At Least We Are All Tall Enough For Barnstormer! A June 2017 PTR...updated 6/1

[ariane37]

Glad you got (mostly) what you wanted! Just yesterday I read about H&V not being available and yeah, the general consensus seems to be "not loaded yet". I don't understand why that happens but I have heard of it happening before, or at least that being the reason used for certain restaurants not being available. CP definitely sounds like a glitch, stinks you have to keep checking but I hope you get them both!
And of course no flaming from me on the double booking since I've done that before, including holding those 2 reservations for Thanksgiving day Ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

 

[ArielSRL]

Glad you got (mostly) what you wanted! Just yesterday I read about H&V not being available and yeah, the general consensus seems to be "not loaded yet". I don't understand why that happens but I have heard of it happening before, or at least that being the reason used for certain restaurants not being available. CP definitely sounds like a glitch, stinks you have to keep checking but I hope you get them both!
And of course no flaming from me on the double booking since I've done that before, including holding those 2 reservations for Thanksgiving day Ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

Thank you! Yeh, I don't get the not loaded H&V thing, though I have heard people are having the same issue with Tony's Town Square. That just doesn't make much sense to me but I'll make do with it. I'm just wondering if it has anything to do with any planned changes.

The CP thing is the most frustrating. I can now get a dinner to pop up on most nights of our trip but that's it. I did add a BOG lunch to the Sunday to open up two possible days for CP (Sun or Tues). It's totally throwing me for a loop though!

Yeh, I'm not too worried about the double bookings. I know I will eventually cancel and hopefully when I do, I'll be able to pass them along to another Diser! Besides, all of the places I have booked have lots of availability.

 

[ArielSRL]

Yay!! Just booked Crystal Palace for Sunday 6/4 at 10:35!! I guess they just opened up the ADRs because I got the text from TP ressie finder and checked and there was quite a bit of availability for the week. Going back to edit my Booked ADR List post.

 

[Jfsag123]

I can't believe ADR day has already come and gone for you! Mine is tomorrow morning and I'm a mess because I have no idea what to book when lol. I've got BCV booked for 6/6-6/12 and am planning to book more nights, I just don't know how many, when, or at what resort. I was planning to snag something DVC at the 7 month mark, but we had some unexpected financial stuff come up over the past few months (water heater and car), so now I need to wait until Jan/Feb to book the rest. I'm not sure what will be available at that point and how many additional nights we'll be able to swing. Thinking 2-4, but no idea at this point. Sorry to hijack your PTR, but wanted to explain why I've been absolutely useless at planning help lately!

I do know that we want a H&V and so am glad for your experience so I know not to flip tomorrow morning when I can't book it. Glad you were able to snag Crystal Palace! And you know I will never judge the holding of multiple ADR's for a good reason, which you've got! I love the rest of your reservations - nice mix of character and non-character meals, all with a little something special.

 

[ArielSRL]

I can't believe ADR day has already come and gone for you! Mine is tomorrow morning and I'm a mess because I have no idea what to book when lol. I've got BCV booked for 6/6-6/12 and am planning to book more nights, I just don't know how many, when, or at what resort. I was planning to snag something DVC at the 7 month mark, but we had some unexpected financial stuff come up over the past few months (water heater and car), so now I need to wait until Jan/Feb to book the rest. I'm not sure what will be available at that point and how many additional nights we'll be able to swing. Thinking 2-4, but no idea at this point. Sorry to hijack your PTR, but wanted to explain why I've been absolutely useless at planning help lately!

I do know that we want a H&V and so am glad for your experience so I know not to flip tomorrow morning when I can't book it. Glad you were able to snag Crystal Palace! And you know I will never judge the holding of multiple ADR's for a good reason, which you've got! I love the rest of your reservations - nice mix of character and non-character meals, all with a little something special.

Thanks for the opinions! I'm sorry to hear about your financial issues and your planning uncertainty. Honestly, we've had our fair share too, it seems, but since I already "borrowed" from my friend and they need the money for their non-Disney trip, I feel like we are a little stuck (not that I'm complaining!). But that's why I have sort of resigned myself to taking 2018 off, or else only doing a short adults only trip maybe, bc I'll need to use our trip money for home improvements or paying off some debt we've racked up recently! And no worries on hijacking. I've definitely been wondering about your plans. Good luck in the AM! Please do let me know what you get booked!

 

[Jfsag123]

Thanks for the opinions! I'm sorry to hear about your financial issues and your planning uncertainty. Honestly, we've had our fair share too, it seems, but since I already "borrowed" from my friend and they need the money for their non-Disney trip, I feel like we are a little stuck (not that I'm complaining!). But that's why I have sort of resigned myself to taking 2018 off, or else only doing a short adults only trip maybe, bc I'll need to use our trip money for home improvements or paying off some debt we've racked up recently! And no worries on hijacking. I've definitely been wondering about your plans. Good luck in the AM! Please do let me know what you get booked!

