The Trip That Almost Wasn't - December '09 (Small update ~ 16 more days!!) [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

Leger13

05-14-2009, 11:05 AM

First of all I would like to say welcome :welcome: and thank you for checking out my PTR. My last PTR was a disaster and I didn’t do a TR after last year’s trip either so I’m a bit rusty at this. Please bear with me.

First, I will introduce the cast.

There’s me:
My name is Carla and I’m 27 years old. I grew up in South Florida (Boca Raton) and then my parent’s moved us up to North Georgia when I was 11 or 12 years old (no, I can’t remember) and I still live up here. I work for my Father and love it. Been working here for 7 and ½ years now. I love ALL things Disney (I’m even a pin collector). I grew up going to WDW every year (give or take) ever since I can remember. I am addicted to tattoos (I have 2 Disney ones and 2 others). And I also love to quilt. My Mom got me into it about 2 years ago and I just keep getting more and more bombarded with projects that I want to do LOL.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/me.jpg

Then there’s my DH:
His name is Chris. He is 28 years old. He has lived in North Georgia all of his life. The poor guy never got to go to WDW as a child. My Mom and I finally took him on his first trip in October of 2001 and he’s been addicted ever since. I never have to convince him to go….I just say the words Disney World and he’s all ears :laughing::thumbsup2! I’m one lucky girl! He loves to ride his Motorcycle and he's also addicted to tattoos. He has 7 or 8 tattoos now (I've lost count) and one of them is Disney.
This is him on our trip last September
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/n506256544_1279163_9723.jpg

My BFF:
Her name is Rebecca (aka Becca). We met back in 1999 through my other BFF and then lost touch because she lived in up state NY and I still lived in GA. We saw eachother again in 2003 but again, lost touch. And then on my WDW trip in ’07 she had moved down to FL with her DH so we decided to get together while we were in town and we have been inseparable ever since. She also loves ALL things Disney! She is completely and totally obsessed with the Disney Pins (she has an impressive collection). She grew up in Rochester, NY and moved to the Orlando area in ’07 (I think). She is a History teacher at a local high school down there and she also has a part time job at the Rainforest Café in front of AK. Oh and she’s 29 years old. She’ll have turned 30 the week before our trip so we will be celebrating her birthday Disney style!! :woohoo:

My BFF’s DH:
His name is James (I can’t remember how old he is off the top of my head but he’s younger than the rest of us…I think he’s 24 or 25). He also grew up in up state NY. Becca and James knew eachother for quite a while before they finally got married. They got married in ’07 and then moved down to Florida. James is a computer techy guy. He also loves Disney but isn’t as nutso about it as the rest of us are. He’s just glad when he has someone to ride the rides with since usually when him and Becca go to the parks it’s mostly so Becca can shop for pins. It’s her own personal mall :confused3:rotfl:!!

Here’s a picture of Becca and James riding the Monorail up front last year. It was Becc’s first time riding up front and she LOVED it!
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/n506256544_1279158_7760.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/n506256544_1279160_8567.jpg

So there you have it folks, the cast of this trip. I’m glad to have the ball rolling here because I’m taking a mini trip down to Orlando to see Becca and James next weekend to celebrate me and Chris’ 6th anniversary and I want to do the mini TR here. We’ll be going to the parks on May 23rd. We got park hoppers so we’re going to MGM first thing in the morning for SWW :darth::yoda:, then we’re going to drive over to MK…..leave the car there and hop on the monorail to EPCOT. Once we have our fill there we’re going to take the monorail back over to MK and spend the rest of the evening there since it’s open until 11:00pm that night. Not sure what all we’re doing on the 24th (that’s our anniversary) but I know for dinner we’re going to T-Rex and then we’ll be wondering around DTD the rest of the night after that. I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait to go!!:yay:

Next up:
How this trip came to be!! :wizard:

PTR Quick Links:
How The Trip Came to Be http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31818336&postcount=4
TS Restaurant Selections http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32484491&postcount=344
Trip Changes Announcementhttp://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33098203&postcount=412
Itinerary change http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33200877&postcount=460
Trip Re-introduction http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33222872&postcount=478
Peeps we are gonna see on our trip http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33223453&postcount=480
Candlelight Processional Update http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33313850&postcount=509
Updated Itinerary http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33315397&postcount=511
Disney Mail & Clothing Purchases (pics) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33323616&postcount=516
Another Itinerary Change http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33392275&postcount=547
Itinerary Update after I made ADR's http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33471235&postcount=586
Announcement http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33727412&postcount=638
Nationwide Race Videos http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33735889&postcount=644
Trip Must Do's http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34002060&postcount=732
Weekend Outting (off topic)http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34127526&postcount=767
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34127622&postcount=768

Mini Memorial Weekend TR Quick Links:
Itinerary http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31835100&postcount=13
Part 1 Day 1 http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31980690&postcount=148
Part 2 Day 2http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31998174&postcount=163
Part 3 Day 2http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32022967&postcount=192
Part 4 Day 2http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32038477&postcount=206
Part 5 Day 2http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32092553&postcount=236
Part 6 Day 2http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32271221&postcount=283
Part 6 Day 2 continuedhttp://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32271379&postcount=284

cherbear

05-14-2009, 11:34 AM

I'm HEEEEEEEEEERE! Great start! :thumbsup2

Leger13

05-14-2009, 11:35 AM

hehehe I had a feeling you'd be first!! :woohoo::woohoo:

Thanks girl! :goodvibes

Leger13

05-14-2009, 12:03 PM

So let me start by telling you a little about our trip last year. We booked the free dining bounce back package for September. We booked it for us and another couple that wanted to take their first WDW trip with us. Well, after me going out and buying them a WDW UG and already planning everything they decided they didn’t want to take their first trip with us any more and just wanted us to leave them alone. That didn’t go over so well with me and Chris after everything we had already done and planned so needless to say, we are no longer friends with that couple. That was bad voodoo for our Sept. ’08 trip #1.

Bad voodoo #2 was when we decided to cancel our trip all together. Chris and I were having money issues that were weighing on us in other ways as well. It was just bad all the way around last year. I figured out that we were not going to be able to pay off the trip before the 45 day mark so we reluctantly decided to cancel the trip all together and just wait a couple years before taking another WDW trip. I was so sad.

Then we figured out that we could still afford the park tickets if we just bunked at my BFF’s house in Orlando. I talked it over with her and she said of course we could stay there so our trip was back on and I was super excited! But I was also bummed that we weren’t going to get all the good food we would have gotten if we were on the DDP. But we went on the trip anyways. There were a few arguments between me and Chris the whole week. I cried at least 3 times and then we almost ran out of money after buying too many Disney Pins. It was just a depressing trip all the way around. Don’t get me wrong, there were good parts too but I don’t look back on that trip fondly. Oh and also while we were down there James got sick and ended up not going to the parks with us a couple of days which depressed Becca. It was all just nuts.

So after that depressing trip last September I decided I wanted to skip WDW all together this year and try and vacation somewhere else. So I talked it over with Chris and Becca and we all decided to take a trip to Washington DC and NYC for Becca’s birthday. Well, I don’t know how to plan anything other than a WDW trip so I was getting totally overwhelmed and frustrated. Just as I was about to give up completely Chris comes home one day and says, “How would you like to go to WDW around xmas time instead!?” I said “that is my DREAM!!” :dance3::yay::woohoo:I’ve been to WDW so many times but never ever to see the xmas decorations. I asked him what brought this about and he said a couple that he works with wanted to go around that time and wanted us to go along with them. So I started planning. In no time I found us a vacation home to rent and everyone agreed on it so I booked it knowing that the deposit was non-refundable (can you see where I’m going with this??). Well, about a month ago the couple that chris works with figured out that they were not going to be able to afford a trip like that this year. I stayed positive and said that’s fine and that I understood and canceled the vacation home we rented. I begged for our deposit back but the guy was unwilling to work with us (arg!!) so now we are out $274:headache:. Oh well, we can still afford our trip and still have fun. Besides, we were going mainly to celebrate Rebecca’s birthday so I wanted to still do that. I decided we’d be able to afford 2 rooms at a value resort. We are treating Rebecca and James to their room as Rebecca’s birthday present and also since she hasn’t had a REAL vacation in I think 2 years.:scared:

Not that that story was all that interesting but there you have it folks….the trip that almost wasn’t. A do-over (based on last year’s trip) and a birthday (Rebecca’s turning 30!!)! :woohoo:

I promise I’ll make things more interesting here as I go along. I’m just trying to get this in here right now ‘cause I know this is important information to have before you decide to commit to reading a PTR or TR. :goodvibes

My plan is also to post pictures here of last year’s Sept. depressing trip since I never did a TR. I’ll probably do that after I do my mini TR of next weekend’s trip.:thumbsup2

Leger13

05-14-2009, 12:20 PM

I forgot to say where we are staying. Silly me.

We are booked at All Star Movies for November 28th - December 5th :thumbsup2:woohoo::dance3::cheer2:

Marshay

05-14-2009, 03:27 PM

Just wanted to say I found you. Now I'll go back to read!

Leger13

05-14-2009, 03:31 PM

Just wanted to say I found you. Now I'll go back to read!

:yay::yay: yay!!! Hi Marshay!!! :wave:

Trentmom

05-14-2009, 09:46 PM

I am here

You may continue now :rotfl:

Seriously, going back to read now :goodvibes

Leger13

05-14-2009, 09:48 PM

I am here

You may continue now :rotfl:

Seriously, going back to read now :goodvibes

:laughing:thanks for the permission :worship:

Trentmom

05-14-2009, 10:33 PM

I can't wait to hear all bout your mini trip next weekend.

I am sure it will be a lot of fun

I am sure this trip is going to be WAY Better than last year trip and you so deserve it :hug:

Marshay

05-14-2009, 11:25 PM

Leger13

05-15-2009, 08:46 AM

I can't wait to hear all bout your mini trip next weekend.

I am sure it will be a lot of fun

I am sure this trip is going to be WAY Better than last year trip and you so deserve it :hug:

Yes, what she said!!

I love the history of your past trips and the info for this future one.:goodvibes

Thanks girls! :hug: That makes me feel so much better. I was afraid I was being so boring :laughing: I'll be putting up my itinerary for next weekend's trip some time today. But for now I actually have to do some real work :rolleyes::rolleyes1

Leger13

05-15-2009, 12:43 PM

Good Morning everyone.

Just thought I'd give you all our itinerary for our trip next weekend. It's not much but it's something :thumbsup2

I sent Rebecca some money a few weeks ago to get our WDW tickets for next weekend. She went and picked them up on Monday for us so that's all set. We got park hoppers :woohoo:

You all may think I'm nuts (and you may find out that I really am....but I'm trying to keep that a secret as long as possible :laughing:) but we are planning on doing 3 parks in one day!! I've never done this before but I think it's possible. I think we'll be able to at least spend 4 hours in each park comfortably. I paid for park hoppers so I'm HOPPING!! :dance3:

So, here's the plan....

Day 1 (May 22nd):
We both have to work this day :sad2: I will get off at 2:30pm and make it home by 3:15pm. Chris should get off by 4:00pm and make it home by 4:30pm. We'll load all of our stuff. Make sure our dog sitters are comfortable with everything and don't have any more questions. Kiss the "kids" goodbye and hopefully be on the road by 5:00pm. That will put us in Orlando some time around 1:00am. :faint: I'm hoping to at least be asleep by 2:00am but I know me and Becca will be chatting it up when we get there so it will probably be later than that unless we just force ourselves to go to bed :laughing:

Day 2 (May 23rd):
7:00am - WAKE UP!!! I'm going to be exhausted but we will be going to MGM (aka DHS - I refuse to call it that so you're gonna have to deal with me calling it MGM :snooty:) I want to make it to MGM by 8:00am so we can watch the SWW opening show by the storm troopers (I will take video of this with my digi cam and post it here for you guys :thumbsup2). The park opens at 9:00am and Chris and James will RUN in and get fast passes to meet Ray Park (Chris wants to meet the man....we already have his autograph). We're hoping they can get a pass for the 10:00am meet time.

So here's the park plan:
MGM: 9am - 1pm
Then from there drive to the MK parking lot and take the monorail over to EPCOT.
EPCOT: 2pm - 6pm
Take the monorail back over to MK
MK: 7pm - 12am (yes it's open that late that night!! :woohoo:)

Day 3 (May 24th):
This day is our 6th Anniversary :flower1:
The plans are kind of up in the air for most of the day. We might go to Cocoa Beach. We might go to the Ripley's Museum. We might go play putt putt. I have no idea what the day will consist of but it will be fun no matter what we do.
We do have early dinner reservations at T-Rex at DTD though so we'll be doing that sometime in the 4:00 hour and then after that we'll spend the rest of the night at DTD shopping and hanging out.

Day 4 (May 25th):
This is the day we will have to go home :sad1: We'll be on the road with all the other holiday crazies so please pray for us. We're going to stay at Becca and James' house as long as we can and then hit the road. We'll probably leave at around 9am which will put us home around 5pm. We'll relieve our dog/house sitters and then go and pick up our other 2 dogs from the In-Law's house and then go home and relax before having to go back to work the next day.

*side note* The WHOLE weekend will consist of :drinking1. I'm even considering getting some Jack Daniels hunch punch and bringing it to the parks with us since it will just look like we're drinking coolaid or something since it's RED! :laughing::rolleyes1

Next weekend is going to be SO much fun but I know I'm going to be SO tired by the time I get home on Monday evening. I'm really looking forward to it though. And I plan on taking my NEW camera with me so I can take lots of cool pictures at the World :goodvibes :crazy:

Next up: Memorial Day Weekend Mini TR :thumbsup2

Marshay

05-15-2009, 08:40 PM

OK, your Day 2 is already making me exhausted!! I can't believe you really are doing 3 parks in one day and going from 7am to 1am or so!!

I suggest you relax on Day 3 and then hit DTD for shopping or maybe even rent those water mice over at the Poly or Cont resort. I think even DTD has them, too.

The mini-golf is cute. DH and I did that once.

Also, DTD has that new Character Balloon experience so you might want to try that.

Leger13

05-15-2009, 09:43 PM

:rotfl: yeah it makes me exhausted too but I think it's do-able. I know I'll be sleeping good that night and we'll sleep in the following day for sure. You're probably right about just going to DTD the 3rd day. Go over there and see Terminator at the theater, do dinner and then shop. That's probably what we end up doing instead. I always plan more than we can actually do:rolleyes:

We have also done the putt putt. We did the summer side of Winter Summerland and it was great. Thanks for the tips :goodvibes

Leger13

05-15-2009, 09:46 PM

kaoden39

05-15-2009, 10:31 PM

I'm here!

Leger13

05-15-2009, 10:32 PM

yay!! Hi Chele! :goodvibes

Tat2ddisneymom

05-15-2009, 10:36 PM

Yes, I'm one of the slackers. Thanks for the heads up.

Doesn't Chris look so happy in that photo?:lmao:

I had no idea you were crying on your last trip. There's no crying in Disney!!

Leger13

05-15-2009, 10:38 PM

Yes, I'm one of the slackers. Thanks for the heads up.

Doesn't Chris look so happy in that photo?:lmao:

I had no idea you were crying on your last trip. There's no crying in Disney!!

yay Nikki is here too!!! :woohoo: Slacker or no slacker I'm glad you are here :thumbsup2

:laughing: yeah he looked that way pretty much our whole trip last year.

Yeah I cried at least 3 times last year at WDW in September. Then I had 2 melt downs at MK in March when I went for the day. :sad2:

Tat2ddisneymom

05-15-2009, 10:42 PM

GUESS WHAT!!!

Chris and I are seriously talking about DVC!!!!!! :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

To all of my DVC member friends: I need information please! I'm so confused. I especially had no idea about the annual dues!?!? HELP!! I ordered the DVD from Disney just a few minutes ago but I know it will take every bit of 2 weeks to get here so I figured I could beg for help here. I'm sure it will be a while before we actually buy in but I want to get as much information as I can now so I know when exactly we'll be able to buy in.

I can't tell you how excited I am!! Chris has basically already said yes to it. He likes the idea of having our vacations paid for for the next 45 years :laughing::rolleyes::cheer2:
HOLY CRAP! Will you adopt me?
yay Nikki is here too!!! :woohoo: Slacker or no slacker I'm glad you are here :thumbsup2

:laughing: yeah he looked that way pretty much our whole trip last year.

Yeah I cried at least 3 times last year at WDW in September. Then I had 2 melt downs at MK in March when I went for the day. :sad2:

Carla, what are we going to do with you? Why in the world are you having meltdowns in Disney?:confused3

Marshay

05-15-2009, 10:43 PM

GUESS WHAT!!!

Chris and I are seriously talking about DVC!!!!!! :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

To all of my DVC member friends: I need information please! I'm so confused. I especially had no idea about the annual dues!?!? HELP!! I ordered the DVD from Disney just a few minutes ago but I know it will take every bit of 2 weeks to get here so I figured I could beg for help here. I'm sure it will be a while before we actually buy in but I want to get as much information as I can now so I know when exactly we'll be able to buy in.

I can't tell you how excited I am!! Chris has basically already said yes to it. He likes the idea of having our vacations paid for for the next 45 years :laughing::rolleyes::cheer2:

I first want to say -- woo hoo!!! I'll write more in the next post.

How about on Day 3 you stop by a DVC booth and take a tour? That way you'll have lots of info to think about. Disney is absolutley NOT pushy...you won't get bombarded to buy right then and you may even be able to convert your December trip into a DVC trip.

Leger13

05-15-2009, 10:51 PM

HOLY CRAP! Will you adopt me?

Carla, what are we going to do with you? Why in the world are you having meltdowns in Disney?:confused3

:rotfl: gladly! Come on down to Disney with us :goodvibes

:sad2: Girl I don't know. In March I cried because I broke my camera and missed Chris and just wanted to go home. I was in rug rat hell trying to help my friend with her new baby and 2 other kids. Then last September.....*sigh* it was just bad :sad2:

I first want to say -- woo hoo!!! I'll write more in the next post.

How about on Day 3 you stop by a DVC booth and take a tour? That way you'll have lots of info to think about. Disney is absolutley NOT pushy...you won't get bombarded to buy right then and you may even be able to convert your December trip into a DVC trip.

haha I told Chris what you said about stopping by a DVC booth on day 3 and he agreed to it!! He said we can't aford it right now, per say (we'll see when we're down there :rolleyes1) but we can at least get the information :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:hehehe :) What is your "home" resort? I forget!

lovebuzzandwoody

05-15-2009, 11:00 PM

I am fashionably late. :snooty:

:rotfl2: Great start Carla!
No trip ~ boo.
X-mas trip ~ yeah!
Losing your deposit ~ booooooo.
BFF trip ~ yeah! yeah!
DVC ~ triple yeah! :yay::yay::yay:

Leger13

05-15-2009, 11:03 PM

I am fashionably late. :snooty:

:rotfl2: Great start Carla!
No trip ~ boo.
X-mas trip ~ yeah!
Losing your deposit ~ booooooo.
BFF trip ~ yeah! yeah!
DVC ~ triple yeah! :yay::yay::yay:

Better to be fassionably late than not show up at all!

:rotfl: I love your responses to everything. I'm for sure doing a triple YAY about DVC for sure!!!! I never thought I could talk seriously to Chris about DVC and him agree so boy am I ever pleasantly surprised :dance3:

Tat2ddisneymom

05-15-2009, 11:08 PM

:rotfl: gladly! Come on down to Disney with us :goodvibes

:sad2: Girl I don't know. In March I cried because I broke my camera and missed Chris and just wanted to go home. I was in rug rat hell trying to help my friend with her new baby and 2 other kids. Then last September.....*sigh* it was just bad :sad2:

haha I told Chris what you said about stopping by a DVC booth on day 3 and he agreed to it!! He said we can't aford it right now, per say (we'll see when we're down there :rolleyes1) but we can at least get the information :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:hehehe :) What is your "home" resort? I forget!
WHAA?? Girl, you gotta learn how to be away from the hubby without missing him and wanting to go home. Especially when you're in Disney for crying out loud!:lmao: In Disney and want to go home, are you a crazy woman? Do you need drugs? And if so, what kind?

