Help me I'm losing my mind!!!!

[klitteral2009]

I can't say that this is necessarily a PTR but I desperately needed a place to vent. I'm so excited to be planning our third WDW trip I can hardly contain myself. BUUUUUUUUT at the same time I'm overwhelmed. I'm sure I feel this way everytime I start to plan but things are a little different this year. I have usually booked already for January but due to some overzealous spending I haven't been able to reserve our room at POR yet. While I'm sad, and a little anxious because of that, part of me says that I should just wait for discounts to be released anyway since it'll be the first of October anyway before I am able to book.

Then theres the added stress of flying. With a family of five, it gets a little pricey but the drive in January is brutal from Eastern Kentucky where winter is nasty. Icy roads, snow, you name it. This year we have the option of flying from a different local airport that flies directly into MCO, but it's with a new carrier I've never heard of before. We usually fly into Sanford on Allegiant and have to pay for ground transportation. This new airport is about an hour away, and the flights leave later--cutting into our arrival day resort time--but prices are nearly identical and I feel like DME is a definite advantage. BUUUUUUUUUT (see a theme here?) I've never used DME and wonder if there are any disadvantages? Travel time to the resort? Luggage being lost?

And of course theres the usual OCD planning mode I go into with dining reservations, park day planning and the like.

Don't get me wrong, I'm over the moon to be planning yet another trip, I just feel like I've got information and decision overload. Thanks to anyone to was able to make sense of this rambling and read all the way to the end. Anybody got any encouragement? Tips about using DME? Xanax? Valium?

TLR Im in trip planning mode and should be tranquilized.

 

[klitteral2009]

Thanks for all the help.... almost 70 views and no one has anything to say?

 

[moe10378]

Lol, bless your heart! I can't really help w/ the rest, but I live in Oh, and have made that drive! It's not advisable lol. What about staying at a cheap hotel first day of arrival so as not to cut into that day?

 

[klitteral2009]

Finally someone to feel my pain! lol

Flights from Huntington wv and Charleston wv are both comparable in price but no departures before 4pm So I think we'll just fly out of Charleston and fly into MCO to save ourselves money on a car service from Sanford and just eat something quick that night. Usually flights from our usual airport (Huntington) leave about 9am. We were leaning towards just doing that and paying the cash to get car service to the resort just to have more resort time. Unfortunately it looks like we'll be getting in late no matter what we do. SO we roll with it...hopefully the kids will let us have a resort/DTD day later in the week and we might do a couple shorter park days. I love POR and hated that we didn't relax much last year and enjoy it all. We're lucky enough to get to plan a trip every year so its not like its a one and one for us As long as I get to my happy place, nothing else matters!

Thanks for listening and the suggestion Wherabouts in Ohio are you? I have family and friends all over the state lol.

 

[SarahDisney]

Just found this - I hope I can help you!

One of the things that I like about Disney is that you can put down just the deposit and pay it off slowly when you have the money. That may be an option, although since you already missed the 180-day mark for ADRs, it may make sense to just wait until discounts are released in October.

I think it may pay to fly straight into MCO - DME is pretty convenient. Do you mind saying who the new carrier is? Perhaps someone else has heard of it and can give you an opinion.

I always take DME - they've never lost my luggage, but if you're worried about that, you can pick up your luggage yourself and take it on the bus with you (they'll put it under the bus), and then you'll have everything as soon as you get to the hotel. It can take a little longer sometimes to get to the hotel, but I've never had it take me more than an hour (usually a little less), and I do find it to be so convenient (then again, I've never tried the alternative)
Not being able to do as much at the resort on arrival day is a bit annoying, but hopefully you can find time later in the week to do that.

I don't know if this helped relax you at all, but I hope it did. I hope the rest of your planining is much easier!

 

[klitteral2009]

Just found this - I hope I can help you!

One of the things that I like about Disney is that you can put down just the deposit and pay it off slowly when you have the money. That may be an option, although since you already missed the 180-day mark for ADRs, it may make sense to just wait until discounts are released in October.

I think it may pay to fly straight into MCO - DME is pretty convenient. Do you mind saying who the new carrier is? Perhaps someone else has heard of it and can give you an opinion.

I always take DME - they've never lost my luggage, but if you're worried about that, you can pick up your luggage yourself and take it on the bus with you (they'll put it under the bus), and then you'll have everything as soon as you get to the hotel. It can take a little longer sometimes to get to the hotel, but I've never had it take me more than an hour (usually a little less), and I do find it to be so convenient (then again, I've never tried the alternative)
Not being able to do as much at the resort on arrival day is a bit annoying, but hopefully you can find time later in the week to do that.

