October 2015 PTR: a “Halloweenie” and her Fearless Companion conquer their first HHN!

toystoryduo said:

Thank you, Gina! The past couple of months have been hard. It is never easy to lose someone you love. Thank you for your condolences.

We had a really good trip in September. It was soooooo crowded at Disney though! My DH is talking about us possibly taking a year off from the Disney parks, so I am eagerly awaiting your trip report when you get back. You guys always find the coolest non-Disney places to go!

Just 4 more days now! I hope you were able to get some things marked off your to do list this weekend. I love the excitement we feel before the trip, but sometimes, it seems like we cross one thing off the list and add three more. LOL!

Have a great day today!

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I had read here on the Dis (from many, many posters) that this past September was WAY more crowded than in previous years. Makes me a little anxious about October......I think the secret may be out that fall is a great time to travel!! At least if you take a year off, you can be reassured that there are still a ton of awesome things to do in Orlando. Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Universal....and all the other little Orlando gems just waiting to be discovered .

I've been making some good progress on the to-do list . I got a ton of packing done on Sunday afternoon, and a few additional items crossed off today. Steve is off both Wednesday and Thursday, so he's planning on getting a good lot of stuff accomplished over those two dates (especially the outdoor things). We have decided the key is to "divide and conquer"!

Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina said:

I am guessing there will be no PTR for the Christmas trip....we won't be back home until October 19th, and then leave again on December 18th. By the time I get organized and caught back up here after this October getaway, I'll be lucky if I get that trip report done before we're jetting off again . I will be sure to post a link here for the TR once its underway, and I may even drop in now and again while we're there to say hello and let you know what the weather is like . A little "live reporting", if you will.

So, stay tuned!! You never know when I may pop up.

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Maybe we could get a combined TR/PTR! We'd hate to miss your Christmas trip planning tips and stories.

JaxDad said:

Maybe we could get a combined TR/PTR! We'd hate to miss your Christmas trip planning tips and stories.

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Now that I can probably do .

Just popping by to wish you a great trip. Although I can't believe you've never had key lime pie! Definitely try some this trip.

We are enjoying warmer weather than usual in northern england at the minute, making packing trickier as DD still wants to wear her summer t shirts and I want them ready to pack.

We are flying 14th but wont be in Universal parks until 15th.

dixonsontour said:

Just popping by to wish you a great trip. Although I can't believe you've never had key lime pie! Definitely try some this trip.

We are enjoying warmer weather than usual in northern england at the minute, making packing trickier as DD still wants to wear her summer t shirts and I want them ready to pack.

We are flying 14th but wont be in Universal parks until 15th.

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Safe travels to Orlando.....your time is almost here too! Your journey there is much, much longer than ours, so I hope it goes smoothly for all . No delays and no turbulence!

It looks like Orlando is enjoying some hot and humid temps right now, so while your unusually warm autumn is making packing more of a challenge, its probably a good thing in the long run.....you will be able to adjust so much easier! We're dark, dreary and damp here, so we can't wait to bask in the glorious sun of the south (though we'll probably die of heat stroke the first day or two!!).

Is your DD getting excited for this year's adventure? Her friends must be super jealous! Are you doing MNSSHP again this year, and if so, what are your costumes?

Fingers crossed that we manage to cross paths at some point at Universal. I know its a long shot, but I will be keeping my eyes peeled for ya just in case.

Catching up again! It's almost time!!! Sorry to hear about Jake, but it sounds like it was for the best. I married young (23) and here we are 15 yrs later and doing well, but that def does not work for everyone! Glad you weren't out too much money and it sounds like the things you couldn't get refunded for, worked out too.

Ok, so cheesecake factory, YUM! I love their kalua bbq sandwich, but it's huge, I always say I need to share with hubby but I always forget. We only eat there maybe once a year because the closest one to us is 1.5 hours away. I love love cheesecake, and I can't believe you don't! They do have SO many to choose from, so Steve will be quite happy! I am sure they have other desserts lol I don't know if they do or not but perhaps check for a reservation so you don't have to wait as long. I have gone with large groups and waited an hour plus, 2-3 maybe 30 mins. Just never know.

Thanks for posting the costumes, I had forgot about them! I am so excited for your trip and to see pics and hear all about it!

How many days before you leave? Oh that''s right,

RocketCityMama said:

Catching up again! It's almost time!!! Sorry to hear about Jake, but it sounds like it was for the best. I married young (23) and here we are 15 yrs later and doing well, but that def does not work for everyone! Glad you weren't out too much money and it sounds like the things you couldn't get refunded for, worked out too.

