PTR Dec. 6 - 15 - back on track

[minniecarousel]

So this'll be a log and planning thread for me. (I'm usually on the Community Board, and I rarely start a thread - mainly because no one reads them!)

Cast: DH, me, our older DS and his wife (younger DS and his wife work in retail management & there's no way they could get time off in Dec for a 9 day vacation.)

Our son is turning 30 during this trip, and he and his wife are complete Disney nuts. He proposed to her on a Disney trip 3 1/2 years ago. They've gone to WDW several times in December. I have always wanted to go at the Christmas Holiday time, but I work at a school and have never felt comfortable taking time off during the school year. But hey - I work less than half-time and I make photocopies for teachers. I've trained someone to use the huge Xerox (it's not brain surgery!) The School District doesn't want us to carry much vacation time, so I need to take some off. Ya don't have to tell me twice!

DH & I own DVC and have only ever used it in Disneyland (we love the Grand Californian - too bad we can't add just a few points there.) We'll be staying 4 nights at SSR (where we own) then switching over to the Boardwalk for 5 nights. We have a 2 bedroom unit at both places.

On my lists of things to do: the Candlelight Processional (with the dining package); MVMCP & the Osbourne Lights.

Since our DS & DDIL have been many more times than us, they'll be our Tour Guides. DH & I haven't been in 6 years!

More to come....

[disneyaddicted]

Hi my name is Ty. I'll read your PTR. I have been to Disney in December, it was wonderful in every sense of the way. You will love it. I also did MVMCP, drank myself sick in free hot chocolate. The special fireworks for MVMCP are a must.

I'm excited to hear/read your plans.

[minniecarousel]

Why, thank you, disneyaddicted!

Some of the places we really want to eat at: Le Cellier (partnered with the Candlelight Proc?), Rose & Crown (for Illuminations), Fifties Prime Time, Sci-Fi Drive-In, ESPN. I think the Mexican Restaurant at Epcot, too. Also, the breakfast place: Boma?

There's talk of going to Le Cirque. We're going to skip the waterparks and Disneyquest.

[disneyaddicted]

Your choices to eat sound great. I have eaten at Sci-FI which I totally love and 50's Prime Time. It was OK, I didn't know at the time that I could substitute vegetables so I was stuck with collard greens and our waitress made me take a "No Thank you " bite before I could order dessert. My Mother and I are taking a trip this January, she has requested fun/lively restaurants and character dinings, it's her first time going so I want to indulge her, make her love it so she will want to go again, my kids won't go with me.

I skipped the water Parks and Disney Quest as well. Me and water parks don't go so well together, and video games turn me into a screaming idiot.

[Raecheal]

:wave2:I'll read along and post...:surfweb:

I'm Racheal..:wave2: Nice to meet you!!

[minniecarousel]

waaa... I wanna go to Disneyland! We went last June, and I'm itching to go again. DH's birthday was on Saturday and I had a dream that we got up really early Sat. morning, drove the 5-6 hours to Disneyland, spent the day, checked into a motel and drove home on Sunday. (DS & DDIL were at Disneyland May 15 - 19, so I have "disneyland on the brain"!)

The (above-mentioned) DS & DDIL that we're going to WDW in Dec with are moving next month, so we may wait and have a planning session sometime in the summer. They're the WDW vets, so we'll defer to them on most things.

I have eight days of work left - then I'm off for 2 months - can't wait!

[minniecarousel]

woo-hoo! Got our tix ordered for MVMCP!

I've received my new Passporter (I decided that the 2003 edition might be outdated.)

I've started to check the restaurants that I want to go to. There are several attractions that are new since we were there last. Mission: Space was soft-opening while we were there, but we never hit it right, so we still haven't been on that one. I'm still thinking of doing the "mild" version.

[minniecarousel]

We're having a "planning session" next week. In a few weeks, we'll be able to make ADR's. DS really wants to have his birthday dinner at Le Cellier. I hear that is a really difficult ADR to get.

