*** The Official August 2019 thread ***

[v.t.]

I love PVD too. Worcester is also a good option for me, as I live in between Boston and Worcester (Metrowest). Jet Blue has non stop to MCO out of Worcester, but only once per day in each direction. The return flight is good.. close to 1pm, but going there is 4:30pm. Too late for me!!

I checked a bunch of options for a while and Boston won on price and times. Ended up with Delta 8am going there and noon coming home. Paid $240 RT main cabin w/ one bag. I bought early February.

What shocked me this time around was car rentals. Ive never paid more than $300 for Intermediate SUV 10 -12 days. This time was $460 for 13 days, and Ive been checking daily since February. Started in the $700's. Im glad it dropped, but not enough!! No choice, I have to as our first 4 days are being spent outside of Disney and while at Disney I hop around so much the buses/monorail/boats would be too much time wasted. Lucky for me I booked this trip the day before the parking fees were implemented at the Disney resorts, so Im saving $250 there.

As your trip get closer, especially the Tuesday before, check Alamo first thing in the morning. They have last minute deals, even on SUVs.

Just under 2 weeks, so I'm trying not to think about it, because I'll start changing plans again... we've already added a day a couple months ago, changed all our parks & ADRs, and just this week I changed half of our stay from CSR standard to a tower room!

I am jealous. We stayed at CSR the last 2 times and I want to try's the tower.

What we use has changed over the years. We started going when my son was 10 months old so back then I had a backpack that could double as a diaper bag. The past few trips it's been mostly drawstring backpacks and as the children have gotten older they carry their own. They're light so they're not hot on their backs and they're easy to search at park entry. And they fit under a poncho without issue. We're down to just carrying poncho, cooling towels, handheld fans, meds, money, female items when necessary, a snack and maybe a light jacket for table service meals and our phones with a portable charger.

Last year we made a change. I switched to a backpack cooler and packed it with drinks and ice in Ziploc bags. We put my poncho and other items in my daughter's bag. There's a front pocket on the cooler for my phone. I'd hit the ice machine before we left and fill 5 or so snack-sized Ziploc bags with ice. Since we can't freeze drinks in the resort room fridges, it was great. I wish I'd switched to it sooner. I had carried drinks like that before; but not in a cooler bag so the ice didn't last long. The drinks were from our in room grocery order so everyone had exactly what they wanted to drink at any time no matter where we were and it was nice and cold. It's been so hot this summer, my son started using the bag to bring Gatorade bottles to soccer camp because it stayed cold as opposed to me filling a 64 ounce jug in the morning. So it's his now. I ordered a another one for this and future trips.

I am thinking of getting an insulated backpack but want a lightweight one.
I would love a recommendation.

 

[luvmy2babies]

As your trip get closer, especially the Tuesday before, check Alamo first thing in the morning. They have last minute deals, even on SUVs.



I am jealous. We stayed at CSR the last 2 times and I want to try's the tower.



I am thinking of getting an insulated backpack but want a lightweight one.
I would love a recommendation.

There are so many choices. I was almost overwhelmed when I did the search on Amazon last year. The first link is the one I used last year. I got a new one this year because my son has taken over this one now to carry his drinks for soccer. My mom is going with us this year and I want to put some extra stuff in my carry on so I wanted a little more room.

https://www.amazon.com/MIER-Insulat...&s=gateway&sprefix=backpack+c,aps,151&sr=8-32
A lot depends on what you intend to carry. I was only carrying drinks. Also if you need it for anything else. The bag didn't fold down well so I used it as my carry on at the airport. I had no issue carrying it and the heat didn't bother me. It has mesh on the back. I had no issue with it on rides except Soarin; but the space beneath the seats is really small. A worker just put it to the side for me. We didn't do any coasters though. My 9 year-old had no issues carrying it with ice packs and several bottles of Gatorade in it and he carried it by hand because his soccer stuff was on his back. I would definitely purchase this one again if I didn't want something bigger. We carried drinks for hydration breaks plus to save a little on meals because we didn't have the dining plan.

Below is the link to the one I just purchased. It's really similar just slightly bigger. Of course I haven't used it yet. It folds down better than the first one so I could pack it if I chose to. I think I'm still going to use it as a carry on though.

https://www.amazon.com/SEEHONOR-Ins...1&s=gateway&sprefix=backpack+c,aps,151&sr=8-4

 

[v.t.]

Thanks luvmy2babies, there are a lot of choices. Another item to add to my Disney list.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Awww..such a cute name. Im sorry for your loss.

Thank you so much.

I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like the AP preview of GE is just the Disney magic your family needs.

