September 2015?

[Gelfling_Jen]

My dad told my brother and I he wants to go to Disneyworld for his 80th birthday this September and take all his grandkids...so my hubby and I are planning this adventure for 10! (5 kids, 5 adults) We are staying at the Beach Club in 3 rooms.

We finally got the dates nailed down...my SIL cut the trip down from 7 days to 5 including travel days. My Dad, hubby and I are going down Sept 1-7, and my SIL, brother and kids are coming down Sept 3-7. My dad wants to go to Universal (his words...!!) to see 'Harry Potter Land'. My dad goes ballroom dancing 6 days a week - so no worries about his stamina or anything like that.

VENT: We have one extremely Anti-Disney in the group who has been fighting the planning of this trip since my Dad suggested it. She is making the planning of this trip a huge nightmare with constant excuses and changes. She says the food is horrible...she will get sick.. the kids don't wanna go (they were behind her yelling YES WE DO!) my niece suddenly has tickets to a show the day we were flying down (even though she is grounded right now..you get her tickets to a show??) ...the kids might start school before labor day...we don't know when the kids are starting school yet...my brother can't get off from work.. etc etc etc. My hubby and I are planning this trip and trying to make everyone happy - she has to stand in the way. I know she does not like or get Disney, but this is my dad's birthday wish...AND HE IS PAYING!!! I just started a new job, and I'm not going to have enough vacation time so I'm going to have to take time off without pay...we are all having to sacrifice for this trip...It's my dad's wish...and darn it I want to make it come true! I lost my mom back in 2012, and both my parents loved taking us to Disney as kids...and I totally get why he wants to go!! On top of this, my hubby and I are doing an ABD Southern California in Oct so we will be in Disneyland and WDW both a little more then a month! That's a LOT of Disney! lol! VENT OVER!

The logistics are complicated. My 17 year old nephew (skipped a grade) is starting college and is flying down on his own on Friday. My dad, my hubby and I are flying down first on Tuesday and depending on when school starts, we might add a roller coaster loving 13 year old nephew with us to Universal. My dad wants to do a tour guide at WDW. We are going to do 2 days with a tour guide and one day on our own for our party of 10. We are also planning a fireworks cruise (Epcot - leaves from beach club) for the group.

The WDW plans are to meet at the beach club on Thursday, check into our rooms, play at the pool and relax, with maybe a peak in the parks. Dinner and the fireworks cruise. The next day (Friday) will be Magic Kingdom with a tour guide. Saturday will be Animal kingdom, and some downtime in the afternoon/evening...and the last full day in the parks (Sunday) will be a combination of Epcot and Hollyood Studios with a tour guide. Whirlwind trip. We are all flying home the same time on Monday.

We plan on getting my dad a birthday button, and hope to have some wonderful meals. In the group we have a severe peanut allergy, gluten intolerance and milk sensitivity to deal with... an 11 year old who seems scared of every type of ride, a fearless 13 year old dare devil, a 'whateva' typical 15 year old teen girl, a brilliant 17 year old college freshman, my dad, turning 80 with class, my brother and SIL 46 and 45, my hubby 46 and the youngest, a 9 year old gymnast who does not have time to play....oh, and me...the big kid.

Wish me luck...We're gonna need it.

Wow I can't imagine having to plan for all those people with all those different personalities and abilities! I hope you stop getting so much push back and they chill out and realise it's your dad's wish and all the kids want to go too! I just don't get how some people can be so anti Disney. I'm dealing with it right now too! My DH and I were watching tv and a Disney commercial came on and it said something about pleasing everyone and he was like pleasing everyone? you're not going to please me. I asked him to please stop making negative comments about the trip that I've spent so much time planning and trying to make it so that everyone has a good time. I think he realised how ridiculous he is being and said he appreciates all my hard work but...then stopped himself and said no but's I appreciate all your hard work and I'm sure I'll enjoy it. That's the first time he has said he will enjoy it lol.

