East Coast meets West Coast Pre-Trippy

[jamieandben]

Hi Rosie, I'm here.

 

[rosiep]

Welcome back my darlings. Did you all have good weekends? Ok then...enough about you let's talk about me:

What do we know about me so far?
a) I loooooove Disney
b) I have an affinity for stuffed animals and goats
c) I am now on the top of Mom's list of favorite children

and d) I am not a morning person. See my tag about coffee.

Which is why when Jetblue called me at 8am last July to tell me my return flight had been canceled..I was befuddled to say the least. Cancelled??? Well, the flight from MCO to JFK is ok, but it's not leaving for Portland until the next day.
Trying to think myself awake, I ask if I can stay overnight in NY and then fly out the next day....Normally you can't do this, they would consider it two seperate flights..but they agree.
When I finally do wake up I ask myself : "What the heck were you thinking???" Staying in NY would require figuring out a ride back to the airport, honing in on my favorite MIL for a bed (and I didn't take her to Disney did I???).
Fully awake I realize any normal person would have recognized that as a sign from God! I'm supposed to stay an extra day AT DISNEY!
Silly me!

Well...it was funny the first time Jetblue cancelled my flight...but not the second and third time.

I started to become concerned when I realized that Jetblue was no longer flying daily from PDX to JFK. This means that if for any reason my outgoing flight was delayed or cancelled, I might not get to Disney for two or three days!!! Eeek! I decide to check and see when the next flight would leave in such an unlikely scenerio....

Imagine my surprise when my flight was gone...no outgoing flight for me. Somehow Jetblue figured I'd magically get to Florida....

I won't go into my conversation with Jetblue, this is a family board. I don't believe third time is a charm...so I book myself a flight on Delta. Mom will have to be brave and fly alone.

This time as a reward I arrange to fly in a day earlier than Mom. That way, I tell myself to relieve the guilt, I'll be over any jetlag and be fresh as a daisy for her.

Aren't I the sweet little cookie???? (No? Yeah, that's what James thought too)


Next: I make my Mom cry again!

footnote: Jetblue wouldn't refund the voucher I used to book the outgoing flight, instead they told me to book a future flight with it (then and there) that I could change at a future date. I did, and they cancelled that flight too!! hahahahahahahahahhah

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Yikes! I've never flown with JetBlue..and from your story I don't think I'll be starting anytime soon. All the airlines seem to be wonky this past year with flight cancellations and whatnot. Hopefully it will all pass!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I used to think Jetblue was my friend, too -- until they cancelled my flight and placed me 18 rows from my dh -- I'm just hoping *crosses fingers* I don't have any other surprises before January.

Maria

 

[starann]

YAY...an update...keep going! I need more....more I tell ya!

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

Just wanted to say: HI!

The one and only time I flew JetBlue was wonderful. I have no personal complaints ~ but have I heard stories...

I like Southwest ~ we will fly with them this time around.

If you are in the mood for a good "dumb@$$ flight attendant" story ~ let me know. I will be happy to oblige (cause this was amusing)...

 

[rosiep]

Just wanted to say: HI!

The one and only time I flew JetBlue was wonderful. I have no personal complaints ~ but have I heard stories...

I like Southwest ~ we will fly with them this time around.

If you are in the mood for a good "dumb@$$ flight attendant" story ~ let me know. I will be happy to oblige (cause this was amusing)...

Do tell.....

 

[starann]

Less than 3 weeks to go.....so get crackin on your PTR.....esp since our fun 'party' was squashed!

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

Do tell.....

We were flying back from Fl (Continental airlines). We left Orlando on our way to Logan with a stopover in one of those typical stopover places... We boarded a small plane for the second/last leg of our flight...

After we leveled off the flight attendant came over the speaker to tell us that we were not going to be able to use any electronics because we were "at 9,000 feet which is less than 10,000 feet"... We just sat there and looked at each other.... I turned to my husband and said "No Way... 9,000 is LESS than 10,000"? "Holy <insert bad word of your choice here>"

 

[rosiep]

Merry Chistmas! Happy Mother's Day! Happy Birthday, Kawanza, Hanukkah and Ground Hog's Day! That's right I'm milking this present for all it's worth. The way I see it I don't have to buy Mom another gift until 2015. Till then I have to send reminders of my generousity---so for Mother's Day I made up a binder filled with pictures, menu's and loose itinaries. It opened with a picture of our resort-The beautiful Coronado Springs:

Continued with a teaser for the Animal Kingdom Park:

I included a sample menu for Yak & Yeti:

Now, Mom is a cynical woman. She knows I am determined to take her on the Tower of Terror and she is convinced I am trying to kill her. (Maybe I am...she did just buy a house in Florida!) Anyhow...just to keep her in line I included it's picture as well..

Finally, I made sure to close the pages with a picture of the castle in all it's glory:

I also made a cd of Disney tunes to get her in the mood.

You all get the picture right? I made my Mom a present for Mother's Day like she might have gotten when I was in second grade, only then she would have taken a quick glance, said "That's nice....but you spelled castle wrong"
Not this time. This time I got another phone call....and she GUSHED. That's right! My Mom GUSHED. She exclaimed that she could feel all the love that was put into it and she absolutely can't wait!

OK! HOLD ON! WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY REAL MOTHER?????

I'm telling you folks...I hit a nerve and I made my Mom happy!

I like it!

