TRIP CANCELLED...The "we're not reeeeally planning a trip" pre-trip report...

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Nina,

Know you've been kept busy, so thought I'd just post to keep the cold black heart of your PTR beating.

Hope everything starts improving on the home front soon!

Hope we get an update soon! Congrats on the saving so far - can you come over and organise my budget pretty please!

Di x

 

[jmskinner]

Hi Nina,

Know you've been kept busy, so thought I'd just post to keep the cold black heart of your PTR beating.

Hope everything starts improving on the home front soon!

Hope we get an update soon! Congrats on the saving so far - can you come over and organise my budget pretty please!

Di x

I need that help also!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Just keeping it going!!!

Di x

 

[rottiemom]

Hi Di & JM, I love you guys . Thanks for keeping some life flowing in this thing when I was basically just being ostrich like & avoiding it. But like a lush to a glowtini, I just can't stay away .

What with financial, familial & neighborhood craziness I just wasn't feeling this trip. I kept thinking that even though I managed to save most of the $ I should cancel anyway because...well, just because. You know, why spend money on fun if you can save it in case of emergency. Plus the guilts over taking my little guy out of school for 3 days for the trip. Yeah. We have half day K, 2/12 hours only each day & I'm torn up over pulling him out.

BUT...today was ADR day! Wow, did I have to do penance for my time away from my PTR . Where last year for my maiden voyage I was able to get everything that I wanted at close to the times that I wanted this year was pretty much just "no no no" right across the board .

So, while I still haven't booked the flights (we've got time, right?) today was 90 days out. I had my schedule pencilled up & I was ready.

So I get to my desk at 7:05AM and fire up the phone. An estimated 30 minute wait vs my 5 minute wait last year. So I sit on hold. And I remember that they now have online reservations. So I start playing around with them while I kill time on hold.

1st off- Coral Reef. No way, no how, not today baby. But online shows me that I can get Garden Grill at 5:50 PM. It sounds like a good backup plan. My better half really wants coral reef but if we can't get it the little guy will be delighted with Chip & Dale at GG. Besides, maybe the CM on the phone could work some magic (if they ever got me off of hold).

I had thought about Chef Mickey's for our second day but apparantly so had every single other person going to WDW because it was booked solid until something like 10PM . Ugh. Trying to find a slot for HDDR during one of our evenings...nothing available before 9:30PM. Ick.

Finally, a warm body picks up the phone! I ask for coral reef on 9/23- nothing. OK, so how about garden grove? Nothing. WHAT?! But the online reservations show that it's available! No.

OK. Deep breath. We'll come back to it. How about CM's on Thursday? No no no, a thousand times no, we'll teach you to abandon your PTR, missy!

I realized that I had just wasted about 40 minutes on hold (good thing I never use my cel minutes) only to get no joy so I thanked the CM & told her I'd have to re-think my plan & call back.

So I went back to the online reservations. GG was still there for the taking on our 1st day. I took it. While the online reservation system was a bit of a pain it would have saved me a ton of time & aggravation if I had done it in the first place. And while I didn't get all of the wheres & whens I did get most of them. I'm still in need of...something for Sunday nite. But here's how we're shaping up:

9/23-arrival. Garden Grill/grove/whatever with Chip & Dale- 5:50PM
9/24- either MK or DHS (let the little guy decide)- Boma 4:35*
9/25- MNSSHP, it's an all counter service day (AK in the AM)
9/26- Chef Mickey's 7:35
9/27- ????

To elaborate- *by happy accident we ended up with 4:30 ADRs for Boma last year. This ended up to be the best way to do Boma. It was the first seating, there were no lines. We filled our plates leisurely, ate & when we got up for 2nds & dessert we were able to deal with the lines and not be out of our minds with hunger while doing so. So we had plenty of time to pick & choose, then enjoy what we chose. And since it wasn't busy we had no problem getting our drinks. It was getting loud & crazy by the time we left but...well, we were leaving. And after that early dinner we can head back to whatever park we were at earlier that day (or back to the hotel to sink in the pool)

As for the weekend (9/26 & 9/27). I really want to fit in a trip to seaworld. It will likely be Saturday since Sunday is the day before we go home & I'd like that to be an "easy" day, with a park onsite. If we manage to get to seaworld on Saturday then a late-ish dinner at CM will be perfect since we'll be coming back to the TTC anyway. Like I could have gotten anything earlier at CM !

