Crafting My Way To An October F&W Extravaganza! Final Days Update 10/7

[jerseytinkerbell]

Jeri, thank you for your post - you reminded me that we hadn't yet started 'covering up Mickeys' on our own countdown chart. Ours begins at 43 days so we were 3 days behind

I am living vicariously through your MagicBands - since we are staying at the Swan we don't get to participate in FP+ so I am very jealous of those who get to try it out. I can understand your hesitancy in adding your UT tickets. I was exactly the same when I added my DD's ticket to MDE but it worked fine (if you ignore the whole 'is this an 'O' or a '0' issue)

Can't wait to see your nicknames and pop culture references. Your trip so close, which means mine isn't much further away

Woohoo! We're both in our countdown phase!

It's a shame that you won't get to try out MagicBands this trip. I didn't care too much about it before, but now that I can do it I'm pretty excited. Especially if I can double dip like some people have been doing and pull more Fastpasses from the machines as well. Don't know if we will even need to, but it's nice to know that I could. I was actually able to scan my tickets in on my phone and it was a breeze. Thankfully I didn't encounter any of the problems I have been reading about on here. This whole new thing is almost overwhelming. I am on the boards all the time and go to the park once a year, but I can't imagine trying to navigate all this stuff without a lot of prior knowledge. I am too much of a control freak, type A planner for there to be a brand new glitchy system in place. Hopefully all goes well with the bands!

I keep going in and changing my bands! I decide on one thing and then say, oh no this would be better, and grab my phone and change it again. As of today, the one set can't be changed anymore, but 2 sets are still able to be customized. I need to stop messing with it, but I can't stop!

So excited that both of us are close to our trips! Boy do I need a vacation!

that's a lot of bands to keep track of even 6 would be a hastle.......I think one hotel and and reservation is all I can handle so no hotel hopping for me......lol leave that to the younger set.......Have fun getting so close now!

I'm surprised that Disney still doesn't have something in place to recognize split stays. Seems like a lot of wasted money going to shipping out bands to people with split stays. Oh well, at least I get to be excited two extra times when I receive my bands in the mail!

That would have been funny to have so many bands! You could each have had quite the color selection! WE get 2 each and I ordered different colors for the different hotels. That way I can choose which I like that best that day! We will get 2 more each in December so that will be 4 choices each! I just want them to come out with purple!!

I hadn't really thought about that. Now that you mention it I guess I could switch bands at different times. Since it's locked into the info on my MDE account, I don't have to necessarily wear the bands I received for one specific stay. The info should stay the same across all three sets, right? This is all so confusing. In that case I think I will change the colors on my other sets. Why not? You are absolutely right, there needs to be a purple band!!!!

 

[April7901]

I love all your craftiness! I used to be super crafty, but have fallen off the wagon lately....

My (very first ever) trip is Oct 19-26 - nice to see someone else planning for the same time!

 

[LB1122]

How fun to play with the Magic Band system. I do think it is funny you are getting more than one set...seems odd, but hey why not right?

You are getting pretty close. I am just happy to be in double digits..

 

[smile4stamps]

I asked Brenda (emmysmommy) about her experience with having 2 Magic Bands with her AP's linked. She said she was able to interchange them and it didn't matter what resort they were staying at! Switch it up girl!!

 

[abbybeth]

Yup, since we're technically doing a split stay at the same resort so we could have a check in day eligible for free dining, we ended up with two sets of bands.

Seems like the computer should be able to recognize that the dates are consecutive and therefore not separate trips.

Oh well, maybe they'll work that out in the future!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

I love all your craftiness! I used to be super crafty, but have fallen off the wagon lately....

My (very first ever) trip is Oct 19-26 - nice to see someone else planning for the same time!

Thanks so much! I've actually fallen off the wagon a bit myself. The last few princess ribbons I waned to make I have been unable to find the right color ribbon for and with going back to work part time I just don't have any free time to craft right now.

Wow first trip ever!!!! That is crazy exciting! I hope you have an amazing trip with lots of pixie dust!

How fun to play with the Magic Band system. I do think it is funny you are getting more than one set...seems odd, but hey why not right?

You are getting pretty close. I am just happy to be in double digits..

I have been having way too much fun playing with my new toy. All my Fastpass+ times are set, but it's nice to know I can change it that day if we end up at a different park.

The move into double digits is always great! I'm going to be in the single digits before I know it!

I asked Brenda (emmysmommy) about her experience with having 2 Magic Bands with her AP's linked. She said she was able to interchange them and it didn't matter what resort they were staying at! Switch it up girl!!

Thanks so much for the info! I did end up changing the colors on one of our sets. The other colors were not thrilling me, so just two different colors for now.

Yup, since we're technically doing a split stay at the same resort so we could have a check in day eligible for free dining, we ended up with two sets of bands.

Seems like the computer should be able to recognize that the dates are consecutive and therefore not separate trips.

Oh well, maybe they'll work that out in the future!

I think they'll work it out in the future, along with a lot of other issues, but for now I guess we get to reap the benefits of multiple bands.

