Who wants to answer some questions?!?!?!

[PebblesMK]

I have a few questions, so we'll just go in order.

1) We're going at the end of September. Would anybody advice a sweatshirt in the morning? I come from the land of Wisconsin so 50-60 degrees doesn't register as "chilly" to me. I've been told it's HOT HOT HOT!

2) We are taking advantage of the free Dining Plan but I really don't feel like being a slave to our reservations. I figured Akershus, Ohana (sounds soooo yummy), 1900 for dinner (for the Cinderella clan) and Crystal Palace for the simple fact that I want our picture in front of the castle without millions of people around us. Are there any of these we should skip? I'm hesitant about Crystal Palace only because my daughter and I don't like breakfast foods, and we don't like Whinnie the Pooh....soooooooo is it worth it for that shot of the castle, or would we be okay at rope drop?

Oh, I also worry about trying to get around to these different places in time.

3) Can I switch the amount of days on my tickets/park hopper? I got 4 but I'm not sure that I want to do any parks on the day of the Halloween party. I think naps and swimming may be a good plan.....

All of this planning is sooooo confusing! I'm in dire need of help.

And the last thing that I can think of is a budget plan? The hotel/tickets/food/flight is already paid for. How much to budget in for tips? Or anything else that may take up money? I'm not budgeting for souveniers because well...it's a vacation and I don't want to limit myself! But I would like to know if I'm forgetting any money aspects that are often overlooked. Like mousekeeping....I ask that my room isn't cleaned so should I just leave a tip on the day we check out??? Thanks ahead for any help.

 

[The Hendies]

Maybe not so much a sweat shirt, but a light long sleeve shirt in the morning and later evening that wouldn't be horrible to carry around with you all day.

We are not fans of Pooh either, and we did take a chance at Crystal Palace once (dinner, however). IMHO, I would do rope drop, get the photo you desire first (Photopass??) and save your TS for something better.

Remember, that you can get into the park at 4:00pm on the day of MNSSHP. If a break during that day is what you need, you can skip the parks and save a little money.

We figured about $75 a day for tips, souvenirs, and a few adult beverages. That is a hard question, and really depends on how crazy with gifts etc. you want to get!

Have a great time!

 

[ZoZo]

Maybe not so much a sweat shirt, but a light long sleeve shirt in the morning and later evening that wouldn't be horrible to carry around with you all day.

I second the idea of a long-sleeve shirt instead of a sweatshirt. I bring a lightweight long-sleeve denim shirt with me, and put it in my backpack when I'm not using it. It's great when you're in the air-conditioning for a long time, and packs down much smaller than a sweatshirt would.

 

[brekin67]

1. I always go in September. I have not needed any type of jacket, at all.

2) Personally, I do not care for Crystal Palace. You won't have a problem getting a good shot in front of the castle. The photopass people will take a picture of you using your own camera. Get the photopass bracelet andlet them take a pic of you, then ask them to take a pic with your camera.

3. You can make changes to your ticket when you get there. It really is not much more to add days to your ticket. Keep in mind that you may not think you will go to the parks, but if you schedule a meal in the park on that day, you will need that on your ticket.

Your tips for table service should be anywhere between 10-20%. I would plan on taking $5-$10 and up, per person per table service. Meals might range from $25ish per person for a buffet to $45-$90 per person at a sit down. It just depends on where you eat. Check out Allears.com for a look at menus and prices.

Not sure that I would tip mousekeeping if I have requested no service throughout the stay. Well, I guess they will still have to bring you towels, etc. When we get service we leave $1 per person daily.

Have Fun.

 

[williamson_ja]

We went in September last year and didn't need any jackets. I would however bring a rain poncho. We were eternally grateful that we had ours.

We actually liked Crystal Palace. We went for lunch (not big breakfast eaters over here). BUT my little one loves Winnie the Pooh.

You can always upgrade your ticket to add more days. You cannot take them off, though. I would go with the least amount of days that you think you will need because the ticket changing only works one way.

 

[klacey1]

I have a few questions, so we'll just go in order.

1) We're going at the end of September. Would anybody advice a sweatshirt in the morning? I come from the land of Wisconsin so 50-60 degrees doesn't register as "chilly" to me. I've been told it's HOT HOT HOT!


