MagicBands + Margaritas + Muggles + Minions = TRP. New TR link is up! 10/31

[eandesmom]

Of course it gets warm after I leave.

Well not to spoil things but, it didn't last.

No better place for a TRP than those THV. Easy way to DTD and what a yummy brunch at RR.

We definitely planned the RR brunch specifically as we'd be at THV. It was perfect!

Having spent the day at O'hare once I understand the lets just go anywhere mindset. I hope they got home a bit easier once they could get to Denver.

Yeah...not me. I've done SO much business travel, I'll get out of the airport and wait for something that is confirmed versus the hope that something might open up by actually being there.

I won't willingly fly United either. That's an awful position to be in. I hope it worked out in the end.

It's sad really as they used to be wonderful.

Love the view of the treehouses. We stayed at POR and saw them from the boat to DTD. I always wondered if the view to the river was decent from the deck. Now I know. Thanks for sharing.

If you have one on the river, it's just magical!

Love Raglan Road. Those Christmas costumes are fantastic.

Aren't those fun? I hadn't even considered that the dancers would be there in the day and no clue they had holiday dresses!

Love the update...I have GOT to try Raglan Road. Each trip we say we are going to and something always comes up! We have penciled in trying to get the THV's at SSR during our May, 2016 trip (not that I plan very far in advance or anything like that!) They look like they could be a real escape from everything for a while. Looking forward to more of your TR!

RR is perfect from the THV. Just a boat ride away!

Welp, if your coffee mug had to be small, at least your view was excellent! It's good to see there was coffee on every veranda/porch so far.

well of course there was coffee on every verandah, deck, porch or patio. That would be WRONG!

Even if I had to get up sooner than I'd have liked for a refill.

those weather delays! At least they could rebook to Denver knowing they wouldn't necessarily have to sleep in an airport - not fun.

They HOPED they could rebook in Denver. No guarantees at all.

Oh that brunch. I love me some good Disney food pics. I wish I could find the time to squeeze it into our next trip!

It's not the easiest to fit in, is it. Not all that convenient unless you are planning on DTD or at a DTD area resort. We are planning the brunch in Spet and frankly it'll be a bit of a pita to get there...which is why I veto'd dinner there, it was one or the other.

Ugh for flight cancellations! What problems that creates.

I didn't realize that they did the Irish dancing even for brunch service at Raglan Road. Very cool!

I had no idea either! Do they normally at lunch? I think the brunch time was the same as lunch so maybe they just kept the other regular things?

 

[eandesmom]

Looks like a beautiful morning. I really loved the treehouses and the whole SSR complex is just so pretty and relaxing! And such a great place to run in the nice weather.

I absolutely fell in love with them. I figured I would, hoped I would but you never really know do you?

Let me get this straight - Sunday flight rescheduled to Thursday? Seriously? They couldn't do better than that? People DO work.

I know, isn't that crazy????

I remember the brunch picture from FB. Looks super fun and yummy and you got great pictures of the dancers.

It was fun. Would have been a bit more had I not spent half of it on the phone but being able to give my sister some peace of mind that they'd be covered if they ended up buying new tickets out of pocket, was worth it.

Ah, yes, the rita bar! Love it there. They do make a good rita, although I was disappointed that the pink grapefruit rita no longer exists. *sigh*

I confess I liked the classic better than the grapefruit but I was surprised to see that gone.

Oh that sucks about the cancelled flight! I hate United with a passion too...I prefer SW but that's just me.

Lots of folks love SW, just not Jeff and I. I'd pick them over United for sure, we do have one of our legs for the cruise on them.

Looks like you guys had a great brunch...I haven't been to RR for ages but I think a return trip is in the cards.

Jill in Co

We hadn't been in a while so it was nice to be back. We do love it there

What a horribly frustrating situation with the flights

It was bad, I felt like I was watching the news

Brunch looks positively delicious. That is going on the list the next time we're at a resort near DTD. We've gotten to the point that traveling too far for a meal gets frustrating.

I agree, part of me wishes we weren't going there in Sept for that very reason but it was one of the few requests Jeff made.

That caramel chocolate is cute. What did the E's buy that was extra?

You shall see!

Well if you don't like the weather in Florida around Christmas/New Year's, just wait a day! What a change in conditions for you!

Yep, and then wait another, or two. It will change again.

Never tried a breakfast dish at Raglan Road. Love watching the Dancers there!

It's new and only on Sundays. Started a few months before our trip I think? Can't recall exactly but we were excited for it and it lived up to it.

I've had at least one interesting trip to that Margarita Bar. A great place to meet someone after an evening of shopping.......

I forgot that it was there, after the never ending shopping.

Poor Mary Ellen!

the breakfast looks amazing, and I do love the holiday dresses the dancers are wearing.

It was SOOOOOOOOOOO good!

I hate United, will not willingly fly them again. Our flights to Hawaii were delayed over 8 hours each way, which makes for a 23 hour travel days! It was a good thing we were in HI for two weeks. It allowed us time to forget the first flight.

oh my word, 8 hours each way??????

