Disney Vacation (6 Viewers)

[soothsayer]

Been loving this thread - thanks to all who have contributed.

Fam is going in mid-October - staying at Wilderness Lodge (DVC). This will be the first time we've had the opportunity to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP). I've read up on it at tourguidemike, but do any of you have experience with it?

Sorry if this has been covered - I've read the entire thread over the months but don't recall if this was covered. TIA.

 

[The_Man]

Some have questioned why I use The magic for less to book our trips..

Well, today it paid off BIG TIME!

E-mail from them:

Hi Shane!

Something Magical Has Happened!!

We always try to stay on top of the latest discounts, and today our persistence paid off…for you! We have secured a new discount for your stay. This special package includes FREE dining.

A savings of $840 without having to search for it!!

We are going the first week of November -- just got the free dining plan offer, as long as we paid for our trip with our Disney Visa. Disney Visa is a good deal -- you get $100 Disney gift card for opening the account, six months interest-free to pay off your trip, and 1 Disney Reward dollar for every $100 you put on the card.

 

[Gator Shawn]

Some have questioned why I use The magic for less to book our trips..

Well, today it paid off BIG TIME!

E-mail from them:

Hi Shane!

Something Magical Has Happened!!

We always try to stay on top of the latest discounts, and today our persistence paid off…for you! We have secured a new discount for your stay. This special package includes FREE dining.

A savings of $840 without having to search for it!!

We are going the first week of November -- just got the free dining plan offer, as long as we paid for our trip with our Disney Visa. Disney Visa is a good deal -- you get $100 Disney gift card for opening the account, six months interest-free to pay off your trip, and 1 Disney Reward dollar for every $100 you put on the card.

We just got the card in May, been putting EVERYTHING on it.

 

[snogger]

Some have questioned why I use The magic for less to book our trips..

Well, today it paid off BIG TIME!

E-mail from them:

Hi Shane!

Something Magical Has Happened!!

We always try to stay on top of the latest discounts, and today our persistence paid off…for you! We have secured a new discount for your stay. This special package includes FREE dining.

A savings of $840 without having to search for it!!

We are going the first week of November -- just got the free dining plan offer, as long as we paid for our trip with our Disney Visa. Disney Visa is a good deal -- you get $100 Disney gift card for opening the account, six months interest-free to pay off your trip, and 1 Disney Reward dollar for every $100 you put on the card.

Knowing we were going back this December for our daughters "Golden" birthday we got the Disney Visa reward card two years ago.

 

[snogger]

Some have questioned why I use The magic for less to book our trips..

Well, today it paid off BIG TIME!

E-mail from them:

Hi Shane!

Something Magical Has Happened!!

We always try to stay on top of the latest discounts, and today our persistence paid off…for you! We have secured a new discount for your stay. This special package includes FREE dining.

A savings of $840 without having to search for it!!

Outstanding. I use www.smallworldvacations.com. That free dining deal has been around for awhile though, or did they recently expand the dates?

they just expanded to December 17th.. Our trip is December 5th to December 12th..

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Leaving today. Please pray for us.

 

[snogger]

Leaving today. Please pray for us.

Have fun.. Let them know Snogger will be down there on December 5th so they best prepare now :(

 

[FBGirl79]

Leaving today. Please pray for us.

Have fun.. Let them know Snogger will be down there on December 5th so they best prepare now

Snog I don't think anything can prepare them for your bunch 37 days before we leave! Getting really excited. We still need to order our MNSSHP tickets though.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Getting reservations really wasn't that difficult.

I'm still tired.

 

[snogger]

Leaving today. Please pray for us.

Have fun.. Let them know Snogger will be down there on December 5th so they best prepare now

Snog I don't think anything can prepare them for your bunch 37 days before we leave! Getting really excited. We still need to order our MNSSHP tickets though.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Ohanas (Polynesian) - a lot of people mentioned this earlier in this thread, and well I didn't care for it. I enjoy shrimp, I don't enjoy burnt shrimp. The turkey was bland, and I didn't try the pork or steak, but basically it was charred on the inside and pink inside. Basically what they do is put the meat over a flame and bbq. they have some dipping sauces, but they tasted like variations of ketchup, mustard and sweet and sour sauce to me. They bring you all you can eat which is okay, but again, not a big fan. I've had worse though.

