The sky's awake, so I'm awake! But I'm dreaming of Disney! March 2015 PTR

[KatMark]

Casey, it looks as if Christmas at your home was a lovely affair (love the details on the table, the decorations, etc.). What wonderful gifts from Sken.

Your countdown must be in the 50's by now? Did you make your FP selections? What did you end up with? Inquiring minds must know.

 

[CaseFace5]

I'm so sorry to hear the loss of the cheerleader's mom. What a sad situation and even more so during the holidays. My father passed away during a football season (he was a youth coach for many years), it was amazing the support from our football "family" and our cheer "family." It sounds like your cheerleader received some great support from her cheer "family." I love that your cheerleaders even had special bows to honor the mom.

Glad to hear you had a good Christmas otherwise. We hosted our first Christmas Eve at our house this year. Hosting is so much fun and there is no traveling after. I love your table placings and the veggie tree was super cute!

Puppy all pooped out photo is adorable!

That story about the missing camera made me sad, to lose all those photos would be devastating. But hooray for a new one!!! That's super exciting!!

Frozen on Ice....Oh My Gosh...beyond jealous!!!!!! That sounds like a perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day!

Thanks! Yeah the youth football and cheer family is so amazing that way. We always call it a family, but seeing that family in action is something else. Something I will cherish for sure.

Just a few more weeks until Frozen on ice! I'm so excited!!

YAY for your first successful Christmas!
I am so very sorry to about the Mom. horrible news and the family will be in my prayers.

On a better thought your Baby looks just HAPPY as can be with her gifts!! YAY a new camera!!! you know how i am with CAMERAS!!!

Thanks! I love my new camera! I'm so scared to take it anywhere so that I will have it for Disney lol. I will be keeping a close eye on this one!!!!

Casey, it looks as if Christmas at your home was a lovely affair (love the details on the table, the decorations, etc.). What wonderful gifts from Sken.

Your countdown must be in the 50's by now? Did you make your FP selections? What did you end up with? Inquiring minds must know.

Thanks Kathy! We loved hosting Christmas. Our countdown is 59 days! I'll be back with an update on what we picked!

 

[CaseFace5]

Howdy All!

Sorry I haven't been on yet this week, work is crazy! They are trying to change the payroll software and the woman who is in charge knows nothing about payroll. Don't you love how that works?

Anywhoooo... I am back and I have much to update about! Our countdown is officially at 59 days!

Before I get right into the FP+ that I got, I wanted to share some other Disney related things going on!

So I've mentioned that my cousin Dawn (DILLIGAF) is coming along and we have been going together for the past few years. Since we both are really into Disney, she ordered this book for herself and one for me too! It's really cool! It's from a company called Artfolds and you fold the pages of the book to make a picture/word/art. Here are some pictures of the book from beginning to end..







And the final product...



Isn't this book the coolest thing? We have it on the shelf in our living room. So cool! They have all sort of different ones that you can get too and it was super easy to do.

*******************

So this past weekend, Sken and I went to the Patriots playoff game! It was a balmy 8 degrees but the game was awesome!! Here are two pictures from that game.

All bundled up!


And our seats!


So much fun and such a great game! See ya next weekend Indy!

*************************

We got some Mickey mail in the past few weeks. I kept forgetting to take a picture to share on the DIS.. I'm such a bad DISer.. We got our ME tags!



I just want to put these bad boys on our luggage already!

I also got one of these for Christmas!


I had it in my stack of stuff to bring to Disney.. although I'm thinking I might use it to pay off some of the balance that I have to pay in full in 14 days!

Another one of my Christmas gifts from Sken that I forgot to share before are my cute new sneakers to wear on the trip!


They are a little narrow so we are going to return them for the next size up and then I will begin breaking them in!

I also got Sken some Mickey shirts for the trip for Christmas!


He liked the one with the plaid Mickey but it is too small and he won't wear the other one, so they are both going back. He did say that he will get something with Mickey on it to wear so we are making progress!!!

I also ordered some shirts for myself for Disney courtesy of Hot Topic.


My two favorite things, Lion King and Olaf!!

*****************

Could I have a drum-roll please......

Without further ado.. I present to all you faithful followers of this March 2015 PTR.. The FP+ selections and daily rough plans!

So this is the last update that I had pertaining to this...

