September/October 2013 check in

[WAMUMOF4]

5 more days!!!
I finished work for almost 7 weeks yesterday DH finishes today.

Really just busy re-packing, making sure that everything that we need besides a few clothes is in the suitcase.

A dumb question here...do any of you seasoned travellers know whether qantas still give out eye masks? Dh needs one to sleep...me and the kids can sleep any where, any time, him not so much. I have been looking at all the $2 shops and haven't found one. I know that I will probably able to get one from the luggage shop at the airport, but if qantas still give them, then I won't bother

Not long to go have a great trip

12 days is so close. 1 1/2 weeks sounds even closer.

I'm counting down to Sunday week as I can't wait to turn the page on the calendar. (Why after saying that am I reminded of the saying "small things amuse small minds?")

My news for the day is that I put in a One Up bid for a Premium economy upgrade on my AKL - LAX flight. The bid was categorised as 'very weak' so let's just say I'm not holding my breath. Either way I'll know roughly 5 days before the flight if I was successful.

I also rung American Airlines to enquire about pre-paying my luggage (which you can't do incase anyone is interested) and while I was on the phone I asked the guy to give me a quote on an upgrade. I'm really not looking forward to this flight home and I thought I might be able to make the 'going home blues' more bearable.
If I didn't already have tickets on that flight and had bought some this morning, it would have cost me approx $400 p/p for first class. I therefore figured an upgrade would cost me no more than about $300 p/p. It seems I was optimistic. It will cost me $1400 p/p and a $150 change fee. The guy on the phone seemed surprised I was no longer interested. Sheesh, I could buy new tickets for all 3 of us and it would cost less than the fee for upgrading just one of us. Needless to say, beside luggage fees, AA will not be getting any more of my money.

That's a crazy upgrade price!
Sunday week I might be freaking out wondering what I have forgotten

 

[Kristin5]

AMAZING! Have a fabulous trip! I haven't flown Qantas in years so can't tell you about the eye masks.

Sare, is it you that's at HoJo's the same time as us, or Kristin? We might see you over there. Look for the family with three small boys; 2,4 and 6 - the youngest two are blonde. And you'll probably here me shouting DS3s name as I chase him!

We arrive at Hojos on the 20th, so might see you My son is also 6 (he has his 7th birthday on the second last day of our trip). I think I have said before that I am fairly recognisable, with long red hair (well, strawberry blonde actually! ), so if you see me, please say Hi!

Sare, I am so envious of you, only 5 days to go, and going for so long! Hope that our paths cross over there (I dare say we'll see you at the pool, at least!)

 

[5ofus]

Thanks. We arrive on the 22nd. Are you still there then? There's me, dh, dd who will be just about to turn nine, dd2 who will be a few weeks short of turning 7 and ds who will be a few weeks short of turning 5. And no doubt we'll be the ones trying to separate bickering children (unless they pleasantly surprise me)

Oh, we'll just miss you We leave on the 21st.

We arrive at Hojos on the 20th, so might see you My son is also 6 (he has his 7th birthday on the second last day of our trip). I think I have said before that I am fairly recognisable, with long red hair (well, strawberry blonde actually! ), so if you see me, please say Hi!

Sare, I am so envious of you, only 5 days to go, and going for so long! Hope that our paths cross over there (I dare say we'll see you at the pool, at least!)

Kristin, I remember now! Yes, our boys are the same age I have light brown/blonde, curly hair and I'm very fair, DH is the same, although he has his hair cut really short. I wonder if we'll run into each other I think we'll be by the pool/waterplayground a lot, especially in the middle of the day.

We're inside two weeks now! Only 8 days left of work. The sad news is that this time in a month we'll already be back It's all going too quickly!

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Before I forget hope all of you winging away in the next couple of weeks have an incredible time and that time goes really slowly for you while you are away! Safe travels everyone.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Before I forget hope all of you winging away in the next couple of weeks have an incredible time and that time goes really slowly for you while you are away! Safe travels everyone.

