All the makings of a disaster… I’m bringing two reluctant teens and the in-laws!!

[Dancegrl624]

Congrats!

[lurkernj]

Originally Posted by macraven

congrats on getting the email!

i received mine last week.
looks like my fast pass test ones are the same day as yours.

that must mean we are twinkies.......

off topic, I can't believe how many posts you have!!!!

Originally Posted by shalom

Excellent! I hope you can get a pass for the parade yet (not least because I want to hear your review ), but even without that, you've got a nice line up, there. Congratulations! I'm most interested in hearing how the Wishes one works.

Unfortunately, because I just can't leave well enough alone, I ended up switching the fireworks for the parade because it was actually available. Now I'm trying to switch out a ride to get the fireworks back, and there's no availability, but I'll keep trying. I would actually prefer the parade to the fireworks anyway, but ideally, I want both

Originally Posted by Dancegrl624

Congrats!

Thanks! I hope you ended up getting one too

[lurkernj]

Getting picked for the fastpass plus might not have been a good thing.

Now I'm on that website switching stuff around all night, trying to coordinate stuff. I didn't realize when I originally made my selections that I could choose different stuff for each of us, and choose the times, I was booking 4 of the same thing for the times they gave us.

Now I've made a mess of them, I managed to break it up into single tickets, which include mickey/minnie meet greet, princess meet/greet, celebrate a dream come true parade (just myself, in-laws will probably be at hotel for a break by then), several rides (some I got extra for the in-laws), Main street electrical parade. I have one single for the fireworks, but I will change it for something else if I can't get two more for the inlaws. I also have two dumbo tickets that I thought would be fun to give away.

I'm curious how this will work, especially since DH and kids won't be there. If we are given an RFID card, will they need to be present to use it? I booked the important stuff under my own name, and in-laws names, just in case I'm not able to use theirs. If it's just the regular fastpasses, I'm assuming they'll be fine.

On a different note, DH said he's not going to call his friend. I'm a little happy about this. This day was the race day, then Animal kingdom, now we can loaf by the pool and nap, kids can go to waterpark for a while if they want, then we have dinner at Ohana at 6:30 and we'll watch wishes from the poly beach

Now I'll just need to wait til Wednesday to confirm that MIL/FIL are definitely coming, her brother is having his test today and should have results Wednesday.

FIL was so cute Friday night asking questions about whether the Soaring movie was updated, what rides will be closed, where are we eating. MIL was pretty quiet as I'm sure it's in the back of her mind that there's still a chance they might not go.

[shalom]

Originally Posted by lurkernj

Getting picked for the fastpass plus might not have been a good thing.
.

I was thinking about that after I saw you'd been picked for it. It's like the ADRs -- since you can make the reservations so easy, you've got way too much time to waffle over it. And I hope it's clear I mean "generic you" there, nor you, lurkernj. I think it would actually be pretty easy for me, because I don't do that many FastPass rides... But the more I consider it, and when I remember how many more options it sounds like FastPass Plus offers, I'm not too sure.

[lurkernj]

Originally Posted by shalom

I was thinking about that after I saw you'd been picked for it. It's like the ADRs -- since you can make the reservations so easy, you've got way too much time to waffle over it. And I hope it's clear I mean "generic you" there, nor you, lurkernj. I think it would actually be pretty easy for me, because I don't do that many FastPass rides... But the more I consider it, and when I remember how many more options it sounds like FastPass Plus offers, I'm not too sure.

I like the options fastpass + offers, like the meet/greets, the two parades, and the fireworks viewing.

I decided last night I'm not going to mess with it anymore. I tried to fit it into the touring plan I had already devised for myself, since I'm solo most of that day, and I think it went pretty well. If I miss a window or two, well so be it. I'm not going to mess with it anymore unless I can get two more fireworks viewing fastpasses.

[lurkernj]

It's almost here!!!

Well, now I'm almost down to my single digits

Now that I know DH isn't going to call his friend, I've been tweaking my final plans and eliminating some extra ADRs I had hanging around, so I will begin posting my final plans. The beginning of my trip will be the same whether or not MIL/FIL come with us, except I won't do any ADRs by myself, I'll just stick with counter service.

