Week After Turkey Day Shenanigans

[Meeko5]

With Sports, it appears nothing is *too* far from main hall anyway. We just want ground floor for ease with the gigantor stroller and close to transportation.

 

[kellyjeanie]

I don't know what my TA did last time but I asked her to request Jamaica 45 or Aruba 51, which are right across the bridge from OPR at CBR. I don't know what she did to request. We got Jamaica 41, which is...not close. lol It was fine, DH still ran to OPR to get drinks a couple nights and while it was a bit of a walk to get to OPR and the pool it wasn't awful, the resort is beautiful and it's a nice stroll. If we were closer, though, we might have used the facilities more.

 

[Meeko5]

Thanks, guys. I'll be better on Thursday when this all gets straightened out one way or the other. I almost wish we just hadn't been able to book ANY fastpasses this morning.

Truly, good luck to everyone who gets to try booking in the morning! I hope it all runs very smoothly for you and you get what you wanted when you wanted it!

I feel awful for you..I'd call and complain to guest relations and maybe they will give you a jackpot of anytime FP's

 

[twoolle]

No one here thinks your crazy! Or crazy loves company

Making autograph books? I would love to see pics!

Not making them...I bought them off Etsy for our 2015 trip and still haven't put the pictures in them! I have no artistic talent.

 

[kellyjeanie]

I literally have no clue what to do with my last 2 days for FPs! I'm having a mini freak out. Might be a late night for me.

Which parks? Do you have it narrowed down?

 

[M&J's Mom]

I have a room only reservation for 11/27 and then Vacation package with free dining 11/28-12/4. Will I be able to make FP for the entire trip tomorrow or thursday?

I was able to book today with my room only for 11/26 and package starting 11/27. Good luck tomorrow!

 

[plumsiren]

For general (more succinct!) reference, I stole this from the POFQ thread:

"Can I request a particular location or room type?

Some people prefer to request particular room locations, although it is such a small resort that everywhere is within easy walking distance. If you do want to make any special requests always do so along with your initial booking. You can also try faxing the resort a few days before you arrive (no more than five days) as a reminder, but please be aware that Disney will not guarantee any locations apart from on specific medical grounds.

[...]

For lots more information on the best room locations and how to make special requests, please see here, but here are a few tips:

• First, ALWAYS make sure that any requests are noted in your original reservation as this is the official method to log room requests for WDW hotels. This can be done by calling your travel agent or the Disney Reservation Center on (407) 934-7639.
• Online checkin can be done up to 60 days in advance, but the requests section which you can fill in is very limited. It would be best to do online checkin BEFORE sending any faxed requests, so any more detailed choices are not overridden.
• Send a FAX directly to the resort on 1-407-934-5353 about 3-5 days before your arrival date. If you don't have access to a fax machine you can send a free fax online via www.gotfreefax.com.
• Provide your full details (name, address, phone number, email address and reservation number/arrival date). They may contact you about your requests, but don't worry if you don't get any confirmation back.
• Be polite but personable, and let them know how much you are looking forward to your stay at Port Orleans and how getting your requests fulfilled would make your stay extra-magical.
• Very specific requests (e.g. for one particular room number) can be hard to accommodate, although it might help to use room numbers to narrow down an area you are trying to describe.
• Try to explain the reasons for your requests, as that helps the room assignment team find other options in case your first choice may not be available.
• If you have multiple requests, try to prioritise them in order of your preferences.
• Do your homework first so you don't make requests that cannot be fulfilled (e.g. don't ask for a ground floor room if you have booked Pool View).
• You can ask if an upgraded room category might be available for your stay (e.g. a River View if you were only able to book Pool View) but obviously not all such requests can be granted. It certainly can't hurt to ask though.
• DISboards member Venomhatch has created a useful template which you can use as a base to help you construct a faxed request, see his thread for details."

REMEMBER all of this was written specifically for Port Orleans! Be sure to adapt it to your own needs, assuming you can't find better info for your specific resort!

 

[plumsiren]

I don't know what my TA did last time but I asked her to request Jamaica 45 or Aruba 51, which are right across the bridge from OPR at CBR. I don't know what she did to request. We got Jamaica 41, which is...not close. lol It was fine, DH still ran to OPR to get drinks a couple nights and while it was a bit of a walk to get to OPR and the pool it wasn't awful, the resort is beautiful and it's a nice stroll. If we were closer, though, we might have used the facilities more.

When I was a kid, my parents booked our vacation through a travel agent. I know that back then there were no 'preferred' rooms, but apparently they told the TA I liked to swim and, I guess, that we wanted to be close to everything - looking at the CBR map now I'd guess we were in Martinique 24, overlooking the pool and the laundry - possibly the best location in the whole resort! I remember the bus being super close too! Didn't realize at the time what pixie dust that was! Though I do regret that we never really explored the rest of the resort.

