OK, I've got the ticker....Poly in August!!!

[solana131]

Jumping on board and have to put a plug in for POR! I. I really can't I imagine staying anywhere else.

How exciting you get to meet dis friends!!!

Welcome aboard Erin! I think it is going to have to be POR because it is looking like my cousin is coming with us. So we will need three beds. I just wish I could be guaranteed Alligator Bayou. Because what happens if we get there and they have us in a mansion with only two beds? It looks like (from thw map on portorleans.org) that the "preferred" rooms are all AB rooms. But you can't be sure. I might have to shell out more $$ and stay at WL or AKL so I can get a bunk bed room.

 

[DMGeurts]

If you book a preferred room, the AB is guaranteed - I think. LOL

D~

 

[nannye]

Welcome aboard Erin! I think it is going to have to be POR because it is looking like my cousin is coming with us. So we will need three beds. I just wish I could be guaranteed Alligator Bayou. Because what happens if we get there and they have us in a mansion with only two beds? It looks like (from thw map on portorleans.org) that the "preferred" rooms are all AB rooms. But you can't be sure. I might have to shell out more $$ and stay at WL or AKL so I can get a bunk bed room.

Yes if you book a preferred room AB is guaranteed and if for some reason you get there and you don't get that you ask for a change. I've never heard of anyone not getting what they ask for.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Suzi,

Popping in to say Hi

Hoping your New Year is going well and that you are having fun planning...

 

[solana131]

Hey Suzi,

Popping in to say Hi

Hoping your New Year is going well and that you are having fun planning...

Hey Patricia! I'm still around....just been really crazy here lately with the flu going around, starting a new job and getting packed for a vacation in a couple weeks

I'll be back around soon. My trip is very much up in the air due to less vacation time with my new job. So I am waiting until I get that all figured out before I post any trip news.

 

[solana131]

Okay folks...I have made a few changes. Look below...no ticker Look at the PTR title "Feb 2014". Yep. I am officially giving up on October this year.

For the past few years, my job has been in serious trouble. Our dealership lost it's franchises and things just started to go downhill fast. My boss is a wonderful guy and went without pay for a while so he didn't have to let any of us go. But lets be honest...you can only do that for a little while because his kids need to eat too. So he had to let a few people go. I wasn't one of them. He tried and tried to keep things going so I would still have a job.

Just before Christmas there was a posting in our local paper for a part-time receptionist for a local insurance office. I applied on a whim and they hired me! My hours had dropped down at the dealership over those tough months. So I was already just parttime. And I need to be parttime right now because I want to be home with Bradey before and after school. The insurance company offered me M-F 8am-2pm. Perfect! It is a match made in heaven! I started working at this job on this past Monday and the first week went well. It is pretty confusing to learn something totally new right now in my life, but I know I can do it and everyone at the office is really patient with me. I don't have my own computer or my own "office" yet, so sharing with others makes it difficult. But they tell me next week I will get completely set up with my own space so I can really settle down.

My hubby is home Monday afternoons to pick Bradey up from school, so I told my old boss that I could come in for a couple hours on Mondays to do his accounting and payroll and anything else he may need me to do. I honestly don't know how much longer he will be in business....it is so sad. I hated leaving him. I had been working for that family for the past 13 years. We are like family! It was very hard to tell him I was leaving, but I think it takes a HUGE weight off his shoulders as well. I think he was just trying to hold it together so he didn't have to fire me. Now he doesn't have to worry about that and if things go sour, he only has himself to worry about. He was great about it and even gave me a "bonus" to help with my upcoming vacation.

We leave for Cape Coral, FL in 8 days! I am very exciting to take our annual trip to see my parents (they go south for the winter). But it falls right at the start of my new job, so I am not able to take a paid vacation. But the flights were already book and plans were already made. My old boss knew all about it and offered to pay me for that week for a thanks for being so loyal to him over the tough years. So I will still have a paid vacation next week! Love him!

