Oh Readers!!! POR Pre-Trip Report ~ We're back...trip report link on page 8!

[michael's mom]

Hello everyone!
Thank you for tuning in to my pre-trip report. I have been reading several PTR's and TR's and thought, this could be my way to talk non-stop about my trip that is 6 months away without driving every single one of my family members and coworkers crazy. Who better than fellow Disney lovers to share my planning with.

A bit of background info on me, the trip planner. I have been to Disney many times as a child and several since college. My husband and I chose Disney for our Honeymoon and that was the first time I had gone to Disney with a group of less than 20 people. After leaving the CBR on our last day of our honeymoon, I told my husband we'd be back in spring of '06 because I was hooked once again on the magic of The World. Spring of 2006 didn't happen because we were blessed with our amazing son May 4. We pushed our return trip back a year and visited the world again in June of '07 with the second smallest traveling group; my DH, DS, DM, and DF. I will not take anything away from these two trips. They were both amazing in their own right, but I missed having a big party to share the laughs and magic with. So, it's time to recruit.

Why am I the one planning it? That's easy, because I am too impatient to wait for someone else to do it. Would they check the park schedule daily until the EMH hours are posted? Would they pay attention to the first day to call for ADR's? Would they agonize over which restaurants to dine at so that the little ones get the most out of the experience and all of the picky eaters will have something to eat? The answer is...NO! They are all hard working adults whose lives do not revolve around Disney. Don't get me wrong, they love Disney as much as I do...well almost. It's just, when I get that bee in my bonnet, I can't stop until everything is ready. I have been on the DIS nightly, sometimes too late, learning as much as I can. Needless to say, I am used to traveling to Disney with a large party, but I've never been the one in charge of planning it. Can I do it?


How did this trip start?

Just like the last. As we were driving back to the airport to return home in 2007 I decided we'd be returning in spring of '09. We couldn't go in June again because it was just too darn hot for us. If we went in April, our son would not yet be 3 and he would have free admission into the parks. So, it was determined...we'd be going in the spring of 2009. I believe I told my family that they didn't have a choice, we were all going because as much fun as I was having on my honeymoon and trip with my husband, son, and parents, I wanted the family trip again.

What's the plan?

Now, the plan. My husband and I had been thinking of adding to our family. How sick am I that I was planning my family around a trip to Disney? But wait, if I have a baby at the end of March or beginnin of April, I'd be on maternity leave from work and could travel mid-week to mid-week in May rather than pay the outrageous prices that teachers are forced to pay if they would like a full week's vacation. Oh, this plan was going to work perfectly fine. So, I'd have an infant in Disney. There'll be grandparents to watch the lil' ones while the big kids ride the rides. Ok, so I have to have a baby in March/April...that means that in July/August

My aunt got wind of our planned trip and decided that she and my uncle wanted to join us with their two grandchildren. OOOHHH, now things are starting to get interesting. Three, possibly four children to play with in the land of Magic. Does it get any better than that? Plus, 4 more people to make this the trip I've been missing since I was a kid. So, we tell her the plan and now, I have my sisters, aunt, and mother all asking me when we're going to Disney..and I have a sneaking suspicion that they didn't care about the trip, but rather "was I having a baby?"

Ok, in summary:

I'm crazy.
I'm obsessed.
I'm planning my family around a vacation.
My parents and aunt and uncle know what my husband are doing at night.



So, when are we going? Is there a baby?


At this point, I can tell you that no, we are not expecting. In fact, we've left that to God at this point. We will be traveling to the World on April 17, 2009 and returning on April 26.

Let me interject at this point and say that right now, the cheapest airfare I can find for my family is almost $600.00/person/rt. INSANE! I am a first grade teacher and our contract doesn't allow us to take days before or after school breaks off. I guess this is true with most contracts.