Thanks and will do! I've sketched out some rough stuff and am going to try to primarily focus on the hard-to-book stuff that will be difficult to switch later on. The BCV portion is booked and paid for, so we at least know for sure about that part of the trip! Days I know for sure which park we'll be in are 6/7-Epcot, 6/8-Magic Kingdom, and 6/12 - Epcot again. The rest is sort of fluid depending on how long we're there and where we're staying, so I'm just going to get what I can and wing the rest!

 

[ArielSRL]

Thanks and will do! I've sketched out some rough stuff and am going to try to primarily focus on the hard-to-book stuff that will be difficult to switch later on. The BCV portion is booked and paid for, so we at least know for sure about that part of the trip! Days I know for sure which park we'll be in are 6/7-Epcot, 6/8-Magic Kingdom, and 6/12 - Epcot again. The rest is sort of fluid depending on how long we're there and where we're staying, so I'm just going to get what I can and wing the rest!

Totally makes sense. And honestly as long as you are somewhat flexible, I doubt you have too many troubles booking the other ADRs in a few months when your plans are more finalized. I seriously doubt I needed to book most of what I did at 180 days out. I just did it bc I could, not bc I necessarily needed to!

 

[kastoney]

Looks like you have some of our favorites (Sanaa, VN, and Beaches N Cream) booked. Hope you enjoy. Had to mention as we all know I'm not much of a planner, we just past our fast pass day and I finally got around to booking 2 lunches. Nothing else yet though

 

[ArielSRL]

Looks like you have some of our favorites (Sanaa, VN, and Beaches N Cream) booked. Hope you enjoy. Had to mention as we all know I'm not much of a planner, we just past our fast pass day and I finally got around to booking 2 lunches. Nothing else yet though

Yes, you inspired the Beaches&Cream ADR with your report, as well as a planned visit to Contempo Cafe (that is correct?) for some cupcakes on one of our MK days!

I really do enjoy the planning part, almost as much as the trip. It's a great build up. However, I think if I went multiple times a year, I'm not sure if I would plan as extensively. But then again, maybe I would. Lol

 

[ariane37]

Looks like you have some of our favorites (Sanaa, VN, and Beaches N Cream) booked. Hope you enjoy. Had to mention as we all know I'm not much of a planner, we just past our fast pass day and I finally got around to booking 2 lunches. Nothing else yet though

Um you know, if you've forgotten how to do any of that, your TA would probably help you

 

[AZMermaid]

I am following along! We will be there at the same time (June 2-11) and have a few overlapping days- Sun, Tues, Fri at MK and Wed at Epcot. I also debated tirelessly about going with the EMH for Friday and Saturday at MK and AK or going against them. I decided to go with it- figuring an EMH Friday is probably the same as a Saturday at MK crowd wise. We also have Sanaa booked on Thursday 6/8 at 5:35- so get out of my head, lol! My kids will be 5 (girl) and 6.5 (boy) and I am also a teacher!

 

[ArielSRL]

I am following along! We will be there at the same time (June 2-11) and have a few overlapping days- Sun, Tues, Fri at MK and Wed at Epcot. I also debated tirelessly about going with the EMH for Friday and Saturday at MK and AK or going against them. I decided to go with it- figuring an EMH Friday is probably the same as a Saturday at MK crowd wise. We also have Sanaa booked on Thursday 6/8 at 5:35- so get out of my head, lol! My kids will be 5 (girl) and 6.5 (boy) and I am also a teacher!

Yay! A fellow June traveler. Wow, that is kind of crazy we have so many overlapping days and then the ADR too! We will definitely have to look for one another. Do you have a PTR going?

Yes, I'm actually still at work right now (we go through tomorrow for some silly reason) but the kids are watching The Polar Express so I jumped on the Dis for a second. I teach first...what about you?

I haven't really updated this much (not much to update) but over the break I do have some new clothes I can post and some real life updates....

 

[AZMermaid]

Yay! A fellow June traveler. Wow, that is kind of crazy we have so many overlapping days and then the ADR too! We will definitely have to look for one another. Do you have a PTR going?

Yes, I'm actually still at work right now (we go through tomorrow for some silly reason) but the kids are watching The Polar Express so I jumped on the Dis for a second. I teach first...what about you?

I haven't really updated this much (not much to update) but over the break I do have some new clothes I can post and some real life updates....

Ha- no judging at all! We watched Mary Poppins last Friday. I read aloud a Walt Disney Biography every year to justify it. It ties together, right?! We are off... but my kids still have school till Friday (different districts) so I am at home... alone!! I also teach first grade.

No... no PTR. Maybe I should start one.... I never finished my Aulani TR from 18 months ago, so maybe I should do that too... haha....

