My first attempt at a Pre-Trip Report, we are back, see last page for link to TR

[lovethattink]

How did you make out when you called about the upgrade and the dining plan?

 

[janabananas]

After going over what we would be "saving" with DDP, we actually would be paying more then just paying OOP using TIW, partially because only preferred is available using AP pricing and we want standard. We want to avoid the pools. I got my room only reservation with a Florida resident discount and standard was available back 2 months ago.

I guess that is how it works sometimes. I am glad I took the extra 2 hours to figure it out before calling and trying to change it.

I did however make bounce back reservation for Nov 1 & 2 for F&W, getting the AP pricing and adding QSDP. We didn't want regular DDP because we wanted QS for dinner that night (will be stuffing our faces with food from booths) and BF for the am. And we will be getting mugs too.

 

[janabananas]

So planning in advance is fantastic but gives me way too much time to change my mind and be my usual indecisive self.... NOT good!!

So back to previous ADR's because I got rid of Cape May and added Raglan Road again. I also pushed back the times of the ADR's so we could relax at the hotel more. We are night people anyways so it would be weird for us to eat at 6pm.

day 1: DHS during day, pool time, then Kona Cafe, 8pm, followed by watching Wishes at Poly with a fancy cocktail in hand!

day 2: EPCOT all day, hotel time including wardrobe change, then Tokyo Dining, 820pm, hopefully will get some Pixie dust and get window seat to watch Illuminations

day 3: AK til close, hotel time including wardrobe change, then POFQ to pick up beignets, then take the boat down to DTD for Raglan Road, 915pm (we might cancel this one and just get QS in DTD or depending on the food choices at POFQ eat dinner there??)

day 4: MK til around 4pm when we have to leave to get DBF to work by 7pm.

I am NOT changing anymore! ok I will try not to!!

 

[teekathepony]

LOL! The new plans look good, I lovvved Raglan Road so much when I went. I keep meaning to get back but other places keep taking priority. I'm dying to try Boma for dinner, I've done it twice for breakfast and loved it too.
I hear you on the advance planning though. I have to sit on my hands to not do the same!

 

[janabananas]

I have heard how great Raglan Road is. I saw the scallop forest and about jumped out of my seat!! The bread pudding looks fan-freaking-tastic too!!!

 

[lovethattink]

After going over what we would be "saving" with DDP, we actually would be paying more then just paying OOP using TIW, partially because only preferred is available using AP pricing and we want standard. We want to avoid the pools. I got my room only reservation with a Florida resident discount and standard was available back 2 months ago.

I guess that is how it works sometimes. I am glad I took the extra 2 hours to figure it out before calling and trying to change it.

I did however make bounce back reservation for Nov 1 & 2 for F&W, getting the AP pricing and adding QSDP. We didn't want regular DDP because we wanted QS for dinner that night (will be stuffing our faces with food from booths) and BF for the am. And we will be getting mugs too.

It's good you did your homework! Congratulations on your bounce back reservation! That sound like fun and a great time to go back!

So planning in advance is fantastic but gives me way too much time to change my mind and be my usual indecisive self.... NOT good!!

So back to previous ADR's because I got rid of Cape May and added Raglan Road again. I also pushed back the times of the ADR's so we could relax at the hotel more. We are night people anyways so it would be weird for us to eat at 6pm.

day 1: Boma, 720pm, followed by watching Wishes at Poly with a fancy cocktail in hand! (probably will take taxi to BOMA, instead of depending on bus to transfer from EPCOT/DHS to AKL. I would rather spend the $$ then lose my mind with aggravation.)

day 2: Tokyo Dining, 820pm, hopefully will get some Pixie dust and get window seat to watch Illuminations

day 3: POFQ to pick up beignets, then take the boat down tot DTD for Raglan Road, 945pm (we might cancel this one and just get QS in DTD or depending on the food choices at POFQ eat dinner there??)

I am NOT changing anymore! ok I will try not to!!

I have heard how great Raglan Road is. I saw the scallop forest and about jumped out of my seat!! The bread pudding looks fan-freaking-tastic too!!!

Your changes sound great! I'd like to try Raglan Road sometime. Now you have me curious and will have to search out the scallop forest.

While you were changing around your ADRs I was changing around our resorts and dates. My husband was given the ultimatum to work on his days off without pay or be transferred. He told them that family takes priority over work, and he chose the transfer with a pay dock instead. (Seems like there are very few people this current ecomony hasn't touched.) His schedule will totally change (hence the change in resort dates), but rumor has it he will get 3 day weekends every other week, so it might end up a big blessing instead! We hope to find out a schedule today when he starts his first day in the new position.

