***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[Iowamomof4]

Gee, go away for a couple hours and miss a ton!

@Talby I'm so glad you have a plan in place to deal with your deadbeat TA. Y'all are making me thank my lucky stars I have a good one!

@Lisa F I like your plan to keep the later ADR at Sanaa and just grab lunch wherever at MK. Sounds like a fun way to begin your trip!

@JamieOak Hope your dh gets better quick so his knee doesn't get in the way of your fun!

@Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL Sounds like your plans are coming together! Yay for JBJB dessert party news!

To everyone else... (in my best Dory voice) just keep planning... just keep planning... just keep planning, planning, planning...

 

[Candycane83]

this is the room I booked based on these photos (exact room lol). there aren't many obstructed verandahs. I figure since it will likely be just me out there most of the time it is enough open railing

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fa...cat-7a-obstructed-view-verandah-pics.3028998/

IF anyone cares lol.[/QUOT]
I need to squirrel this info for the future!

 

[Lisa F]

I need to squirrel this info for the future!

I figure if kiddo needs to go to sleep I can put him to bed in my bed and draw the curtain and sit out on the verandah and then when I am ready to go to bed I can just move him to his bed. I am also wondering if I can find wireless headphones that would attach to the tv so he can watch tv in the morning (or even just my regular ones with a super long cord) without bugging me. Would be ideal!

 

[Lisa F]

and you are all right. I need to cool my jets. I got into OMG HOW CAN I MAKE THIS EVEN BETTER?!? mode.

but I think 6:45 is just fine. maybe 6:30 if I can find it but not a huge deal. I think I would feel rushed to get back for 5:20 but if I left the park around 5ish we could get our hotel room and settle in a bit before going back to the lobby for dinner, seeing the tree etcetc. Even without the animals Sanaa is a beautiful restaurant with lots to see. Whew. Decision. Made. lol

 

[DisneyBelle27]

as someone who made a change relatively late in life (I was with my ex since 19, married at 23, divorced at 36) just know that it is for the best to deal with it now. Big life changes are always difficult but you seem like you are dealing with it in a very healthy way and you have a good sense of self and what makes you happy. I wish I had when I was younger because it would have saved a lot of heartache. On the other hand the kiddo is my life so I can't afford regrets about any of my decisions either. Just know that if I can come through it, you can too, and brighter days are ahead. You are so awesome to go on with your plans, I would probably be in a ball for 6 months. In fact in 2014 it was my first trip in 5 years because I felt for that long like that part of my life was over and I didn't deserve to do stuff like that anymore. Then one day I woke up and thought you know what? I CAN do this. Can I tell you how many people were shocked that I would travel all by myself with my 6 year old? I'm still not sure why, it was the best trip of my life and I'm glad I got over myself enough to be able to feel like I deserve that happiness now. Our situations are obviously different but I was not as independent post breakup as I could have been and it has taken me a long time to become that way... so I really admire you for your independence and your great outlook. Your emotions will settle themselves when you are through the process of grieving and you are beautiful, strong, and funny and some guy is going to be the luckiest guy in the world to be with you when you're ready! But til then you are doing it all right! Treat yourself the way you want others to treat you, that is another lesson that was very very hard learned for me. Enough with the old lady talk now

Ha, something we have in common! I met my ex-husband when I was 19, married at 22. No kids though, and divorced at 28. And that was a positive move, as I finally realized my own worth and that I deserved to be treated better. 33 now, and I know that while this current time is difficult, I am strong and will come out the other side ok. And I absolutely agree with the importance of being able to be independent. One of the most important lessons I learned from my divorce was the importance and value in being able to be happy and content with my own company. Right after my divorce I id my first solo trip, my one other Disney solo trip, and it was absolutely amazing, and liberating. I've even done a solo trip to San Juan, PR, and that was an incredible trip! It's a good feeling knowing that I can be strong for myself, and that also means that I can really be there for someone else, without losing my own identity, when I end up finding the right person for me. Eventually. Lol.