You really can not beat pool time in January, and the view from the deck of your THV is so nice.

You can't beat it, I definitely hadn't counted on it. We had one afternoon at BW, a bit chilly for it but still nice. This, this was actually hot! I adored that deck.

 

[eandesmom]

Last check in here before I leave

either you are enroute, or are in Cali now...I'm watching FB for updates! I really really hope all went smoothly.

Have a GREAT trip! I know you will

But I have to say, not loving all of the United horror stories, cuz guess what? In the next two weeks I am scheduled to spend around 24 hours on 4 different United flights.



I am already ticked off that they rescheduled our 8 am departure flight to CA to 6 am (Big difference in wakeup time between 3 am and 5 am). I'm not sure if we have ever flown United, if we have it was many many years ago.

Fingers crossed!

The treehouses look like such a zen place to stay!

Very zen, just what the doctor ordered. In fact the doctor is ordering it now but sadly it's not in the cards.

Nice breakfast at Ragland Road. I have recommended it to family members, but I have never dined there!

You should, it is so good!

Pool time sounds good to me!

It sounded good to me too!

No, I think you got that one wrong. When you're still on Disney property, not at the airport and your flight is cancelled, the reaction should be something closer to this...

Unless you are relatively new at your job or recently promoted and bottom of the totem pole for leave. Then you might be paranoid and in a rush to get back.

I'm with you, even if the above was true. It's weather right? Not your fault.

Seems like a good idea to pass the time. And yeah, that table is cool. Looks like it could be a little closer to the stage though!

I've yet to get a table where I can see the stage. Guess I need to go with a smaller group???

They really shouldn't have gone to the airport...


3 hours??? Yeah... forget that. I'm going back to Disney World. Call me when you have a flight for me.


NO!!! Don't do it!!!

EXACTLY!

love your view that you had with your morning coffee!

I could have camped out there for hours

Your breakfast at RR sounds amazing. I do love eggs and spinach....especially post run.

Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Might explain why I make them for myself at least once a week.

LOL

Glad you and Jeff had a good run. 4 miles is an amazing amount of miles to get in while there. I think there is a site somewhere that lists the various routes. I probably should take a look at it sometime.

It was a funny route, I have such a better feel for it now after the spring trip with Mary Ellen. There is a site but all the routes are uber short and easy to find. Like less than 2 miles. So it's repeated loops if you want anything more. They also have signs up now at the resorts.

The flight situation really sounds like a pain. I too won't fly united any more after our own fiasco with them in December of 2011.

We were agreed on that one huh for DL!

So glad you finally are getting a warm day. Sounds like pool time is definitely in order!

After the rain and cold it was so very welcome

Only a couple of United flyers???? Yeah I had a choice of United or Delta for me red eye back from DL and chose Delta - mainly for the connection in ATL but not fond of United.

We've had some issues with Delta, but not at the level of the United ones. I'll fly Delta especially when it is actually on Alaska, but booked via Delta but is somehow lower due to the better 2nd leg. Then I get more than half the trip on the airline I want and all the miles on the airline I want.

When I lived in Chicago I flew United almost exclusively and it was fine, but it's a hub. From here, horrible.

Even though weather was at the core of my day at O'hare and then no luggage for a conference and having the luggage meet me at the airport after another snowstorm delayed me going home, I believe it was United. I will say I could rebook multiple times pretty easily I guess, but it was just a cluster all around.

That's good the rebooking was easy, Kerri and Eric had a horrible time with it.

I avoid USAir even though Charlotte is a hub. Prices high and service low. I love SW even with the boarding. In fact lately I am avoiding the whole Charlotte Airport since it is undergoing major construction and as big a nightmare as Poly or DTD.

Lots of SW lovers. We flew them on our way back from the Jan and did not love it. Did we hate it? That would be an overstatement but it's not anything high on our list for sure. Still, it all comes down to price. We would pick Alaska everything but that just doesn't always work out to be best. Only one leg for the Sept trip.

 

[eandesmom]

Before I get to my next update there has been a LOT of planning going on, for all my trips!

DL Half (August/Sept 2014)
I will cover this in that PTR but our ADR window came around and we booked our pre-race dinner at Wine Country Trattoria and our post race breakfast at Steakhouse 55! Added to that is a late lunch at Café Orleans before we head to the airport. The rest will be all counter service with strong hopes for dinner the first night at Trader Sam’s for one of their killer burgers! I also made an exciting purchase for this trip but you’ll have to read about it on that PTR.

PHM (Feb 2015)
I registered!!!!!!!!!!! A bit scary as I’ve not completed my first half but I think it’s going to be an absolute blast, and am thrilled beyond believe that it will be girls trip. The number of DISers that will be there is exciting! More about this on the DL half PTR.

