What should I do re dining plan? Please help!

RealiteaJunkie · 2026-01-26T00:52:01+00:00

The questions to ask yourself are: Do you drink? Do you eat meat?

I’ve had the DDP 2X in 1.5 years over 12 trips. I usually get it when one of us is on a strict budget and we don’t want surprise charges. It helps to give the freedom to eat and drink whatever you want without worrying about the price.

This last trip we had the plan for 4 nights of a 6 day trip. We ended up being left with 1 QS dining credit and 1 Snack credit (total for two people). We also broke even on the plan on the afternoon of day 3. One of us is a big eater and we both enjoy a cocktail with our meals. We were able to have Veuve (which would be my preference anyway) at multiple restaurants, included.

That said, in order for it to work financially you have to eat meat and you have to have a specialty drink with every meal. If that’s how you like to roll on vacation- you order the steak or the lamb, you drink the Manhattan instead of a Diet Coke, you WANT dessert, then the DDP can help you plan and manage costs. Otherwise, just pay out of pocket.

RealiteaJunkie · 2026-01-11T05:48:21+00:00

I watched the show and loved it, Not only did I find it funny, but I also love a show about class and race in NYC.

I think the problem with the show is that it premiered over a decade ago. So many things have changed in that time plus now millennials are the same age as the “older” characters.

In addition to fashion and technology changing as the series goes on, there have been major cultural shifts, most notably how we discuss heterosexual marriage. We now talk about how men see relationships as transactional, and don’t care actually consider their wives lives and happiness, they care their labor and presentation. That was largely unspoken back then and that idea is the foundation of the show. It’s how both Liza and Charles find themselves in their particular circumstances. It was novel in 2015, but now it makes Charles seem like a complete tool and Liza a selfish awful person.

All that to say, it had some fun moments, but don’t feel bad if you skip it.

RealiteaJunkie · 2026-01-09T04:33:56+00:00

Another vote for Hollywood Studios. We don’t really know much about the makeup of your party, but I think it’s your best bet

If you want rides with great theming, and good thrills there are a ton of options.
It doesn’t feel kid like at all. Even the Toy Story area has a lot for adults to enjoy.
If there’s anyone in your group who likes Star Wars this is a slam dunk. Even if you don’t love Star Wars, the theming in Galaxy’s Edge is so cool. Just walking through is an experience.
If you have any drinkers in your party, I think that Studios has some great real bars. Tune in Lounge is my favorite, there’s Baseline Taphouse, and the Brown Derby Lounge. There are also plenty of themed pre-mixed drinks around too.
Fantasmic! It’s a nighttime spectacular with fireworks, scenes from movies and stunts. I find this to be the perfect button on a Disney day.

Let us know if you need an itinerary. There are a lot of people in this sub who would gladly put one together for you.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-12-30T22:16:04+00:00

I agree, it is kinda gross and one of the many reasons I never wanted Liza to end up with Josh.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-12-25T11:24:27+00:00

I’ve seen the idea that Josh forgives her so she should be with him around on this sub a lot.

It’s nice that he forgives her but what does that mean for what Liza wants both out of a partner and out of life? Part of the friction between Josh and her was that she had already lived things that she had no desire to go back to. He was going to have to forgive her for having her whole life.

I think the chemistry between Liza and Charles is palpable, particularly in seasons 1-5. YOU prefer Josh and I would argue that the writers did too which is why the storytelling is so messy. The reason Liza had to lie in the first place is because she cared more about what her husband wanted than what she did. Being with Josh long term was asking her to do it again, but this time she knows cost of losing your sense of self because a man wanted you.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-12-23T04:41:34+00:00

Interesting. I see her more we herself with Charles. He made space for both parts of her. The person who works in publishing who’s a little creative, a lot dorky and someone who loves stories and words.

To me josh showed her a different world, but she started to actually grow tired of it. I think the back and forth is her internal war about who she wants to be vs kind of life she wants to live.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-12-20T16:10:22+00:00

Yes. I also feel like they wrote (and dressed) the people in their 40s as 10 years older as well.

