Our September 2011 Pre-Trip Adventure!! (Update 09/29/2011 - Link to TR!)

[Caretames1]

Good Luck on the job hunt. I know a couple of other people right now hoping for their own teaching job, it's a tough market here right now.

This will be our 1st ever MNSSHP and since I can only afford one, I'm just going to try to make the most of it,

 

[blairbear]

I thought I would explain about my job searching as it impacts on our Disney World trip planning and in particular whether we attend MNSSHP!

I used to work in an administrative role , which I enjoyed at first. However, after a while it became repetitive and boring. So, I looked into other careers and after a long thinking process decided to embark on a teaching career and complete a PGCE!

I have to say the course was one of the most stressful things I have ever done and since completing it I have the upmost respect for any one in the teaching environment To sum it up it was an emotional rollercoaster!

I have not managed to find a permanent teaching job since completing the course. I have been doing supply work (am starting cover at a college tomorrow) but it is not the same as being in one school/college.

As a result of this we have had to cut back a little on the trip budget and at the moment are not planning on attending MNSSHP However, if I get a permanent teaching job before our trip then the first thing I will be doing (after booking flights!) is purchasing MNSSHP tickets!!

I have a couple of applications on the go at the minute so please keep your fingers crossed for me

I apologise for the lack of Disney Magic in this post but will be rectifying that in the next one which will involve flying Dumbo's, flights to Neverland and one or two evil villians!!

In the mean time like I have said completing my PGCE is my biggest achievement to date. What is your biggest achievement/proudest moment of your life? If you are willing to share, would love to read it!

I am sending pixie dust your way on your job hunt! MNSSHP is cool if you can go but if you can't I know that you will still have a wonderful trip.

That's wonderful about you completing your PGCE!

You know I really have to think about what my proudest moment would be, that is a tough question for me. It would probably be when I did theater. When my mom came to see me in my first big preformance she went on and on about how good she thought that I was. My mom is great but she has always been a little hard on me, so it meant the world to me that all she had to say was good things. That is probably one of my proudest moments

I can't wait to read more!

 

[Dizney73]

Hi there! Thanks for popping onto my PTR! Boy... I thought I was a planner... looking at your plans I would say NOT! I'll be spending some time over here catching up!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Good Luck on the job hunt. I know a couple of other people right now hoping for their own teaching job, it's a tough market here right now.

This will be our 1st ever MNSSHP and since I can only afford one, I'm just going to try to make the most of it,

Thank you so much It sure is a tough market..thought it would be but it's worse then I imagined!

on attending your 1st ever MNSSHP - am sure you will have a great time! Def make the most of it If I don't manage to see the party will look forward to watching it through your Sept TR

I am sending pixie dust your way on your job hunt! MNSSHP is cool if you can go but if you can't I know that you will still have a wonderful trip.

That's wonderful about you completing your PGCE!

You know I really have to think about what my proudest moment would be, that is a tough question for me. It would probably be when I did theater. When my mom came to see me in my first big preformance she went on and on about how good she thought that I was. My mom is great but she has always been a little hard on me, so it meant the world to me that all she had to say was good things. That is probably one of my proudest moments

I can't wait to read more!

Thank you for the pixie dust...am grabbing it with both hands and am not going to let it fly away! Am sure we will have a wonderful trip, no matter what happens - especially as a first timer!

Didn't think I would manage to get through it as had an awful time at one of my placements.

No probs...it is hard to pick one moment. on being in the theatre!!! Bet that was great! Mums are great and it's always pleasing when they have good things to say about anything you do Am going to see my mum later and am thinking of asking her the question in order to see if she says that it was having me and my siblings

Hi there! Thanks for popping onto my PTR! Boy... I thought I was a planner... looking at your plans I would say NOT! I'll be spending some time over here catching up!

thanks for coming over and having a look Yeah, I am a bit of an obsessive planner...like to make sure I have everything sorted and any loose ends tied up

It's nice to meet another planner...your plans look great so far!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Just a quick update - have booked the rest of my ADRs and we got all of the ones we wanted!! Will go and edit my earlier post with the times.

Zaheer has also been looking online for airfares today and we have been quoted some scary prices! All the low priced flights seem to be fully booked. I wish I had booked them earlier when they were at a lower rate...oh well you live and learn! We have found a reasonable rate but it means changing our dates from 13-27 Sept - soo don't want to do this as it means we miss out on the F&W festival on our last day. Will let you know what we end up doing

 

[Caretames1]

Just a quick update - have booked the rest of my ADRs!! Will go and edit my earlier post with the times.

