Magical Memories, Creativity & Crafting, Obsessive Planning, Gluten-Free-Nov 2011 PTR

[teekathepony]

Well, first things first. We just changed the dates of our trip. We pushed our arrival & departure dates back three days. So we are now leaving on November 13th instead of the 10th. To take advantage of the free dining that came out we had to switch. I really didn't want the hassle of refiguring everything out and rebooking ADRs, but it did save us some money. It wasn't a lot, but was still worth it. (Since we no longer got the room discounted as originally booked, but the difference was still good.)

So after figuring out everything from scratch pretty much (what days going to which parks, making ADRs, touring plans predictions, etc) I think we have everything set once again. The one thing I am extremely disappointed about was not getting an ADR for Chef Mickeys on arrival day. I had got up at 4 a.m. 180 days out to make sure I got this and the other ADRs I wanted and now there is nothing available the entire first day. I am going to keep checking every day until the trip in hopes of a cancellation. But for now I have a breakfast ADR on our second day at 7:10a.m. Which is not an ideal time to try and get to, but we will work it out somehow.

So now onto flights. We finally booked our flights and were able to get the times I wanted. Our original trip dates the flights were not at good times, so I am happy with how this worked out.

My husband and I hemmed and hawed about seating arrangements with the two kids. The plane we are on as seats three and three. We ended up deciding on the kids and I on one side of the plane and my husband in the aisle seat next to us. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on this? Do you think this is a good arrangement or did something work out better for you?

Sorry for such a rambling post. Next post will be more fun and include lots of pics!

Wow! Quite a to-do! Glad you got free dining and better flight times, but too bad about your Chef Mickey's! Keep on trying and I'll send some good ADR vibes!
I've never traveled with children, but most of the time what I see is what you said -- one parent on an aisle, and the other parent and children on the other side. I can't say for sure, but it seems to work better than the other parent sitting in front or behind.

 

[mrssmith06]

Yay for the free dining and better flight times! Sounds like it's worth the hassle of the date changing and do overs!

 

[Kari-B]

Wow! Quite a to-do! Glad you got free dining and better flight times, but too bad about your Chef Mickey's! Keep on trying and I'll send some good ADR vibes!
I've never traveled with children, but most of the time what I see is what you said -- one parent on an aisle, and the other parent and children on the other side. I can't say for sure, but it seems to work better than the other parent sitting in front or behind.

Thanks!

Yay for the free dining and better flight times! Sounds like it's worth the hassle of the date changing and do overs!

Yeah, it is a pain, but hopefully worth it in the long run. Thanks!

 

[sheri18]

just stumbled on your PTR..I am trully impressed with the though and effort that you go through....amazed too.....wow......you have very lucky kids....
I am NOT creative at all.....we are going in sept. with our kids and grandkids...staying at the BC.....keep up the report...love it

 

[Kari-B]

just stumbled on your PTR..I am trully impressed with the though and effort that you go through....amazed too.....wow......you have very lucky kids....
I am NOT creative at all.....we are going in sept. with our kids and grandkids...staying at the BC.....keep up the report...love it

Aaaah, thank you!

 

[sheri18]

Aaaah, thank you!

while I wont be making, baking or creating any of your ideas....lol...I did pick up a few tidbits....making the kiddo's a back pack is a great idea...will start hitting up target, walmart and dolllar store....

Our GD is 2 1/2 (her 3rd trip to disney)....our GS 1 1/2 first trip....

ps.s love your trip planner...you should think about selling them...I am an obssive planner...just have stuff EVERYWHERE....

 

[Kari-B]

while I wont be making, baking or creating any of your ideas....lol...I did pick up a few tidbits....making the kiddo's a back pack is a great idea...will start hitting up target, walmart and dolllar store....

Our GD is 2 1/2 (her 3rd trip to disney)....our GS 1 1/2 first trip....

ps.s love your trip planner...you should think about selling them...I am an obssive planner...just have stuff EVERYWHERE....

Glad my PTR gave you an idea you want to use! Lucky granddaughter to have gone so much! How fun.

 

[PixieMama]

Bummer about having to re-do your ADRs (and hope you can get Chef Mickey's... keep checking, there may be a cancellation!) but yay on getting Free Dining!

We've never travelled with our kids by plane, so I don't have any personal experience. But I think your seat arrangements are fine. Only thing I would consider is letting each kid have a window seat... I know how my 2 girls are, they'd each want to sit next to the window. But with the way you have requested seats, they could take turns

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Congrats on re-booking and saving some money! That always feels nice I will keep my fingers crossed for your Chef Mickey's on arrival day meal!!

I love your days for the EPCOT countries! They sound both fun and educational for your kids! You are so creative!

 

[Kari-B]

Bummer about having to re-do your ADRs (and hope you can get Chef Mickey's... keep checking, there may be a cancellation!) but yay on getting Free Dining!

We've never travelled with our kids by plane, so I don't have any personal experience. But I think your seat arrangements are fine. Only thing I would consider is letting each kid have a window seat... I know how my 2 girls are, they'd each want to sit next to the window. But with the way you have requested seats, they could take turns

I totally agree about the window seat thing. We do have the seats booked that way and the kids know they each get a turn with the window seat.

Congrats on re-booking and saving some money! That always feels nice I will keep my fingers crossed for your Chef Mickey's on arrival day meal!!

I love your days for the EPCOT countries! They sound both fun and educational for your kids! You are so creative!

Thanks! We are currently doing China right now. We have finished Norway and I really have to get that posted.

 

[Becc1]

Yay on getting the free dining, even if it only a bit of savings that's more money for souvenirs I hope you have luck with getting an ADR for Chef Mickeys on your first day.

 

[Kari-B]

Yay on getting the free dining, even if it only a bit of savings that's more money for souvenirs I hope you have luck with getting an ADR for Chef Mickeys on your first day.

Thanks!!!

 

[Kari-B]

GUESS WHAT??? I just checked again and I got a Chef Mickey's reservation for our arrival day. Even at a good time! YEAH!!!

 

[SallyNeko21]

GUESS WHAT??? I just checked again and I got a Chef Mickey's reservation for our arrival day. Even at a good time! YEAH!!!

AWESOME!!! I had my fingers crossed for you!

 

[teekathepony]

GUESS WHAT??? I just checked again and I got a Chef Mickey's reservation for our arrival day. Even at a good time! YEAH!!!

Fantastic!!!

 

[Becc1]

GUESS WHAT??? I just checked again and I got a Chef Mickey's reservation for our arrival day. Even at a good time! YEAH!!!

 

[Kari-B]

AWESOME!!! I had my fingers crossed for you!

Fantastic!!!

Thank you!!! Now I may need to switch around a few others and hope for some more cancellations, but nothing that's too big of deal. I'm am just so excited that Chef Mickey's worked out like I hoped.

 

[PixieMama]

Yay! Glad to hear you got CM's!

 

[Kari-B]

Yay! Glad to hear you got CM's!

Thanks!!!

 

[I_heart_Tinkerbell]

Glad you go CM.