NOVEMBER 2012 Trip Planners Thread~ Everybody is Welcome~Part 3 already!

[ireneryan]

I'm so glad that I hadn't paid our trip in full. I'm so angry at DH school. We caught a hiccup begining of July, and are still awaiting the school to figure out his pell grant issues. So much for doing his FAFSA in March. Payment for the fall classes are due on Wednesday, because the school didn't get his pell grant stuff done they couldn't forward info to the VA. Thus leaving us a bill of $4500 good bye savings. We will be reimbursed once everything clears, and were told that we should have all monies back by the begining of October. Our payment is due by October 11. Now I am freaking out, and of we go in February the trip is going to be much more expensive as of right now I'm not one to trust the University or the VA much. I don't know if I should ride it out, or cancel and wait.

Ohhh that is so rough! If I were you I'd ride it out to the last minute, the only thing that would concern me would be ADR's. You can make them without booking a trip though, so what about picking your Feb dates, make ADR's when they are available in August and then cancelling them all if you go in October. Worse case scenario, you have to cancel the October trip but you'll have your ADR's for your Feb trip...does that make any sense, or am I insane?Good luck!

 

[ireneryan]

dd got a postcard from mickey today

So cool!! Did you do one of those things where someone on the DIS sends it for you?

 

[princesshope1982]

So cool!! Did you do one of those things where someone on the DIS sends it for you?

yup, she was so excited

 

[ireneryan]

yup, she was so excited

Oh that's great!!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I'm so glad that I hadn't paid our trip in full. I'm so angry at DH school. We caught a hiccup begining of July, and are still awaiting the school to figure out his pell grant issues. So much for doing his FAFSA in March. Payment for the fall classes are due on Wednesday, because the school didn't get his pell grant stuff done they couldn't forward info to the VA. Thus leaving us a bill of $4500 good bye savings. We will be reimbursed once everything clears, and were told that we should have all monies back by the begining of October. Our payment is due by October 11. Now I am freaking out, and of we go in February the trip is going to be much more expensive as of right now I'm not one to trust the University or the VA much. I don't know if I should ride it out, or cancel and wait.

i would wait. My firend went through that and they over estimate sometimes....you might have it back before that...

 

[princesshope1982]

watchin beauty and the beast

 

[aubreysmom09]

i would wait. My firend went through that and they over estimate sometimes....you might have it back before that...

It's very frustrating. I never had these issues when I went to SLU or USC for school. I mostly had loans or cash. I didn't have to deal with VA which this isn't their fault it's the schools fault. Let's face it though since when does the government deal quickly with money. I'm sure since the VA was delayed they will delay their end of the money.. I just want my vacation. Next week I have to be quiet about it, because our Exchange student EDD16 from Azerbaijan flys in for the year. I don't want to get her upset. Her entire family took a fund up to pay for her ticket. *sigh* ok I am going to watch the Olympics now....lol..

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I'm so glad that I hadn't paid our trip in full. I'm so angry at DH school. We caught a hiccup begining of July, and are still awaiting the school to figure out his pell grant issues. So much for doing his FAFSA in March. Payment for the fall classes are due on Wednesday, because the school didn't get his pell grant stuff done they couldn't forward info to the VA. Thus leaving us a bill of $4500 good bye savings. We will be reimbursed once everything clears, and were told that we should have all monies back by the begining of October. Our payment is due by October 11. Now I am freaking out, and of we go in February the trip is going to be much more expensive as of right now I'm not one to trust the University or the VA much. I don't know if I should ride it out, or cancel and wait.

It's very frustrating. I never had these issues when I went to SLU or USC for school. I mostly had loans or cash. I didn't have to deal with VA which this isn't their fault it's the schools fault. Let's face it though since when does the government deal quickly with money. I'm sure since the VA was delayed they will delay their end of the money.. I just want my vacation. Next week I have to be quiet about it, because our Exchange student EDD16 from Azerbaijan flys in for the year. I don't want to get her upset. Her entire family took a fund up to pay for her ticket. *sigh* ok I am going to watch the Olympics now....lol..