So, we know when we are going. We hope it will cost us less to get there. Now, I am harrassing every family member that will listen to me...or at least be within earshot of me...WHEN ARE WE BOOKING THE TRIP?????? No answer. Except for "Maura, it's 8 months away. We have time."

Maura thinking..."ah, no we don't. Don't you all spend your free time on the Dis? Don't you realize that all of the standard view rooms are gone at ALL of the mod resorts? Don't you know that ALL of the king rooms are gone at CBR and POR, the two resorts you want to book?"

Noone realizes this. I tell them over and over. Now, by the time they'll listen, the only moderate resort rooms left are the suites at CSR. I can't afford that. So, my sis and I decide we will each get a room at AllStar. I've never stayed there before, but I will tell you, my mother raised value resort snobs...we were cringing at the thought of not staying moderate. Crazy, I know. Like we would be at our rooms anyway. So, the new plan was in place. Mom and Dad would book the suite at CSR for them and my sister, and my other sis and I would stay at ASsp.


So, in my impatience, while I wait for my family to come to my side, I decide there is something I can do without them all and...I book our rental car.

I don't even have a hotel room, but I have a car!

Now, I sit down and begin to search for prices on the Disney site "when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but standard view rooms at POR my dears"

Ok, I begin to panic. We haven't finalized things with my aunt yet! These rooms were not available this morning!
What to do? "Mom, there are standard view rooms at POR and I'm booking NOW! Call Auntie Mary and ask her if they are definitely going and when? ...ah, forget the when, I'll book for the 12 days that you are going for all of you and if your plans change, you can cancel the days you don't need."

Mom: Mary, are you in?
Mary: Yup! (well, at least that's what I guess she said because I booked her a room)
Mom: Ok, Maura's booking us now.
Mom: Mary is coming
Me: Ok, I'm on it.

So, I now have to figure out how to book 4 rooms, for 4 families, all paying seperately. You can't do that on the website! Thank goodness because I always feel better talking to a CM on the phone. Besides, I love when they wish me to "Have a Magical Day" upon disconnecting.

I get the lovely Penny on the Grand Gathering line (after 45 minutes on hold) and we have our rooms. 12 days (I'm there for 8 days) staying at the POR with a 3 day park hopper and the DDP.

"I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it. I know, I know, I know, I know, I know..."



hotel room: check
rental car: check
planning in full mode: check


What's next?

Do you remember that bee in my bonnet? Well, it's buzzing around full speed now. What can I do now? Aha, I can plan our ADRs. I cannot call for a few months, but I can plan them. I start making grids, plugging in park options and dining options. There are grids all over my house and on every computer I can get my hands on.

So
I
wait
and
wait
and
wait
for
October
17
to
make
our
ADRs

Wait, that's today!

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, I am on my way home from work today and I realize that I need to call for ADRs and I don't have any of the grids. I have to go pick up DS at Nana's and if I stop by my house first the dog will go nuts! Oh, no! When are we supposed to do what? But wait, I have created so many grids that it is etched into my brain and I can create it within seconds. My mother and I plugged in the last few dining choices before I call. Then I pick up the phone.

I call the Grand Gathering number. A very nice CM answered the phone and was more than happy to assist me with my reservations.

CM: Where would you like to dine?
Me: I'd like to make a reservation for Crystal Palace on Sunday the 19th.
CM: How many people?
Me: 18, 15 adults and 3 children.
CM: Oh, for parties of 13 or more, the group dining CMs will help you.
Me: (thinking) isn't a Grand Gathering for parties of 8 or more? Why can't the CMs help me?
Me: (I say) Ok, thank you very much. I'll hold.
CM: Have a magical day!

At this point, she tries to connect me to group gatherings and they never pick up. She gets back on the phone and tells me she will try once more, but in the case that I get disconnected, here is the number you can call. I say thank you again.
I am connected to the regular dining reservation number and speak to another CM. I tell her that I need group dining and she says to please hold, she'll connect me, and reminds me to have my Grand Gathering number available.

