~ A PTR for a CAMPING Trip That Might Never Be ~ *TR Started (link inside)*

[carissanboys]

I actually just went and read the docs WDW sent me for our upcoming trip. For cancellation made 44 to 6 days prior to arrival there is a $100 fee. For cancellation 5 days or less is a $200 fee. For changes made 44 days or less there is a change fee of $50 and changes that affect first night's accommodation must be made at least 6 business days prior to arrival.
This is all on the back of the invoice they sent me. You'll probably be getting one in the mail soon. Hope that helps.

 

[irene_dsc]

I asked everyone to give me two things they really wanted to do on this trip. Here were their responses:


Owen - Toy Story Mania, Jedi Training Academy, and 'Ohana (yeah - I know that's three - a yes to all three)

I'm sure you've already done this, but remind him that he might not get chosen. Of course, there is always the option of trying multiple times...

Chuck - Kali River Rapids and 'Ohana (poor Chuck has never been on KRR - he's always stayed behind with Connor)

***I realized the height requirement for KRR is 40 inches so we can all ride this year!

I'm trying to remember if that's right - but I do remember that dd was able to ride it last time, but couldn't ride, say, Soarin'. They have different seats for the littler ones, though, so they gave her an armband to signify she got the special seat.

Carissa - RnRC and Toy Story Mania

Here's a list of the things that will be at the top of our list for each park:

MK - Space Mountain (maybe ), TTA (never done this), Haunted Mansion (never done this), maybe catch the parade (never seen it), and Wishes

If you can do those others, you can do Space Mountain! My only issue was holding onto my glasses! I do want to do HM next time - we missed that, too. And of course Wishes. (Not sure on parades - we didn't do any, actually.)

Unfortunately, Spectromagic is not happening the night of my birthday.

AK - Kilimanjaro Safaris (didn't go on last time), Finding Nemo (haven't seen), Kali River Rapids (a favorite of ours), and maybe take the boys to It's Tough To Be A Bug - my dad, Chuck, and I all went to it last time to check it out and I think they'd be okay with it, Flights of Wonder (we've never seen this)

Gotta do the safari, esp. if it is cool out. We liked Flights of Wonder - but you have to like bird shows.

DS - Lights, Motor, Action! (didn't see this last time), RnRC (never been on), Toy Story Mania (never been on)

The boys will like LMA - but consider bringing earplugs!

EP - Test Track, Soarin', get Chuck to drink Beverly , World Showcase, and of course check out the Flower and Garden Festival

Ok, not sure if I'll have time to catch up on everything else for a while...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Is everything OK with your package now? It looks like you have it figured out... Having to pay 45 days ahead is the only problem with our package too. DH's bonus is scheduled to be paid on 3/12. Our package is due to be paid in full on 3/13! Talk about cutting it close - and I didn't even look at the dates ahead of time - luckily it just worked out that way.

I like your dining choices - I think we have decided to go with Tusker House over Crystal Palace - I just need to decide whether to go with the 8am early park entry breakfast or a late breakfast that can be a lunch. It's so easy to eat a cheap breakfast in room - it would be nice to use our TS credits for lunch and then have our CS credits for dinner. We don't have any TS meals planned for MK - but we are doing Chef Mickeys, which will probably be on a MK day so we can just take the monorail over.

 

[carissanboys]

I'm sure you've already done this, but remind him that he might not get chosen. Of course, there is always the option of trying multiple times...

Oh yes - most definitely they realize this. I'm actually not sure if I want to even try because what if one boy gets pick but the other doesn't? I don't know.

Gotta do the safari, esp. if it is cool out. We liked Flights of Wonder - but you have to like bird shows.

We did the safari on our first trip and it was cool, but I wouldn't be heartbroken if we didn't get to go again. I'm sure it'll be hot.

We like birds, but we've done a birds of prey show before, which is part of why we haven't bothered before. It's just always hard to schedule in shows.