Thanks Wendy.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Before I forget hope all of you winging away in the next couple of weeks have an incredible time and that time goes really slowly for you while you are away! Safe travels everyone.

Thanks Wendy.

 

[Caroline NZ]

I have had a productive day packing, and 3 weeks out I think I am 90% there. With busy weekdays I didn't want any last minute panic packing, so am feeling good that it is under control.
I have my fingers crossed that the exchange rate will improve over the next week, I am holding out on purchasing Go San Diego Cards, Cirque du Soleil Love tickets, and Verde Canyon Railway tickets, in the hope that the rate improves. I also have 3 vacation rental payments due in the next 3 weeks. Other than that I loaded US currency onto our Travel Cards last December, so at least the bulk of the holiday will be at a good rate.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have had a productive day packing, and 3 weeks out I think I am 90% there. With busy weekdays I didn't want any last minute panic packing, so am feeling good that it is under control.
I have my fingers crossed that the exchange rate will improve over the next week, I am holding out on purchasing Go San Diego Cards, Cirque du Soleil Love tickets, and Verde Canyon Railway tickets, in the hope that the rate improves. I also have 3 vacation rental payments due in the next 3 weeks. Other than that I loaded US currency onto our Travel Cards last December, so at least the bulk of the holiday will be at a good rate.

I hope the rate improves as well.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

So I logged into MDE today only to discover Fastpass + has been activated.

But here's the catch: it's only for the second part of my split stay while I'm at AKV. The first 5 nights at BWV don't count. I'm a bit gutted as the first 5 nights is when I plan on visiting Epcot and HS - the parks where I wanted Fastpass the most.

Oh we'll, not one to pass up on an opportunity, I signed up and ordered my magic bands. Blue for me, red for my son, and orange for my husband. Like PIO, I'm worrying they will send them and they'll arrive while I'm gone. Fingers crossed that is not the case and they're waiting for me at the resort.

I suppose, if nothing else, it will be interesting getting to use both systems. Regular Fastpass for the first half of my stay, and the new Fastpass for the rest.

Somehow I have managed to swallow up about 3 hours tonight playing around with my Fastpass entries and I still haven't finished. The system doesn't make it as easy to pick times as I would of liked, particularly when you want to add shows that are run at a very specific time. It took me nearly an hour to fit the Lion King and Nemo shows around my meal times.

I've decided to give up for the night, but will post my selections once I've finished. At present I am stuck on Magic Kingdom as I don't know what rides generally get the longest queues. I want to keep the Little Mermaid time I've selected, but aren't sure what to pick for the other 2. Any suggestions?

I'm also not sure what to pick on my son's free choice day (aka his birthday). My guess is that he will want to go to MK or the future world part of Epcot. Or perhaps Epcot is just wishful thinking on my part as I really want to make fastpasses for Soarin and Test Track. I wonder how easy it will be to make changes on the day.

Anyway, I'm now just thinking aloud and it's clear I need to go to sleep.

23 days ...

 

[PrincessInOz]

So I logged into MDE today only to discover Fastpass + has been activated.

But here's the catch: it's only for the second part of my split stay while I'm at AKV. The first 5 nights at BWV don't count. I'm a bit gutted as the first 5 nights is when I plan on visiting Epcot and HS - the parks where I wanted Fastpass the most.

Oh we'll, not one to pass up on an opportunity, I signed up and ordered my magic bands. Blue for me, red for my son, and orange for my husband. Like PIO, I'm worrying they will send them and they'll arrive while I'm gone. Fingers crossed that is not the case and they're waiting for me at the resort.

I suppose, if nothing else, it will be interesting getting to use both systems. Regular Fastpass for the first half of my stay, and the new Fastpass for the rest.

Somehow I have managed to swallow up about 3 hours tonight playing around with my Fastpass entries and I still haven't finished. The system doesn't make it as easy to pick times as I would of liked, particularly when you want to add shows that are run at a very specific time. It took me nearly an hour to fit the Lion King and Nemo shows around my meal times.

