"We're following Dad to work....SURPRISE!!!" Secret's out Trip - May/June 2013

[ravensterling3]

I'm in the same boat. I keep going back and forth about the dinning plan. I think my husband about ready to kill me over this. Some where on the boards I found a excel program that helps you decided if dinning plans work or paying oop. Let me look see if I can find the link for it

Hey everyone! I found a great tool online for calculating the best Disney Dining Plan for me (and you)! These people I subscribe to on YouTube just uploaded a video explaining this CRAZY spreadsheet they have! You put in where you are going to eat and some other things like adults and kids and how much you tip and stuff and it shows you how much you should budget for meals if paying cash and shows how much you save or lose with each Disney Dining Plan. It's AMAZING!!!!!!!!! (oh and for you lucky people who can get Tables in Wonderland it does that too!)

The video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jMDg...456VJg&index=1

The website with the file is here: http:/www.seeyareelsoon.wix.com/seeyareelsoon

Of course it is free! I just had to share this because I found out that by not getting a Dining Plan I am going to spend $150 less on food!!! More money for souvenirs!

Greatest tool EVER!!

 

[happybelle]

So tonight I was minding my own business coming to visit my lowly little PTR and when I logged onto the DIS, I saw that I had an award!!! ME?!?!? Top thread of the month??? Surely not!! So I click the award since I know it's not my PTR and it leads me to my Disney Time Sweepstakes thread. Yep I can see how that's top thread of the month. But that made me curious..... .....I've never ever seen that award before. Is it new? Either way, I'd like to thank my mother who never brought me to Disney, and my husband who...oh wait, it's not that big of an award? Really? O.k. back to your regularly scheduled program.....


SO I just wanted to let ya'll know that we are going on a business trip with my husband for most of this week. Our schools are out for Mardi Gras and DH is being sent away so we are taking a small vacation with him!!! YAY!!!

I will still be able to check my DIS stuff while I'm away but may not post much if we get busy.

Today we separated the boys things so that now instead of having a bed room and a toy room we have one boy and all of his things in each room. They asked to be separated which kinda makes me sad since it shows that they are growing up. In the process we threw out soooooo much junk.

We are well into the home buying process now and will more than likely be homeowners sometime around this day next month. I'm excited because I will finally be able to paint the white walls!! (My boys get them SOOOO dirty!)

SO my question tonight is......if I decide to do a mini TR of our "vacation" inside my PTR here would you be interested? I don't want to bore ya'll but I can only say so much about Disney plans! lol......

I confess, I saw the top thread as your Avatar and came to see what made your PTR so special and then I discovered it was another thread you started. I have only seen this "award" on one other thread and it is the little "frump girl" on her DCP (I am sorry, I don't know her name). I am always up for more Disney pictures and stories. Looking forward to more.

 

[BridgetR3]

Sounds like your DH is a thoughtful guy.
About the AP, if I remember correctly you have at least 1 AP, are you planning on getting the TIW card? If so, don't forget to figure in the 20% you save from that. Or for that matter even if your not getting TIW, remember you get 10% from the AP's. I agree for some reason the DDP seems convenient, but why do we feel that way? We almost always pay cash, and never have very seldom run into any problems. And we ran into a problem with out DDP when they first came out, so I figure it balances out for convenience. Either way you'll have great food & fun.

We are getting AP's but it may be after we get there. I have booked enough tickets for all of us for this trip. I will switch over to AP's one day at the parks. I am planning on getting the TIW card for our family. The more I checked it out the more I felt confident in not getting the DDP. So we are back with no dining plan but I did switch days again. I know I know......instead of resort changers I'm a chronic park changer!

I'm in the same boat. I keep going back and forth about the dinning plan. I think my husband about ready to kill me over this. Some where on the boards I found a excel program that helps you decided if dinning plans work or paying oop. Let me look see if I can find the link for it

Hey everyone! I found a great tool online for calculating the best Disney Dining Plan for me (and you)! These people I subscribe to on YouTube just uploaded a video explaining this CRAZY spreadsheet they have! You put in where you are going to eat and some other things like adults and kids and how much you tip and stuff and it shows you how much you should budget for meals if paying cash and shows how much you save or lose with each Disney Dining Plan. It's AMAZING!!!!!!!!! (oh and for you lucky people who can get Tables in Wonderland it does that too!)