I...... I don't know what to say... I've seen people that complain about fruit being too sweet, women being too beautiful, the Yankees winning too much. I never quite understood it. I mean, to me, if fruit isn't sweet, what's the point? They become vegetables on trees. So, the sweeter the better I say. And women; beauty being in the eye of the beholder aside, no one is too beautiful. I think that opinion shows in public a deep seeded personal self loathing that requires less beauty so that the beholder isn't as ugly as they really feel.And the Yankees, well, 161 wins and a title is still not perfection to me.But, to go so far and and to say, "... well I didn't care for it," when speaking of the great O'Hana. I think I understand humanity now. All my years of faith in Christ, entertainment by the Yankees, physical gratification by women and sated tummy of fruit have not given me the answer to humanity, but this has. I see it now. The clouds have given way to the horizon of all things and it is there. Clear. Perfect. The message is so obvious, the lesson so simple that you can actually see the letters of the words of the great true meaning of life. They say,"Some people are just ******* crazy."

So is it any good?

'Ohana is decent enough. It gets by largely on volume. I liked the dipping sauces. I also liked the pork wontons. The bread pudding dessert was pretty meh. The loud Hawaiian lady parading around should have been put out of her misery.We also ate at Coral Reef, Tutto Italia, Tusker House, and Crystal Palace. Tusker was probably my favorite. African-themed lunch buffet, and we were able to eat there for lunch without a reservation. The others were good as well. Tutto probably had the best meal overall. I had the ravioli which was tremendous. The mahi mahi at Coral Reef was quite delicious too. In general the WDW restaurants are pretty good at what they do. The wait staff is generally attentive and quick, and the food is consistently good. We had one night out at Columbia Restaurant in Celebration which was terrific. I think that was the best meal, actually.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Oh, and we stayed at the Omni Champions Gate. I highly recommend it.

 

[ditka85]

.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Oh, and we stayed at the Omni Champions Gate. I highly recommend it.

I got married on the 9th tee at Champions Gate.

 

[bakes]

Oh, and we stayed at the Omni Champions Gate. I highly recommend it.

I got married on the 9th tee at Champions Gate.

Priest: "I now pronoounce you man and wife..."Gallery Guy: "GET IN THE HOLE!!!"

 

[ATC1]

More VIP complaining about not getting reservations to Le Cellier.

Actually bump.....going labor day week. Boardwalk.

 

[Gator Shawn]

More VIP complaining about not getting reservations to Le Cellier.

Those always drag on too long but that's a pretty funny one.

 

[D-Fens]

www.ridemax.com

I'm telling you. I used this site with the wife over MLK weekend, and we didn't wait in line for a ride longer than 20 minutes once. Awesome.

The guy that owns the site/designs the software is the former engineer for Disney that designed the rides to accommodate the lines the best; he uses algorithms to build an itenerary for the most efficient use of your time while you're there. There are also hidden tips, including secret locations for parades, how to get the best seats for shows, etc. It's like $15 for the software, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

BC

 

[Binky The Doormat]

www.ridemax.comI'm telling you. I used this site with the wife over MLK weekend, and we didn't wait in line for a ride longer than 20 minutes once. Awesome.The guy that owns the site/designs the software is the former engineer for Disney that designed the rides to accommodate the lines the best; he uses algorithms to build an itenerary for the most efficient use of your time while you're there. There are also hidden tips, including secret locations for parades, how to get the best seats for shows, etc. It's like $15 for the software, and I'd recommend it to anyone. BC

Thanks - this software looks excellent. I am in next trip.

 

[Disco Stu]

More VIP complaining about not getting reservations to Le Cellier.

 

[sho nuff]

Does anyone know where to find the extra magic hours ahead of time...like for March of next year?

 

[snogger]

Does anyone know where to find the extra magic hours ahead of time...like for March of next year?

