Disney and the Art of the Remodel

I am in the process of remodeling my house with the not-so-long-term goal of selling it. My husband has been relocated for work so we know we're going to be moving. We'd just like to make our current house as appealing as possible. We're doing the work ourselves to save as much money as possible (extra for Florida, right?)

By now you're wondering if you're reading the right blog. What does this have to do with Mickey or Disney? Well, I've come to believe that remodeling is a lot like planning for a trip to Disney. Let me explain my thinking to you.

First, both are projects that require some planning up front. I don't just drive to Lowe's and decide to re-floor my house. I also am not the kind of person that is likely to just arrive at Disney World with no reservation ready to play for two weeks.This planning in both cases requires the help of knowledgeable people. Paint experts, flooring gurus, tile teachers. I've met them all and learned from them. When it comes to Disney, there are experts too. Many are online. I've read many boards and blogs and gained much wisdom from them.

After much thought, decisions are made. Materials are bought. Paints are tinted. Tiles selected. Flooring loaded onto a flatbed cart. Cashiers smile as they ring you up. For me, this time my Disney  reservation will be somewhat different than in the past when I worked with a travel agent as I will book my own reservation. Being a travel agent will make the checkout process different but the decision making process will still be the same. With Disney, I usually could tell you exactly what I want the day after our last trip ended!

In both cases changes are made. We have changed paint colors. We have changed ADRs. We have changed flooring styles. We have changed vacation dates. The order rooms will be completed. The order parks will be completed. Things change all the time.

Sometimes both can get a bit messy.I always find the mess to be fun but I prefer cleaning up double booked dinner reservations than I do spilled paint. In the end the mess can lead to something new and unexpected like a new schedule or a new favorite pair of jeans that are a little more stylish than they were before you slopped paint on them.

The sink that will be in my spare bathroom in my new house. It's waiting in storage/

I play the role of "errand girl " in both cases as well. During remodeling, my husband is our in-house expert while I run to get his every need, During Disney planning I play both the expert and the errand girl, running to get the last minute things I know we'll need for the trip. I make myself good lists so I really don't mind!

There is an anticipation in both cases for the end date to draw near. In one case you are working to get nearer the completion of the project. In the other you are working to get nearer to the start of the project.It's exciting in either case and makes the days in between keep moving.

Project completion is where these two vary. With remodeling you're done or moving on to the next project. With Disney: You Finally Get To Take You're Trip!!! Definitely a bigger celebration!

Yes, both have clean up and budgeting but if I talked too much about those I'd take away from the celebration of finishing the project. Think of it as the Disney magic that goes on behind the scenes.

So I hope you can see how this is helping me get through the remodel of one (maybe two) houses which cuts down on my Disney time immensely. I am becoming a more efficient planner this time around since I am planning as I remodel. I have less time to blog but that certainly doesn't mean I don't find time for Mickey everyday.

Why I Love Planning Trips to Disney

Let's face it. I can't spent 365 days a year at a Disney Park. If I could, I wouldn't be writing this now. What I do to get my Disney fix when I'm not at Disney is I plan Disney. And I love to do it.

I talk all the details. Resort, meal plan, best flight. But that's just to start with. Then I have to work out the details of our ADRs and our tours, all the special things. I like to be prepared. I even bore my husband with how we're going to get from one place to another on property.

Planning out the details keeps me close to Mickey all year long. And that's exactly how I like it. And that's exactly why I've chosen to help others plan their trips as well. I love it that much.

Moving Forward

Since my big day on New Year's Eve I've kind of been spinning my wheels.  I have a lot of loose ends I'm trying to keep an eye on. .The reservations that haven't been made are too early for Disney's system but that doesn't mean they aren't haunting me a bit. I'll be happier once they are all made, so I keep checking the computer.

I cleaned up the site a bit. it still may be a little excessive but I like it and I guess it's my blog. I just tried to streamline some things and organize things in a way that made sense.

As I continue to heal I have some plans going on behind the scenes that could be VERY Disney related in my future. I have to keep looking into those possibilities but it should be very positive news!

As for trip planning my next step is to flesh out each day now that our dinner reservations are set. It won't be so strict that we have to be at such and such a place at this exact time but it will provide a touring plan to make sure we're efficient and don't miss anything. I really want to take it all in this trip! It's the most fun working I ever have.

I'm also still blogging for the Mouse for Less. I have a series planned where I am going to do the ABCs of each of the four parks. I know what I'm writing about. Now I just need to get going and get it done! Typing is still a struggle so I do everything longhand then type in small spurts.

Well, that's about it for now. I have lots to share in my head but until it's confirmed, I'll keep you guessing!

After All The Hype...

I'm glad that's over!

