Newbie and the Geek Take Walt Disney World: Obsessed

Light Meter by Lisa K. Berton

First installment of Newbie and the Geek Take Walt Disney World

Chapter two, Newbie and the Geek Take Walt Disney World: Reservations

The two hyperlinks you see above are portals into this epic journey still in the developmental stages or in Disney speak, trip planning. Start at the beginning so you’re up to ludicrous speed and can then fully breathe in and experience the scent of luggage airing out from its attic captivity. Sure, we’re not leaving for a few months and the luggage will remain upstairs until then but surely it deserves recognition and to know it is loved.

As this will be Yoli’s very first trip to Walt Disney World, let alone Florida, I’ve gone crazy with ideas, things, and plans to make it even more memorable. I’m pretty sure I’m acting like a parent taking their child, based on the various trip reports I’ve read and posts on AllEars’ Facebook page. Now if you think about it, it’s funny because Yoli is 9 years older than me. Yeah, she’s like wicked old and can nap anywhere, any time. She’d give my dad a run for his money in The Great Nap Off, IndiaNAPolis, So You Think You Can Nap.

I have been stockpiling Pixie Dust like a maniac and even had a co-worker bring something back from Epcot for our vacation. Yeah, I could buy it when I get there but I don’t want to. :big cheesy grin: Guess what? Two more of my co-workers are heading to Walt Disney World before me and I am going to task them both. A ha ha ha ha haaaaa!!! :throws arms into the air: Hey, Macarena!
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While putting together all of this awesomeness, I was unable to attain a special surprise dining reservation. After failing miserably, I told John Ames from MouseFanTravel, my beloved pal and travel agent, about the travesty. Wouldn’t you know it, he secured the reservation for me and on the day I most wanted. Yet, he did this on Halloween so I wondered, is this a classic John (Juan to me) trick? Nope, it turned out to be a treat. In the words of my former co-worker Crystal, wackatcha! I have no idea what it means but it sounds exciting. Wackatcha!

This month I’ve begun posting short video clips found on YouTube on Yoli’s Facebook page. Each one is roughly 2 minutes or less so as to offer a glimpse into a specific feature. The first video was of Mariachi Cobre playing outside of the Mexico pavilion. Yoli loves all kinds of music and embraces her family’s Mexican heritage so I knew that would be a winner. Also, in the video, they’re playing Cielito Lindo, a song Menudo covered in 1982 and if you’re a regular reader, you recall I’m a huge Menudo fan and so is mi amiga.

Her second video gift was a clip from The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. In it, Indy fights the huge German mechanic and rescues Marion from the plane. I aided the suspenseful build-up by typing out “Da da da daaaa da da daaa. Da da da daaa, da da da daaa.” The third video called upon Yoli’s lifelong dream of becoming a ballerina. Taken from Festival of the Lion King, the video clip features the aerial bird dancer. The fourth and final park video for November was filmed from one of Aladdin’s magic carpets in Adventureland. We both love Aladdin but Yoli has to remember that he’s my boyfriend and to keep her mitts off my man.
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I received some Mickey Mail, a booklet with photos and info on our resort, the theme parks, and shopping options. After flipping through it and happily exclaiming, “Duh! I already know all of this!,” I sent it to Yoli.

It is a very rare occurrence that my flight’s departure time is altered by the airline but not only has 1 of my flights changed but so have Yoli’s. They’re not anything to call and complain about, they’re just a matter of minutes, no more than 30, but I find it interesting. I imagine they could alter yet again in the next 2+ months. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know.

Another strange moment came when 2 months after booking one of my flights, I looked to see if I could catch an earlier one for the same cost. The result was a not surprising no, but my flight had come down by $30.00 so I called JetBlue. In a matter of minutes, I was issued a credit towards a future flight. Not too shabby. I thought, let’s see if I have the same luck with Yoli’s flights on US Airways. Alas, the price of her roundtrip itinerary went up by $120.00. At least we know she got a good deal.

Let’s discuss rental cars. Sales come out roughly 30 days or less before their start date. In researching rentals this early, I find that “name-brand” agencies think people are frivolous millionaires, and are asking for $500 – 700 for a 10-day rental of a compact car. Dude. It’s not going to happen. On a feeling (ESP kicking in), I checked Dollar and booked a compact for $177 before fees and taxes. Mind you, it is now back up with the ridiculous prices. I will try to beat that as we get closer to takeoff.

Last but not least in this fascinating installment is yet another schedule change. Being the diligent planner that I am, I check the posted park hours for our trip every few weeks. Well, wouldn’t you know it, there’s already been an alteration, a good one, although now I have to make some executive decisions. Animal Kingdom was set to close at 5 PM DST (Disney Standard Time) during each day of our trip. Now, they will remain open until 7 PM DST for a couple of nights. Alrighty, I’ve gotta flip some park days around and reconfigure my strategy for non-park activities. It’s cool, I can handle it. I’m not the “geek” in Newbie and the Geek for nothing.

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I wish all of my fellow Americans a happy Thanksgiving with their loved ones. And to everyone who is planning their high school reunion like I am for this weekend, do something nice for yourselves, you deserve it.

Stuffed yourself silly? Wobble on over to my Facebook page.

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