Pre-Trip Change of Plans..Several Times

Hi!! So I'm sure you all have seen me posting a million questions.. (Thanks for all of the answers!).

My son is out of town this week, so I'm taking the opportunity to create this thread and put all of my madness in one place :)

He does not know about any of it yet (I booked back in March), and I'm also going to try and create an awesome scavenger hunt for the cruise reveal when he returns next weekend.

This is my sweet, crazy, adventurous Kiddo.

For several months now he's been asking to "go back to Disney World", and "Mommy, can we go on a Disney Cruise? I want to go on the big yellow slide!"

He loves all things Christmas.
He also obviously loves Disney.
So what better than to combine the two?
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Now for the Stress Zone-

Here's a little background,
In September 2015 we did a 16 night WDW/SoFla combo. I know some of you love extended time in WDW..but for me-10 days was too much (admittedly I mad a ton of mistakes with my planning)!!
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This year I decided to "do Disney with less stress"-- a Disney Cruise!!
Sounds easy, right?


After choosing the ship (Fantasy), itinerary (Western Caribbean), and travel week (11/26-12/3) I thought I was all set.

That's not how I roll though. I'm an over doer. At pretty much everything. So..I decide,
"Well, we've never been to Disney during Christmastime, and we're going to be flying into MCO anyway.. So I'll just book a quick 3 nights at WDW!"

After going back and forth between Poly and the Contemporary for weeks.. I finally decided to do the Contemporary this trip.

But Wait!! It wasn't that easy! The 3 nights that I had just priced the day before, were no longer available! Wait, what?!?! I don't understand! So I call, and I sit on hold, and then I'm told that there is a "Length of Stay Requirement on a Theme Park View Room that week." I'm utterly confused because it was available when I checked last night!
I call a travel agent. She contacts Disney for me..same response. So, I booked a Lake View for 3 nights. The more I thought about it, the more it drove me crazy. So what do I do? I call my TA and tell her to add a night so I can get my darn Theme Park View.
Now we're at 4 nights post cruise.

Bravo Disney. You got me.

Fast Forward a few months and I think "Well, we have to stay somewhere before the cruise, might as well stay at WDW." Then I stress over that.

Here's what I ended up with-

11/24-11/26 AKL Club Level (no parks)
11/26-12/3 DCL Fantasy
12/3-12/7 Contemporary TPV (parks and MVMCP)

The Contemporary will be a complete
SURPRISE for kiddo!
On the last morning of our cruise he will receive a package from Santa, in it will contain our magic bands, and a "ticket" to the MVMCP. Once we arrive at the contemporary Santa will have also left us a few surprises in our room. (I'm ordering the Christmas In Room Experience from Disney Floral and Gifts ahead of time).

Ok so, this is the start of my madness.. Any tips on a scavenger hunt cruise reveal, things to do that time of year, etc are much appreciated!
 
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21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
YAY!!! How exciting! I have always wanted to go to Alaska...I hear it's beautiful, I'm sure you guys will have an amazing time!
I've already switched my cabin twice since then...I had originally wanted an Aft Balcony for Alaska, but all are sold out- except for suites. So, I changed from midship balcony to a penthouse suite. Then reality set in, and I am just not comfortable spending that much money on a stateroom(Also why I'm not cruising Alaska with DCL).. So, I switched again, settled on a mid ship mini suite- no butler, no concierge, no priority boarding, or any of the other cool perks that the other one has, and no 'perfect' aft balcony :( ...but my wallet feels better about it! I'm a nutcase and have been totally distracted by the Alaska stuff.lol
Wow what a surprise! Enjoy the pre feelings and wish you a wonderful and magical time!!
Thank you!!!! I don't know how much longer we have for "Santa", so I want to make sure to take advantage while I can!!!!
 
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sheriffwoody

Well-Known Member
This trip sounds AMAZING! I wish I could help with the scavenger hunt...I'm terrible at that kind of thing. My mom did one for me one Christmas and it was so fun. I hope I can learn some skills before I have kids of my own :). I bet your son will really love it!
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
This trip sounds AMAZING! I wish I could help with the scavenger hunt...I'm terrible at that kind of thing. My mom did one for me one Christmas and it was so fun. I hope I can learn some skills before I have kids of my own :). I bet your son will really love it!
Pinterest is my BFF ;)
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paging @Courtney6682 !!! Or anyone...please help me!!!

