If I don't get in, we're going to Disney.. PTR for 8/25/09! Now with Fact of the Day!

[ZeroToHero]

Alright - short post today eek:! I'm sure you're all surprised by that! )

Here's the order that I'm planning to get my ADRs in, and then back ups. I was really hoping that online dining would be up in time, but I'm not so sure now.

Restaurant Booking Order:
Mama Melrose’s FANTASMIC 8/27 (6:30-7:00)
1900 Park Fare 8/30 (7:00-7:30)
Chefs De France 8/31 (5:00-5:30)
Plaza Restaurant 8/25 (8:15-30 pm?)
Biergarten 8/26 (7:30)
Coral Reef 8/28 (7:00-7:15)
50s Prime Time 8/29 (4:30-5:00)

If cannot get Mama Melrose:
Try Hollywood and Vine for same night for Fantasmic (8/27)
Otherwise, book 50’s Prime Time and try Mama Melrose’s on 8/29.
If cannot get Hollywood and Vine or anything, go for Sci Fi Dine-In

If cannot get Park Fare (8/30):
Chef Mickey’s
‘Ohana
The Wave
Kona Cafe

If cannot get EPCOT restaurants:
If cannot get Chef De France for 8/31 try (in order):
Chefs for 8/28
Chefs for 8/26
La Cellier
Biergarten
Coral Reef
Tutto Italia

If cannot get Coral Reef for 8/28 try (in order):
Coral Reef for 8/26
Biergarten
La Cellier (if not already booked)
Tutto Italia

If cannot get Biergarten for 8/26 try (in order):
La Cellier (if not already booked)
Tutto Italia

If cannot get Plaza Restaurant:
Crystal Palace
Liberty Tree

I think I did that all right, I'm not sure. I hope I did! I'm going to have a piece of paper that I'm writing things down on while I'm ordering, so that I know I have everything I want, and no doubles, and nothing was forgotten.

 

[ZeroToHero]

Sounds like you are going to be busy!

I know - I feel overheated and exhausted already. But that might be because it was almost 100º today - the thermometer was saying 104º, but I think it was a lie. I don't think I'm going to need to write a trip report, I basically just summed it up all there!

I found the shirts!!! And took photos of them. So I'll try to update those later. And I accidentally split the surprise to Lou - I said "Oh, next Wednesday I need to make the cake reservations (he said "huh, cake?") - oh, I mean the dining reservations... I'm on the Disboards reading the cake thread, my bad."

..I think he believed me. Which is good, because I was telling the truth, I don't make the cake request until later.
I think it's safe to say it now, because I told him about the pre-trip report today, and he seemed highly uninterested, and didn't want to see it, so I feel confident in that the secret won't be ruined (anymore than I already did). How do people keep entire trips a surprise from their children, when I can't even keep a cake secret?

So there it is - I want a mini cake while we're at 1900 Park Fare.

I really want one like this:

It's so tiny and adorable! I know it's a buffet, but that's why I want a tiny cake - especially since we're going back to the Magic Kingdom afterwards.

So there you have it - I couldn't keep a secret from my Dis'ers!

 

[disneyquilter]

Love your pre-trippie so far Danica! Can't wait to read more adventures on you & Lou!!

 

[ZeroToHero]

Quick update - I was just talking to my friend, and she told me that she had been let go from work, because they couldn't afford to pay her anymore. She worked at the same place I do, in the same position. She'd been working there for two years longer than I have (her for 7, me for 5). I'm really worried now, because I don't go into work until Monday, and she just found out today.

Fortunately, the trip is paid off, and I have some money saved, but if come Monday, I don't have a job, I may need to rethink some things - or go job hunting. I also just hung up from Lou, who earlier today found out one of his best friends is joining the Marine Corps Choir (which also entails joining the Marines) so I think he is a little "ehh" and took it out on me a bit when I told him about my job - he didn't say anything comforting, just told me it wasn't the end of the world. I know he's probably worried about his friend, just like I am, but still - would have at least liked an "oh no" or something.