The video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jMDg...456VJg&index=1


The website with the file is here: http:/www.seeyareelsoon.wix.com/seeyareelsoon

Of course it is free! I just had to share this because I found out that by not getting a Dining Plan I am going to spend $150 less on food!!! More money for souvenirs!

Greatest tool EVER!!

I did calculate everything we could possibly eat and the discounts or no discounts on those meals (we are eating at Teppan Edo which doesn't work with either of them). AND.....after doing all of that it appears that I will save $300 to NOT do DDP. So we are paying out of pocket and while it may be a bit of a headache to watch our tab (although at a deluxe I think we would be fine....) we will do that to save money. I know last summer at POFQ I had to pay our tab halfway through because you have a limit on charges. I should have a problem at Beach Club tho.

I confess, I saw the top thread as your Avatar and came to see what made your PTR so special and then I discovered it was another thread you started. I have only seen this "award" on one other thread and it is the little "frump girl" on her DCP (I am sorry, I don't know her name). I am always up for more Disney pictures and stories. Looking forward to more.

lol.....I know I had never seen the awards before!! I can assure you that it is NOT this measly little PTR! lol....it was the sweepstakes post that I got it for.

 

[BridgetR3]

I'm switching days......AGAIN....... What is wrong with me?

So if you remember our itineraries.....

First we had.....

May 31 - Arrival Day - Magic Kingdom - Evening EMH
June 1 - Hollywood Studios for SWW
June 2 - Moving Day - Animal Kingdom, then Magic Kingdom Evening EMH
June 3 - Rest Day -
June 4 - Hollywood Studios (morning)/ Epcot (afternoon evening)
June 5 - This was a Universal day but now may be a water park day.
June 6 - Magic Kingdom
June 7 - Epcot
June 8 - This was a Universal Day as well but can not be a water day because we are leaving, so I'm sure we will find ourselves a place to go!


Then we had.....

May 31 - MK EMH
June 1 - HS for Star Wars Weekend (Sci Fi Lunch)
June 2 - Moving Day/Water Park/MK EMH
June 3 - Rest day (probably Disney Quest for a little while with Wolfgang Puck Express for lunch)/Captain's Grille dinner for DH and I
June 4 - HS/Epcot with Teppan Edo for dinner
June 5 - AK (no park has late EMH...what are we going to do? bowling? Putt putt? pool? Boardwalk??)
June 6 - Water Park/Magic Kingdom with Be Our Guest ressie for dinner
June 7 - Epcot
June 8 - Checking out day/Chef Mickey Breakfast (late morning)/whatever park we need to hit again......

NOW we have .......

May 31 - MK EMH
June 1 -Epcot (Teppan Edo for dinner)
June 2 - Moving Day/Water Park/MK EMH
June 3 - Rest day (probably Disney Quest for a little while with Wolfgang Puck Express for lunch)/Captain's Grille dinner for DH and I
June 4 - HS/Epcot
June 5 - AK (no park has late EMH...what are we going to do? bowling? Putt putt? pool? Boardwalk??)
June 6 - Water Park/Magic Kingdom with Be Our Guest ressie for dinner
June 7 - HS for Star Wars Weekend (Sci Fi Lunch)
June 8 - Checking out day/Chef Mickey Breakfast (late morning)/whatever park we need to hit again......

I was very very worried about making Star Wars Weekend our first day in case the crowds were crazy and because we were not staying near HS. SOOOOO.....I put Epcot first because it's an easy park for us where we don't have to get up early to be there for rope drop and we can take it easy.

I also switched the reservations for both of those days. I put Teppan Edo on our first day and moved Sci Fi for the HS day later in the week. I also think that going to SWW on a Friday even if it's the last Friday and also one of our last days will work better for us.

Enough boring ya'll.....I'm off to eat dinner and work on lessons. I have a HORRIBLE sore throat and stuffy nose so I will go to bed EARLY tonight!

 

[Deesknee]

hehe You're not bad. I switched the actual dates of our trip. your plans look good. Teppan is supposed to be great! I am looking forward to reading your report.

 

[BridgetR3]

Thanks Dee!!! I'm so excited I could leave tonight!

We have a hibachi grill like Teppan Edo here that we all love so I'm excited about that one.

I've finished your embroidery things and will get them mailed hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Deesknee]

Thanks Dee!!! I'm so excited I could leave tonight!