 

[starann]

Thank you.....I had a really bad night (one of those nights when you find out who your REAL friends are, and they certainly aren't the ones you thought) and seeing you post more made me a little happy.....

now off to post more on my PTR

 

[dale62676]

Hi Rosie!

I can't complain about JetBlue myself, I just flew down for my vacation last week to WDW on a free roundtrip! I've been doing the Boston-Orlando route the last few years and finally had enough points for a free trip. I guess JetBlue is good at the east coast, seems like they're dropping a lot of their cross-country routes.
I think next time I'm planning on a trip in October too, there were still so many folks crowding the parks when I went last week.

 

[rosiep]

Thanks for stopping by Dale!
With the passing of time I feel a lot better about things....it just seems to be the state of the industry. You can't visit the transportation board without reading something negative about any airline.

Oh Well!

I'm only two weeks and three days away!!

Next post: What to pack???

 

[starann]

Next post: What to pack???

Rosie...we all know that you will be runnign around WDW Nekkid.....

Well, Nekkid with your backpack on!

 

[kingLouiethe1]

Rosie...we all know that you will be runnign around WDW Nekkid.....

Well, Nekkid with your backpack on!

Oh no, that would totally ruin the magic for me

 

[rosiep]

Packing!

I don't know about you, but my favorite part of trip planning is deciding what to bring.

Let's discuss shall we?

First things first: My espresso machine. That's right..I am bringing my espresso machine...(didn't you look at my tag last time?). I am loathe to drink the coffee provided in the room, nor am I likely to get out of my pj's to walk anywhere for my cup of joe. In real life my wonderful, amazing, truly fantastic husband James brings me my coffee every morning while I'm still in bed. (am I the luckiest so and so or what?) Away from home sweet home I am on my own so if James isn't with me the machine is. I like my coffee slightly sweet with steamed evaporated milk....which means that besides the machine I have to bring espresso, two cans of milk, sugar and a can opener! (you only forget that once).
Ok, the main concern taken care of I will also need my mini medical box which includes everything from migraine pills to gas-x to Imodium (for when the coffee has a little too much kick )
My Ipod (not pictured) filled with Disney music, a playlist of music Mom will like (ie Joan Baez and Alison Krauss), and an audiobook because I can't sleep unless someone is telling me a story.
There's the various cords and chargers for all the electronics we can't live without these days...as well as good old fashioned books because I don't want to forget how to read.
I've included a handy dandy rain jacket because last year our disposable ponchos were no match for the torrential downpours that assailed us.

I found Puma in the bathroom, sobbing, because he thought I wasn't taking him. Of course he's coming, he just wsn't around when I took the first photo.

All this and I guess the above posters are right: There's no room for clothes.
Oh Well.....

 

[kingLouiethe1]

How long is this trip?

 

[rosiep]

Nine days.....

I'll just wear what I wore on the plane......

 

[rosiep]

Rule # 64: Never make plans unless you're prepared to change them!


Only 10 more days and I am still tweaking my plans.

Friday the 17th I will stumble out of bed at 4am. I will pretend to brush my teeth and hair. Because I have a really big heart I will apply deodorant so my seat mates won't beg to sit in the lavatory. I'll probably sleep in my clothes. I need to be at the airport for 5am for a 6am boarding. Luckily the airport is small and only 20 minutes away. If the Gods are smiling I will be in MCO by 4pm (eastern time..my bodily clock will only acknowledge 1pm...which means I'll be hungry).

I imagine I'll arrive at CSR by 5:30 or so. I'll check in, grab a bite to eat at Rix and then head to my room to revel in my good fortune. My Mom doesn't arrive until Saturday...which means I will have the whole evening to myself. A Disney 1st for me. I plan to head to MK to watch Spectromagic and Wishes. I also plan to cry.

Saturday Mom should get to CSR by 2pm. I'll meet her at the bus stop and help her through the check in process. Then depending how she feels we'll either eat a little something, let her rest in the room or explore the resort. I had originally made dinner reservations at CapnJacks in DTD...but as of October 1st they have removed lobster from the menu the only reason for going there. I am now looking into Wolfgang Pucks Cafe. (Remember folks I'm on the DDP..I'm going to use it if it kills me!)

Sunday I'll be taking Mom to AK and Epcot. She has never been to the AK before. She has expressed an interest in riding Everest and I am prepared to be the dutiful daughter and take her on it. Last time (only time) I rode it I nearly lost my cookies, but I recovered soon enough. I figure if I'm going to MAKE her ride Tower of Terror..I have to be prepared to sacrifice myself.
I have an ADR for Yak and Yeti @ 2 pm, but we may do counter service instead. I'll be a good Dis'er and cancel my ressie if we decide not to use it.
At Epcot I take Mom on Spaceship Earth and TestTrak...she loves TestTrak. I'll also take her on Soarin..but I might not tell her what it is... .
Sunday evening I hope to meet up with a Dis friend for F&W.

Monday is our day at MK! I have made a list of things I know she has not seen before i.e. Mickey's Philharmagic. I can't wait to see her face. I have dinner ressies at the Kona Cafe and plan to be back in the park for Wishes.

I know I have made Mom seem like a lioness..but as she's aged, she's mellowed and I feel very tenderly towards her. I want this trip to be something to remember, I want her to be happy, I want her to remember me in her will......

Tuesday: DHS, MGM, it's that Park with my favorite ride......

 

[kingLouiethe1]

I just got an email from Disney for free dining a few days ago, I should beg Michael to go and I can throw french fries at you form afar.