pjstevens
Had our DFTW Vow Renewal on the Wonder
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2005
Our First Trip in December What an amazing deal we got!!!!
We have been to Disney five times (one of those was without the kids). BUT, we have only gone to Disney in August!!!! The hot hot heat of August is a killer, but its the most affordable time to go. We did the free dining twice, so it made it even a better deal.
Our dd, Aubre , is in the Walt Disney World College Program (cp from here on). She went to work for the mouse on September 5th and is returning home on January 4th. I didnt think wed make it that long without seeing her and not being able to celebrate Christmas with her was going to be heartbreaking. Soooo, I talked dh (Dale) into an early December trip. Ive read before about Pop Warner being there the first week, so we decided on the second week of December. We will arrive December 10th and leave to go home on the 15th.
Now for the really good news . Because dd is in the cp, she is considered a cast member (cm), she is able to get discounts on rooms for us. But, at this time of year there is a special Disney Family Holiday discounts!!! WOOHOO!!!!
I guess I need to do an intro:
Me Patty (the mom) the Disney obsessed planner. I work 33 hours a week as an administrative assistant. I have some slower days where I then surf all the Disney planning sites and plan and plan and plan some more.
DH Dale (the dad) the one who puts up with all my planning and obsessing.
DD Aubre our princess who is doing the Walt Disney World College Program. She is working at Sunshine Seasons in the Land at Epcot. She LOVES being in this program. She is meeting so many awesome people from all over this great big world.
DS2 Tyler, our youngest (hes 16 and now driving by himself ). He likes going to Disney, but isnt obsessed like his mom.
DS1 Dale, Jr. our oldest. He has been married a little over 1.5 years and still comes home all the time to eat our food, lol.
DIL Stephanie, our daughter in law. The love of our sons life. She is a wonderful addition to our family.
Back to our wonderful discount When we had first decided we were ALL going to Disney during December, we thought, we better get something booked since we dont want to get stuck without a value resort. So we actually booked two rooms at AS Sports in late August. Then when dd was officially a cm, we were able to get a great rate. We got our room (since she is staying with us) for 50% off and our ds & dil's room for 40% off. This is a friends and family discount that Disney offers to their cms.
The weekend of October 19th, Dale and I were able to go to see Aubre for a weekend. We attended our very first MNSSHP!!! I was so excited. It was great to see where our dd was living and how well she was being taken care of.
Shortly after this trip, Disney released a new discount for their cms. The Disney Family Holiday Discounts!!! These discounts were up to 65% off a room. There were also offering the Disney Dining Plan for $21 per person!!! You know you cannot eat for $21 a day, no matter what you eat there. When we called Disney to see if we could add the dining plan on to our existing reservation (since DS and DIL were in a separate room, wasnt sure if they would qualify for that deal). While talking to the reservation cm, she said we would have to cancel and rebook our rooms (this is normal to get a new code or discount offered). When she put our info in the system, she said, I cant get you in AS Sports, but I have a family suite in AS Music or two rooms in AS Music!!! WHAT DID SHE SAY!!!! A suite was available? I asked what would that cost us? With the cm discount, we are paying $405 (total, w/tax) for the five nights!!! Can you believe this?
Granted I know it will be close quarters, but we honestly are only in the room to sleep. The room has a small fridge, a microwave, small (4 cup) coffee pot, two bathrooms, two TVs, a queen size bed in the master bedroom and the other room can sleep four (the full size sofa sleeper and a chair and ottoman that fold out to beds).
Up next, our itinerary.
Itinerary
We leave in the morning!!
We're Back - Day One Part 1
Day One - (Epcot) Part 2
Day One - Part 3
Day One - Party 4
End of Day One (FINALLY) - Boy was this a long day!!
It's Our Christmas at Disney (a few weeks early)- Day Two Part 1
Photopass
Day Two - Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom part 2
Grand Floridian Cafe
Grand Floridian Photo Shoot
Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party
MVMCP Part 2
Holiday Wishes video
MVMCP Parade
Day 3 - MGM & DD Graduation from the WDW College Program
Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In
Hollywood's Holly Day Parade (MGM)
MGM (Stitch)
The Osborne Family Specticle of Dancing Lights
Video of Osborne Lights (short)
A Better video of Osborne Lights
Day Four - Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safari
Rafiki's Planet Watch - Great photos
Rafiki's part 2
Animal Kingdom continued
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Expedition Parade
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade (part 2)
Animal Kingdom Lodge
End of Day Four
Day Five - Magic Kingdom
End of Day 5!
