When Two Holidays Collide! An Oct. 2012 PTR UPDATE 6/30 Disneyland stuff

[kmedina]

Now on to part 2 of day 1...

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!

DH and I went once before in 2008 for a last minute anniversary gift to each other. Well, it drizzled all night and I was fighting a cold. Pretty romantic stuff, huh?

Here are the plans for this time:
*Eat at Cosmic Rays before the party officially starts. (cheese sauce trip #2)
*Wait in crazy long line to meet the princesses (and princes). Baby P is such a little flirt,
I swear he knows how to say,"How you doin?" in baby talk and somehow grown women can still understand it.
*Wait in crazy long lines to trick or treat.
*Lots of photopass pictures.
*Watch Hallowishes and Boo to You parade.

Luckily, our little boy doesn't like to go to sleep before midnight, so hopefully we'll be able to stay most of the time. I guess it just depends on how the crowds are acting to how long we will stay.

Up Next..Day 2: Return to the Magic Kingdom!

Sounds awesome. The thing I regret most from our honeymoon trip is not doing the Halloween party. I hope to rectify that next year. Even if the lines are long, I hope you have a great time. My boys are usually up late too.

Don't know what happened. It's all better now.

I saw that too from my phone. I was not sure what happened, so I logged into the computer. Glad it's fixed.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Day 2: Return to the Magic Kingdom
You may be asking,"Why are you going back to the Magic Kingdom? You were there all day yesterday and for the Halloween party. Why on Earth are you going to go to rope drop 8 hours later?"

Oh, did I forget to mention that. Yes after staying at the Halloween party until midnight, we are going to try to make rope drop. Why? It's a tradition of ours. Usually our first day of our trip is on Thursday, so we always like to make rope drop. Well, it's morning EMH, so I do think they really do a rope drop, but anyways, that's the plan.

*So, I plan on making sure we eat breakfast in the room, I don't want to waste any precious EMH time waiting in line for breakfast at the Main Street Bakery.
*We plan on meandering down Mainstreet, getting photopass pics done along the way, maybe wander through a gift shop. I cannot walk down Mainstreet without walking into the Emporium, it's virtually impossible.
*We will head to the Harmony Barber Shop at 9:00am so the boys can get their haircuts. So excited for P to get his first haircut, he's going to be super shaggy by then.
*After we get our official picture in front of the castle, maybe we'll actually wear sunglasses this time so we're not squinting,

(sorry for such a big picture, still trying to figure out the changes to editing on Photobucket)
we'll get fastpasses for Peter Pan.
*Then, it's time to head over to the Storybook Circus for

Peyton's first ride on Dumbo! Last time, we never could seem to find a wait under 30 minutes, so we decided to hold off until the next trip.
*Now, hoping he reaches the 35 inch mark (he was almost 29 inches at his six month checkup), we will go ride The Great Goofini!

I think this is such a cute coaster and reminds me of Gadget's Go Coaster at DL (which was the first coaster I went on, yes, I was 15, but before that I was terrified of any kind of coaster).
*Next is another first for Peyton, the carousel, one of my favorites and I can't wait share it with him.
*By this time, we should be able to use our Peter Pan fastpasses.
*Then, it's time for The Haunted Mansion, one of Mickey's favorites. I could really take it or leave it. I am not a fan of the changes they made a few years ago, I prefer the old school bride with the beating heart, I don't care for the murderous bride. Last time we were one it, I spent most of the ride holding Peyton's head still because the back and forth motion of the doom buggies kept bouncing him around. I'm hoping for a better ride this time.
*Then, it's time to head over to Tomorrowland and ride the Peoplemover.
*After our trip through Tomorrowland it'll be time for lunch at the Lunching Pad.
*Then it's time for some shopping! I love wandering through all of the gift shops, I don't even need to buy anything just got to see all the cool stuff.
*We'll probably just chill out the rest of the day, before we leave, we'll go have our picture taken with Mickey
*Once me leave the park, we'll take the monorail over to the Polynesian and have dinner at Kona Cafe.
*After that, we'll call it a night and head back to the room.

Up Next...My Favorite park: Epcot

 

[kmedina]

Sounds like an awesome day. On the trip before ourt most recent, I had a couple of days where we were out late and in the park early the next morning. DH would not allow me to do that this time around. I guess we had an early rise after our somewhat late HS day

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Sounds like an awesome day. On the trip before ourt most recent, I had a couple of days where we were out late and in the park early the next morning. DH would not allow me to do that this time around. I guess we had an early rise after our somewhat late HS day

That's one reason I booked a couple of breakfasts, so I could get those early park days.

