Labor Day Weekend, a labor of love?

[annmarieda]

Signing on to your PTR! I wanted to say that i think I got a couple of emails when I paid off our trip a couple weeks ago. That being said, I have two reservations (one for me, one for my SIL) and I can't remember if we got two emails for each or not. I am pretty sure we did, though. One the day we paid it off and one the day after. Something must be wonky with their system!

It is good to have someone else here!

As for the multiple emails. I anticipated the two. One initially when I made the payment and then the second when the transaction was completed the next day. It is just weird... not gonna worry too much about it.

 

[annmarieda]

Hey, Oboedm..looks like we will be in WDW the same time. First week in September? I have never gone during this time of year. I am kinda worried about the heat and the hurricanes. What are your thoughts? Have you gone during this time of year before?

Actually, I think most of you who have posted on this thread are going during this time frame. Do any of you worry about the weather? I am a pale North westerner...

 

[oboedm]

I am from AZ, but should probably live somewhere else-- I hate the heat. The extent of me being outside in the summer is the walk from my car to the house, the car to the store, the car to my work building... you get the idea. I am much paler than I should be.

That being said, we went Labor Day last year. It was HOT and miserable. The heat was physically draining (I plan on talking walks in the AZ heat to condition my body for this year). I think the humidity really affected me. I am used to a different kind of heat.

However, it was slow (crowd wise). We walked onto every ride and were able to complete our touring plan each day by lunch. We were then able to go back to the hotel, take naps, and we went back to the parks in the evening. We really liked getting out of the parks each day.

Last year we stayed at POP. We didn't pay for a preferred room, so I wasn't surprised to see that we were "stuck" in the 80s next to the computer pool. Hubby and I hate the 80s, so we were laughing about that-- and inwardly groaning.

BEST LOCATION EVER!

It was so quiet and we were able to cut across the 70s parking lot to the bus stops. I think it was probably a 5 minute walk. I would recommend this section. I felt closer to the buses and we avoided the main crowds in the 60s section.

One thing I do plan on getting for this year is a mister fan thing. They sell them in the parks, but I plan on picking them up at a sporting goods store. We brought an aluminum water bottle into the parks with us each day (this year we are bringing two), which was great. We just refilled them with the filtered water at the food court when we returned each afternoon (so we didn't have tap water).

My mom is actually going there next week, and I am interested to see how she does in the heat walking around with my dad. She has a myriad of health issues, so her experience might be beneficial because you are traveling with your mother. I will let you know how it goes for her!

The hurricanes weren't an issue last year. It sprinkled one afternoon, but nothing too horrible.

 

[flamestarrdust]

A few days ago I paid off the remaining balance on the trip. I did this online. I like the fact I don't have to wait through the automated phone system, but I know that their online system leaves a bit to be desired. Twice, I made a payment that never showed and I had to call it in anyway.

So now I am worried something has gone wrong with my final payment. Why?

Because here is how my emails have gone.

Monday 7/12 " Your reservation confirmation" - doesn't show payment just the fact I have made the reservation. I am not sure why, but each online payment has triggered a new reservation confirmation. All have the same reservatioin number.

Tuesday 7/13 "invoice reservation" - shows payment history and balance of 0

Thursday 7/15 "invoice reservation" - shows payment history and balance of 0

Thursday 7/15 "invoice reservation" - shows payment history and balance of 0

I am afraid to log on and see what I find. They all have the same reservation number. I am just not sure what is triggering the multiple emails. Maybe Disney just wants me to be extra excited that I have the package paid off?

Was the last payment close to your due date? If it was, I got an invoice email stating that I had a balance due before I even made a payment. I believe they send it out like a week before your due date. So if you received it around that time, that probably explains it. I also received the reservation confirmation email every time that I made a payment.

 

[flamestarrdust]

Hey, Oboedm..looks like we will be in WDW the same time. First week in September? I have never gone during this time of year. I am kinda worried about the heat and the hurricanes. What are your thoughts? Have you gone during this time of year before?