Aulani (April 2015)
As you may recall we have booked a couple of nights for this trip, next April. My folks had been talking about wanting that week (spring break) to be Eric's trip to DC with them. My dad doesn't do well in the heat and their NYC trip with Evan over the 4th was hard on them. I was seriously considering moving our trip to summer 2015 which is not ideal from a point perspective at all, or flight cost, but it could be done. Not what we wanted though. However, recent developments with my dad likely means we will keep it in April.

Saving the bigger update for last.

F&W + Cruise (Sept 2014)
The exciting news is our cruise is paid off in full and we booked excursions. The not exciting news is that our main babysitter for the E's during this trip suffered a very big injury this week. On Wednesday my dad fell at the mariners game, landing hard on both knees. He was unable to get up. 2 days later and he was still unable to get up. They had waited on an MRI for swelling to go down thinking it was muscle trauma. Unfortunately the MRI showed something quite different, he tore the patellar tendons on BOTH knees, completely detached. Which is why he couldn't lift his legs, or stand, or bear any weight.

He had surgery yesterday to reattach. It is a very proven and successful procedure however, it's usually only done on one knee. Usually you have a good leg to use while the other one heals. He does not have that. This means my poor dad will have to live at an inpatient rehab facility, with his knees/legs basically immobilized for 6-8 weeks. After than another 1 month before he is really using a walker etc and one more after that before he is really able to walk much and drive.

It means a lot of other things too. It means that during this time we really need to get their house on the market and then moved to one level living as he can't really come home from rehab with their house the way it is. There are a number of options and it is something that was already in the works, it just really ramps up the timeline. I have a strong feeling this will really take up a lot of our free time for the rest of this summer.

As for our trip. My mom really can't handle it all on her own. I love my mom. The reality though is dad is the chief babysitter, with occasional assistance from my mom. He is also chief cook, bottle washer and laundry doer. She is going to have to truly take care of herself for the first time in a very long time. Combine that with the house situation, I just know it is more than she can take on and I don't want to ask her to. While the boys are very low maintenance, there is daily driving and there is the whole issue of overnights. She is not going to want to be away from her house for the 12 nights we are gone. She can possibly do some of it but....not all. She is also dealing with her own trips to cancel, she was supposed to be in the UK for 2 weeks with the girl scouts, and at least 2 other trips in there. She doesn't feel good doing any of that with dad in rehab and plans to cancel it all. Add to that her involvement in her 50th HS reunion and she's got a lot on her plate. Not to mention the likely insurance hassle and headaches. Good news is dad is the main bill payer and I talked her off a ledge yesterday when I told her we could just back up all his files to an external and he'd have access via the laptop. So at least there will be something he can do.

As for our trip, I don't know what we are going to do. I figure we have about 13 days to decide and get a plan together. Currently we are past the cancel without penalty date on the cruise. I don't want to cancel but in reality I have to consider it as an option. The penalty at the moment though, is relatively low. We would lose our deposit. Which, since it was a on board offer, is only 10%. I have trip insurance on the non-cruise portions so our plane tickets and the dues on our points, would be covered. The points used I could possibly rent out but the good news is that they would not go into holding, if we cancel in the next 13 days and my chances of renting them are probably high. There is a day or 2 of wiggle room that we could go past but that's about it or we end up in a 50% cancellation fee situation. We don't have trip insurance on the cruise yet, though do plan to add it. That said, cancelling for these reasons would not be covered. We have longer on the DVC rooms obviously.

UGH.

Right now we see a few potential options.

1. Fly Jeff’s mom out. A valid option, 12 nights is likely to be far more than works for her.

2. Have a young adult from our church, the assistant youth group leader, stay with them at night. I have not asked him yet. He has his own long trip planned and returns just 3 days prior to ours so the timing is not ideal.

3. Have them with my sister on the weekends. This is not ideal. She’s got a full plate, will be moving herself, and planning a wedding.

4. Have my mom help a little, mostly with evening driving things.

5. Some combination of all of the above.

UGH



It would honestly be easier to cancel. However, with multiple college tuitions and 2 more right behind....I truly worry that if we don’t do this now, it is going to be 5 years or so before we can attempt another long trip like this.

UGH

Enough of the doom and gloom. Assuming we can figure something out we then have to finalize our actual plans. I booked a lot of things. I booked them before my dad fell but they are booked nonetheless. We would like to do all of them. Practically speaking, that will not happen as each excursion adds up. What stays and goes, I have no idea. If we do fly someone out, that obviously will impact our trip budget. The good news is I do not have to really decide what we keep and cut until about a week out. I could do it as little as 3 days but that makes me nervous. Let's look at our plans! Oh and in about 7 days I can book FP’s!

Day 1. Wednesday.
Red Eye via NYC to Orlando

Day 2. Thursday.
BWV. Food and Wine festival if it has soft opening, if not play by ear. Jellyrolls if not too tired. DHS FP

Day 3. Friday.
BWV. Food and Wine festival. Epcot FP. Jellyrolls if we didn’t do the night before. I’d rather do it Thursday as Saturday is EARLY!

