~How TWO trips became...who knows? ~ It's a TRIP! and an upgrade.... 4/22

[kdzbear]

I love your tree that you decorated for Dax. We started decorating on Wed. and then we stopped about half way through. We may finish tonight.

 

[maroo]

Ok...

I am a little FREAKED!!!!!

The Cast for my December trip (December 14-20 with Rachel and Family) has gone from 7 to.......

I don't even KNOW how many more.

A whole group of folks that Rachel knows (including kids, adults and grandparents) will be joining for "one or two" days...

So...a wrench in our plans...what an understatement!

It is a good wrench! But back to the drawing and planning board for me! For a planners...this is just nuts!

We leave in....

ONE MONTH!!!!! (as of tomorrow)

 

[hollybearsmom]

unknown quantities?

Good luck, i know you will have fun planning for this change!

 

[jordanyosh]

I'm not even going to attempt to catch up. so i'll just hop on board here.

 

[maroo]

unknown quantities?

Good luck, i know you will have fun planning for this change!

Yep.

Never a dull moment over here.

I'm not even going to attempt to catch up. so i'll just hop on board here.

You are free to just hop on board! I can't keep up with yours...it FLIES!

Short version is that I have a lot of trips coming up and will be just musing about them over here. I will start each musing with a reference to the trip, dates and cast...and the muse.

It should be interesting.

 

[jordanyosh]

Ok...

I am a little FREAKED!!!!!

The Cast for my December trip (December 14-20 with Rachel and Family) has gone from 7 to.......

I don't even KNOW how many more.

A whole group of folks that Rachel knows (including kids, adults and grandparents) will be joining for "one or two" days...

So...a wrench in our plans...what an understatement!

It is a good wrench! But back to the drawing and planning board for me! For a planners...this is just nuts!

We leave in....

ONE MONTH!!!!! (as of tomorrow)

We had a similar thing happen to our group in feb 08. Some friends of one of our group were in town. They wanted to join us for a day or two.

What we did was keep our basic schedule the same. If they wanted to join us, they could. We stayed together for some of the day and split for part of it. As for meals, same thing

In your case, it's so late in the game that planning a get together especially surrounding a meal might be tough...unless you plan some CS meals together.

It's doable and it really wasn't that bad.

 

[maroo]

We had a similar thing happen to our group in feb 08. Some friends of one of our group were in town. They wanted to join us for a day or two.

What we did was keep our basic schedule the same. If they wanted to join us, they could. We stayed together for some of the day and split for part of it. As for meals, same thing

In your case, it's so late in the game that planning a get together especially surrounding a meal might be tough...unless you plan some CS meals together.

It's doable and it really wasn't that bad.

This is very true...

Check out this update...

 

[maroo]

Well...

I left in a frantic because we had more people joining us.

I had the most interesting conversation with this family. They are old friends of Rachel - the Dad was one of Rachel's night nurses when they were at Rehab for months.

I asked him what parks they may want to go to...and he said that they really would only be able to do one park because of time and finances...and that since there was a mix of adults and children they wanted to spend the day at.......



Epcot.





That is the one park that we have VERY little time scheduled. And when we are there we are eating at Le Cellier (like I would EVER be able to add an unknown number of people to the CP ressie?) and watching the Candlelight Processional. BORING for kids. Who could be at the MK!

They live an hour away from Disney and never go. They really don't care much about Disney. Their mindset is that the Magic Kingdom is for kids. That Epcot is for adults and kids. But they really just want to spend time with Rachel and her Mom. They have not seen them in quite some time. Years.

So...I made the suggestion that they come on the day we are going to the Christmas Party. We have some "down" time at the resort in the early afternoon and then we are heading to the Christmas Party that whole night.

This would provide for plenty of time to visit and hang out. And it is a relatively cheap way to see just one park in one day...plus they get to go to the big Christmas Party.

So. I am waiting to hear from them to see if that is doable.

What do you think they will decide? Your guess is as good as mine!

