February 21, 2025 • 22 mins
Navigating the emotional landscape of canceling a Disney trip last minute highlights the value of family, flexibility, and a great travel planner. With unexpected obstacles arising, we explored our feelings and learned practical lessons about adjusting plans and cherishing family moments.
• Discussing the latest Disney merch and Cinderella's anniversary
• Sharing emotions experienced during the trip cancellation
• Importance of a travel planner in handling cancellations
• Transitioning trip plans to future dates
• Overview of refunds and travel credits
• Emphasizing the value of family time amidst cancellations
• Plans for future episodes and revisiting old favorites
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Hello and welcome to Circular Parks podcast episode
number 191.
Today we are talking about whathappens when you have to cancel
your Disney trip last minute.
There is far too much to seeand do.
We are here to help guide youthrough, but before we do that,
(00:43):
we must talk Disney merch.
So I still want to do Disneymerch because, with it being
Cinderella's 75th anniversaryyear, they are releasing lots of
new items, and one that caughtmy attention today is the
Cinderella 75thanniversaryiversary Magic Band
(01:04):
Plus.
It's a limited release for$54.99 and it is very detailed
with all things Cinderella.
You've got classic Cinderellawith a star-dusted design
presenting Cinderella, jack andGus on a glittering band, plus
the glass slipper oncoordinating tappable icon.
(01:25):
And again, this is a limitedrelease.
I really love all the detailsof it and if I were a really big
Cinderella fan I loveCinderella, don't get me wrong.
It's just not one of myfavorites, but if it was, this
would probably be a band that Iwould get.
So that is currently onDisneyStorecom and that is this
(01:46):
week's Disney merch.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
I don't see how you can be so chippy right now.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
I mean, it is what it is, I don't I just.
I did not wake up that way.
I thought about where we couldbe heading.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
when I woke up, yeah, I mean right now.
We're supposed to be at FlameTree Barbecue.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Yes, or shortly arriving there anyway.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Yeah, so you know, last episode that we recorded
just a few days ago was our tripplanning episode and we had
told you guys, next time youhear from us we would be doing a
live dining review from AnimalKingdom at Flame Tree Barbecue.
And, as I stated at the introof this episode, we have now
(02:35):
found out what happens when youhave to cancel your Disney trip
last minute.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
So instead we're sitting here in Nashville,
Tennessee, there's snow on theground and it's 19 degrees
outside.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Oh yeah, but this morning it was like nine degrees
.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Whereas Orlando right now is sunny, with a high of 63
.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Yeah, yep.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Still with no snow on the ground.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Yes, still with no snow on the ground.
Yes, so literally, we find weliterally found out after
recording our trip planningepisode, like literally right
after recording, that we weregoing to have to cancel our trip
.
There was some issues withfamily being able to help watch
the boys.
Illness hit and yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
So we decided to leave that episode up because we
wanted.
We thought this would be a goodopportunity and, yes, I did get
sick.
I'm doing much better but wewanted to compare and contrast
the episodes and talk about whatit's like canceling a Disney
trip last minute.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
yes, and it's not good no, and but I mean the way,
once we get into all thedetails, you know, think things
worked out the best they could.
So but uh, yeah, you know, abig thing was we were going to
have family help watch the boysand they're going through some
health issues.
Right now.
Our backup to that is goingthrough some health issues as
(04:11):
well, some other family members,and you know it's not just the
boys, we also have two dogs andeverything too.
So you know, we definitely wentthrough a lot of emotions at
first.
You know, like first it wasdenial, like oh, this isn't
happening.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
And not like denial on Jungle Cruise.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Right, no.
And then it was anger, but notlike at anyone, just the overall
situation.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
This situation.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Yes.
And then sadness, because youknow we'd been looking forward
to it.
You can hear our excitement onthe last episode.
You know we'd been lookingforward to it.
You can hear our excitement onthe last episode.
And then disappointment, youknow, because we, even though
we've been several times before,you know you still kind of plan
(04:57):
things out.
You know your day to day, likewe were talking about on the
last episode, what we're lookingforward to doing, where we're
eating, the order of how we planto do the rides, all of that.
And then we were trying tofigure out a way to still make
it happen.
Like, well, if we did this andif we did this, or you know, but
we ended up, you know, defeat,hit and, yeah, acceptance that
(05:18):
it's just not going to happen.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah, so I have a saying, not a saying, but it's
lessons I've learned throughlife, and and I'm not saying
this in every situation, butwhen the universe, or God, or
whoever you want to say, startsthrowing up roadblocks to
something that you're lookingforward to, maybe you listen to
(05:41):
those and not in every situation.