But anyway, moving on from sappy hour! Your cruise sounds amazing and I'm def jealous! I've only been on 2 cruises, 1 of which was Disney, and have never had a veranda room. #goals for my next one! And I also really think you made the right decision with your arrival day plans. Keeping it more relaxed will be really nice, especially since you'll have been travelling all morning and following a schedule. And you'll be at my favorite Disney resort ever, AKL! Love that place so much!

 

[Talby]

the great @Talby is back! at least briefly!

great advice. I'm sure Disney tries their best to let people work it out amongst themselves but to be perfectly honest when push comes to shove, they don't want to lose your money either. I hope it does NOT come to that. But if it does at least take comfort that someone has been there before and gotten through it unscathed.

Personally my favorite buffet lyrics are "wasting away again in margaritaville" lol

Hahaha...that's a terrific lyric! I once enjoyed a margarita listening to that song while IN Margaritaville (Key West)!

You are spot on--they do want people to resolve it themselves. I was encouraged to "exhaust all options" first but they were very empathetic and reassuring that their help was an option so I'm clinging to that. It's unnerving when someone you've entrusted with things like your credit card/MDE account info proves to be unreliable. I can't help but hope the commission motivates the simplest solution!

Thanks @Iowamomof4 I'd like to think the deadbeats are the exception rather than the rule. I'm glad you have a great one! The great ones are worth their weight in gold, I think.

 

[Lisa F]

Ha, something we have in common! I met my ex-husband when I was 19, married at 22. No kids though, and divorced at 28. And that was a positive move, as I finally realized my own worth and that I deserved to be treated better. 33 now, and I know that while this current time is difficult, I am strong and will come out the other side ok. And I absolutely agree with the importance of being able to be independent. One of the most important lessons I learned from my divorce was the importance and value in being able to be happy and content with my own company. Right after my divorce I id my first solo trip, my one other Disney solo trip, and it was absolutely amazing, and liberating. I've even done a solo trip to San Juan, PR, and that was an incredible trip! It's a good feeling knowing that I can be strong for myself, and that also means that I can really be there for someone else, without losing my own identity, when I end up finding the right person for me. Eventually. Lol.

But anyway, moving on from sappy hour! Your cruise sounds amazing and I'm def jealous! I've only been on 2 cruises, 1 of which was Disney, and have never had a veranda room. #goals for my next one! And I also really think you made the right decision with your arrival day plans. Keeping it more relaxed will be really nice, especially since you'll have been travelling all morning and following a schedule. And you'll be at my favorite Disney resort ever, AKL! Love that place so much!

sappy hour

I think I have a touch of SAD. I bought a light last year and I should start using it. I get kind of mopey when it gets cold. just took a hot shower and feeling a lot less sappy. unfortunately it's already all out there lol

 

[DisneyBelle27]

sappy hour

I think I have a touch of SAD. I bought a light last year and I should start using it. I get kind of mopey when it gets cold. just took a hot shower and feeling a lot less sappy. unfortunately it's already all out there lol

Whelp, better out than in, as the saying goes! lol

 

[SilSprBea]

@SilSprBea

I am seriously in the exact same boat! What is up with our TAs? I know there are GREAT ones out there!!

Disney can help you take over your account. They don't just automatically cancel your vacation at 30 days out if you've not made your final payment. You WILL have to cancel/re-book if you can't get your TA to make the payment on your behalf but Disney will help you through the process. Will you lose your rooms? Nope, even though POR is completely full (we have preferred booked and I wondered this). Will you lose your FPs and ADRs? Nope! Is it annoying? Yep! Will I ever use a TA for a Disney trip again? I'll let you take a stab in the dark on that one.