 

[White Rose]

Wow I can't imagine having to plan for all those people with all those different personalities and abilities! I hope you stop getting so much push back and they chill out and realise it's your dad's wish and all the kids want to go too! I just don't get how some people can be so anti Disney. I'm dealing with it right now too! My DH and I were watching tv and a Disney commercial came on and it said something about pleasing everyone and he was like pleasing everyone? you're not going to please me. I asked him to please stop making negative comments about the trip that I've spent so much time planning and trying to make it so that everyone has a good time. I think he realised how ridiculous he is being and said he appreciates all my hard work but...then stopped himself and said no but's I appreciate all your hard work and I'm sure I'll enjoy it. That's the first time he has said he will enjoy it lol.

Good luck with the hubby! Does he like any character specifically? I got my hubby to do a character meet and greet with talking mickey and he was REALLY impressed (with the technology...rofl...)and he could not stop talking about it. I tried to focus on things I knew he would like - back stage tours, how things work, etc. If you do one of those things your hubby likes when you go, you might find he is more agreeable.

All those people and all those personalities? UGH! This is why I'm glad we are doing a tour guide for 2 days!! I won't have to worry about the ride details, just food alone is going to be a challenge. I'm going to be 'in charge' of the nervous 11 year old...I think he will be fine - he tries to follow along in what his older (13 years old) brother does, but his brother is a daredevil, where he is more reserved. I only have to plan one half day at Animal Kingdom!

My SIL is just very negative with Disney - she hates whimsy and feels Disney is 'fake'. She has taken the kids there once, maybe twice, but not for a full vacation, and only for a few hours on one day, and she will complain that the lines were too long etc (she does not do research..lol)

My brother and I went to Disney every 6 years when we were growing up. So, it's a magical place that I got to visit rarely, and my parents saved up for all those years so we could stay at a nice place and fly down etc. Now as a grownup, we go every 5 years, to coincide with our milestone anniversaries. (honeymoon, 5 and 10 so far.)

I'm excited to plan this trip - I know how much my dad likes Disney, and he knows we know what we are doing when we plan our trip. (My hubby and I have done the platinum plan in he past so we have done the majority of the tours and eaten in many restaurants! No platinum plan this time! lol!) Only thing is...I have not booked any reservations for dining, and we are going during free dining...This is my Dad's trip, not mine, so I've been trying to engage him in planning (And he is not thinking about what he wants to eat in September...lol). I know food is a big issue for my SIL and I'm trying to find the right way to bring up the subject without her threatening to cancel the trip.

I know that the whole time we are planning this, she will be a giant roadblock. I know I won't be able to please her. I am hoping she will find some pleasure in seeing her kids having fun...it's all I can do.

I'm hoping the tour guide can help with reservations - I'm not sure if they can do that.

 

[jenphalian]

Wow, Sounds like some people have really complicated plans! I almost feel bad posting that I just booked an an uncomplicated 4-day solo trip. All for me!

I haven't been to Disney since my honeymoon, which I think was 12 years ago? My dear ex and I still vacation together and we will likely do WDW in 2016, especially if more substantial Star Wars & Marvel presence is there.

But for now... a quick trip all to myself, staying at the Lake Buena Vista Resort. My main goals are MK (Ariel! Haunted Mansion! Running around in a thriftshop bridesmaid dress and a tiara!) and Epcot (Imagination!! Flowers! Drinks!) so I'll do a full day at each, and on my arrival day I plan to hit downtown disney and look around and maybe see a movie. Is it true that at places like T-Rex a solo diner could get in without a reservation and eat at the bar? If it is, I'll go on a little appetizer-and-cocktail tour and hit all the restaurants I want!

 

[kelowatt]

Count me in for the September party! I've been loads of times but this is my first time staying on site and we'll be staying at Art of Animation. It's going to be my birthday, my bf's first time, Halloween and my first time at food and wine. I'm so excited that I don't know what to do with myself! I'll be there 9/23-9/28

Art of Animation is an AMAZING resort. I stayed there with my dad and sister on our last trip and we loved it! The pool and food court are excellent! Have a great trip!