Right to maybe you listen tothose and not in every situation
, right, but when our plan A andplan B did not work out, and
then you start having to figureout ways, to piecemeal it
together.
Maybe it's not meant to happen.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
You know, like the big things in our lives us
getting married, us buying thehouse, jobs, everything like
that just happened.
There was no forcing it tohappen, there was no making it
going out of our way to make ithappen.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
It just happened.
It just kind of fell into place.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Correct, yeah, it just happened and it just kind
of fell into place.
Yeah, correct.
And so when, when the universestarts throwing up these
roadblocks in certain situations?
Speaker 1 (06:29):
I'm not saying, don't always work hard for stuff,
that's not what I know, becauseI learned that a couple of years
ago and you know I foughtthrough some obstacles and got
to where I am now.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Me as well, but when, when stuff like this happens,
you might want to listen to them, and I did get sick.
Our boys were sick last week, Igot sick this week.
I've been doing pretty wellstaying on top of it and usually
what happens in this situation?
Brittany is next.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah, so we're just waiting.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Or maybe she won't, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Maybe I won't.
I mean, I haven't been likecompletely 100%, but I wouldn't
say I'm sick either.
No, and being sick in disney isnot fun either.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
No, I've done it before and I've I felt myself
getting sick before, earlierthis week, but I was like I'll
be fine, we'll push through.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
And then this came up , and then that was the sign
telling us like okay not justthat getting sick, but just not
being able to have anyone watchthe boys and the dogs yeah, and
so what do you do when you mustcancel last minute?
Speaker 2 (07:31):
now, this is when a great not a good, a great travel
planner is worth their weightin gold.
Now, we haven't talked abouther because we're not affiliated
with anybody anymore.
We we're not sponsored byanybody, but we still use Travel
Planner Erica.
Yes, and she is just amazing.
(07:52):
We're not saying this becausewe're friends with her.
We're not saying this becausewe used to be affiliated with
her.
She is amazing.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Her attention to detail and her wealth of
knowledge as a trainer travelplanner made this so easy for us
.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Sorry, I got you yeah , no well, I mean she really
does go above and beyond, like Imean, she's done so many things
for us through our trips andadded nice little surprises here
and there.
You know, um, sometimes justletting cast members know ahead
of our arrival that we arecelebrating a special occasion,
you know that we maybe failed tomention, um, you know she's,
(08:28):
she's had little, like when itwas the boys birthdays and stuff
.
Like she's had little surprisesfor them waiting at, like bill
services when we've arrived andthings like that yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
So she is great.
Um, check her out.
If you want not a good, I'mtalking a great travel planner.
Go check her outwwwtravelplannerericacom.
We're not just saying this, itis the truth.
She really is great.
Again, we're not affiliatedwith her whatsoever right now,
but we still use her for all ofour trip planning.
She is amazing.
(08:59):
She truly truly is.
So she was still trying tofigure out ways we could do it
too.
You know, throwing outsuggestions, ideas and all this
stuff.
She didn't want us to cancel iteither.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Right, yeah, she was like well, what about this for
the dogs or this for the kids?
Or like a day of doing this andthen another day of doing this?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
And it was like oh, it's just too much.
It was too much to try to.
But she was really trying tohelp, yeah, so instead of
canceling everything, we werealready planning on going for
fall break.
Right, she just moved ourbooking and tickets to that trip
.
We even got money refunded yeah, a little bit.
(09:41):
So our original.
We were supposed to stay atPort Orleans, French Quarter,
and we were using an AP discount.
I am not renewing my AP thisyear After May.
After May, Since the bookresearch will be done there is.
I have planned, done the costanalysis.
It is not worth it for me tokeep the annual pass.
So she rebooked it with anon-AP and we're staying at the
(10:07):
Pop Century Resort in October.
Even got a little moneyrefunded.
Moved Brittany's tickets tothose dates.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
And now all we have to do is buy the boys tickets
and that trip is booked.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
And yours now too.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Well, I gotta get tickets for me too, because I
don't have an AP anymore.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
For October For.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
October.
But yeah, that trip theresort's booked.
It was a seamless transition.
The only thing we lost money onwas the lightning link single
passes, and even erica then wason the phone with disney trying
to get those refunded.
Uh, with no luck.
So we were out 100 bucks.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Right, but yeah, but other than that, I mean, it
definitely could have been muchworse.
You know, like she, she wasable to to do all those things
zach just mentioned.
