PHXscuba's Club 33 Christmas

[Jaina]

Just read through your whole trip report. So excited for your family and to hear how it goes! We just got back a few days ago from an amazing first visit with our little ones. I've decided that one perk to living in the Phoenix area (the heat may kill me off this summer) is that wonderful, relatively short drive to DLR! We are -going- to have AP's at some point... (in like 10 years...) ;-) Hope your trip is everything you imagined and that everyone stays well!

 

[PHXscuba]

Just read through your whole trip report. So excited for your family and to hear how it goes! We just got back a few days ago from an amazing first visit with our little ones. I've decided that one perk to living in the Phoenix area (the heat may kill me off this summer) is that wonderful, relatively short drive to DLR! We are -going- to have AP's at some point... (in like 10 years...) ;-) Hope your trip is everything you imagined and that everyone stays well!

Thanks, Jaina! I can't believe my Pre-Trip Report has gotten up to 18 pages (although probably half the posts are my dithering and nonsense). Yes, living close-ish to DLR is a perk to being in the Phoenix area. With family living is So Cal, we have done the drive so many times that I have it down. Although every time I am there and don't get to go to DLR that trip, it is so hard to be that close!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

All right, I am online earlier than usual for a change ... One week from today, I hope I will be ... riding Star Tours for hopefully the third time or so. I think I mentioned a long time ago in this thread that it is a longtime favorite of mine since its original opening. We rode the new version at WDW about 5 times over a day and a half in Hollywood Studios. I would love to be the Rebel Spy!

This morning I bought the last of the food for the hotel, and got out most of the toiletries and OTC meds we will be taking. I am not an over-packer for clothes, but I overpack just about everything else. DD10 just informed me that she has outgrown her hoodie, so now I am trying to track down a new one (in March, in AZ ) or you'll have to ignore her wrists sticking out in any jacketed pictures we take. With 4 kids, someone is always outgrowing/losing/wrecking some of their clothes!

Despite all the crazy around here -- super busy, accident, trip prep, etc. -- I have actually been sleeping well, which is huge for me. Often my brain won't turn off at a time like this and my anxiety can keep me up or require medicating myself, which I really try not to do. So any prayers for continued restful sleep are welcomed. I turn into a zombie when I'm sleep-deprived!

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

Prayer given for restful sleep.

I can never soundly sleep, though I can sleep anywhere (even with the TV blaring or the light on).

I hear you about outgrown clothes. My DD forever wants new clothes. Try finding soccer cleats in January, when our soccer season is in the fall. DD ended up with my cleats. Ugh, I am trying to ensure she won't be wearing my shoes, though her Uggs fit me fine.


Have a great time!

 

[Sherry E]

PHX -

Something just came to mind and I can't recall if you covered it. Your discount for the PPH is one that will require your new AP, correct? And you're planning to check in before you get your AP? I thought I recalled reading that.

I'm sure you know this already and it probably doesn't even make a difference, but just so there aren't any surprises, unless you have your newly activated AP in hand when you check in, they will probably apply the non-AP/non-discounted rate up front, and then when you get your AP and show it to them later they will adjust the amount back down upon check-out.

In other words - unless something has changed drastically in how the hotels handle AP people checking in without their AP - they will pull up your reservation, see what you've already paid and ask for your AP to verify that you have it to use for the discount. If you don't have the AP with you, they will apply the difference between the discount and the rack rate to your credit card, or block/hold the amount. Then you will come back with the AP later and they will cancel the hold but it may not 'take' until you check out.

That's how things have been done in the past - which is why it's always good to have the AP in hand when you check-in, if at all possible. Things may have changed, but that's how it was done before, even if the entire amount has been paid in advance.

As I said, you probably already know this or have considered it, but in case I missed something I thought I'd better pop in to expand upon it in case you weren't expecting to see any sudden PPH charges appear on your card.

 

[Jaina]

All right, I am online earlier than usual for a change ... One week from today, I hope I will be ... riding Star Tours for hopefully the third time or so. I think I mentioned a long time ago in this thread that it is a longtime favorite of mine since its original opening. We rode the new version at WDW about 5 times over a day and a half in Hollywood Studios. I would love to be the Rebel Spy!

This morning I bought the last of the food for the hotel, and got out most of the toiletries and OTC meds we will be taking. I am not an over-packer for clothes, but I overpack just about everything else. DD10 just informed me that she has outgrown her hoodie, so now I am trying to track down a new one (in March, in AZ ) or you'll have to ignore her wrists sticking out in any jacketed pictures we take. With 4 kids, someone is always outgrowing/losing/wrecking some of their clothes!


PHXscuba

Have you checked at the Disney outlet at Mills yet? They still had jackets and hoodies a few weeks ago...

 

[PHXscuba]

PHX -

Something just came to mind and I can't recall if you covered it. Your discount for the PPH is one that will require your new AP, correct? And you're planning to check in before you get your AP? I thought I recalled reading that.

I'm sure you know this already and it probably doesn't even make a difference, but just so there aren't any surprises, unless you have your newly activated AP in hand when you check in, they will probably apply the non-AP/non-discounted rate up front, and then when you get your AP and show it to them later they will adjust the amount back down upon check-out.