Thank you. I hope that it really helps us out!

I'm so sorry for your loss. We lost one of our dogs to lymphoma too. It was awful. I hope you have a nice trip, it sounds like you all deserve it.

Lymphoma was a tough illness on her - her swelling at the end was just horrible. We were lucky to have 7 months with her after her diagnosis before she got really uncomfortable - we didn't think we would have that much time. We are looking for some serious Disney magic for sure!

How exciting that you got into the AP preview! So sorry to hear about your dog, I know how upsetting that is. A few years back, my wife, son and I went to Disney for two weeks. It was a rough vacation. It started out with me breaking the transmission in my car a month before the trip. Cost us $1000 to get it fixed. First day of the trip, I got gout in my right foot. Never had it before in my life, and never want it again! We left NY like 2:30 in the morning. 7:00 we are in Maryland just outside of the DC area, middle lane of 3 lanes of traffic, and we hit a huge pot hole doing 70. It broke the steering knuckle on the right side of the car, car starts shaking and veering back and forth violently. Thankfully, I managed to get it off the road without having an accident. We ended up spending the night, and part of the next day there waiting for it to be fixed. While we were there, I was out taking a walk with the son, stepped in a hole in the grass with the foot that had the gout, and nearly fell out in the road in front of a delivery truck. Next morning, we get the car back, another $1000 for the repair. At this point, we missed an overnight stay we were supposed to have in Kinglsand Georgia, it is 11:30 in the morning, and we are still in Maryland, we should have been in FL already.

We drove straight through to FL, getting there at 2:30 in the morning for our overnight stay at Caribe Royale. We missed an entire day in FL, taking our son to Wonder Works, dinner at the Hard Rock, and the opportunity to relax, and have a swim at Caribe Royale, but at least we got there in time to get a bit of sleep before checking into Port Orleans the next morning. A few days later, we all got sick. Went to Wal Mart to get medicine, got gas, and the car wouldn't start. Ended up sitting in the parking lot at the gas station for pretty much 4 hours waiting for AAA to come get the car. Wound up missing supper at Disney Springs, and cost us another $1000 to get the fuel pump replaced. Through all of this, we managed to have fun. First day driving home, my mother tells me the refrigerator isn't working. Ok, we've had enough bad news now. Second morning, of our drive home, my mother calls again, and tells me the dog died. At that point, I'm like mom . . . .stop calling me, I don't want any more bad news lol.

Through all of that, we still had a great time. You are about to have an amazing trip!

Oh my goodness!!! That is a lot of things to happen on that trip!!!! Hopefully you got all of those negatives done with that trip and every trip after that will go smoothly! We are really excited about the AP preview and can't wait to really feel the Disney magic for a couple of weeks.

 

[krd315]

We got our magic bands today! Now my daughter can add our super sparkle glitter skins this weekend.

 

[wdwnut61]

Hello fellow August travelers

We are so excited to have added a very last minute trip to experience SWGE AP preview
Staying at the WL 8/20/19 - 8/23/19 before moving DD back to college in St Augustine.

 

[dachsie]

Guys is it worth doing online checkin when I am going to show up there about 7am and have to give them my luggage to store? I am debating the benefits of doing that

 

[DISNEY1975]

I had been thinking about minimizing what we carry and switching from a backpack to a fanny pack, then I found a cute UP themed one and my decision was made. I plan to only bring the bare necessities - phone, gift card only on oop meal days and maybe a disposable poncho. It will be a new experience for me - I hope it works out!

This is what I do, but add in a can of sunscreen! Just the minimum. My husband carries the camera, in a case which he sticks his wallet in. My daughter a cinch sack with her phone, poncho and autograph book/pen, though think those days are over with the autographs!

I am not looking forward to dealing with the boy situation. My dd is only 6 so I have some time. But DS is 9 and I'm starting to hear more and more chatter about girls.

This came suddenly! She is 15. Never mentioned a boy/boys ever until this year.

Isn't it fun being the "babysitter". I find it so awkward trying to find things to do that don't make me look like I'm watching them.

Exactly! The good part is my kitchen has never been so clean! Never a dish in the dishwasher or cup in the sink! The bad part is Ive made, and eaten, more desserts in the past 5 months than in my whole life combined.

We'll have our cooling towels and hats along for sure.

Do hats help? Ive never brought/worn one but thinking I should this trip, which is our first summer trip to FL.

 

[KNJWDW]

Isn't it fun being the "babysitter". I find it so awkward trying to find things to do that don't make me look like I'm watching them.