2) We are taking advantage of the free Dining Plan but I really don't feel like being a slave to our reservations. I figured Akershus, Ohana (sounds soooo yummy), 1900 for dinner (for the Cinderella clan) and Crystal Palace for the simple fact that I want our picture in front of the castle without millions of people around us. Are there any of these we should skip? I'm hesitant about Crystal Palace only because my daughter and I don't like breakfast foods, and we don't like Whinnie the Pooh....soooooooo is it worth it for that shot of the castle, or would we be okay at rope drop?

Oh, I also worry about trying to get around to these different places in time.

3) Can I switch the amount of days on my tickets/park hopper? I got 4 but I'm not sure that I want to do any parks on the day of the Halloween party. I think naps and swimming may be a good plan.....

All of this planning is sooooo confusing! I'm in dire need of help.

And the last thing that I can think of is a budget plan? The hotel/tickets/food/flight is already paid for. How much to budget in for tips? Or anything else that may take up money? I'm not budgeting for souveniers because well...it's a vacation and I don't want to limit myself! But I would like to know if I'm forgetting any money aspects that are often overlooked. Like mousekeeping....I ask that my room isn't cleaned so should I just leave a tip on the day we check out??? Thanks ahead for any help.

1) You probably don't need something as heavy as a sweatshirt, but maybe a lightweight cardigan? That should be easier to scrunch into a park bag, too. Don't know how the male members of your party would take that, but maybe they can suck up being cold.

2) End of September? You'll be FINE getting a fairly solo castle shot without eating a breakfast that neither of you would enjoy. Don't worry about getting to these places on time-- just give yourself plenty of time. You can also talk to the concierge at your hotel and ask them how much time they reccomend for transportation between the restaurant and wherever you were.

3) As long as you change your ticket options before the 45 day mark before your trip, you're fine. <-- williamson ja is wrong. You CAN downgrade. I just did myself a couple of days ago. (I downgraded from 5 to 3 and was not given any trouble)

Budget-- I don't know how many days you're going, so I don't know how to give you a budget plan. I'll bring about $20 per meal for tips (this is probably going overboard, but I always like to be ahead), $1-2 per night for mousekeeping (a bit more if they do a great job or leave some towel animals that your daughter loves!), and then I like to leave about $50 a day for incidentals. Also, I'd REALLY advise setting a budget for souveneirs. I know you don't want to limit yourself, but even an extravagently high budget will help you decide if you REALLY want something or if you just want it in the moment and will regret it when you come home.

 

[PebblesMK]

1) You probably don't need something as heavy as a sweatshirt, but maybe a lightweight cardigan? That should be easier to scrunch into a park bag, too. Don't know how the male members of your party would take that, but maybe they can suck up being cold.

2) End of September? You'll be FINE getting a fairly solo castle shot without eating a breakfast that neither of you would enjoy. Don't worry about getting to these places on time-- just give yourself plenty of time. You can also talk to the concierge at your hotel and ask them how much time they reccomend for transportation between the restaurant and wherever you were.

3) As long as you change your ticket options before the 45 day mark before your trip, you're fine. <-- williamson ja is wrong. You CAN downgrade. I just did myself a couple of days ago. (I downgraded from 5 to 3 and was not given any trouble)

Budget-- I don't know how many days you're going, so I don't know how to give you a budget plan. I'll bring about $20 per meal for tips (this is probably going overboard, but I always like to be ahead), $1-2 per night for mousekeeping (a bit more if they do a great job or leave some towel animals that your daughter loves!), and then I like to leave about $50 a day for incidentals. Also, I'd REALLY advise setting a budget for souveneirs. I know you don't want to limit yourself, but even an extravagently high budget wil help you decide if you REALLY want something or if you just want it in the moment and will regret it when you come home.

Cardigans I can handle. No guys going on the trip, just my kiddo and myself.

So I CAN downgrade my tickets....we have 4 day with park hopper. We're coming in Tuesday and leaving on Sunday so those two days are definitely out for parks.....and Friday is the Halloween party which is why I asked if maybe I should downgrade? I'm open to suggestions.