I don't know if this helped relax you at all, but I hope it did. I hope the rest of your planining is much easier!

Its the initial 200 I'm strapped for Ive got a pre teen birthday I've had to take care of and hubby and I both had trips this past month that were unexpected. I did make all our dining reservations so I hope they'll just link up with our reservation whenever I get to make it. I pray POR isn't excluded for any discounts. We fell in love with it last year and really have few other options for our 5 person family. Well, options that don't cost an arm and a leg We stayed at AoA our first year and while we liked it, we prefer POR overall.

The new carrier is called PeopleExpress? I've never heard of them, apperantly they were big in the late 80's and early 90's for their cheap fares. I know they nickel and dime you to death but so does Allegiant so we're used to it

I'm thinking we'll take two carry ons (I'm a super packer and after realizing I overpacked last year, two should more than do it ) so we can just deplane and sprint down to the DME check in. I was reading people build in 3 hours when taking DME. I was hoping it was really only more like 1. I know there are a ton of variables but hopefully we'll luck out and be able to snag a bus quickly and settle in before 8.

Thanks for all your help! The stress is slowly starting to subside. All I have to do now is wait for discounts and actually book our room and tickets!

 

[SarahDisney]

If you have your ADRs already, you should definitely be okay waiting until discounts come out. I think POR is usually included in the discounts.

I've never heard of PeopleExpress ... hopefully it will be okay.

People can be paranoid ... I'm sure that at some point it took someone 3 hours on DME ... but I've never had that. It takes that long for my luggage to get to the room when they pick it up for me (when they get your luggage, it doesn't go on the same bus as you), but if you just have carry-ons, that won't be a problem.

I'm glad the stress is starting to subside ... and I hope you get to book the room as soon as discounts come out! Only a few weeks until October...

 

[Trishtack]

Hi - let me first say I'm right there with you on the insanity! I booked in March and then updated in May when the public offers came out for October. Made all the ADRs and FP then got hit with a $11+k tax bill. I'm scrambling now to get everything adjusted to where I can justify the cost. I have cried, banged my head repeatedly, prayed, and finally compromised. I'm still not absolute that we have everything complete and we leave on the 27th.

A couple of things I have learned.

Go ahead and make the ADRs. They will stay regardless of what you do with your resort. FP you can't make until 60 days out so you'll have it squared away by then it seems.

I'm from Floyd County, KY but now live in Louisville. My DD and I flew on Allegiant last time from Owensboro and it was a hassle getting from Sanford. The first time we flew Southwest (from Indy where we lived) and it worked great. This time we are flying Southwest from Louisville for free down (points) and for $144 per person back with no additional fees. Could you make the drive to Louisville? It is 3 hours from Floyd County. A two hour non-stop flight can be booked early for as low as $69 depending on the dates.

DD and I went down a day early in 2012 and stayed at Nickelodeon Suites (cheap and less than visually stunning) for a whopping $59 (hotwire) and then went to Disney the next day so not to pay for a day at Disney where nothing could really be appreciated. Perhaps you could do that? This year we are starting out at All Star Sports as we don't get in until 1:55 pm.

ME is wonderful. DH is paralyzed and was newly paralyzed in 2009 when we went. They handled everything with worries. For arrival plan 3 hours from flight landing and for return plan 3 hours prior to take-off. Return is absolutely 3 hours. Arrival not always. I would recommend giving it a try!

I'm sorry I have not heard of the carrier you listed.

 

[klitteral2009]

If you have your ADRs already, you should definitely be okay waiting until discounts come out. I think POR is usually included in the discounts.

I've never heard of PeopleExpress ... hopefully it will be okay.

People can be paranoid ... I'm sure that at some point it took someone 3 hours on DME ... but I've never had that. It takes that long for my luggage to get to the room when they pick it up for me (when they get your luggage, it doesn't go on the same bus as you), but if you just have carry-ons, that won't be a problem.

I'm glad the stress is starting to subside ... and I hope you get to book the room as soon as discounts come out! Only a few weeks until October...

I hope they aren't excluded. I know this last round of discounts they were or at least early on they were IIRC.

