****August, 2012!!!****

[PoohsFan1]

Since I'm still up and it's 1AM....here's the
QUESTION OF THE DAY (QOTD)

Did you use a Travel Agent or did you book your trip yourself?

We never use a TA, I think I would go crazy if I used one since I am so OCD when it comes to planning out vacations, especially our Disney trips . Besides, I always say that planning the trip is half the fun...actually I absolutely love to plan out my trips, and if we don't have one in the works (which is very rare), I get sort of an empty feeling inside me....I know I'm weird .

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

My answer to the QOTD:

I would never use a TA. There is absolutely nothing a TA can do for me that I can't do on my own using these boards and Mousesavers. I would never put another person in charge of something that is as important, and such a large investment for me. I've never had an issue booking everything on my own, it's 30 minutes of my life, and it's done. That is, until I start changing, LOL, then it's another 30 minutes.


And now, on a side note: I just booked a breakfast at CRT as per my daughter's request. I knew it was expensive, we've done it before.....however....I SWEAR in 2010 I paid like $65 for the two of us for breakfast. I just got off of the WDW dining site and paid $85.54. $85.54 for one adult and one child. I'm kind of appalled. This will be the last time we do this particular reservation. You could spend one night at a value resort with a 30% off discount code, for what I just paid for that breakfast. Those of you who go as a whole family, I don't know how you do that. WOW!

I agree, we don't do CRT for this very reason. My DD's (even when they were younger) preferred Akershus and 1900. The cost is ridiculous. I say go for the experience at least once but after that, there are better choices for the money.

I will have to eat at Be our Guest at least once also.

 

[4Joyces]

We never use a TA, I think I would go crazy if I used one since I am so OCD when it comes to planning out vacations, especially our Disney trips . Besides, I always say that planning the trip is half the fun...actually I absolutely love to plan out my trips, and if we don't have one in the works (which is very rare), I get sort of an empty feeling inside me....I know I'm weird .

I guess since I did all my own research and basically went to our TA with all the details and said "book it", I still feel like I am the one planning our trip. All the TA did was book what I told her to. And we're getting a gift card and 2 autograph books out of the deal. I'm still the one doing our touring plans, ADRs, and all that.

I'm with you on that "empty" feeling! DH tolerates my obsessive planning and he keeps asking me "what are you going to do when we get back from our trip and you have nothing to plan?" Well, DD's birthday is in September, so there's a party to plan! Duh!

 

[beachmama3]

My only absolutes so far:

Monday, August 20th - Magic Kingdom 9:15 for Pirates League for my youngest

Wednesday, August 22nd - Epcot 8:30 for YES class (Ocean Discoveries) for 10yr old

My boys LOVED Pirates League when we went a couple of years ago. They asked to do it again this year, I am checking to see if it's in the budget. May have to surprise them with it though!

How do I book a YES class? That sounds like something my 10-y.o. would be interested in!

Since I'm still up and it's 1AM....here's the
QUESTION OF THE DAY (QOTD)

Did you use a Travel Agent or did you book your trip yourself?

I have booked all of our trips myself. I am also too much of a control freak about our Disney trip to have someone else making arrangements! haha! PLus I changed resorts and ADRs so many times (you are not alone pigletto) that I would probably annoy someone.

Hey - how does everyone feel about starting up a new Aug 2012 thread? I know the OP of the thread posted saying she had to cancel her trip - so our list is no longer maintained.

We could also then make sure the original post is updated with all the instructions needed to follow the thread. Things like Nikki's ADR thread, the 2 LGMH creations, the park list, and our QOTDs. This is such an incredibly fast-moving thread that it's really hard for anyone new to wade through 160 (and counting!) pages of posts.

The most difficult part will be making sure newbies know not to post in the old thread - maybe we can get a mod to close it? We would def. link to it from the new thread though.

Sounds like a great idea.