 

[amandaw]

Your plans sound great so far! So glad you were able to get your ADRs!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Your plans sound great so far! So glad you were able to get your ADRs!

Thanks. I think making ADRs is one of my favorite thing to do when planning vacation. Unfortunately, I have a bad habit of wanting to change them.

 

[Elleshoodat]

Your plans so far look great. And yay for making ADRs! Disney's computer system drives me bananas; I feel the pain you went through!

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

Joining in the fun! We'll be there from 10/27 to 11/2, so we'll overlap a bit! What day are y'all doing MNSSHP?!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Great pic of your family! Looks like you guys have some serious commando planning going on...I keep having to look over my schedule to make sure we don't have too many late nights backed up into early mornings! We need our beauty sleep!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Your plans so far look great. And yay for making ADRs! Disney's computer system drives me bananas; I feel the pain you went through!

You would think with all of the "upgrades" they've done over the past few years, it would get easier. Well I guess it's easier than trying to do it over the phone with an agent. I can only listen to their schpeel so many times.

Joining in the fun! We'll be there from 10/27 to 11/2, so we'll overlap a bit! What day are y'all doing MNSSHP?!

to my overplanning adventure! We're actually being brave (or dumb) and plan on doing the party on Halloween. Looks like a lot of Disers are going to be in the World over Halloween.

Great pic of your family! Looks like you guys have some serious commando planning going on...I keep having to look over my schedule to make sure we don't have too many late nights backed up into early mornings! We need our beauty sleep!

Thanks, that was the best pic of the bunch since we had the sun right in our face. DH knows I've made the itinerary for the trip, he just doesn't know the extent of it yet.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Lesson Learned

Okay, I guess I don't like the CC requirement as much as I thought. When I was making my adrs, one of the things I was trying to book was the Fantasmic Dining package. I went to pick out the date on the calendar and it wasn't showing anything open for Nov. I thought maybe it was part of the other issues I was having that morning, so I entered the date manually. Apparently at this point, it changed the date back to May 4th, so I booked an adr for that day and didn't realize it. That is until I saw my bank statement and saw a $30 charge from WDW Dine. Make sure to triple check your reservations so you don't accidently get charged for something you don't want.

 

[kmedina]

Lesson Learned

Okay, I guess I don't like the CC requirement as much as I thought. When I was making my adrs, one of the things I was trying to book was the Fantasmic Dining package. I went to pick out the date on the calendar and it wasn't showing anything open for Nov. I thought maybe it was part of the other issues I was having that morning, so I entered the date manually. Apparently at this point, it changed the date back to May 4th, so I booked an adr for that day and didn't realize it. That is until I saw my bank statement and saw a $30 charge from WDW Dine. Make sure to triple check your reservations so you don't accidently get charged for something you don't want.

Disney makes a lot of money that way. You are at least the third person I know who that happened to. There was a whole thread like this a while back and it happened to two other people. One just let it go. The other tried t get her money back but was never successful. Sorry that happened to you. I can tell you that the Fantasmic packages do not always open 180 days out. Sometimes the phone agents get first dibs to those reservations too, so manybe you can call and check on it.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Disney makes a lot of money that way. You are at least the third person I know who that happened to. There was a whole thread like this a while back and it happened to two other people. One just let it go. The other tried t get her money back but was never successful. Sorry that happened to you. I can tell you that the Fantasmic packages do not always open 180 days out. Sometimes the phone agents get first dibs to those reservations too, so manybe you can call and check on it.

I have good news! I just got off the phone with Disney Dining and had a very helpful CM(shoutout to Elmer if you're a Diser), I explained what had happened, and he said that for some reason they were holding off on releasing Fantasmic and Fireworks Dessert party. He was able to speak with Guest Services and get the money credited back! I'm sure it's all a luck of the draw on whether you get someone that will be willing to help correct the problem, it shouldn't be that was, but unfortunately, it is. I guess I got a little pixie dust sent my way today. (ha, ha, I just rhymed)

 

[kmedina]

I have good news! I just got off the phone with Disney Dining and had a very helpful CM(shoutout to Elmer if you're a Diser), I explained what had happened, and he said that for some reason they were holding off on releasing Fantasmic and Fireworks Dessert party. He was able to speak with Guest Services and get the money credited back! I'm sure it's all a luck of the draw on whether you get someone that will be willing to help correct the problem, it shouldn't be that was, but unfortunately, it is. I guess I got a little pixie dust sent my way today. (ha, ha, I just rhymed)