 

[ArielSRL]

Ha- no judging at all! We watched Mary Poppins last Friday. I read aloud a Walt Disney Biography every year to justify it. It ties together, right?! We are off... but my kids still have school till Friday (different districts) so I am at home... alone!! I also teach first grade.

No... no PTR. Maybe I should start one.... I never finished my Aulani TR from 18 months ago, so maybe I should do that too... haha....

Ah...a fellow firstie! Glad you have a few days off without the kids but wow...til Friday??? Well, if you decide on a PTR, let me know. I will definitely join in!

 

[ariane37]

Yay! A fellow June traveler. Wow, that is kind of crazy we have so many overlapping days and then the ADR too! We will definitely have to look for one another. Do you have a PTR going?

Yes, I'm actually still at work right now (we go through tomorrow for some silly reason) but the kids are watching The Polar Express so I jumped on the Dis for a second. I teach first...what about you?

I haven't really updated this much (not much to update) but over the break I do have some new clothes I can post and some real life updates....

Just to make you feel better Renee, my kids go to school through Thurs. and my friend who teaches a few districts over has to work on Friday. She's not a happy camper lol!

 

[ArielSRL]

Just to make you feel better Renee, my kids go to school through Thurs. and my friend who teaches a few districts over has to work on Friday. She's not a happy camper lol!

Yeh, it seems all over the board with winter break this year. I guess bc Christmas and NY are on Sundays...messes things up. We had the opportunity to have a 2.5 week break but we (teachers) would've had to go back at the end of July and so many teachers wouldn't vote for that one. I did bc I prefer more time off during the school year. Oh well.

Oh and working til Friday just seems plain crazy!

 

[ariane37]

Yeh, it seems all over the board with winter break this year. I guess bc Christmas and NY are on Sundays...messes things up. We had the opportunity to have a 2.5 week break but we (teachers) would've had to go back at the end of July and so many teachers wouldn't vote for that one. I did bc I prefer more time off during the school year. Oh well.

Oh and working til Friday just seems plain crazy!

My nephews in Alpharetta have 2 weeks off! They're coming to NY today They do have school through tomorrow but they don't go back until 1/9! I wonder if they'll go back the end of July instead of early August this year? My sister would love that lol

 

[ArielSRL]

My nephews in Alpharetta have 2 weeks off! They're coming to NY today They do have school through tomorrow but they don't go back until 1/9! I wonder if they'll go back the end of July instead of early August this year? My sister would love that lol

The students here in my district have 2 weeks off. 12/22-1/5 (Thursday to Thursday) but us teachers have to go back on Wednesday the 4th. But usually our last day is a Friday and teachers go back the Monday (after two weeks) and kids on Tuesday. So we end up getting 3 weekends in with the 2 weeks. But not this year. Because we are getting out mid week, there is only 2 weekends included in our break. I shouldn't complain, its way more than most jobs....but it just seems like so much less time than usual.

Enjoy your visit!! All of my family is local so we don't really go anywhere. Chad's extended family is still in Louisiana but his mom is here.

 

[ArielSRL]

Odds and Ends

Okay so this is just an all over the board post. Nothing much to report other than finally being able to book our PPO ADR for Hollywood & Vine for Saturday 6/10 today! Yay! So we are all booked - eh...overbooked but I'll go into those details in a moment - with dining!
Just waiting on the Star Wars dessert party but I assume I'll be waiting til May on that. I'm not one to make a ton of changes so this will most likely stay the same unless some major changes are announced - which definitely seems possible as of late!

Another thing I am starting is giving my DH menus to look at and pick what he thinks he may order. No, I won't hold him to that...lol...but I need a food budget. I want to price out the dining plan, though I am 99% certain we won't get it for the simple fact that I don't want to be pigeon-holed into eating a certain way, but if it seems to save us a lot of money, I might be willing to adjust. I do like that they changed the QS dessert to a snack credit so you don't have to get that same chocolate cake offered at most QS places - even though it was a good cake. But I'm a grazer so I don't like to eat 2 or 3 big meals a day. I prefer to eat a little bit every few hours, so some places I am just planning an app, maybe a side, maybe a dessert. Oh and my boys eat practically nothing at Disney so I plan to pack snacks and maybe pb for them. If they want to order something, great. If not...here's your goldfish and spoon of pb! LOL.

So back to the menus. I gave my DH the first menu tonight - Roaring Fork. I'm practicing a lot of restraint and only giving him one menu a night so as not to overwhelm him. Anyway, he asked what meal was it for...lunch? Dinner? Well, that's a hard question because its arrival day. I said dinner, sort of. Then I explained the plan of arriving between 1 and 3, getting in the room, maybe swimming and grabbing our food to eat by the pool or maybe right before or right after. I don't want to spend a ton of time bc I have Disney Springs planned for that evening.