Let me say that at this point, I've been on the phone for nearly an hour.

Finally, I am on the phone with a CM from the group dining line and the conversation goes a little something like this...

Me: I'd like to make some dining reservations for my upcoming grand gathering.
CM: Ok, when will you be visiting us?
Me: April 15-27 (my mom's dates)
CM: Well, we are only accepting ADRs through 2/22/09 because we are in the process of switching over our reservation system.
Me: Oh, I thought that would have already happened.
CM: The only restaurants we can book for now are Chef Mickey's and Cinderella's Royal Table.
Me: Ok, well, I'd like to book Chef Mickey's for Tuesday, 4/21. Party of 18.
CM: I have two tables for your family.
ME: Ok, we'll take it.

I get the information write it down, repeat it back to him. He asks if there is anything more he can help me with. I ask him about the other character meals that I want but he assures me that I can't book them and tells me to have a magical day.


Can I just remind you all that I was on the phone for nearly an hour with three different CMs before he picked up the line. Couldn't one of them have told me that I could only book 2 restaurants? I am a bit aggravated with this whole ressie system transfer. When I go to call, I will be fighting with the thousands of people who will be vacationing from 2/23-5/23. THREE MONTHS OF VACATIONS!!!!!

I can say with 99% certainty that I will be taking that day off from work to make all of my ressies!




Stay tuned...Do we get all of our reservations?

Cast of anticipated characters to come soon!

 

[michael's mom]

Well, I just read on another post that the ADR line has pushed back the date to make my dinner ressies...AGAIN! I am sure that there are plenty of you out there with the same frustrations. Now, the date is sometime in December of 2008 for all ressies after 3/22. Like I have nothing else to do that month, jeez. I guess it's a good thing that I didn't put in to have that day off yet.

Now, I will spend more of my time planning our Family Trip Book, stressing out over whether or not we'll get the ADR's we want, oh, yeah, and working of course. I just had to add a post to this PTR because my family doesn't want to hear it, yet.

Don't get me wrong. They all love Disney very much, as I had said in my initial post, but in their minds, our trip is 6 months away and that's a long time. To me, our trip is only 6 months away and I have to get to the planning.

Oh well. Everything will work out fine, I'm sure.

Thanks for reading!

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, now that I have some time, I'll start with the characters of this grand adventure.

First off, there's me: A complete Disney nut. If I could afford it, and my job allowed it, I'd travel to Disney at least twice a year. But, as a teacher, I cannot. So, I begin planning my next trip 2 years in advance. Basically, as I get off the plane from one trip, I am deciding on the next. I have put myself in charge of planning this Grand Gathering, because frankly, no one else in my family understands the importance of getting ADR's at 180 days out. Therefore, they don't understand the importance of deciding where you'll be on which days. Of course, it's crazy to be deciding what food I'll be eating 6 months from now (Mama Melrose's), but we do what we have to do to be in control of the situation.

DH: My husband is the sole reason that his family has only been to WDW once! He threw a giant tantrum over not getting to meet Donald, and his parents vowed to never take him back. Well, they didn't. I took him back after we'd been dating a little over a year. My family was traveling to WDW (my last real GG) and he had a pretty good time. It was he in fact, who decided that we should go to Disney for our Honeymoon. I was in heaven. I couldn't believe that he wanted to take me there! We have been back once since then, with our son. He was one and although he doesn't remember his first trip. We will never forget it.

DS: Our son will be weeks away from 3 when he gets his second trip to Disney. As I said before, he doesn't remember his trip, but I still tear up when I think of the look on his face when he watched Festival of the Lion King. He was awestruck. It was the single most memorable Disney moment in my lifetime. We will definitely be hitting up that spot at AK this time around.