Actually, I think most of you who have posted on this thread are going during this time frame. Do any of you worry about the weather? I am a pale North westerner...

I am worried about hurricanes, too.

 

[Joyciemc]

This will be my 3rd September trip and I love going this time of year. I've gone just about every other time of year as well and September is my favorite.
The crowds have been so low that we don't have to spend time baking in the heat in line.Between fast pass and walk-on rides, there is plenty of time to get out of the sun in between attractions.
But it is true that it will be HOT.
Touring early in the day and in the evening helps. Take a mid day break if you can. Dress cool and wear lots of sunscreen!

Hurricanes are a concern that time of year, but we have been lucky and never had to deal with one yet. Hope that continues!

 

[annmarieda]

My mom is actually going there next week, and I am interested to see how she does in the heat walking around with my dad. She has a myriad of health issues, so her experience might be beneficial because you are traveling with your mother. I will let you know how it goes for her!

Please do!

The hurricanes weren't an issue last year. It sprinkled one afternoon, but nothing too horrible.

That is good to know. Maybe we will get lucky again. Course, the last two times I have gone the weather has been unusually extreme. (like seriously cold..below freezing temps even)

 

[annmarieda]

Was the last payment close to your due date? If it was, I got an invoice email stating that I had a balance due before I even made a payment. I believe they send it out like a week before your due date. So if you received it around that time, that probably explains it. I also received the reservation confirmation email every time that I made a payment.

That would probably be it. It is coming due in a few days.

Thanks!

 

[annmarieda]

I am worried about hurricanes, too.

glad to know I am not the only one. When I booked the trip, I didn't even think about that. I just was so excited to be booking a trip for my mom and girls that I couldn't contain myself. After I did, everyone I know were all "um, you know that is the hurricane season, right?" I didn't get trip insurance either. However, I think having trip insurance doesn't really guard against hurricanes, right? Oh well, I will just have to wait and see what comes. I don't know how the airline handles it if you book a flight and it gets canceled. Do they just rebook you? I have read that Disney is very accommodating if you are late to check in due to your flight not coming in or even if you have to stay late because your outgoing flight is delayed.

I guess we will all have to cross our fingers for good weather!

 

[annmarieda]

This will be my 3rd September trip and I love going this time of year. I've gone just about every other time of year as well and September is my favorite.
The crowds have been so low that we don't have to spend time baking in the heat in line.Between fast pass and walk-on rides, there is plenty of time to get out of the sun in between attractions.
But it is true that it will be HOT.
Touring early in the day and in the evening helps. Take a mid day break if you can. Dress cool and wear lots of sunscreen!

Hurricanes are a concern that time of year, but we have been lucky and never had to deal with one yet. Hope that continues!

This is very reassuring. However, now I think I probably am gonna owe a lot of people apologies. If you haven't had to deal with a hurricane yet... and you are there the week I am...this will probably be the year. (hoping and praying not) I have a good friend who has told me we can NEVER vacation at the same place at the same time because I bring bad weather with me. I hope for perfect weather..but I have yet to travel anywhere and not have some problem. Too much rain, too much heat, too much cold... I really do hope I am not jinxed.. I apologize ahead of time if I am.

 

[annmarieda]

7/18 have supplies purchased for countdown calendar. I know...a count down to show the count down. I am ridiculous

So I have everything I need...now to sit with the girls and get it done by Wednesday. Once it is done, I will post the pictures.

 

[chunkymonkey]

This is very reassuring. However, now I think I probably am gonna owe a lot of people apologies. If you haven't had to deal with a hurricane yet... and you are there the week I am...this will probably be the year. (hoping and praying not) I have a good friend who has told me we can NEVER vacation at the same place at the same time because I bring bad weather with me. I hope for perfect weather..but I have yet to travel anywhere and not have some problem. Too much rain, too much heat, too much cold... I really do hope I am not jinxed.. I apologize ahead of time if I am.

