Twice As Nice & Double the Fun: an offsite October PTR where “2” is the magic number

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I'm still here reading along, but just seem so busy at the minute.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Gina, just managed to book HDDR for December 29th at 6.15pm - has anything become available for you?

 

[pigletto]

Monday seems like a good time for a countdown update:

52 days until we leave for our October trip

116 until our Christmas vacation

There are very few trip planning updates from the weekend: other than some renewed hope that we may soon be able to snag a Hoop Dee Doo ADR for December (a few folks on the restaurant boards have noted that after months of waiting, they have finally been able to secure reservations for December dates.....I am hoping that we can soon be able have the same success!), there's little else going on.

I am running car rental quotes for our dates (both trips) on a daily basis, but so far the reservations I currently have are by far less expensive than current rates. With just over 7 weeks until our October vacation, I am wondering if the reservation we booked WAY back in the spring ($292 including taxes for the full 15 days) might just end up being the winner .

Steve is still in Michigan. He called me a short while ago to let me know there's no way he will be coming home tonight: one of the machines he was called to troubleshoot has blown a part, so he has to wait for the new piece to arrive, oversee its installation, and ensure he press is running good parts before he begins his journey home. I am kind of bummed about that, but....I'm just going to have to suck it up. Hopefully tomorrow.

In the meantime, I am spending some time pondering an upgrade to my phone. I am able to keep my same plan with Telus (which is super cheap thanks to some long-time customer loyalty discounts) and upgrade my device for free to the Samsung Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge. From what I have researched, these two phones boast one of the best in-cell cameras on the market, which is a HUGE draw for me: I would love not having to drag a bulky camera into the parks when we travel. It would mean transitioning from my old iPhone 5c (yes, its a dinosaur from a technology standpoint) back to an android, so I am wiffle-waffling on what to do. After last week's dreadful dealings with Apple over Jake's phone (a 6+ still warranted under his Apple Care), I'm none too inclined to purchase another iPhone. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has an S6 or S6 Edge so I'm woefully lacking on personal feedback. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts and advice: I need some help getting off the fence and making a decision.

We were an Apple family, but over the years their pricing structure vastly outpaced what they were offering and I got tired of paying for the flashy advertising and not much more. Dh was with Samsung for a long time and had zero complaints, but just bought the Google Nexus 6p and I actually bought an Asus Zenfone 2 Laser off contract and I will never ever go back to Apple or to subsidizing a phone. I love it.
I was very nervous to switch from iOS but it's been fine, and there is only one app I couldn't get for Android. In fact, I find way more of the Android apps are free when you have to pay for the same one with iOS. I would recommend getting the phone a few weeks before you go so you have some time to make the adjustment. I won't lie, I was frustrated with the differences for a little while and the learning curve slowed me down. But I've had it for 3 weeks now and I am much more comfortable with it so I wouldn't recommend sticking with Apple just because it's familiar.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I am so glad to hear you had a relaxing and enjoyable trip . I'm also happy to have you back on northern soil: this trip report has been a little quiet without you. @bankr63 must still be enjoying the fresh northern air from the campsite, hopefully staying dry in the recent (and much-needed) rainstorms.

With such a positive report on your Cuban all-inclusive, does this mean Disney officially has some serious competition where your vacation dollars are concerned?

Hmmmm...I would definitely go back to Cuba but most likely the next AI will be Mayan Riviera. I can only handle the AI thing every couple of years. I'm already missing Mickey so I doubt there's much to worry about in that department.