March 13th: Flight is at 7am. Arrive around 10am at MCO. Dinner at Planet Hollywood with Dawn and the kids.
March 14th:
March 15th: Before park opening breakfast at Crystal Palace
March 16th:
March 17th:
March 18th: Breakfast Tusker House
March 19th: Spirit of Aloha Dinner show at the Poly
March 20th:
March 21st: Wishes Desert party
March 22nd: Departure day. Flight leaves MCO at noon.

Because of FP+ and trying to get somewhat of a schedule going.. I did make some changes. So here we go!

(NOTE: All of these are subject to change!)

March 13: MK
Arrive around 10am at MCO, take ME to POR.
Space Mt 12:30-1:30
SDMT 2:05-3:05
Splash 4:05-5:05
Planet Hollywood 7PM ADR.
(We might not even get to use any of these, they are just a safeguard)

March 14: EPCOT
Mission Space 11:20-12:20 (Sken's pick)
Spaceship Earth 12:55-1:55 (Who knows if we will even need this)
Soarin 2:30-3:30

March 15: MK
Crystal Palace before park opening 8:05am
Anna and Elsa 11:10-12:10
SDMT 12:20-1:20
Space Mt 1:55-2:55

March 16: DHS
Frozen Sing-a-long 10-10:15am
Star Tours 11:15-12:15
Toy Story Midway Mania 12:50-1:50
Hoop-de-Doo Review! 6:15pm

March 17 & 18: Universal/ IOA

March 19: AK
Tusker House 8:20am
EE 11:40-12:40
Safari 1:30-2:30
Festival of the Lion King 3:30-3:50
Ohana 8:25pm

March 20: EPCOT
Chef Mickey's 7:05am
Spaceship Earth 9:10-10:10
Test Track 10:40-11:40
Figment 12:15-1:15

March 21: OPEN
Dessert Party at night at MK

March 22: Home


So a bit different from what we were planning before. I have to say.. I HATE this new FP+ process. Getting up at midnight was a pain, and I was so excited thinking about Disney that of course I couldn't fall back asleep. I am also the kind of person who likes to wake up and go to which ever park I feel like. I usually check the waits and see what isn't too bad and go there.

Sken voiced these same concerns last night. He also wants a day or two where we don't have any plans and just get to hang around and relax.

We have the hopper and I tried to get all the FP+ in the morning/early afternoon so that we could also go back to the hotel and swim/crash before going back out at night so hopefully that works too. Sken also wants me to try to add T-Rex one night so I will have to see if I can get a reservation there too!


I also did the online check in yesterday. That was quick and easy and I requested a corner room and early check-in so hopefully we will get those!!

So what I think I have left is:
Payment in Full in two weeks
Try to get a BOG FP for lunch
More Mickey mail including our Magic bands.

Am I forgetting anything??

Sorry for the novel.. but YAY for huge Disney updates!! 59 more days!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

WOW! slam packed planning going on here!!!
I am so excited to hear how you like the Dessert party. I would do it again in a minute.

Crystal Palace.. I NEED to do this one year!!!! 59 days!!! well it's 58 right??

I do adore the paper book!!!!

 

[KatMark]

Love the book, Casey.

You did awesome on your ADR's and fastpasses selections. I'm so happy you'll get to walk on to an empty Main Street for your CP ADR.

 

[Sisa]

That book is AWESOME!!! Really neat!!!

8 degrees...I'd die. Looks like some awesome seats!

Hooray for Mickey mail, I can't wait to receive some!

Nice shoes and great gift idea!

Bummer on having to take back both Mickey shirts, but at least he agreed to get one!

Love your Olaf tank, SO want one! The Lion King one is really cute too, good choices!

Your schedule looks great! You're so close!

 

[CaseFace5]

WOW! slam packed planning going on here!!!
I am so excited to hear how you like the Dessert party. I would do it again in a minute.

Crystal Palace.. I NEED to do this one year!!!! 59 days!!! well it's 58 right??

I do adore the paper book!!!!

Thanks Mo! I'm very excited for the Dessert Party! I think it's a great way to end the vacation!!

In 2013 we did CRT before park opening and OMG it is beyond words being on an empty Main Street!! And I love the food and characters at CP so I'm looking forward to this one too!

Love the book, Casey.

You did awesome on your ADR's and fastpasses selections. I'm so happy you'll get to walk on to an empty Main Street for your CP ADR.

Thanks! Haven't made any changes yet, but that's not to say I won't! LOL.

That book is AWESOME!!! Really neat!!!

8 degrees...I'd die. Looks like some awesome seats!

Hooray for Mickey mail, I can't wait to receive some!

Nice shoes and great gift idea!

