THREE for the Price of One -Farewell to a PTR, for now!

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. How scary for all of you. I'm glad you will still be able to go to Disney after working the fuzzy Disney math.

 

[mom2l&t]

fellow Texan!!!

That's so awesome that you're gonna be at the WL at the same time and the same Christmas party!!

What area of Texas are you in??

We are in San Antonio. Been here about 3 years now. We lived in Austin before and absolutely love it there...our fav city!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Soooo....

Would anyone care to guess where our date ADR is booked ???


Winner gets my undying Disney love and devotion.

JIKO! Where else?!?! Make sure to request Shelly!

That is fantastic news about your sister! What a great relief. I'll say a prayer that her recovery is smooth sailing!

Happy 4th!

 

[gellybean]

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. How scary for all of you. I'm glad you will still be able to go to Disney after working the fuzzy Disney math.

Thank you!! I was glad I figured it out too, but it seems like Mom'll be able to go!!

We are in San Antonio. Been here about 3 years now. We lived in Austin before and absolutely love it there...our fav city!

You're really close!! My brother lives in SA. Just opened up a restaurant there actually!!
I love love love Austin!!! My fave by far!

JIKO! Where else?!?! Make sure to request Shelly!

That is fantastic news about your sister! What a great relief. I'll say a prayer that her recovery is smooth sailing!

Happy 4th!

Oh Shelly. How I missed you last year! *sigh* We were lucky enough to have her the first year but she was off last year.

Jiko!!! Alas, we will not be dining there this time. We decided to try something new.! GASP! SHOCK HORROR ! I know.

Happy 4th to you and your cute family!! I'm soooooooo loving your adventure tales on your blog. So jealous. I daydream of moving to NYC! I know you're having the time of your lives!!

Thank you for the prayers!!


Sister update:

She has a small set back this weekend and ended up back in the hospital. They managed to get the bleeding stopped and sent her back home, again. So all is well. The good news is her blood levels are where they need to be so she's off the shots and just taking the pill form of the anticoagulants. She was very happy about the lack of shot part!

Thank you all for your well wishes!!

PTR update:

Soooooooooo I've been doing some more fuzzy Disney math.

We're looking at adding the REGULAR dining plan. (never again Deluxe!) We really weren't even thinking of it as a possibility because of how my mom eats... very little and very a la carte. She'd most likely share off of me which is a no no for DDP. But she could share with Jack Jack and that's perfectly legit since he's under 3. The other issue was mine and Mr. I's date night at a Signature restaurant. Our credits just wouldn't all line up. Mom would only need 3 TS credits whereas Mr. I and I would need 5.

So I got to thinking.....




And called the DDP gurus at Disney and asked if the credits all go into a bucket for everyone in our room to use or if they are attached to each person's KTTW card. What gave me the idea was when my MIL checked in last year, mid trip, and we were charged a dining credit for her at France even though we'd never paid for the DDP for her. But since she was on our room, it just deducted from the total number of credits left. Hmmmm.

I was told that the credits would be divided by type and put into a 'bucket'. For example, 4 nights @ 3 adults + 1 kid would be 12 TS adult, 4 TS child, 12 QS adult, and 4 QS child and 16 snack credits.



And since they track per room not per person, there's no issue. So my mom is gonna order off plan for our LTT lunch and get a salad or soup or something light, which is what she's rather do anyway, and we'll have an extra TS credit from that plus an extra TS credit from her not going on our date, so 2 extra Credits!!

I still have to actually run the numbers to make sure this will save us money but I don't see how it won't!

I also asked about switching to a package... if we'd lose mom's ap rate and would we have to buy her a 1 day ticket. They said no, we could add DDP to a AP room and not have to buy any tickets at all. This is good because she doesn't need a ticket and it also gives my family of 4 the flexibility to buy a 2 day pass or a no day pass if we decide the weather is too miserable, etc.

And now for the great reveal....


DAY 4 Itinerary - DTD day
Sleep in-ish. Light snack for breakfast @ Cap'n Cooks or DTD. Have never had breakfast at Wolf Gang Pucks. If we can get over there early enough, would love to try it.

Light lunch at T-Rex cafe @ 1:30. I know this isn't on DDP and if we end up buying DDP we'll prolly just do appetizers at T-Rex and pay OOP so the boys can experience the atmosphere.

Then snack around DTD for the afternoon.

Return to the hotel for an afternoon rest/swim.

Then get ready for our date night!!!!!

At California Grill!!!!!!


(Here's all your love Dugette for guessing right!! )

Just a hop and skip away on a monorail ride and we'll be on our way. Brook it's all your fault. Your December review made me look at Cali Grill again. We're scheduled for 9:05pm with fireworks at MK at 10pm So we should hit it right. This restaurant has always appealed to Mr. I. And I'm sure I'll find plenty to try. Sooooooooooo excited!!