We were able to change our reservation to arrive a day earlier and then leave a day earlier. Getting there on a Sunday makes more sense & then taking one less day off work works better.

I've GOT to go out and get the book Mousejunkies. It sounds like a good read.

[minniecarousel]

So one of us will have to get up at 3 AM on Labor Day to make ADR's on-line. egads! (at least it's not a work-day!)

[minniecarousel]

egads!

Where did the summer go?! The good thing about working at a school is the same thing as the bad thing about working at a school: you get 2 months off in the summer.

The summer went by fast. No Disney for us which is unusual. We usually make it down to Disneyland for a few days. But we remodeled our kitchen instead.

Looking for any tips on getting LeCellier reservations for DS's birthday. Of course, this just happens to be on a Saturday. Are Saturday ADR's any harder to get than weekdays?

[sharter07]

Sounds like so much fun! We are trying to get a trip together for December as well. I haven't been during the holiday in about 10 years so can't wait! Went in July of 2008 (HOT) and rode Mission: Space.. I was sure the mild side was all I could take buy my Godaughter talked me into the wilder side and it was GREAT! ESPN is also a lot of fun, especially if anyone is a football fan. If you are going during a Sunday or Monday night it is the best place to watch a game!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I just found you and am following! We will be there Dec. 1-10! Waiting for the rest!

[minniecarousel]

ESPN is high on our list mainly for the wings. DS & I are going to order the hottest ones! They'll laugh themselves silly when I start to hic-cup, which I always do when I eat stuff too spicy!

We're on a waitlist to get into the Boardwalk a day earlier and cut one day off of our SSR stay. We know we love the Boardwalk location.

They just came out with the Candlelight Processional info. They've added a special viewing area for Illuminations too - gotta book that package!

[minniecarousel]

I'm pleased as punch! Got all the ADR's we wanted!

Dinners at: Tappen Edo, Le Cellier, California Grill, 50's Prime Time, a b'fast at Kona, a lunch at Sci-Fi and the Candlelight Processional package with dining at 9 Dragons. We've had MVMCP for months. And I was able to book a Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

Next up: Airfair.......and I guess I better ask for the days off from work!!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Congrats on your ADR's! Did you do it online?? That's how I did ours for the beg. of Dec!

[minniecarousel]

We booked our ADRs online - just after midnight on Labor Day. DH stayed up late and checked a few times, and it let him book early. We had heard rumors that people were finding the online booking available at 3 AM, EDT. I reset the clock to wake up at 4 AM to call in & book the Candlelight Processional & the Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

What hoops we jump over just to eat nice meals! And we're not even on a dining plan!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

It's all worth it in the end though!!!!!!

[MissBritt]

looking forward to more! we will be arriving on the day you depart, and are also looking forward to le cellier and candlelight package!

[minniecarousel]

I finally made an appt to talk to my Principal on Thursday regarding my time off. I have over 90 hours of vacation time. I only work 19.5 hours per week. I need 7 school days off for this vacation. I'll still have about 62 hours after this vacation. The School district doesn't want us to carry that much time. (I hear it's a "liability" that shows up on the "books"?) Dunno what I'll do to whittle it down more.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Maybe a bounceback?????? (Even if you have to go yourself!)

[minniecarousel]

I was talking to DH about how I want to go back with younger DS and his wife. Since they work in retail management, there is no way they could go with us in December. I'm not sure I'd want to go back too soon, but I could be persuaded to go in early June (which wouldn't take any vacation days) or next October (which would). We'll have to decide before this trip because we'd want to get Annual Passes through DVC in time for December.

On another note, my podiatry appt is next Monday. My plantar fasciitis is driving me nuts. This is the worse it's ever been & I've been wearing my night splint every night. I can't walk around WDW if it's this bad. I did Disneyland with a milder case once and I was miserable.

