We are finally going back, and no, we are NOT driving! A May/June 2013 PTR

[emilyindisney]

So I broke down and ordered this last weekend:

Of course, this was no last minute decision - could it really be considered last minute if my trip isn't for 4 months? - anywho, I have been researching the different photopass options, and the plus just made sense for us. We are going for 11 days - 10 of which will be in parks, and we have the dining plan - so lots of character meals. I kicked myself for not getting the photopass preorder for our last trip when we had so many great pics - and that was just a 3 day trip! When the price dropped, I think it was in December, we discussed it some more, and it just made sense. I always want to get the ride photos, but they are so expensive, and we have 4 character meals where the photos are not included, so the extra $30 was really worth it! Plus, I am so excited to actually be in my photos that I scrapbook! It came in exactly 7 days, not bad! Now to wait for my maps and my REAL Mickey mail!

We did PP for the first time last week and it was great! It's only my sister and I, and we didn't so plus but it was still nice to have so many quality shots of both of us (so one of us didn't have to be behind the cameras!) We did a share so it only ended up being $24. I figured we'd come home with a few dozen photos but after editing we had a few hundred! Very useful and a great purchase! :

 

[lovethattink]

Since I got my Nikon, I haven't bought a photopass cd, but I think I will for SWW. I think the plus is a great option for vacationing families who are going to be doing the rides and meals that have the photo options with them.

I'm sorry to read that you were sick.

Were you Disney shopping online?

 

[danicaca]

We did PP for the first time last week and it was great! It's only my sister and I, and we didn't so plus but it was still nice to have so many quality shots of both of us (so one of us didn't have to be behind the cameras!) We did a share so it only ended up being $24. I figured we'd come home with a few dozen photos but after editing we had a few hundred! Very useful and a great purchase! :

Hope your trip was AWESOME! I was thinking about ya last week!

Since I got my Nikon, I haven't bought a photopass cd, but I think I will for SWW. I think the plus is a great option for vacationing families who are going to be doing the rides and meals that have the photo options with them.
I have a good camera too, but it will be nice to actually be IN my pictures! Plus, we had so many good pics from our last trip, and I did not preorder it, so I ended up not getting any of the pics since it was too expensive. I am mostly excited about the ride pics!
I'm sorry to read that you were sick.
Thanks. Finally feeling normal. I went back to work this week. Our bank account will be happy again
Were you Disney shopping online?

But of course. We don't have a Disney Store nearby I got my lanyard, now I need to put my pins on it! I should only have one more purchase to make. I want to get some swimsuits for the girls, but I need to wait until there is a sale or free shipping!

 

[danicaca]

The weather here for the last few days has been beautiful. In fact, the girls were outside for most of the day yesterday jumping on the trampoline, riding bikes, etc. It was 60 degrees! Today looks like this:

But nothing can get me down TODAY IS OUR 120 DAY mark! Woo hoo! Not that I am excited or anything… I mentioned in one of my last posts that I did a bit of online shopping while I was sick… I purchased these:

My lanyard, and a cute little plug thing for my phone. You put it in the headphone jack!
And this:

Another shirt for me. I think I am done now, I know I said that before...But I went to Kohl's the other day to use my Kohl's cash, and got 4 shirts for the trip, just red and yellow tops, nothing Disney.

Other than that, it has been quiet around here. Going to call Disney on Monday to pay off half of the trip. We have a deal through our Disney Visa where if we spend $2000 during January and February, we get a bonus $25 in rewards money. We also got an email from them that we are currently at $150 in rewards! More spending money for the trip!
This is the project that I have been working on in preparation for making the girls’ autograph books:

I am trying to figure out approximately how many pages we will need for all of our autographs. The first picture is the characters we should see during our character meals, and the next one is all of the characters we hope to see in the parks. By my count, we should get around 60 autographs – yikes! I may have to rethink their books. Last time, I had enough room for the pictures as well as the autographs, but I don’t think there will be enough room for both this time – that would be a thick book! Hmmm. We shall see. Some of the characters will be repeats, so we really may only have about 45-50 autographs, and I am thinking if we see a character that we already have an autograph for, we will just get a picture, and not get another autograph. That would be a little more doable.

