September 2011 - The Planning Continues! (2nd Thread)

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I'm going to try to talk hubby into a trip for next November. I doubt I'll be able to do it, but its worth a try! We won't get free dining, but at least it will be cooler. If we don't go next year, we will for sure go in 2013 and stay at a moderate or deluxe.

Keep your fingers crossed! They are likely to extend free dining for select dates through the end of 2012. We'll be keeping our eyes open!

 

[basketkat]

Yesterday I went to buy a rain cover for our double stroller. We didn't have one last year and it didn't rain so it was no big deal, but then this June, it rained every day we were on vacation and three times the stroller got soaked and the kids couldn't sit in it. So now I have peace of mind even if it doesn't rain at all. We are slowly packing things away. We are going to my mom's house for the weekend to celebrate my DS's birthday (it was yesterday) so once we get back, I can really start packing things into the suitcases.

That is such a good idea!! Last year on our DHS day it POURED when we were eating at Sci Fi! We had no idea it was raining as it is completely dark inside. I came out to a soaking wet stroller! After that I started covering it with our ponchos when we went in somewhere, but then we didn't have our ponchos if it started to rain. So....I think I need to follow your lead and get a rain cover!

Peachydreamyxx, I forgot to tell you that I LOVE the shirts! The Mickey is great! Basketkat, I've been considering a Cricut for a while, I'm nearly convinced to go pick one up. I think I'll wait until we get back, though, so I can use it to scrapbook our vacay. I'm FINALLY taking the time to get the girls ready for school this weekend, so I'm going to go ahead and pick up the random odds and ends that we still need for our trip. It seems like it's coming on faster now, so I better get sped up.

You will love it! My little girl even used it for a school project this year! (She cut out 100 Mickey heads for 100 day at school....future DISer LOL_

Thank you!



Cute window! What is is that Mousekeeping added? I thought they pretty much only did towel animals. I will probably just use our real names, but it just makes me a little nervous. Our pen names are Mrs. Bee, Mr. Bee, Little Bee, and Baby Bee....

Oh I am sorry I did not make it more clear. I put up all of the Mickey heads that are hanging. Then one day we came "home" to my daughter's Alice dress hanging in the window. And the tutu was from MNSSHP. The little Mickey doll moved around our room all week!

We are always together, so I don't feel weird using our real names...so if someone said something to one of my children we would be right there. Looking forward to what you decide to make/use!

Oh Basketkat, you are amazing. The MMC hats are precious!

Time is flying by here and DD2 decided to steal a few more days by scheduling a mini vaca to Galveston. However, she didn't realize that they can't check in at the hotel since none of them are quite 21. Soooooo....Mom has to tag along. They are all totally cool with it, but the beach in mis-summer at 104 degrees is not my thing, so I will be hanging in the hotel and pool. (Maybe a bit of morning beach combing ).
She really deserves the break though. Took classes all summer and just finishing Anatomy in 5 weeks with awesome grades. One more semester of pre-requisites and then Nursing school. I am a proud mummy.

Thank you!!! Way to go to your DD!!! Anatomy in 5 weeks had to be hard! I have a few friends who had to take it twice during regular semester!

Sometimes, mousekeeping will take a guest's own items and do something with them. So I believe they took their dress and tutu and displayed it in the window. They may also use your children's toys as props, and things like that. Generally, the only thing mousekeeping will "add" is towels and stickers. Other than that, they may use what they find in the room. I like your pen names and would use those!

Yep! That's what they did!

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

DH here. I too take exception to your blanket characterization of men. I have put in for time off for this vacation ,the one in Dec, and our cruise in May/June and have been approved for them all. I also make all the hotel, dining, and flight ressies. (In consultation with DW.) Although we are a very small minority there are a few men that are somewhat useful in the planning process. As long as it all works out that"s what's important.

 

[Smile4Me]

Love the new layout! I'm excited about this, my youngest DD is a huge fan of spooky or paranormal, so I expect the HM to be a big draw for her.
I've been working on the most asinine touring plan ever today. It includes all of the rides and attractions that we want to do in a clockwise motion. So, it strongly resembles a map! Since there are attractions we are sure will not appeal to us at all, the touring plans just include our top faves. I am hoping crowd levels are low enough to do them over and over!

Don't discount attractions you've never done that you think you may not like! Some may surprise you if you have time to stop back at them! Carousel of Progress was just a quick stop in for me and my sister trying to get out of the heat and wait for our Space Mountain fastpasses when we were in jr high and high school...now its one of my favorites!!

So we decided to cancel all breakfast and lunch ADR's and just keep dinner. I know there are lots of character breakfasts out there that are really important to alot of families. However this trip it is only DBF and myself so we do not have to worry about disappointing the kids. I am sure everything will work itself out for you! I had to remind myself that is supposed to be FUN!! not work!

Its just me and my DBF, and we do the DDP, and use our table service for a nice dinner every time! Don't overschedule to the point you're forgetting to have fun!