Day 4. Sat.
MCO to San Juan. EARLY flight (6am). Hang in PR. Breakfast in Old San Juan, walking tour of the city, lunch at a local brewpub, hit grocery store. Cab to ship.

Day 5. Sun.
At Sea. Private Mixology session, Formal Night

Day 6. Mon.
Antigua. Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure
Embark on an air-conditioned minibus and travel approximately 30 minutes from Antigua's quaint capital city to Mercers Creek kayak base on the east coast. Board a fast motor boat for an approximate 5-minute ride that will whisk you away to a remote lagoon. There, you'll board 2-person kayaks and commence your adventure with expert guides. Follow paddling instructions, glide through coastal mangroves, inlets and tiny islands to examine the exotic marine animals that your guide may find along the way.

Conclude your approximate 60-minute kayak experience and re-board your boat. Continue your journey through 12 uninhabited islands to a unique, 20-acre 'jewel in the ocean'. Great Bird Island has 2 white-sand beaches, gentle hills and plenty of shade. Follow your guide on an approximate 6-minute nature hike on a rocky trail to the top of the island, and be rewarded with breathtaking infinity views.

Bring your camera to capture the seasonal birds and other small wildlife that may be found. Descend to the beach, relax under a shady coconut tree, explore the beach or snorkel in the warm, crystal-blue shallows. Keen snorkelers can board the boat for the 2-minute transfer to the sheltered offshore reefs, where your guide will distribute gear and teach the basics of snorkeling. Seek out the abundant marine life

and—after approximately 60 minutes exploring Bird Island and its underwater world—depart for an exciting ride back to the private residence of your hosts.
Arrive at the private dock of the owner's home and savor a fresh local coconut, homemade banana bread (baked daily from the bananas grown on the property), and a delicious rum drink or non-alcoholic fruit drink to be enjoyed in one of the most beautiful gardens in Antigua. Relax for approximately 20 minutes, meet the cheeky family parrot and view the gardens before returning to the ship.

Day 7. Tues.
St. Lucia. Heavenward Bound/Gros Piton Climb. Pirate Night.

Departing from the cruise ship terminal in Castries, you will board one of Spencer's private speed boats or a chartered water taxi and travel along the scenic and rugged West Coast of St. Lucia to the foot of the Gros Piton in Anse L'Ivrogne Bay An experienced Gros Piton trail guide will accompany you on your adventurous 4-mile round trip hike up and down the Gros Piton.

The trail winds around the mountain at a gradual gradient. Panoramic vistas and breathtaking scenery abound in every direction. At the 1/4 point, view the secluded bay and village of Anse L'Ivrogne below. On a clear day you can see the island of St. Vincent, just 21 miles away!The first half of the trail is moderate and can be enjoyed by everyone.

Numerous sites used by Brigands or black freedom fighters during the slave rebellion in 1748, may be seen, including caves, tunnels, rock shelters, camps, signal stations, lookouts and landing sites. As you climb the Gros Piton, you will notice dramatic changes in the vegetation, ranging from arid deciduous woodlands along the coast to broad middle zone rainforest and an upper mountain zone of elfin, woodland and windswept dwarf forest.

Tropical birds may flit in and around you as you ascend the slope. These include the St. Lucian Wren, the St. Lucian Oriole, the Black Finch and the Red Neck Pigeon. At the half way point, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the northern part of the island and marvel at the grandeur of the Petit Piton directly ahead.

The second half of the climb is suitable for the adventurous hiker as it involves a steep ascent over rocks, boulders and root-formed stairs.

There are two viewpoints at the peak. From the main lookout, enjoy a panoramic view of the southern end of the island. From the second lookout, view the northern part of St. Lucia and the Petit Piton.

After a strenuous and challenging climbing adventure, you return to the boat for a short ride around the base of the Gros Piton to Jalousie Beach where a hot, sumptuous Creole lunch will be waiting for you. Absorb the scenic views, relax your tired muscles, and enjoy a refreshing swim in the warm Caribbean water before your return journey to your cruise ship or hotel.

Your day climbing the majestic Gros Piton with some time to relax on a beautiful white-sand beach nestled between the two Pitons, will certainly be remembered as a one of kind, breathtaking and memorable experience.

Day 8. Weds.
Grenada. Adventure River Tubing

Travel on your air-conditioned minibus for the approximate 45-minute drive to the Grand Etang Rainforest Reserve and the Balthazar Estate. Participate in a safety briefing and instructions before donning your life vest and boarding your modified inner tube and paddle. Journey down the Balthazar River for approximate 45-minute on the gently spinning and swirling currents looking out for exotic scenery of tropical vegetation and wildlife. Take a break at the last pool and take a quick swim before enjoying Rum Punch or local fruit juice. Reboard your transport for an approximate 45-minute trip back to the port.

Day 9. Thursday.
Barbados. Barbados Beach Break. Semi Formal Night. Palo dinner.

