*****Official October 2011 Thread*****

[KEPE]

NYEMomma, that stinks, hope you are all ok. I'm sure you'll pull it all together.

Nikki, we arrive on a Sat and my CRT date is Tues. so Mid trip I guess. Yes, I do get what you meant and it makes sense. Without a doubt I will be on at 6 to start them but not sure how long each takes or if the system doesn't work and I get frozen I'd have to wait till I got to a computer again and that could be after 8. I guess I could always start calling at 7 when I get in the car if something doesn't go through. Can they make more than one ADR for you when you call or do I need to keep calling back to get each one?

Rorey, thanks I will call and find out!!

I guess I should make a "backup" schedule in case something doesn't work out. UGH, I have a number of Character things I want to do and I didn't want to do them back to back so was hoping to spread them out. I coordinated that with the suggested park days from Easy WDW so if something falls through I'll be stumped, lol. this planning stuff is hard.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I'm so irritated! We were hit by a car that ran a stop sign last weekend & my car was totaled. I've been fighting with the insurance company day and night ever since and have had to completely ignore my ADR planning. Now I'm only like 4 days away from my ADR date & have to scrabble to figure out what we're going to do... which is hard because I have to consult with my parents & with my brother who lives in Canada so we do it all over Facebook.

Just... BLAH!! I'd been looking forward to our 180 day for months & now I completely unprepared.

That stinks!! Aside from the car accident drama, I'm sure everything will work out with your ADRs. I know what you mean though. It's not just as simple as getting on the phone (or computer) and picking placing. Weeks and weeks of planning go into making ADRs!! If I were you, I'd make your ADR plans, run them by your family to make sure everyone is okay with what you decided and then book them! Good luck...with your ADRs AND the insurance company!

NYEMomma, that stinks, hope you are all ok. I'm sure you'll pull it all together.

Nikki, we arrive on a Sat and my CRT date is Tues. so Mid trip I guess. Yes, I do get what you meant and it makes sense. Without a doubt I will be on at 6 to start them but not sure how long each takes or if the system doesn't work and I get frozen I'd have to wait till I got to a computer again and that could be after 8. I guess I could always start calling at 7 when I get in the car if something doesn't go through. Can they make more than one ADR for you when you call or do I need to keep calling back to get each one?

Rorey, thanks I will call and find out!!

I guess I should make a "backup" schedule in case something doesn't work out. UGH, I have a number of Character things I want to do and I didn't want to do them back to back so was hoping to spread them out. I coordinated that with the suggested park days from Easy WDW so if something falls through I'll be stumped, lol. this planning stuff is hard.

You can definitely make more than one on the phone! I think you'll be okay but I would probably be worrying too!

 

[lmc318]

I'm so irritated! We were hit by a car that ran a stop sign last weekend & my car was totaled. I've been fighting with the insurance company day and night ever since and have had to completely ignore my ADR planning. Now I'm only like 4 days away from my ADR date & have to scrabble to figure out what we're going to do... which is hard because I have to consult with my parents & with my brother who lives in Canada so we do it all over Facebook.

Just... BLAH!! I'd been looking forward to our 180 day for months & now I completely unprepared.

OMG I hope you're ok!!! I agree you should defnitely call a lawyer! I was in a minor accident ages ago involving 3 cars where one car pulled out into traffic blind, got hit by another car and then swung around and hit my car. I was stopped in traffic! Anyway, I happened to be temping for a law firm at that time and my insurance company was giving me crap saying the 1st drivers insurance had to pay driver #2s bills before mine, even though I was the least at fault in the incident. Anyway, the lawyer called and spoke to my insurance company fro 2 minutes and they got me the money to fix my car. Even one phone call will help. They're just hoping you bow down so they don't have to deal with it but you pay for coverage and their support, so get it! Good luck!!!

 

[tink1953]

Huddleson family gathering

Sept.28-Oct.9 2011

we are staying at the Pop with free dining upgrade

it would be fun to try and find each other.

BArb

 

[Parla]

I might interested in the 19th with ya. There will be 3 of us and to keep ds from all the craziness of the crowds would be well worth it. All depends on what my doctor says in a few weeks. Dealing with health issues and I am not working at the moment, if the doctor doesn't release me to work, then my trip will either be canceled or changed.