I've decided to give up for the night, but will post my selections once I've finished. At present I am stuck on Magic Kingdom as I don't know what rides generally get the longest queues. I want to keep the Little Mermaid time I've selected, but aren't sure what to pick for the other 2. Any suggestions?

I'm also not sure what to pick on my son's free choice day (aka his birthday). My guess is that he will want to go to MK or the future world part of Epcot. Or perhaps Epcot is just wishful thinking on my part as I really want to make fastpasses for Soarin and Test Track. I wonder how easy it will be to make changes on the day.

Anyway, I'm now just thinking aloud and it's clear I need to go to sleep.

23 days ...

Congrats on having MDE and FP+ turned on for you. Shame about the BWV part and HS/Ep.

As for rides in MK....what about Splash Mountain for the afternoon? I've included a "lesser" ride in my selections in case MSEP and/or Wishes appear. Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part.....but I'll check the selections at the 1 month stage.

Happy planning.


ps. I'm still tweaking my selections.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

single digit dance 9 sleeps to go

 

[PrincessInOz]

single digit dance 9 sleeps to go

 

[5ofus]

single digit dance 9 sleeps to go

 

[sarefromoz]

single digit dance 9 sleeps to go

Woo hoo.

 

[Caroline NZ]

single digit dance 9 sleeps to go

Awesome

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Happy planning.

.

Thanks. It was fun at first, but now it's starting to do my head in. I can't believe how much time I'm putting into deciding on rides. I know I'm thinking too hard when I have even contemplated whole timetable changes just to make better use of FP+.

This is what I have at present, but no doubt it'll change. Any suggestions welcome.

28th Sep - 3rd Oct. Staying at BWV so not eligible for FP+

3rd Oct - Check out of BWV and into AKV. The plan is to spend 5 - 6 hours during the middle of the day at AK.
FP+ for Kilimanjaro Safari, Lion King, Expedition Everest.

4th Oct - Morning at MK. FP+ for Splash Mountain, BTMR, and Little Mermaid (but wondering if I should change this last one to Space Mountain or Haunted Mansion). Afternoon at the Outlet Malls

5th Oct - Downtown Disney and La Nouba day. No parks or Fastpasses.

6th Oct - Was supposed to be a Blizzard beach rest day. But I have added a few FP+'s at Epcot during mid-late avo . Just incase we decide to pop there for dinner. FP+ selections include Soarin, Test Track, and Character Spot (not sure about the last one - may not even use it if we're tired).

7th Oct - Morning at AK inc. Tusker House breakfast. Evening at MK after Ohana dinner. Rest in the middle of the day.
I am struggling with this one as I can't decide which is the best park to make the fastpasses. On the argument that we may be so stuffed and tired after Ohana we just want to go back to our hotel, I have made some tentative bookings for AK (Dinosaur, Nemo, and Kali River Rapids). It's an EMH morning at AK so we'll be there early enough to also do the Safari and Everest should we decide. I've put Kali River Rapids at mid day. This is roughly when I want to head back to our hotel so I figure it won't matter if we get all wet.
If Wishes and the Electric Parade were on offer for MK I might consider a complete change.

8th Oct - This is my son's birthday where he gets to choose. We only plan to spend about 5 hours in the parks today so we aren't too tired for the flight home the next day. I've made FP+'s for HS in the morning. This includes Toy Story and Star Tours right next to each other, so we could essentially ride both of these rides in an hour and then move on to the park of my son's choice. I'm guessing that park will be MK, so I'm wondering if perhaps I should be making Fastpasses there instead. Decisions Decisions...
I also have a FP+ for the Great Movie Ride also that we may or may not use. (I found the third pick at HS challenging).

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks. It was fun at first, but now it's starting to do my head in. I can't believe how much time I'm putting into deciding on rides. I know I'm thinking too hard when I have even contemplated whole timetable changes just to make better use of FP+.

This is what I have at present, but no doubt it'll change. Any suggestions welcome.