Your trip is so close! Hope you have a great time!

 

[abbybeth]

I think they'll work it out in the future, along with a lot of other issues, but for now I guess we get to reap the benefits of multiple bands.

Your trip is so close! Hope you have a great time!

haha, yup! I used that as my opportunity to get both a pink one and a blue one Use it to my advantage. I guess if all the info is technically on both, then I could try to coordinate with my outfit!

and thank you! 8 days left in the countdown. I haven't start packing and still have a bunch of sewing and crafting left to do - let's hope it all gets done

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Jeri! I thought I subscribed to this but I don't see it. Oops!!

Yay for your official countdown starting. Yikes, 12 or even 6 magic bands. I only had 2 and it was enough. Like Paula said, I was able to use either MB at any time since they both had my AP already linked to it. I don't recall if the hotel rooms had to be one or the other MB but I did use them interchangeably so probably so.

Anyhooo... love the excitement of the countdown!

 

[happy2012]

I'm joining Jerri! I have enjoyed your reviews in the past. So I'm in!!!

 

[Sweetly]

It's getting close to that time to leave!!
All those dining reservations sound yummy. The only place on your list we have eaten at was the Grand Floridian café. We did that two years ago for breakfast. We happened to like it and the food was tasty.
All this magic bands! Yikes!! See I would need one in every color to coordinate with my outfits.
Have a fabulous day!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Hi Jeri! I thought I subscribed to this but I don't see it. Oops!!

Yay for your official countdown starting. Yikes, 12 or even 6 magic bands. I only had 2 and it was enough. Like Paula said, I was able to use either MB at any time since they both had my AP already linked to it. I don't recall if the hotel rooms had to be one or the other MB but I did use them interchangeably so probably so.

Anyhooo... love the excitement of the countdown!

Hey there Brenda! I am really excited to see how the MagicBands work out. It seems you can add your Photopass pics on there now as well, which will make me more likey to use it since I don't feel like stopping and finding my card each time. Silly reason not to do it, but yay for convenience!

We make a big deal out a taking a day off the countdown calendar each day. Makes it even more fun. I can't wait for this trip. Need to escape the 'real world' for a couple weeks.

I'm joining Jerri! I have enjoyed your reviews in the past. So I'm in!!!

Hey there! Thanks for joining in! Looks like your trip is coming up soon as well. Hope you guys have an awesome vacation!

It's getting close to that time to leave!!
All those dining reservations sound yummy. The only place on your list we have eaten at was the Grand Floridian café. We did that two years ago for breakfast. We happened to like it and the food was tasty.
All this magic bands! Yikes!! See I would need one in every color to coordinate with my outfits.
Have a fabulous day!

The trip is creeping up on me fast! I have a lot of laundry to do before we leave. Glad to hear some more positive feedback of Grand Floridian Cafe! I am really looking forward to breakfast there.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Two out of three sets of our MagicBands have arrived! The third set should make its way here today. I was crazy excited to get these in. I almost hugged the UPS man. Here is the very sleek looking outside box.



Here is the first set. Who gets the reference?


This is the second set. I changed the colors on these. I am green and hubby is red. Anyone get this reference?


Hubby was cracking up when he saw these. I also believe he called me a dork, but that is neither here nor there.

In more WDW related news, there is a possibility that we might be adding more days onto the beginning of our trip! It's not definite yet, but it's looking like our side trip to Port St Lucie might not work out the way we wanted it to and we are both able to take a few more days away from home, so why not go for longer! I really wanted to book a few days at AoA, but right now nothing is open for the days we need. I'm going to keep checking, but with that being a holiday weekend, it might not happen. If not, it looks like there are still rooms available at all the other value resorts, so I'm sure Disney will take us (and our money) somewhere.

If we do end up staying a few more days we are going to upgrade to annual passes. I am nervous about finding a CM who can price bridge our Undercover Tourist tickets properly based on some of the things I am reading on the boards, but hopefully I'm worrying for nothing. If we do end up upgrading we will also be purchasing a Tables in Wonderland card. I am really really excited about this! If only that card worked at F&W!

I will keep you all updated. Hopefully I will have it figured out by the beginning of next week if we are adding on or not!

 

[wilma-bride]

If we do end up staying a few more days we are going to upgrade to annual passes. I am nervous about finding a CM who can price bridge our Undercover Tourist tickets properly based on some of the things I am reading on the boards, but hopefully I'm worrying for nothing. If we do end up upgrading we will also be purchasing a Tables in Wonderland card. I am really really excited about this! If only that card worked at F&W!

Aaarrrgghh, am at work so can't see the pictures. Am dying to get home now so I can have a look and see if I 'get' any of your references.