I have written your name on my planning sheet. I am going to try to get both dates I mentioned. Fingers crossed. I will contact you first if I'm able to get that day. Of course that's three months away. I'm trying to remind myself that the anticipation is half the fun.

I booked us at the Poly 10/14 - 10/20 and am sooo excited! This all will lead up to our first cruise ever...on the Dream!

I haven't stayed at the Poly since I was 12 years old many moons ago, and my husband has never stayed there.

Now I have just about 9 days to get my ADRs figured out before I can book them. Wish me luck!

Happy to be here planning with you all!

Congrats! Good luck getting those ADRs! We are going to be eating there twice. SoA on 10/15 and Kona for breakfast on 10/21.

TALK ABOUT STRESS!!!

Ok, so today is my big day to make ADRs. SO, I walk into work at 5:20 (I open the YMCA) and the computers are DOWN!!! WHAT???? OH NOOOOO!!! They wouldn't turn on....NOTHING. Just black screens! AGGHHH!!! So, I go to the back offices, and luckily they are on.

Well, I get everything up and running, and ready to search for my biggie... CRT for breakfast on 10/6/11 - DD's 5th bday... and IT WON"T WORK!!!!! It kept kicking me out. So, I was using Internet Explorer, and I wasn't sure if that was the problem or not. So, I then decided to download Firefox. I thought, I will do anything and everything to try to get this to work!!! LOL.

SO, I get my day, and time, and place all that I want for CRT, get the credit card info entered... and BOOM, error page. OH MY GOSH!!! I was like, ok...did it go...did it not?? WHAT THE HECK DO I DO????

So, I decided to go on and try for Chef Mickey's on Friday. I debated back and forth between the 2 for a long time, had my heart set on Tusker House, and then a girlfriend had me convinced to go on and do Chef Mickey's. She said that my DD would love it... and that is all that really matters. I agree!! SO, I go on, and get everything entered - date, time, place, etc...and WHOOOO HOOOOO, it works!!! It gave me my confirmation number!!!
And, sends me an email.
Still nothing from CRT, so I figured it must not have worked.

So, back to square one for CRT. I go back, put all the info in again... and guess what????


WOOO HOOOOO it worked!!!!!!!
Confirmation - CHECK!
Email - CHECK!

I would have freaked out. I hate error screens, especially right after you've put a credit card in.

Just catching up with all the posts!

I get to make my ADR's on April 23rd. I need to sit down with DH and decide when and where we are going. He is super picky, so nothing to fancy for us.

Is the boat tour you all are talking about for Wishes or Illuminations? I'm seeing both shows being talked about so am not complete clear?

I was able to get in a fridge swap yesterday, so check that off my list of stuff to have to pay for.

I'm personally speaking of Illuminations.

1) I've heard Oct. is not traditionally an extra busy time so if I didn't get on at 6am and managed to get on by 8 will things be booked already? I plan to do them in order of importance (i.e CRT first, Akerhaus next, CP, chef mickey, and on) do you think they will book up that quickly that I may not get the ones on the back end for the dates times I want?

THNX

I have to say that I'm not too super worried however the week I'm going was blacked out on the last FD offer. My TA said there was some kind of convention going on. I couldn't even request a standard Savannah room. There were none to be had. Therefore I'm going to do my best to get everything first thing in the morning. I even have the most important ones (meaning ones with times that are important to me) marked so I remember to try for those first. I have been going on the Disney site and requesting reservations on similar days of the week at the times I want on dates 2-3 weeks prior than mine and only had an issue with Tusker House's earliest seating. That made me feel less stressed.

I'm so irritated! We were hit by a car that ran a stop sign last weekend & my car was totaled. I've been fighting with the insurance company day and night ever since and have had to completely ignore my ADR planning. Now I'm only like 4 days away from my ADR date & have to scrabble to figure out what we're going to do... which is hard because I have to consult with my parents & with my brother who lives in Canada so we do it all over Facebook.

Just... BLAH!! I'd been looking forward to our 180 day for months & now I completely unprepared.

I hope you weren't injured. Good luck finding a calm place to sit and work out your ADRs. Tell the family that they need to get their requests in ASAP or you will take it to mean that you have free reign.

 

[Family Loves Disney]

to the thread newbies!