My body has gotten used to sleep.Three restless hours was not enough. I did not dare take my usual medicines for fear I would sleep too late, so instead I barely slept at all. The cat and I made it until 4 am and then we gave up pretending. One hour to go. I was beside myself. All for dinner reservations mind you!

Finally at 4:45 I went upstairs searching for Jim, who was suppose to be waking me up. He was on his way down but I was impatient.

We both got logged on and I tracked down my credit card. I knew I had taken any of the reservations that might require a credit card to hold them. Jim found a few minutes to tend his farm and check his mafia :) I reminded him that he really couldn't do that once he started making reservations. He told me he loved me :)

I sat on my air bed with my laptop, my stack of cards with the reservations I wanted on them, my credit card, a pen, and my Mickey stocking cap. The last few minutes before 5:00, I gave Jim a countdown which I think he appreciated greatly.

Finally, 5:00 hit and we both hit "Search for a Table." We both got error messages. I remembered reset happens at 5:00 and we needed to try at 5:01. Success!!!

Jim got Le Cellier and I got ... Cinderella's Royal Table! This was a biggie I needed to do first and it required a credit card. They don't actually charge your card unless you are a no-show. Making reservations and not showing up is VERY common in Disney but certain places like CRT require a hold to limit this from happening. I think more should. Why is CRT special? This is a character meal but more important than that it is one of the only ways to get inside Cinderellas Castle at Disney World. I'm not even sure how much I'll eat here but I have to go!

After that kind of start I felt confident. I ran into only two bumps along the way. Both were things that I think are not in the computer system yet so I'm hopeful. Overall I think we have 22 of our 26 reservations made. That's not bad!

For anyone who cares, here's what all my insanity has lead to(bold need reservations yet):

• 6/29- 2:00p.m. House of Blues(no reservation needed)
• 6/29- 8:40p.m. Artist Point
• 6/30- 8:00a.m. Tusker House
• 6/30- 8:30p.m. Yachtsman Steakhouse
• 7/1- 8:10a.m. Akershus Princess Storybook Dining
• 7/1- 1:50p.m. LeCellier
• 7/1- 7:00p.m. Restaurant Marrakesh
• 7/2- 7:30a.m. Cape May Cafe
• 7/2- 7:00p.m. Jiko
• 7/3- 8:05a.m. Crystal Palace
• 7/3- 5:15p.m. The Plaza
• 7/3- 9:00p.m. Wishes Dessert Party
• 7/4- 11:30a.m. Hollywood Brown Derby Dine with an Imagineer
• 7/4- 5:30 Hollywood &Vine Fantasmic
• 7/5- 7:30a.m. Ohana's 
• 7/5- 7:05p.m. Narcoossee's
• 7/6- 7:30a.m. Boma
• 7/6- 12:00p.m. Teppan Edo
• 7/6- 8:30p.m. Via Napoli
• 7/7- 8:05a.m. Cinderella's Royal Table
• 7/7- 1:00p.m. Kona Cafe
• 7/7- 7:50p.m. California Grill
• 7/8- 7:00a.m.Chef Mickey
• 7/8- 1:30p.m. LeCellier
• 7/9- 7:30a.m. Boma
• 7/9- 11:30a.m. House of Blues(no reservation needed)

If you'd like to see what we might be having to eat at any of these wonderful restaurants, I have links to all of the menu below. Just click on the restaurant name.

I'm sure there is a next step. I am far too tired to know what it is. I'll  be in touch :)

I finally did it and I went big...

After weeks of speculation I finally took the plunge and emailed Emily W. my travel agent at Magic for Less for quotes. My original plan had been to give her two scenarios: one that was what I wanted and one that was an acceptable but lesser and cheaper plan.

I changed my mind. I only sent Emily my ideal plan. This trip should be exactly what I want and for that to happen it has to start that way from the get-go. Last year's trip was less than perfect and this year's trip has such great potential that I want to give it every advantage.

So here's what I proposed: I still am having her run it two different ways one using Magic Your Way Packages and the other using room only and an Annual Passholder discount.

• 10 days/ 9 nights at Pop Century Resort at the end of June/ beginning of July with a King size bed in the 70's B building
• Deluxe Dining Plan
• no ground transportation
• Magical Express
• travel insurance- especially because of where I am medically
• Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party (when available) on July 3rd
• a way to celebrate our good fortune this time around: PAIN -FREE!!!

So I guess you could say I know what I want! Now I need those quotes so I can get Jim to decide which way he wants to go. Then we'll be $200 away from being locked into HEAVEN! And I can start my planning in earnest.

With surgery (in theory) getting closer, I am getting anxious to get some planning nailed down. This is one step in the right direction.

Now I just have to stop harassing friends who are going to Disney soon because I'd gladly plan their trips for them as well!