Bummer on having to take back both Mickey shirts, but at least he agreed to get one!

Love your Olaf tank, SO want one! The Lion King one is really cute too, good choices!

Your schedule looks great! You're so close!

Thanks! I thought it was so cool! We're getting so close (52 days) but it still feels like it's so far away! Hopefully the time flies by!

******************************


So I just had to write a complaint letter to WDW Guest Services

In October I called to apply a March discount and that was when I switched from POFQ to POR. In December they released another discount so I called and they applied that, and told me I would be saving $250. Well when I got the confirmation letter, my total package price went up $50, not down.

I called last week and the CM that I spoke to told me that the man I spoke to in December applied the new discount, and it made the package more. He did not tell me this and instead told me I would be saving money, when I did not. So the CM last week adjusted back to my first discount and brought the price back down.

I am very disappointed in this. I am perturbed that I would be told one thing and the complete opposite would happen. And if I was calling for a discount, why would they process something that would make my package more?!

So we shall see if anyone writes back. I hate to be that person but this whole thing bugs me because if I didn't call to inquire, I would have been paying more while thinking I was saving a pretty significant amount.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Oh i am so sorry you had bad information.

As always with Disney there is a LOT of bad information going on.. I too called the other day and one CM gave me some odd information, thankfully i knew better and called again, and again until i spoke with a CM i felt comfortable with!
This happens so often I feel horrible for the new people trying to make a magical trip and is told bad information!!! I don't know where they are getting their new people on the phone?!?!?!

 

[KatMark]

I have come to learn that a lot of the CM's that work in reservations just do NOT know their jobs very well and are messing up on a consistent basis.

I hope you hear back and that they are able to do something.

 

[ursalita]

Hi Neighbor! Your trip sounds really fun.

I love your puppy! We also adopted a new puppy last year. She's 1/2 yellow lab and 1/2 Great Pyrenees. A pyrador or a labrenees if you're into those designer names.

I love the Olaf costume. We did a lot of costume shopping this year but I never saw that. Very cute!

It's certainly frustrating when you call Disney a bunch of times, put all your info into the automated system, repeat it all again, and to top it all off get incorrect information. I don't blame you for writing the letter.

On the positive side you are so close you're almost there!!

 

[francis6306]

Christmas stuff looked great!

I'm SO sorry about your cheer kid's mom. What an amazing "framily" her cheer team is for her though! You certainly know how to show her love and 'Ohana!

I am ONLY a Pats fan for JimmyG!! He played at EIU where my husband works currently. Good kid- I hope that he gets some play time during the Super Bowl!!!

(NOTE: All of these are subject to change!)

March 13: MK
Arrive around 10am at MCO, take ME to POR.
Space Mt 12:30-1:30
SDMT 2:05-3:05
Splash 4:05-5:05
Planet Hollywood 7PM ADR.
(We might not even get to use any of these, they are just a safeguard)

March 14: EPCOT
Mission Space 11:20-12:20 (Sken's pick)
Spaceship Earth 12:55-1:55 (Who knows if we will even need this)
Soarin 2:30-3:30

March 15: MK
Crystal Palace before park opening 8:05am
Anna and Elsa 11:10-12:10
SDMT 12:20-1:20
Space Mt 1:55-2:55

March 16: DHS
Frozen Sing-a-long 10-10:15am
Star Tours 11:15-12:15
Toy Story Midway Mania 12:50-1:50
Hoop-de-Doo Review! 6:15pm

March 17 & 18: Universal/ IOA

March 19: AK
Tusker House 8:20am
EE 11:40-12:40
Safari 1:30-2:30
Festival of the Lion King 3:30-3:50
Ohana 8:25pm

March 20: EPCOT
Chef Mickey's 7:05am
Spaceship Earth 9:10-10:10
Test Track 10:40-11:40
Figment 12:15-1:15

March 21: OPEN
Dessert Party at night at MK

March 22: Home

OMG! I can't wait to share my plans! I'll just say this... I think we will have a DISMEET for sure!

T


So I just had to write a complaint letter to WDW Guest Services

In October I called to apply a March discount and that was when I switched from POFQ to POR. In December they released another discount so I called and they applied that, and told me I would be saving $250. Well when I got the confirmation letter, my total package price went up $50, not down.

I called last week and the CM that I spoke to told me that the man I spoke to in December applied the new discount, and it made the package more. He did not tell me this and instead told me I would be saving money, when I did not. So the CM last week adjusted back to my first discount and brought the price back down.

