Disney Vacation (5 Viewers)

[skinrod876]

Finally got all of our dining reservations setup, thanks to you guys.

Ended up with:
Sci-Fi Dine In
'Ohana
Princess Storybook at Akershus
Character Dinner at Crystal Palace
Tusker House
Via Napoli
Happily Ever After at 1900 Park Fare

One more question for the Disney vets. With my in-laws joining us (they are on a different reservation) do I really need them to get their own Disney account? My SIL will be fine with it but if my FIL and MIL need it I'll have to do it for them. That would probably be fine as I'd probably end up doing everything for them online if I need to, but if they don't need it I'd rather just skip that step.

 

 

[Osaurus]

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/11/disney-introducing-monorail-resort-restaurant-hopping-experience-highway-sky-dine-around/

New dining experience - pretty cool concept with restaurant hopping.  At $150 per it's probably an adults only thing for most of us.

Wife wants to try this. Sounds like fun.

 

[El Floppo]

amazing stuff, guys- thanks!

fwiw- we went to MK when the 9yo was 3. he was too young for any of it (not that 3 is, but he was). total waste of money, but he did like the pirates show.

we live in NYC, so food is completely unimportant to us down there- cheap and easy is the key.

speaking of cheap and easy... are there discounts for tickets to the parks? ez pass?

also- I have no idea how the ez pass works... I thought you bought a daily and got in a quicker line wherever you went. it's reserved time per ride? there are different kinds?

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Been a while since I've been to Legoland.  

9-10 is about the oldest I would recommend for kids visiting it.  Lots of cool Lego stuff, don't recall big thrill rides, though there are some amusement ones.  

The park is an hour south of Orlando, so be aware of an early start on park day.  

Legoland has a line bypass option that will double the cost of the park ticket but will bypass a lot of lines.  When we went last (five years ago) it was midweek in early December and there was no need to bypass lines.  But Lego is a much broader and more popular brand now, and you're going on a long weekend.  Might consider it.

Within the park there will be clinics on builds and robotics.  Interesting, but nothing a local science museum or school robotics team can't replicate.  And they are time-consuming given how limited the park hours are.

The Lego re-creations of landmarks and cities are really, really cool.  IIRC, Legoland Florida has builds of the Vegas strip, the NYC skyline, Kennedy Space Center (with a Lego space shuttle that "lanuches" every few minutes), Daytona Speedway, other Florida landmarks, plus some California builds replicating some displays at Legoland California.  I could have spent several hours checking those things out.  So intricate.

I distinctly recall the park food being awful, but that was five years ago.  They've added a ton of content since then.

 

[RBM]

2 weeks away and my girls have no clue. Any of you guys do the surprise thing?  How did it turn out?

 

[jb1020]

2 weeks away and my girls have no clue. Any of you guys do the surprise thing?  How did it turn out?

We tried a surprise last time and it kind of fizzled out on us. Kids we're 5 and 3 and we drove down.  They thought it was a work thing or me. We woke them up and gave them Mickey shirts then gave them their magic bands.  They had been before so they should have figured it out.  They did figure it out, but they had just woken up and didn't get too excited.  They were tired from the day before and half asleep.  

The wife and I had high hopes...but our execution was pretty poor.   Kids might have been too young too.

Tons of good stuff on youtube to check out. 

We'll be there at the same time...good luck with the surprise. 

 

[Thunderlips]

2 weeks away and my girls have no clue. Any of you guys do the surprise thing?  How did it turn out?

We left on a Sun. We told our kids Fri. night.....and then only because we wanted them to have a little time to process, pick out apps for their Kindles, tell their grandparents.  Worked great. Gave our daughter the box with the magic bands and she read the letter.  Freaked out. Running around, screaming and yelling.....it was cool...and I don't think we would have gotten that reaction if we told them Sun. morning. 

 

[RBM]

We tried a surprise last time and it kind of fizzled out on us. Kids we're 5 and 3 and we drove down.  They thought it was a work thing or me. We woke them up and gave them Mickey shirts then gave them their magic bands.  They had been before so they should have figured it out.  They did figure it out, but they had just woken up and didn't get too excited.  They were tired from the day before and half asleep.  

The wife and I had high hopes...but our execution was pretty poor.   Kids might have been too young too.

Tons of good stuff on youtube to check out. 

