We Went to See Mic-key M-o-u-s-e ... Again! - Sept '12 TR [COMPLETE]

[Dancegrl624]

A really, really CUTE 14 month old! You also have your agency trip - I don't know how you're keeping it together, I really don't!

Aw, thanks!

I don't know how I do it either! I have NO clue what I'm even wearing for my agency trip and I leave in less than 2 weeks. I used to work at a grocery store and then I worked at Old Navy, so I never owned business casual attire. I live in jeans in the fall/winter and shorts in the summer. I don't even own dressy pants or capris! AHH!!!

 

[Marnm02]

What a great idea to start walking beforehand! I'm always so taken aback by how sore and tired I am at WDW. Maybe if I also started "training" beforehand I'd be able to get more done per day.

Also loving your Halloween costumes. I agree that comfort is key when you're going to be walking around a hot park for 5 hours.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Aw, thanks!

I don't know how I do it either! I have NO clue what I'm even wearing for my agency trip and I leave in less than 2 weeks. I used to work at a grocery store and then I worked at Old Navy, so I never owned business casual attire. I live in jeans in the fall/winter and shorts in the summer. I don't even own dressy pants or capris! AHH!!!

You sound like me in your dress style. Do you have a Kohl's where you live? They have tons of business-casual clothing, beautiful stuff.

What a great idea to start walking beforehand! I'm always so taken aback by how sore and tired I am at WDW. Maybe if I also started "training" beforehand I'd be able to get more done per day.

Also loving your Halloween costumes. I agree that comfort is key when you're going to be walking around a hot park for 5 hours.

Definitely start walking before you go. It will make a huge difference in your stamina. We walked a little bit last year before the trip, but I'm starting earlier this time around and I'm going to walk daily instead of just here and there.

Thanks for reading.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Welllll .... we changed our plans. Again. I warned you on the first page this was going to happen, so anyone still reading shouldn't be surprised.

In light of whatever surprise DH has going on, he's really been grilling me about "free time" and when we'll be available to just "do something." I showed him the index cards (yet again), and this time he wanted a copy for himself so he would "know what was going on without having to keep asking."

I printed him the pages with everything listed by day. He disappears. A couple of hours later, he comes back and says he wants to talk. He's decided he doesn't want to do DHS on 09/19. He wants that day completely and totally open. You know, for "whatever". So I told him that meant giving up our ressie at 50's Prime Time, which of course, he was completely okay with. Imagine that. I can't help but wonder if that's partly why he wanted the free day to be Wednesday!

Anyhoo, I jumped online to see what was going to be available as far as a different ADR for that night, not in a park. I ended up scheduling Grand Floridian Cafe for a late dinner. I'm hoping I made the right choice - there honestly wasn't much left that was open at this late date.

I told him I made the late ADR for GFC, and that seemed to satisfy him. He mentioned something about renting a surrey bike or a pontoon boat at FQ and wanted me to check pricing, which I did. He also said not to read anything into that, those were just ideas he wanted to keep in mind.

So now, this is our (hopefully finalized) schedule:

09/17 - arrive at POFQ, DTD shopping, T-Rex for dinner
09/18 - Morning/Early Afternoon open, MNSSHP, LTT for dinner
09/19 - FREE DAY, GFC for dinner
09/20 - KTTK @ MK, Plaza for dinner
09/21 - EPCOT, Biergarten for dinner
09/22 - departure

*whew* Seriously! I am hoping this is the last of the changes. At this point in time, I like for everything to be pretty much set in stone, and thus far it has been far from it.

On a positive note, I did 40 minutes on the treadmill this afternoon. Go me!

40 days until vacation, 42 days until WDW!

 

[mxkris]

Whoa! Crazy! What could he have planned that he had you cancel a whole park day?!! I can't wait to find out!! We'll be at either Epcot or MK that day, or so I think ! My surprise for my family is that day as well at the Yacht Club!!

