Trip Planning Update and Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Sorry, it's been far too long since I last made a blog post! And I promised an overview and review of the Chase Disney Visa options, but so much has happened in the past couple of months that I think a trip planning update is in order.

First, I joined several Facebook planning groups and browsed disboards.com for ideas and reviews on my dining reservations. I was able to make ADRs (advance dining reservations) at 180 days and I shared those with you a couple of posts ago. As with most trips, my plans have changed a few times and I have an updated itinerary that is still composed of mostly the same restaurants I mentioned previously. Notable additions include Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom (because they recently changed this new restaurant to allow for reservations) and Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort (because I've never had Tonga Toast and all of my new virtual friends recommended it!) After the 180-day mark, not much happens until we reach the 60-day countdown so I've been taking it easy on the trip planning stuff.

But something big has happened.

And when I say big, I mean BIG.

My annual Orlando trip is almost always 10 days in duration and usually includes two hotel stays - one for Disney World and another for Universal. This trip is no different. I had originally planned to stay at the Best Western Orlando Gateway hotel near Universal because I got a great deal at hotels.com but I was presented with a special travel agent offer directly from Universal to get a Cabana Bay Beach Resort family courtyard poolside suite at a discounted rate. Normally I would pass on a deal like this because the family suite is way too big for just two adults but then I thought about the opportunity to walk out of my room and directly to the lazy river. Yes, that's right, the LAZY RIVER! One of my most favorite memories from my stay at Cabana Bay last year was getting my raft in the water and letting the lazy river wash my cares away. It was truly an amazing experience and that's why I'm going to dedicate the rest of this blog post to giving an overview of my last stay at Universal's Cabana Beach Resort and the things to come.

Universal Orlando has five on-site resort hotels, all of which are owned by Loews. The prices range from about $125/night on the low end (Cabana Beach) to $400+/night on the high end (Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay Hotel). The top three most expensive options also include an express pass to skip the lines on certain attraction at Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure. While I may someday decide to take the plunge and stay at one of the more expensive properties, I found Cabana Bay quite delightful and it suited my needs just fine. The newest hotel addition is Sapphire Falls and it will open this month. The only hotel I haven't mentioned here is Royal Pacific and it's one of those more expensive options.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort opened in 2014 and is the largest hotel on Universal Orlando property:

The notable details of this resort hotel include two pools areas, a bowling alley, retro theme, a rec center, and a better-than-average arcade. The two pool areas are a huge plus because they each cater to a different audience. On the left side of the map you'll notice the Lazy River Courtyard, which is home to a fairly large pool with sand beach and, of course, the lazy river! On the right side of the map is the Cabana Courtyard which houses a zero-entry pool, water slide, and kids' play area. As previously mentioned, the arcade is definitely better than most you'll find inside hotels and I enjoyed spending some time here on my last visit. They even have small prizes to trade for the tickets you earn!

We didn't have the pleasure of experiencing the bowling alley last year but I've heard great reviews and I look forward to finding some time to visit that part of the resort on the next trip.

My last reservation was for a standard room, which was booked for us in the Americana building. I'm not certain that Cabana Bay is as accommodating on room requests as Disney, but it's certainly worth a try if you have a specific pool you would prefer to visit. Also, keep in mind (see map above) that the shuttle to the parks stops in front of the Americana building and could be a bit of a trek if your room is located in Starlight or Thunderbird. The rooms are all themed similarly to the overall resort and provide ample space for families of all sizes. 