 

[afan]

No go on the job I wanted. They wouldn't budge on the job being local and not a remote working. They also found a local viable candidate. I knew it was a long shot, but it would have been a much better fit for me than what I am currently doing. So on to hire where I'm at. Just want them to take the year + I've been there as a temp into account when figuring out PTO. I've been able to do that before, but it was only 4 months vs a year +. The worse thing they'll say is no and then I'll say, ok then I want my November vacation that's already approved to be paid vacation and see what happens. They don't separate vacation and sick time but lump it into PTO, which I don't like. The last place I worked as a perm employee we didn't have sick time, but if we took a reasonable amount it didn't count against us and we could go to the dr without it counting against anything. It was weird, but no one abused it and it didn't seem like people were coming to work when they were sick. Whereas where I'm at now, people come to work while their sick and now I know why.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I was FINALLY able to switch our 8:30 HDDR reservation in October to the 6:15 show today! We had to upgrade to the Category 1 seating, but it was only $5 a person so no huge loss. We're definitely not late dinner people so we would have been gnawing our arms off by dinner at 8:30-9pm lol There was category 3 seating that opened up too which I thought was peculiar that both became available for a group of 9 just today. Which leads me to believe that there were reservations that weren't released prior to. I could be wrong, but that's just my opinion. Anywho, just keep hanging on I'm almost positive they should be releasing something soon. Especially with the fact there's only 2 of you I'm sure you will find something!

On the cell phone front, my mom has the Galaxy S6 Edge and she LOVES it. My husband also have the Note 5 and has no complaints. I'm a die hard Apple user, but I can definitely say the cameras on both the Galaxy and the Note are much better than The camera on my iPhone 6s+. Samsung has been putting out some high quality phones the last few years.

For Hoop Dee Doo, we actually will be looking for a table for five. HDDR will be one of the things we do on our December trip with the friends whom we are meeting up with.....it will be a first time at that event for them, too! Glad o hear that you were able to move your reservation to the earlier time at long last . Your travel date is sneaking up on you very quickly, so its nice to have that fine-tuning of the plans complete!

Thank you for the feedback on the S6 Edge. I think that's the one I am leaning toward: I may even bite the bullet and make the switch today. Not sure yet if I have to make the change through Telus by phone (and have them ship the new device to me) or if I can make the switcheroo at our local Telus store. I would prefer to have Telus handle it here so they can switch over my contacts and photos to the new device. I'm feeling lazy .

I'm still here reading along, but just seem so busy at the minute.

Gina, just managed to book HDDR for December 29th at 6.15pm - has anything become available for you?

Nope, nothing yet . As of last night, it looked like only December 23rd and onward was open for booking. All early dates in December were showing no availability still. Maddening!!! But I am thrilled to hear that you were able to get the date and time you were hoping for! That gives me hope that December 21st will open up soon, too.

We were an Apple family, but over the years their pricing structure vastly outpaced what they were offering and I got tired of paying for the flashy advertising and not much more. Dh was with Samsung for a long time and had zero complaints, but just bought the Google Nexus 6p and I actually bought an Asus Zenfone 2 Laser off contract and I will never ever go back to Apple or to subsidizing a phone. I love it.
I was very nervous to switch from iOS but it's been fine, and there is only one app I couldn't get for Android. In fact, I find way more of the Android apps are free when you have to pay for the same one with iOS. I would recommend getting the phone a few weeks before you go so you have some time to make the adjustment. I won't lie, I was frustrated with the differences for a little while and the learning curve slowed me down. But I've had it for 3 weeks now and I am much more comfortable with it so I wouldn't recommend sticking with Apple just because it's familiar.

If I make the switch, I plan to do so within the next week or two. I think your advice is spot on: if its going to be a smooth transition, it needs to be long and slow (not right before our trip). I think I'm pretty convinced to make the jump. Steve is still on the fence (he hates the 5c, but sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don't). I am sure he might give it more thought after he gets home from Michigan: I know he's been ridiculously busy so a phone upgrade is probably the last thing on his mind.

Hmmmm...I would definitely go back to Cuba but most likely the next AI will be Mayan Riviera. I can only handle the AI thing every couple of years. I'm already missing Mickey so I doubt there's much to worry about in that department.

Will you and GC return for your annual March Break trip, barring any upsets (work or otherwise)?

