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

[blairbear]

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

Congratulations on your ADRs!

Airfare has gone really high here too! I am sure it is crazy expensive where you will have such a long flight. I will be sending pixie dust your way for something to work out and you find something affordable. We have decided to drive this year, we have a hybrid so it is the least expensive option for us right now. We will be there the last few days of Food and Wine, I am really looking forward to it, I hope you all can work something out to get to experience it too!

 

[TanzUnited99]

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

Thanks Stefy! I have sort of booked flights (info to follow) but think I am even more stressed then before!!

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.

Thank you for the kind words and hug - think I need it at the minute. I do enjoy teaching and find it rewarding, even if it can be very stressful at times. Yay on finding your teaching job - that is great!!! Hope I am lucky in finding a job soon.

It is awesome that we got all our ADRs but they may be changing - stay tuned to find out why!

Congratulations on your ADRs!

Airfare has gone really high here too! I am sure it is crazy expensive where you will have such a long flight. I will be sending pixie dust your way for something to work out and you find something affordable. We have decided to drive this year, we have a hybrid so it is the least expensive option for us right now. We will be there the last few days of Food and Wine, I am really looking forward to it, I hope you all can work something out to get to experience it too!

Thank you!! As I mentioned though they may be changing - we'll know for sure tomorrow.

It is crazy expensive!! Have sort of booked flights but am even more confused then before - explanation to follow! Thank you for the pixie dust - we have found something affordable but it's just not what we were expecting! Yay on being able to drive! Would take that option if I could and save myself a load of money.

F&W festival does sound great - it is looking unlikely that we will be able to experience it but I will be there by reading about it through all the TRs on here!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

So I spent most of yesterday looking for flights (which was very stressful!) and finally managed to find a price within our budget!!

I rang up today and booked them, thinking yes I have done it, found myself a bargain even though it means changing our dates (13-27 September 2011) and was super excited!!

I then thought I better look into changing our Disney dates and ADRs. I was asked if I wanted to add ME transfers as well, for which I needed our flight information. So I ring the company I just booked our flights with and asked them to email me the confirmation of booking. Everything seemed fine so far - I received the email and checked the details, which looked ok apart from one minor detail. I send an email back asking for that detail to be changed and suddenly my eyes fall on the arrival/departure airport, which is not MCO but Sanford Airport!! I freak out!!! I call the travel agency and what do I get - you never mentioned you wanted MCO - only Orlando! Duh, I thought it was obvious when I mentioned we were going to Disney and in my opinion he should have checked and re-read the details. So, what do I get but 'Oh, we can add transfers but you have to pay an additional £30 per person'! You are joking!!

So as you can imagine have had a very stressful day - was nearly in tears at one point and thinking of quitting the trip. Luckily, though Zaheer has managed to bring me back to reality! He has a friend who has a sister that works for a travel agent so we are going to check what prices she can offer. If that is no good then we will probably book the Sanford flights and take the transfer or look into making our own arrangements.

I have learnt my lesson - BOOK a flight before planning the rest of the holiday!! I will update tomorrow on what we decide to do.

On a happier note we still have sunshine and the days have got longer!

 

[Queenofallthings]

I completely understand how you are feeling about the prices of airfare right now! Everytime I look at booking for us, I want to scream. I am seriously contemplating driving to Minneapolis (8 hours from where we live) if I can make financial sense of it!

Isn't it nice when the days start to get longers...we've had a beautiful sunny weekend...chilly though!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Just got caught up on a couple of updates. Good luck on the job search. It's very hard to make a change in your career path, but I hope it works out for you.

My biggest accomplishment was when I received my Master's Degree in January of this year. Hopefully I will trump that soon by taking and passing the CPA exam to become a certified accountant.

Airfare is scary right now. No joke. I haven't been able to find any flights that are remotely affordable. Glad you were able to find something that fit into your budget, even though there was a little mix up. That would have been frustrating for sure.

 

[Caretames1]

Sorry to hear your flight schedule got messed up. I hope it all get settled quickly. I usually get my flight stuff done before I make any other plans.
Relax, I bet it all works out

 

[cbg1027]

Oh no...that is awful! I had no idea Sanford airport even got any real flights!

I hope everything works out ok.

 

[Stefy]

Sorry to hear about the flight mix up, that is bad service on that SA's part as he/she should have read back the dates and times etc to you.

I hope everything gets settled soon Let us know how it goes

 

[jenneth79]

I'm in! Congrats on the ADRs.... and best of luck with finding a new job!

Looking forward to hearing more about the planned trip!

 

[DisneyAsh32]

:lOh NO! I'm sorry to hear about the flight mix up and your stressful weekend. But I'm sure everything will work out. Also, Good luck on your job search I think you're very brave for wanting to teach that age range.

 

[TanzUnited99]

I completely understand how you are feeling about the prices of airfare right now! Everytime I look at booking for us, I want to scream. I am seriously contemplating driving to Minneapolis (8 hours from where we live) if I can make financial sense of it!

