Hey Hey we're the Whiteheads, a pre trip report

[queenbetsey]

Here we come, limping down the street
Get the funniest looks from everyone we meet
Hey Hey we're the whiteheads and people say we disser around
We're too busy crashing to get tis trip report off the ground.

Ok so this is my first trip report and man oh man am I nervous. I follow what some will consider Disser royality/ Nebo, Ponzi, Thumper man and Lady H just to name a few. Sorry if your name didn't make the top four but I do read lots of trip reports but for those of you have not yet had the pleasure search these folks and read their stuff it is really funny.

I will start by introducing you to the motley crew that will be going on this trip. I should try to avoid the word trip (we will get to that later)
There is me, the ever witty and amazingly beautiful... (what oh too much fiction, ok) Betsey, then my husband , Lance (aka twinkle toes, we will get to this later also) and Scarlett 10 months old when we leave our adorable granddaughter and shawndell and randy our daughter and son in law or as we refer to them now "those people that scarlett lives with" as you can tell we are pretty much liking this whole grand parent gig.

Back in early October I start stalking er uh searching out discounts and was able to get the stay play and dine for Jan5throug Jan 12.
Lance agrees that it has been way too long since our last trip and says we can do this for our anniversary. He really wanted to stay at POFQ but they were not on the list of hotels that got this package Oh no I am now seeing my time sipping dole whips and getting chased off a mountain by a Yeti slipping away... but after a great deal of convincing he agrees to stay somewhere else and we book CBR. I tell him it is a beautiful place and for the most part folks really like it.

That weekend happened to be our first Dis meet. We live and have APs for Disneyland and there were some of the afore mentioned royality that were going to be out here. It was really awesome to meet these folks in person after reading them for years. and I mentioned that we had booked the CBR and Smidgy and Lady H both had great things to say about it. Lance was still kind of not warmed up to it but TA DA Nebo and T man to the rescue. they also said the place was pretty nice etc and once the men had good opinions Lance was now looking forward to trying a new resort

We were getting excited and later on in the month lance says "It would be so fun to take Scarlett to WDW. and then says to me to find the same deal for the kids. I explain that in the world of airfare a couple of weeks can mean a huge price jump. long story short it did cost quite a bit more for their airfare but he went ahead and said yes. our flights home will be a bit different but that should be ok.
Let the pixie dust begin to fall. That is right up until November 5th. My husband's doctor told him that he should take 30 -60 minute walks every day for his health. He and Shawndell do this pretty much daily with Scarlett in her stroller. While on their morning walk he slipped and fell. The phone call to me went something like this, " I think I may have sprained my ankle pretty bad" I know this is not going to end well. He never calls me at work unless it is something important. So I make the necessary arrangements to leave work and just as I am driving up our street he calls again and says "Honey I think I might need to go to urgent care" long story short he has broken his fibula.
Then a week after that Randy *the son in law* has some guy slam into him while he was sitting in traffic pushing him into the car in front of him. Jeesh this is one lousy month but we are still going.
Lance is healing up and should be able to walk on his leg starting the 30th of December and Randy is ok after a few back adjustments so here we are at 20 days out.
Sure we have 30 people coming for Christmas Dinner, and yeah I have to get the dog his shots and new license before the 20th of Dec, oh and hubbys truck need new tags too by the 24th along with the catalytic converter that has to be replaced for the fourth time (we started that process before the broken leg) the place is having a hard time for some reason. Rather annoying as we have the most common truck in the universe. but I digress
We are just so happy that we have this vacation to look forward to.

I will try to do a decent report while I try to figure my way through the whole magic band stuff and online check in a first for us.
this will be son in law's first trip and we hope he enjoys it.

so pull up a chair and grab you favorite snackies and a sunny d and lets get ready to stuuuummmmbbbllleee er sorry honey cheap shot but just had to take it.

 

[bankr63]

WooHoo QueenB has a (pre)trippie too! Just saw your link while stumbling over TM/W's report. Well the Christmas presents have started already!! Looking forward to riding along...