DAY 1
So, on Sunday, the 23rd, three of us will drive to philadelphia for our 11:15 flight on Southwest (if by some chance in-laws don't go, I will have DH drive me)

We'll arrive at MCO at 1:45, and take ME to POR. I hope to be checked in by 3:30, drop our stuff off, probably hit up the food court to get our mugs, then off to Epcot.

The first thing I do when I get to Epcot is spaceship earth, so I can email a pic to myself. We'll check out soaring wait time, then probably go our separate ways, though I don't really care if they want to tag along for a bit. I would ideally like to get to Germany to see Snow white. I believe she is there around 5:30, and possibly 7:30, though I'll confirm this with wdwent before I go. I'd also like to see some other World showcase entertainment, like off kilter, and whatever else catches my fancy. I'll want to wander the countries by myself for a bit, probably get a gran marnier slushie

We're not going to do an ADR this night. I was originally planning Biergarten, but figured we don't have a lot of time in Epcot this night, and the in-laws will already be over on their credits, so I'm thinking maybe Mexico for some tacos right before Illuminations, along with a margarita(edited to add, I've now added Biergarten back in due to some extra credits, so Biergarten at 6p, but there will still be a margarita and illuminations in my future) I'm not sure in-laws will make it to the fireworks, as it's the season premier of House, and that's MILs favorite show, plus they'll be tired from the travel day. Somewhere in here I'll have to fit a cupcake, either from Caramel Kuche, or Sunshine seasons.

DAY 2
Monday, the 24th. Magic kingdom day
I want to get there for rope drop, nothing like the opening show to get me in the mood This is the day I have all the fastpasses from fastpass plus, since my family isn't with me this day. I got some extra for MIL to add to her group, but I'm not sure how this all works out, if there is one card, or will we get separate passes for each thing, or if I can even use the extra ones.

I'll check out some Main Street entertainment, the trolley show, Dapper dans, get some sorcerers cards, etc. I will have a fastpass to meet Mickey and Minnie sometime between 9 and 10 I'll get a cinnamon bun from the bakery, then mosey on over to adventureland and hit up Pirates, splash (with my fastpass), I'll also have peter pan and haunted mansion fastpasses, and I'll probably go on small world. I've never done Hall of presidents, so I'll try that. I also want to meet the fairy Godmother, so I'll check the times for that. Then I'll probably head out to have lunch at AoA and have a looksee. I want to be back for the 3p Parade, I have a fastpass for the viewing area for this, not sure if I need it or not. I also have one for the princess meet/greet and Buzz lightyear. I want to see Dream along with Mickey at 4:15, then I'll probably wander the shops on main street, til I take the boat over to Narcoossees to meet the in-laws for our 5:30 ADR. If they don't come on the trip, I'll take the monorail over to the Poly for some CS. Then I'll head back in for Main Street Electrical Parade (have fastpasses for this) and Wishes. I would like to hang around for the kiss goodnight, but I'll see how tired I am.

With the addition of the fastpass plus, I probably have more rides than I would have originally added, but if I find I'm rushing around, I'll just skip a few. I'm not expecting the park to be crowded, so I don't know if the fastpasses will indeed save time, I'm sure some will (like peter pan, always a wait there)

[shalom]

Originally Posted by lurkernj

I want to get there for rope drop, nothing like the opening show to get me in the mood

I love the opening show, I wish they still did them at the other parks (such as they were ).

Originally Posted by lurkernj

I'm not expecting the park to be crowded, so I don't know if the fastpasses will indeed save time, I'm sure some will (like peter pan, always a wait there)

I would think the parade ones would, too, although I have also heard that the worst waiting time for the parades is on Main Street, and you can wait much longer if watching it from Liberty Square or Frontierland. All the horror stories I've heard about people squeezing in at the last minute or fighting over parade spaces, I'm liking the idea of being able to get a fastpass for that a lot.

[tiffrobyn]

Subscribing, just in time!

[scholastica]

Finally caught up, and just in time! I'm excited to hear the rest! The squirrels had me actually LOLing!

[tiffrobyn]

Oh my word, I was literally laughing out loud at the squirrels! My co-workers must think I'm nuts!

[lurkernj]

Originally Posted by shalom

I love the opening show, I wish they still did them at the other parks (such as they were ).