My parents: Nana and Papa are frequent Disney travelers. So much so, that when they are in the area for Red Sox spring training games, they make sure to stay on property..."because nothing else compares". Seriously, the first time they were down for the games, they booked a room off property. They walked in, took one look at the room, and called me to find them a room in Disney! It is these two great people that have instilled a love of all things Disney in me (and my sisters to a point). They took their tax returns every year and brought us back to Disney. We had so much fun as kids in Disney. I still remember swimming to the volcano at the Poly pool. If only we could afford the Poly now..I'd be there in a heartbeat. But, I have to sacrifice the Poly if it means getting back every other year.

DSis & her DFi: My sister, like me, loves vacationing to Disney. She is one of the family members that doesn't understand the urgency of planning this far in advance. She loves thrill rides, so she usually tries to plan a day at Universal IoA when she's in Orlando. Her fiance is a new member of the Disney family. He's only been once (with my sis and two friends) so he's never experienced the large family vacation.

Dsis2: The youngest in the family, and probably has traveled there as much as me. She has been fortunate to be invited on a few long weekend trips. Oh, I only wish. She is not a big fan of the thrill rides (unlike her older siblings). She is more of a low-key rider, so MK is her kind of place.

More to come later...

 

[michael's mom]

JC: My lil' sisters best friend. He is my son's "uncle" and we love him like a brother. He is trying to get the time off from work so he can join us so he will be included in our cast of characters as well. We've traveled to Disney with JC many times. His family is close friends with my family, so in the past, when we were all little kids, we went to "The Land" together. In fact, he was my husbands counterpart back in 2000 (DH's first trip back since he was 8). They were the first to get everywhere, because like children, they were so excited that they ran. We really hope JC will be able to join us.

My aunt, uncle, and their two grandchildren: My aunt and uncle have been to WDW before, but not too many times. I don't think they have ever seen DHS before (but I could be mistaken). Their grandchildren however, DGD5 and DGS 3 have never been. As you can read in my signature, being witness to DGD5's first experience with the princesses is something I am looking forward to. My son and DGS3 will have a blast and I am looking forward to being part of their fun, but a little girl in the land of princesses is something special.

Last, certainly not least, but not committed either: My aunt, uncle, and their two daugthers (20 and 18). We're hoping that this great family comes to share in the fun because, as the saying goes, "The more the merrier". There are college breaks to contend with, as well as a planned trip to Italy. This family is still in the thinking process, but should be included because, just as JC, they will be a part of this Grand Gathering.

We still have some family members expressing interest, but not really talking about coming. I'll be sure to add more when the time comes.


As of March 4
Okay, so the cast of characters has diminished a bit. JC, my sisters friend will not be joining us. He was not granted the vacation time from work because 2 other people in his dept. are taking that week off.

My aunt, uncle, and 2 cousins are also not coming. Although, the younger of the two cousins will be in WDW that week with her high school lacrosse team. Hopefully we are able to make it to a game or two.

However, another cousin of mine, who has been enlisted in the Army for 3 years and spent 15 months in Iraq, has decided to join us along with his girlfriend. His mom and dad are my aunt and uncle that are taking their two DGK's, so not only will he get to see his parents for the first time in months, but he'll be there for his niece and nephew's first trip to WDW. How cool is that?


Now, the plans so far!

We have (well, I have) made our itinerary for the trip. I just hope our ADR's fit into my plan. I have been spending the past 5 weeks checking the Disney website for the release of the EMH for the parks, checking this website for any other information I need, as well as all of the menus to find restaurants that have meals that the picky eathers of our bunch will eat.

I finally figured out where we are going, but, with the delay with the ADR system, I hope I can keep it this way.

Some of our party is arriving on 4/15 which is a Wednesday, others will be checking in on Friday. My DH, DS, and possibly youngest sister and JC will be checking in on Saturday, so, this is when I will begin planning...when the whole GG is present.