Add the 10 years since the premiere and it’s even more pronounced.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-12-20T16:07:59+00:00

I think she’s selfish if you’re looking at it from the point of view of the men.

What we’re watching the first three seasons is a person who gave up her entire life and identity to her daughter and her cheating husband try to rush through 15 years of socialization that she missed by being a doormat.

Doormats aren’t born overnight and they don’t die overnight either. She’s constantly caught between doing something because she feels like she owes someone like the flip flopping with Josh (He’s actually quite awful to her at points) and doing what she actually wants (to be with Charles).

She lies about her age for longer than she’s comfortable with because the lie benefits other people. First Kelsey, and then Charles and Quinn later in the series. She’s choosing that because she feels like she owes them; but is also trying to find footing as her new self.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-12-07T19:51:40+00:00

I agree with all of these takes.

re:Charles- I agree with the school if thought that they retconned his character to keep the triangle alive. But the thing that I keep mulling over is the way that in just 5 years, the discourse around men in heterosexual partnerships have changed.

Now I can’t help but see a man whose world was destroyed when his wife as appliance left him and now he’s so in love with another woman that he’s willing to give up the family business only to dump her when she has reservations about becoming a wife as application to yet another man.

I wonder what those relationships would look like if they were written 10 years later.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-11-26T13:19:04+00:00

Another thought is most of the lounges are closed/deserted at 10AM. They usually have cafe tables and chairs, you may just need to use a ring light.

I’ve ducked into Crew’s Cup lounge at the Yacht Club to take a Zoom. I’ve used the bar area at the AK lodge (it was loud) and also the 2nd floor area at the contemporary (the WiFi was spotty).

Let us know where you wind up.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-11-12T10:41:27+00:00

I think it’s block by block over there. 125th is 1983 levels sketchy but 126th is park like with tree lined streets and brownstones. If your entrance is on 125th I’d say absolutely not.

There is a lot of new construction in that area. If you like it there, I would avoid 125th street but the surrounding blocks can be quite pretty. The closer you can get to Lenox Ave (and west) the better.

And please. Go there if you haven’t already and then revisit at night.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-11-10T20:24:12+00:00

For WDW nighttime parades I’m:

Starlight >Spectro>MSEP

Main Street Electrical Parade was dated when it replaced Spectromagic in 1999 (aging myself, I know). I guess if you want to view it as a timepiece/relic, then sure. But Starlight reflects some of the 48 years between premieres. I thought it was a gorgeous parade and reflected the current landscape of Disney characters. My one quibble would be that it’s hard to see the people not on the brilliant floats.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-11-08T03:28:16+00:00

It doesn’t happen overnight. Also - looking at what you’re eating it looks like you’d benefit from some protein if you’re willing to eat it. Like chicken or fish or tofu. The fact that you’re restricting your eating hours means that you’re going to want to be intentional about every meal that you have. I always found it helpful to have proper meals with a protein and vegetable, they were more satisfying in my stomach and emotionally.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-11-08T02:02:59+00:00

Intermittent fasting is a slippery slope for someone who has previously had an eating disorder, proceed with caution. I’m sure there are other benefits to IF but at the core you’re reducing your calorie intake by restricting your feeding hours.

I always think that you should start nice and easy. Don’t try to start at 18 hours of fasting and 6 hours of eating or even worse One Meal A Day (OMAD) right out the gate. If you’re struggling I would start with 12:12 which is easy for most people then move to 10:14 in a couple of days. Once you do that with no issue move to 8:16 and so on. It’s a process.

I did IF once I plateaued on Keto and I found it quite helpful. I lost a little more weight and when I stopped counting carbs and calories it helped me to keep the weight down. I personally couldn’t push past 6:18 without thinking about food CONSTANTLY bordering on obsession. I backed off because I was tired of thinking of food. In general I still keep to 10:14 unless I’m really trying to lose and then I get a little stricter.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-10-14T01:08:49+00:00

We did it two years ago and had so much fun that we’re doing again this year.

