Labor Day Weekend, a labor of love?

[KELLY]

Glad your mom can come early so you she can help. Also so you can get your work done.

I usually take 2-3 weeks vacation but this year only took the week plus a day to go to disney. So I majorly need a vacation. I work from home. But if I don't work I don't get paid type of deal.

Dh is still thinkng a upgarde to AKL. I'm not so sure on that. We would take the 40% off discount and just pay OP for meals. Plus we would still have to spend another 250.00 on a pass. Dh and DD have passes left from past trips I would still need to purchase something. Plus I think meals for 10 days we are looking at another 800.00. It would be another 1050.00(after a fridge rental at POP) to stay there. That doesn't included the price of DH and DD ticket since we added those anyway to the POP resrvation since it was so affordable.

We have already bought t-rex,rainforest and a GC to eat at GG so those meals our the expensive ones and paid for. Since we stuck with the QSDP. Last year we stayed pop and we loved it. Just not sure on AKL?

 

[annmarieda]

Haha, that's a good question! We picked MK for 9/6 because that is our first full day in WDW (we'll be at Universal 9/2-9/5) and I can't help going to MK first.

As for Epcot the next day, I don't have a good reason! It just kinda worked out that way, I guess. Though it is my 2nd favorite park, so that's a good enough reason- right?

Those are good reasons. I think if it were not for the fact that Fantasmic is on 9/2, we probably would have made MK our first park. Course, if we get checked in early enough we might just go to MK on 9/1...we will see. Epcot is our second day not only because of how much we like it, but because on 9/3 it is EMH.

 

[annmarieda]

i know im a little late but im in! your trip plans sound great!

Yay, another person joins!! It about makes my day. I just hope I don't bore you to tears with all my ramblings...

 

[annmarieda]

Just saying hi. I am happy for you that your mom can make it out early. It makes me realize how great it is that my mom is so close. Have to remember that the next time I get even slightly annoyed with her.

And why is work always so busy right before and after vacations? As if dealing with all the laundry wasn't stressful enough.

Glad your mom can come early so you she can help. Also so you can get your work done.

Thank you both so much. I know having her booked is just one more thing checked off the "to do before the trip" list. It will make it so much easier having her here a couple days before the trip. I just am greedy and would love her to stay a couple days after as well.

 

[annmarieda]

But if I don't work I don't get paid type of deal.

This is me as well..but I also have a certain amount of tasks required each week.

Dh is still thinkng a upgarde to AKL. I'm not so sure on that.

I still wonder if I should move us over to POR. Pop looks so fun, but big. I know if we stayed at POR or POFQ the walk to the main hall and buses would not kill my mom. Also, do I really want to spend the extra few hundred? I wish I had booked an extra night...but with airfare change fees, it doesn't make sense.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I am not sure if I mentioned, but I do not get vacation time. I do however have very flexible hours and so in theory, I can easily take a week off by getting all of the work for one week done at the start of the week and then waiting till the end of the following week to get the rest done. Since I will put in a VERY long day or two at the start of the week that we go, I asked that my mom come early so she can help to watch Zoe and to just overall help get things ready to go. So the hope was for her to come on a sunday. Returning is much the same, I will need her help to get things back together once we are home. So the hope was maybe staying a few days after we got back. In total, I was hoping that she could come here and then leave exactly 2 weeks later.

It was close. She booked bus tickets to come. We have been watching all transportation fares (flight, bus and train)and thinking about the cost for me to drive over and get her. Over all, the bus was the lowest cost option and most practical.

She leaves Sunday,8/29 from her home. She will arrive the same day here. We then leave Wednesday 9/1 (omg! 8wks from today). We come back Wednesday 9/8. She then will leave Friday, 9/10. Less than 2 months and my mom will be here!!!

My mom booked her tickets to come here. We are flying rt out of the nearest airport to me. So, she and I have been watching fares and thinking about ways she can get here.

Yay on your mom coming early! I can't believe it's only a short time until we're both at WDW! It seemed like so far away before but now it's getting so much closer...

 

[annmarieda]

Yay on your mom coming early! I can't believe it's only a short time until we're both at WDW! It seemed like so far away before but now it's getting so much closer...