I missed some of the shoe conversation. I swear by Rainbow flipflops. Most comfortable shoes ever. They are prob all I will wear in the parks. That being said- there isn't much support in them, so if you have back problems, they are probably not the best choice.

I can't remember who was loooking for sundresses (sorry!) but how did you make out? Target had some cute dresses when I was there yesterday too.

 

[beachmama3]

We never use a TA, I think I would go crazy if I used one since I am so OCD when it comes to planning out vacations, especially our Disney trips . Besides, I always say that planning the trip is half the fun...actually I absolutely love to plan out my trips, and if we don't have one in the works (which is very rare), I get sort of an empty feeling inside me....I know I'm weird .

If you are weird, so am I. I have been online EVERY day obsessing over this trip and I swear I read my Unofficial guides almost every night. It's a good thing I go back to work literally two days after we get back because then I will be planning lessons. And I have a big family trip next summer to obsess over! Yay!

 

[OneBadApple]

I can't remember who was loooking for sundresses (sorry!) but how did you make out? Target had some cute dresses when I was there yesterday too.

I was looking for sun dresses. I found some at Old Navy, but thought they were too thin. I checked Sear's since it was right next store and they didn't have anything. I checked Penny's and almost bought one but as I was bringing it up to the cashier, I thought better and opted to not get it. It I have time today, I'll check out target.

 

[beachmama3]

How about Kohls? Do you have a TJ Maxx or Marshall's nearby? I sometimes have luck there!

 

[SenecaWolf]

And SenecaWolf: Thanks for telling me how to multi-quote, that's the 2nd time you gave me technical advice. BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS THE TEAM AUGUST FARSIGHTED AND UNCOORDINATED CHEERLEADER, I DUB THEE.....TEAM AUGUST TECHNICAL GURU!!!

Woohoo!! I am also the resident geek for my family too lol.

 

[littlezar]

My boys LOVED Pirates League when we went a couple of years ago. They asked to do it again this year, I am checking to see if it's in the budget. May have to surprise them with it though!

How do I book a YES class? That sounds like something my 10-y.o. would be interested in!

YES individual enrollment

I booked the class in early March once I knew for sure that DH would be able to go (barring something real world happening that would have him leaving...then I'd "drag" my sister along!) I really wanted a class at MK because then my 6 year old could have done one class while the 10yr old did another but it was already closed to enrollment so we chose the class at Epcot. After deciding the class, I was able to purchase tickets. I bought six of these: Eight days' admission to Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Parks, with the opportunity to visit multiple Parks on the same day as many times as you'd like. Eight visits to your choice of Disney's Blizzard Beach Water park, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park. for $220.16 each ($1320.96 total) I already knew we were staying off site because DH wanted to (had just come home from a 10+ month deployment on a ship and all he could think about was needing lots of space, LOL) Since we weren't staying on site, dining plan was never an option so it was easy to decide to go for the cheaper YES tickets. My son is pretty excited about the class.

My 6 year old is doing the Jake option. He had a reaction - red spot shaped like the snowman he had painted on his cheek for a few hours - to some face paint he had done previously but we think he'll be ok just getting eyebrows/sideburns done.

 

[elaine amj]

And now, on a side note: I just booked a breakfast at CRT as per my daughter's request. I knew it was expensive, we've done it before.....however....I SWEAR in 2010 I paid like $65 for the two of us for breakfast. I just got off of the WDW dining site and paid $85.54. $85.54 for one adult and one child. I'm kind of appalled. This will be the last time we do this particular reservation. You could spend one night at a value resort with a 30% off discount code, for what I just paid for that breakfast. Those of you who go as a whole family, I don't know how you do that. WOW!

I agree, we don't do CRT for this very reason. My DD's (even when they were younger) preferred Akershus and 1900. The cost is ridiculous. I say go for the experience at least once but after that, there are better choices for the money.

I will have to eat at Be our Guest at least once also.