No go on the job I wanted. They wouldn't budge on the job being local and not a remote working. They also found a local viable candidate. I knew it was a long shot, but it would have been a much better fit for me than what I am currently doing. So on to hire where I'm at. Just want them to take the year + I've been there as a temp into account when figuring out PTO. I've been able to do that before, but it was only 4 months vs a year +. The worse thing they'll say is no and then I'll say, ok then I want my November vacation that's already approved to be paid vacation and see what happens. They don't separate vacation and sick time but lump it into PTO, which I don't like. The last place I worked as a perm employee we didn't have sick time, but if we took a reasonable amount it didn't count against us and we could go to the dr without it counting against anything. It was weird, but no one abused it and it didn't seem like people were coming to work when they were sick. Whereas where I'm at now, people come to work while their sick and now I know why.

I am sorry to hear that you didn't get the job . As you know, I feel your pain......I was in your shoes not long ago myself. I am not going to offer up any trite phrases or comforting cliches, just a group hug from all of us here . It's definitely the company's loss.

 

[afan]

Thanks Gina! It's a loss for them but not Totally since I still have my volunteer role. The real rub is I have to work with whomever they hire as it's our contact at the executive office. So if she's not good it'll suck. I'm committed to the volunteer job for another year so I'll be done in June unless I decide to continue if they let us have more than 2 terms.

 

[Ruthie5671]

So: I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. (but I may still grumble a bit )

I try to keep those kids of thoughts in my head also as Tony works every Saturday second shift, every Sunday a double second/third shift and every Monday third shift. It is maddening that we have no weekend time together unless he can get his boss to take some pity on him. While I am so grateful that he has a job that is basically easy and he can do his school work while working, I miss the little stinker sometime. And I get bored at home by myself. Which usually leads to trouble.

Sunday....massive qualities of Rum in the pool
Monday....massive qualities of Rum and Tequila on the beach
Tuesday....massive qualities of Rum in the pool
Wednesday....not enough Rum, trip to the market and a ride in a 1955 Bel Air taxi
Thursday....made up for the previous lack of Rum and Tequila
Friday....several naps on the beach

VERY NICE!!!

 

[bankr63]

We go a fair bit but really I got them so we can go through the fast line (pre cleared) at security at the airports. If you travel through NF to NY you get your own bridge for Nexus

Was trying to figure out how you get from Newfoundland to New York on a bridge - then the nickel dropped and I remembered...

@dancin Disney style should be back from her Cuba trip sometime this weekend, if my calculations are correct. Unless his plans changed, @bankr63 is swatting mosquitoes somewhere in the Canadian north. Let's just say that our Saturday and Sunday plans pale in comparison . What's everyone else up to this weekend?

I'm baaackkk....

And I don't swat mosquitoes. Don't have to. A+ apparently tastes much better than I do; they really don't like me...

View attachment 188771

Back at ya'

Sunday....massive qualities of Rum in the pool
Monday....massive qualities of Rum and Tequila on the beach
Tuesday....massive qualities of Rum in the pool
Wednesday....not enough Rum, trip to the market and a ride in a 1955 Bel Air taxi
Thursday....made up for the previous lack of Rum and Tequila
Friday....several naps on the beach
Saturday....early bus back to the airport as my liver said that it hurt

I think I got a little food poisoning on Tuesday night but once dinner made it's reappearance I was good to go again. The funny thing was GC and I had had the exact same thing for dinner. Luckily, I got the bad plate not her.

Sure, it was the food that got you. Riiiight...

I have returned to the land of the working stiffs. Two great weeks in the Canadian wilderness. Worse connectivity than DDS had in Cuba, AND no TV signal so we missed all of the Olympic festivities. BUT there was a ton of hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming. And perhaps a few overindulgences in fermented barley and grape juices as well.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks Gina! It's a loss for them but not Totally since I still have my volunteer role. The real rub is I have to work with whomever they hire as it's our contact at the executive office. So if she's not good it'll suck. I'm committed to the volunteer job for another year so I'll be done in June unless I decide to continue if they let us have more than 2 terms.

I will keep my fingers crossed that the new hire is a delight. Or at the very least.....tolerable!

