What will it be for trip #3? (August 5-14, 2012) - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We planned to take advantage of the individual enrollment option for the Y.E.S. program. We know this would take away our dining plan options, but with oldest kid now a "disney adult" but still eating like a typical kid, we had a hard time swallowing the DDP cost for him. Getting deep discounts on park tickets, plus a room discount (30% off our current room reservations and still hoping for better to come along)...we will take our chances on OOP...
I was thrilled to see the summer schedule posted a few weeks back (even though the classes DS was most interested in were not on the schedule during our week). I contacted WDW to find out when we could start buying ticket packages (knowing they sell out!) and was only told "spring." So I have been waiting...hoping to get out tix before the programs are sold out.
I had not checked for a week...but tonight the packages were ready to buy!
So....I signed DS (10) up for "Synergy in Science" on August 6 and got our family of 5 7-day premium tickets (park hopper plus water park) for $1079! ($215/ticket).
We had been discussing which parent got to go with which kid(s). We both though it would be cool, and so did our kids...but...The program is only at 8:45 am...so DH will bring DS because they could get ready quicker and travel faster than I could if I brought both of my older kids. Besides ASD DD (8) does not work well under pressure or when she is tired.
Because the tickets are "non refundable, non transferable and non upgradeable" we went with the "sure" kid and added an extra day beyond what we "think" we will use.
Now I need to start thinking of how to utilize our hoppers. We have never had them before. With our touring needs, we cannot spend a full day at one park--I could not imagine hopping!
It feels like we are entering a new phase in our parenting. Kindergarten registration is done. No more strollers...the oldest is about to turn 10....wow....I am getting old
I am just joining in! I just finished reading through your PTR. So glad I found it! I saw several pages back you were talking about whether or not the GAC would benefit you at the Nemo show. We were just there a few weeks ago and used the GAC at the Nemo show. I'm not sure whether it would work for you or not because we also had our DD stroller that she stayed in so they took us in a wheelchair entrance. I would say it would definitely be worth it to try though. You might post the question on the Vacation Your Way forum. Someone there could probably give you a better answer. If you haven't already gotten the answer. I didn't see it anywhere in this PTR.
I'm looking forward to reading all about the Y.E.S. Program. My DS would love to do this it has never been at a time that we could go.
Yeah, Happy Birthday Delaney!! Geez, no more strollers........what's that like?
Congrats on the Y.E.S program, although I don't know much about it, it sounds interesting.
I think you might enjoy the park hoppers, we sure do. I think it makes the trip more flexible. Like if it rains, I know some parks are better than others to hop over too for that, or if maybe there was something you missed and really wanted to go back to that other park. It helps to have the option....I think at least.
Congrats on the YES tickets, that's a great discount! I'm looking forward to hearing about the program in your TR as I don't know much about the program Have fun planning! I think that you will enjoy making your plans with the parkhoppers, you'll have so much more flexibility now!
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Congratulations on the YES tickets, we actually got them this year as well as Angel will be doing the Wild by Design Program. I had my AP but the discount on the tickets for her and Jasmine were great and Angel is so excited about doing the program, this year she has been working on an Animal Conservation Program at school so this was right up her alley.
I am just joining in! I just finished reading through your PTR. So glad I found it! I saw several pages back you were talking about whether or not the GAC would benefit you at the Nemo show. We were just there a few weeks ago and used the GAC at the Nemo show. I'm not sure whether it would work for you or not because we also had our DD stroller that she stayed in so they took us in a wheelchair entrance. I would say it would definitely be worth it to try though. You might post the question on the Vacation Your Way forum. Someone there could probably give you a better answer. If you haven't already gotten the answer. I didn't see it anywhere in this PTR.
I'm looking forward to reading all about the Y.E.S. Program. My DS would love to do this it has never been at a time that we could go.
Thanks for that feedback. I never even thought about using our GAC for Nemo since we could get reserved seating with lunch. I always try to be "normal:" when possible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
Yeah, Happy Birthday Delaney!! Geez, no more strollers........what's that like?
Congrats on the Y.E.S program, although I don't know much about it, it sounds interesting.
I think you might enjoy the park hoppers, we sure do. I think it makes the trip more flexible. Like if it rains, I know some parks are better than others to hop over too for that, or if maybe there was something you missed and really wanted to go back to that other park. It helps to have the option....I think at least.
So the YES program is what a kid on a school fieldtrip would experience. There are different "classes" that are led by CMs and take you behind the scenes to investigate how science, technology, etc. make WDW go.
A while back...they created "homeschool days" where homeschooling families could take advantage of these great classes. Then...it was opened up to "individual enrollment." I *think* it has only been around a few years. Each class has specific age limits. They start at age 5. The classes seem amazing and the ticket prices are incredible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Congrats on the YES tickets, that's a great discount! I'm looking forward to hearing about the program in your TR as I don't know much about the program Have fun planning! I think that you will enjoy making your plans with the parkhoppers, you'll have so much more flexibility now!
Since it was decided that DH would accompany DS to the program, I am not sure I will have all of the details. I will see if I cannot get him to write up a review...
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
Congratulations on the YES tickets, we actually got them this year as well as Angel will be doing the Wild by Design Program. I had my AP but the discount on the tickets for her and Jasmine were great and Angel is so excited about doing the program, this year she has been working on an Animal Conservation Program at school so this was right up her alley.
Our vacation plans do seem to line up with one another! Ben did not want the Wild by Design because it was outside....August is hot!
I answered a question on another thread and thought I would post it here.
Why do we prefer to stay at deluxe resorts over values?
We are a family of 5. My middle child has asperger's. Although a "hidden" disability, her moods and behaviors have a huge impact on the rest of our family. I hate to plan a trip that revolves around her, but our first trip really showed how her needs will drive the day...when she is happy, her disability is "hidden" and we can all be happy! We need to plan many elements of our vacation around trying to make her as comfortable and secure as possible. When she is over-stimulated, she shuts down--and that is not good for anyone! We need to make sure she has an opportunity for "alone" time. We cannot do parks from open to close day after day.
Our first visit was 5 days at CSR. Being new to WDW and knowing little in reality, we determined the values would be too over-stimulating and chose CSR because it was the only mod with queen beds at the time (our youngest did not count as part of our 5). We loved the resort but no longer fit there as a family of 5.
We stayed August 2010 at BC for 10 days. It was incredible. The close proximity to Epcot and DHS allowed us to avoid long bus rides for many of the days. We were able to take afternoon breaks. The theming was so calm. DD liked to walk around the resort. It was never loud or crowded (except in the shop/QS). The pool was amazing and we were able to hang out at the resort grounds quite a bit.
We are returning in August 2012. We considered the family suites at the value resort. Since we are no longer WDW newbies, I figured the extra space would outweigh the theming concerns. Then a 30% room discount changed our plans to a split stay at POR and OKW. We are not going to BC this time because we will have the water park add-on. We would not want to "waste" SAB, so we are taking this trip to explore a new resort.
Many people who choose value think it is silly to upgrade the resort when you spend so little time in your room. Since we do need to spend a lot of time in our room at and the resort...we upgrade for a more peaceful experience.
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