A Overplanner's Pre-Trip Report

[emmysmommy]

Your tattoo is awesome, hidden Mickey and all!! I have read through your PTR and I have to say that I can appreciate the DQ drama! Sorry, but that was entertaining!

Gotta say that my DD wasn't too happy that she had to be 16 before she could do the behind the scenes tour at MK so I can understand your DS's annoyance with Disney!

 

[CatNipRules]

Your tattoo is awesome, hidden Mickey and all!! I have read through your PTR and I have to say that I can appreciate the DQ drama! Sorry, but that was entertaining!

Gotta say that my DD wasn't too happy that she had to be 16 before she could do the behind the scenes tour at MK so I can understand your DS's annoyance with Disney!

Thanks!! I love the tattoo.

Yeah, the DQ drama is pretty funny. Especially since she seems to want nothing to do with Disney now. I've been trying to get her to save money towards the trip and all she can complain about it how much it's going to cost her to rent a car. She actually can't go now because they got a dog and she doesn't want to put him in a kennel.

I can't understand the 16 rule. It must have something to do with insurance or something. DH thinks it's something to do with preserving the magic for kids, but DS said that's even stupider that the insurance reasons. Because anyone over 14 knows that the characters aren't real. What does he mean that they aren't real? You mean someone's been lying to me all this time? Well, I never. LOL!

Thanks for reading along. I appreciate it and I'm having fun writing it.

 

[CatNipRules]

Okay, so we went to order our customized T-shirts for our trip. We came up with some sayings for each day. I think they are pretty awesome.

Home is just a Monorail ride away.- On a Blue green shirt with white letter

Watch out! I've got my Mouse on!=On a red shirt with white letters

Disney doesn't have rides. They have experiences. On a orange shirt. White letters.

I'm not a tourist. Disney is my home. On a green shirt with white letters.

Each of them are going to have the saying on the front and our names on the back. My friend owns a shop and is doing them for us. I can't wait.

Even Chris is excited about them. I was kidding him and told him that i'm going to get all pink shirts. Well, Chris is something of a ham and started acting like a girl. LOL! My son is definitely funny and that's one of the reasons that he's in drama class.

 

[emmysmommy]

What fun to make your own Tshirts! Are those your original sayings? If so, you are VERY clever! (Uhhh not that you're not clever if they are not your sayings! )

That would be funny if you got at least 1 pink set of Ts!

 

[MEK]

Adorable tatoo! I wish I was brave enough for that.

I love the saying - home is just a monorail away! That's going to be a great T-shirt!

 

[CatNipRules]

What fun to make your own Tshirts! Are those your original sayings? If so, you are VERY clever! (Uhhh not that you're not clever if they are not your sayings! )

That would be funny if you got at least 1 pink set of Ts!

DH came up with them. LOL! I wish that I could take credit for it, but it's all him. LOL!!

It would be funny to get at least one set of pink Ts. Especially since seeing Chris's reaction when I told him. Although at the time i wasn't sure if I would get a funny reaction or a "I'm not wearing that color shirt" reaction. You never know with him sometimes. LOL!

Adorable tatoo! I wish I was brave enough for that.

I love the saying - home is just a monorail away! That's going to be a great T-shirt!

Thanks! I didn't get my first tattoo until a few years ago. The Ariel was my 4th one. It is the biggest and it also hurt the most. If course they all hurt to a degree, but the shading on this one was just intense. LOL!!

I love that one to. It's how I feel every time I ride the monorail.

 

[CatNipRules]

okay, so here's the deal. I get an email from my TA this morning telling me that more free dining was just released. However, it's for the week after we leave. Ugh! However, she did say that we could change our arrival date to the 4th of October and possibly still qualify for the free dining for the entire length of our stay.