I'm cancelling our cruise :( :( We've had some changes at work and I just can't leave for that many days. I gave my son the "hypothetical" option of which he would rather do now, and do the other one next year.(cost wise they're the same, but I do lose several hundred by cancelling the cruise)..and he chose the parks!!! I can't believe it.

Problem is, besides literally throwing away money, there is NO AVAILABILITY to extend our park stay now. Only if I switch our dates to 11/26 check in. Which means------LOSE ALL OF OUR DINING RESERVATIONS!!!!

I can't believe this..I booked this trip in March!!! WTH am I going to do?????? What would you do????
 

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paging @Courtney6682 !!! Or anyone...please help me!!!

I'm cancelling our cruise :( :( We've had some changes at work and I just can't leave for that many days. I gave my son the "hypothetical" option of which he would rather do now, and do the other one next year.(cost wise they're the same, but I do lose several hundred by cancelling the cruise)..and he chose the parks!!! I can't believe it.

Problem is, besides literally throwing away money, there is NO AVAILABILITY to extend our park stay now. Only if I switch our dates to 11/26 check in. Which means------LOSE ALL OF OUR DINING RESERVATIONS!!!!

I can't believe this..I booked this trip in March!!! WTH am I going to do?????? What would you do????

Ughhh...so sorry to hear this!! That sucks! I'd go with keeping the cruise. You know he'll enjoy himself once on the boat. If u do decide to ditch the cruise and go with the parks...I honestly wouldn't worry about the dining ressies...I've often just checked the app and taken whatever was avail if you guys are easy going as far as eating goes.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Ughhh...so sorry to hear this!! That sucks! I'd go with keeping the cruise. You know he'll enjoy himself once on the boat. If u do decide to ditch the cruise and go with the parks...I honestly wouldn't worry about the dining ressies...I've often just checked the app and taken whatever was avail if you guys are easy going as far as eating goes.

Me and Easy Going do not exist on the same planet.lol

The second part of this is- I would have to switch to the Grand Floridian :( It is the only monorail resort that is available for 6 nights during either of those weeks, still a theme park view though. Then we would do 3 nights Universal..that I had recently decided to add anyway.

Here's my hesitation about pushing the cruise.. We have an Alaskan cruise booked for June '17, and will be spending time in Washington state on that trip as well....leaving no time for WDW in '17...but we would do the cruise next November, same dates as this year.

The ONLY reason I think that it may be the correct choice is because all of his cousins and friends have gone to WDW this year, including our 6 year old neighbor who is there now. He's been asking like crazy...but then again he asks to go on the Disney Cruise. UGH!!! I don't know what the right decision is!
 

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
Me and Easy Going do not exist on the same planet.lol

The second part of this is- I would have to switch to the Grand Floridian :( It is the only monorail resort that is available for 6 nights during either of those weeks, still a theme park view though. Then we would do 3 nights Universal..that I had recently decided to add anyway.

Here's my hesitation about pushing the cruise.. We have an Alaskan cruise booked for June '17, and will be spending time in Washington state on that trip as well....leaving no time for WDW in '17...but we would do the cruise next November, same dates as this year.

The ONLY reason I think that it may be the correct choice is because all of his cousins and friends have gone to WDW this year, including our 6 year old neighbor who is there now. He's been asking like crazy...but then again he asks to go on the Disney Cruise. UGH!!! I don't know what the right decision is!

Hmmm...ok now I really see your dilema...based on this ....I'd do the GF and parks...
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hmmm...ok now I really see your dilema...based on this ....I'd do the GF and parks...
Did you end up booking the afternoon tea? I've been looking since yesterday and no availability for our days. I thought it would be a nice "date" since we are losing formal night on the cruise..just something a little special that we wouldn't normally do.

I still can not believe my son chose the parks. We will have 9 nights and 7 park days (between Uni and WDW). The same number of park days as last time.. when he had a melt down!! AND the entire reason that I booked the cruise in the first place. I'm more than mildly frightened.
 

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
Did you end up booking the afternoon tea? I've been looking since yesterday and no availability for our days. I thought it would be a nice "date" since we are losing formal night on the cruise..just something a little special that we wouldn't normally do.

I still can not believe my son chose the parks. We will have 9 nights and 7 park days (between Uni and WDW). The same number of park days as last time.. when he had a melt down!! AND the entire reason that I booked the cruise in the first place. I'm more than mildly frightened.

