**A YEAR in the Making of a Disney Trip-Sept. 2011**9/28 TR Link Added!**

[TinyDancer]

OK I am SO jealous of your Epcot date night!!!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

How did I get so far behind???
I LOVE the Alice shirts! Those are adorable! You need blue tutus to go with them!!

OK I am SO jealous of your Epcot date night!!!!

I love them, too! You must have been talking to Juju...she wants a tutu for every outfit!
DATE NIGHT!!!! I hardly even remember what that means!

 

[TinyDancer]

I love them, too! You must have been talking to Juju...she wants a tutu for every outfit!
DATE NIGHT!!!! I hardly even remember what that means!

Really! Me too!

OK did you get your ADRs?!

 

[PISCESANGEL]

Your ADRs do look great! You will have an awesome time w/hubby on alone night I'm sure- LeCellier is awesome!

Yes, I'm going back soon but just for a quick 3 day trip w/my mom and son- I'm wishing we had more time!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Really! Me too!

OK did you get your ADRs?!

I'm about to post about it. It was a saga, to say the least.

Your ADRs do look great! You will have an awesome time w/hubby on alone night I'm sure- LeCellier is awesome!

Yes, I'm going back soon but just for a quick 3 day trip w/my mom and son- I'm wishing we had more time!

I'm so excited for a date night, though it will probably be interrupted by us going back to the hotel so I can nurse the baby. Still, we can go back out after that.

A three day trip is better than nothing! Have fun!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Oy. I didn't post yesterday, my 180 mark, because I was literally too exhausted by the whole experience, if that tells you anything! I'm sure you want to know the final results, though, so I'm drinking my coffee and trying to type it up now.

I set my cell phone alarm for 5:45 am before I went to bed on Sunday night. Usually I don't have to set an alarm, as I have three human ones. When it blared loudly Monday morning, I nudged Brandon and off he went to get my coffee, just like I had instructed him! I put some eye drops in my eyes, which were too dry from lack of sleep, popped on my glasses, and sat with my laptop in the rocking chair in our bedroom. My list of ADR hopefuls, in order of importance, a pencil, my cell phone, and my credit card were next to me. Also next to me, Brandon went back to sleep, and Bubba was snoozing by him. The girls were sound asleep in their rooms, and as I sipped my hot coffee, I thought that this might just be an enjoyable, peaceful experience.
Boy, was I wrong.

About five minutes before 6 am, the system "rolled over" and let me begin booking! Yay! Success! Still sleepy, I typed in our wants for Cinderella's Royal Table and snagged it immediately. I put in the credit card info and moved onto the next place.
Except that I didn't move on. It was wanting me to enter all my info (email, password, reservation number, last name, check-in date) over and over again. I'd put in the date, it would ask me to re-enter. I'd change the party size, it would ask me to re-enter. After what seemed like FOREVER, I finally got my Crystal Palace ADR...or so I thought.

The website really started to hate me at this point. I was entering things constantly and thinking not-so-magical thoughts about Disney. And then it happened.

Server Error. 500. Again, and again, and again.

I woke up Brandon to complain, and he groggily encouraged me to keep trying, but I was growing more frustrated. At this point, it was 6:30 and I'd only been able to book CRT and Crystal Palace...except that when I decided to check just to make sure, I had, in all this frustration, made my Crystal Palace reservation for the wrong day. I tried to cancel it, and it wouldn't let me. At this point, I was near tears. Forty-five minutes and I had ONE ADR. I was happy that I did, in fact, get my most important one before the craziness started.

It was at this point that Bubba woke up and wanted to nurse. I closed the computer, fed him, and took twenty minutes to think about all the people who were probably making reservations while he ate and my computer was being dumb.

He finished, I handed him to Brandon, and I stomped downstairs to dry the old desktop computer. And what do you know, it worked perfectly. Within five minutes, I had booked ALL of my ADRs on the days I wanted and all at the perfect times. I didn't have to keep entering my information, and I got confirmation numbers. I'm not sure if the Dining Reservation site hates laptops, Firefox browser (all my laptop will do these days...it hates Explorer, for some reason), or just me. Maybe they fixed the server error while the baby was nursing. Maybe I just needed to use a desktop computer running Internet Explorer. I don't know. But I do know that my laptop is STILL not working right after that encounter. In any event, I finished booking things by 7:05 am, when everyone lots of people were just starting to call.

Happily, I went to look at all my beautiful reservations on the Disney Site. Then I decided to check my credit card statement, for some reason. When I did, I saw it. They had charged me over $260 for CRT when they were supposed to use my dining plan. The one stupid ADR I made on the laptop had managed to screw up...imagine that. I looked to see if there were any openings for the time I wanted so that I could just cancel this reservation and re-book it properly. No such luck. I would have to call.

