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
Wow! Going to State would be SO EXCITING! Good luck!

Halloween is SO different than when we were younger. I really noticed a change around here after 9/11. Now people go out during daylight...that's so weird lol. There was no one out after 8:30 in our neighborhood. 8:30 was EARLY back in the 90's when I was in elementary school!

That's nice what your sons school did, always nice for the kids to remember there are less fortunate kids around them. I always remind my daughter...you never know what someone else is going home to at night.

Thanks! My fingers are crossed. we didn't make it to post season in baseball so this is very exciting. I think even more so for me. Your kids are older so maybe you're used to it..but the first time your kid plays in a tournament it's nerve wrecking and exciting and stressful and joyful and tense and a bunch of other emotions all tangled together. It's a weird feeling.lol. Will it become less stressful as he gets older? (Please say Yes;) )

Those photos were taken right around 7:30. I didn't get home until just after 6 so we had a little bit of a late start, barely any kids left on the street at 7:30.

Have you seen people offering adult beverages? Last year there was maybe 2 houses, now this year 5. That's so funny to me..I like the fire pits down by the road bc it speeds things along..but the buckets of beer near the candy is just so strange. I did have a margarita though.

The candy thing at school is neat. I like it bc the book drives, toy/clothes drives etc are all things that he's already outgrown. This time he had to take from something he wanted..and bc it didn't come from me for once. Some of the fund raisers they do are just the parents..even things like selling candy/magazines/wrapping paper etc for their own school. The kids are instructed to NOT walk door to door, but instead to give to their parents to take to work or post a link on Facebook. What??? When I was a kid we walked door to door ourselves. I understand we're in a different world now, but it doesn't teach them anything to hand it off to their parents.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I've never eaten here yet, but will be in Feb because I heard the step sisters are a trip! What does your son think? Maybe try and find some video of the interactions at 1900 PF? Might help u guys decide a little better.
Here's the problem- in theory he wants to do "everything". In reality I learned that it is too stressful on both of us to have multiple ADRs daily, or even when we are supposed to be having "down time". I don't know the correct answer here :( I know that last time it was all just too much.
 

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
Here's the problem- in theory he wants to do "everything". In reality I learned that it is too stressful on both of us to have multiple ADRs daily, or even when we are supposed to be having "down time". I don't know the correct answer here :( I know that last time it was all just too much.

That IS your answer friend! If it was too much last time then def tone it down. It's not worth stressing over. Keep the ADR and see how the first few days of the trip go...you might NEED a break by then or you may not..my advice is to cancel it, but I can tell you want to keep it...so hold onto it for now ;)
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Changed my plans yet again....

I downgraded to a Lagoon View Room yesterday.

I'm hoping this was the correct decision. My son literally ran to the balcony every morning to see Space Mountain and the Castle last trip, and the cost was worth it.. this time we don't have as much time in the room, the view from GF doesn't look the same as from CR or Poly, and we are doing so many other 'extras' that I felt the money isn't as justifiable on this trip. If you knew me you would realize what a tough choice that was, but I think it was the responsible one to make.

I've also decided to cut back on the table service meals to make this trip a little more relaxing than last time...still trying for 3 more, so hopefully cancellations will happen in the next few days.

Still unable to find availability for Wishes Dessert Party on 11/29..hoping someone cancels that as well!

Do not have a FP for Mine Train or Frozen..plan right now is to attempt 7DMT directly after our BOG breakfast.


 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So, I just booked Early Morning Magic at MK. I'm thinking we'll just ride the 3 included attractions for the first hour, then try two more Fantasyland rides before eating breakfast at 9:30. Any tips on which ones we should head to at 9?
 

HauntedMansionFLA

Well-Known Member
So, I just booked Early Morning Magic at MK. I'm thinking we'll just ride the 3 included attractions for the first hour, then try two more Fantasyland rides before eating breakfast at 9:30. Any tips on which ones we should head to at 9?
I didn't realize they were still doing that? What day of the week are you going?
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I didn't realize they were still doing that? What day of the week are you going?
Sunday, 11/27. It includes breakfast. I figure it gives us 1 hour to ride Mine Train, Pooh, and Pan until kiddo's heart is content, get those out of the way before 9am and then start waiting in lines.