So, this new job is technically the same hours as I had before, but it is a small hourly wage cut. And they are making me take a 1/2 hour lunch, which I have never had before. But with that couple $/hr cut and a 1/2hr a day less....it is a much smaller paycheck. And hubby's hours at work are being cut lately. So we just can't afford a big trip to Disney this year.

I am still hoping for a quick summer trip for just Bradey and I...but in reality, I don't think that will happen either.

I am looking forward to my Mall Of America trip to see D and Mo. ONLY 131 DAYS!!!!

And like I said...we are leaving next Saturday for Cape Coral.

I changed my title to Feb 2014 because I think early February is just the best time to go. Low crowd levels and very low heat and humidity. Last year we went the first week of Feb and with the exception of SuperBowl Sunday...the parks were pretty empty. The only thing that concerns me about Feb is that is when they do most of their renovations. Makes sense because it is the least crowded time, but it sucks to miss out of stuff. Last Feb we missed Dumbo, Thunder Mountain, Kali, etc etc etc. I am just crossing my fingers that nothing major will be down next Feb.

By waiting another year...I hope to be able to take a 10 day trip and stay somewhere nicer. I want to plan at least 2 days at each park and have a couple relax days. I am hoping to convince our friends that were going to go with us in October to postpone their trip and still come in Feb. I just think we would have such a great time together. But I don't know if they have already told their kids or not. Bradey knows we are postponing it. He is fine with it. And I hope to do something special this summer instead for him. A few ideas are...Niagara Falls, a cruise (Boston - Bermuda), or a long camping trip.

So I totally understand if you all want to abandon ship here. Feb is a long way away and this PTR hasn't exactly been very exciting. I understand. But if you stick around...I promise a couple mini TRs mixed in from our trip next week to FL and also in June from our MOA trip/dismeet. I would love to have you along. But be warned...I will still talk to myself if you all leave

 

[KatMark]

Suzi, I'm sticking around.

I had no idea about the job situation with your 13-year old job; how sad for the boss, but how sweet of him to keep you on. I'm sure in time the new job will be more comfortable for you...I'm sure it takes time to get adjusted to new things.

I think you are smart to postpone the Disney trip and then take a longer one later. You won't stress about the money and will have longer to save.

Have a great weekend.

 

[solana131]

Suzi, I'm sticking around.

I had no idea about the job situation with your 13-year old job; how sad for the boss, but how sweet of him to keep you on. I'm sure in time the new job will be more comfortable for you...I'm sure it takes time to get adjusted to new things.

I think you are smart to postpone the Disney trip and then take a longer one later. You won't stress about the money and will have longer to save.

Have a great weekend.

Thanks Kathy! What are you Aug dates? I am still hoping to take a small trip this summer with my little guy. I am thinking the third week in Aug. I don't have much room to move this summer because the other people at work have taken pretty much all of July and Bradey doesn't get out of school until late June. And he starts again before Labor Day! Tentatively thinking 8/14-8/20 or 8/20-8/25. Something along those lines. And with just Bradey and I, we can stay at a cheaper resort (dont need 3 beds). Maybe Little Mermaid AoA or Pop. But POFQ is always a contender And I would love to try your CSR.

 

[KatMark]

Thanks Kathy! What are you Aug dates? I am still hoping to take a small trip this summer with my little guy. I am thinking the third week in Aug. I don't have much room to move this summer because the other people at work have taken pretty much all of July and Bradey doesn't get out of school until late June. And he starts again before Labor Day! Tentatively thinking 8/14-8/20 or 8/20-8/25. Something along those lines. And with just Bradey and I, we can stay at a cheaper resort (dont need 3 beds). Maybe Little Mermaid AoA or Pop. But POFQ is always a contender And I would love to try your CSR.

We arrive on Friday, August 16 and depart late afternoon Thursday, August 22.

 

[Pixiedust530]

Sorry to hear that your trip has been postponed, but t sounds like when all is said and done it will be best and hopefully you will get to take that longer trip.

I will be sticking around. Feb. may be a long way away, but I think I'm talking to myself over on my PTR sometimes too so we might as well talk to ourselves AND each other!