You know, and yes, we're notstaying at the same resort, but
this was the next best optionand at one at some point in time
we were wanting to stay at popand you know, pop is one of
(10:59):
those that is on the skylinerroute and everything too.
So you know it.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
It worked out it did, um, but yeah, she was on the
phone with Disney the whole time.
She did all of that.
We just told her hey, this iswhat we want to do on these
dates, and she took care ofeverything.
It was so easy.
This is why we recommend travelplanners, especially travel
planner Erica.
She's going to do this work foryou.
They're going to do that workfor you.
It was literally no work on ourpart.
(11:27):
The only thing we had to cancelor change was our flights which
on southwest.
You don't get refunds, you justget travel credits to use in a
certain time.
Well, they don't expire Ithought they did no, they don't.
And um make sure you or yourtravel planner cancels your
dining reservations or they willcharge you $10 per person if
(11:48):
you don't.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
Right, yes, make sure those dining reservations get
canceled, which you can easilydo on the my Disney app.
Yeah, or again, travel plannerscan do that for you as well,
but definitely don't let thatslip your mind.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
No, we were also able to get refunds on the car
services we had booked andalready paid for.
Make sure you check theircancellation policies.
Ours were 48 hours, so we wereable to get that back, excuse me
, and um, yeah, so, um, the thiswhole experience has taught us
just the value of a great travelagent.
(12:28):
It really truly did, erica, youreally are great, you are
amazing, thank you.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Thank you.
Thank you, you know, and theyhelp just talk you through
things too, when stuff like thishappens.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Calm you down.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
You know, because initially we were in all those
emotions mentioned earlier andgot her on the phone and, you
know, after her throwing somesuggestions out of well, what if
, what if you do this or this?
Then she was like, well, let mesee what I can do for October.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
So yeah, and so going in fall break.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
But we are still going in in May June.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
That's definitely.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
But in fall break man southwest knows when fall
breaks are yes, because thoseplane tickets I like I think my
mouth like legit dropped openthirty seven hundred dollars for
four round trip so even withour travel credits.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
That is yeah ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
So we're hoping we're not purchasing those anytime
soon.
We're hoping they will go down.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
That's ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
And you know, if not, we might look at some other
options of flying down there,flying into Tampa, is like three
quarters cheaper.
Yeah, and then getting a rentalcar and it's like a two hour
drive.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
So hopefully it won't come to that, but you know it's
when it gets that.
A two hour drive, so hopefullyit won't come to that, but you
know when it gets that isoutrageous.
Yeah, you know we're not thatprice sensitive, but that is
just crazy.
Your airfare costs the same asyour Disney trip.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
Yeah, or more Right, yeah, so yeah.
So we'll be checking that offand on over the next couple of
months.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Yeah.
So again, I just want toreiterate the importance of a
great travel planner.
We literally said this is whatwe're going to do, what we want
to do, and she was on the phonewith Disney, did everything for
us.
She just said, hey, check yourmy Disney experience app and
everything was done.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Taking care of yeah.
So thank you, erica, doappreciate it.
Thank you so much.
And you know, guys, you knowlife just happens, you know, and
so you know, yes, would werather be in animal kingdom
right now, of course, I meanit's nine degrees here, or 12 to
whatever 20 but at the sametime, you know, again, life
(14:42):
happens and there's, you know,we're still spending time with
our kids this weekend.
I know it was supposed to be akidless trip but you know, maybe
it was just a way, before ourbusy season really ramps up, to
get us to have this family timeRelax, because next week soccer
starts, work goes back to normal.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
It's going to be crazy through our next trip.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
Yeah, until until.
Yeah, literally right before wego together as a family in may,
like I think it ends like aweek or two before so I didn't
know the weekend before yeah, wehave tournaments until the
weekend before.
Yep, yep.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
All over the state.
So anyway.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
So again, maybe this was just a different way for us
to slow down, instead of beingin Disney and slowing down and
relaxing.
It was a different way for usto slow down as a family of four
.
This weekend.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Yeah Well, you know, we've been getting caught up on
Cobra Kai.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Yeah, I have never watched the show until just a
few days ago.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Yeah, so some big twist at the end of season four.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Yeah, few days ago.
Yeah, so some big twist at theend of season four yeah, wow,
and there's what?
Speaker 2 (15:48):
six seasons?
Yeah, I've got two more to go.
Yeah, maybe we'll get done thisweekend, maybe all right.
So, uh, I'm sorry we won't beable to provide any new
restaurant resort reviews in thecoming weeks.