Saturday, 4/18:

Day at pool, checking in, unpacking, shopping for groceries (snack food and breakfast food). Then, our first Disney experience: Cinderella's Gala Feast at 1900 Park Fare. We are hoping to get the earliest ADR so we can do some shopping at Downtown Disney that evening.

Sunday, 4/19:

Breakfast at CP (we hope earliest ADR) and then the day at Magic Kingdom. We are looking forward to taking our time traveling the park, having lunch at Cosmic Rays (great bang for your buck that's for sure). We will probably take a break from the park, head back to the resort for some naps and downtime at the pool, and then back to the park for those interested in viewing Wishes. This will definitely include me, DH, and DS because we missed it on our last trip (it was so dang hot we just were tuckered out) and I love that show.

Monday, 4/20:

Animal Kingdom at opening to whenever we finish or decide to take off. I am looking forward to a yummy, hot cinnamon roll at Kusafiri's for breakfast. Perhaps, this day is the day I am waiting for the most. When we last visited WDW, DS had just turned one the month before. We took him to Festival of the Lion King and the whole experience was a very emotional for me (and my DD actually). I guess I never expected my son to really get Disney at such a young age. Do you know that moment, when your child sees something in Disney for the first time (like the little girl who sees Cinderella for the first time) and his face just lights up with sheer amazement? Well, I will never forget the look of awe and excitement that my son shared with us that day. He had is "Wow" Disney experience at 1 year old, and even now, thinking back to that moment, I get a bit choked up. I cannot wait to get him back to FLK because I just know that he will love it still. I can't wait to hear him this time around.

Tonight, we are off to the Hoop De Doo Revue. It will be the first time for all of the kids, and the first time back in 20 years for everyone but DH and myself. I am psyched!

 

[michael's mom]

I double posted accidentally!

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, I left off on Monday (after double posting OOPS).

Tuesday, April 21:

We plan to use this as a day off. Spend some time at the pool. Recuperate from all of the walking that we did in the previous days. I know the kids will love hanging at the pool, with the slide and all. I will probably try to get some laundry done today because I hate spending my last night on vacation in the steamy laundry room, and if there's one thing my mom taught me, it's not to go home with dirty laundry. Besides, we leave Disney on Sunday and it's back to work on Monday for both me and my husband. We'd never get the laundry done.

It is this night that leaves me with the least stress... because I was able to book my CHEF MICKEY'S dinner. There are 18 of us going, we got the first seating. I'm psyched...not only will the food be fresh, but so won't the characters. And, with young children, and a diabetic on for the ride, it'll be nice to get dinner in at a decent time. We'll go back after dinner, let the kids play in the pool some more, and then get to bed for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day!

As of 3/15, there are 14 of us, and after much stress, it's all worked out

Wednesday, April 22:

This is the last day for my aunt, uncle and their two GK's. They are leaving tomorrow. We however, are on for another 4 days! Yippee!!!!

We are going to go to Epcot for the rope drop (hopefully) and take on a few rides. You know, the kiddie ones. None of us have seen Turtle Talk with Crush or Nemo and Friends. I am really looking forward to these both. I'm sure the older crowd (well, the twenty-somethings) will head over to the thrill rides, but we plan to just do the few kid rides, grab some breakfast over in the Land and then head to DHS for the rest of the day.

The plan is to get ressie's at Mama Melrose's, maybe hit another round of Tower of Terror, and then head on into Fantasmic. We are not doing a dinner package because my mom (and I agree) hate where they sit the package guests. We have always had great seats, dead center, and usually down low too. We'll get or bring in some flashy toys for the kids to play with, maybe get some ice cream and relax.


You may notice that we have crammed 4 parks into 3 days (and all at the beginning). The reason behind this is to get my aunt and uncle to all of the parks. They haven't been in so long, and like I said, they haven't seen DHS yet. Not even as MGM. But, we all only purchaed 3 day hoppers so we have to hop from Epcot to DHS.