Two queen beds in a standard room

Vanity area is separate from bathroom

The option I booked for the next trip is a Courtyard Family Suite Poolside, as opposed to a Tower Family Suite Poolside. In this case, if you're booking a family suite then you have the option to choose and pay for a room closer to your pool preference. The Courtyard Family Suites are near the Cabana Courtyard (the kid-friendly pool) and have outward facing doors like a motel. The Tower Family Suites are near the Lazy River Courtyard and are hotel-style with inward facing doors and hallways to the main lobby area. There are perks to each option; the Courtyard Family Suites offer immediate access to your room from the pool (i.e., no cold a/c on your wet skin as you're walking down the hall to your room) whereas the Tower Family Suites will offer protection from the elements if it should rain while your trying to get from one place to another (your room to the bowling alley, etc.). I think the overall decision here should be based on your preference but we value the ability to reach our room quickly after hanging at the pool over the hallway access to the main building.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort has several dining options, including a food court-style area called Bayliner Diner, the Galaxy Bowl Restaurant inside the bowling alley, two poolside bars, a lounge bar, and a Starbucks. I enjoyed a burger from Bayliner Diner on my last trip and it was pretty standard. I ordered a few drinks at the Hideaway Bar & Grill near the lazy river and I highly recommend it if you enjoy sipping a cocktail while soaking in the sun. The drinks are expensive (no surprise) but well-made and the bartenders are incredibly fun. You can also get your drink poured into a souvenir glass for an extra charge:

Souvenir glass on the left, standard cup on the right

Overall, I highly recommend Cabana Bay Beach Resort and hope you'll give it a look when planning your next trip to Orlando. Some cheaper options may catch your eye on International Drive but trust me, those I've used before now haven't been worth the money that was saved. If you happen to have any recommendations then feel free to share them in the comments!

Next, I'll look to make Fastpass+ reservations in about two weeks (my 60-day mark!) and keep watching for upcoming posts on the Chase Disney Visa cards, as well as Fastpass+ updates and Universal's Halloween Horror Nights!

Annual Events at Disney and Universal Studios

Any vacation is sure to be special, but your trip can be extra magical if you are visiting during one of Disney or Universal's annual event celebrations. My trip in mid/late September will overlap with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World, as well as the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. I had originally hoped to catch the Food & Wine Festival but never dreamed I would be able to plan for ALL of these spectacular events! So what else do the parks add for fun? I'll give you the lists and general schedules below. Please remember that the exact dates usually aren't announced until 6-8 months beforehand and may vary from year to year. For the purpose of this blog, I will only be focusing on events that extend beyond just one weekend.

Disney World

New Year's - Chinese New Year

• Dates: January-February
• China pavilion at Epcot celebrates Chinese New Year with acrobats and extra activities

Club Villain

• Dates: January - March
• New in 2016, extra ticket required for the event

Mardi Gras

• Dates: February or March

Atlanta Braves Spring Training

• Dates: Spring, varies each year
• Held at ESPN Wide World of Sports

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

• Dates: March - May
• Focus on gardening, topiaries, and special food offerings

Star Wars Weekends

• Dates: May-June
• Note: Star Wars Weekends not being held in 2016 due to construction

Gay Days

• Date: Usually first week of June
• Visit GayDays.com for more info

Halloween - Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

• Dates: September-October
• Halloween decorations can usually be seen starting the end of August through early November
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is held on select nights and requires an extra ticket

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

• Dates: September-November
• Wine, beer, and culinary offerings in conjunction with classes and concerts

Christmas - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

• Dates: November-January
• Christmas decorations can be seen from early November to early January
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held on select nights and requires an extra ticket

Universal Orlando

Mardi Gras

• Dates: February-April
• Parade, beads, and concerts offered on select nights
• Admission is included with park admission

Halloween Horror Nights

• Dates: September-October
• NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN!
• Halloween Horror Nights are held on select nights and require an extra ticket

Christmas

• Dates: December-January
• Suess Landing celebrates "Grinchmas" at Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Macy's Holiday Parade and Mannheim Steamroller at Universal Studios
• All in-park activities are included with park admission

Disneyland

Diamond Celebration

• Dates: May 22, 2015 - September 5, 2016
• Disneyland turns 60! Special decorations, parades, fireworks, and World of Color offerings

Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival

• Dates: April-May
• Celebrity kitchens, beverage seminars, and culinary demonstrations

Halloween - Mickey's Halloween Party

• Dates: September-October
• Mickey's Halloween Party is held on select nights and requires an extra ticket

Holidays at Disneyland

• November-January
• Specialty decorations, parades, and attraction updates included with park admission

I've personally experienced Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Star Wars Weekends, Diamond Celebration, and Holidays at Disneyland. I highly recommend these events because they add an extra bit of excitement to the trip and provide an opportunity for special souvenirs. 