Board your transportation and travel approximately 15 minutes through Bridgetown - with its many historic buildings - and arrive at Harbour Lights Beach Club. Relax on a beach chair under your shared umbrella and enjoy a welcome drink. Very popular with the locals, Harbour Lights sits on the best stretch of beach on the island and on the only sheltered bay. Enjoy a game of volleyball or just laze around and sun worship for approximately 3 hours. The view is as stunning as the water is inviting. Note: Food and beverage options are available at an additional cost. Reboard your transportation and travel back to the ship.

Day 10. Friday.
St. Kitts. Scenic Railway and Brimstone Hill

Board an air-conditioned minibus for an approximate 40-minute scenic, narrated trip around the Western "Caribbean Sea" side of St. Kitts on the main road, passing through dozens of small villages and towns. See the gravesite of Samuel Jefferson, the great-great-grandfather of the 3rd U.S. President, Thomas Jefferson, at Middle Island en route to Brimstone Hill National Park.

Enjoy an approximate 45-minute leisure visit to this beautiful site, named "The Gibraltar of the West Indies" by the British. Brimstone Hill today is the largest and by far best-preserved fortification in the English-speaking Caribbean. There is plenty of time to visit the fort and take in the unparalleled view from the battlements. Savor a light snack (a bag of chips and a bottle of water/can of soda). Re-board the bus for a quick, 10-minute transfer to La Valle Station, where you’ll board the Scenic Railway Train.

It's "all aboard" for an approximate 2-hour (18 miles) railway ride out along the Atlantic "North" side of the island, with sweeping views of sandy beaches and pounding surf. Enjoy a snack (sugar cookie/cake) and unlimited beverages (bottled water, sodas, rum punch, fruit punch and pina coladas) while aboard the train. Complete your trip around the island arriving at Needsmust Station, where you'll transfer to a motorcoach for a quick, 10-minute transfer back to the ship.

Day 11. Sat.
San Juan. Disembark. Fly to MCO, land around 5:30 pm, DME to AKV! Walk up dinner at Sanaa

Day 11. Sun.
AKV. Brunch at Raglan Road. MK FP

Day 12. Mon
AKV. Walk up brunch at Boma. AK FP or pool time, or whatever we feel like Maybe more F&W. DME to airport at 3:30. Fly home.

A couple of notes. I have not been able to get us a Palo brunch. It's offered twice as our St. Kitt’s day is a half day. We may try on board, we may also just let it go. We decided we didn't want to get to the ship earlier (it doesn't leave SJ until 9:30pm) just for that.

I chose to have our Palo dinner on semi-formal night for a couple of reasons. First, pirate night was booked. Second, I figured if we did do the 3 more “adventure” days in a row, we might not be as into dressing up for Palo that same evening, preferring to relax and recover other ways instead. On the specific excursions, a few things.

St. Lucia and the Gros Piton Climb. This is the only thing booked via a non DCL tour operator. That makes me a tiny bit nervous but DCL does not offer this. He gets great reviews but it really does use up the entire day and that makes me a tiny bit nervous from a missing the ship standpoint. Granted I’ve yet to find a review where anyone missed their ship because of this tour outfit but still. We are curious to see just how hard it really is, based on reviews and descriptions. We figure it’s our Koko Steps outing of this trip (if anyone remembers that ).







To me it seems better for the going down, the hardest part of Koko to me was that it's so exposed, looking down was scary for me. This is in foliage for much of it, that alleviates a lot of my issues. Or at least I think so. Either way we both think this may be our one "must do".

Barbados and the Beach Escape. We may do this on our own; you can do something similar for about $18 less either at that same beach club or one next door. Still, for $18, not having to even think about it and transportation, has its own attraction.

St. Kitts, Railway and Brimstone Hill. There is a version of this that has a sail outing combined with the Railway. That is the one we wanted but is sold out. This is a pricey one and St. Kitts is only a half day. We may just do Brimstone Hill on our own. It sounds like it's a pita to get a taxi in St Kitts and we will need to ensure someone comes back to get us (as apparently you can't catch one from there) but it would be a lot cheaper. That said, Jeff really wants to do the railway.

One thing that is a bit of a drag is that the first 3 days excursions, if we really did do them all (days 3-5 of the cruise) are all EARLY starts. Which is good in the sense of still having plenty of time to explore on our own for Grenada and St. Lucia but bad from an early wake up standpoint.

They all sound fun. But…some or maybe even all will have to go.

Unless we win the lottery

Or I get my bonus in Sept instead of Oct. LOL! Which is possible. Not necessarily probable though.

 

[elphie101]

Oh man, lots of updates. Firstly, so sorry about your dad's injury - that sounds awful to go through and I hope he has as quick and pain-free a healing process as possible.

Of course selfishly I really hope you don't have to cancel your trip, but I do understand how that could be for the best. Those excursions just sound so freaking fun!

I will eagerly await for your PTR update, especially on the FOOD!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm so sorry about your dad. I hope that he has a quick and easy recovery. That's really too bad. Your plans for F&W and the cruise sound great. I hope you work it out and figure it out for what you need.


