Two Chips and a Dip (The Appetizer Trip) Nov 30 thru Dec 5, 2007 - With Final Thoughts - COMPLETE - Updated 2/21 - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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So excited to read this!!! I love the honeymoon pics of you and Bob and Calder when he was little so cute!!! We will miss meeting ya'll by 8 days!!! One day I will be there at the same time as the Crazy Lady Trio can't wait to hear about your adventures!!
Oooohhhh Eileen - You've started a TR that I hope to have a cameo appearance in! I can't wait to meet you and Karen and see Sharon again. I hope I even get a chance to meet Bob and Calder since I'll be there a couple of days early with my DMIL. I can't believe how soon we'll all be at WDW!
So, how do I know that I have a trip that is fast approaching?
I get a cold - a bad, bad cold!
Little expenditures become BIG EXPEDITURES (like the rabies booster shot at the free veterinary clinic suddenly costing $182 to treat Kenzie’s ear infection or my routine dental cleaning becoming a root canal and crown…)
Luggage appears in my guest bedroom and, with the addition of my Disney Box, it becomes Command Central
I start wearing my Disney jewelry (including a charm bracelet, Minnie earrings and a Mickey ring)
My Minnie, Stitch and Chip & Dale Jibbitz live in my Crocs full-time!
There's a constant loop of SpectroMagic, Wishes and IllumiNations playing in my head
I fall asleep by "walking down Main Street" from memory
My boss thinks I'm more nuts than usual because I'm reliving my favorite rides in my head whenever he talks to me
I stop sleeping and find myself at the computer at 3AM playing with my itinerary
My husband seems to be constantly rolling his eyes at me
My son starts vibrating with excitement
My color printer groans under the weight of all its responsibilities
My Deluxe PassPorter binder is bursting at the seams
My call volume to Karen increases exponentially and she doesn't seem to mind (or think I'm stalking her)
I start thinking of my next trip report segment before I'm even finished the current one!
Hang on to your hats and glasses, 'cause this here's the part where I give ya the details!!
The Plans
Airfare
The first thing I always do when planning a trip is to play with airfare and see what days would be best for the trip. I had two options for December: 1) use my $99 companion fares from my USAirways MasterCard or 2) go with Airtran. (I know PHL has a great record with Southwest, but they are the only airline that enforces their "person of size" clause and I'm terrified that I'll be forced to pay for a second seat because my butt sometimes refuses to stay within the confines of the skimpy airline seat. Can you imagine the humiliation of that?!)
Airtran had some fantastic $49 one-way tickets when I started looking in early September, but Bob was being non-commital as to his dates and I couldn’t book. His work schedule was being absolutely brutal (and I was seriously worried about his health and sanity for a stretch there in early Fall.) Just when I had completely given up on his ever agreeing to this trip, he suddenly announced that he’d worked out his December schedule and would use all of his unused vacation time to take the entire month off.
30 seconds later, I was on Airtran’s website and found that the $49 tickets had become $59 tickets. Oh, well… I also realized that we’d save a little if we flew out on Friday night rather than Saturday morning. None of you will be surprised to know that “Disney Math” told me that the extra night of hotel was worth it to save the money on the flight, plus we’d have all that extra time in the park I booked them without even checking if USAirways could beat that price.
So, we fly out Friday around dinner time and should be at the resort with enough time to unpack and spend some time in the hot tub before getting a good night’s sleep!
Bob and Calder go back on Wednesday the 5th so Karen will get to spend most of the day with them too and they should even get a chance to meet Sharon! (I go back on December 10th and will probably upgrade my ticket to Business Class to help with my “flying alone” anxiety.)
The resort
As a family, we’ve all fallen in love with the Port Orleans resorts – the French Quarter being my favorite. I called to book this as soon as the Disney Visa offer came out, but there was no availability at either PO resort, not even with AP rates. Just to have *something* reserved, I booked at Caribbean Beach (which, oddly enough, was where Bob and I had stayed for our honeymoon.) I called back once a week or so just to check if something has opened up at POFQ, but it has stayed booked solid, even if I wanted to pay full rack rate.