We'll be there at the same time...good luck with the surprise. 

Thanks, enjoy your trip. 8, 6, and a 1 year old. Pray for me. 

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Just mixed together the dough.  I was a little worried that it didn't call for yeast, but it turns out Naan can be made with or without it.  

Was faithful to the directions, except I skipped the paddle.  Whisked the dry, then whisked the wet, then fired up the dough hooks and went to town.  

Not going to try to re-create the Peri Peri Chicken.  Just some simple chicken breast tenderloins seasoned with oil, salt, and pepper and grilled.  Got a store-bought coriander chutney that is magnificent, a homemade mango chutney left over from Thanksgiving weekend, a tzatziki sauce because I'm in a Naan-meets-gyro kind of mood, and will chop up some lettuce, tomato, and onion for garnishes.  

Playing the role of wild animals out the window will be a 5-year-old Labrador Retriever who will hang out with me while I grill and lay at various family members' feet during the meal.

My top oven rack + pizza stone + na'an with air bubbles = full contact with broiler and scorching.  Minor setback.  No harm was done to oven or house, so already funny to think about.

Moving it down one rack didn't quite get the browning the technique was supposed to deliver, but spreading a little melted butter over it after pulling it from the oven made it was DELICIOUS.  Outstanding pulling it apart and spreading one of the chutneys over the pieces.  The Naan Chicken Gyro with chicken, tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, red onion was successful.  Was easy to time everything - heating the oven and lighting the charcoal happened at about the same time, my sous chef chopped the garnishes while I rolled the dough out as the grill warmed up, chicken came off the grill just as the oven was ready for Tandoor Mode, covered the chicken with foil and let it develop while na'ans cooked.  No wild animals out the windows like at Sana'a, but the labrador was an excellent back patio companion during the grilling and she peacefully enjoyed a rawhide while the humans ate.   

Will do again.  I probably overmixed the dough, but that's user error.  I did the same thing when I was learning how to make pizza dough from scratch.  Might put a terra cotta tile under between the oven rack and pizza stone to get it a little closer to the broiler without setting anything on fire.     

 

[glvsav37]

Finally got all of our dining reservations setup, thanks to you guys.

Ended up with:
Sci-Fi Dine In—Nice...very fun place
'Ohana—Luv it!
Princess Storybook at Akershus—Breakfast or dinner? Either way, enjoy the eye candy
Character Dinner at Crystal Palace
Tusker House—Good overall character meal.
Via Napoli
Happily Ever After at 1900 Park Fare—The step sisters are a lot of fun. If you have a young boy with you (I forgot), have him propose to one of them. Hilarity ensues

One more question for the Disney vets. With my in-laws joining us (they are on a different reservation) do I really need them to get their own Disney account? My SIL will be fine with it but if my FIL and MIL need it I'll have to do it for them. That would probably be fine as I'd probably end up doing everything for them online if I need to, but if they don't need it I'd rather just skip that step.

 

on the MyDisExp account. YES they need them, even if you set it up for them and they never touch it. Otherwise they cant get fast passes. Even if they are not really interested in FP rides, make the FPs anyway and you can swipe their Magic Band from them, so its like bonus FP's. This is what My in-laws do. they dont go on rides, so they just make their FPs for what ever anyone else wants to ride.

 

[glvsav37]

My top oven rack + pizza stone + na'an with air bubbles = full contact with broiler and scorching.  Minor setback.  No harm was done to oven or house, so already funny to think about.

Moving it down one rack didn't quite get the browning the technique was supposed to deliver, but spreading a little melted butter over it after pulling it from the oven made it was DELICIOUS.  Outstanding pulling it apart and spreading one of the chutneys over the pieces.  The Naan Chicken Gyro with chicken, tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, red onion was successful.  Was easy to time everything - heating the oven and lighting the charcoal happened at about the same time, my sous chef chopped the garnishes while I rolled the dough out as the grill warmed up, chicken came off the grill just as the oven was ready for Tandoor Mode, covered the chicken with foil and let it develop while na'ans cooked.  No wild animals out the windows like at Sana'a, but the labrador was an excellent back patio companion during the grilling and she peacefully enjoyed a rawhide while the humans ate.   

Will do again.  I probably overmixed the dough, but that's user error.  I did the same thing when I was learning how to make pizza dough from scratch.  Might put a terra cotta tile under between the oven rack and pizza stone to get it a little closer to the broiler without setting anything on fire.     