I'll look for updates on your other PTR for the others.

 

[MEK]

Oh My. Your poor, poor dad! I had no idea he was so badly hurt and basically out of commission. Wow. I really hope he does have a speedy recovery. That is one heck of an injury. I hope he stays in good spirits during his recovery.

I'm also sorry your cruise trip is in jeopardy. Knowing you, you will work it out. It sounds like you have some options, but nothing is totally ideal. I hope you can work out a combo arrangement.

The plans look amazing but I didn't even want to read them too closely incase things don't work out.

 

[englishrose47]

Well they say 3rd time lucky !!! This is the 3rd time I have tried to post Sorry about your Dad that is awful for him !! I sure hope you don't have to cancel as I will have to stop singing "See you in September " On second thoughts maybe my singing anything is just WRONG!!!!

 

[Poolrat]

I am so sorry for your Dad. Sending pixie dust for a pain feel recovery and to getting back on his feet, literally, pretty easily.


So sorry that impacts the cruise. I really hope you can work something out.

I know you have been looking forward to this one. Those excursions look great.

 

[jedijill]

Oh no! So sorry to hear about your Dad's injury. I hope the surgery is a success and he heals quickly.

I, very selfishly, hope you figure out a plan to watch the boys so you can still go on the trip. I'm so looking forward to meeting you!

I love your plans! I bet you can book a brunch on board but I'm sure you will figure something out! I lucked out and my TA/friend was able to book one (she is platinum) and she added me to it.

Fingers crossed everything works out!

Jill in CO

 

[Pinkocto]

Your poor dad, I'm so sorry! how are his spirits? I hope he's doing as well as can be expected.

All your plans sound great, the Antigua one especially. I'm sorry your trip is in jeopardy. Hopefully you'll be able to figure out something.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Cynthia, I am so sorry that your dad's injury is so much worse than expected. John's mother is going to be in the same spot as your mother when/if something happens to his dad. At a complete loss as to what to do. Praying that the recovery is much swifter than anticipated and that your mother doesn't get too overwhelmed in the meantime.

I hope that you are able to keep the cruise in place and something works out on the kid sitting situation.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Kerri had gone to check in the previous night only to find...

Their flight was cancelled.

There are not too many scarier phrases in the travel world.

Sadly, I was forced to drink out of the stock kitchen mug

Way too small

What the heck is that? Did it come out of a doll set? A cup that small destroys the whole point of trying to over-caffeinate.

After our coffee, Jeff and I went for a run.

...to get more coffee.

They'd been rebooked.

On a flight that left THURSDAY.

It was Sunday.

This is why I will not fly United.

Yeah, that's not helpful at all.

I wasn't thrilled with United either, on our Hawaii trip. But that's where we had the free miles, so...

Everyone LOVED their food and as for me? BEST BREAKFAST IN DISNEY! Oh seriously I loved that dish. I am having it again in September!!

Wow, high praise! I might need to try RR out sometime.

Before I get to my next update there has been a LOT of planning going on, for all my trips!

I'll say. I've said it before, but I don't know how you keep all of this straight!

The exciting news is our cruise is paid off in full and we booked excursions. The not exciting news is that our main babysitter for the E's during this trip suffered a very big injury this week. On Wednesday my dad fell at the mariners game, landing hard on both knees. He was unable to get up. 2 days later and he was still unable to get up. They had waited on an MRI for swelling to go down thinking it was muscle trauma. Unfortunately the MRI showed something quite different, he tore the patellar tendons on BOTH knees, completely detached.

Oh no!! That's awful!

This means my poor dad will have to live at an inpatient rehab facility, with his knees/legs basically immobilized for 6-8 weeks. After than another 1 month before he is really using a walker etc and one more after that before he is really able to walk much and drive.

I hope he's able to recover quickly and fully.

It would honestly be easier to cancel. However, with multiple college tuitions and 2 more right behind....I truly worry that if we don’t do this now, it is going to be 5 years or so before we can attempt another long trip like this.

UGH

I don't know what to tell you there, but I can understand the strain of trying to figure it all out. Life's curveballs never come at convenient times. I hope it all works out! The cruise sounds pretty cool. And yes, I did think of the Koko Head walk!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh man, lots of updates. Firstly, so sorry about your dad's injury - that sounds awful to go through and I hope he has as quick and pain-free a healing process as possible.

Me too. The whole thing is a bit surreal for sure

Of course selfishly I really hope you don't have to cancel your trip, but I do understand how that could be for the best. Those excursions just sound so freaking fun!

They do don't they? I don't know how we will pick what stays and goes if we can do this. I hope we don't have to cancel, it was seriously bumming me out last night and this morning. At the moment I am a bit more like I can roll with it if we have to but it will suck for sure.

I will eagerly await for your PTR update, especially on the FOOD!

Food update is up! Although I'm not sure it's all that exciting. I think with the exception of one spot, all will be new to me so I have zero pics to use in laying out the plan. LOL! I am really excited and happy with our plans.