Up Next: Plans for December!!

 

[Sandy321]

Good luck with that - I do know for Florida residents there are numerous ticket options - perhaps after one day (expensive at $75) they could upgrade to a FL AP for a little bit more!! (I think its $145 for FL residents, but there are restrictions - check out mousesavers.com)

However, you just cant change some people's mind. They either "get" Disney, or they dont. and I've found, I just have to let it go!! Seriously our neighbor's went and they were going to get there at noon - during a very busy time - no adr, no plans - dd was even trying to get them to understand. I think they went on 3 rides total!! and dont understand our joy when we return!

I like your plan to have them join you on the party day - spend the day at DTD? maybe do a CS at the resort? Good luck!

Epcot is just huge so it makes sense to go there - but it makes no sense to alter all your best laid plans!

 

[jordanyosh]

I hope you are able to work the details out so it works for everyone. Don't stress too much about it because not knowing them that well, you just don't know what to expect.

 

[maroo]

Good luck with that - I do know for Florida residents there are numerous ticket options - perhaps after one day (expensive at $75) they could upgrade to a FL AP for a little bit more!! (I think its $145 for FL residents, but there are restrictions - check out mousesavers.com)

However, you just cant change some people's mind. They either "get" Disney, or they dont. and I've found, I just have to let it go!! Seriously our neighbor's went and they were going to get there at noon - during a very busy time - no adr, no plans - dd was even trying to get them to understand. I think they went on 3 rides total!! and dont understand our joy when we return!

I like your plan to have them join you on the party day - spend the day at DTD? maybe do a CS at the resort? Good luck!

Epcot is just huge so it makes sense to go there - but it makes no sense to alter all your best laid plans!

They seemed to really like the Christmas Party idea! They had no idea they had a Christmas Party. I sent them a website to check out. I will hopefully talk to them some this week.

I hope you are able to work the details out so it works for everyone. Don't stress too much about it because not knowing them that well, you just don't know what to expect.

Me, too!

I will try not to stress.

Hopefully in the next day or so I will have a plan for our few days.

 

[pipersmom]

I have a feeling that this will work out just fine for you guys, Maroo..just handle it with your typical grace and charm and you'll be all set. That being said, I can understand the stress it entails when you've been planning for months and a wrench gets thrown into the works.

 

[StefaniLyn]

I really hope they decided to join you on your MK day instead of Epcot. It would be near impossible to get more people added to your ressie, especially for CP. Unfortunately, as they are not Disney fanatics and dont't comprehend that a reservation can be considered an accomplishment I doubt they would be very understanding if they had to wait around while you ate at Le Cellier or enjoyed the CP. No matter what, promise me you won't contemplate cancelling your reservations to accommodate the additional cast!

 

[maroo]

I love your tree that you decorated for Dax. We started decorating on Wed. and then we stopped about half way through. We may finish tonight.

I am so sorry that I missed quoting this post earlier! I just re-read it and am so sorry I did not quote it the first time around!

I am pretty much done with my decorating. I don't usually do anything outside...just inside. And I am going to be gone for most of the holidays anyway...but I figure I gotta have a TREE!

I have a feeling that this will work out just fine for you guys, Maroo..just handle it with your typical grace and charm and you'll be all set. That being said, I can understand the stress it entails when you've been planning for months and a wrench gets thrown into the works.

Thank you!

I really am feeling pretty good about it today! I think that they will all be really cool with going to the party.

I really hope they decided to join you on your MK day instead of Epcot. It would be near impossible to get more people added to your ressie, especially for CP. Unfortunately, as they are not Disney fanatics and dont't comprehend that a reservation can be considered an accomplishment I doubt they would be very understanding if they had to wait around while you ate at Le Cellier or enjoyed the CP. No matter what, promise me you won't contemplate cancelling your reservations to accommodate the additional cast!

I do, too.

Don't worry...I don't plan changing the Le Cellier ressie at all. But...if that is what Rachel really wants to do...then I would go with that.

