The We NEED This Vacation / It's Now Or Never 9/18-9/27 PTR - COMPLETE!! 9/18 - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Trust me I know how you feel Hun!! It's good to vent & get it out!! We are here to listen!! I have a sister who has stolen from us & my DH's family has tons of problem causers. One used to be his brother, thank goodness he quit drinking!! To say the least I bet a lot of people understand how you feel. Most of us like it or not have family we'd rather not think about except in prayers to get better!! Hope he stays away or just meets up with Pat for a few then goes his own way. My DH won't stand up to his family either it drives me crazy!! I will say some extra prayers for your trip to be smooth & wonderful!! For now just try to relax (I know it's easier said than done) your going to Disney Worldhopefully without interruptions!!
Hugs & Pixies
Thank you all for your wonderful comments! That is true - he's the farthest from reliable.
I just realized - 30 days from today, we'll be arriving home! On one hand it's sad, but on the other, it's exciting because it means the trip is really getting near.
Speaking of exciting...I'm not as excited as I was before This happens every year, and I know I'll get excited again closer to the trip. I guess there's just so much going on (more problems with disability checks that I'll spare you all the details of), so much that has to be done beforehand, and honestly, I really feel bad about leaving Layla.
But, on to some positives!
Here are our ADRs. I'm trying to fix the times for a few, but we got every restaurant that we were hoping for. One year I'd love to have the Deluxe plan because there are so many places I want to try to eat at, and just not enough days to do so!
9/18: Lunch: Columbia Harbour House (I know that's not an ADR, but it's a tradition, which I'll get into in our Park Plans post ); Dinner: Planet Hollywood, 10:30 pm
9/19: Lunch:Teppan Edo, 3:45 pm
9/20: Dinner: 50's Prime Time Cafe, 8:55 pm
9/21: No ADRs, but that's our MNSSHP night. We'll most likely hit Cosmic Ray's.
9/22: Lunch: Coral Reef, 12:40 pm; Dinner: Biergarten, 7:15 pm
9/23: Dinner: California Grill, 7:40 pm (that's a MNSSHP night so we won't see Wishes I'm trying to get a later ADR time to see Hallowishes even if the sound won't be piped in, but no luck yet)
9/24: Dinner: Crystal Palace, 4:40 pm; Wishes Dessert Party!!!! (I'm trying to get an earlier time for CP, to give us more time in between dinner and dessert)
9/25: Dinner: Le Cellier!!! , 8 pm
9/26: Breakfast: Chef Mickey's, 9:55 am
This is our first time eating at Le Cellier since we ran into that problem last year. Basically, we had ADRs printed out from the Disney site showing a specific time (let's say 8 pm), and when we arrived at Le Cellier, their computer showed that the time was 6 pm. Since it's, you know, Le Cellier, they had no openings and couldn't accomodate us, and we never did get to eat there That happened at two other restaurants, but they were able to fix it.
This year, I'm checking the Disney Dining website every few days to make sure that nothing else has changed, but so far so good.
Overall, I'm thrilled that we were able to get the restaurants that we wanted, at the times that we wanted. The things I'm trying to change them for weren't released until well after we made the ADRs, so that couldn't be helped. If nothing opens up, at least we're eating at places we'd wanted to.
I am sorry that Pat's brother is causing problems for you. I think you should maybe put your foot down and just say no? That's what I'd do...but I'm kind of outspoken and obnoxious when it comes to family members that don't show common decency...or even have a bit of common sense? I dunno. I wish you the best of luck with that situation. that it turns out alright!
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Sorry about the family drama I know how that feels Congrats on Le Cellier! I wanted to try that this year but the kids want to do Garden Grill, oh well just means hubby and I have to go back without them one time! You're getting close!
I am so sorry for the problems you are having with Pat's brother. I hope it gets resolved before you leave. I think there is always one in a family. I know my DH & I each have one on each of our sides.
On a brighter note, your ADRs look great. I hope you get to eat at LeCellier this trip.
On to your park plans!!
This is the first year that we're arriving on a Saturday, so I'm a little nervous about it We always used to arrive on a Monday, and it seems that the parks are way more crowded on Saturdays. Even though it's not predicted to be a busy day, and even though we have been to the parks on the weekends on our past trips. Just something else to worry about!
We'll have to leave the house a little before 3:30 am. That'll be interesting in itself, because that's usually when I go to sleep! (I've had insomnia for 13 years; I'm looking into local sleep centers ) Our flight is scheduled to depart at 6:38 am out of Atlantic City, and it takes about 45 minutes to get there.