I was really looking forward todoing those, but I think we
need to go back to the past.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Yeah, I think, like some of our older episodes, like
early, early on, we need torevisit those because they were
so early on and we've goneseveral more times since then.
There's some new attractions,yeah, new lands and so you know,
we may be doing some of someepisodes that you've heard
before, but with new information.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Some over-under.
Are they overrated orunderrated?
Ranking lands and attractions Iwant to rank the coasters.
I think we should do rankingthe coasters.
What do you think?
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Talk that over with the boys.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
You want to have the boys on for this.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Well, they're kind of hit and miss with whether they
want to be on or not.
But at least have them help youplan that episode, like because
y'all love the coasters.
But you like some of them, Ilike some of them too, but they
can really like help you.
Well, well, what about this onthis one?
And then you might not havethought about that.
Oh yeah, Well, maybe.
(17:02):
And then you might not havethought about that and be like
oh yeah, well, maybe let mechange that number to this then,
because I forgot about thatpart.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Do we rank it just on coaster only or full experience
?
Because that changes thingsright, that changes the rankings
?
Speaker 1 (17:17):
I don't know, that's something you'll have to decide,
I don't know.
Yeah, I just think, though,like with like Everest, for
example, and Cosmic Rewind andstuff like they can help you
more but they can help you morewith those.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Well, you know what?
I'm going to put a thing up toInstagram to see what the
listeners think.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Like overall experience.
Overall experience versus justthe coaster because that changes
.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Changes the rankings.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yeah, it can for even other rides as well.
Drastically.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
So, yeah, yeah, Anything else you would like to
talk about?
Speaker 1 (17:48):
No, just you know, but be looking for that, not
necessarily every week for thenext several weeks, but here and
there we will probably revisitsome older episodes and update
information.
Or maybe it was something thatyou know we weren't so sure
about before and the more wewrite it, we like it now,
Because you just mentioned, forexample, in the last episode,
(18:10):
Ratatouille.
You weren't real big on it thefirst time you rode it, but then
now, the more you ride it, youlike it.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
I thought it was a you and Nolan attraction and the
more I ride it, the music I'vebeen coming to like it more.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Right.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
So I'm just saying, like, if we revisit that for
several of the rides that we'vetalked about and stuff in the
past, you know there may be someof that and we've got a lot of
new listeners that maybe don'twant to go back and search
through hundreds of episodes tofind something.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
You know I get it.
And plus, we were not sayingwe're great podcasters or even
good podcasters.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
But I get it.
And plus, we were not sayingwe're great podcasters or even
good podcasters, but back then,like the audio, when you're just
starting off, you're like oh,and then it was just so bad.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Not that we're good now, but at least the audio is a
lot better.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
So yeah, so we'll see , and I mean we'll still come up
with some new ideas as well,but obviously once we go at the
end of May, we'll have plentyto-.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Lots to talk about, lots to talk about.
We're even going to that onepark.
Well, ryan and I are going tothat one park.
We must not name Rounds ofSmirnoversals.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
And then you might be wondering well, when you're
doing that in May, what areBrittany and Nolan going to be
doing?
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Nothing.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
We will be doing plenty, but we won't share all
that now all right, so anythingelse about this uh cancel.
You know, like we do we mightjust have the disney blues a
little bit a little bit um, butI'm holding back tears over here
um, and in my last episode Ihad mentioned uh, bath and body
(19:42):
works.
Having like that new princessline, I have still yet to see it
, so I am going there for suretoday just to get a little bit
of some disney magic so I know,I know, I know exactly where
we're going when we get outtoday.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Yes, yeah, I just want to say thank you, erica,
you made this process so easy,seamless.
Thank you again.
Not affiliated with herprofessionally, but we do still
use her and she is great.
Thank you, erica.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
We really, really do appreciate everything you did
for us on this she just makeseverything very, very personable
and you know, like I, like Isaid before, you know when it's
been birthdays for the boys andstuff it it's.
You know she does not have togo out of her way to have a
surprise waiting for you, butshe does.
And you know she provides a lotof additional information that
(20:34):
she doesn't have to but just tohelp help you with guiding you
through your vacation.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
So again if you want to go check her out,
wwwtravelplanetericacom.
You won't regret it, you reallywon't.
All right, well, thankeverybody for joining us.
Sorry, I feel bad.
I still feel bad.
We could be an animal kingdomright now.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
I know.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Listen to the great music.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Maybe we'll find some good barbecue place today to
eat to make up for Flametree, Idon't know.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
All right If you want to email us, circleofparks at
gmailcom, wwwcircleofparkscom.
