"You want to ride Dinosaur again?" - New 10/21 - The End!

[Charleston Princess]

So glad the wallet was found. I bet Disney CMs find all sorts of interesting things on the bottom of the roller coasters!

I know what you mean about Disney deals yelling your name! Personally, I think a Disney trip would be a great way to celebrate the increase in bonuses.

Great recap of your wish list -- I think it is always okay to leave things undone -- that way you can have a reason to go back.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hi Amy!

Wow...that's exactly the same place Isaiah lost his cell phone! Too funny. I'm glad it all worked out...I'm sure it was a pain to have to get new cards and a new license, but in the end at least no one else had your old ones. A relief if nothing else!

It really looks like you accomplished a lot on your "laid back" trip! Definitely a good idea to leave some for next time!

That 4/3 deal has been singing to me as well. I really don't see us heading back until 2011 though.

Looking forward to the next part of your recap!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm so glad the wallet was found!

 

[lisalonglash]

Amy, your recap is great! You really did get a lot accomplished!

We got to experience lots of new things (favorites include: Spectro/Wishes, Kim Possible, DiVine, Toy Story Mania & LMA stunt show) but there were also a lot of things we didn't see/do and I'm ok with that. It was nice to have a more laid back trip while experiencing some new things. And now we have some new things we can do next time, right? Priorities for next time include: Tom Sawyer Island, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, exploring Innoventions, appreciating the carvings in the Tree of Life and riding Kali (a first for me). And of course we'll be checking out the new Space Mountain!

Up next: Our thoughts on the dining plan & staying on-property vs. off[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Wooohooo for having neat experiences to look forward to next time, in addition to old favourites

 

[cjackearl]

How cool to have some "closure" on the wallet question. You accomplished quite a lot while still having a relaxed vacation. Great balance! Curious to read your off vs. on property assessment.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Well I got a little behind, but first, I am so glad the wallet was found eventually, and that the return without the ID etc. was pretty easy all considering... These things do happen. RE the cookies OH my HOW VERY VERY CUTE!!!!!! Do you have a cookie cutter? I totally love it! Might have to do gingerbread frogs vs. bears this year!!!

Your final posts I have to study more -- things getting busy here this morning so I will review these tonight!

Yes the cookies were made with a cookie cutter - My mom gave it to Zach for his birthday. Gingerbread frogs!

I hate that feeling (laptop burning the legs)



How sad, you did say right at the start it had been found and yet we all kind of forgot that very important tidbit! How funny that it was at the bottom of RRC but great to know that they do collect stuff from there and call! Sad to know someone took the cash but thankfully it wasn't much. Ah, the buy 4 get 3...hard to resist that sirens song.



I believe it is VERY important NOT to do everything on the wish list...we need reasons to go back! Looking forward to your thoughts on staying on versus off.....

I'm not postiive someone took the cash... Tim said there were a few dollars in the wallet, but I can't imagine someone would take just $4 or $5 and risk losing their job over it! I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, but who knows...

I agree that it's important NOT to do everything on the list too!! I think the only thing I'm bummed about missing is Playhouse Disney - because I don't know that the kids will be interested in seeing it next time.

 

[DisMomAmy]

So glad the wallet was found. I bet Disney CMs find all sorts of interesting things on the bottom of the roller coasters!

I know what you mean about Disney deals yelling your name! Personally, I think a Disney trip would be a great way to celebrate the increase in bonuses.

Great recap of your wish list -- I think it is always okay to leave things undone -- that way you can have a reason to go back.

I can't imagine what they find at the bottom of the roller coasters!! They should do a reality show about the people who get to find all the treasures!

I think a Disney trip would be a great way to celebrate anything!

Hi Amy!

Wow...that's exactly the same place Isaiah lost his cell phone! Too funny. I'm glad it all worked out...I'm sure it was a pain to have to get new cards and a new license, but in the end at least no one else had your old ones. A relief if nothing else!

It really looks like you accomplished a lot on your "laid back" trip! Definitely a good idea to leave some for next time!

That 4/3 deal has been singing to me as well. I really don't see us heading back until 2011 though.

Looking forward to the next part of your recap!

I don't feel bad about having to get new cards, etc. It only cost Tim $10 to get a replacement license. The credit card & debit card were free, though we did have to update a few automatic payments. I was very relieved to find out that someone didn't have our information. It's funny - I've always carried around my social security card in my wallet - along with the kids social security numbers (not on vacation though) - I cleaned my wallet out right after that & now I only carry the bare minimum.

The 4/3 deal is killing me!! Especially because we have our timeshare sitting there too... Maybe we should go for two weeks!

I'm so glad the wallet was found!

Tim was happiest to get the actual wallet back - he had just bought it.

Amy, your recap is great! You really did get a lot accomplished!

Wooohooo for having neat experiences to look forward to next time, in addition to old favourites

We did do a lot - yet it was still laid back!

How cool to have some "closure" on the wallet question. You accomplished quite a lot while still having a relaxed vacation. Great balance! Curious to read your off vs. on property assessment.

For some reason I always felt like it would turn up - I guess I believe in Disney magic.