So now I need y'all's help? What do I wear?!!! Same thing I would wear to Jiko or dressier?

After dinner, and fireworks, we may explore the resort some, then head back to Poly. Maybe take a stroll on the beach and walk around Poly s'more.

I'm in the process of teaching my mom how to text better. For anyone that didn't read my 09 TR, I got the following text from my mom on our date night " Allllllllllllllllll is mmmmmmmokkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk."



We'll work on it.

We'll return to the room and get a good night's sleep. The next day is depature day.



Thank you all for reading!! We leave four weeks from YESTERDAY! I never updated my ticker when we bumped our departure back a day!! THREE WEEKS, 6 DAYS!!!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Ooh la la!! California Grill. I'm jealous!! That is going to be a great meal. I've never been so I'm not sure about the dress code thing.

 

[Dugette]

I won! Yahoo!

We loved California Grill when we went last September! It's one of the few places that we're considering going back to later this year. For what it's worth, we had the exact same ADR time that you have. It worked out pretty well. We had asked for a window seat, but didn't get one at first. As we were being seated, and saying that we had wanted a window, someone important must have passed by and he asked us to go back to the waiting area for a few minutes. We were then seated at an excellent window seat. If you don't get a window, they do have an outdoor deck, but we were concerned about standing for a long time, after our busy park day. The view was nice. The fireworks started just as our main courses arrived. Food was good...DH LOVED the Scallops!!! The waiter was very good. The desserts were delicious! And, to answer your question, I wore exactly the same dress to Jiko and CA Grill. I don't recall it being a particularly dressy place, at least not any more so than Jiko. If you want any more details, here's the post in my TR where I cover it (near the end of this post):
CA Grill

Can't believe how soon your trip is coming up!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I think whatever you wore for Jiko would be absolutely fine for California Grill. I saw a guy in shorts and a t-shirt there...they were slightly nicer than your average park getup, but not much! I almost felt overdressed in a nice dress, but certainly not out of place either.

I am certain you two will enjoy it! It's a wonderful meal - everything is very, very tasty!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Good thinking on the dining plan! Works out nicely!

 

[gellybean]

I actually ran the numbers about three different ways and the DDP just isn't gonna work for us this time, even using mom's extra credits for our date night. Who knew! The way mom eats and with the items we'd order off plan, such as an appetizer or cocktail or a meal at a restaurant yet to be disclosed that's not on the plan it's gonna be about a wash but with more flexibility to do it OOP. Just goes to show ya that you should always double check the numbers!!

 

[jenjolt]

I'm finally here!! Even without the bat signal LOL!!! I really need one of those!!!

First of all, sorry to hear about your sister, my mom also has blood clot issues and those are never fun to deal with! Glad she is doing better!!!

I have loved reading your plans and I can't believe how quick your trip is coming!! That is so exciting!!!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I like the flexibility of doing things OOP too...then you don't have to think about credits and only order exactly what you want. I know the DDP works really well for some families though - I just love having access to the prices so we can do our number crunching before we go one way or the other and end up wasting money!

 

[praisehisname]

I'm so excited for you that you're eating at California Grill! I've never been, but it always sounds so delicious!

 

[gellybean]

Tomorrow I can do the single digit dance!!!! YAY!

Things are kinda in the holding pattern as any 10 days before vacation are.

Can't quite pack yet, but it's in the back of my mind.

My sister is home from the hospital. Has been for a week. Longest she's been out since June 23rd. She's had complication after complication. It's been crazy. This has definitely put a strain on my mother and her feelings about going on vacation. I keep waiting for that phone call from my mom telling me she can't go. It's hard to get truly excited about it with that hanging over us, and then I feel ridiculously guilty for thinking this way when my sister is so ill! So that's been hard.

Mom mentioned today that she doesn't know about our December trip. I quickly reminded her how little money it's gonna cost her... her free airfare, her annual pass already paid for, splitting the room with us 3 ways, sharing food the whole time.... so I'm hoping she'll hang on for that one too. We've already bought the VMCP and my understanding is they are non-transferrable. Can anyone confirm this?

So the December part of this PTR is on hold for now. Nothing's been cancelled. I'm hoping once my sister starts feeling better, my mom will be a little less stressed about the whole thing. And I know Edna will need a vakay after this summer. She's an educator and her summer vacation has been eaten up by helping out my sister and keeping her kids. So she'll need the break, for sure!

As of now, we are going to Disney in 10 days! Here's hoping we can hold the straws together a little bit longer to get us on that plan to Florida!!


Day 5 Itinerary - Depart Disney Day
9am ADR at Kona Grill for breakfast. YUM! For all 5 of us.