Again, we're on Facebook,instagram and X, all at Circle
of Parks.
Speaker 1 (21:15):
And you know if you have to cancel a trip.
It just life happens sometimesit does, but we'll talk to you
(22:20):
soon, thank you.
Hello and welcome to Circular Parks podcast episode
number 191.
Today we are talking about whathappens when you have to cancel
your Disney trip last minute.
There is far too much to seeand do.
We are here to help guide youthrough, but before we do that,
(00:43):
we must talk Disney merch.
So I still want to do Disneymerch because, with it being
Cinderella's 75th anniversaryyear, they are releasing lots of
new items, and one that caughtmy attention today is the
Cinderella 75thanniversaryiversary Magic Band
(01:04):
Plus.
It's a limited release for$54.99 and it is very detailed
with all things Cinderella.
You've got classic Cinderellawith a star-dusted design
presenting Cinderella, jack andGus on a glittering band, plus
the glass slipper oncoordinating tappable icon.
(01:25):
And again, this is a limitedrelease.
I really love all the detailsof it and if I were a really big
Cinderella fan I loveCinderella, don't get me wrong.
It's just not one of myfavorites, but if it was, this
would probably be a band that Iwould get.
So that is currently onDisneyStorecom and that is this
(01:46):
week's Disney merch.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
I don't see how you can be so chippy right now.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
I mean, it is what it is, I don't I just.
I did not wake up that way.
I thought about where we couldbe heading.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
when I woke up, yeah, I mean right now.
We're supposed to be at FlameTree Barbecue.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Yes, or shortly arriving there anyway.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Yeah, so you know, last episode that we recorded
just a few days ago was our tripplanning episode and we had
told you guys, next time youhear from us we would be doing a
live dining review from AnimalKingdom at Flame Tree Barbecue.
And, as I stated at the introof this episode, we have now
(02:35):
found out what happens when youhave to cancel your Disney trip
last minute.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
So instead we're sitting here in Nashville,
Tennessee, there's snow on theground and it's 19 degrees
outside.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Oh yeah, but this morning it was like nine degrees
.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Whereas Orlando right now is sunny, with a high of 63
.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Yeah, yep.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Still with no snow on the ground.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Yes, still with no snow on the ground.
Yes, so literally, we find weliterally found out after
recording our trip planningepisode, like literally right
after recording, that we weregoing to have to cancel our trip
.
There was some issues withfamily being able to help watch
the boys.
Illness hit and yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
So we decided to leave that episode up because we
wanted.
We thought this would be a goodopportunity and, yes, I did get
sick.
I'm doing much better but wewanted to compare and contrast
the episodes and talk about whatit's like canceling a Disney
trip last minute.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
yes, and it's not good no, and but I mean the way,
once we get into all thedetails, you know, think things
worked out the best they could.
So but uh, yeah, you know, abig thing was we were going to
have family help watch the boysand they're going through some
health issues.
Right now.
Our backup to that is goingthrough some health issues as
(04:11):
well, some other family members,and you know it's not just the
boys, we also have two dogs andeverything too.
So you know, we definitely wentthrough a lot of emotions at
first.
You know, like first it wasdenial, like oh, this isn't
happening.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
And not like denial on Jungle Cruise.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Right, no.
And then it was anger, but notlike at anyone, just the overall
situation.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
This situation.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Yes.
And then sadness, because youknow we'd been looking forward
to it.
You can hear our excitement onthe last episode.
You know we'd been lookingforward to it.
You can hear our excitement onthe last episode.
And then disappointment, youknow, because we, even though
we've been several times before,you know you still kind of plan
(04:57):
things out.
You know your day to day, likewe were talking about on the
last episode, what we're lookingforward to doing, where we're
eating, the order of how we planto do the rides, all of that.
And then we were trying tofigure out a way to still make
it happen.
Like, well, if we did this andif we did this, or you know, but
we ended up, you know, defeat,hit and, yeah, acceptance that
(05:18):
it's just not going to happen.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah, so I have a saying, not a saying, but it's
lessons I've learned throughlife, and and I'm not saying
this in every situation, butwhen the universe, or God, or
whoever you want to say, startsthrowing up roadblocks to
something that you're lookingforward to, maybe you listen to
(05:41):
those and not in every situation.
Right to maybe you listen tothose and not in every situation
, right, but when our plan A andplan B did not work out, and
then you start having to figureout ways, to piecemeal it
together.