Star Wars Christmas and Diamond Celebration pins from Disneyland

Customized Christmas Tree Ornament (can be purchased at both Disney World and Disneyland)

I'll be sure to report back after my trip in September to provide my experience at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Universal's Halloween Horror Nights. Until then, look for my next post where I will be discussing the Disney Rewards Visa cards and perks! 

180 Days!

Hurrah! We've finally reached the 180-day mark on this vacation planning journey so let's all breathe a collective sigh of relief. The hard stuff is done! Now it's all fun and games. In this post I'm going to share my plan for securing dining reservations, as well as discuss the new restaurant set to open at Animal Kingdom! We'll end the post with an overview of Universal Orlando dining options and the very cool new Willy Wonka-inspired eatery.

First up, dining reservations. Disney opens the dining portal 180 days before the date of arrival but a little-known secret is that a Disney resort booking qualifies you to make dining reservations up to 189 days before your trip - that could essentially put you ahead of other people arriving the same day but not staying on property! The steps to securing these early reservations are easy: log into the My Disney Experience section of the Disney World website, then select the first day of your itinerary and add dining reservations. The remainder of your trip (up to 10 days beyond your date of arrival) should become available for you to book dining reservations on those days, as well. There are a few restaurants that you should absolutely prioritize when making your selections because they will book up quickly:

• Cinderella's Royal Table Character Breakfast (Magic Kingdom - full prepayment required)
• Victoria and Alberts (Grand Floridian Resort)
• Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)
• California Grill (Contemporary Resort)
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Ft. Wilderness - full prepayment required)
• Mickey's Backyard BBQ (Ft. Wilderness - full prepayment required)
• Spirit of Aloha Luau (Polynesian Resort - full prepayment required)
• Le Cellier (Epcot Canada Pavilion)

In almost all cases, a credit card is required for booking but will not be charged unless the reservation remains unused or isn't canceled more than 24 hours in advance. Also, I highly recommend that you take the time to book the restaurants you really want to visit for multiple days in case there are changes in your itinerary. Here's an example of my itinerary below:

• Friday 9/16/16: Dinner at California Grill (Contemporary Resort)
• Saturday 9/17/16: Lunch at Wave of American Flavors (Contemporary Resort)
• Sunday 9/18/16: Dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby (Hollywood Studios)
• Monday 9/19/16: Lunch at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzera/Dinner at Le Cellier (Epcot)
• Tuesday 9/20/16: Dinner at Tiffins (if it's open) or Yak & Yeti (Animal Kingdom)
• Wednesday 9/21/16: Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern/Dinner at Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)
• Thursday 9/22/16: Lunch at San Angel Inn (Epcot)
• Friday 9/23/16: Lunch at Flying Fish Cafe (if it's open - Disney's Boardwalk)

Unfortunately, it can be rather difficult to nail down an itinerary 6 months in advance because Disney doesn't always update their park schedules that early. I definitely recommend using a crowd calendar to get an idea of which park to visit each day (this option at TouringPlans is reliable). I've decided to book ALL of my restaurant choices for each day of my trip so that I can be assured of my dining plans regardless of any changes.

The Disney dining portal opens at 6am EST and the phone reservation system is available at 7am EST. I recommend logging into the My Disney Experience section of the Disney World site before 6am EST to prompt your first, and most important, reservation so that you can hit the 'find a table' button as soon as the portal is open.

Now is a great time to discuss Tiffins, the new signature restaurant opening at Animal Kingdom later this year. While there still isn't an estimated opening date, the theme sounds quite wonderful and the menu preview, as reported by Disney Food Blog, looks delicious! Currently, there are only three major options for sit-down dining at Animal Kingdom (Rainforest Cafe, Tusker House, and Yak & Yeti) so the park is overdue for some fresh tastes. 