In other news, I was really excited to find the Epcot passports on the Creative Disigns board. I uploaded the pages and ordered the books from Walgreens.com, and that is where the magic ends. I shared this story on the May FB page last night, so sorry if you already read this! Here is what happened:
I made Epcot passports on Walgreens.com with the designs I found on the DIS. Super excited, made one for each of my girls. Double checked each one to make sure they were correct, then placed my order. I get my confirmation email, and it says both books say Ellie. Ugh. So I call Walgreens, and they confirm that yes, both book covers say Ellie, and the best they can do is refund the cost of one of the books, and I have to order another book, since it was my mistake - say what? I just accepted it, since I am soooooo non-confrontational, and decided lesson learned, maybe I did make a mistake (it does happen ) Then after thinking about it, I get mad. I KNOW I double checked and each one said something different on the cover, so I call back. The gal I spoke with says the first gal should have refunded me more to account for shipping, and she checks the order again. She says that both books are identical, and I clearly made the mistake, so there is nothing they can do. Well, she started off sounding helpful, but I asked her if I could speak to someone higher up, like a manager, and she gets an attitude with me - I swear I was totally calm - and says "We don't have managers, they are called supervisors!" Um, ok, technicality, but whatever, so I say, ok, then can I speak with a supervisor? She says "please hold", and hangs up on me! I call back, and ask to speak with a supervisor since I was "disconnected" from my last call, and the super nice lady says "Our supervisors don't work on the weekends, maybe I can help you?" Wow. Never. Using. Walgreens. Photo. Again. In my frustration, I tweeted this:

Walgreens photo has the worst customer service! #neveragain ​

I actually got a response from them! Oh the power of social media! I chatted with them over twitter, and they opened a case for me, and I should be hearing from someone in a couple of days. I really hope they make it right, because I seriously have never been treated like that from a company. I guess I am so used to dealing with the magical Disney customer service!

Hope everyone has a great week! We are going to celebrate our 120 day mark by watching a Disney movie after dinner, now to just pick one…

 

[OmegaWife5]

Wow! Sounds like your weather is just as crazy as this TN weather..lol. I too am thinking of doing an autograph book for my DD9 and right now we are right at 25 and that's only b/c I don't see us going to HS. We weren't doing AK either but she saw a vid on youtube about the safari's and she wants to do one so I'll see what characters are there. I saw your Walgreen's issue on the May FB page and thought that was really icky of them. Hopefully they will get everything taken care of for you. My DH is a store manager (not Walgreens) and was saying that the proper thing to do would be to only charge you for the one passport regardless of whose mistake it was just to keep you as a happy/loyal customer.

 

[danicaca]

Wow! Sounds like your weather is just as crazy as this TN weather..lol. I too am thinking of doing an autograph book for my DD9 and right now we are right at 25 and that's only b/c I don't see us going to HS. We weren't doing AK either but she saw a vid on youtube about the safari's and she wants to do one so I'll see what characters are there. I saw your Walgreen's issue on the May FB page and thought that was really icky of them. Hopefully they will get everything taken care of for you. My DH is a store manager (not Walgreens) and was saying that the proper thing to do would be to only charge you for the one passport regardless of whose mistake it was just to keep you as a happy/loyal customer.

That is exactly what I was thinking. I just can't believe how unbelievably rude the rep was. If I was yelling at her, I could see her getting angry, but seriously! I am interested to see just what comes in my mailbox!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I have to second OmegaWife5--you look like you're having some TN weather there!! It's been NUTS here!!

Ok, first on the shopping. . .I LOVE that lanyard!!! Where did you find that?

I was trying something similar to figure out an autograph book for DS. However, he now thinks he doesn't want to carry it. I may take some 4 x 6 white cardstock cards so I can add them into the big scrapbook, especially with it being a birthday trip!

I cannot get over your Walgreens story. They DEFINITELY better make it right!! Can't wait to hear what happens!

And a HUGE for 120 days!! That's awesome! It'll be here before you know it!!

 

[danicaca]

I have to second OmegaWife5--you look like you're having some TN weather there!! It's been NUTS here!!

Ok, first on the shopping. . .I LOVE that lanyard!!! Where did you find that?

I found it on Amazon. Ebay also has some cute ones that come with attached wallets, that is what my girls got.


I cannot get over your Walgreens story. They DEFINITELY better make it right!! Can't wait to hear what happens!

I know! I have some excitement and suspense for my PTR now!
And a HUGE for 120 days!! That's awesome! It'll be here before you know it!!

I am just excited that when you go, I will be at 60 days!

 

[lsenquiz]

joining in. We will also be there in May And September. Your DD5 reminds me of our little Savannah that comes with us on our September trips. Ariel is her favorite also!

 

[Kitkat6595]

Hello! Just found you from the facebook group.

I just love all of your planning! And your girls are just precious. I have a Kindergartner too, who is a tad worried about the characters, but keeps saying he will be fine. I'm hoping his positive talk will win him over.