The boys will like LMA - but consider bringing earplugs!

We did it on our first trip, just not the last trip.

Is everything OK with your package now? It looks like you have it figured out... Having to pay 45 days ahead is the only problem with our package too. DH's bonus is scheduled to be paid on 3/12. Our package is due to be paid in full on 3/13! Talk about cutting it close - and I didn't even look at the dates ahead of time - luckily it just worked out that way.

Yeah - it'll just go on the Disney Visa anyway and I'll pay it off with the tax return.

I like your dining choices - I think we have decided to go with Tusker House over Crystal Palace - I just need to decide whether to go with the 8am early park entry breakfast or a late breakfast that can be a lunch. It's so easy to eat a cheap breakfast in room - it would be nice to use our TS credits for lunch and then have our CS credits for dinner. We don't have any TS meals planned for MK - but we are doing Chef Mickeys, which will probably be on a MK day so we can just take the monorail over.

I'm looking forward to the breakfast/lunch at Tusker House.

 

[carissanboys]

I called Disney today to take care of the ADRs and I'm happy to report that I got all of them! I had to take a lunch reservation for Le Cellier over dinner, but that's okay. We mainly wanted dinner because we thought walking around the WS on a full stomach might not be too comfortable, but it also makes things a bit more relaxed. I was worried that we wouldn't last in Epcot until dinner and have to leave before our reservation so it probably works out better this way. I just need to make a reservation at Raglan Road, although I'm not sure it's really necessary since we eat fairly early. But, it will be a Saturday so I probably should.

Does it drive anyone else crazy that for EVERY restaurant you book at they have to go through and tell you there's no smoking and to give yourself plenty of time for transportation?? Okay - tell me once, but really - I'm a pretty smart girl. I get it! This CM I got was really nice and sweet, but she gave me way too much info that I already knew. We should be able to simply say, "Hey - before we start making these ADRs - you should know that I'm on the Dis. So, there really is no need to tell me anything."

I got an email today to tell me that the auction I bid on for the pins was cancelled. I was confused because it was a buy now auction that I had to go to paypal immediately and pay for. Not sure what's up with that?

Up Next - Camping - A Mini TR

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Does it drive anyone else crazy that for EVERY restaurant you book at they have to go through and tell you there's no smoking and to give yourself plenty of time for transportation?? Okay - tell me once, but really - I'm a pretty smart girl. I get it! This CM I got was really nice and sweet, but she gave me way too much info that I already knew. We should be able to simply say, "Hey - before we start making these ADRs - you should know that I'm on the Dis. So, there really is no need to tell me anything."

Exactly...do they not know that we probably know more than they do????

 

[irene_dsc]

Congrats on getting all of your ADR's!

For your resort day - do you really want to leave the resort mid-day, or just have a relaxing pool day? I'd probably go for relaxing and just doing the food court, tho I have no idea if it is any good, but really, just the convenience factor would keep me there.

 

[carissanboys]

Exactly...do they not know that we probably know more than they do????

Well, given the fact that I've had to explain the whole military tickets/room/package deal to 3 different CMs this week...

Congrats on getting all of your ADR's!

For your resort day - do you really want to leave the resort mid-day, or just have a relaxing pool day? I'd probably go for relaxing and just doing the food court, tho I have no idea if it is any good, but really, just the convenience factor would keep me there.

Probably having lunch at the resort will be more relaxing, but I'll definitely be ready to head out for dinner! I get bored easily.

 

[jordanyosh]

Glad u got your ADRs even at the elusive Le Cellier. I've called to check on an ADR there maybe a month out and the CM laughed at me...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Glad you got all your ADRs! You had a very thorough CM -- I have had some that just say, "You know the policy," after the first time.

 

[carissanboys]

Glad u got your ADRs even at the elusive Le Cellier. I've called to check on an ADR there maybe a month out and the CM laughed at me...

