Hubby was right-Those 2 free tix would end up costing him a bundle 2/3 update

[999ghostslover]

Hello good people of the Dis!
My name is Erin and I am planning a trip for my daughter and I to visit WDW. We are going in February (15-20 to be exact) and we will be staying at Pop. I am so excited. She has no idea yet.

Part of the reason she doesn't know about it is that I really want to surprise her. Ever since Disney started showing all of the commercials with the kids being surprised she has wanted to experience that so badly. Plus, she is such an impatient kid. Not in a bad or bratty way if that makes sense. She is just like us grown-up Disers. She doesn't know how to keep herself busy while she waits and waits for Mommy's long planned out trips. The other reason I am not telling her is that I want to manage expectations. I will be leaving my husband home in the winter with our two young sons. My mind keeps worrying that something will prevent us from going. If that happens then at least only my heart will be broken.


And I have a good reason for being nervous about plans falling through. Or, should I say, I have first-hand knowledge of such things happening.
Our last trip was in May. Let me just say it was bad.
No, it was scary.

My son nearly died and spent three days of our 8 day trip in the hospital. One of those days was his third birthday. He is totally fine and by the time we pulled in to our driveway in Alabama he was 100% Brady. I will share some of the details of that trip in this PTR at a later time. I never even did a TR for this trip because it was so bad. Plus, it was all kind of a blur. I had a really hard time thinking of Disney and did not come to the Dis all summer because of it.

And none of this was Disney's faul in any way. In fact, Disney was so amazingly nice they filled our hotel room with balloons, signed cards, and the top 5 characters in plush. And best of all they gave my husband, me and my daughter (the boys were free at the time) two park hopper tickets that. These tickets were good until 2015! Woo!!Hoo!! So that is why my PTR title is what it is. Because you know those free tickets aren't free. Just like the free dining isn't free if you weren't going to go in the first place! But who cares, right?


Now, I realize how unfair it may seem that it was my son was the one who got sick and my daughter and I are the ones going but it will work out in the end. Before she steps foot on the plane she has to agree to one rule.

The rule: There will come a day when Daddy will take the boys to WDW and she and I sill stay behind.

I know she will agree to this now but I am going to videotape it so that I have proof when that day comes.
Abs and I are very close as the only girls in the house. And while Brady may have been the one to get sick it was Abs who was stuck going back and forth between sitting in a hotel room and going to the hospital. I think we did an amazing job preserving what magic we could but it was still hard. And she was such a trooper. She never complained. She was genuinely worried about her brother and was glad to do what little Disney stuff we could fit in.
Also, it has dawned on me that this may be our last trip where she loves to see the characters and the prinesses and dance during the dance parties and be wowed by the parades. Next year is our big 7-night Fantasy cruise so it will be awhile before we can get back to WDW.


So, without further ado I would like to introduce my family.
Here is my Abby Rose. AKA: Abs. AKA: A. She will be 7 in 2 weeks! This picture is from her kindergarden graduation. It was the day we left for WDW in May.

Here is Brady. AKA: Brady-boo. AKA: B

Here is Colin. AKA: Mr. C. AKA: C

Yeah, that's right. I named my kids A, B and C. Makes life very very easy!

Here are me and my husband. AKA: Erin and Tom AKA: Mom and Dad

So please join in on this type A mom's planning adventure. And make your bets now as to whether or not I blow the secret. (Gah, it is killing me!). Say a little prayer: We all stay well and far away from hospitals. And please, oh, please offer any tips and advise. I welcome it all. Love to you all and I hope to share in some of your adentures as well.

 

[999ghostslover]

Why POP?pg 1

ADR's are made. Free-ish Dining
The Bucket List Revisited
How should I surprise her?
Beach Vacation
Day 1 plan. Here we go!
Days 2. Animals and Hollywood
A Times Square Disney Experience
2nd Park Day
1.5 people join us!

 

[PirateKate]

I'm sorry to hear your May trip was so horrible. I felt so bad for you all reading about it. I'm glad Brady is okay now.

I hope this trip goes much better for you. A mother-daughter trip sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[999ghostslover]

I'm sorry to hear your May trip was so horrible. I felt so bad for you all reading about it. I'm glad Brady is okay now.

I hope this trip goes much better for you. A mother-daughter trip sounds like a lot of fun.

Thanks Kate! Yes, it is easier to talk about now. I felt so stupid for being so upset about it. But it really bummed me out. I am so glad to have something else to plan. It is so much fun. I just subbed for your TR from May? Are you doing a PTR for October or are you rolling it all in? Well, I guess I will find out as I read. Thati s my plan tonight at work if I get time. Got to do something to stay awake!

