Pre-Trip Help... They're Making Me Go...

Hi Everyone! Remember us?

Let me refresh your memories... I'm the one who tends to not finish her TR's.

Well. in my defense, the last 3 or so years has been hectic and has had it's share of drama.. parent drama, work drama, homeschool drama, sibling drama, oh, and a global pandemic thrown in because... why not?

However...

Yep... it seems like it's a go.

Anyone want to plan along with us? Hope so - because I miss all my friends here terribly!

 

[Figment Forever]

Hooray! While Kevin & I love the WDW, we've been incredibly frustrated with all the changes and losing so much of the magic as well. Since we're DVC members, we'll keep heading down and make the most of our visits, but it's definitely not the same as it was.

We're going in July with my friend who took me there on my first adult trip in 2002 (and her now adult son) and a family friend who has never been and is SO excited, so that will be a lot of fun. Booked a 2 bdrm at Old Key West!

We're also going to Disneyland PARIS two weeks from today! We're staying at Disney's Sequoia Lodge there...

And we're still planning to head down for my birthday in September... so we might get the chance to see you guys again!! I just watched a great dining review video from Biergarten... we haven't been back since our visit!

Hopefully you'll be able to find the magic again and be excited for the trip. Having a newbie along might help (as long as he's up for the adventure)!

I appreciate you sharing that. It makes me feel like I'm not alone! lol Our "newbie" is going to be a challenge - possibly even more than I am right now!

Have an AMAZING time in Paris!!! I keep hear Sam & Ellla (MILF) singing about the Eiffel Tower.

Ahhh.. the Beirgarten - GOOD TIMES!! I'm up for a reunion!

Enjoy! The weather is starting to slowly get nicer so I shall keep my fingers crossed that no cold front moves in while you are there. (I had planned to be there at the same time but my plans changed and I was just there for the AP

I would love to visit there one day!

 

[Figment Forever]

Well... Here we are... the day that used to be filled with so much excitement...

But now, that excitement has been bumped ahead a bit. I guess 60 is the new 180?? So instead of waking up to a busy and exciting morning of making dining reservations... I got this...

Yep - Our flight was canceled!!

Apparently, JetBlue cancelled all 6:00am flights out of Newark - MCO after Labor Day. So we were bumped to the 9:15 Flight.

I'm not happy. I like early flights! Plus I had my early arrival morning all planned out... and now I have to re-work it all.

I know. I know. Its only a 3 hour difference. But I'm so bummed!!!!

And since I brought up the topic of planes and airports... Can you guys give me some feedback for TSA Pre-Check?? I'm thinking about getting it for all of us. I was thinking that since I have to consider buying a Fast Pass for WDW, maybe I should consider it for the airport too?? lol

So for those of you who have TSA Pre-check....

Does it make going through security faster? Does it give you access to a separate, less crowded line through security? Or does it just mean you don't have to remove shoes and liquids and laptops?

Bonus points for those of you who can comment specifically for MCO-Orlando and EWR-Newark

All feedback is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[joshsprincess921]

Well... Here we are... the day that used to be filled with so much excitement...

View attachment 704207

But now, that excitement has been bumped ahead a bit. I guess 60 is the new 180?? So instead of waking up to a busy and exciting morning of making dining reservations... I got this...

View attachment 704208

Yep - Our flight was canceled!!

Apparently, JetBlue cancelled all 6:00am flights out of Newark - MCO after Labor Day. So we were bumped to the 9:15 Flight.

I'm not happy. I like early flights! Plus I had my early arrival morning all planned out... and now I have to re-work it all.

I know. I know. Its only a 3 hour difference. But I'm so bummed!!!!

And since I brought up the topic of planes and airports... Can you guys give me some feedback for TSA Pre-Check?? I'm thinking about getting it for all of us. I was thinking that since I have to consider buying a Fast Pass for WDW, maybe I should consider it for the airport too?? lol

So for those of you who have TSA Pre-check....

Does it make going through security faster? Does it give you access to a separate, less crowded line through security? Or does it just mean you don't have to remove shoes and liquids and laptops?

Bonus points for those of you who can comment specifically for MCO-Orlando and EWR-Newark

All feedback is greatly appreciated!!!

We have TSA precheck and it's one of the best things we ever did. Yes to everything you listed. And it comes in especially handy in Orlando! It's been close to 5 years for us because we are due to renew in July, but I remember we made an appointment and had to go in. I know our renewal we can do online, so not sure if the whole process has changed or it's just for renewal, but we were asked a bunch of questions and then they did a background check. After a few weeks, they sent us our TSA precheck number and you enter that in when purchasing your airline tickets. Our son automatically will get it when he flies with us up until he's 12, I believe. I hope this helps! But it's so nice to just throw your bags on the belt, don't have to remove anything from it, don't have to remove your shoes and walk through and the lines are short.

