The "I've Waited Forever to Go Solo" Mom's Leaving Everyone Behind Trip! Updt 3/11

[CJsMom]

 

[Charleston Princess]

You'll never think of the Trojan War the same way again! I bet it is your favorite part of ancient Greek history now!

 

[Bloodhound]

Great time winning all that money...I went to play the Munster 5cents slots and spent 5dollers and won 60.00 thats the only time I went.

Im glad everyone enjoyed their Dole Whip...lol

 

[stagemomx3]

That's a great story Allyson!

 

[retiredkid]

 

[askelton]

I lost a little but when I exited the building that day my $60 had turned into $720.

Whoohooty!

So that is how this solo trip came to be. $720 pretty much pays for a 5 day solo trip at a value with airfare and tickets and oh yeah, free dining! I have to kick in a little extra but the bulk of it all is covered.

So it was meant to be.

 

[ampc3]

Allyson, That story is awsome!!! You soo deserve it! You earned it

I sold my old gold a few weeks ago and I got $600. I was thinking of a million and one thing to use it on.. I ended up saving some for this upcomind Disney trip and spent some, and then I went to Charleston for the first time the end of April with my mom and sisters, which was planned but had no IDEA where that money was going to be coming from??? So I used that to pay for that as well... It is soo nice when you get $$ unexpectedly
Great update!

 

[kimwim8]

GREAT TR so far!! I totally agree that this trip is meant to be. And I swear I teared up when you were describing the reasons you wanted to go solo. And now I want to go solo too!!!

Did you say you're arriving August 23rd? That's when we are arriving as well.

Keep 'em comin!

 

[DisneyJo]

Wooohooo I'm in, what a great way to finance a WDW trip

I'm at POR from 14th to 28th, may see you there

 

[dddisrunner]

WooHoo for casino mojo!!! That is so cool! Congrats on training to run the 1/2 marathon! That is a huge accomplishment!

 

[micandminforever]

Followed you over from your last report.

Your solo trip plans sound great cann't wait to hear more. Loved reading the other two trip reports.

 

[MomofCKJ]

It was just meant to be!

That is one way to look at it!

That's what I was thinking too!

You'll never think of the Trojan War the same way again! I bet it is your favorite part of ancient Greek history now!

And you can bet next time I visit that casino I'll have to go take a spin on that machine!

Great time winning all that money...I went to play the Munster 5cents slots and spent 5dollers and won 60.00 thats the only time I went.

Im glad everyone enjoyed their Dole Whip...lol

5 cent slots, you are a high roller compared to me! LOL!

That's a great story Allyson!

It was a memorable afternoon!

Yes, very cool!

Whoohooty!

So it was meant to be.

I was thinking it was meant to be too!

Allyson, That story is awsome!!! You soo deserve it! You earned it

I sold my old gold a few weeks ago and I got $600. I was thinking of a million and one thing to use it on.. I ended up saving some for this upcomind Disney trip and spent some, and then I went to Charleston for the first time the end of April with my mom and sisters, which was planned but had no IDEA where that money was going to be coming from??? So I used that to pay for that as well... It is soo nice when you get $$ unexpectedly
Great update!

So did you find the selling gold thread on the Budget Board? I had cheap high school boyfriends so I only had $80 worth to sell. I went with Goldfellow. I had my friend do it, she was skeptical, but she got $374. I learn some really cool things over on that budget board!

GREAT TR so far!! I totally agree that this trip is meant to be. And I swear I teared up when you were describing the reasons you wanted to go solo. And now I want to go solo too!!!

Did you say you're arriving August 23rd? That's when we are arriving as well.

Keep 'em comin!

Yes I will be there August 23-27. I'm definately going to be sporting a Lime Mickey Head on my bag so I hope I get to say hi to some other DISers while I am there!

Wooohooo I'm in, what a great way to finance a WDW trip

I'm at POR from 14th to 28th, may see you there

Yes I'll be on the lookout for the Lime Mickey Heads!

WooHoo for casino mojo!!! That is so cool! Congrats on training to run the 1/2 marathon! That is a huge accomplishment!

Well we haven't run it yet, LOL! It is a big feat for DH and I who were not runners to start with. It is going to be something that is for sure!

Followed you over from your last report.

Thank you! Glad you are here and I'm really excited about this trip!

