Wow this page has picked up now that we are getting so close to August! I've missed a lot here, but we've been distracted trying to get our money pit (starter home) on the market again (vomit). We are LONGING for this trip though I don't want to wish summer away. Especially after the winter we've had! We've been looking forward to it for so long- almost a year! Still haven't paid it off but we only have until July 4 so I guess I'll make that call any day now!
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Good luck with putting the house on the market! I empathize....I hated every minute of the selling/moving process. I'm in my forever (or at least until I no longer want a house) house and it's a relief! Just keep telling yourself it will be worth it in the end!
Good luck with arranging child care! Not wishing away the summer here, but really really really can't wait to get to Disney!
Regarding the dining plan and deciding if it is worth it, on another thread someone posted this information.
The video is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jMDg...456VJg&index=1
The website with the file is here: http:/www.seeyareelsoon.wix.com/seeyareelsoon
If you use this, you input all of the restaurants you will use, and calculates the price you will pay for food and tells you if the dining plan is worth it for your family. I found it very helpful.
My family has done the DP before and have found it to work out well for us. This trip we are not doing it. I am nervous to see how it actually works out for us but I figured I will only know if I actually try so why not! I have played around a lot with the above dining calculator. Now this is just what I found for my family (2 adults and 2 children) and this may not apply to all families. I found that if you do a lot of character meals then the dining plan seems to be worth it. If you only do 1 or 2 then paying out of pocket may work better.
Play around with the dining calculator (it is fun and helps to pass the time while waiting for your trip).
I found this thread a few months back and it confirmed what I had suspected, which is the
DDP doesn't work for us. We like quick breakfasts in the room (purely a time saver), appetizers, splitting meals and drink water (or wine!) with dinner. According to this calculator with my current ADRs, we'd pay $600 more for the DDP over OOP.
They were Teva Tirra's... lots of recommendations on the boards for them. I'm going through the threads again making a list of brands that have been recommended, Keen is one of the brands I've seen a lot. I worry about an enclosed show because my feet swell badly.
Take a look at orthaheel sandals. People with PF swear by them. Also look at the Montrail molokini recovery flips - you bake them in the oven to get a perfect fit. And if you don't already, try rolling out your foot each night with a lacrosse ball (and definitely bring one with you!).
Thanks for the info on the photo CD... a little too rich for my blood.
Shoes...I decided to order a pair of Skechers Go Walk Ultimates... I'll report back after I get them and try them out. I like the sound of the all mesh Nike's, I might have to look for them next. I also had a friend recommend socks with arch support so I'm going to try to find them too.
More shoe stuff...I really like the go walks - I hope they work for you!
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Wow this thread got super busy!!
I think I can check in in three days
And then I guess five days after that for the Poly. I wound up canceling our Kona breakfast and making an ADR for Ohana for breakfast on the 24th. If my friend does come we will just either see if we can get a table at Kona or maybe we'll just do Capt. Cooks that day. I did keep the Ohana dinner ADR for now just in case they change their minds and don't come - then we most likely could get in to Kona for breakfast again and go back to the original plan. Ugh!
Still haven't made the BOG decision yet. But the more I am thinking about it, the more I realize we will be back and missing out on a place or two to eat is really not the end of the world. But I'm not making any permanent (as in canceling an ADR I will never see again
) decisions right now
Ok, here's a logistical/ethical question. Now, I KNOW the correct answer, and I am very well aware that what I am about to ask would cause 37 pages of debate, name calling and controversy here on the DIS. And that's why I'm asking your opinions (because we've all gotten to "know" each other) and not throwing it out there in the general public.
On Saturday, 8/24, we have a resort day planned, I have a cabana booked for the whole day (10-7). Technically our friends can hang out in the cabana with us all day, no problem, but can't go in the pool unless they are staying at the Poly. I know at SAB there would be no getting around this, but most people say the Poly doesn't check and use wristbands except at very busy times. Technically speaking, I have enough room capacity to add them to our reservation for the night (it's a room only, and we have two rooms, so I have capacity for 10 people. Adding one adult and two kids is legally doable, it's just going to be a hassle and a bit of paperwork to check them all in, have key cards, issued, etc.
So, my question is, do I add them for that one day so we are truly following the rules, should I add them now or wait until I check in, or should I just let her two kids jump in the pool with mine and cross my fingers? Not looking for huge debates here, just the easiest way to do this.