In case anyone is confused as to what Bruce is taking about...its this. He's replicated the "Holy crap that's amazing" Bread Service from Sanaa. And now he will invite us all over to his place for sampling.

 

[skinrod876]

on the MyDisExp account. YES they need them, even if you set it up for them and they never touch it. Otherwise they cant get fast passes. Even if they are not really interested in FP rides, make the FPs anyway and you can swipe their Magic Band from them, so its like bonus FP's. This is what My in-laws do. they dont go on rides, so they just make their FPs for what ever anyone else wants to ride.

Can I just set them up as part of my Friends and Family and say that I control their account and get FPs for them or will that not work because they are on a separate reservation?

 

[El Floppo]

magic band?

 

[Moe.]

No fastpass the night of a Christmas Party, correct?

 

[glvsav37]

Can I just set them up as part of my Friends and Family and say that I control their account and get FPs for them or will that not work because they are on a separate reservation?

they would still need accounts to be part of your friends and family I believe. 

Honestly, I've never had to worry about it, I've only traveled with my immediate family. But The way WDW is going so digital, I would put money down that they need the accounts. To get FP, you need to have your tickets and/or resort reservations linked so that know that you will be there. 

 

[Thunderlips]

they would still need accounts to be part of your friends and family I believe. 

Honestly, I've never had to worry about it, I've only traveled with my immediate family. But The way WDW is going so digital, I would put money down that they need the accounts. To get FP, you need to have your tickets and/or resort reservations linked so that know that you will be there. 

FWIW, when we went, we had several different rooms over two distinct reservations (my family was Sun. - Tue. separate and then Tue. to Sat. along with two other rooms) and my MIL had control over everyone, but designated a "contact" person for the other two rooms. I didn't(don't) have an account with Disney, but since I was designated a contact, I was able to access and add Fastpasses for everyone in the entire party. 

 

[glvsav37]

@Thunderlips good to know..thanks! We only travel with the 4 of us, so I don't have ot worry about branching too far outside our little group.

 

[STBootleg]

 

[glvsav37]

 

[STBootleg]

I'm hoping to take my daughter for the first time(9yo) in the new year and want to start planning. Looks like a bunch of great info that I'll need to look over.

 

[glvsav37]

@STBootleg Awesome!

Yes, there is a lot to digest, but feel free to ask anything. Lots of good, knowledgeable Disney peeps in here willing to lend an opinion.

Fist thing is to find your comfortable budget and work back from there. That will dictate all things from resort choice, on/off site, length of stay, # of park days, etc. Its a tough target to slide into b/c its not so cut and dry—like you you will save $ by staying off site, but then you need to factor in a car rental and parking.  Stuff like that. 

Also, if its your1st time or have not been in a while, there is no shame in having a certified Diz travel agent book the main part of the vacation for you. Their services are free—they get a commission by WDW—and their job is to keep up with all the discounts and offers out there in addition to a lot of the annoying (to some) nitty gritty details of the vacation.  If you go that route, you can still bounce ideas off of us here and get everyone's opinion.

I really only know the on-site resorts, but off site you have lots of good chain-type hotels as well as renting someones timeshare or vacation home. On site, there are 3 categories:
Value: these are your cheapest rooms. THey usually have a big quick service location to eat and are pretty much straight up hotel rooms. But what they lack in overall amenities, they make up in super sized Disney theming.

Moderates: This is your middle tier room. Rooms are still pretty straight up, but the grounds are a bit more sculptured, there is usually a sit down as well as QS  dining options and they are closer to the parks or Disney Springs (where you can take a boat vs only relying on the buses). These also offer some special theme rooms like princess or pirate themed ones.

Deluxe: these are the signature resorts, some on the monorail line. They are usually just outside the theme parks and offer the better (to some) views, pools and other amenities. THey often have multiple restaurants and bars. 

there is a 4th set of resorts that are on property but not owned by Disney—The Swan and Dolphin.  I believe these are Starwood holels, so if you have any SW loyalty points, you can use them there. The difference these have vs other off=property ones is that they have use of the Disney buses and are in the Epcot/Studios area maknig it easier to hit those parks then truly coming from off site.