(photo courtesy of Universal Orlando)

If you're anything like me, the mere thought of Willy Wonka gets you all giddy inside. The original movie and the re-imagined 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' created a sense of wonderment that can only be described as 'child-like'. I am so glad that Universal Studios announced the addition of The Toothsome Chocolate Factory because it will be a wonderful escape for the often cluttered CityWalk area. If you're unfamiliar with the Universal Orlando resort, CityWalk is a dining/shopping/entertainment area that is open to the public and must be traversed to reach the actual theme parks. While it has several wonderful dining options already, The Toothsome Chocolate Factory promises a fun, new experience that everyone can enjoy. Like Tiffins, it is slated to open later this year but does not have a date yet.

Dining at Universal Orlando is a bit less rigid but can be an organizer's nightmare. Many restaurants are available for reservations via Universal's website, however there isn't a predefined window in which you should book. For example, at this moment Mythos is only booking through April 10, 2016 but Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom has openings through June 13, 2016. Thankfully I've never witnessed any difficulties with obtaining reservations for the restaurants I wanted to visit at Universal Orlando but I recommend checking back often to see when your options are open.

Stay tuned because my next post will explore the fun annual events at Disney World and Universal Orlando, including expectations for my most anticipated visit to (finally!) see the Epcot Food & Wine Festival later this year!

Walt Disney World Travel Planning Update

Thanks for joining me on my vacation planning journey! I've got quite a few updates to share today. My trip is a little over 6 months away and that means several more travel options have become available for booking.

I stalked the Allegiant Air  website for weeks and noticed on February 18 that they had quietly released their autumn schedule. With previous knowledge of early sales in past years, I felt pretty confident that the prices would likely spike in the next month or two so I quickly performed a precursory search of plane tickets from my local airport to Orlando (both MCO and SFB) and found that the big airlines were charging upwards of $500 roundtrip while Allegiant was offering flights for about $100 each way. Take note: if you've never flown with a low-cost carrier such as Allegiant, Spirit, or Frontier, there are a couple of things to know upfront. They will nickel and dime you for everything - seat selection, priority boarding, and carry-on bags are all offered at a premium. I weighed these options with the total cost of a flight through one of the bigger airlines and determined that Allegiant was still cheaper, even with the additional cost of seats and bags. The outcome is that I paid about $250/person for roundtrip tickets with moderate seat selection (middle of the plane seats) and one checked bag between two people. I've learned that you can easily count a backpack or large purse as a 'personal item' and can cram plenty of items in those bags to make the large checked suitcase a little less packed for the trip to Orlando. Gotta leave room to bring souvenirs back!

With the extension of the airline schedule, I decided to move onto my second task of comparing car rental prices. I am flying into Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) so a rental car is absolutely necessary for my trip. I am a huge fan of Dollar Rental Car agency (see this blog post for my reasons) so I usually start with their website, Expedia, and Orbitz. Feel free to use whichever agencies or travel sites work best for you. The most important part of booking a rental car is to look past the base rate to the grand total. I noticed that Expedia had a deal to get a SUV rental through Alamo for $295 but Dollar had a special city rate offer to get a Mid-Size car for $235. I didn't have to put any money down on this selection plus there is free cancellation if I find a better deal later on - but $235 for 10 days (fees and taxes included) is a pretty good rate. Booking a rental car is probably one of the easiest parts of planning a trip but be prepared for the items you'll need at the counter (ID and credit card at the minimum) and the sales pitch you'll have to endure for optional insurance and fueling costs.

Next up: park tickets. There was quite a frenzy a few days ago about Disney's announcement of tiered pricing. This can be a major issue for big families traveling during peak seasons but it can also provide savings if you're traveling during a slower season. This is where touringplans.com has really saved me a lot of money because they have a ticket calculator to help travelers find the best deal online for Disney tickets. Just plug in the information (# of adults and children, optional parkhopper selection) and it will show you the reputable sites and prices. Currently, I'm looking to purchase a 5-day single park per day ticket for 2 adults and the price is $641.50 on OfficialTicketCenter.com. Please note, tickets purchased through Undercover Tourist or Official Ticket Center can be used in conjunction with the My Disney Experience app or online to provide you early access to Fastpass+ selections.