 

[CatNipRules]

Welllll .... we changed our plans. Again. I warned you on the first page this was going to happen, so anyone still reading shouldn't be surprised.

In light of whatever surprise DH has going on, he's really been grilling me about "free time" and when we'll be available to just "do something." I showed him the index cards (yet again), and this time he wanted a copy for himself so he would "know what was going on without having to keep asking."

I printed him the pages with everything listed by day. He disappears. A couple of hours later, he comes back and says he wants to talk. He's decided he doesn't want to do DHS on 09/19. He wants that day completely and totally open. You know, for "whatever". So I told him that meant giving up our ressie at 50's Prime Time, which of course, he was completely okay with. Imagine that. I can't help but wonder if that's partly why he wanted the free day to be Wednesday!

Anyhoo, I jumped online to see what was going to be available as far as a different ADR for that night, not in a park. I ended up scheduling Grand Floridian Cafe for a late dinner. I'm hoping I made the right choice - there honestly wasn't much left that was open at this late date.

I told him I made the late ADR for GFC, and that seemed to satisfy him. He mentioned something about renting a surrey bike or a pontoon boat at FQ and wanted me to check pricing, which I did. He also said not to read anything into that, those were just ideas he wanted to keep in mind.

So now, this is our (hopefully finalized) schedule:

09/17 - arrive at POFQ, DTD shopping, T-Rex for dinner
09/18 - Morning/Early Afternoon open, MNSSHP, LTT for dinner
09/19 - FREE DAY, GFC for dinner
09/20 - KTTK @ MK, Plaza for dinner
09/21 - EPCOT, Biergarten for dinner
09/22 - departure

*whew* Seriously! I am hoping this is the last of the changes. At this point in time, I like for everything to be pretty much set in stone, and thus far it has been far from it.

On a positive note, I did 40 minutes on the treadmill this afternoon. Go me!

40 days until vacation, 42 days until WDW!

Wow..... A whole day open. Sounds mysterious. LOL!!

You have to let me know how the T-Rex is. We are eating there the day after we arrive and I'm hoping that they have good food. Everything that I've read sounds like it, but I love hearing about it first hand.

We've never done GFC. My guys are way too fussy about food. LOL! It would be lost on them.

Yay for the 40 minutes on the treadmill!! I personally loved the pontoon boats at FQ. Although the carriage ride was nice also! I'm sure whatever he has planned it will be awesome!!

 

[carebearkidney]

As Alice would say (of Wonderland fame naturally) - curiouser and curiouser.
Can't wait to read all about the surprise when you get back! Is it eating away at you? I don't think I could stand it...I'd be begging for hints and then kicking my own backend because deep down - I'd want to be surprised!

 

[reyasmommy]

How's the walking coming along? I've decided tomorrow that I'm going to start walking too. I should have started long ago, but better late then never. I figure I'll start at 10 minutes a day and add 5 minutes each week. We CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!

It's funny that your husband wants to know exactly what your doing. Mine wants everything to be a surprise. He loves that I plan every second and he doesn't have to worry about anything except paying for the trip. He says I haven't let him down yet, and that puts a smile on my face.

I can't believe your trip is only 6 weeks out!!! So exciting. I'm especially excited to see your pictures when you get back.

 

[shalom]

A surprise that takes a whole day? Wow! I'm stumped. Maybe a whole series of surprises?

Keep talking out your loyalty to your exercise routine, and maybe I'll get going on the one I've been saying I need to get going on... for the past five months. I am impressed with your discipline!

 

[BearcatsFan]

Whoa! Crazy! What could he have planned that he had you cancel a whole park day?!! I can't wait to find out!! We'll be at either Epcot or MK that day, or so I think ! My surprise for my family is that day as well at the Yacht Club!!

YC? When you get back, you let me know how it is (you know, for future trip planning).

Wow..... A whole day open. Sounds mysterious. LOL!!

