Counting Our Nuts Like Chip & Dale, a Financially Aware PTR *Update 4/17 Pg 62 *

[Nermel9]

Thank you, weight loss is not easy but worth it. I have a blog about my weight loss if you would be interested in the link, just PM me if you are.

Can you PM me the link to your blog, I'd love to read it! I'm also trying to lose weight, so I love hearing other people's stories!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Hi There! I also found my way over from CharlestonPrincess and I'm now reading along.

Sadly, we aren't going to be taking a Disney trip for awhile because we are heading to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons next summer. When I suggested the trip, I didn't realize that it would replace our Disney vacation. However, once I saw the cost of airline tickets, I knew that both trips were out of the question.

So now to get my fix, I just follow PTR's and TR's!!!

It's really hard to take a Disney break, especially when you still want to be on the DISboards.

Can you PM me the link to your blog, I'd love to read it! I'm also trying to lose weight, so I love hearing other people's stories!

I sent you a PM.

 

[Lady Lallie]

You may have noticed I added a ticker to my signature. Usually I have a ticker first, then a PTR but I held back this time for a few reasons.

#1. I didn't know our dates yet, I knew it would be January but weren't 100% sure.

#2. We were looking at our resort options, weighing out the costs of value vs. moderates.

A couple of weeks ago when we first started talking about this trip, I was pushing for a moderate resort, Port Orleans French Quarter to be exact. Marc was pushing for Pop Century. I have one thing against Pop Century, the beds! I don't know why but I just don't find them as comfortable. Silly, yes. A deal breaker, no.

I priced them out and reported back the results to Marc.

Pop Century for 5 nights: $501
POFQ for 5 nights: $894

Pop Century it is. I couldn't justify an almost $400 difference in Pop vs. POFQ. Don't get me wrong, I have loved my stays at Pop Century, all three of them. I know we probably won't use the pool much since it's January, we love the food court and the bus transportation is excellent.

On Sunday, Marc & I went for a walk in Historical Concord, Massachusetts. I've talked about Concord on my PTRs before and on Facebook. I Concord. The first shots fired in the Revolutionary War happened in Concord, there is 5 mile trail that marks where the British marched through, Paul Revere's capture sight plus there is Walden Pond, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House -- the inside looks JUST like the movie with Winona Ryder -- it is a wonderful place and we are lucky to live about 30 minutes from there.

What's an update without some pictures?

So anyways, we were walking on Battle Road talking about Disney and how excited we were. Marc can always convince me to exercise if he promises to talk about Disney.

We were talking about where we wanted to eat, the pros and cons of adding park hoppers, just our trip in general. Then we started talking about Pop Century and upgrading to a moderate. We again decided not to upgrade and then a flash of brilliance occurred in my brain! Why not see if we could find someone to rent points from!?! How did I not think of this before!?!

When I got home I put out feelers on Facebook to see if anyone was renting points or knew of anyone and posted here on the DIS. Well I got a nibble. Kristine aka Tnkrbelle565 had someone she rented points from before and she kindly gave me their information and sent email to them.

I am super happy to report that we now have a DVC reservation!

Our dates changed a bit, we were looking at the last full week in January but due to DVC availability we decided to go with MLK weekend.

We have a 5 night reservation at.....Animal Kingdom Villas Jambo House!

The best part!?! We are renting points for $10 per point and we scored a value studio in AKV Jambo for $450! Super Super SUPER excited. If you are keeping track that is a $51 SAVINGS from Pop Century.

We got our reservation yesterday and when Marc & I first saw each other after our workdays we both just broke out into huge grins. AKV wasn't even our first choice but you know what? I am super happy about staying there. It's a new place for us to stay and we are saving money by renting points. Plus when we ate at Jiko last September we both really loved the theming of AKL so I'm happy we get a chance to enjoy that more.

Now the REAL question is should I put some animal prints for my wardrobe on my shopping list?

 

[MARsMama]

I've never heard of renting points, or points at all for that matter, but it's great that you were able to save even more by doing so

 

[2xcited2sleep]

WOW!! DVC a savings over Pop, who knew?? Congrats and good for you! Oh and yes, that $51 should totally go to something in animal print.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi LL!!!

I'm so glad you started a new PTR, can't wait to read all about it! I, like you, took a DIS hiatus, too, just not enough hours in the day and this place sucks you in! In a good way, of course!!