Yes he had that problem too. His wife was in the hospital for problems with her pregnancy and she delivered the twins early well one didnt survive and well the school was ok giving extentions on certain assignments but one was due and the teacher didnt get the email in time and long story short the school sent something to the VA and he couldnt get reimbursed right away. I always was hearing stories about him dealing with school and the VA.... hope it gets better!

 

[luvallprincesses]

i was thinking about what time to be at the bus stop. I think Ill get our 'next day' bag packed each night and I will have a list of anything needed for each day there

We have found that the kids need MORE sleep each night at WDW than they would normally get at home...and that's with afternoon down time more days than not. So consider how many hours they get at home and be sure they are able to get that much sleep or it will build up to a breakdown. Also, returning to the room at night...we are never able to get them unwound and settled down for at least an hour.

We have tried both later nights and earlier morning and have found we are better at closing down early and getting up for rope drops. Certainly there are later nights for Illuminations, etc. but they are followed with not-early mornings.

I feel I spend just as much time ahead of time planning sleep time (early night or early morning) based on evening shows as I do planning ADRs! Planning for enough sleep seems silly but it is paramount with kids!

 

[GMU MOM]

We have found that the kids need MORE sleep each night at WDW than they would normally get at home...and that's with afternoon down time more days than not. So consider how many hours they get at home and be sure they are able to get that much sleep or it will build up to a breakdown. Also, returning to the room at night...we are never able to get them unwound and settled down for at least an hour.

We have tried both later nights and earlier morning and have found we are better at closing down early and getting up for rope drops. Certainly there are later nights for Illuminations, etc. but they are followed with not-early mornings.

I feel I spend just as much time ahead of time planning sleep time (early night or early morning) based on evening shows as I do planning ADRs! Planning for enough sleep seems silly but it is paramount with kids!

I totally agree with this...for example this year we are skipping the MNSSHP b/c we have an early ADR at CP the next morning.
At home, our kids are able to stay up later than most others b/c they don't have to get up so early in the morning (school for older DS always started at 9am) but when at Disney, if we want to make it to RD, we would have to get up really early.

 

[Smileybug]

We have found that the kids need MORE sleep each night at WDW than they would normally get at home...and that's with afternoon down time more days than not. So consider how many hours they get at home and be sure they are able to get that much sleep or it will build up to a breakdown. Also, returning to the room at night...we are never able to get them unwound and settled down for at least an hour.

We have tried both later nights and earlier morning and have found we are better at closing down early and getting up for rope drops. Certainly there are later nights for Illuminations, etc. but they are followed with not-early mornings.

I feel I spend just as much time ahead of time planning sleep time (early night or early morning) based on evening shows as I do planning ADRs! Planning for enough sleep seems silly but it is paramount with kids!

I have had to take this very thing into account for myself. I have Fibromyalgia. If I don't pace myself and get enough rest I'll hit a very ugly brick wall. I just keep telling myself that we are on a vacation. I don't want to risk our enjoyment by pushing to hard. Just isn't worth it.

 

[KSdisneymom]

Ok. Change of plans. Considering Carribbean B R. Pop Century no longer available. Is that a good choice? Do I need to ask for a particular bldg if it is not down to take what is left?

Thanks for your help. I want to book tonight!

 

[PixiePrincesses]

yes mine did too! I will remember to bring TONS of snacks... itll be early like 615-840am early. Any breakfasty type snacks? We always go to mcdonalds in the airport BUT I wanna bring snacks but not junk...

Donut sticks! WalMart also sells individually packed powdered donuts, like 6/pack, in a box, and there's always the mini muffins in small packages.

