[Erin]

I am (Lord Willing) - WEEKS away from FINALLY buying APs for my family.

I have thought so long about this, that I think I pretty much have a few plans worked out. Of course, these don't HAVE to happen - but, this is the way I'd really like it to go.

Why am I posting this? Well, because I'm obsessed. I just gotta see it in black and white!
(Some of you can relate, right?)

Besides, it will be fun to see if it all happens the way I want it to!



Do you think it would be better to wait until AFTER the big black out months to start the clock? It probably doesn't really matter, but I think I'm gonna. That way I might get to avoid some of these 50th crowds...

We can only afford to go once a month or so. Even though the tickets are paid for, I still have to feed 5 ppl and gas is outrageous.

I can officially enter the park on August 19th, and not one day before. Because, those dates are no-no's for SAPs.

Sooooo...

August -

Family Trip.
The stuff we've never done, but been dying to try.

2 days, 1 night. PC, maybe.
MGM (DH and kids have never really seen all of this park!)

EPCOT (We've never been!)

September
Day Trip
Matt's the big 3-0!
So, just Him and me!
Epcot - world showcase
MK - haircuts, leisurely trip...

[Erin]

OCTOBER

We have a family vacation this month, anyway. We will be gone 8-15th.

BUT - I'm hoping we can do ONE overnight at WDW for MNSSHP.

I want to go the first week in Oct.

Whole Family. 1 night, 2 days @ CSR

MNSSHP
AK the next day.

Head to Meet and Greet with kids for one afternoon last week of Oct. Not sure when, will have to see what everyone is doin'.

NOVEMBER

Sissy will be 9!
Gonna have to have some sort of character breakfast/dinner for her...
Whatever park she chooses, we will go for the day.

Come back towards end of month for decorations, and family day in MK

That's all I have for now.
But, I'll be back!


ANy suggestions????

[Dana]

I love how you have plans mapped out so far in advance...you sound like me and it's fun to plan. I don't have any suggestions off the top off my head, but I will think on it. you have to make sure the family sees MGM totally and you must go to Epcot. Definately go there for the Food and wine festival. you can eat your way around the world sampling little this and that from the countries. I agree with your strategy. You should wait a bit for the AP and hold off until after the black out time. You have a whole year to go and it's better with no crowds, so wait as long as you can. I totally understand wanting to see it in black and white. I didn't feel like I had anything planned right until I got actual passes and stuff.. I can't wait to hear all the trip reports for the stuff you have planned already.

[cinderbella]

You should do EPCOT---I think it would be a wonderful excuse to go to wdw esp. since you homeschool your kids!!
I agree with what you said...wait until August (I know..it seems sooo far) to buy your AP's............It'd be said to buy them..and then have to sit on them for a few months!

[Metalfan]

I think it looks great Erin!! You're buying the SAP?

[Erin]

aww, thanks for responding!! I have the rest of the months, believe it or not.

I could sit for hours and think of all the restaurants we'd try, and the things we'd see and ride...

We can't wait to try EPCOT!

MetalFan - yup - seasonal APs! I'm so excited!

[DisneyTeacher]

I love how you think, Erin. I wish I could make monthly trips, you are so lucky.

[Erin]

Well, it hasn't happened yet, LOL!

I'm hoping it will, though...It's very close to happening!! When I have that voucher in my hand, I might possibly explode.

!!

[Erin]

DECEMBER

Well, this is Christmas, which is an expensive time of year, but I have DH talked into MVMCP as one of the kids presents

So, 2 days, one night. Early in the month, before I'm blacked out.

MVMCP and whatever park DH chooses, since he is gonna have to work so OT to swing this one!


JANUARY
Mikie will be 11!

3 days, 2 nights - POR? We've never stayed, would love to try it.

I'm dying to try Boma...hopefully we've already done it by now, but if not - we ARE GOING this trip.
I want this one to be leisurely...we'll skip MK, since we would of just done it last month.

I wanna try some of the stuff at the resorts we've never done.
THe campfire
maybe horseback riding
the little boats
I wanna find DeVine
maybe do all the shows and parades
ride whatever.

FEBRUARY

Kids pick. Day trip. Whatever they want to do.

MARCH

Anniversary Trip! 2 days, 1 night.
Babysitter: Arranged.

NO KIDS!

Maybe we'll get to splurge for a deluxe? It doesn't matter, we can stay anywhere.
I know DH will pick MGM and EPCOT.

APRIL

Caisley's 2nd Birthday dinner
Chef Mickeys?
MK

MAY

Day trip. I get to call the shots on this one :c)
Unless, I get roped into SWW.

June and July are pretty much blacked out.

Which means - I'm gonna have to make May a bigger "last hoorah" trip, or try to sneak in at the beginning of June (or pray that August's blackout dates don't take affect until AFTER I go this August)


I'll be back to update. I'm about to post a list of things I wanna try, so I don't forget as the year goes on.