I'll be at POP Century Sept 17-23 and I cant wait. It will be different, but my soul needs this trip, to escape the real world, even if only for a week.
.

POP looks to be packed - but only with the best people! However, even with free dining, the parks should be very manageable. We have been 3 times in Sept. and love it! I will be traveling during the same timeframe as you and staying at POP with my two daughters (21 and 20). Should you be looking for a little company, send me a PM and I will get you my cell. It's a rough time and sometimes you want to be alone and sometimes it's good to make new friends as a diversion.

We will be there the same time at POR. Maybe we need to meet up for margaritas or for the Bob Jackson show or something! Either of you going to the Halloween Party?

I'm back and all caught up! Let me just say that after being at the Dells...I am SO GLAD that we are going to Disney in 6 weeks! The Dells was just...sub par. The whole experience was kind of a comedy of errors and we are so looking forward to having a wonderful vacation where we know the service, quality and wonder will be there.

Also, I'm glad I'm not the only one already thinking/planning our next trip! I wish we could go next year but I think we'll be an every-other-year family so we can save up.

I missed you guys!

BorkBorkBork- Where did you stay in the Dells? I think we are probably going to be an every other year couple too, as long as we're able..with a new house and renovations on the way!

 

[MamaJessie]

I'm going to try to talk hubby into a trip for next November. I doubt I'll be able to do it, but its worth a try! We won't get free dining, but at least it will be cooler. If we don't go next year, we will for sure go in 2013 and stay at a moderate or deluxe.

Our next trip we want to do Nov-Dec. Either 2012 or 2013.

Still waiting for a response from DH's work. Thanks for the pixie dust. Fingers are crossed. Actually the kids fingers are literally crossed. My 12 yo was trying to do everything around the house with her fingers crossed. If our trip wasn't postponed so many times I could take it in stride, but it was so I can't. I actually started planning for a 2010 trip, then my mom died (I just had no urge to look at Christmas decorations my first year without parents, let alone spend wads of cash to see Disney's beautiful decorations and not enjoy them) , then DH was laid off (so we had no $$$) and it went from nov-dec 2010 to feb 2011 to sept 2011. I just can't change it again. Bah. Bound, bound, bound and rebound.

 

[DonnaBoo]

Still waiting for a response from DH's work. Thanks for the pixie dust. If our trip wasn't postponed so many times I could take it in stride, but it was so I can't. I actually started planning for a 2010 trip, then my mom died (I just had no urge to look at Christmas decorations my first year without parents, let alone spend wads of cash to see Disney's beautiful decorations and not enjoy them) , then DH was laid off (so we had no $$$) and it went from nov-dec 2010 to feb 2011 to sept 2011. I just can't change it again. Bah. Bound, bound, bound and rebound.

I hope everything is changing for the better for you, and you have a fantastic trip.

 

[Marblies]

We will be there the same time at POR. Maybe we need to meet up for margaritas or for the Bob Jackson show or something! Either of you going to the Halloween Party?

Never been to see Bob Jackson (sounds entertaining) although DD21 and I will be heading to Jellyroll's on the 14th and we will be doing MNSSHP on the 20th. (although we are waiting to buy tickets until we see weather reports closer in.) PM me and we can start a little DIS meet.

 

[basketkat]

Our next trip we want to do Nov-Dec. Either 2012 or 2013.

Still waiting for a response from DH's work. Thanks for the pixie dust. Fingers are crossed. Actually the kids fingers are literally crossed. My 12 yo was trying to do everything around the house with her fingers crossed. If our trip wasn't postponed so many times I could take it in stride, but it was so I can't. I actually started planning for a 2010 trip, then my mom died (I just had no urge to look at Christmas decorations my first year without parents, let alone spend wads of cash to see Disney's beautiful decorations and not enjoy them) , then DH was laid off (so we had no $$$) and it went from nov-dec 2010 to feb 2011 to sept 2011. I just can't change it again. Bah. Bound, bound, bound and rebound.

I have my fingers crossed for you!!!! Lots of pixie dust!!!!

 

[Mom2Cody06]

Thanks for the good review! Ever stay at POR before?

Any other September travelers stay at POR before and like to share a review of the buses, walks between main building and rooms and rooms and pool?
Definitely trust our forum beyond the other threads out there!!

The last time we stayed at POR it was Dixie Landings, but I remember loving it then and can't wait to enjoy it with our whole family. We will be there from 9/12 to 9/18

 

[Mom2Cody06]

Finally caught up on the thread....wow! We are currently at the beach on vacation so I haven't been on the computer a lot...but we have gotten a lot accomplished for our trip. We are going to the airport the night before we leave and made the reservations for the hotel there...the good thing is we can keep our car there for free the whole time we are gone....no getting up early to head to the airport and no outrageous parking fees. We also reserved our stroller from OSR and ordered our tix for MNSSHP on 9/13.

Now I just have to finish getting some odds and ends stuff, pack and pre-order the photopass CD. I have never gotten this before....is it worth the money? Do they have PhotoPass Photog's at MNSSHP? Any Character Breakfasts? We are doing Chef Mickey's and H&V......