I did also check to see if there were any rates at the AKL or the WL because I felt bad that Bob had yet to experience a deluxe Disney resort (and, thanks to Karen, I had sampled some of them …multiple times!) Again, there were no AP rates and nothing with the Disney Visa unless I wanted to do a suite in concierge!
Then, on Thanksgiving, my sweet and wonderful father slipped a little piece of paper into my pocket and whispered in my ear not to make a fuss. I stepped away to a quiet corner to see what it was and, as I pulled it out of my pocket, I could see that it was a check! Then I unfolded it and let out a loud “AWESOME!!” when I saw the amount. It would seriously loosen the purse strings and I suddenly had visions of trying for an upgrade to deluxe again or maybe adding on the dining plan.
Which brings me to a funny Karen story.
On Friday morning, the SpectroMagic loop playing in my head got so loud that, at 5AM, I finally dragged myself out of bed and went down to numb myself with TV. Unfortunately, the word “UPGRADE” was repeating over and over in my head like a tribal chant. By 8AM, I needed help.
No, not psychiatric help – Disney help.
The worst part of living on opposite sides of the continent from your best friend is that you can’t call her first thing in the morning and she can’t call you late at night. Well, that’s why Man invented text messaging. My little fingers started flying over the keypad.
“Need help. Have sudden cash. Want to upgrade. Call me!”
I hit send and figured I’d hear back in a few hours. Much to my surprise (especially as I’d gone into the bathroom after texting), my cell phone started to ring. It was Karen.
It was also 5AM West Coast time.
“What are you doing, you crazy lady?!”
“It’s Black Friday, Eileen. I’m waiting in line to get in a store.”
“Ooooh, are there good sales?”
“There better be! It’s cold!”
Oh, my lizard friend!!
We talked for about 40 minutes while she waited to get in for her drastically reduced-price memory card and videos and went over the options. We thought of all the more expensive special things one can do at Disney, but they just aren’t Bob’s style – except for maybe parasailing, but that’s a treat for June, not December. Not being foodies (and having a pickey-eater 11 year old in tow), one of the expensive restaurants wouldn’t be up our alley. We’d already done La Nouba and Hoop-dee-doo and Bob is all about trying *NEW* things. Basically, we boiled it down to an upgrade or adding the dining plan to our reservation (which would require us to make it a package and buy one-day tickets for each of us.) Karen had to hang up when they finally let her into the store and she wished me luck.
I made it all of about 11 minutes after the time Bob woke up in keeping my ideas a secret. (Seriously, never tell me to keep something under my hat if it’s about a fun surprise. I just can’t do it!) I asked him if he’d like to upgrade the resort. Nope, not important to him and he’d rather spend that money on a new iPod. Would he like to add the dining plan? Nope, he’s willing to eat inexpensively and he’d rather spend that money on a new iPod. (Are you sensing a pattern here? Guess I know what I’ll be shopping for him for Christmas.
Still, I spent a portion of this past weekend crunching numbers to see how much the dining plan would cost compared to the DDE. It would be pretty comparable, but we are more “grazers” at WDW and tend not to eat nearly as much as the DDP would allow. Plus Calder eats like a bird and yet, at 11, would cost us an “adult” DDP amount. Even with Disney Math, it seemed that we should just stick to our current plans in terms of dining. But, I couldn’t help myself and I called CRO anyway – only to find that their computers were getting work done on them and packages couldn’t be accessed until 9PM that night. I called back today and had a very helpful CM go through just about every option for me – changing resorts, trying pin codes and other discount codes and we came up with the fact that CBR at our rate of $105 a night can’t be beaten. I’m taking that as a sign that I’m not supposed to mess with this and I’m to use this little chunk of change toward something else. (Maybe I should use it for Bob’s new iPod!!)
The Itinerary
So, for those whose eyes glaze over when itineraries are posted, come back tomorrow! For you plan-aholics, here’s your fix.
Oh, and a disclaimer. Bob has requested that we not "go commando" for the trip. He's exhausted and just wants to go with the flow and enjoy himself without sore feet. We're currently not planning on EMH mornings and I have the schedule set up so that we avoid those parks those days.