I think we're going to end up doing a lot of CS, as a lot of them seem more appealing than the sit down meals...plus we can eat whenever we want! I think we'll do a max of 3 TS.

What incidentals are you referring to??

Also, I'm not too worried about my souvenier spending as last time we went I came home with a little nemo antenae thingy (WHICH WAS STOLEN!!!!!) and two post cards. I'm not much of a shopper and my daughter has her own money to spend.

I just really want to make sure that I'm not forgetting anything that I'll need money for. I did factor in a locker for extra shoes/socks in case it rains. Are these lockers really necessary and are the shoes necessary??

I love how the answers bring about more questions. Maybe I should just wing it.

 

[The Hendies]

Incidentals.... An extras snack or water, an adult beverage, meal or snack on your travel days, a T-Shirt for your kiddo when the Mickey Ears ice cream melts and ruins the shirt they're wearing, etc

 

[PebblesMK]

Incidentals.... An extras snack or water, an adult beverage, meal or snack on your travel days, a T-Shirt for your kiddo when the Mickey Ears ice cream melts and ruins the shirt they're wearing, etc

Ah!! I didn't think of incidentals like that! I thought of them like; If I accidently fall and break my leg and have to find a way to the hospital. Or taking luggage to our room and we're walking by water and the luggage falls in and sinks to the bottom or if I accidently break something super valuable and have to pay for it.

Apparently the obvious doesn't always come to mind. I'm a worst case scenario type person. I'm glad you were able to handle that!

 

[LovesTimone]

I have a few questions, so we'll just go in order.

1) We're going at the end of September. Would anybody advice a sweatshirt in the morning? I come from the land of Wisconsin so 50-60 degrees doesn't register as "chilly" to me. I've been told it's HOT HOT HOT!

2) We are taking advantage of the free Dining Plan but I really don't feel like being a slave to our reservations. I figured Akershus, Ohana (sounds soooo yummy), 1900 for dinner (for the Cinderella clan) and Crystal Palace for the simple fact that I want our picture in front of the castle without millions of people around us. Are there any of these we should skip? I'm hesitant about Crystal Palace only because my daughter and I don't like breakfast foods, and we don't like Whinnie the Pooh....soooooooo is it worth it for that shot of the castle, or would we be okay at rope drop?

Oh, I also worry about trying to get around to these different places in time.

3) Can I switch the amount of days on my tickets/park hopper? I got 4 but I'm not sure that I want to do any parks on the day of the Halloween party. I think naps and swimming may be a good plan.....

All of this planning is sooooo confusing! I'm in dire need of help.

And the last thing that I can think of is a budget plan? The hotel/tickets/food/flight is already paid for. How much to budget in for tips? Or anything else that may take up money? I'm not budgeting for souveniers because well...it's a vacation and I don't want to limit myself! But I would like to know if I'm forgetting any money aspects that are often overlooked. Like mousekeeping....I ask that my room isn't cleaned so should I just leave a tip on the day we check out??? Thanks ahead for any help.

1.) We are not really early morning people, I would have some sorta long sleeve, button up shirt for the evenings light weight.

2.)We like Crystal Palace, for dinner. Great spot for the fireworks if you time it right. I would do the rope drop.

3.) You can go up or down with days.

4.) Tips, I always think 20% when planning, and then leave according to service. Think of all the people that you might encounter, Skycap, taxi driver, bellman, both going and coming. Servers, Pool Bar bartendar, Bartenders, Mousekeeping we always tip them daily and then extra for any special service towel animals, or special magic.
Extras such as sunscreen, medicine, tylenol, rolaids, bandaids,ect. These items are very $$$ at the mouse. I always bring this with me but every year, there is something new that doesn't make it into the bag. I usally set aside 50.00 for this type of thing.
You need money for extra water, We always bring a case with us. You could pay for a store stop (if in a taxi) and buy it at wal-mart, and get other food items for in the room. Water at the mouse is about 3 to 4 dollars.
Don't forget the arcade if you kiddos are that age group,or if you plan on washing clothes. Look at allears for the price of the machines.

Have a great time, oops magically time

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I have a few questions, so we'll just go in order.

