***Official November 2013***

[lmc318]

Originally Posted by figmentswife

Hello again.... Sorry about the cancer ( hugs) but it sounds like you have a great attitude and dr.s so you can plan away. I can only guess that planning and thinking about your trip helps during treatments.

We will more then likely stay at Pop again. I also have celiacs and they fed me very well this past April. So I am scared to stay anywhere else.... Yep the chefs were that awesome. I was considering doing regular dining plan this time but again.... The chefs at Pop were so good we may not. Ugggg deciding on these things is so tuff.

When we went in 10/11 we ate at many restaurants and QS counters and I ate well! I was so happy to not have to worry about finding something to eat and was treated like royalty instead of like an inconvenience. My faves were La Hacienda in Mexico, 1900 Park Fare( they have Chef TJ, who is well known on the allergy boards for being AWESOME!), Tusker House, Cosmic Rays, Flame Tree, and much of the food at F&W, if you're going then. Check out the DISabilities boards for allergy or GF posts and you'll find a lot, including reviews and pics! I can't wait to go back and be spoiled!!

[figmentswife]

At magic kingdom we would stay to eat because cosmic rays was so good about feeding me. We also at at sunshine seasons at Epcot and 1 place inside Hollywood studios that I can't remember the name of but the chefs at Pop were amazing. They would fix anything I wanted or even surprise me with something special if I couldn't decide what I wanted. Pop was just so easy I can imagine having to make reservations and still have to wait to eat.

I am also concerned about eating good at other resorts because the Pop food court has so many different options.

And I went on the disabilities board before our last trip and was able to get tons of great info about eating at Disney that is where I found out that Pop would take care of me.

A part of me really wants to stay somewhere else but again Pop was so good to me on the last trip( first trip I knew about the celiacs) I just don't know what to do. And DD loves Pop and wants to stay there again.

[FigmentChick]

Originally Posted by sjs314

I know I want to go back for F&W in 2013 just not sure when yet but thinking end of Oct, Beginning of Nov depends if there is a BB when we go this Nov/ Dec
And what the dates are so for now I am in with you here

Originally Posted by figmentswife

Well, It looks like I am in with you FigmentChick- Didn't we do this already last October???? - Anyways, looks like we will be doing Thanksgiving at Disney next year b\c DD doesn't want to miss much school and I am NOT going in the summer. It's hot enough at home during the summer, I sure don't want to be walking parks in that heat. So Thanksgiving it is. We will leave home Nov. 20 and return home on Nov 29 or 30th.

Originally Posted by lmc318

Woohoo! Count me in as a former October 2011 groupie now doing November 2013! We're doing a big family trip - formerly called a grand gathering. Thinking about either the week of Nov. 4 or the following. Depends on what the family decides. We won't officially book until January or so. It's a special trip because I was diagnosed with cancer of an unknown primary in July and I'm planning this trip as a survivors trip. Just had my first scan after starting chemo and the treatment is working, so it's definitely something to be happy about and a cause for celebration! I'll never be cured, but if I can kick this thing into remission I'd be the happiest person in the world. This trip gives me something to plan for, so it's been good for me. That and my 4yo DD are my reasons for fighting like I do! I will not miss more trips to Disney with her!!!

We can't decide between BW or FWL right now. We may even wind up back at Poly, since it was sooooooo convenient. I really want to do FWL at xmas but the transportation is all buses except the boat to MK and with a then 5yo, I don't know that I want to do that. BW is great for Epcot and HS, but with Celiac disease, not having in-resort dining may be a problem for me. Poly was great last time, but it's not the nicest decorated for xmas and it was sooo expensive. I'd love to stay at Contemporary but for some reason the standard view rooms are never available in November. I don't get it. Anyway, once we figure out who in the family is going, we'll make a decision on resort.

Soooooo excited! Woohoo!!!!!

OMG!!!! We're all back together and we're all planning on November rather than October!!!! My gosh (or is it gawrsh?), the fates have aligned!!! :D

sjs - welcome! Figmentswife - I can't believe we're going to miss each other. But.....I think you picked the right time to go and at least we'll have fun planning together.

lmc318 (Lisa, right?) - I am so sorry about the cancer. But I am happy that you are doing well and planning a big family trip. A positive attitude will help you tremendously. I would love to plan big family trip, but it would only be my dad and stepmom (more like my mom) and I do think he's going to try and fit in a couple of days with us next year.