We'll arrive at the airport, park in the long term economy parking, take a shuttle bus to the main terminal, and go through security. We'll take the escalator upstairs and get breakfast sandwiches at their little cafe, to help kill the taste of Airborne
I haaate Airborne. It's the nastiest, most disgusting stuff to drink. We took it the first year to Disney, and I almost got sick all over. On the flight home, I said that there's no way I'll go through that again . Except, we both got sick after we came home I'm not sure if it was a coincidence or not, but now we take it, even if it tastes nasty.
Pat and I have two different methods to drinking it. They're tablets that dissolve in water, like Alka-Seltzer. Pat puts his in water and drinks it quickly. I tried, I can't do it My method is, to take baby sips, and keep adding water to dilute it. I end up drinking more of it that way, and it takes longer (and possibly makes it less effective since there's more water), but that's the only way I can get it down . Russ has never been introduced to Airborne before. Hopefully that doesn't put him in a cranky mood for the rest of the day
After our breakfast sandwiches and horrible Airborne, we stop at one of the newspaper stands for a book or magazine and maybe a snack. I know it's cheaper if you buy the books beforehand, but I lack the self-control not to read it . I usually end up not really reading on the plane anyway. I have horrible, horrible issues with my ears popping.
I use EarPlanes and pseudophedrine (to try to dry out my ears), blow out my Eustachian tubes, and even take Valium to relax the muscles around my ears . They all help a little and work together (and allow me to sleep nicely, albeit uncomfortably, on the plane ), but I'm still almost deaf for the whole first day and in horrible, excruciating pain. It's for Disney though!
We're scheduled to arrive in Orlando at 8:55 am. I'm concerned about how crowded the DME bus will be, since it's Saturday morning and one of the busiest check in days. I already told Pat and Russ that there are no bathroom stops allowed at the airport . If you have to go, go on the plane. If you don't have to go on the plane, then you can hold it until we get to the hotel. I want to get seats, together, on the first available DME bus. This is one of the few instances where I admit I'm being a bossy planner.
We'll take DME to POP and check in. We're going to be doing on line check in, but I'm not really expecting our room to be ready. That's no problem though; we'll leave our carry ons at the baggage center and head on over to....
The Magic Kingdom!!!!
Even if Magic Kingdom was predicted to be the busiest park in the world that day, we'd still probably go .
Our first day is the only day that we commando plan , if only because a lot of it is tradition that we'd like to follow if we can.
We'll head to Magic Kingdom (hopefully around 10:30 or 11 am, depending on whether or not my No Bathrooms Til Disney plan works ). We'll stop and get our first Photopass pictures taken, and make our way back toward Liberty Square.
The first tradition of the trip (well, second if you count MK being our first park) is that our first ride will be Haunted Mansion. I that ride. I'm really hoping that they'll allow the 3 of us in one doom buggy. It's really mine and Pat's tradition, but I can't have Russ ride alone in his first ever Disney ride . They do advertise it as a 2-3 person doom buggy, and I do remember a trip report a year or so ago where 3 adults squeezed into one, so maybe I'll get lucky. I'm debating whether or not to ask the first CM and explain to her that it'd mean a lot to us if we can ride together, or if we should just go ahead and do it Any suggestions?
After Haunted Mansion (which I REALLY hope Russ loves as much as Pat and I do), we'll have lunch at Columbia Harbour House, our third tradition. I'll have the chicken nugget/french fry basket with an apple pie (I hope they still have those little apple pies for dessert, I love them), Pat will have the chicken nugget basket with chocolate cake, and Russ will probably have fried shrimp because he loves shrimp.
We love sitting on the second floor. It's so quiet, especially compared to the noisy first floor. We sit at one of the tables by the window overlooking Fantasyland, and begin one of our random games.
Throughout the trip, we keep a daily count of how many BBB Princesses we see, and how many bride/grooms we see. It's a random little thing, but it gives us something to do as we're walking from place to place.
After CHH, we'll work our way through Fantasyland. No commando plans there, really. Whatever has a small wait. Usually, Philharmagic, Snow White, and maybe Winnie the Pooh. Peter Pan always has a long wait, so we usually grab FPs later in the trip for him.
Oh, the past few years, Pat wouldn't ride Dumbo with me He said it's only for kids. Since they're getting rid of it, Russ said he'd love to ride it with me, since he's never been on it and he's "recapturing the childhood he never had" - he's a little upset about never having been to Disney before this . Now that Russ said he'll ride it with me, Pat said he will too Either way, Dumbo is on my MUST DO list for this year.
Another thing that we've never done before were the Mad Tea Party teacups. We all love spinny rides , so it should be fun, especially since that'll be gone too.
After Fantasyland, we'll move over to Tomorrowland. Pat's favorite ride at MK is Space Mountain so we'll either ride it right away or grab Fast Passes, depending on the wait. He was so upset that it was closed last year .