Rug rat hell...:lmao::lmao::lmao:!!! I can totally relate there. That is so why I waited until my kids were older and a little more self sufficient to go to Disney in the first place. I made the mistake of taking a friend's whiny child and let's just say, I'll never make that mistake again.
I am fashionably late. :snooty:

:rotfl2: Great start Carla!
No trip ~ boo.
X-mas trip ~ yeah!
Losing your deposit ~ booooooo.
BFF trip ~ yeah! yeah!
DVC ~ triple yeah! :yay::yay::yay:

You really are a woman of few words, aren't ya?

Marshay

05-15-2009, 11:09 PM

GUESS WHAT!!!

Chris and I are seriously talking about DVC!!!!!! :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

OK, here's the deal with DVC. If you can say YES to all of these questions (or at least most), then DVC is right for you and what in the world are you waiting for???

1) Do you plan to travel to WDW, Hawaii, DL, Hilton Head or Vero Beach at least every 3 years, preferably every 1-2 years?

These are the DVC resorts (yes, you can go to over 500+ places in the world, but you get your most value by staying with in DVC).

2) Can you afford the initial cost and the annual dues? A "full share" (approx 165 points) will cost about $17K or so. You can finance this or pay in whole.

You can also purchase via Resale companies (not thru Disney and there are reputable companies) and then you can purchase either less points and/or cheaper points. You can't buy into BLT but all the others are up for sale. This may be a good way to go, esp if you just want to get a small contract (i.e., 50 pts) to try it out. You can always add on points later.

DVC is a much better deal if you can pay for it outright and not borrow $ to pay for it.

Annual dues are fees that you pay yearly to cover the maintenance/upgrade costs of your resort. They are so much per point. Each resort is different. Animal Kingdom is one of the highest since their resort is more complex with animals and all. BLT is one of the lowest since they don't have much land (it's a high-rise which is easier to maintain).

Long-term: If you use all your points each year for the life of the contract (50 years, approx), then the cost of your DVC vacations would come out to like $500-800/for a week for a 1br and about $200-400/week for a studio (NOTE: This is a really, really rough estimate and you should do the math yourself ... don't rely on me and my numbers...it's just a ballpark calculation!)

Now remember this is for a DELUXE room that normally would sell for $250-800 a NIGHT!

The first trip we took was a 2BR at BCV...I went on-line and saw that our stay would have cost us over $3000...right there was 1/6th of our initial investment. Then our 2nd trip the cash rate would have been $1800...so in just 3-4 more trips, DVC would have already paid for itself. (Now I never would normally have paid the rack rate so it may not be a good true comparison, but I like to think of it that way).

3) Can you plan your vacations in advance? pref 11 months, but generally before 7 months? (Although it is possible to get ressies for less than 7 months -- I did! -- you may have very limited availability.)

4) Can you organize and plan your points? Someone will need to keep track of your points so you don't let them expire. Points are good for one year, although you can "bank" and "borrow" your points into another year.

Example: You buy 50 points at SSR in 2008 and don't use them in '08 but bank them into 2009. In 2009 you get another 50 pts. You also take 50 pts from your 2010 allotment. Now you have 150 pts and can vacation in 2009.

5) Are you uncomfortable in a value resort and perhaps even a moderate resort? Do you want or need a Deluxe resort with all their amenities? Do you need more room for future kids, relatives and friends?

A 1br, although it costs more points than a studio, has a full kitchen, a washer/dryer, whirlpool tub, king size bed, 2 tvs, 2 rooms (main room and bedroom).

A studio is slightly bigger than a moderate room but has a kitchenette (microwave, refrigerator, toaster, dishes, etc)

Then there are 2BR and Grand Villa (3 br) options as well.

6) Can you afford to go to WDW more often? This may seem silly but you have to consider driving, flights, taxi, rental cars, food, tickets, souvenirs, tipping, etc.

Although it is really nice to know you don't have to pay for a room ever again, you do have a lot more costs.

====
OK that should be enough to make you go :confused:. Let me know what specific questions you have.

If you do take the tour or buy, tell them that I helped your out/sent you!! Sometimes they offer existing members a small gift card for helping out.

Leger13

05-15-2009, 11:13 PM

WHAA?? Girl, you gotta learn how to be away from the hubby without missing him and wanting to go home. Especially when you're in Disney for crying out loud!:lmao: In Disney and wanted to go home, are you a crazy woman? Do you need drugs? And if so, what kind?

Rug rat hell...:lmao::lmao::lmao:!!! I can totally relate there. That is so why I waited until my kids were older and a little more self sufficient to go to Disney in the first place. I made the mistake of taking a friend's whiny child and let's just say, I'll never make that mistake again.

:rotfl: Well, I mostly was just overly tired.

heh yeah, whiny kids + Disney = a bad time. I refuse to go to WDW with other people's children. At least with my own kids I can discipline them the way I see fit. But yeah I totally see why you waited until your kids got older to start taking them to WDW

Tat2ddisneymom

05-15-2009, 11:18 PM

:rotfl: Well, I mostly was just overly tired.

heh yeah, whiny kids + Disney = a bad time. I refuse to go to WDW with other people's children. At least with my own kids I can discipline them the way I see fit. But yeah I totally see why you waited until your kids got older to start taking them to WDW

Damn you quoted me with my mistake still in there before I corrected myself. In my defense, I took two fioricet tonight.:rolleyes1

Marshay

05-15-2009, 11:18 PM

We own a full contract at SSR and a smaller contract at AKV.

We've been to BC and AKV so far. Going to BLT in November.

So far BC and AKV have been phenomenal. I never would have been able to afford BC or AKV (Savanna Room) for 7-9 nights. But with DVC, we can.

It really is owning a piece of the magic. :wizard:

Leger13

05-15-2009, 11:33 PM

OK, here's the deal with DVC. If you can say YES to all of these questions (or at least most), then DVC is right for you and what in the world are you waiting for???

1) Do you plan to travel to WDW, Hawaii, DL, Hilton Head or Vero Beach at least every 3 years, preferably every 1-2 years?

These are the DVC resorts (yes, you can go to over 500+ places in the world, but you get your most value by staying with in DVC).

2) Can you afford the initial cost and the annual dues? A "full share" (approx 165 points) will cost about $17K or so. You can finance this or pay in whole.

You can also purchase via Resale companies (not thru Disney and there are reputable companies) and then you can purchase either less points and/or cheaper points. You can't buy into BLT but all the others are up for sale. This may be a good way to go, esp if you just want to get a small contract (i.e., 50 pts) to try it out. You can always add on points later.

DVC is a much better deal if you can pay for it outright and not borrow $ to pay for it.

Annual dues are fees that you pay yearly to cover the maintenance/upgrade costs of your resort. They are so much per point. Each resort is different. Animal Kingdom is one of the highest since their resort is more complex with animals and all. BLT is one of the lowest since they don't have much land (it's a high-rise which is easier to maintain).

Long-term: If you use all your points each year for the life of the contract (50 years, approx), then the cost of your DVC vacations would come out to like $500-800/for a week for a 1br and about $200-400/week for a studio (NOTE: This is a really, really rough estimate and you should do the math yourself ... don't rely on me and my numbers...it's just a ballpark calculation!)

Now remember this is for a DELUXE room that normally would sell for $250-800 a NIGHT!

The first trip we took was a 2BR at BCV...I went on-line and saw that our stay would have cost us over $3000...right there was 1/6th of our initial investment. Then our 2nd trip the cash rate would have been $1800...so in just 3-4 more trips, DVC would have already paid for itself. (Now I never would normally have paid the rack rate so it may not be a good true comparison, but I like to think of it that way).

3) Can you plan your vacations in advance? pref 11 months, but generally before 7 months? (Although it is possible to get ressies for less than 7 months -- I did! -- you may have very limited availability.)

4) Can you organize and plan your points? Someone will need to keep track of your points so you don't let them expire. Points are good for one year, although you can "bank" and "borrow" your points into another year.

Example: You buy 50 points at SSR in 2008 and don't use them in '08 but bank them into 2009. In 2009 you get another 50 pts. You also take 50 pts from your 2010 allotment. Now you have 150 pts and can vacation in 2009.

5) Are you uncomfortable in a value resort and perhaps even a moderate resort? Do you want or need a Deluxe resort with all their amenities? Do you need more room for future kids, relatives and friends?

A 1br, although it costs more points than a studio, has a full kitchen, a washer/dryer, whirlpool tub, king size bed, 2 tvs, 2 rooms (main room and bedroom).

A studio is slightly bigger than a moderate room but has a kitchenette (microwave, refrigerator, toaster, dishes, etc)

Then there are 2BR and Grand Villa (3 br) options as well.

6) Can you afford to go to WDW more often? This may seem silly but you have to consider driving, flights, taxi, rental cars, food, tickets, souvenirs, tipping, etc.

Although it is really nice to know you don't have to pay for a room ever again, you do have a lot more costs.

====
OK that should be enough to make you go :confused:. Let me know what specific questions you have.

If you do take the tour or buy, tell them that I helped your out/sent you!! Sometimes they offer existing members a small gift card for helping out.

Wow thanks for all that information girl!! I totally appreciate it. I did answer yes to all those questions and I read it all to Chris and he's saying that we should probably wait until 2012 (we'll have his truck paid off and our signature loans paid off by then) so we can afford it easier. We'll see exactly what the DVC people say when we talk to them next weekend but as of right now it will be another 2 years before we buy into it but it looks like we will for sure buy into it. Which makes me :woohoo: even though I still have to wait. DVC is a dream of mine and buying into it means I will be staying deluxe for the rest of my life! Well, not the rest of my life but until I'm too old to really care :rotfl: Plus that will still be before we have children so once we have kids they can have their room and we can have ours on every trip and that will be great. It will be like staying in an apartment. It all just sounds so great and I'm totally excited!! :yay: Two years will fly by for sure!!

I do have one more question though. What exactly are the "closing costs" for when you initially buy into DVC?? That totally confuses me too :confused3

Leger13

05-15-2009, 11:38 PM

Damn you quoted me with my mistake still in there before I corrected myself. In my defense, I took two fioricet tonight.:rolleyes1

hahaha I'm speedy tonight. And I didn't notice your mistake.

We own a full contract at SSR and a smaller contract at AKV.

We've been to BC and AKV so far. Going to BLT in November.

So far BC and AKV have been phenomenal. I never would have been able to afford BC or AKV (Savanna Room) for 7-9 nights. But with DVC, we can.

It really is owning a piece of the magic. :wizard:

That is so awesome! Yeah, w/o DVC I will never be able to stay Deluxe. But for the price of a small car I can own into Disney for 50 years?? Heck yeah!! :woohoo: I'm sure by the time I take vacation in the first 3 or 4 years it will have paid for itself since just staying at polly would be at least $3000 for just one week. We're totally sold on the whole DVC idea....just gotta be able to afford it :laughing: it will happen though. Just gotta wait a couple more years probably.

lovebuzzandwoody

05-15-2009, 11:43 PM

You really are a woman of few words, aren't ya?

yep. :smooth:

Marshay

05-15-2009, 11:56 PM

Wow thanks for all that information girl!! I totally appreciate it. I did answer yes to all those questions and I read it all to Chris and he's saying that we should probably wait until 2012 (we'll have his truck paid off and our signature loans paid off by then) so we can afford it easier. We'll see exactly what the DVC people say when we talk to them next weekend but as of right now it will be another 2 years before we buy into it but it looks like we will for sure buy into it. Which makes me :woohoo: even though I still have to wait. DVC is a dream of mine and buying into it means I will be staying deluxe for the rest of my life! Well, not the rest of my life but until I'm too old to really care :rotfl: Plus that will still be before we have children so once we have kids they can have their room and we can have ours on every trip and that will be great. It will be like staying in an apartment. It all just sounds so great and I'm totally excited!! :yay: Two years will fly by for sure!!

I do have one more question though. What exactly are the "closing costs" for when you initially buy into DVC?? That totally confuses me too :confused3

closing costs were minimal...that's just a fancy way to pay for all the paperwork, deed, legal costs etc. If I remember it was just a couple hundred $$ ($300?). Definitely ask when you do the tour.

Oh, I'm soooooo excited for you!!

When we did the math, it was definitely a good deal for us. and you "hit the nail on the head" -- we want our girls to be in their own room with a door in between ours. And not just for :rolleyes1 but simply b/c we need a break from them, they go to bed early and we aren't ready yet or we want to watch something on tv before bed.

Marshay

05-15-2009, 11:57 PM

Oh, and yes, that deluxe thing is r-e-a-l-l-y nice!:thumbsup2

Leger13

05-16-2009, 12:02 AM

closing costs were minimal...that's just a fancy way to pay for all the paperwork, deed, legal costs etc. If I remember it was just a couple hundred $$ ($300?). Definitely ask when you do the tour.

Oh, I'm soooooo excited for you!!

When we did the math, it was definitely a good deal for us. and you "hit the nail on the head" -- we want our girls to be in their own room with a door in between ours. And not just for :rolleyes1 but simply b/c we need a break from them, they go to bed early and we aren't ready yet or we want to watch something on tv before bed.

Ah okay the closing cost thing was freaking us out a bit :laughing: Thinking it was something like house closing costs. I understand now. And I will for sure ask when we talk to the DVC rep next weekend. PM me your name (last name really, I already know what your first name is :laughing:) so we can tell them who gave us info and you can get credit for it :thumbsup2

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. It would be nice to have the comforts of home for sure and still be on disney property. The only other way we could get that is if we pay out the booty for deluxe or stay off property (which I HATE doing). I really hope these next couple of years go by FAST 'cause I want this so bad.

Oh, and yes, that deluxe thing is r-e-a-l-l-y nice!:thumbsup2

:woohoo::woohoo:

betsywdw

05-16-2009, 01:47 AM

Trentmom

05-16-2009, 03:48 AM

GUESS WHAT!!!

Chris and I are seriously talking about DVC!!!!!! :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

To all of my DVC member friends: I need information please! I'm so confused. I especially had no idea about the annual dues!?!? HELP!! I ordered the DVD from Disney just a few minutes ago but I know it will take every bit of 2 weeks to get here so I figured I could beg for help here. I'm sure it will be a while before we actually buy in but I want to get as much information as I can now so I know when exactly we'll be able to buy in.

I can't tell you how excited I am!! Chris has basically already said yes to it. He likes the idea of having our vacations paid for for the next 45 years :laughing::rolleyes::cheer2:

That is so exciting!!!

Like Nikki said, can you adopt me too :lmao:

Yay to Marshay for explaing it so well. she should be a DVC Spokesperson :thumbsup2

2012 will be here before you know it. Sounds like a great deal to me :wizard:

Trentmom

05-16-2009, 03:50 AM

Your itinerary looks great!!

I thikn doing 3 parks in on day sounds like fun...I will be curious to see how it all turns out

Can you let me know how T Rex is? I am considering making ressies for that in December, but am afraid it wil be too loud for Trent

Only other problem is convincing Steve to go, as he said it is going to just like Rainforest Cafe, which he hates..

Good times :rotfl2:

Leger13

05-16-2009, 09:47 AM

Found you! :cool1:

WOW, I'm so excited for you Carla :cool1: I know you'll have a great trip...you really do deserve it!

DVC = :woohoo::yay::dance3: That is awesome! I love having Marshay around because she covers all the questions! I totally agree with everything she said about DVC. We joined in 2007 and really enjoy the accomodations!

Thanks Betsy. You are so sweet :goodvibes

hehe I knew you and Marsha would make the positives of DVC even better. I just hope these next couple of years fly by so we can buy into it and have a for sure vacation every year. Being able to do those Disney Destination vacations is a dream for sure. I think I'll be taking my Mom on the over seas vacations since Chris won't go. It's also been a dream of mine to be able to take my Mom and Dad on vacation so now I will be able to do that with DVC. :thumbsup2:thumbsup2 I'm beyond happy about it but impatient :rolleyes:

That is so exciting!!!

Like Nikki said, can you adopt me too :lmao:

Yay to Marshay for explaing it so well. she should be a DVC Spokesperson :thumbsup2

2012 will be here before you know it. Sounds like a great deal to me :wizard:

:rotfl::rotfl: oh I'd adopt you and Trent in a heart beat girl!

Yes I agree Marsha should be a DVC Spokes person. She's been such a huge help!!

Yeah I'm sure it will be. It will be so worth it.

Your itinerary looks great!!

I thikn doing 3 parks in on day sounds like fun...I will be curious to see how it all turns out

Can you let me know how T Rex is? I am considering making ressies for that in December, but am afraid it wil be too loud for Trent

Only other problem is convincing Steve to go, as he said it is going to just like Rainforest Cafe, which he hates..

Good times :rotfl2:

Thanks girl. You are always so positive when it comes to everything Disney. I think 3 parks is do-able. Especially since we really only have to drive to one from the other. That is the longest thing. The monorail will make things easy between MK and EPCOT.

Oh I will give a full review. I think it will be great! I've only heard good things about it so far.

If it is good I hope you can convince Steve to go. I don't think it will be like Rainforest. I think it will be better! Steve needs to think of what Trent will have fun doing and make some sacrifices on things he may not enjoy like the loudness of Rainforest. I think that's why kiddos love it so much. Makes it more real.

Marshay

05-16-2009, 11:16 AM

Marshay

05-16-2009, 11:19 AM

Oh, and the resale sites do not have BLT yet. So you could only buy at the other resorts.

Also (there's always something else), only SSR and AKV and BLT have the nearly 50 year contracts...the older resorts like Boardwalk, Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge only have like 35 yrs left on them, something to consider for you and your future children/relatives or whomever you decide to give it to.

Marshay

05-16-2009, 11:21 AM

DVC = :woohoo::yay::dance3: That is awesome! I love having Marshay around because she covers all the questions! I totally agree with everything she said about DVC. We joined in 2007 and really enjoy the accomodations!

Yay to Marshay for explaing it so well. she should be a DVC Spokesperson :thumbsup2

Yes I agree Marsha should be a DVC Spokes person. She's been such a huge help!!

OK, so I now have my new Disney career!! Just got to convince DH to move...

Leger13

05-16-2009, 05:45 PM

One last word of encouragement to buy DVC...remember, you don't have to buy a big contract right now (ie 160pts). You can go to the resale web sites and look for a contract with less points. Maybe find something that is only 25-75 pts which would only be $2250 - $6750.

Granted you wouldn't be able to vacation as much, but it would give you a 'taste' of DVC to see if you like it and want to purchase more.

That way you wouldn't have to wait 2 years!

(You can only do this through the resale sites...not thru Disney. However, once you buy in, then you can purchase an add-on contract thru Disney for less than 160 pts).

Very good tips and great encouragement. Thanks again girl! We might be able to do it sooner. It all really just depends on a lot of things. We will weigh our options once we get more information from a DVC CM.

Thanks again for all the help.

btw, I told Chris this about buying a re-sale and he said he kinda doesn't want to do that because then we'd have a shorter time share. So I guess that's a good thing? :rotfl:

Oh, and the resale sites do not have BLT yet. So you could only buy at the other resorts.

Also (there's always something else), only SSR and AKV and BLT have the nearly 50 year contracts...the older resorts like Boardwalk, Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge only have like 35 yrs left on them, something to consider for you and your future children/relatives or whomever you decide to give it to.

Ah yeah don't want to only have a 35 year contract. I want to be too old to thoroughly enjoy WDW before my time share runs out. 35 years is not long enough for that :laughing:

OK, so I now have my new Disney career!! Just got to convince DH to move...

haha GL with that!

kaoden39

05-16-2009, 05:52 PM

I would so love to buy DVC but here on the west coast it isn't really all that practical, they just really started doing the DVC. I would so love to do it though.

Leger13

05-16-2009, 05:54 PM

I would so love to buy DVC but here on the west coast it isn't really all that practical, they just really started doing the DVC. I would so love to do it though.

yeah they just started doing out there with the grand Californian huh? Have you seen the villas though!?!? They are amazing!!!!

kaoden39

05-16-2009, 06:00 PM

yeah they just started doing out there with the grand Californian huh? Have you seen the villas though!?!? They are amazing!!!!