I canceled Chef Mickey to justify the spending lol...but I don't think it's a bad deal for the price.
 

deanna88

Active Member
So, I just booked Early Morning Magic at MK. I'm thinking we'll just ride the 3 included attractions for the first hour, then try two more Fantasyland rides before eating breakfast at 9:30. Any tips on which ones we should head to at 9?
My friend and I did this back in August and thought it was worth it. We headed to Splash Mountain after breakfast and it was a walk-on.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
My friend and I did this back in August and thought it was worth it. We headed to Splash Mountain after breakfast and it was a walk-on.
Oh yay! Thanks! I'm looking forward to it! We have 3 very early mornings in a row scheduled...hopefully kiddo can handle that and then the rest of the trip has more reasonable start times.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
My Day Today-

At work with my mind on Disney. Completely FREAKING OUT!!!!

I am not at all prepared!!! We've been so busy between my son's sports, my job, and our other outings.

Here is a list of my main stress factors-

1. I put on 13lbs this past summer. Can't fit into most of my clothes. Procrastinated and now have a week left to lose it. Did two back to back work outs Sunday- 1hour of Insanity and 30 minutes 21DF. I could barely walk yesterday so instead of 2 workouts decided to run in the morning and 1 21DF video in evening. My thighs are ON FIRE right now and I'm limping around my office.
I also decided to pretty much go on a starvation diet..lol. It's some weird 7 day plan of rotating low sugar fruits and veggies, I am putting my own twist of doing Shakeology in the morning and plain greek yogurt for lunch. Hopefully I can get off 10 of the 13 before Thanksgiving, that day will obviously not be on any kind of diet plan.lol

2. I AM WITHOUT A PHONE!!!!!! I switched carriers yesterday, for the first time in iPhone history I did not have the newest device on release day. I've been going back and forth between the Plus or not. Finally decided that it's just too big and I'll stick with a phone over a phablet. So, where's the problem? The store offered me a great price for my phone (I wasn't planning on trading was going to sell on my own)...I said "Oh I have too many photos that I haven't transferred, I'll have to come back tomorrow." They said "Oh no problem we can transfer them all in an hour or two, just bring the new phone back in the morning." I dropped it off at 10am...it's now 1:40 and they are not close to being transferred. Apparently I had 41GB of photos and videos on my device. They just called me and said it could be as late as 8pm to be completed. :( I feel naked!!!!!

3. I have spreadsheets ready to be filled in. They are not filled in because I still haven't finalized our schedule.

4. I HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO PACK FOR THIS TRIP!!!!!! My son is opposite of me and always hot. I am always cold in Orlando past Halloween. So, I'm thinking I need to pack a combo of summer and winter clothes. BUT- (see #1) I don't fit in any!!! Also, kiddo has outgrown most of his summer shorts.

5. I need to focus on work and all I'm doing is internally spazzing over all of this.


Sorry, just needed to vent.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I am not ready at all. Ugh. Still trying for 3 reservations. Waiting on 4 online orders, 1 from Etsy, to be delivered.
Shopped all day yesterday. I need my packages to come so I can narrow down what we are bringing.

I also need to actually make touring plans.
 

HauntedMansionFLA

Well-Known Member
I am not ready at all. Ugh. Still trying for 3 reservations. Waiting on 4 online orders, 1 from Etsy, to be delivered.
Shopped all day yesterday. I need my packages to come so I can narrow down what we are bringing.

I also need to actually make touring plans.
Man, the only reservations I made were Fast Passes for my wife and myself. Everything else we will go with the flow.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Man, the only reservations I made were Fast Passes for my wife and myself. Everything else we will go with the flow.
I do hope to have breakfast at Kona Cafe one morning, but am not doing an ADR for it until day of..hopefully a time will work, if not- that's ok. I've really tried to scale back ADRs this trip.

You and your wife should try the new champagne and wine lounge at GF! They have tapas and do not require reservations. We are eating there on arrival night.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I in a packing frenzy.. but just wanted to stop by and say Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!!

I am Thankful for the people on this thread.. you have been watching all of the mad turns that this trip has taken..and I appreciate any and all feedback that you have given me!
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We put our tree up early this year( 2 days ago) due to the trip dates. Actually, I went to sleep after bringing boxes of ornaments from the basement, woke up and to my surprise the tree was "decorated". Apparently my son woke up at 5 am and decided to do it. It looks a little different this year than in the past lol. We also haven't had time to get a real tree yet, so we'll see if that happens this year.

Something else came early as well... our Elf Luke! He also brought a present from Santa filled with Disney goodies for the trip. :)

Wish me luck with this darn Elf! I have to figure out how to smuggle him to FL.
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