I'm so sorry about your dad. I hope that he has a quick and easy recovery. That's really too bad.

Thanks, it's a huge bummer, just not something one can ever expect, especially when the person is so active. Just the week before he was riding a bike around Central Park with Evan. It won't be quick or easy but hopefully it will be comfortable and we can find ways to help him pass the time.

Your plans for F&W and the cruise sound great. I hope you work it out and figure it out for what you need.

Thanks, me too!

I'll look for updates on your other PTR for the others.

It's up!

Oh My. Your poor, poor dad! I had no idea he was so badly hurt and basically out of commission. Wow. I really hope he does have a speedy recovery. That is one heck of an injury. I hope he stays in good spirits during his recovery.

He is pretty teed off at the moment. My dad does NOT get mad, ever. He's one of the most even keeled people I know which is pretty funny as none of his kids are. It's going to be hard on him. He is incredibly active and being forced to be in bed for 8 weeks is going to be far more difficult than the actual PT once it starts.

I'm also sorry your cruise trip is in jeopardy. Knowing you, you will work it out. It sounds like you have some options, but nothing is totally ideal. I hope you can work out a combo arrangement.

No, none are ideal. Having Jeff's mom out is by far the easiest but that's a long time for her to be gone from her job, her husband and her puppy. Jeff plans to talk to her tonight but honestly, it's her birthday today and he may wimp out at bringing it up today. Which I can understand.

The plans look amazing but I didn't even want to read them too closely incase things don't work out.

I know the feeling there!

Well they say 3rd time lucky !!! This is the 3rd time I have tried to post Sorry about your Dad that is awful for him !! I sure hope you don't have to cancel as I will have to stop singing "See you in September " On second thoughts maybe my singing anything is just WRONG!!!!

Oh my goodness, 3 times? that is SO frustrating Rosie.

Sing all you want. Hopefully that will be good luck!

I am so sorry for your Dad. Sending pixie dust for a pain feel recovery and to getting back on his feet, literally, pretty easily.

Thanks, I think this initial part is likely to be far more frustrating than pain filled. He is already off the pain meds so that is good but my dad, being forced to stay put...not good.

So sorry that impacts the cruise. I really hope you can work something out.

I know you have been looking forward to this one. Those excursions look great.

I hope we can too, it's kind of a double punch to the gut and then I feel like a schmuck for even remotely being upset for us.

 

[eandesmom]

Oh no! So sorry to hear about your Dad's injury. I hope the surgery is a success and he heals quickly.

Thanks, the surgery went well and he is doing as well as possible under the circumstances. Unfortunately it's more a matter of time than anything. They have to wait for those tendons to reattach themselves and that takes 6-8 weeks to be strong enough to start bearing weight. Once he gets there, hopefully he can heal quickly but with it being both legs, it's going to be a tough road. As of today he is out of the hospital, moved into rehab and off pain meds, all good things.

I, very selfishly, hope you figure out a plan to watch the boys so you can still go on the trip. I'm so looking forward to meeting you!

Man, I swear I was feeling like I jinxed it when I ordered our FE finally last week and then this. I'd been procrastinating but decided I wanted a new 2 pocket one.

I really hope we can make it work, I have been very much looking forward to meeting you. Are you all set on your plans? I know you've been crazy busy. I started reading your update last night (Kurt Russel!) and need to get back and post on it. Looked like an amazing evening and some super cute pics!

The good news is that Jeff's mom wants to do it. Now it will be a matter of what she can actually pull off with work, date wise.

I love your plans! I bet you can book a brunch on board but I'm sure you will figure something out! I lucked out and my TA/friend was able to book one (she is platinum) and she added me to it.

Fingers crossed everything works out!

Jill in CO

Brunch could open up too, I was shocked on the Alaska cruise when I was able (and it was our first DCL) to snag it about a month out on Tracy Arm day. I suspect our chances may be better on St. Kitts day but who knows. We did decide that boarding earlier, just for the hope of booking it, just didn't make sense. It's our one day to explore San Juean.

Your poor dad, I'm so sorry! how are his spirits? I hope he's doing as well as can be expected.

He is MAD! Which never happens with my dad. All things considered they are good, I think the hard thing will be keeping the man "down" for 6-8 weeks.

All your plans sound great, the Antigua one especially. I'm sorry your trip is in jeopardy. Hopefully you'll be able to figure out something.

I don't even know what I want to cut, they all sound wonderful.

Cynthia, I am so sorry that your dad's injury is so much worse than expected. John's mother is going to be in the same spot as your mother when/if something happens to his dad. At a complete loss as to what to do. Praying that the recovery is much swifter than anticipated and that your mother doesn't get too overwhelmed in the meantime.

Thanks Lisa. She is not at a complete loss at all. She is perfectly capable of doing it all. This is a woman who was supposed to take 20 girl scouts to the UK in a ouple of weeks. She is a planner like no other. She's just used to him doing it, won't like doing it herself and will complain lol. She will likely eat horribly during the time period and the house will be an utter disaster but she's pretty good about delegating and asking for help. She's also very aware of all of their finances, etc so that's a non issue.