You have to let me know how the T-Rex is. We are eating there the day after we arrive and I'm hoping that they have good food. Everything that I've read sounds like it, but I love hearing about it first hand.

We've never done GFC. My guys are way too fussy about food. LOL! It would be lost on them.

Yay for the 40 minutes on the treadmill!! I personally loved the pontoon boats at FQ. Although the carriage ride was nice also! I'm sure whatever he has planned it will be awesome!!

I will definitely let you know how T-Rex is. I'll be eating different, of course, because of the diabetes, but it should still be regular menu items for my DH. GFC looks nice but not too stuffy, so hopefully we'll feel comfy there!

Glad to know the pontoon boats and carriage rides are worth the money.

As Alice would say (of Wonderland fame naturally) - curiouser and curiouser.
Can't wait to read all about the surprise when you get back! Is it eating away at you? I don't think I could stand it...I'd be begging for hints and then kicking my own backend because deep down - I'd want to be surprised!

Oh I don't think I'll have to beg for hints because my DH is known to let things slip looooong before the actual time. I totally knew I was getting a Kindle last Christmas, and the KitchenAid mixer a couple of years ago ... Oh, I didn't want to know, but believe me, I knew. As I said in a previous post, looking surprised once at Christmas is one thing, but every single year on all the big stuff ... not as easy as you'd think.

How's the walking coming along? I've decided tomorrow that I'm going to start walking too. I should have started long ago, but better late then never. I figure I'll start at 10 minutes a day and add 5 minutes each week. We CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!

It's funny that your husband wants to know exactly what your doing. Mine wants everything to be a surprise. He loves that I plan every second and he doesn't have to worry about anything except paying for the trip. He says I haven't let him down yet, and that puts a smile on my face.

I can't believe your trip is only 6 weeks out!!! So exciting. I'm especially excited to see your pictures when you get back.

The walking is going well! So proud of you for deciding to start! I'm telling ya, it's just that first couple of days of dragging yourself to do it - after that, it's just habit.

I love that your DH wants to be surprised. My DH doesn't want to be involved in the planning, but he does want to know certain aspects (mostly about where we're eating ). This year is different though.

A surprise that takes a whole day? Wow! I'm stumped. Maybe a whole series of surprises?

Keep talking out your loyalty to your exercise routine, and maybe I'll get going on the one I've been saying I need to get going on... for the past five months. I am impressed with your discipline!

Don't be too impressed yet - it's only been 6 days! It is already getting easier though, surprisingly ... probably because we walked so much in the Spring. My legs are like, "Oh yeah, we remember this!"


------------------------------------------

As for the surprise ... all of your guesses would be as good as mine. Thus far, my non-planning DH has mentioned pontoon boats, carriage ride, surrey bike, mini-golf, flowers & gift baskets and how they're ordered, shopping in DTD, going to Universal for a day, checking out other resorts ... I could be getting all worked up and excited for nothing, so I have to keep my expectations in check. It's hard though! ARRRRGHHH!

 

[carebearkidney]

Watch - all the work up and wondering and you'll end up with one of those "my hubby planned a day long surprise and all I got was this crappy t-shirt" shirts.
As for T-Rex - we've eaten there. They had a special sampler appetizers that I got for my entree. The bruschetta - OMG!!(shame they don't have a drooling emoticon!) Never had any so good! The theme is great, but a little more loud that Rainforest. My kids were a little apprehensive the first 10 - 15 minutes until they had food in front of them to take their minds off the over-stimulation. Still great time was had by all!

 

[BearcatsFan]

Watch - all the work up and wondering and you'll end up with one of those "my hubby planned a day long surprise and all I got was this crappy t-shirt" shirts.
As for T-Rex - we've eaten there. They had a special sampler appetizers that I got for my entree. The bruschetta - OMG!!(shame they don't have a drooling emoticon!) Never had any so good! The theme is great, but a little more loud that Rainforest. My kids were a little apprehensive the first 10 - 15 minutes until they had food in front of them to take their minds off the over-stimulation. Still great time was had by all!