Maybe it's not meant to happen.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
You know, like the big things in our lives us
getting married, us buying thehouse, jobs, everything like
that just happened.
There was no forcing it tohappen, there was no making it
going out of our way to make ithappen.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
It just happened.
It just kind of fell into place.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Correct, yeah, it just happened and it just kind
of fell into place.
Yeah, correct.
And so when, when the universestarts throwing up these
roadblocks in certain situations?
Speaker 1 (06:29):
I'm not saying, don't always work hard for stuff,
that's not what I know, becauseI learned that a couple of years
ago and you know I foughtthrough some obstacles and got
to where I am now.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Me as well, but when, when stuff like this happens,
you might want to listen to them, and I did get sick.
Our boys were sick last week, Igot sick this week.
I've been doing pretty wellstaying on top of it and usually
what happens in this situation?
Brittany is next.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah, so we're just waiting.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Or maybe she won't, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Maybe I won't.
I mean, I haven't been likecompletely 100%, but I wouldn't
say I'm sick either.
No, and being sick in disney isnot fun either.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
No, I've done it before and I've I felt myself
getting sick before, earlierthis week, but I was like I'll
be fine, we'll push through.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
And then this came up , and then that was the sign
telling us like okay not justthat getting sick, but just not
being able to have anyone watchthe boys and the dogs yeah, and
so what do you do when you mustcancel last minute?
Speaker 2 (07:31):
now, this is when a great not a good, a great travel
planner is worth their weightin gold.
Now, we haven't talked abouther because we're not affiliated
with anybody anymore.
We we're not sponsored byanybody, but we still use Travel
Planner Erica.
Yes, and she is just amazing.
(07:52):
We're not saying this becausewe're friends with her.
We're not saying this becausewe used to be affiliated with
her.
She is amazing.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Her attention to detail and her wealth of
knowledge as a trainer travelplanner made this so easy for us
.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Sorry, I got you yeah , no well, I mean she really
does go above and beyond, like Imean, she's done so many things
for us through our trips andadded nice little surprises here
and there.
You know, um, sometimes justletting cast members know ahead
of our arrival that we arecelebrating a special occasion,
you know that we maybe failed tomention, um, you know she's,
(08:28):
she's had little, like when itwas the boys birthdays and stuff
.
Like she's had little surprisesfor them waiting at, like bill
services when we've arrived andthings like that yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
So she is great.
Um, check her out.
If you want not a good, I'mtalking a great travel planner.
Go check her outwwwtravelplannerericacom.
We're not just saying this, itis the truth.
She really is great.
Again, we're not affiliatedwith her whatsoever right now,
but we still use her for all ofour trip planning.
She is amazing.
(08:59):
She truly truly is.
So she was still trying tofigure out ways we could do it
too.
You know, throwing outsuggestions, ideas and all this
stuff.
She didn't want us to cancel iteither.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Right, yeah, she was like well, what about this for
the dogs or this for the kids?
Or like a day of doing this andthen another day of doing this?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
And it was like oh, it's just too much.
It was too much to try to.
But she was really trying tohelp, yeah, so instead of
canceling everything, we werealready planning on going for
fall break.
Right, she just moved ourbooking and tickets to that trip
.
We even got money refunded yeah, a little bit.
(09:41):
So our original.
We were supposed to stay atPort Orleans, French Quarter,
and we were using an AP discount.
I am not renewing my AP thisyear After May.
After May, Since the bookresearch will be done there is.
I have planned, done the costanalysis.
It is not worth it for me tokeep the annual pass.
So she rebooked it with anon-AP and we're staying at the
(10:07):
Pop Century Resort in October.
Even got a little moneyrefunded.
Moved Brittany's tickets tothose dates.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
And now all we have to do is buy the boys tickets
and that trip is booked.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
And yours now too.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Well, I gotta get tickets for me too, because I
don't have an AP anymore.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
For October For.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
October.
But yeah, that trip theresort's booked.
It was a seamless transition.
The only thing we lost money onwas the lightning link single
passes, and even erica then wason the phone with disney trying
to get those refunded.
Uh, with no luck.
So we were out 100 bucks.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Right, but yeah, but other than that, I mean, it
definitely could have been muchworse.
You know, like she, she wasable to to do all those things
zach just mentioned.
You know, and yes, we're notstaying at the same resort, but
this was the next best optionand at one at some point in time
we were wanting to stay at popand you know, pop is one of
(10:59):
those that is on the skylinerroute and everything too.
So you know it.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
It worked out it did, um, but yeah, she was on the
phone with Disney the whole time.