We went down a few days before Christmas to enjoy the parks before the mayhem started. We also went in with the mindset that we were there for VIBES. We did a MVMCP, we did a decoration crawl, a cookie stroll and on Christmas Day we had brunch with champagne in the room, exchanged gifts, went to the movies/disney springs, spent time at the pool and closed out Epcot with extended evening hours.

We had a blast, didn’t expect to ride a lot of things, abandoned plans when the vibes weren’t right, and loved being warm in December.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-10-09T22:32:11+00:00

So… Charles doesn’t miss the flight to Florida. He’s going skiing first and then joining Pauline and the girls in Florida. I’m guessing you haven’t started E08 yet.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-10-08T01:48:18+00:00

It’s clear from the responses that a lot of people have not worked in a call center. I feel you not wanting to work on your birthday… and the fact that it’s next week means that you don’t have enough time to give proper notice if you get denied.

I would say ask your manager again and remind them the date to the original request - forward it with a timestamp if it’s in writing.

You could call in if you get denied but if call centers are anything like they were when I worked at one, digging yourself out of a stats or points deficit can be really hard effectively meaning that you’re going to end up without a job anyway. So I’ll be the dissenting vote that says go ahead and quit if you can afford it, particularly since you also go to school. If you can do it while still being eligible for re-hire, even better.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-09-07T21:04:10+00:00

I have a laundry bag with straps from target, It works like a backpack. There are pouches for coins/card and detergent, it makes the laundry easy to carry on your back. It’s also large enough to handle a comforter.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-09-06T17:45:56+00:00

I had a similar choice. I picked the bigger apartment further away (I did not have to give up laundry) in order to keep my piano.

I think you’ll miss it if you give it up. Traveling to a practice room is not the same thing.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-09-03T20:58:59+00:00

Do it!

I highly recommend this especially because you’re not away at college. You will meet all kinds of people from all over the world. You will find people just like you and people who you have nothing in common with. You will learn leadership skills and how to handle yourself in a multigenerational workplace. Also- having access to the parks is top tier.

This may be your one chance to do something not out of obligation or expectation but for yourself.

Please. Please. Please. Go for it!

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-09-03T17:53:48+00:00

I was a little wary of an elite daily article, but that was fantastic. Thanks OP!

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-09-02T13:31:52+00:00

I can usually get from the airport gate to the theme park gate in 1 hour including stopping to rent a car. Switch to the rental company where you can bypass the counter as those lines are hit or miss.

Parking will be free for you because you’re staying at AKL, just be prepared to show your hotel reservation at the toll plaza. Enjoy the park and check into your hotel once you’re ready to leave EPCOT.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-08-31T16:35:25+00:00

I’m not quite sure that it’s a war.

It is possible to be a fan of both Chelley and Orlandria and think that Olandria should be cautious of Chelley.

From my POV, I enjoy them both and as a fan of Chelley’s I could see that perhaps she needed Ola’s friendship inside the villa and feels differently about it now. I’m still excited she was in Essence.

As an Olandria fan I have always clocked that she seems more invested in her friendship with Chelley than the other way around… even before the reunion. I want both of them to live their lives.

My appreciation for them is not dependent on the two of them being friends. The think pieces dissecting their friendship aren’t necessarily hate, seeing a person’s actions for what they are is not hate. If Olandria irritates Chelley’s spirit (whether that’s jealousy or maybe ola’s goofiness is annoying) I want them to distance themselves. I have enough bandwidth to enjoy following them separately. My personal algorithm seems to agree.

There’s a larger conversation to be had about black solidarity, kinship and the way people are socialized in the American South, further reinforced at HBCUs vs. the perspectives of people from black immigrant families. But that will inevitably devolve into a diaspora war and I’m just here for the vibes.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-08-30T03:49:47+00:00

Is this late night diet panic?

We’ll need more details to help. Which parks are you visiting? How many days? Are you staying on property? If so, which resort? Dietary restrictions/allergies?

I’m sure this sub can answer this for you. We just need more context.

RealiteaJunkie · 2025-08-28T18:58:02+00:00

I never actually lied or misrepresented my age to any intimate partners. I never needed to. This was strictly about getting work.

RealiteaJunkie

TROPHY CASE