I hope its quick and painless transferring. I'm so bummed that we aren't leaving until late. Usually flights leave here around 9 and we were walking through the doors at POR by 1230. This time we don't land till six and with it being January it'll be getting dark, but I love POR lit up at night! I may end up using the luggage delivery, I'll know closer to time. I swore to myself last year I wouldn't overpack again. We took a large checked bag and a smaller carryon and hubby and I didn't wear half the stuff I packed for us. The kids went through all their Disney shirts but I packed way too many bottoms for them. This year I WILL be packing rain gear as last year we had chilly rainy days for about half the week. Ponchos suck and we paid a pretty penny for rain coats last year for the two of us. (Although I love them and we've used them at home too )

I know! I told DH last night I was ready to be there and he said he was too. Hes definitely a Disney convert lol. Dreaded going our first year but was in love by the second day wanting to book for the next year.

A little off topic, has anyone you know, or you personally, done a BB offer? I was considering that this year.

 

[SarahDisney]

A little off topic, has anyone you know, or you personally, done a BB offer? I was considering that this year.

I know a lot of people here on the disboards have ... I personally haven't, but I'm planning to look into it for my next trip. But look around, I know a lot of people here have and they can tell you more about it.

 

[klitteral2009]

Hi - let me first say I'm right there with you on the insanity! I booked in March and then updated in May when the public offers came out for October. Made all the ADRs and FP then got hit with a $11+k tax bill. I'm scrambling now to get everything adjusted to where I can justify the cost. I have cried, banged my head repeatedly, prayed, and finally compromised. I'm still not absolute that we have everything complete and we leave on the 27th.

A couple of things I have learned.

Go ahead and make the ADRs. They will stay regardless of what you do with your resort. FP you can't make until 60 days out so you'll have it squared away by then it seems.

I'm from Floyd County, KY but now live in Louisville. My DD and I flew on Allegiant last time from Owensboro and it was a hassle getting from Sanford. The first time we flew Southwest (from Indy where we lived) and it worked great. This time we are flying Southwest from Louisville for free down (points) and for $144 per person back with no additional fees. Could you make the drive to Louisville? It is 3 hours from Floyd County. A two hour non-stop flight can be booked early for as low as $69 depending on the dates.

DD and I went down a day early in 2012 and stayed at Nickelodeon Suites (cheap and less than visually stunning) for a whopping $59 (hotwire) and then went to Disney the next day so not to pay for a day at Disney where nothing could really be appreciated. Perhaps you could do that? This year we are starting out at All Star Sports as we don't get in until 1:55 pm.

ME is wonderful. DH is paralyzed and was newly paralyzed in 2009 when we went. They handled everything with worries. For arrival plan 3 hours from flight landing and for return plan 3 hours prior to take-off. Return is absolutely 3 hours. Arrival not always. I would recommend giving it a try!

I'm sorry I have not heard of the carrier you listed.

First of all, for that nasty tax bill! We had that in the past few months too. Not nearly 11k worth, but it was unfortunate. Its so hard to give up my Disney trip that we do nearly anything to make it work. Sounds like you need the Mouse time too. We considered staying less than our usual 7 days this year but we couldn't make ourselves do it. Scrimping, saving, and a whole lot of praying is gonna get us there

The Sanford transfer wasn't terrible last year, it was just a bit costly. We got pixie dust when we were picked up as we just paid for a van but they arrived with a stretch limo. My girls were over the moon with that! DD12 had a cheer trip several years ago and that was when Alleigant still flew into MCO, so weve used DME before but I didn't really have to do anything as it was a big package trip and we just kind of showed up. I like the convenience for sure. As well as the added magic with the welcome movie, and the magical music as you enter property.

I doubt driving to Louisville would work for us but those are amazing fares. We usually get anywhere between 69 and 89 when flying out of Huntington. This new airline that flies out of CHarleston (about an hour or so away from us) fares look to be steady at 79.

Happy thoughts for you and your trip! I'm sure it'll all work out and you'll be at the Mouse House before you know it

 

[johnsonginad]

First, find a Xanax or a Valium and relax.

LOL...I'm just joking. HEHEHEHEHE (but seriously...It might help out)

In all seriousness, though. If I read correctly, you said that the pricing for Allegiant and this "new airline" (I'm sorry, I have never heard of them. ) are the same, right? The only difference is that Allegiant flies into Sanford and the other into MCO. I would DEFINITELY choose the "other" just because of the convenience of DME.

We have always had great experiences with it.

YAY FOR PLANNING NEW TRIPS!

 

[klitteral2009]

First, find a Xanax or a Valium and relax.

LOL...I'm just joking. HEHEHEHEHE (but seriously...It might help out)

In all seriousness, though. If I read correctly, you said that the pricing for Allegiant and this "new airline" (I'm sorry, I have never heard of them. ) are the same, right? The only difference is that Allegiant flies into Sanford and the other into MCO. I would DEFINITELY choose the "other" just because of the convenience of DME.

