Countdown to August 2011 (tr link posted)

[disneydreamingdebby]

on getting a Sci Fi ressie and your luggage tags!

Looks like everyone had a great time at your beach holiday - lol at photoshopping Gannon in on that last shot!

I thought it turned out okay... I bet my family gets a kick out of it.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Please pardon the interruption to this August PTR for an Important Announcement -

Okay- so I am sick to my stomach...excitement about the August trip - you think? Nah... a third child... Heavens, NOOOO!!! Clicked the purchase button on a $1268 charge and moved vacation points...Bingo!

I swear I okayed it with dh first through texting in order to avoid seeing any facial expressions...

Flashback to a couple of weeks ago... we talked about a December trip since my school has decided that closing from Dec 16 to Jan 2 would be a cost saving measure (no heat). Our Jan/ Feb trip would require me to ask for personal days and with a tight budget and long Dec break, I was nervous to ask my principal.

We are both excited about seeing all the decorations and doing Disney at Christmas!

I looked at flights and dh said, "Can we make it through this trip?"

I let it drop...but I kept worrying about the flights going up. Then the worry over "No room at the Inn" began. December is a prime DVC travel month.

My friend called last night (who is also thinking this is a good time for a Disney trip) and said flights went up.

I went on this morning and found that the flights dropped back down again. So, I did what any crazy person would do. I texted dh:

"I know you said wait till after this vaca but I am nervous about flights going up in Dec." I hit send- he doesn't have an iphone and I didn't want to have the messages go backwards.

"Also, it is a busy time for DVC" clicked send.

"Can I book flights and room?" clicked send nervously...

Dh responded..."I guess." Now, I know it was a resigned - she's going to drive us to the poor house - I guess.

So, I replied- as much as I didn't want to give him the chance to back out, but he is the one that dug us out of financial irresponsibility... "Are u sure?"

Again, "I guess."

My last text was "We are staying at SSR arriving 12/17 thru 12/21."

I haven't had a reply text...

Okay - so my original plan was 12/16 night to 12/22...Then I thought about the points that would be... 12/16 is Friday and would be a late arrival... so I went to 12/17 for early arrival - 4 nights and 5 days seemed more reasonable that 5 nights 6 days for a winter excursion... Oh, and I just realized that I am pulling my kids out of school...(I knew that but put it out of mind.) It is a late flight back, so maybe they will only miss 3-1/2 days - the 4th grade teacher is going to love me...


ADDITION: This is all contingent on dh being able to get the days off from work which he can't put in for until Oct. 60 days out...if he can't we will have to move the trip to use the points by Jan 31...

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think a Christmas trip will be fabulous!!! So much fun seeing all the decorations and festive touches!!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I agree in that it would be soo cool to be able to experience Christmas at Disney World! I hope DH gets the time off work

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I think a Christmas trip will be fabulous!!! So much fun seeing all the decorations and festive touches!!!

Dh and I both want to be able to do all the different events and holidays at some point. I am excited about the opportunity. I thought I might need to wait until one of us retired...

I agree in that it would be soo cool to be able to experience Christmas at Disney World! I hope DH gets the time off work

Thanks--he is optimistic that he can get the days off. Most people want the week of/ after Christmas...very few people request the week before.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Friends, I need your help. We leave in 11 days!!!

For some reason, I have a hard to figuring out my last minute items each trip. I am so obsessed for the build up to the trip, when it is close, I go into this weird mode and have planning stagefright! (Heck, I was reading about December in Disney...I had to end that madness. I need something to do once I get back!)

So, what on earth should I be doing? I have the meals planned; the spreadsheet is finished; I need to call MS to add dining.

It's too early to pack around here...we all need to wear the clothes that we are packing, and I will do the laundry next Friday in order to pack.

I did decide on the must have cupcakes:

Contemp Cafe - Black Forest and Florida Strawberry
Boardwalk Bakery (if I can get there)- Peanut Butter Cupcake and Orange Cream for dh
Hollywood Studios - Red Velvet Cheesecake cupcake


What do you do when you are under two weeks from your trip?

 

[DrMomof3]

CONGRATS on your December trip!!! AWESOME!
I'm no help on the last minute stuff. I get crazy at the end. Or, well, crazier.

Amanda

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Yay for luggage tags and DME info!!! Dining around here has been crazy the past couple of weeks and by that I mean you can get pretty much any dining ADR the day before or the day of that you are going. My roommate wanted 50s today for lunch and got it and when I was looking for her they even had a Le Cellier at 2pm for today! I guess with all the tour groups, they aren't eating TS and really a lot of people aren't either so Dining has been a joy when we've wanted to go the past few weeks

 

[Charleston Princess]

I have become so laid back on trip planning that it seems like you are all set. What about a trip to the bank? That's all I can think of...

 

[MeMom]

Dh responded..."I guess." Now, I know it was a resigned - she's going to drive us to the poor house - I guess.

I'll be your neighbor in the poorhouse.
If I didn't have my Disney addiction, I might have some money.
But I do.
So I don't.