[minniecarousel]

We have airfare! DH went online last evening and found a price and time that he liked. Called DS (who is really the expert on this kind of thing) and we booked it! We're taking a red-eye and getting into Orlando at 10:30 AM. Leaving San Francisco at midnight, hopefully I'll get some sleep. We'll change planes in Atlanta, where we hope to get some breakfast. Gives us more time in the Parks!

[minniecarousel]

aahhhh.....got my days off okayed by the Principal! whew! (considering we already bought airline tix, that was a biggie)

Part of me was not worried about getting the leave okayed, but I had a little sliver of concern. Just glad it's done. Our campus has other copiers, but I run the high-volume Xerox. I'll give a re-training session to the office person who will spend an hour or so a day running the copier while I'm gone. I gotta train these teachers to plan ahead better! I do too many "as you wait" things for them.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Congrats on the airfare and getting approval for the days off!

[minniecarousel]

My son has a ticker on his website that shows our countdown in seconds. We're below 6 million!

Talking about another trip: our younger DS & DDIL thought they'd like to go with us next October! YAY! (It'll be around their second anniversary.) So DH & I will probably get annual passes and the Tables in Wonderland card. Since we stay DVC, we don't do free dining (duh!), so the TiW card would come in handy.

Nothing better than planning a trip as soon as you get back from one!

[disneyaddicted]

Woohoo, less then 6 million seconds to go!!!!! That's nothing, you can do that with your eyes closed.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hmmmm....I wonder what my seconds look like?? That's interesting!!!

[minniecarousel]

ugh! my feet! Well, my one heel. The plantar fasciitis in my left foot is pretty bad. I'm getting physical therapy for it. They're doing ultrasound treatments, massage and transdermal cortisone (instead of cortisone shots). It's feeling better, but not enough better for me to start taking long walks. At the beginning of summer, I was taking one hour walks, then I irritated the PF. I need to start walking to build up my endurance.

We've got family visiting from out of town next week, then I can start using the guest room for staging my packing. Does anyone else use a part of their house to pack? Actually, DH & I are taking a weekend to the Coast in early November, then I'll really start planning what to pack.

[disneyaddicted]

Yes, I have a spare room/craft room that I pack in. It starts out on the bed, then slowly makes it into the suitcase. I love packing for fun trips!!!!

Gosh I sure hope your feet get better. Will certain shoes help any, like maybe orthodox, or does nothing fix the pain of when you put pressure on it?

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hahahaha! When I pack, there is an organized chaos situation! I and only I know what is where! It all goes into the suitcases in an orderly fashion. But, until it is actually in the case, it is not so neat!

[minniecarousel]

4,600,000 seconds to go! (per DS's countdown clock.)

Because we have a bagage fee, DH & I are hoping to take only one large suitcase (under 50 lbs). Since we have a washer/dryer at both SSR & BWV, we'll just have to take the time to run a couple of loads of laundry. I'll take a carry-on large enough to fit my night splint for my leg & my laptop. I'll want to use the splint on the flight since it's a red-eye & I plan to sleep (ha-ha, we'll see!)

[minniecarousel]

We're having a really good visit with my brother, his wife and my college-age niece. Their visit from the South coincided with another brother's 60th birthday party. My 92 year-old Mom is holding up pretty well. We got pix of Mom with all her kids and with just her 5 sons. She's such a trooper - "goes with the flow"! But bro & family leave in the morning.

This bro travels to WDW nearly every June since his BIL has a condo offsite, near AK. It's fun to talk WDW with family. They also always go to Universal. We haven't been there in years. We haven't been to Universal LA in a very long time either.

[minniecarousel]

We're now under 4,000,000 seconds 'til our trip!

[wdwgirl03]

We're now under 4,000,000 seconds 'til our trip!

