I can probably guess but I wonder how that ewok "works"? So little!!
Good question! Honestly, I have no idea. Perhaps the Ewoks are friends with Tink?
Oh I have been there, done that with the doom & gloom news while on vacation! I still remember the panic setting in when standing at the DL turnstiles with DH and getting the news from my mom that a hurricane was set to make landfall in a couple days and she had DS with her!! But I'm glad despite the hiccup on your trip things have been mostly okay with your job. That had to be so stressful though!!
Ugh, that is just the worst feeling. Horrible news when you are supposed to be having a wonderful time and next to nothing you can do about it. Way too stressful! (What happened with the hurricane? Hope all was okay).
RnRC is a pretty good pick-me-up though, I gotta say!
Absolutely. If there's any ride that can clear your mind, it's that one (or ToT).
I'm so excited to do the Frozen Singalong in DHS! It's such a cute little show, and since I don't have a little girl old enough to demand the soundtrack be played a hundred million times in a row, I still love all of the songs. lol
Haha, our days of listening to Let It Go repeatedly seem to have run their course, so it was fun to hear the songs again after a little break. (And just you wait - pretty soon your little girl will probably break into Let It Go...
)
The work stuff is so stressful on vacation. I once went on vacation with really poor cell service waiting to see if I was going to get a job offer. I just kept checking the phone with no bars
I did get the offer though. I also have a co-worker, from two companies now, that tends to go on vacation when there are layoffs. I think this has happened 3-4 times now
He's very excitable, so he always looks like he's having a panic or heart attack for about a week upon his return. I always feel so bad for him and his timing luck. We went on vacation once and put our house on the market the day before (we had already moved into a new house), and there were pending layoffs at my job. I didn't think I was going to get laid off; my boss assured me before I left. However, one of the guys that was in my group got laid off. I was the technical lead of the group but not a manager. That actually worked out well, because I wouldn't have done the layoffs anyway, and I didn't have to feel bad to see him go when it was unfortunately the right decision. We also had to deal with offers on the house, which within only a week of being on the market was a good thing. Don't get me started on what happens when we go on vacation to Europe, ie death, destruction, hell fire, brimstone, cats and dogs living together
I am so glad that your situation has worked out for the most part. I wonder how beneficial benefits really are some days.
Yikes! You've had a bunch of stuff happen!
Glad you got the job offer. But, man, if that co-worker goes out of town, all bets are off.
You got the same spot we did in March for the Frozen Sing-Along. We were also running through the park to make it for our FP+. DH was trying to get food, but the wait at Backlot Express was 30 minutes. Luckily, there's a hot dog stand right outside Lights, Motor, Action, next door to Frozen, so we ate while watching the stunt show, but 2 hours after I had intended to eat lunch. The shows at DHS and lack of QS places really makes lunch difficult there sometimes. I have vowed to not over-schedule DHS again. I am not a huge Frozen fan, but DS loved it. He's still got a high-pitched little boys voice, so he sounds like he's in a choir when he sings along. It was very adorable, and he somehow knows all of the lyrics (even though he can't remember to bring his jacket home from school). Looks like Izzy really liked it too.
Yes, food options at DHS are really lacking. And you're right, trying to cram them in between shows complicates it further. Glad you found a hot dog stand! Ha, I guess your DS proves that just about EVERYONE has Frozen memorized.
ugh, always hate when real life interrupts vacation - especially when in the Disney bubble. Glad to hear that all-in-all it could have turned out much worse but can totally get the stress level increase which is note what you want. Not sure if this makes you feel better but cutting back on benefits seems to be everywhere - I know we had a major change to our health care which resulted in higher costs and lower level of benefits (high deductible) - and haven't had any cost of living increases in 3 years so take-home income has gone down each of the last three years ... and we are doing well and buying companies - so seems more just an market trend than anything.
That's sad about the benefits. Several years ago, our options all switched to high deductible plans. I actually switched to Dug's plan this year (before the sale), since he has one of the few good AND affordable plans left out there. I'm so glad I switched, as all my co-workers are on COBRA (and had to deal with annoying hoops to jump through) to keep their health insurance through the end of the year until new options are announced. I've been at my job 8 years and there was only 1 year with no pay increases (back when everyone was just grateful to still have a job at all), but there have been many times that the increased cost of benefits completely consumed any small increase in pay given. At Dug's old job, they had enacted a 1% annual pay increase maximum several years back - benefits easily ate up those increases. Glad he has a new job now, even if they also happen to have a pay freeze in effect right now, ugh (possibly being lifted soon, though). Certainly not the glamorous world that people dream of once they get a "real job".
At least you did have that limo ride to the concert to take your mind off things
'80's rock can fix everything.
(at least they weren't playing Cryin'
, I guess)
Sorry your view to the parade was not the best - but at least you knew you had the VIP package for the next week.
Yeah, we weren't too worried about it, knowing we'd have prime viewing next time. At least Dug could see some things. Izzy and I, well, not so much.
Speaking of views - glad you got a better one for the Frozen show compared to your last trip. Also glad to hear that crowd participation was high as that definitely impacts how enjoyable the show it.
Yeah, this was an upgrade from my back corner for sure. I'm glad we had decent crowd participation - for sure can make a difference.
