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

[Sandy321]

yourself!!

OK - for your roadtrip - - stop at a McDonald's, or Steak n Shake - whaterver... and look for a magazine rack - that has this > >

http://www.roomsaver.com/index.php

they put together DAY OF savings - a "walk in rate"!!

and - if EPCOT Guest Service gives Rachel a hard time about GAC - let it go... and then the next day go to MK for the GAC - its been our experience that Epcot CM's told us that GACs were for "autistic" kids only - or if you have a wheelchair - we wont give a GAC.... Hopefully they are better trained!! (I plan on getting PM from you after the trip btw - this "new" GAC procedures are making me a bit nervous - hopefully we wont need it with dd - I like to have it, just in case, luckily last trip we didnt need it!! )

AK That will be a fun place to gather all those people - lunch at Mara, or Saana? so many places to hang out at AK imho!!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

aha!!!

I found your Dec PTR....LOL


Hope to see you somewhere inthe world...I am there 18-21...even for a quick hello

 

[maroo]

yourself!!

OK - for your roadtrip - - stop at a McDonald's, or Steak n Shake - whaterver... and look for a magazine rack - that has this > >

http://www.roomsaver.com/index.php

they put together DAY OF savings - a "walk in rate"!!

and - if EPCOT Guest Service gives Rachel a hard time about GAC - let it go... and then the next day go to MK for the GAC - its been our experience that Epcot CM's told us that GACs were for "autistic" kids only - or if you have a wheelchair - we wont give a GAC.... Hopefully they are better trained!! (I plan on getting PM from you after the trip btw - this "new" GAC procedures are making me a bit nervous - hopefully we wont need it with dd - I like to have it, just in case, luckily last trip we didnt need it!! )

AK That will be a fun place to gather all those people - lunch at Mara, or Saana? so many places to hang out at AK imho!!

I figured I would just do a premptive popcorn strike!

Actually...we are going to have to get another GAC on Wednesday anyway. But if they put the right "stamp" on it Tuesday, then we should be good to go for Wed. If not, we can start over on Wed.

We will only have 4 people with us the first day (but may have to use it for Soarin?) and by Wednesday we will have 7. I know the GAC will only work for 6 people total...so if they don't have mercy on me, then I will be sitting out on any rides that require the GAC once the rest of the family gets there. Wed/Thurs we will have 7 with us...Thurs night we may have...who knows how many...and Friday Joyce will be in meetings all day....but more on that later!

I am not sure if we will have lunch before the leave the park for the morning on Thursday or eat at the AKL (probably Mara)?? I guess it all depends on timing and our tummies!

aha!!!

I found your Dec PTR....LOL


Hope to see you somewhere inthe world...I am there 18-21...even for a quick hello

He he!

To be REALLY confusing...this is actually a PTR about December, Jan, March, Oct? and December 2010. I just have not addressed all of those yet.

PM me your schedule when you get it worked out and maybe I can tweak mine to make sure we can connect at some point. Although we really only have the 18th (which is our "rest" day - whatever that means) and the 19th...we will be out of the parks by the 20th.

Where are you guys staying?

 

[that's nice]

Well I'm trying to catch up and figure out what has been going on in here. Almost a week has gone by... and i feel like this

I'm still recovering from my trip.

It looks like there is another trip planned? Or a meet? I'm confused.

 

[maroo]

Well I'm trying to catch up and figure out what has been going on in here. Almost a week has gone by... and i feel like this

I'm still recovering from my trip.

It looks like there is another trip planned? Or a meet? I'm confused.

Let's see....

We have a trip in December. Which may include 3 DIS meets...

January...which may include SEVERAL meets

March - which has not even been touched on this TR yet and will include a Tent Fest, stay at the Poly (I HOPE!), and a half marathon

Sept - which is being address on the other pretrippie - and a possible trip to Nashville before that one??

Oct? - Maybe for the Wine and Dine half?? Depends on several factors?

December 2010 - A long Christmas weekend.

You are not the only one confused. There is a lot to be explained yet.