I hope that you are able to keep the cruise in place and something works out on the kid sitting situation.

Thanks. Jeff's mom wants to do it, now the question is whether she can, with her job.

There are not too many scarier phrases in the travel world.

There really aren't are there. I'm not sure I've ever had an actual cancellation. Delays, yes. Missed a flight, yes. But not an outright cancellation. Unless of course you count my flight in Sept for the DL half. That was cancelled. Several months before the flight at least.

What the heck is that? Did it come out of a doll set? A cup that small destroys the whole point of trying to over-caffeinate.

Seriously. At best it holds what, 8 ounces? More like 6!

We aren't tea drinkers!

...to get more coffee.

It was too early for beer on a stump

Yeah, that's not helpful at all.

I wasn't thrilled with United either, on our Hawaii trip. But that's where we had the free miles, so...

Free is worth almost any pain.

Almost. My MIL flies for free on United. On standby. It's taken her days to get on flights before. No thank you!

Wow, high praise! I might need to try RR out sometime.

I'm sure they have a burger! I KNOW they have fries.

I'll say. I've said it before, but I don't know how you keep all of this straight!

Who says I do?

Oh no!! That's awful!


I hope he's able to recover quickly and fully.

Yeah, it's really bad. Sadly, it will not be quick, the darn things can only reattach on their own so fast.

I don't know what to tell you there, but I can understand the strain of trying to figure it all out. Life's curveballs never come at convenient times. I hope it all works out! The cruise sounds pretty cool. And yes, I did think of the Koko Head walk!

No, there never is a good time, you just have to roll with it as best as possible. In a way it's good there is a deadline. I'd rather have that then it being an unknown right up to the trip. I don't do well with stuff like that. Jeff's mom wants to do it, it remains to be seen if she actually can. But wanting is the first step.

It is totally Koko Head, just with rocks! I could be way off but I do feel like if we could do that, we should be able to do this despite all the dire warnings.

 

[CarolynK]

I hope your dad's recovery proceeds as predicted; 6-8 weeks, that really is frustrating for him I'm sure! To be away from home for that length of time (unless it's for a vacation) - I'd be very upset.

I think I'd do everything I could not to cancel the trip; I really hope it all works out for you

 

[annmarieda]

I am so sorry about your dad's injury. Not a simple one at all! I do not just hope, but am confident you can work out your cruise trip. I know you mentioned it would be easier to just cancel...but I think it may come together pretty easily once you start talking to everyone. Get your spreadsheet going and fill in slots. I imagine it is all pretty stressful though.

As for you plans though! WoW!!! I was reading over the hiking one and figured that was high up on your list. All of them sound like a lot of fun though!

 

[eandesmom]

I hope your dad's recovery proceeds as predicted; 6-8 weeks, that really is frustrating for him I'm sure! To be away from home for that length of time (unless it's for a vacation) - I'd be very upset.

Me too. I think that's my biggest worry, that his spirits will sink after being stuck there for a bit. I plan to to see him today and will figure out a schedule to see him 2-3 days a week I think.

I think I'd do everything I could not to cancel the trip; I really hope it all works out for you

We are trying. Jeff's mom wants to help, she now needs to see if she can work it out on the work front. It would be by far the easiest solution all around.

I am so sorry about your dad's injury. Not a simple one at all! I do not just hope, but am confident you can work out your cruise trip. I know you mentioned it would be easier to just cancel...but I think it may come together pretty easily once you start talking to everyone. Get your spreadsheet going and fill in slots. I imagine it is all pretty stressful though.

Well there aren't a lot of people to fill in the slots, that's the challenge. We will find out exactly what Jeff's mom can do and go from there. If she can help with most of it, that will make life a lot easier, it's just going to depend on her work. I also don't know if she's run it by her DH yet, who might be less than thrilled with her gone for that long and him having to take care of their new puppy that whole time. I am fairly sure he would not be able to join her but you never know. Jeff spoke to her last night...which was her birthday, after the neighbors had toasted her bday for happy hour at their house, and she was definitely "happy", hopefully not so much so that she forgets the conversation. LOL! I do want to know sooner than later as that will help me either chill out, or move on from the situation.

As for you plans though! WoW!!! I was reading over the hiking one and figured that was high up on your list. All of them sound like a lot of fun though!

Yes, that one is very high on my list. It is on Jeff's too. The railway is high on his list as well but it was higher when it was rail and sail versus the rail and fort. I really don't know what we will cut but we can't do them all.

 

[KatMark]

Cynthia, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad...that is just awful. I hope you don't have to cancel for a selfish reason...Mark and I were looking forward to meeting you and Jeff and the second is I know how much you've been looking forward to this trip.

 

[rentayenta]

Girlie, I'm behind and didn't know about your dad.




Your cruise plans look fabulous! You've got a lot coming up. I have faith that this will all work out and you'll get to cruise and your dad will heal.