Sorry to hear about all the tribulations. It's all His way of making sure you enjoy and appreciate the vacation all the more!

 

[Thumper_Man]

Are you trying to be like Lady H and I? Secretly hide the TR in your signature and see how many realize it's there.

Glad to see you're thinking about doing a TR. I'm really interested to hear about how it goes. Especially with the introduction of Magic Bands and FP+. Ponzi is going in 2015 and if we can swing it, we'll join him out there. You'll be our guinea pigs. Interested to find out if you made any pre-plans yet. I'll stay tuned to see.

Sounds like this vacation is really what you need right now. You will love CBR. This is the first time, and first place, Lady H and I stayed onsite. We really enjoyed it here.

I'm here for the ride.

 

[queenbetsey]

Welcome aboard folks good to see ya!
Well we have made it to Christmas day. Lance had his cast taken off last week and is now in a boot. He can start walking on it on New Year's eve. Told him he needs to shake a leg to get ready for WDW and be ready to walk 5 plus miles a day (just kidding we are just glad he will be able to walk instead of crutches) He will need to have the boot on until Jan 20th though.
Our truck has finally passed it's smog inspection it took the place 4 tries to get right working part but we got it done,
Today we get to have the family over which is always fun, even if it is a lot of work we are blessed with a great family.
So to all of my disboard family I am wishing you all a Merry Christmas and stay safe folks.
I will post in the next few days about how we are finding our way with pre trip planning and magic bands. suffice it to say that if I can muddle through with these things anyone can. I am not very good at this kind of thing
have a great day

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Merry Christmas!

I read somewhere you started a PTR. I think the secret is to talk about it, LOL, I never pay much attention to links in siggies...

Anyway, awesome start, you are doing a great job. I'll be along for the ride as well.

 

[pkondz]

Glad to hear Lance is getting better.
Yes, following.
But I seldom comment on PTRs.

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[pkondz]

Oh, Geez.
Forgot to mention...

Me? Disser royalty????
Totally flattered that you think so, but I'm pretty sure my following (if you want to call it that) is pretty small.

Unless you're just referring to the fact that I habitually wear a crown.


Yeah, that must be it.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Unless you're just referring to the fact that I habitually wear a crown.


Yeah, that must be it.

Thumpers??? This calls for a picture!

 

[queenbetsey]

Chapter 2:
Well here we are folks. all our bags are packed we're ready to go......
we took Stanley the wonder dog to grandma's house this morning and took her to Red Robin for a quick lunch then the hour trip back to kick back and relax before heading out to the airport tonight for a 12:30 am departure.
We are all so excited. stick boy (the son in law) has never flown so he is a bit nervous but I think he will be ok. lance is getting around much better but I think he will fall behind during the running of the bulls at rope drop.
and yes Ponzi you all are disser royality and we would love a pic in your crown
we are trying to get in on the nebos greatest hits and falls tour but looks like that maybe booked up. you know the one, it takes you to all the cool places where there have been, how should I put this, nebo incidents and for an extra couple of bucks you can even have a meet and greet with the Harley boys as they hose down the pool deck and they recreate how to set up the loungers for maximum trip potential. and you end up with a choice of eating at japan (burning finger on the grill optional) or at the poly (remember to peel that shrimp.
Unfortunatley that tour is all booked up bummer.
have a safe week everyone and I will try to get a tr going as soon as possible when we get back.
our flight home stops in Chicago (don't forget to wave back nebo and smidgy) hope the weather improves getting that flight delayed would not be good since I have to be at work bright and early the day after we get home.
we are al on the same flights going out there but the kids are on a different flight part way on the way back if all goes well we all meet up again in San Franscisco and then down to Ontario International.
take care folks and see ya real soon, I"M GOING TO DISNEYWORLD

 

[pkondz]

Too late for you to see this before you leave, but... Just in case you check in

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[queenbetsey]

thanks ponzie
we made it here and it has been an interesting first day. thought we would get a half day at Hollywood studios but that just did not work out.
btw I think that who ever came up with these magic bands needs to be beaten soundly about the head and shoulders. just saying. but fof now it is off to bed we have been up since 5 am Saturday morning (pacific time) and it is now almost 9 pm east coast time. we will try to make early entry at animal kingdom lodge

 

[Thumper_Man]

Welcome back Queen Bee. You are back? Or are you conveniently stuck at WDW still? Waiting to hear all about the changes happening at WDW.