Welcome back!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

ha ha now i'm confused....LOL

 

[maroo]

ha ha now i'm confused....LOL

It will all be clear in due time, my friend, due time.

If I told you about it all (like I just did) - I would confuse everyone!

So we will probably do one trip at a time, for the most part.

 

[stacikristine]

Hi Maroo! I'm finally coming over and joining your incredible PTR/TR! I have to admit, I've tried to subscribe multiple times before, but I always got overwhelmed since I was WAY behind... But I read all of your easy access pages (from your intro) and now I feel like I can come along for the ride!

I also want to say that I really admire you. It's so obvious that you have SUCH a good heart, and I know those girls are blessed to have you in their lives. I know you're blessed by them too! I can't wait to read along and learn ALL about your trips! Thanks for sharing!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I also want to say that I really admire you. It's so obvious that you have SUCH a good heart, and I know those girls are blessed to have you in their lives. I know you're blessed by them too! I can't wait to read along and learn ALL about your trips! Thanks for sharing!

How sweet

 

[maroo]

Ok...short rant...I am really frustrated with the User CP functionality right now...I am subscribed to a LOT of threads...but some of them are simply not coming up saying that they have been updated! I didn't even see your post until about 5 minutes ago.

I think the problem may be that it is updated while I am reading forums and I only actually click on User CP every few hours sometimes...I think I am losing some of my updates somewhere in between? Quite frustrating!

Hi Maroo! I'm finally coming over and joining your incredible PTR/TR! I have to admit, I've tried to subscribe multiple times before, but I always got overwhelmed since I was WAY behind... But I read all of your easy access pages (from your intro) and now I feel like I can come along for the ride!

I also want to say that I really admire you. It's so obvious that you have SUCH a good heart, and I know those girls are blessed to have you in their lives. I know you're blessed by them too! I can't wait to read along and learn ALL about your trips! Thanks for sharing!

Oh my gosh. How sweet! Thank you so much for the nice words.

I am hoping to let this be a short spurt sort of Pre-Trippie...where you can click "Last Page" and be brought to the update and I will basically recap which trip I am talking about each time. That way it won't be so confusing to everyone.

I am pretty confused myself. In fact...at some point soon...I need to sit down and match up my confirmation numbers (which are in various places) with my travel dates/deposits and make sure everything is booked correctly. I keep changing resorts...etc, etc.

I am so glad you have joined me on this crazy pre-trippie!

How sweet

That was so sweet! And thank you for posting that because I had not even seen her post.

 

[pipersmom]

I am actually not confused for once, which is a rare thing! Seriously though, your sounds plan great..err..your plans sound great too! What was I just saying about not being confused??? Anyway..still following along without popcorn (I don't like popcorn..lol) but with chips

 

[maroo]

More plans revealed!

Again referring to the December trip!

Dates: December 14-20, 2009
Resort: AKL
Cast: Rachel and family - including her neice, Ellie (who is 4)

We have discussed Monday and Tuesday...so now to Wednesday...when the real fun begins!

Wednesday:
Sorta sleep in. (I know, I know. They are not rope drop people.)

The four of us (Rachel, Rosemary, Joyce and I) will head to AK for the morning. The objective here is to see and do anything that Ellie won't be interested in. Probably EE, Finding Nemo show (they have never seen the movie!!?!? Which I hope to fix over Thanksgiving break!) and ?? I don't know what else...help me here!

Lunch: Wherever

Rest back at the room.

Ellie and her parents arrive in the mid-afternoon and will catch ME to AKL and check in.

Then we are all off to the Magic Kingdom! This will be a first for Ellie, Rosemary and Gina! I LOVE taking newbies to the Magic Kingdom.

The crowd score for MK is an 8 today. The days all around are 4s and 5s. I think it is going to be busy for the same reason we are going that night...It is the only night to see "regular" Wishes during our whole trip. So we will brave the crowds and not have a lot on our schedule for the night except to watch Spectro and Wishes.

We actually have a CP reservation at 7:15 for all 7 of us. I will probably cancel this...It is smack in the middle of Spectro and Wishes - which may work out great. And they could run out and catch the fireworks...but I don't want to push it too much. We will talk about this soon and decide. I would be just as happy with a Hot Dog from Casey's.