 

[RememberWhen]

TSA Precheck is so worth it! We have it (all the kids are still under 12, so just have to do the background check/interview/fingerprint thing for the two of us). Kids tag along.

We fly out of CT, which isn’t a huge airport, but even here it saves time and stress. There’s a separate line for precheck. They check your ID as usual, then you just put your stuff on the belt and walk through the metal detector (not the body scanner). Easy peasy.

Our experience at MCO has also been fantastic. There’s a separate line that moves really quickly even though it looks long at times. My last trip was just me and DDalmost2, and we were through security in less than 10 minutes.

We signed up awhile ago, so I can’t speak to the specifics of the initial interview. I don’t remember it being difficult, but it may have been scheduled out a bit, so if you want to sign up it might be worth doing soon.

 

[sheriffwoody]

I got precheck just for MCO! Thankfully my husband's work paid for his so I didn't have to talk him into it As of now our daughter doesn't have to have it, but I'll definitely get it for her when the time comes. I think it comes in handy especially at MCO because there have been times that the regular line is well over an hour and even precheck is long. Without it, I might have missed a few flights over the years.

 

[riverside]

Totally agree with all the above.

Liquids still have to be tossed.

Mine expires in June. In December I got an email reminder. I renewed & later that day I got an email saying I was good for another 5!! The renewal was $79. I believe it was $85 initially.

I’ve found it to be very beneficial & feel it’s money well spent.

 

[Darstarr]

I used to love planning and now it's just bothersome.

While Kevin & I love the WDW, we've been incredibly frustrated with all the changes and losing so much of the magic as well. Since we're DVC members, we'll keep heading down and make the most of our visits, but it's definitely not the same as it was.

Spot on. My last two trips were resort only because gotta use the DVC but don’t have to pay park prices!

Can you guys give me some feedback for TSA Pre-Check??

It is great. My husband was taking me to get my Christmas gift and we pulled into Staples. I was annoyed but it was the best gift he EVER gave me!
No interview, no wait. We had an appointment with the guy at staples and he looked at the paperwork I had and 30 minutes later I was done. It would have been quicker but we realized we had mutual friends
My 17 yo always gets it when he flies with us. My 19 yo does not. So I am thinking it’s because he is a minor?
I fly from JFK and it is so helpful. And forget it, MCO is a hot mess so having pre check is major!!

 

[dizfan917]

Enjoy! The weather is starting to slowly get nicer so I shall keep my fingers crossed that no cold front moves in while you are there. (I had planned to be there at the same time but my plans changed and I was just there for the AP party).

THANKS!! Keep those fingers crossed!! It will be strange to visit a park with my down coat on... even when we hit WDW in January we're just wearing sweatshirts (being from WI and all...) so it will be very interesting! I hope it doesn't snow.

 

[Swissmiss]

THANKS!! Keep those fingers crossed!! It will be strange to visit a park with my down coat on... even when we hit WDW in January we're just wearing sweatshirts (being from WI and all...) so it will be very interesting! I hope it doesn't snow.

You should have low to mid 40s overnight and high 50s during the day. Just make sure your jackets are waterproof because you are likely to get rain off and on. It’ll certainly be warmer than the 35ish nighttime weather I had last weekend. Enjoy!

 

[dizfan917]

I think I found ONE thing for you to be excited about... FIGMENT meet & greet!! and I know we're excited about the return of HAPPILY EVER AFTER to Magic Kingdom!

 

[Lyssa]

I'm planning my first solo Disney trip for January since J/my winter break is on different weeks this year, and I want to check out the new stuff, but Disney is an entirely different world than it was the last time I planned a trip.

 

[Figment Forever]

We have TSA precheck and it's one of the best things we ever did. Yes to everything you listed. And it comes in especially handy in Orlando! It's been close to 5 years for us because we are due to renew in July, but I remember we made an appointment and had to go in. I know our renewal we can do online, so not sure if the whole process has changed or it's just for renewal, but we were asked a bunch of questions and then they did a background check. After a few weeks, they sent us our TSA precheck number and you enter that in when purchasing your airline tickets. Our son automatically will get it when he flies with us up until he's 12, I believe. I hope this helps! But it's so nice to just throw your bags on the belt, don't have to remove anything from it, don't have to remove your shoes and walk through and the lines are short.

Thanks for the feedback - we got it!! I'm hoping it makes our travel days a little less stressful. lol

TSA Precheck is so worth it! We have it (all the kids are still under 12, so just have to do the background check/interview/fingerprint thing for the two of us). Kids tag along.

We fly out of CT, which isn’t a huge airport, but even here it saves time and stress. There’s a separate line for precheck. They check your ID as usual, then you just put your stuff on the belt and walk through the metal detector (not the body scanner). Easy peasy.

Our experience at MCO has also been fantastic. There’s a separate line that moves really quickly even though it looks long at times. My last trip was just me and DDalmost2, and we were through security in less than 10 minutes.