Once you have your resorts picked out and the prices for those in line, then the rest of the stuff falls in line.

pros/cons to on site vs off site are:
On site:
Disney transportation runs all day/night
Access to the meal plan (and at certain time of year it may be free)
Ticket package discount
Magical Express (free bus and luggage service to and from Orlando Airport)
60 window for getting fast passes
In park purchases can be delivered to hotel
But...more expensive then most hotels.

Off site (timeshares, hotel, vacation homes)
Cheaper
Prob need to rent a car (unless you are driving)
Parking ($15 per day at most parks)
A little more freedom to hit Universal or other area attractions
30 day fast pass window
No dining plan, but off site restaurants are gonna be cheaper

hope that helps to get you started. IMO, I like to use Youtube as a guide. Put some resort names in there and you'll find lots of walk around videos and really see the grounds, pools, etc. Check out Google Maps and see a good overview of the property (pssst.....Its a big place) and see where resorts fall in relation to the parks.  

any other questions, give a shout


 

 

[STBootleg]

@STBootleg Awesome!

Yes, there is a lot to digest, but feel free to ask anything. Lots of good, knowledgeable Disney peeps in here willing to lend an opinion.

Fist thing is to find your comfortable budget and work back from there. That will dictate all things from resort choice, on/off site, length of stay, # of park days, etc. Its a tough target to slide into b/c its not so cut and dry—like you you will save $ by staying off site, but then you need to factor in a car rental and parking.  Stuff like that. 

Also, if its your1st time or have not been in a while, there is no shame in having a certified Diz travel agent book the main part of the vacation for you. Their services are free—they get a commission by WDW—and their job is to keep up with all the discounts and offers out there in addition to a lot of the annoying (to some) nitty gritty details of the vacation.  If you go that route, you can still bounce ideas off of us here and get everyone's opinion.

I really only know the on-site resorts, but off site you have lots of good chain-type hotels as well as renting someones timeshare or vacation home. On site, there are 3 categories:
Value: these are your cheapest rooms. THey usually have a big quick service location to eat and are pretty much straight up hotel rooms. But what they lack in overall amenities, they make up in super sized Disney theming.

Moderates: This is your middle tier room. Rooms are still pretty straight up, but the grounds are a bit more sculptured, there is usually a sit down as well as QS  dining options and they are closer to the parks or Disney Springs (where you can take a boat vs only relying on the buses). These also offer some special theme rooms like princess or pirate themed ones.

Deluxe: these are the signature resorts, some on the monorail line. They are usually just outside the theme parks and offer the better (to some) views, pools and other amenities. THey often have multiple restaurants and bars. 

there is a 4th set of resorts that are on property but not owned by Disney—The Swan and Dolphin.  I believe these are Starwood holels, so if you have any SW loyalty points, you can use them there. The difference these have vs other off=property ones is that they have use of the Disney buses and are in the Epcot/Studios area maknig it easier to hit those parks then truly coming from off site.

Once you have your resorts picked out and the prices for those in line, then the rest of the stuff falls in line.

pros/cons to on site vs off site are:
On site:
Disney transportation runs all day/night
Access to the meal plan (and at certain time of year it may be free)
Ticket package discount
Magical Express (free bus and luggage service to and from Orlando Airport)
60 window for getting fast passes
In park purchases can be delivered to hotel
But...more expensive then most hotels.

Off site (timeshares, hotel, vacation homes)
Cheaper
Prob need to rent a car (unless you are driving)
Parking ($15 per day at most parks)
A little more freedom to hit Universal or other area attractions
30 day fast pass window
No dining plan, but off site restaurants are gonna be cheaper

hope that helps to get you started. IMO, I like to use Youtube as a guide. Put some resort names in there and you'll find lots of walk around videos and really see the grounds, pools, etc. Check out Google Maps and see a good overview of the property (pssst.....Its a big place) and see where resorts fall in relation to the parks.  

any other questions, give a shout


 

@glvsav37  Thanks, good stuff.

My wife and I have both been, we went on our honeymoon. We stayed at the Lake Buena Vista Resort(it was a gift from one of her clients), that was 13 years ago, now we want to take our daughter.

My wife is thinking about using AAA to help plan the trip, is this a good idea, are they considered a Disney travel agent?

 

[ThreeThousand]

Enjoy!

The food will be brought out to you and presented.  No need to order off a menu.