Scary thing is, you might be right about the T-shirt thing!

Thanks about the advice on T-Rex. I wasn't too sure about the food - just looked like Applebee's or TGIFridays type stuff (which we like) - but I figured the atmosphere would be a fun way to start the trip. Just do something silly, ya know?

 

[BearcatsFan]

Today, when I logged in to the WDW website, I got the following message:

Reminder: On September 07, 2012, in 30 day(s), you can save time, skip the line, and check-in online.

Online check-in is supposed to make the start of your WDW resort stay faster. Everything is ready to go when you get there. You wait in line, grab your package with your KTTW, they show you where your room is ... and you're off and running.

I'm on the fence about checking-in online. Yes, I know ... I can go to the online check-in line, grab our stuff, and go. BUT ... what if I don't like our room assignment? What if they've downgraded us when we get there because they overbooked the King rooms, which there are very few of?

I know that if I don't like my room assignment that I can always ask them to change it, but in my mind, that kind of defeats the purpose of checking-in online. It's supposed to make the process faster because everything is done ahed of time. If I protest the room assignment, it not only holds me up, but everyone else who is in the faster-because-I-checked-in-online line as well.

Plus, I like the interaction with the CM, which you don't get a whole lot of if you do online check-in. I like to ask where they're from and chat for a quick minute while they get our paperwork ready. You know, treat them like I would want to be treated.

I think front desk CMs have a difficult job sometimes. They deal with grumpy people arriving after a long drive or delayed flight ... or leaving after not having the "perfect family vacation" they've always dreamed of. If the CM is in a bad mood, I always try to give them the benefit of the doubt. They're human too, afterall.

When we arrived at POP last year, the online check-in line was actually longer than the regular line was ... a lot longer. So I'm not sure how much time we really would have saved by checking-in online anyway.

I guess as our trip gets closer, I'll have to get off the fence and decide what we want to do. I'm leaning heavily towards not checking-in online, but I do wonder if it would make the process faster if we did.

 

[BearcatsFan]

As of today, we're at just over 5 weeks before vacation. I can't believe the time has gone by so quickly. Summer is drawing to a close, and I've watched the school buses driving by doing their route runs before school starts next week.

I still feel like there's so much left to be done, so much left to buy before we go. I went to Walmart day before yesterday, and all the mister fans were gone. I knew I should have bought one at the beginning of Summer, but I figured I had plenty of time. Oh well, guess if we need one I guess I'll be forced to pick one up at WDW.

Still haven't found a floppy hat, either. Target didn't have any so I went to the mall. Nobody had one there and frankly some of the stores looked like I was crazy for asking. Maybe I can pick that up in Florida as well.

DH has already started talking about "the surprise." He said last night while we were watching the Olympics that he has "things in the works" and "you're not the only one making plans, you know!" I'm telling you, I'm going to know *exactly* what this is probably within the next week or so.

Walking is going very well. I managed to do 45 minutes today as I got caught up watching track & field - GO ME!

38 days until vacation, 40 days until WDW!

 

[Marnm02]

I'm also interested to hear your feedback on TRex after you go. I was really torn between that and Rainforest, but Rainforest ended up winning only due to location. I think we'll try to get to TRex next trip.

I agree with you about the online check in. I don't really get what the advantage is if you still have to wait in a line at the front desk when you arrive

I saw a lot of floppy hats at my local JCPenney. Might be worth checking out if you haven't tried there yet.

 

[CatNipRules]

Today, when I logged in to the WDW website, I got the following message:



Online check-in is supposed to make the start of your WDW resort stay faster. Everything is ready to go when you get there. You wait in line, grab your package with your KTTW, they show you where your room is ... and you're off and running.

