Book it. Buy it. BELIEVE it! - TR is started! link posted 8/11

[DisMomAmy]

Wow - so many things still up in the air!

I hope you get some answers soon about K & the soccer tournament. I'd be going crazy!

 

[eandesmom]

Girl, you got your hands full!

Wow, all those hickups in your planning are still making my head spin. I had to read it twice to catch it all (see this is where not being a native speaker comes in ).

Sitting here and waiting for things to unfold!

I don't think it has a thing to do with not being a native speaker, but rather a lot do to with my tendency to provide way too much detail and over explain...confusing people in the process.

Wow - so many things still up in the air!

I hope you get some answers soon about K & the soccer tournament. I'd be going crazy!

We should know in a week or so and hopefully by Friday. Realistically I should have waited to book OKW until we knew for sure but I think we've really come around to the fact that we all like that option a lot better than the idea of a 2 hour car ride after lunch, after a red eye. I'm sure the room would have been available 7-10 days later..but I really wanted to be near Hospitality House. And honestly, booking it gives me the illusion of being in control of a situation that I'm really not!

It does makes the first day a LOT easier and with room for flexibility in any kind of flight hiccups.

Plus I don't have to consider cooking the first night.



Eric did ask if we could just go to a park for ONE ride.



But it just doesn't make sense given the time we have available. We may pool hop though!

 

[Native NYer]

By the time this trip rolls around, you're going to need the vacation!
I hope you're able to finalize plans soon.

 

[eandesmom]

By the time this trip rolls around, you're going to need the vacation!
I hope you're able to finalize plans soon.

I so wish it was sooner! But 60 days and counting. The dust will settle, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I did go and re-look at the whole DDP versus TIW question, it's funny, I had no idea the regular DDP changed to include the mugs. I could end up with 9 mugs this trip! Then again, don't have to worry if kids lose them so much.

 

[Native NYer]

I so wish it was sooner! But 60 days and counting. The dust will settle, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I did go and re-look at the whole DDP versus TIW question, it's funny, I had no idea the regular DDP changed to include the mugs. I could end up with 9 mugs this trip! Then again, don't have to worry if kids lose them so much.

I love that the regular DDP comes with mugs.

Have you decided on an Owner's Locker? I love my locker and we're getting a second one. It definitely helps with packing.

 

[englishrose47]

I love that the regular DDP comes with mugs.

Have you decided on an Owner's Locker? I love my locker and we're getting a second one. It definitely helps with packing.

It comes with mugs , When did this start???

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I just caught up on your last 3 updates and all I can say is .... wow! I can't believe how many different options you are having to plan for. I bet you have a massive spreadsheet going for this trip.

I'm glad to hear that K made the team, but I can't believe the amount of travel that is required! Todd coaches club volleyball and I get cranky if we have to travel more than 3 hours for a weekend! I guess I will quit complaning now!

I hope that it all settles down soon, for your sanity's sake. You are doing a great job not completely losing it through all of the changes!

 

[dizneeat]

It comes with mugs , When did this start???

As of this year, the regular DDP comes with mugs, Rosie!

Cynthia .....
IF you are thinking about Owner's Locker, I can only second the post above! It is an awesome thing to have. Very easy to set up deliveries and pick ups and it saves A LOT of luggage!

 

[eandesmom]

I love that the regular DDP comes with mugs.

Have you decided on an Owner's Locker? I love my locker and we're getting a second one. It definitely helps with packing.

I haven't decided yet. I was definitely going to do it when our big family trip looked like summer of 2013. Now that it's Dec 13/Jan14 I'm having a much harder time justifying the cost since I won't really "need" what's in there until that trip and it might be more work to have the OL on the Oct trip with our various moves. But I love the idea of leaving/having those things there and not having to pack. I figure at best it might save me one suitcase (and that's really stretching it as we just wouldn't bring those things) so then the service ends up costing me about $50 a year. But it would be so nice!

It comes with mugs , When did this start???

Apparently in Jan, I just found this out!

I just caught up on your last 3 updates and all I can say is .... wow! I can't believe how many different options you are having to plan for. I bet you have a massive spreadsheet going for this trip.

