January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part III !!!

[swald91]

Momof2disneyboys... we will be there Jan 26-Feb 1 - WL. Thanks!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OK, I did a spreadsheet for my hubby and I decided to go ahead and add DDP! I pulled menus, figured out what we'd probably get based on history. We have 5 TS (one of those is 2 credits), 6 counters and figured 3 snacks/day at $3 for 6 days. (Oh yeah, I got technical)! The cost figuring 6.5% tax was $560.09. The DDP will cost us 546. I didn't add the cost of desserts, so those will be an added bonus! WHEW! I'm so glad that's over!!

I was over on the Dining thread (yup, I venture elsewhere occasionally!) and saw a lot of comparisons between DDP and QSDP. Now I'm starting to second guess myself as to which I want. We were pretty sure on the QS plan based on that we don't do too many TS meals. I don't like to have to be in a certain place at a certain time...but we do have three ADRs already out of a 6 night stay. Does anyone have any experience in walking up to TS restaurants and getting in? I would do it at an "off time", but now I'm thinking could I do DDP without making a lot of ADRs/commitments? See this is what happens when I explore the DIS boards too much! It gets me thinking, and that always means more planning and stressing! Do I really have to study menus and do the math? Please, don't make me do math!!!

I did all the math when the QSDDP came out. I thought maybe we would just do the QSDDP and then do 2 TS meals OOP. When I added up the cost of the QSDDP plus the 2 TS meals OOP I only came up about $50 less than what it would be to get the regular DDP. So from there it was settled to just get the regular DDP and have 7 TS meals rather than just 2 and basically paying the same price. We will have the extra tips to figure into it, but we still felt it was worth it.

If we would have decided not to get the regular DDP we would have just paid OOP for everything, because from my figures we could eat CS cheaper OOP than by getting the QSDDP.

 

[swald91]

You already have us on the list..I just checked!!!!! I think I was so excited & we moved our original date up -we will be there 1/26-2/1.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

You already have us on the list..I just checked!!!!! I think I was so excited & we moved our original date up -we will be there 1/26-2/1.

Do I have you on there twice now??? What were your original dates?

 

[swald91]

Do I have you on there twice now??? What were your original dates?

original dates 1/26-2/1 but I was so excited I said 1/25-2/1!!! But I checked page 229 & we were already there..yeah!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

original dates 1/26-2/1 but I was so excited I said 1/25-2/1!!! But I checked page 229 & we were already there..yeah!!!

Great!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Cantina de San Angel Mexico (CS)

Plato Combinacion - chicken taco, beef burrito and a quesadilla served with black refried beans and Mexican salsa $8.75

Wet Burrito - soft flour tortillas filled with beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese, black refried beans, sour cream and Adobo Sauce $7.95

Tacos al Carbon - flour tortillas filled with grilled chicken, onions and peppers, served with black refried beans and Mexican salsa $7.95

Ensalada Mexicana - tortilla shell filled with grilled chicken, black refried beans, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, cheese and Mexican salsa $8.75

Plato del Nino - grilled chicken and low fat cheese quesadilla, tortilla chips and a small soft drink, 1% milk or small water $3.99

Cantina Nachos - tortilla chips, beef, cheese, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, sour cream, black refried beans $7.95

Churros - fried dough rolled in cinnamon sugar $2.50

Bunuelos - round fritter sprinkled with sugar $2.60

Side Order Black Refried Beans - $1.75

Side Order Guacamole - $2.95


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XX Lager Draft Beer - 20 ounce $7.00

Frozen Margarita - $8.50

Coca Cola Classic, Caffeine Free Diet Coke, Orange Soda, Sprite, Pink Lemonade, Nestea Iced Tea $2.09, $2.39

Conga Fruit Drink - a mix of orange, pineapple and lime juices $3.99

Milk - regular or low fat $1.25
Coffee $1.89
Hot Tea $1.89
Bottle Water $2.00

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. We went to dinner with all of DH's family last night. There were 18 of us. It was a nice time. It was kind of our Thanksgiving/Christmas get-together type thing since they don't really all get together for the holidays.

