Princess Jes' Official (narcissistic) trip planning thread (help and advise required!)

[pjweaver]

I can imagine what would happen if I told my wife I'm not going back to WDW. I would be handed a to do list and the dog while she used the money my flight and ticket cost to upgrade her hotel.

 

[disneysteve]

I can imagine what would happen if I told my wife I'm not going back to WDW. I would be handed a to do list and the dog while she used the money my flight and ticket cost to upgrade her hotel.

Nah. My wife would take the money to the place down the road that we always joke about with the big sign that says, "Divorce - $299. No spouse signature required."

 

[Princess Jes]

It's never easy. Best wishes getting everything sorted out. ps I don't know if the month of travel makes any difference, but Jan and Feb can also be decent to visit WDW with somewhat lower prices & usually lower crowds. Just watch the President's Day long weekend in Feb as that time (as I found out last yr) is super crowded and prices jacked up.

Cricket season runs from October through March/Early April if they make finals, so it ruins my whole summer. after 12 seasons together, im used to it.
Also, I love summer, so would rarely travel out of Australia during summer to go somewhere cold, id rather be at WDW in warm months for the swimming and water parks

I can imagine what would happen if I told my wife I'm not going back to WDW. I would be handed a to do list and the dog while she used the money my flight and ticket cost to upgrade her hotel.

Nah. My wife would take the money to the place down the road that we always joke about with the big sign that says, "Divorce - $299. No spouse signature required."

oh my, well, he's lucky that WDW isn't as accessible to us because if it was and he said that, out the door for him. i'll just take trips with friends I can convince to go with me, and he can do the same. Sulky man.

 

[disneysteve]

i'll just take trips with friends I can convince to go with me

You can meet us there. We usually rent a 3-bedroom house so you'd even have your own room.

 

[Princess Jes]

You can meet us there. We usually rent a 3-bedroom house so you'd even have your own room.

Haha, deal!!

 

[disneysteve]

Haha, deal!!

Anytime. We'd love company.

 

[pjweaver]

Steve stole my thunder there, but its a studio villa.
oh wait, my wife reads this...I guess i'll be watching the dog while she goes to WDW

 

[KingLlama]

Prince Jes needs to pull himself together.

 

[Princess Jes]

But the question is: will your wife share accommodations with me while you're watching the dog?

 

[Princess Jes]

Prince Jes needs to pull himself together.

You're not wrong on that one my friend.
Plus, he is now foregoing his chance to go to WWE summer slam in Brooklyn because "I don't want to go back to New York"

Ahh... Who DOESNT want to go back to New York?! We only soent 5 days there, which wasn't nearly enough

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I'm going to chime in with my 2 cents on YC as well as Swan/Dolphin vs. a WDW resort.

We had a horrible experience at YC...to the point that we wouldn't stay there again, even if it were the only deluxe with discounted rooms. Boardwalk is my fave in that area, but I know some people make it a BC vs. YC debate since they plan on pool time in Stormalong Bay. We don't do much pool time and I kind of like Luna Park. My parents and brother are still FL residents and usually stay at Swan or Dolphin. The FL resident rates, even with the daily resort fee, still make them cheaper than any of the Disney deluxe resorts for them. They love them and considering the awful location of our YC room, it wasn't too much farther than staying at the Dolphin. Even the non-FL rates I was just checking for Swan and Dolphin are still noticeably cheaper than the three Disney deluxe resorts in that area.

 

[Princess Jes]

Even the non-FL rates I was just checking for Swan and Dolphin are still noticeably cheaper than the three Disney deluxe resorts in that area.

For sure, but there's two factors here for me:

1. I wouldn't be paying rack rate, I'd make sure I got a discount (we got 30% last time and it ended up cheaper than Swolphin)
2. I'll be booking DVC on points, otherwise, the budget will only allow for a Mod I think

 

[pjweaver]

don't forget the Swolphin does not have magical express, charges for parking, and has extra fees. Though they do have amazing beds.

 

[Princess Jes]

don't forget the Swolphin does not have magical express, charges for parking, and has extra fees. Though they do have amazing beds.

And I realise this sounds ridiculous, but also no in-park room charging on the MBs, something we LOVED last time, and also something quite helpful for us as we aren't locals and it saves dealing with cash all the time.

 

[Princess Jes]

Have any of you wonderful people been to Mexico?

If so:
What area?
What resort?
What activities did you do?

 

[samsteele]

Have any of you wonderful people been to Mexico?