She did all of that.
We just told her hey, this iswhat we want to do on these
dates, and she took care ofeverything.
It was so easy.
This is why we recommend travelplanners, especially travel
planner Erica.
She's going to do this work foryou.
They're going to do that workfor you.
It was literally no work on ourpart.
(11:27):
The only thing we had to cancelor change was our flights which
on southwest.
You don't get refunds, you justget travel credits to use in a
certain time.
Well, they don't expire Ithought they did no, they don't.
And um make sure you or yourtravel planner cancels your
dining reservations or they willcharge you $10 per person if
(11:48):
you don't.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
Right, yes, make sure those dining reservations get
canceled, which you can easilydo on the my Disney app.
Yeah, or again, travel plannerscan do that for you as well,
but definitely don't let thatslip your mind.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
No, we were also able to get refunds on the car
services we had booked andalready paid for.
Make sure you check theircancellation policies.
Ours were 48 hours, so we wereable to get that back, excuse me
, and um, yeah, so, um, the thiswhole experience has taught us
just the value of a great travelagent.
(12:28):
It really truly did, erica, youreally are great, you are
amazing, thank you.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Thank you.
Thank you, you know, and theyhelp just talk you through
things too, when stuff like thishappens.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Calm you down.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
You know, because initially we were in all those
emotions mentioned earlier andgot her on the phone and, you
know, after her throwing somesuggestions out of well, what if
, what if you do this or this?
Then she was like, well, let mesee what I can do for October.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
So yeah, and so going in fall break.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
But we are still going in in May June.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
That's definitely.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
But in fall break man southwest knows when fall
breaks are yes, because thoseplane tickets I like I think my
mouth like legit dropped openthirty seven hundred dollars for
four round trip so even withour travel credits.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
That is yeah ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
So we're hoping we're not purchasing those anytime
soon.
We're hoping they will go down.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
That's ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
And you know, if not, we might look at some other
options of flying down there,flying into Tampa, is like three
quarters cheaper.
Yeah, and then getting a rentalcar and it's like a two hour
drive.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
So hopefully it won't come to that, but you know it's
when it gets that.
A two hour drive, so hopefullyit won't come to that, but you
know when it gets that isoutrageous.
Yeah, you know we're not thatprice sensitive, but that is
just crazy.
Your airfare costs the same asyour Disney trip.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
Yeah, or more Right, yeah, so yeah.
So we'll be checking that offand on over the next couple of
months.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Yeah.
So again, I just want toreiterate the importance of a
great travel planner.
We literally said this is whatwe're going to do, what we want
to do, and she was on the phonewith Disney, did everything for
us.
She just said, hey, check yourmy Disney experience app and
everything was done.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Taking care of yeah.
So thank you, erica, doappreciate it.
Thank you so much.
And you know, guys, you knowlife just happens, you know, and
so you know, yes, would werather be in animal kingdom
right now, of course, I meanit's nine degrees here, or 12 to
whatever 20 but at the sametime, you know, again, life
(14:42):
happens and there's, you know,we're still spending time with
our kids this weekend.
I know it was supposed to be akidless trip but you know, maybe
it was just a way, before ourbusy season really ramps up, to
get us to have this family timeRelax, because next week soccer
starts, work goes back to normal.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
It's going to be crazy through our next trip.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
Yeah, until until.
Yeah, literally right before wego together as a family in may,
like I think it ends like aweek or two before so I didn't
know the weekend before yeah, wehave tournaments until the
weekend before.
Yep, yep.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
All over the state.
So anyway.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
So again, maybe this was just a different way for us
to slow down, instead of beingin Disney and slowing down and
relaxing.
It was a different way for usto slow down as a family of four
.
This weekend.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Yeah Well, you know, we've been getting caught up on
Cobra Kai.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Yeah, I have never watched the show until just a
few days ago.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Yeah, so some big twist at the end of season four.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Yeah, few days ago.
Yeah, so some big twist at theend of season four yeah, wow,
and there's what?
Speaker 2 (15:48):
six seasons?
Yeah, I've got two more to go.
Yeah, maybe we'll get done thisweekend, maybe all right.
So, uh, I'm sorry we won't beable to provide any new
restaurant resort reviews in thecoming weeks.
I was really looking forward todoing those, but I think we
need to go back to the past.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Yeah, I think, like some of our older episodes, like
early, early on, we need torevisit those because they were
so early on and we've goneseveral more times since then.
There's some new attractions,yeah, new lands and so you know,
we may be doing some of someepisodes that you've heard
before, but with new information.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Some over-under.