This morning was Church and then I gave all the boys haircuts! Now we are going to watch the last Nascar race of the season and watch Jimmie Johnson win his third series in a row!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Good afternoon everyone! I hope that you've all had a fabulous weekend. We just bought the new Guitar Hero World Tour for PS2. Yeah, we don't have to newest system, but it's still fun. The drums are a blast! My DH can't seem to get the hang of them though. It's super fun.

We have a Montana's here! We love it! We only go out to eat 1x a month so Montana's makes the cut about 1-2x a year! The girls love the little ice crean cones that come for dessert! DH and I love their Ribs and the cobb salad! Yummy!

My DD got the mini ice cream cones last night! It's her favorite thing about the whole meal!

I can't wait to see the Radio City Christmas show tonight! I went a few years ago when they toured through Buffalo and I loved it. The Rockettes are fabulous, but I really enjoy the Living Nativity at the end. It gives me goosebumps!

 

[storybookmum]

Hold up! Pumpkin pie milkshake????

Yeah, THAT! Wowsers, our side of the border never has stuff like that.

I love pumpkin anything....

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I did all the math when the QSDDP came out. I thought maybe we would just do the QSDDP and then do 2 TS meals OOP. When I added up the cost of the QSDDP plus the 2 TS meals OOP I only came up about $50 less than what it would be to get the regular DDP. So from there it was settled to just get the regular DDP and have 7 TS meals rather than just 2 and basically paying the same price. We will have the extra tips to figure into it, but we still felt it was worth it.

If we would have decided not to get the regular DDP we would have just paid OOP for everything, because from my figures we could eat CS cheaper OOP than by getting the QSDDP.

Yeah, I don't think the QS plan would ever be cost effective for us! We like to sit down and eat too much. We've done the regular DDP I think 3 times now and it gets more expensive and restrictive each year, so I thought maybe we could do it cheaper without it! Guess not!! I'd LOVE to do the DX but that would be WAY too much food (and money), but I'd love to try more of the signature places. We've done Cali Grill a few times and since hubby loves that one so much, I can't get him to try another, and I won't do 2 in one trip and use that many entitlements!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hi everyone! well, the weather didn't turn out quite like we'd hoped today. Got some snow this morning and it's kind of windy, so no DH on the roof today! The sun did come out a bit, so we got some lights out for the front of the house, and around the garage. Of course, 1/2 of them don't work, so DH is off to Target to buy more! Then we'll try to get those all hooked up before dark. The roof will have to wait for another day!

As for the McDonalds shakes, I'll ask my BIL who owns a few McD's in southern Florida about how long the pumpkin and egg nog shakes are supposed to be around. I'll let you know what I find out!

 

[MelXThree]

Good afternoon everyone! I just got back from Mexico late last night! VERY hot in the 40's

I was going to try and catch up today but you snowbirds chatted over 50 pages while I was gone, so hopefully I did not miss much!

I am off to pay the final balance for our WDW vacation

Only 8 more weeks!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Afternoon Snowbirds!
It's not raining here anymore but boy is it chilly!
My son wants to know when it's going to snow because he knows we go see Mickey after it gets cold enough to snow.

I'm going with the QS plan. I did the math and we'll just about break even on my husband and I but we will definitely save for my son- $8.99 for 2 meals and 2 snacks a day is a bargain to me. Plus I really like the fact that it's paid ahead of time and we don't have to worry about it. We are doing a couple TS meals but they are set price buffets and we'll just pay for those OOP. I think it really depends on your family's needs.

Shelly, My mom went shopping with me today but would only go if I had her home in time to watch Jimmie Johnson!

Well I'm supposed to be cleaning and getting lots of laundry done- oops!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

NEED SNOWBIRD HELP!!