LOL, that's awesome, less than 4 million seconds! :rotfl:

As a holiday trip veteran you are going to LOVE it. It's so awesome seeing all the decorations and the special events. MVMCP is a blast. :thumbsup2

[minniecarousel]

So, I've been casually mentioning to some of the teachers that I'll be gone for 7 school days in Dec. One asked if I was being furloughed (this is California, all our schools are in budget trouble). No, I said, I have too much excess vacation hours on the books - I need to take some. Today - a teacher asked if it's next week that I'm taking off! I swear, teachers don't listen! I thought it was wise to start warning some of them. I never give them too much notice when I take a Friday off, beacuse they'll think it's the very next Friday. I'm better off telling them on Monday if I'm taking a Friday off.

I need to warn them, in writing, before our week-long Thanksgiving Break, that I'm taking the time off, since there will be only the week after T'Giving and then I'm off for 7 days. (then I'm back for 3 days & then we get 2 weeks off for Winter Break!) eek! When to tell them?!

[minniecarousel]

Ordered Magical Express!

Now I need to research local limos for getting the 4 of us to the airport. My DDIL is getting so excited! It's fun having someone get even more excited than me! (But she has a lot of work to do before we go. She's working on her dissertation & wants it done before we leave.)

[minniecarousel]

Man, receiving those luggage tags makes it even more real!

Gotta remember to call Limo Companies on Monday.

Time to order Park Tickets!!

[minniecarousel]

I can now say "next month"!! We're going to Disney next month!

I'm ordering our park tix this afternoon & calling the Limo Co.

DH & I are going to the Coast this coming weekend with the DS & DDIL who aren't going with us next month. Should be a relaxing time! Weather is supposed to be rather nice. We will also discuss the timeframe for them going with us next Fall. (I'm thinking Food & Wine?)

This weekend will also be a "test run" for things that I need to line up for my Mom. Since she's 92 & lives with us, I cook all her meals & prepare her meds. My sisters will take turns staying with her both this weekend and next month, for the long trip. Hopefully, they can see what they'll need for me to do ahead for them. We have two pill planning boxes, so I can do 2 complete weeks for her. She has to eat low sodium, so I can get those things into the house and prepare & freeze some things. She's such a sweetheart & still sharp. She still makes her own bed and showers on her own, as long as I stand by. She uses a walker in the house 100% of the time. She's excited for us.

[minniecarousel]

Oh, man - not sure what to do. My Mom has taken a turn for the worse. She can't put any weight on her left leg. She has an infected left toe & we're wondering if it's related to that. I feel like a heel for going away in a few weeks if she's no better and I'd feel like a heel if I cancel this vacation. My husband sounded so surprised when he asked if we should cancel. My older sisters are both nurses and they'll take turns staying at our home, caring for Mom. So I know she'd be cared for. I guess a good heart-to-heart with Mom is in order. Just this day-to-day is tough. My one sis is coming in the AM while I go to work, then I'll get home and she'll go onto work. Not sure how long she can go in late.

[minniecarousel]

Well, Mom may be 92, but it looks like she's pulled out of this current health crisis! Her doctor thinks she has gout. She had it about 2 months ago, but with no pain. This time the pain in her left leg was so extreme, poor thing. She has neuropathy, so she has trouble feeling sensations anyway. She's on the road to recovery!

Back to planning. We'll see if our DS & DDIL want to come over one evening or on the weekend to do some day-by-day planning and grocery delivery ideas. (I'm not cooking!, but I want some water delivered and breakfast stuff.)

[minniecarousel]

Where did the time go?!

We leave in 2 weeks. My ticker is off, since we're going a day earlier than originally planned. I don't want to change my ticker though, because it shows the countdown from 5 months ago!

It looks like DH & I will each take a large suitcase. We're concerned about having enough room to bring stuff back home.

I was going to wait to put up our Christmas tree when we get back from WDW. Sometimes the cats chew on the lower branches & I don't want my sisters to have another thing to be concerned about. But Mom loves looking at my tree. She'll just sit in the living room and gaze at it in the evening. So I have good reasons to decorate it either time. Still trying to decide....

Thankfully, I have all of next week off. I'll have time to really organize - both packing and readying things at home.

I'm getting so excited!