twiceblessed....nacole

Thanks Carol!  That's helpful to know.  Looks like we should drop the price...so we'll offer them both for $650 (I'll edit my original post now...plus update how many days are on the tickets, since I forgot  ) .  I have them on craigslist here in Atlanta, and have had a couple of inquiries so, I think I'll be able to sell them.

Thanks again!

Oh sorry... I don't think my original post said the number of days    Mercy.

I have two tickets:  each is a 5 day park hopper (no water parks).

You are too far out. Once you hit a certain window of time, Assuming Disney goes truly live or continues testing, You will have an option in MDE to customize Magic Bands. Then you can pick your colors and order. And I do not know off the top of my head when that window will open for you. 

Thanks!

So I had to look.  Mine were delivered sometime today too.  They delivered them to the side door we don't normally use.

WooHoo!!!

 

Didn't get the invite for the testing, but we don't have tickets tied to our account either.  Since we are not doing park days, it is still all good.

I'm confused     We have three reservations set for 2014; the first is in February.  I have not purchased park tickets yet.  Under MDE, I don't see anywhere to order bands... at first I thought that maybe I needed park tickets first, but maybe that is not the case?  Can I order bands for our trip or do I have to wait until Disney "invites" me?

So I had to look.  Mine were delivered sometime today too.  They delivered them to the side door we don't normally use.

WooHoo!!!

 

Didn't get the invite for the testing, but we don't have tickets tied to our account either.  Since we are not doing park days, it is still all good.

I'm confused     We have three reservations set for 2014; the first is in February.  I have not purchased park tickets yet.  Under MDE, I don't see anywhere to order bands... at first I thought that maybe I needed park tickets first, but maybe that is not the case?  Can I order bands for our trip or do I have to wait until Disney "invites" me?

So I had to look.  Mine were delivered sometime today too.  They delivered them to the side door we don't normally use.

WooHoo!!!

 

Didn't get the invite for the testing, but we don't have tickets tied to our account either.  Since we are not doing park days, it is still all good.

I'm confused     We have three reservations set for 2014; the first is in February.  I have not purchased park tickets yet.  Under MDE, I don't see anywhere to order bands... at first I thought that maybe I needed park tickets first, but maybe that is not the case?  Can I order bands for our trip or do I have to wait until Disney "invites" me?

Not these     The email from Disney specifically said that they "could not be upgraded or applied toward a package to meet eligibility requirements".

I wish I could trade them in on an annual pass...that would work perfect as we'll need to buy 3 of them (thank you for the suggestion though!).

Disney goofed up on A LOT of stuff, during our visit in 2012, so they gave us 5 tickets (what we had purchased for that trip). We used 3 of the tickets this year, and were going to use the other two next year...but have decided to purchase annual passes since we are planning three trips to the fort in 2014.

All that said, I am going to sell the two tickets we have.  Price is $700 for both.  They are adult, park hopper (no water parks), with an expiration date of 2023 (which means would use them in 2015...but we need the money in 2014 to apply towards the annual pass purchase).  

These tickets have not been used (no fingerprints scanned onto them).  Cash only and we'll meet at a public place in a location that (hopefully) works well for us both 

Edited:  Price will be $650 for both.  Each ticket is a 5 day park hopper (no water parks).

Since some people request non-pet loops because of extreme fear or allergies, I would change the reservation. Plus, it's not a huge price difference for a preferred. It's not worth issues on vacation.

I agree with Kelly.  Our next trip is scheduled for February (as long as it's not freezing!) and we'll be in 1500.  Our daughter will be turning 7 this trip and she has a HUGE fear of dogs.  Now...having said that, we've stayed at the Fort several times and always in "non-pet" loops however, each time, we've had a pet in our loop; as long as the dogs we see are non-aggressive and on a leash, we've/she has been okay.  

Typically the dogs we've seen are small and in an RV (this is the first time we'll be staying in a partial hook-up site), which means we see them very little and (thankfully) we haven't had any issues.  

Glad to hear that you were able to get a site that works well for you and (all of) your family  :)

Thanks again!  Great advice DinDavie.  Judy, we'll be there in February so...guess we'll miss you this time around  :-[   Enjoy the Christmas lights for me!

Just wanted to join the rest of the fiends in saying, no...not necessary.  Nice, but not necessary.  Disney transportation to the Magic Kingdom (via the boat) is fairly efficient.  I'm not a huge fan of the buses (we've waited too long in the past) so I would drive to the other parks, if you have a car.

Have fun and   :welcome:

Thanks David and Tom.   Appreciate both of your comments!  ^-^

:whew:My gosh, this is A LOT of information.  I'm tired. Thanks for the responses though!!!  

My DH really didn't want a diesel; I don't really care (as long as it doesn't stink).  He liked the Toyota Tundra.   

I found this on craiglist:   2001 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 2WD with the well known Power Stroke diesel engine. This truck has only 62,000 miles and is in near immaculate condition. It's the Lariat package with leather, two-toned paint, all power, running boards, 5th wheel hitch, spray in bedliner and more. My asking price is $13,250 

Thoughts??

30 ft is a big trailer. Are you looking at an ultra light?

Does that sound large?  We're having a tough time finding something under 30' that has a slide and a nice size bunk area.  Maybe 29' but... any suggestions smaller would be welcomed!   :thumbsup1:

Here is how I calculate.....