28th Sep - 3rd Oct. Staying at BWV so not eligible for FP+

3rd Oct - Check out of BWV and into AKV. The plan is to spend 5 - 6 hours during the middle of the day at AK.
FP+ for Kilimanjaro Safari, Lion King, Expedition Everest.

4th Oct - Morning at MK. FP+ for Splash Mountain, BTMR, and Little Mermaid (but wondering if I should change this last one to Space Mountain or Haunted Mansion). Afternoon at the Outlet Malls

5th Oct - Downtown Disney and La Nouba day. No parks or Fastpasses.

6th Oct - Was supposed to be a Blizzard beach rest day. But I have added a few FP+'s to Epcot for mid-late avo incase we decide to pop there for dinner. FP+ selections include Soarin, Test Track, and Character Spot (not sure about the last one - may not even use it if we're tired).

7th Oct - Morning at AK inc. Tusker House breakfast. Evening at MK after Ohana dinner. Rest in the middle of the day.
I am struggling with this one as I can't decide which is the best park to make the fastpasses. On the argument that we may be so stuffed and tired after Ohana we just want to go back to our hotel, I have made some tentative bookings for AK (Dinosaur, Nemo, and Kali River Rapids). It's a EMH morning at AK so we'll be there early enough to also do the Safari and Everest should we decide. I've put Kali River Rapids at mid day. This is roughly when I want to head back to our hotel so I figure it won't matter if we get all wet.
If Wishes and the Electric Parade were on offer for MK I might consider a complete change.

8th Oct - This is my son's birthday where he gets to choose. We only plan to spend about 5 hours in the parks today so we aren't too tired for the flight home the next day. I've made FP+'s for HS in the morning. This includes Toy Story and Star Tours right next to each other, so we could essentially ride both of these rides in an hour and then move on to the park of my son's choice. I'm guessing that park will be MK, so I'm wondering if perhaps I should be making Fastpasses there instead. Decisions Decisions...
I also have a FP+ for the Great Movie Ride also that we may or may not use. (I found the third pick at HS challenging).

Great FP+.

Personally, I would change Little Mermaid to one of the Mountains. Much as I like LM, this is not an exciting attraction (it's nearly identical to the one in DLR and I wasn't thrilled by it).


Why don't you lock in some FP+ at Ep in the morning on the 5th - just in case? You can always cancel the night before or on the morning.

 

[ssour]

Thanks. It was fun at first, but now it's starting to do my head in. I can't believe how much time I'm putting into deciding on rides. I know I'm thinking too hard when I have even contemplated whole timetable changes just to make better use of FP+.

This is what I have at present, but no doubt it'll change. Any suggestions welcome.

28th Sep - 3rd Oct. Staying at BWV so not eligible for FP+

3rd Oct - Check out of BWV and into AKV. The plan is to spend 5 - 6 hours during the middle of the day at AK.
FP+ for Kilimanjaro Safari, Lion King, Expedition Everest.

4th Oct - Morning at MK. FP+ for Splash Mountain, BTMR, and Little Mermaid (but wondering if I should change this last one to Space Mountain or Haunted Mansion). Afternoon at the Outlet Malls

5th Oct - Downtown Disney and La Nouba day. No parks or Fastpasses.

6th Oct - Was supposed to be a Blizzard beach rest day. But I have added a few FP+'s at Epcot during mid-late avo . Just incase we decide to pop there for dinner. FP+ selections include Soarin, Test Track, and Character Spot (not sure about the last one - may not even use it if we're tired).

7th Oct - Morning at AK inc. Tusker House breakfast. Evening at MK after Ohana dinner. Rest in the middle of the day.
I am struggling with this one as I can't decide which is the best park to make the fastpasses. On the argument that we may be so stuffed and tired after Ohana we just want to go back to our hotel, I have made some tentative bookings for AK (Dinosaur, Nemo, and Kali River Rapids). It's an EMH morning at AK so we'll be there early enough to also do the Safari and Everest should we decide. I've put Kali River Rapids at mid day. This is roughly when I want to head back to our hotel so I figure it won't matter if we get all wet.
If Wishes and the Electric Parade were on offer for MK I might consider a complete change.