Pat and I both love Carousel of Progress, and we think Russ will enjoy it too. He's interested to see it since it was at the 1964 World's Fair and will be moving to the Smithsonian. It's just a fun ride, and a nice, cool place to sit for 20 minutes
Pat and I are having quite the disagreement over Stitch's Great Escape. I hate that ride. It's the worst ride I've been on at Disney. I have a very heightened sense of smell, and I almost got physically ill on that ride from the stench of it. Plus, it just isn't enjoyable for me. I can guarantee with every fiber of my being that Russ will hate it, but Pat wants to do it anyway. We have a bet going - Russ needs to give his complete honest opinion (which we trust him to do, he has no problem saying what he feels ), and if he hates it, Pat will buy me a pin, and if it doesn't make him want to run away and swim to Cuba, I will buy Pat a pin. I'm feeling pretty confident though
We'll definitely do Buzz Lightyear - that's one of our favorite rides. Unfortunately one of us will always have to ride solo, but we'll figure out a way to switch off.
After Tomorrowland, we'll head to Frontierland and Adventureland. The Must Do's for the first day include: Jungle Cruise, Pirates, BTMRR and Splash Mountain, as long as none of them have ridiculous waits. If we need to do them another time, that's fine, but those are the ones we especially want to hit.
At around 3 or 4 pm, or when I get the text that the room is ready, whichever comes first, we'll head back to the room for a nap, our fourth tradition. After having to leave the house soooo early, the excitement of the trip and walking around, we'll definitely need a nap. We don't always plan to come back to the room to rest, except for our first day because it's just so necessary.
We have an ADR at Planet Hollywood for 10:30 pm. Depending on how long we nap, we'll either go to DisneyQuest beforehand for a little bit, or just take a loooong nap and go right to Planet Hollywood. Dinner at Planet Hollywood our first night is the fifth tradition. Pat loves movies, I enjoy the food, and Russ has never been to one before.
That made me realize...look at all the first's Russ will have on his first day:
First plane ride
First Airborne tablets
First DME bus
First time in Florida
First Disney hotel
First Disney Park (I won't list every single thing individually, but everything in the park is a first)
First Planet Hollywood
First DisneyQuest
First Pin trade
He's got a busy first day ahead of him!!
Coming up...Day 2: Getting Our Money out of Park Hoppers
Amy, my heart goes out to you; you've had some kind of crappy year for sure. The Disney therapy is the best way to brighten your life. I think your plans sound great and I am looking forward to hearing how Russ likes WDW. Have a great trip and may the pixies be with you...........
Sharon
I'm getting excited for you guys! Plans sound great so far. I did ride HM with 3 before but the 3rd person was a child so I don't know about that one. Keep it coming!
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We are here to listen!! I have a sister who has stolen from us & my DH's family has tons of problem causers. One used to be his brother, thank goodness he quit drinking!! To say the least I bet a lot of people understand how you feel. Most of us like it or not have family we'd rather not think about except in prayers to get better!! Hope he stays away or just meets up with Pat for a few then goes his own way. My DH won't stand up to his family either it drives me crazy!!
I will say some extra prayers for your trip to be smooth & wonderful!! 
For now just try to relax (I know it's easier said than done) your going to Disney World 
hopefully without interruptions!! 
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On one hand it's sad, but on the other, it's exciting because it means the trip is really getting near.
This happens every year, and I know I'll get excited again closer to the trip. I guess there's just so much going on (more problems with disability checks that I'll spare you all the details of), so much that has to be done beforehand, and honestly, I really feel bad about leaving Layla. 
); Dinner: Planet Hollywood, 10:30 pm
I'm trying to get a later ADR time to see Hallowishes even if the sound won't be piped in, but no luck yet)
Cassie
PassPorter Guide Author
Liz 
We always used to arrive on a Monday, and it seems that the parks are way more crowded on Saturdays. Even though it's not predicted to be a busy day, and even though we have been to the parks on the weekends on our past trips. Just something else to worry about! 
) Our flight is scheduled to depart at 6:38 am out of Atlantic City, and it takes about 45 minutes to get there.
at their little cafe, to help kill the taste of Airborne 
. Except, we both got sick after we came home 
I'm not sure if it was a coincidence or not, but now we take it, even if it tastes nasty.
and maybe a snack. I know it's cheaper if you buy the books beforehand, but I lack the self-control not to read it 
. If you have to go, go on the plane. If you don't have to go on the plane, then you can hold it until we get to the hotel. I want to get seats, together, on the first available DME bus. This is one of the few instances where I admit I'm being a bossy planner. 
The Magic Kingdom!!!!
, if only because a lot of it is tradition that we'd like to follow if we can.
Any suggestions? 
, so it should be fun, especially since that'll be gone too.
. 
), and if he hates it, Pat will buy me a pin, and if it doesn't make him want to run away and swim to Cuba, I will buy Pat a pin. I'm feeling pretty confident though 
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