 

Take the Gross Combined Weight Rating of the Tow Vehicle (GCWR), then fill the truck up with your entire family, a full tank of gas, and anything else you might put in the bed, then get it weighed. The subtract that weight from the GCWR. For example, if you have a 15K GCWR and your loaded vehicle only weight is 6K, then the "max" your trailer can weigh is 9K.

 

When looking at the trailer, look at the Gross Weight rating. That is the empty weight, plus whatever you put in the trailer when on the road. Most empty trailer weights don't include water, propane, battery, or any addons you order from the dealer.

Thank you!  That's VERY helpful.  What about the hitch??  Is that already part of the trailer weight?

There is great wisdom is this short sentence. Spend a little extra, spread yourself a little thin, and enjoy safe vacations for many years.

Personal opinions (not facts, just opinions)

Get a diesel - power, longevity, and mileage are significant differentiators

Ford - I've had great luck with this brand. Others have had great luck with Chevys and Dodge. They are all fairly close, so go with preference

Super Duty - kind of like buying an umbrella insurance policy. Do you have to have it....no. Does it protect you a bit more...yes

Full disclosure: I have a 2011 F250 turbo diesel. I couldn't afford it when I bought it, but knew it was the right thing to do for the future vacations I wanted to have. After 3 years, people make jokes that they will only be able to pry those keys out of my cold dead hands.

Thanks!  Diesel though...?  My DH will drive this truck to work and we'll only use it to tow the TT 3 or 4 times a year (in other words, not a work truck).  Is a diesel still a good idea given the cost?

Okay.... so I'm the country mouse and my DH, he's the city mouse.  I'd camp again in a tent (even with 2 small children and the hot FL sun) but for my DH...once was enough  :laugh:   However, I have convinced my beautiful man that camping really is a wonderful family activity and if we have a camper... then that's not "really" camping.

So...we're now on the search for a decent TT and truck (both used).  We know almost nothing about TTs, but are learning and we're in the same boat with trucks and towing (I mean...who knew that so much was involved with towing a camper?!). Here we are in our early/mid 40's and just now trying to figure this out  :laugh:

My question to you 'all, is your opinion on the best "little" truck (we're looking for the most cost effective in purchase price and gas mileage). Our plan is to purchase a trailer that is 30' or less.  My husband seems to be leaning towards a Dodge or a Ford.

Thoughts??

We've done the following, several times.... so, here's my 2 cents  :doublebeer:

Chef Mickey (Contemporary Hotel) - nice for a day off (from the parks) because you don't need a park ticket to eat there.  We've eaten here 5 or 6 times and typically really enjoy it.

Crystal Palace - inside Magic Kingdom and one of our favorites.  We usually eat lunch there, but this year had breakfast and it was good.

1900 Park (Cinderella) - don't need a park ticket for this one either (Grand Floridian).  We've ate here twice and that's enough.  Neither time have been thrilled with the characters (spent very little time at our table).

Akershus (Epcot) - loved the breakfast menu and the characters were wonderful however... very expensive.

Hollywood & Vine (MGM) - did not like this one.  VERY busy/chaotic feel. 

Hope that helps!

ps.  our daughter is almost 7 and our son is almost 2

I just did quite a bit of research on PUPs as we were considering a purchase; I found the Jayco 1207 to be the winner.  It has the most room and (important to me) counter space.  We found a couple of used ones in our area (Atlanta) prices range of $2200-$5500 (private owners - more at dealerships).  We have two little ones and have decided to purchase a travel trailer that can grow with us over the next 10 years (which is why we didn't purchase the Jayco PUP)....plus my DH is really a "city mouse" and "roughing it" for him, is a fully equipped camper 

Good luck on your search!  :thumbsup1:

Thanks again everyone!  After much thought...my DH and I have decided to look at purchasing a travel trailer, rather than a PUP.  More money up front, no doubt, but (in the long run) I think we'll be happier.  

The take-out meals at Trail's End have names.

 

The 10 piece chicken dinner is called the Giddyap And  Go.  The cool kids call it a GAG.

 

The 2 piece chicken dinner is called the Lone Rider. The cool kids call it the 2 piece chicken dinner.

 

TCD

Good to know, thanks!  Guess I can be a cool kid now 

I'm guessing it was busy this past week.  We checked out last Saturday (the  5th) and the front desk said they had 200 guests/campsites checking that day!    :dropjaw:

Newbie question here... what is GAG?

Ghirardelli at downtown Disney.  Oh wait... only ice cream there, right?  Just kidding.  Still a family favorite though.... :doodebug:

We've done this dinner twice (last one was just last week) and... it's okay.  The food is fine, but the character experience is so-so.  It seems like the characters (in costumes) are much more likely to get down eye-to-eye with your little one.  The two times we've had dinner here, not only was it expensive, but the cast spent very little time at our table and I mean come-on... isn't that really what you're paying for?  Ate breakfast at Akershus (in Epcot) last year and (after a HORRIBLE WDW transportation experience....can you say 2 hours and 15 minutes to get from the Fort!!) we did enjoy that food and the princesses spent a good deal of time at our table.  

Also, 1900 Park, the room itself is showing some age.