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    Honey lets take the kids out of school - First December visit 2021, and last Disney trip.

    Thank you for your trip report. I love how you have been able to roll with it and adapt after a speed bump (and still be papa bear protecting your family). Not everyone can do so with grace - you have a gift. After reading these boards, I agree with you about the lack of value. My family has...
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    Teens Dining Alone

    I think that is AWESOME that they are ready to have their own grown-up adventure like that (and free you up for date night!) My 17 and 9 year old foodies had a great time doing table service restaurants while the 18 year old and I rode the rides back in 2014. The 9 year old has a pretty...
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    Landry’s Card at Disney Springs

    Yep, we've used it for Yak & Yeti, Rainforest Cafe, and Bubba Gump's when we were at Universal. Told them that my b-day was in April when I signed up because that is when we usually went :)
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    Need help with some planning ideas an April father son trip please!

    Remember, Easter is on April 17 next year so parks will be packed and discounts few around that time. Just sayin.... I would do 2 nights/3 days at a deluxe personally. The EP will make a difference during crowds. 3 days gives you plenty of time to revisit your favorites and take everything...
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    WDW Veteran switching to USO - input needed!

    Our family did WDW in 2009, 2013, and 2014 and decided we were done. Started going to UO instead. Have stayed at Royal Pacific, Cabana Bay, and Portofino (we are in our 50s and "momma" is in her 70s). Enjoyed RPR, but not super thrilled with our club level room on the floor below facing a...
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    What they've taken away

    If one has no expectations/has not experienced Disney previously, they may not know what they have lost. I'm glad that we were able to take three trips prior to 2015 - the kids had a blast, we ate well with Tables in Wonderland one trip, free dining another, and Disney was pretty magical! The...
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    I give up - going to pack it in for now

    We cancelled our November trip. Too little value for too much $$, and no guarantees. We went in 2009, 2013, and 2014 and had a great time but decided to wait a few years while we went other places. Last fall, we decided to go back to WDW. But now? No. It looks like we will keep exploring...
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    Boat Transportation and Check-In Question

    When we were there earlier this month, the TMs didn't really check our room keys carefully for early entry. We probably could have used old ones for that. For the Express Pass, they scanned them, of course.
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    Booking RPR for March 2020

    Book it NOW! My sons went for their spring break and paid about $500/night march 22-25. They have APs but even with checking every day, an AP rate never became available. But that is where they wanted to go. :)Their cruise on NCL's Epic was cheaper per day the year before pirate:
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    On Site Hotels unavailable in early November?

    We booked those exact dates last spring at RPR and although I've checked relentlessly, an AP discount has never popped up. We've been this week in 2017 and it wasn't too bad but it looks like it'll be crazy this year if there is no availability. Yikes!
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    What's the most you've paid per person for one meal?

    V & A in 2013, wine pairings but no upgrades $650 for 3 with TIW and tip included. It was a highlight of our trip, DH, mother, myself, and the late ChesterFigment joined us and was a delightful dinner companion. Earlier this year, El Gaucho in Tacoma, WA $500 for three with tip. Delish! (we...
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    When do Christmas decorations go up?

    When we were there in November 4 - 9, 2017, they took down the Halloween decorations on the 6th and started putting up the Christmas decorations. It was probably not complete, but looked pretty festive by the 9th. We will be there November 2 - 7 this year, so we'll see. ~ Marci
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    Long weekend in November -- crowd levels, tips?

    It will be relatively busy with Jersey week and Veterans Day (we were there at that time in 2017). However, getting to the parks early, having tickets in hand, and hitting rides like Minions, FJ, and Gringotts first thing (since you will be there multiple days, you can alternate), will make...
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    August MK Hours

    This is exactly the reason we are done with Disney. We have gone in February, April, and August. In summer, we need the early openings and late hours due to the heat. We stayed on site in order to go and take pool breaks unless they closed due to lightning. Paying $100+ extra pp for the...
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    APH Rates Are Currently Available... [UPDATED 07/27/18]

    Not that I see, but book the room you want and can afford (room only) and then if AP rates come out, you can modify. ~ Marci
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    APH Rates Are Currently Available... [UPDATED 07/27/18]

    Those are my exact dates. I snagged a SMSM club rate at RPR for $344.25 11/2 / $314.25 11/3-7 back in February and have been checking for AP rates ever since to no avail. That is Jersey week, so there may not be any AP rates released except for suites. Regardless, the weather should be nice...
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    Bus from Portofino to Volcano Bay

    I think you chose well - the Beach pool at Portofino is great for kids, express pass rocks, AND the rooms at Portofino are very generous. We enjoyed it a lot. My boys liked the space at CB (they were 19 & 26) but for little ones, Portofino rooms are definitely large enough. (For example, we...
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    Last year’s ice storm turned into our 1st Universal vacation

    We went last Aug 16-22 and it was HOT, HOT, HOT, but we had FUN, FUN, FUN! It was the second trip for my mother and I, first trip for my boys 19 & 26. We split our stay between Cabana Bay and Portofino and had a marvelous time. You will too. Also, the 19 yo was not a Harry Potter reader like...
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    APH Rates Are Currently Available... [UPDATED 07/27/18]

    Our dates are not showing as available except for suites. 11/2 to 11/7. I currently have a ressie for HRH King Club level SMSM for a total of $1879 and one for RPR for the same dates for a Royal King Club level for a total of $1601. I was hoping for a great AP rate for PBH because it is...
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    APH Rates Are Currently Available... [UPDATED 07/27/18]

    I'm waiting for November to open up. First time I went with my mother in Nov 2017, we got a good AP rate on club level at PBH. Last August, my mom, kids and I had a split stay with good AP rates at CB and PBH. In March this year, never got an AP rate (my ex paid $600 night for club...
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