Pre-Trip Can I Return These Shoes? They Hurt My Feet. - A September 2018 Pre-Trip Report

"Can I Return These Shoes? They Hurt My Feet."

Yes – Those were the words my husband uttered as we were unpacking from our last trip. If you have no idea what I’m talking about you obviously need to go back and read my last TR…

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/hurricanes-foot-pains-and-“what-the-crocs-just-happened-”-anniversary-tale-–-a-sept-irma-2017-tr-completed.934251/

Of course the shoe drama didn’t happen until day 15.

If you are all caught up and you are still willing to read on and join us again for as @blgauger says, “Ross’ Shenanigans”, well then, please read on.

Just in case you don’t know our crazy family… Here we are…

Me: Mary – I am a high school English teacher turned homeschool and blogger mom. (Although I am SO BAD at updating my web page.) I have always been a Disney fan and love all things Disney.

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My hubby: Ross – my nutty, “frugal” husband who always seems to add some drama to our trip. He drives me crazy, but he is the hardest working guy I know who makes a lot of sacrifices so we can go on these trips.

Julia – my now sweet 16 daughter who I hope never grows out of going to Disney with her family. Although college seems to be getting in the way of our most loved September trip. (BTW, She usually doesn’t dress all in black. This was her costume from the production of “Much Ado About Nothing” our homeschool group put on. She was backstage & props.) She’s had a tough year with some health issues that are thankfully working out okay – so that’s definitely something I will be celebrating this year.

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Hope – my 9 year old daughter who is boycotting all omnimover rides. She is Autistic and the reason why I started writing TR’s. So many people told me I was crazy for taking a kid with so many “issues” to Disney that I really wanted to highlight the positives and show how successful a trip to Disney with a special needs kid could be. Sadly, this will be her last year as a “kid”. Next year, she will age into a Disney “adult”.

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And of course, here are the shoes of contention…

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Here we all are at Great Wolf Lodge (except for the Crocs). We went for the first time this year with our homeschool group that managed to get an AWESOME rate.

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So yes, as the TR title states, Ross has decided that he wants to see if he can return the Crocs he purchased last year. He figures since he barely wore them and the fact they hurt his feet so much, that it is a reasonable request. I will bring to your attention that Ross and the word “reasonable” sometimes rarely go together. Nonetheless, he is on a mission and firmly believes he has a good case.

Now I spent 15 years in retail management and some of the WORST memories I have are the people who would present me with a pair of jeans to return with nasty stains, ripped bottoms and no tags - and yet swear that, “I’ve never worn them.” So thinking about my husband trying to return his less than loved Crocs is not sitting well with me.

At first I wasn’t too concerned. I thought for sure he would long forget about them as the year went on. He even managed to purchase another pair of sandals that he likes almost as much as the ones Julia stepped on. (I forced him to buy a second pair of them – just in case.) He has also learned to walk a few steps to the side of Julia.

However, when he bought his new shoes a few months after we returned home, he brought up the topic again. Then, as I sat down at our 180 mark to make our ADR’s, he again reminded me of the Crocs, now covered with dust in his closet, and announced he planned on trying to return them. Seriously? Even in the depths of our North East winter as he came in after shoveling snow, his mind returned to those lonely Crocs as he mentioned his hopes that Disney would take them back and give him a merchandise credit.

So here we are, into double digits and quickly approaching our 60 day FP+ date, and he is NOT forgetting about the those Crocs.

These are becoming desperate times. I am now on a mission to “misplace” the Crocs before our September journey. Will I succeed? I don’t know. But if I do not, I made it clear that I am not having anything to do with this craziness. I am not packing them, carrying them or walking with him into the store if he does attempt to make this transaction. I don’t even want to hear about them. He is on his own with this endeavor. Will he actually go through with it? Your guess is as good as mine. But I promise I will document the tale for all of you… because let’s be honest, how else would anyone believe me?
 
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Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
On the 15th we will be doing a whatever type day with breakfast at Cape May and dinner at T-Rex. We may wander over to Pop just to check it out when we return back to the room for pool time. Maybe we will cross paths and if we do I will definitely say hello!


Yes - please do! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Grace!
 

Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
I'll be there on the 20th--we got the Passholder Play Time for Toy Story Land so I know we'll be in Disney then. We haven't booked anything else yet(including flights). Once we do I'll see if any of our plans match up. I'm planning a last minute trip for next month right now:eek:--I'll take care of September's after I'm done booking August's!!

If you see us - please say hi! Have an awesome August trip!!
 

Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
We are all over the place when we are there. Notorious park hoppers lol but we may decide to go to a park on the 10th before we leave that day. I will keep an eye out for you and definitely say hello if you see us. :)

The girls want to do Epcot & Studios on the 10th so if those plan stay that's where we will be rolling! I will definitely say hi if I see you! Have an awesome trip! Let's hope for no hurricanes!!
 

Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
Your plans sound amazing, and so jealous of how long you get to go for. Matt will be arriving September 9th. While us girls are stuck at home. He is going to a course but still managing to sneak in Disney days. Maybe you guys will cross paths in the park or DS. As for me I'm still banking on next September to run into you guys!


I'm so hoping for another September trip and would love to meet you guys! We will keep an eye out for Matt for sure!
 

Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
Great to read all about your planning. You’ll be heading for all the fun a week after we get back and are full of the post trip blues. I always like the last couple of months of anticipation.


Have a great time on your trip! These lasts weeks are so crazy, I'm afraid I'm filled with more anxiousness than anticipation.
 

Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
Wow! Choosing between dinner at Narcoossee's and Brunch at the Top at California Grill is tough. They are both absolutely delicious and the experience at both places is super cool. We've done both on a number of occasions and have never had a bad time. There is more food at Brunch as you can keep going back for more at the buffet line and there's always the BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS! @bee has enjoyed a few of those, if I recall. The ambiance with the live music is delightful and the views are stunning in the sunshine! But dinner at Narcoossee's is an amazing experience out on the water with a beautiful view of its own. I've enjoyed pork chops and scallops and even lobster there and it's so good. If you hang around long enough you can see HEA from outside on the pier as well.

I think you'll get more value at Narcoossee's as the price tag for Brunch is not for the faint of heart. I just read @Tuvalu 's report about brunch at 1900 Park Place and that was $36 per person. Last time we went to CG it $80 per person. (I guess you gotta pay for those "free mimosas" somehow, huh?)

The Disney Visa Rewards card is paying for OUR brunch in FOUR DAYS!! You won't go wrong with either choice, but both in one day would be a LOT!! I'm excited to see what you choose to do! I'm sorry I'll miss you this year. :geek:



Thanks @dizfan917 for the great advice! I keep going back and forth but I really need to make up my mind. I feel bad holding an ADR that someone else could use. I think we could pay using our DP - so that wouldn't be an issue. However, we are not Mimosas drinkers at all. So that being said, I guess I just have to decide based on our plans for the day. I think I may have to flip a coin at this point... lol

I hope you enjoyed your trip!! I can't imagine traveling with a huge group. I think I would go insane!
 

Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
Thanks for the tag, @dizfan917!

I did indeed enjoy brunch at California Grill a few months ago. For my wife and me it was a spectacular experience worth repeating for a special occasion. However, a huge part of the appeal for us was the mimosas, and we would NOT pay for the brunch if we were only going to have one or two. We also used our Tables in Wonderland discount so we "only" paid $64 per person and not $80. I'm not sure how many drinks you intend to consume with your children present (no judgment if the answer is "LOTS," haha) but I'm not sure you'll get your money's worth. That said, it was a ton of food and we left absolutely stuffed AND with a box of desserts to enjoy later.

I think with the timing of your day you'll enjoy dinner better. I would definitely not want to have any pressing plans until at least four hours after my brunch time.

Thank you @bee for the great tips! I believe to was your TR that convinced me to make the ADR. We are on the DP and I believe it covers the brunch for 2 credits so that was not too much of an issue. It looks so darn good and I've always wanted to try CG but the regular menu doesn't appeal to the rest of my family. So thought this would be a great way to go there. That being said, I agree with you that the timing may not be the greatest for us. I don't want anyone to be so stuffed as we are heading for the water park.

As for the mimosas, neither me nor Ross drinks - I would probably have one mimosas, but that would be it for me or Hope would have to give me her stroller and push me around for the day! As for Ross, Sprite & OJ are his beverages of choice. So if it was fresh squeezed OJ - then he would be there no matter what. lol But I see what you mean, that that probably takes some of the value away.

I have to decide soon. I feel bad holding the ADR that some else could use!
 

Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
Looking forward to reading another @Figment Forever report! I hope your girls get to see the same Pocahontas again - that was so fun! My secret: I'll be there September 13-20 as well. I'm hoping to get a PTR started in the next few days. It looks like we'll only have the 19th overlapping but it would be neat to run in to you guys!


Oh - If you see us - please say hi! I will keep a look out for you too! I think I started read your PTR yesterday. Yes - I am hoping for the same Pocahontas this year!! Thanks for following along!!
 

Figment Forever

Premium Member
Original Poster
38 Days To Go!!!!!

And... I think I know for certain Hope's issue with the omnimover rides. It's the fact that the ride may stop at some point during the duration of the ride. She said it scares her. I think she identifies it as a "mistake" and in her mind, if something goes wrong, you start over. But obviously, you can't just go back and start the ride from the beginning - it picks up where it left off, and that, she can't deal with.

So what to do??

Even the offer of a Disney Dollar reward did not budge her decision. Everytime, I mentioned those rides she would cover her ears with her hands and declare, "NOT GOING TO RIDE!"