Oh No! It's ok, I have actually been through a hurricane, about 5 years ago in Jamaica. We didn't get the "eye" of the hurricane, but it was enough for torrential rain and wind, luckily our resort and we survived it and it was over within a day. I cross my fingers that there won't be a hurricane this year during Sept! But since it rained so much last year in May, I am actually pretty prepared to deal with it this year!

 

[tinacaplan]

I think you are owed good weather after February!

 

[annmarieda]

Oh No! It's ok, I have actually been through a hurricane, about 5 years ago in Jamaica. We didn't get the "eye" of the hurricane, but it was enough for torrential rain and wind, luckily our resort and we survived it and it was over within a day. I cross my fingers that there won't be a hurricane this year during Sept! But since it rained so much last year in May, I am actually pretty prepared to deal with it this year!

So while I don't live IN Seattle, I live near it. If you know anything of Seattle's reputation, it is that it is rainy. Now where I do live..it is nestle weird in the foothills and so we get (I kid you not) hurricane force winds. It is never fun when that happens. You would think that with all this I wouldn't be nervous about hurricane season in FL. I am just going to have to get prepared for the rain should it hit there.

I think you are owed good weather after February!

Thank you... I hope that it is nice.. but even if it isn't great weather...I will be on vacation in WDW!!!! ...so that will totally make up for it.

 

[flamestarrdust]

glad to know I am not the only one. When I booked the trip, I didn't even think about that. I just was so excited to be booking a trip for my mom and girls that I couldn't contain myself. After I did, everyone I know were all "um, you know that is the hurricane season, right?" I didn't get trip insurance either. However, I think having trip insurance doesn't really guard against hurricanes, right? Oh well, I will just have to wait and see what comes. I don't know how the airline handles it if you book a flight and it gets canceled. Do they just rebook you? I have read that Disney is very accommodating if you are late to check in due to your flight not coming in or even if you have to stay late because your outgoing flight is delayed.

I guess we will all have to cross our fingers for good weather!

I knew there was a possibility of them but FD outweighed that. I did get trip insurance just to be safe. Don't know how well it will work but just in case.

 

[flamestarrdust]

So I have everything I need...now to sit with the girls and get it done by Wednesday. Once it is done, I will post the pictures.

I can't wait to see it! I'm sure it's gonna be great!

 

[annmarieda]

7/21(6wks from departure) have countdown calendar finished and start on that day!

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So it is done and here are the pics. I have been working long days, so really was hard for me to get any of it done. I had really hoped to make it more elaborate, but... time and energy were not in my favor. I did get Zoe to help.

This is what is under the entire calendar. If you look closely there is one image a week that is a disney character. I plan to make that a special day each week and give the girls a gift that will be trip related. I will post pics and descriptions of the gifts as I dole them out.

This is the last day before we leave. Zoe punched and decorated the Mickey herself.

This is with the countdown tags on it.

And, this up close at those last few days before we leave.

 

[tinacaplan]

The countdown calendar is beautiful! I'm not sure I could ever pull off anything that nice looking. How did you do it? I'm sure you and the girls will really enjoy counting down now.

 

[annmarieda]

The countdown calendar is beautiful! I'm not sure I could ever pull off anything that nice looking. How did you do it? I'm sure you and the girls will really enjoy counting down now.

Thank you, but it really wasnt much to do. It is a poster board which I used a marker to mark 3" squares on. Then I used a stamp to stamp the inside. I used balloon weights from our last trip to WDW and tied ribbon to them...attaching those to opposite corners I then just cut out 3" squares and punched circles for every other one. Used lots of number stickers and adhered them with a brad, snap or eyelet. I didn't even put a title on it. Oh well. Bottom line is the girls will enjoy (as will I) counting down the next 6 weeks.

 

[Joyciemc]

The calendar came out great!! You call it simple, but I think it looks perfect- not too fussy but still very fun. And I love the idea of having the 'special day' each week!
I bet tearing off those numbers feels very satisfying each day!
6 weeks... I've never said it like that. So much less than the 2 months I've been thinking! Not long to go now

I forgot to add that I won't blame you for the weather! Even if it is rainy, there's plenty of fun to be had!