If it looks good, try it.  If you want more, they will bring it.

The grilled, skewered meats and shrimp was what make the place famous.  My favorite is the shrimp.  It's a little extra effort to peel them, but the smoky flavor still penetrates the shell and protects it from overcooking.  The chicken thighs are marinated to protect against dryness and are great with either dipper.  The sirloin is a mixed bag but delicious when removed from the heat in time.

The underrated course is a plate of noodles, wings, and potstickers that come out after the salad, before the meats.  The wings are flavored with honey and coriander (the seed of the cilantro plant), so they aren't Buffalo-style hot or BBQ-style sweet.  It's a mellow smoothness and crispy texture.  The kid likes to reserve some noodles, wait for the chicken to come out, mix them together and dump the peanut sauce on it.  I approve of this message.  The potstickers seem ordinary at first wow the texture on them delivers. There's a dispute in my family about which dipping sauce is better with them.  Obviously the solution here is to try both.

If you like Polynesian/ukulele music, you're gonna love the background music.  If you're bringing kids, there will be an opportunity for them to race coconuts around the restaurant and dance to live music.

Thanks for the advice.  This was really a great dining experience.  We tend to not get around to the resort hotels for dining, and will make O'hana a priority going forward.  There was nothing bad that they brought out, and the bread pudding at the end was perhaps the best I've ever had.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Thanks for the advice.  This was really a great dining experience.  We tend to not get around to the resort hotels for dining, and will make O'hana a priority going forward.  There was nothing bad that they brought out, and the bread pudding at the end was perhaps the best I've ever had.

Outstanding, Cousin!  So glad to hear you had a positive experience there, and I won't be the only one in this thread to say that. 

It's time-consuming to hit the resorts for dining, especially with young kids, but the Polynesian pairs pretty well with MK.  

 

[glvsav37]

and the bread pudding 

I think I'm getting aroused just thinking about it. 

 

[glvsav37]

@glvsav37  Thanks, good stuff.

My wife and I have both been, we went on our honeymoon. We stayed at the Lake Buena Vista Resort(it was a gift from one of her clients), that was 13 years ago, now we want to take our daughter.

My wife is thinking about using AAA to help plan the trip, is this a good idea, are they considered a Disney travel agent?

cool....glad you're going back! 

I can't vouch for AAA. I know they did have a partnership with Disney but I heard that was ending. I'm not sure what they offer in terms of discounts or packages, nor have I kept up with it b/c i'm not a AAA member. Can't hurt to play them against another agent or what you can do online yourself. 

A good chunk has indeed changed since you were there. Most importantly the FastPass system and a complete digital integration and planning. 

Good luck with the planning and feel free to ask away!! 

 

 

[glvsav37]

@jb1020 can you get in on this??

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/12/spaceship-earth-at-epcot-to-become-giant-star-wars-death-star-during-special-after-hours-event/

Edit...sorry. I see its filled. 

 

[ThreeThousand]

Outstanding, Cousin!  So glad to hear you had a positive experience there, and I won't be the only one in this thread to say that.

It's time-consuming to hit the resorts for dining, especially with young kids, but the Polynesian pairs pretty well with MK.

Yeah, the young kids means that my typical dining experience means I'm at 1900 Park Faire/Akershus/Tusker House/Hollywood & Vine/Chef Mickey's like this trip.

On a totally different note, I don't know how you FBGs afford to go and dine at some of these places.  We were on the free dining plan, and I added up the retail cost of just food for our 6 day trip, and I was over $1600 ($1700 if you include those stupid refillable mugs that were $70 for 4 retail).  That's simply ridiculous.  The character meals were $200 apiece alone (after tip) for the 4 of us.

 

[In The Zone]

Thanks for the advice.  This was really a great dining experience.  We tend to not get around to the resort hotels for dining, and will make O'hana a priority going forward.  There was nothing bad that they brought out, and the bread pudding at the end was perhaps the best I've ever had.

What I want to know is 

How many SHRIMP?

 

[glvsav37]

Wow...this is getting silly.

WDW offering "Express Transportation" for $15/pp a day. Starts Dec 7

Its amazing, they are spending more energy and resources thinking up '$$ add-ons' then upgrading what people are actually there for....to enjoy whats inside the parks. 