Yeah but because it has been so many years in coming I am sure that the wait is horrible too.

Leger13

05-16-2009, 06:04 PM

Yeah but because it has been so many years in coming I am sure that the wait is horrible too.

yeah...probably. Especially since any DVC owner can stay there. I know that's where I plan on staying after we buy into DVC on our DL trip. Then all we'll have to worry about is food, tickets and transportation. Not bad :thumbsup2

kaoden39

05-16-2009, 06:09 PM

yeah...probably. Especially since any DVC owner can stay there. I know that's where I plan on staying after we buy into DVC on our DL trip. Then all we'll have to worry about is food, tickets and transportation. Not bad :thumbsup2

One thing I have wondered about is if you have an AP for say DL if it works at DW or vice versa?

Leger13

05-16-2009, 06:13 PM

One thing I have wondered about is if you have an AP for say DL if it works at DW or vice versa?

Yeah I was just wondering that myself but something tells me the answer is a big fat NO. As much as I love Disney I also know how realistic their greed is. I just don't see them making it that easy or cheap for anyone.:confused3

kaoden39

05-16-2009, 06:21 PM

Yeah I was just wondering that myself but something tells me the answer is a big fat NO. As much as I love Disney I also know how realistic their greed is. I just don't see them making it that easy or cheap for anyone.:confused3

I know. The tickets is what always puts the monkey wrench into my plans. With so many tickets to buy it gets really expensive.

Leger13

05-16-2009, 08:19 PM

I know. The tickets is what always puts the monkey wrench into my plans. With so many tickets to buy it gets really expensive.

I can imagine. That's the other reason I just want to get in on DVC. That way when I take my future family to WDW all I have to worry about is food and tickets instead of having to pay for it all every single time. The annual dues are going to be WAY less than the cost of even one room at a value resort at WDW for a week. I just can't pass that up.

kaoden39

05-16-2009, 10:09 PM

I can imagine. That's the other reason I just want to get in on DVC. That way when I take my future family to WDW all I have to worry about is food and tickets instead of having to pay for it all every single time. The annual dues are going to be WAY less than the cost of even one room at a value resort at WDW for a week. I just can't pass that up.

Oh I understand completely. We would have to buy so many points too. I am thinking after the kids are grown up. That would be nice, and then I can leave Scotty home if he doesn't want to go.

Leger13

05-16-2009, 10:19 PM

Oh I understand completely. We would have to buy so many points too. I am thinking after the kids are grown up. That would be nice, and then I can leave Scotty home if he doesn't want to go.

yeah there ya go. That sounds perfect :thumbsup2

kaoden39

05-16-2009, 10:21 PM

yeah there ya go. That sounds perfect :thumbsup2

That was my thought. And honestly I have no problem going by myself.:confused3

Marshay

05-16-2009, 10:24 PM

One thing I have wondered about is if you have an AP for say DL if it works at DW or vice versa?

There are separate AP for each (WDW vs. DL).

Tickets are certainly $$$...however, once you own DVC you get a 30% discount on an annual pass and another 10% discount to renew immediately. So if you can plan 2+ vacations within 365 days, then the tickets become worth it.

But when you multiply that by 5 adults it makes for a VERY expensive year.

We have done Disney without going into the parks...just enjoyed the pools, DTD and visiting the resorts or taking a tour that doesn't require park admission. We even did the monorail ride around the Poly/GF/Cont and then switched over to TTC to ride the monorail to Epcot and back again.

At first it felt weird not to be going in a park, but our vacation was SOOOO much more relaxing.

kaoden39

05-16-2009, 10:28 PM

There are separate AP for each (WDW vs. DL).

Tickets are certainly $$$...however, once you own DVC you get a 30% discount on an annual pass and another 10% discount to renew immediately. So if you can plan 2+ vacations within 365 days, then the tickets become worth it.

But when you multiply that by 5 adults it makes for a VERY expensive year.

We have done Disney without going into the parks...just enjoyed the pools, DTD and visiting the resorts or taking a tour that doesn't require park admission. We even did the monorail ride around the Poly/GF/Cont and then switched over to TTC to ride the monorail to Epcot and back again.

At first it felt weird not to be going in a park, but our vacation was SOOOO much more relaxing.

Oh I agree that AP's are the way to go if you are making more than one trip in 12 months.

Leger13

05-16-2009, 10:32 PM

There are separate AP for each (WDW vs. DL).

Tickets are certainly $$$...however, once you own DVC you get a 30% discount on an annual pass and another 10% discount to renew immediately. So if you can plan 2+ vacations within 365 days, then the tickets become worth it.

But when you multiply that by 5 adults it makes for a VERY expensive year.

We have done Disney without going into the parks...just enjoyed the pools, DTD and visiting the resorts or taking a tour that doesn't require park admission. We even did the monorail ride around the Poly/GF/Cont and then switched over to TTC to ride the monorail to Epcot and back again.

At first it felt weird not to be going in a park, but our vacation was SOOOO much more relaxing.

oh man now that sounds heavenly. I'm sure it must be easier to be much more leisurely on a WDW vacation with DVC knowing you'll be going for the next 50 years :laughing:

Leger13

05-18-2009, 09:04 AM

I'm freaking out just a tad here......:scared:

I just this morning realized how little time I have to get everything done in for this weekend and am now freaking out. I should have been doing these things all along. Lucky me my down stairs is actually some what clean so all I have to do is dust and tidy up down there. But my bedroom is a different story. So I HAVE to get that cleaned up tonight along with do some laundry and try to throw some of it into a suite case. I'm freaking out just a tad here. :scared: I only have tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday night do to things since Thursday night Brandi (one of my dog/house sitters) is coming over at 5:00pm to go with me to get our nails done and then go to the grocery store. And her brother Brad is spending the night that night so I won't be doing much of anything except for hanging out and then Friday we leave. I did find out today though that my Dad is willing to let me leave work on Friday at 11am so now if Chris can get out of work early too we'll be hitting the road early and we'll miss Atlanta traffic :woohoo::woohoo: So that means instead of getting to Becca's at 1am we'll get there around 8 or 9pm :yay:

Okay freak out over.....:upsidedow

Leger13

05-18-2009, 02:19 PM

So I looked at this weekend's weather for Orlando and it looks like it's going to be HOT with some scattered showers in the mix. 40% chance of rain it says. D'oh! I hope it doesn't rain much if it does rain. Just enough to thin out the crowds. That will make me happy.

Marshay

05-18-2009, 03:23 PM

:rotfl:OK, no more dissing unti you are packed, young lady!! :lmao:

Tat2ddisneymom

05-18-2009, 04:27 PM

Screw the cleaning. Can't do that with your new manicure anyway.

Marshay

05-18-2009, 06:33 PM

Screw the cleaning. Can't do that with your new manicure anyway.

I agree!!! but she probably *should* pack some clothes...:lmao:

jewels1916

05-18-2009, 07:21 PM

Hi Carla! I *finally* made it over here, and am all caught up! I am sorry about the way your September trip turned out! But I am glad it didn't spoil it for you! Hopefully some Disney Magic this time will fix you right up! :) I'm subbing so I can follow along! You will be leaving just as we are arriving...we'll probably pass each other in the Orlando airport! (my favorite airport in the world!)

lovebuzzandwoody

05-18-2009, 08:55 PM

Your itinerary looks great!!

I just wanted to tell Sharky she gets an A+ for spelling itinerary correctly! :teacher:

Screw the cleaning. Can't do that with your new manicure anyway.

You are my favorite person in the whole wide world. ::yes::

But Marshay is right... you *should* take some clothes! :rotfl2:

Trentmom

05-18-2009, 09:50 PM

Thanks Betsy. You are so sweet :goodvibes

hehe I knew you and Marsha would make the positives of DVC even better. I just hope these next couple of years fly by so we can buy into it and have a for sure vacation every year. Being able to do those Disney Destination vacations is a dream for sure. I think I'll be taking my Mom on the over seas vacations since Chris won't go. It's also been a dream of mine to be able to take my Mom and Dad on vacation so now I will be able to do that with DVC. :thumbsup2:thumbsup2 I'm beyond happy about it but impatient :rolleyes:

:rotfl::rotfl: oh I'd adopt you and Trent in a heart beat girl!

Yes I agree Marsha should be a DVC Spokes person. She's been such a huge help!!

Yeah I'm sure it will be. It will be so worth it.

Thanks girl. You are always so positive when it comes to everything Disney. I think 3 parks is do-able. Especially since we really only have to drive to one from the other. That is the longest thing. The monorail will make things easy between MK and EPCOT.

Oh I will give a full review. I think it will be great! I've only heard good things about it so far.

If it is good I hope you can convince Steve to go. I don't think it will be like Rainforest. I think it will be better! Steve needs to think of what Trent will have fun doing and make some sacrifices on things he may not enjoy like the loudness of Rainforest. I think that's why kiddos love it so much. Makes it more real.

Thanks girlie

Very true :thumbsup2

I'm freaking out just a tad here......:scared:

I just this morning realized how little time I have to get everything done in for this weekend and am now freaking out. I should have been doing these things all along. Lucky me my down stairs is actually some what clean so all I have to do is dust and tidy up down there. But my bedroom is a different story. So I HAVE to get that cleaned up tonight along with do some laundry and try to throw some of it into a suite case. I'm freaking out just a tad here. :scared: I only have tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday night do to things since Thursday night Brandi (one of my dog/house sitters) is coming over at 5:00pm to go with me to get our nails done and then go to the grocery store. And her brother Brad is spending the night that night so I won't be doing much of anything except for hanging out and then Friday we leave. I did find out today though that my Dad is willing to let me leave work on Friday at 11am so now if Chris can get out of work early too we'll be hitting the road early and we'll miss Atlanta traffic :woohoo::woohoo: So that means instead of getting to Becca's at 1am we'll get there around 8 or 9pm :yay:

Okay freak out over.....:upsidedow

You are too funny :laughing:

Trentmom

05-18-2009, 09:52 PM

I just wanted to tell Sharky she gets an A+ for spelling itinerary correctly! :teacher:

You are my favorite person in the whole wide world. ::yes::

But Marshay is right... you *should* take some clothes! :rotfl2:

Thanks girl...very excited I am able to spell it now :goodvibes

Leger13

05-18-2009, 10:57 PM

:rotfl:OK, no more dissing unti you are packed, young lady!! :lmao:

*hangs head in shame* yes ma'am

Screw the cleaning. Can't do that with your new manicure anyway.

:laughing: true true. I don't get the manicure until Thursday though.....

I agree!!! but she probably *should* pack some clothes...:lmao:

awww man you guys are no fun.

:rolleyes::laughing:

Hi Carla! I *finally* made it over here, and am all caught up! I am sorry about the way your September trip turned out! But I am glad it didn't spoil it for you! Hopefully some Disney Magic this time will fix you right up! :) I'm subbing so I can follow along! You will be leaving just as we are arriving...we'll probably pass each other in the Orlando airport! (my favorite airport in the world!)

Hey girl! Thanks for coming over! Yeah, I think this trip will fully make up for last years trip. Bummer that I am leaving the day you guys arrive. I'd say if I was flying back home and we happened to be in the Orlando airport at the same time maybe we could meet there but I'm only flying down to FL....driving back. :sad2: And I agree Orlando airport is the best in the world!

I just wanted to tell Sharky she gets an A+ for spelling itinerary correctly! :teacher:

You are my favorite person in the whole wide world. ::yes::

But Marshay is right... you *should* take some clothes! :rotfl2:

:thumbsup2

:rotfl:

Thanks girlie

Very true :thumbsup2

You are too funny :laughing:

:goodvibes thanks I try

Leger13

05-19-2009, 10:03 AM

Marshay

05-19-2009, 11:40 AM

Weekend weather update for Orlando:

http://www.accuweather.com/us/fl/orlando/32801/forecast-15day.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipchg=1&metric=0

I like Accuweather's forecast much better than the one I saw at Weather.com :goodvibes I can handle pop up showers

Yeah!! Hopefully by Sat they will be gone...looks pretty bad for now until Sat...(my folks aren't happy about it but at least they have AP...I pity the folks who have expiring passes ...)

Leger13

05-19-2009, 11:49 AM

Yeah!! Hopefully by Sat they will be gone...looks pretty bad for now until Sat...(my folks aren't happy about it but at least they have AP...I pity the folks who have expiring passes ...)

Yeah I hope so too. Bummer for your parents but that's good that they will be able to go back some other time :thumbsup2 And hopefully the ppl that do have expiring passes can still find some way to have fun in the down pour.

cltk78

05-19-2009, 12:29 PM

Leger13

05-19-2009, 12:35 PM

Hi, Carla! :wave:

Just caught up.

Sorry to hear about your trip last year. Sending :goodvibes that this year's trips go well. :)

We'll be at AKL Nov 29-Dec 5.

I think 3 parks in 1 day is doable. Sounds like something DH and I would do before we had kids. Have fun on your mini-trip this weekend. Can't wait to read all about it. :)

:yay: a new reader! :welcome:

Thank you for the :goodvibes Much appreciated :) Hope it works to make this trip better than last years.

ooooo AKL I'm jealous. Maybe we'll "run into" one another at some point....

Oh good, I'm not crazy then :laughing: Chris said that if it is raining while we're there on Saturday then we will skip EPCOT because the only thing he wants to ride there is TT. I want to see the flowers for the festival but that's not a must. So if it's raining we'll only be hitting the two parks but I hope to do 3 just to say I've done it successfully :thumbsup2

I can't wait to share everything when I get back! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!

Leger13

05-19-2009, 12:40 PM

Marshay

05-19-2009, 12:53 PM

So I'm having a bit of a problem making a decision and need y'alls help.

As most of you know, I just bought a Canon dSLR XSi camera. But, I haven't had the ability to go out and buy myself a camera bag for it that I can use in the parks. The bag I have now is big and bulky so I'm not sure if I really want to lug it around with me on Saturday. I still have my Canon Point and Shoot that takes great pictures too. But I'm dying to try out my dSLR in the parks. My delima is this - do I suck it up and lug around the huge bag so I can play with my new toy at WDW this weekend or should I just wait and break it in at WDW in December after I have the correct bag to carry around all my gear in? What would you do? :confused3

I could always make Chris lug around the "monster" :rolleyes::laughing::rolleyes1

What about an alternative bag? Maybe if line/wrap the camera with your poncho or other items that can help cushion it? You definitely don't want a bulky bag in the park and on the rides...it just makes everything too cumbersome IMHO.

Or can you put everything in this bag you would normally take (i.e., water, sunglasses, snacks, tickets, keys, chapstick, poncho, hat -- assuming you take things like this in the park).

This trip would be a great chance to test out the camera so I really think you should take it.

However, since you're only going to be there one day, you might just "bite the bullet" and take the big bag...that way you'll get a chance to see how it works, what you might need for a future trip, etc.

My DH started with a small bag for his dSLR camera and then kept looking for a new one. He went to an actual camera shop where he could buy a bag, try it out around the house and then return it (w/tags). He did this 2x until he got the right size. He has a few lenses and stuff so his bag with all the spare parts (cards, batteries, etc) looks like a small backpack now.

Leger13

05-19-2009, 01:21 PM

What about an alternative bag? Maybe if line/wrap the camera with your poncho or other items that can help cushion it? You definitely don't want a bulky bag in the park and on the rides...it just makes everything too cumbersome IMHO.

Or can you put everything in this bag you would normally take (i.e., water, sunglasses, snacks, tickets, keys, chapstick, poncho, hat -- assuming you take things like this in the park).

This trip would be a great chance to test out the camera so I really think you should take it.

However, since you're only going to be there one day, you might just "bite the bullet" and take the big bag...that way you'll get a chance to see how it works, what you might need for a future trip, etc.

My DH started with a small bag for his dSLR camera and then kept looking for a new one. He went to an actual camera shop where he could buy a bag, try it out around the house and then return it (w/tags). He did this 2x until he got the right size. He has a few lenses and stuff so his bag with all the spare parts (cards, batteries, etc) looks like a small backpack now.

Yeah I thought about that but then I'd be worried that my camera would be banged around too much. The only reason I don't like the big bag is because I have to carry it on my shoulder and I hate doing that around the parks but I guess I could always put it over the other shoulder and kind of "sling" it. KWIM? I also figured I could put my other things in this bag if I needed to. There's enough room so I could always put that stuff under the camera and in the other compartments.

You're right about testing it out this trip and really find out what other stuff I need/want for the camera. It would probably help me to learn the camera more too. The settings and features. Right now I've only used it around the house and in my back yard.

You're also right that it's just one day to carry around the big bag. Not like it's going to be every day for a week. Good thinking Marsha!

And I think I might have to do what your DH did with his camera bag too. Those bags are just too darned expensive to buy/not like and then not be able to return them. I've seen those backpack type ones and really want one. I keep eyeballing the sling type one. It looks to be the most comfortable IMHO. Hopefully I'll be able to invest in one of those before December.

The other thing I'm thinking now after reading your suggestions is this will give me a good feel for what kind of lens I would like to get next to use in December.

Thanks again for the good ideas and advice :goodvibes

cherbear

05-19-2009, 01:56 PM

I am fashionably late. :snooty:

:rotfl2: Great start Carla!
No trip ~ boo.
X-mas trip ~ yeah!
Losing your deposit ~ booooooo.
BFF trip ~ yeah! yeah!
DVC ~ triple yeah! :yay::yay::yay:

yeah, what she said!

I'm freaking out just a tad here......:scared:

I just this morning realized how little time I have to get everything done in for this weekend and am now freaking out. I should have been doing these things all along. Lucky me my down stairs is actually some what clean so all I have to do is dust and tidy up down there. But my bedroom is a different story. So I HAVE to get that cleaned up tonight along with do some laundry and try to throw some of it into a suite case. I'm freaking out just a tad here. :scared: I only have tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday night do to things since Thursday night Brandi (one of my dog/house sitters) is coming over at 5:00pm to go with me to get our nails done and then go to the grocery store. And her brother Brad is spending the night that night so I won't be doing much of anything except for hanging out and then Friday we leave. I did find out today though that my Dad is willing to let me leave work on Friday at 11am so now if Chris can get out of work early too we'll be hitting the road early and we'll miss Atlanta traffic :woohoo::woohoo: So that means instead of getting to Becca's at 1am we'll get there around 8 or 9pm :yay:

Okay freak out over.....:upsidedow

well I assume you got quite a bit done yesterday afternoon/evening...

so good luck getting it all done!

So I looked at this weekend's weather for Orlando and it looks like it's going to be HOT with some scattered showers in the mix. 40% chance of rain it says. D'oh! I hope it doesn't rain much if it does rain. Just enough to thin out the crowds. That will make me happy.

sounds good to me (the bold part)

What about an alternative bag? Maybe if line/wrap the camera with your poncho or other items that can help cushion it? You definitely don't want a bulky bag in the park and on the rides...it just makes everything too cumbersome IMHO.

Or can you put everything in this bag you would normally take (i.e., water, sunglasses, snacks, tickets, keys, chapstick, poncho, hat -- assuming you take things like this in the park).

This trip would be a great chance to test out the camera so I really think you should take it.

However, since you're only going to be there one day, you might just "bite the bullet" and take the big bag...that way you'll get a chance to see how it works, what you might need for a future trip, etc.

My DH started with a small bag for his dSLR camera and then kept looking for a new one. He went to an actual camera shop where he could buy a bag, try it out around the house and then return it (w/tags). He did this 2x until he got the right size. He has a few lenses and stuff so his bag with all the spare parts (cards, batteries, etc) looks like a small backpack now.

Marsha always has the best advice!

Marshay

05-19-2009, 02:06 PM

Marsha always has the best advice!

Oh, you're making me blush....:flower3:

Leger13

05-19-2009, 02:07 PM

yeah, what she said!

well I assume you got quite a bit done yesterday afternoon/evening...

so good luck getting it all done!

sounds good to me (the bold part)

Marsha always has the best advice!

:thumbsup2

Yeah, I got at least 3 loads of laundry done. I have 2 of those loads that still needs to be folded and put away though. And our suite cases are almost all packed. I mostly just have cleaning to do. Bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting...the fun stuff. :upsidedow

hehe :thumbsup2

::yes::

Marshay

05-19-2009, 02:17 PM

The other thing I'm thinking now after reading your suggestions is this will give me a good feel for what kind of lens I would like to get next to use in December.