If you're keeping track of the pricing so far, this is how much my trip has cost:
Disney's Contemporary Resort (7 nights travel agent pricing): $1,800
Best Western Orlando Gateway at Universal Studios (3 nights hotels.com secret pricing): $255
Allegiant roundtrip airfare for 2 adults: $480 (and $150 credit back from my Disney Dream Rewards)
Dollar car rental for 10 days: $235
Disney World park tickets (5 day single park for 2 adults): $641.50

*Estimated* Universal Studios 3 day park-to-park tickets for 2 adults: $400
Grand Total: $3,811.50 - $150 statement credit from Disney Rewards Visa card = $3,661.50

The only things left to buy are food, souvenirs, and activities. If I didn't have the travel agent pricing on the Contemporary Resort, I probably wouldn't be staying in deluxe accommodations and I would be paying half that total for a moderate or even value level Disney resort. But as an adult that is still a kid-at-heart, I'm going to take this year to enjoy the Contemporary so I can report back on whether this hotel is worth the price.

To end this blog post, I wanted to take a moment to share the great services I've used on the Touring Plans website. For $12.95/year, I have access to their membership options that allow me to browse the Disney resorts and see the view from specific rooms. With this tool, I was able to find my room type at the Contemporary and select the exact room number that I would like to request for check-in. Requests aren't always guaranteed but Touring Plans makes it easy by faxing a written request to the hotel for you so that a real person receives the request instead of an automated computer system. Again, this won't guarantee that you'll get the room you want but it significantly increases the odds. I was lucky enough to find out that the room I've booked is one of only THREE in the whole resort and they're all located in the same area. Just look here at what Touring Plans showed me:

Not only do I get a sample view from the room, but it also provides the walking time to the lobby and nearby transportation (monorail, buses). The website also offers tools for itinerary planning and dining options. It's a great deal for only $12.95 per year! Check it out!

Orlando: International Drive = FUN!

Welcome back to my personal Orlando planning journey! Today I'm thinking about my trip itinerary and how to fill the 'free' days I've built in. Here's what the days look like:

Friday, September 16: Arrival at Disney's Contemporary Resort

Saturday, September 17: Free Day - Explore the Contemporary Resort and Surrounding Areas

Sunday, September 18: Disney's Hollywood Studios

Monday, September 19: Epcot

Tuesday, September 20: Animal Kingdom

Wednesday, September 21: Magic Kingdom

Thursday, September 22: Free Day - Disney Springs, Mini Golf, Water Sports, Pool Day, etc.

Friday, September 23: Epcot's Food & Wine Festival (if scheduled) or International Drive Free Day

Saturday, September 24: Universal Studios

Sunday, September 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure

Monday, September 26: Departure

I assure you that I will be giving a much more in-depth rundown of my itinerary once I know if the Epcot Food & Wine Festival will cross my schedule, but for now I want to show you what you can do with a free day on International Drive.

For anyone that hasn't been to Orlando (or those that need a refresher), here's the map of Orlando and the locations of the parks:

SeaWorld isn't on my itinerary but I've listed it on the map for reference. Now, a closer view of International Drive:

And the black line basically traces I-Drive so that you can get an idea of the areas it touches. It's a tourist's dream! Along this busy road you'll find restaurants, shopping, go-karts, mini-golf, movie theaters, museums, and pretty much any other fun recreation you could ever want. I'm going to list some fan favorites below (** denote personal recommendations):

Mini Golf

Congo River Golf

Volcano Island Miniature Golf

Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf

Lost Caverns Adventure Golf

Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf ** 

Like most mini-golf locations, you can score a free game with a hole-in-one!

Museums

WonderWorks - family/children's science center

Ripley's Believe it or Not! - odd and rare spectacles **

World of Chocolate - a dessert and coffee bar with an optional historical chocolate tour ** 

Titanic The Experience - artifacts and re-creations of the ship

Madame Tussauds - wax museum of celebrities and historical figures

Miscellaneous FUN

King's Bowl - bowling alley

Monkey Joe's - indoor playground for kids

Artegon Sky Trail - rope course and zip lines

Hard Knocks at Pointe Orlando - laser tag

Rebounderz - trampoline playground

America's Escape Game - small group challenge

CSI: The Experience - identify evidence and solve a crime

iFly Orlando - sky diving wind tunnel

Magical Midway - go karts and midway games

The Orlando Eye - 400 ft observation wheel

Escapology - 60 minutes to solve the puzzles and escape the room

I could list the restaurants but there wouldn't be enough space here to give each option adequate attention. I will say, however, that there are some honorable mentions that I just can't leave out:

• Hash House a Go Go
• Maggiano's
• B.B. King's Blues Club

Sage Fried Chicken and Banana Vanilla French Toast at Hash House a Go Go - the portions are huge!