 

[kelowatt]

We are booked for Sept 12-19 at the BC. Our first time to stay at that resort and my sons first time at Disney! Also trying to plan only new dining experiences although we will revisit crystal palace. Can't wait!!

New for me this trip: MNSSHP (we did the MVMCP last trip and LOVED it ), Beaches and Cream (dont know what took so long), possibly Chef Mickey's dinner (we MAY have gone on a trip back in the day, but if we did I don't remember it), 7DMT (it wasn't open last trip, and best of all...MY BABY NEPHEW! This trip is to celebrate my 40th birthday this past may ( my friends chipped in and bought me a share of disney stock), and my nephew's 1st birthday in July.

Hopefully we will be able to meet with my cousin who works at Disney in their culinary program before he goes to Shanghai!

 

[kelowatt]

My dad told my brother and I he wants to go to Disneyworld for his 80th birthday this September and take all his grandkids...so my hubby and I are planning this adventure for 10! (5 kids, 5 adults) We are staying at the Beach Club in 3 rooms.

We finally got the dates nailed down...my SIL cut the trip down from 7 days to 5 including travel days. My Dad, hubby and I are going down Sept 1-7, and my SIL, brother and kids are coming down Sept 3-7. My dad wants to go to Universal (his words...!!) to see 'Harry Potter Land'. My dad goes ballroom dancing 6 days a week - so no worries about his stamina or anything like that.

VENT: We have one extremely Anti-Disney in the group who has been fighting the planning of this trip since my Dad suggested it. She is making the planning of this trip a huge nightmare with constant excuses and changes. She says the food is horrible...she will get sick.. the kids don't wanna go (they were behind her yelling YES WE DO!) my niece suddenly has tickets to a show the day we were flying down (even though she is grounded right now..you get her tickets to a show??) ...the kids might start school before labor day...we don't know when the kids are starting school yet...my brother can't get off from work.. etc etc etc. My hubby and I are planning this trip and trying to make everyone happy - she has to stand in the way. I know she does not like or get Disney, but this is my dad's birthday wish...AND HE IS PAYING!!! I just started a new job, and I'm not going to have enough vacation time so I'm going to have to take time off without pay...we are all having to sacrifice for this trip...It's my dad's wish...and darn it I want to make it come true! I lost my mom back in 2012, and both my parents loved taking us to Disney as kids...and I totally get why he wants to go!! On top of this, my hubby and I are doing an ABD Southern California in Oct so we will be in Disneyland and WDW both a little more then a month! That's a LOT of Disney! lol! VENT OVER!

The logistics are complicated. My 17 year old nephew (skipped a grade) is starting college and is flying down on his own on Friday. My dad, my hubby and I are flying down first on Tuesday and depending on when school starts, we might add a roller coaster loving 13 year old nephew with us to Universal. My dad wants to do a tour guide at WDW. We are going to do 2 days with a tour guide and one day on our own for our party of 10. We are also planning a fireworks cruise (Epcot - leaves from beach club) for the group.

The WDW plans are to meet at the beach club on Thursday, check into our rooms, play at the pool and relax, with maybe a peak in the parks. Dinner and the fireworks cruise. The next day (Friday) will be Magic Kingdom with a tour guide. Saturday will be Animal kingdom, and some downtime in the afternoon/evening...and the last full day in the parks (Sunday) will be a combination of Epcot and Hollyood Studios with a tour guide. Whirlwind trip. We are all flying home the same time on Monday.

We plan on getting my dad a birthday button, and hope to have some wonderful meals. In the group we have a severe peanut allergy, gluten intolerance and milk sensitivity to deal with... an 11 year old who seems scared of every type of ride, a fearless 13 year old dare devil, a 'whateva' typical 15 year old teen girl, a brilliant 17 year old college freshman, my dad, turning 80 with class, my brother and SIL 46 and 45, my hubby 46 and the youngest, a 9 year old gymnast who does not have time to play....oh, and me...the big kid.