Thanks again for the good ideas and advice :goodvibes

Oh ... and thus starts the downhill spiral!! :rotfl:

I laugh b/c once you really start to get into this, it is $$$$. My DH has his eye on yet another lens (?). I swear, he has like 2 or 3 lenses and filters already but there is always something else. Then when he goes to take a photo, he'll say, "Oh I brought the wrong lens with me!"

The one he has his eye on now is over $1500!!!!!!!!!!!:scared1: I guess it's supposed to replace having to take multiple lenses with him. He's been saving up money for 2 years now but he has a l-o-n-g way to go...his money, BTW. I told him if he'd start packing his lunch instead of eating out every day he could probably afford it by next year (but I'm just the logical person...why listen to me?:rotfl:)

Leger13

05-19-2009, 02:24 PM

Oh ... and thus starts the downhill spiral!! :rotfl:

I laugh b/c once you really start to get into this, it is $$$$. My DH has his eye on yet another lens (?). I swear, he has like 2 or 3 lenses and filters already but there is always something else. Then when he goes to take a photo, he'll say, "Oh I brought the wrong lens with me!"

The one he has his eye on now is over $1500!!!!!!!!!!!:scared1: I guess it's supposed to replace having to take multiple lenses with him. He's been saving up money for 2 years now but he has a l-o-n-g way to go...his money, BTW. I told him if he'd start packing his lunch instead of eating out every day he could probably afford it by next year (but I'm just the logical person...why listen to me?:rotfl:)

Oh yeah....I realized this when I purchased the camera. Before I even got it I was eyeballing different lenses. There's 2 I have my eye on right now but nothing as expensive as $1500! I know some of the mac daddy lenses can get oober expensive fast! Even if you buy off brand it's still very expensive.

:laughing: yeah, listening to you would only make sense....I can't get Chris to listen to me half the time either :confused3

nikkiheaven

05-19-2009, 03:23 PM

I forgot to say where we are staying. Silly me.

We are booked at All Star Movies for November 28th - December 5th :thumbsup2:woohoo::dance3::cheer2:

OK, I'm subscribing. I will be in Disney from Dec. 1 - Dec. 6. My first time, so i have no idea what to do. So, I may be stealing a few of your ideas!

Leger13

05-19-2009, 05:02 PM

Welcome Nikki and congrats on your first trip to WDW!! :) you picked a great time of year to go! Feel free to steel any trip ideas/plans from me and ask any questions you may have. There's a great group of people here that will be happy to answer them along with me.

Thanks for subbing and reading along :)

Posted from my iPhone

Leger13

05-19-2009, 05:08 PM

cherbear

05-19-2009, 06:51 PM

Marshay

05-19-2009, 07:44 PM

It's decided. By October of next year I will be a DVC owner!!!!!! :cool1:

I'm posting from my phone right now because I'm really supposed to be cleaning so I'll post more of the details later.

(I think I need a new ticker now :) )

Wow!!! I definitely want to hear the details of what you are thinkig...esp how you picked October...what resort(s) ... how many points ... resale or Disney.

As for choosing a number of points...if you want, I can tell you approx how many points it would be to stay at "x" resort during "x" month for "x" days...just to get an idea

lovebuzzandwoody

05-19-2009, 09:08 PM

OK, I'm subscribing. I will be in Disney from Dec. 1 - Dec. 6. My first time, so i have no idea what to do. So, I may be stealing a few of your ideas!

Aw, your very first post! :welcome: to the DIS! Are you addicted yet?

It's decided. By October of next year I will be a DVC owner!!!!!! :cool1:

I'm posting from my phone right now because I'm really supposed to be cleaning so I'll post more of the details later.

(I think I need a new ticker now :) )

WOOHOO!!!!!

That calls for some bananas fo sho!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

(you know I don't whip out the banana for just any old thing!)

(*sigh.... that would be a great tag :rolleyes:)

Marshay

05-19-2009, 09:38 PM

Did you all see the ads on the page? Too funny.

(Cameras and camera bags...)

Leger13

05-19-2009, 10:37 PM

coolio! I mean...AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

How'd y'all come up with October of next year?

Thanks girl.

I'll put the details up in my next post

Wow!!! I definitely want to hear the details of what you are thinkig...esp how you picked October...what resort(s) ... how many points ... resale or Disney.

As for choosing a number of points...if you want, I can tell you approx how many points it would be to stay at "x" resort during "x" month for "x" days...just to get an idea

I was wondering....how do they decide what month in the year your points roll over?? Is it based on the month you purchase the DVC in or what?

I'll put all the details on how the decision came about in my next post.

Oooooo yeah that would be GREAT if you could do that. I'm so totally confused about that aspect of DVC too :confused3

Aw, your very first post! :welcome: to the DIS! Are you addicted yet?

WOOHOO!!!!!

That calls for some bananas fo sho!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

(you know I don't whip out the banana for just any old thing!)

(*sigh.... that would be a great tag :rolleyes:)

:woohoo: I got Love to break out the nanners!!

(:lmao:yeah that would make a great tag)

Did you all see the ads on the page? Too funny.

(Cameras and camera bags...)

:rotfl::rotfl: I love how the ads change based on what you're talking about on the page. I'm surprised that there's not ads for DVC too :rolleyes:

Leger13

05-19-2009, 10:49 PM

Okay....sorry I left y'all hanging earlier. I was so not feeling the cleaning thing so I had to at least get on here from my phone and break the good news :thumbsup2 I did manage to get a little more cleaning done and packing so I made some progress...just not much. And now I only have tomorrow to get the rest done in :scared: Oh well.

Anyways, so here's the scoop. On my way home me and Chris were texting and he was talking about wanting to get a $13,000 motorcycle (he already has a perfectly good motorcycle). I told him he wouldn't be getting another one until I get something big that I want.

Him: "you're not going to give up on this DVC thing are you!?"
Me: "No! It's my dream and like you said, it's an investment in our family. We'll be taking a vacation every year regardless....this way we can stay in any DVC all over the world w/o having to worry about it and it will always be luxury! Plus I've always wanted to say I own a piece of disney hehe :)"
Him: "well, we can do it when we get the Credit Cards paid off or our signature loans paid off. Or you can talk to your Dad about helping us out with DVC and we can do it sooner."
Me: "ok. I don't have the b@lls to ask my Dad for that kind of loan"
Him: "well, then it will just take us a little longer to get it."
Me: "I also don't want you to just be saying yes to DVC because I want it. It has to be something that you really want too"
Him: "I do want it boo. I'm not just saying yes."
Me: "yay!!"
Me: "I just figured out how we can be DVC owners before the end of next year!!!"
Him: "We'll see...."
Me: "You don't think I can do it??"
Him: "All I said is we'll see...."
Me: "Oh ye of little faith!"

:laughing: Did you like that monolog of what happened on our txts? Well, as I was driving I schemed a plan in my head how I can get the credit cards paid off by September/October of next year so I figured as soon as I get the credit cards paid off we can go and see Becca and James for a weekend and get our DVC membership :woohoo: I'm pretty sure we'll be able to have them paid off by the summer but I'm putting the more realistic goal of paying them off by October out there instead just incase something happens and we have to shell out $ for an emergancy or something. I hope that doesn't happen but you just never know.

So there you have it folks. Chris and I will be part of the DVC before 2010 is over!!

Oh and I have no idea which resort to buy into......I'm still a little confused by all of that but part of me is thinking BLT since the dues are the cheapest. :confused3

Marshay

05-19-2009, 11:24 PM

Thanks girl.

I'll put the details up in my next post

I was wondering....how do they decide what month in the year your points roll over?? Is it based on the month you purchase the DVC in or what?

I'll put all the details on how the decision came about in my next post.

Oooooo yeah that would be GREAT if you could do that. I'm so totally confused about that aspect of DVC too :confused3

OK, a couple of things.

1) You don't have to go down to Disney to purchase DVC. You can do it all over the phone. I'm not aware of any extras you get by doing it in person...oh, you may get a picture taken and an ice cream cone...but that's it.

2) If you buy from Disney, they will let you know what Use Years are available. If you buy resale, you pick from the existing contracts.

The importance of Use Year means when you actually get your points each year and when they expire.

For example, I have a December Use Year so my points will expire Nov 30th each year. I have to either bank or use my points by Nov 30th or lose them.

In general it doesn't matter what Use Year you have. However, I'll give you a scenerio we have where it could matter.

We have a December Use Year. We are going in November to WDW this year. Once we book a trip, those points MUST be used within our use year.

So, our trip is Nov 14 and we have to use all the points by Nov 30th. IF for some reason we have to cancel our Nov 14th trip, we only have 16 more days to use those points or lose them.

Now if we had a July Use Year and had to cancel our Nov 14th trip, we'd have an additional 8 months to use those points before they would expire.

Got it?

So if you know that you will do most of you traveling in Oct/Nov, then you would prefer not to have a Dec/Jan/Feb Use Year. Something in Jun-Sept would be good.

However, if you are like us and do not travel the same time each year, then a Use Year really doesn't matter.

3) Now if you decide to add-on an additional contract in the future (we call it "suffering from addonitis") and almost everyone does (!), then it's a great help if BOTH of your contracts have the same Use Year. Much easier to plan and keep track of the points.

If you add-on a contract thru Disney they will match your existing use year.

If you decide to add-on thru resale, then you'd have to look for another contract with same use year to make things easier.

======

I hope this did not confuse you...

Bottom line: no need to truly worry about use year...it's more of an insurance thing (what if I have to cancel, will there be enough time to still vacation before the points expire)

Marshay

05-19-2009, 11:31 PM

As for resorts -- honestly pick the resort where you are most likely to stay.

Folks told me that prior to buying but we really didn't listen to them...instead went with the cheapest. But as more people buy into DVC, the 11 month advantage for your favorite resort will be huge.

When you switch resorts at the 7 month mark, there may not be any availability. This is what happened to us with BLT for December. All the owners booked it at 11 months so we could only get in for November.

Also, remember there is absolutely NO, I repeat NO and repeat again, NO promise that you will be able to always stay at another DVC. It could be booked or Disney could withdraw the privilege of trading into another DVC.

So you better be really happy with the one(s) you choose.

We bought SSR since it was the cheapest ... however, if Disney stops letting us trade out to BC or BLT, we are {somewhat} screwed. We really don't like SSR, even though we haven't been there...we just know we like the hotel resorts better.

We love our AKV and probably should have bought all of our points there (or BLT).

Now, if DVC announces that they are going to convert the POLY, then I'm all over that!!!

Marshay

05-19-2009, 11:32 PM

Whew!! Are you tired of me yet??:lmao::confused:

Marshay

05-19-2009, 11:38 PM

Lastly, you asked about points.

1_Tell me what resort you most likely want to stay at. (i.e., OKW is MUCH, MUCH, cheaper points than BLT)

2_Tell me what month you would most likely be traveling (i.e., Sept is cheaper points than July)

3_Tell me what type of room you would most likely want (i.e., studio, 1BR, 2BR)

4_Tell me what type of view you would want (if available) (i.e., Savanna & Magic Kingdom are MUCH, MUCH more points that an standard parking lot view)

5_Tell me how long you would most likely go. Does this include weekends? (i.e., Staying Sun night to Fri morning is MUCH, MUCH cheaper than when you include Friday and Saturday nights)

If you can make a guesstimate of answers, then I can tell you how many points is recommended.

Yes, this seems sort of impossible to do ... probably the hardest part of buying DVC. But if you screw up and don't have enough points .. you can always get "addonitis".;)

Marshay

05-19-2009, 11:49 PM

As for DVCs, here is my quick synopsis:

OKW and SSR are large sprawling resorts. OKW has a beach theme and SSR has horse racing theme. OKW is the cheapest points and largest rooms. It is also the oldest. SSR now has the treehouses which look cool.

VWL is close to MK and a nice woodsy feel. One of the smaller resorts.

BC has great beach theme, can walk into Epcot and boat to DHS (MGM for you!). And the #1 reason -- SAB!! This is an awesome pool complex.

Boardwalk has said theme, can walk into Epcot and boat to DHS. It has 2 view categories (standard and boardwalk).

AKV is a large resort but incredibly themed. You buy here if you want to get a savanna view to see the animals. You can also get a Value room which is one of the cheapest points around, so also good if you don't have a lot of points but still want to go. Kidani is newest with larger rooms than Jambo and Kidani has 2nd bathroom with new pool complex.

BLT is monorail hotel. It has standard, Lake and MK views. It is the MOST points to stay here, so if you plan to stay here often, you need to buy a lot of points. Walking to MK is #1 reason to buy here.

Trentmom

05-20-2009, 12:19 AM

It's decided. By October of next year I will be a DVC owner!!!!!! :cool1:

I'm posting from my phone right now because I'm really supposed to be cleaning so I'll post more of the details later.

(I think I need a new ticker now :) )

Okay....sorry I left y'all hanging earlier. I was so not feeling the cleaning thing so I had to at least get on here from my phone and break the good news :thumbsup2 I did manage to get a little more cleaning done and packing so I made some progress...just not much. And now I only have tomorrow to get the rest done in :scared: Oh well.

Anyways, so here's the scoop. On my way home me and Chris were texting and he was talking about wanting to get a $13,000 motorcycle (he already has a perfectly good motorcycle). I told him he wouldn't be getting another one until I get something big that I want.

Him: "you're not going to give up on this DVC thing are you!?"
Me: "No! It's my dream and like you said, it's an investment in our family. We'll be taking a vacation every year regardless....this way we can stay in any DVC all over the world w/o having to worry about it and it will always be luxury! Plus I've always wanted to say I own a piece of disney hehe :)"
Him: "well, we can do it when we get the Credit Cards paid off or our signature loans paid off. Or you can talk to your Dad about helping us out with DVC and we can do it sooner."
Me: "ok. I don't have the b@lls to ask my Dad for that kind of loan"
Him: "well, then it will just take us a little longer to get it."
Me: "I also don't want you to just be saying yes to DVC because I want it. It has to be something that you really want too"
Him: "I do want it boo. I'm not just saying yes."
Me: "yay!!"
Me: "I just figured out how we can be DVC owners before the end of next year!!!"
Him: "We'll see...."
Me: "You don't think I can do it??"
Him: "All I said is we'll see...."
Me: "Oh ye of little faith!"

:laughing: Did you like that monolog of what happened on our txts? Well, as I was driving I schemed a plan in my head how I can get the credit cards paid off by September/October of next year so I figured as soon as I get the credit cards paid off we can go and see Becca and James for a weekend and get our DVC membership :woohoo: I'm pretty sure we'll be able to have them paid off by the summer but I'm putting the more realistic goal of paying them off by October out there instead just incase something happens and we have to shell out $ for an emergancy or something. I hope that doesn't happen but you just never know.

So there you have it folks. Chris and I will be part of the DVC before 2010 is over!!

Oh and I have no idea which resort to buy into......I'm still a little confused by all of that but part of me is thinking BLT since the dues are the cheapest. :confused3

That is so awesome

Can't wait to see what resort you end up buying into :cool1:

Trentmom

05-20-2009, 12:23 AM

WOW....You have really done your homework Marshay

You are good :worship:

cherbear

05-20-2009, 11:01 AM

:rotfl::rotfl: I love how the ads change based on what you're talking about on the page. I'm surprised that there's not ads for DVC too :rolleyes:

oh geez...then why am I getting weight loss ads? :confused3

Are they trying to tell me something?
:sad2:

cherbear

05-20-2009, 11:08 AM

WOW....You have really done your homework Marshay

You are good :worship:

Marshay is awesome!

Leger13

05-20-2009, 11:49 AM

OK, a couple of things.

1) You don't have to go down to Disney to purchase DVC. You can do it all over the phone. I'm not aware of any extras you get by doing it in person...oh, you may get a picture taken and an ice cream cone...but that's it.

I think I'd rather purchase in person. I've heard of ppl getting gift cards or something of the sort if they purchase in person. Not that I care all that much about that but I don't trust USPS with my valuable paper work/contracts that would have to be sent back and forth if I didn't do it in person. Plus it gives me an excuse to go and see Becca (like I need one)

2) If you buy from Disney, they will let you know what Use Years are available. If you buy resale, you pick from the existing contracts.

The importance of Use Year means when you actually get your points each year and when they expire.

For example, I have a December Use Year so my points will expire Nov 30th each year. I have to either bank or use my points by Nov 30th or lose them.

In general it doesn't matter what Use Year you have. However, I'll give you a scenerio we have where it could matter.

We have a December Use Year. We are going in November to WDW this year. Once we book a trip, those points MUST be used within our use year.

So, our trip is Nov 14 and we have to use all the points by Nov 30th. IF for some reason we have to cancel our Nov 14th trip, we only have 16 more days to use those points or lose them.

Now if we had a July Use Year and had to cancel our Nov 14th trip, we'd have an additional 8 months to use those points before they would expire.

Got it?

So if you know that you will do most of you traveling in Oct/Nov, then you would prefer not to have a Dec/Jan/Feb Use Year. Something in Jun-Sept would be good.

However, if you are like us and do not travel the same time each year, then a Use Year really doesn't matter.

Ah I totally understand. So since I don't travel in the summer months it would be good for me to have a use year in June or July. The only thing about that is that might change after we have kids but I'm not going to base things now on what we don't have. I do have one question though. (as if you haven't already given me a ton of info)......what if say we book a studio room and that uses most of our points for the year and then we decide to invite some friends/family along and want to book a 1 or 2 bedroom villa but need more points than what we have at the time....since we've already booked can we upgrade our room and borrow points from the next use year to cover the difference? I know you said we can borrow points from the next year but I'm just curious if we will still be able to after we've already booked a room.

3) Now if you decide to add-on an additional contract in the future (we call it "suffering from addonitis") and almost everyone does (!), then it's a great help if BOTH of your contracts have the same Use Year. Much easier to plan and keep track of the points.

If you add-on a contract thru Disney they will match your existing use year.

If you decide to add-on thru resale, then you'd have to look for another contract with same use year to make things easier.

totally understand that :thumbsup2

======

I hope this did not confuse you...

Bottom line: no need to truly worry about use year...it's more of an insurance thing (what if I have to cancel, will there be enough time to still vacation before the points expire)

Gotcha. Thanks girl :thumbsup2

As for resorts -- honestly pick the resort where you are most likely to stay.

Folks told me that prior to buying but we really didn't listen to them...instead went with the cheapest. But as more people buy into DVC, the 11 month advantage for your favorite resort will be huge.

When you switch resorts at the 7 month mark, there may not be any availability. This is what happened to us with BLT for December. All the owners booked it at 11 months so we could only get in for November.

Also, remember there is absolutely NO, I repeat NO and repeat again, NO promise that you will be able to always stay at another DVC. It could be booked or Disney could withdraw the privilege of trading into another DVC.

So you better be really happy with the one(s) you choose.

We bought SSR since it was the cheapest ... however, if Disney stops letting us trade out to BC or BLT, we are {somewhat} screwed. We really don't like SSR, even though we haven't been there...we just know we like the hotel resorts better.

We love our AKV and probably should have bought all of our points there (or BLT).

Now, if DVC announces that they are going to convert the POLY, then I'm all over that!!!

Wow now that gives me something to think about for sure. I really was thinking BLT because the dues were cheaper but I really like BWV. Can I even still buy into BWV or is it one of the closed resorts? Oh I would be all over a Poly DVC too! BLT would be nice for the monorail. Hmmmm....so much to think about.

Whew!! Are you tired of me yet??:lmao::confused:

:rotfl: no way!! You are helping me tremendously!!!

Lastly, you asked about points.

1_Tell me what resort you most likely want to stay at. (i.e., OKW is MUCH, MUCH, cheaper points than BLT)

I've only seen pictures of the BLT resort and really liked it but I also know I'm going to want to stay at BCV and BWV. So lets just say BWV because I keep leaning in that direction.

2_Tell me what month you would most likely be traveling (i.e., Sept is cheaper points than July)

Probably either September (our birthdays....his is sept 17th and mine is the 14th) or around the same time we are going this year....week after Thanksgiving.