********************************************************************************************************************
I'm working on my dining plan recap - I'm sure I won't get it posted today, but I wanted to pop in to tell a funny story.

Tim & I have been talking about how to spend his bonus money (that isn't coming until spring) and he is going back and forth between using it all to pay off debt (credit card, roof loan, etc.) and using some of it to pay off debt AND the rest to go on vacation. I'm sure you know which way I'm leaning. At this point things are unresolved, but last night when I was posting on Momof2Disneyboys' PTR, Tim says to me, "I bet you are posting stuff on your page like, 'I've tricked my husband into spending his bonus on another trip to Disney World next spring', aren't you?" So do you think that means he thinks we are going?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Tim says to me, "I bet you are posting stuff on your page like, 'I've tricked my husband into spending his bonus on another trip to Disney World next spring', aren't you?" So do you think that means he thinks we are going?

I am going to go with yes -- book it now before he changes his mind!

 

[Happydog]

AH ha!!!! Looks like an open door to me!!!!


Well... you can always talk to him like that is how YOU interpreted it.....

Just start the conversation: "So you know our vacation that I booked at Disneyworld this spring? Well..." LOL!

 

[Glite]

Tim says to me, "I bet you are posting stuff on your page like, 'I've tricked my husband into spending his bonus on another trip to Disney World next spring', aren't you?" So do you think that means he thinks we are
Go ahead and book it. As you know, they are still promoting some good deals. Tell Tim you are going to make the roof last and that you do not need another one for another 30 years

 

[Glite]

messed up on my previous message as I was trying to quote.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

********************************************************************************************************************
I'm working on my dining plan recap - I'm sure I won't get it posted today, but I wanted to pop in to tell a funny story.

Tim & I have been talking about how to spend his bonus money (that isn't coming until spring) and he is going back and forth between using it all to pay off debt (credit card, roof loan, etc.) and using some of it to pay off debt AND the rest to go on vacation. I'm sure you know which way I'm leaning. At this point things are unresolved, but last night when I was posting on Momof2Disneyboys' PTR, Tim says to me, "I bet you are posting stuff on your page like, 'I've tricked my husband into spending his bonus on another trip to Disney World next spring', aren't you?" So do you think that means he thinks we are going?

That's hilarious!!

I sure think it means to go ahead and start planning!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I am going to go with yes -- book it now before he changes his mind!

That's what I was thinking.

AH ha!!!! Looks like an open door to me!!!!

Well... you can always talk to him like that is how YOU interpreted it.....

Just start the conversation: "So you know our vacation that I booked at Disneyworld this spring? Well..." LOL!

Go ahead and book it. As you know, they are still promoting some good deals. Tell Tim you are going to make the roof last and that you do not need another one for another 30 years

And the roof has a 30 year guarantee!

That's hilarious!!

I sure think it means to go ahead and start planning!

Oh the planning is underway!! (Isn't it always...) Now we'll just have to see if it pans out in the end.

 

[eandesmom]

I agree that it's important NOT to do everything on the list too!! I think the only thing I'm bummed about missing is Playhouse Disney - because I don't know that the kids will be interested in seeing it next time.

You are probably right on that one. We did it in '04, it wasn't even on their radar this trip. Part of the challenge is that the characters change. The ones there now are for shows that the boys don't even watch versus when we went in '04. But you'll find new and different things that they love as they get older.

I can't imagine what they find at the bottom of the roller coasters!! They should do a reality show about the people who get to find all the treasures!

********************************************************************************************************************
I'm working on my dining plan recap - I'm sure I won't get it posted today, but I wanted to pop in to tell a funny story.

Tim & I have been talking about how to spend his bonus money (that isn't coming until spring) and he is going back and forth between using it all to pay off debt (credit card, roof loan, etc.) and using some of it to pay off debt AND the rest to go on vacation. I'm sure you know which way I'm leaning. At this point things are unresolved, but last night when I was posting on Momof2Disneyboys' PTR, Tim says to me, "I bet you are posting stuff on your page like, 'I've tricked my husband into spending his bonus on another trip to Disney World next spring', aren't you?" So do you think that means he thinks we are going?

Ok that is definitely a green light in my world!

Love the reality show idea

 

[Glite]

Go ahead and book it.

DW work cut their annual bonus in half two month ago. I spoke to her mid September about a current WDW Trip promotion.

DW agreed on the trip. We leave tomorrow to go on a short trip to WDW. DW is just as excited as me. I am a sales rep. for a living.

DS(6) thinks we are going back to Pensacola Beach.

 

[DisMomAmy]

You are probably right on that one. We did it in '04, it wasn't even on their radar this trip. Part of the challenge is that the characters change. The ones there now are for shows that the boys don't even watch versus when we went in '04. But you'll find new and different things that they love as they get older.


Ok that is definitely a green light in my world!

Love the reality show idea

I was so excited when they updated PHD because now my boys know the characters - they didn't know the old ones. But that ship may have sailed... It's too bad becaue I wanted to see it.

Go ahead and book it.