 

[KSdisneymom]

I'm so glad that I hadn't paid our trip in full. I'm so angry at DH school. We caught a hiccup begining of July, and are still awaiting the school to figure out his pell grant issues. So much for doing his FAFSA in March. Payment for the fall classes are due on Wednesday, because the school didn't get his pell grant stuff done they couldn't forward info to the VA. Thus leaving us a bill of $4500 good bye savings. We will be reimbursed once everything clears, and were told that we should have all monies back by the begining of October. Our payment is due by October 11. Now I am freaking out, and of we go in February the trip is going to be much more expensive as of right now I'm not one to trust the University or the VA much. I don't know if I should ride it out, or cancel and wait.

Oh No! I am so sorry to hear this! I think I would try to find out for certain your last date to cancel for every little thing you have booked, mark that date and pray a lot. Hopefully, everything will work out, especially if you could maybe call folks at the VA and univ regularly. Try to make friends and get them on your side. Can't hurt, right?

 

[mamamini]

Hi everyone, just back from a glorious 5 day fishing trip on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Now it's back to Disney reality! My DH wanted to know if I was experiencing DIS withdrawals, funny guy!!

Anyway, I just scanned the last 12 pages that I've missed but just wanted to double check that there is no new BOG info?

Now I've just had a friend tell me that her family is thinking of going to WDW in the fall of 2013, and if she gave me her budget would I plan the trip for them!! Absolutely, nothing better than planning a WDW trip, unless it's for yourself! Jealously may be a factor! ;-)

 

[GMU MOM]

Can we talk about strollers for a bit? Younger DS will turn 5 a week after our trip and even though he hasn't used a stroller when we're home for over a year, I think he will definitely need one at DW. He does get tired after a couple hours of walking and since he's a big 4 yr old, we can't really carry him anymore. Last year on our trip we rented a City Mini from Magic Strollers and it was great but today we happend to be at BRU so I had him sit in a City Mini and it seemed a bit small for him. Is the newer version much bigger?

I was actually considering buying one rather than renting b/c we have our trip in Nov this year, hopefully a trip next August and I am hoping to book a surprise Christmas trip to DisneyLand. I'm just not sure if he will still want to use it next year at 5 1/2 and also thinking of the trouble of taking it through airport security and all that.

What do you guys think?

 

[ireneryan]

Can we talk about strollers for a bit? Younger DS will turn 5 a week after our trip and even though he hasn't used a stroller when we're home for over a year, I think he will definitely need one at DW. He does get tired after a couple hours of walking and since he's a big 4 yr old, we can't really carry him anymore. Last year on our trip we rented a City Mini from Magic Strollers and it was great but today we happend to be at BRU so I had him sit in a City Mini and it seemed a bit small for him. Is the newer version much bigger?

I was actually considering buying one rather than renting b/c we have our trip in Nov this year, hopefully a trip next August and I am hoping to book a surprise Christmas trip to DisneyLand. I'm just not sure if he will still want to use it next year at 5 1/2 and also thinking of the trouble of taking it through airport security and all that.

What do you guys think?

My DD is still pretty young 3 1/2 years but I just could not imagine taking a trip without a stroller, so I'm voting a big yes! I've never been bothered by taking the stroller through the airport and I'm a single mom that usually travels alone with my daughter so it's not that much extra work. I would have him try out as many different strollers as you can find until you find one that seems roomy enough since you have other trips coming up. I've haven't actually been to WDW yet, so I don't know about the different rental options but I imagine it has to be easier to have your own, one less thing to worry about, but that could just be me.

 

[PixiePrincesses]

I bought a Baby Trend Sit n Stand specifically for our trip (and it was 50% off, too!!), but I've got 2 girls, 5 & 2, that will use it. We drive, so lugging it through the airport isn't an issue, but I like to have my stroller at the resort & DTD, too. Definitely let him "try" a few next time you go to BRU, find one he's comfortable in and see if you can rent 1 in Orlando, or go ahead and buy it. I'd probably bring a stroller even if I only had my 5yr old. She might spend most of the day walking, but eventually she'll wanna ride and until then, the basket underneath is real handy!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

so i just got side tracked reading ppl's MAW trips they are so magical!

 

[ksack]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2853528

Thank you!!!