3_Tell me what type of room you would most likely want (i.e., studio, 1BR, 2BR)

It will more than likely be just the two of us most of the time so we'll probably just do a Studio. (again I know this will change after we have children....)

4_Tell me what type of view you would want (if available) (i.e., Savanna & Magic Kingdom are MUCH, MUCH more points that an standard parking lot view)

We like to be near the parking lot so the standard view room will be fine with us (I know we'll do an upgrade here at least a few times while we have DVC but most of the time we'll just want to save the points)

5_Tell me how long you would most likely go. Does this include weekends? (i.e., Staying Sun night to Fri morning is MUCH, MUCH cheaper than when you include Friday and Saturday nights)

We usually like to go for at least a week (saturday to saturday).

If you can make a guesstimate of answers, then I can tell you how many points is recommended.

Yes, this seems sort of impossible to do ... probably the hardest part of buying DVC. But if you screw up and don't have enough points .. you can always get "addonitis".;)

I like the idea of "addonitis" :thumbsup2 Nice to know that I'll still be able to add if I need/want to (which I'm sure I will at some point)

As for DVCs, here is my quick synopsis:

OKW and SSR are large sprawling resorts. OKW has a beach theme and SSR has horse racing theme. OKW is the cheapest points and largest rooms. It is also the oldest. SSR now has the treehouses which look cool.

VWL is close to MK and a nice woodsy feel. One of the smaller resorts.

BC has great beach theme, can walk into Epcot and boat to DHS (MGM for you!). And the #1 reason -- SAB!! This is an awesome pool complex.

Boardwalk has said theme, can walk into Epcot and boat to DHS. It has 2 view categories (standard and boardwalk).

AKV is a large resort but incredibly themed. You buy here if you want to get a savanna view to see the animals. You can also get a Value room which is one of the cheapest points around, so also good if you don't have a lot of points but still want to go. Kidani is newest with larger rooms than Jambo and Kidani has 2nd bathroom with new pool complex.

BLT is monorail hotel. It has standard, Lake and MK views. It is the MOST points to stay here, so if you plan to stay here often, you need to buy a lot of points. Walking to MK is #1 reason to buy here.

The monorail is very tempting to make me want to go BLT but I like that I can walk to EPCOT and boat to MGM from BWV. I have no problem driving to MK and we don't go to AK (which would keep us from buying into AKV....)

The more I hear about BWV the more I want to buy into there...I know Chris wants BLT because the annual dues are cheaper. I'm so torn btwn the two but I know I'll be happy either way.

That is so awesome

Can't wait to see what resort you end up buying into :cool1:

:goodvibes:thumbsup2

oh geez...then why am I getting weight loss ads? :confused3

Are they trying to tell me something?
:sad2:

:confused3

No you are tiny as it is!:cutie:

Marshay

05-20-2009, 12:02 PM

Marshay

05-20-2009, 12:14 PM

So a studio in BWV in Sept with a standard view for 1 week (includes a Fri/Sat night) in 2009: 85 pts (104 for boardwalk view)

1BR is 162 pts (200 bdwk view)
2BR is 222 pts (270 bdwk view)

Just an FYI. If you did the same at BLT
Studio: 103 pts
1BR: 201 pts
2 BR: 272 pts

As you can see, you will need to buy more pts to vacation at BLT than you would at Bdwk since BLT's standard view is basically equivalent to Boardwalk's premium view.

Whatever amount of points you purchase, you need to provide yourself a "buffer" meaning, add on some extra points (10-25?). Although Disney cannot change the # of points for an ENTIRE resort, they can change pts in an individual category (ie. in 2010 your 85 pts studio may actually cost 95 pts, in 2011 it could go up another 20% or it could go down or stay the same. The pts remained the same for many years but WDW just changed the pts in 2010 and caused a complete uproar with folks who had only purchased the EXACT number of pts they needed...so they are now like 1-10 pts short each year...). Disney can adjust the numbers by no more than 20% for any one room category. So you want to be prepared for this. Don't just buy 85 pts.

Marshay

05-20-2009, 12:17 PM

Also remember that the points above are for traveling in Sept or Dec which are the CHEAPEST points. It'll only cost more points if you travel at any other month.

cherbear

05-20-2009, 12:27 PM

Also remember that the points above are for traveling in Sept or Dec which are the CHEAPEST points. It'll only cost more points if you travel at any other month.

So Dec is the same amount of points in Sept? :eek: Or is that just early Dec?

(I'm trying to gain as much information as I can from this b/c I hope to own DVC one day myself)

Marshay

05-20-2009, 12:36 PM

So Dec is the same amount of points in Sept? :eek: Or is that just early Dec?

(I'm trying to gain as much information as I can from this b/c I hope to own DVC one day myself)

Correct, just early Dec...until about Dec 15th or so...date varies each year.

Great clarification.

And actually since Carla said the week after Thanksgiving, some of those days will be in November, which means it'll really be MORE than the pts I had stated above...so she should add about 1-2/pts each day for November.

For Christmas Week it would also be double the amount of points each day!

Leger13

05-20-2009, 12:53 PM

Yes, you can borrow pts at anytime. So you can book a studio and then upgrade by borrowing pts to a 2br as long as there is availability.

BWV looks really nice. It is available thru Disney but you have to ask for it. They won't sell it to you w/o you asking since they are pushing AKV and BLT.

Basically, if they don't have BWV in stock, they will buy up someone's contract from the resale boards and offer it to you.

Remember the contracts for BWV expire in 2042...whereas BLT expires in 2057 or 2060...something like that. So you really need to consider this. BWV can actually be more expensive than BLT since you don't have as many years to use it and WDW is not offering any incentives for BWV...just for BLT and AKV.

When you go this weekend, maybe you can go over to Bdwlk and check it out (if you haven't before).

Ah okay that's good to know. The more I think about it the more I think we'll go with BLT. Mostly because of the end of the Time share thing. I had totally forgotten about that.

That's weird that they will buy up shares from a resale place and offer you that. Huh!

Yeah that's a good idea too. Hopefully we'll have time.

So a studio in BWV in Sept with a standard view for 1 week (includes a Fri/Sat night) in 2009: 85 pts (104 for boardwalk view)

1BR is 162 pts (200 bdwk view)
2BR is 222 pts (270 bdwk view)

Just an FYI. If you did the same at BLT
Studio: 103 pts
1BR: 201 pts
2 BR: 272 pts

As you can see, you will need to buy more pts to vacation at BLT than you would at Bdwk since BLT's standard view is basically equivalent to Boardwalk's premium view.

Whatever amount of points you purchase, you need to provide yourself a "buffer" meaning, add on some extra points (10-25?). Although Disney cannot change the # of points for an ENTIRE resort, they can change pts in an individual category (ie. in 2010 your 85 pts studio may actually cost 95 pts, in 2011 it could go up another 20% or it could go down or stay the same. The pts remained the same for many years but WDW just changed the pts in 2010 and caused a complete uproar with folks who had only purchased the EXACT number of pts they needed...so they are now like 1-10 pts short each year...). Disney can adjust the numbers by no more than 20% for any one room category. So you want to be prepared for this. Don't just buy 85 pts.

I totally get it. I think we'd end up buying 200 pts. Chris only wants to buy required amount but I want more so we can go at least twice a year to WDW or somewhere else that they offer.

Thanks again for all the info! You have been SO great! :goodvibes I was SO confused about it all before but I have been shown the way. Thanks again!! :thumbsup2

cherbear

05-20-2009, 12:55 PM

Correct, just early Dec...until about Dec 15th or so...date varies each year.

Great clarification.

And actually since Carla said the week after Thanksgiving, some of those days will be in November, which means it'll really be MORE than the pts I had stated above...so she should add about 1-2/pts each day for November.

For Christmas Week it would also be double the amount of points each day!

ahh, thanks for the info!

I don't think I will ever make it to Disney for Christmas week in ANY case...

Leger13

05-20-2009, 01:02 PM

Also remember that the points above are for traveling in Sept or Dec which are the CHEAPEST points. It'll only cost more points if you travel at any other month.

Okies cool. I'm sure we'll stick with the cheapest times. Just so we can get the max out of our points :thumbsup2

So Dec is the same amount of points in Sept? :eek: Or is that just early Dec?

(I'm trying to gain as much information as I can from this b/c I hope to own DVC one day myself)

good question

Correct, just early Dec...until about Dec 15th or so...date varies each year.

Great clarification.

And actually since Carla said the week after Thanksgiving, some of those days will be in November, which means it'll really be MORE than the pts I had stated above...so she should add about 1-2/pts each day for November.

For Christmas Week it would also be double the amount of points each day!

so even the day after Thanksgiving is still more points? Weird. Oh well....I can always wait and go the first full week of December. I just want to see the decorations and go to MVMCP:thumbsup2

Marshay

05-20-2009, 05:06 PM

Marshay

05-20-2009, 05:17 PM

Someone just posted this on the DVC Talk emails that I get (they are part of All Ears in case you want to sign up, too)

***
Our guide said that BLT is selling so well and so fast that DVC expects it to sell out faster than anticipated - perhaps within 2 months. She's been close to the mark before. Her outbound voicemail message states that incentives on BLT are changing come June 15th, 2009 and that the price on BLT is also going up (due to the success of BLT sales). They are hoping to drive the sales of their other 3 resorts a bit higher while slowing down sales on BLT.
***

Leger13

05-20-2009, 08:14 PM

I think 200 pts would serve you VERY well, esp for a studio.

We have 230 pts and always do a 1BR for a week. I want more points and once my girls are in school and we can only travel in summer or breaks, then we will definitely need more points (hence why we are looking at BLT).

FYI -- Thanksgiving premium dates this year are Nov 25-27

cool that's good to hear. 200 will be good :thumbsup2

Someone just posted this on the DVC Talk emails that I get (they are part of All Ears in case you want to sign up, too)

***
Our guide said that BLT is selling so well and so fast that DVC expects it to sell out faster than anticipated - perhaps within 2 months. She's been close to the mark before. Her outbound voicemail message states that incentives on BLT are changing come June 15th, 2009 and that the price on BLT is also going up (due to the success of BLT sales). They are hoping to drive the sales of their other 3 resorts a bit higher while slowing down sales on BLT.
***

oh man bummer. Good for Disney but bummer for me. Hopefully I'll still be able to get in somewhere good for a decent price

Leger13

05-20-2009, 08:16 PM

so Chris and I managed to take Friday completely off from work so we can surprise Rebecca by getting to her house by lunch time instead of 1am!! :woohoo:

so shhhhhh it's a secret :thumbsup2

Marshay

05-20-2009, 09:42 PM

oh man bummer. Good for Disney but bummer for me. Hopefully I'll still be able to get in somewhere good for a decent price

Yep, me too. I was hoping to wait until we went in November to check it out...

YEAH!! that you get to leave early!!:banana:

Leger13

05-20-2009, 09:59 PM

Yep, me too. I was hoping to wait until we went in November to check it out...

YEAH!! that you get to leave early!!:banana:

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what's available later. Or do you think you'll buy in before your trip?

Yeah I'm happy about it. Working half the day was going to kill me :laughing:

Marshay

05-20-2009, 10:03 PM

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what's available later. Or do you think you'll buy in before your trip?

Yeah I'm happy about it. Working half the day was going to kill me :laughing:

I'm not sure...I told DH this and he said, well what do our finances look like?

Right now we spent a lot updating the house and getting ready for baby...I was thinking next year, too...but I'd sure hate to pass this by.

I wonder what the next WDW DVC would be...

Leger13

05-20-2009, 10:07 PM

I'm not sure...I told DH this and he said, well what do our finances look like?

Right now we spent a lot updating the house and getting ready for baby...I was thinking next year, too...but I'd sure hate to pass this by.

I wonder what the next WDW DVC would be...

oh bummer.

That's what I'm wondering too....wonder if we can use our sleuthing skills and dig up some rumors :rolleyes1

lovebuzzandwoody

05-20-2009, 10:32 PM

I don't think I will ever make it to Disney for Christmas week in ANY case...

We went once Dec. 26 to Jan. 2..... NEVER again. :sad2: I don't even like to go to the MALL at Christmastime..... what was I thinking? :confused3 Earlier in Dec. is sooooo much better!!! :thumbsup2

Trentmom

05-21-2009, 12:06 AM

so Chris and I managed to take Friday completely off from work so we can surprise Rebecca by getting to her house by lunch time instead of 1am!! :woohoo:

so shhhhhh it's a secret :thumbsup2

That is so awesome :cool1:

We went once Dec. 26 to Jan. 2..... NEVER again. :sad2: I don't even like to go to the MALL at Christmastime..... what was I thinking? :confused3 Earlier in Dec. is sooooo much better!!! :thumbsup2

SO weird that it is like that now

I went on my honeymoon Dec 25th - January 8th and it was dead

like a ghost town

but it was 1998 so guess a lot has changed :laughing:

Leger13

05-21-2009, 09:20 AM

That is so awesome :cool1:

SO weird that it is like that now

I went on my honeymoon Dec 25th - January 8th and it was dead

like a ghost town

but it was 1998 so guess a lot has changed :laughing:

Thanks I'm pretty excited. We'd leave tonight to get down there but we have to show our house sitters all the details of the house/dogs and we have to drop off the other two at my in-laws house. So we're just going to enjoy the evening. I'm still getting my nails done this afternoon and after we get all the things done that we need to do and eat dinner we're going to see the new Terminator movie :thumbsup2

:laughing: yeah things have changed quite a bit it sounds

cherbear

05-21-2009, 09:35 AM

so Chris and I managed to take Friday completely off from work so we can surprise Rebecca by getting to her house by lunch time instead of 1am!! :woohoo:

so shhhhhh it's a secret :thumbsup2

That's awesome! What do you plan to do when you get there since you'll have half a day now?

oh bummer.

That's what I'm wondering too....wonder if we can use our sleuthing skills and dig up some rumors :rolleyes1

or make some up....:rolleyes1

We went once Dec. 26 to Jan. 2..... NEVER again. :sad2: I don't even like to go to the MALL at Christmastime..... what was I thinking? :confused3 Earlier in Dec. is sooooo much better!!! :thumbsup2

I don't like the mall at Christmastime either! Now you've certainly confirmed the Disney thing for me

Leger13

05-21-2009, 10:10 AM

That's awesome! What do you plan to do when you get there since you'll have half a day now?

or make some up....:rolleyes1

I don't like the mall at Christmastime either! Now you've certainly confirmed the Disney thing for me

That's a good question.:rolleyes::laughing: Any suggestions?

:lmao: yeah we could do that.

same here...

jewels1916

05-21-2009, 10:49 AM

Leger13

05-21-2009, 10:55 AM

So...everyone is saying pretty much that the crowds in early December are pretty light? I am wondering...I think that we will be there when Pop Warner is going on...I wonder how that will be affecting crowd levels...
I think you miss the Pop Warner madness, Carla!:santa:

Yeah the first two weeks of December are pretty light....or so I've heard. I don't think the crowd levels will be affected during Pop Warner (people avoid going at that time like the plague!) but you'll just have to put up with excited teenagers (in big groups!)

And guess what I just found out....Pop Warner is doing another banquet THIS weekend AT WDW!!! :scared1::scared1::scared1: :sad2: I'm nervous now....

Apparently Pop Warner Week in December this year is the 6th - 12th so yeah, unfortunately you will be there when they are (where's a thumbs down smiley when you need one!?)

cherbear

05-21-2009, 11:40 AM

That's a good question.:rolleyes::laughing: Any suggestions?

yeah...go check out BLT!!! (and maybe BWV?)

Leger13

05-21-2009, 11:47 AM

yeah...go check out BLT!!! (and maybe BWV?)

Oh now that's a GREAT suggestion! I'll have to put that past Chris :thumbsup2

jewels1916

05-21-2009, 12:02 PM

Oooo...make sure you take pics! :)

Leger13

05-21-2009, 12:03 PM

Oooo...make sure you take pics! :)

::yes:: oh yeah for sure! I can not go to those resorts and take it all in w/o taking pictures to share with you all!

Trentmom

05-21-2009, 12:04 PM

Thanks I'm pretty excited. We'd leave tonight to get down there but we have to show our house sitters all the details of the house/dogs and we have to drop off the other two at my in-laws house. So we're just going to enjoy the evening. I'm still getting my nails done this afternoon and after we get all the things done that we need to do and eat dinner we're going to see the new Terminator movie :thumbsup2

:laughing: yeah things have changed quite a bit it sounds

sounds like a busy, but fun night:wizard:

Leger13

05-21-2009, 12:07 PM

sounds like a busy, but fun night:wizard:

yeah it will be busy but fun for sure. Hopefully it will go by fast.

cherbear

05-21-2009, 01:05 PM

Oh now that's a GREAT suggestion! I'll have to put that past Chris :thumbsup2

oh I know, I am SOOOOOOO great ;)

Leger13

05-21-2009, 02:59 PM

oh I know, I am SOOOOOOO great ;)

yes, yes you are! :hug::thumbsup2:thumbsup2

Leger13

05-21-2009, 03:19 PM

jewels1916

05-21-2009, 03:21 PM

Have a great weekend! :cool1:

Leger13

05-21-2009, 03:28 PM

Have a great weekend! :cool1:

Thanks! You too!! :goodvibes

cherbear

05-21-2009, 03:36 PM

I'm about to leave from work to go home and start my crazy night. I probably won't be able to get online until tomorrow evening or maybe even Sunday (I know I won't have time on Saturday) so I hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend and I will "see" you all when I get back (if not sooner) :thumbsup2 :wave2:

Have fun!! Enjoy your new camera! And have a wonderful anniversary! (I wonder if Chris has any surprises up his sleeve....:rolleyes1)

Marshay

05-21-2009, 06:57 PM

Tat2ddisneymom

05-21-2009, 08:37 PM

I'm about to leave from work to go home and start my crazy night. I probably won't be able to get online until tomorrow evening or maybe even Sunday (I know I won't have time on Saturday) so I hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend and I will "see" you all when I get back (if not sooner) :thumbsup2 :wave2:

Be careful! Did you pack some clothes? Underwear perhaps? Well, you could always to the *other* commando thing.

Sucks we're not going at the same time this time! I'm a few weeks behind you. Darn school!

Trentmom

05-22-2009, 12:53 AM

I'm about to leave from work to go home and start my crazy night. I probably won't be able to get online until tomorrow evening or maybe even Sunday (I know I won't have time on Saturday) so I hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend and I will "see" you all when I get back (if not sooner) :thumbsup2 :wave2:

Hope you have a great weekend!!! and a very Happy Anniversary :love:

Will be waiting for my text message popcorn::

lilpixiebabe101

05-24-2009, 01:03 AM

Hey ladies!!!

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope your having fun this weekend Carla!!!

Can't wait to hear about more of your Dec. plans!

Leger13

05-24-2009, 10:56 AM

Hey Carla...so I called my DVC Guide today...;)

You definitely have to tell me how your tour goes. I was told for BLT:

25-49 pts = $112/pt
50-99 pts = $104/pt
100+ pts = $98/pt

Now since you are new, you can only purchase a larger contract (over 165 pts I believe).

Thanks for the information!! That is cheaper than I thought. I'm not sure if we'll do the DVC tour today or wait until December. :confused3

Be careful! Did you pack some clothes? Underwear perhaps? Well, you could always to the *other* commando thing.

Sucks we're not going at the same time this time! I'm a few weeks behind you. Darn school!

:rotfl: yeah I packed the normal stuff :P! I don't think anyone at disney would like it if I did the other commando :rotfl:

yeah that does suck :( I miss both you and Cheri this year! It's just not the same!!

Hope you have a great weekend!!! and a very Happy Anniversary :love:

Will be waiting for my text message popcorn::

Thanks Sharky! :hug:

Hey ladies!!!

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope your having fun this weekend Carla!!!

Can't wait to hear about more of your Dec. plans!

WOW!! Hey girl!! Where the heck have you been!? Last I heard from you was on MySpace. Glad you are back and you found me! :goodvibes:hug: How have you been??? What's new?? Details girl!!