I refuse to let the ball dropping and incompetence of my TA interfere with the joy of anticipating and planning this trip. We can't control others' actions, but we can control how we react to those actions. It's not fair, and your TA is clearly in the wrong, but please don't let her take away your joy and turn it into a nightmare. I refuse to let mine ruin this time for me. I'm considering it a snag, akin to a problem to solve, nothing more. I simply will not allow it to overshadow this fun and exciting time. I'm stubborn like that. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

My advice is be proactive, call Disney, get your ducks in a row, and have a plan in place for your 30-day mark if your TA doesn't get back to you and/or make the payment. Your trip is NOT at her mercy, but you've got to grab the reins (or have your DH grab the reins!!) I did this just this morning and I feel a bazillion times better! Unfortunately, this situation is one Disney is well-versed in handling and they'll work with you to make it right. Where I sit at the moment is I'm giving my TA until noon on Monday (my payment is due 11/2), then I'm calling Disney to have them take over. I'm no longer fretting because I KNOW we're going to Disney, with everything just as I've obsessively planned it...and SO ARE YOU!!

Are you a Jimmy Buffett fan by any chance? He's got a great lyric that's become a mantra of mine...."Breathe in, breathe out, move on". The path to get there might look different than you initially anticipated, but you're going to end up on a Disney family vacation that looks just the way YOU have obsessively planned!! It's all going to work out.

@Talby Oh, how I have missed you and your incredible positivity. You can make lemonade out of the worst lemons. I'm so sorry you are going through this as well. Who would have thought there were two equally bad TAs out there with clients staying at POR!

After three "reminder" emails in 7 days she just emailed me about an hour ago and told me she will make payment Friday morning. I am going out of town for work for two days and will be back late Friday afternoon. If she hasn't done it as promised by then, I'm calling Disney! I am glad there is something that can be done and that if push comes to shove I won't lose my room or fast passes!!

You've made me feel so much better. Thank you again, and I hope that both our TAs get their act together so we don't have to go this other route!

 

[Lisa F]

@Talby Oh, how I have missed you and your incredible positivity. You can make lemonade out of the worst lemons. I'm so sorry you are going through this as well. Who would have thought there were two equally bad TAs out there with clients staying at POR!

After three "reminder" emails in 7 days she just emailed me about an hour ago and told me she will make payment Friday morning. I am going out of town for work for two days and will be back late Friday afternoon. If she hasn't done it as promised by then, I'm calling Disney! I am glad there is something that can be done and that if push comes to shove I won't lose my room or fast passes!!

You've made me feel so much better. Thank you again, and I hope that both our TAs get their act together so we don't have to go this other route!

are you done with her once final payment is made?

 

[Talby]

Sorry to hear about your TA too. That's just crazy how some TAs are... it's great you have a good handle on it and have an action plan. I hope everything is going well with you besides this we miss your cheeriness and positivity here!

You ARE the sweetest!! Sorry--missed this the first time through. Some things (like how fast this thread moves, lol!) never change. Which is a GREAT thing.

I've had some ex-husband-related fires to deal with. Nothing I can't handle. Just time-consuming. And I found a planning break was in order. I will say I'm very ready for a vacation!! And yay for all of us that our vacations are getting VERY close!!

 

[SilSprBea]

are you done with her once final payment is made?

I am done with her after payment. I paid for concierge services and she was supposed to build me itineraries/touring plans. Who knows if she will do it, but I've done my own and rearranged fast passes and booked ADRs to suit my desired plans and won't be using what she gives me anyway. I think I only have one of the initial ADRs she booked for me left in my plan (they weren't good ones or ideal times if they were for good places).

I also need to make sure she pays off my best friends room, which hopefully she will do in Friday when she does mine. I feel responsible since she booked with this TA because I was using her. But she will be following my touring plan and I've found ADRs for all of us the days we are together and even for her and her DD on the one night where we have deviating plans. Hopefully my friend will forgive me for dragging her into this TA nightmare!

 

[areno79]

@Talby Welcome back! We've missed you around here!

@Lisa F I think you've probably got the right idea keeping the later Sanaa. Hopefully everything goes just fine, but you don't want to rush around if flights get delayed. I mean, it *is* December and we *do* live in New England. And judging by the freezing temps outside, I think we can agree Mother Nature is a bit of B-word.