Sorry for the rant. Pre-trip reports are supposed to be fun, right?
I promise I'll have something fun up this weekend!

 

[jenseib]

Do you make less than the other girl did? Maybe they'll keep you if you do because it cost less for them to have you.

 

[Goofy22]

HI! Danica,

I'm coming on over from Disney Quilter's TR! I just got through all your updates! Sounds like you have a Great plan! The surprise sounds yummy!
I will be at Pop practically the same exact dates as you my dates are August 24th thru September 3rd!! Can't wait til Tuesday to make the rest of my adr's I say the rest because I have a few GG's which are already booked because you can make those at 180 days out still! So I have to get that in order and ready for Tuesday!

 

[ZeroToHero]

Do you make less than the other girl did? Maybe they'll keep you if you do because it cost less for them to have you.

We make the same amount of money per hour - it isn't like other places where they raise your wages each year you come back.. I made 8$ an hour for 4 years, and then it jumped up to 12$ this year when I switched from one area to another. My mom thinks they got rid of her because she can't come in as much as I do - she goes to school in New Hampshire, whereas I'm here year-round. I hope so, because as much as I complain, I like my job.

HI! Danica,

I'm coming on over from Disney Quilter's TR! I just got through all your updates! Sounds like you have a Great plan! The surprise sounds yummy!
I will be at Pop practically the same exact dates as you my dates are August 24th thru September 3rd!! Can't wait til Tuesday to make the rest of my adr's I say the rest because I have a few GG's which are already booked because you can make those at 180 days out still! So I have to get that in order and ready for Tuesday!

Thanks for joining up! Hopefully we'll see each other around at POP, maybe in the bus lines... You'll have to let me know how your booking goes - there's less than a week left!!!!

 

[Goofy22]

We make the same amount of money per hour - it isn't like other places where they raise your wages each year you come back.. I made 8$ an hour for 4 years, and then it jumped up to 12$ this year when I switched from one area to another. My mom thinks they got rid of her because she can't come in as much as I do - she goes to school in New Hampshire, whereas I'm here year-round. I hope so, because as much as I complain, I like my job.



Thanks for joining up! Hopefully we'll see each other around at POP, maybe in the bus lines... You'll have to let me know how your booking goes - there's less than a week left!!!!

Yes! I definitely will! I can't wait that makes the trip seem so close!!!

 

[jenseib]

I'm so jealous you both have trips coming up. LOL!

 

[Goofy22]

OK just an update I was wandering around over on the restaurant board and it sounds like there are major issues with our week with ADR's! Some CM's are saying that all of the restaurants have not yet uploaded their availability for our week yet and some are saying there is a system error happening anyways! The point is not many PPL are having luck with their ADR's that are calling in today to make them for the week or days prior to us! They are being told to call back later and it should be all worked out! Seems as though only buffets are open for availability and a very few other sit downs.

 

[ZeroToHero]

Oh no... I really hope this gets sorted out by Wednesday....... I mean, I guess normally I wouldn't mind a bunch of Counter Service, but that's not what I want for our anniversary trip.

 

[ZeroToHero]

I found the shirts! I just wanted to post the pictures here, so that you can see. He's getting them next week - and we decided what we're doing for our anniversary.

I'm supposed to ask if I can sleep over (we'll see on that point) so we can spend the day together. First, I get my song (which he should be working on right now....but probably isn't. ). Then we're going into Boston for lunch and going to see UP. I'm so excited, it looks adorable. And then we're going out for dinner - at the Texas Roadhouse! Woohoo! He said that Top of the Hub is going to wait until it's nicer out, he didn't feel like dressing up, since work has made him so tired lately. I get my Cactus Blossom, which I'm happy about.

And now, without further ado, the shirts:

I have matching ones of the first two (just a smaller size). The Mickey & Minnie with their backs to the camera is on the back of the "09" shirt.

 

[Goofy22]

The shirts are adorable ! I should get some of those made for us! And the ADR problem seems to have been something with the system ppl seem to be getting the restaurants they want now! I hope it was a one time thing and smooth sailing from now !