Now Sunday...Sunday is whatever park the little guy desires. I had originally planned for HDDR on Sunday...except that seats were only available for 9:30 (good luck keeping him awake). I don't know WHAT to do on Sunday for our sit down meal. Here we'll be with 2 TS each & us going home early the next day. My heart says Flying Fish but that's bound to be dull as dishwater for the little guy.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Anybody want to hurl rotten tomatoes at me for leaving you hanging for so long?

 

[inkedupmomma]

KEEP calling back! seriously, persistence pays off. Also, I am surprised you had such a hard time getting adr's! I had soo many ADR's with big numbers and had hardly any trouble, I even got Le Cellier! So like I said, KEEP calling!! Good luck hun!

 

[rottiemom]

KEEP calling back! seriously, persistence pays off. Also, I am surprised you had such a hard time getting adr's! I had soo many ADR's with big numbers and had hardly any trouble, I even got Le Cellier! So like I said, KEEP calling!! Good luck hun!

I appreciate the advice. Gotta tell ya, I was shocked. Last year I made my ADRS about 3 months out with no problems. It's not like I was trying for anything incredibly special. But what boggled my mind was the fact that the CR wasn't turning up any of the stuff that was showing as available online.

Looks like we're just going to miss you & your crew so it's not like I can blame you for snagging all of the good ADRs before me .

I'll try again...again...and then at the 45 day cancellation mark. I'd really like to score Coral Reef for my better half. The problem is that it's a short trip so we don't have a huge amount of flexibility. But I'll keep trying!

 

[jmskinner]

As previously posted, just keep trying. I saw someone actually got CRT with the online and they are going in July, just next month so you never know. I tried to get WCC on my birthday, but the only opening is 8:40pm and we would still have the drive home and DH would have to work the next day. That won't work.

What about Crystal Palace at MK or the character meal at DHS, sorry don't know what it is called.

that you get what you want!

 

[rottiemom]

Hi JM!

As previously posted, just keep trying. I saw someone actually got CRT with the online and they are going in July, just next month so you never know. I tried to get WCC on my birthday, but the only opening is 8:40pm and we would still have the drive home and DH would have to work the next day. That won't work.

Ick. I hope you can manage to get WCC at a decent time for your b'day! With dinner at 8:40 I'd be too tired for cake.

What about Crystal Palace at MK or the character meal at DHS, sorry don't know what it is called.

I hadn't thought about crystal palace. Hmm. I just don't want to push my luck with my better half too much. He can only take so much magic . But maybe, if the little guy wants to go back to MK for the last day. Crystal Palace is Pooh & friends, right? Let me check it out.

I always confuse Crystal Palace with Cinderella's Royal Table so of course I'm reading this & thinking "but my son doesn't care about meeting Cinderella" .

The character meal at DHS isn't anything that William would really be into anyway. Jojo & Goliath...I don't think he even knows who they are. I know that I don't . He's more excited to see the power rangers .

that you get what you want!

right back at ya for your birthday .

The more I think about it, though...even though Flying Fish isn't a "fun" place, it is right on the boardwalk. It might be a nice way to wind down.
My head already hurts from changing all of my plans on the fly .

Thanks for not giving up on me!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

OK, that's the rotten tomatoes thrown......on with the programme.

Hi Nina!!!

Glad to see you're still with us, but I know exactly how you feel with the cancellation jitters - but Disney will give you a major boost!

On the ADRs!!!!! I can't believe you had so much hassle!!!??? I hope that's not going to be an ongoing problem, but as has been said - keep trying, cancellations always come up (after all there was a whole 14 days of ADRs suddenly became available for a family of 4 last September!)

Some suggestions....... Biergarten is always good, for kids as well as adults. Our 2 had a blast up dancing to the Oompa band. And DH enjoyed the litre of beer!

WCC is good for kids as well and full of Disney magic, but without the overdose of characters and pixie dust. Sci-fi Cafe at DHS, Yak&Yeti - of course, can't NOT mention that!

How about the T Rex restaurant at DTD?, I think it also has the build a dino place.

There's lots more but my brain has currently ceased to function, but when it starts working again I'll get back to you.

Di x

 

[rottiemom]

Glad to see you're still with us, but I know exactly how you feel with the cancellation jitters - but Disney will give you a major boost!

I'm relieved that you still love me . That's been part of the reason I've held off on booking the flights. OK, prices, but also once the flight is booked we're really doing this. Which the moment is what most people on these boards crave, right?! What's wrong with me? (don't answer...we'll run out of room).