 

[janabananas]

Your changes sound great! I'd like to try Raglan Road sometime. Now you have me curious and will have to search out the scallop forest.

While you were changing around your ADRs I was changing around our resorts and dates. My husband was given the ultimatum to work on his days off without pay or be transferred. He told them that family takes priority over work, and he chose the transfer with a pay dock instead. (Seems like there are very few people this current ecomony hasn't touched.) His schedule will totally change (hence the change in resort dates), but rumor has it he will get 3 day weekends every other week, so it might end up a big blessing instead! We hope to find out a schedule today when he starts his first day in the new position.

I really hope it works out and he gets those 3 day weekends. I will find you a dining report. Someone who I follow went very recently. I will add the link when I find it.

EDIT: found it. the pic is towards the middle of the post
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42174335&postcount=77

 

[lovethattink]

OOOOhhhh!! Thanks for the link! The scallops look great, so does the bread pudding!!

 

[janabananas]

So further back in my PTR I said that DBf threw his hands in the air and told me I could do whatever I wanted with ADR's and plans because it is my bday. He just wanted me to be happy. Well in the 2.5 months of making ADR's and changing, I haven't said anything to him, except where we might go.
Last night we started talking about plans and I told him the MASTER PLAN.

He got so confused. He said I thought you changed them around....

I realized that the ADR's I have now are the ones I started out with from the very beginning........

 

[janabananas]

So I think I am done planning everything

-clothes & shoes - check
-hotel paid off - check
-ADR's made - check
-know where to get ponchos- $1 each at Walmart

Just have to put $$$$ away for our food. And that is already planned in the budget.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED??

SIDE NOT: I am not buying any more clothes for the trip!! I am not buying any more clothes for the trip!! Repeat, repeat, repeat!!

I have gotten myself in such a tissy over the clothing....!!

I totally didn't follow this..... I bought more stuff, including a new outfit...

 

[janabananas]

ahhh! so excited for you!!

who are you PR favorites so far??

I swoon over Tim Gunn!!! ;-)

So far I don't really have a favorite. I haven't found anyone that I would want to design for me. That is usually my gauge.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I just found your PTR; wow, you have really been through a lot! I had some medical crap going on for awhile, and all I kept thinking is "I want to go to Disney World dang it". Once everything was over and I was back to good, I then had to start working again, and building a savings, and paying old bills, and... well, it took me awhile to get back. But it was so great to go! So I'm so happy to hear that you're going back to WDW; it feels like a real accomplishment when you walk back in, even if you're just at your resort. I teared up a little on the ME bus; I couldn't believe I survived and made it back! My medical issues were NOTHING like yours, much less serious, but I still felt like I'd never get out alive. Congrats to you; I hope there's light at the end of your tunnel.

And now, you've got me double-guessing what shoes to get! I always saw Clarks, but figured since they were real leather they'd either stretch out too much, too little, or stain from water. They seemed so comfy, but I was skeptical. How do they wear for you?

Finally, I'd really consider a wheelchair or ECV if I were you - but maybe only if you really get tired, or maybe only at Epcot. You don't want to wear yourself out and then you're too beat to go back the next day. The goal is comfort and celebration - you should get both from your trip!

I'm going with my mom for only a couple days in Oct., so I'll be reading along to see how everything goes for you!

 

[janabananas]

I just found your PTR; wow, you have really been through a lot! I had some medical crap going on for awhile, and all I kept thinking is "I want to go to Disney World dang it". Once everything was over and I was back to good, I then had to start working again, and building a savings, and paying old bills, and... well, it took me awhile to get back. But it was so great to go! So I'm so happy to hear that you're going back to WDW; it feels like a real accomplishment when you walk back in, even if you're just at your resort. I teared up a little on the ME bus; I couldn't believe I survived and made it back! My medical issues were NOTHING like yours, much less serious, but I still felt like I'd never get out alive. Congrats to you; I hope there's light at the end of your tunnel.

And now, you've got me double-guessing what shoes to get! I always saw Clarks, but figured since they were real leather they'd either stretch out too much, too little, or stain from water. They seemed so comfy, but I was skeptical. How do they wear for you?

Finally, I'd really consider a wheelchair or ECV if I were you - but maybe only if you really get tired, or maybe only at Epcot. You don't want to wear yourself out and then you're too beat to go back the next day. The goal is comfort and celebration - you should get both from your trip!

I'm going with my mom for only a couple days in Oct., so I'll be reading along to see how everything goes for you!

Thank you so much for the kind words!! I really appreciate them!!

I have decided to get the wheelchair or ECV if it becomes necessary. I want to be able to enjoy my time, and will have to weigh out the benefits.