Isn't it nice when the days start to get longers...we've had a beautiful sunny weekend...chilly though!!

Driving sounds good! If I could have that as an option would definitely be taking it! Thanks for understanding - have just accepted things and decided to move on

Am loving the days being longer and sun still being out at 7pm!! Yay on getting a sunny weekend...hope it's not as chilly today

Just got caught up on a couple of updates. Good luck on the job search. It's very hard to make a change in your career path, but I hope it works out for you.

My biggest accomplishment was when I received my Master's Degree in January of this year. Hopefully I will trump that soon by taking and passing the CPA exam to become a certified accountant.

Airfare is scary right now. No joke. I haven't been able to find any flights that are remotely affordable. Glad you were able to find something that fit into your budget, even though there was a little mix up. That would have been frustrating for sure.

Yay your back! Thank you for catching up and the luck for the job search. I know - there are some days when I do think if I have made the right choice but I know in the long term it will be for the best

on getting your Master's Degree - they sure are hard work! Wow you are brave to then go and study to be a certified accountant! Good luck with your studies - hope you do well in your exams. Let us know how it goes

Sorry to hear your flight schedule got messed up. I hope it all get settled quickly. I usually get my flight stuff done before I make any other plans.
Relax, I bet it all works out

Thanks for the hug! Don't worry - the first thing I will be doing next time I book a holiday is getting a flight! We have left it until late on to other destinations and it has normally worked in our favour - just not this time! Am sure it will all come together in the end

Oh no...that is awful! I had no idea Sanford airport even got any real flights!

I hope everything works out ok.

I was the same as you - thinking all flights must go to Orlando Int! Definitely know now and whilst ringing around this evening the first thing I was saying was ' It is MCO right - not Sanford!'

I hope so as well

Sorry to hear about the flight mix up, that is bad service on that SA's part as he/she should have read back the dates and times etc to you.

I hope everything gets settled soon Let us know how it goes

I thought the same thing but the company obviously has different ideas and totally tried to shift the blame on me! I asked for the times but didn't think I needed to ask what airport!

Thank you - will be updating to let you know what happens

I'm in! Congrats on the ADRs.... and best of luck with finding a new job!

Looking forward to hearing more about the planned trip!

thank you for joining! Them ADRs may be changing (stay tuned to find out more) - I hope I manage to find a job soon

:lOh NO! I'm sorry to hear about the flight mix up and your stressful weekend. But I'm sure everything will work out. Also, Good luck on your job search I think you're very brave for wanting to teach that age range.

I know...I was the same on hearing what had happened!!

Am sure it will all work out in the end - have had a much better day today. Thanks for the job search luck I actually enjoy teaching that age range! The day flies by - like any other job it has it's good and bad days

 

[TanzUnited99]

Well we have looked into more flights today and were successful in finding a new flight with Virgin Airways that was direct and meant we could leave later in the day on our last day. The only problem was we were unable to book as the travel agency that messed up has already taken our money! So I rang the company and have to wait for someone to ring me - can not contact the refunds department myself. So, until I get the phone call I can't book the other flight - will wait and see what happens tomorrow.

In the meantime though, no matter which flight we get, we will have to change our dates. So, we will now be in Disney World on the following dates:

13 September 2011 - 27 September 2011!! ​

Although, this means we miss out on the Food and Wine festival we still get to visit in low crowd season and like many of you have said there is still plenty of food and drink to be sampled without the festival!

I already know which days we want to spend in each park but will wait until tomorrow to post our new plans/ADRs - just want to make sure everything is booked and confirmed before I start making changes to this PTR!

 

[Disneymoon23]

Hi, I hope all the new planning is going well. That's crazy how you had to change the dates after you already had everything planned out. You are keeping it together very well though. I would be loosing it right about now. Oh well, you're still going to Disney World! And I'm sure your great planning skills will help everything turn out all right. I can't wait to hear all of the new plans.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi, I hope all the new planning is going well. That's crazy how you had to change the dates after you already had everything planned out. You are keeping it together very well though. I would be loosing it right about now. Oh well, you're still going to Disney World! And I'm sure your great planning skills will help everything turn out all right. I can't wait to hear all of the new plans.

Hi, the new planning is under control! It is a bit crazy but think I have got it out of my system and am more accepting of it! Like you said we will still be in Disney World!! Thank you - have been thinking and our day to day plans would remain the same - would just need to switch the dates around. Look forward to posting more, once we have flights confirmed!

 

[britt_ji]

Sorry to hear about your issues with the flights. Hopefully, everything will be worked out soon for you

 

[blairbear]

Well we have looked into more flights today and were successful in finding a new flight with Virgin Airways that was direct and meant we could leave later in the day on our last day. The only problem was we were unable to book as the travel agency that messed up has already taken our money! So I rang the company and have to wait for someone to ring me - can not contact the refunds department myself. So, until I get the phone call I can't book the other flight - will wait and see what happens tomorrow.