Sigh...so, I called. (407)WDW-DINE put me through the opening spiel, and then....NOTHING. No magical music. Nobody picking up when they were supposed to. Nothing. Eventually, the recording telling you to push a number for the survey or hang up came on. HELLO!?! I hadn't even spoken to someone! I tried again, twice. No magical music. No one answering. Nothing. At this point, I was beyond frustrated. The wild children running around my house didn't help anything. I tried again for a fourth time and finally got someone (and magical music...the "Welcome Medley" from MK) who told me she couldn't help but that she'd transfer me to guest services. When they FINALLY answered, Viola was able to fix my problem, credit my account, and re-book me for my same time, which the computer wouldn't let me do. CRT problem solved, and it only took an hour.

I got Juju dressed and sent off on a special "Juju Mamie Day" that they'd planned as an extension for her birthday (she got a Felicity doll from Mamie, and now they were taking her to the American Girl Cafe for tea, going to lunch, visiting the Disney Store, riding the carousel, and playing at the soft playground). As soon as she was gone and Bubba (by the way, I think in the TR I am going to use everyone's real names, as this nickname thing is too confusing!!) was napping, I occupied Bebo with some strawberries and called the Fairy Godmother for the first time ever.

This whole experience made me smile! I easily booked both girls for a Coach Package at the BBB inside the Castle for 2pm on our first day at the parks! Now, I'm not sure Bebo will go for it, but we'll see! This process was quick and easy.

Riding on that high, I decided to go to the Magic Strollers site and book our double stroller...I was on a roll, after all!
But.
I heard Bubba crying at that point and had to abandon the task for a while. I came back later and was able to complete the reservation and get my confirmation number.

Lunch, naps, shower for me, and then cooking an early supper. Juju and Mamie came back, and I fed her and dressed her for ballet. It was parents' visitation day, so Brandon and I went to watch while Mamie took care of the younger kids for an hour.

I thought about posting when I got home, but I really just wanted to sleep. Disney had worn me out and broken my computer. I was done.

But today I can happily report these official ADRs!!!

Saturday, Sept. 17 (BBB at 2:00)
CRT-5:20

Sunday, Sept. 18
Crystal Palace-8:10
Chef Mickey's-5:15

Monday, Sept. 19
Akershus-11:55
Coral Reef-5:30

Tuesday, Sept. 20
Rainforest Cafe @ AK-12:00

Thursday, Sept. 22
Sci-Fi Dine-In-11:00
Fantasmic! Package, Mama Melrose-3:45 (the latest dinner ADR for the package, but we're early eaters, so it's okay On a side note, no dates were showing up for September, but I learned on the disboards that you can input the date in mm/dd/yyyy format and it will search and book for you anyway!)

Friday, Sept. 23
Le Cellier for 2-6:00

There it is, folks! OFFICIAL! Anyone going to be at the restaurants when we are??

 

[inkedupmomma]

GAH!! sounds JUST like my experience! Down to being charged for CRT and all! I was SO mad! Not to mention, I got very unmagical CM's !!!

At the end of the day, I did get everything I wanted when I wanted though. I just missed the magic a bit!

Glad you were able to get what you wanted!!

 

[pinkxray]

Wow, I am just exhausted from reading about your day! Glad you got everything you thing you wanted even if it took awhile and quite a bit of hassle.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

GAH!! sounds JUST like my experience! Down to being charged for CRT and all! I was SO mad! Not to mention, I got very unmagical CM's !!!

At the end of the day, I did get everything I wanted when I wanted though. I just missed the magic a bit!

Glad you were able to get what you wanted!!

I know!! I was thinking "two Jenns, same problems!" I just knew it would happen, for some reason, but I also had hope that it would work out because it worked out for you.

Wow, I am just exhausted from reading about your day! Glad you got everything you thing you wanted even if it took awhile and quite a bit of hassle.

Thanks, it was definitely not as magical as years past...but it was MORE magical than past years, too, because I've never gotten everything I wanted before!

 

[MeMom]

I tried again for a fourth time and finally got someone (and magical music...the "Welcome Medley" from MK) who told me she couldn't help but that she'd transfer me to guest services. When they FINALLY answered, Viola was able to fix my problem, credit my account, and re-book me for my same time, which the computer wouldn't let me do. CRT problem solved, and it only took an hour.

Saturday, Sept. 17 (BBB at 2:00)
CRT-5:20

Sunday, Sept. 18
Crystal Palace-8:10
Chef Mickey's-5:15

Monday, Sept. 19
Akershus-11:55
Coral Reef-5:30

Tuesday, Sept. 20
Rainforest Cafe @ AK-12:00

Thursday, Sept. 22
Sci-Fi Dine-In-11:00
Fantasmic! Package, Mama Melrose-3:45 (the latest dinner ADR for the package, but we're early eaters, so it's okay On a side note, no dates were showing up for September, but I learned on the disboards that you can input the date in mm/dd/yyyy format and it will search and book for you anyway!)

Friday, Sept. 23
Le Cellier for 2-6:00

There it is, folks! OFFICIAL! Anyone going to be at the restaurants when we are??

Magical music is a very nice thing about being on hold with Disney. If you don't get that, well...that's no fun. So glad that Viola was there to help.

We won't be at any of those places at those times, but we'll be so very close to our trip that we'll be eating our real world meals while we're bouncing with excitement.