It will be fun to follow along with your mini TR's also. Looking forward to it.

 

[DMGeurts]

It's a bummer that your trip has been postponed Suzi... But I totally agree that I would rather take a longer trip when you know you can afford it... You have so many new things going on in your life right now.

Looking forward to our Mini-Dismeet this summer! Can't wait!

D~

 

[PrincessInOz]

WOW! That's a whole bunch of change. Congrats on the new job and what a great boss your previous boss is.

I'll keep checking in here from time to time. I may not post much; but I'll definitely keep lurking.

 

[Chicago Mo]

BUT YOUR GOING!!!!!!!!!!!​

How exciting!!! I know it sucks not going in 2013.. TRUST ME i get it.. BUT YOUR GOING!!! i'm happy for you. IMO you should just bank all the $$ you would use on this coming trip and roll it over to your Feb trip?
OR
you can push it even further to September??? ya know... Early Sept like some people are???

How is the Job going? Got to be excited as your leaving soon to see your parents right???

DIS-MEET!!!
MOA better be ready for us!!!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

((HUGS)) Suzi...I am right there with you right now. Plans, they are a changing for us too. I have been avoiding the Disboards because I have had to deal with some sadness, but I am so glad I came back. You all are such a great group of friends to have.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Glad to have you back!!! I'd put a hug icon but don't have it on my phone!!!

 

[solana131]

Sorry to hear that your trip has been postponed, but t sounds like when all is said and done it will be best and hopefully you will get to take that longer trip.

I will be sticking around. Feb. may be a long way away, but I think I'm talking to myself over on my PTR sometimes too so we might as well talk to ourselves AND each other!

It will be fun to follow along with your mini TR's also. Looking forward to it.

Thanks And you are not talking to yourself on your PTR. I am there for sure...I just have my phone most of the time, so it is hard to post. But we are still there and still reading everything you have planned

It's a bummer that your trip has been postponed Suzi... But I totally agree that I would rather take a longer trip when you know you can afford it... You have so many new things going on in your life right now.

Looking forward to our Mini-Dismeet this summer! Can't wait!

D~

Yeah, I talked to my friend who was going to go with us and she thinks her hubby would be happier if we all went together, so I think they are still coming with us. We will all have a better time when it is cooler and less crowded.

WOW! That's a whole bunch of change. Congrats on the new job and what a great boss your previous boss is.

I'll keep checking in here from time to time. I may not post much; but I'll definitely keep lurking.

No problem...I am quite a lurker myself sometimes. I have a bunch of subscriptions and not enough time, so I just read along and hope they know I am there in spirit

BUT YOUR GOING!!!!!!!!!!!​

How exciting!!! I know it sucks not going in 2013.. TRUST ME i get it.. BUT YOUR GOING!!! i'm happy for you. IMO you should just bank all the $$ you would use on this coming trip and roll it over to your Feb trip?
OR
you can push it even further to September??? ya know... Early Sept like some people are???

How is the Job going? Got to be excited as your leaving soon to see your parents right???

DIS-MEET!!!
MOA better be ready for us!!!

Yes, I will definitely be back at Disney in 2014. I think we might take a long weekend trip to Niagara Falls this summer. I still want to take a trip the third week in August, so I think it woul dbe nice to take Bradey and Bill out there. I went once as a tween and I just loved it. Bill has never been and obviously Bradey hasn't either. It is about a 10 hour drive, but hubby drives for a living, so that is nothing to him. I hope How far are you from Niagara? I looked at the drive from Chicago to here and it was about 18-20 hours (from MDW), so you must be about the same from Niagara. Have you taken the kiddos there? It would be a great little trip. No airfare....cheap stuff to do. They have some really decent prices on hotels too if you don't have to have "FallsView".

((HUGS)) Suzi...I am right there with you right now. Plans, they are a changing for us too. I have been avoiding the Disboards because I have had to deal with some sadness, but I am so glad I came back. You all are such a great group of friends to have.