Our Last Day & A Trip to the ER!!!
We have been to Disney five times (one of those was without the kids). BUT, we have only gone to Disney in August!!!! The hot hot heat of August is a killer, but its the most affordable time to go. We did the free dining twice, so it made it even a better deal.
Our dd, Aubre , is in the Walt Disney World College Program (cp from here on). She went to work for the mouse on September 5th and is returning home on January 4th. I didnt think wed make it that long without seeing her and not being able to celebrate Christmas with her was going to be heartbreaking. Soooo, I talked dh (Dale) into an early December trip. Ive read before about Pop Warner being there the first week, so we decided on the second week of December. We will arrive December 10th and leave to go home on the 15th.
Now for the really good news . Because dd is in the cp, she is considered a cast member (cm), she is able to get discounts on rooms for us. But, at this time of year there is a special Disney Family Holiday discounts!!! WOOHOO!!!!
I guess I need to do an intro:
Me Patty (the mom) the Disney obsessed planner. I work 33 hours a week as an administrative assistant. I have some slower days where I then surf all the Disney planning sites and plan and plan and plan some more.
DH Dale (the dad) the one who puts up with all my planning and obsessing.
DD Aubre our princess who is doing the Walt Disney World College Program. She is working at Sunshine Seasons in the Land at Epcot. She LOVES being in this program. She is meeting so many awesome people from all over this great big world.
DS2 Tyler, our youngest (hes 16 and now driving by himself ). He likes going to Disney, but isnt obsessed like his mom.
DS1 Dale, Jr. our oldest. He has been married a little over 1.5 years and still comes home all the time to eat our food, lol.
DIL Stephanie, our daughter in law. The love of our sons life. She is a wonderful addition to our family.
Back to our wonderful discount When we had first decided we were ALL going to Disney during December, we thought, we better get something booked since we dont want to get stuck without a value resort. So we actually booked two rooms at AS Sports in late August. Then when dd was officially a cm, we were able to get a great rate. We got our room (since she is staying with us) for 50% off and our ds & dil's room for 40% off. This is a friends and family discount that Disney offers to their cms.
The weekend of October 19th, Dale and I were able to go to see Aubre for a weekend. We attended our very first MNSSHP!!! I was so excited. It was great to see where our dd was living and how well she was being taken care of.
Shortly after this trip, Disney released a new discount for their cms. The Disney Family Holiday Discounts!!! These discounts were up to 65% off a room. There were also offering the Disney Dining Plan for $21 per person!!! You know you cannot eat for $21 a day, no matter what you eat there. When we called Disney to see if we could add the dining plan on to our existing reservation (since DS and DIL were in a separate room, wasnt sure if they would qualify for that deal). While talking to the reservation cm, she said we would have to cancel and rebook our rooms (this is normal to get a new code or discount offered). When she put our info in the system, she said, I cant get you in AS Sports, but I have a family suite in AS Music or two rooms in AS Music!!! WHAT DID SHE SAY!!!! A suite was available? I asked what would that cost us? With the cm discount, we are paying $405 (total, w/tax) for the five nights!!! Can you believe this?
Granted I know it will be close quarters, but we honestly are only in the room to sleep. The room has a small fridge, a microwave, small (4 cup) coffee pot, two bathrooms, two TVs, a queen size bed in the master bedroom and the other room can sleep four (the full size sofa sleeper and a chair and ottoman that fold out to beds).
Up next, our itinerary.
Itinerary
We leave in the morning!!
We're Back - Day One Part 1
Day One - (Epcot) Part 2
Day One - Part 3
Day One - Party 4
End of Day One (FINALLY) - Boy was this a long day!!
It's Our Christmas at Disney (a few weeks early)- Day Two Part 1
Photopass
Day Two - Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom part 2
Grand Floridian Cafe
Grand Floridian Photo Shoot
Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party
MVMCP Part 2
Holiday Wishes video
MVMCP Parade
Day 3 - MGM & DD Graduation from the WDW College Program
Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In
Hollywood's Holly Day Parade (MGM)
MGM (Stitch)
The Osborne Family Specticle of Dancing Lights
Video of Osborne Lights (short)
A Better video of Osborne Lights
Day Four - Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safari
Rafiki's Planet Watch - Great photos
Rafiki's part 2
Animal Kingdom continued
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Expedition Parade
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade (part 2)
Animal Kingdom Lodge
End of Day Four
Day Five - Magic Kingdom
End of Day 5!
Our Last Day & A Trip to the ER!!!