Friday, November 30
After school, Calder and I’ll finish getting the house ready for our departure and have the bags by the front door.
Bob will come home from work and we’ll head right to the airport – possibly with help from my dad or by using an airport parking service.
We arrive in Orlando too late to catch Illuminations, so we’ll just take DME back to the CBR and hang out in a pool/hot tub and unpack.
Saturday, December 1
Epcot is expected to have low crowds, so we’ll head there first thing. We want to see the new Canada and Mexico offerings and basically catch up with “old friends.”
Current plans have us eating lunch at Tangierine Café.
If we don’t wind up going back to the resort for a midday swim, we’ll monorail it to the Magic Kingdom.
We have an ADR at The Plaza at 5:30 and will stay in the park to catch SpectroMagic and Wishes and visit all our favorite rides and attractions.
Sunday, December 2
We’ll do Animal Kingdom for the morning and then go to Downtown Disney for the afternoon.
Calder’s one request is to eat at Earl of Sandwich – he loves those warm PB&J sandwiches!
The evening is penciled in as Epcot, but we may check out the Studios if the crowds aren’t too bad.
One other option is to buy MVMCP tickets with some of our windfall money and enjoy more time in the MK.
Monday, December 3
If my boys are up early, we’ll take on the AK for EMH.
Otherwise, we’ll start our day at Epcot.
We’ll head over to the Studios mid-afternoon.
Bob requested that we eat at the 50’s Prime Time
We’ll stay to see the Osborne Lights and Fantasmic!
Tuesday, December 4
We’ll do EMH at the Magic Kingdom and stay until we head over to the Contemporary for our late seating at Chef Mickey’s.
Our afternoon will either be spent back at the MK (depending on the crowds) or at Downtown Disney.
Our evening will be spent at the AK and we’ll try the counter service of Yak & Yeti.
We’ll all have to pack up that night. Bob and Calder will actually be able to check their luggage with the RAC now that Airtran participates in that service.
Wednesday, December 5
Karen’s flight arrives at an ungodly hour. I think DME will get her to the Grand Floridian by 8AM.
Our current plan is to meet up at either the GF or the gates of the MK for EMH. (My boys will join us when they are up and ready.)
I think Sharon arrives mid-morning.
Karen’s big @$$ spreadsheet has us chillin’ at the resort in the afternoon (Let’s see if Sharon can keep away from “her” tower.)
DME will want the boys at CBR by 2PM.
The "appetizer" trip will end and the “entrée” will begin!
Up next: I do a little visual retrospective of the CLT®
So, how do I know that I have a trip that is fast approaching?
My call volume to Karen increases exponentially and she doesn't seem to mind (or think I'm stalking her)
That's why I enable the trips lady! The extra phone calls make me feel extra special!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
Which brings me to a funny Karen story....
“Need help. Have sudden cash. Want to upgrade. Call me!”
I hit send and figured I’d hear back in a few hours. Much to my surprise (especially as I’d gone into the bathroom after texting), my cell phone started to ring. It was Karen.
It was also 5AM West Coast time.
“What are you doing, you crazy lady?!”
“It’s Black Friday, Eileen. I’m waiting in line to get in a store.”
“Ooooh, are there good sales?”
“There better be! It’s cold!”
Oh, my lizard friend!!
It wasn't just cold, it was freakin' cold. We're talking like 45 degrees... FARENHEIT! And, I don't want to hear about how much colder it was in your neck of the woods the day after Thanksgiving either. : And, you didn't tell me that you were in the bathroom as we were talking. At least tell me that you cradled the phone against your shoulder so you could wash your hands.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
I asked him if he’d like to upgrade the resort. Nope, not important to him and he’d rather spend that money on a new iPod. Would he like to add the dining plan? Nope, he’s willing to eat inexpensively and he’d rather spend that money on a new iPod. (Are you sensing a pattern here? Guess I know what I’ll be shopping for him for Christmas.
Still, ...
