My TA will be SO glad when Nov gets here- An attempt at a Nov '12 PTR

[PixiePrincesses]

Here goes nothing, my 1st ever PTR!

Who?

Myself, Rachel: 29, stay at home mom to 3 DDs- 16, 5 & 21mths-, this is at least my 5th trip to WDW, my 2nd as a parent

My mom, Grammy: 53, at least her 4th trip (maybe I should ask her how many times we went when I was a kid...), only her 1st with grandkids

The DDs-
Taylor: 16, soon to be adopted by us, 1st trip EVER, she's super excited

Olivia: 5, 2nd trip, loves all things Ariel & Cinderella

Malynn: 21mths, 1st trip, has absolutely no idea who anyone is at Disney, except Minnie, though I've already decided she's a Belle & Mulan fan

And the newest addition to our trip, my brother, Tony: 35, he's been to WDW as many times as I have, including Olivia's 1st visit so it's only natural he join in on my other girls' 1st trips, I think he may be the only other person in the family who shares the Disney love

When & Where?
POP, Nov 14-20
Driving from Louisiana!

°o° Rachel
Sent from my DROIDX using DISBoards

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Notice I didn't mention DH. He's been to Disney once, for his & Olivia's 1st trip, Oct '09. Disney was nowhere near his ideal vacation, "Disney is not a vacation, a vacation involves sleeping in and doing 'nothing.'" hehehe

So when I got the itch and insisted we go to Disney b.c Malynn would still be free, DH said it was fine by him, as long as he didn't have to go. I asked my Disney accomplice, Tony- no go, he'd still be in school- next choice, Grammy- she was thrilled to accompany her DD & GDs!

So back in March, I started planning. Researching dates, prices, special offers, etc. I finally narrowed it down, Nov 14-20, taking the 'big' girls out of school for the 1st 3 days of the trip.

I contacted a TA that came highly recommended by friends, and we were "on our way."

°o° Rachel
Sent from my DROIDX using DISBoards

 

[PixiePrincesses]

We (I) chose POP with dining; my philosophy is that we don't/won't spend enough time in the room to warrant spending $$$ on a moderate or deluxe. Don't get me wrong, my dream trip involves AKL & Bay Lake Towers, but for now, I'm sticking to value.

My plan changed once before it was time to book ADRs, but I can't remember what I changed, so I'll give you my plan as of May 18, my ADR day:

Wed Nov 14
Travel 12+ hours, leaving home at 3am
7:45 ADR Whispering Canyon

Thus Nov 15
*i remember what I changed! Originally, I had Thurs & Fri switched, before MVMCP dates were released*
Animal Kingdom
4:00 Entry for MVMCP
4:30 ADR Crystal Palace

Fri Nov 16
Epcot
9:45 ADR Princess Storybook, Akershus

Sat Nov 17
Magic Kingdom
8:10 ADR Chef Mickey's

Sun Nov 18
Magic Kingdom
4:30 ADR 1900 Park Fare

Mon Nov 19
Hollywood Studios
10:00 ADR Play 'N Dine at Hollywood & Vine

Tues Nov 20
10:15 ADR Olivia's Cafe, Old Key West
Travel 12+ hours home

°o° Rachel
Sent from my DROIDX using DISBoards

 

[PixiePrincesses]

I wonder how long I'll talk to myself before anyone joins in...

I found out about a "deal" at Target, through a blog I follow, to cut costs on my trip. I'm sure everyone's heard about it by now... I think I saw a post on here somewhere about it. Anyway, Target sells Disney gift cards in $25 & $50 increments. If you use your Target Visa or Debit, you get 5% off your purchase, so I've been buying gift cards $425+ at a time. It's basically spending $400 and getting another $25 free. Woohoo!

 

[prisjoyce]

Just saying hello so you don't feel like you're talking to yourself!

Looks like you have a fun trip planned! If your younger girls are into dressing up, check out your local Disney store or Toys R Us the week after Halloween; the costumes are deeply discounted. We did that for DD one year, and took her to BBB just for hair & nails. Worked out great and saved a bundle!

Also wanted to mention that the Osborne Lights in HS are really great. I see you have your HS day starting relatively early. If your kids can't hang that late, it's worth park hopping to HS (if you have hoppers), or heading back to the hotel for a rest, and back to HS at night. My kids are STILL talking about the light display & the "snow". It was really great!

 

[reyasmommy]

Awe, that's too bad your husband isn't into Disney. I don't get it? Luckily my DH loves to go as much as I do. Oh well, you guys are going to have a BLAST!

Your plans look great! I think there is a chance we'll be at MK on the 18th too. I'll wave if I see ya.

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Just saying hello so you don't feel like you're talking to yourself!

Looks like you have a fun trip planned! If your younger girls are into dressing up, check out your local Disney store or Toys R Us the week after Halloween; the costumes are deeply discounted. We did that for DD one year, and took her to BBB just for hair & nails. Worked out great and saved a bundle!

Also wanted to mention that the Osborne Lights in HS are really great. I see you have your HS day starting relatively early. If your kids can't hang that late, it's worth park hopping to HS (if you have hoppers), or heading back to the hotel for a rest, and back to HS at night. My kids are STILL talking about the light display & the "snow". It was really great!