The list is up to date as of now and it is on page 1. Please check it out to make sure I put in your info accurately. If you would like to add your ADRs, PM NikkiLovesWDW! and she can add you to the ADR list on page 30.

 

[KEPE]

Parla, thats a great idea, I can go on and see if similar days/times are available a few weeks sooner. You know I was thinking that since FD didn't come out I may have a better shot. I mean I'm sure people make reservations regardless if they have the dinning plan or not but my thought it MORE people will book TS and SC ADR's if FREE dinning is offered because they will all want to get their money's worth. So maybe I'll get lucky and an FD offer will come out right after I get my ADR's

 

[Parla]

Parla, thats a great idea, I can go on and see if similar days/times are available a few weeks sooner. You know I was thinking that since FD didn't come out I may have a better shot. I mean I'm sure people make reservations regardless if they have the dinning plan or not but my thought it MORE people will book TS and SC ADR's if FREE dinning is offered because they will all want to get their money's worth. So maybe I'll get lucky and an FD offer will come out right after I get my ADR's

I have been thinking along these lines too! I know if FD comes out we can switch out the AAA discount for that. But if it comes out before the 180+10 gets here my ADRs may be harder to get so I'm still hoping for it but not until after April 18.

 

[sjs314]

I have been thinking along these lines too! I know if FD comes out we can switch out the AAA discount for that. But if it comes out before the 180+10 gets here my ADRs may be harder to get so I'm still hoping for it but not until after April 18.

Too Funny...I have been worried too about FD coming out on April 15 and it making harder for me to get my ADRs on the 22nd.

 

[Rorey]

Too Funny...I have been worried too about FD coming out on April 15 and it making harder for me to get my ADRs on the 22nd.

Is there a typical day of the month (or however often it is) that new PINS/codes come out? Is it basically once or month or sooner or later? Sorry I wasn't sure if there is a rhythm or reason to the Disney madness!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Is there a typical day of the month (or however often it is) that new PINS/codes come out? Is it basically once or month or sooner or later? Sorry I wasn't sure if there is a rhythm or reason to the Disney madness!

I am wondering the same thing.

I wonder too....if FD does come out on April 15 how much that will actually impact those of us making our ADR's within the few days/week after it's released? There are those of us that are already planning ADR's & a FD promotion won't have any impact on that. Then there are those people that may be enticed to book a trip if FD is released, but how organized are these folks going to be? Maybe I'm just naive, but I'm thinking that if someone books with FD they won't necessarily be all over the 180 day mark and have all their stuff planned out so I don't see it having a HUGE impact. It's different if a FD promotion would have been released a month or so prior to the 180 day mark....then those folks have plenty of time to organize & plan.

 

[Rorey]

I am wondering the same thing.

I wonder too....if FD does come out on April 15 how much that will actually impact those of us making our ADR's within the few days/week after it's released? There are those of us that are already planning ADR's & a FD promotion won't have any impact on that. Then there are those people that may be enticed to book a trip if FD is released, but how organized are these folks going to be? Maybe I'm just naive, but I'm thinking that if someone books with FD they won't necessarily be all over the 180 day mark and have all their stuff planned out so I don't see it having a HUGE impact. It's different if a FD promotion would have been released a month or so prior to the 180 day mark....then those folks have plenty of time to organize & plan.

This exactly. I have a friend who is planning a Sept. Disney trip and I asked about her ADR at her 180 days and she looked at me like I had two heads! lol I think the majority of people that book with FD book, then in a month or two think about their ADR. For me anyone who books fr my days can't do ADR yet either, so who knows! lol

 

[stephielela]

i am in TX too- where are you? I'll be up at 4:30am too, unfortunately, my day is next sunday, so much for sleeping in!
hey, a virtual party is fun......i remember last year when trying to book my ADRs, i was up early to try and get Le Cellier for the Candlelight processional package, which sells out fast. i was dialing right away, got through once before it opened, got the message to call back, then got a busy signal for the next 90 minutes on a landline and cell. fortunately, i was here on the DIS, posting on a thread we had going for December folks---everyone was posting what they got and if they were on hold or getting busy signals too- at least i wasnt' alone. an online friend, who just happened to be local (Fort worth) saw me post i was not getting through and she offfered to book for me instead, saying she was on hold now. we chatted on FB, gave her my info and she booked it for me, even using her own CC to hold it for us. talk about nice- that is why I LOVE the DIS......a virtual ADR booking party saved me and got me the ressie i needed!