Zaheer has also been looking online for airfares today and we have been quoted some scary prices! All the low priced flights seem to be fully booked. I wish I had booked them earlier when they were at a lower rate...oh well you live and learn! We have found a reasonable rate but it means changing our dates from 13-27 Sept - soo don't want to do this as it means we miss out on the F&W festival on our last day. Will let you know what we end up doing

Did you get everything you wanted? Good Luck on the flights

 

[Chaitali]

Yeah, flight prices are crazy right now We thankfully managed to pounce on a good price for our Disney trip. It's gone up by more than $100 at this point so I'm glad we bought early. Sadly, the prices for flying to London right now are crazy. Still haven't found anything reasonable for that trip but I'm going to keep trying!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Did you get everything you wanted? Good Luck on the flights

Yes, I got everything I wanted! Sorry, should have said - will go back and edit the quick update!

- that's another reason I don't want to change dates. It will mean changing all my ADRs

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yeah, flight prices are crazy right now We thankfully managed to pounce on a good price for our Disney trip. It's gone up by more than $100 at this point so I'm glad we bought early. Sadly, the prices for flying to London right now are crazy. Still haven't found anything reasonable for that trip but I'm going to keep trying!

Tell me about it! Yay on being able to pounce on a good deal...wish I had done the same

Good luck with getting the flights to London...your prices must be similar to the ones we have been looking at to get to Florida today! Hope by some miracle we both manage to get a bargain

 

[cbg1027]

Congratulations on completing your certification! I hope you find a permanent teaching position soon and can get your MNSSHP tickets!
Sending some pixie dust to your job applications.

What age level and subject are you looking to teach?

 

[Stefy]

Just a quick update - have booked the rest of my ADRs and we got all of the ones we wanted!! Will go and edit my earlier post with the times.

Zaheer has also been looking online for airfares today and we have been quoted some scary prices! All the low priced flights seem to be fully booked. I wish I had booked them earlier when they were at a lower rate...oh well you live and learn! We have found a reasonable rate but it means changing our dates from 13-27 Sept - soo don't want to do this as it means we miss out on the F&W festival on our last day. Will let you know what we end up doing

Flight prices are crazy. We fly with VA and they just keep going up every year and fluctuating alot too. One min it was a reasonable price and the next it rocketed, then a week later it would be back to what it was a week ago I hope you find a good deal soon and sorry you may miss F&W but don't worry there are still some booths you can visit and still sample some snacks

 

[TanzUnited99]

Congratulations on completing your certification! I hope you find a permanent teaching position soon and can get your MNSSHP tickets!
Sending some pixie dust to your job applications.

What age level and subject are you looking to teach?

Thank you...I'm so pleased that I managed to complete it!! I hope I find a permanent job soon too as I can then get MNSSHP tickets and have extra spending money! On the other hand though would have to sweet talk my employer into giving me the time off!

Yay...more pixie dust!! Thanks - the more the better as it increases my chances!

My course was in teaching Business and Computer studies to Secondary Schools/Colleges (11-18 age range) so am looking for something in this area. Though, have heard through friends that once you are in a school, expect to teach anything and everything!

Flight prices are crazy. We fly with VA and they just keep going up every year and fluctuating alot too. One min it was a reasonable price and the next it rocketed, then a week later it would be back to what it was a week ago I hope you find a good deal soon and sorry you may miss F&W but don't worry there are still some booths you can visit and still sample some snacks

I know...tell me about it!! I looked into VA and your right - their prices change everyday and also at different times of the same day! I don't know whether to wait and see if prices come down or go ahead and book it now I will be soo gutted though if I book it and then prices come down in a couple of months time. Thanks, I hope I manage to get a good deal and am really hoping we do get to experience F&W but your right - there's still plenty of eating to be done in Epcot without the Festival!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay for getting the rest of your ADR's! Airfare is ridiculous right now. I ended up buying our flight down to Florida (I live in CT) with one airline, and our flight home with another, because it was a lot cheaper! We still ended up spending more than I would have liked, but the prices keep going up, so I can only imagine what they will be in a few months!

I hope you don't have to miss the Food and Wine festival, but like Stefy said, there is a lot of snacking and drinking to be done in Epcot without it! If you like caramel, you will NEVER want to leave that caramel shop in Germany!

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

I am crossing my fingers for you, I hope that you get a permanent job soon. Sending you all of my best wishes. I completely know how you feel being restricted by budget. I am planning a complete blow out for this holiday. But to be able to spend this much money I have been saving for 5 years . I have been so careful about what I buy, not wanting to take too much away from the mouse! Adam and me are not the richest people in the world and don't make the most amount of money, so it can be really difficult. This is going to be the once in a lifetime trip for us, so I am spending extra and splurging because I know that it is likely that it is going to be the only time we are going to be able to go.

That was longwinded huh!

In short, hope that you can find enough extra cash to make it to MNSSHP.

 

[cbg1027]

Thank you...I'm so pleased that I managed to complete it!! I hope I find a permanent job soon too as I can then get MNSSHP tickets and have extra spending money! On the other hand though would have to sweet talk my employer into giving me the time off!