If course, that would mean changing our airline tickets and adding a night onto the hotel. However, i'm thinking that the money we would save would definitely be worth it. She's on the phone right now. She's on hold with them. So, if everything works out we might be flying in a day early. I told her to go ahead and change it. Whether it works out in our favor or if we break out even. Because it means an extra day at Disney. Of course I have to check it out with my boss, but I'm sure that she would let me.

Keeping my fingers crossed. Of course DH told me to quit if she won't let me have it off. Oh yeah, that's a way to go. *rolls eyes*

I'm hoping everything works out in our favor. I'll let you know what I find out!!

 

[CatNipRules]

Okay, so anyone that knows me knows that I'm not a good waiter. I'm seriously not good at waiting for things. I have no patience. LOL! I'm still waiting to find out how much of a credit we are going to get.

We had to upgrade to a River View at POFQ, which isn't all that bad. I was originally wanting that, but decided against it. Well, she changed the flight to come in the 4th instead of the 5th. So, I was eligible for the free dining. Which is a good thing. Although, now we have an extra day of dining and I have no idea what to do with the credits. DH mentioned something about going to Sea World. Which I'm totally up for. I love Sea World. It's my second favorite place over Disney. I've always been in love with the sea creatures and would have loved to work with them.

So, my TA was able to tell me that we are getting a credit back, but since she's out of town she would send it to me sometime tonight. She had a bunch of meetings to go to for her daughter. I can totally understand that, I'm just not a really good waiter. LOL!



This is majorly off topic. I love my DH. That being said, he can drive me absolutely crazy sometimes. We've been married for 16 years and i can't imagine being with anyone else. However, that being said, his brother and niece drive me crazy on an almost daily basis.

My brother in law lived with my father in law until the day that he passed away. He's 44 years old and had never lived on his own. Well, the boys each got some insurance money and well, lets just say that he went through that in a little less than 4 months. Their dad left him the house here in Alabama. Which, he promptly sold. Now, he's out of money again. He's went through twice the money that we did. I've just about had it with him.

I told DH that he can make me the bad guy. Because of something that happened back in April. Lets just say that i very nearly left my husband. It was that bad and I didn't think I could trust him. I literally had my bags packed and sitting at the door. As it was, I didn't talk to him for almost 3 days. I was that mad at him.

I told him that if he did that this time that we were over. I'm not letting his brother borrow any more money. i don't care if he ends up on the street. He needs a reality check and I'm not letting him borrow money. That's what their parents did. I thought that Mike agreed with me last time, but he did it anyway. So, long story short, I told him not again. I understand that he's family, but he needs to put on his big boy panties and get a clue. Plus, his 19 year old daughter quit school when she was 15 and has been saying ever since that she was going to get her GED. Well, 4 years later and still no GED and no job.

Okay, so I'm back on topic now. Sorry for the mini-rant.

Well, I'm just waiting for my TA to email me with the figures. Did i mention that I don't wait well? LOL!!

Hopefully she will get back to me soon because i'm going crazy here!! LOL!!

 

[Corrine 1973]

So I just read through your PTR and man there is alot going on at your house. I am very sorry to hear about you FIL passing last year, my brother just passed in April and and it's really had when someone close to you is no longer there. You are not the only one who obsesses over Disney planning. My trip isn't until next May and I am busy trying to figure out all the details (that will probably change a dozen times before it happens.) My son and his father might be coming as well and he doesn't understand why I would be planning so far in advance. Some people just don't get it.

I went to POFQ in March and fell in love with it. So much so that I rebooked for our trip next year. One of the things I loved the most about it was all the rooms are close to the bus stop and no paying extra money for a prefered room.

I would say that I am sorry that your sister decided that she didn't want to go to Disney but it actually sounds as if you dodged a bullet there. Way to much drama with her around and who wants that kind of Drama when at the most magical place in the world.

I agree with you about your BIL. He is obviously not learning anything with his family helping him out everytime he's in a difficult time. Wait I'm sorry he is learning something. That he can do anything he wants because someone is going to bail him out of the mess that he is in. (sorry for the rant, I know someone like this as well.)