 

[Queenofallthings]

That experience was awful! I was stressed reading it!! I am so happy everything worked out for you

 

[999ghostslover]

I was going to say...that sounds just like Inked's experience. But she beat me to it! I think Disney and firefox do not play well together. I always try to use chrome or explorer if I have to. Works better. Or better yet, have a fabulous TA who gets it all for you with no worries. She just texted me my confirmations.
Anyway, that is fabulous that you got all of those ADRs. You are going to have an awesome time. So excited for you!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Magical music is a very nice thing about being on hold with Disney. If you don't get that, well...that's no fun. So glad that Viola was there to help.

We won't be at any of those places at those times, but we'll be so very close to our trip that we'll be eating our real world meals while we're bouncing with excitement.

I know! I realized when there was no music that the calls were messed up, but I kept holding thinking they'd somehow fix themselves! When I finally got through to Viola, she fixed everything in under a minute. I love Viola.

That experience was awful! I was stressed reading it!! I am so happy everything worked out for you

Thanks! Yeah, it was definitely not my favorite ADR experience, unless you consider that I DID get everything I wanted and it's over and done!

I was going to say...that sounds just like Inked's experience. But she beat me to it! I think Disney and firefox do not play well together. I always try to use chrome or explorer if I have to. Works better. Or better yet, have a fabulous TA who gets it all for you with no worries. She just texted me my confirmations.
Anyway, that is fabulous that you got all of those ADRs. You are going to have an awesome time. So excited for you!!

Haha! Great minds!
My computers are so weird. My laptop will only run Firefox now, and my desktop picks and chooses which one it'll run at any particular time. I did everything on Explorer for Disney, but am now using Firefox on the desktop because Explorer isn't cooperating today. My computers have identity crises.
I know it would be easier if I had a TA, but I actually really enjoy the satisfaction of doing it myself, even when it's stressful...is that strange? Or masochistic?

 

[inkedupmomma]

I was going to say...that sounds just like Inked's experience. But she beat me to it! I think Disney and firefox do not play well together. I always try to use chrome or explorer if I have to. Works better. Or better yet, have a fabulous TA who gets it all for you with no worries. She just texted me my confirmations.
Anyway, that is fabulous that you got all of those ADRs. You are going to have an awesome time. So excited for you!!

Btw, i tried NUMEROUS browsers! Chrome, fire fox, safari, IE.. NONE worked! It absolutely hated me! I'm afraid to even go on their site now and look at my adr's, for fear I'll hit back and something will erase

I'm just glad we all have gotten what we wanted!

 

[PirateKate]

Isn't it frustrating when something that should be easy gets so complicated? I've never had any trouble with making ADRs before, except of course for the common problem that all the good ones were taken. At least all the ADRs got sorted out in the end.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Btw, i tried NUMEROUS browsers! Chrome, fire fox, safari, IE.. NONE worked! It absolutely hated me! I'm afraid to even go on their site now and look at my adr's, for fear I'll hit back and something will erase

I'm just glad we all have gotten what we wanted!

Me, too! I wrote down my confirmation numbers and looked once to make sure they were online, but I don't want to go look again because I don't want to somehow screw things up!!

Isn't it frustrating when something that should be easy gets so complicated? I've never had any trouble with making ADRs before, except of course for the common problem that all the good ones were taken. At least all the ADRs got sorted out in the end.

So frustrating! I think not getting something I wanted would have been worse, though!
Just to make things more annoying, when I would just go "browsing" to see what was available before my ADR time, I never had an issue. When it was my turn, BAM! Trouble.

 

[hollisterluva92]

Wow! Sorry Disney killed your computer I just noticed that your last day (25th) is my 19th Birthday!!!! I wish I would be there on that day! I'm determined to make it next year for my 20th!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Wow! Sorry Disney killed your computer I just noticed that your last day (25th) is my 19th Birthday!!!! I wish I would be there on that day! I'm determined to make it next year for my 20th!

I'll think about you during the happy part of that day--you know, before we have to pile back into the van and leave our happy place! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you'll get there next year for your special day!

 

[TinyDancer]

Wow!

When I booked my ADRs I didn't even bother with my laptop, I went straight to the desktop. I had my ADRs booked with about 10 minutes then I waited until 7 and called to book CRT.

BUT now we aren't going this fall so it was all a waste of time.

I am really happy for you though! I will live vicariously through your ptr and TR!!

I love that you are trying Coral Reef again.. we had a wonderful experience there.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Wow!

When I booked my ADRs I didn't even bother with my laptop, I went straight to the desktop. I had my ADRs booked with about 10 minutes then I waited until 7 and called to book CRT.

BUT now we aren't going this fall so it was all a waste of time.

I am really happy for you though! I will live vicariously through your ptr and TR!!

I love that you are trying Coral Reef again.. we had a wonderful experience there.

That's what I should have done, but I just didn't want to go downstairs in the cold and the darkness by myself. I'm just lazy like that. Since I ended up doing it anyway, I could have saved myself the trouble if I just sucked it up and gone to the desktop to begin with!
I'm sad that you won't be there with us, but you're going to be a little busy bee during that time! NEXT YEAR.