Yay...more pixie dust!! Thanks - the more the better as it increases my chances!

My course was in teaching Business and Computer studies to Secondary Schools/Colleges (11-18 age range) so am looking for something in this area. Though, have heard through friends that once you are in a school, expect to teach anything and everything!

Teenagers? You're a brave lady!

 

[Stefy]

I know...tell me about it!! I looked into VA and your right - their prices change everyday and also at different times of the same day! I don't know whether to wait and see if prices come down or go ahead and book it now I will be soo gutted though if I book it and then prices come down in a couple of months time. Thanks, I hope I manage to get a good deal and am really hoping we do get to experience F&W but your right - there's still plenty of eating to be done in Epcot without the Festival!

The thing with "if prices go down after booking" is not to look at flights once you have booked them. I did that on our first trip back in 2007 and was so gutted, but I told myself that next time I would bite the bullet and if I thought it was a great price snap them up and tell myself that portion of trip planning is done now I don't have to worry about it anymore

The next time you get a good feeling about the price book them and then that's it, you're done. The next part is planning your days or transfers to get you to the airport etc

 

[SoonerGirl]

Teenagers? You're a brave lady!

No kidding! I can barely tolerate the one I have

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay for getting the rest of your ADR's! Airfare is ridiculous right now. I ended up buying our flight down to Florida (I live in CT) with one airline, and our flight home with another, because it was a lot cheaper! We still ended up spending more than I would have liked, but the prices keep going up, so I can only imagine what they will be in a few months!

I hope you don't have to miss the Food and Wine festival, but like Stefy said, there is a lot of snacking and drinking to be done in Epcot without it! If you like caramel, you will NEVER want to leave that caramel shop in Germany!

Thanks! I know, it's the same everywhere We're going to bite the bullet and book over this weekend, as would not be happy if the prices increase even more...will post to let you know what happens.

Am hopeful that we will get the flights for the dates booked so we don't have to mess around with our trip and ADRs. Your both right - there are plenty of opportunities to eat and drink without the F&W festival. Also, we would have to get around the crowds as am guessing it will be busy on the first day! Don't worry am looking forward to all the caramel treats in Germany! May ask if I can live there permanently, as will probably not want to leave!

I am crossing my fingers for you, I hope that you get a permanent job soon. Sending you all of my best wishes. I completely know how you feel being restricted by budget. I am planning a complete blow out for this holiday. But to be able to spend this much money I have been saving for 5 years . I have been so careful about what I buy, not wanting to take too much away from the mouse! Adam and me are not the richest people in the world and don't make the most amount of money, so it can be really difficult. This is going to be the once in a lifetime trip for us, so I am spending extra and splurging because I know that it is likely that it is going to be the only time we are going to be able to go.

That was longwinded huh!

In short, hope that you can find enough extra cash to make it to MNSSHP.

Thank you for the best wishes. Enjoy splurging after saving for so long - you both thoroughly deserve it! Enjoy your once in a lifetime trip. I know how hard saving can be - have been trying to save for our first property. It is very hard with all the temptations available

I am hoping to have another trip in the future, though am not sure if it will materialise. My little sister wants to go but can't at the minute because it is a hard year at school for her. So am hoping when she's a bit older we could have a girly trip to Florida.

I also hope we are able to make MNSSHP

Teenagers? You're a brave lady!

I know...I didn't know what I'd let myself in for!! It's not that bad though - the younger ones are still sweet and the older ones have matured. It's the teenagers in the middle that give you grief

The thing with "if prices go down after booking" is not to look at flights once you have booked them. I did that on our first trip back in 2007 and was so gutted, but I told myself that next time I would bite the bullet and if I thought it was a great price snap them up and tell myself that portion of trip planning is done now I don't have to worry about it anymore

The next time you get a good feeling about the price book them and then that's it, you're done. The next part is planning your days or transfers to get you to the airport etc

I need to remember that. I know how gutted I would be if I realised prices had gone down after I had paid for them. However, am going to bite the bullet and book our flights this weekend. At least then I know it's done and don't have to worry about them anymore

No kidding! I can barely tolerate the one I have

I have heard that teenagers act differently at school/college then at home! They are all normally pretty good and get on with whatever they have to - think it helps that most of my lessons are done using computers. Just have to keep an eye on which websites they are trying to access and that they are not busy playing online games

 

[Stefy]

Yay for booking this weekend, once its done its a load off and you can focus on all things Disney now that its out the way

 

[therussells08]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and your job hunt! Teaching is such a rewarding career. I am so lucky to have found my teaching job, because I know how hard it can be to land a position!

Yay for getting all of the ADRs you wanted! That is awesome!

I am so glad that John and I live withing a reasonable driving distance of Disney. We have flown a few times, but we can drive there in 10 hours, so we just do that to save money, even though it takes a lot longer.