All we know about our trip right now is that it will be Oct 31st to Nov 9th at POR. We are planning on taking the AutoTrain for this trip....flying will cost us about $1800 with a car rental when I can take the AutoTrain for $1026. And I'll have my own minivan. I am crossing my fingers for free dining, but we all know that question won't be answered until next July. Ah, well...let the wait begin.

I don't have any fod allergies, but I will put in my two cents: we LOVE Sunshine Seasons!!! Lately, I've been dreaming about the goat cheese salad I had there. And the desserts were so good!

I am so happy to have you all on board! It really made my Sunday (had a rough morning). You ladies take care and can't wait to hear more from you.

[figmentswife]

Oh man......Maybe one day we will be able to have a Dis meet.

As of right now we go Nov. 20-29. We will do 3 days Magic Kingdom, 2 days Epcot, 1 1/2 days Animal Kingdom and 2 days at Hollywood studios.

I have been reading some great stuff on the boards about some of the different things you can say/so to get better pictures with characters - FUN!!!!

I am also making lists of things I have never done, like.... It's a Small World, Carousel of Progress....MTMRR.

I just can't decided where to stay. We are thinking of surprising DD and staying at POR - Royal Room, or renting DVC points and staying at either Animal Kingdom Villas or Wilderness Lodge Villas, or we are also thinking of stay at Swan\Dolphin - if I can get the employee rate. All of the wonderful options go through my head then I always seem to go back to staying at POP Century. WHY can't I get out of my comfort zone???

So much to plan, and I havn't even contacted my TA yet. Maybe I should email her this week - what I am thinking, I have over a YEAR!!!! OMG - Why did we go in April this year????? Makes it TOO LONG between trips.

However, DD's Birthday is Thursday and we are taking her to Kings Dominion for the weekend with a BFF. I know, not the AWESOME Disney Birthday trip like last year, but it's something.

[FigmentChick]

You've never done It's A Small World or Carousel of Progress? Those are two of our favorites!!! (and, yes, I speak for my entire household. lol)

I think you have a great plan for where to stay....you'll work it out. I would absolutely love to stay at AKL or WL, but it's out of my price range. Maybe one day if I hit the lottery!

You use a TA? I don't think I could do that. I have OCD and, obviously, need to control everything. That being said, if I want to call and check on my reservation or change something, I don't want someone doing that for me....I want to be able to do it. I have often thought about getting licensed though. To be able to get paid to plan Disney vacations....that would be cool.

[figmentswife]

Originally Posted by FigmentChick

You've never done It's A Small World or Carousel of Progress? Those are two of our favorites!!! (and, yes, I speak for my entire household. lol) NOPE, I have never done either one.

I think you have a great plan for where to stay....you'll work it out. I would absolutely love to stay at AKL or WL, but it's out of my price range. Maybe one day if I hit the lottery! Thinking of renting DVC points - MUCH cheaper that way.

You use a TA? I don't think I could do that. I have OCD and, obviously, need to control everything. That being said, if I want to call and check on my reservation or change something, I don't want someone doing that for me....I want to be able to do it. I have often thought about getting licensed though. To be able to get paid to plan Disney vacations....that would be cool.

Yes, I do. For our trip last October, which was the first trip I had to plan alone (b\c my parents had always taken us before) and I become so overwhelmed last year that I contacted a Disney TA. She is AMAZING, and we used her again for April. I can't say that she plans everything, b\c I really do the planning of our trip and then just tell her what to book, but she was again....so AMAZING that I use her for her to get paid. And when we left early in April, she was a hug help in getting my some money back. Also, it is nice to have her for making out Dessert party reservations. I could do it all alone, but I really like her so I use her.

[UndercoverMama]

Originally Posted by Rpasko

Have a family of six. Four younger children do two rooms is hard. We went with suite. Agree priced is more but I'm kind of limited.

We are a family of 6 too. I keep going back and forth between connecting, a suite or a cabin. Since I had to push my trip back to November I have plenty of time to decide.