Allyson

 

[MomofCKJ]

So my first decision aside from whether or not I had the guts to actually do this was where to stay. Now I knew I had to go Value and I was okay with that. I really don't plan to be in my room all that much and I didn't win enough to really cover a Moderate or a dreamy Deluxe . So a Value it would be.

Where have I stayed before you ask? Well when I was 5 Mom and I stayed at the Contemporary. My only Deluxe stay, *sigh*. It was 1973 and was probably something ridiculous like $30 a night or something. I've stayed at quite a few unmemorable offsite places. And then I've stayed at Pop Century and most recently Port Orleans French Quarter. Our January 2009 trip is already booked at Coronado Springs.

So I kind of wanted to try for Pop as it is a place I am familiar with and I really enjoyed. However they were not available for Free Dining. I also had a PIN code, did I mention that? I have never gotton codes. I would read about them on the DIS but never myself had one. This year I have gotton two. Crazy. Anyway I was running numbers, should I use the PIN, should I do the dining? Free dining, hard to pass up. It is just me but I do like to eat out and heck, its free. So the All Stars had availability for Free Dining on my dates. I ended up choosing...... All Star Music. I didn't want Movies, I figured they were the most popular. Sports didn't thrill me. So by default and from reading that it seems to have more couples and adults than families due to the theming I went with it. Nothing against families of course it is just travelling alone I figured I'd try to go for the place that might be a smidge quieter.

So All Star Music was booked. I have a Room Only the first night, with my PIN code so very cheap, and then the next day I have Free Dining for 3 nights. So my whole trip is 5 days/4 nights. My one concern is this split reservation. Will I need to physically check out Sunday morning and check back in? Will I have to switch rooms? My TA told me that they try to not have that happen (switching rooms) but I won't know till I am there. I hope not. I have an early early morning Sunday and really don't want to have to go to the desk to figure this out even earlier.

Now I pretty much knew nothing about ASMu so I did a little DIS research. I ended up requesting the Jazz buildings. I don't want to be too far out, as in the Country Music part, and have to walk all that way alone if it is at night. I also requested an upper floor because I don't like being on the ground floor. I've been lucky so far with requests at Disney hotels, lets see if it comes through this time too.

So there you have it, booked at All Star Music. Hoping the Room Placement Gods will smile on me again and not put me in the nether regions of the property. Hoping the split reservation won't turn into a hassle.

As for tickets I have a 3 day ticket starting on Sunday with the Free Dining reservation. That will cover Sun/Mon/Tues. I may add hopping when I get there, I'm going to play it by ear. I never say that on a Disney trip, play it by ear, but going alone I feel like I have the wiggle room to be a little more spontaneous! My flight home Wed is early so no parks that day. And on Saturday I think I am going to just go to Epcot and get a one day ticket and spend the afternoon/evening there. With the Free Dining I had to get a ticket with that package, another downside to this whole split reservation/free dining you must buy a ticket rule. It's all good though. I'll be in Disney!

So there you have it room booked, tickets purchased. But how are you getting there MomofCKJ? How?

Sit tight friends, I'll be back to tell you. This Delta flying girl is going out on a limb and trying something new this time!

Allyson

 

[4boysrus]

I hope that the Placement gods are smiling on you! I'll be interested to hear about ASMu. We've considered it before because of the family suites, but I've heard such conflicting things about bus service, etc.

 

[KatGarcia]

We stayed at Music this past Jan, in the Jazz buildings. It was a great location, close to everything! I'm sure esp if you let them know you are alone and want something close to the main building you will be fine!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I can't wait to hear how you like All Star Music -- the only value we have stayed at is Pop so I am curious about the others.

 

[xominnieox2]

I'm hooked! I'm glad you finally get your solo trip! Can't wait for more.

 

[ampc3]

Yes I used gold fellows from the budget board, I was thinking I would only get maybe $75 , my hubbie was thinking it was a scam and wouldn't get anything.. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him I was getting $600...He then was like do you have any more?? Nope that was the stash..

It must make it all seem more real now that you have the package and hotel booked! Lucky duck for free ddp

 

[dddisrunner]

Yay! I love reading your updates!! I think you will get your requests, especially since you are traveling alone! I want to tell DH to let me come keep you company!

 

[CJsMom]

Very cool! DH and I stayed at ASMu in 2000 (before kids - well, mostly before, I had one on the way!) in the Jazz building. It was very nice and very quiet. I have stayed at all of the All Stars (Sports for just one night this past December) and I think Music is the best "adult" value and the quietest. Great choice! And free dining - yay!