Looks like they only list out 3 or 4 months at a time

 

[belljr]

ANy good deals to stay in the park.

We're going in February and I can't find anything below 4000 for 2 adults 2 kids

 

[The Flying Turtle]

ANy good deals to stay in the park.We're going in February and I can't find anything below 4000 for 2 adults 2 kids

I went to disneyworld.com and the price for 2 adults/2 children with park hopper passes is only $2640 for Feb 6 - 13 at the Port Orleans. I did not include the meal plan though, maybe that is the difference.

 

[Gator Shawn]

Checking in on this thread from inside my room at Port Orleans French Quarter. REALLY liking this hotel when compared to the All-Stars. The Hot Tub has been a perfect capper to each evening thus far.

Temps down 4-5 degrees from same time last year but crowds are up a little from last year mostly due to the amazing deals Disney is offering now.

 

[Godsbrother]

Does anyone know where to find the extra magic hours ahead of time...like for March of next year?

Looks like they only list out 3 or 4 months at a time

Yep. The March hours won't be announced until December.

 

[snogger]

ANy good deals to stay in the park.

We're going in February and I can't find anything below 4000 for 2 adults 2 kids

Try Magic for less No idea if it will be cheaper or not, but it is a free quote.

 

[sho nuff]

Does anyone know where to find the extra magic hours ahead of time...like for March of next year?

Looks like they only list out 3 or 4 months at a time

Yep. The March hours won't be announced until December.

Thanks.We are planning our trip and as nerds have our itinerary pretty much done...but we are not staying on site so actually trying to avoid the parks with extra magic hours when we can.

 

[soothsayer]

Thanks.We are planning our trip and as nerds have our itinerary pretty much done...but we are not staying on site so actually trying to avoid the parks with extra magic hours when we can.

That doesn't make you nerdy, it just makes you smart. Having done the Disney thing with now plan (never again) and with great planning, I can't imagine going in without itineraries ready to go. My fam leaves for our upcoming trip in just over 3 weeks and I feel like I'm behind because I don't yet have our park plans done....I guess if that makes me nerdy so be it!

 

[soothsayer]

Been loving this thread - thanks to all who have contributed.Fam is going in mid-October - staying at Wilderness Lodge (DVC). This will be the first time we've had the opportunity to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP). I've read up on it at tourguidemike, but do any of you have experience with it? Sorry if this has been covered - I've read the entire thread over the months but don't recall if this was covered. TIA.

Ordered our MNSSHP tickets last night!!! I'm not sure this is the sort of thing I should admit here, but the fam is going dressed as the Imagination Mover crew. Sooth, wife and 2 sons will be the movers, FIL will be Knit-Knots and MIL will be Nina. The good news is that putting together the shirts is inexpensive (no jumpsuits - too hot) and comfortable. The kids should love it.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Oh, and we stayed at the Omni Champions Gate. I highly recommend it.

I got married on the 9th tee at Champions Gate.

Priest: "I now pronoounce you man and wife..."Gallery Guy: "GET IN THE HOLE!!!"

I would have loved that.

 

[Osaurus]

Checking in on this thread from inside my room at Port Orleans French Quarter. REALLY liking this hotel when compared to the All-Stars. The Hot Tub has been a perfect capper to each evening thus far.

Temps down 4-5 degrees from same time last year but crowds are up a little from last year mostly due to the amazing deals Disney is offering now.

If you take the boat shuttle to Downtown Disney, you pass the old school treehouse condos/villas. When I was a kid, I totally wanted to stay in one of those.

 

[Team]

ANy good deals to stay in the park.We're going in February and I can't find anything below 4000 for 2 adults 2 kids

What dates?

 

[Team]

Checking in on this thread from inside my room at Port Orleans French Quarter. REALLY liking this hotel when compared to the All-Stars. The Hot Tub has been a perfect capper to each evening thus far.

 

[belljr]

ANy good deals to stay in the park.We're going in February and I can't find anything below 4000 for 2 adults 2 kids

What dates?

Feb 14 - 20 - we really have 6 adults but we will book separate if it's cheaper

 

[Team]

ANy good deals to stay in the park.