The same thing happened to me for the CPP!! It was the day my DS was having surgery, so I thought I'd do it to pass the time and take my mind off the waiting and ALL I could get was busy signal!!! I got what I wanted later on anyways, but it was still doubly frustrating!

TALK ABOUT STRESS!!!

Ok, so today is my big day to make ADRs. SO, I walk into work at 5:20 (I open the YMCA) and the computers are DOWN!!! WHAT???? OH NOOOOO!!! They wouldn't turn on....NOTHING. Just black screens! AGGHHH!!! So, I go to the back offices, and luckily they are on.

Well, I get everything up and running, and ready to search for my biggie... CRT for breakfast on 10/6/11 - DD's 5th bday... and IT WON"T WORK!!!!! It kept kicking me out. So, I was using Internet Explorer, and I wasn't sure if that was the problem or not. So, I then decided to download Firefox. I thought, I will do anything and everything to try to get this to work!!! LOL.

SO, I get my day, and time, and place all that I want for CRT, get the credit card info entered... and BOOM, error page. OH MY GOSH!!! I was like, ok...did it go...did it not?? WHAT THE HECK DO I DO????

So, I decided to go on and try for Chef Mickey's on Friday. I debated back and forth between the 2 for a long time, had my heart set on Tusker House, and then a girlfriend had me convinced to go on and do Chef Mickey's. She said that my DD would love it... and that is all that really matters. I agree!! SO, I go on, and get everything entered - date, time, place, etc...and WHOOOO HOOOOO, it works!!! It gave me my confirmation number!!!
And, sends me an email.
Still nothing from CRT, so I figured it must not have worked.

So, back to square one for CRT. I go back, put all the info in again... and guess what????


WOOO HOOOOO it worked!!!!!!!
Confirmation - CHECK!
Email - CHECK!

YAYYYYY!!!!


Only thing, my dining page is still only showing CHef Mickey's ressie on there - which I think will change. I searched "missing reservations" with my confirmation # and it says that it is having difficulty displaying the reservations right now.


SOOOO....

Whoever is updating the dining reservations on pg 30 - you can now add me!!!!


CRT @ Magic Kingdom, 10/6/11 9:35 am
Chef Mickey's @ Cont Res 10/7/11 9:35 am

Good luck to the rest of you!!!!

Oh, the drama! It gets super stressful. I'm kinda glad we aren't making more than 2 ADR's and the ones we are making shouldn't be too hard to get.

I'm so irritated! We were hit by a car that ran a stop sign last weekend & my car was totaled. I've been fighting with the insurance company day and night ever since and have had to completely ignore my ADR planning. Now I'm only like 4 days away from my ADR date & have to scrabble to figure out what we're going to do... which is hard because I have to consult with my parents & with my brother who lives in Canada so we do it all over Facebook.

Just... BLAH!! I'd been looking forward to our 180 day for months & now I completely unprepared.

Wow, that sucks!! I'm sorry you are having to stress about this! I agree, you might want to talk to a lawyer. But in the meantime, take a deep breath, and maybe just come up with an outling of what meals you want, and then see what's available?

 

[sjs314]

I changed my ressie quite a number of times this trip and each time I did the CM made mention to me about the ADR and even gave me the date each time so I am guessing if FD comes out they will be alerting those booking about making ADRs.

 

[Pixiedust530]

I changed my ressie quite a number of times this trip and each time I did the CM made mention to me about the ADR and even gave me the date each time so I am guessing if FD comes out they will be alerting those booking about making ADRs.

Hmmm.... I had not thought of that. I booked through a TA and when she sent me my confirmation e-mail it included a link to a calendar that gave you your 180 day mark.

If I hadn't booked through the TA I would have booked online through Disney. When you book online does it give you the 180 day mark?

 

[Rorey]

I changed my ressie quite a number of times this trip and each time I did the CM made mention to me about the ADR and even gave me the date each time so I am guessing if FD comes out they will be alerting those booking about making ADRs.