And of course there are plenty of chain options such as Bahama Breeze, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, and Applebee's, as well as quick service stops like McDonald's, CiCi's Pizza, and Panda Express. There are meals to fit any budget!

No matter what your plans look like, you can be sure that there is no shortage of options on International Drive. Some places might be pricey so be sure to check out coupons on the visitor's site before you go, as well as the transportation options via the I-Ride Trolley if you prefer not to drive. Been to Orlando lately? Let me know your favorite stops!

Disney World Dining Plans

As promised, I've completed the calculations and options for the dining plan and have concluded that it does not work for my trip. I will follow that up by saying it could, and probably does, work for many other families and is especially advantageous if obtained for free as part of Disney's slow season booking special.

I'll show you exactly how I came to this decision for my party but first, a quick rundown of the dining plan options:

There are three dining plan options for 2016 that I will cover (all items listed are per person, per day). There are two more dining plan options but they include flexibility for recreational activities, such as golf, and are more expensive than those listed below -

Quick Service Plan ($42.77/person/night)

2 quick service meals

1 snack

1 refillable resort mug for length-of-stay

Standard Dining Plan ($61.82/person/night)

1 quick service meal

1 table service meal

1 snack

1 refillable resort mug for length-of-stay

Deluxe Dining Plan ($111.73/person/night)

3 meals (quick service or table service)

2 snacks

1 refillable resort mug for length-of-stay

The Standard and Deluxe allow for entree/beverage for breakfast, entree/dessert/beverage at quick service lunch/dinner meals, and appetizer (Deluxe only)/entree/dessert/beverage at table service lunch/dinner meals. 

Snacks for all plans include single-serve items found at most carts located around the parks, including bottled beverages, chips, a piece of fruit, or single-scoop of popcorn. Unused quick service meal credits can be traded for three snack credits; all three credits must be used in one transaction (for example, trade in one quick service meal credit to buy an apple, a cookie, and a bottle of water at a snack cart.)

The itinerary for my trip revolves around one or two snacks per day, one quick service meal, and one table service meal. I also purchase the refillable resort mug with the length-of-stay option because it's very handy to have after a long day at the parks. I normally do not purchase a meal for breakfast because a quick stop at the sundries shop yields a box of granola bars as the more economical option. Within these parameters, the Standard Dining Plan likely fits my needs best but will cost a total of $865.48 for two people. Before looking up the restaurants covered by the Dining Plan, I decided to make a mock itinerary for the trip and pick out the restaurants that piqued my interest most. It looked something like this: 

Location		Options		Type
Contemporary Resort		California Grill		upscale restaurant
		Wave of American Flavors		breakfast buffet
Magic Kingdom		Be Our Guest		upscale restaurant
		Ferrytale Wishes Fireworks Dessert Cruise		dessert
		Liberty Tree Tavern		dinner buffet
Epcot		Teppan Edo		hibachi
		Tutto Italia Ristorante		upscale restaurant
		Le Cellier
		Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party		dessert
Downtown Disney/Boardwalk		Flying Fish Cafe		seafood
		The BOATHOUSE		surf and turf
		Boardwalk Bakery		dessert
Hollywood Studios		50s Prime Time Cafe		cheaper option
		Fantasmic Package - Hollywood Brown Derby/Hollywood and Vine		upscale restaurant
		Symphony in the Stars Galactic Dessert Party		dessert
Animal Kingdom		Tusker House		upscale restaurant
		Yak & Yeti		upscale restaurant

What I soon found was that a few of the restaurants on my list do not accept the dining plans; this would largely affect my visit to Epcot because Teppan Edo and Tutto Italia Ristorante are two such options. Additionally, I found that some places are considered "signature restaurants" and would require two of my table-service credits (California Grill, Flying Fish Cafe, Le Cellier, and Hollywood Brown Derby). This problem automatically devalues the Standard Dining Plan and almost forces the selection of the Deluxe Dining Plan. Always one to select quality first, I decided to conduct my full calculation using the Deluxe Dining Plan and found that the total cost of all meals, snacks, and refillable mugs would only add up to $1,516 for two people whereas the plan would cost upwards of $1,560 (tips are not included either).