I haven't done that much actually, other than relook at the dining plan now that the first night is 99% changed. I did enough to find out she has lots of flight options but I can't do much more until we know if they get in.

I'm glad to hear that K made the team, but I can't believe the amount of travel that is required! Todd coaches club volleyball and I get cranky if we have to travel more than 3 hours for a weekend! I guess I will quit complaning now!

Yeah, it all has to do with the level of the club. Many, perhaps even most, don't travel this much. Scarily enough there are some that travel more, 4 of her former teammates are on a club like that and really the goal is all about college exposure, personal webpages with GPA's and noting whether they've "committed" or not. Crazy stuff! The good news for us is that right now her interests are lining up with smaller schools, decent soccer but probably more likely for her to get a combo academic and soccer option and by their smaller nature, maybe less folks going for it. We will see, it will be an interesting year for sure.

I hope that it all settles down soon, for your sanity's sake. You are doing a great job not completely losing it through all of the changes!

Hey, I'm going no matter what. That's all that matters right?

As of this year, the regular DDP comes with mugs, Rosie!

Cynthia .....
IF you are thinking about Owner's Locker, I can only second the post above! It is an awesome thing to have. Very easy to set up deliveries and pick ups and it saves A LOT of luggage!

I am thinking about it, just having a hard time justifying the cost based on our next few trip schedules. It would be GREAT to have for Vero, I'm really going to want a fair amount of things and would use some of it at our AKV days, though could live without it. I won't need it for the girls Oct trip, although I guess if I had it, might retrieve it, not sure. I would need it for our big drip Dec 2013 but that'd be a whole 'nother year away fee wise so it makes it harder to justify.

For the cruise I do kind of worry about it taking up space. LOL! I need to map out what I'd put in it I guess and go from there.

 

[Flossbolna]

I think I'll throw in my thoughts about the Owners Locker. Because I decided that it would not be worth it for me. Of course I only pack for one, so that's a difference. But then, I personally want all my stuff accessible. I find it a bit scary to have some vacation things stored away, only accessible when I am in Orlando. I am sure I would only put stuff in there which I am sure I won't miss and that would mean not so nice things. And then when I am packing for my vacation, I think I will still want to bring my newest/nicest and not use the old stuff in the OL (like swim suit, beach towel etc.). Also, for toiletries I think you need to travel more frequently than I do. I would not want to use shampoo that has been in storage for over a year and definitely can't do it with sunscreen!

 

[eandesmom]

I think I'll throw in my thoughts about the Owners Locker. Because I decided that it would not be worth it for me. Of course I only pack for one, so that's a difference. But then, I personally want all my stuff accessible. I find it a bit scary to have some vacation things stored away, only accessible when I am in Orlando. I am sure I would only put stuff in there which I am sure I won't miss and that would mean not so nice things. And then when I am packing for my vacation, I think I will still want to bring my newest/nicest and not use the old stuff in the OL (like swim suit, beach towel etc.). Also, for toiletries I think you need to travel more frequently than I do. I would not want to use shampoo that has been in storage for over a year and definitely can't do it with sunscreen!

I have that challenge as well although I can see some things that are just dedicated to the OL and that I don't need at home. For example beach towels, wine glasses and coffee mugs. I'd just get ones, while at Disney, that could live in the locker, versus taking anything from home. For me, as much as anything it's mostly the kitchen things that I know I'll want while cooking but that will vary by trip how much I need them. I'd love to have it all at Vero that's for sure and is definitely a driving factor in even considering it. I know when we rent condos on a trip we are driving to I tend to pack it all anyways and it's a lot of extra stuff.

That and all the laundry stuff, first aid, etc doe make it attractive, there are a number of things I only take on Disney trips that I wouldn't miss or could easily pick up more (ponchos lol). Shampoo might be ok to leave, I do like the idea of a nice bigger bottle versus having to bring several small ones so we don't run out, or use the provided stuff which I never like as much. The kids don't care but K and I do! I really like the idea of using our regular laundry detergent, etc versus the 3 in one things that never seem to work quite as well but take up less space for travel.

Sunscreen though, you are absolutely right as it would expire and I definitely wouldn't even think about packing up any clothes at all. I do use our pop up hamper on other trips but it might well be worth it to leave one there and just get another one, it's a total pain to pack.

