Okieatheart

Oh, oh, oh!  (Waving hand frantically in the air) ME!  ME!  We really need to know the "back way" into WDW!  We come in from the north - I-75.  Would this route you have work for us?

We went to the Rose Bowl last year in July when we were on vacation in Los Angeles - only because I wanted to see it.  There were no events going on at the time.  But, from what we could see, the area surrounding the stadium is a residential area; we saw no hotels within walking distance.  Maybe it was because of the route we took, but we all commented on how strange that was.  Perhaps you could find a hotel that offered a BCS package - including transportation to the stadium.  Trust me, I don't think you want to drive in that traffic on game day.  And here's another thought - if you really want to go to Disneyland, every tour company we found has a trip to Disneyland on its list of tours.  They take you there, leave you for the full day and pick you up in the evening.  Unless you are familiar with big city traffic, I wouldn't suggest driving in LA - or Pasadena, for that matter.  We did have a car, a GPS, a map, and three spotters looking for exit signs and we still got lost numerous times - and we're used to big city traffic.  I wish you the best of luck planning this trip.  It's so cool standing in front of the Rose Bowl, after seeing it so many times on television.  It's a beautiful stadium, but she is showing her age a bit.  

Thank you so much, devores and Rita, for your suggestions and help in getting my vouchers into MDE.  I followed your instructions and just sailed through the ticket linking process.  I've chosen our party's fast passes, and now all I need to do is get to the parks!  Again, thank you so much!  And, Rita, I agree!  Those O's and zeroes kept me from linking the vouchers earlier.  When I finally figured that out, the process was seamless.  

You're good!  Thank you tons for all the help!  

WOW!  Thanks so much for those answers.  One more question: To scan the bar code I will need the Scanner app?  I have it on my phone, along with the MDE app;  but I didn't know if the MDE app could be used to scan the voucher.  I'm going to work on this tomorrow and I'll let you know if I was successful.  

First of all, thank you to all of you who suggested the MDE site for ordering Magic Bands.  We got ours yesterday. I was thrilled!   And, like Gwen, I couldn't put mine on by myself, either.  And then promptly today, I got an e-mail inviting us to be a part of the MyMagic+ testing!  I'm so excited - I think!  After I read everything, I don't think we can take part because I only have AP vouchers which I have to redeem at a guest relations office to get the ticket number.  So basically, I can't book any Fast Passes+ until I get there  - and that kinda takes the fun out of things.  Am I right in thinking this?  But when I do link the ticket numbers after we get to the Fort, will I still be able to participate?  These are probably stupid questions, but new things tend to discombobulate me.  But I am excited!

I thought they might not be able to accept tips.  That's a shame.  They work so hard to make our trips wonderful.  Thank you for answering my question.

About two years ago, I did the Segway tour at the Fort and I had the most wonderful instructor.  At the end of the tour, I wanted to show my appreciation for his help and attention by tipping him, but no one else approached him.  I thought that perhaps he wasn't allowed to accept tips.  In November I'm going to be at the Fort with some friends and we are going to do the Segway thing again.  Is the instructor allowed to accept tips?  And what about bus drivers who go out of their way to help us?  I did write a letter commending the instructor's kindness and helpfulness, but that seemed so inadequate.  What is your advice?

Oops!  Sugar-free treats at MVMCP are few and far between!  Since I'm not eating sweets this trip, I'll just skip the goodies and marvel at the gorgeous decorations and Christmas spirit at the party.  The parade is so pretty and so festive, and the fireworks are beautiful (of course, you can watch those from the Fort).  If you have little ones, there are special meet-and-greets, and Santa pulls up the rear in the parade.  Granted the party is quite expensive, but it's just my husband and me - and I want to do it again.  I love Christmastime at Disney World!

We went to MVMCP on the first night two years ago.  Never having been to the Halloween party, I guess I don't know what you mean by "nuts."  We had a good time, walked on a lot of rides, didn't have to wait long at all for cookies and hot chocolate, and I had a front row "seat" on Main Street for the second parade.  We are going this year on Nov. 14, and I'm hoping the experience will be as good as the last one.  

I just saw on another website where MyMagic/FastPass+ will be testing select guests arriving at Ft. Wilderness from Oct. 21-31.  This is the first I've heard of Ft. Wilderness guests being selected as "testers."  (But, then again, I'm a little behind the 8 ball.)  These dates leave me out - arriving Nov. 8 - but perhaps some fellow board members will be selected.

I think this is a really good idea - especially for those of us who don't want a relatively expensive dinner while at DTD.  Plus, the trucks may relieve a bit of the congestion at Earl of Sandwich.  I say "yea" to this change!

Uh, I don't think he's probably older than I; I'm older than dirt.  But I have probably heard of him or, at least, his family name.  My father taught in the high school for 40 years, so - through him - we knew most of the people in town.  But, then again, that's been about 40 years ago, and Ardmore has changed quite a bit since then.  But tell him hello for me!

Hi, Ray!  I surely do miss Oklahoma. Even though I live in the great state of Texas and have been here for 34 years, Oklahoma-and going back to Oklahoma-is never far from my mind.  I'm originally from Ardmore, went to college in OK, and at one time dated a boy from Crescent.  Thank you for the welcome, and keep Oklahoma safe for me.  Boomer Sooner! (or Go, Cowboys!)

Thank you, Jason.  Boy, you guys are good!  Six-month-old nagging question answered in two minutes.  Impressive!

Oh, gosh!  How painful!  One of my deepest fears is that my DH is going to mutiny on me and refuse to go on one of our twice-yearly trips to WDW.  My heart bleeds for you!

I purchased APs for the first time in June.  I received the paper with the plastic vouchers in the mail.  In the letter on which the vouchers were attached it states that we can redeem them at the parks or the TC.  There is no mention in the letter of Magic Bands - and it clearly states that the APs will be in effect when I redeem the vouchers and will be good for one year from the date of redemption. I purchased these vouchers from the Disney website and plan to activate them when we are there in November.  

But I'm wondering, where in Magic Kingdom should we go to redeem these vouchers? 

The only part of your post I can help you with is the overnight stay in northern Florida.  We stay at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs.  It is about four hours to the Fort from here.  It is a pretty nice park, but most of all it is safe and the owners are quite accommodating.  We do the same thing you do - pull in late afternoon and leave the next morning.  Each time we have been assigned a space directly across from the showers, restrooms, and fire ring.  Good luck!

Oh, thank you!  I should have thought of this before!  You made me feel better!

Hi, everyone!  I'm a new member here, just wanting to chime in about the new 2014 rates.  It seems these rates are not disturbing too many people because when I called yesterday to book our annual two weeks in January, there was absolutely nothing available except tent sites.  What's going on? Have I just been super lucky the past three years to get a site in January?  When I panicked and called WDW, the CM said to wait for a few weeks as they had not "opened" January yet.  But another poster already has a reservation.  What am I doing wrong?