_chill_
Growing older... never up! ºoº
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2005
- Messages
- 168
It was the best of times
it was the worst of times
Oh wait, were going to Disney World. Its all good! ( 
)
Heres the pre, pre-show:
Ive been lurking here on the DIS for over a year absorbing knowledge, interjecting some now-and-then, and generally using it to resurrect memories of Disney by reading other peoples ramblings. This will be my first, and probably last, trip report (hey! Its taken me a year to get this far, right?
). As many have already voiced, Im doing this for myself (to draw out and relive the magic), but mainly for my daughter (to put in her time capsule
well, really just a large popcorn tin with mementos 
) Ill admit Im not the best writer
I can get my point across, but Im more adept at writing technical jargon than engaging, entertaining, banter. I really do have a pretty good sense of humor (kind of immature sometimes), but it doesnt necessarily come out on a keyboard. 
Ive been a huge Disney fan ever since my first trip in 93. I cant remember whose idea it was, but I believe my current ex-wife
suggested and probably facilitated it. I didnt become an OCD WDW über planner until the following trip, but I was hooked (see picture of my itinerary booklet from last year). Theres something to be said for an impromptu trip, but I quickly learned that planning increases and lengthens the anticipation, not to mention things usually go smoother when theres a plan. Im a prepare for the worst, expect the best person, so when things go awry Im not fazed, and can quickly readjust. That first trip was a turning point in many Disney ways
While there, we attended a DVC presentation and were so enamored, we bought an OKW package (remember the free park passes!) At that point, it was a yearly (and sometimes more) pilgrimage WDW.
Enough with my personal life Everybody neat and pretty? Then on with the show
Cast of characters:
Me: Huge fan of everything Disney. Big kid, computer geek, car nut, and Parrothead. My professional life only facilitates my obsession with having fun.
DD13: Lover of all things living, inquisitive to the nth level, future paleontologist, and Purdue professor. Not the obsessed Disney fan as her father, but tolerates it as long as he doesnt embarrass her too much.
Dates: October 17th-22nd
Where: CBR
Extras: DDP (Princess breakfast, Fantasmic! Dinner @ Mamas, Rose & Crown, and Spoodles), Trail ride. We know its too much food (Ive done my homework), but we want to try something new (plus we have a refrigerator in our room for leftovers
)
October 2006 trip pre-show:
Now for the past few years, Ive made a ritual out of whisking my DD13 down to WDW for Fall break. This serves several purposes her birthday usually coincides with this time, shes out of school for 2.5 days, MNSSHP, AND I get to go to Disney with my favorite girl
. This year would be no exception. As opposed to previous years where I tried to keep it a secret, she had come to expect it now (hey, her Dad is the biggest Disney fan she knows, right?), so it was merely a matter of determining how to fit everything we wanted to do in 3 days (this was going to take some creative scheduling). Previous trips had invoked the wrath of Mommy (my ex) by returning late night on Sunday (and DD had to go to school the next morning) This year we would come back Saturday night, thus giving her a complete day to decompress and rest before the rigors of Monday morning school. I set out on my mission several months early and began laying the ground work, researching flights, room rates, events, etc. I was able to secure some great flights with AirTran leaving Tuesday afternoon and returning to Indy Saturday evening for a decent price. There wasnt much to pick from for room discounts, but I wanted to stay in a resort we hadnt been to yet. Last year we were at POFQ and loved it, but Im a Gemini and like change, so I booked CBR online (AAA couldnt beat the price, so
why not?) The foundation for the trip had been laid, and now while it gelled I would begin putting together the itinerary and details (each days hours, ADRs, MNSSHP tix, etc.) A few weeks passed and I happened to be on the DIS when I read about a new MYW Disney VISA promotion! (hmmm) Armed with the discount code I called Disney Reservations and inquired
Why yes, I would save significantly over room-only reservations. The very nice CM hooked me up, and basically we came out with free DDP! (not really free
but with the discount, the DDP add-on equaled what I had already paid for room-only! 
) I had never done the DDP, and had heard it was way too much food, but what the heck
what better time to sample all the best Disney has to offer in food, than to have it included (besides, we had a refrigerator waiting back in our room for leftovers 
) OK, so a little bit of pixie dust had already appeared and we werent even close to traveling. Its amazing how these things sometimes play out, especially given my next discovery
(What do you mean my flight times have changed?!?
)
)Heres the pre, pre-show:
Ive been lurking here on the DIS for over a year absorbing knowledge, interjecting some now-and-then, and generally using it to resurrect memories of Disney by reading other peoples ramblings. This will be my first, and probably last, trip report (hey! Its taken me a year to get this far, right?