8th Oct - This is my son's birthday where he gets to choose. We only plan to spend about 5 hours in the parks today so we aren't too tired for the flight home the next day. I've made FP+'s for HS in the morning. This includes Toy Story and Star Tours right next to each other, so we could essentially ride both of these rides in an hour and then move on to the park of my son's choice. I'm guessing that park will be MK, so I'm wondering if perhaps I should be making Fastpasses there instead. Decisions Decisions...
I also have a FP+ for the Great Movie Ride also that we may or may not use. (I found the third pick at HS challenging).

Little Mermaid has been popping up as a bonus FastPass for Magic Kingdom, so I'd switch that out for Space and see what happens. If you can get FastPasses with your KTTW card, Ariel should be easier to get a decent return time on than the mountains.

If you plan on heading to HS on the last day for opening I'd probably go straight to Toy Story to ride standby then to Star Tours, can't imagine much of a wait on that one so early in the morning. I think you're FastPasses will be a lot more valuable on a late arrival at MK. It also means if he surprises you and wants to go somewhere else in the morning you won't have wasted those FastPasses.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Great FP+.

Personally, I would change Little Mermaid to one of the Mountains. Much as I like LM, this is not an exciting attraction (it's nearly identical to the one in DLR and I wasn't thrilled by it).

Why don't you lock in some FP+ at Ep in the morning on the 5th - just in case? You can always cancel the night before or on the morning.

You and ssour have convinced me. I'm going to swap Little Mermaid for Space Mountain. That way I'll have all 3 mountains booked. Thanks for the advice.

As for the 5th, great idea, but unfortunately I can't attend any parks on that day. The main reason is because I don't have enough days on my 10 day pass. The other reason is because this day will be really long and I'm worried if we don't rest all morning my son won't cope. We plan on heading to DTD around 11am. We have a T-Rex lunch booked and then we plan on filling in the afternoon shopping and at DisneyQuest until our 6pm La Nouba. We then have an 8pm Raglan Road, so won't get back to the hotel till around 10. Even though it's not park day, it will ironically be one of our longest due to not having plans to come back to our hotel for a rest.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Little Mermaid has been popping up as a bonus FastPass for Magic Kingdom, so I'd switch that out for Space and see what happens. If you can get FastPasses with your KTTW card, Ariel should be easier to get a decent return time on than the mountains.

If you plan on heading to HS on the last day for opening I'd probably go straight to Toy Story to ride standby then to Star Tours, can't imagine much of a wait on that one so early in the morning. I think you're FastPasses will be a lot more valuable on a late arrival at MK. It also means if he surprises you and wants to go somewhere else in the morning you won't have wasted those FastPasses.

Thanks for the advice. I am going to swap to Space Mountain just as you suggest.

As for getting to HS at opening, you've given me food for thought.

At this stage we have a Boma breakfast booked for 8:30 as I thought a slow relaxed morning might be nice. There are late Magic Hours the night before at MK and if by miracle we manage to stay up long enough to enjoy them, we will be needing an unhurried morning the next day. I have Toy Story and Star tours fastpasses for 10 - 11 and 11 - 12 respectively. I thought if we got to HS no later than 10:30 we could ride both within the hour and then head to whatever park my son chooses for the next 3-4 hours. We also need to start heading back to our hotel early that day for a 5pm Sanaa reservation. I thought it would benefit my DS to get an early night that night and I will need time to pack.

In saying all this, I have toyed with the idea of changing our Boma reservation to the Blizzard Beach day. That way, if we do wake up bright and early we could do as you suggest and head to HS at opening.

Hhmm, so much to think about. If only I put this much thought into issues that really mattered - such as the huge pile of paperwork on my work desk that needs to be done in the next 3 weeks

Thanks again to both of you for your comments.