I am really trying not to be "married" to these plans. Much like my trip with Lauren - I want this trip to be all about Rachel and Ellie and their family - if they want to cancel an ADR...well...oh well. If they wake up and decide they want to go to Epcot for PM EMH on the Worst Day of the Year...well, Ok.

I think I will be disappointed if we skip the plans and end up getting everything all messed up... but if we miss something I planned to do something they would rather do...and they are happy...then I will be happy! I get to go to Disney a lot...they may never get back...at least not with this group of people.



I also don't think I am mentioned Rosemary much. Rosemary is one of Rachel's best friends from growing up. Rosemary is a college student and about the same age as Rachel.

Rosemary has had a very hard life. BOTH of her parents were murdered. And not at the same time, either. A very crazy man was obsessed with her Mother. He actually killed her Father - in an attempt to get closer to her Mom. A while later he killed her Mom and then himself on the same day - after she told him that she did not want a relationship with him. Just tragic.

Rachel and her Mom have been like family to her for years. Rosemary goes on a lot of trips with them.

This will be her first trip to Disney, too.

So...I guess I am just saying... This trip is about them...what they want to do. Hopefully I have saved them some money, helped them plan to maximize their time and will be an asset while they are there to help take some of the pressure off of everyone... But I am really going to try not to stress too much.

I just forgot that this weekend when they said they were going to add a "few" (ok, more like 10) people to the trip.

But I am better now.

 

[StefaniLyn]

Don't worry...I don't plan changing the Le Cellier ressie at all. But...if that is what Rachel really wants to do...then I would go with that.

I am really trying not to be "married" to these plans. Much like my trip with Lauren - I want this trip to be all about Rachel and Ellie and their family - if they want to cancel an ADR...well...oh well. If they wake up and decide they want to go to Epcot for PM EMH on the Worst Day of the Year...well, Ok.

I think I will be disappointed if we skip the plans and end up getting everything all messed up... but if we miss something I planned to do something they would rather do...and they are happy...then I will be happy! I get to go to Disney a lot...they may never get back...at least not with this group of people.

I also don't think I am mentioned Rosemary much. Rosemary is one of Rachel's best friends from growing up. Rosemary is a college student and about the same age as Rachel.

Rosemary has had a very hard life. BOTH of her parents were murdered. And not at the same time, either. A very crazy man was obsessed with her Mother. He actually killed her Father - in an attempt to get closer to her Mom. A while later he killed her Mom and then himself on the same day - after she told him that she did not want a relationship with him. Just tragic.

Rachel and her Mom have been like family to her for years. Rosemary goes on a lot of trips with them.

This will be her first trip to Disney, too.

So...I guess I am just saying... This trip is about them...what they want to do. Hopefully I have saved them some money, helped them plan to maximize their time and will be an asset while they are there to help take some of the pressure off of everyone... But I am really going to try not to stress too much.

I just forgot that this weekend when they said they were going to add a "few" (ok, more like 10) people to the trip.

But I am better now.

Rosemary's story . . . omgosh how tragic! I cannot even imagine!

I understand that the trip is about Rachel and her family. But. . . . . . it can still be about them even if you need to take a little side trip for one day to Epcot for the CP dinner package. Would Rachel and mom still be able to get around without your assistance? Are there other new cast members who could help out if not?

If you didn't want to go by yourself, I'm sure you could find another DISer, maybe even a Wish family, that would like to join you. You give so much to other people, including Rachel and her family. I am certain they would not want you to be disappointed either.

 

[pipersmom]

I'm with Stefani on this one, and as much as I know you love your trips with wish families, I'm glad you're planning the ones with All7ofUs and other side trip(s) for yourself as well. You deserve it!

 

[maroo]

Rosemary's story . . . omgosh how tragic! I cannot even imagine!

I know. And I had NO idea when I first met her and for some very strange reason asked her about her parents?!?! Awkward.