We've had good luck with Le Cellier. We got the ADR for dinner last time, but ended up not going. I can't wait to try that mushroom filet. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Glad you got all your ADRs! You had a very thorough CM -- I have had some that just say, "You know the policy," after the first time.

Really? Wow! I'd say "thank you!" if they said that to me! I imagine they're probably suppose to go through the whole thing each time. Some may just realize we're not idiots and decide not to keep repeating themselves.

 

[jordanyosh]

Filet...........say no more.

 

[carissanboys]

Filet...........say no more.

Can I say one more thing??

What should I get for dessert? Creme brulee?

 

[pamouselover]

Have you ate at Kona before? If not you will love it!
Also, how did you get the ddp without a package? I thought that was impossible? I have not added up the amount we spent on food yet, but for us eating at TS ever night was just to much the other two times. Since we knew the parks might be busy,it was best for us to cancel it. Did they offer the two CS ddp yet? That would have been better for us this trip.
Happy Planning! I am in depressed mode!

 

[carissanboys]

Have you ate at Kona before? If not you will love it!
Also, how did you get the ddp without a package? I thought that was impossible? I have not added up the amount we spent on food yet, but for us eating at TS ever night was just to much the other two times. Since we knew the parks might be busy,it was best for us to cancel it. Did they offer the two CS ddp yet? That would have been better for us this trip.
Happy Planning! I am in depressed mode!

I remember the depression that sets in once you're home.

No, I have never eaten at Kona and I'm very excited about it. I've been checking out the menu reguarly.

Because with the special military room rates we can't add tickets (which is because we can get the great deal on our own) - they're allowing us to add the dining plan. Disney is being very good to military folk this year.

 

[jordanyosh]

Can I say one more thing??

What should I get for dessert? Creme brulee?

I looked at the menu......I love anything apple anything...so the apple rhubarb would get my vote...but the maple creme brulee sounds good.......I guess I'm not helping you much.

 

[winkers]

I vote for the maple creme brule!

 

[carissanboys]

I looked at the menu......I love anything apple anything...so the apple rhubarb would get my vote...but the maple creme brulee sounds good.......I guess I'm not helping you much.

I vote for the maple creme brule!

I'm actually more of a fruit and pastry kind of gal, but I've heard the creme brulee is good. Guess I'll have to see what I'm in the mood for (or have Chuck order the other!).

 

[jordanyosh]

Sharing desserts is a big plus!!!!!

 

[carissanboys]

So - this was originally going to be a camping PTR/TR.

I feel the responsibility to still talk a bit about camping since some individuals might be lured here from my title and be expecting some camping info.

Chuck took Sully and Owen camping in June with his family. That went well and they had a good time. It was only for two nights and they were camping at an amusement park in Pennsylvania called Knoebels.

You all remember how crazy our schedule was this summer? Soccer until the end of June, then Sully and I going to Alaska, and I ended up taking the boys to Maine too. There wasn't a lot of time to plan camping trips.

We decided to go ahead and plan a trip for the first weekend in October. I figured it would still be warm enough, but also cooler weather, which we all would enjoy. We made reservations at a campground at Assateague State Park (near Ocean City, Maryland). I had been camping there with friends many years ago and loved it.

I am happy to say that the trip went very well. The weather was perfect and we survived two nights! We really had a good time and we can't wait to do some more camping this year.

Here are some pictures:

All packed up (we took out the one seat in the back and also used the turtle shell on top of the van):

The tent all set up:

The boys had a blast playing in the sand at our site:

So, there's our setup. And here are some pictures of us having a good time:

We had wild horses visit us on our first morning there. They were trying to get into stuff on our picnic table.

On Saturday we did head into town and had lunch at a restaurant. And we met pirates.

On the last morning I was able to get a few minutes to myself and head down to the beach to watch the sunrise. It was amazing.

If anyone has any camping questions, feel free to ask!

Up Next - Run To Target!