I know Connie.... We will all get back there at some point. Disney will always be there...and the more money we save, the better trip we can have. Plus, I keep telling myself that if we wait until 2014, the Mine Train ride will be open!

I agree...I have met so many wonderful people on here in just the short time I have been a part of this community. Love the DIS!

Glad to have you back!!! I'd put a hug icon but don't have it on my phone!!!
�� But I do have a monkey covering his eyes...
I have to idea what significance that has... ��

A monkey??? I don't have ANY smilies on my phone app Maybe you shouldn't be thinking of switching from the iphone....the apple app sounds much better!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Suzi,

Sorry about all the work related stress... Your boss at the dealership sounds like a really lovely human being... I'm sure that it was a relief to him that you have the other job too... it sounds like it would have killed him to have to fire you and it was a smart decision for you to find something else before it got worse...

Disney isn't going anywhere... just getting bigger and better... Personally I love reading about other trips to other places as well... As much as I adore Disney there are lots of other places worth visiting...

Hope all is well...

 

[solana131]

Hi all...still here....making some decisions...update soon

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Suzi,

Hope all is well with you...

Did you get hit by Nemo? (the storm...lol)

Hope all is going well with the new job...

Pop by to hi ... when you can...

 

[solana131]

Hey Suzi,

Sorry about all the work related stress... Your boss at the dealership sounds like a really lovely human being... I'm sure that it was a relief to him that you have the other job too... it sounds like it would have killed him to have to fire you and it was a smart decision for you to find something else before it got worse...

Disney isn't going anywhere... just getting bigger and better... Personally I love reading about other trips to other places as well... As much as I adore Disney there are lots of other places worth visiting...

Hope all is well...

Hey Suzi,

Hope all is well with you...

Did you get hit by Nemo? (the storm...lol)

Hope all is going well with the new job...

Pop by to hi ... when you can...

Hi Patricia...sorry I kinda left you hangin' there . But I think I am back to stay for a while now. I really need a new computer, so once I get that set up, I will do a mini TR from my visit to FL a couple weeks ago. I have all the pics uploaded to Photobucket and ready to copy and paste.

My new job is going well....alot to learn, but I think I am getting there. They must like my work because my new boss has already asked me if I would be interested in getting my Property and Casualty license so I can do more there. Of course I will! But let me learn the basic stuff first. I will get that going this spring sometime.




*******************************************************


I have once again made a few changes. New title, new ticker.....yep I am going in August now. I haven't booked yet, but it is official to me. I talked with hubby last night and we agreed (well, I agreed and he didn't say "no", so that's all I need) that I will take a small portion of our tax refund and take the little guy on a summer trip.

I made it through the craziness of July tour groups and 90 degree heat and humidity, so how much worse can August really be?? If it is bad....just lie to me okay, because I am going.

Hubby has no intention of going to FL in the summer, so it is just Bradey and I. Well, I have invited my cousin to come along with us if she wants to pay her flight and park tickets....but I'm not sure if she will do it or not. I told her I needed to know in the next couple of weeks either way. I am already at a disadvantage because I am beyond my 180 days mark already, so I need to know soon. If she comes with us, we will be staying at either POR (Alligator Bayou for the 3 beds) or AoA Nemo suite. If she doesn't come, it will be POFQ hands down.

So, it's getting late....and I was up at 4am this morning planning my park days. I had the talk with hubby last night, so this morning I was in full planning mode. Now I am paying for it. I just really want to hold out for a PIN code. I got 4 of them as soon as I saved a trip to my online account last year. But their website is very different now and I'm not sure I know how to save them anymore. So maybe I can just hold off for a couple more weeks.

I know I have no chance of getting BOG for dinner, but after looking at the menu, it doesn't really appeal to me anyway. So I feel pretty confident that I can still get some good ADRs. Hey, I planned my whole July 2012 trip in 2 months! I got all the ADRs I wanted even that late, so I should be fine.

My biggest ADR requirement is the Wishes Dessert Party again. And that doesn't open up until at least June, so I will be fine.

So....if I still have any readers....bear with me just a little longer and things will start happening in the planning department