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Yeah, the young kids means that my typical dining experience means I'm at 1900 Park Faire/Akershus/Tusker House/Hollywood & Vine/Chef Mickey's like this trip.

On a totally different note, I don't know how you FBGs afford to go and dine at some of these places.  We were on the free dining plan, and I added up the retail cost of just food for our 6 day trip, and I was over $1600 ($1700 if you include those stupid refillable mugs that were $70 for 4 retail).  That's simply ridiculous.  The character meals were $200 apiece alone (after tip) for the 4 of us.

We budget $2,500 for food while we are there.

 

[The Ref]

We budget $2,500 for food while we are there.

That's what I budget for water when I'm there in the summer.

 

[glvsav37]

thats why I get the dining plan. I've run numbers and I come out close to a little behind, but I like the fact that I don't even look at the meal price when I'm enjoying my vacation. Its bought and paid for before I leave and all I need to do is sit down and say "feed me!" 

Plus we all make the difference back up at "Ohanna anyway.

 

[Shaft41]

I always enjoyed the dining plan when my kids are younger.  Now that my youngest will turn 10 next summer and morph into that classic Disney "adult", our family of 7 would pay around $450 a day for the regular dining plan.  While I agree I loved the idea of it already being paid for and knowing we could order whatever we wanted, we can eat a lot of food at Disney paying out of pocket for $450 a day.  Of course, with 5 kids, we have to rob a bank just to get in the turnstiles as it is.  

 

[Yankee23Fan]

thats why I get the dining plan. I've run numbers and I come out close to a little behind, but I like the fact that I don't even look at the meal price when I'm enjoying my vacation. Its bought and paid for before I leave and all I need to do is sit down and say "feed me!" 

Plus we all make the difference back up at "Ohanna anyway.

Yeah the meal plan works for a lot of people.  but we've actually reviewed our numbers and budgets and what not and for what we get in the plan measured against what we would want at each meal, we actually do better paying cash and have now for a few trips.  With the DVC membership, Annual Pass and our usual purchase of the Tables in Wonderland card, we are pretty much assured that we will get a discount using one of them at any eatery in the entire complex.  From there, paying cash after that discount works better for us.  Example, at sit down meals we would much prefer an appetizer over the cheap included dessert that you get on the meal plan.  Dessert is what the World Showcase and various other places are for. 

But everyone has different needs.  The most important monetary thing you can do at Disney is actually sit down and make a real budget.  The price of everything is online somewhere.  We are usually able to nail the budget number if we take the time to plan. 

 

[glvsav37]

I always enjoyed the dining plan when my kids are younger.  Now that my youngest will turn 10 next summer and morph into that classic Disney "adult", our family of 7 would pay around $450 a day for the regular dining plan.  While I agree I loved the idea of it already being paid for and knowing we could order whatever we wanted, we can eat a lot of food at Disney paying out of pocket for $450 a day.  Of course, with 5 kids, we have to rob a bank just to get in the turnstiles as it is.  

I was there this year. My oldest turned 10 but still eats like a bird. Somewhat we were able to sneak her in as 9 but she is very tall, so we did get a few raised eyebrows and I know thats not gonna fly next year. But the savings was worth it. 

For the next trip we are considering the DP for the 3 of us and pay out of pocket for her. 

 

[Shaft41]

I was there this year. My oldest turned 10 but still eats like a bird. Somewhat we were able to sneak her in as 9 but she is very tall, so we did get a few raised eyebrows and I know thats not gonna fly next year. But the savings was worth it. 

For the next trip we are considering the DP for the 3 of us and pay out of pocket for her. 

See, I didn't know you could do that.  I guess I thought everyone on your reservation had to be on the dining plan.  That could work.  

 

[Capella]

Wow...this is getting silly.

WDW offering "Express Transportation" for $15/pp a day. Starts Dec 7

Its amazing, they are spending more energy and resources thinking up '$$ add-ons' then upgrading what people are actually there for....to enjoy whats inside the parks. 

Honestly I think a lot of this is there are just way too many people in the parks now and they don't know how to deter it. How many times can you raise prices while attendance still goes up?

 

[glvsav37]

@Yankee23Fan I hear you. Its always a discussion in our planning. And as I said above, with my daughter being considered a "adult" (offa it hurts to say that), the out of pocket topic is on the table. Funny though, one of the other main reason we are discussing the topic is we are wondering if we are eating 'too much' and our trip is getting chopped up too much by having to plan a sit down meal each day. 