In other words - unless something has changed drastically in how the hotels handle AP people checking in without their AP - they will pull up your reservation, see what you've already paid and ask for your AP to verify that you have it to use for the discount. If you don't have the AP with you, they will apply the difference between the discount and the rack rate to your credit card, or block/hold the amount. Then you will come back with the AP later and they will cancel the hold but it may not 'take' until you check out.

That's how things have been done in the past - which is why it's always good to have the AP in hand when you check-in, if at all possible. Things may have changed, but that's how it was done before, even if the entire amount has been paid in advance.

As I said, you probably already know this or have considered it, but in case I missed something I thought I'd better pop in to expand upon it in case you weren't expecting to see any sudden PPH charges appear on your card.

I am aware of this but really can't get my AP until after we check in. I am getting it that afternoon and will keep my eye on the bill to be sure it is applied correctly, eventually.

Have you checked at the Disney outlet at Mills yet? They still had jackets and hoodies a few weeks ago...

I found a cute one at Target. I really didn't have time to go all the way to AZ Mills this week but I love the Disney Outlet there!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

DS7's front tooth has been hanging from a thread for the last week, and DH finally popped it out last night so it wouldn't happen on our trip. Interestingly enough (don't have time for a picture), little DD was front-toothless during our last big Disney vacation to WDW. You can see it in some of the photos.

I hope this isn't a new Disney tradition, because I am out of kids who should be losing their front teeth!

Less than 24 hours!! I have a birthday party to throw and packing. That's it!! T-minus 23 hours!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Well, the day, even the hour is finally here. I was a good girl and got all my work done, so I have a just a moment to say goodbye to all. As soon as I finish typing, I am throwing the food in the cooler, zipping the suitcases closed, and turning off the TV (where my kids are watching Disney channel of course).

I can't believe the trip is finally here!!!! Thank you all for reading along and helping me pass the time waiting for this day to finally arrive. I promise lots of pictures and hopefully some fun stories when we get back.

I hope all of YOUR Disney dreams come true too!

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

Have fun! I look forward to hearing all about your trip!

 

[Sherry E]

Well, the day, even the hour is finally here. I was a good girl and got all my work done, so I have a just a moment to say goodbye to all. As soon as I finish typing, I am throwing the food in the cooler, zipping the suitcases closed, and turning off the TV (where my kids are watching Disney channel of course).

I can't believe the trip is finally here!!!! Thank you all for reading along and helping me pass the time waiting for this day to finally arrive. I promise lots of pictures and hopefully some fun stories when we get back.

I hope all of YOUR Disney dreams come true too!

PHXscuba

Woo hoo! Time to hit the road!! I can't believe your trip is finally here - the time has flown by since you first started planning it.

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I hope your trip is truly *+*+*Magical*+*+*!!!!

 

[PHXscuba]

We made it here to the beautiful Paradise Pier and I actually got connected to the hotel wifi!!

Our rooms are just what we paid for, view over the (empty) pool. I can't complain. DTD was super busy this afternoon/evening. I have my AP activated!!! Maybe I'll get a Photopass picture of that!

Kids are in bed and presumably sleeping; early to rise for early entry to California Adventure tomorrow.

Weather is supposed to be warm and beautiful all week.

Best wishes to all for a lovely week; I feel so blessed right now to have my family here and to be visiting one of my favorite places.

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

I hope you all have a ball! The weather should be lovely too!

 

[lsulindy]

We made it here to the beautiful Paradise Pier and I actually got connected to the hotel wifi!!

Our rooms are just what we paid for, view over the (empty) pool. I can't complain. DTD was super busy this afternoon/evening. I have my AP activated!!! Maybe I'll get a Photopass picture of that!

Kids are in bed and presumably sleeping; early to rise for early entry to California Adventure tomorrow.

Weather is supposed to be warm and beautiful all week.

Best wishes to all for a lovely week; I feel so blessed right now to have my family here and to be visiting one of my favorite places.

PHXscuba

Yay for great weather!! Have a blast!

 

[denluvsdisney]

PHXscuba, have a great time. It's always nice to share the parks with your family. I'll be there tomorrow from AZ. I'm taking my mom as part of her Christmas/B-day gifts.

 

[tksbaskets]

Have a wonderful time! It's snowing here outside my window at work. Thinking about your family at DL.

 

[PHXscuba]

We have made it back to my parents' safe and sound. We have a wonderful trip and everyone even stayed healthy (my biggest fear). There are always things you miss getting to do even in a 4-day trip, but we had a grand time and I look forward to sharing it with you all when I get back!!!

I even ran into CristyHas3, one of my trip report followers, in the RSR line one morning!! How cool is that?!

Today is laundry and tomorrow is repacking and driving back. Don't wanna go

PHXScuba

 

[kaoden39]

Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

 

[PHXscuba]

Thanks to all for the well wishes while we were traveling.

We are back home, safe and sad I miss CA already and Disneyland too. It was nice to spend some time with my parents for a couple days and we will be seeing them for a family event over here in a couple weeks.

I probably won't start the TR for a couple days. I have to hold it out as the incentive for me to get some work done before I let myself dive in. But never fear, I was taking notes on my phone every day so I could remember everything. I was just scrolling through the pictures I took and I have never seen so many goofy faces as this trip!

And I never ate a churro

So "watch this space" for something middle of the week.

PHXscuba

p.s. I just noticed I hit 2000 posts yesterday!!