I'm driving my husband (and everyone around me) crazy!! ... Apirl 23-30, 2013

[Duzzygirl]

Like most here, I love Disney. I was raised on Disney. (Thank you Mom!!) My family loves Disney. Well, my brother, sisters, nieces, nephews, etc. My Dad likes it. My husband ... *gasp* ... hates it.

Disney Related Trip History:
September/October 1987 ... Walt Disney World ... It was our first official family vacation. I was in 6th grade. We stayed in a cabin in Fort Wilderness. It's funny the things you remember because the thing I remember most was thinking that the pull down bed in the living room was the most amazing thing. Ever.

March (?) 2000 ... Walt Disney World ... Again, family. Though this time it was minus my brother and add a sister. We stayed at my folks timeshare outside WDW. I only spent one day at Disney. My Mom and youngest sister went to the Magic Kingdom. Me and my other two sisters went to Hollywood Studios. We all spent a day at Universal as well.

August 2003 ... Walt Disney World ... We stayed at the Caribbean Resort. Had such a great time, even got to ride in the front of the monorail train/car/whatever the technical term may be.

August 2004 ... Walt Disney Land ... Spent a day. Didn't stay to watch the fireworks as they were doing some kind of construction/refurbishment to the castle and fireworks over blue tarp did not quite thrill me. I must say, not being able to see the castle kind of ruined the experience for me.

September 2010 ... Walt Disney World ... Me and the Hubs one year anniversary. My Mom, two of my sisters, and one nephew went as well. We again stayed in my folks timeshare, spent 4 days in the parks. My husband said, "For being the happiest place on earth, I sure see a lot of disgruntled adults and screaming children." That's pretty much what he got out of it. His folks did not raise him on Disney.

NEXT trip:
April 23-30, 2013
Dad-in-law and step-Mom-in-law are footing the bill for this wonderful vacation. Definitely have to give them credit and send lots of love!!
All Star Music
18 in this group, most have never been
Dining Plus (first time I've ever done a dining package)

I am driving my husband crazy because his Dad asked me for information. I gave it to him within his monetary parameters (under actually). He told me that he'd have me book it then turned around and booked it through a TA for over what he'd asked me to keep it under. There's my vent (thankfully much shorter than in April 2013 thread). I hope that will be the only negativity that this thread ever sees from me, anyone actually.

Anyhow, not knowing the official details is kind of making me bonkers. I've gone ahead and made several ADRs for just the Hubs, my nephew, and I. I've also made two for the whole group. I'm just waiting on the Disney booking confirmation from my Step-Mom-in-Law to put my mind at ease. She's told the Hubs that's it is all the same as we'd discussed. Though, not seeing it ... *ugh* ... They don't realize what they're doing to me! lol

 

[Duzzygirl]

About me
My name is Dusti. I work for the family business (VCM). I'm also a wedding/portrait photographer. I love both so much I'd classify neither as a job. I grew up with Disney. I will always be a child at heart, at home and in public.
Hubs
Works in the gas well industry in/around south western PA. Sometimes he loves it. Sometimes he hates it. He was not raised on Disney. Simply does not care. He's only a child at heart at home. lol He's going on this trip because his Dad wants him to, and he knows I love it.

Our Furbaby
Kenai. She's our mutt. We love her, and spoil her. On our last trip to Disney, I bought her Cinderella tag.

My nephew
Lucky little turd won over my In-laws' hearts and is going with us, which is fine with us. He's four now. We don't have children, by our own design. We do spend a lot of time with him though. We (my parents, my husband and I) take him with us everywhere. This will be his third trip to WDW (with me and the hubs in 2010, Mom and Dad in early 2012). He keeps saying he's flying with Tom (Hub's Dad) to Disney. No one else. Just him and Tom.




The other 15 (7 Adults, 8 Children)
Dad and Step-Mom-in-Law
Sister-in-Law, 3 Children (7-11), Fiance, 1 Child (13)
Step-Sister-in-Law, 3 Children (9-14)
Step-Brother-in-Law, Fiance, 1 Child (9)

 

[Duzzygirl]

ADRs
This is the first time I've gone to WDW and participated in a dining plan. We've typically "winged it." So, after sitting down and spending some time with the calendar, here's what I've come up with.

4/23
'Ohana
6:55p
18 people

4/24
Chef Mickey's
9:15a
7 people

4/25
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
6:25p
7 people

4/26
The Crystal Palace
1:20p
7 people

Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party
9:00p
3 people

4/27
House of Blues
4:15p
4 people

4/28
Fantasmic! Dining Experience
Hollywood & Vine
3:50p
7 people

4/29
Be Our Guest
4:15 p
18 people

Will keep updated with edits ...