Wish me luck...We're gonna need it.

Good luck. Hopefully you, your hubby and dad can enjoy the trip once you're there.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

DH and I finally booked our flights! $356 RT for the both of us which is a lot less than I was expecting to pay! We were about to pay a little over $600 RT for the both of us. I'm glad DH convinced me to wait until he got back from Vegas last night. What makes this even better is we fly in a day early! So we'll be there the 2nd arriving at 9:35am and flying out the 8th at 8:50pm! I also just booked a night at ASMu for the day we arrive and even after that expense we're still out ahead. I'm even more excited for this trip! I get to add some extra things that we wouldn't really have had time for if it weren't for this! Just three more months!

 

[Beth06015]

DH and I finally booked our flights! $356 RT for the both of us which is a lot less than I was expecting to pay! We were about to pay a little over $600 RT for the both of us. I'm glad DH convinced me to wait until he got back from Vegas last night. What makes this even better is we fly in a day early! So we'll be there the 2nd arriving at 9:35am and flying out the 8th at 8:50pm! I also just booked a night at ASMu for the day we arrive and even after that expense we're still out ahead. I'm even more excited for this trip! I get to add some extra things that we wouldn't really have had time for if it weren't for this! Just three more months!

That's great!! I am cringing at the four tickets, ouch lol! I have heard the best prices are around 3 months out. I'll have to lock this down soon for us and are hoping for the same to be able to fly in/out early and late!! Way to go!!

 

[Beth06015]

This is from the book but ketchup in May and fly at noon (I was referring to the last paragraph):

When is the best time of day to fly? Noon. Commercial airline pilots will tell you that it depends on which airport you're flying out of, but generally noon is the time when you'll avoid airport rush hours, which often coincide with workday rush hours. Weather also factors into this. For example, West Coast travelers know morning for often delays flights, as do afternoon thunderstorms in the East. "You want to be on the ground by two in the afternoon in the summer," said one pilot who flies east of the Mississippi. Another view: According to a few of the other people who decide to cancel flights for U.S. Airlines, evening is best because carries usually work hard to get planes where they need to be in the morning for the next day's flight schedule.
Which is the best day of the week to fly? Saturday. The airlines offer fewer flights on Saturdays, and that translates to fewer delays, shorter lines, and less stress and aggravation for you. Air traffic controllers say if you fly on a Saturday, you're more likely to arrive on time, and if that isn't enough to convince you, Saturday is one of the cheapest days of the week to fly, according to statistical analysis of millions of airfares (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are also cheap days to fly, while Sunday is one of the most expensive). Check this out: Go to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association website, click on "Media Center," and then chose from a list of the nation's twenty-nine largest airports to learn about the best days to fly.
Which is the best month to fly to your summer vacation destination? August. During the past five years, more flights have arrived on time in August than July. There's no good explanation for it, but that's what the data show.
Which is the best day of the week to shop for airline tickets? Monday or Tuesday. That's when airlines often offer lower fares, and in fact, Tuesday is when most travelers buy tickets. Airlines raise fares later in the week. What about the widespread belief that airlines offer the best deals from 12:01 to 2:00 am on Wednesdays? Some deals may be had at this time, but it turns out that isn't a widespread practice among the airlines. Shopping tips: 1. Weekday domestic fares change about three times a day, so sign up for e-mail alerts. 2. When you book your ticket, it's great to find a nonstop flight, but beware of "direct flights." Many of them stop once en route to their final destinations. 3. Before you buy, check out farecast.com, which will predict whether the price of your flight will go up, down, or stay the same during the next week.
When is the best time of year to buy domestic airline tickets? Early, but not too early. Shop around as early as you want, but airlines start offering the cheapest seats about three months in advance of a flight. Prices tend to rise within sixty days of flight and then again within thirty days of flight. If there are any seats left within twenty days, price often dip then. Airlines want to fill every seat, and last-minute deals are possibly to find, but don't count on it. Demand for flights is high, and carriers are more likely to punish procrastinators by hiking ticket prices within a week or two of a flight. The exception: When you plan to fly around the holidays, it's a good idea tin that case to lock in a price ASP if it seems reasonable.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