On the ADRs!!!!! I can't believe you had so much hassle!!!??? I hope that's not going to be an ongoing problem, but as has been said - keep trying, cancellations always come up (after all there was a whole 14 days of ADRs suddenly became available for a family of 4 last September!)

I can almost understand the character meals. I knew that Chef Mickey's was a popular one. But what is up with Coral Reef not being available at all?!
That's right, you did have to do the spur of the moment ADRS last year after your trip was suddenly, violently & horribly rescheduled .

Some suggestions....... Biergarten is always good, for kids as well as adults. Our 2 had a blast up dancing to the Oompa band. And DH enjoyed the litre of beer!

I didn't want to mention that the problems with dinner at the MK would be the lack of alcohol

WCC is good for kids as well and full of Disney magic, but without the overdose of characters and pixie dust. Sci-fi Cafe at DHS, Yak&Yeti - of course, can't NOT mention that!

The ONLY drawback to your pal Donald at Yak & Yeti is that it's only breakfast. If it was lunch it would be ideal. But there is no way that I could eat a big breakfast and then proceed to enjoy AK unless somebody was carrying me .

How about the T Rex restaurant at DTD?, I think it also has the build a dino place.

Hmmm. And hmmm again. I hadn't thought about this. And my son would probably love it. Time to go look for T rex reviews. You might just be a genius, Di!

There's lots more but my brain has currently ceased to function, but when it starts working again I'll get back to you.

Di x

Now Di goes MIA for a few months...


Love you guys. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Nina!

Glad to hear the T Rex suggestion is a possibilty, and Biergarten is good for kids and adults alike! Sometimes we need to plan for 'older children' in the party.

re Yak & Yeti, it's not a character meal, you're thinking of Tusker House. Yak & Yeti is near Everest and it's Tibetan/chinese food - really scrummy!

Hope you get your final ADRs soon!

Di x

 

[jmskinner]

I vote Biergarten also. Try the wine sampler!

WCC is fun for kids and it would be good for the adult kids. Alcohol is served and wouldn't be too far from MK, you can ride the boat over. Which we enjoyed because that is when we realized a road goes under the water.

 

[rottiemom]

re Yak & Yeti, it's not a character meal, you're thinking of Tusker House. Yak & Yeti is near Everest and it's Tibetan/chinese food - really scrummy!

You're right...I was thinking of Tusker House. Half of my brain is obviously still home in bed. Since I live in NY we're fortunate enough to have an abundance of good Chinese restaurants around but...hmmm. I had been considering the AK picnic in the park option but...hmmm...

I vote Biergarten also. Try the wine sampler!

WCC is fun for kids and it would be good for the adult kids. Alcohol is served and wouldn't be too far from MK, you can ride the boat over. Which we enjoyed because that is when we realized a road goes under the water.

You guys have given me a lot to consider. It looks like I'll be spending my weekend reading up on these in the guides. I had pretty much dismissed the Biergarten because we were going to be getting to Epcot on our 1st day & didn't want to spend the whole day doing TS meals. I also, honestly, didn't know if there was anything on the menu that my son would eat.

This is the trouble with short trips during free dining...not enough time to eat everywhere !

 

[rottiemom]

that prior to my PTR hiatus I was planning on ordering skates? I used to skate regularly & was quite good. I've got an eye towards roller derby & was figuring that skates would also be a good way to get back into shape as well as help prepare me for the miles of WDW walking.

Well. I finally got them about 3 weeks ago. I'd be doing really well if the skates had square wheels . I've been skating all over the house (wood floors) and have been getting better but I haven't been able to skate outside because it's rained pretty much every single day. But my husband is just waiting for the night that I cook dinner on skates (yeah, that'll happen...skates+me+gas stove= trip to the emergency room).

If I do manage to get confident enough on 8 wheels to try out for roller derby I'll be doing that after we get back for our trip in order to avoid injury (and embarassment ). First I need to build up my endurance...those girls are nonstop!

I'm so lucky that my son is still young enough NOT to be embarassed by me .

Anyway, it was all of the walking that I did last summer that helped to make our trip to WDW easier. Since we had all gotten used to walking a lot the fact that once we got to WDW we STILL had to walk a lot wasn't a problem. So yet another thing to do in order to get ready for the trip.