Thanks! And I can't wait to put up more details up of December :goodvibes

lovebuzzandwoody

05-24-2009, 01:41 PM

That is so awesome :cool1:

SO weird that it is like that now

I went on my honeymoon Dec 25th - January 8th and it was dead

like a ghost town

but it was 1998 so guess a lot has changed :laughing:

It was so not a ghost town when we went.... in fact I am surprised the rest of the country was not empty. :rotfl2:

So...everyone is saying pretty much that the crowds in early December are pretty light? I am wondering...I think that we will be there when Pop Warner is going on...I wonder how that will be affecting crowd levels...
I think you miss the Pop Warner madness, Carla!:santa:

Early December crowds are awesome! :thumbsup2

I've heard that staying at the values during pop warner week is really loud and rowdy. :scared:

CARLA!!! Hope you are having a wonderful anniversary getaway! :lovestruc

Leger13

05-25-2009, 12:05 AM

thank you Love. It has been great! :thumbsup2

Marshay

05-25-2009, 12:33 AM

Oh, forgot to mention that those BLT prices are for an existing member...not sure what new buyers prices are.

Can't wait to hear about your trip!

Trentmom

05-25-2009, 01:04 AM

Can't wait to hear about your mini trip and see some pics

:wizard:

Leger13

05-25-2009, 01:57 PM

Can't wait to hear about your mini trip and see some pics

:wizard:

We made it home about an hour ago. I'll try and get some pics up later tonight. Chris and I need to get the lawn mowed. Didn't have a chance to do it before we went to orlando due to the rain so it's a crazy jungle out there right now LOL!! Poor lexie gets swallowed by the grass LOL.

Trentmom

05-25-2009, 05:07 PM

We made it home about an hour ago. I'll try and get some pics up later tonight. Chris and I need to get the lawn mowed. Didn't have a chance to do it before we went to orlando due to the rain so it's a crazy jungle out there right now LOL!! Poor lexie gets swallowed by the grass LOL.

Welcome Home girl

I hear ya on that lawn. Last week when it rained like 5 days in a row, we had quite the jungle ourselves :laughing:

Leger13

05-25-2009, 06:40 PM

Welcome Home girl

I hear ya on that lawn. Last week when it rained like 5 days in a row, we had quite the jungle ourselves :laughing:

:laughing: glad we're not the only ones it happens too. Gets NUTS with all that rain!!

Leger13

05-25-2009, 07:43 PM

May 22nd:

So we had planned on waking up at about 4:00am to hit the road but when the alarm went off we both fell back asleep HAHA!! We had been out the night before seeing the new Terminator movie which didn't let out until about midnight the night before. There was good action in the movie but not my kind of movie. The boys liked it though.

So we actually woke up around 4:30am and were on the road by 5:00am.

Here are some pictures from the road....

The obligatory Chris driving picture
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0595.jpg

The me ready to get to Orlando picture
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0601.jpg

and the...how's the weather? picture
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0596.jpg

The weather was like that pretty much the whole way down to Orlando. Rain off and on the whole time and we hit some traffic on the Florida Turnpike since they are doing construction on the road near Orlando but all in all it wasn't too awful. We managed to make it to Becca's apartment by 12:00. She had no idea we were getting there so early so she was still out running some errands. When she pulled up and finally saw me her reaction was so funny. She dropped the bags she had in her hand and gave me a great big hug. It was nice to get there so early and surprise her like that. We had told her that I had over nighted a special surprise package to her. She said she liked her surprise

Once we said our hellos and got our stuff inside we decided that we were all pretty hungry so we headed to Friendly's for some eats. That's the very first time that I have been there. The food was okay. I wasn't expecting much there but the Sunday was AWESOME!!!!

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/BeccaandJames-1.jpg

Then for some reason Chris wanted to go to Best Buy. He was looking for a Blue Ray that had come out during the week but they didn't have it so he ended up getting me two CD's (the new Green Day and new Tori Amos) which are both awesome. And we also bought Valkyrie on Blue Ray.

After that Becca and James had an eye exam appointment at 4:30pm so we dropped them off to do that while Chris and I went and relaxed at their apartment. Around 5:30pm or so they were ready to be picked up...Becca had to get a new perscription and James found out he needs glasses but all was good. We headed to DTD from there

(I forgot to get the Welcome to Disney World sign picture)

Here's where we parked
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1133.jpg

The parking lot was PACKED!!

We of course had to head to the Pin Trader store first
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1134.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1135.jpg

Not sure how many of you know this but remember the rinky dink stage they had at DTD for small shows/dance things?? Well, it's HUGE now! They totally re-did it
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1136.jpg

Was this Dino near the LEGO store before? :confused3
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1137.jpg

One of the Dino skeletons outside of the new T-Rex resturant
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1138.jpg

Proof that they are actually doing something in Pleasure Island
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1139.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1141.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1142.jpg

It was really sad. They have an outside DJ booth right accross from where they're doing that construction and they were trying to get passer by's to stop and dance. *sigh* :sad2:

Here's the "Hot Air Balloon" thing that looks REALLY lame!!!! $16 for an adult. Gimme a break! It's basically an elevator to NOTHING!
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1140.jpg

And where was all of this leading us to??

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1147.jpg

It was about an hour long wait but we decided to wait anyways. I'll say this will be the last time we ever go here. It was WAY too crowded.....and WAY WAY WAY too loud. You know you're starting to age when a place like that gives you a headache by the time you leave there. The food was okay.....it just wasn't worth it.

Here's Becca waiting outside
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1150.jpg

But nooooooo we didn't get to wait outside where it was only somewhat loud....we had to wait on the floor we were going to be seated on at the bar where the fin from "Splash" is.

Here's a picture from where we were waiting. It's blurry because I took it with my phone but you can get an idea of how nuts it was
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/download.jpg

Becca trying to hid from the camera
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1151.jpg

Me and Chris
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1152.jpg

My food...I had the turkey club but left out everything but turkey and mayo so it was basically a turkey sandwich :rotfl:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1154.jpg

Chris had the Chicken Parm
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1155.jpg

Becca had the same thing as me but just held the Tomato...everything else was on it.

And I really can't remember what James had. I think it was a Bacon burger or something.

Becca and I did manage to get some really yummy "Buttery Guns" shots once we sat down. That's the only thing that place was good for. At least they have a decent bar tender. And BTW I call those shots the other name but I know you can't say that on DIS....

After we had full tummies we decided we were pretty tired so we went back to Becca and James' apartment and went to bed not long after that.

So that's Day 1 for you. Hope you enjoyed all the pictures. The majority of them were taken with my old camera except for the ones I took in the car on the way to Orlando. The next day there's more pictures with my new camera :thumbsup2

Tat2ddisneymom

05-25-2009, 09:23 PM

yeah that does suck :( I miss both you and Cheri this year! It's just not the same!!

You're right, it isn't the same. It's gonna be weird not running into anyone accidentally on purpose this time.;)

Nice start to your mini trip report. See what I meant about the not having reservations at PH thing? It is a big pain in the butt!

What the heck is that $16 to go up in a hot air balloon that basically stays attached to the ground thing? What is the point? What kind of a doofus would waste their money on something like that?:lmao:

Okay, I had to take a break in the middle of reading your mini report because we had some excitement around here, so I'm sure I'm forgetting something I wanted to comment on. That happens often, though.

Leger13

05-25-2009, 09:28 PM

You're right, it isn't the same. It's gonna be weird not running into anyone accidentally on purpose this time.;)

Nice start to your mini trip report. See what I meant about the not having reservations at PH thing? It is a big pain in the butt!

What the heck is that $16 to go up in a hot air balloon that basically stays attached to the ground thing? What is the point? What kind of a doofus would waste their money on something like that?:lmao:

Okay, I had to take a break in the middle of reading your mini report because we had some excitement around here, so I'm sure I'm forgetting something I wanted to comment on. That happens often, though.

haha yeah that will be weird not running into you accidentally/on purpose. I still remember standing in the middle of MGM looking like a bunch of dummies looking for Cheri :rotfl:

Yeah I totally see what you mean now. Normally we don't have that problem so I dunno how we've gotten so lucky until now. It was nuts!

That's what I was wondering but I saw that dumb thing going up and down multiple times while we were at DTD! I said, "why pay for a ride when you can get on EVERY ride at the parks with the included price of your park ticket!?" It's moronic and I hope that it doesn't stay around soon. It's not even a real hot air balloon. :sad2:

what was the excitement? I hope everything is okay!

Tat2ddisneymom

05-25-2009, 09:31 PM

what was the excitement? I hope everything is okay!

One of the kids' friends got hit by a car. Strangely reminiscent of exactly a year ago today when Kyleigh got hit. I almost started crying when they put him on the backboard and put him in the ambulance. I hate seeing that even more now. He's okay, thank goodness.

Leger13

05-25-2009, 09:33 PM

One of the kids' friends got hit by a car. Strangely reminiscent of exactly a year ago today when Kyleigh got hit. I almost started crying when they put him on the backboard and put him in the ambulance. I hate seeing that even more now. He's okay, thank goodness.

OMG what is it with the drivers not paying attention to the kids playing in the neighborhood!? That is just nuts! Was it the same person that hit Kyleigh?? I'm glad the boy is okay. Thank goodness but geez on the ppl hitting poor children :sad2:

Tat2ddisneymom

05-25-2009, 09:35 PM

Leger13

05-25-2009, 09:42 PM

It happens a lot around here. I don't know if we don't have enough stop signs, if we have inattentive children, or inattentive drivers. I think we all may choose to not even leave the house from now on on Memorial Day weekend.:rolleyes:

That's probably a really good idea. Safer to stay in your homes than out on the dangerous bad driver infested roads.

Marshay

05-26-2009, 12:27 AM

Trentmom

05-26-2009, 12:37 AM

Yay you started your Mini Tr

That is funny that you told Becca you had overnighted a surprise to her :lmao:

Was that really your first time at a Friendlys? Do they not have them in GA? I guess not :laughing:

Bummer on Planet Hollywood. I only went there once and it was loud then :scared1:

Can't wait to hear about your next day:wizard:

Leger13

05-26-2009, 09:21 AM

Hey, Carla!! Great start to your TR. I like the lego dinosaur -- I hadn't seen him before.

I will definitely skip PH.

So sad to see PI now...but one can hope that the new restaurants will be good and they'll figure out some kind of entertainment.

Re: the hot air balloon that really isn't ... before I knew the price, I was definitely one of those "morons" (thanks Tat! ;)) who wanted to do it. I know it would be a great thrill for DD3. However, like everything Disney, the cost is so high. I would NOT pay $16/pp to go on that.

Okay so I'm not going crazy....I hadn't seen him before either.

Yeah your newest addition would be deaf by the time you left there if you went in with her. It was just overly loud! I don't remember it being like that last time we were in there but every time I'm in there the place is so dead so maybe that's why it's so quiet :confused3

Yeah I could see why your DD3 would want to do it. But I would only do it if it was free. Children under 10 years old are $10 to go up in it so it would be $26 just for the two of you to go up. I think it's just really nuts to charge so much!

Yay you started your Mini Tr

That is funny that you told Becca you had overnighted a surprise to her :lmao:

Was that really your first time at a Friendlys? Do they not have them in GA? I guess not :laughing:

Bummer on Planet Hollywood. I only went there once and it was loud then :scared1:

Can't wait to hear about your next day:wizard:

I knew you'd be glad Kelly! :goodvibes

yeah it was pretty silly....she was so happy it was great! :thumbsup2

Yes it really was and no we do not have them in GA unfortunately :( I LOVED the Sunday and want another!!

Yeah, as I said....that will be our last time there.

I'll get it up as soon as I can. Maybe sometime this afternoon if I have the pictures I need uploaded (which I believe I do...);)

lovebuzzandwoody

05-26-2009, 11:17 AM

:yay: Mini-trippie! :yay:

More, please.

popcorn::

Leger13

05-26-2009, 11:47 AM

:yay: Mini-trippie! :yay:

More, please.

popcorn::

I'll do my best to get more up today :goodvibes

jewels1916

05-26-2009, 11:54 AM

Woohoo! You started your mini-TR! :) And I agree...PH is fun once...you can say you've been there...but I wouldn't probably go again. So many other places to try....:)

Leger13

05-26-2009, 12:41 PM

Woohoo! You started your mini-TR! :) And I agree...PH is fun once...you can say you've been there...but I wouldn't probably go again. So many other places to try....:)

Yeah you are SO right there! Chris and I have done LTT and PH so many times on trips I'm sick of them. I already picked out our restaurants for December and they are all ones that we have never been to so I can't wait!

cherbear

05-26-2009, 03:24 PM

haha yeah that will be weird not running into you accidentally/on purpose. I still remember standing in the middle of MGM looking like a bunch of dummies looking for Cheri :rotfl:

:lmao: you mean when I tricked you? :rolleyes1

Yeah I totally see what you mean now. Normally we don't have that problem so I dunno how we've gotten so lucky until now. It was nuts!

That's what I was wondering but I saw that dumb thing going up and down multiple times while we were at DTD! I said, "why pay for a ride when you can get on EVERY ride at the parks with the included price of your park ticket!?" It's moronic and I hope that it doesn't stay around soon. It's not even a real hot air balloon. :sad2:

what was the excitement? I hope everything is okay!

I think it's helium, right?

I do think 16 is too high for less than a 10 minute ride in an attached balloon...especially when if you end up with the maximum amount of people in the balloon, you can't really move around. ( I read about it a couple weeks ago)

One of the kids' friends got hit by a car. Strangely reminiscent of exactly a year ago today when Kyleigh got hit. I almost started crying when they put him on the backboard and put him in the ambulance. I hate seeing that even more now. He's okay, thank goodness.

oh man....Thank God he's okay

I'll do my best to get more up today :goodvibes

:banana::banana::banana:

Yeah you are SO right there! Chris and I have done LTT and PH so many times on trips I'm sick of them. I already picked out our restaurants for December and they are all ones that we have never been to so I can't wait!

ooh I can't wait to hear the restaurants. Will you list them for us after your mini TR is done? will ya, will ya? :hyper:

Leger13

05-26-2009, 09:22 PM

We managed to wake up bright and early. Before the sun even. The plan was to get to MGM 2 hours before park opening so we could get in line for the fast passes for the Ray Park autograph session. Oh yeah and I forgot to mention from Day 1....while we were unpacking my car Chris noticed that my right rear tire had a chuck of rubber missing from it on the side wall and was showing cord. Not good! So we decided to take two cars so Chris and James could take my car to Discount Tire to get it replaced. Luckily I bought the warranty on the tires and I'm so glad I did! Anyways, so we took two cars. Me and Becca in hers and Chris and James in the other. That way since they have AP's both cars got free parking.

Here's Chris and James ready to go
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0606.jpg

And here's me and Becca ready to go
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0608.jpg

We managed to hit the road by 5:30am
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1157.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1158.jpg

And here's where we parked (we were pretty close as you can imagine since we got there so early)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1159.jpg

We made it through baggage check and saw the line that was already started for the Ray Park fast pass
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1160.jpg

We had to stand in the line since we made it there before the boys. A CM came by and counted us we were 164th and 165th in line (tentatively) and they were going to give out 200 FP's and then give out standby FP's...meaning if we got one of those we wouldn't be guaranteed the autograph. Did they not realize how detrimental that would be to my trip!? I was worried! :scared: There were SO many ppl that you just couldn't figure out if they were in line or not :confused3:

Here is a pic of Becca waiting on the boys to show up
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0611.jpg

Finally the boys showed up. They had stopped off to get a Silver Sharpie for Ray to sign Chris' book with
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1162.jpg

Here's a pic of the SWW sign
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1163.jpg

Around 8:15am they started giving out the FP's. JUST before we got up to the front of the line they shouted that actual FP's were run out so we had to get Stand by passes. Now i was REALLY nervous that Chris wasn't going to get his autograph but Chris was trying to stay optimistic. After we got our stand by passes me and Becca split from the boys. They went and tried to get into the stand by line right away but they said they weren't going to do that right away so to try back around 9:30am. So they went and got a couple rides on Star Tours. Becca and I ran over to Customer Service to get me and Chris' Anniversary buttons :thumbsup2 (first weird look of the day....they thought we were lesbians :lmao:). Then we ran over to Toy Story Mania to get FP's before they ran out. (oh and I forgot to mention....it started pouring once we finally made it into the park. And I know I promised a video of the Storm Trooper opening but we were under where they were standing waiting to get into the park so I couldn't see them)

here's some pictures I took on the way over there
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0613.jpg

It stopped raining by the time we made it over to TSM
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0615.jpg

And the FP line after we got our FP's (1:05 - 2:05 return time)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0617.jpg

After we got that the boys were in line waiting to meet Ray Park (tentatively...nothing guaranteed they would go next and Chris was trying to find someone to sell my stand by ticket to LOL) so me and Becca decided to ride TGMR
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0618.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0621.jpg

After we got off that the boys were still waiting........:rolleyes:
So here's what we decided to do
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0624.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0625.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0626.jpg

YUM YUM!!!! I didn't eat all of mine so i took the rest over to Chris and Becca gave the rest of hers to James (aren't we sweet!? ) while they waited in line. On the way over there we passed this
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0627.jpg

And saw that the next show was at 11:00am. It was very near that time so we decided to go check it out! :thumbsup2

I think I'm close to my image limit so I'm gonna stop here for now.

next up.....what did we think of AIE and did the boys make it to meet Ray Park!? Stay tuned to find out!!!

Leger13

05-26-2009, 09:24 PM

I think it's helium, right?

I do think 16 is too high for less than a 10 minute ride in an attached balloon...especially when if you end up with the maximum amount of people in the balloon, you can't really move around. ( I read about it a couple weeks ago)

:banana::banana::banana:

ooh I can't wait to hear the restaurants. Will you list them for us after your mini TR is done? will ya, will ya? :hyper:

Yeah that's what it looks like to me.

yes it is! Such a rip off!

The latest installment is up :thumbsup2

Yes that is the plan!! :goodvibes I just emailed the list to Becca today for approval :thumbsup2

Trentmom

05-26-2009, 09:29 PM

Yay.....another update....we are so spoiled over here :laughing:

WOW....5:30 am...but after seeing the FP line, I can see why:scared1:

Bummer you got the standby one....I really hope Chris gets to meet him :goodvibes

Pretzel looks soooooooooooo goodpopcorn::

Glad the rain stopped so quickly that morning:cool2:

Will be waiting to hear about AI and about Ray Parks :rolleyes1

lovebuzzandwoody

05-26-2009, 09:58 PM

YAY more mini-trippie!

This made me :lmao: ~

(first weird look of the day....they thought we were lesbians )

:rotfl2: You are too funny! :rotfl2:

Love Chris's Star Wars weekend t-shirt! I know 3 boys who would just love to go for SWW! (Married to one, mom to the other 2.)

Love Becca's hat! I would so wear that. :thumbsup2

Mmmmmmmmm... pretzels and coke = breakfast of champions.

Leger13

05-26-2009, 10:00 PM

:laughing: yeah I spoil y'all :P

yeah it was a good thing becca and james were there to scope things out for us the day before.

Yeeah.....I was really worried at that point

and it was sooooo good. the stand was right outside of TGMR so i just couldn't pass it up

Leger13

05-26-2009, 10:02 PM

YAY more mini-trippie!

This made me :lmao: ~

:rotfl2: You are too funny! :rotfl2:

Love Chris's Star Wars weekend t-shirt! I know 3 boys who would just love to go for SWW! (Married to one, mom to the other 2.)

Love Becca's hat! I would so wear that. :thumbsup2

Mmmmmmmmm... pretzels and coke = breakfast of champions.

hehe I was wondering who would catch that! We had some fun with that almost all day :rolleyes1

Thanks! Yeah they would LOVE it and really the crowd isn't all that bad if you know how to navigate the park efficiently. :thumbsup2

Yeah it is a really cute hat!! She has an Eeyore one just like it that is even cuter!

Oh you know it!! :goodvibes

Marshay

05-26-2009, 11:01 PM

Tat2ddisneymom

05-26-2009, 11:11 PM

Tat2ddisneymom

05-26-2009, 11:13 PM

Carla, isn't Ray Parks the guy who sang the song Ghostbusters?:confused3

What did you end up doing about your tire?