As far as bridging the price of a ticket, we had very good experiences with that at Guest Services @ Downtown Disney. In fact, last year, we had purchased a 6-day Hopper for my DS. Because of the awful rain we had in the first few days we were in Orlando, we took a trip to Disney Quest. My DH and I had 'plus' visits valid on a previous non-expiring MYW ticket so used those. However, we bought a single day ticket for my DS. A few days later, we wanted to go back to Disney Quest so thought we would push our luck and ask if Disney would upgrade his MYW ticket to a 'plus' ticket but offset the amount we'd already paid for the 1-day DQ ticket. Not only did they do it (which, I understand, they absolutely didn't have to) but his new ticket ended up costing less than the old ticket (when they bridged the cost) plus the DQ ticket and they gave us money back in the form of a Gift card. We were flabbergasted! So, definitely try DTD Guest Services if you're going to do it.

We are going to be buying the TIW card this year too. I am so excited about having my first ever TIW card, possibly more than when I got my first ever AP - probably because an AP doesn't get you discounts on alcohol

 

[jpmom97]

I'm late joining in but so glad I found your PTR! I love all your crafts! I am going to take some of those ideas and do them with my daughter to make our loooong countdown seem not so long.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Quick addition to the previous update. My third set of MagicBands just arrived!
This set has our cutesie nickname for each other on them. Don't worry, it's nothing too sickening.



Yup, we call each other Poohs. Don't know exactly how it started, but it was reinforced when we moved in together and he saw my Baby Winnie The Pooh piggy bank that I bought in WDW when I was 10 years old. From there, the pet name stuck and now that's what I call him too. In my benevolence I let him take Poohs 1 when I customized the bands. Well, gotta jet to work!

 

[wilma-bride]

OK, so I'm home and looking at your Magic Bands. The first one, I'm presuming, is Game of Thrones

The second one, the only Abagnale I could think of was the guy, Frank Abagnale, the movie Catch Me If You Can was based on. Hanratty rang a bell but I couldn't figure any connection (if there was/is one) so I cheated and 'googled' it. All I could find for Hanratty was about the last guy to be hung in the UK Am I even warm?

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

OK, so I'm home and looking at your Magic Bands. The first one, I'm presuming, is Game of Thrones

The second one, the only Abagnale I could think of was the guy, Frank Abagnale, the movie Catch Me If You Can was based on. Hanratty rang a bell but I couldn't figure any connection (if there was/is one) so I cheated and 'googled' it. All I could find for Hanratty was about the last guy to be hung in the UK Am I even warm?

Ding ding ding! Right on both accounts Joh! We are obsessed with Game of Thrones. Love the show and the books. I changed my mind a few times on the second set, but we have seen Catch Me If You Can dozens of times so I picked Abagnale for Leo DiCaprio's character and Hanratty for Tom Hanks's character. Good job Joh!

 

[Sweetly]

Your trip is getting close!! So excited for you. Those are a lot if bands. I would have to color coordinate with my outfits.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Aaarrrgghh, am at work so can't see the pictures. Am dying to get home now so I can have a look and see if I 'get' any of your references.

As far as bridging the price of a ticket, we had very good experiences with that at Guest Services @ Downtown Disney. In fact, last year, we had purchased a 6-day Hopper for my DS. Because of the awful rain we had in the first few days we were in Orlando, we took a trip to Disney Quest. My DH and I had 'plus' visits valid on a previous non-expiring MYW ticket so used those. However, we bought a single day ticket for my DS. A few days later, we wanted to go back to Disney Quest so thought we would push our luck and ask if Disney would upgrade his MYW ticket to a 'plus' ticket but offset the amount we'd already paid for the 1-day DQ ticket. Not only did they do it (which, I understand, they absolutely didn't have to) but his new ticket ended up costing less than the old ticket (when they bridged the cost) plus the DQ ticket and they gave us money back in the form of a Gift card. We were flabbergasted! So, definitely try DTD Guest Services if you're going to do it.

We are going to be buying the TIW card this year too. I am so excited about having my first ever TIW card, possibly more than when I got my first ever AP - probably because an AP doesn't get you discounts on alcohol

Happy to hear you had a positive experience with price bridging at DTD. I'm not sure where I will end up trying to get it done at. If we do end up coming down the week before I am at a total loss for what to plan, so I'm not sure what park we will end up in first.

I'm excited for my TIW card as well! It's great that it lasts for a slightly longer time than the APs. That way, even if we don't get another trip in before October of next year, I think we would probably take one in November when the TIW card is still good. I might even try to sneak in a trip with my mom in March or April. Then I can make use of her DVC, my AP and my TIW. It would be my cheapest trip ever!

I'm late joining in but so glad I found your PTR! I love all your crafts! I am going to take some of those ideas and do them with my daughter to make our loooong countdown seem not so long.

Thanks for joining in! I hope you and your daughter get to try the crafts! It really does hep your countdown not seem quite so long.

Your trip is getting close!! So excited for you. Those are a lot if bands. I would have to color coordinate with my outfits.

I can't believe how close it is! The countdown has been flying by! I have a whole box full of the MagicBands to bring with us. I think I'm going to pack them up tonight.

 

[wilma-bride]

I might even try to sneak in a trip with my mom in March or April. Then I can make use of her DVC, my AP and my TIW. It would be my cheapest trip ever!

I vote you take that trip in March (around the 11th to the 18th)