I figure we'll definitely have to head back to the hotel for a break a few times and then go back for the "late shift." Luckily, Malynn's been practicing napping at our local waterpark every week, so sleeping during late nights in the park should come easily.

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Awe, that's too bad your husband isn't into Disney. I don't get it? Luckily my DH loves to go as much as I do. Oh well, you guys are going to have a BLAST!

Your plans look great! I think there is a chance we'll be at MK on the 18th too. I'll wave if I see ya.

Yea, I don't get it either. I think the only way I'll get him back to Disney is with a 10 day trip, doing parks every other day and letting him skip a few park days for golf or fishing.

Definitely wave, I'll keep my eyes peeled!

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Just saying hello so you don't feel like you're talking to yourself!

Looks like you have a fun trip planned! If your younger girls are into dressing up, check out your local Disney store or Toys R Us the week after Halloween; the costumes are deeply discounted. We did that for DD one year, and took her to BBB just for hair & nails. Worked out great and saved a bundle!

Also wanted to mention that the Osborne Lights in HS are really great. I see you have your HS day starting relatively early. If your kids can't hang that late, it's worth park hopping to HS (if you have hoppers), or heading back to the hotel for a rest, and back to HS at night. My kids are STILL talking about the light display & the "snow". It was really great!

I'll definitely have to check out clearance costumes, hadn't thought about that. The Osborne Lights are on my must do list, too!!

 

[PixiePrincesses]

So, originally, Tony was a no go on this trip. He's in Arizona going to school right now and didn't think he'd be finished in time. 2weeks ago, he called to tell me the run down of his plans for the next few months, adding at the end that he'd be packing for Disney, that is if we'd take him along and could add him. But of course!! Thank goodness we'd just finished adding a 2nd room to our reservations.

So far, I've had to make changes 3 times to our reservation- free dining, add 2nd room & add my brother- and all since July 1. Hence the reason I'm sure my TA will be glad when November gets here.

 

[vleeth]

Followed you here from the Nov thread. Congrats again on having your oldest DD 'offically'!

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Followed you here from the Nov thread. Congrats again on having your oldest DD 'offically'!

Thank you!! Now I guess I need to get back on the ball with this TR!

 

[PixiePrincesses]

When I was a kid, my mom used to buy out the Disney Store before Disney vacations, getting all of us Disney outfits for everyday, no matter our age. I always told myself that when I took my kids to Disney I'd NEVER make them wear Disney clothes. They could wear whatever they wanted. Hahahaha Yea, well, if you could see inside my slightly packed suitcase, you'd know I haven't followed that statement.

Both little girls have mostly princess shirts to wear everyday, Taylor has 2 Disney shirts and I've got 3. I'm debating on buying Taylor or myself anymore Disney shirts. It's highly unlikely she'll wear any of them after this trip...

What I still need, though, is shirts/outfits for AK for the little girls and something for the 6 of us for MVMCP.

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Oh!!! And I almost forgot to mention that yesterday Taylor's adoption was finalized!! Hooray!

 

[BearcatsFan]

I'll be reading!

Congratulations on the adoption finalization! How exciting for you and your family.

Look forward to more details.

 

[kaileighbug]

Congrats on the adoption


My hubby doesn't mind going. Seeing the look on our daughter's face when she met Lotso makes it all worth it. That and he get to eat some really good meals. He also likes that all he has to do is show up because I have taken care of all the details. (I do ask him every now and then what he would like too)

 

[PixiePrincesses]

I'll be reading!

Congratulations on the adoption finalization! How exciting for you and your family.

Look forward to more details.

Thank you & thanks for joining in!!

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Congrats on the adoption

My hubby doesn't mind going. Seeing the look on our daughter's face when she met Lotso makes it all worth it. That and he get to eat some really good meals. He also likes that all he has to do is show up because I have taken care of all the details. (I do ask him every now and then what he would like too)

Thank you!!

DH will tell anyone, it's definitely a sight to see, but he's seen it once and that's enough for him. I don't think they took many vacations when he was a kid, so he's used to staying home.

 

[PixiePrincesses]

So far, I've got 3 reasons my TA will be SO glad when November gets here:
1) He's seen my planning spreadsheet at least 3 times, though I'm sure I'll send it to him at least 1 last time before we go.
2) I'm paying off my trip in gift cards valued at $25/50 per card and I usually make a payment of $450-525 at at time.
3) He's had to change and/or cancel my reservation 4 times already:
a) Switch to free dining
b) Add 2nd room at POP and upgrade to regular dining
c) Change Taylor's last name
d) Add Tony to the reservation


If I had known Tony was going to change his plans and be able to come, I would've skipped the TA and booked everything on my own; we're knowledgeable enough to have handled it. But since Grammy was my copilot and every time I asked for her input she just said, "I trust you," I needed someone's input!

I love my TA, though, and I hope he doesn't wanna run for the hills every time he gets an email from me.

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Ummmm, yea, so I've been stalking the 'net in hopes of a new Military Salute for my dates and it looks like the "official" announcement will come out this week. Yay!!

So, of course, I just emailed my TA to do a comparison for me on Military vs Current Reservation. All this extra work!! lol

What's this, #4 on my list of reasons??