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

[lelei]

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!).

Ever since the guy who owns Mt. Olympus started buying up all the small strip motels in the Dells the entire area has gone downhill I think its really sad to see all the small places gobbled up by a company that doesn't really seem to care about the quality of their service.

We have even noticed some corner cutting popping up at the Wilderness at the Dells on our past trip! I swear the Dells are becoming less and less worth it every year, its really becoming better to just save for a Disney trip and skip the area entirely!


And btw HI Everybody! We are headed to the Disney Wilderness from Sept 23rd- Oct 4th and I think I have crossed the line into Disney obsession territory lately!

 

[sillylily]

I am more than a little irritated right now. Due to a minor "oversight" in the payroll department of one of our jobs, I am suddenly short $500 in our account. I needed that money to pay off the trip, which I had intended to do tomorrow! Now, it will not be retroacted onto the next paycheck, which will not be until about 8 days after the last payment is due. So NOW I get to call Reservations and tell them what's going on, and pray there is a grace period behind the 45 days. I have no idea, and if not I'm going to lose our ressies, which may puch us offsite because the resorts are so close to occupancy. I really want to have a fit right now, and would if it would do me any good. Grrrrr!!!! Does anyone know if there is a grace period, or if I'll get any warning, or if they'll just drop us like a hot potato?

 

[Marblies]

I have heard of at least a five day grace period before. Disney wants your money, just call them and I am sure it will work out. Tons of ! You have worked too hard and planned too much to let this happen. To the BatPhone Robin!

 

[basketkat]

I am more than a little irritated right now. Due to a minor "oversight" in the payroll department of one of our jobs, I am suddenly short $500 in our account. I needed that money to pay off the trip, which I had intended to do tomorrow! Now, it will not be retroacted onto the next paycheck, which will not be until about 8 days after the last payment is due. So NOW I get to call Reservations and tell them what's going on, and pray there is a grace period behind the 45 days. I have no idea, and if not I'm going to lose our ressies, which may puch us offsite because the resorts are so close to occupancy. I really want to have a fit right now, and would if it would do me any good. Grrrrr!!!! Does anyone know if there is a grace period, or if I'll get any warning, or if they'll just drop us like a hot potato?

We had some grace last year...but I don't remember exactly how long it was after the 45 days. We had used a TA, and my card wouldn't go through for the final payment. Apparently my debit card has limits to daily spending, and it wouldn't approve that much money. So they had to put X amount through over the next few days. I'm sure if you call them it will be okay.

My husband's check was short this week too...thankfully they are fixing it right away, and he will have the difference tonight. How odd that that happened in two places right around the same time....

Anyways....pixie dust! Just call them and tell them!

 

[anjalee6]

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.

I know that you are awesome!

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!

I know this is silly, but we make ADR invitations for our kids to character meals. They love it. We give them personal invites from the characters. It just adds something extra to our trip.

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.

Yeah, it's definitely a good investment. We got ours for $12. It was well worth it. And after years of using disposable ponchos, we finally bought ourselves some good multi-use ponchos. We even found ones for the kids. I am tired of packing a million disposables.

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.

. I think you will be glad that you did. It rained each day in June for at least two hours so the whole ponchos over the stroller idea wasn't working after a while.

 

[Pookasaurus]

Ever since the guy who owns Mt. Olympus started buying up all the small strip motels in the Dells the entire area has gone downhill I think its really sad to see all the small places gobbled up by a company that doesn't really seem to care about the quality of their service.

We have even noticed some corner cutting popping up at the Wilderness at the Dells on our past trip! I swear the Dells are becoming less and less worth it every year, its really becoming better to just save for a Disney trip and skip the area entirely!


And btw HI Everybody! We are headed to the Disney Wilderness from Sept 23rd- Oct 4th and I think I have crossed the line into Disney obsession territory lately!

Good to know about Mt. Olympus, I've always wondered about that resort. I've also read a lot of similar cutting comments about the wilderness so we've been hesitant to try staying there. We usually stay Kalahari or Great wolf, but on our last trip at Kalahari the water was FREEZING so I'm afraid to go back and leaning toward great wolf again. We're hoping to head up for a few days this winter!!

I'm jealous of everyone already booking 2012 trips!!! DH and I were oh so tempted but we have to keep repeating to ourselves not next year, not next year! We are thinking November 2013 for our next trip so things don't get too routine, plus we have a bunch of projects around the house (and hopefully one really big project in the next year or so ) to take care of... so I'll just have to keep reminding myself must take year off... must! 2013 really isn't too far away!