DW work cut their annual bonus in half two month ago. I spoke to her mid September about a current WDW Trip promotion.

DW agreed on the trip. We leave tomorrow to go on a short trip to WDW. DW is just as excited as me. I am a sales rep. for a living.

DS(6) thinks we are going back to Pensacola Beach.

Have a great trip!!

I'm still on the fence about a spring trip. There's the whole on-property vs. off that we face every year because of the timeshare we own. Car rentals are high - even with the best discounts I can find, they are higher than we've ever paid. I hope they drop as we get closer - but that's of the factors that comes into play when we think about on vs. off property. Airfare is really high right now too - Southwest comes out with April rates next week - so we'll see. But if February vacation rates are any sign of what's to come, I'm not feeling very optimistic.

 

[DisMomAmy]

First of all, I never let you know how we ended day 7 with our dining credits:
0 TS left (started with 4 – used 4 at Tusker House)
0 CS left (started with 8 – used 4 for lunch & 4 for dinner - both at OPR)
0 Snacks left (started with 12 – used 12)
I can't find all the receipts but I know we used some at AK mid-morning and my receipts show 7 snack credits left at 2pm. We used those to buy cupcakes, frozen lemonade at DHS and finally that night I went back to OPR and got a few goodies - chips, fruit and mickey rice crispie treats.

Now on to the dining plan recap:
We purchased the Disney Dining Plan (1TS, 1CS & 1 snack each per day)
We ate at the following restaurants:
Table Service:
• Garden Grill
• 50s Prime Time Café
• Tusker House
• Chef Mickeys
• Teppan Edo
• Le Cellier
• Whispering Canyon Café

Counter Service:
• Old Port Royale food court at CBR (several times)
• Columbia Harbor House
• Flame Tree BBQ
• Fish & Chips stand in England

I can’t believe it, but looking back at the receipts those are the only CS places we ate!! I guess it was because of our mid-day breaks back at CBR.

Would we do the dining plan again?? I didn’t calculate all of the costs but I’m sure we came out ahead and even if we didn’t, it was nice to have it prepaid and not have to worry about it. We also probably ate at more TS places than we would have otherwise. I was worried about how the kids would handle eating in a restaurant every day but I think it worked out really well. Having the ability to purchase the DDP is one of the big pluses of staying on property!!

Favorites:
• Teppan Edo (a big surprise for me because I don’t usually like Asian food)
• Chef Mickey’s (fun character meal with pretty good food for a buffet)
• 50’s Prime Time (always love eating here)

Liked but not a must do next time:
• Garden Grill (pretty good food, good character interaction, good CM)
• Le Cellier (good food, not a great place to take the kids & it was probably too much food for one day since we ate at Teppan Edo for lunch)

Probably won’t go back – at least not for a while:
• Whispering Canyon (but that was a bad day so it may have been better under different circumstances)
• Tusker House (food was pretty good but the characters seemed rushed – we’ll do Crystal Palace for an early pre-park opening breakfast next time)

As far as the CS places – We have eaten at Flame Tree BBQ every trip & will probably continue to do so. We also enjoyed Columbia Harbor House & may eat there again in the near future. We have always eaten at Cosmic Rays in the past at MK due to Alex’s food intolerances so it was nice to try someplace new.

If we stay on-property next time we’ll DEFINITELY do the DDP!! If we stay off-property we’ll probably do a combination of TS & CS – once a day, eating in our condo for the other meal. We tend to take a mid-day break if we’ll be out late (in which case we’d eat lunch at the condo) or else we are back at our room for dinner.

Where do I want to eat next time? Here’s what I’m thinking right now…
• Hoop Dee Doo Revue
• Crystal Palace breakfast
• Teppan Edo – unless we need to cut something out
• A character meal with Mickey – Chef Mickey’s again??
• I also have Kona Café written in my notes – I’ll have to check that out…

Up next - On-site vs. Off-site

But first - I need your help!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great recap of your dining plan experience. We are big fans of it, also, because I do like having everything paid for before we even leave on the trip -- it just makes things so much easier.

 

[eandesmom]

Great recap! I think you'd love the HDDR!

I the dining plan though I do wish you had a choice between salad or dessert!



I was surprised by what a hit Teppan Edo was as well. And informed by my 10 year old that it would NOT be ok if we didn't go there on the next trip.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great recap of your dining plan experience. We are big fans of it, also, because I do like having everything paid for before we even leave on the trip -- it just makes things so much easier.

Not having to worry about money on vacation is a wonderful thing!! (Except for those souvenirs of course!)

Great recap! I think you'd love the HDDR!

I the dining plan though I do wish you had a choice between salad or dessert!



I was surprised by what a hit Teppan Edo was as well. And informed by my 10 year old that it would NOT be ok if we didn't go there on the next trip.

I remember having a great time at HDDR when I was 9. Tim & I saw the show once before kids. It was fun, but I think it would be a blast with the kids. I think they are finally ready.

I've also thought about the Backyard BBQ - do they always do that or is it just a special event?? The reviews make it sound kind of crazy though.

Teppan Edo was a great combination of good food & good entertainment!