I'm on the fence about checking-in online. Yes, I know ... I can go to the online check-in line, grab our stuff, and go. BUT ... what if I don't like our room assignment? What if they've downgraded us when we get there because they overbooked the King rooms, which there are very few of?

I know that if I don't like my room assignment that I can always ask them to change it, but in my mind, that kind of defeats the purpose of checking-in online. It's supposed to make the process faster because everything is done ahed of time. If I protest the room assignment, it not only holds me up, but everyone else who is in the faster-because-I-checked-in-online line as well.

Plus, I like the interaction with the CM, which you don't get a whole lot of if you do online check-in. I like to ask where they're from and chat for a quick minute while they get our paperwork ready. You know, treat them like I would want to be treated.

I think front desk CMs have a difficult job sometimes. They deal with grumpy people arriving after a long drive or delayed flight ... or leaving after not having the "perfect family vacation" they've always dreamed of. If the CM is in a bad mood, I always try to give them the benefit of the doubt. They're human too, afterall.

When we arrived at POP last year, the online check-in line was actually longer than the regular line was ... a lot longer. So I'm not sure how much time we really would have saved by checking-in online anyway.

I guess as our trip gets closer, I'll have to get off the fence and decide what we want to do. I'm leaning heavily towards not checking-in online, but I do wonder if it would make the process faster if we did.

I'm on the fence about online check-in also. I would like to do it, but I'm still undecided as to whether or not I really want to do it or not. My TA says that she can do it for me, but that's no fun. LOL!!

We also like the interaction with the Cast Members when we check-in. We usually get all kinds of helpful information from them when we do that.

As of right now we probably aren't going to do online check-in. Just because I'm too fussy and want to make sure I like my location.

 

[CatNipRules]

As of today, we're at just over 5 weeks before vacation. I can't believe the time has gone by so quickly. Summer is drawing to a close, and I've watched the school buses driving by doing their route runs before school starts next week.

I still feel like there's so much left to be done, so much left to buy before we go. I went to Walmart day before yesterday, and all the mister fans were gone. I knew I should have bought one at the beginning of Summer, but I figured I had plenty of time. Oh well, guess if we need one I guess I'll be forced to pick one up at WDW.

Still haven't found a floppy hat, either. Target didn't have any so I went to the mall. Nobody had one there and frankly some of the stores looked like I was crazy for asking. Maybe I can pick that up in Florida as well.

DH has already started talking about "the surprise." He said last night while we were watching the Olympics that he has "things in the works" and "you're not the only one making plans, you know!" I'm telling you, I'm going to know *exactly* what this is probably within the next week or so.

Walking is going very well. I managed to do 45 minutes today as I got caught up watching track & field - GO ME!

38 days until vacation, 40 days until WDW!

If you are going to have a rental car I would check out the different shops on 192 for all your shopping needs. LOL! You would be amazed at what you can find at those odd looking shops on 192. They literally have everything. From floppy hats to water misters.

I would definitely check out the Target's and WalMarts there. Why? Because lots of times they carry Disney related stuff in the stores for cheaper than Disney. Even water misters. DH told me that the Target on 192 is bigger than most and that they have a whole section of Disney stuff. It's odd what he knows. LOL!!

Track and Field is the one thing that I get bored with during the olympics. LOL! DH laughs at me because I make fun of the athletes. Well, not make fun of them really, but I tell them that they should have run faster. LOL!! I told you that I'm weird.

 

[shalom]

When we arrived at POP last year, the online check-in line was actually longer than the regular line was ... a lot longer. So I'm not sure how much time we really would have saved by checking-in online anyway.

I get the distinct impression that online check-in is more for Disney's convenience than for the customer's. But maybe they just haven't worked out all the bugs yet, I dunno.

Still haven't found a floppy hat, either. Target didn't have any so I went to the mall. Nobody had one there and frankly some of the stores looked like I was crazy for asking.