 

[Duzzygirl]

Oddities for me with this trip, not bad, just not typical for me ...
*Traveling/vacationing with a large group that is not *my* family.
*Not having my hands/eyes on exact plans.
*Traveling for a week with sole responsibility for a child.
*Flying. Though, I've flown before, just not there. We usually road trip south.
*No one close to share in the excitement. I try not to go on and on about it to my Mom and/or brother. Feels like I'm rubbing it in. My husband doesn't want to hear anymore about it unless it magically sprouts a hunting trip to Colorado. I'm two hours from the rest of the crew that's going, not that I'm close to any of them anyhow.

I'm so bored! lol

 

[Duzzygirl]

I'm so excited to find that there are grocers that deliver or services that shop and deliver. Thank you The DIS for this information.

So, for my sanity later ...
Garden Grocer
We Go Shop



Various Information for later use:
Pirate Makeovers ... http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/to...2_1353267796_320d9f16fc6e422fb266628177f0125b

 

[disneyworld1977]

No one else posting about your trip and craziness, huh?

 

[Duzzygirl]

Seriously. I want to pull my hair out. Hubs said his Step-Mom was supposed to call me over the weekend with details. She never did. I'm trying not to hound her. So, I sent her one email on Monday asking for the booking confirmation number, verifying flight details, letting her know I booked two group dinners since my Dad-in-Law said he wanted at least one, let her know I have a PIN to share with the TA to save some money, and gave her my nephew's birthday as Hubs said she needed it. I've heard nothing back.

I'm just praying they don't leave the dinners up to the TA. I will suck it up if they do, but there actually are reasons I've picked those days, times, etc. I sat here with my calendar with open hours, show times, etc.

I'm not a negative person. I'm trying to not sound negative. It's just I can't understand why I can't/don't have this information. Why did they ask me to begin with!?!? When my family vacations, they all come to me, even if I'm not going.

I really do know they're not doing it on purpose. They're just not planners. They don't get what this lack of information is doing to me. lol

 

[angelbear425]

If your FIL was just going to book through a TA for a higher price, you should have just bumped up to a mod resort. I have stayed at ASM several times and after this last one will never go back to a value again. For the money you pay for those I would rather stay off property.

Also I hear you with planning and why you would want the info. I am the same way for vacations.

 

[Duzzygirl]

There is life out there! Hubs told me this morning that when he talked to his Dad last night, he told him he'll give me all the paperwork when we go up for Thanksgiving.

Also, I heard from my step-brother-in-law's fiance (there's a mouth full) that she has tons of questions, and that she'll have ready for me at Thanksgiving.

I'm anxious to be able to talk to someone about it, and feel needed. lol

 

[chica622]

Following along.. .I hope it all gets worked out and you hear about your plans soon!

 

[Duzzygirl]

If your FIL was just going to book through a TA for a higher price, you should have just bumped up to a mod resort. I have stayed at ASM several times and after this last one will never go back to a value again. For the money you pay for those I would rather stay off property.

Also I hear you with planning and why you would want the info. I am the same way for vacations.

According to the Hubs it wouldn't have mattered. The TA has us in the same place I have us. All the same information, except I *think* he put one family in a suite, whereas I had them in a connecting room. Other than that and the flights, it's the same.

Following along.. .I hope it all gets worked out and you hear about your plans soon!

I should have them all by Thanksgiving. Also, I'll be able to see and speak to 90% of the crew going over the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm really looking forward to being able to physically share my excitement. lol

 

[Duzzygirl]

Got my paperwork a week early!

Hubs is on call 24/7/365. He got in yesterday morning, talked to his boss, saw he had a good chance of running up to see his Dad as he wasn't sure we'd make it up for Thanksgiving. So, he went yesterday, came back this evening.

I found we'll be staying at the Pop Century instead of All Star Music. I don't care. I'm just happy to see that reservation on my account. lol

Other than that, I've got nothing new to report.

 

[Duzzygirl]

I officially have a vehicle again. I haven't had one since February. Maybe?

I drove the company truck for a few months. September'ish I talked with my brother. We decided I was going to buy his car as he always needed the company truck. Right about that time his wife's car broke down. She can't drive a standard, and the only available vehicle was my Mom's second vehicle, which is a standard. I told my brother I'd hold off on buying his car until after they got hers fixed so she could drive his. Meanwhile I'd drive Mom's car.

However, with the weather changing it's no longer feasible to drive Mom's car. I have a horribly long and crappy driveway that is a disaster in the winter, even for 4WDs. Mom's car is a rear wheel drive Miata. Not very much ground clearance and HORRIBLE in the snow. Anyhow my brother seemed to be dragging his feet on getting his wife's car fixed. So, we talked again. Turns out his wife now loves his car. They were afraid to say something to me though. Good grief. lol I told him not to worry about it.