If they crowds are just too much, we will hop over to DHS and see the Osbourne Lights. DHS closes at 8:00 PM, so as long as we get there before they close, we should be fine to catch the lights.





So...what do you guys think? What should we focus on at the Animal Kingdom that Ellie may not be interested in. Or maybe something that Joyce and Rachel may want to check out first?? Any suggestions?

And should we punt Crystal Palace that first night?

 

[If U Had Wings]

The plans look pretty good. I think the shows are always a great idea, either Nemo or the Lion King. The bird show is pretty good too. I got past my Alfred Hitchcock bird phobia the last time we were there, and was amazed at how much I enjoyed the show. AK is small, and hopefully it won't be to busy so you should be able to play it by ear a bit.

We have one day on our trip were they MK crowd numbers are something like an 8. I couldn't figure out why that one day is so high, until I saw here on the boards that it's parade filming day. I wonder if something special is going on at the park that day.

I'd keep CP for now. You might all be looking for that break.

 

[All7OfUs]

I"m with Wings- keep your CP until game time, you can always cancel that day, and still give others a chance at a last minute ressie.

You may need a place to regroup and rest.

 

[StefaniLyn]

I think you need to do a Disney Family Night for Nemo over Thanksgiving Break. I can't believe she's never seen it! It will make the show at AK even more magical if she knows what's going on!

I agree with the others who suggested keeping CP until the day of and playing it by ear. I don't believe there is a penalty for cancelling and you may find that it works right into your plans.

 

[maroo]

The plans look pretty good. I think the shows are always a great idea, either Nemo or the Lion King. The bird show is pretty good too. I got past my Alfred Hitchcock bird phobia the last time we were there, and was amazed at how much I enjoyed the show. AK is small, and hopefully it won't be to busy so you should be able to play it by ear a bit.

We have one day on our trip were they MK crowd numbers are something like an 8. I couldn't figure out why that one day is so high, until I saw here on the boards that it's parade filming day. I wonder if something special is going on at the park that day.

I'd keep CP for now. You might all be looking for that break.

The bird show! I have never seen that...in fact...I am not even sure where it is?

The 8 day for us is December 16th...But we talked about it last night (discussed the trip plans again!) and just decided they really want to go to the MK together - all 7 of us - so that we can all experience seeing the castle for the first time...together. We will have 3 first timers with us - including Ellie - who is 4 - and it is going to be magical...crowds or not.

Then if it is just crazy crowded we will grab dinner at Crystal Palace - or we may hop to DHS and see the Osbourne lights.

I don't think it is anything special - it is the one day between 3 parties and the last time that "regular" wishes will be shown before Holiday Wishes takes over.

I"m with Wings- keep your CP until game time, you can always cancel that day, and still give others a chance at a last minute ressie.

You may need a place to regroup and rest.

This is very true!

I think you need to do a Disney Family Night for Nemo over Thanksgiving Break. I can't believe she's never seen it! It will make the show at AK even more magical if she knows what's going on!

I agree with the others who suggested keeping CP until the day of and playing it by ear. I don't believe there is a penalty for cancelling and you may find that it works right into your plans.

I totally agree!

I am going to have to find that movie somewhere to rent. Or maybe buy? I love that movie! I am going to look into that today.

 

[maroo]

Thursday plans: (Still December! )
Cast: A 7 of us!

Morning: We are going to Animal Kingdom this morning. We think that MK and AK will be Ellie's favorite parks. She already has the cutest outfit to wear to the Animal Kingdom and is excited about the Safari! So Joyce wants to be with us as she sees that park too (and Joyce won't be with us on Friday - more on that later).

The plan is for us to go to the Safari first. The animals are more active in the morning. UNLESS we get there late. Which is entirely possible. If we get there late, I will grab a FP for it. (I will be the FP runner.)

Then see the Lion King.

And check out the kids area.

That's it for Thursday morning. We may eat lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, as this will be our main meal for the day.

A short morning - as we will be back at the Animal Kingdom later in the trip!