Another discovery I made while adding up my calculations is that the Deluxe Dining Plan requires a lot of eating to become useful. It allows for three meals per day - or two meals if your itinerary includes a signature restaurant - and each meal includes at least an entree or beverage and, in most cases, a dessert and/or appetizer. Add on two additional snacks and a day at the parks is hijacked by meals and snacks. I estimate that around 3-4 hours of my day would be spent eating if I utilized a dining plan option. It goes without saying that time is valuable, especially at Disney World, and planning around Fastpass+ options, events, shows, parades and meals/snacks can quickly turn a vacation into a job.

In conclusion, I can now say with full confidence that the Disney dining plan options will not work for me. Even utilizing the Standard Dining Plan, two adults can easily dine for less than $120 most days and any extra money saved from eating cheaply on any of those days will just mean extra money in my pocket rather than given to Disney in the form of a pre-paid meal. I urge you to do the math yourself and determine if this option works for your trip before handing over hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in the name of convenience. 

Happy New Year! Looking Forward to 2016

While most people are making resolutions to eat less, I'm making plans to eat more - at Disney World! My December Disneyland trip is behind me and it's time to start looking toward the next big stop, which will be Disney World in September. My goal with the blog this year is to share each step of the planning process with you and give additional advice along the way.

Let me start by showing you a checklist of what I've completed already:

Disney's Contemporary Resort booked (dates: 9/16-9/23) and deposit ($200) paid
Best Western Orlando Gateway hotel booked (dates: 9/23-9/26) with no deposit required

Disney's Contemporary Resort was available to me at a special discount through the Disney travel agent rate.

I found the Best Western hotel on a "secret" price deal through hotels.com - the fine print indicates that the $254.45 is for a King bed suite and includes all resort fees and taxes. This hotel is located 1.3 miles from Universal Orlando.

I also took the plunge and applied for the Disney Premier Visa card. The perks include 1% back on all purchases and 2% back at gas stations, grocery stores, and most Disney locations. The rewards are offered in two forms: as a statement credit toward airfare purchased on the card or as Disney Dream Reward Dollars. For a frequent Disney traveler, the Disney Dream Reward Dollars can be added to a reloadable card and used, dollar for dollar, at the parks. I received my Disney Premier Visa in October and have been using it for all of my daily purchases in order to accumulate rewards for my trip! I will be writing a blog post dedicated to the Disney Visa card options in the near future.

So let's re-cap: Disney World hotel, Universal Orlando area hotel, and Disney Premier Visa card. Yup, those are the three things I've accomplished so far. I am currently creating a spreadsheet of dining options for each park, complete with prices of the options we would most likely choose, so that I can compare the cost of the Disney dining plan with the actual cost of the meals we would eat. I'm still on-the-fence about the Disney dining plan for couples. I absolutely see the value in using it for families because it offers snack options and fast dining but I'm a bit of a foodie when I visit the Disney parks and I don't like to be restricted with the options of where I can eat. I'll give an update on my progress with this task in the next month or two.

Nine months prior to the Disney World vacation is what I consider the "grey zone". There isn't much I can do at this point because airline schedules haven't been released, which also means most car rental agencies don't have updated pricing available either. I can't make dining reservations for Disney until 180 days (6 months) so I'm stuck in planning mode for a while longer. I'm taking this time to read reviews on restaurants and the new additions to Disney World and Universal Orlando. I am super excited to see progress on the Pandora expansion at Animal Kingdom and try out the new Skull Island: Reign of Kong experience at Universal's Islands of Adventure! Stay tuned for more planning updates :)