Multiple Countdowns for Multiple Upcoming Trips

Even before we left on our Summer Vacation in July, I had already purchased airfare for two more trips--well, round trip airfare for one and half the airfare for the other.  And now, we're managing multiple countdowns and planning for more than one trip.

The trip furthest away is a celebratory birthday jaunt to Walt Disney World, but due to the Disney planning calendar--180 days prior--the planning for this trip came first.  I asked the guys to give me one restaurant to put onto our list.  The boy, without hesitating, said Tony's.  The husband, after thinking about it awhile asked for Garden Grill.  'Ohanas, Crystal Palace, Rose & Crown, Tusker House, and 50's Prime Time Cafe round out the other dining locations.

The trip that is happening first, a seven night sailing on the Disney Fantasy, requires planning attention next.  Since we are Gold Castaway Club members we can make reservations for Port Adventures and on board experiences such as the spa or adult dining 105 days prior to our sailing if when paid in full. 

So now we need to look closely at port adventures.  Right now the top runners are a Cozumel Beach Break at Playa Mia Grand Beach and Water Park and  River Tubing in Falmouth, Jamaica.  Some of our criteria for selecting port adventures is the value of the experience, the length of time--Does the travel time to the port adventure last longer than the experience?  And is it something that all of us would enjoy? Right now the husband has his eye on the water bicycle that is include in the Cozumel Beach Break.

Soon it will be time for us to check-in online for our cruise; filling out the required paperwork online.  And since the boy has a new Passport, we need to update that information as well.

As a part of our cruise, we needed pre and post cruise one night hotel stays.  Our fantastic travel agent is on this and we have reservations at the Hyatt at Orlando International Airport.  The location of this hotel could not be any more convenient. 

Another day in the countdown I need to keep track of is the 60 day before Walt Disney World so we can make Fastpass + selections.  My current calculations indicate that we will be sailing on the Disney Fantasy when the 60 day mark arrives.  A dilemma.  Do we purchase wi-fi on the ship and make our plans using the app on my phone or do we wait until we disembark?   When I posed this question to a message board group I am a member of, the results were mostly to wait unless we can get in on a free wi-fi offer the first day on the ship.

It's exciting to anticipate an upcoming Disney vacation.  It's doubly exciting to have two upcoming Disney vacations!

2012 Disney Dining Plan--Downtown Disney Area Restaurants Added

Changes are underway for the 2012 Disney Dining Plan, as 10 Downtown Disney Area restaurants are added to the list of Table Service Restaurants that accept the Disney Dining Plan.

Just recently announced, Bongos Cuban Café, House of Blues, Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant, Planet Hollywood, Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, Wolfgang Puck Café, Paradiso 37, Portobello, Rainforest Café, and T-REX Café have all been added to an extensive list of Table Service restaurants accepting the Disney Dining Plan. The biggies for us, at least, are Rainforest Café—including the location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and T-REX Café—click here to read about dining at T-REX Café. 

Another change to the Disney Dining Plan for 2012, is that all plans now include a refillable mug.  Previously, only the Quick Service Plan and Deluxe Dining Plan included the mug that can be refilled with soda, tea, water, and coffee at the food court in a Walt Disney World Resort. 

And, one of the biggest changes, not specifically to the Disney Dining Plan, but to the Advanced Dining Reservation or ADR system is the credit card guarantee that charges a per person no show fee if the ADR is not cancelled 24 hours prior to the reservation.  This went into effect towards the end of October 2011.  We made our ADR’s in September for our upcoming trip in March and missed this change in the policy.  The reasons behind this change are several, but specifically—no more multiple ADR’s for the same time for the same traveling party (the “I don’t know where we will be so I’ll make several ADR’s for the same time and we will pick which one when the time comes” type).  If people are doing this, they are going to have multiple per person cancellation fees added to their bill.

There are definitely mixed feelings about the Disney Dining Plan and they are mostly at either end of the love it/hate it spectrum with very few in the middle.  We LOVE it and haven’t visited Walt Disney World without it.  The Disney Dining Plan gives me peace of mind when it comes to planning and paying for meals while we are on vacation.  We have eaten at restaurants we would not have normally chosen due to price because we have used the Disney Dining Plan.  And, it doesn’t hurt that out of 8 trips to the World, we have had Free Dining for 5 of those trips.  Alas, free dining is not available for our upcoming trip.  But, I am excited about the refillable mugs!

Deciding if the Disney Dining Plan is for you and your family may be a difficult decision.  The Advanced Dining Reservation or ADR policy will affect anyone who makes reservations to dine at a Table Service restaurant whether or not they are using the Disney Dining Plan.  Now, there’s just a bit more homework or planning that goes into preparing for your Walt Disney World vacation.  But isn’t that half the fun?