The rest of our trip is going to be spent hanging out poolside, doing some shopping, TURNING 30 That one's me. I'm not looking forward to it, but what the heck, I'm going all out and at least I'll be in my magic place!

As of 3/15, we are going to Animal Kingdom today and most will be dining at Teppan Edo, one couple at Tutto Italia
Thursday, April 23:

Like I mentioned previously, we are going to be spending the next three days just chilling out, but I'll give you my dining plans at least.

The plan is to dine at the Maya Grill tonight. My sis's DFi is Guatemalan and they loved this restaurant on his first trip. We tried to get everyone at least one TS that they loved.

...Well, at least the plan is to get everyone a TS that they'll love...as you all know, the Ressie System is in major upgrade and not booking our reservations yet.

Friday, April 24:

My last day as a twenty-something

The plan today is some major shopping at DTD and then dinner at Kona Cafe. This is the day that we'll go to another park if anyone feels up to it. DH and I have two park hoppers from years back after a medical situation at AK. (DH poured two large black hot cups of coffee on him...no lids and all allowed!) We've never used them because each time we were back, we've been on a park pass plan. The first time back we had some tickets for our honeymoon, they were unlimited hopper access to ALL DISNEY PLACES. Including DisneyQuest. DH Loved that! Then, last year we were on DDP and had the passes we needed. Actually, we planned on using these freebies then, but because of the heat, we cut our park visits down and never made it to DHS or EPCOT. MK and then AK were enough for us.

So, maybe we'll bring DS back to MK or AK (I know those will be his fave's). Ya never know.

Saturday, April 25, DOOMSDAY!

So, this is the day I've been dreading for quite some time now. Probably since I turned 25. But, I know it won't be so bad. I have lots to look forward to as a thirty-something. (i.e. more children, raises at work, the secret Disney trip I'm planning...more later).

The one place that I have wanted to dine, and have yet to get a ressie, is Whispering Canyon Cafe. I am determined to eat there on my birthday. I'm going to live it up, let a room full of people embarass me, and have a blast. Who knows when I'll get back to Disney again (before that secret trip ).

It's funny how things work out sometimes. Let's just hope we get our ressie when we want them.

Sunday April 26:

Time to go home~

 

[michael's mom]

Hey all,
Okay, you all know that my thread title is party of 18 and growing right? Well, the latest possible addition is my grandfather. My mother asked him to come with us and that is really exciting. He hasn't been in 10 years, I haven't been down there with him in at least 14 years. Is this why I'm so excited? Partly, but more importantly, my grandfather will be celebrating his 80th birthday while we are down there. So many of my favorite memories, both in and out of Disney, include my grandfather. I really hope he decides to join us because we will be able to celebrate our two big birthdays together. This would be yet another terrific memory to add to my collection.



So, back to that special trip I've been telling you about.

For some reason, I am pretty good at calendars, and figuring out when days will be in the future. I guess it's a grid thing, but I am able to figure wierd things out. On top of this, it has always been a dream of mine to make it to the World at Christmas time, but, I'm a teacher and cannot take time off whenever I choose. My husband works in retail and for the past 8 years he has worked the days before and after Christmas. In fact, his company had a blackout time from Thanksgiving through January. Well, my skill at figuring out calendars and my husbands new job has changed my time frame on getting to Disney in the wintertime.

You see, for optimal Christmas vacation time, Christmas needs to be on a Wednesday or a Thursday. The reason being, school is closed on Christmas Eve, the latest possible day of school will be Dec. 23. If Xmas is on a Wednesday, then the 23 would be a Monday. School systems don't open up just for a Monday. So, when Xmas is on a Wed, school ends on the 20th and resumes on Jan.2. That's almost 2 full weeks. Now, if Xmas is on a Thursday, school will end on the 23, but won't resume until Jan. 5, almost 2 full weeks. These are the best days for teachers because we get the longest amount of time off.