I have no idea what I'm going to do.

I made a list today and I'd definitely fill up a locker no problem...just not sure it's worth the expense with the next trip that far out. Love the idea of leaving it all there though and having it when we arrive next time. The coffee mug is actually a big deal, having a real one makes all the difference to me. Not that they aren't real in the villas but they are small!

 

[CarolynK]

Hi there! Been reading along...what an itinerary! I just wanted to add my two cents about Owner's Locker. We had one, for a year, but then decided to cancel. It just was not for us. We usually get a 1-bedroom (occasionally a 2-br), but since our kids (girl and boy teenagers) do not share a bed, we bring an inflatable air mattress.
We thought that if we used OL, we'd be able to keep the mattress (and pump, and sheets) in Florida, because we don't check luggage and these items took up over half of a rolling carry-on. But, we found the locker isn't very big, and once we put those items into it, we were having to be creative in fitting everything else in there.
At $25 delivery fee each, this worked out to be kind of a frivolous expense for us. We did the math, and we figured that even if we bought an air mattress for each trip, then threw it away once we were done with it, this would be cheaper than OL (wasteful, yes, but cheaper!). I know there are a lot of people who love this service. I wanted to love it, but in the end, for us, it just isn't a big deal to pack the mattress in the carry-on.

 

[eandesmom]

Hi there! Been reading along...what an itinerary! I just wanted to add my two cents about Owner's Locker. We had one, for a year, but then decided to cancel. It just was not for us. We usually get a 1-bedroom (occasionally a 2-br), but since our kids (girl and boy teenagers) do not share a bed, we bring an inflatable air mattress.
We thought that if we used OL, we'd be able to keep the mattress (and pump, and sheets) in Florida, because we don't check luggage and these items took up over half of a rolling carry-on. But, we found the locker isn't very big, and once we put those items into it, we were having to be creative in fitting everything else in there.
At $25 delivery fee each, this worked out to be kind of a frivolous expense for us. We did the math, and we figured that even if we bought an air mattress for each trip, then threw it away once we were done with it, this would be cheaper than OL (wasteful, yes, but cheaper!). I know there are a lot of people who love this service. I wanted to love it, but in the end, for us, it just isn't a big deal to pack the mattress in the carry-on.

If you take more than one trip a year, I could see that delivery fee getting old really fast but you'd probably need to go several times for the premium one to make sense. Definitely a luxury, I wouldn't be saving money that's for sure but possibly time and having things I like handy. I am definitely going back and forth on this one, leaning strongly one way one day and another the next! LOL. Honestly what I may do is decide there as I could easily arrange for it to be at AKV after the cruise, if I decide I want to add it on, based on how much stuff I have and if I think it's worth it. Either way I'd have to get the stuff down there and would take most of it with me anyway so might just play it by ear.

 

[mrp4352]

Owners Locker
I am debating whether or not to do this, and would love input. I would love love to have our own beach towels, coffee mugs, a few toiletries, beach things and wineglasses and would likely buy new fun stuff on the trip to fill some of those items. Is it worth paying to store on this trip? I’m not sure. I have a trip in Oct so could use things from it (but would also live without it) then but our larger family trip, right now, isn’t until Dec/Jan of 2013/14. So…kind of a luxury.

We have an Owners Locker and love it. It is definitely a luxury - but we keep things like our over-the-door hanger, full-sized toiletries, papergoods (there's never enough in the DVC rooms for us), and an air matress. If you decide to use it - make sure you get a good list of what's in it. (only took 3 trips to learn that lesson!!)

 

[eandesmom]

We have an Owners Locker and love it. It is definitely a luxury - but we keep things like our over-the-door hanger, full-sized toiletries, papergoods (there's never enough in the DVC rooms for us), and an air matress. If you decide to use it - make sure you get a good list of what's in it. (only took 3 trips to learn that lesson!!)

Thanks! It is definitely tempting I can see where a list would be critical though.

I hadn't planned on bringing our over the door hangar...but maybe I should.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Cynthia, I am finally getting caught up on all my subs. Whew!!! How do you keep up with all of your planning? I am dizzy just reading about it. You have to be an uber planner to keep it all straight.