If so:
What area?
What resort?
What activities did you do?

I went to the Mayan Riviera (Cancun, Cozumel: Eastern Mexico) some yrs ago. I can't recall the name of the resort. I really enjoyed visiting the different ruins (Mayan: Tulum and Chichen Itza . . . but there are many, many more) and snorkeling in the protected coves. Golf is also popular as is swimming with sea turtles, dolphin experiences, etc. My brother & his family used to go every year until they had the misfortune of being at the hotel that blew up (gas line) a few yrs ago. They weren't injured but it was traumatic. They were in the caf when the windows blew in. Like many resort destinations in the sun, a huge number of resorts have been constructed very quickly and very cheaply in the past 20 yrs often without regard to the same building codes that we enjoy in our home countries. Not to scare you off, as this was clearly an isolated incident, but it can happen. I would also strongly discourage you from staying in the old Acapulco and Western Mexico area. Too many cases of violence toward Canadian tourists (muggings and worse). No doubt I'll be flamed for mentioning it but it is what it is at the moment and I want to be candid and not gloss it over. Hopefully, Mexico can get a handle on this in the future because the country is beautiful and its people good.

Another destination to consider is Cuba. I enjoyed Varadero Beach on the north shore of the island for a number of years but haven't been back for about 10 yrs. Gorgeous beach and water. I took the guided tour into Havana and loved the tours of the cigar factories, Hemingway's bar, gorgeous old architecture and of course the 50s automobiles on the roads. Deep sea fishing on day charters is also very popular. But, at least at that time, I would not be in Havana after dark so chose to skip the Tropicana nightclub tour, etc. Even during the day, our guided group was approached by ladies of the evening, boys and drug dealers. Maybe we just looked like an unsavoury lot out for a good time? It was just myself and my Mom with a handful of our hotel guests. But Havana has a rough side so its one of those don't forget to pack your brain destinations. I am happy I saw Havana before the wave of North American tourism really hits. It won't be a bad thing all in all, but it will change.

Have you considered a combined Mexico/Carib cruise? That would absolutely be my vehicle of choice for seeing Mexico and parts of the islands right now. There are great deals to be had esp with Royal Caribbean. Lots of info on the Boards about RC cruising. I went on my first cruise last Jan with RC out of Cape Canaveral. It was just a quick 4 day test cruise but I was really impressed. RC also has a younger demographic and more pool drinking/dancing it that appeals. I found the food in the main dining room to be very good & exceeded my expectations. Only two ports on my cruise: Cozumel, MX and Nassau, Bahamas. I'd do another cruise in a heart beat. Let me know if I can answer any (basic) questions about RC cruises.

 

[Tonyz]

I haven't read through this whole thing but I have one question... you've only been to Disney once, right? And you stayed at the Yacht Club. If you only get to go every few years, why not try something new instead of the only resort you've ever stayed at?

Also if this is your only trip for the decade, go all out... I'm talkin' Victoria and Albert's!!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

personally I don't think MNSSHP is worth $1,200 - especially given the recent musing from most that the parties are getting more, and more crowded and just in general not worth what they used to be

We went last week of August 2014 and it was hot but crowds weren't too, too bad (much of the US, including Florida, has gone back to school by that point)

 

[Princess Jes]

I haven't read through this whole thing but I have one question... you've only been to Disney once, right? And you stayed at the Yacht Club. If you only get to go every few years, why not try something new instead of the only resort you've ever stayed at?

Also if this is your only trip for the decade, go all out... I'm talkin' Victoria and Albert's!!

Yeah I need to update the first post. It's the weekend now, so I should have time.
I'd like to try V&A but Leigh wouldn't eat it. He's not the most adventurous with food.
When our plans involved our best friends, the boys were going to play golf one day, and myself and my girlfriend we're going to go to V&A for dinner.
I wonder how much the chefs table is though?

personally I don't think MNSSHP is worth $1,200 - especially given the recent musing from most that the parties are getting more, and more crowded and just in general not worth what they used to be

We went last week of August 2014 and it was hot but crowds weren't too, too bad (much of the US, including Florida, has gone back to school by that point)

Yeah, we've decided it's either August or October now.
August should have longer hours and Warmer weather, but no party, so now I have that deduction to make

 

[disneysteve]

Have any of you wonderful people been to Mexico?

Sure. I've been to Mexico lots of times. We usually buy churros and maybe a margarita outside. Then we go inside and take the boat ride with the Three Caballeros. Then we browse the shops before leaving and heading to Norway.