Ok, so cheesecake factory, YUM! I love their kalua bbq sandwich, but it's huge, I always say I need to share with hubby but I always forget. We only eat there maybe once a year because the closest one to us is 1.5 hours away. I love love cheesecake, and I can't believe you don't! They do have SO many to choose from, so Steve will be quite happy! I am sure they have other desserts lol I don't know if they do or not but perhaps check for a reservation so you don't have to wait as long. I have gone with large groups and waited an hour plus, 2-3 maybe 30 mins. Just never know.

Thanks for posting the costumes, I had forgot about them! I am so excited for your trip and to see pics and hear all about it!

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Steve and I were married when I was 19 and he was not-quite-22. I am sure many people didn't give us five years, considering how incredibly young we were.....yet here we are, 22 years and counting, and happier than ever . Yet, even though Jake is the same age now as I was when I got married, I simply can't see him settling down for a long time yet .... but he is a completely different personality than me. Much more of a free spirit.

I love the positive feedback on the Cheesecake Factory!! I was browsing their menu online the other day, and OMG there are so many choices!! I have no idea how I'll ever decide on an entree . I have spied a few different cream-cheese-free chocolate cake options which are right up my alley, so I'm in good shape as far as dessert options go . Though I'm beginning to think, based on the replies to this thread, that Jake, my dad and myself are the only three people in the entire world who don't like cheesecake!!!

Lynne G said:

How many days before you leave? Oh that''s right,

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It's coming soooooooooo fast!!!!

Nope your not the only one not liking cheesecake. DD hates it. Chocolate cake, though, she'd take in a minute.

We have a Cheesecake Factory in our local mall. I've been to it once, for a party. It is popular, but we just never seem to want to eat there.

Took a peak at the Weather Channel for next week. Seems they are predicting 88 as highs with 69 as lows. I'll take it. With 20 percent chance of rain, so I'll take that too. So ready to be in shorts. Pants and jacket needed this morning, our 48F in temperature.

I've actually been pretty busy the last couple of days, and done reasonably well at accomplishing a few last minute tasks. I've signed up for all the various email clubs for the places we plan to dine, and have received coupons for a free flatbread from Millers Ale House, a BOGO entree from First Watch, a free Rooty Tooty Fresh & Fruity pancake entree at IHOP, a free appetizer or dessert at TGI Fridays, and a lunch discount at Sweet Tomatoes. Add those offsite savings to the 20% off which we receive at the Universal restaurants with our AP's and we've got some great savings on our food budget . Every little bit helps, especially when our dollar continues to be soooo incredibly low.

I got a call yesterday from the Vistana, which was quite unexpected. Apparently we have been assigned a Personal Concierge (her name is Sunny....isn't that the best name ever for a concierge in Orlando?) who will be "at our service" for our entire vacation. We had a great little chat via phone, and apparently she'll even be waiting at the Welcome Center to personally handle our check-in experience upon our arrival. This is something new they have introduced since our last stay in May.....I'm still not clear if its for owners only, or any guest regardless of how they have booked their stay....but I have to admit, I was feeling a little bit like a rock star after that call . SVR management is certainly making future guests feel special!

Jake and I were going over his plans for next week, and I was very relieved to see that he's got quite a schedule worked out where he won't have to cook very often . He is taking my mom grocery shopping both Saturdays (which normally Steve and I would do every weekend, as mom doesn't drive) and then taking her out to dinner after they have concluded their retail therapy......something they are both very much looking forward to. Mom and Jake have an incredibly special bond so its an awesome opportunity for them to hang out together. Monday is our Canadian Thanksgiving, so he is joining the rest of my family (my brother and his GF and my sister and her brood) at my mom's for a traditional turkey feast on Sunday the 12th. My brother (who lives around the corner from us) and his leading lady are having Jake over for dinner and a soak in their hot tub after his work shift on the Wednesday night, and his other employer (he does private care for a family who has two young adults with special needs) is having him for dinner on both Monday and Tuesday evening after his shifts there are done. He and Mom have a pizza date on the Thursday evening after work, so literally he's only at the mercy of his own culinary skills on Friday the 16th (which may just turn out to be a work shift for him.....I am sure this will equate to a Subway stop en route!!). So he won't starve . And with all that company, he won't be lonely. That's good for this momma's heart.