1) We're going at the end of September. Would anybody advice a sweatshirt in the morning? I come from the land of Wisconsin so 50-60 degrees doesn't register as "chilly" to me. I've been told it's HOT HOT HOT!
I have never needed any type of jacket in September, it never gets cold except inside the buildings after you get wet from the rain or a ride.

2) We are taking advantage of the free Dining Plan but I really don't feel like being a slave to our reservations. I figured Akershus, Ohana (sounds soooo yummy), 1900 for dinner (for the Cinderella clan) and Crystal Palace for the simple fact that I want our picture in front of the castle without millions of people around us. Are there any of these we should skip? I'm hesitant about Crystal Palace only because my daughter and I don't like breakfast foods, and we don't like Whinnie the Pooh....soooooooo is it worth it for that shot of the castle, or would we be okay at rope drop?
Perhaps look into CRT... even though it's harder to get. But you can have CP for your back up. I say... it's free (except tip or extras) so why not?

Oh, I also worry about trying to get around to these different places in time.
Are you driving around or bussing it?

3) Can I switch the amount of days on my tickets/park hopper? I got 4 but I'm not sure that I want to do any parks on the day of the Halloween party. I think naps and swimming may be a good plan.....
Go with fewer days. You can downgrade your ticket now but you cannot do so on your trip, but you can always upgrade. If you want to go the extra day, add it on the day you know for sure.

All of this planning is sooooo confusing! I'm in dire need of help.

And the last thing that I can think of is a budget plan? The hotel/tickets/food/flight is already paid for.
1)How much to budget in for tips?
You can look up the menus online at wdwinfo and allears to give you an idea of what the meals will cost, then figure the amount of money you'll need for tips based on your tipping habits. For us, we often get apps and/or drinks so we typically go with $10pp/per meal as a good budgeting estimate.
2)Or anything else that may take up money?
Perhaps any alcoholic drinks or OOP appitizers you'll want at TS meals. Are you going during the food and wine festival, that's a whole new can of worms. Are you planning on getting refillable resort mugs? (approx. $13pp)
I'm not budgeting for souveniers because well...it's a vacation and I don't want to limit myself!
Me too!
But I would like to know if I'm forgetting any money aspects that are often overlooked.
3)Like mousekeeping....I ask that my room isn't cleaned so should I just leave a tip on the day we check out???
I would. They didn't clean the whole time but you left a mess for them in the end

Thanks ahead for any help.

Yay for September!

 

[jen2207]

I have a few questions, so we'll just go in order.

1) We're going at the end of September. Would anybody advice a sweatshirt in the morning? I come from the land of Wisconsin so 50-60 degrees doesn't register as "chilly" to me. I've been told it's HOT HOT HOT!

2) We are taking advantage of the free Dining Plan but I really don't feel like being a slave to our reservations. I figured Akershus, Ohana (sounds soooo yummy), 1900 for dinner (for the Cinderella clan) and Crystal Palace for the simple fact that I want our picture in front of the castle without millions of people around us. Are there any of these we should skip? I'm hesitant about Crystal Palace only because my daughter and I don't like breakfast foods, and we don't like Whinnie the Pooh....soooooooo is it worth it for that shot of the castle, or would we be okay at rope drop?

Oh, I also worry about trying to get around to these different places in time.

3) Can I switch the amount of days on my tickets/park hopper? I got 4 but I'm not sure that I want to do any parks on the day of the Halloween party. I think naps and swimming may be a good plan.....

All of this planning is sooooo confusing! I'm in dire need of help.

And the last thing that I can think of is a budget plan? The hotel/tickets/food/flight is already paid for. How much to budget in for tips? Or anything else that may take up money? I'm not budgeting for souveniers because well...it's a vacation and I don't want to limit myself! But I would like to know if I'm forgetting any money aspects that are often overlooked. Like mousekeeping....I ask that my room isn't cleaned so should I just leave a tip on the day we check out??? Thanks ahead for any help.

1) I'm a Wisconsin native too! We went last year, the last week in September, it was shorts and t-shirt weather for the day, a sweatshirt or light jacket for evenings went the sun went down.

2) I'd skip Crystal Palace personally, we did it last year - it's not my favorite. If you go early enough you can get a great picture of the castle without people in it. Matter of fact, the best shot I got was AFTER our breakfast and the park was open on our way over to Tomorrowland. No one in sight.