Still thinking about it...because now I'm tossing around the idea of having Brooklyn swim with dolphins at Epcot the morning of her bday...she's all for the tea...and the dolphins would be a surprise so I can't ask her lol...BUT ....she has swam with them in Jamaica..the tea would be soooo nice and relaxing...idk what to do!!!

As far as your son...the older he gets the easier the parks will become. He'll know what to expect...go slow...relax a few hrs a day...it will be fine!
 

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
Ok New Itinerary-

Arrive late night 11/24 at AKL.
Check in to GF 11/26-12/1
Check in to Royal Pacific 12/1-4.
8 park days!! Is this crazy?????

Do I switch AKL to GF so we don't have to move? There is availability.

We are now doing Animal Kingdom on 11/25.

Yay!! Glad you made a decision...and yes, switch so u don't have to move
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Yay!! Glad you made a decision...and yes, switch so u don't have to move
I think I am going to, although I was looking forward to trying AKL. I will have to have separate reservations, there is obviously no discount for the 24th and 25th. Have you ever had that? A room only and a package at the same resort? I feel like it would be a waste to add the dining plan for that day...even though I actually have more dining than credits for the latter 5 nights.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I really need to change this title, and the original post.

Here's where we're at now-

6 nights at GF. 3 nights WL.

The lack of availability is CRAZY!! It's ok though, I've accepted it, and we're good.
Can't change reservations again bc there is literally nothing left to choose from.

Latest updates-

Trip is no longer a surprise. :(
Kiddo retrieved the mail, noticed the new Disney envelope (I was so careful back in March, but when I rebooked and changed our dates I completely forgot to be on the lookout!), ran inside jumping up and down.
Maybe I'll leave MVMCP as a surprise? Or the switch to WL? I've thought about putting new magic bands in a box on check out day at GF- and "surprise we're not going home". I don't know.
 
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21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I may have over extended myself at the present time.

Currently we are in Fall Soccer and Cub Scouts. We are undefeated in soccer and will definitely go to the City Tournament and more than likely we'll make it to State- which means we will be playing thru the end of November.

Next week starts Indoor Soccer.
The week after starts Swimming Lessons.
That same week we start Basketball.

Outdoor Soccer, Indoor Soccer, Cub Scouts, Swimming, Basketball- all at once. Oh, and I work 55 hours per week. Then there's the whole trying to finish this trip and get all new dining reservations.

This schedule is crazy, even for me.
I am sooooo glad we didn't add football to the mix this year.

Please, someone pass me a drink. A strong one.

Oh, and to you mother's of multiple children in extracurricular activities- hats off to you. Seriously. I'm having a mild panic attack just looking at our upcoming schedule, and I only have one child.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I just went back and read through this thread. Next Disney trip is a cruise..not complicating it with the parks. My TA and I just had a discussion about this.. Every single reason that I booked this vacation is now changed to every reason why I did not want to do a parks only stay. She still thinks I should switch back to the Fantasy. I'm not. Oh well, it will be great regardless.. I just NEED to keep this somewhat relaxed. How? I have no clue.
 

Nala06

Well-Known Member
I just went back and read through this thread. Next Disney trip is a cruise..not complicating it with the parks. My TA and I just had a discussion about this.. Every single reason that I booked this vacation is now changed to every reason why I did not want to do a parks only stay. She still thinks I should switch back to the Fantasy. I'm not. Oh well, it will be great regardless.. I just NEED to keep this somewhat relaxed. How? I have no clue.
Just think how the planning now will lead to a fun and hopefully relaxed trip because of all the work you put into it! Everything will be taken care of once you step foot on the plane
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Just think how the planning now will lead to a fun and hopefully relaxed trip because of all the work you put into it! Everything will be taken care of once you step foot on the plane
Thanks for the encouragement! I hope so, I am really trying to not over do it. We have 3 non park days (counting arrival day), and I have vowed to not do more than one character meal per day...which may not be a problem anyway since I am having no luck at all with getting reservations.
 

Nala06

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the encouragement! I hope so, I am really trying to not over do it. We have 3 non park days (counting arrival day), and I have vowed to not do more than one character meal per day...which may not be a problem anyway since I am having no luck at all with getting reservations.
WL seems like it would be a relaxed way to end the trip. Sit by the fire and admire the christmas decor!
 

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