Marshay

05-26-2009, 11:17 PM

crowd surfing
mosh pits
walls of death

Ok, I understand the first two...what is "walls of death"

topdog

05-26-2009, 11:19 PM

Whew!!! I finally made it here.

So sorry to hear how crummy your last year's trip was. Hopefully this year will be awesome.

I can tell there is a major difference on the pictures you posted on the last update. The new camera did make a huge improvement. If you really want to add another lens for the next trip, I would suggest either a 24mm f/2.8 or a 35mm f/2. 35mm would be a great walk around lens, yet fast enough for some interior low light shot. For about $250, it worth every penny. 24mm would be a little more pricey, $330, but that's perfect for those outdoor landscape shot.

I wish I was able to go to that Star Wars thing. That would've been fun. I even have an actual film clip from Phantom Menace.

BTW, the Lego dinosaur was there for a long time. I have a picture of him from my 2005 trip.

Tat2ddisneymom

05-26-2009, 11:36 PM

Ok, I understand the first two...what is "walls of death"

How can I explain this???

Imagine a big crowd of people standing in front of a stage. Now imagine that those people split apart, half standing on one side and half on the other. Insane band singer gives the cue, and all those people run toward each other, eventually smashing into each other.

I'd link you to a You Tube video to it, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea to watch.;)

Tat2ddisneymom

05-26-2009, 11:40 PM

Mmmmmmmmm... pretzels and coke = breakfast of champions.

I was thinking that would totally be something my kids would want for breakfast.:lmao:

Marshay

05-26-2009, 11:42 PM

How can I explain this???

Imagine a big crowd of people standing in front of a stage. Now imagine that those people split apart, half standing on one side and half on the other. Insane band singer gives the cue, and all those people run toward each other, eventually smashing into each other.

I'd link you to a You Tube video to it, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea to watch.;)

Really? They "allow" this?? Sounds like it would be too tempting for people to start a huge fight over it, get hurt, etc.

Ok, I'm showing my age now :lmao:

I'm just picturing some battle scenes in the movies (Mummy, Braveheart, etc)

Tat2ddisneymom

05-26-2009, 11:53 PM

Really? They "allow" this?? Sounds like it would be too tempting for people to start a huge fight over it, get hurt, etc.

Ok, I'm showing my age now :lmao:

I'm just picturing some battle scenes in the movies (Mummy, Braveheart, etc)

They don't just allow it, they encourage it. People usually stick to the rules of etiquette and pick people up if they fall. I've never seen it start a fight.

And that's exactly what it's like.:thumbsup2

Trentmom

05-27-2009, 12:40 AM

I was thinking that would totally be something my kids would want for breakfast.:lmao:

Hey, that be something I would want for breakfast :laughing:

Leger13

05-27-2009, 09:33 AM

wow, 5:30am and you still didn't get a regular fastpass!! That is nuts.

I'm guessing that you had some good singers for AIE so you liked it and that the boys did get a signature.

I can't believe the line just to get a FP at TSM for several hours later in the day...

Yeah.....we were kind of ticked off too about that.

And yeah on the TSM but it actually worked out quite well for us :thumbsup2 So now you know in November that if you want to ride that you have to head straight there in the morning to get a FP for the afternoon. The other reason the FP times were probably already in the afternoon that day is because it was EMH's.

Carla, isn't Ray Parks the guy who sang the song Ghostbusters?:confused3

What did you end up doing about your tire?

That was Ray Parker Jr. Close though :)

I'll write about it in the next update. I need to get my trip pictures off of my broken laptop and onto my external hard drive so I can upload the rest to photobucket from Chris' laptop. I'll have my new one on Friday.

Ok, I understand the first two...what is "walls of death"

That's what I was wondering :confused3

Whew!!! I finally made it here.

So sorry to hear how crummy your last year's trip was. Hopefully this year will be awesome.

I can tell there is a major difference on the pictures you posted on the last update. The new camera did make a huge improvement. If you really want to add another lens for the next trip, I would suggest either a 24mm f/2.8 or a 35mm f/2. 35mm would be a great walk around lens, yet fast enough for some interior low light shot. For about $250, it worth every penny. 24mm would be a little more pricey, $330, but that's perfect for those outdoor landscape shot.

I wish I was able to go to that Star Wars thing. That would've been fun. I even have an actual film clip from Phantom Menace.

BTW, the Lego dinosaur was there for a long time. I have a picture of him from my 2005 trip.

:woohoo::woohoo: you made it!! Welcome, Topdog!!

Thanks for the compliment on my pictures! Most of the pictures from the first day of the trip are with the old 8mgp camera from last year but the pictures from day 2 are with the new camera. I was really enjoying using it :thumbsup2And thanks for the tips on a lens to use for December. I just had to buy myself a new netbook because me piece of crap Gateway took a nose dive (literally.....I dropped it:sad2:) and broke last night so a lens will have to wait a few months. Hopefully I"ll be able to afford one before December.

That is awesome that you have a film clip from phantom menace!! You should totally plan a trip sometime in May/June for Star Wars Weekends. It's a lot of fun! :thumbsup2

Ahhhhh okay...thanks for clearing that up :laughing: Shows how much I pay attention!

How can I explain this???

Imagine a big crowd of people standing in front of a stage. Now imagine that those people split apart, half standing on one side and half on the other. Insane band singer gives the cue, and all those people run toward each other, eventually smashing into each other.

I'd link you to a You Tube video to it, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea to watch.;)

:scared1::scared1::scared1:

I was thinking that would totally be something my kids would want for breakfast.:lmao:

:lmao: it's the breakfast of champions when you're at WDW!

Really? They "allow" this?? Sounds like it would be too tempting for people to start a huge fight over it, get hurt, etc.

Ok, I'm showing my age now :lmao:

I'm just picturing some battle scenes in the movies (Mummy, Braveheart, etc)

:rotfl: that's what I'm picturing too. That's just nuts!

Hey, that be something I would want for breakfast :laughing:

:rotfl::rotfl:

cherbear

05-27-2009, 09:34 AM

How can I explain this???

Imagine a big crowd of people standing in front of a stage. Now imagine that those people split apart, half standing on one side and half on the other. Insane band singer gives the cue, and all those people run toward each other, eventually smashing into each other.

I'd link you to a You Tube video to it, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea to watch.;)

:scared1: I never would have thought that's what it was. Thanks for explaining.

cherbear

05-27-2009, 09:36 AM

what a great update!!!! That line for the FP for TSM was just :scared1:

cherbear

05-27-2009, 09:38 AM

Hey, that be something I would want for breakfast :laughing:

I hear that...:rotfl:

cherbear

05-27-2009, 09:39 AM

*rubbing hands together* okay...I'm ready for more!!!! popcorn::

Leger13

05-27-2009, 10:10 AM

what a great update!!!! That line for the FP for TSM was just :scared1:

Thanks girl! Yeah it was crazy! And that was AFTER we got our FP's. (I took the picture while I was waiting on Becca to come out of the bathroom)

*rubbing hands together* okay...I'm ready for more!!!! popcorn::

I think I have enough pictures on Photobucket already for another update.....:thumbsup2

cherbear

05-27-2009, 10:55 AM

Thanks girl! Yeah it was crazy! And that was AFTER we got our FP's. (I took the picture while I was waiting on Becca to come out of the bathroom)

I think I have enough pictures on Photobucket already for another update.....:thumbsup2

:banana::woohoo::yay::dance3::cheer2:

popcorn::popcorn::

Marshay

05-27-2009, 11:39 AM

I think I have enough pictures on Photobucket already for another update.....:thumbsup2

popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::

kaoden39

05-27-2009, 09:34 PM

:3dglasses

lovebuzzandwoody

05-27-2009, 10:15 PM

I think I have enough pictures on Photobucket already for another update.....:thumbsup2

:confused3

Leger13

05-28-2009, 08:39 AM

Sorry I didn't get an update in last night. I was in such a bad mood after I got home from work that I went to bed at 8:30. Everything seems to be breaking for me lately. Now I'm having my garage door opener fixed today to the tune of $90 to replace the circuit board. :headache:

jewels1916

05-28-2009, 11:09 AM

Leger13

05-28-2009, 11:55 AM

I have picked out restaurants for December too! Although...I keep changing them. I'll read someone's TR, and they will post pics, and I'll think, that looks so good! So it's just another restaurant I've added to the list. Hehe....

Oooo.....cliffhanger on the TR.........hope today is a better day for you! :) :hug:

:lmao: I've done that too. That's the danger I have found in reading a lot of TR's. You get lots of good ideas but then it's hard to make the final decision on some things.

Thanks girl! So far so good. :goodvibes

Leger13

05-28-2009, 12:21 PM

So last I left you we had just fed the boys while they waited in line to meet Ray Park and we were on our way here
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0627.jpg

They were just about to let people into the theater when a CM saw my Anniversary button and said "Happy Anniversary". I said "thank you" (he was smiling pretty big) and then turned around to say something to Becca. When I turned back to the CM his smile was leaving his face and his eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head. Funny look of the day #2! :lmao: It was priceless and I wish I could have taken a picture of his reaction. We said nothing and I began to snap pictures of the cue
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0628.jpg

And then more pictures once we were inside (the theater is awesome!)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0631.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0632.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0633.jpg

And then a pep guy came out to get the crowd all riled up. FUN!!
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0636.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0634.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0640.jpg

And then the host came out. I have no idea why they didn't go with someone that would have resembled Ryan. The judges all resemble the real judges so why didn't they do that with the host!? :confused3
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0641.jpg

The judges
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0643.jpg

And the contestants
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0642.jpg

The first girl was a 16 year old. She was cute. I don't remember what song she sang but you could barely hear her over the music they were playing. It almost sounded like she wasn't singing at all since the background singers on the song were so loud. :sad2: From what I could hear it was like listening to a typical 16 yo sing.

The middle lady was a Home Shopping Network host. Cool huh? She was REALLY spunky!! They did showed a recorded interview with her from earlier in the day like they do with the actual contestants on the show. Was pretty cool. This lady said she was nervous but you couldn't tell. She sang "Hit Me With Your Best Shot". The 16 year old was better than her so at that point I was thinking I was going to vote for her.

But then the last girl came up. She had just graduated from College and a TON of her friends were in the audience. She sang her song (can't remember what it was but it was a good song) and she did AWESOME!! I mean, I was blown away. And of course she was the one that won that round. WooHoo!! She did so great :) I really hope she won the final round at the end of the day. She was awesome.

All in all AIE was awesome and I think it will be something I hit again in December since it will be different every time I go in there. That's the genius part of that attraction.

While we were in AIE Chris texted me and said him and James got their autograph! WOOHOO!! Man was I happy! He was too. He said they were the last two to go for that signing session. That worked out perfectly.
Here is the book Chris got autographed.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/4190_101440322999_668857999_2616029.jpg

A picture Chris took on his way to Star Tours (forgot to put this in the last update)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1164.jpg

Waiting to meet Ray (isn't he so HOT!?!? *drool*)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1165.jpg

Chris talking to the hottie
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1167.jpg

Chris was SO happy! Can you tell??
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1168.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1169.jpg

I don't have the pictures that James took yet but he's supposed to email them to me. I'll post them as soon as I get them.

After the boys got their autographs Chris found someone to buy his other FP ticket to meet Ray from him. Chris bought a new star wars hat with the money. Then they went and road TGMR since me and Becca were still in AIE.

When we finally got out of AIE there were people lining up on the streets and it was really annoying because I just couldn't figure out why they were all standing there like that!! :confused3 They kept getting in my way. All I wanted to do was go to the Hat to shop for pins. Grrrrr!!

Up next: Will Becca and I make it through the sea of idiots lining up on the streets?? Will we figure out what they were lined up for?? Why are we so oblivious!? :lmao: Stay tuned to find out!:thumbsup2

cherbear

05-28-2009, 01:59 PM

So last I left you we had just fed the boys while they waited in line to meet Ray Park and we were on our way here
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0627.jpg

They were just about to let people into the theater when a CM saw my Anniversary button and said "Happy Anniversary". I said "thank you" (he was smiling pretty big) and then turned around to say something to Becca. When I turned back to the CM his smile was leaving his face and his eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head. Funny look of the day #2! :lmao: It was priceless and I wish I could have taken a picture of his reaction. We said nothing and I began to snap pictures of the cue
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0628.jpg

:rotfl:

And then more pictures once we were inside (the theater is awesome!)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0631.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0632.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0633.jpg

And then a pep guy came out to get the crowd all riled up. FUN!!
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0636.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0634.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0640.jpg

And then the host came out. I have no idea why they didn't go with someone that would have resembled Ryan. The judges all resemble the real judges so why didn't they do that with the host!? :confused3
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0641.jpg

Some pictures I had seen previously showed a male host that looked similar to Ryan. I'm sure they have several hosts and I guess they wanted to change it up sometimes. Oh well :confused3

The judges
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0643.jpg

And the contestants
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0642.jpg

These aren't the only pics I've seen of this show, and every time I wonder what the deal is...everything I read leading up to the show's opening had said the contestants would have a mini experience of what the real AI is like--including hair/makeup(and I thought stylist too but doesn't look as if that could be true)

Did it look like they were a little "glammed up" from what you could see?

The first girl was a 16 year old. She was cute. I don't remember what song she sang but you could barely hear her over the music they were playing. It almost sounded like she wasn't singing at all since the background singers on the song were so loud. :sad2: From what I could hear it was like listening to a typical 16 yo sing.

The middle lady was a Home Shopping Network host. Cool huh? She was REALLY spunky!! They did showed a recorded interview with her from earlier in the day like they do with the actual contestants on the show. Was pretty cool. This lady said she was nervous but you couldn't tell. She sang "Hit Me With Your Best Shot". The 16 year old was better than her so at that point I was thinking I was going to vote for her.

But then the last girl came up. She had just graduated from College and a TON of her friends were in the audience. She sang her song (can't remember what it was but it was a good song) and she did AWESOME!! I mean, I was blown away. And of course she was the one that won that round. WooHoo!! She did so great :) I really hope she won the final round at the end of the day. She was awesome.

All in all AIE was awesome and I think it will be something I hit again in December since it will be different every time I go in there. That's the genius part of that attraction.

thanks for the review. I am looking forward to seeing this one. (AND auditioning!)

While we were in AIE Chris texted me and said him and James got their autograph! WOOHOO!! Man was I happy! He was too. He said they were the last two to go for that signing session. That worked out perfectly.
Here is the book Chris got autographed.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/4190_101440322999_668857999_2616029.jpg

I knew they would! But wow, had no idea it'd be that close!

A picture Chris took on his way to Star Tours (forgot to put this in the last update)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1164.jpg

Waiting to meet Ray (isn't he so HOT!?!? *drool*)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1165.jpg

ohmygosh, yes!

Chris talking to the hottie
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1167.jpg

Chris was SO happy! Can you tell??
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1168.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1169.jpg

I don't have the pictures that James took yet but he's supposed to email them to me. I'll post them as soon as I get them.

After the boys got their autographs Chris found someone to buy his other FP ticket to meet Ray from him. Chris bought a new star wars hat with the money. Then they went and road TGMR since me and Becca were still in AIE.

I'm a tad confused...I thought Chris and James were the last ones to see Ray How'd he sell his FP ticket?

Also did he have an extra one b/c he and James shared? Or am I forgetting something from the last update?

cherbear

05-28-2009, 02:01 PM

When we finally got out of AIE there were people lining up on the streets and it was really annoying because I just couldn't figure out why they were all standing there like that!! :confused3 They kept getting in my way. All I wanted to do was go to the Hat to shop for pins. Grrrrr!!

Up next: Will Becca and I make it through the sea of idiots lining up on the streets?? Will we figure out what they were lined up for?? Why are we so oblivious!? :lmao: Stay tuned to find out!:thumbsup2

hmm...parade? Or was it Kris Allen?!!! :banana:

Leger13

05-28-2009, 02:11 PM

:rotfl:

Some pictures I had seen previously showed a male host that looked similar to Ryan. I'm sure they have several hosts and I guess they wanted to change it up sometimes. Oh well :confused3

These aren't the only pics I've seen of this show, and every time I wonder what the deal is...everything I read leading up to the show's opening had said the contestants would have a mini experience of what the real AI is like--including hair/makeup(and I thought stylist too but doesn't look as if that could be true)

Did it look like they were a little "glammed up" from what you could see?

thanks for the review. I am looking forward to seeing this one. (AND auditioning!)

I knew they would! But wow, had no idea it'd be that close!

ohmygosh, yes!

I'm a tad confused...I thought Chris and James were the last ones to see Ray How'd he sell his FP ticket?

Also did he have an extra one b/c he and James shared? Or am I forgetting something from the last update?

Oh okay yeah that makes sense. I'd still go with a male host even if it is changed up. I wasn't too fond of that girl

heh no they weren't "glammed up" at all! They looked like they were just in the clothes they were walking around the park in all sweaty and sticky. :confused3

You're quite welcome! I hope you do get to audition. They picked the HSN host because she wore that glittery top. Maybe you can wear something like that next time you go to MGM so they will pick you. The judges said "I love that you brought your own disco ball with you" :lmao::lmao:

yeah....it was close for the 1st session for them. It would have sucked if we had to of waited for the next one.

hehe glad I'm not the only one that thinks Ray is hot. He's playing Snake Eyes in the new G.I. Joe movie coming out :thumbsup2

Well, there were 3 autograph sessions. They were the last ones to get in for the first session before Ray took a break. If they hadn't of gotten in on that session they would have had to try for the 2nd session. the Stand by passes had numbers on them. James and Chris had 23 and 24. They told them that they will take 25 ppl in the stand by line after the ppl with actual FP's went which is why it was so close for Chris and James to get in on the first session. And the reason Chris had an extra stand by pass is because me and Becca went ahead and got stand by passes too just in case. So Chris had mine (that was the one he sold) and James had Becca's. Does that clear things up? Sorry for the confusion

Leger13

05-28-2009, 02:12 PM

hmm...parade? Or was it Kris Allen?!!! :banana:

:confused3:confused: You'll just have to wait and see :rolleyes1

cherbear

05-28-2009, 02:23 PM

Oh okay yeah that makes sense. I'd still go with a male host even if it is changed up. I wasn't too fond of that girl

heh no they weren't "glammed up" at all! They looked like they were just in the clothes they were walking around the park in all sweaty and sticky. :confused3

You're quite welcome! I hope you do get to audition. They picked the HSN host because she wore that glittery top. Maybe you can wear something like that next time you go to MGM so they will pick you. The judges said "I love that you brought your own disco ball with you" :lmao::lmao:

yeah....it was close for the 1st session for them. It would have sucked if we had to of waited for the next one.

hehe glad I'm not the only one that thinks Ray is hot. He's playing Snake Eyes in the new G.I. Joe movie coming out :thumbsup2

Well, there were 3 autograph sessions. They were the last ones to get in for the first session before Ray took a break. If they hadn't of gotten in on that session they would have had to try for the 2nd session. the Stand by passes had numbers on them. James and Chris had 23 and 24. They told them that they will take 25 ppl in the stand by line after the ppl with actual FP's went which is why it was so close for Chris and James to get in on the first session. And the reason Chris had an extra stand by pass is because me and Becca went ahead and got stand by passes too just in case. So Chris had mine (that was the one he sold) and James had Becca's. Does that clear things up? Sorry for the confusion

oh that makes perfect sense. Thanks for explaining!

And I meant to say I loved Ray's Gi Joe shirt! I want one!

LOL @ the Disco ball top.

Leger13

05-28-2009, 02:28 PM

oh that makes perfect sense. Thanks for explaining!

And I meant to say I loved Ray's Gi Joe shirt! I want one!

LOL @ the Disco ball top.

Glad it makes sense now. You're welcome :)

Oh I know! I love it too! I'm sure they will be selling them everywhere when the movie comes out.

lovebuzzandwoody

05-28-2009, 10:39 PM

::yes:: agreeing to the hotness.

great cliffhanger...... don't leave us hanging too long though! :rotfl:

Marshay

05-28-2009, 10:56 PM

Thanks so much for putting pics of AIE. I really want to see this but it'll have to wait until my girls are older or I go by myself.