That's great!! I am cringing at the four tickets, ouch lol! I have heard the best prices are around 3 months out. I'll have to lock this down soon for us and are hoping for the same to be able to fly in/out early and late!! Way to go!!

Thanks! I would check Southwest. That's where I found the amazing deal! It ends Thursday so I would check it out and see if they have any deals for your dates. I will have to keep that three month mark is the best time to book flights in mind next time I need to do so. I appreciate the advice!

 

[Beth06015]

Thanks! I would check Southwest. That's where I found the amazing deal! It ends Thursday so I would check it out and see if they have any deals for your dates. I will have to keep that three month mark is the best time to book flights in mind next time I need to do so. I appreciate the advice!

I just checked and looked like their website is down, can't see any prices for that date. Weird. They do not fly to our city but they do fly to a city about 90 minutes away. Not sure if it would be worth the hassle depending on the pricing I guess.

 

[Beth06015]

Thanks! I would check Southwest. That's where I found the amazing deal! It ends Thursday so I would check it out and see if they have any deals for your dates. I will have to keep that three month mark is the best time to book flights in mind next time I need to do so. I appreciate the advice!

And flights are confusing given that prices are always changing.....makes it hard to know when to pull the trigger. I will not be happy if they go up that's for sure!

 

[BagOLaughs]

My BF and myself are going on a two week vacation to Orlando on 16th September. We're not staying in Disney as we wanted to try a universal hotel so we're staying in Cabana Bay. We got a great deal through Virgin Atlantic as we got free 2 week universal passes for book flights & hotel through them.

We've already got a 4 day water parks and more park hopper ticket to Disey (4 days for the price of 3 yey) and I've made ADR for Boma which I'm super exited about as we've never eaten there before. We're planning on going to Typhoon Lagoon and then using the park's showers to get ready for our evening meal.

I'm super excited

 

[EeyoreFan19]

99 days today!

 

[lustergirl]

112 days!!

 

[White Rose]

our 90 day window to get TEN sets of Fastpasses is July 5....ugh. can I start getting them at midnight July 4th into the 5th?

I'm stressing because I'm in charge of a 10 person vacation in WDW - and while we are doing a private tour (thanks to my dad who wants to do this trip for his 80th Bday!) I found out we only get the tour guide reserved spots if the guide is with us...so now I need to work on getting the electric parade FPs fireworks FPs and Fantasmic FPs....for 10!!!! yay.

 

[Melissa Miller]

Just booked 10 days at AoA with my hubs and 3 littles! So excited to surprise them, this is going to be the longest summer ever 1st trip for my baby, its been 5 years, way over due.

 

[boggerbret]

We go Sept 14-27th! Sooooo Excited!

 

[han22735]

our 90 day window to get TEN sets of Fastpasses is July 5....ugh. can I start getting them at midnight July 4th into the 5th?

I'm stressing because I'm in charge of a 10 person vacation in WDW - and while we are doing a private tour (thanks to my dad who wants to do this trip for his 80th Bday!) I found out we only get the tour guide reserved spots if the guide is with us...so now I need to work on getting the electric parade FPs fireworks FPs and Fantasmic FPs....for 10!!!! yay.

Yes if your 60* day is July 5th then it's the 4th after midnight but probably 1am due to late MK closing. Also I wouldn't be too stressed if you can't get any of those 3 fp as there's plenty of space to see all three without a fp in the slower time of year to go.

 

[godders]

94 days and counting! 9th - 22nd all to myself on a solo trip. Sooooo can not wait!