I know! I can't believe we will be there in 8wks. Sadly, since 9wks have already gone by since I booked...I realize that 9wks will be here before I know it too...and that means home again. Makes me realize that I HAVE to start planning again soon for another trip. And the planning is all part of the fun. so that is something to get excited about.

 

[tinacaplan]

I know! I can't believe we will be there in 8wks. Sadly, since 9wks have already gone by since I booked...I realize that 9wks will be here before I know it too...and that means home again. Makes me realize that I HAVE to start planning again soon for another trip. And the planning is all part of the fun. so that is something to get excited about.

So true!

 

[annmarieda]

I just keep tinkering with my plans. I keep hoping and hoping that I will be able to change my Le Cellier ADR to a dinner instead of a lunch. With that in mind, I assumed that we might get something really late if we get something at all. It dawned on me if that happened, it would mean we would miss illuminations completely. This is because our ADR at Coral Reef, on the other night we have in Epcot, is at 7:50. I just happened to come across the thread where people post what ADRs they are going to cancel so that people can time it right and get the canceled ones. I have been watching it and someone posted that they were going to be canceling a 5:50 on the day that we have the 7:50. That would work so much better, so I began trying to coordinate that. For what ever reason, it never quite worked that I got the other person's res. I did however get a 6:20. (I wonder if someone else snagged up the 5:50 and then gave up the 6:20) 6:20 works for me! I am thinking that will give us enough time to eat and then catch Illuminations. (if we actually change our lunch at Le Cellier to a dinner)

So there is another change!

 

[annmarieda]

I have been thinking Zoe needed a new princess dress for our trip. She had a tinkerbell outfit a couple years ago and it was so fun to have her wear that in the parks. This time with her being older, it had to be a princess outfit. I must be honest though, I hate how pricey those dresses in the park are. I have been looking online and just all around keeping an eye out. We were in a consignment store today...about to leave..when a bit of shimmering pink caught my eye. Low and behold, a sleeping beauty gown was there. (well, the ones they sell at the Disney store) It is a weeeee bit on the small side, so she can't grow ANY, but for $7...I am NOT going to complain. They had a nice jasmine set. It was a size 7, and even though Zoe is 5, it was way too big. The pants were almost as tall as she is. I am almost tempted to go get it for a later trip...however by the time she could fit into it, I wonder if she would still want to fit into it.

So there is my excitement for the day!

 

[flamestarrdust]

I just keep tinkering with my plans. I keep hoping and hoping that I will be able to change my Le Cellier ADR to a dinner instead of a lunch. With that in mind, I assumed that we might get something really late if we get something at all. It dawned on me if that happened, it would mean we would miss illuminations completely. This is because our ADR at Coral Reef, on the other night we have in Epcot, is at 7:50. I just happened to come across the thread where people post what ADRs they are going to cancel so that people can time it right and get the canceled ones. I have been watching it and someone posted that they were going to be canceling a 5:50 on the day that we have the 7:50. That would work so much better, so I began trying to coordinate that. For what ever reason, it never quite worked that I got the other person's res. I did however get a 6:20. (I wonder if someone else snagged up the 5:50 and then gave up the 6:20) 6:20 works for me! I am thinking that will give us enough time to eat and then catch Illuminations. (if we actually change our lunch at Le Cellier to a dinner)

So there is another change!

Can you post a link to that thread? I have been wanting to do the same thing for Le Cellier lunch. Lunch is ok but dinner would work out better for us.

 

[flamestarrdust]

I have been thinking Zoe needed a new princess dress for our trip. She had a tinkerbell outfit a couple years ago and it was so fun to have her wear that in the parks. This time with her being older, it had to be a princess outfit. I must be honest though, I hate how pricey those dresses in the park are. I have been looking online and just all around keeping an eye out. We were in a consignment store today...about to leave..when a bit of shimmering pink caught my eye. Low and behold, a sleeping beauty gown was there. (well, the ones they sell at the Disney store) It is a weeeee bit on the small side, so she can't grow ANY, but for $7...I am NOT going to complain. They had a nice jasmine set. It was a size 7, and even though Zoe is 5, it was way too big. The pants were almost as tall as she is. I am almost tempted to go get it for a later trip...however by the time she could fit into it, I wonder if she would still want to fit into it.