Thi emoticon really needs an iPad, or at least a flat screen monitor.

 

[pjennings]

Joining in!

 

[999ghostslover]

Joining in!

Oh good! A POP! person! Tell me everything. I just subbed to the resort thread but DARN that is a lot of info. Tell me the basics. We have a preferred room and want to be as close to the busses/coffee machines as possible. I always bring a 12 cup coffee maker with me but seeing as we are flying this time I can't figure out how to fit it. So my refillable mug will be a necessity! And lots of flavored creamer to convince myself I am not drinking pond scum Nescafe will be important too.

 

[pjennings]

We loved POP, I think my girls liked it way more than my husband & I We stayed in a perferred room each time. The first time we were right behind Lady on the 4th Floor, by the bowling pin pool. It was closed our first trip but open back in May when we were there. My girls had to try all 3 pools in May. Our favorite pool was the bowling pin pool because it was less crowded. In May we stayed in one of the 60's bldg behind the Play-dough and off the Hippy Dippy Pool. Since you are flying it will not matter about parking, which I thought was a little far when carring lots of bags. We flew the first time and drove back in May. The food court was good, not great but good I am not a coffee drinker but my husband took our mug every evening and got coffee, all he really said about the coffee is that has had better... Noise level did not seem to be a problem. We were exhausted every night when we returned so I really did not notice any outside noise. I do remember hearing someone talking and pulling a suitcase one night/early monring but went right back off to sleep. I am not a light sleeper when I am really tired so that helps.

Rooms were tight for 4 but we really did not spend lots of time there

We could see the Art of Amination from our bldg this time and it was to see them working on it. My girls really want to stay there next time we go.

I was pleased with the distanced we had to walk to get to the food court and busses. The bus stops are right outside the food court/gift shop, down from the main lobby entrance. We would stop every morning on the way to the buses and fill our mug up.

I am trying to remember more but please ask all the questions you want. I also have pictures of the hotel on my blog, the link is below. I have more about POP in my first trip blog entries than our more recent trip

 

[999ghostslover]

We loved POP, I think my girls liked it way more than my husband & I We stayed in a perferred room each time. The first time we were right behind Lady on the 4th Floor, by the bowling pin pool. It was closed our first trip but open back in May when we were there. My girls had to try all 3 pools in May. Our favorite pool was the bowling pin pool because it was less crowded. In May we stayed in one of the 60's bldg behind the Play-dough and off the Hippy Dippy Pool. Since you are flying it will not matter about parking, which I thought was a little far when carring lots of bags. We flew the first time and drove back in May. The food court was good, not great but good I am not a coffee drinker but my husband took our mug every evening and got coffee, all he really said about the coffee is that has had better... Noise level did not seem to be a problem. We were exhausted every night when we returned so I really did not notice any outside noise. I do remember hearing someone talking and pulling a suitcase one night/early monring but went right back off to sleep. I am not a light sleeper when I am really tired so that helps.

Rooms were tight for 4 but we really did not spend lots of time there

We could see the Art of Amination from our bldg this time and it was to see them working on it. My girls really want to stay there next time we go.

I was pleased with the distanced we had to walk to get to the food court and busses. The bus stops are right outside the food court/gift shop, down from the main lobby entrance. We would stop every morning on the way to the buses and fill our mug up.

I am trying to remember more but please ask all the questions you want. I also have pictures of the hotel on my blog, the link is below. I have more about POP in my first trip blog entries than our more recent trip

Yes, I am surprised how far the parking is from everything. On the one hand that is nice so you aren't just looking at parking lots behind every building but on the other it isn't fun for lugging stuff. When we stayed at CSR in May we ewquested a parking lot view and we did not get it (got every other request though) People thought I was crazy but in the mods and values you don't keep your curtains open too much because people can see right in nad walk right by and your view isn't really your view anyway. I would way prefer the convenience of being able to be close to my car. We drove a lot in May and two years ago with a big double stroller and lots of stuff. Future family trips will be like this too. But for this trip, I don't wnat ot see a parking space unless it is for a bus! Thank you for all of your help. !!

 

[999ghostslover]

As a notorious WDW cheapskate we needed a cheap resort for this trip. And I was only willing to do it if I could get free dining or (preferably) a pin code. So when free dining rolled out for February the wheels were turning.

We had a long summer around these parts. It started with the trip from you-know-where and didn't get a lot better. My husband, an engineering manager, had a huge proposal due in August. This meant working in the office until 7-8pm, working from home until about 1am or later many night and working most Saturdays and Sundays. It was awful.