WOW, you guys look great and I'm SOOOO excited for you to stay in DVC!!!!!!!!!!! I have been exploring them myself!

Can't wait to read more!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

oops, forgot to sub, sorry!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Yay for Jambo!!! So excited for you guys. You are going to love it You can have stuff delivered from Garden Grocer and save $ on food too!!!!

If you ever want to walk around Concord w/o your hubby let me know! I haven't been to Orchard House in years and I would love to go back (ignore the fact that it's like 25 mins from me and there is no good reason why it's years since I've been there)

 

[Mndisneygirl]

yay for DVC!!
We just stayed at a savannah studio at Jambo in March and loved it! AKL is a beautiful place and very relaxing. It's an escape for sure! I'll have lots of pictures in my TR coming up soon!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Joining in!

Wow, you guys look great. 40 and 250 lbs really makes a difference Keep it up! And that's awesome you found someone with DVC points. I've stayed in the AKL Villas, but I was at Kidani Village, either way, they are awesome! I was with 4 other people so it was a bit packed, but with two people, it will make for good living space.

 

[TarzansKat]

I vote yes for animal print!

And don't forget, I know someone who likes to make tie dye. Just sayin'.

Anyway, I'm here!!!! Sorry I'm late, thank you for clueing me in. How shall I put this delicately?

Um, the baby is a handful. That's the nicest way of saying it. He's very...curious. I spend a lot of my time chasing after him.

So looking forward to and reading about your trip will be a treat!!! Yay for renting points, that is sooo awesome! I know you'll love AKL.

 

[jenjolt]

WOW what a savings! Congrats on AKV I know you guys will really enjoy that resort!!

JIKO...yummy....that is one of my fave places to eat...its definitely on the list for Oct...so much fun to sit at the Pit and talk with the chefs.

I agree I think you should buy some animal prints!

 

[oOJulieOo]

That's amazing! I am so happy for you that you were able to make such a huge upgrade and score some savings on top of it!

The pictures from your walk are wonderful. I love it that you have all that history so accessible to you.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, you know I am going to have to wax rhapsodic about staying at AKL! You will love, love, love it!!! What an awesome deal on your room! Too bad you won't be able to use the pool -- that was one of my favorite things about our stay there, but you have to promise me to go listen to the storytelling around the firepits -- oh, and enjoy those rocking chairs.

I am taking lots of mental notes on how you are doing this trip! If you continue to find such great savings, there is hope for me and being able to manage a trip next year to the parks for a very reasonable price. I am already planning on renting points so we can stay at a deluxe.

Yes, you must incorporate some animal prints into your vacation wardrobe. Even if it is just a pair of leopard print pajamas to sleep in.

 

[momof2TNboys]

Yay for AKV!!! That is awesome! I vote yes for wearing animal prints. It is a must.
I love that you are able to explore Concord so easily. I loved learning about the Revolutionary War in school and the history of it still has a special place in my heart. I would love to go some day.

 

[Lady Lallie]

WOW!! DVC a savings over Pop, who knew?? Congrats and good for you! Oh and yes, that $51 should totally go to something in animal print.

Well, if we were able to get a discount code then Pop would have probably ended up cheaper but we are super happy with our savings and AKV.

I've never heard of renting points, or points at all for that matter, but it's great that you were able to save even more by doing so

We are very excited, it worked out really well for us.

Hi LL!!!

I'm so glad you started a new PTR, can't wait to read all about it! I, like you, took a DIS hiatus, too, just not enough hours in the day and this place sucks you in! In a good way, of course!!

WOW, you guys look great and I'm SOOOO excited for you to stay in DVC!!!!!!!!!!! I have been exploring them myself!

Can't wait to read more!!

It totally does!! Thank you and we are super excited about AKV.

oops, forgot to sub, sorry!

No worries!

Yay for Jambo!!! So excited for you guys. You are going to love it You can have stuff delivered from Garden Grocer and save $ on food too!!!!

If you ever want to walk around Concord w/o your hubby let me know! I haven't been to Orchard House in years and I would love to go back (ignore the fact that it's like 25 mins from me and there is no good reason why it's years since I've been there)

I didn't even think about Garden Grocer. Hmmm. Must explore that option. I know we are planning on bringing breakfast type things with us but Garden Grocer might be the way to go.

We totally should go to Concord together!! Marc works most Saturdays for 1/2 day until early afternoon. Maybe we should get together one Saturday??