So, you're asking where does Disney fit in. Well, Xmas is on a Thursday this year. This means, that in 6 more years, Xmas will be on a Thursday again. Now, in 6 years, my husband and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and my son will be 8 1/2. What a great time to take a magical long trip to the World for Christmas. The best part, with a school aged child, who better than Santa to give you a gift.

So, while on sebatical from planning this vacation, I started to think about how I could do this "secret trip". My plan is for my son (and any subsequent children that we don't have yet) to open his Santa gifts on Christmas morning and for one of them to say, Surprise, You're going to Disneyworld today! And then, take off for a magical 10 day trip to the Happiest Place on Earth.

So, my family thinks I'm crazy for planning our trip this April so soon. You can only imagine what they're thinking about my 6 year plan. But hey, half the fun is planning Okay, maybe not half the fun, but it is fun!

My husband thinks I'm crazy too...planning a trip 6 years out, but it'll cost a bit of dough and as soon as we return from this upcoming trip I'm going to start saving. I want to do it bigtime, maybe even the Poly.

Surprisingly, he's all for it! He knows it will cost more money than we normally spend. But, he also knows how cool it'll be.

Okay, well, until we are able to get ADR's, don't know when that'll be I probably won't be updating the PTR.

Until next time...Have a Magical Day!

 

[michael's mom]

Hello, is anyone out there?

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, now I am bragging on this in practically every discussion thread I've been on. I heard on Wednesday that Disney was announcing a new offer yesterday, 11/6 at 5pm. Well, I worried a bit because I was on my way to a concert...that's right, the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK! They were awesome by the way.

Anyway, back to topic. When I got home from the awesome concert with The Block I checked mousesavers.com and got psyched because my vacation fit in the deal offer. (I'm never that lucky). So, I called today to change my entire Grand Gathering's reservations to get the discount. I was on the phone for 2 hours almost with AnnaBeth (the greatest CM of all time I believe).

By the time we were finished, I had gained 4 more park hopper passes no expiration and saved $560. STEAL! Some of the other members in the party saved big too, but others will only save about $200, but, get an additional 5 days park hopper no expiration.

As I may have mentioned in a previous post, being a teacher, I have to travel after school ends before vacations. Thus, airfare is outrageous. This extra savings will help the airfare become a bit more affordable.

 

[michael's mom]

Well, I mentioned AnnaBeth in my previous post about my savings, but IMHO she deserves her own post.

The phone call started the traditional way..you know, automated answering. I was on hold for about 15 minutes because, according to AnnaBeth, everyone with existing reservations was calling to make the necessary adjustments.

Once AnnaBeth answered the phone, the fun began. She was very friendly and informative. She provided me with some great tips and advice and was very patient with me as I tried to make changes to three different reservations. She provided me with different pricing scenarios and while she was waiting for her computer to cooperate we had a lovely conversation. Anna kept telling me that her computer thought it was Friday, and was being a bit lazy. She had me in stitches.

Throughout the call, all necessary changes were made. When she initially told me how much $ I'd save my first response was " " I told her that my family was making fun of me for spending so much time on the Disboards...but, I was now about to save each of them over $500. She was laughing a bit too and told me that I need to milk this and tell them I deserve a really good Xmas present.


The savings is not even the greatest part though. As I said, Anna's computer was being a bit temperamental and we were on the phone waiting for quite some time. While we were waiting, my son came to me and I told him I was on the phone with Mickey. He said "I want to talk to Mickey". Uhoh...I told him Mickey had to go to work and I was going to talk to Minnie. "I want to talk to Minnie". I said, no honey, Minnie's busy.