I thought and thought what I could do.... The days are ticking away - how could we go to WDW and not ride Peter Pan?? or Buzz? or the big golf ball??? I don't think it would be bothering me as much if I didn't know she loved riding these rides. For example, I asked her if she was going to ride R&R and she said, "Too scared. You go upside down, I want to stay right side up." Now how can I argue with that? she makes a point - she doesn't like going upside down and I completely respect that. But theses omnimover rides she loved and I hate when her Autism gets in the way of things she enjoys. Something happened to make her stop loving them and I 'm pretty sure it happened at our Six Flags. Last year, we rode this ride, Battle For Metropolis, which honestly isn't really an omnimover ride, and I think it stopped along the way and she was not happy with it. After that experience, a few weeks later we were in Disney and all this started.

Then yesterday I had a thought. Sometimes if she needs to calm down, playing her I-Pod helps her. So I asked if she wanted to take her I-Pod on those particular rides and if the ride stops - she could play her I-Pod until it starts again. Well.... she seemed to like that idea! So as of right now, that's the plan and she says she's riding the omnimovers!

Everybody keep your fingers crossed!
 

Rista1313

Well-Known Member
38 Days To Go!!!!!

And... I think I know for certain Hope's issue with the omnimover rides. It's the fact that the ride may stop at some point during the duration of the ride. She said it scares her. I think she identifies it as a "mistake" and in her mind, if something goes wrong, you start over. But obviously, you can't just go back and start the ride from the beginning - it picks up where it left off, and that, she can't deal with.

So what to do??

Even the offer of a Disney Dollar reward did not budge her decision. Everytime, I mentioned those rides she would cover her ears with her hands and declare, "NOT GOING TO RIDE!"

I thought and thought what I could do.... The days are ticking away - how could we go to WDW and not ride Peter Pan?? or Buzz? or the big golf ball??? I don't think it would be bothering me as much if I didn't know she loved riding these rides. For example, I asked her if she was going to ride R&R and she said, "Too scared. You go upside down, I want to stay right side up." Now how can I argue with that? she makes a point - she doesn't like going upside down and I completely respect that. But theses omnimover rides she loved and I hate when her Autism gets in the way of things she enjoys. Something happened to make her stop loving them and I 'm pretty sure it happened at our Six Flags. Last year, we rode this ride, Battle For Metropolis, which honestly isn't really an omnimover ride, and I think it stopped along the way and she was not happy with it. After that experience, a few weeks later we were in Disney and all this started.

Then yesterday I had a thought. Sometimes if she needs to calm down, playing her I-Pod helps her. So I asked if she wanted to take her I-Pod on those particular rides and if the ride stops - she could play her I-Pod until it starts again. Well.... she seemed to like that idea! So as of right now, that's the plan and she says she's riding the omnimovers!

Everybody keep your fingers crossed!


Oh I hope that works for Hope!
 

ScarletBegonias

Well-Known Member
38 Days To Go!!!!!

And... I think I know for certain Hope's issue with the omnimover rides. It's the fact that the ride may stop at some point during the duration of the ride. She said it scares her. I think she identifies it as a "mistake" and in her mind, if something goes wrong, you start over. But obviously, you can't just go back and start the ride from the beginning - it picks up where it left off, and that, she can't deal with.

So what to do??

Even the offer of a Disney Dollar reward did not budge her decision. Everytime, I mentioned those rides she would cover her ears with her hands and declare, "NOT GOING TO RIDE!"

I thought and thought what I could do.... The days are ticking away - how could we go to WDW and not ride Peter Pan?? or Buzz? or the big golf ball??? I don't think it would be bothering me as much if I didn't know she loved riding these rides. For example, I asked her if she was going to ride R&R and she said, "Too scared. You go upside down, I want to stay right side up." Now how can I argue with that? she makes a point - she doesn't like going upside down and I completely respect that. But theses omnimover rides she loved and I hate when her Autism gets in the way of things she enjoys. Something happened to make her stop loving them and I 'm pretty sure it happened at our Six Flags. Last year, we rode this ride, Battle For Metropolis, which honestly isn't really an omnimover ride, and I think it stopped along the way and she was not happy with it. After that experience, a few weeks later we were in Disney and all this started.

Then yesterday I had a thought. Sometimes if she needs to calm down, playing her I-Pod helps her. So I asked if she wanted to take her I-Pod on those particular rides and if the ride stops - she could play her I-Pod until it starts again. Well.... she seemed to like that idea! So as of right now, that's the plan and she says she's riding the omnimovers!

Everybody keep your fingers crossed!

That seems like a good plan! Hopefully it'll work out!
 

MeeskaMooska0714

Well-Known Member
Then yesterday I had a thought. Sometimes if she needs to calm down, playing her I-Pod helps her. So I asked if she wanted to take her I-Pod on those particular rides and if the ride stops - she could play her I-Pod until it starts again. Well.... she seemed to like that idea! So as of right now, that's the plan and she says she's riding the omnimovers!

Everybody keep your fingers crossed!
Keeping my fingers crossed for you guys! You can do it Hope! :)
 

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