@JamieOak My sister lives just north of Humble in Splendora, so I visit TX usually every year. I love it there...DH and I have even looked at houses. It's just *very* different from New Hampshire so not sure how I'd fit in. LOL

@SilSprBea I'm glad you heard back from your TA. Hopefully she does what she says and pays your balance off on Friday!

 

[Lisa F]

@Talby Welcome back! We've missed you around here!

@Lisa F I think you've probably got the right idea keeping the later Sanaa. Hopefully everything goes just fine, but you don't want to rush around if flights get delayed. I mean, it *is* December and we *do* live in New England. And judging by the freezing temps outside, I think we can agree Mother Nature is a bit of B-word.

@JamieOak My sister lives just north of Humble in Splendora, so I visit TX usually every year. I love it there...DH and I have even looked at houses. It's just *very* different from New Hampshire so not sure how I'd fit in. LOL

@SilSprBea I'm glad you heard back from your TA. Hopefully she does what she says and pays your balance off on Friday!

haha I took a warm shower and my heat still isn't on so there! I'm still hoping we have that mild weather accuweather is calling for in their 45 day forecast lol.

 

[areno79]

FINALLY got my pic to post!
Here are our shirts from Zazzle

Also, someone was asking for a pic of the ears I bought at WM. Not bad for only $3...not sure if I'll keep them though. I feel like they need glitter or something. LOL

 

[areno79]

haha I took a warm shower and my heat still isn't on so there! I'm still hoping we have that mild weather accuweather is calling for in their 45 day forecast lol.

You are brave!! I caved and turned my heat on a couple of weeks ago. Working from home I'm here all day and I *HATE* to be cold. I even have fingerless gloves I wear when I'm typing. DH calls them my homeless gloves.

 

[Lisa F]

FINALLY got my pic to post!
Here are our shirts from Zazzle

Also, someone was asking for a pic of the ears I bought at WM. Not bad for only $3...not sure if I'll keep them though. I feel like they need glitter or something. LOL

for $3 I'd keep the little hat and put it on real ears. the ears are down too low lol but the hat is super cute!

 

[SilSprBea]

@SilSprBea, what your TA is doing to you is complete BS. I cannot stand being ignored by someone I am paying for a service. On the rare occasion it happens to me I am on that person's front porch first thing in the morning when they are just stepping out their door to start their day. I understand things happen and sometimes people have emergencies. Oh your kid is sick? Your dog died? Your car needs a new transmission? No problem. I understand. But you mean to tell me that in the past 'however many days' you couldn't find 30 seconds to shoot me a text just to confirm you got my call and will follow up when things get back to normal? Unacceptable!!! I wish I knew you in 'real life'. I would be more than happy to pay a visit to said TA and, ahem, get the ball rolling for you.

Oh @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL, thank you for your note. You made me chuckle.

I know I've said it before, but I love this thread and everyone on it. Everyone on here has made me feel so much better about this situation and I know in the end it will all be OK and that I'll "see" you all in December!

 

[areno79]

for $3 I'd keep the little hat and put it on real ears. the ears are down too low lol but the hat is super cute!

That's actually a great idea! I kind of want those green and red ones they have that have sequins that they sell in the parks, but $25 for ears is just so hella expensive! I don't mind if it's for ears I'd wear more than once during the trip, or on another trip, but I don't think I'd get much use out of the expensive Christmas ears.
I should take a pic of myself wearing the ears...I don't think they're too low when I'm wearing them because the band spreads out a little, but I definitely see it in the pic. I also have some ears on Etsy I was looking at.

 

[Mrs. Inc]

Thanks...I'm on my iPhone though. Tried the copy/paste and that didn't work.


All day

Thanks for the info...almost missed this. We are touring clockwise on our MK day, and have an early fp for BTMRR...planning on cruising then, and we'd prefer jingle to jungle. Glad to know our plan will work out.