I did decide on the must have cupcakes:

Contemp Cafe - Black Forest and Florida Strawberry
Boardwalk Bakery (if I can get there)- Peanut Butter Cupcake and Orange Cream for dh
Hollywood Studios - Red Velvet Cheesecake cupcake

Looks like you have the important things figured out.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I always go online and double check my resort reservations and if I can't pull it up I call. I confirm my flight info online and make sure that is printed. Since you've gotten DME stuff that is good too!

I make sure I have all of my ADR info printed and I print menus as well. I used to print a whole ton as far as CS too but now I only print the menus for the resort I'm staying at and the ADRS that we have. Since I've lived here now/and currently are living here again, I pretty much know every menu for CS and my parents do too lol!!!!

I go to the bank to make sure I have enough cash and set aside a certain amount for tips.

I make sure I have my packing list made.

I make sure I have my "to buy" list made and usually do the Target Travel Section the weekend before I leave.

I don't own a house where I'd have to worry about that but I do make sure I have appts in place as far as getting hair, nails, eyebrows, etc. done a few days before the trip.

I make sure my room/apt is clean before I leave and try to do laundry the day before I leave too.

That's pretty much what I do. A week before the trip, I will try and watch my favorite Disney movies, one a night, before I leave for the trip. I'm sad that I don't really have the chance to do that anymore but I also live 10 mins away from AK so I guess there are trade-offs!

Let me know if you want to plan a meet while you are all here! I'll be working M-F 7:30-4:30 in Celebration

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

CONGRATS on your December trip!!! AWESOME!
I'm no help on the last minute stuff. I get crazy at the end. Or, well, crazier.

Amanda

No worries; I am reading your report and gleaning info!

Yay for luggage tags and DME info!!! Dining around here has been crazy the past couple of weeks and by that I mean you can get pretty much any dining ADR the day before or the day of that you are going. My roommate wanted 50s today for lunch and got it and when I was looking for her they even had a Le Cellier at 2pm for today! I guess with all the tour groups, they aren't eating TS and really a lot of people aren't either so Dining has been a joy when we've wanted to go the past few weeks

Good to know in case I want to change at the last minute, but I do have all dining ressies set. I am glad you get to dine easily!

I have become so laid back on trip planning that it seems like you are all set. What about a trip to the bank? That's all I can think of...

The bank is a good idea. I'll have to talk to dh to see how much cash we should carry. We charge everything normally (and pay off at end of month); a percent goes into a college savings for the girls.

I'll be your neighbor in the poorhouse.
If I didn't have my Disney addiction, I might have some money.
But I do.
So I don't.


Looks like you have the important things figured out.

You always make me smile! (I am actually seeing when I can fit in those treats. How ridiculous that I need to know which day for which cupcake, but since there are only certain places to access them....

I always go online and double check my resort reservations and if I can't pull it up I call. I confirm my flight info online and make sure that is printed. Since you've gotten DME stuff that is good too!

I make sure I have all of my ADR info printed and I print menus as well. I used to print a whole ton as far as CS too but now I only print the menus for the resort I'm staying at and the ADRS that we have. Since I've lived here now/and currently are living here again, I pretty much know every menu for CS and my parents do too lol!!!!

I go to the bank to make sure I have enough cash and set aside a certain amount for tips.

I make sure I have my packing list made.

I make sure I have my "to buy" list made and usually do the Target Travel Section the weekend before I leave.

I don't own a house where I'd have to worry about that but I do make sure I have appts in place as far as getting hair, nails, eyebrows, etc. done a few days before the trip.

I make sure my room/apt is clean before I leave and try to do laundry the day before I leave too.

That's pretty much what I do. A week before the trip, I will try and watch my favorite Disney movies, one a night, before I leave for the trip. I'm sad that I don't really have the chance to do that anymore but I also live 10 mins away from AK so I guess there are trade-offs!

Let me know if you want to plan a meet while you are all here! I'll be working M-F 7:30-4:30 in Celebration

Thanks for the list!

I do need to make hair appts for next week for the girls in the house. I don't often get mani/ pedis out- I think that will be a good activity next Sun after a soccer game or two...

I will have to pm you!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I found something to do: I charged all camera batteries. Dh told me I had a week...I didn't want to wait; it is easier to do the little things now.

I have also been rereading and refreshing myself on how to use my camera's settings.

This time next week I will be unable to sleep due (1) to the excitement of flying out the next morning (2) the nervousness of not waking up (3) any traffic issues...

We had (2) and (3) happen...(2) when dh I and I were younger (and had no kids) we went to Mexico with his dad, aunt and sister. We were supposed to be at my parents' house at a certain time bc they were taking us to the airport. Well, my mom called to see where we were when we were 15 minutes late (this was actually before we had a cell phone...gosh I am old...). We jumped up and rushed around before driving the 30 minutes to my parents house. They rushed us to the airport and we caught the plane just in time...