In the meantime though, no matter which flight we get, we will have to change our dates. So, we will now be in Disney World on the following dates:

13 September 2011 - 27 September 2011!!

Although, this means we miss out on the Food and Wine festival we still get to visit in low crowd season and like many of you have said there is still plenty of food and drink to be sampled without the festival!

I already know which days we want to spend in each park but will wait until tomorrow to post our new plans/ADRs - just want to make sure everything is booked and confirmed before I start making changes to this PTR!

You are absolutely right there is a ton of great food at WDW even without food and wine, and the dates you are changing to is a great time to go! The past two times we have went has been around those dates and almost everything with the exception of Toy Story Mania and Sorin', was a walk on! You can't beat that

I hope you are able to get the flight that you want.

 

[Stefy]

Well we have looked into more flights today and were successful in finding a new flight with Virgin Airways that was direct and meant we could leave later in the day on our last day. The only problem was we were unable to book as the travel agency that messed up has already taken our money! So I rang the company and have to wait for someone to ring me - can not contact the refunds department myself. So, until I get the phone call I can't book the other flight - will wait and see what happens tomorrow.

In the meantime though, no matter which flight we get, we will have to change our dates. So, we will now be in Disney World on the following dates:

13 September 2011 - 27 September 2011!! ​

Although, this means we miss out on the Food and Wine festival we still get to visit in low crowd season and like many of you have said there is still plenty of food and drink to be sampled without the festival!

I already know which days we want to spend in each park but will wait until tomorrow to post our new plans/ADRs - just want to make sure everything is booked and confirmed before I start making changes to this PTR!

How crazy is this, you are flying with the same airline most probably at the same time, only difference is its the day before

Hope you get a response today about the refund otherwise keep hounding them and give them what for, its their fault after all no matter if they tried to shift blame and don't let them tell you otherwise

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with all that flight drama I hope it all works out!

I wouldn't worry at all about missing F&W, with this being your first trip you'll have lots of snacks and drinks to try, plus the first day of F&W will probably be really crowded!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Sorry to hear about your issues with the flights. Hopefully, everything will be worked out soon for you

Thank you - I hope it all works out as well

You are absolutely right there is a ton of great food at WDW even without food and wine, and the dates you are changing to is a great time to go! The past two times we have went has been around those dates and almost everything with the exception of Toy Story Mania and Sorin', was a walk on! You can't beat that

I hope you are able to get the flight that you want.

Wow I love that when you went at a similar times there was no wait!!!

I'd be more then happy with that happening on our trip! Thank you - I hope we are able to get the flight we want as well

How crazy is this, you are flying with the same airline most probably at the same time, only difference is its the day before

Hope you get a response today about the refund otherwise keep hounding them and give them what for, its their fault after all no matter if they tried to shift blame and don't let them tell you otherwise

That sure is crazy!! You know I was looking at our new day plans and think we will be in the same parks on a couple of days now. I will def keep an eye out for you and Dave! I was hoping to post our new plans today but really want to watch the football! May return later and update - otherwise will def do it tomorrow

That air company is really bad - can't believe I booked with them After ringing about four times, someone got back to me saying that normally if I would cancel I would lose my deposit! However, she would have to look into the conversation that took place and get back to me. Don't worry I plan on standing my ground - can be pretty stubborn when I have to be!

I'm sorry you're having to deal with all that flight drama I hope it all works out!

I wouldn't worry at all about missing F&W, with this being your first trip you'll have lots of snacks and drinks to try, plus the first day of F&W will probably be really crowded!

I know - could do without all the drama but I hope it works out soon.

I thought the same thing - am glad I will not have to put up with first day crowds at the F&W festival

 

[TanzUnited99]

So as I mentioned I would post our new plans today thought I'd better get onto it! Let me know what you think.

13 September 2011 - Arrive, relax and head to DTD
14 September 2011 - AK
15 September 2011 - MK
16 September 2011 - Epcot
17 September 2011 - DHS
18 September 2011 - Typhoon Lagoon and then EMH at MK - hoping to last until the end!
19 September 2011 - IOA - Another reason why I am glad we changed the dates is that we will now be heading to WWoHP on a Monday instead of a weekend day. I'm hoping this will result in lower crowds
20 September 2011 - Epcot
21 September 2011 - Non-park day - Surprises/DQ/TTC for wishes or golf!
22 September 2011 - DHS
23 September 2011 - Blizzard Beach & MNSSHP!
24 September 2011 - AK
25 September 2011 - Another non-park day - Resort hopping
26 September 2011 - MK
27 September 2011 - One last time at Epcot before returning home

Our dates have changed but our plans should pretty much remain the same as already posted - will go back and change the dates/order of this PTR

For any newcomers welcome and thank you for reading. If you have followed the links then you will not have noticed anything wrong! However, if you decided to read all the chitter-chatter then you may have realised that the park days are not in any logical order! Hopefully, the change in dates post will help explain the reason behind the mad layout!!