I am going to make a new post with the shoe update (and some other one's as well). I have been slacking and I totally forgot to do that due to "LIFE HAPPENS!!", including working 6 days a week, medical stuff, and Irene that didn't hit us directly but put our area in a tail spin.

 

[janabananas]

I guess I need to update.

The cute Clark's are great for normal wear, such as being at work (I have a sit down job), going to dinner, or walking a bit at the grocery store. But they are not for WDW touring, at least for me.

They just were not as supportive as I needed. I wore them while I was mall walking and realized they just were not good for that purpose.

So my WDW shoes are:
-Easy Spirit Romy walking shoes for MGM & EPCOT.
Easy Spirit Romy sneakers
-TEVA Kayenta sandals for AK & MK (because of the water rides) and evenings for our nice dinners and evening touring. They are cute enough to go with my dresses but also comfortable as well.
TEVA sandals
-a cheap pair of flip flops to wear during pool/Petal's pool side bar time

So I am SUPER DUPER EXCITED because I got my first Dooney, and it is a Disney Dooney to boot!! I decided to splurge because I have been working so much lately. I plan on using it for when we got out to dinner. I got the green because that is my favorite color!!MY FIRST DISNEY DOONEY!!

I have had the hardest time finding comfortable bras that fit me. I had bought a few about 2 months ago that were great. However, I am glad to update that I have lost about 15 pounds and needed new bras..... again. Not a bad thing, but it stinks that I wasted money.
So I decided on a JMS cotton active moisture wicking style for during the day for regular park touring. It is comfortable enough and got it on sale, so I can't complain about that. JMS bra

I have yet to decide which one's I will wear with my dresses because I am wearing two strapless dresses so I will probably wear my strapless bra with clear straps. However I am going to wear a small sweater over the strapless dresses so I may just wear a nude strapped bra and say to heck with the strapless.

I am getting very antsy as I only have about 11 days left til I leave. I really need the fast forward button!!

 

[teekathepony]

11 days! Wow, you're really getting close! Glad you got your shoes figured out, isn't that just the hardest part?
Also congrats on the Dooney bag!!

 

[janabananas]

11 days! Wow, you're really getting close! Glad you got your shoes figured out, isn't that just the hardest part?
Also congrats on the Dooney bag!!

I am super excited. I am 2nd guessing online check in though?

Between my indecisiveness with shoes, ADR's, & clothes, I am surpised my head didn't spin off!!

I love the Dooney bag, it is just too cute!

Also did you get any effects from Irene? I know you are up in the Great White North, but I'm not sure exactly where?

 

[teekathepony]

I am super excited. I am 2nd guessing online check in though?

Between my indecisiveness with shoes, ADR's, & clothes, I am surpised my head didn't spin off!!

I love the Dooney bag, it is just too cute!

Also did you get any effects from Irene? I know you are up in the Great White North, but I'm not sure exactly where?

I know the head-spinning feeling! I'm there with shorts right now,

I am on an island in the Atlantic, hahaha. Almost as far East as you get. It's hitting us right now but barely, just a little wind and some rain and some gawd-awful heat and humidity so far. Mostly it's going west of us.

 

[ronnmel]

I subscribed to your PTR a little while ago and meant to read it, but things kept getting in the way.

I'm sorry about your heart problem. I hope that it doesn't bother you too much during the trip.

I love your plan of watching Wishes from the Poly beach. We did it on our trip and LOVED it. It was so relaxing and beautiful!

 

[karenlynn416]

I'm in

Excited to read a report from another local... I want to do one, but I've just "learned" about the disboards and don't know what i'm doing just yet

Me and the DBF both have APs and I've been to Disney more this year than I have in my entire life LOL and I was born and raised in the same small town LOL

 

[janabananas]

I'm in

Excited to read a report from another local... I want to do one, but I've just "learned" about the disboards and don't know what i'm doing just yet

Me and the DBF both have APs and I've been to Disney more this year than I have in my entire life LOL and I was born and raised in the same small town LOL

Thanks for joining!! BTW I love your sig!! Shoes can change your life!!

I just started the disboards after I started planning this trip. I didn't know what I was doing either. I have found some really great people here who are kind and helpful. Some others not so much, but I just ignore those party poopers!

I have lived in Florida my entire life and have always done family day trips, but never really actual vacations. The last one I went on was with my ex-husband. That turned out really bad.... (divorce)

But I am glad to be going now with my DBF. He has let me have free reign over this trip, which makes sense because it is my birthday and he isn't really a Disney person like I am.

I will be making a TR when I get back!!

All I gotta say is:

6 DAY BANANA DANCE TIME!!


I have been doing that on another thread with fellow September travelers but have neglected to do it on my own PTR... I am a bad PTR writer!!

off to work I go..... 4 more work days left, then my vacation starts!!