TheNeverEndingPTR! Sept2010...no, November...WAIT! January?Ugh. maybe September 2011!

[lexmas]

That picture is beautiful! I hope you had a wonderful mother's day!

I'm sorry to hear that things aren't looking too positive for your trip. I hope that things can turn around and catch up and that you can go anyway. I won't give up hope for you until you have to cancel!

 

[donaldsgal]

The picture is great! I'm glad you enjoyed Mother's Day!

I'm sorry about your trip. It's tough to have to let go of vacations, but I like Hope's 10/10/10 rule. I also think Hope is a great friend, which tells me you've been a great friend to her! I'm hoping your trip still happens, but I think your positive attitude will carry you through.

Jenny

 

[Charlefours]

Happy Mother's Day!! Sorry it is late wishes, but life has gotten in the way of DISing.

I hope you will think about changing your dates rather than canceling all together but I know you will do what is best for your family! I wish that they had not screwed you over.

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm sorry Karen. That's SO frustrating. We're trying to catch up financially and it's frustrating. I'm on the Dave Ramsey plan. Everyone laughs at me at work when I bring my lunch every day and obsess about cutting coupons but I'm happy to be doing it! We're luckier than most because we both have job security but we still have lots of debt to pay off.
I hope things improve for you!!!

Amanda

 

[BabyEeyore]

That is such a nice picture of your kids. I am so sorry things are looking down, but I'm still crossing my fingers that everything will work out for you!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Thanks Everyone!

So, who has gone in November? I'm asking b/c I saw mention that pin codes are going out for free dining extended into October/November and IF I can get one or they release to the GP, we might postpone the trip. I really don't want to, I get sad every time I think of the plans that Hope and I have made together, but I need to be realistic and I'm just not sure I can get the money together AND get caught up on all our bills by August 11th (45 days out).

There's no way we can swing it unless I get the dining pin or they release FD to the public, but the weather would be nicer and it would be fun to see the xmas decorations when both times we have gone it has been fall decorations.

Just thinking aloud here, but if anyone has gone in November, let me know what you think.

 

[DrMomof3]

I've heard that November is great! Seriously great!

Amanda

 

[Charlefours]

Sorry, I cannot answer your question about November personally but from what I have read and heard, it is beautiful in November. Hoping for pixie dust for you!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

A little seed is planted, but I'm struggling with making it grow. I'm working on a plan for pushing the trip off to November, but I'm having a hard time getting excited about it. I put so much planning and excitement into the trip with Hope and it just doesn't seem right. Sigh.

BUT, pushing it off might make a trip possible this year, which needs to be the goal. Those GAD passes will NOT go unused! I am so excited about non-stressed touring with those puppies, I want to use them.

So, the trip I have priced is based SOLELY on free quick service dining. We either have to get a pin or they have to release it for the GP during Oct-Dec. I have a hunch they will b/c they are already sending out pin codes for FD during that period already, but we will have to see. If they don't, this whole thing is in the toilet.

The trip would have to be cut by a day and it will still be 100$ more, at least for us. The reason is that Savannah turns 10 in October! So, I will be paying more for her tickets. I also cannot make it work without hoppers. I want to see the Osbourne lights, Christmas party, and regular Spectro/Wishes and there's just no way to make that work (in my world of best days for each park) without hoppers. We would get a regular room and M.A. would as well (luckily no added expense for her), she has agreed to switching the trip as well. This is no surprise and I suspect she's doing a happy dance b/c she really would prefer seeing the Christmas decorations (again) instead of Halloween stuff. I admit, that's the only reason it's a little exciting, since the only 2 trips I have had were in the fall. This will be new! yet, sigh...

Our final payment would be due on Sept. 28th...how depressing that Hope will be AT WDW and I'll still be 45 days out. I'll get over it, but having the extra time to get the money together for this trip to happen will make all the difference.

I had real issue with the dates b/c of Jersey Week and needing to be back no later than the 19th b/c my clients start going out of town for Thanksgiving and that is my busiest time of year. It would SEEM that the best time would be the week of Veterans Day (8th-14th), BUT, I have a hunch that this week will be busy. Veteran's Day falls on a Thursday and I've seen DISers talking about kids being off school for Thursday AND Friday that week. It is also the last weekend for Food & Wine. Call me crazy, but I just know it will be a busy week/weekend.

Problem is, I can't go much later b/c I need to be back by the 19th (and we're driving, which takes more time). So, I scheduled our arrival at the end of that week and hopefully I have picked days that won't be too crazy that weekend. I suspect Monday the 15th everything will drop off and the remainder of our trip will be quieter.

So here's a tentative plan:
Thurs. Nov. 11 (Veteran's Day)
leave here, drive and stop in Atlanta overnight

Fri. Nov. 12
Arrive and check in
swim or pop over to MK just for an hour or so (it's a party night) just to get our MK-fix!
DTD for dinner at Wolfgang Puck
maybe Rainforest Cafe for a VOLCANO and drinks

Sat. Nov. 13
AM EMH DHS-RD (normally wouldn't do this, but we'll have our GAD passes and it's the best choice for this Saturday that I think will be the busiest day of the trip! EP and MK will be a madhouse)
PM-hop to MK for Spectro/Wishes (this is also a PM EMH, so it will be busy!)