We're going in February and I can't find anything below 4000 for 2 adults 2 kids

What dates?

Feb 14 - 20 - we really have 6 adults but we will book separate if it's cheaper

http://www.magicalvacationstravel.com/mv/w...ng-blooms-offerThat agency has some special rates Feb 10-20 for certain resorts. I had the Poly booked for 60% off rack rate but had to cancel.

 

[ATC1]

Checking in on this thread from inside my room at Port Orleans French Quarter. REALLY liking this hotel when compared to the All-Stars. The Hot Tub has been a perfect capper to each evening thus far.

Temps down 4-5 degrees from same time last year but crowds are up a little from last year mostly due to the amazing deals Disney is offering now.

If you take the boat shuttle to Downtown Disney, you pass the old school treehouse condos/villas. When I was a kid, I totally wanted to stay in one of those.

They renovated the tree tops. Now it's a DVC resort villa. It was dorm rooms for international students for the school programs, but there were complaints of the students sun bathing were guest could see them. When I was in Disney earlier this month I went into a show room for the villas. Very nice.On the flip side, I don't get the hype for the new bay lake towers. The cost to be able to see the magic kingdom from your room is not worth it. The view of the fireworks is not very good. I like to stick to the Boardwalk and Old Key West.

 

[Mr. Chumley]

Oh, and we stayed at the Omni Champions Gate. I highly recommend it.

I got married on the 9th tee at Champions Gate.

Priest: "I now pronoounce you man and wife..."Gallery Guy: "GET IN THE HOLE!!!"

This really didn't get enough love.

 

[Gator Shawn]

So I am back at the hotel with my oldest son. Dinner was interesting. We had reservations at Chefs de France at 7:30. Appetizers were good. My son was feeling a bit ill so we ordered just simple chicken for him. Midway through the entress he blew chunks all over his plate. Check Please!

My wife and the youngest stuck around for fireworks and Soarin (fast passes from early in the day).

I hope he recovers or the rest of the trip could be in jeopardy.

 

[Team]

7-for-4 or 7-for-5 Package Offer for November 2009 - March 2010Now you can purchase a fantastic buy 4, get 7 or buy 5, get 7 vacation package offer valid for stays November 1 - December 24, 2009 through January 3 - March 27, 2010.Here are the details: * Buy a 4-night/4 day vacation package at a MODERATE, DELUXE or DELUXE VILLA resort, get a 7-night/7-day package. That's 3 FREE hotel nights and 3 extra days on your theme park admission tickets, equivalent to a 43% discount on your room and tickets! You must buy a package that includes at least 4 nights' accommodations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel plus minimum 4-day Magic Your Way Base Tickets to qualify for the 3 FREE nights and the 3 extra days on your tickets. * Buy a 5-night/5 day vacation package at a VALUE resort, get a 7-night/7-day package. That's 2 FREE hotel nights and 2 extra days on your theme park admission tickets, equivalent to a 29% discount on your room and tickets! You must buy a package that includes at least 5 nights' accommodations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel plus minimum 5-day Magic Your Way Base Tickets to qualify for the 2 FREE nights and the 2 extra days on your tickets.

 

[snogger]

7-for-4 or 7-for-5 Package Offer for November 2009 - March 2010

Now you can purchase a fantastic buy 4, get 7 or buy 5, get 7 vacation package offer valid for stays November 1 - December 24, 2009 through January 3 - March 27, 2010.

Here are the details:

*

Buy a 4-night/4 day vacation package at a MODERATE, DELUXE or DELUXE VILLA resort, get a 7-night/7-day package. That's 3 FREE hotel nights and 3 extra days on your theme park admission tickets, equivalent to a 43% discount on your room and tickets! You must buy a package that includes at least 4 nights' accommodations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel plus minimum 4-day Magic Your Way Base Tickets to qualify for the 3 FREE nights and the 3 extra days on your tickets.