Mom will transfer her luggage to Pop and we'll say our goodbyes after check out.

As of now we're planning on getting a rental from the Car Care Center and driving to Jacksonville for the second part of our vacation - visiting MIL!

It will depend on how much we got covered at DTD the day before and how long it takes us to get everything packed up and the car picked up etc, to see if we go back by DTD on our way out or if we just get on the road. Part of me wants to kill enough time to grab lunch at WPE on the way out. So that's a possibility.

We'd like to be to Jacksonville by mid afternoon at the latest! My SIL and BIL are flying in that evening around 8:30pm so we'll have lots of family time that weekend!

We will be driving back to Texas Monday after the long weekend with Mr. I's family!

So that's all our plans for this upcoming trip.... for now! As we all know, it can all change.


Thanks for hanging in there and reading with me!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

10 DAYS!!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister though - that is stressful! I hope the week she has been out of the hospital turns into 17 days by Disney Day and your Mom can rest easy.

Don't feel bad about thinking that way while your sister is ill...you've invested a lot in the vacation, money, time, energy! So it's legit. And doesn't make you sound cruel or anything! You have natural concern about it.

I also hope December all works out!!!

 

[gellybean]

My countdown calendar never got changed when we switched from driving to flying down there so it's officially single digits today!




I'm slowly getting excited.... which is so weird, because I'm normally jumping out of my chair at the 99 day mark, and then at the month mark and everything is so carefully mapped out and planned out and packing lists etc.

And this trip is nearly here and I feel so utterly unprepared!!

I need to start getting it in gear!! I guess I was so hesitant to get excited and then have to cancel, that I've just not thought about it too much!

Cautiously optimistic! That's what I am!

I talked to mom again this morning and she's feeling a little less stressed and confirmed that she doesn't really want to cancel Christmas. So for now, we're good. I told her that if she's serious about not going, I'd rather know sooner than later, to stop thinking about it and to recoup our deposits etc. She reassured me, as best as she can knowing full well all heck could break loose between now and then, that she wants to go at Christmas too!

Whew! (for now)

I'm gonna work on writing down all my confirmation numbers on an index card and am slowly getting things done around the house... boxing up stuff for Goodwill, taking inventory of back to school needs etc, because once we get back Dash'll have 14 days before school starts back. This has been a crazy summer!!!!

I plan on being on here daily from now until we leave, updating as the trip takes shape. I also hope to be able to DIS from my phone some while in WDW!

I feel this little glimmer of excitement, that burns a little brighter everyday.

This vacation is so needed, for all parties involved, for all very different reasons. It should be a memorable one! I'm looking back to doing Disney in a more laidback way. Should be a nice change.

Check back in later!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Happy Single Digit Dancing!!!

I know what you mean about how a trip can kinda sneak up on you - that happened to me on a previous trip. Life gets busy and before you know it you have a To Do Before Vacation list that's a mile long! I'm afraid that is what is going to happen to us for September as well...I have gotten almost nothing done and it's just over a month away!

I'll be here dancing with you as your countdown disappears! I am sure it will all come together!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Single Digit Dancin'.............

 

[gellybean]

Ooh la la!! California Grill. I'm jealous!! That is going to be a great meal. I've never been so I'm not sure about the dress code thing.

Awww!! Sorry you are jealous!! I'll have a few bites for you, promise! I hope it's gonna be a great meal too!!!

I won! Yahoo!

We loved California Grill when we went last September! It's one of the few places that we're considering going back to later this year. For what it's worth, we had the exact same ADR time that you have. It worked out pretty well. We had asked for a window seat, but didn't get one at first. As we were being seated, and saying that we had wanted a window, someone important must have passed by and he asked us to go back to the waiting area for a few minutes. We were then seated at an excellent window seat. If you don't get a window, they do have an outdoor deck, but we were concerned about standing for a long time, after our busy park day. The view was nice. The fireworks started just as our main courses arrived. Food was good...DH LOVED the Scallops!!! The waiter was very good. The desserts were delicious! And, to answer your question, I wore exactly the same dress to Jiko and CA Grill. I don't recall it being a particularly dressy place, at least not any more so than Jiko. If you want any more details, here's the post in my TR where I cover it (near the end of this post):
CA Grill

Can't believe how soon your trip is coming up!

I'll have to ask for a window seat when we check in, hadn't thought about that yet. Thanks!

I think the timing will work out ok. Good to know it's not any dressier than Jiko. Haven't even thought about what I'm gonna wear!! UGH! I read the post!! Looks yummy!! Don't know if we're brave enough to order the scallops though... we'll have to see. Right now leaning toward one order of filet and one of pork tenderloin and sharing!

Congrats on winning!!!