Okay, so we are cruising in November and I need some help. Can you start booking things once you pay it off? Everything says I can book as of this date in Sept and it also is the date the last of the cruise money is due. We are first time cruisers so I am totally lost. I did call and request our own table but when I asked about the dining rotation the castmember told me I couldn't make that request, but you did right? Had you paid the cruise off when you did that? I love your pillowcases. I need to get with it as I don't have anything done on this cruise and feel totally lost.

Can't wait to see how everything works out for you. Wishing you the best of luck!!! Oh, and glad to hear your brother in law is doing better.

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia, I am finally getting caught up on all my subs. Whew!!! How do you keep up with all of your planning? I am dizzy just reading about it. You have to be an uber planner to keep it all straight.

Who said I have it all straight? I have multiple car and room ressies at the moment that at some point I need to cancel the overlap/duplicates and possibly get K a new flight. REALLY hoping we find out tomorrow if they are in, worst case is hopefully mid next week.



How are you doing????

Okay, so we are cruising in November and I need some help. Can you start booking things once you pay it off? Everything says I can book as of this date in Sept and it also is the date the last of the cruise money is due.

It goes by level so 1st time cruisers can book things 75 days out, silver 90, gold 105 and platinum 120. In all cases you have to be paid in full before you can book. Paid in full date is 75 days out for most cruises and categories but more (90-120 days) for 10+ day cruises, Alaska and certain categories like concierge.

So for us, for Alaska, our PIF date was 15 days before we could book excursions, for this summers cruise, our PIF date was 15 days after the earliest date we could book. So we paid in full early. LOL!

For Alaska, I didn't have any issues booking excursions, and even changed them a few times, both excursions and times. No issue booking the Palo dinner I wanted. I wasn't able to get brunch originally but kept checking and was able to book it before we left. If you can't get the Palo ressies though, you can try to do it first thing when you get on board, lots of folks have success with that. I do think the limited Palo availability was due to being at the last booking level but who knows. Not nearly the same issues on the summer cruise, right now only one night of Palo dinner is sold out, everything else still has availability. Only thing we haven't been able to get is a cabana. Which I'm ok with anyway.

We are first time cruisers so I am totally lost. I did call and request our own table but when I asked about the dining rotation the castmember told me I couldn't make that request, but you did right? Had you paid the cruise off when you did that? I love your pillowcases. I need to get with it as I don't have anything done on this cruise and feel totally lost.

Can't wait to see how everything works out for you. Wishing you the best of luck!!! Oh, and glad to hear your brother in law is doing better.

I did call and request the rotation and it was before it was paid in full, long before actually. I'd just call again, DCL is just like CRO, you'll get some different answers depending on the CM.

You have lots of time for pillowcases, don't stress, you could probably order them in late September and still be fine It is fun to plan though!

 

[mrp4352]

Thanks! It is definitely tempting I can see where a list would be critical though.

I hadn't planned on bringing our over the door hangar...but maybe I should.

Even when it's just Mom and I, we found we really like having it in the stateroom on the ship. That way you don't have to commit to always using the sink in either the shower or the toilet for getting ready. You've got flexibility to swap out as needed. that and it just kept things feeling neater. I know there are some issues on the Dream with how they hang, but I know we used it last year. I think we put it on the door to the shower - maybe just folded the top over door and never shut the door? Either that or gave up space on the hang rod in the closet...

that and the upper left pocket is a great place to store ones for room service tips!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Who said I have it all straight? I have multiple car and room ressies at the moment that at some point I need to cancel the overlap/duplicates and possibly get K a new flight. REALLY hoping we find out tomorrow if they are in, worst case is hopefully mid next week.



How are you doing????



It goes by level so 1st time cruisers can book things 75 days out, silver 90, gold 105 and platinum 120. In all cases you have to be paid in full before you can book. Paid in full date is 75 days out for most cruises and categories but more (90-120 days) for 10+ day cruises, Alaska and certain categories like concierge.

So for us, for Alaska, our PIF date was 15 days before we could book excursions, for this summers cruise, our PIF date was 15 days after the earliest date we could book. So we paid in full early. LOL!