Anyway, he says to me, "so we will have already had lunch while driving down, right?" I mean, I honestly don't know how it is all going to go but I was kind of thinking since the plan is to leave at 6am, we would probably do a grab and go from our house for a quick breakfast while driving, then a late full breakfast or early lunch - either stopping or in the car - then maybe an early dinner at Roaring Fork. I didn't really go into this because 1 - he said he doesn't want to know all the details, and two - I just didn't want to get into it yet. I did mention eating by the pool and he said, "wait, dinner is at like 6pm...will we be at the pool then? And if so, I may choose something different to eat." He had picked chili and a burger. I then mentioned that a lot of it depends on when we arrive, we may not swim, we might grab the food before or after swimming, or we could actually grab something at DS if we wanted because there is a ton to eat there, too, but I really just wanted to do some quick shopping and get back early. He asks "why?" I said "because we needed to get up early for Magic Kingdom the next day." Then he mentioned how shopping after a day of driving wasn't ideal. Well, maybe not, but its the only night we have time. "Can't we just shop at the parks", he asks. I said, "there are DS specific stores I want to shop in."

My Lord...for someone who doesn't want to be involved in the planning, you sure have an opinion! Wow. Anyway, I'll keep you guys updated on how this menu thing goes! LOL. Btw, he is currently watching Walt Before Mickey tonight. I may need to watch that myself....

Ok, so I ended up booking some more ADRs. Reason being is because I still may end up switching our Thursday AK and Friday MK days. I looked at the June 2016 calendar and it had MK opening at 8 on that Friday with an EMH AM. That threw me for a loop because I didn't remember a 7am opening during our week. I asked my friend that went the same week who actually went to MK that day and she says she thinks its a mistake. But, just in case, I made plans to switch our days if necessary because there is absolutely no way we can be at MK for a 7am opening. No way. I'll be pushing it for the 8am opening...especially now with the new "welcome show" changes afoot. Oh and I also ended up booking an earlier Trail's End for our checkout day but keeping the later one. Basically I learned we can ask for a late (1pm) checkout and if that comes through, I'd rather hit Trail's End before we checkout. But if they don't give it to us, then we'll need the earlier time to pack and get out of the room, and then head over to TE after checkout. I was told I can ask at check in, so that's my plan.

Moving on to clothes for the trip...for those of you didn't follow my PTR from last year or anyone that needs a refresher, here are the links to the clothes I already have, which I will, most likely, wear again:

Trip Clothes (FYI: I don't have the Mickey with glasses tank anymore because it was horrible uncomfortable to wear in hot weather...I donated it during one of my closet purges this year)
More Trip Clothes (I did end up getting the Star Wars tank in this post)
There might be more from last year that aren't in those posts, but I can't really remember right now.

I wanted to post photos of my new clothes as well as some other Disney stuff I have received recently but its after midnight and I told myself I would go to bed earlier tonight than the last two nights (2:30 and 1:30 respectively) because I need to hit up the Aldi in the AM and because AJ, my 5 yr old, asked to sleep in the guest bed with me tonight. Normally I don't sleep in the guest bed and normally AJ doesn't sleep with me unless Chad is out of town, but because I have been sick, I've been snoring and it wakes DH up and then he pokes me so it wakes me up, so I decided to try the guest bedroom a few days this week. And because I have gotten such a good night's sleep in there, I'm still sleeping in there even though I'm not really sick anymore...lol.

As far as AJ sleeping with us, because he is on break, we have allowed him to sleep with DH the past few days. He was supposed to sleep with me last night, but he spent the night with my parents, so he asked if he could tonight. He's asleep in his room right now but he wants me to get him as soon as I go up and put him in the bed with me. So I figure I shouldn't wait too late. Besides, this post has gotten quite long, so I should probably end it anyways and maybe do another odds and ends post in a day or so. See you all then!

Up next: Odds and Ends Part 2

 

[Jfsag123]

I read your post then excitedly ran off to book my H&V reservation, but alas, still not open for mine. I want a Fantasmic! package so that's probably why. Lol about Chad getting all up in your planning. He needs to just trust the master. Actually I was the one who suggested skipping DS for our next trip in our house and was vetoed by my DH, who has also decided he wants to meddle even though he does none of the planning. I like the menu idea! I have tried doing that but DH just ends up saying he wants everything on the menu, which is no help. I usually do it when I'm trying to decide between two places. At this point I figure I will just pick myself and he'll get what he gets and won't throw a fit. That doesn't work as well when the point is budgeting though.

I'm totally with you on starting to think about clothes! I ordered a few new Disney shirts for everyone in my family but me yesterday, since the Disney Store is having their Twice Upon a Year Sale. That thing is dangerous. Just two more days until we can start referring to our trip as happening "this year"!