and everything! It'll probably be like, different levels of money (Disney GC)...I'll tell her how much more money I need. (Whatever that happens to be by like, July, which is when I'll be asking her, since my birthday is in September) Then a few different amounts lower than the highest amount! Because, she really wouldn't say no to contributing like, $300-$400? Because she'd be getting me Disney cards anyway for Christmas...so it's like....why not give me a little more and make it my only gift! I'll have a bunch of pro's as to why this is an awesome idea to tell her as well!

Don't worry! I'll definitely write out my speech on here before I tell my Mom, so you guys can give me input!!!


Sorry for the rambling! That's all for now!​

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Oh! Thought of something else! As far as the weeks we're thinking of going.....

May 1-9: That would get us back in the morning of Mother's Day.. (we're driving remember?) But low crowds.

May 15-23: This would be ideal, low crowds, and I would love to try to attend the 24 hour party!!! Problem: the 24 hour party would be May 22, the day before we're leaving. Not that we'd be staying there for 24 hours, but... ALSO, Billy's Mom's birthday is the 22. Not a big deal we won't be there, because their family always celebrates the Sunday near their birthdays. Which would be the day we'd be getting back.

May 22-30: Slightly higher crowds, over Memorial Day weekend, but that works out well with my job since I'd have Memorial Day off anyway, one less day to take off! We would be getting there the day of the 24 hour party which would be fun! Possible problem: Like I said...his Mom's birthday is the 22nd. We wouldn't be there then. We would also not be there that Sunday his family would be celebrating. Now, we could always take his Mom out to eat earlier that week before we leave to celebrate together? I'd obviously ask Billy's mom before I do anything.

Something to think about: For example, his Mom's bday this year was last week. Thursday, on her actual birthday, we went out to eat with everyone minus one of Billy's brothers. That same night, Billy and I planned our spontaneous camping trip for that Sun-Tues. He didn't care about missing Sunday's celebration because he went out on her actual birthday.

And it's not like I can ask Billy since the trip will be a surprise...I could ask him hypothetically but...

Thoughts???

Basically...

May 1-9
-Pros: Low crowds.
-Cons: Coming home in the morning of Mother's Day. No 24 hour party.

May 15-23
-Pros: Also low crowds. 24 hour party.
-Cons: 24 hour party is the day before we leave. Would be coming home the morning of celebrating his mom's birthday.

May 22-30
-Pros: 24 hour party the day we get there! I'd already have Memorial Day off, so one less day to take off.
-Cons: Slightly higher crowds. Would be missing both his mom's birthday and the following Sunday.

I should also add that it's a 20 hour drive for us

 

[Belle_princess]

I'm following. I'm having the same discussions in my mind as you are posting here! I, too, HAVE to get back to the magic! My friend and I talked about going. We are looking into January. I haven't started a PTR yet, but your PTR has inspired me!

I can't wait to see what happens!