REALLY looking forward to seeing all the Christmas decorations

[stmize]

Love Wdw at christmas time

[figmentswife]

So I looked into Wyndham bonnet creek a little today also and I can get a 2 bedroom for $120 night.... Oh the choices. Now to see if DH will go for it. It IS on Disney property.

So for those of you with larger groups go check out the bonnet creek thread. It looks very nice but for value pricing

[UndercoverMama]

DH was not a fan of off site , but I am thinking of staying off site for 2 nights for our Uni days (and to save a little $$)

[FigmentChick]

Originally Posted by UndercoverMama

DH was not a fan of off site , but I am thinking of staying off site for 2 nights for our Uni days (and to save a little $$)

We actually rented a house for our first two family trips. It was great and actually much cheaper than staying on-site. However, we started staying onsite in 2009 because my DMIL was with us and we wanted to ensure we could make it back to the resort super-fast if needed. We love the EMH and the food court at POR. And, if free dining is offered, that makes the deal. However, last year they didn't offer FD until August and by then I made alternate arrangements to stay off site, just in case. We'll do it if we have to, but I do so like the convenience plus all that great Disney customer service that I'm not sure I'll get somewhere else.

[UndercoverMama]

Originally Posted by FigmentChick

We actually rented a house for our first two family trips. It was great and actually much cheaper than staying on-site. However, we started staying onsite in 2009 because my DMIL was with us and we wanted to ensure we could make it back to the resort super-fast if needed. We love the EMH and the food court at POR. And, if free dining is offered, that makes the deal. However, last year they didn't offer FD until August and by then I made alternate arrangements to stay off site, just in case. We'll do it if we have to, but I do so like the convenience plus all that great Disney customer service that I'm not sure I'll get somewhere else.

We did a condo last time and our oldest actually preferred it to on site (probably because she had her own bedroom with a TV ) but the middle two want on site again. The youngest doesn't remember the on site trip.

I know most touring plans say to avoid EMH but I love them and missed them!

With this much time to plan we will definitely be on site. It just depends on what discounts are offered if it is a split stay, most of the stay or all of the stay. I seriously need a crytal ball for Disney discounts

My daughter is sick today and I got zero sleep so I am going to spend some time cuddling and looking at Disney Christmas pics.

We have never went to other resorts just to visit, only to eat. Visiting while everything is decorated though makes me think we should check out some of the Deluxe's to check them out. Anyone that has been there that time of year before have a must do resort to visit? Anyone who hasn't been have a list of resorts they want to see?

[FigmentChick]

I agree with you about the crystal ball! lol And also about the Christmas decorations. That is why we decided to have our trip when we did. We love the F&W Festival, but we also would like to see the Christmas decorations and make sure the kids don't miss too much school. So, the first full week of next November it is!

As for EMH....yes, yes, I've read all about how you are supposed to avoid them. But we are BIG park hoppers....we always start at one park and end up at least one other park throughout the day (sometimes two or all of them!). Usually we end up at Epcot, snacking at the F&W kiosks. So, what we normally do is start at the EMH park and leave by 10am to go somewhere else. We make the best of our time, but, as OCD as I am, we really don't have a set schedule while we're there (except for our ADRs and even those we've decided to change or cancel the day of). We let the kids decided what ride or show they want to see or do next. I'm just happy to be off and with my family (for example, I've taken my kids away for a couple of weekends this year but haven't had any "time off" from work this year. No vacation at all. But, on the bright side, the President is allowing me to cash it out - that's my AutoTrain $$$).

[UndercoverMama]

Have you used autotrain before? It seems kind of pricey (note - I am a tightwad) but like a really fun experience.

[FigmentChick]

Originally Posted by UndercoverMama

Have you used autotrain before? It seems kind of pricey (note - I am a tightwad) but like a really fun experience.

Nope...never. However, if I fly, it will cost betwen $1300 to $1500 for airfare and then another $300 to $400 for a rental car. The AutoTrain will cost us $1,024 round trip. We're planning on coach seats, not any of the rooms. My hubby is six and a half feet tall, so space would be a major consideration for one of those rooms. Plus.....I have a $200 voucher from Amtrak since I was stuck on the Northeast line on June 10th for 4.5 hours. Can you say grueling? lol So, all total, taking the Auto Train rather than flying will save me about $1000.