I try to keep those kids of thoughts in my head also as Tony works every Saturday second shift, every Sunday a double second/third shift and every Monday third shift. It is maddening that we have no weekend time together unless he can get his boss to take some pity on him. While I am so grateful that he has a job that is basically easy and he can do his school work while working, I miss the little stinker sometime. And I get bored at home by myself. Which usually leads to trouble.

I try to never lose sight of the fact that Steve's job is the main reason we enjoy the nice things in life that we do. His ability to earn overtime, especially, is a real boost to our budget and makes many of our extras possible. Even though we knew that these out-of-town excursions would be part of this new position.....and I was totally okay with that being the case.....like you, I still miss him when he's away. My house is too quiet and I have no one to cook for!

Was trying to figure out how you get from Newfoundland to New York on a bridge - then the nickel dropped and I remembered...

I'm baaackkk....

And I don't swat mosquitoes. Don't have to. A+ apparently tastes much better than I do; they really don't like me...


Back at ya'



Sure, it was the food that got you. Riiiight...

I have returned to the land of the working stiffs. Two great weeks in the Canadian wilderness. Worse connectivity than DDS had in Cuba, AND no TV signal so we missed all of the Olympic festivities. BUT there was a ton of hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming. And perhaps a few overindulgences in fermented barley and grape juices as well.

Welcome back!! Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time despite being disconnected as far as the World Wide Web was concerned. With that view, though....who needs the internet?

Mosquitoes don't like me very much, either. Steve must be sweeter because they generally gravitate to him and leave me almost completely alone. I thought maybe it was something about the female body that they didn't like (since Jake always seems to get bitten quite badly), but hearing that the bugs prefer A+ over you just disproved my theory.

-----------------------------------------------

In other news: there is no other news .

No Hoop Dee Doo ADR's have opened up for our date.

There has been no notable change in car rental rates for either trip.

We've made no recent adjustments to the plans.

What kind of a PTR is this, anyway? Don't worry, I'll wake you up when the ball starts rolling again. Tomorrow we cross into the 40's in the countdown and time should definitely start moving a little more quickly once Labour Day is over.

5 months from today is Christmas Eve! I absolutely dread the onset of winter, though . If only you could have Christmas AND warm weather at the same time! Oh wait, you can ..... I just need to move to Orlando .

 

[chicagoshannon]

almost to single digits for us. Still waiting on Sea World. lol We got an email that we could sign up for one of the other Sea World free days though.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Will you and GC return for your annual March Break trip, barring any upsets (work or otherwise)?

No plans right now. In not saying no but it seems unlikely and boy will I miss it.
Funny you should mention work upsets. I mentioned a while back that I was having issues with my assistant. Well the you know what hit the fan while I was away. I was informed on Sunday of what had taken place and had no choice but to let her go. Doing that made me feel sick. I hate it. Fun times.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

almost to single digits for us. Still waiting on Sea World. lol We got an email that we could sign up for one of the other Sea World free days though.

LOL, leaving things right down to the last minute just keeps things exciting, right?

We had similar problems with the passmember offers with Universal on previous trips. If we traveled at the beginning of the month, by the time they actually got around to announcing their monthly offers, we were literally packing up to go home.

Single digits, though......that's something to dance about!

No plans right now. In not saying no but it seems unlikely and boy will I miss it.
Funny you should mention work upsets. I mentioned a while back that I was having issues with my assistant. Well the you know what hit the fan while I was away. I was informed on Sunday of what had taken place and had no choice but to let her go. Doing that made me feel sick. I hate it. Fun times.

Oh, no . What a crummy way to be welcomed back after a much-needed holiday. Do you have anyone lined up yet to fill the newly-vacant role?

 

[ElenaJane]

I am also in a holding pattern for trip planning right now. Today it is 30 days for me until our Spooky Orlando Trip and 90 days from our Thanksgiving/Birthday Orlando trip! Now we just have to sit and wait!!

 

[pigletto]

No plans right now. In not saying no but it seems unlikely and boy will I miss it.
Funny you should mention work upsets. I mentioned a while back that I was having issues with my assistant. Well the you know what hit the fan while I was away. I was informed on Sunday of what had taken place and had no choice but to let her go. Doing that made me feel sick. I hate it. Fun times.