I posted this a while back but its a pretty cool planning tool——Disney Dining plan calculator. its fun to play around with. 

 

[glvsav37]

Honestly I think a lot of this is there are just way too many people in the parks now and they don't know how to deter it. How many times can you raise prices while attendance still goes up?

funny thing is...according to disney...attendance is actually down in orlando. IDK..I don't see it. But thats what the suits are saying. 

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

I always enjoyed the dining plan when my kids are younger.  Now that my youngest will turn 10 next summer and morph into that classic Disney "adult", our family of 7 would pay around $450 a day for the regular dining plan.  While I agree I loved the idea of it already being paid for and knowing we could order whatever we wanted, we can eat a lot of food at Disney paying out of pocket for $450 a day.  Of course, with 5 kids, we have to rob a bank just to get in the turnstiles as it is.  

Yeah the 9-year-old on the DDP is awesome.  The 10-year-old "adult" is an expensive proposition.

 

[glvsav37]

See, I didn't know you could do that.  I guess I thought everyone on your reservation had to be on the dining plan.  That could work.  

you know what...I'm gonna backtrack...apparently you can't....

My husband is a big eater and I am not. Can we get the deluxe plan for him and the basic plan for me?

No. All guests staying in the same room must be on the same version of the Dining Plan.

I’m going to be sharing a room with a sorority sister. She doesn’t want the dining plan, but I do, can we make this happen?

No. All guests staying in the same room must either have the dining plan or not have the dining plan.

sorry to get your hopes up.

 

[Shaft41]

I was there this year. My oldest turned 10 but still eats like a bird. Somewhat we were able to sneak her in as 9 but she is very tall, so we did get a few raised eyebrows and I know thats not gonna fly next year. But the savings was worth it. 

For the next trip we are considering the DP for the 3 of us and pay out of pocket for her. 

I looked it up.  According to this, everyone in the room either is on the plan or not on the plan.  Doesn't look like you can pick and choose.  

I’m going to be sharing a room with a sorority sister. She doesn’t want the dining plan, but I do, can we make this happen?

No. All guests staying in the same room must either have the dining plan or not have the dining plan.

From:  http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-dining-plan-faq/

 

[Shaft41]

Yeah, I thought we looked at this option the last time we went when my oldest was 10.  Was hoping you had the inside info that it had changed.  

 

[AcerFC]

lol, I have such problems that the $15 a day for express seems more than worth it to me

 

[glvsav37]

@Shaft41 lol looks like we were on the same page at the same time. 

While it is a bummer...I just want to be in that room with the sorority sisters who don't like to eat

 

[glvsav37]

lol, I have such problems that the $15 a day for express seems more than worth it to me

per person.....

I don't disagree, sometimes the dis transport sucks. But its not 100% evil. For $15 I can put my whole family in a Uber and be anywhere in the parks, privately

And I have an issue with these being "backstage" I know, I'm kinda of a traditionalist, but there is a certain amount of magic that goes away once you've seen the other side of Main Street. Trust me, I was a cast member. Its cool at fist, but its not something you want to give guests regular access to 

 

[AcerFC]

per person.....

I don't disagree, sometimes the dis transport sucks. But its not 100% evil. For $15 I can put my whole family in a Uber and be anywhere in the parks, privately

I know its per person

Im not a big uber fan. Used it twice and could never use it again

 

[glvsav37]

I know its per person

Im not a big uber fan. Used it twice and could never use it again

really? crazy, we love the taxis and Uber...just goes to show you how everyone is different and have different experiences. 

sorry to hear it didn't go well. 

 

[glvsav37]

to add on to the Express Transport thing...It 100% is WDW's way to squeeze out Uber. Disney has a relationship with Meers Transports. They are actually contracted for all the Magical Express (not disney fleet) as well as run all the taxis in central florida. Uber recently came in and while i'm sure its not a huge % of their profits, I can see them trying to squish the bug before it gets too big. Uber won a huge victory recently by being granted access to pick ups at MCO which pissed off the taxi commission. 

Also...the chatter thinks that even with this new service, WDW will not be adding to their existing fleet, only taking buses off their main routes to support this pay-for service. If true, then I really have an issue with this b/c it negatively effects those who choose not to pay for the add on service. 

we shall see