When you are home with a potty-training 3-year-old, a 20 month old and bored and hot 6 year old, the days get long. Coupled with that we switched to a discount phone, internet, cable company and we went a good portion of the summer with no phone and internet (no netflix) or no cable. And at least once a week we were stuck waiting 8-5 for a technician to come and do repairs that never seemed to do anything. Also, I don't know why I waited all day for this guy when he always came at naptime-whatever time that happened to be. I was not a fun mom this summer. I'll be honest. Sure, there were lots of pool days and trips to the children's museum or Space and Rocket Center and a fun trip to Nana's to break up the summer. But mostly it seemed like it was hot trips to Kroger or wriggling in and out of wet bathing suits all summer. Ya know? Let's just say school is back, this trip is being planned and I am really really happy to have some sanity.

Side note: New phone and internet company is supposed to be here right now. 8 to 10 am window. I just called to see where he is and he will be another 2 hours. UNREAL! I cancelled breakfast with my besties for this. I digress...

Okay, back to my happy place. So as summer wound down I told my husband that I needed a getaway. Originally, I was hoping for the beach with girlfriends but our kids are all still really young and it is just too hard to do this year. So I started thinking about my next best friend-my Abby Rose-and I knew a great trip could be had.

So why Pop?
Originally, I planned to stay at Movies because that was all I could find with free dining. But when my amazing TA Angela asked "Did you WANT to stay at Movies?" I confessed no and she did her amazing TA thing and got us Pop. Yay! Pop looks fun and cool and one look at the bus times to and from Pop vs. Movies and anyone would be sold. The food court also looks fun and I hope to FINALLY try Tie Dye Cheesecake.

We have never stayed at a Value before. We really love the Moderates. I call it the Goldilocks level. Deluxes seem a waste because we spend a ton of time at the parks. We never get to really enjoy the amenities. And once you have seen the amazing lobby of the WL and sat in front of the fireplace for a few minutes what more is there? I would rather dine at the deluxes and keep my money for my next trip. That isn't to say I don't enjoy luxury. I've stayed at 5 star hotels in several European and American cities. I enjoy luxury. But at Disney I just need a bed to crash in and a pool to splash in, ya know? I think that it would be different if it were just my husband and I or when my kids got older. Now, values are just too small for the 4 of us bed-sleeping folks and my one crib-aged person. We like a little space. And the values do not offer that. We also enjoy some of the little extras that the mods have--queen size beds with duvets at CSR, the boat to DTD from POFQ etc. I am hoping to get one more vacation in and stay in POR with the trundle before we have to start getting two rooms or staying in AoA. I am also very very concerned with large groups of teens at Pop! I really disdain rude people. WDW seems to have more and more of them every trip. We love to chat with people in queue and always offer to take a couple's picture when we see them taking turns taking solo pics. We have met some really nice people at the parks, resorts and on the bus. I just hope that the cheaper the hotel the worse the guests attitudes are. I suspect that money doesn't buy manners and we will be just fine at Pop!.

Up next, everybody's favorite...Dining!

 

[PirateKate]

I agree that the moderates are just right. I like the deluxes better, but it's just so much more expensive and the moderates are perfectly nice. Sometimes, though, I just cannot resist the allure of the values. With the right Pin code, Pop is cheaper than even staying off site.

The biggest difference in the people at the values than anywhere else that I've noticed is the kids. I know it's Disney, and there are kids everywhere, but at the values, there seems to be an even higher number of kids and teenagers running around. Once, at All Star Sports, our room was right off the main pool and it was loud during the day, but it really wasn't a big deal, because you sort of expect kids to play loudly at a pool.

I haven't started my Oct PTR yet. I'm not entirely certain if I'm going to, since the trip is coming up so fast. I've thought about just writing pre-trip stuff in my May TR, but then I think it would be better to just finish the May TR. We're staying at Pop in October, too.

 

[999ghostslover]

I don't think that I have mentioned (or maybe I have) that we are doing Free Dining on this trip. Staying at Pop we would only get the quick service plan but that was okay with me. I told my TA that we would probably still do one sit-down meal during the trip.

Well, she pointed out that basically for the out of pocket cost of one good sit-down meal we could get the regular plan. It is $11 a day. Upgrading kids is no charge. I was sold.

So upgrade we did. And now I have Beyonce stuck in my head.

When I went to plan this trip two weeks ago I couldn't believe that I had two days until the 180 mark.

Two days?
Two days!

I had a lot of deciding to do. I hadn't even really thought of what our one sit-down was going to be and now I had five credits to play with.
Very quickly I decided that dinner in the castle would be nice. If it is just mommy and Abby then I was willing to fork over the 2 credits. Especially since they were free-ish. And this will probably be the last time my baby girl really wants to see the princesses.