We are also considering the Wishes Dessert Party...and the Photo Pass...hmmm...more decisions to make.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Hi Danica!


I am here from Facebook!

I am subbed, I will catch up tomorrow.

 

[danicaca]

joining in. We will also be there in May And September. Your DD5 reminds me of our little Savannah that comes with us on our September trips. Ariel is her favorite also!

Hope you enjoy my planning!

Hello! Just found you from the facebook group.

I just love all of your planning! And your girls are just precious. I have a Kindergartner too, who is a tad worried about the characters, but keeps saying he will be fine. I'm hoping his positive talk will win him over.

We are also considering the Wishes Dessert Party...and the Photo Pass...hmmm...more decisions to make.

Thanks so much! DD5 decided since she is 5 1/2 now, she is super duper brave I am stalking that Wishes thread, and going crazy that they have not even opened up March yet...Very excited to use the PP+ this trip, I think it is a good investment!

Hi Danica!


I am here from Facebook!

I am subbed, I will catch up tomorrow.

Hopefully you don't get too bored... I am having a lot of fun writing this, and surprised at how many people are following along in my crazy planning!

 

[Jennifer84]

You are so much more organized than I could ever hope to be (jealous!!). I haven't heard about the dessert thing... what is that? I need to do some research!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Sounds like you got a lot planned. We get there the June 23 and where staying in tell July 5

 

[PlutoJenn]

Hey, Danica! I found you, and I'll catch up soon! and I'll post our PTR soon. My current draft is SO not as extensive as y'all's.

 

[Kitkat6595]

One of my biggest concerns is exiting the park after wishes. I can't believe that the fireworks don't start until 10pm. I might faint from exhaustion. We plan on taking an afternoon break back at the resort that day, but I'm still a little worried about how my boys will handle that. My oldest is insistent that we do it though. Curious if the dessert party will be something they will like. I'm reading as much as I can about it to decide.

 

[danicaca]

You are so much more organized than I could ever hope to be (jealous!!). I haven't heard about the dessert thing... what is that? I need to do some research!

The Dessert party is a dessert buffet, and you get a primo spot to watch Wishes. This will be the first time we have seen the fireworks - the girls were too little to stay up that late last time!

Sounds like you got a lot planned. We get there the June 23 and where staying in tell July 5

Your dates are almost the same dates we had on our last trip! We do have a lot planned, but hopefully we can relax too!

Hey, Danica! I found you, and I'll catch up soon! and I'll post our PTR soon. My current draft is SO not as extensive as y'all's.

I never thought this would be at 8 pages already, but I have been planning this trip for almost a year!

One of my biggest concerns is exiting the park after wishes. I can't believe that the fireworks don't start until 10pm. I might faint from exhaustion. We plan on taking an afternoon break back at the resort that day, but I'm still a little worried about how my boys will handle that. My oldest is insistent that we do it though. Curious if the dessert party will be something they will like. I'm reading as much as I can about it to decide.

Yeah, that is going to be a long day for us, but we plan to sleep in the next day! I think as far as the crowds, we will probably hang by the buffet as long as we can to avoid them...I have a feeling my youngest will get carried out of the park, unless the sugar has her all hyper!

 

[danicaca]

Not too much to update, but I found these:

Yeah, I bought Mickey band-aids, and animal print ones for our AK days, I have officially lost it...My kids will probably make up injuries just to wear them

In other news, I guess I should not have complained about the gloomy weather, because this morning, we woke up to this:

Snow day for the kiddos, although not sure why, the roads are not that bad, or so I hear, I am not going anywhere! I guess the temperature, and blowing snow are probably why they cancelled. The girls are excited to go sledding later, hopefully it will warm up a bit. Right now the wind chill is 5... DH took the morning off, he said it was not fair that we all get snow days but him! At least the driveway will get snowblowed! Maybe I will start making hair bows today. I cleaned the house yesterday, so I would have no guilt in happily crafting the day away! Might start the autograph books too!

 

[lovethattink]

The new fallen snow looks so beautiful.

Brrrrr, cold temp!

Hope you post pics of the bows and autograph books when they are finished. Enjoy your craft day.

 

[danicaca]

Well, I said I was going to get some crafting done on this snow day, and I did! I got almost all of the hairbows made, but I ran out of clips. I have four more bows to make, and I will post pics of those when I get them done! Here is what I have so far:

I am thinking of adding a black Mickey head to this green one, just not sure if I will, or if it needs it.

I think my favorite is the Epcot one. I love the flag Mickey head ribbon!