 

[Lady Lallie]

yay for DVC!!
We just stayed at a savannah studio at Jambo in March and loved it! AKL is a beautiful place and very relaxing. It's an escape for sure! I'll have lots of pictures in my TR coming up soon!

I am trying to catch up on all the PTRs/TRs that I have missed over the last few months, I'm actually reading yours right now. Can't wait to see the pictures!

Joining in!

Wow, you guys look great. 40 and 250 lbs really makes a difference Keep it up! And that's awesome you found someone with DVC points. I've stayed in the AKL Villas, but I was at Kidani Village, either way, they are awesome! I was with 4 other people so it was a bit packed, but with two people, it will make for good living space.

Thanks!! A studio should be perfect for us, I really can't wait.

I vote yes for animal print!

And don't forget, I know someone who likes to make tie dye. Just sayin'.

Anyway, I'm here!!!! Sorry I'm late, thank you for clueing me in. How shall I put this delicately?

Um, the baby is a handful. That's the nicest way of saying it. He's very...curious. I spend a lot of my time chasing after him.

So looking forward to and reading about your trip will be a treat!!! Yay for renting points, that is sooo awesome! I know you'll love AKL.

Could you make me a cheetah print tie dye?

Well, spending time chasing after baby means you are burning lots of calories, right?

WOW what a savings! Congrats on AKV I know you guys will really enjoy that resort!!

JIKO...yummy....that is one of my fave places to eat...its definitely on the list for Oct...so much fun to sit at the Pit and talk with the chefs.

I agree I think you should buy some animal prints!

We are super excited for AKV. We did love Jiko, not sure if we will go again or not but it's on our radar.

That's amazing! I am so happy for you that you were able to make such a huge upgrade and score some savings on top of it!

The pictures from your walk are wonderful. I love it that you have all that history so accessible to you.

I feel like I won the lottery this week with our AKV booking.

There is so much to do around here, we are actually debating going to John Adams' farm this weekend, I still have to look into that more.

Oh, you know I am going to have to wax rhapsodic about staying at AKL! You will love, love, love it!!! What an awesome deal on your room! Too bad you won't be able to use the pool -- that was one of my favorite things about our stay there, but you have to promise me to go listen to the storytelling around the firepits -- oh, and enjoy those rocking chairs.

I am taking lots of mental notes on how you are doing this trip! If you continue to find such great savings, there is hope for me and being able to manage a trip next year to the parks for a very reasonable price. I am already planning on renting points so we can stay at a deluxe.

Yes, you must incorporate some animal prints into your vacation wardrobe. Even if it is just a pair of leopard print pajamas to sleep in.

I will try to listen to the storytelilng around the firepits. Maybe you can help me with a resort must do list? Aren't there night vision googles too? Me and rocking chairs get along very well so I will so enjoy those.

I'm really trying hard to weigh out costs and such. It's hard and a lot of not so fuzzy Disney math but it's working out for us so far.

I absolutely love the idea of leopard print pajamas! I think I must start looking for some.

Yay for AKV!!! That is awesome! I vote yes for wearing animal prints. It is a must.
I love that you are able to explore Concord so easily. I loved learning about the Revolutionary War in school and the history of it still has a special place in my heart. I would love to go some day.

I really enjoy Revolutionary War history. It's really amazing, and along Battle Road they have a lot of displays and facts plus a fair amount of houses are still standing from back then.

 

[TarzansKat]

Could you make me a cheetah print tie dye?

I could sure as heck try!

Well, spending time chasing after baby means you are burning lots of calories, right?

I never thought of it like that, that's an excellent point! Challenging child = weight loss. It just may work.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I could sure as heck try!

We will have to discuss this further!

I never thought of it like that, that's an excellent point! Challenging child = weight loss. It just may work.

Maybe it is just the way my brain is wired now but I think of most things in the way of burning calories. When I'm feeling lazy and watching TV and don't want to get up and get more water, I tell myself I am burning calories. When I forget my cell phone in my car and have to go back outside, I tell myself I am burning more calories.

 

[moparop]

What a deal on dvc! We are in the very initial stages of planning a trip in the spring of 2012 and have kicked around the idea of renting points. With a family 5 and a little too much Contemporary Resort love after the last trip, I think we need to get serious about this point rental idea.

I really like Disney in January. Maybe Florida will have a fluke warm front and you'll still be able to swim!