*

Buy a 5-night/5 day vacation package at a VALUE resort, get a 7-night/7-day package. That's 2 FREE hotel nights and 2 extra days on your theme park admission tickets, equivalent to a 29% discount on your room and tickets! You must buy a package that includes at least 5 nights' accommodations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel plus minimum 5-day Magic Your Way Base Tickets to qualify for the 2 FREE nights and the 2 extra days on your tickets.

The travel agent from the mouse for less e-mailed me this morning about that.. After running the numbers she figured out our package was already cheaper than what they are offering. Lucky for us we booked back in March before Disney raised their prices.

 

[snogger]

So I am back at the hotel with my oldest son. Dinner was interesting. We had reservations at Chefs de France at 7:30. Appetizers were good. My son was feeling a bit ill so we ordered just simple chicken for him. Midway through the entress he blew chunks all over his plate. Check Please!My wife and the youngest stuck around for fireworks and Soarin (fast passes from early in the day).I hope he recovers or the rest of the trip could be in jeopardy.

Sorry to hear that here's to hoping for a quick recovery!

 

[Gator Shawn]

So I am back at the hotel with my oldest son. Dinner was interesting. We had reservations at Chefs de France at 7:30. Appetizers were good. My son was feeling a bit ill so we ordered just simple chicken for him. Midway through the entress he blew chunks all over his plate. Check Please!My wife and the youngest stuck around for fireworks and Soarin (fast passes from early in the day).I hope he recovers or the rest of the trip could be in jeopardy.

Sorry to hear that :( here's to hoping for a quick recovery!

He was up and at 'em the next morning. Pity we missed out on dessert.PSA for FBG. Raglan Road sucks. The food was very good, but it's hardly an Irish Pub. It's way too fancy and too many people ordered Wine. The server recommended a ####### Kronenburg Beer to the guy next to me. A Kronenburg. AT AN IRISH PUB!

 

[FBGirl79]

just got back yesterday from a 9 day trip. It was SO hot but the crowds were low which made it worth dealing with the heat. We did MNSSHP and it was awesome...just know what you want to do (are characters, candy or rides most important) and make sure you see at least one of the parades and get a good spot for the fireworks. We sat right in the center of the hub and it was fantastic!

We ate at Whispering Canyon, Le Cellier, Tusker House, Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, Tutto Italia, Liberty Tree Tavern, Ohana, Coral Reef and a pizza place right outside of Disney called Flippers. Of everything we had...Chef Mickey's was by far everyone's least favorite. Our favorites were Ohana, Tutto Italia, Whispering Canyon, and Le Cellier. For counter service...you have to go to Wolfgang Pucks Express Cafe in Downtown Disney. We loved it so much we went back once more for lunch and then breakfast. Try a Dole Whip at MK over near Swiss Family Tree House...they are great and refreshing in the heat

(1 snack credit)! Funnel Cakes at the Sleepy Hollow stand at MK counted as a snack credit and could be shared by a few. We found that the meals were so big and it was so hot that he shared a lot and didn't use many snack credits so had lots left over for the Food and Wine Festival and even still had a ton left at the end. We had counter service credits (convert them to snack credits before you leave) and snack credits that we used for muffins, brownies, bottled water, and suckers/snacks for gifts and for the drive home. Oh and don't buy bottled water or use your snack credits. Every place that serves fountain drinks will give you free ice water. I always asked for a large and sometimes they would give you a large but sometimes they would give you a small and I would just say...I need 4 please and they would give you them. It was so hot that everytime we passed a counter we got an ice water and saved a ton of money/snack credits that way. It was just too hot to drink anything else.

I'll answer anything else I can if anyone heading there soon has questions! We had a great time and already booked our trip for next year.

 

[Gator Shawn]

Welcome Back! We just got back Saturday from our 8-night trip. We ate at:

Restaurant Marrakesh - Good food, nice Belly Dancer

Tusker House - Good character breakfast

50s Prime Time Diner - Fun, we had a prototypical 50s Prime Time Diner waitress, she was great. Food was okay.

Boma - Our personal favorite place at Disney.

Rose and Crown Pub - Enjoyable, best Boddington's I've ever had.

Les Chefs De France - Meal was great up until the point my oldest barfed all over the table. Check please!