Anna asked me if I had speakerphone and when I said yes, she said she would talk to Michael while she was waiting for the computer to get her page. He took the phone and the convesation went a bit like this:

Michael: Hi Minnie!
Anna: Hi Michael. This Minnie Mouse. Are you being a good boy?
Michael: Yes (emphatically).
Anna: Oh, thats good. Are you coming to see me soon?
Michael: Yes. The kids are all gone now. (my mom run's a daycare and she watches him too. All the kids had just left before he got on the phone).
Anna: Oh, that's nice Michael. Can you tell Mommy that you love her?
Michael: Oh, Yeah. I love you Mommy!
Anna: Okay Michael, Minnie is going to talk to Mommy now. Bye bye Michael.
Michael: Bye Minnie. I love you Minnie!

This is why I love Disney so much. Anna made what could have been a painstaking experience (being on the phone for 2 hours) a truly magical one. To watch my son talking to "Minnie" is something I'll never forget.

So, to all of you out there, if you're fortunate enough to speak to AnnaBeth, tell her I said hello.

Enjoy your Magical Moments!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

awesome post, really made me smile.......

 

[michael's mom]

awesome post, really made me smile.......

Yay, a reader! Welcome aboard, and Thank you!

 

[ToddyLu]

I am reading your thread. (Imagine the music from X Files) You are not alone!! I really like the internal and external dialogue though...keep it up

 

[michael's mom]

I am reading your thread. (Imagine the music from X Files) You are not alone!! I really like the internal and external dialogue though...keep it up

I have some friends out there...welcome aboard Toddylu. As I get more and more, I'll add more and more.

 

[parkers*momma]

Love the report!

Isn't Disney CMs the BEST! I love it when they help add the excitement to our lil ones.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[gellybean]

Our son will be weeks away from 3 when he gets his second trip to Disney. As I said before, he doesn't remember his trip, but I still tear up when I think of the look on his face when he watched Festival of the Lion King. He was awestruck. It was the single most memorable Disney moment in my lifetime. We will definitely be hitting up that spot at AK this time around.

I love that your 1 yo loved it!! I'm about to take my boys in Jan and our youngest will have just turned one. I can't wait to have a magical moment like that with him!!

Love your pre trippie. Keep it coming!

 

[xoktenox]

Hey, I just got all caught up! Great report so far, that's great about watching your DS during FotLK during your last trip Cool that we're gonna be at the world the same time too! If they would just let us make our darn ADR's life would be perfect

 

[michael's mom]

If they would just let us make our darn ADR's life would be perfect

My sentiments exactly! I know exactly what I want and when I want and the fact that I have to try to call with 3 months worth of callers to make my ADRs. Planning for so many makes it a bit worrisome to make sure each gets at least one ADR that they wanted to go to.

Oh well, it is what it is! We're at least getting to go to WDW right?

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, well, the past 24 hours have been a day of savings for me. I was just entered into a stroller swap which will save me quite a bit of dough as well as the hassle of my stroller on the airplane. Last year when we flew down with our DS (1 at the time) we had our 2 suitcases, 2 carry-ons (my husband just had to bring his portable DVD onto the plane), a stroller, a car-seat (both being stored from the gate), and the baby. Such a pain, especially since our carseat storage bag broke and didn't wheel correctly.

So now, I don't have to deal with the stroller at least. And, for $10 I get a stroller for the entire week. Best part, it's a double stroller and only 1 child so lugging the camera and "diaper bag" (Please God, let him be potty trained) won't be an issue either. It's cheaper than renting a single.

My only concern was that we will be flying out of Boston (or Providence) later at night and that DS would need a stroller once we landed in Orlando. I've decided that if that's the case, DH can carry him or, we can bring our $10 umbrella stroller that is definitely not good enough for the parks, but will suffice for the airport.

It's just so strange, one minute, I only have my car reservations (I know, book your room first huh!), then, what seems like moments later, all I have left to do is book my ADRs and pack.

All I have to do is book my ADRs...I say that like it's a piece of cake! What was I thinking?

So now, I will be surfing the boards, waiting for signs that dinining reservations can be booked. If you hear the strumming of impatient fingers, it's coming from way over here on the South Shore of Massachusetts!