BabyK is not liking people dressed up right now and that worries me for our trip. I hope he doesn't cry the whole time during breakfast or in the parks....crossing my fingers!

 

[BorkBorkBork]

BorkBorkBork- Where did you stay in the Dells? I think we are probably going to be an every other year couple too, as long as we're able..with a new house and renovations on the way!

Congrats on your new house! Renovations can be fun if you know what you're doing! We stayed at Mykonos Resort at Mt Olympus, it was really cheap because of the time share presentation we had to do. But the hotel was actually the recently acquired Raintree resort and was NOT as pictured in all the info we'd received and housekeeping was abyssmal--I found potato chips next to the bed that didn't get picked up the whole time we were there (until I did it that is!). Plus, the timeshare guy asked us where we go on vacations, we said "Disney World" and he showed us one of their properties, The Fountains in Orlando, and said "The monorail picks you right up!" in all seriousness. Yeah.... Just can't wait to be at our happy place!

Our next trip we want to do Nov-Dec. Either 2012 or 2013.

Still waiting for a response from DH's work. Thanks for the pixie dust. Fingers are crossed. Actually the kids fingers are literally crossed. My 12 yo was trying to do everything around the house with her fingers crossed. If our trip wasn't postponed so many times I could take it in stride, but it was so I can't. I actually started planning for a 2010 trip, then my mom died (I just had no urge to look at Christmas decorations my first year without parents, let alone spend wads of cash to see Disney's beautiful decorations and not enjoy them) , then DH was laid off (so we had no $$$) and it went from nov-dec 2010 to feb 2011 to sept 2011. I just can't change it again. Bah. Bound, bound, bound and rebound.

We'll all be anxiously awaiting you coming on here and telling us the good news that you don't have to postpone again! I am so sorry you have to go through that stress and I hope you find out soon!

Never been to see Bob Jackson (sounds entertaining) although DD21 and I will be heading to Jellyroll's on the 14th and we will be doing MNSSHP on the 20th. (although we are waiting to buy tickets until we see weather reports closer in.) PM me and we can start a little DIS meet.

We'll be at MNSSHP on the 20th too! Already have the tickets so hoping for no rain!

 

[pinkle]

My husband got a new job a couple months ago. I kept asking him if he told them the vacation dates and he just "yeah yeah yeah-ed" me. Today when he called on his break I said "So just making sure you got those days approved, it is coming up soon" and he said "Yeah I will turn it in today, the only rulse is you ahve to make sure you ask at least 60 days before so we're good" Err... So i tell him it is less than 50 days away, he needs to talk to them and call me back ASAP. SO now I hold my breath

MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BorkBorkBork]

OK now I'm REALLY in trouble: http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/7513#more-7513

Scroll down to see the new merchandise for IASW and vintage park posters! MAN and I thought some of my Disney GCs I've been hoarding would be coming back with me to fund the next trip!

 

[L-Harper]

I'm wondering if there are other things that people make for Disney. So far, on my list are family t-shirts, mousekeeping envelopes, two autograph books, and decorations for our window at Pop. I can't wait to get started on them!

 

[chinchiller]

Two awesome pieces of mail today.

The first is from my OB saying all of my tests came out just fine. I figured I'd pass them, but there's always that nagging worry that I might not.

The second is Mickey Mail with our Magical Express tags!

 

[KELLY]

I'm going to try to talk hubby into a trip for next November. I doubt I'll be able to do it, but its worth a try! We won't get free dining, but at least it will be cooler. If we don't go next year, we will for sure go in 2013 and stay at a moderate or deluxe.

We are going next year probably the same time. We are either going to stay at AKL or POR in a royal room. I'm thinking POR is winning right now.


Wow everyone this thread is moved alot. I need to get a rain cover for our stroller. I need to look into that asap.

 

[JewelsG]

Well we did it - booked at PO-FQ for September 2012... is it bad to book your next before you even have gone on the current one... lol...

 

[BorkBorkBork]

Congrats chinchiller for getting the good news & Mickey mail, and to JewelsG for booking for 2012 already! We go back and forth because although we could probably swing it and it'd be nice to get one more in before DD is 3, we might as well just save for 2013 and stay longer. I think we'd only save ~$250 having her be free as long as we can get free dining again. Still! It's hard because I want to go back so much...good thing I'm going in oh, about 6 weeks! I feel so silly but I know you guys understand.

 

[KELLY]

Thanks to everyone I would have forgotten to get a rain cover for my stroller. I just ordered thew BRU. I don't have time to be running everywhere looking for one. It was worth the 6.00 to ship it.

 

[sparks19]

So this is our first trip during this time of year (september 25-30th). I know there is free dining and ADR's filled up VERY quickly but everyone says the crowds are really low and most things are almost walk ons.

I'm having a hard time picturing this with restaurants being so booked up so quickly.

So just looking for a little insight from the September 2011 crowd