First off, I ramble, so very sorry for my book!!!

Ok, I have a couple questions hopefully you all can help me with. Since you all seem to be a wealth of information!!! And thanks for being so nice to share what you have learned.

We are flying Allegiant to Samford, and trying to get the flights to work with our schedule means we are actually in Orlando on Friday when our WDW Va-cay starts officially on Monday. We have a Monday check-in and a Monday check-out at WDW. (8/17 to 8/24)

On Friday/Saturday we are planning on visiting other parks and going out with family that lives in town.

My first question is about Sunday, 8/16... We have to leave for the airport prior to the parks opening on Monday 8/24 to catch our flight home. Are we able to come into the park and use our tickets on Sunday, 8/16 since we will not be using them on 8/24? Or are they not valid until "Check in" at the resort? We are on a tight budget, and I hate to waste the day of tickets.

Ok next question, we are on the "free" dinign plan which offers 1 snack, 1 counter service, and 1 table service.

We are thinking of upgrading which will cost around another $500.00. Has anyone done this and think it is worth it? My DS is 5, so I expect him (and us) to get exhused in the August heat and was thinking an additional TS might be worth it to cool off and relax a bit and not be in a rush. I have also planned *I think* 3 two-table service meals, which means we will have extra money out of pocket there.

Ok, here is what I have planned/reservations for so far... Please let me know if we have made any bad choices...

Monday
8:50 pm

Teppan Edo @ Epcot®



Tuesday
7:35 pm

Cinderella's Royal Table @ Magic Kingdom® Park



Wednesday
8:10 pm

Jiko - The Cooking Place @ Resorts



Thursday
7:40 pm

California Grill @ Resorts



Friday
11:05 am

Hollywood & Vine @Disney's Hollywood Studios™


9:00 pm

Yachtsman Steakhouse @Resorts



Saturday
2:15 pm

The Crystal Palace @ Magic Kingdom® Park



Sunday
8:30 am

'Ohana @ Resorts


8:50 pm

Coral Reef Restaurant Epcot®





Ok, I have been taking myself into paying for the extra TS option, because I thought with just 3 of us total, we might be able to try some TS places we would normally not try and be able to get in without pre-planning or reservations.

I have 4 Character Meals planned, thinking of dropping Cindy's table. Do boys enjoy that? I just had a hard time getting it so I figured it was worth it.

Thanks again for any help or advice anyone can offer.

This is our first time to ever stay in the park and just want a really nice trip.


Thanks!!

Jenn


PS... I love these smiley guys!!!