Disney pre-trip report... Crafting my way to Disney.

[ZoeisMommy]

This is my very first pre-trip report (well first trip report of any kind) but I am excited to be here and I hope you are too.

First off let me introduce everyone


Of course there is me LESLIEKAY, I'm a quirky, perfectionist, mildly OCD Disney dork and probably have been since the day I was born. No, literally...my mom had my nursery decked out in Mickey Mouse so I feel I was born with this blessing. Anyways enough about my birth lets get to the good stuff. I'm 25 and a part-time stay at home mom, the rest of the time I'm working at my daughters daycare. I'm honestly not sure what number trip this is (everyone gasp in disbelief) yes, after 15 trips I've lost count.

I can however keep up with the number of trips my daughter has been on. My DD Zo is 2.5 (going on 6) and this will make her 3rd trip not including when I was 6 months pregnant. Zo is by far the most entertaining child anyone ever meet. Loves to dance, sing and talk about Disney World (just like her mommy)

Then there is my not-so-little brother, Jace (20) an ultimate video gamer who one day dreams of joining the Air-Force and being stationed in Japan. He absolutely would prefer we spend all of our trip in the World Showcase wandering through the Japan Pavilion.

Of course none of this trip would be possible without the help of the big guy himself, and no I'm not talking about Mickey Mouse or Santa Claus but my DF(ather) Les. He started the Disney vacation tradition over 20 years ago with our first trip. Even though his first trip was way before I was even thought of...around 1975.

Then there is the addicts of addicts my lovely DM(other) Kayla, who's real age I won't disclose because she acts 16 ninety percent of the time. When we first started booking Disney vacations she planned it to a "T" with ADR's and lists on top of lists. We had itineraries for everything and now she passed that honor on to me

Now that you know a little about all of maybe you will stick around and see what kind of crafty, over organized planning I get us into

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[ZoeisMommy]

When we first started discussing our trip last year (while we were still at Disney) we had decided we would book our vacation for mid-December. We have pretty much stayed in every tier of the Disney hotels and I personally prefer the value resorts. But with 5 people there is no way we are all fitting in a single family value room ever again. Of course your options are limited in value resorts, we love POP but ASM has those family suites. With everyone allowed a vote we decided on POP but our hearts were yearning for AoA (which at the time was nowhere near opening).

So with minds made up we pushed all hope of AoA aside and started pricing our trip...but I just couldn't stay away. I priced AoA for mid-December and was blown away at the kidney I was going to have to donate for us to stay there.

I sucked it up and called Disney, fully prepared to book at POP (in 2 rooms) when I made the reservation it was 2 PV Rooms at POP for 6n7d with PH pass and no water park but added the basic DDP (I knew in a few months they would announce free dining). Once again I couldn't just stay away and I asked the CM to PLEEEEEEASSSSSE price the same pkg. but at AoA in a Funding Nemo suite

And there it was....the same pkg. only $185 more....so I booked it. 6n7d at AoA in a Finding Nemo suite. I know my DD will be beyond ecstatic because Nemo is her favorite movie!!!

 

[ZoeisMommy]

When we originally booked our trip I knew that Disney would eventually announce free dining so I knew we would save a bundle. There were a few moments of concern when a rumor was going around that AoA would not be included So I made a call or two and was told that AoA would be included if and when a special was announced.

We held our breath...crossed our fingers....and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Then finally it was here I was up an hour before I would need to start calling when the clock tolled at 6am I hit send. There I sat on hold :-/ when someone picked up I proudly told the CM I wanted to add the code for Free Dining. She proceeded to tell me there was no free dining. I was shocked! I had done all my research, I knew 100's of people if not thousands were currently doing the same thing, and I was the one stuck with the CM who didn't know about Free Dining.

After the 30 sec. Of shock wore off I calmly told her how just this last weekend AP holder has the same offer and today it was open to the general public. The CM decided to reboot her station...at this point I was fuming because I knew there were only so many rooms available

So she looks (or pretends to) and says "well now that you say that I see here there is a code but not for your dates!" HaHa I kept my composure and reminded her that free dining began right before we arrive and ended right after we left. "Ma'am you have to stay between the 16th and the 23rd." So round and round we went as I tried to explain that my dates were well in the means of qualifying. I kindly asked for another CM and that's when she got ugly and cocked an attitude. "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU TALK TO YOUR NOT GETTING FREE DINING!" I told her it would matter, that she needed to make a call. When she finally returned she said "well looks like they are going to approve your dates!" Imean really!?! Like I was the only one going from the 25th-2nd and wanted free dining. So after much arguing she puts my "approved dates" into the system....

Finally some 5 mins later she tells me that yes, there is now a free dining offer. I'm thinking now that's better....until she follows that with BUT AoA is not included. I liked to of had a stroke. Here I already had our hearts set on Nemo. With my computer nearby I logged on read the offer and prepared for a fight. I knew only LM rooms would not be included and AP had the option for AoA why not us? Oh Lordy, at this point I've had enough and ask for a supervisor.

She got furious and was gone for a long time. I refused to hang up after so much drama. When the supervisor finally got on the phone she explained to me that there was AoA but that all the offers WITH the Nemo room had already been claimed. At this point I pretty much caught on fire!! :Furious: Here I had sat on the phone for now almost 2 hours and my rooms were gone! I told her I thought it was unfair that I had called at exactly 6am but spent nearly 2 hours arguing with a CM who wasn't educated on today's promotion and I felt that it was the reason why I was not able to keep our pkg the way it was.

So after a few more calls and 2 hours we ended up with Finding Nemo with Free Dining. I only wish it had not been such a headache but in the end it was the Magical Disney outcome we here have come to expect.

...now let me jump off my soapbox and get on with the show....

 

[HappyGal]

Your daughter is a doll! I'm sorry you had such a tough time booking your AoA with free dining. My girls and I stayed at the cars suite last month and was awesome! Looking forward to more of your planning! : )

 

[ZoeisMommy]

well i had hoped to update everyone on all the crafting ive been doing (and trying to do) but it seems the devil is at work. Just got a notice that we may have to move our vacation anyone who has been keeping count we are less than 25 days away and Im not really taking it lightly. Im sure everyone here understands how hard it can be to either have to move or cancel your trip when your so close to the finish line. Hopefully we can figure things out, either way i will absolutely be back soon with some awesome pics of all the craftiness im working on!!!

 

[AbbiehAugust]

Hello can you please email me the pdf for the extra pages to the disney encyclopedia? Thank you!!

Email address is abbie.august@ymail.com