The "still" kills me here! You crack me up lady. HE JUST WANTS AN I-POD! Now, what you want might be slightly different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
I’m taking that as a sign that I’m not supposed to mess with this and I’m to use this little chunk of change toward something else. (Maybe I should use it for Bob’s new iPod!!)
You think?
On a serious note, I can't wait to see you lady. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting her in person, Eileen is one of the world's greatest people. I'd say the world's greatest person, but (1) I haven't met them all and (b) I think I'm in the top five too!
By the way, all of my intellectual superiority over getting "cruditrip" went up in a blaze of smoke when I spent 15 minutes trying to figure out who the heck "PHL" was. I was sure it was a Passporter, only to finally have the lightbulb click that it's the airport in Philadelphia.
__________________
Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
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Fantastic update as usual Eileen It sounds like CBR was meant to be And good luck with the I-Pod for Bob for Christmas I know you guys are going to have a magical time
Ooops -- sorry. Yeah... PHL is the Philadelphia airport.
Still (), if I'd written MCO, how many of you would've read that without having to pause to wonder what I was talking about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993
And, you didn't tell me that you were in the bathroom as we were talking. At least tell me that you cradled the phone against your shoulder so you could wash your hands.
Silly... no, I raced out of the bathroom AFTER washing my hands to grab my cell phone. I then went to my sewing studio in the basement to talk to you. (Remember, I said that I was surprised Kenzie wanted to come down since she's a little leary of the place.)
And 45 degrees is nuttin' -- I was in a t-shirt raking leaves in 45 degree weather on Sunday.
I'm off to re-organize my new PassPorter to make room for more pages as well as my Mousekeeping envelopes!
Eileen
(I know PHL has a great record with Southwest, but they are the only airline that enforces their "person of size" clause and I'm terrified that I'll be forced to pay for a second seat because my butt sometimes refuses to stay within the confines of the skimpy airline seat. Can you imagine the humiliation of that?!)
Actually, I think butt ... err, encroachment is OK, you just have to be able to put down the armrests.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
None of you will be surprised to know that “Disney Math” told me that the extra night of hotel was worth it to save the money on the flight, plus we’d have all that extra time in the park
I know all about Disney math!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
Bob and Calder go back on Wednesday the 5th so Karen will get to spend most of the day with them too and they should even get a chance to meet Sharon!
which I'm really excited about!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
No, not psychiatric help – Disney help.
Don't be shy! Embrace your CLT status!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
Karen’s big @$$ spreadsheet has us chillin’ at the resort in the afternoon (Let’s see if Sharon can keep away from “her” tower.)
Actually, I'll be more tempted to sneak over to the MK to check out the Haunted Mansion!
I'm so excited I'm about to burst! I really can't wait!
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
OK - I'll be at GF on that Wednesday afternon for Tea! Hope I run into the CLT! I'll be there with Mitzi - my DMIL who you would all so look for us. We're spending most of the day at the MK so, Sharon, if you're looking for someone to check out the HM with - call my cell!
The PHL thing made me laugh cuz I'm sitting her getting distracted when I see CLT b/c that's the Charlotte Airport initials ....
I know exactly what that list of symptoms due to upcoming trip feel like. I've been fighting a sinus infection already....it just knows!!!!! Live 365 plays constantly in the computer lab at school People at work ask everyday how much longer till Disney. Whenever I'm around any family I start talking about our trip. I keep rolling new ideas around in my head for the itinerary..... I feel ya sistah!!
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Oh, well… I also realized that we’d save a little if we flew out on Friday night rather than Saturday morning. None of you will be surprised to know that “Disney Math” told me that the extra night of hotel was worth it to save the money on the flight, plus we’d have all that extra time in the park 
I booked them without even checking if USAirways could beat that price. 
– Disney help. 
I am SOOOO GLAD you posted what PHL was, because I was sitting here feeling like a dummy, not being able to figure it out! 
It sounds like CBR was meant to be 
And good luck with the I-Pod for Bob for Christmas 
so look for us. We're spending most of the day at the MK so, Sharon, if you're looking for someone to check out the HM with - call my cell!
The PHL thing made me laugh cuz I'm sitting her getting distracted when I see CLT b/c that's the Charlotte Airport initials ....
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