Can't wait to here more about your trip and I would love to see some pics of those shirts once they are done. Tell your DH that I might just have to steal a saying or two from him.

 

[CatNipRules]

So I just read through your PTR and man there is alot going on at your house. I am very sorry to hear about you FIL passing last year, my brother just passed in April and and it's really had when someone close to you is no longer there. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Thanks for joining in!! I love meeting new people and am glad that you stopped by!!

I'm very sorry about your brother. You're right. It's hard when someone you love isn't there. I lost my dad right after my son was born and that was the hardest thing I'd ever had to deal with. Even to this day it is. Even with all of the things that have happened losing him was terrible. It gets easier, but you never get over it.

I went to POFQ in March and fell in love with it. So much so that I rebooked for our trip next year. One of the things I loved the most about it was all the rooms are close to the bus stop and no paying extra money for a prefered room.

We've stayed at Riverside before, but this is our first time staying at FQ. I'm really looking forward to it. I've heard nothing but good things about it from everyone that's stayed there.

I would say that I am sorry that your sister decided that she didn't want to go to Disney but it actually sounds as if you dodged a bullet there. Way to much drama with her around and who wants that kind of Drama when at the most magical place in the world.

Yeah, I'm kind of glad that she decided that she didn't want to go. She is very needy and sometimes it gets on my nerves. I love her, don't get me wrong, but as much drama as I have in my life she brings about 10 times more right along with her. LOL!!

I agree with you about your BIL. He is obviously not learning anything with his family helping him out everytime he's in a difficult time. Wait I'm sorry he is learning something. That he can do anything he wants because someone is going to bail him out of the mess that he is in. (sorry for the rant, I know someone like this as well.)

Feel free to rant all you want!! LOL!! It's nice to know that other's know people like this. Because honestly I'm thinking that he is the exception to the rule!! LOL! Most people wouldn't believe me when I tell you the kinds of things he's pulled on us over the years. It's like something out of a fiction novel. LOL!

Don't even get me started about the kind of crap that my BIL has pulled over the years. this is just the latest in a long line of crap that he's put our family through. His problem is that he's used to everyone bailing him out and has never had to learn how to stand on his own two feet. You wouldn't believe the stories I could tell you about this man. If there is one thing that I'm glad my dad taught me it was how to be a responsible adult.

Can't wait to here more about your trip and I would love to see some pics of those shirts once they are done. Tell your DH that I might just have to steal a saying or two from him.

I will definitely post more as we go along. I'll post some pics of the shirts when they are done.

LOL! Feel free to snag them if you want. He had quite a few more, but those were the ones that I liked the best. LOL!

Thanks for following along. I know I can ramble on and on, but I promise my actual Trip Report will be better. LOL!!

 

[emmysmommy]

I totally am with you about the waiting thing! Did you hear back from your TA??????

I love adding on days to trips - how wonderful that it all worked out so well!

Have a great day!

 

[CatNipRules]

I totally am with you about the waiting thing! Did you hear back from your TA??????

I love adding on days to trips - how wonderful that it all worked out so well!

Have a great day!

Yep!! I'm getting ready to post about it now!!

I love adding days onto our trip! It's the first time that we've done free dining! heck it's the first time that we've done the dining plan period! LOL!!

 

[CatNipRules]

Okay, so i heard back from my TA last night. Well, maybe really early this morning. LOL! It was after midnight when she emailed me the details.

We had to move up to a River View room at FQ. She was able to apply the free dining onto our reservation. However, because of the plane tickets needing to be changed the refund wasn't as big as I was thinking. LOL!

That's right! I said refund! I'm getting a $108 refund. That's after the free dining and upgrading to the deluxe plan. Well, I already had the deluxe plan so all was good there.

Now we have an extra day at Disney! This throws a little kink in my ADR's though!! LOL! I had everything planned out and it was perfect. Now, I have to make some tweaks to our plans.