(3) was this past winter. We knew a snowstorm was headed for us, so I came home on Tuesday and changed our 6pm flight out of Philly to a 1:20 flight. There was an 8:00, but the storm was supposed to be early and then late. We woke up to find a fast and furious storm that didn't let up. As we drove the 25/30 minutes to dh's dad's house, we went about 20 miles an hour and saw a flipped car. The ride ended up taking an hour. The 15 min ride to the airport then took another 35...we stood in a ridiculous check in line that took 45 min. and barely made it to the gate in time. (Nearly every other flight was cancelled.) Of course, we boarded and then sat for 2 hours waiting for passengers from another flight to land and load on our plane...

So, I don't think scenario 3 is of concern this month. But scenario 2, well. So, to plan this out... we have an 8:00 am Monday morning flight. We should arrive at the airport by 7:00 am...which means we need to arrive at my mom's by 6:30 (shouldn't be more than a 20 min ride to airport). Maybe I better say 6:20...what if 95 is backed up for some bizarre reason.

It takes 30 min to get to my mom's house with any traffic, so about 25 without. This means we need to leave our house at 5:55am. Most of us are quick to be ready (dh takes extra time in the morning before work reading the paper etc, but won't need to do that at home - reading material for plane.)

So, we need to be up at 5:00 AM Monday morning.

Thank you for letting me work that out!

 

[DrMomof3]

5am isn't too terrible! I decided to avoid the 6:30am flight that we usually take to Disney because then we're all too tired to enjoy the day.
I'm excited that your trip is so soon. I think that means mine is only a bit more of a wait!

Amanda

 

[Charleston Princess]

5:00 am isn't too bad when the end destination is Disney World. I woke up at 5:00 this morning, but my end destination is school. Not quite as much fun. LOL!

One week! One week!

 

[Queenofallthings]

I worry about all the same things as you! Except maybe the traffic...we usually leave the house at 4am and we only live 10 minutes from the airport so that's usually never an issue

I am totally with you on the "not waking up in time". I set every alarm, cell phone, in the house just in case! I'm not completely relaxed until we're on board our second plane and headed to Orlando, then I'm pretty good!! Oh wait...that's not true, I'm totally relaxed once all our luggage arrives and is in our room

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

5am isn't too terrible! I decided to avoid the 6:30am flight that we usually take to Disney because then we're all too tired to enjoy the day.
I'm excited that your trip is so soon. I think that means mine is only a bit more of a wait!

Amanda

I did want to book the 5:45, but I didn't want to inconvenience my FIL and arrive at his house at 4 AM.

Yours is getting closer!

5:00 am isn't too bad when the end destination is Disney World. I woke up at 5:00 this morning, but my end destination is school. Not quite as much fun. LOL!

One week! One week!

I am sooo sorry that you are back at school already. Positive thinking; you will be out 20 days before me...

I worry about all the same things as you! Except maybe the traffic...we usually leave the house at 4am and we only live 10 minutes from the airport so that's usually never an issue

I am totally with you on the "not waking up in time". I set every alarm, cell phone, in the house just in case! I'm not completely relaxed until we're on board our second plane and headed to Orlando, then I'm pretty good!! Oh wait...that's not true, I'm totally relaxed once all our luggage arrives and is in our room

Good to "see" you. dh doesn't think we need to be at the airport really early, so I try to pace it to be a little more than an hour. Being a first flight on Monday morning should help make things smoother. (fingers crossed). I will be setting my phone in addition to our alarm clock. (Thanks for the suggestion!)

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Yesterday, I noticed that Pirates of the Carribean (2) was on. I DVRed it and we watched it last night.

Tonight I ran over to the library and rented 3. I hadn't seen 3 before...it was quite odd, and my one daughter was really frustrated by being confused. I am a little more accepting of confusion, but really, I couldn't recommend it. I am excited, however, to see 4. I think I heard that Johnny Depp didn't watch 3 and was happy to have more influence over 4- makes perfect sense.

So, we are very ready for MK Pirates of the Carribean and to eat at Tortuga!!!

I also revisited my dining plans. My intention was to do qsp, no plan, deluxe dining, no plan, deluxe dining. I ran the numbers since people said that changing the plan will require many visits to the front desk. I revisited the restaurants. I decided to cancel Tusker and Grand Floridian Cafe. Now, I am only doing qsp plan on two of our six nights- this ensures mugs for each resort, and I think this plan currently saves us a little money.

I feel good about this, and now, I won't be stuffing myself EVERY night with app and dessert. I can stuff myself some nights.

Still eating at these:
Sci Fi
Garden Grill
Ohana
Chefs
1900 Park Fare breakfast

We might have a late night snack at the Top of the World Lounge;
Counter Services: Mara, Contempo Cafe, and Gasparilla Grill and Games - along with Tortuga and Anandapur Local Food Cafe

 

[Madisonsmom45]

How close it's getting. We got our Mickey mail yesterday. Love the new 3D luggage tags, although over the years we've learned how to travel very light so probably one checked back if even that will do....

 

[DrMomof3]

We've only used a dining plan once and that was when we had free dining. It wasn't a good fit for us since we prefer sit-down meals, appetizers/salads, and no or shared desserts. We also don't buy a lot of snacks at Disney since we tend to bring our own. I didn't realize with DVC you can change your dining plan by the day!

Amanda