I think whatever you wore for Jiko would be absolutely fine for California Grill. I saw a guy in shorts and a t-shirt there...they were slightly nicer than your average park getup, but not much! I almost felt overdressed in a nice dress, but certainly not out of place either.

I am certain you two will enjoy it! It's a wonderful meal - everything is very, very tasty!!!

Thanks for the dress code advice! On one hand it would be nice to dress up a bit, but I don't know. Glad you didn't feel out of place.

I think it'll be good, and I'm looking forward to trying something different. I'll miss Jiko... but know it'll be there for next time! Gotta branch out some!

Good thinking on the dining plan! Works out nicely!

It would have... using mom's credits but somehow I just couldn't get it tweaked enough to make sense. And I'm liking that I don't have to stress over having to order dessert and paying OOP for an app, or just ordering an app as my meal if I wanted to. Flexibility will be nice. I loved DxDP in January but am looking forward to not having to think about credits this time.

I'm finally here!! Even without the bat signal LOL!!! I really need one of those!!!

First of all, sorry to hear about your sister, my mom also has blood clot issues and those are never fun to deal with! Glad she is doing better!!!

I have loved reading your plans and I can't believe how quick your trip is coming!! That is so exciting!!!!!

I love that the Bat signal could be an Austin thing!! Glad you're here Jen!!! Wouldn't be the same without my Austin buddy!!

I like the flexibility of doing things OOP too...then you don't have to think about credits and only order exactly what you want. I know the DDP works really well for some families though - I just love having access to the prices so we can do our number crunching before we go one way or the other and end up wasting money!

Totally agree!! Can you believe our babies are gonna be over 3 soon and need tickets and their own DDP credits?? How is this possible?!

I love love love planning with menu's. Makes planning that much more fun. I think I may have to rerun the numbers today.

I'm so excited for you that you're eating at California Grill! I've never been, but it always sounds so delicious!

Thank you!! I'm getting excited too!!!

Happy Single Digit Dancing!!!

I know what you mean about how a trip can kinda sneak up on you - that happened to me on a previous trip. Life gets busy and before you know it you have a To Do Before Vacation list that's a mile long! I'm afraid that is what is going to happen to us for September as well...I have gotten almost nothing done and it's just over a month away!

I'll be here dancing with you as your countdown disappears! I am sure it will all come together!

Awww thanks Brook!! So glad you're here dancing with me!! I'll be dancing with you tooooooooooooo!!

Single Digit Dancin'.............

thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Happenings:

Mr. Incredible is off today and tomorrow. His last two days before vacation starts. He always has to work crazy(ier) hours the week before we leave to get all his employees time off before they have to work extra hours while he's away. So we need to get a bunch done these two days, as it's the last days we can run errands/do projects together.

But.....my mom is coming into town this afternoon to stay overnight at my sister's house to go to an early morning doctor's appointment tomorrow.

Anddddd..... my mom and sister volunteered to keep the boys overnight tonight so Mr. I and I can go out to dinner and see a movie! Don't have to ask me twice!! Italian food and Inception here we come! Course this means we'll have to work extra hard getting stuff done, but I also work better under pressure anyway!

I think there will be a bunch of list making done today and then we'll get started on packing and running last minute errands and stuff tomorrow.

I'll continue to work on this week as it's NEVER ending. I'm already setting aside some things in a Disney tote (what else??) in the corner of the dining room. Haven't dragged out the suitcase yet but that'll happen soon. I have a lot of travel size stuff left over from the last trips, so I'm gonna take inventory of it and figure out what we still need. Love shopping for little travel items at Target!!!!

Because of our late arrival time, we won't be able to use the yellow ME luggage stickers to send our luggage straight through. The thought of dragging a billion pieces of luggage through the airport at 11:30pm at night with two boys, and a tired mom.... plus a stroller and a car seat.

So I'm going to try to pack as lightly as possible (I'm laughing at myself right now... yeah right!!) BUT I am going to try. Since we'll be spending 3 nights at MIL's house... we can do laundry there and re-wear some of the outfits we wear at Disney. Makes for less luggage needed!


Think that's all for now.... Check back in soon!

 

[brookelizabeth]

It is VERY hard to believe our babies are almost 3! Since we arrive in Disney the day after Henry turns 3, he requires his own AP and we'll have to pay at buffets....it stinks! He is almost 40 inches tall, I'm hoping he reaches it by the time we go so he can ride Soarin'!

Sounds like you are busy, but have things under control. I really gotta get started on a packing list or something myself!

 

[jenjolt]

Single Digit Dancing!!!

You aren't kidding about the summer going by WAY too fast!!! I actually have 3 days of professional development next week and then return to work on the 9th! WOW!!! Although I'm excited to get back into the classroom, I am very nervous too LOL!!!!!

I'm very excited to hear all about your trip!! Can't wait!!