So funny! Same here. I try not to look directly at them when I walk past. Our son is 15 and has his first girlfriend. My DH and I usually go to bed fairly early, but now we stay up until she goes home.

 

[Iowamomof4]

This is what I do, but add in a can of sunscreen! Just the minimum. My husband carries the camera, in a case which he sticks his wallet in. My daughter a cinch sack with her phone, poncho and autograph book/pen, though think those days are over with the autographs!

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This came suddenly! She is 15. Never mentioned a boy/boys ever until this year.


Exactly! The good part is my kitchen has never been so clean! Never a dish in the dishwasher or cup in the sink! The bad part is Ive made, and eaten, more desserts in the past 5 months than in my whole life combined.

Do hats help? Ive never brought/worn one but thinking I should this trip, which is our first summer trip to FL.

The hats we wear are what I would call "fishing hats". They have a ~2" brim all the way around and a strap that can be tightened under the chin to keep them on in windy weather. I like them, but ymmv.

 

[DISNEY1975]

As your trip get closer, especially the Tuesday before, check Alamo first thing in the morning. They have last minute deals, even on SUVs.

Will do! Luckily the rate I booked with Dollar did not require a deposit/pay now or even CC on file. I can cancel at any time if I find a better deal.

 

[DISNEY1975]

The hats we wear are what I would call "fishing hats". They have a ~2" brim all the way around and a strap that can be tightened under the chin to keep them on in windy weather. I like them, but ymmv.

Typically I dont wear one because I usually have my hair in a pony tail and its just not comfortable over the "bump", but I would assume a sunburn on my face and a peeling nose isnt comfortable either, so Ill give it a try. If it doesnt work, I can throw it in my DDs cinch sack. Thank you for sharing your info. Something I didnt think of.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Guys is it worth doing online checkin when I am going to show up there about 7am and have to give them my luggage to store? I am debating the benefits of doing that

I like to do online check in so that I can get the room ready text. Then we know when the room is ready and can go straight there instead of heading back to the front desk.

 

[dnllmz]

Exactly! The good part is my kitchen has never been so clean! Never a dish in the dishwasher or cup in the sink! The bad part is Ive made, and eaten, more desserts in the past 5 months than in my whole life combined.

The clean kitchen cracked me up.

I want to go through our stuff today to see what else we need.

 

[Sanda Thorne]

Exactly! The good part is my kitchen has never been so clean! Never a dish in the dishwasher or cup in the sink! The bad part is Ive made, and eaten, more desserts in the past 5 months than in my whole life combined.

My whole main floor is getting so clean this summer! I just walk in circles organizing and cleaning everything while "the boy" is here.

 

[omniscientmommy]

@DISNEY1975 Definitely keep checking the rates. I just double checked the Budget rates and they went down $135! So I modified my reservation. Normally I book with Dollar but they wanted $600+ for an SUV I checked with Budget and if you link it with your Amazon Prime account you get a discount which turned out to be better than Dollar prices. Also after you complete the rental with Budget for having your Amazon account linked you get a $25 g.c. to Amazon. So after my price check this morning it cost $444 for the 10 day rental. Thanks for the reminder @v.t.

 

[DISNEY1975]

The clean kitchen cracked me up.

I want to go through our stuff today to see what else we need.

What is funny is I *think* she is oblivious to why Im there. She didnt raise an eyebrow when I was cleaning out the fridge at 9pm on a random Wednesday night! Or why Im all of a sudden mopping the floors 2 - 3 days per week., coincidently when he is here. Or why all the labels in the pantry closet are facing forward She did question all the baking. I just said "Because its a nice gesture when we have guests".

It will all be over soon. He leaves for overnight camp tomorrow for a week. He'll be back 2 days then we are off to Disney for 2 weeks and as soon as we come back both of them start sports practice daily, then school starts. Nobody is allowed here on a school night

 

[dachsie]

I like to do online check in so that I can get the room ready text. Then we know when the room is ready and can go straight there instead of heading back to the front desk.

Normally I would, but either way, I am going to get a text since I will show up so early

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Fellow SW PVD travelers in August, I checked rates on a whim last night and both went DOWN. Credits are way more fun!

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Typically I dont wear one because I usually have my hair in a pony tail and its just not comfortable over the "bump", but I would assume a sunburn on my face and a peeling nose isnt comfortable either, so Ill give it a try. If it doesnt work, I can throw it in my DDs cinch sack. Thank you for sharing your info. Something I didnt think of.

Ponytail goes right through a baseball cap - weird as a girly-girl but now I wear one at WDW and at the beach. I wear my FAST Pass+ to Block Island and my Block Island one at WDW.