 

[MamaJessie]

lelei - Disney obsession? You've come to the right place!

I know this is silly, but we make ADR invitations for our kids to character meals. They love it. We give them personal invites from the characters. It just adds something extra to our trip.

Oh that is adorable. I am going to have to do that for our one character meal

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

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...

We have 3 WDW trips booked. Being a DVC member cuts down on the out of pocket costs and we bought APs at the start of our trip last June so the more days we're in the parks the less each one costs. It seems like our duty to go as much as we can.

 

[basketkat]

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!

I also make Epcot passports using printables from the Creative thread!

We too make character meal invitations! They are so fun!

Tinkerbell (or other characters) leave our kids treats on their pillows each night (silly bandz, a sucker, etc.) so I make little "you've been good" notes that go along with them.

 

[basketkat]

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

Our experience last year was WONDERFUL which is why we are returning at the same time this year. When I look at friends pictures from other times of the year and see the crowds in the background it makes me go ....

The restaurants were not that busy IMHO. Of course we had ADRs so I wasn't really paying super close attention to the crowds, but I'm sure I would of remembered if it was overwhelming.

We walked on SO many rides! With other wait times being 5-10 minutes. It isn't empty by any stretch, but it is MUCH better than other times! Just use FP for more popular rides, and you will have a fabulous magical time!

 

[thossink]

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!

It has been along time since we have been to the World, But if the rooms have metal doors... on the cruises we make magnets to put on them

 

[L-Harper]

I am more than a little irritated right now. Due to a minor "oversight" in the payroll department of one of our jobs, I am suddenly short $500 in our account. I needed that money to pay off the trip, which I had intended to do tomorrow! Now, it will not be retroacted onto the next paycheck, which will not be until about 8 days after the last payment is due. So NOW I get to call Reservations and tell them what's going on, and pray there is a grace period behind the 45 days. I have no idea, and if not I'm going to lose our ressies, which may puch us offsite because the resorts are so close to occupancy. I really want to have a fit right now, and would if it would do me any good. Grrrrr!!!! Does anyone know if there is a grace period, or if I'll get any warning, or if they'll just drop us like a hot potato?

Oh no! I hope that everything works out!

I also make Epcot passports using printables from the Creative thread!

We too make character meal invitations! They are so fun!

Tinkerbell (or other characters) leave our kids treats on their pillows each night (silly bandz, a sucker, etc.) so I make little "you've been good" notes that go along with them.

Great ideas!!! Do you have a link to these printables for the passports? I have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[basketkat]

Oh no! I hope that everything works out!



Great ideas!!! Do you have a link to these printables for the passports? I have no idea what you're talking about.

I will find it! Be back...lol

 

[basketkat]

Here you go "Mrs Bee"

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2757931

You can stop at each Kidcot station, and they will stamp it. They also wrote a little note to my daughter in their language. Usually something like..."Welcome to France...Home of Belle" etc.

 

[janabananas]

Background: I have two boys, and I am no longer with their dad. We have been separated for over two years, and everything is friendly and amicable between us.

Now, as everyone knows, is Back To School time. We have always done a pretty even 50/50 split of school supply/clothes/etc. shopping for the boys.
I budgetted my money and had it put away to pay for my part of this. (BTW kids are expensive, as we all know!!) As well as budgetting money for my birthday trip in September.

I took the boys and got what I said I would and let him know what else was needed. He told me he didn't have ANY!!!! money to get them ANYTHING!!! He HAD!! to buy a new cellphone. It is not for work, he doesn't have to have one for work. He just wanted a new cellphone.

I cried, had a panic attack, got livid, calmed down, and now I am just crushed. I told my boss I was rethinking my vacation now, and he said "HECK NO!! YOU ARE GOING!! You need to get out of this office and do something for yourself for a change."

We do not have an agreement or anything, since we have been able to agree on everything in regards to the boys. He also knows that I won't let the boys go without something they need.

He knew I was saving money for my bday trip, so I guess he assumed I would cover his portion til whenever he could???

This leads to my problem.... The hotel is paid for and I have AP's (at least I do not have to worry about this part of it), but my food budget just got cut drastically. I worked my buns off this summer..... I guess I have to go back to working 50 hours a week......

I know I am lucky that my total trip isn't in jeopardy like I have read that some people are going through. But I am just really pissed right now!!

 

[sillylily]

Background: I have two boys, and I am no longer with their dad. We have been separated for over two years, and everything is friendly and amicable between us.