Oh, I also ordered new glasses & sunglasses. Cute as kitten toes & very rockabilly. My presciption had changed so the new glasses were a definite but I bit the bullet & ordered some suns, too. I can't wait for them to be finished. So new sunglasses for our trip! I am just a sea of getting ready for the trip that I'm waffling about taking .

I am a mess.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

You're right...I was thinking of Tusker House. Half of my brain is obviously still home in bed. Since I live in NY we're fortunate enough to have an abundance of good Chinese restaurants around but...hmmm. I had been considering the AK picnic in the park option but...hmmm...



You guys have given me a lot to consider. It looks like I'll be spending my weekend reading up on these in the guides. I had pretty much dismissed the Biergarten because we were going to be getting to Epcot on our 1st day & didn't want to spend the whole day doing TS meals. I also, honestly, didn't know if there was anything on the menu that my son would eat.

This is the trouble with short trips during free dining...not enough time to eat everywhere !

WCC would be a good option, as Melissa says it's really close to MK, so you don't need to trek over to Epcot - though you could try and ride up front with the driver on the Monorail, I'm sure both your boys would love that! Biergarten's food is good, it wasn't my 2s favourite place to eat, but they found enough that they liked to fill them.

that prior to my PTR hiatus I was planning on ordering skates? I used to skate regularly & was quite good. I've got an eye towards roller derby & was figuring that skates would also be a good way to get back into shape as well as help prepare me for the miles of WDW walking.

Well. I finally got them about 3 weeks ago. I'd be doing really well if the skates had square wheels . I've been skating all over the house (wood floors) and have been getting better but I haven't been able to skate outside because it's rained pretty much every single day. But my husband is just waiting for the night that I cook dinner on skates (yeah, that'll happen...skates+me+gas stove= trip to the emergency room).

If I do manage to get confident enough on 8 wheels to try out for roller derby I'll be doing that after we get back for our trip in order to avoid injury (and embarassment ). First I need to build up my endurance...those girls are nonstop!

I'm so lucky that my son is still young enough NOT to be embarassed by me .

Anyway, it was all of the walking that I did last summer that helped to make our trip to WDW easier. Since we had all gotten used to walking a lot the fact that once we got to WDW we STILL had to walk a lot wasn't a problem. So yet another thing to do in order to get ready for the trip.

Oh, I also ordered new glasses & sunglasses. Cute as kitten toes & very rockabilly. My presciption had changed so the new glasses were a definite but I bit the bullet & ordered some suns, too. I can't wait for them to be finished. So new sunglasses for our trip! I am just a sea of getting ready for the trip that I'm waffling about taking .

I am a mess.

Well, I'd pay to see that!

Di x

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

*cough cough* notice anything different about me today??

 

[rottiemom]

*cough cough* notice anything different about me today??

Why...did somebody have a birthday?! And you didn't tell me? I would have sent cake .

More later...my computer is even slower than I am today...

 

[jmskinner]

Wow, somehow I missed your post about the rollerderby. Wow! I bet that would be fun. about the cooking in the skates.

Keep trying for your ADR's, a week ago WCC only had 8:40pm available, just checked this morning and they had two lunch ADR's open up.

Oh, and look in Di's sig. There is a ticker!

 

[rottiemom]

Wow, somehow I missed your post about the rollerderby. Wow! I bet that would be fun. about the cooking in the skates.

So far the fun has been limited to those people lucky enough to watch me "skate" . The other day I was cleaning the front of the fridge & trying to figure out why there were all of these fingerprints high up on one edge...then I realized that they were from me grabbing onto the fridge as I rolled past .

Keep trying for your ADR's, a week ago WCC only had 8:40pm available, just checked this morning and they had two lunch ADR's open up.

I do like the online reservation option. It leaves me free to play with times & to revise my plans without having to suffer from performance anxiety like I do on the phone . I still can't decide what to do for those extra meals, though.

Oh, and look in Di's sig. There is a ticker!

There is! Diiiii...now I have to see if I can schedule a trip for 2010?! How awesome. And with free dining as well. Fingers crossed that the trip goes smoothly & efforlessly with now cancellations or bankruptcy!

What a dope I am! I was looking at her sig for a new link, maybe? Any changes? And I totally missed the whonkin' big, full color ticker RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME .

 

[jmskinner]

What a dope I am! I was looking at her sig for a new link, maybe? Any changes? And I totally missed the whonkin' big, full color ticker RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME .

Maybe you were like me, I thought I was imagining things at first.