We have a hibachi grill like Teppan Edo here that we all love so I'm excited about that one.

I've finished your embroidery things and will get them mailed hopefully tomorrow.

Now I'm excited! Can't wait to see them.

We have never tried TE but.... surprise trip.... we've got ressies there.

 

[BridgetR3]

Now I'm excited! Can't wait to see them.

We have never tried TE but.... surprise trip.... we've got ressies there.

When is the surprise trip again? It's for DD birthday right?

 

[Deesknee]

When is the surprise trip again? It's for DD birthday right?

yep. August. I should do a PTR. Just can't get going on it.

 

[BridgetR3]

Yep you should!! I would read it!! *waiting on a PTR.....*

just kidding but if you do start one let me know and I'll be there!!!

 

[BridgetR3]

Well I didn't make it to the post office today because this happened.....

Yep a lady pulled out in front of me. I hit my brakes hard and swerved but I still caught her. Her car looked a LOT worse. I'm thankful for all of my dad's defensive driving lessons as I was ALMOST able to get around her and at least didn't hit her broad side.

Good news - we are both o.k. Our cars will be fine (neither even needed a tow). It's her fault. (although that's not good news for her....)

Bad news - I have the hassle of getting it repaired. It took over an hour to get the cops there and finished with the report causing me to miss the post office.

 

[Deesknee]

OHHH NOOOO! I feel so so so bad! Don't worry about getting the post office for me. I feel terrible. I'm so glad noone was hurt. I assume your boys weren't in the car. ... thank goodness. Hopefully, it will be a quick fix. I feel the pain of car problems. The day my Dad died, our minivan broke down, and it needs a new motor. So, we have Dad's car.
Please take care.

 

[Deesknee]

Yep you should!! I would read it!! *waiting on a PTR.....*

just kidding but if you do start one let me know and I'll be there!!!

thank you. I will eventually get to it.

 

[BridgetR3]

OHHH NOOOO! I feel so so so bad! Don't worry about getting the post office for me. I feel terrible. I'm so glad noone was hurt. I assume your boys weren't in the car. ... thank goodness. Hopefully, it will be a quick fix. I feel the pain of car problems. The day my Dad died, our minivan broke down, and it needs a new motor. So, we have Dad's car.
Please take care.

Do NOT feel bad!! I wasn't on my way to the post office. I was on my way to get my kids THEN go to the post office. Nope neither son was in the car. DS10 laughed at me and thought it was crazy that I wouldn't just go around her like he was sure he could. Geez he's a teenager already and we aren't even there yet. DS6 felt really bad for me and asked if I was o.k. At least maybe they balance each other out......

 

[Deesknee]

Do NOT feel bad!! I wasn't on my way to the post office. I was on my way to get my kids THEN go to the post office. Nope neither son was in the car. DS10 laughed at me and thought it was crazy that I wouldn't just go around her like he was sure he could. Geez he's a teenager already and we aren't even there yet. DS6 felt really bad for me and asked if I was o.k. At least maybe they balance each other out......

You THINK he is acting like a teen. In reality, a teen would offer to show you how to do it correctly. so sweet the 6 y/o was worried about you. Glad they were not in the car.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Oh my goodness!!!! SO glad you are ok!!! Glad the car is at least fixable, even though you have to go through the hassle of getting it repaired! I hope the rest of the week is uneventful!

 

[BridgetR3]

Oh my goodness!!!! SO glad you are ok!!! Glad the car is at least fixable, even though you have to go through the hassle of getting it repaired! I hope the rest of the week is uneventful!

Yep, I'm fine. Although everytime I look at my car, I immediately think, "WOAH, WHAT HAP.....oh never mind, yeah I did that." Still not used to seeing it bashed up yet.

 

[Deesknee]

Hope you are doing okay, and there are no delayed effects from the accident.
and....
since you asked for it, I started the PTR. I'll add the link to my sig later.

 

[BridgetR3]

Hey guys!!! Boy have I missed all of you!!! I could keep this PTR updated a LOT better if I could just type out my posts on my way home from work. Too bad I have to drive (or at least try to......)!! O.k. so I thought it was funny......

Thanks Dee for your concern for me! I had NO lasting effects from the accident other than a broken car. I was very thankful that the car is all that is broken. I saw the adjuster today and he gave me his estimate to take to the body shop.