Yeah for autographs!

So I am now 2 for 2 (yes, to autographs and that you'd like AIE)...hmmm, the parade...I like the Kris Allen answer...I wouldn't have thought of that....my first guess was Storm Troopers or something SW related...

Trentmom

05-29-2009, 04:38 AM

Yay, glad they got their autographs ;)

was going to ask you about selling FP, but Cheri beat me to it..thanks for explaining..I get it now :laughing:

Yes, Ray Parks looks like he has a slammin body:lovestruc

Loved the pics of AIE....looks awesome in there:wizard:

I think only the finalists at the end of the day get glammed up

Hmmm...I am guessing it was time for the Stars Wars Motorcade Parade or something like that :confused:

popcorn::

cherbear

05-29-2009, 09:40 AM

Leger13

05-29-2009, 12:00 PM

::yes:: agreeing to the hotness.

great cliffhanger...... don't leave us hanging too long though! :rotfl:

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 Well it looks like the census agrees...Ray Park is one hot mama!!

Thanks so much for putting pics of AIE. I really want to see this but it'll have to wait until my girls are older or I go by myself.

Yeah for autographs!

So I am now 2 for 2 (yes, to autographs and that you'd like AIE)...hmmm, the parade...I like the Kris Allen answer...I wouldn't have thought of that....my first guess was Storm Troopers or something SW related...

You're welcome! Yeah you probably don't want to take Elie in there. It is quite loud. But Rachel might enjoy it. Someone that was sitting directly behind me brought a baby in there and the baby was screaming the whole time. The ppl in the row in front of me kept blatently giving her rude stares to shut the baby up. I really HATE when ppl do that. I wanted to slap her in her face and tell her to calm down that the woman was doing everything she could to hush the baby. She couldn't have gotten out either because once you're in the row there's no getting out w/o everyone standing up and letting you by and we were all in the center of the row. Granted, that woman probably should not have brought the baby in but rude looks don't do anything but make the person giving them look like a huge A$$. It really made me angry. Okay rant over...sorry for that LOL!

:rolleyes1

Yay, glad they got their autographs ;)

was going to ask you about selling FP, but Cheri beat me to it..thanks for explaining..I get it now :laughing:

Yes, Ray Parks looks like he has a slammin body:lovestruc

Loved the pics of AIE....looks awesome in there:wizard:

I think only the finalists at the end of the day get glammed up

Hmmm...I am guessing it was time for the Stars Wars Motorcade Parade or something like that :confused:

popcorn::

wow :scared1: I beat Kelly to something! :faint:

Thanks Sharky, I was so glad too!

Glad you understand the Fast Pass thing :thumbsup2

haha slamin'! LOVE that description of him. Cause he DOES have a slamin' hot bod!!

Ah yeah that makes sense.

cherbear

05-29-2009, 12:26 PM

more? popcorn::

Leger13

05-29-2009, 12:27 PM

more? popcorn::

:laughing: I'll see what I can do. I seem to have some down time right now. It's been a busy morning. And my Dad is in kind of a sour mood but I can probably write something up pretty quickly.

Leger13

05-29-2009, 12:39 PM

So for those of you that guessed that everyone was lined up on the streets for Kris...you were........wrong:sad2:

Becca and I finally made it over to the Hat and then I heard some music that sounded like Star Wars music! So I realized that I had read something about a Star Wars Motorcade happening sometime in the afternoon :idea: So I txtd Chris to find out when it was supposed to be (remember, they were still in TGMR!) and he said he didn't know. So I high tailed it over to the mob and sure enough it was the Star Wars Motorcade. I wasn't able to get a good view but I lifted my camera over everyone's heads to get a few pictures. Sorry for the quality of these and for the backs of everyone's heads but if my silly self had figured out what was going on sooner I would have been able to get a great spot :headache: Anyways, here are the ones that turned out not too terribly

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0646.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0653.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0657.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0671.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0676.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0678.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0680.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0687.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0689.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0696.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0697.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0700.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0703.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0716.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0725.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0731.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0750.jpg

I didn't realize Darth was coming! Boooooooo for the picture I got.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0752.jpg

And that was the end of the motorcade. It was REALLY cool what I could see of it. And the boys missed all of it. They finally came out of TGMR just after it was over. Oh well.

So where were we off to next? Stay tuned to find out......:thumbsup2

cherbear

05-29-2009, 12:40 PM

:laughing: I'll see what I can do. I seem to have some down time right now. It's been a busy morning. And my Dad is in kind of a sour mood but I can probably write something up pretty quickly.

oh goodie! It's been a super busy morning for me too. I'm glad cuz if I'm busy than at least the time goes by a little bit quicker. Thank God it's Friday and I leave an hour earlier on Fridays (4)

sorry your dad is in a sour mood...

(really I just want to find out if I was right about the mob...:laughing:)

Leger13

05-29-2009, 12:48 PM

oh goodie! It's been a super busy morning for me too. I'm glad cuz if I'm busy than at least the time goes by a little bit quicker. Thank God it's Friday and I leave an hour earlier on Fridays (4)

sorry your dad is in a sour mood...

(really I just want to find out if I was right about the mob...:laughing:)

Oh yeah that is good. It does fly by for sure when you're busy. Maybe I'll try to get another update up before the day is over since the last one was mostly pictures.

Eh....it happens. He's not really taking it out on me but I just hate having to walk around on egg shells so he doesn't decide to take it out on me. KWIM?

:laughing: well, I think you were one of the ones that guessed Kris was there so that means you were wrong. Better luck next time :P

jewels1916

05-29-2009, 12:50 PM

Ah, Star Wars Motorcade. Ha ha. I've never been during SW weekends...:goodvibes

Leger13

05-29-2009, 12:51 PM

Ah, Star Wars Motorcade. Ha ha. I've never been during SW weekends...:goodvibes

Yup :thumbsup2 If you like Star Wars at all you should check it out. This was a rare year that they started SWW in May. Usually it starts in June but if you can catch it in a year that it starts in May I highly recommend it! June is just too darned hot!

jewels1916

05-29-2009, 12:55 PM

Yup :thumbsup2 If you like Star Wars at all you should check it out. This was a rare year that they started SWW in May. Usually it starts in June but if you can catch it in a year that it starts in May I highly recommend it! June is just too darned hot!

:lmao: I am going to add it to my list of "Events to visit WDW During" !! :)

PookieB

05-29-2009, 12:55 PM

Great TR & pics! I would love to go during a Star Wars weekend. I hope they do it again in May next year. :goodvibes

Leger13

05-29-2009, 12:57 PM

:lmao: I am going to add it to my list of "Events to visit WDW During" !! :)

:laughing: and how long is the list??

Great TR & pics! I would love to go during a Star Wars weekend. :goodvibes

:welcome: And thank you! I think I've seen you on a couple other TR's I'm reading so nice of you to check mine out too! :goodvibes

I for sure recommend SWW. They have so much going on and it's a great way to meet celebs that you would otherwise not have a high chance at meeting. Disney really goes all out for this event.

jewels1916

05-29-2009, 01:02 PM

:laughing: and how long is the list??

*starts counting. Runs out of fingers. And toes.* :lmao::rotfl2:

Leger13

05-29-2009, 01:04 PM

*starts counting. Runs out of fingers. And toes.* :lmao::rotfl2:

:rotfl::rotfl: I had a feeling it was a lot like my list. And it's never ending too because Disney is always adding new and exciting things to attend. Oh well, guess we'll just have to plan more trips to WDW :rolleyes:

cherbear

05-29-2009, 01:05 PM

that looked awesome! Thanks for updating at my request :blush:

cherbear

05-29-2009, 01:09 PM

Oh yeah that is good. It does fly by for sure when you're busy. Maybe I'll try to get another update up before the day is over since the last one was mostly pictures.

Eh....it happens. He's not really taking it out on me but I just hate having to walk around on egg shells so he doesn't decide to take it out on me. KWIM?

:laughing: well, I think you were one of the ones that guessed Kris was there so that means you were wrong. Better luck next time :P

yeah I know EXACTLY what you mean.

:laughing::laughing: very funny...:P

jewels1916

05-29-2009, 01:11 PM

:rotfl::rotfl: I had a feeling it was a lot like my list. And it's never ending too because Disney is always adding new and exciting things to attend. Oh well, guess we'll just have to plan more trips to WDW :rolleyes:

More trips to WDW? Do I *have* to? Twist my arm....:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Leger13

05-29-2009, 01:35 PM

that looked awesome! Thanks for updating at my request :blush:

:rotfl: I'm happy to oblige ma'am! :goodvibes

yeah I know EXACTLY what you mean.

:laughing::laughing: very funny...:P

:thumbsup2

hehe I know, I'm just hysterical!

More trips to WDW? Do I *have* to? Twist my arm....:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

:laughing::laughing: I know, it's such a chore

Leger13

05-29-2009, 01:39 PM

I'll give you a little preview of the next update.....

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0753.jpg

This might make you be able to guess where we went after meeting back up with the boys after the Motorcade

but also.....there's something not quite right about this picture.....notice it?? :rolleyes1:lmao:

cherbear

05-29-2009, 03:01 PM

Leger13

05-29-2009, 03:03 PM

oh no y'all didn't! :rotfl::rotfl2::lmao:

:rolleyes::rolleyes1:lmao:::yes::

Marshay

05-29-2009, 04:18 PM

Thanks for posting the SW Motorcade pics...I haven't seen any of these yet. Love those stormtroopers!:thumbsup2

Trentmom

05-29-2009, 08:07 PM

Trent loved your SW Parade pics

Love how many stormtroopers there were...so cool:thumbsup2

Nice Pin Becca;)

I know where you are....:goodvibes

Leger13

05-30-2009, 11:46 AM

Thanks for posting the SW Motorcade pics...I haven't seen any of these yet. Love those stormtroopers!:thumbsup2

You're quite welcome! :thumbsup2 I love them too. Was really neat to see so many of them like that.

Trent loved your SW Parade pics

Love how many stormtroopers there were...so cool:thumbsup2

Nice Pin Becca;)

I know where you are....:goodvibes

Glad Trent enjoyed them! You should take him to SWW one year. It really is fun and like I told Jewels, if you can catch it in a year where they start it in May around Memorial day the heat really isn't that bad. Nothing like June!

Yeah seeing that many at one time was really neat.

hehe thanks :laughing:

:goodvibes

Leger13

05-30-2009, 11:49 AM

So I got my new laptop and I'm LOVING it!! :lovestruc It's super tiny so the keyboard is taking some getting used to so you'll have to excuse my typo's. Plus my long nails are getting in the way too. Very frustrating. I just wish the fake ones would come off already. I got one off so far. Now for the rest. Anyways, I should be able to upload the rest of my mini TR pictures a lot easier now. :thumbsup2

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Trentmom

05-30-2009, 06:17 PM

You're quite welcome! :thumbsup2 I love them too. Was really neat to see so many of them like that.

Glad Trent enjoyed them! You should take him to SWW one year. It really is fun and like I told Jewels, if you can catch it in a year where they start it in May around Memorial day the heat really isn't that bad. Nothing like June!

Yeah seeing that many at one time was really neat.

hehe thanks :laughing:

:goodvibes

Yeah..I might have to do that.

I doube he would want to stand in line to meet anyone

But he would love to see that parade for sure :goodvibes

So I got my new laptop and I'm LOVING it!! :lovestruc It's super tiny so the keyboard is taking some getting used to so you'll have to excuse my typo's. Plus my long nails are getting in the way too. Very frustrating. I just wish the fake ones would come off already. I got one off so far. Now for the rest. Anyways, I should be able to upload the rest of my mini TR pictures a lot easier now. :thumbsup2

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Awesome..gla you are liking the new laptop

Try soaking them in some water....fake nails can be such a pain, even though they are so pretty

popcorn::

Leger13

05-31-2009, 09:18 AM

Yeah..I might have to do that.

I doube he would want to stand in line to meet anyone

But he would love to see that parade for sure :goodvibes

Awesome..gla you are liking the new laptop

Try soaking them in some water....fake nails can be such a pain, even though they are so pretty

popcorn::

yeah and the Jedi training accademy....

Well, as you know I got 8 of them off so at least I can type easier. Only thing about this laptop is that having long fake nails doesn't help typing w/o constant typo's. I now only have the thumbs on but that's not a big deal.

lovebuzzandwoody

05-31-2009, 02:29 PM

topdog

05-31-2009, 07:31 PM

Oh cool!! I wish I was there to watch the parade. I would've fire off my camera like a machine gun. LOL...

Less me guess...you bought one of those netbook with a 9 inches screen that's either made by Acer or HP. I want to get one of those too. My UPMC is very convenience to carry but the screen is just too small to read. Forget about even typing. It's like a giant version of blackberry. It's only good to copy files on a fly with my CF card when I am on site. I need to check out one of those netbook too.

lilpixiebabe101

05-31-2009, 09:28 PM

WOW!! Hey girl!! Where the heck have you been!? Last I heard from you was on MySpace. Glad you are back and you found me! :goodvibes:hug: How have you been??? What's new?? Details girl!!

Thanks! And I can't wait to put up more details up of December :goodvibes

Hey!!! I know ive been AWOL for a while... been tied up with a few too many things.. I love the mini trip TR so far (gotta get on the other comp that actually loads pics for a while to check them out).... Hopefully fixing to start a TR. My parents are taking Alexa on her first trip in either Dec or Jan. Can't wait ti read more. I guess i also need to update my sig with a pic of Miss Alexa huh?

Leger13

06-01-2009, 09:04 AM

LOVED the motorcade pics!!! I had to holler at my boys and have them come look too! Now they are dying to go to SWW!!! Muwhahahahaha my evil plan is now in motion! :stir:

I forgot to post this on our other thread... your laptop at Office Max was $299. :thumbsup2

Glad you and the boys enjoyed the Motorcade pictures. hehehe I love evil plans :laughing:

Oh wow that's a great price!! Totally jump on that!

Oh cool!! I wish I was there to watch the parade. I would've fire off my camera like a machine gun. LOL...

Less me guess...you bought one of those netbook with a 9 inches screen that's either made by Acer or HP. I want to get one of those too. My UPMC is very convenience to carry but the screen is just too small to read. Forget about even typing. It's like a giant version of blackberry. It's only good to copy files on a fly with my CF card when I am on site. I need to check out one of those netbook too.

:laughing: I'm sure you would have and I bet you would have gotten way better pictures than I did. Mine would have turned out better if I had gotten a better spot to watch the parade from. I wish I would have realized what was going on sooner.

Oh yeah you for sure need a bigger screen than that UPMC. And yes I got the Acer Aspire One 10.1" screen. It's not too small and not too big either. It's really just right. I highly recommend it. I think it's Verison that's selling the HP model with a 3G network card inside of it if you are interested in that. The netbook is only $300 but then you have to pay for the wireless service but if you travel a lot then I'd think it would be worth it.

Hey!!! I know ive been AWOL for a while... been tied up with a few too many things.. I love the mini trip TR so far (gotta get on the other comp that actually loads pics for a while to check them out).... Hopefully fixing to start a TR. My parents are taking Alexa on her first trip in either Dec or Jan. Can't wait ti read more. I guess i also need to update my sig with a pic of Miss Alexa huh?

That's very cool that your parents are taking Alexa on her first trip to WDW. Are you not going?? :confused3 And yes you need to update your siggie with pictures of her. I haven't seen any updated pictures on your MySpace in a while either :confused3 But glad you are back and posting :thumbsup2

jewels1916

06-01-2009, 11:10 AM

Woohoo!! Heh...just checkin' in and saying hey! (and waiting for more SWW updates.) :rolleyes1

Leger13

06-01-2009, 11:25 AM

Woohoo!! Heh...just checkin' in and saying hey! (and waiting for more SWW updates.) :rolleyes1

Hey girl! Happy Monday! Thanks for checking in. I'm going to work on an update here in a few minutes. I'm just about cought up with my Monday morning work.

Leger13

06-01-2009, 02:32 PM

Okay so I lied....it looks like an update isn't going to happen before I leave work today but I will do my best to get one out here after going to the grocery store this afternoon.

Leger13

06-02-2009, 09:16 AM

So last I left you we were headed somewhere new after meeting up with the boys and I left you with this picture to try and figure it out

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0753.jpg

Well, if you guessed we were in Pizza Planet, you guessed correctly so give yourself a round of applause. But did you notice the button that Becca is now wearing? That's right folks.....Becca stole Chris' "happy anniversary" button haha!!

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1170.jpg

So once we got to Pizza Planet we sent the boys to get food and we went on a scavenger hunt for a table. There were 4 other families upstairs doing the same thing *sigh*. It wasn't looking very promising that we were going to get a table any time soon. This is the one thing I hate about table service restaurants in WDW. The great table scavenger hunt. So we wait, and we wait and we waited some more. Finally a table freed up but another woman that had been waiting longer than us nabbed it up....which was fine with me since she had been there longer. But then for some reason she decided she didn't need the table so surrendered it up to us! SCORE!! As we sat down Chris called me and asked me if I wanted one of the souvenir coups and I said of course! About 10 minutes the boys showed up with our food. I didn't take any pictures because everyone knows what pizza looks like. It was pretty yummy as Disney Pizza normally is. After our bellies were full and we were about to leave one of the clean up crew guys saw my happy anniversary button and said "happy anniversary" I did the normal thing and said thank you but apparently Becca said thank you at the same time and totally caught him off guard and he said "oh I see we have a ladies celebration here....my apologies". I must confess it was a bit odd but it was funny so I let Becca have her fun. The boys just covered their faces and pretended not to be with us. After that we cleaned up and surrendered our table to the next waiting family (which btw were pretty rude....they didn't even wait for us to get out of the way before they started shoving their way into the seats at the table...grrrrr!).

Here's a picture of Chris and Becca waiting on James to get out of the potty
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1171.jpg

Then it was time for TSM FP's!!! yay!!!! On the way over Becca stopped to do some pin trading and he did the normal Happy Anniversary thing and Becca said thank you and looked at me and I grinned.....and then Chris said "no no no no! It's me and her's anniversary" (as he pointed to me and him) The CM laughed about it and said he would trade pins with Becca even though we were being sneaky. We all had a nice laugh and continued on our treck to TSM. The ride was fun as usual. I came in 3rd place. I think I had like 87,000 points or something like that. Chris had some un-godly score as usual and the "prize" he got was the cat instead of the normal beaver that most everyone gets. He was pretty happy about that. He's so funny at those games...so competitive. I can't wait until the video game version comes out on Wii!!

So after that we decided to leave since it was well after 1:30pm at that point and we still had two other parks to go to. Me and Becca parted ways with the boys yet again because they had to take my car to Discount Tire to get the tire replaced because they are awesome like that! Becca and I were headed to EPCOT!! We drove to the MK parking lot and parked here
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1177.jpg

And we took the monorail over to EPCOT. I just want to say that I think the monorail ride over to EPCOT is my favorite one. It's just SO long and over pretty Florida landscape so I thoroughly enjoyed this ride.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1179.jpg

As we waited for the monorail Chris called to tell me how much it was going to be to replace the tire. We had a warranty on the tires that pretty much replace the tire for free if anything happened to the side wall of the tire but we had to pay labor and the transfer of the warranty from the old tire to the new one so it was about $33. Which of course I had totally forgotten to give Chris any $. I didn't think it was going to cost anything (silly me!) so James loaned Chris the money and I paid Becca back. So good, that was taken care of. What a load off!

And then our monorail arrived!!
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_1180.jpg

The Flower and Garden festival was still going on at EPCOT which I was pretty excited about because I had never seen it before.

Here's some of the pictures I took as we walked into the park
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0754.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/leger13/IMG_0755.jpg

Let me just say the topiaries they do for this event are just breath taking. The gardeners that create these works of art are just so talented and I loved all of the topiaries.

But, I'm going to have to stop here for now because I have more topiary pictures from the front of the park that I haven't had a chance to upload yet dang it!

I hope you enjoyed this update and sorry I didn't get to post it yesterday. Also sorry for the lack of pictures in this update....I promise the next one will have lots more. :thumbsup2