I also really wanted to get a Mickey meal in. I thought about O'hana breakfast but knew that I really wanted to get dinner in over there and couldn't see us wanting to go to the same restaurant twice. I thought about Chef Mickey's but everyone I know including us is always so let-down there. I thought about Garden Grill but we are only going to Epcot for one day and I really like to eat in WS at least once. So, I abandoned seeing Mickey and decided on Crystal Palace. We really like Winnie the Pooh. Abby saw the movie this summer and sort of fell back in love with those guys. And the food and location are perfect. I really wish that WDW would incorporate the big 5 somewhere in Magic Kingdom. I think it is crazy how limited your choices are in seeing them.

So, as I mentioned we will be eating dinner at Ohana as well. In fact, that is our only plan for arrival day. We had O'hana (and Crystal Palace and Le Cellier) that we had to miss because of our time spent in the hospitals lat trip. So we will make up two of those lost meals this trip. DH did make me promise not to do LeCellier without him though. No problem at all.

We are also going to eat at Yak and Yeti this trip for a lunch before we park hop over to DHS.

And our last day I made an ADR at Via Napoli. I will either cancel this or split a pizza with Abs. I think it looks fabulous but she may be pizza'd out by that point in the week. Kids meals, you know.

I wish I could say (like I usually can) that I slept in while my TA made all of these ADR's for us but alas as she was on the phone with Disney she realized the credit card she had on file for us was expired. So she called us on her cellphone-with Disney on her land line- and we gave her a new card.

Declined.
We gave her another.
Declined.
And another.
Declined.

Then we had to dig out a credit card that my DH hadn't even activated yet, call the activation number and give her that number.

By the way, the declined cards were all fine. WE bank through a credit union so all of our debit cards are through there and there computers were just acting weird at the moment.

We had to do all of this at 6:15 am while getting kids and daddy ready for school and work and without letting them know why we were acting crazy.
But who cares because Angela got us all of the right reservations! So here we have them!

And you will be so proud. In two weeks I haven't changed them once! Let's see how long I can go...

2/15: Arrival Day
'Ohana
6:30pm


2/16: Animal Kingdom and DHS
Yak & Yeti
12:00pm

2/17: DHS and Magic Kingdom
The Crystal Palace
5:35pm

2/18: Magic Kingdom
Cinderella's Royal Table
5:50pm

2/19: Epcot
Via Napoli
11:30am

 

[999ghostslover]

I'm sorry to hear your May trip was so horrible. I felt so bad for you all reading about it. I'm glad Brady is okay now.

I hope this trip goes much better for you. A mother-daughter trip sounds like a lot of fun.

Thanks. I am really excited. I just hope I don't spill the beans. It has to go better, right?

 

[kokotg]

So sorry about your May trip!

Your ADRs sound great...I've always wanted to try the castle, but with no girls begging me for it, I've never been able to justify using the two credits

Our trip that's coming up will be our third time at Pop--we love it there!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yay! I'm so glad you are going back for a girls only trip. Should be a lot of fun.

Your ADRs sound delicious, a meal in the Castle will be wonderful for the two of you to share together.

 

[mrssmith06]

Hello there!! So glad I found your new PTR!! I remember Brady being sick, I was so worried about him!! So glad he is ok!!
A mother-daughter trip will be so much fun! Love your plans so far!

 

[Momof3Gr8kids]

So, I abandoned seeing Mickey and decided on Crystal Palace. We really like Winnie the Pooh. Abby saw the movie this summer and sort of fell back in love with those guys. And the food and location are perfect.

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We like Winnie the Pooh too! In fact so much so that while getting my items together for consignment I had pulled out the Disney Winnie the Pooh and Piglet costumes that the girls wore when they were babies (had never gotten rid of them)hung them up on the hangers and the tags made. DH saw them, pulled them out of the pile and said "No Way! They are classic."
It was great to have a movie that we could all agree on going to see this summer (that's not easy with a teenage boy and two little girls (well guess technically they are tweens, but I don't particularly care for that term). The Crystal Palace is one place that if I ever get back to Disney where I want to go and eat. Oh and I am so glad you and Abby are getting to take this "Mommy Daughter trip."

 

[PrincessAmongPrinces]

Hi there! Joining in! This sounds like it is going to be an amazing trip for you and your daughter and I hope that you both have a wonderful time! I am so sorry that your May trip went so wrong, but I am so glad that Brady was alright. I can't even imagine how you must have felt!