Are you planning to do Animal Kingdom? If so - do the breakfast at Tusker House. Tusker House is located way in the back of the park, so by getting an early ADR there - you are well into the park when it opens and the safari ride is right next the Tusker house - the first jeep tours are the best - so I'd vote for doing this one over the Crystal Palace - if you had to choose. And Tusker House is Mickey, Donald, Goofy, rather than Pooh - my kids always wanted to find Mickey and thought Pooh was just ok.

3) IMHO, I'd do DTD for early day, naps/ swim then use your MNNSHP ticket to get into the park by afternoon. I seem to recall you can get in the park by 3ish with the Halloween party ticket, although I'm sure someone else can confirm this time better than I. That way you still can feel like you "did" something before the Halloween party, but without having to pay for a hopper. Also if your kids can get a nap in, then you may be able to stay later at the Halloween party and get more value for your time on that ticket then.

Last, Tipping can get expensive if you do a lot of TS meals, but with All Ears menus, you can "ball-park-it" before you go. We stay DVC and dont get daily housekeeping services, but I still tip a small amount at the end of our stay for their helpfulness throughout the week and for cleaning up after us when we've gone. I do a bigger tip with bell services and Magical Express because those are truly time and stress savers for us!!!

Happy planning and enjoy!!!!

 

[cmusschoot]

Hope this is helpful

1) We're going at the end of September. Would anybody advice a sweatshirt in the morning? I come from the land of Wisconsin so 50-60 degrees doesn't register as "chilly" to me. I've been told it's HOT HOT HOT!

No sweatshirt needed, I was in FL last Sep. and never needed one and I am very often chilly, I would advise bringing rain ponchos as it rained for a bit each day we were there.

2) We are taking advantage of the free Dining Plan but I really don't feel like being a slave to our reservations. I figured Akershus, Ohana (sounds soooo yummy), 1900 for dinner (for the Cinderella clan) and Crystal Palace for the simple fact that I want our picture in front of the castle without millions of people around us. Are there any of these we should skip? I'm hesitant about Crystal Palace only because my daughter and I don't like breakfast foods, and we don't like Whinnie the Pooh....soooooooo is it worth it for that shot of the castle, or would we be okay at rope drop?

I wouldn't wast time/money at CP for the reasons you listed...as far as a good castle picture goes, the pros at the castle can pose you right for limited strangers in your picture...or there is always photo shop...to cut them out! Also, better to have reservations and not make them than to not have reservations at all.

Oh, I also worry about trying to get around to these different places in time.

If you are going from park to park using the bus service, always approximate an hour of transportation time. If using the monorail, 30 minutes.

3) Can I switch the amount of days on my tickets/park hopper? I got 4 but I'm not sure that I want to do any parks on the day of the Halloween party. I think naps and swimming may be a good plan.....

yes you can, my best advice would be to go to the ticket booth at the Magic kingdom as they can see more "grey area" vs. the transportation and ticket center

All of this planning is sooooo confusing! I'm in dire need of help.

And the last thing that I can think of is a budget plan? The hotel/tickets/food/flight is already paid for. How much to budget in for tips? Or anything else that may take up money? I'm not budgeting for souveniers because well...it's a vacation and I don't want to limit myself! But I would like to know if I'm forgetting any money aspects that are often overlooked. Like mousekeeping....I ask that my room isn't cleaned so should I just leave a tip on the day we check out??? Thanks ahead for any help.

Hope this helps

 

[PebblesMK]

1) I'm a Wisconsin native too! We went last year, the last week in September, it was shorts and t-shirt weather for the day, a sweatshirt or light jacket for evenings went the sun went down.

2) I'd skip Crystal Palace personally, we did it last year - it's not my favorite. If you go early enough you can get a great picture of the castle without people in it. Matter of fact, the best shot I got was AFTER our breakfast and the park was open on our way over to Tomorrowland. No one in sight.