Sun. Nov. 14
AK-RD (GAD passes)
OOP lunch at Tusker House
stay until we're ready to go
evening-Pepper Market at CSR for dinner

Mon. Nov 15th
EP future World (GAD passes)
Sunshine Seasons lunch
Kim Possible (sigh...without Hope and Kya. BOO.)
evening-DTD for dinner at Earl of Sandwich (I kind of have to travel around a bit for CS meals that we can eat b/c of our dietary choices)
then hop to DHS for Osborne Lights (it's PM EMH)

Tues. Nov 16th
MK-RD (GAD passes)
rest mid-day
MVMCP that night!

Wed. Nov 17th
sleep in from party
DTD/POFQ for lunch at Sassagoula
EP World showcase for afternoon/evening
Illuminations

Thurs. Nov. 18th
CS breakfast at ASMU
fill up mugs/get leftover snack credits
leave for home

not sure if we will drive through or stop on the way back??

Meh, so I'm trying to get excited about it but I'm not quite there yet. I'm sure I will love the Christmas decorations and the boys will enjoy the weather more than hot September. It gives me more time to come up with money...but...but

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Karen, your plans sound great!!! I've been in December, so I know how pretty everything is all decorated for Christmas!! And I absolutely LOVED the MVMCP!! Whatever you end up doing will be wonderful!! You'll see!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

I think your plan sounds great!!!! Seriously. Yes, the holiday weekend will be a little busier but it's nothing like going mid-July. And the weather should be lovely.

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

I'm excited and happy that you're finding a way to make your trip happen! I admit that is disappointing that we won't be going at the same time but that just means we're going to have to plan another trip together sometime when things are looking up in your world! Just think of how much fun we've had planning this trip- that isn't wasted just because we won't be going at the same time and now we have an excuse to plan something else in the future!

I think the plans look great and even if it does turn out to be a little busier you have those GAD passes so you'll be fine! And hoppers will mean you can just go to green parks (except for Spectro/Wishes but those are going to be busy no matter what). I am crossing my fingers and sending good thoughts your way for you to get that pin code soon!

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Nope. Won't. Uh-uh. Go when it's cooler? Never. Go for MVMCP? No way! You can't make me.


HA! Bella and I LOVE the lights, music and magic of the holidays. We're in. But then you already knew that.


M.A.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Well, that just sounds great!!!! I know you'd rather go in october with Hope, but yes, this is much better than a trip not happening. And yes, i'm sure it will be so pretty. I'd love to go one year and see the christmas decorations too.

I HOPE YOU GET A PINCODE SOOOOOOOOON!!!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

It's Official, I changed my ticker!!!!

Ok, that is the LAST of my complaining about moving the trip. Hope knows I love her and wish I could go with her, but I have to stop with the regret and get excited about the trip will are capable of taking! So, onward and upward!!!!

I'm going to see the Christmas decorations at WDW when I never thought I would get that opportunity!!!

I'm a petsitter and my busiest time is the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, so I never thought I would get the opportunity, but squeezing the trip in right before Thanksgiving made it possible!

So, we will need to change our reservations, although I was holding out hope a bit here that we would get a pin before doing that, but I guess there's no harm in making the reservations and then adding a pin or GP code if they release it!

Hey! TOMORROW I get to make ADR's! Dejavu.

 

[lexmas]

Whew, gmail stopped processing my disboards mail, and here you are, changing dates! I'm glad that you're working something out! Heck, I'm jealous about November, I'd love to go to MVMCP and see WDW all decorated! I think that sounds amazing!

Glad you've got your WDW planning back in swing, can't wait to hear all of your new plans. I hope you get all your ADR's!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Whew, gmail stopped processing my disboards mail, and here you are, changing dates! I'm glad that you're working something out! Heck, I'm jealous about November, I'd love to go to MVMCP and see WDW all decorated! I think that sounds amazing!

Glad you've got your WDW planning back in swing, can't wait to hear all of your new plans. I hope you get all your ADR's!

I'm sure I'll get them, I'm only making a couple! We're wanting the Quick Service plan, so only an OOP meal at Tusker House and Rainforest Cafe, I think.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I'm sure I'll get them, I'm only making a couple! We're wanting the Quick Service plan, so only an OOP meal at Tusker House and Rainforest Cafe, I think.

You never know. I might be able to squeeze a few bucks out of my budget (since I have nearly two extra months to save) for us all to go to our favorite buffet.....

 

[crazyforgoofy]

After all, Karen will do almost all the driving (she likes to keep in control of stuff, in case you haven't noticed) so perhaps I can pitch in dinner at Boma.

 

[donaldsgal]

First, I'm glad you're letting yourself have your feelings about changing the date. As a counselor, I always tell my clients, "Feel what you feel." Forcing yourself to feel happy when you feel sad doesn't work and just makes the sadness more acute. So, good for you.

And secondly, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! You (hopefully) get to go on your trip! You will love all the magic and wonder of Disney at Christmas! It's really a blessing to get to participate in what feels like a pretty major transformation for the holidays. The parks, the resorts, the restaurants... they all get dressed up for the holidays, and it's quite beautiful! And though it might be busy, it won't hold a candle to the week between Christmas and New Year's (I've been during that time, and it's a madhouse but totally doable. We never waited for more than 20 minutes for a ride). Think of the pictures! And the memories! And the opportunities to see Christmas lights at Disney at OFSDL (Osbourne...), on the Castle, and I've got to tell you, the Christmas version of IllumiNations is, IMHO, even better than the regular version. Do you know anything about it? If not, I can tell you unless you don't want it to be spoiled. It really gave me and my family a moment of feeling connected to everyone in the park at that moment, even more so than the regular IllumiNations. I think this could be a fantastic trip, and you'll get to live vicariously through Hope's trip, and she through yours.

Anyway, looking forward to hearing more about your upcoming trip!