I am very disappointed in this. I am perturbed that I would be told one thing and the complete opposite would happen. And if I was calling for a discount, why would they process something that would make my package more?!

So we shall see if anyone writes back. I hate to be that person but this whole thing bugs me because if I didn't call to inquire, I would have been paying more while thinking I was saving a pretty significant amount.

I certainly hope that your message is returned! I had an issue with a CM over the phone once, and I will just say that I ended up with a little Pixie Dust at check in. Hopefully Disney will take care of you the way they took care of my issue!

 

[CaseFace5]

Oh i am so sorry you had bad information.

As always with Disney there is a LOT of bad information going on.. I too called the other day and one CM gave me some odd information, thankfully i knew better and called again, and again until i spoke with a CM i felt comfortable with!
This happens so often I feel horrible for the new people trying to make a magical trip and is told bad information!!! I don't know where they are getting their new people on the phone?!?!?!

Thanks. I get that everyone there might not know everything, and that no matter how magical a company is there are bound to be mistakes, but it wasn't like I called asking for how many table service credits I get, or something silly like where I can buy a souvenir. It just really struck a nerve that I was told I was saving money and instead was charged more.

I have come to learn that a lot of the CM's that work in reservations just do NOT know their jobs very well and are messing up on a consistent basis.

I hope you hear back and that they are able to do something.

Thanks. So far nothing but the reply email said 72 hours.

Hi Neighbor! Your trip sounds really fun.

I love your puppy! We also adopted a new puppy last year. She's 1/2 yellow lab and 1/2 Great Pyrenees. A pyrador or a labrenees if you're into those designer names.

I love the Olaf costume. We did a lot of costume shopping this year but I never saw that. Very cute!

It's certainly frustrating when you call Disney a bunch of times, put all your info into the automated system, repeat it all again, and to top it all off get incorrect information. I don't blame you for writing the letter.

On the positive side you are so close you're almost there!!

Thanks! My family has had 2 black labs, and a chocolate lab, so getting a lab was what we knew we wanted when looking. Tess is such a handful, but we couldn't love her any more than we do!

The Olaf costume I found off Amazon! It came pretty quickly too.

Yes it is frustrating! Like I said to Mo above, I'm just not feeling right about it.

Christmas stuff looked great!

I'm SO sorry about your cheer kid's mom. What an amazing "framily" her cheer team is for her though! You certainly know how to show her love and 'Ohana!

I am ONLY a Pats fan for JimmyG!! He played at EIU where my husband works currently. Good kid- I hope that he gets some play time during the Super Bowl!!!



OMG! I can't wait to share my plans! I'll just say this... I think we will have a DISMEET for sure!



I certainly hope that your message is returned! I had an issue with a CM over the phone once, and I will just say that I ended up with a little Pixie Dust at check in. Hopefully Disney will take care of you the way they took care of my issue!

Thank you! Yes our "Framily" is great and I miss those kids so much now because it's our off season!

I'm such a home town sports girl! Pats, B's, and Sox are and will always be my teams! I was even one to watch the Sox before they won the World Series after hundreds of years! LOL.

I can't wait to read your shared plans! I would LOVE to have a DIS meet!! I have yet to have one to date and it would be so exciting!!

Thanks me too. They said 72 hours so I have to give it some more time as it's only been 24.





*********************
Work is so slow this week.. I wish the weekend would get here soon because we have some big stuff coming up that is sure to pass the time to Disney!!

Friday my mom and I are going into town to see Garth Brooks! It was her Christmas present from me!

Next weekend we are going to see Blue Man Group with my parents, as they gifted us that for Christmas. Also the Superbowl where we can watch the Pats kick some Seahawk butt!!

The following week we are going up to New Hampshire for the weekend. Sken and I don't ski but we can tube at the place so we will be doing that.

The weekend after that is Frozen on Ice!! Oh and Valentines day, LOL.

After that point we will be about a month away and should start getting the final Mickey Mail and start packing! I can't wait!

Hope you all have a good rest of the week and weekend!!

 

[KatMark]

*********************
Work is so slow this week.. I wish the weekend would get here soon because we have some big stuff coming up that is sure to pass the time to Disney!!
I've been thinking the same thing and we were off Monday.

Friday my mom and I are going into town to see Garth Brooks! It was her Christmas present from me!

Andy saw him three times in Chicago; great show! Have fun.

Next weekend we are going to see Blue Man Group with my parents, as they gifted us that for Christmas. Also the Superbowl where we can watch the Pats kick some Seahawk butt!!