 

[ZeroToHero]

The shirts are adorable ! I should get some of those made for us! And the ADR problem seems to have been something with the system ppl seem to be getting the restaurants they want now! I hope it was a one time thing and smooth sailing from now !

Gosh, me too! Well, no. Wait.

I hope it doesn't work for everyone except us.... so we can make our ADRs.. and then everyone else can make theirs after us! I have my sheet of ADRs printed out now, and a little sheet to fill in what I got.

While I'm here, I may as well show you my envelopes for Mousekeeping.

When I get my ADRs, I'll post my tip envelopes.

 

[jenseib]

I printed envelopes for the first time this trip. It was fun. I also did it becuase DH has never heard of tioppiing any type of housekeeping (and I never did till I was in my late 20's) So I would leave money out and he would come to me after we left and say something like "OH you left a couple of bucks on the counter, so I took it for you". I always tell him now it's a tip, but he still keeps taking it half the time. So with a clearly printed envelope, there is no mistaking it.

 

[ZeroToHero]

I printed envelopes for the first time this trip. It was fun. I also did it becuase DH has never heard of tioppiing any type of housekeeping (and I never did till I was in my late 20's) So I would leave money out and he would come to me after we left and say something like "OH you left a couple of bucks on the counter, so I took it for you". I always tell him now it's a tip, but he still keeps taking it half the time. So with a clearly printed envelope, there is no mistaking it.

That's actually why I did envelopes, because I saw you doing them! (I think it was you... I'm pretty sure)

My mom would leave little gifts (like a candle) on the last day, or a few dollars for the days before that. Tips are the only cash I'm bringing down.

 

[Goofy22]

Gosh, me too! Well, no. Wait.

I hope it doesn't work for everyone except us.... so we can make our ADRs.. and then everyone else can make theirs after us! I have my sheet of ADRs printed out now, and a little sheet to fill in what I got.

While I'm here, I may as well show you my envelopes for Mousekeeping.

When I get my ADRs, I'll post my tip envelopes.

OK! So I must ask what is the website or link you went to print these envelopes? I did this last year and it seems to be from the same place and I lost the info. If you could tell me that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ZeroToHero]

OK! So I must ask what is the website or link you went to print these envelopes? I did this last year and it seems to be from the same place and I lost the info. If you could tell me that would be greatly appreciated!

No problem - I got them from The Mouse for Less:

http://themouseforless.com/downloads/trip/mousekeeping.shtml

They also have tip envelopes for restaurants. Mine are a little different than theirs since I added names, moved characters, and changed fonts, but the images are still the same.

Since we're on the topic of envelopes (and thus cards....) I wanted to show you the card I made for Lou for our anniversary.

Notice a theme? Haha. I tell him inside that he'll be getting another present in three months, at Disney. I'm hoping he'll expect it on Monday the 31st, our "anniversary" day, but instead, he'll get it the day before (which is three months in terms of the day of the week - Sunday), so it will be a surprise. I love surprises!

 

[Goofy22]

No problem - I got them from The Mouse for Less:

http://themouseforless.com/downloads/trip/mousekeeping.shtml

They also have tip envelopes for restaurants. Mine are a little different than theirs since I added names, moved characters, and changed fonts, but the images are still the same.

Since we're on the topic of envelopes (and thus cards....) I wanted to show you the card I made for Lou for our anniversary.

Notice a theme? Haha. I tell him inside that he'll be getting another present in three months, at Disney. I'm hoping he'll expect it on Monday the 31st, our "anniversary" day, but instead, he'll get it the day before (which is three months in terms of the day of the week - Sunday), so it will be a surprise. I love surprises!

Cute ! I'm sure he will be surprised! And thanks for the link!

 

[ZeroToHero]

Three month mark is today!!!! I figured I'd share one of my favorite pictures (of me, at least - my brother is squinting) with you guys.

This is from our first trip in 2006. It was our last day, and we were leaving the park, so we took this photo. I've always liked it.