I used to enjoy the one at Animal kingdom too, the one at DHS was always so crowded and everyone was jockeying for their spot to run for TSM, that I could give or take that one

I would think the parade ones would, too, although I have also heard that the worst waiting time for the parades is on Main Street, and you can wait much longer if watching it from Liberty Square or Frontierland. All the horror stories I've heard about people squeezing in at the last minute or fighting over parade spaces, I'm liking the idea of being able to get a fastpass for that a lot.

I've watched the parades from frontierland, but it just doesn't feel the same, so I'm curious to see how this is going to work out with the fastpass. I've had those scenarios lots of times with people squeezing in last minute, and it's extremely irritating after I've been waiting for 45min or so

Originally Posted by tiffrobyn

Subscribing, just in time!

Welcome to the party Lucky you, you got to miss the long drawn out babble and get right to the good stuff

Originally Posted by scholastica

Finally caught up, and just in time! I'm excited to hear the rest! The squirrels had me actually LOLing! I'm excited to hear the rest too

Originally Posted by tiffrobyn

Oh my word, I was literally laughing out loud at the squirrels! My co-workers must think I'm nuts! Ah yes, stay tuned, as there's usually something spastic going on. Odd happenings just seem to find us, or maybe I'm just looking for them

Day 3 next...

[BearcatsFan]

*finally caught up*

Can't believe you got picked for FP+! So excited to hear how this works out.

Your first two days plans look great. Hope you know soon if MIL/FIL will be going.

So bummed that you arrive the day after we leave. Would love to have crossed paths with you.

[lurkernj]

So, on this morning I'm planning to be at the bus by 8am so I can get there before park opening. I'll still be solo this day.

I want to ride TSM, then get a fastpass for later, mainly so I can practice before the men get there. Those boys play a lot of video games and are some tough competition.

My next goal is to do the Phineas and Furb meet and greet so I can text a photo to the boys with a gitchi gitchi goo, baby I love you attached. I'll just imagine that they'll be some eye rolling on the other end of the text

I also want to do the little mermaid, great movie ride, animation academy (I absolutely love doing this, if you've never done it, make time in your next trip). I want to see Beauty and the beast, maybe Muppets though I know I'll definitely be doing this with the guys. I want to have lunch at Starring rolls so I can get one of those giant red velvet cupcakes.

I want to see American Idol and the Pixar parade. After the parade I'll hop a bus to Animal kingdom lodge to meet up with the in laws for our 4:30 Boma reservation. I'm very excited for this res, and I'm dying to try a Zebra dome (before they get rid of them like Cape May did to the Oreo BonBons) After dinner I'll probably wander around the lodge to check it out for future trips, then I'll hop a bus to DTD and do some shopping. I'm not sure what the in-laws will do, they might want to go back to DHS to see Fantasmic. When I'm done at DTD, I'll take the boat back to POR and wait for the men to arrive, probably around 10:30ish. I see that Tangled is playing at the outdoor movie at the resort, so if I get back in time, I might just mosey on over for that.

I haven't heard from MIL yet about her brother, I'm assuming she just hasn't heard yet and will know today.

[shalom]

Originally Posted by lurkernj

My next goal is to do the Phineas and Furb meet and greet so I can text a photo to the boys with a gitchi gitchi goo, baby I love you attached. I'll just imagine that they'll be some eye rolling on the other end of the text

You're an evil mom. Just like me!

Originally Posted by lurkernj

I haven't heard from MIL yet about her brother, I'm assuming she just hasn't heard yet and will know today.

Fingers crossed for good news with your inlaws.

[lurkernj]

Originally Posted by BearcatsFan

*finally caught up*

Can't believe you got picked for FP+! So excited to hear how this works out.

Your first two days plans look great. Hope you know soon if MIL/FIL will be going.

So bummed that you arrive the day after we leave. Would love to have crossed paths with you.

Pretty excited about the FP+ Aww, that would have been awesome to meet up, and you're staying right next door And you'd be easy to spot with that that boot.

Originally Posted by shalom

You're an evil mom. Just like me!



Fingers crossed for good news with your inlaws.

Muah ahh ahh ahh ahh. For all the aggravation they cause, I gotta get my kicks when I can.

Gonna give MIL a call soon to see if they've heard anything yet