I have never seen Blue Man Group. I won't be watching the SB.

The following week we are going up to New Hampshire for the weekend. Sken and I don't ski but we can tube at the place so we will be doing that.

Sounds liek fun; I don't ski either (Mark used to a very long time ago).

The weekend after that is Frozen on Ice!! Oh and Valentines day, LOL.

I think this just so sweet of Sken.

After that point we will be about a month away and should start getting the final Mickey Mail and start packing! I can't wait!

Hope you all have a good rest of the week and weekend!!

It will be here before you know it.

 

[Chicago Mo]

WOW! your months coming up are action packed! with lots of FUN!!! Blue Man group is lots of fun. We are skipping the Disney on ice this year. sadly So i can't wait to hear all about it!!!

not much longer now!

 

[CaseFace5]

I got an email back from Disney.. saying that there is another department that can better assist me and I will hear from that department in 10 days. So the wait continues. I think this is good, but we shall see.

 

[Chicago Mo]

I got an email back from Disney.. saying that there is another department that can better assist me and I will hear from that department in 10 days. So the wait continues. I think this is good, but we shall see.

I am really interested to see what they say...

 

[Sisa]

Ooh a Garth concert, super jealous!

I hope you get pics of the Disney on Ice! I'm sure it'll be amazing!

Oh and sorry but not sorry.....GO HAWKS!!!!!

 

[francis6306]

Thank you! Yes our "Framily" is great and I miss those kids so much now because it's our off season!

I'm such a home town sports girl! Pats, B's, and Sox are and will always be my teams! I was even one to watch the Sox before they won the World Series after hundreds of years! LOL.

I can't wait to read your shared plans! I would LOVE to have a DIS meet!! I have yet to have one to date and it would be so exciting!!

Thanks me too. They said 72 hours so I have to give it some more time as it's only been 24.

My husband is a big Cubs fan, and then we love the Colts/Broncos. We love sports! LOL

 

[CaseFace5]

Howdy

Sorry I have been away a few days.. more on that later.

I am happy to report that we are



away from our trip. This also means we are:

PAID IN FULL!

LET THE DANCING COMMENCE!

And my favorite

YAY!!!

So now all that we have left for the trip is getting the BOG FP+ at 28 days out, and getting all our Mickey mail! Oh and we have to start packing!

***********************************
On a life update:

The reason that I haven't been on in a few days is because we got hit with a major Blizzard! Juno! It's hard to tell exactly how much snow we got because there were crazy drifts, but they think it was 30 inches. This is my back yard, you can kind of tell where the drifts were.



There is a deck under that table..





The snow is about half way up our fence! There was someone in our house that was very excited about the snow days! She was happy to have mommy home for two days, daddy home for one, and to play in the snow!!





We surprisingly did not lose power. We are also in for more snow this weekend so we might not see the grass again before we go to Disney

************************
I also wanted to share some pictures from the Garth Brooks concert with Mom! Just a little back story on this.. When I was younger I hated country music, but my mom loved it. The only artist that I would listen to with her was Garth.

He has a song called "The Dance". In the song he talks about a dance he had with a woman who he loved. It was the greatest dance of his life. He and the woman went through a huge break-up that caused a lot of pain, and he talks about how even if he knew about the heartache and pain, he would do it all again just to have the dance. Well this is my mom's song to me. Her and my father divorced when I was 6 months old. It was never meant to be and she was very much heartbroken and hurt. However she says she would do it all again to have me, her "dance." So of course when he sang this song, we hugged and cried. I'm tearing up just writing this out..

So here are some pictures of our night. Some are blurry, it's hard to take on my phone but I think you will get the gist.







And Trisha Yearwood!





Proof that we were there..





Ahh that's better!

Here are two videos from that night too. No clue which song they are as I am at work and can't put the sound on..





It was such an amazing show!!! I wish I could it live it over again a million times!

*********************
And to end things off.. I present you my latest craft project! Not the greatest, but I like it! I think it came out pretty good and can't wait to try another one for a different season!



That's it folks! Hopefully after this weekend I will be back gloating about the Patriots Superbowl Win! And I will also have some pictures from Blue Man Group!

See ya real soon!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Oh My your Puppy is just WAY TOO CUTE! Love the pictures of her looking at you! and WOW you have a HUGE YARD!

YIPPEE on 43 Days!!!! i cannot wait for you!!!

I have a friend in Maine, she is escaping to FL too! (Not disney )

I pray for good weather!!!