We're taking our whole family there for the 1st time. I agree, its $$$!! i still think I'm nuts paying 2TS pp for BREAKFAST (2TS is worth about $60+ pp...and this is for breakfast??!!). However, it is an indulgence and then my kids can forever say we ATE IN THE CASTLE (who am I kidding....it's for me to have the bragging rights!). I ended up choosing breakfast because its the menu we like the most. Our ressie is at 10:20am so i figure its brunch. Also, I have been told bfast is "all you care to eat" so if we can order multiple entrees (our fave part of a cruise), it will be worth it over dinner.

We did Akershus last trip and enjoyed it. We're just overall don't care that much for character dining (although I have LOTS planned for our upoming trip)

I am a Disney specialist and booked my own trip. Does that count? lol

IT COUNTS!

I have booked all of our trips myself. I am also too much of a control freak about our Disney trip to have someone else making arrangements! haha! PLus I changed resorts and ADRs so many times (you are not alone pigletto) that I would probably annoy someone..

LOL - I'm a huge ADR changer - so I warned my TA in advance. I told her I was an obsessive control freak and change my mind constantly. She agreed to take me on

I was looking for sun dresses. I found some at Old Navy, but thought they were too thin. I checked Sear's since it was right next store and they didn't have anything. I checked Penny's and almost bought one but as I was bringing it up to the cashier, I thought better and opted to not get it. It I have time today, I'll check out target.

I found the perfect summer dress at Burlington Coat Factory for $17. I then went to the Mall the following weekend looking a similar dress in the same cut and tried on about 6 different dresses - none of them were as nice as that one. Try there - I thought their selection was decent, especially since I'm nowhere close to a size 0!

 

[elaine amj]

My 6 year old is doing the Jake option. He had a reaction - red spot shaped like the snowman he had painted on his cheek for a few hours - to some face paint he had done previously but we think he'll be ok just getting eyebrows/sideburns done.

We're doing the Mermaid pkg. Crazy expensive but will be worth it for my DD to feel like Ariel. She's so excited about it! That was a big reason I decided to do Photopass+ (of course - doing it as part of a share really, really helps make it affordable).

The Jake pkg looks adorable! My DS hates facepaint but would have likely enjoyed that when he was little.

 

[jm106]

I guess since I did all my own research and basically went to our TA with all the details and said "book it", I still feel like I am the one planning our trip. All the TA did was book what I told her to. And we're getting a gift card and 2 autograph books out of the deal. I'm still the one doing our touring plans, ADRs, and all that.

I'm with you on that "empty" feeling! DH tolerates my obsessive planning and he keeps asking me "what are you going to do when we get back from our trip and you have nothing to plan?" Well, DD's birthday is in September, so there's a party to plan! Duh!

Exactly, my TA didn't choose anything just booked what I said, changed when I needed after I researched other stuff. She only did my resort, I booked flight, yes tux, ADRs and PL.

We have a camping trip labor day and Vegas so I have things to plan

 

[Megs114]

I was looking for sun dresses. I found some at Old Navy, but thought they were too thin. I checked Sear's since it was right next store and they didn't have anything. I checked Penny's and almost bought one but as I was bringing it up to the cashier, I thought better and opted to not get it. It I have time today, I'll check out target.

I checked Target yesterday and they didn't really have too much to chose from (at least for a petite girl lol).

 

[pigletto]

If you are weird, so am I. I have been online EVERY day obsessing over this trip and I swear I read my Unofficial guides almost every night. It's a good thing I go back to work literally two days after we get back because then I will be planning lessons. And I have a big family trip next summer to obsess over! Yay!

I am excited for this trip but not really obsessing over the planning this time (well aside from changing resorts every 15 minutes for awhile there).

It's too early to pack and everything is planned so I am obsessing over other things these days. Dh will be graduating and changing jobs next year. It may or may not necessitate a move so my obsession of late has been real estate. It would be a year and a half from now but I am trying to get a really good idea of what is out there. We ended up driving around and looking at houses last night.
I will need to really enjoy these next two trips before the AP expires because they will be the last ones for a good long time while we get ourselves into the best possible position to move.