I thought I'd heard about a ride/attraction that at the end they take you thru a drawing/animation demo?? Anyone know what it is and if it's appropriate for a 6 yr old?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

NEED SNOWBIRD HELP!!

I thought I'd heard about a ride/attraction that at the end they take you thru a drawing/animation demo?? Anyone know what it is and if it's appropriate for a 6 yr old?

Isn't it the one in Hollywood Studios? Umm, Something and the Art of Animation? I've never done it either but my "artist" children would enjoy it. I think it is okay for younger ones, I intend to take my 5 and 7 year old through.
Okay, I checked, it's called The Magic of Disney Animation. It's back by The Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

 

[crzyred]

NEED SNOWBIRD HELP!!

I thought I'd heard about a ride/attraction that at the end they take you thru a drawing/animation demo?? Anyone know what it is and if it's appropriate for a 6 yr old?

Isn't it the one in Hollywood Studios? Umm, Something and the Art of Animation? I've never done it either but my "artist" children would enjoy it. I think it is okay for younger ones, I intend to take my 5 and 7 year old through.
Okay, I checked, it's called The Magic of Disney Animation. It's back by The Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

I love this!!!! It's amazing. The first part is a little video showing how the draw some of the characters, then you walk through some of the drawing samples. Such as the rough drafts and stuff of the movies. Then there is an area for pictures and interactive stuff. In there, is the drawing. It's great. Very easy to follow along with the instructor. If you like drawing or doodling at all, you'll like it.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Here's what my BIL says:

Fourth flavor shakes (additional flavor other than vanilla, chocolate or strawberry) are a decision made by stores in a local advertising coop. As an example, in Ft. Myers we do not have pumpkin pie, but we will have egg nog from around Thanksgiving until Christmas. The owners in each advertising coop deicide if they want an additional flavor from those that are offered by our distribution center. At the beginning of each year, each advertising coop group of owners review the fourth flavor syrups that will be available and when they will be available, and decide if they want to sell them or not. I hope that answers your question.

So basically the answer is each McDonald's can be different! Good luck finding what you want where you are!!

 

[Remmy]

Welcome all new Snowbirds. It is great how our list keeps growing!

I thought I would stop by and say hello.

I had a harder day on Friday. Two very important items are gone at work and it looks like they are looking at my former co-worker. I truly wish it wasn't this way. I have been down this road before at a different store and it ended with the police. It may be the same way with this one. They cannot pin point it on her so everyone will be watched very closely for the next two weeks. Yippee, just what I always wanted.

I then had a Pampered Chef party. My MIL has recently started selling it and it isn't going so well. I am trying to be supportive, as this is my second party for her in 4 months, plus saving for Disney. I love Pampered Chef items, as I sold them 10 years ago, and they are all still with me in great shape. I am glad it is over, as my children don't like having all their toys stuffed in their rooms. DS has the smallest room, and his Thomas wood trains take up the most space. It is hard to build a decent track in a small room, so he takes over the living room. I don't mind, but I didn't think guests would like to try to step over all the tracks.

It is hard to believe that it wasn't too long ago that we were all excited over our upcoming trip at about 5 or 6 months out. Time goes by, now it is time to start paying it off!

I have to check with my travel agent, even though we booked an AAA package, we have the pay off date of 35 days out. I think it should be 45 days, but those extra days would help us save up more. I will have to check what is the correct date.

I want to wish everyone a very happy weekend.

Remmy

 

[Remmy]

NEED SNOWBIRD HELP!!

I thought I'd heard about a ride/attraction that at the end they take you thru a drawing/animation demo?? Anyone know what it is and if it's appropriate for a 6 yr old?

Here is the link from Walt Disney World
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...il?id=TheMagicofDisneyAnimationAttractionPage

My family has never done this. I have heard at times there is a meet and greet with a character at the end of it. I hope your family has fun doing this.