I have been battling a spring cold for about a week now. It seems that every sweet kiddo in my class has it too so we just keep sharing!

The great thing about being EXTREMELY busy right now is that I looked at my countdown today and was shocked at the number of days left! 87!!!! It will be here before I know it!!!

My boys always talk to my mom about Disney telling her their favorite rides and their favorite parks. Saturday at lunch, they were talking about their favorite rides when she says, "Yeah I went to Disney World too a LONG time ago when I was in high school. My favorite ride back then was It's a Small World." DS10 without skipping a beat and with the most innocent face (completely serious) says, "Gran, was it in black and white back then?" ROFL....I almost spit out my coke!!!

Since my boys always tell my mom about their journeys at Disney she has decided that she wants to join us. Actually she wanted to go on this trip but I let her know that I needed more notice than that to add her to everything. She was SHOCKED that you book your dining reservations 180 days in advance. LOL..... we also would like for Christmas to be JUST US so she will be coming with us for Mardi Gras 2014. That's right folks. I have a THIRD Disney trip on the horizon for this "year"!!!!!! DH decided that since we will have AP's we should take advantage of them while we can.

Also, DH asked me the other night to please continue to look into DVC to see if we could possibly afford it before our next two trips! I'm looking and looking but I can't buy yet so it's just teasing me!!! I've found some good contracts but we have to buy the house first so it will be summer before I have money saved again for that.

Lastly we close on our house Thursday of this week!!!! This is getting a big boulder out of the way towards my DVC ownership!!! One day I'll get there.....one day!!!!

Well back to your regularly scheduled programs and I'm going stalk Dee's PTR!!!

 

[Deesknee]

Hey guys!!! Boy have I missed all of you!!! I could keep this PTR updated a LOT better if I could just type out my posts on my way home from work. Too bad I have to drive (or at least try to......)!! O.k. so I thought it was funny......

I think it's funny too.
Thanks Dee for your concern for me! I had NO lasting effects from the accident other than a broken car. I was very thankful that the car is all that is broken. I saw the adjuster today and he gave me his estimate to take to the body shop.
glad to hear you are still okay. Hopefully, the bodyshop won't have to barter with the ins. adjuster. They can be brutal in MA.I have been battling a spring cold for about a week now. It seems that every sweet kiddo in my class has it too so we just keep sharing!
spring colds are the worst. ... but atleast it is a sign of spring.

The great thing about being EXTREMELY busy right now is that I looked at my countdown today and was shocked at the number of days left! 87!!!! It will be here before I know it!!!
YAY for 87. you remind me of my DS. He calls me almost every day with the count down until he graduates college!

My boys always talk to my mom about Disney telling her their favorite rides and their favorite parks. Saturday at lunch, they were talking about their favorite rides when she says, "Yeah I went to Disney World too a LONG time ago when I was in high school. My favorite ride back then was It's a Small World." DS10 without skipping a beat and with the most innocent face (completely serious) says, "Gran, was it in black and white back then?" ROFL....I almost spit out my coke!!! ROFL

Since my boys always tell my mom about their journeys at Disney she has decided that she wants to join us. Actually she wanted to go on this trip but I let her know that I needed more notice than that to add her to everything. She was SHOCKED that you book your dining reservations 180 days in advance. LOL..... we also would like for Christmas to be JUST US so she will be coming with us for Mardi Gras 2014. That's right folks. I have a THIRD Disney trip on the horizon for this "year"!!!!!! DH decided that since we will have AP's we should take advantage of them while we can.
OH YEAH!!! that is the great thing about AP's and dvc you can have family/friend vacations, but still have special only DH,you & the kiddos vacations too!

Also, DH asked me the other night to please continue to look into DVC to see if we could possibly afford it before our next two trips! I'm looking and looking but I can't buy yet so it's just teasing me!!! I've found some good contracts but we have to buy the house first so it will be summer before I have money saved again for that.Gotta love that cool aid! Seriously though, at this point it only makes sense. 3 trips in 1 year....it is almost a necessity.

Lastly we close on our house Thursday of this week!!!! This is getting a big boulder out of the way towards my DVC ownership!!! One day I'll get there.....one day!!!!
Wishing you a happy closing. And CONGATULATIONS!!
Well back to your regularly scheduled programs and I'm going stalk Dee's PTR!!!

It's not stalking. You're invited. I'm afraid there really isn't much there yet. Most you already know.