Although I go for straw hats, myself, I think it's hard to find a hat with a brim all the way around, so I've started buying a new one long before the old one wears out. I have a stack of them up on a horsie statue at the top of a tall bookcase in my room -- about half of them are worn out, but they all carry so many vacation memories, y'know?

Also, I see them most in truck stops and touristy places like that, ditto floppy hats if you're thinking the kind I think you're thinking of. I think they're too practical for fashion, so the malls and a lot of local stores don't carry them.

Walking is going very well. I managed to do 45 minutes today as I got caught up watching track & field - GO ME!

That is excellent -- and what any inspiring choice for watching! Maybe I should set the rebounder up in the living room so I can watch TV on it.

 

[Dancegrl624]

I'm on the fence about checking-in online. Yes, I know ... I can go to the online check-in line, grab our stuff, and go. BUT ... what if I don't like our room assignment? What if they've downgraded us when we get there because they overbooked the King rooms, which there are very few of?

I know that if I don't like my room assignment that I can always ask them to change it, but in my mind, that kind of defeats the purpose of checking-in online. It's supposed to make the process faster because everything is done ahed of time. If I protest the room assignment, it not only holds me up, but everyone else who is in the faster-because-I-checked-in-online line as well.

Plus, I like the interaction with the CM, which you don't get a whole lot of if you do online check-in. I like to ask where they're from and chat for a quick minute while they get our paperwork ready. You know, treat them like I would want to be treated.

I think front desk CMs have a difficult job sometimes. They deal with grumpy people arriving after a long drive or delayed flight ... or leaving after not having the "perfect family vacation" they've always dreamed of. If the CM is in a bad mood, I always try to give them the benefit of the doubt. They're human too, afterall.

When we arrived at POP last year, the online check-in line was actually longer than the regular line was ... a lot longer. So I'm not sure how much time we really would have saved by checking-in online anyway.

I guess as our trip gets closer, I'll have to get off the fence and decide what we want to do. I'm leaning heavily towards not checking-in online, but I do wonder if it would make the process faster if we did.

I LOVE online check-in! We always arrive to our resort pretty early, so our room is never ready. However, they always offer us a room that is ready right now, but it doesn't meet our requests. I always call and put in my requests with a CM and then I fax in my requests about 3 days before arrival. They do room assignments around the 3 day mark, so this just restates what I want. I would recommend doing online check-in no earlier than 2 days before arrival day.

Anyways....we have always been able to chat with the CM's working the online check-in desk. We've stayed at Pop the last two trips, and there was literally NO ONE in the online check-in line. Again, we have flown in on Wednesdays in the past and arrived very early (around 10am), so that might have something to do with it. I'm sure everything is more chaotic on a weekend day.

 

[lurkernj]

Just catching up here, I can't wait to hear what your DHs surprise is! I don't know that I'd be able to give up control of an entire day and trust that mine would come up with something I'd be happy with I'm just a control freak that way Loved the comment about the crappy t-shirt, that'd be me for sure, he'd plan a nap/pool day or something rediculously relaxing while I would be dying to go to a park.

Good for you on the pre-trip exercise I've been doing this too lately. If you have a smartphone, Nike has a free app that tracks your running/walking. I strap my iphone to my arm and it records how long/far/calories, then charts it. It also tells me when I'm doing better than usual(and worse than usual). I mostly use it on the treadmill, but have used it outside too and it tracks distance with GPS. I've been doing this for almost 2 weeks now and have 28 miles logged in!

As for on-line check in, the last time I did it (at POR), the line was longer than the regular check in, and we waited 40 min(there were only two windows open for on-line checkin, and six for regular check in). The time before that(at POP), there was only one person in line before us, and no one in the regular line, so it was probably would have worked out about the same. Oh, and I didn't get my building request either time.

I'm not sure what I'll do this trip, but I'm guessing my OCD self will do the on-line check in anyway.