November 2012- F&W, MVMCP & Smelling the Roses

[Smileybug]

I'm late to the party as usual. Your little guy is adorable.

 

[khertz]

That's great that you will be doing the Tour with the other family. I'm sure the kids will have a fun time doing that together!

I had to laugh at Will expecting to go to Disney for every birthday. Looks like that will be Paxton in a few years since we are starting the trend now too! It just worked out too perfect with a fall birthday so we can go when school is in session and miss the crowds and the weather is not full force like in the summer. I think I will be just as disappointed as he will be when we can't go for his birthday once he is older & in school!

 

[exwdwcm]

I'm late to the party as usual. Your little guy is adorable.

Thank you for joining- and thank you so much on my little guy- i am partial!

That's great that you will be doing the Tour with the other family. I'm sure the kids will have a fun time doing that together!

I had to laugh at Will expecting to go to Disney for every birthday. Looks like that will be Paxton in a few years since we are starting the trend now too! It just worked out too perfect with a fall birthday so we can go when school is in session and miss the crowds and the weather is not full force like in the summer. I think I will be just as disappointed as he will be when we can't go for his birthday once he is older & in school!

I bet Paxton will be the same way. LOL! But at least we are raising them to be disney fans, or else they will just get burned out- i guess one or the other, right? i am totally fine taking him out of school later if i can, he is already really bright and loves school, so I imagine he is going to do well in school. But i just need to find out about our district and how they handle it, i have a feeling they are going to have issues and be strict.

 

[jenseib]

Finally got a chance to get over and join!

 

[exwdwcm]

Finally got a chance to get over and join!

Thanks for joining Jen!

 

[WDWCP96]

Just wanted to say our trip now overlaps for another day. We had to add an extra day since they aren't doing any MVMCP during Thanksgiving week. We are now coming in on Friday so maybe we can meet up once I figure out our travel arrangements. I am not finding any airfare that is direct and doesn't cost us an arm and a leg.

 

[exwdwcm]

Just wanted to say our trip now overlaps for another day. We had to add an extra day since they aren't doing any MVMCP during Thanksgiving week. We are now coming in on Friday so maybe we can meet up once I figure out our travel arrangements. I am not finding any airfare that is direct and doesn't cost us an arm and a leg.

yeah, that is so fun to overlap! I'd love to meet up, so just keep me posted once you get everything planned.

 

[exwdwcm]

So no major updates. SW did release their flights, but unfortunately we are trying to avoid flying them since they don't offer direct flights out of Dallas. AirTran (who we took last year) no longer flies out of DFW either.

We are pretty much stuck with selecting from a handful of airlines. Delta flies but connects and AA is one of the few with direct flights. DFW is the hub for AA of course, so they have a TON of flight choices too. I typically fly AA and we will probably end up on them again. Right now, the flights are still at $440. OUCH!!!

We also have another potential change/issue. Alan could be taking a new job! That is a good thing, as it will mean more opportunity for him and probably more $$$. But in doing so, he will be hesitant to take more than a week off for vacation. If he remains at his current company, he is fine taking off the Friday before and then a whole week.
But my parents and I would love to fly out on Thursday afternoon, November 8th. Or that evening, if Alan is still at his old job and wants to work that morning. I plan to take the whole day off. My parents are retired, so no worries for them on timing. But if Alan gets this new job, he would probably fly in on Friday night after work. Boo! We’d miss him, but really, it might work out okay for us.
If he waits and flies in on Friday night instead, then that opens up Thursday for us to leave any time we want! We love taking the first flight out and getting to our happy place quickly, I mean, why waste time, right? Well when we did the early flight in 2010 with his mom and niece, he hated it! We were up at like 3:30am for the town car to the airport and had a 6:20am flight. We arrived at MCO at like 9:45am, which was great. However, by 1pm, we were all out of steam and desperately needed a nap/rest. But our room at BLT was not ready……it wasn’t ready until almost 4pm. We were dead tired and all grumpy by then. So after that trip, Alan told me to never schedule the early flight again! LOL!
But if he isn’t traveling with us, I have the option to go early! My parents don’t mind. So we will check out what’s available. Right now, AA has flights:



Depart DFW at 8:20am, arrive MCO at 11:50am (will probably try this one)
Depart DFW at 9:45am, arrive MCO at 1:10pm
Depart DFW at 7:15am, arrive MCO at 10:40am



I think the 8:20am is best for us if Alan isn’t traveling with us. We would arrive at noon, take an hour or so to get the rental car and bags and probably be on Disney property by 1:30. We could head to DTD for lunch at Earle and shopping and then to our resort.



Resort? Ah yes, we don’t have anything booked yet for that night, but I am planning on an AoA CARS suite if I can get a good TA discount. As you know, I am a new Disney TA! I am loving it so far, working as an independent contract on my own time. I started in April. I first have to be certified by the Cruise Line Association and get my CLIA card before I am eligible for discounts. To do that, I had to book $5k in travel first (hit way over that this weekend) and pay CLIA a few fees and take a few online courses. I signed up yesterday for the courses and just need to work on those this week at night after my real 9-5 job. Once I get the card, I can book a discounted room for us and order my discounted ticket too. J I can’t wait to be official!