We have always had great experiences with it.

YAY FOR PLANNING NEW TRIPS!

I know right??? Valium would be a welcome respite

Yeah, if I was on the fence before, the time difference in departures has made my mind up for me! I think the kids will really like DME too

I love planning...although this has stressed me a bit more than the last two, I still love seeing it all come together!

In that same vein, has anyone skipped a park (like HS???) and regretted it? We like RnRC and ToT but I just don't know that schlepping all the way over for two rides is worth it. I'm thinking we use a day as a resort DTD day and just relax a bit.

 

[moe10378]

I'm basically in between Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus! Lol.

 

[klitteral2009]

I'm basically in between Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus! Lol.

We're in Dayton regularly to visit my uncle and we have friends that might as well be family in Cincy and Columbus! Love that area!!!

 

[disneyseniors]

I can't say that this is necessarily a PTR but I desperately needed a place to vent. I'm so excited to be planning our third WDW trip I can hardly contain myself. BUUUUUUUUT at the same time I'm overwhelmed. I'm sure I feel this way everytime I start to plan but things are a little different this year. I have usually booked already for January but due to some overzealous spending I haven't been able to reserve our room at POR yet. While I'm sad, and a little anxious because of that, part of me says that I should just wait for discounts to be released anyway since it'll be the first of October anyway before I am able to book.

Then theres the added stress of flying. With a family of five, it gets a little pricey but the drive in January is brutal from Eastern Kentucky where winter is nasty. Icy roads, snow, you name it. This year we have the option of flying from a different local airport that flies directly into MCO, but it's with a new carrier I've never heard of before. We usually fly into Sanford on Allegiant and have to pay for ground transportation. This new airport is about an hour away, and the flights leave later--cutting into our arrival day resort time--but prices are nearly identical and I feel like DME is a definite advantage. BUUUUUUUUUT (see a theme here?) I've never used DME and wonder if there are any disadvantages? Travel time to the resort? Luggage being lost?

And of course theres the usual OCD planning mode I go into with dining reservations, park day planning and the like.

Don't get me wrong, I'm over the moon to be planning yet another trip, I just feel like I've got information and decision overload. Thanks to anyone to was able to make sense of this rambling and read all the way to the end. Anybody got any encouragement? Tips about using DME? Xanax? Valium?

TLR Im in trip planning mode and should be tranquilized.

Okay, I'll give it a try. We always use Disney magical express!!!! It's one of the many reasons we go to Disney every year! It's so nice to put the tags on the suitcases, turn them over at the airport, and don't think about them til we get to our rooms. The bags are always delivered in a timely manner. It's so nice to NOT worry about our luggage! One less thing to worry about! Lo ve DME. About the over planning? I say slow down and simplify it. If you are staying on site, you can do your adr's a long time before you can do your fp+'s. I usually decided which park we are going to ahead of time, cause you have to do this at some point, right. Then fit the adr's to them. I haven't done the fp's yet but will schedule them for later in the am or early pm. I can do that next week. Yea They can also be adjusted if you need to do that later I think these dis sites can confuse us at times with all the suggestions, opinions, etc. But these are just opinions, everyone has one, right Just know that whatever you plan or don't plan will work itself out. After all, it's Disney, right? I just thought of something important that definitely works for us. We use a certified Disney world travel agent. She knows all things Disney and has helped us every step of the way. If you can get to a certified WDW agent, that will take most of the stress out of your trip, believe me. Hope all goes well!

 

[klitteral2009]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm a fairly laid back person but something about Disney planning makes me nutso. I think it's the fear of not getting the reservations that we want or fearing someone will snag the last one before me....crazy I know!

I think it's safe to say the anxiety has subsided for the most part. The airline dilemma worked itself out and my ADRs are set and for the times I like. It's gonna be a run for the FPs when the day comes to book them. The cats out of the bag about the sisters from Arendell so they and the new mine train are at the top of my princesses wish list (along with every other girl in the free world). I've used Hosh and his calendars to plan most of our park days so it's all falling into place, as it always does. I just need to remember to have a little faith, trust and pixie dust!

 

[mustlovecats]

I totally get how you feel. I'm going to Disney for my honeymoon and trying to plan everything for that is becoming wayyy more stressful than planning for the wedding itself!!

 

[klitteral2009]

Congrats on a Disney-moon I can't imagine planning that and a wedding. My poor little brain couldn't take it lol. Can't we all just be independently wealthy and own plenty of DVC points and AP's for unlimited trips yearly??? Any billionaires wanna hook a family up? Hahahaha