This is Steve's last day of work until the 19th of October, so he bounced out the door with a smile this morning. I still have Wednesday and Thursday to go (plus today), but I'm winding down. I have an appointment at the salon tomorrow afternoon so I get to kick off an hour or two early. Its a good thing, too, because concentration is not easy these days. I'm suffering from an acute case of vacation brain .

Lynne G said:

Nope your not the only one not liking cheesecake. DD hates it. Chocolate cake, though, she'd take in a minute.

We have a Cheesecake Factory in our local mall. I've been to it once, for a party. It is popular, but we just never seem to want to eat there.

Took a peak at the Weather Channel for next week. Seems they are predicting 88 as highs with 69 as lows. I'll take it. With 20 percent chance of rain, so I'll take that too. So ready to be in shorts. Pants and jacket needed this morning, our 48F in temperature.

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Hallelujah! Tell your DD thank you. I knew there had to be another oddball or two out there .

I can hardly take my eyes off the weather report. I am not so worried about temperatures (anything has to be better than the chillies that we have here right now!) but I'm dying for some sunshine. Fingers crossed we get a lovely week with no rain....especially on our party and HHN nights!!

Oh, yay! Just got another email club offer in......a free appetizer at Margaritaville . The travel binder is getting thicker!

One thing that is frustrating the dickens out of me......waiting for Universal to update their website to reflect the monthly passholder incentives for passholders. It's now the 6th of October, yet all that's listed are the deals for September. C'mon Universal, get yourselves in gear! I have final planning to do .

Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina said:

One thing that is frustrating the dickens out of me......waiting for Universal to update their website to reflect the monthly passholder incentives for passholders. It's now the 6th of October, yet all that's listed are the deals for September. C'mon Universal, get yourselves in gear! I have final planning to do .

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Just don't dare post on the passholders facebook group about that... You might get your patootie handed to you!

Yeah, I wish I could see if any bonus for us APs this month too! Come on USO! OK, maybe I'll try facebook. LOL

snoopboop said:

Just don't dare post on the passholders facebook group about that... You might get your patootie handed to you!

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No kidding .... those folks are HARSH . I joined the group (thought it sounded like a good idea....silly me ) and ended up leaving it shortly thereafter. Yikes!!!

I ended up calling the annual passholders department to see if they could give me any info on what benefits might be offered this month. According to the rep I spoke to, the dining plan special (buy one, get one 50%) is extended through October, as is a discount on Blue Man Group. Assuming what she has told me is accurate, I'm very happy about the dining plan deal . Assuming our current plans don't change, that's posied to save us some good $$ at least twice over our trip!

Lynne G said:

Yeah, I wish I could see if any bonus for us APs this month too! Come on USO! OK, maybe I'll try facebook. LOL

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Hey Lynne, see my post above. The rep I spoke to at the AP line said its buy one, get one half price dining plan and half price tix to Blue Man Group. We probably wont do BMG (but hey....you never know!) but the dining plan is a good savings for us!

Hmm, I already bought 2 meal deals online. Wonder if they'd let me cancel and buy with the discount? Thanks for this. Based on what another thread said, some seemed to easily get the BOGO offer more easily than others. I have no desire to see the Blue guiys, so that's no deal, plus I think I could get that rate via a military offer any time, so no real deal for me.

Getting my folder ready with all the print outs from my emails. I can't believe it's this week-end already!

Lynne G said:

Hmm, I already bought 2 meal deals online. Wonder if they'd let me cancel and buy with the discount? Thanks for this. Based on what another thread said, some seemed to easily get the BOGO offer more easily than others. I have no desire to see the Blue guiys, so that's no deal, plus I think I could get that rate via a military offer any time, so no real deal for me.

Getting my folder ready with all the print outs from my emails. I can't believe it's this week-end already!

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Well, don't stake the farm on the dining BOGO just yet. I just called back because I wanted to know if there were any early entry days for AP holders.....got a totally different agent.....who said there's a big fat NOTHIN' for AP holders for October. I prodded her a little....no dining? No Blue Man discounts? "Just whatever discounts come with your pass" was her answer (then she proceeded to rhyme them all off...free parking, 20% off at the restaurants, etc.).

Sigh.

I have posted a question on the Universal facebook page to see if we can get some info, ANY info, on what the official October offers might be. We shall see how that works!

Hi, I just wanted to drop by and wish you a wonderful trip. I have followed your TRs and really enjoyed the time and detail you put in. Your family seems like fun! Also, my sister is another one of those no cream cheese/sour cream people so you aren't totally alone.