Your ADR's sound great, and it seems like you have an awesome TA! Can't wait to read more about your plans!

 

[999ghostslover]

So sorry about your May trip!

Your ADRs sound great...I've always wanted to try the castle, but with no girls begging me for it, I've never been able to justify using the two credits

Our trip that's coming up will be our third time at Pop--we love it there!

Yes, it is girly for sure. We did it in 2009 as well. Just Abby and I for lunch. It is a long convoluted story involving us showing up late because I split my pants (I was 5 months pregnant in linen non-maternity pants) getting onto It's a Small World. Anyway, my head and heart were not really in the meal and since we paid for that dining plan it killed me to waste 2 credits on lunch a piece. Abby had a hot dog and ice cream and I had a turkey foccaccia and potato chips. Anyway, I swore if I did it again it would be on free dining plan only and for breakfast or dinner so I am pleased with this choice. But deep down I am wondering if Hoop de Doo wouldn't be better. I'm not going to change. I'm not going to change. Just keep telling myself that!

Yay! I'm so glad you are going back for a girls only trip. Should be a lot of fun.

Your ADRs sound delicious, a meal in the Castle will be wonderful for the two of you to share together.

Thank you! I am getting really excited. I wish I could tell her so bad. I can't wait to see what her reaction is!

Hello there!! So glad I found your new PTR!! I remember Brady being sick, I was so worried about him!! So glad he is ok!!
A mother-daughter trip will be so much fun! Love your plans so far!

Thank you. And I am seriously trying to figure out Words with Friends on Facebook. I saw that you invited me. I play on my phone all the time Irishmama2004 If you do it that way just play me there. Thanks!

We like Winnie the Pooh too! In fact so much so that while getting my items together for consignment I had pulled out the Disney Winnie the Pooh and Piglet costumes that the girls wore when they were babies (had never gotten rid of them)hung them up on the hangers and the tags made. DH saw them, pulled them out of the pile and said "No Way! They are classic."
It was great to have a movie that we could all agree on going to see this summer (that's not easy with a teenage boy and two little girls (well guess technically they are tweens, but I don't particularly care for that term). The Crystal Palace is one place that if I ever get back to Disney where I want to go and eat. Oh and I am so glad you and Abby are getting to take this "Mommy Daughter trip."

I can't believe you got Drew to see Winnie the Pooh. My mom took Abby. I wish I could have gone. It is at the dollar theater right now so maybe we will find 5 minutes! And I hate the term tween too. They are girls. Which consignment sale are you doing? That is what I have been working on all morning.

Hi there! Joining in! This sounds like it is going to be an amazing trip for you and your daughter and I hope that you both have a wonderful time! I am so sorry that your May trip went so wrong, but I am so glad that Brady was alright. I can't even imagine how you must have felt!

Your ADR's sound great, and it seems like you have an awesome TA! Can't wait to read more about your plans!

Thank you Yes, I went it alone for my first few trips but a TA really is a nice ally to have. She knows a ton and seems to get ADRS and hotel reservations that I cannot get. I am really going to rely on her heavily when planning the cruise b/c the has been on a bunch and I have never done DCL.

 

[KatMark]

Erin, we are out of town right now, but I am subscribing and will catch up when I get back. Can't wait to read all about the surprise trip.

 

[Momof3Gr8kids]

Yes, it is girly for sure. We did it in 2009 as well. Just Abby and I for lunch. It is a long convoluted story involving us showing up late because I split my pants (I was 5 months pregnant in linen non-maternity pants) getting onto It's a Small World. Anyway, my head and heart were not really in the meal and since we paid for that dining plan it killed me to waste 2 credits on lunch a piece. Abby had a hot dog and ice cream and I had a turkey foccaccia and potato chips. Anyway, I swore if I did it again it would be on free dining plan only and for breakfast or dinner so I am pleased with this choice. But deep down I am wondering if Hoop de Doo wouldn't be better. I'm not going to change. I'm not going to change. Just keep telling myself that!

I think you are making the right choice. We did enjoy Hoop Dee Doo, but I think you should save that for when you all can go as a family. It is definitely something the entire family can enjoy.



I can't believe you got Drew to see Winnie the Pooh. My mom took Abby. I wish I could have gone. It is at the dollar theater right now so maybe we will find 5 minutes! And I hate the term tween too. They are girls. Which consignment sale are you doing? That is what I have been working on all morning.

Actually he was the one who said he wanted to go with us. When we went most of the theater was filled with teenagers. I think that's what I like about Winnie the Pooh he is a character that everyone can enjoy. Just put somethings in Tots2Teens. Now getting ready to get things together for Kids Kloset.