I think my Dad and Will would both enjoy the CARS suite, so that is what I want to attempt to get. We’ve never stayed at a value before, only mods and deluxe before we bought DVC, so this will be fun! I’ve always wanted to try POP Century too, so that is my back up if we can’t get AoA. Doesn't the cars area look cool?

So if this new plan all works out for arrival day, we’d shop and check in probably around 4pm or so. If warm enough, we’d swim some and explore the resort, maybe even explore POP across the way. We would probably do dinner in the food court, just so we can experience it. Or we could book an ADR somewhere for the night at a resort if we wanted. Or even DTD. So I’ll talk that over once we know for sure if we are going in that early or not.



So that is the latest potential change to our plan. I typically don’t change my plans a whole lot after the hours come out and after I book ADRs. I rarely change my ADRs, I stick with them once booked. So probably not many more changes coming.
So what is left to do? A LOT!!!

• Book air
• Book first night’s hotel
• Order my ticket (everyone else has a 9 day hopper already)
• Order MVMCP tickets
• Order/rent wheelchair
• Book Pirate League for Will
• Schedule some meets with DISers and other friends
• Order GardenGrocer (will do this a month out)
• Rent car
• Order birthday t-shirt for Will
• Order gift basket for Will's bday from Disney Florist (or other vendor)

here is the shirt we had in 2010 (etsy) for his bday!

 

[WDWCP96]

It looks like SW is our only option for us as everyone else is $$$$ and we would have to do a stop for one of our flights which I am so not looking forward to.

My boys would love to stay in the Cars suite. I was trying to talk my DH into staying at AoA for our extra night but instead he booked a 1 bedroom villa at AK-Kidani. Oh well my kids will love being able to look out at the animals from the balcony.

 

[jenseib]

 

[jenseib]

I love the shirt btw.....I am so into clothes for my DD. I could walk around naked or in rags...but I love dressing my DD .

 

[exwdwcm]

It looks like SW is our only option for us as everyone else is $$$$ and we would have to do a stop for one of our flights which I am so not looking forward to.

My boys would love to stay in the Cars suite. I was trying to talk my DH into staying at AoA for our extra night but instead he booked a 1 bedroom villa at AK-Kidani. Oh well my kids will love being able to look out at the animals from the balcony.

Yeah, actually SW isn't looking too shabby right now for us, but I am going to keep holding out for a bit.

Hey a 1bed at AK isn't bad! While i am sure the kids would love the CARS theming, who doesn't love waking up to a giraffe at your balcony?? I love AK!!!

Are those CLIA requirements set by your agency to get a card through them? I know the actual CLIA requirements are much higher, thats why I ask. (I really want to get one myself, but we have to get our own, so it will be awhile since I have to book 20 some cruises in 2 years to get it)

yeah, not sure, i assume the agency sets it if you've seen something different then. the crazy requirements for the cruises through CLIA though is a lot. I don't know how i am going to manage to do all that in 2 years especially when we plan to do IVF in December/January- so I am hoping to be preggo next year. i hear they do let you extend for a year usually- so 3 years, but even then, that is a lot of cruises! Heck, i've only been on one in my life. At least I live near Galveston, so doing a few won't be hard, but their requirements are pretty tough. Plus all the bookings, not sure how realistic it is, but I am going to try!

I love the shirt btw.....I am so into clothes for my DD. I could walk around naked or in rags...but I love dressing my DD .

I bet dressing your DD is a blast! i wish i had a girl to dress up, but Will is pretty good about letting me put him in what i want. and purple is his favorite color!

 

[exwdwcm]

UPATES

so i've actually made a little progress lately! Here's what I've done:

• Ordered our 11/12 MVMCP tickets with our DVC discount! Treating my parents to this one!
  
• Booked Will's Pirate League appt
• Started his shutterfly autograph book

Still a ton to do though, wheelchair rental, flights, car rental, dessert party and a florist gift for Will. Plus I realized I need to figure out our stroller situation. Will is turning five the week before our trip. He doesn't use a stroller anymore at home, but he does complain after a while if we do the zoo for more than 3-4 hours. I know we will need a stroller at Disney, he just will get worn out. We might only use it at night though, we will just see how he does.



So he has outgrown his current stroller. It has a little thing on the front, it doesn't have a food tray or anything, but this little bar thing and his knees hit it. he is almost 48" tall now and has long legs. So it isn't working for him anymore. I don't want to spend a lot on a stroller since we will only use it at Disney. I have thought about renting and still might consider that. It might be our easiest option. So trying to figure out what to do there.



I plan to start our countdown calendar also at 100 days out and we are getting close! I let William put a sticker on the calendar each day and he loves it!


I've also finally gotten my CLIA card ordered, so as soon as I have it, I can book our AoA room- Will decided on CARs for sure! Then I can also order my discounted ticket.