 

[Weluvdisny]

I would like anyone staying at a villa to definitely report back on how your stay was. I have decided to rent points next year and stay at a DV for the first time and it would help getting feedback from the Team August peeps! yep, yep, already planning next year

I am a DVC member so maybe I can help you answer some questions. I've stayed at BWV, SS and will be staying at AKL next month. Any particular resort you are looking at?

 

[litlpixie]

I am a DVC member so maybe I can help you answer some questions. I've stayed at BWV, SS and will be staying at AKL next month. Any particular resort you are looking at?

Well off the top of my noggin in order:

BWV or BCV due to location
OKW or THV due to the proximity to DTD and I LOVE the size of the porches

I live too close to Saratoga, NY to want to vacation at SSR

Anyway, these kids of mine are only getting bigger and they have friends that tag along, so its getting too cramped with the resort rooms. We stayed at Bonnet Creek a couple years ago and I LOVED HAVING THE KITCHEN I just didnt love being offsite

 

[pigletto]

Well off the top of my noggin in order:

BWV or BCV due to location
OKW or THV due to the proximity to DTD and I LOVE the size of the porches

I live too close to Saratoga, NY to want to vacation at SSR

Anyway, these kids of mine are only getting bigger and they have friends that tag along, so its getting too cramped with the resort rooms. We stayed at Bonnet Creek a couple years ago and I LOVED HAVING THE KITCHEN I just didnt love being offsite

We've rented points and stayed at OKW, BWV and AKL. Loved them all. OKW was very quiet, and the boat to DTD is lovely. AKL had the "Wow" factor. The restaurants are wonderful and the grounds/lobby beautiful. There is enough to do there to spend a day or two at the resort and not feel like you are missing out.
I think our favourite was BWV simply for the proximity to two parks. Walk to either of them. It was also great to go out to the Boardwalk at night and go to the bakery or Seashore Sweets and use our snack credits and watch the performers on the boardwalk. I did feel like it was in the middle of the action which is great if that's what you are looking for. If you prefer a quieter more remote location OKW and AKL fit the bill.
At AKL we were in Jambo.

 

[litlpixie]

We've rented points and stayed at OKW, BWV and AKL. Loved them all. OKW was very quiet, and the boat to DTD is lovely. AKL had the "Wow" factor. The restaurants are wonderful and the grounds/lobby beautiful. There is enough to do there to spend a day or two at the resort and not feel like you are missing out.
I think our favourite was BWV simply for the proximity to two parks. Walk to either of them. It was also great to go out to the Boardwalk at night and go to the bakery or Seashore Sweets and use our snack credits and watch the performers on the boardwalk. I did feel like it was in the middle of the action which is great if that's what you are looking for. If you prefer a quieter more remote location OKW and AKL fit the bill.
At AKL we were in Jambo.

We stayed at the lodge (just a regular pool view room CL) I love the smell of AKL!! The BWV rooms seem "nicer" than the BCV, but Im a huge SAB fan, so I just dont know

 

[pigletto]

We stayed at the lodge (just a regular pool view room CL) I love the smell of AKL!! The BWV rooms seem "nicer" than the BCV, but Im a huge SAB fan, so I just dont know

Honestly if that's your criteria I would go with Beach Club. The room itself I just found kind of "meh" so it's not worth staying there and giving up SAB for. I like the overall atmosphere of BWV better, and the guarantee of a balcony but not enough that it makes a huge difference.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Hey guys! Just wanted to let everyone know that we've started a new thread. We weren't in danger of closing yet but we figured since the OP is no longer a part of the August group and since we've created so many new lists, it might be nice to have it all on the first page for easy access.

So meet us there!!

NEW August 2012 Thread!