Then rest in the room. Chill. Take a serious nap (especially Ellie). Get dressed for the Christmas Party (I will have pics of our plans for that later).

Then Christmas Party! Hopefully be there by 4:00 - but the nap is more important...so if we are later, we are later. The focus here will be to do the Christmas Party events. The Parade, Holiday Wishes, Special Characters (which I need to research), Dance Parties and take in the ambience. We know this will probably be a busy party. If we catch some rides, that will be great, too. We are SKIPPING that stupid show in Tomorrowland. I don't want to see Wazowski's arm fall off. (Did you guys SEE that?!?!?!)

WARNING - DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS WATCH THIS. Seriously. It is disturbing.

And the above video is not very "pro-Disney"...it was definitely NOT one of Disney's shining moments...but it is pretty funny.

And speaking of Disney shining moments, I have a special event this night, too. But that will just have to wait until later to reveal.

 

[jordanyosh]

I just caught up with the updates for your Dec trip.

The Flights of Wonder show is on the path between Africa and Asia. It's pretty close, if not next to the Yak and Yeti Restaurant. It's one of my favorite shows at AK. I really don't know why. I love seeing the bald eagle up close.

I agree with keeping CP on the ADR list until the last possible moment.

 

[StefaniLyn]

Thursday plans: (Still December! )
Cast: A 7 of us!

Morning: We are going to Animal Kingdom this morning. We think that MK and AK will be Ellie's favorite parks. She already has the cutest outfit to wear to the Animal Kingdom and is excited about the Safari! So Joyce wants to be with us as she sees that park too (and Joyce won't be with us on Friday - more on that later).

The plan is for us to go to the Safari first. The animals are more active in the morning. UNLESS we get there late. Which is entirely possible. If we get there late, I will grab a FP for it. (I will be the FP runner.)

Then see the Lion King.

And check out the kids area.

That's it for Thursday morning. We may eat lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, as this will be our main meal for the day.

A short morning - as we will be back at the Animal Kingdom later in the trip!

Then rest in the room. Chill. Take a serious nap (especially Ellie). Get dressed for the Christmas Party (I will have pics of our plans for that later).

Then Christmas Party! Hopefully be there by 4:00 - but the nap is more important...so if we are later, we are later. The focus here will be to do the Christmas Party events. The Parade, Holiday Wishes, Special Characters (which I need to research), Dance Parties and take in the ambience. We know this will probably be a busy party. If we catch some rides, that will be great, too. We are SKIPPING that stupid show in Tomorrowland. I don't want to see Wazowski's arm fall off. (Did you guys SEE that?!?!?!)

WARNING - DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS WATCH THIS. Seriously. It is disturbing.

And the above video is not very "pro-Disney"...it was definitely NOT one of Disney's shining moments...but it is pretty funny.

And speaking of Disney shining moments, I have a special event this night, too. But that will just have to wait until later to reveal.

Good idea taking it easy with a young one, especially after a day of travel.

That video was disturbing! Mike was just an eye and one arm!

Are we going to have to wait until AFTER you go to have this magic revealed ot do we get to read about it in your plans?

 

[maroo]

I just caught up with the updates for your Dec trip.

The Flights of Wonder show is on the path between Africa and Asia. It's pretty close, if not next to the Yak and Yeti Restaurant. It's one of my favorite shows at AK. I really don't know why. I love seeing the bald eagle up close.

I agree with keeping CP on the ADR list until the last possible moment.

Ah! Flights of Wonder. I am going to have to check that out! I love bald eagles!! And don't know that I have ever seen one up close.

Good idea taking it easy with a young one, especially after a day of travel.

That video was disturbing! Mike was just an eye and one arm!

Are we going to have to wait until AFTER you go to have this magic revealed ot do we get to read about it in your plans?

More info to come on taking it easy......

Yeah...the magic ... it is going to have to wait until I return. For a few reasons...not the least of which is that someone may be lurking on here and read about it. But I also don't have everything ironed down yet for it....So...yeah...we will have to wait on that one. But if it is half as cool as I think it is going to be........It may require it's own little trip report.