I hope you will be able to plan one after all Dancin'. I know how much you love those March Break trips. Maybe join us in the airmiles thread and start collecting towards tickets again? I'm only a small amount away from a 5 day Disney ticket. I am aiming for four by next August but will happy to collect enough for three tickets.

Gina and Elena, I hear you on the planning lull. There is really nothing to do for the October trip at this point. Dh is going to go on lunch and transfer some spending money to USD tomorrow. I need to make one day of fastpass+ selections for our party night. I can do that next Wednesday. But other than that.. just not much for now. I could always firm up our restaurant plans I suppose.

We'll be going to Lake Placid for 4 nights for our Thanksgiving. We stay at a lodge in the mountains with my whole family and it's just beautiful that time of year. We haven't been in a few years. I got thinking about it yesterday and I'm really excited for that now too. It's going to be an awesome October .

 

[ElenaJane]

I hope you will be able to plan one after all Dancin'. I know how much you love those March Break trips. Maybe join us in the airmiles thread and start collecting towards tickets again? I'm only a small amount away from a 5 day Disney ticket. I am aiming for four by next August but will happy to collect enough for three tickets.

Gina and Elena, I hear you on the planning lull. There is really nothing to do for the October trip at this point. Dh is going to go on lunch and transfer some spending money to USD tomorrow. I need to make one day of fastpass+ selections for our party night. I can do that next Wednesday. But other than that.. just not much for now. I could always firm up our restaurant plans I suppose.

We'll be going to Lake Placid for 4 nights for our Thanksgiving. We stay at a lodge in the mountains with my whole family and it's just beautiful that time of year. We haven't been in a few years. I got thinking about it yesterday and I'm really excited for that now too. It's going to be an awesome October .

I made our one-day FP selections 2 days ago. I was so excited to have something to do for the trip. It took me all of 3 minutes and then I was like, hmm, ok, uh, what's next?! I think I will start planning out what I will wear and maybe start making a list of things we need to bring. I'll just have to write out the list reallllly slowly to stretch out the time

 

[dancin Disney style]

Oh, no . What a crummy way to be welcomed back after a much-needed holiday. Do you have anyone lined up yet to fill the newly-vacant role?

Are you applying? Thanks, you're hired!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I hope you will be able to plan one after all Dancin'. I know how much you love those March Break trips. Maybe join us in the airmiles thread and start collecting towards tickets again? I'm only a small amount away from a 5 day Disney ticket. I am aiming for four by next August but will happy to collect enough for three tickets.

I really have loved the MB trips. It's actually kind of weird right now not having anything on the horizon. The focus right now it muddling through the next few weeks at work. Along with having no assistant I've got another problem that came up 3 weeks ago that now will carry through to end of November at the earliest. The next five weeks will tell that tale. Oh well, if it's not one thing it's your mother.

I've participated in that AM thread many times. I keep an eye on it. I'm an Onyx collector so I've got plenty of miles for park tickets. In fact I don't think I've paid for tickets since 2008. If I had to pay for tickets we wouldn't be going 2 times a year. I usually forget about tickets when I'm explaining that we frequent FL because it's a cheap holiday. Airmiles makes it cheap for us.

 

[dancin Disney style]

And I don't swat mosquitoes. Don't have to. A+ apparently tastes much better than I do; they really don't like me...

Mosquitos only like sweetness. I'm a walking mosquito feast.

Sure, it was the food that got you. Riiiight...

It was, I swear. You've heard of bad chicken right? But have you ever heard of bad Rum?

 

[klacey1]

Not sure if you've made a decision, but I can say wholeheartedly the camera on S6 Edge is far superior to any Apple camera! I have a 6S iPhone and my boyfriend just upgraded to S7 edge and I am SO jealous of the beautiful pics he can take! (He had the S6 and that camera was just as good!)
I have day times to WDW, DL and UO comes up in the next few months and my head is spinning trying to keep track of everything--so much brava to you for coordinating two different longterm vacations at the same time!!