Are you planning to do Animal Kingdom? If so - do the breakfast at Tusker House. Tusker House is located way in the back of the park, so by getting an early ADR there - you are well into the park when it opens and the safari ride is right next the Tusker house - the first jeep tours are the best - so I'd vote for doing this one over the Crystal Palace - if you had to choose. And Tusker House is Mickey, Donald, Goofy, rather than Pooh - my kids always wanted to find Mickey and thought Pooh was just ok.

3) IMHO, I'd do DTD for early day, naps/ swim then use your MNNSHP ticket to get into the park by afternoon. I seem to recall you can get in the park by 3ish with the Halloween party ticket, although I'm sure someone else can confirm this time better than I. That way you still can feel like you "did" something before the Halloween party, but without having to pay for a hopper. Also if your kids can get a nap in, then you may be able to stay later at the Halloween party and get more value for your time on that ticket then.

Last, Tipping can get expensive if you do a lot of TS meals, but with All Ears menus, you can "ball-park-it" before you go. We stay DVC and dont get daily housekeeping services, but I still tip a small amount at the end of our stay for their helpfulness throughout the week and for cleaning up after us when we've gone. I do a bigger tip with bell services and Magical Express because those are truly time and stress savers for us!!!

Happy planning and enjoy!!!!

I haven't a clue how to multi-quote so we'll try it this way.

First and foremost...I love Wisconsinites!, Aren't we just wonderful people?!??!? Hahahha

I love the Tusker House idea. I hadn't even thought of that! I think we may go that route. Even though I'm still not keen on breakfast and or those characters (aside from Mickey). Orrrrr.....could I just say I have a reservation and then once I'm inside the park, cancel it? Oh, that's such a cheatful thing to do. Do you (or anybody else) know approximately how many people come to rope drops? In my mind it's like 20, but I'm sure it's quite a few more than that. I would love to go to all of the rope drops, but not sure if that's a little bit too much, especially for a kid who will probably be exhausted.

 

[jen2207]

Do you (or anybody else) know approximately how many people come to rope drops? In my mind it's like 20, but I'm sure it's quite a few more than that. I would love to go to all of the rope drops, but not sure if that's a little bit too much, especially for a kid who will probably be exhausted.

Ummm yeah, quite a bit more than 20..... think more like 200+ at least for September, more like 2000+ in peak times. If I remember you had to give them your name at the Animal Kingdom gate to get into the park for an early ADR. They checked a list and if you were on it you could go. But then you had to check in again in the restaurant. Technically I guess you could get in early and then not go to the breakfast, but nothing else would be open yet....

 

[PebblesMK]

Ummm yeah, quite a bit more than 20..... think more like 200+ at least for September, more like 2000+ in peak times. If I remember you had to give them your name at the Animal Kingdom gate to get into the park for an early ADR. They checked a list and if you were on it you could go. But then you had to check in again in the restaurant. Technically I guess you could get in early and then not go to the breakfast, but nothing else would be open yet....

Hahaha...okay, so I was missing a zero or two!!! Still, 200 in a how many acre park isn't that bad.

 

[djgeffers1]

Welcome to the Dis PebblesMK. As you can see, I also am from Beloit Wi. I had to look twice when I saw another dis'er other than my daughter from Beloit.
Just got back from the Dollar Tree where I picked up leis and flowers for our hair for our photoshoot at the Poly when we go to WDW in Sept.

 

[rosiep]

UNUSED tickets can be upgraded or downgraded. Once a ticket is used it can only be upgraded. No refunds for unused days.

 

[PebblesMK]

Welcome to the Dis PebblesMK. As you can see, I also am from Beloit Wi. I had to look twice when I saw another dis'er other than my daughter from Beloit.
Just got back from the Dollar Tree where I picked up leis and flowers for our hair for our photoshoot at the Poly when we go to WDW in Sept.

Well what do you know!!! A fellow Beloiter! Fantastic!!!! I would say it's possible that we know each other but I often forget that Beloit isn't as small as it seems from time to time.

We're not going to the Poly (at least at this point we're not)...but I would love to know which Dollar store you got your Luau goodies from. I know there is one on Prarie and one on Cranston and I know they have different names but I never remember which is which. I would love to get some of that stuff for the hawaiin party we usually have each summer!

 

[Mommy2three]

We are going towards the end of september too! Nice to see a fellow beloiter on the boards, pebbles i sent you a PM.