Now, as everyone knows, is Back To School time. We have always done a pretty even 50/50 split of school supply/clothes/etc. shopping for the boys.
I budgetted my money and had it put away to pay for my part of this. (BTW kids are expensive, as we all know!!) As well as budgetting money for my birthday trip in September.

I took the boys and got what I said I would and let him know what else was needed. He told me he didn't have ANY!!!! money to get them ANYTHING!!! He HAD!! to buy a new cellphone. It is not for work, he doesn't have to have one for work. He just wanted a new cellphone.

I cried, had a panic attack, got livid, calmed down, and now I am just crushed. I told my boss I was rethinking my vacation now, and he said "HECK NO!! YOU ARE GOING!! You need to get out of this office and do something for yourself for a change."

We do not have an agreement or anything, since we have been able to agree on everything in regards to the boys. He also knows that I won't let the boys go without something they need.

He knew I was saving money for my bday trip, so I guess he assumed I would cover his portion til whenever he could???

This leads to my problem.... The hotel is paid for and I have AP's (at least I do not have to worry about this part of it), but my food budget just got cut drastically. I worked my buns off this summer..... I guess I have to go back to working 50 hours a week......

I know I am lucky that my total trip isn't in jeopardy like I have read that some people are going through. But I am just really pissed right now!!

I'm sorry, janabananas,that's really crummy of him! Kids ARE expensive, especially all of the back to school stuff, it's not fair to leave you or the boys hanging like that. I hope everything works out, and he somehow coughs up the money! I've been working the log hours for this trip too, try to hang strong, it'll be worth it!

I called and talked to two different CMs yesterday, and another this morning, and got matching information on our reservation details, so I thought I'd pass it on. All three CMs told me that I will receive two late notices in the email (probably within five days of the 45 day mark), and around the one week mark I will receive one telling me to call in. Once I do that, and reconfirm the notes placed on my account, they will let it go until about the 35 day mark before they cancel. That makes me feel SO MUCH BETTER! I don't have to spend the next two weeks obsessing about it quite as much!

 

[janabananas]

I'm sorry, janabananas,that's really crummy of him! Kids ARE expensive, especially all of the back to school stuff, it's not fair to leave you or the boys hanging like that. I hope everything works out, and he somehow coughs up the money! I've been working the log hours for this trip too, try to hang strong, it'll be worth it!

I called and talked to two different CMs yesterday, and another this morning, and got matching information on our reservation details, so I thought I'd pass it on. All three CMs told me that I will receive two late notices in the email (probably within five days of the 45 day mark), and around the one week mark I will receive one telling me to call in. Once I do that, and reconfirm the notes placed on my account, they will let it go until about the 35 day mark before they cancel. That makes me feel SO MUCH BETTER! I don't have to spend the next two weeks obsessing about it quite as much!

He said he would give me some money back to compensate me for what I had to put out that I wasn't expecting to, HOWEVER, I am not going to hold my breathe or depend on it. What would have happened if I didn't have extra $$ saved up for Disney?? GRRRRR, ARRRRGH... Looks like it is PB&J sandwiches for dinner until he coughs it up.

In regards to your situation, WHAT A HUGE RELIEF!!!
At least you know now what the policy is! No more obsessing (at least about that part of it, more good Disney obsessions though, I think I need to repack again)

 

[anjalee6]

He said he would give me some money back to compensate me for what I had to put out that I wasn't expecting to, HOWEVER, I am not going to hold my breathe or depend on it. What would have happened if I didn't have extra $$ saved up for Disney?? GRRRRR, ARRRRGH... Looks like it is PB&J sandwiches for dinner until he coughs it up.

In regards to your situation, WHAT A HUGE RELIEF!!!
At least you know now what the policy is! No more obsessing (at least about that part of it, more good Disney obsessions though, I think I need to repack again)

I hope that everything turns out for you.

 

[disneychic2]

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!

I love those mini posters. Wonder if they have full size ones. We are finishing our basement and will do a Disney theme down there and I planned to look for things while there. We are planning to make posters of some of our photos, but those tin mini posters would be a great addition! Thanks for sharing!

 

[disneychic2]

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!

So glad everything is going well for your and baby!

Mickey Mail is the best. I'm getting really anxious now and this thread sure does feed my excitement! Lovin it!

To the DHs on this thread: Good for you for being part of the solution and not the problem. You are rare indeed! (Fortunately my DH does what he's told fairly quickly)