So there is my excitement for the day!

Great deal on the dress! I am sure she will look adorable in it!

 

[annmarieda]

Can you post a link to that thread? I have been wanting to do the same thing for Le Cellier lunch. Lunch is ok but dinner would work out better for us.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2446064&page=12

that is the link for September though.. I will search around and see if I see something for August...and post that.

Great deal on the dress! I am sure she will look adorable in it!

Thanks!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

I have been thinking Zoe needed a new princess dress for our trip. She had a tinkerbell outfit a couple years ago and it was so fun to have her wear that in the parks. This time with her being older, it had to be a princess outfit. I must be honest though, I hate how pricey those dresses in the park are. I have been looking online and just all around keeping an eye out. We were in a consignment store today...about to leave..when a bit of shimmering pink caught my eye. Low and behold, a sleeping beauty gown was there. (well, the ones they sell at the Disney store) It is a weeeee bit on the small side, so she can't grow ANY, but for $7...I am NOT going to complain. They had a nice jasmine set. It was a size 7, and even though Zoe is 5, it was way too big. The pants were almost as tall as she is. I am almost tempted to go get it for a later trip...however by the time she could fit into it, I wonder if she would still want to fit into it.

So there is my excitement for the day!

Score on the dress! All of the princess stuff is so pricey, it makes me sorta glad I have a boy.

 

[annmarieda]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2402598&page=11


This is the one for august.

 

[flamestarrdust]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2402598&page=11


This is the one for august.

Thanks so much!

 

[annmarieda]

So in the heat we are having, there is really nothing I can do but sit behind my computer and tinker with my plans In my latest, sitting looking at all the entertainment on the given days we will be in each park I came to realize something that has me sad. Well, only a little. I am sure it can be fixed or dealt with. I had decided that booking the fantasmic dinner package was a must with my mom. I thought priority seating would be a great idea. 9/2 (our first real day) will be our ONLY day in DHS. This in and of itself not a huge deal. We can totally do this park in a day. However, I did not want to miss Block Party Bash. However, I made our ADR at Mama Melroses for...you guessed it...exactly when that is going on. Now, I could book a later ADR..they are not full. It would not be the dinner package so I have to decide if that means more than the Block Party Bash. The other thing is that they have changed the menu just since we were there in February. I loved..loved...LOVED the honey hazelnut cheesecake. It was one of the reasons I wanted to go back there. It is NOT on the current menu that disney's site has. So now, the draw to go there is less. Really though, where else would we go. I am afraid it isn't the best us of TS credit either. Oh...what to do, what to do. Kira is off at work right now, so I can't even run it by her. I am sure she has a good opinion. Maybe I will post on the dinning boards to see just how worth it the dinner package is....

 

[flamestarrdust]

So in the heat we are having, there is really nothing I can do but sit behind my computer and tinker with my plans In my latest, sitting looking at all the entertainment on the given days we will be in each park I came to realize something that has me sad. Well, only a little. I am sure it can be fixed or dealt with. I had decided that booking the fantasmic dinner package was a must with my mom. I thought priority seating would be a great idea. 9/2 (our first real day) will be our ONLY day in DHS. This in and of itself not a huge deal. We can totally do this park in a day. However, I did not want to miss Block Party Bash. However, I made our ADR at Mama Melroses for...you guessed it...exactly when that is going on. Now, I could book a later ADR..they are not full. It would not be the dinner package so I have to decide if that means more than the Block Party Bash. The other thing is that they have changed the menu just since we were there in February. I loved..loved...LOVED the honey hazelnut cheesecake. It was one of the reasons I wanted to go back there. It is NOT on the current menu that disney's site has. So now, the draw to go there is less. Really though, where else would we go. I am afraid it isn't the best us of TS credit either. Oh...what to do, what to do. Kira is off at work right now, so I can't even run it by her. I am sure she has a good opinion. Maybe I will post on the dinning boards to see just how worth it the dinner package is....