Me too I've changed my ressie three times so far and each time they asked about ADR, I just figured they wanted me to "guarantee" that I would be keeping my ressie. Each time I needed to tell them I wasn't within my 180 days yet, but joked if they let me I would make reservations.

 

[sjs314]

Me too I've changed my ressie three times so far and each time they asked about ADR, I just figured they wanted me to "guarantee" that I would be keeping my ressie. Each time I needed to tell them I wasn't within my 180 days yet, but joked if they let me I would make reservations.

I originally booked online but I don't remember but I do recall seeing it at somepoint I think when I went to my vacation to look up my reservation.

 

[KEPE]

I called disney directly and did get a reminder from them of my my 180 day was so I could make my ADR's.

I wasn't so worried about people that just decide to book a trip because FD came out at the last minute. I'm more worried about people already going but NOT booking the dinning plan because they don't want to pay OOP for all those TS's or are waiting to see if FD comes out so they could add it but won't be booking all of those character and expensive place if free dinning doesn't come out. I am really hoping for it and hope all those who need it to book a trip get it but I just am nervous that it will mess up my ressies. Plus with the rumor of it being the 15th that is less than 10 days before I can make my ressies I'll be so sad if I miss them but such a short window.

Never realized how stressful this planning could be. I haven't been to Disney in about 17 years so I just stumbled upon Dis and learned all these cool tricks (FD, discount code, pins, 180ADR's and what a must they are, etc.). I have friends who go to disney every other year for the past 10 years and I was telling them I was hoping for FD or a % discount and they were shocked there even was such a thing. They've always paid full price. Crazy how beneficial this site can be!!

 

[Family Loves Disney]

I just got home from probably one of my most hectic days in a long time! I know OT, but need to vent just a little.

My neighbor and close friend had emergency surgery yesterday. So to help her out a little, I thought I would take her special needs child (11 yrs old and ds's best friend) with us swimming, then to ds's Challenger League baseball game and including supper, snacks, and a treat after the game. She also has another child with spina bifida (he is still a baby).

Anyway, swimming went ok, till ds had a minor meltdown, then his friend gets out of the pool and demands to leave and go to McDonald's now! Explained to him we had to wait for ds and dd to get out and get dried off, then we would go eat before the baseball game. Well, ds was upset about leaving. If one special needs child was upset with me the other was happy and vice versa. UGH! DS's friend got upset with me at McDonald's when I told everyone we had to leave for the game. He wanted to stay and play instead of going to the game. Then at the game, instead of sitting with me and dd watching the game, ds's friend was all over the place - running around the field, running in the outfield (he use to play in the Challenger League but decided not to do it this year), sitting in the dugout, stomping on the bleachers, etc. These two special needs children have sucked out all of my energy and then some.

After the game, I promised to take the kids to get ice cream at Chick-fil-a. We get there and ds's friend asks if we are going inside. I tell him yes, and he then says to me "finally, I can have some fun". Excuse me you little bratty child. I order the kids their treats and sat down while they played in the play area. When ds's friend comes to get his shake, he is upset that it has whip cream on it and a cherry. He looks at me and says, "I said I wanted my shake plain!" What the *#@! do you think I am!? is what I was thinking. So I go and get a spoon and spoon off the whip cream and the cherry. OMG! I called my friend to let her know we will be late getting home and was telling her about our day and asking how she was feeling. She so apologized to me about her ill mannered child. All I know is that I have a new appreciation for her with two special needs children. One is hard, but two is indescribable.

We got home at 8 and I sat down on the sofa and I can't move. DH is laughing at me and asked if I would do that again, of course you can guess what I said. lol. We (me and my friend) usually do the field trips together to tag team with all the kids, I'm not doing it solo ever again. lol.

Now that I have vented, I am going to bed. lol. Good Night everyone.

 

[Brocktoon]

to the thread newbies!

The list is up to date as of now and it is on page 1. Please check it out to make sure I put in your info accurately. If you would like to add your ADRs, PM NikkiLovesWDW! and she can add you to the ADR list on page 30.

Minor request ... I'm listed on the thread under Wilderness Lodge, but I'm actually staying at Ft Wilderness for Oct 15-22 doing the RV thing.

If anybody happens upon the 100-300 loop during those dates I'll hopefully have a green mickey head marking the campsite ... you'll know if I'm around as I'll probably be lounging outside with a beer.