January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part I !!!

[trixiequilts]

Well, dealing with the hospital... I could get a call today, I could get a letter in the mail tomorrow saying my appointment is Monday. Tuesday, the doctor looked at some test results and said "yeah... that's gotta go" and immediately called a colleague, who agreed I should come in and see her. The referral was then sent to Managed Care.

Anyway, I think I'll probably call the Managed Care office today and see what's going on. I'm going to be on vacation Tues-Sun of next week and the last thing I want is the aforementioned letter. It's a matter of seeing the surgeon, making a decision for the best course of treatment, and then scheduling. Frankly, the sooner the better... and not so it gets in the way of Disney (dang it!! )!

Here's some skittle hugs , and pixie dust that all will go well and according to YOUR schedule! Keep us posted.

 

[peach3es]

You mean mine isn't enough???

Well, of course it is, dear!

 

[MAGGIED]

Do you think his information is better than the Unofficial Guide?

I am not really sure as I only used the Unofficial Guide the first few times and found that I liked TGM info better.... so I have been using him since then. What I can tell you (without disclosing confidental information that all TGM subscribers agree not to disclose) is that I like the way he explains why you should go to what park on what days... also I find his touring plans right on the money.... it was hard at first to get my family to not detour "from the plan" but they are all TGM followers now.... honestly if we "stick to the plan" we can tour the each park in a day... go back to the hotel in the afternoon and return at night at ride on attractions again... I would say that 70% of the time we are traveling during peak time... like Presidents week or Spring break... and his plans have worked well for us... I also have teenagers who move quick... but we don't rush... we enjoy ourselved... we even do Fantasyland... I just love Its A Small World and Peter Pans Flight... hope this helps....

 

[MAGGIED]

Well, dealing with the hospital... I could get a call today, I could get a letter in the mail tomorrow saying my appointment is Monday. Tuesday, the doctor looked at some test results and said "yeah... that's gotta go" and immediately called a colleague, who agreed I should come in and see her. The referral was then sent to Managed Care.
....... Frankly, the sooner the better... and not so it gets in the way of Disney (dang it!! )!

I hope everything works out okay for you!!!

 

[laurainsem]

So I'm starting down the path to some probably minor surgery...

...is it bad of me to hope hope hope that it's very soon and not near Disney? Because I don't want it getting in the way of my Disney trip. Thanksgiving? No big deal. Christmas? Not going anywhere (...but cutting it a little close to Disney! ).

I don't have any real solid information yet, but I suspect it'll be laprascopic and up to a week's recovery time. BUT IT MUST NOT INTERFERE WITH MY VACATION (okay by me to miss work!).

I'm not sure I have the right attitude...

I sooooo understand what your saying. I just had my foot surgery this last Friday and worked on scheduling it with the doctor so it wouldn't interfere with Disney! In fact, the decision to move forward with the surgery now was because I wanted "happy feet" for my vacation! My doctor kinda rolled his eyes and smiled. I think he understands the importance of a WDW vacation.

 

[laurainsem]

Wow, I have been going through the unofficial guide, but I really think today i'll sign on to TGM. I need things laid out well for me and explained in "dummy language". If it helps us see and do more, than i'm all for it!

 

[Pluto_fan]

So, here's my question. Specto is not happening any day we are scheduled to be in the parks! And I wasn't thinking too much about it until I read TourGuide Mike's review. He says it's a must-see. My kids love lights and parades, so I figure I better schedule it in.

Soooo....I'm thinking we'll hang with family for the morning, try for an early check-in at POP, and possibly head to the MK late afternoon. Here's my dilemma. Will my kids freak if they don't really get to ride rides the first day in MK? I mean, MK is listed as a red day that day because of extra magic hours, so it's likely going to be crowded. I thought I'd change from O'hana to Crystal Palace (which we have reserved for the following day), change my Crystal Palace reservation to Tony's Italian Restuarant for the following MK day. I thought we could eat around 4:30pm, as we had planned at O'Hana's, and then we could catch Spectro at 7pm. We would not catch Wishes that night, as that's scheduled for our last night at the parks.

I'd say Spectro is definitely worth fitting in, especially if your kids like lights and parades. We're in a similar situation. Arriving on MLK day, which will probably be the most crowded day we're there. But we're going to MK so we can see Spectro! I have very low expectations about riding attractions that day--I'll just have to remind the family that we'll be back on other days to hit the e-tickets. Spectromagic is...well, magical!

 

[snykymom]

Spectro is just about the only thing that my college student D has on her "must do/see" list. Even with "red days", in January you may be able to get onto one or two of the "older" type rides, like IASW. Otherwise, if they really want a ride, try the railroad around the park & check out the various "lands", spend some time walking up and down Main Street, go to the Crystal Palace, and before you know it, it'll be time for Spectro.

 

[kimis]

So I'm starting down the path to some probably minor surgery...

...is it bad of me to hope hope hope that it's very soon and not near Disney? Because I don't want it getting in the way of my Disney trip. Thanksgiving? No big deal. Christmas? Not going anywhere (...but cutting it a little close to Disney! ).

I don't have any real solid information yet, but I suspect it'll be laprascopic and up to a week's recovery time. BUT IT MUST NOT INTERFERE WITH MY VACATION (okay by me to miss work!).