Food options aren't the best at DHS (hopefully that is something else that improves with the construction, though I can't even imagine what the wait to get into the Cantina is going to be like) - seems like you did as well as you could have though
Yeah, it worked. Nothing remarkable, but got us fed. We actually had never been to ABC Commissary before, so were able to cross something else off our list too.
We loved those Power Pack kid's meals- so perfect for snack-loving toddlers!
They are great! Izzy really likes lots of little munchies vs. a big meal, so this was just perfect. Especially since we had to eat and run and could bring the rest along easily.
Sorry about the bad news while on vacation
Hopefully it didn't keep you down for too many days. Yuck.
Thanks. I just wish it had been toward the end of the vacation. Stepping foot on a cruise ship and knowing I'd be out of touch and unable to get any updates for several days was hard. Then again, it was also helpful to fully take my mind off things.
I'm glad everything worked out with your job. We had a similar experience many years ago while in Disney with my husband's job. It really put a damper on the rest of the trip. Phil is correct about benefits. They sure aren't what they used to be and I think that's pretty much everywhere. And I don't even want to get started on the stock market with pensions. Ugh!
Really a bummer to hear all the agreement on benefits being lousy. Ugh, and pensions - I actually used to have one, as I started right before the company stopped offering them, so I was grandfathered in. Well, not anymore - had to roll it into my IRA. Hey, at least it's something. Glad I wasn't relying on it or anything, though.
RnRC is a great way to forget your troubles. The first row is the least headache inducing seat? I may have to try that next time.
For me, at least, the first row is a completely different experience. I don't know why exactly, but I feel a million times better there. Plus it's a much better view of everything.
I've never eaten at ABC Commissary. I heard it has improved and your meals looked good. I hate when counter service restaurants are that packed and you're juggling a tray and trying to find a table.
It was our first time going there, but it was decent. Nothing to write home about, but fine for lunch. I felt so bad when I realized that Dug was going to have to deal with all the food, drinks, and kid/stroller by himself.
It really didn't make sense that you would have an obstructed view with FP+. Hmmmm.... Izzy appeared to be enjoying herself. Such a sweetie!
Yeah, that pillar made me question if it was really the FP+ section, but I guess so. Yes, Izzy had a great time!
Dug has a great voice! Did he sing in his high school choir or anything like that? Really impressive. I couldn't carry a tune with a handle!
Thanks! He actually has quite the performing history. He was in drama, swing choir, etc. as a kid. He always has people come up to him after church to tell him how much they enjoyed him singing (just in his seat, not in choir or anything). He actually may be in the choir soon, as he put in his name when they asked for interested people. I enjoy singing...when I'm by myself in the car.
I have no talent for it, though. And I sound even worse compared to him.
Just have to echo what others are saying about benefits. Ours go up in price every year, the coverage worsens, and we didn't get raises from 2008-2014, oh, except for a very minimal one when they announced they were taking away bonuses...so essentially a pay cut every year. This was the first year we got raises and unfortunately, I have had 3 promotions in the time when they did not give increases, so of course the increase I received doesn't compensate for raises one would assume would come with a promotion. Oh and half of the people that report to me make more than I do. But, I get to work from home, and flexible hours, and that's kind of what matters right now at my son's age and with my DH's work schedule the way it is.
Wow, I'm just amazed and saddened at all the stories of lousy benefits and compensation from everyone. 6 YEARS of no increases?!
Not to mention the more expensive benefits.
I am with you on the working from home and flexibility thing, though. Dug very much has that (100% working from home and flexible) and I have that to some extent (can work from home, but try to limit it to when I really need to). Definitely nice with a young kid in the house.
Anyway, looking forward to reading more. Our trip is in a month and any extra tips for traveling with a toddler are welcome!
Your trip is so soon! I try to pack in as many tips as I can, but let me know if there are any specifics you'd like thoughts on. I have read so many other TRs with toddlers and that has really helped me out. I hope things go great for you guys!
Oh, BTW, I bought that egg cooker and DS loves his egg and cheese sandwiches that I make for him with it. It's really perfect, since the egg is all one piece instead of the little scrambled bits that would fall out of the bread (if that makes any sense!)
Yep, that totally makes sense! It's a nice solid egg patty, which is nice if you're eating on the run or something too. Glad he likes them!
As I grew up in Minnesota and still have many friends there, my Facebook feed had plenty of unhappy or consoling messages over the past year with all the upheaval at your prior company. I'm glad you were able to get a few answers immediately, but I'm sorry about the negative changes to your benefits and the fact that it put a damper on your trip.
Yeah, it definitely has had an effect on the Twin Cities. In a way, it's a relief to be free of that. And we are the lucky ones. Most people who were separated from the company were out of a job. But we all kept ours. Yes, there were negative changes, but we are in a good place and I have hope for the future (vs. worry, like my SIL who never knows if she'll have a job the next day).
On a brighter note, a ride on Rock N Roller coaster is great medicine for disappointment!
It absolutely is! Nothing like blasting off at 60 mph!
I really enjoyed the Frozen Sing Along - I'm glad you got a better view this time! It looks like Izzy was really enjoying it (and Dug was really enjoying a chance to sit down in the air conditioning!
).
We all were glad to have made it to the show. It's a fun event for the whole family. And a great place to nap too, I guess.
What A rough thing to have happen at the start of a trip!Glad you were able to shake it off and have some fun.
Yeah, certainly not what I was expecting to deal with on our trip. But when you have a FP+ waiting, you have no choice but to get over it and move on.