For Alaska, I didn't have any issues booking excursions, and even changed them a few times, both excursions and times. No issue booking the Palo dinner I wanted. I wasn't able to get brunch originally but kept checking and was able to book it before we left. If you can't get the Palo ressies though, you can try to do it first thing when you get on board, lots of folks have success with that. I do think the limited Palo availability was due to being at the last booking level but who knows. Not nearly the same issues on the summer cruise, right now only one night of Palo dinner is sold out, everything else still has availability. Only thing we haven't been able to get is a cabana. Which I'm ok with anyway.



I did call and request the rotation and it was before it was paid in full, long before actually. I'd just call again, DCL is just like CRO, you'll get some different answers depending on the CM.

You have lots of time for pillowcases, don't stress, you could probably order them in late September and still be fine It is fun to plan though!

Oh my, I hope it all comes together soon for you. We are "supposed" to be going to San Francisco in July. It is a work trip so the airfare and hotel rooms have been taken care of for a while. However, I still need to get a rental car as we are going out a few days early to tour the area. I am such a procrastinator lately.

Thank you so much for sharing all the information. I feel so lost with the Disney cruise so I am anxious to read your report when you get back later this summer! I am going to give Disney cruise a call back and check on the rotation.


I am doing okay. I saw the surgeon last week and he thinks surgery is my best option instead of therapy. The mass that showed on the MRI was nothing to worry about which was a relief but the thought of surgery on my neck has me terrified. He scheduled an EMG for next week so by the end of next week I should know his final recommendation. I am seriously thinking about getting a second opinion, but I guess that will depend on how long it takes to get into another doctor and if I can stand the pain that long.

I meant to ask, were you hiking on Mt. Ranier on Mother's Day? We were there several years ago and only had a day to sight see. Would have loved to spent more time there and at Mt. St. Helens.

 

[eandesmom]

Even when it's just Mom and I, we found we really like having it in the stateroom on the ship. That way you don't have to commit to always using the sink in either the shower or the toilet for getting ready. You've got flexibility to swap out as needed. that and it just kept things feeling neater. I know there are some issues on the Dream with how they hang, but I know we used it last year. I think we put it on the door to the shower - maybe just folded the top over door and never shut the door? Either that or gave up space on the hang rod in the closet...

that and the upper left pocket is a great place to store ones for room service tips!

Good to know that it's awkward on the dream, sometimes it is more hassle than it's worth. We were fine without it on the Wonder although this trip, adding a 16 year old girl to the toiletry mix might change that!

Cute idea on the room service tips...except I think the boys might find it a bit tempting..loose dollar bills and all that.

Oh my, I hope it all comes together soon for you. We are "supposed" to be going to San Francisco in July. It is a work trip so the airfare and hotel rooms have been taken care of for a while. However, I still need to get a rental car as we are going out a few days early to tour the area. I am such a procrastinator lately.

I San Fran. How fun!!!

You won't need a car in the city, depending on where you are staying.

Thank you so much for sharing all the information. I feel so lost with the Disney cruise so I am anxious to read your report when you get back later this summer! I am going to give Disney cruise a call back and check on the rotation.

Yep, when you don't get the answer you want...just call back!

I am doing okay. I saw the surgeon last week and he thinks surgery is my best option instead of therapy. The mass that showed on the MRI was nothing to worry about which was a relief but the thought of surgery on my neck has me terrified. He scheduled an EMG for next week so by the end of next week I should know his final recommendation. I am seriously thinking about getting a second opinion, but I guess that will depend on how long it takes to get into another doctor and if I can stand the pain that long.

Couldn't hurt to get a second opinion but I can imagine it being scary. My minor neck issues are scary enough, surgery would be a whole nother thing. As a general rule I'm a bit avoidant on that stuff...trying a less invasive test for myself right now on what seems to be excema that we can't control. The idea of a biopsy on my forehead is NOT on my list of fun things to do...so am hoping a patch test will give us the information we need without gouging up my face.

I meant to ask, were you hiking on Mt. Ranier on Mother's Day? We were there several years ago and only had a day to sight see. Would have loved to spent more time there and at Mt. St. Helens.

No, we were on Tiger Mountain, which is relatively close by. Rainier isn't far but still a much longer drive to get to a nice hike and there are things closer. I actually haven't been in several years myself and need to go back.

I can see it out my window though so that's something!