 

[queenbetsey]

WE'RE BAAACCCKKKK!!!
I am trying to organize my thoughts and pics, also trying to figure out how to pull them from that memory maker program.
We got off to a rocky start with the magic bands from..... well you get the idea. We pretty much lost the first day of our vacation trying to get them fixed and refixed/
We had record breaking cold temps and record high temps for that time of year while we were there.
Over all it was a good week and I am not the biggest fan of the new tech as it sits now but I can see that once they get the bugs worked out and everyone trained to the same standard it will be ok. I will post an update this weekend and maybe even some pics (you folks know I am not too good at that and if it wasn't for Ponzi you would never see a pic I posted he always has to fix the links for me what a prince. ) so hopefully I will be able to make my pics show up on my own just remember we are new grandparents still and we did have the world's cutest granddaughter with us, oh yeah and those people she lives with too

 

[pkondz]

Welcome back Betsey!
Can't wait to hear (and hopefully see?) all about it!

 

[Thumper_Man]

I've been reading a lot of horror stories on here lately about the latest technology. Many people describing having problems and losing time just like you did. From the various threads I've read, it seems that 2 out of every 3 people REALLY dislike the new MB's and FP+ system. I can't wait to hear more about it.

 

[pkondz]

Boo!

Sorry, I just wanted to see Thumper jump.

 

[queenbetsey]

So I figured if I was going to steal material for this trip report might as well go with one of the best posters on the boards so thanks for the opening line, Nebo.

Departure day came with the usual cold January weather we get her in So Cal. That said we wanted to get things ready to leave with the temps expected to be 80 or so wanted to get any outside stuff taken care of and then off for the drive to take Stanley the wonder dog off to Lance's mom's house for the next week. As we break into "Onto the onramp and up the freeway to grandma's house we go" Stanley just gives us "the look". You dog owners know the one I am talking about, the how can you leave me like this look. Now we know that he will be well taken care of and between my mother in law and all her little old lady friends who think he is "just the sweetest little dog" he will be fine and more than likely a pound or two heavier.

I jump online for a bit when we get home and also decide to double check my camera to see if it has a full charge. Good thing too it was just about dead. I have already put the bag in the trunk that we are gonna check and in there is the pouch with all my charging cords so out I go to grab it so that I have a full charge for the beginning of our trip.

I was able to book all of us on the same flights going out and one that left at 12:30 am on the morning of the 5th. That being said we needed to be at the airport around 10ish on Sat night to make it through all the stuff you need to get through to make it into the boarding area. I also realized that this would get us to WDW around noonish giving us pretty much the day to check out Hollywood studios in the afternoon.
We went to pick up Scarlett and those folks she lives with and as lance was still using a cane and in one of those big boot things enlisted son in law Randy to sort the luggage and put the car seat in my little car (I drive a Yaris) so once we have the rest of Scarlett's stuff in the checked bag Randy loads up the trunk. I will say this all those hours of playing tetris as a kid payed off for us as he got all of our carry ons the big check bag and the stroller in that trunk andoff we went.
takes about 45minutes to get to the airport and I drop everyone at the curb and we unload the luggage so I can go and park in long term parking. I ind the right lot, park my car and make a walk around it to make sure we don't have anything hanging out of the door and that all is well and no evil seatbelts are hanging out. Things are going great so far.

we get the bag checked and up to security where they walk up to us and pull us out of line, I look at Lance and Randy and ask ,"what did you two do?"
Well the reason the pulled us out of line was baby Scarlett. we were taken out of line because they had to go through her diaper bag but that was ok as the line was pretty long. I was pretty surprised at how busy it was for the middle of the night.
Our flights went well and our little one did great on them and our second plane touched down on time at MCO. THis is going to be awesome. this is going to be great. all those hours with the magic bands online and making FP+ is paying off I think.
Then we get to magical express. *thud* THe Cm says that our bands are not showing up in the system. No problem I say, I have the paper vouchers. Cm says nope we need to use the bands when folks have them so I gather everyone's bands and he starts the process of registering them. and registering them.... and registering them. Finally we get them handed back and told to go and get on the bus.