[tiggerfan74]

Erin, this all sounds so great! Dh and I decided to pay Premium Annual Passes for our next trip. We also decided to get the Disney Dining Experience. Since you are planning to go at least once a month, that might be something you would be interested in. I just wish the AP's covered the special events as weel like MNSSH and MVMCP!!

[tiggerfan74]

By the way ,Epcot and MGM are both great picks for a trip without the kids!!! That is where we would go !

[Erin]

Those Premiums are EX-PEN-SIVE

I can't even imagine how much 4 would cost...close to 2 grand, right?

OMG. DH would die.

We have no interest in PI, and Im hoping to go to Blizzard Beach once, but that's not worth the price difference...

I need more info on DDE.
From what I'm understanding, it really doesn't seem like THAT good of a deal...maybe I don't understand.

[Erin]

Yeah, we really can't wait to try EPCOT. Esp. just the two of us!

MGM is just FUN, and it will be great not to have to babyswap!

[BDavis932]

Annual passholders can pay $50 for a dining card. It gives you 20% off your meals at the following restauarnts:


Benefits include:

20% discount on all food and beverages at over 70 participating Resort hotel and Theme Park restaurants (discount is valid for a party of up to 10 Guests).

Resort and Theme Park parking for dining purposes
Invitations to special member-only food and wine events, winemaker dinners and celebrity chef dinners
And more!

Call (407) 566-5858† (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. E.S.T.) for more information or to purchase your annual membership at the Passholder price of $50 (plus tax). The Disney Dining Experience Membership card is not accepted on holidays, including New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Mother's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.


PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS

The following is the most current list of participating restaurants offering the Disney’s Dining Experience 20% discount on all food & beverage. Please remember participating restaurants are subject to change. You will be notified of any changes in future newsletters. Certain restrictions apply during Holidays and special events, please check with the restaurant when you make your reservations. DDE discount cannot be used in combination with any other discount. We recommend that you keep this issue for future reference.

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
World Premiere Food Court

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Intermission Food Court

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
End Zone Food Court

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma-Flavors of Africa
Jiko-The Cooking Place
Victoria Falls

Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
(excludes take out shop)
Cape May Cafe
Martha’s Vineyard Lounge
Rip Tide Lounge

Disney’s BoardWalk
Bellevue Lounge
ESPN® Club
Flying Fish Cafe
Spoodles

Disney’s Bonnet Creek Golf Club
Sand Trap Bar & Grill

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Shutters at Old Port Royale

Disney’s Contemporary Resort
California Grill
Chef Mickey’s Restaurant
Concourse Steakhouse
Outer Rim Lounge

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Maya Grill

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
(Late Show Only)
Trail’s End Restaurant

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
1900 Park Fare
Cítricos
Garden View Lounge
Grand Floridian Cafe
Mizner’s Lounge
Narcoossee’s
Victoria & Albert’s (excluding Chef’s Table)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Olivia’s Cafe

Disney’s Polynesian Resort
‘Ohana
Kona Cafe
Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
(Late Show Only)
Tambu Lounge

Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Everything Pop Shopping and Dining
Classic Concoctions

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
Riverside:
Boatwright’s Dining Hall
River Roost
French Quarter:
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food
Factory
Scat Cat’s Club

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Artist’s Palette
The Turf Club

DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Marketplace
Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant

DOWNTOWN DISNEY® West Side
Wolfgang Puck® Café
Planet Hollywood®

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Artist Point
Territory Lounge
Whispering Canyon Cafe

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Ale and Compass Lounge
Crews Cup Lounge
Yacht Club Galley
Yachtsman Steakhouse

Epcot®
Biergarten Restaurant
Bistro de Paris Restaurant
Chefs de France Restaurant
Coral Reef Restaurant
L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Restaurant Akershus
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
San Angel Inn Restaurante
The Garden Grill Restaurant

Disney-MGM Studios
50’s Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood & Vine
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Tune-In Lounge

MAGIC KINGDOM® Park
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Liberty Tree Tavern
The Crystal Palace
The Plaza Restaurant
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park
Tusker House Restaurant
Pizzafari
Flame Tree Barbecue
Restaurantosaurus

Disney’s Wide World of Sports®
Official All-Star Cafe


Entertainment & Dancing:

DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Pleasure Island:
Half price admission to Pleasure Island Clubs for members and guest
Atlantic Dance Hall - Disney’s BoardWalk:
Admission is free for members and guest

[tiggerfan74]

Originally Posted by Erin

Those Premiums are EX-PEN-SIVE

I can't even imagine how much 4 would cost...close to 2 grand, right?

OMG. DH would die.

We have no interest in PI, and Im hoping to go to Blizzard Beach once, but that's not worth the price difference...

I need more info on DDE.
From what I'm understanding, it really doesn't seem like THAT good of a deal...maybe I don't understand.

Yeah, they are expensive, but worth it to us. We will be spending over to $1200.00 on themfor 3 of us, but we figured we were gonna spend $800.00 on 7 day passes and for $400 more we would be set for a whole year on tickets. The DDE works for us because we plan to go to alot of those restaurants during our trip. It will pay for itself and then some!