). As many have already voiced, Im doing this for myself (to draw out and relive the magic), but mainly for my daughter (to put in her time capsule
well, really just a large popcorn tin with mementos ) Ill admit Im not the best writer
I can get my point across, but Im more adept at writing technical jargon than engaging, entertaining, banter. I really do have a pretty good sense of humor (kind of immature sometimes), but it doesnt necessarily come out on a keyboard. Ive been a huge Disney fan ever since my first trip in 93. I cant remember whose idea it was, but I believe my current ex-wife
suggested and probably facilitated it. I didnt become an OCD WDW über planner until the following trip, but I was hooked (see picture of my itinerary booklet from last year). Theres something to be said for an impromptu trip, but I quickly learned that planning increases and lengthens the anticipation, not to mention things usually go smoother when theres a plan. Im a prepare for the worst, expect the best person, so when things go awry Im not fazed, and can quickly readjust. That first trip was a turning point in many Disney ways
While there, we attended a DVC presentation and were so enamored, we bought an OKW package (remember the free park passes!) At that point, it was a yearly (and sometimes more) pilgrimage WDW.Enough with my personal life Everybody neat and pretty? Then on with the show
Cast of characters:
Me: Huge fan of everything Disney. Big kid, computer geek, car nut, and Parrothead. My professional life only facilitates my obsession with having fun.
DD13: Lover of all things living, inquisitive to the nth level, future paleontologist, and Purdue professor. Not the obsessed Disney fan as her father, but tolerates it as long as he doesnt embarrass her too much.
Dates: October 17th-22nd
Where: CBR
Extras: DDP (Princess breakfast, Fantasmic! Dinner @ Mamas, Rose & Crown, and Spoodles), Trail ride. We know its too much food (Ive done my homework), but we want to try something new (plus we have a refrigerator in our room for leftovers
)October 2006 trip pre-show:
Now for the past few years, Ive made a ritual out of whisking my DD13 down to WDW for Fall break. This serves several purposes her birthday usually coincides with this time, shes out of school for 2.5 days, MNSSHP, AND I get to go to Disney with my favorite girl
. This year would be no exception. As opposed to previous years where I tried to keep it a secret, she had come to expect it now (hey, her Dad is the biggest Disney fan she knows, right?), so it was merely a matter of determining how to fit everything we wanted to do in 3 days (this was going to take some creative scheduling). Previous trips had invoked the wrath of Mommy (my ex) by returning late night on Sunday (and DD had to go to school the next morning) This year we would come back Saturday night, thus giving her a complete day to decompress and rest before the rigors of Monday morning school. I set out on my mission several months early and began laying the ground work, researching flights, room rates, events, etc. I was able to secure some great flights with AirTran leaving Tuesday afternoon and returning to Indy Saturday evening for a decent price. There wasnt much to pick from for room discounts, but I wanted to stay in a resort we hadnt been to yet. Last year we were at POFQ and loved it, but Im a Gemini and like change, so I booked CBR online (AAA couldnt beat the price, so
why not?) The foundation for the trip had been laid, and now while it gelled I would begin putting together the itinerary and details (each days hours, ADRs, MNSSHP tix, etc.) A few weeks passed and I happened to be on the DIS when I read about a new MYW Disney VISA promotion! (hmmm) Armed with the discount code I called Disney Reservations and inquired
Why yes, I would save significantly over room-only reservations. The very nice CM hooked me up, and basically we came out with free DDP! (not really free
but with the discount, the DDP add-on equaled what I had already paid for room-only! ) I had never done the DDP, and had heard it was way too much food, but what the heck
what better time to sample all the best Disney has to offer in food, than to have it included (besides, we had a refrigerator waiting back in our room for leftovers ) OK, so a little bit of pixie dust had already appeared and we werent even close to traveling. Its amazing how these things sometimes play out, especially given my next discovery
(What do you mean my flight times have changed?!?
)
), Good luck at Purdue!
(What!?! They cant do that can they?!? Were only 6 weeks away!) All of a sudden we were leaving an hour later (not too bad), and returning 4 hours earlier (yikes! We just lost half a day at WDW!!!... unacceptable!!!
) Immediately I phoned AirTran reservations. I spoke with a rep who indicated a change had been implemented by the FAA which dictated that they could have no flights later than 4:30p out of MCO (what?) Yeah, it was hard for me to swallow too, but I was stuck. She said the change had just occurred, so they hadnt even sent out automated messages to people on the flights to let them know yet. Seeing this as an opportunity (remember, my previous post? 
), I asked her about changing my reservations. Given this was their change to my reservation she said they would be happy to work with me, and even offer me a full refund without penalty. I said, Ill call you right back 
I called WDW CRO, arranged for an additional day at CBR, and called back AirTran where they booked us on the first non-stop out of MCO the next morning. OK
while I actually paid for this, I actually consider anything extending my time in WDW a positive, so well consider this purchased Pixie Dust. 
Now we had a full day before we left (I was wondering how I would work Fantasmic! in 
) 
) Looks like Ill have to add another page to my itinerary
I pasted a picture of some example pages from last years trip booklet.
Sure, others have index cards, but me?
I even have this itinerary programmed in my BlackBerry. This one's kind of bent and bruised from our trip last year, but it still held up. This year, Ill add extra pages for autographs and TR notes. Its got everything we need for our trip
weather report, tips, confirmation numbers (trip, ADRs, tours, etc.), contact information (in case it gets lost), hours, etc. and decorated with all our favorite characters.
We plan on being flexible. The only guarantee is the trail ride & MNSSHP. More-than-likely well keep our ADRs, but I have no reservations (sic) in breaking them. Id hate to lose a prepaid TS, but Im sure we can work one in later. We could always use them up on the last day, right? 
(maybe just a wafer-thin mint
LOL)