Since DH wants to do a day at Sea World, I was thinking that we could have breakfast at our resort and then catch a shuttle to Sea World. It might not work out, but I'm hoping that I can work out all of the details. i was thinking that we could just rent a car for that day. Since Alamo has a car rental place on property. DH says that it would be easier to just do a shuttle to Sea World. I'm still thinking that i'm right!! LOL!!

I'll have to do some research and check it out.

As far as a way to burn some credits I was thinking about possibly booking a dinner at California Grill and maybe letting DS order pizza in the room that night. I know that he's probably not going to want to eat anything at Cali Grill. Not sure about any other 2 credit meals. I'll have to do some research. LOL! Or maybe I can let my big eaters get more than one meal for lunch. My men can eat!! LOL!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Followed you over from my trip report.

Glad you were able to get the free dining added on to your reservation-and get an extra night out of it-and save money!!! That sounds like a deal to me! Glad this trip is happening for you. Sounds as if you've had a lot of stuff to deal with the past year.

 

[CatNipRules]

Followed you over from my trip report.

Glad you were able to get the free dining added on to your reservation-and get an extra night out of it-and save money!!! That sounds like a deal to me! Glad this trip is happening for you. Sounds as if you've had a lot of stuff to deal with the past year.

Thanks for following along!!

This year has just been hard on all of us. We definitely need it.

An extra day and saving money is always great to me!! LOL!

Thanks again for following along! It's nice to meet another Alabamian on the boards!! LOL!!

 

[MEK]

Congrats on the free dining, adding an extra day, and still getting a refund. That's awesome. I have stayed in a water view room at POFQ (just for one night, but still) and the view was outstanding. I can't imagine not loving it. Request a high room and the view is even better.

With the $ you saved you might want to consider applying it to a car rental. I suggest that because I was able to score a $145 / 10 day car rental in June. It requires a little persistence and playing with codes, but it was so worth the money for getting to resort ADRs and especially or getting to Seaworld.

As for the loser BIL, I would feel the same way.

 

[CatNipRules]

Congrats on the free dining, adding an extra day, and still getting a refund. That's awesome. I have stayed in a water view room at POFQ (just for one night, but still) and the view was outstanding. I can't imagine not loving it. Request a high room and the view is even better.

With the $ you saved you might want to consider applying it to a car rental. I suggest that because I was able to score a $145 / 10 day car rental in June. It requires a little persistence and playing with codes, but it was so worth the money for getting to resort ADRs and especially or getting to Seaworld.

As for the loser BIL, I would feel the same way.

I would love to rent a car for the time that we are going to be there. however, DH is dead set against it. He's the main driver in the family and doesn't want to have to worry about driving while we are at Disney. Me on the other hand, I would much rather have a car so that we can make the early morning ADR's. I think we are going to have to come to some sort of agreement. LOL!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Joining in!!!

Yay for adding free dining AND an extra day!!! Your plans sound great!

 

[CatNipRules]

Joining in!!!

Yay for adding free dining AND an extra day!!! Your plans sound great!

Thanks for joining in!!

Love the free dining and the extra day!! It's always great to have more time to spend at Disney!!

 

[MEK]

I would love to rent a car for the time that we are going to be there. however, DH is dead set against it. He's the main driver in the family and doesn't want to have to worry about driving while we are at Disney. Me on the other hand, I would much rather have a car so that we can make the early morning ADR's. I think we are going to have to come to some sort of agreement. LOL!!

I do understand your DH's position to some extent. I have a crappy comute every morning and afternoon so its nice to take a week off from driving, but my DH is so afraid of being a Disney captive that he needs a car to bust out of the bubble. Plus, he always forgets something which leads us to at least one Walmart trip.

The plus side is that the car is so handy for early or late ADRs. Can I tell you how many times we have eaten at Beaches and Cream just to enter Epcot through the world showcase. Actually, we use that as our line to get into the parking lot. Works every time!