Ohana - I can't remember the last time I felt that stuffed from eating. The wings and the bread pudding were excellent.

Raglan Road - Bleh! Good food but completely the wrong atmosphere for a place calling itself an Irish Pub.

 

[Godsbrother]

PSA for FBG. Raglan Road sucks. The food was very good, but it's hardly an Irish Pub. It's way too fancy and too many people ordered Wine. The server recommended a ####### Kronenburg Beer to the guy next to me. A Kronenburg. AT AN IRISH PUB!

Who cares what other people are ordering? They have a nice selection of beer and scotch and the food is top notch. I had a great time there.

 

[ukshane]

PSA for FBG. Raglan Road sucks. The food was very good, but it's hardly an Irish Pub. It's way too fancy and too many people ordered Wine. The server recommended a ####### Kronenburg Beer to the guy next to me. A Kronenburg. AT AN IRISH PUB!

Who cares what other people are ordering? They have a nice selection of beer and scotch and the food is top notch. I had a great time there.

The bread pudding there is fantastic.

 

[ATC1]

We ate at Whispering Canyon, Le Cellier, Tusker House, Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, Tutto Italia, Liberty Tree Tavern, Ohana, Coral Reef and a pizza place right outside of Disney called Flippers. Of everything we had...Chef Mickey's was by far everyone's least favorite. Our favorites were Ohana, Tutto Italia, Whispering Canyon, and Le Cellier. For counter service...you have to go to Wolfgang Pucks Express Cafe in Downtown Disney. We loved it so much we went back once more for lunch and then breakfast.

recomended!Where did you stay?

 

[soothsayer]

We did MNSSHP and it was awesome...just know what you want to do (are characters, candy or rides most important) and make sure you see at least one of the parades and get a good spot for the fireworks. We sat right in the center of the hub and it was fantastic!

I have a few questions about this - considered asking via PM but assume the answers might be helpful to others as well...1) Was it easy to get on rides? Lines anywhere? Any areas to avoid? We are NOT very interested in the characters but more interested in the rides and candy...2) Did you attend the first or second parade? Would you do it that way again?3) Were lots of people in costume?TIA

 

[snogger]

just got back yesterday from a 9 day trip. It was SO hot but the crowds were low which made it worth dealing with the heat. We did MNSSHP and it was awesome...just know what you want to do (are characters, candy or rides most important) and make sure you see at least one of the parades and get a good spot for the fireworks. We sat right in the center of the hub and it was fantastic! We ate at Whispering Canyon, Le Cellier, Tusker House, Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, Tutto Italia, Liberty Tree Tavern, Ohana, Coral Reef and a pizza place right outside of Disney called Flippers. Of everything we had...Chef Mickey's was by far everyone's least favorite. Our favorites were Ohana, Tutto Italia, Whispering Canyon, and Le Cellier. For counter service...you have to go to Wolfgang Pucks Express Cafe in Downtown Disney. We loved it so much we went back once more for lunch and then breakfast. Try a Dole Whip at MK over near Swiss Family Tree House...they are great and refreshing in the heat (1 snack credit)! Funnel Cakes at the Sleepy Hollow stand at MK counted as a snack credit and could be shared by a few. We found that the meals were so big and it was so hot that he shared a lot and didn't use many snack credits so had lots left over for the Food and Wine Festival and even still had a ton left at the end. We had counter service credits (convert them to snack credits before you leave) and snack credits that we used for muffins, brownies, bottled water, and suckers/snacks for gifts and for the drive home. Oh and don't buy bottled water or use your snack credits. Every place that serves fountain drinks will give you free ice water. I always asked for a large and sometimes they would give you a large but sometimes they would give you a small and I would just say...I need 4 please and they would give you them. It was so hot that everytime we passed a counter we got an ice water and saved a ton of money/snack credits that way. It was just too hot to drink anything else. I'll answer anything else I can if anyone heading there soon has questions! We had a great time and already booked our trip for next year.

Glad your trip was a success!! How'd you like Whispering Canyon?? and did you have to ride the pony???