I've read that you still have to wait in line about an hour or so even with the priority seating. The package still gets good reviews though. I looked up an actual menu of Mama Melrose on the Disney Food Blog and it doesn't seem to list that cheesecake. Here is the link: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/mama-melroses-ristorante-italiano/ The menus are also the same on the WDW Resort official site. I don't know what to suggest to you as an alternative. I've never eaten at Mama Melrose but I have eaten at 50s Primetime and Sci-Fi. I love 50s Primetime but I can't stand Sci-fi. The atmosphere was wonderful but the food was not so good. Not when there are much better choices available.

 

[KELLY]

This is me as well..but I also have a certain amount of tasks required each week.



I still wonder if I should move us over to POR. Pop looks so fun, but big. I know if we stayed at POR or POFQ the walk to the main hall and buses would not kill my mom. Also, do I really want to spend the extra few hundred? I wish I had booked an extra night...but with airfare change fees, it doesn't make sense.

Honestly the way pop is set up no room is a far walk. We are sticking with pop. I can't see spending all that money on a room. Dh is good with it also. We were going to rent a fridge but since we are placing a order threw Garden Grocer for DH beverages. We can get a foam cooler for 6.00 so that will save me around 100.00. More spending money for the girls and me. Dh dosen't buy anything. I usally buy him a shirt and mug every year and he is good with that.

On a side note did to much shopping this weekend already. I usally shop gap outlet for the girls. But went into the store and they had 40% off there sale itesm. I got Riley a awesome dress reg 35.00 for 4.97. I mostly bought for Reese my mom even got Reese a few things. Not that they don't have enough clothes already. My girls now will have a new outfit for every day.

Great find on the sleeping beauty dress. Riley's 5th birthday is next month and she didn't really ask for much. So I found a seller on ebay that is selling the Tiana dress that they sell in the world and I bought it. She really wanted that dress and my mom just got back and said that dress was HTF. So I figure this way we would be safe. I paid around 48.00 for it shipped I think the tag said 65.00.

 

[annmarieda]

I've read that you still have to wait in line about an hour or so even with the priority seating. The package still gets good reviews though. I looked up an actual menu of Mama Melrose on the Disney Food Blog and it doesn't seem to list that cheesecake. Here is the link: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/mama-melroses-ristorante-italiano/ The menus are also the same on the WDW Resort official site. I don't know what to suggest to you as an alternative. I've never eaten at Mama Melrose but I have eaten at 50s Primetime and Sci-Fi. I love 50s Primetime but I can't stand Sci-fi. The atmosphere was wonderful but the food was not so good. Not when there are much better choices available.

In the end, I think it is fine. I hate to miss block party though, so I might call to see if they have a later ADR available. I have never eaten at 50's prime time. Sci Fi I have twice...and really I am not so sure why. Food isn't excellent... atmosphere is kinda neat...kinda....

Honestly the way pop is set up no room is a far walk. We are sticking with pop. I can't see spending all that money on a room. Dh is good with it also. We were going to rent a fridge but since we are placing a order threw Garden Grocer for DH beverages. We can get a foam cooler for 6.00 so that will save me around 100.00. More spending money for the girls and me. Dh dosen't buy anything. I usally buy him a shirt and mug every year and he is good with that.

On a side note did to much shopping this weekend already. I usally shop gap outlet for the girls. But went into the store and they had 40% off there sale itesm. I got Riley a awesome dress reg 35.00 for 4.97. I mostly bought for Reese my mom even got Reese a few things. Not that they don't have enough clothes already. My girls now will have a new outfit for every day.

Great find on the sleeping beauty dress. Riley's 5th birthday is next month and she didn't really ask for much. So I found a seller on ebay that is selling the Tiana dress that they sell in the world and I bought it. She really wanted that dress and my mom just got back and said that dress was HTF. So I figure this way we would be safe. I paid around 48.00 for it shipped I think the tag said 65.00.

Good to know about the walk from the room. I have concerns, but I think I would have then no matter where we stayed.

I hear ya on a saving so you have more spending money..or just more money in your pocket. We are not big souvenir people, but having more to spend on snacks might be nice.

What great finds on the sale! I love sales!!!! The Tiana dress sounds like a good deal too. I am not sure how happy I really am with the one I got Zoe. Upon closer inspection, it needs some serious repair. (the tool underskirt is torn) Oh well, I guess for $7 what can I complain about?