 

[khertz]

I started Paxton's autograph book too! I'm making his on Arts Cow since I have a bunch of free photo book credits there that are about to expire. I'm just having trouble coming up with what characters I want to fill up the last few pages and then I can order. There are so few to choose from in 8x8 compared to 5x7! But the ones I have found I really like so I'm hoping it comes out cute. I have you to thank for that suggestion of doing a photobook because I never would have even thought of making my own, nevermind making it a photobook, but what a great idea!

I just listened to the DIS Unplugged podcast episode about the Cars suites at AoA. They sound amazing! I hope one day we can stay at AoA...I'd have trouble choosing which theme to go with because the Nemo ones sound great too, and I'm sure the Lion King ones will be just as awesome when they open.

What about a sturdy umbrella stroller for Will? Those don't have anything on the front to hit his knees and should be easy to push around, plus they are cheaper than a big stroller!

Also, check your PM's! I sent you one.

 

[exwdwcm]

Good morning all. My poor measley PTR hasn't done so hot. Work has been so swamped, I haven't had the time to spend on it. But my big work event for the year is over and now hopefully I'll have more time.

We host an annual user conference at work and it was in Las Vegas at the ARIA this year. We spend all year preparing to host 1200 customers for 3 days of educational sessions, receptions, luncheons, training and more. So I've been up to my nose in creating the program, handbooks, presentations, organizing training, surveys, email campaigns etc. It's been a nightmare. But my 5 nights/6 days in Vegas are done- i just returned home on Wednesday afternoon. and can take a breath now.

Here are some fun pics from our event, mostly from our big party Monday night where the theme was red carpet celebrity- dress like a celebrity or character. Some of my coworkers and I dressed as Sookie Stackhouse- True Blood- waitresses. Enjoy the pics!

 

[khertz]

Whew, sounds like you have been busy! The pics are great though...looks like a lot of fun!

 

[WDWCP96]

Looks like the party was a big success. You must be happy it is over though. Love the pictures, those are some great costumes!

 

[exwdwcm]

Whew, sounds like you have been busy! The pics are great though...looks like a lot of fun!

yes, so busy, so ready for a break and things to slow down!

Looks like the party was a big success. You must be happy it is over though. Love the pictures, those are some great costumes!

party was a lot of fun, but yes, so glad it is over!!

 

[exwdwcm]

UPDATES

Yeah, so finally able to focus on my trip planning some. So what have I done lately? Well a lot!

We have our countdown calendar now. We are at 97 days today! Each day, William gets to put a sticker on the day!! He loves doing this and I think it helps him understand a little bit more how far off the trip is.

I also ordered a couple of custom t-shirts for William. I usually do one for his birthday and since we are there the week after his birthday, he will wear it. I also found this adorable mickey tie shirt!

And here is our coin jar- it was a cute big plastic container that was an "easter basket" I found at WalGreen's years ago. It is a bank though (had Easter stuff inside). So we put all our spare change in here for William's spending money!

This weekend Mom and I are meeting to review our plans and get our wheelchair ordered, stroller booked (Magic Strollers), plan our gardengrocer order etc.

I have now requested my TA discounted ticket, I just have to go pick it up and pay for it on site though. We are still waiting on WISHES Dessert party dates to open up and Be Our Guest news for a possible ADR on MVMCP night. I plan to do a disney florist order as well, so I'll call on that about 6 weeks out or so.

And......we booked our flights! We did end up on Southwest. I didn't see anything else coming down at all. And we aren't in a huge rush to get there, since we aren't doing a park arrival day. Alan will not be able to join us on Thursday because he started his new job and can't ask off the additional days. He will be flying in on Friday after work instead. I've booked ME for him to use to get to BLT. His flight leaves Dallas on Friday at like 6pm and arrives at 11pm (connection).

Our SW flight fortunately there and back has a stop but NO plane change. So that works for us. I am actually excited about the possibility of bringing more luggage and not worrying about cramming it all in to fit and minimize bags. With free bags, you don't have to! Mom and Dad will get to board first due to her disability. But I did pay for the early/priority boarding for Will and I there and then for Will, DH and I back.

here's our flights:
Thursday, 11/8
Leave Dallas at 8:40am, arrive at 1:05pm (stop in New Orleans, no plane change)

Departure:
Saturday, 11/17
Leave MCO at 4:30pm, arrive home in Dallas at 7:25pm (stop in New Orleans, no plane change)

Pretty happy with the times. We could have done with a little later on the departure, but that's okay. We still have time for breakfast and a little park time before heading to the airport. Our last few trips, we've gone home on Saturday so that we have Sunday to catch up on laundry and relax a little before heading back to work. The good news is, we will head back to work for only 3 days, as it is thanksgiving that next week! We got these flights for like $350 each. Still high, but i wasn't willing to keep waiting and getting nervous flying AA with their prices, strikes and issues.

 

[WDWCP96]

Oh with your later departure flight we should definitely be able to meet up. I haven't booked our flights yet but we will be staying at AKV on Friday and checking in at BLT on Saturday so even if we meet for a short time on before you board ME, it would be great to meet up.