I talked to the hubs. Instead of me buying an older used vehicle, we decided we'd buy a newer pickup for him, giving me "his" vehicle.

So, Hubs ended up with a 2011 Dodge Big Horn Hemi, or as my nephew says, "The fastest truck in the whole world." Kid is such a suck up already. I have a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. I'm happy as could be. So is the Hubs. He's so happy, he let me talk about the trip to Disney for a bit this evening without rolling his eyes! And if you know him, you know that's a big deal. lol



FYI: I'm the master of making a long story ... longer. I never did well on book reports in school, always too much information. Never did nail down paraphrasing.

 

[Duzzygirl]

This makes me happy

 

[Duzzygirl]

Gave the TA my PIN number. He said they couldn't use it.

So, I called WDW. For whatever reason, our households are listed separately with the same address. The CM said that may be why the TA is having an issue with the PIN. It will just depend on who the TA gets at Guest Services (i.e., who is willing to look at both households and realize they're the same address and be gracious enough to say the PIN is good as it's the same address). Fun times!

 

[Duzzygirl]

Hubs got called out to work; so, I brought my nephew home this evening. Here he is showing off his new Angry Bird clothes (PJ's from his Mom and hat from me and Hubs).

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

My husband doesn't want to hear anymore about it unless it magically sprouts a hunting trip to Colorado. I'm two hours from the rest of the crew that's going, not that I'm close to any of them anyhow.

I'm so bored! lol

BWAHAHAHAH !!!! I think our DH's are possibly related! My DH said just the other day... "so, we are going back to Disney because that's what you love, when do I get to go hunting?"

He doesn't hate Disney at all, he's just not the junkie I am. I soooo drive him nuts with the planning.

Gave the TA my PIN number. He said they couldn't use it.

So, I called WDW. For whatever reason, our households are listed separately with the same address. The CM said that may be why the TA is having an issue with the PIN. It will just depend on who the TA gets at Guest Services (i.e., who is willing to look at both households and realize they're the same address and be gracious enough to say the PIN is good as it's the same address). Fun times!

So, did you find a wonderful CM willing to spread a little pixie dust and apply your pin?

 

[Duzzygirl]

BWAHAHAHAH !!!! I think our DH's are possibly related! My DH said just the other day... "so, we are going back to Disney because that's what you love, when do I get to go hunting?"

He doesn't hate Disney at all, he's just not the junkie I am. I soooo drive him nuts with the planning.

My husband is on call for work, and often works 48-60 hours a week, in a row/continuously. Which means, he's home MANY hours he can hunt. He can pretty much go whenever, which I remind him of each time he complains that he hasn't gone hunting. It's usually his own fault as he doesn't feel like leaving the warm house, which is a fact I know better than to remind him of.

Though apparently none of that counts in regard to this trip. lol So, I figure as long as he's sitting at home not hunting, I'll talk of Disney!!

So, did you find a wonderful CM willing to spread a little pixie dust and apply your pin?

As far as the wonderfully willing CM ... No idea yet. Have to get information to the TA. It's going out in the mail tomorrow. I also got another thing in the mail today with a package code I'm going to forward to the TA. Maybe one of them will work.

 

[Jasperann]

Hey we will be checking into AoA the day before you guys have to leave!

Any new plans yet? I can not imagine traveling with so many people!! Are you all going to go to the parks together everyday or do your own thing sometimes? I think that would make planning a little easier for you if you don't need to plan for 18 people. It is probably a good thing that you are going after Easter. We went 2 weeks after Easter and the parks were amazing, even when we did the EMH they were not to bad. My DH is slowly coming around to loving Disney. He hated it the first year that we went because I over planned... I totally went commando and had almost every minute of every day planned. Then the last time we went we just did the QS dining plan and I had a list of the parks and which would be best for the day, but we often didn't follow it. It was a very laid back trip, but he really enjoyed it!!

 

[Duzzygirl]

No new plans yet. Still curious as to whether or not the TA will be able to use that PIN. It'd be nice to be able to help out the In-laws.

As far as what everyone is doing ... We have a group dinner planned for the first and last days. Anything outside of that is up to them. I gave each family member links to set up accounts on Disney.com, link to the dining plan, ADR information (links and phone number), map links, resort links, etc. I also let them know that if they have any questions, I'll be more than happy to help.

I can honestly say I've never planned so much for Disney. We usually wing it. I've been happy with the outcome. Though, I can't even say I have this one planned other than I know what I want to see and what I could skip and ADRs.

I wish I could envision the Hubs slowly coming around to liking Disney. However, I'm going to just be happy with him tolerating it. I think that's all I'll ever get.