Not making them...I bought them off Etsy for our 2015 trip and still haven't put the pictures in them! I have no artistic talent.

I've committed to making them for BFF's daughters. Oh god what have I done?! This is a disaster waiting to happen. To Michaels I go!

 

[kellyjeanie]

When I was a kid, my parents booked our vacation through a travel agent. I know that back then there were no 'preferred' rooms, but apparently they told the TA I liked to swim and, I guess, that we wanted to be close to everything - looking at the CBR map now I'd guess we were in Martinique 24, overlooking the pool and the laundry - possibly the best location in the whole resort! I remember the bus being super close too! Didn't realize at the time what pixie dust that was! Though I do regret that we never really explored the rest of the resort.



I've committed to making them for BFF's daughters. Oh god what have I done?! This is a disaster waiting to happen. To Michaels I go!

How awesome was that location!

Good luck with the autograph books - we'd love to see when you're done!

 

[Meeko5]

I loved collecting autographs as a kid...mine couldn't care less. Which is sort of a relief for me haha!

 

[JamieOak]

Which parks? Do you have it narrowed down?

Here's what I got so far.

 

[plumsiren]

I loved collecting autographs as a kid...mine couldn't care less. Which is sort of a relief for me haha!

I did the autograph thing, but being 11, almost 12, at the time, I remember being kind of embarrassed, like, oh, I'm taking time away from the littler kids. Hah! I'd go there now at 32 and demand my autographs if I was so inclined. As it is I'll be perfectly happy with just lots and lots of pictures!

I've yet to put any research into making the books, but I do consider myself a sliiiightly crafty person with a bit of a fetish for stickers, so fingers crossed?

 

[plumsiren]

Here's what I got so far.

Haunted Mansion might be in high demand on Sunday since it'll be closed during the week? Otherwise I'd say you've got all the biggies covered!

Oh, one of mine for AK is gonna be Festival of the Lion King. Dunno if it's necessary but it's what TP suggested for my schedule. And I think it told me to make one for Pirates one day too!

 

[kellyjeanie]

@JamieOak it looks like you want to use those last 2 days to hit what you missed?

 

[JamieOak]

Haunted Mansion might be in high demand on Sunday since it'll be closed during the week? Otherwise I'd say you've got all the biggies covered!

Oh, one of mine for AK is gonna be Festival of the Lion King. Dunno if it's necessary but it's what TP suggested for my schedule. And I think it told me to make one for Pirates one day too!

I agree on Haunted mansion, good point. But I think I'll have to go for FEA that last day for my prebooked FPs so that will leave me in Epcot for FPs.

I'm planning to get a same day FP for FotLK because we are going to a late show (5:30pm I think). Same for Pirates, it was either Jungle Cruise or Pirates and hope to get a same day FP for the other at overlapping times.

Edited to add...I could just plan on RD'ing FEA and then my last day's FPs could be in MK for haunted mansion, space mountain, and I'd need to think of a 3rd.

 

[JamieOak]

@JamieOak it looks like you want to use those last 2 days to hit what you missed?

Yes, the plan is more leisurely park touring the last 2 days. But that doesn't really work with the FP process! hehe. I'm 2nd guessing going back to AK. I don't think I'll know until we are there and did the first AK day if we want to go back or not. But I think if we do want to go back, we'll need more time than I had blocked off.

I thought about it some more and think that HS is the most sure thing I have on 12/3 because it seems pretty likely there will be SW fireworks, though not yet released officially. So I think I'll do my FPs on 12/3 for the following, and plan on getting there at 4:00pm. Then the whole day up until then could remain somewhat flexible.

Fastpasses (HS)
Frozen Sing Along (4:30 show)
Rock N Roller Coaster (4:30-5:30)
Tower of Terror (5:30-6:30)

 

[Sharla75]

Hi, has anyone did the Pirates and pals fireworks cruise? Or is anyone planning to? I am debating booking it. Thanks

We did this last year, and my 4-year-old son loved it. It was cool to see the MK fireworks from the water, and the pirate captain of our boat was pretty entertaining -- every kid earned a prize for trivia questions. At the end, Peter Pan was waiting on the dock and spent a good amount of time with each family. Add in the treats before the cruise and the photo op with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, and I think it was worth the expense. Hope you enjoy it if you decide to book!

 

[ElenaofAvalor]

Set up our fast passes this morning. I wanted to send out a word of encouragement to those that have not set yours up yet. It was not nearly as bad as I feared, plenty of times, and easily rearranged. Good luck!

 

[twoolle]

I'm here at McDonald's all set up with 10 minutes to spare! Couldn't sleep at all last night. Seriously, I think I might have a problem.

 

[JamieOak]

I'm here at McDonald's all set up with 10 minutes to spare! Couldn't sleep at all last night. Seriously, I think I might have a problem.

I'm at work early and ready too! I slept just fine, but now again I'm wondering if anything I'm reserving makes any sense.