I am glad that worked out for you. The way you react to the situation probably also plays a factor in the resolultion. If you throw your hands up in the air and say it happened, oh well, there will be no resolution. If you are so upset that Disney is ripping you off (as the person on the thread mentioned), you may not come off as the nicest person. No one ever wants to help those people. The dessert parties last year were only released 45-60 days in advance. I was checking the site daily for months. It was a hassle but worth it in my opinion.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Day 3...Epcot

Now that we've had a few commando days, this will be a "chill" day.

*The plan is to have some photopass pictures done in Future World, Spaceship Earth, and hopefully Stitch and Daisy will be out.
*We're going to go purchase our F&W gift card and pick up some passports. We don't plan on doing F&W until Monday, but I want to be ready to go.
*Depending on what time it is, we'll grab either breakfast or lunch at Sunshine Seasons (this is one of my faves, really want to try the tuna noodle salad).
*We'll probably ride Living with the Land after eating.
*Then we'll go hang out at The Seas.
*We'll ride Nemo, go look at all of the aquariums, visit with the manatees, maybe check out Turtle Talk, and if it'd not too crowded, get some pictures with Bruce.
*After the Seas, I need to go ride Figment, I know a lot of people don't like the new Figment, but he's the only Figment I know, and I love him!Come on everyone, follow the bouncing Figment!
*Then, it will be time to hit Mousegears. Crazy, we've been in the park for a couple hours now and I'm just making it to the gift shop!
*We'll finally head to World Showcase, starting with Mexico so we can go on the Grand Fiesta Tour.
*Wander through the gift shops.
*Grab a slushie from Joy of Tea in China.
*Get some goodies from Karamell Kuche, still never had anything from there.
*Do some more photopass pics through WS.
*Depending on the time, we'll go walk along the Boardwalk.
*We'll have dinner over at Rose & Crown and catch Illuminations from the restaurant.
*Take our time leaving, get some night shots, try to avoid the crowds.
*Head back to the room for a good night's sleep.

Up Next, Peyton's First Time at the Animal Kingdom

 

[kmedina]

Love your "chill day." I always feel the busiest at Epcot even when strolling through the WS, because of all the kidcot stops. Yay to food and wine. I cannot wait until next year when we get to go back during food and wine.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

I am glad that worked out for you. The way you react to the situation probably also plays a factor in the resolultion. If you throw your hands up in the air and say it happened, oh well, there will be no resolution. If you are so upset that Disney is ripping you off (as the person on the thread mentioned), you may not come off as the nicest person. No one ever wants to help those people. The dessert parties last year were only released 45-60 days in advance. I was checking the site daily for months. It was a hassle but worth it in my opinion.

I'm glad everything was resolved, I didn't have my hopes set too high, they didn't have to do anything, it was my screw up. I thought about it for a while before I called, the worst they could do was say no.

I remember trying to book the dessert party for Dec 2010. I was able to book in August, but it was quite a bit of work. I had to call back 4 times because CMs didn't know what I was talking about. The only date I was able to get was during MVMCP so I had to buy tickets for that night too. With the exception that I had really bad morning sickness at the time and couldn't stand sweets at the time, it was quite fun. I would really like to do it again, so I just keep checking a couple times a week.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Love your "chill day." I always feel the busiest at Epcot even when strolling through the WS, because of all the kidcot stops. Yay to food and wine. I cannot wait until next year when we get to go back during food and wine.

I'm sure that will probably be us next year when we go in May. Since P will be almost 2 by then, I'm sure he'll be more interested in coloring.

I am hoping to try Special Agent P a little later in the trip, I wonder how long that takes.

 

[tabrizia]

to my overplanning adventure! We're actually being brave (or dumb) and plan on doing the party on Halloween. Looks like a lot of Disers are going to be in the World over Halloween.

We've done the party over Halloween before it is a lot of fun. It wasn't as busy as I expected when we did it, but then again we weren't trying to ride rides, just let the kids see the characters and see the parade and fireworks, so it worked out well for us.

 

[Elleshoodat]

Fun "chill" day plans. I always get caught up in wanting to do everything at Epcot since it's my favorite park. And yay for F&W! That's the best time of year to visit, IMO.