We signed up awhile ago, so I can’t speak to the specifics of the initial interview. I don’t remember it being difficult, but it may have been scheduled out a bit, so if you want to sign up it might be worth doing soon.

Thanks so much - we got it!! It was an easy process - we just had to drive an hour to get to a Staples that could do it.

I got precheck just for MCO! Thankfully my husband's work paid for his so I didn't have to talk him into it As of now our daughter doesn't have to have it, but I'll definitely get it for her when the time comes. I think it comes in handy especially at MCO because there have been times that the regular line is well over an hour and even precheck is long. Without it, I might have missed a few flights over the years.

I remember MCO is usually crazy - so I'll be very excited if this helps us get a shorter line!

Totally agree with all the above.

Liquids still have to be tossed.

Mine expires in June. In December I got an email reminder. I renewed & later that day I got an email saying I was good for another 5!! The renewal was $79. I believe it was $85 initially.

I’ve found it to be very beneficial & feel it’s money well spent.

Thanks so much!! We did get it - hoping it helps cut down on stress on our travel days. lol

I think I found ONE thing for you to be excited about... FIGMENT meet & greet!! and I know we're excited about the return of HAPPILY EVER AFTER to Magic Kingdom!

I heard about that!!! I am excited - hopefully he will be meeting in September!

I'm planning my first solo Disney trip for January since J/my winter break is on different weeks this year, and I want to check out the new stuff, but Disney is an entirely different world than it was the last time I planned a trip.

SOOOO different. I want to be excited - and it's so hard to be.

 

[Figment Forever]

I'm not ready!!! Oh my heavens - this used to be so easy and fun for me and now, I'm so stressed out!!

We are only doing a few sit down ADR's - which I am completely fine with. Actually, I would have been fine without any, but I was overruled. So we each chose one place we wanted to eat at.

I have to say, I NEVER minder booking ADR's 180 days in advance, but these park reservations... I HATE!!! They are a major pain in the tush! That being said, I'm sitting in front of my computer having a meeting with Julia and Hope and trying to settle our plans. I think I have changed our park reservations around about 4 different times already!

 

[Figment Forever]

Thanks for all the great feedback and advice regarding the TSA pre-check!! We decided to go for it and get it for all of us. I am really hoping that it makes our travel days a little less stressful. Of course, Ross was upset because he asked me to fill out his application and he didn't like one of my answers...

Ross: Why did you list me as bald?
Me: Because you are?
Ross: No I'm not.
Me: Well the lady asked if you wanted to change anything - why didn't you change it.
Ross: I just don't understand why you picked bald.
Me: I had to check off Brown hair, blond hair, red hair or bald. I picked what I thought fit you best. They didn't have a choice for Chia Pet.

So of course now I'm paranoid we will have a problem.

 

[rshell68]

I was literally just thinking about you this morning . You hadn't posted in a while. I can't' remember are you hoppers or just a park a day?? If you hop, I would say don't stress too much.....

 

[Figment Forever]

I was literally just thinking about you this morning . You hadn't posted in a while. I can't' remember are you hoppers or just a park a day?? If you hop, I would say don't stress too much.....

lol - I know... Life doesn't stop with craziness. We do have hoppers - I'm not sure if that was a wise choice because it doesnt seem like we will be hopping much, but wanted the big kids to have the freedom to go off on their own.

 

[rshell68]

Please don't stress too much with the park reservations. With the hopper you can go anywhere after 2 no reservation needed.

- for Ross LOL

 

[Figment Forever]

Please don't stress too much with the park reservations. With the hopper you can go anywhere after 2 no reservation needed.

- for Ross LOL

 

[Figment Forever]

Ok my friends.... here's another issue I can't decide on... Send me your feedback!!!

Should we take the Un-Magical Express aka Mears/Sunshine? Or should we take a Lyft from MCO to POP? We are flying Jet Blue, so that means we will be arriving at the new Terminal C. I don't want to make the walk to Terminal A/B. I did just hear that Mears may now be picking up at Terminal C, but wondering if Lyft would be better? If your vote is for a Lyft, would you suggest 1 car or 2? Not sure if the 5 of us and our luggage will fit in one car.

As always... Thanks!!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Ok my friends.... here's another issue I can't decide on... Send me your feedback!!!

Should we take the Un-Magical Express aka Mears/Sunshine? Or should we take a Lyft from MCO to POP? We are flying Jet Blue, so that means we will be arriving at the new Terminal C. I don't want to make the walk to Terminal A/B. I did just hear that Mears may now be picking up at Terminal C, but wondering if Lyft would be better? If your vote is for a Lyft, would you suggest 1 car or 2? Not sure if the 5 of us and our luggage will fit in one car.

As always... Thanks!!!

Have you thought about a car service? If you are planning on taking two Lyfts it might be cheaper to book a van through a car service. Or can you pre-book a bigger car through Lyft? You can with Uber.