I check my watch and heck yeah we will be able to get to CBR eat and then hit HS in time for our FP+ for that afternoon. once we get to the hotel I head up to check in. and the CM says to me, "your magic bands are not showing up on our system" again I round up all of our bands he tries to register them, and tries to register them, and tries to register them and then says he needs to give us new ones. that takes about another 15 minutes or so and he finishes checking us in. I ask him if our FP+ that have been made are showing up or the two dining reservations or the memory maker that we paid for and he says no we need to go to the concierge for that.
Now I have been traveling for many many hours, I have been without nicotine for all of those hours. I am getting a bit cranky and majorly frustrated at this point. Another 30 minutes with that CM andis able to fix the original bands that the other two CM "fixed" and de activate the second set. the only thing we need to do is go to guest services to get the memory maker sorted out. Ok we can do that when we go to DTD for a bite to eat and a run over to the Hess station to get water bottles. I check my watch and hey I see we can still do this and make the fp window.
go to our rooms and all is well the are ready and ajoining as we asked for and onto a DTD bus we go and have a great lunch at Pucks express. After a bit of discussion we decide to divide forces to save time and Shawndell and lance will take the baby and head to guest services and Randy and I will head out to find the Hess station for Scarlettt's water bottles for her formula for her unmommy meals. Easy Peasy. Let's get this done and go back and drop the water in the rom and head out, simple right?
after taking the way the waiter at Puck's told us randy got a fast tour of DTD and we were getting the water and my phone starts to blow up. there is an issue with you guessed it the Magic bands not showing up in the system. we head back to meetup at guest services and by now it is 3pm. By the time we get sorted out here we have missed our first window and there is no way we can make it to the studios in time to hit the second or for that matter the third one either. by this time I am almost ready to book a flight home. The girl at guest services was a sweetheart and finally made everything show up we booked. I looked at here and said "you know these bands kind of stink if you ask me you guys should like up the folks who came up with this and they should let all of the CMs who have to fix and refix these things while dealing with cranky people like me have paintball guns and let loose on them" she tried to stay "Disney" as she laughed and said well when all the kinks get ironed out they will be pretty efficient. but she leaned back and just cracked up none the less. she looked at our plans for the next day and said how about anytime fast passes for test track at epcot tomorrow? they will not interfere with your other fp either. I thanked her and we went to take a bus back to CBR. We decided not to burn a days worth of tickets since it was so late and just unpacked and went to check out the food court.
I will say this place is just beautiful. And yes I wanted to run to the closet beach and make a sand angel but resisted the urge.

we explored a bit and then had a smoke break in the dsa that was right outside of our room in the courtyard. We were in building 4500 and had rooms 4505 and 4506.

things I think:
I think that tetris can be used in the real word by any one who has to pack an economy car for vacation;
I think that the folks at Ontario international are pretty darn nice, they were helpful and patient getting a baby and her broken grandpa through security.
I think magic bands are a bloody nightmare right about now and I am worried about our first park tomorrow and how they are going to work.
I just don't think I can take yet another CM having to "fix" them since everytime someone "fixes" them it takes at least an hour.

Next up:holding our breath to se if we can use these things to get into animal kingdom.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Aww, Betsy, so sorry you had so much trouble with the Magic Bands, what a hassle. I hope things improved for you.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Hi Queen Bee.

I'm sorry the first day didn't start off well. It coincides with many of the reports people are having here. I'm with Marita and really do hope things get better.

What was your first impression of CBR? Besides wanting to make sand angels. I hope our recommendation didn't let you down. I'll wait to hear more about the resort.

See, I told you could do this. You're off to a great start.