I understand that the trip is about Rachel and her family. But. . . . . . it can still be about them even if you need to take a little side trip for one day to Epcot for the CP dinner package. Would Rachel and mom still be able to get around without your assistance? Are there other new cast members who could help out if not?

I actually have a little "side" trip - sorta - planned. Actually...maybe more than one. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve!

If you didn't want to go by yourself, I'm sure you could find another DISer, maybe even a Wish family, that would like to join you. You give so much to other people, including Rachel and her family. I am certain they would not want you to be disappointed either.

You are so sweet.

I'm with Stefani on this one, and as much as I know you love your trips with wish families, I'm glad you're planning the ones with All7ofUs and other side trip(s) for yourself as well. You deserve it!

I have LOTS of trips planned! He he.

 

[Sandy321]

ITA - you do handle things with grace, and love!!

and they will have a great experience coming in for the Party - make sure they come early and hang out at the resort - get to the party at 4pm - lunch at a CS place? (where are you staying this particular trip? )

 

[maroo]

DECEMBER:
Dates: December 14-20
Cast: Rachel, her Mom, Rosemary, Ellie, her Mom and Dad and me.

Here is some more info about December. I think this may shed some light on some of what I have planned for this trip:

Monday, December 14th:
DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE!!! Rachel, her Mom, Rosemary and I are heading out in their van for the approx 10 hour trip to Disney. We will leave late in the afternoon on Monday, after Rachel's treatment. Rachel will be tired - since she just got her medicine and may sleep for a good bit of the drive. We will all share driving responsibilities - we all like to drive.

Note: Ellie, her Mom and Dad do not arrive until Wednesday!

We plan to catch supper on the road. And then grab a hotel room whenever we are ready to go to sleep.

Tuesday, December 15th:
Sleep in - some. We will have lost an hour. This trip is going to have to be relaxed. If we need to sleep - especially Rachel - we are. Drive the rest of the way to the AKL. Check in - (I will have actually already done online check in - and called to make sure our room is going to have all of the equipment we need). Quick change of clothes. Maybe rest a bit, if we have time.

To EPCOT! First stop is to Ticketing - I need to get my Tables in Wonderland Card and they will need to get tickets. Then to Guest Services to get a GAC card for Rachel. She has several medical needs not addressed by simply using a wheelchair, so hopefully Guest Services will be able to help her with an alternate place to wait for some lines.

Grab a FP for Soarin'!

To Le Cellier for Lunch. Our lunch is a late lunch. Then to CP. Then??? Who knows...walk around WS? Probably we will head out...ride Soarin' and head to the room.

Rachel has some medical stuff to take care of - stuff she likes her Momma to handle. It is possible that Rachel and her Mom will go back early and give Rosemary and I a chance to ride some thrill rides! Test Track? Go to MK and ride Space Mountain? Who knows. We may even go to Jellyrolls for the evening?

I am fairly certain that Tuesday's plans will be left the way they are...simply because Rosemary is just along for the ride (her words) and Rachel, Joyce and I planned that day!

It is the rest of the week that gets a little...Interesting.

So ... More on that later!


And I will go ahead and popcorn myself!

 

[maroo]

ITA - you do handle things with grace, and love!!

and they will have a great experience coming in for the Party - make sure they come early and hang out at the resort - get to the party at 4pm - lunch at a CS place? (where are you staying this particular trip? )

That party. It is going to be AWESOME!!!!!

We are staying at the AKL.

Plan is to go to a park till around 12:00 PM on party day. Then head back to the room to rest. Actually get off of our feet - be horizontal - for at least an hour each. Hopefully Ellie will even get a longer nap?

Then leave by 3:30 for the party.

Counter service during the party - no specific plans. These people don't eat anyway. It will probably be just me eating. Really. They don't eat. One meal a day sort of people.

And then I have a little surprise for the party. Maroo got to be Santa throwing some pixie dust today...and have added a little magic to this little party!

Which is going to provide me a little time to myself, too. Not really intentional on my part...but that is how it has worked out! All will be revealed in due time, my friends. Due time.