I'm not sure I have the right attitude...

Hi! I understand totally. I was having some health issues for months but when it got to the place I was having trouble walking and picking things up I went to the dr ( actually 3 drs). After being told I probably had MS the neurologist discovered it had two discs in my neck that were bad enough herniated that they had pushed my spinal cord (the bodies computer LOL) out of the line. Within a couple of weeks I was having surgery preformed by a neurosurgeon. He chuckled when I told him I was most worried about the rides at WDW. He said most people are concerned with the possible blood transfusion or having the spinal cord itself japardized but I was interested in riding the rides. The dr said to wait 6 months and I could ride the rides again. However I will use discretion. I probably won't ride the Dinosour ride anymore (not knowing about my neck on our last trip that ride almost did me in and I like the ride). I am still thinking about RnR.
So go ahead if it isn't an emergency scheule the surgery so it doens't interfere with your trip.

 

[peach3es]

Spectro is just about the only thing that my college student D has on her "must do/see" list. Even with "red days", in January you may be able to get onto one or two of the "older" type rides, like IASW. Otherwise, if they really want a ride, try the railroad around the park & check out the various "lands", spend some time walking up and down Main Street, go to the Crystal Palace, and before you know it, it'll be time for Spectro.

I hadn't even thought about the railroad! We could ride that clear around the park so they can see what's in store for them the following day. We can embark and disembark in Frontierland, right? Then we can set up along the way for Spectro! Thanks for that suggestion!

 

[BellaSoleil]

I joined TGM after ready the posts on his site. That, of course, prompted me to change my ADR's one more time. Same places, different days.

They (the CM's) are going to put my on the Disney Dining Hit List before this is all said and done. Oh my!

 

[MAGGIED]

I joined TGM after ready the posts on his site. That, of course, prompted me to change my ADR's one more time. Same places, different days.

They (the CM's) are going to put my on the Disney Dining Hit List before this is all said and done. Oh my!

I think you will be really happy with the information on TGM... there is alot so just take your time going thru it.... I love the fact that I can take his touring plans and customize them for our group.... happy reading!!!!

 

[Pluto_fan]

OK, I wasn't going to get TGM, but now I'm having second thoughts!
I've enjoyed the Unofficial Guide (book) for years, and this year I subscribed to the website. But now I'm afraid I'm missing out on something! UG has best park/park to avoid days, which basically are avoiding the EMH parks. We like to do morning EMH, arriving before rope drop, and plan a different park for after our mid-day break. (We haven't been to WDW since evening EMH started, but will probably not participate in those because, from what I hear, the crowds aren't any lower, and we need to get the kids to bed anyway. So we won't be in the evening EMH parks.) Without giving away any of the secret information, can you tell me if TGM's advice on best days is wildly different from UG's? Are there other parts of TGM that you think are worthwhile? I've read that people really like his best park advice, but his other information can be outdated, confusing, or overwhelming. Thanks!

 

[BellaSoleil]

I think you will be really happy with the information on TGM... there is alot so just take your time going thru it.... I love the fact that I can take his touring plans and customize them for our group.... happy reading!!!!

How can I do that? You can PM me if you need. I can't figure the site out. All I could see was the best days to tour.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hello Snowbirds!


18 weeks until Disney!!!

 

[jenjolt]

Thanks, Trixie! Actually, my kids know there are rides, but have no concept of what Disney is. I think you are right~~there is so much to take in, that if we did Crystal Palace and looked to see if we could ride maybe just one ride, that would be find. I hear Spectro is really something. That should make them happy!

Anyone else have an opinion about this? I'd love to hear other's perspectives too!

I really think Spectro is worth it! I love the parade and as long as you give the first afternoon a fun twist I don't think your kids will begin to think they are missing anything. Maybe a fun MK scavenger hunt or a game you could play with them??????

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Sarbah77 - Hope everything works out for you with the scheduling of the surgery.

 

[MAGGIED]

How can I do that? You can PM me if you need. I can't figure the site out. All I could see was the best days to tour.

What part of the world are you in....???? Might be easier if I call you and walk you thru it

 

[jenjolt]

I think you will be really happy with the information on TGM... there is alot so just take your time going thru it.... I love the fact that I can take his touring plans and customize them for our group.... happy reading!!!!

Me too Me too!! Can you PM me on how you can customize your plan!! And I agree there is a lot of reading and I have done my fair share of it and I just keep printing and printing all the guides and keep re-reading LOL I'm going to have the whole plan memorized by the time I'm done LOL

 

[MAGGIED]

BellaSoleil and jenjolt I just sent you both PM's with instructions of where to go and to look... you will need to log into your own accounts to do so... I also sent along my phone numbers should you have any questions....

forgot a few things on the info I sent you.... once you get to the link you want... like for jenjolt it might be the MK for adults... while BellaSoleil you might want the one for MK with kids.... anyway click on that link and it will take you to a page where you have 3 choices of tours to print... the really detailed one that tells you how and why to go where first... the express one that gives it to you in bullet format and is condensed or the really condensed one... not recommended if this is your first time... once you can get to the plan of choice you can pick and choose to elimate things you want to do.....

that should help...