Are they overrated orunderrated?
Ranking lands and attractions Iwant to rank the coasters.
I think we should do rankingthe coasters.
What do you think?
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Talk that over with the boys.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
You want to have the boys on for this.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Well, they're kind of hit and miss with whether they
want to be on or not.
But at least have them help youplan that episode, like because
y'all love the coasters.
But you like some of them, Ilike some of them too, but they
can really like help you.
Well, well, what about this onthis one?
And then you might not havethought about that.
Oh yeah, Well, maybe.
(17:02):
And then you might not havethought about that and be like
oh yeah, well, maybe let mechange that number to this then,
because I forgot about thatpart.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Do we rank it just on coaster only or full experience
?
Because that changes thingsright, that changes the rankings
?
Speaker 1 (17:17):
I don't know, that's something you'll have to decide,
I don't know.
Yeah, I just think, though,like with like Everest, for
example, and Cosmic Rewind andstuff like they can help you
more but they can help you morewith those.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Well, you know what?
I'm going to put a thing up toInstagram to see what the
listeners think.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Like overall experience.
Overall experience versus justthe coaster because that changes
.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Changes the rankings.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yeah, it can for even other rides as well.
Drastically.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
So, yeah, yeah, Anything else you would like to
talk about?
Speaker 1 (17:48):
No, just you know, but be looking for that, not
necessarily every week for thenext several weeks, but here and
there we will probably revisitsome older episodes and update
information.
Or maybe it was something thatyou know we weren't so sure
about before and the more wewrite it, we like it now,
Because you just mentioned, forexample, in the last episode,
(18:10):
Ratatouille.
You weren't real big on it thefirst time you rode it, but then
now, the more you ride it, youlike it.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
I thought it was a you and Nolan attraction and the
more I ride it, the music I'vebeen coming to like it more.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Right.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
So I'm just saying, like, if we revisit that for
several of the rides that we'vetalked about and stuff in the
past, you know there may be someof that and we've got a lot of
new listeners that maybe don'twant to go back and search
through hundreds of episodes tofind something.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
You know I get it.
And plus, we were not sayingwe're great podcasters or even
good podcasters.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
But I get it.
And plus, we were not sayingwe're great podcasters or even
good podcasters, but back then,like the audio, when you're just
starting off, you're like oh,and then it was just so bad.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Not that we're good now, but at least the audio is a
lot better.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
So yeah, so we'll see , and I mean we'll still come up
with some new ideas as well,but obviously once we go at the
end of May, we'll have plentyto-.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Lots to talk about, lots to talk about.
We're even going to that onepark.
Well, ryan and I are going tothat one park.
We must not name Rounds ofSmirnoversals.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
And then you might be wondering well, when you're
doing that in May, what areBrittany and Nolan going to be
doing?
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Nothing.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
We will be doing plenty, but we won't share all
that now all right, so anythingelse about this uh cancel.
You know, like we do we mightjust have the disney blues a
little bit a little bit um, butI'm holding back tears over here
um, and in my last episode Ihad mentioned uh, bath and body
(19:42):
works.
Having like that new princessline, I have still yet to see it
, so I am going there for suretoday just to get a little bit
of some disney magic so I know,I know, I know exactly where
we're going when we get outtoday.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Yes, yeah, I just want to say thank you, erica,
you made this process so easy,seamless.
Thank you again.
Not affiliated with herprofessionally, but we do still
use her and she is great.
Thank you, erica.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
We really, really do appreciate everything you did
for us on this she just makeseverything very, very personable
and you know, like I, like Isaid before, you know when it's
been birthdays for the boys andstuff it it's.
You know she does not have togo out of her way to have a
surprise waiting for you, butshe does.
And you know she provides a lotof additional information that
(20:34):
she doesn't have to but just tohelp help you with guiding you
through your vacation.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
So again if you want to go check her out,
wwwtravelplanetericacom.
You won't regret it, you reallywon't.
All right, well, thankeverybody for joining us.
Sorry, I feel bad.
I still feel bad.
We could be an animal kingdomright now.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
I know.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Listen to the great music.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Maybe we'll find some good barbecue place today to
eat to make up for Flametree, Idon't know.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
All right If you want to email us, circleofparks at
gmailcom, wwwcircleofparkscom.
Again, we're on Facebook,instagram and X, all at Circle
of Parks.
Speaker 1 (21:15):
And you know if you have to cancel a trip.
It just life happens sometimesit does, but we'll talk to you
(22:20):
soon, thank you.
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