Debt Dumpers - 2015

dayvewc · Mar 31, 2015

Dentam said:
How was your trip to DL and your stay at the lodge there, dayvewc?

Thanks for asking, it was GREAT. The Grand Californian is probably the best resort I've ever stayed at. DL and WDW are definitely different, but I don't know that one is better than the other. (That's like the first question everyone has asked me, lol).

Overall, I did really well. I wound up over-budget, but it was all from the car rental. I had underestimated what the "loss of use" insurance would run. 6 days cost as much as 2 months of my full-coverage insurance on my car. *blech* The insurance was actually more than the cost of the rental (not including taxes and assorted fees)!

The differences I noted between the two coasts is that most of the duplicated rides were better at DL than WDW, but the line queues at WDW are better. Everything was much more compact and closer at DL, which made it easier to get from attraction to attraction, but also made it seem more crowded and harder to maneuver than at WDW.

Another thing I noticed was the CM's. Never ran into bad CM's at WDW, but most of the CM's at DL seemed much more willing and attentive to help keep the magic moving. Except that one photopass photographer :-( He was just way too involved in his conversation with the person he was taking over from, took about 5 minutes for him to acknowledge I was there, then he just kind of waved me in the direction he wanted me to stand in and went back to his conversation. Not sure he even looked through the view-finder for the first 3 pictures he took.

On the super-plus side, I had asked one of the GS CM's when Capt'n Hook was supposed to make an appearance. She told me about 20 minutes, and in "this" general area (waved hand to indicate). Since it was my last day and I had done most of what I wanted, I hung around to wait for him. After about 45 minutes, I went back, and she said she had not seen him yet, and had not heard that he was delayed; didn't know where he was or when he'd be there. So, I left and went to track down Bert. Found out he was on a Jolly Holiday in London and wouldn't be back before the parade, so I went back to wait for Capt'n Hook. He wasn't out yet, but Wendy and Peter were, so I got in line to meet them. Had barely gotten in line when the CM tapped me on the shoulder and said, "I told Capt'n Hook that you were his biggest fan, and he wanted to meet you first." Behind her was the Capt'n. I got to get a picture with him before he went to his meet & greet area, then got another picture with him, Peter, and Wendy all together. (They stayed after he got there.)

Another really good CM group were the ones in DGC. I talked to the GS desk there, and arranged to drop my autograph book off since I was missing a LOT of the signatures. I think I had 12 of the 70. They kept it for 1 day, and when I picked it up the next night, they had "found" every character and gotten their signatures except Sully and Marshmallow (who don't sign), Darth Vader, who wouldn't sign, a Stormtrooper, who wouldn't sign because DV didn't, and Russell. So, I have pictures with about 20-25 characters, but autographs from 65 or so. The whole backstory on getting the signatures was a great conversation I had with the GS CM. According to what she said, they do that on a regular basis for guests, but had never seen a homemade book that was as well-done as the one I brought. Apparently, a lot of the CM's back stage got a kick out of my book. I actually met a few right before I checked out that recognized the book and complimented me on it.

I want to go back sometime, I'm hoping I can arrange it into my budget for next spring break. ;-)
Probably means I won't dump quite as much debt as I could but I refuse to live my life devoid of all fun. I'm taking the view of "as long as I am making progress on reducing overall debt." Besides, I can get a whole lot of fun out of planning the trip, and having almost a year to anticipate is a lot of buildup of fun.

Not meaning to make this one post my trip report. I guess I need to make one of those somewhere. lol.

gracie1 · Mar 31, 2015

dayvewc said:
Thanks for asking, it was GREAT. The Grand Californian is probably the best resort I've ever stayed at. DL and WDW are definitely different, but I don't know that one is better than the other. (That's like the first question everyone has asked me, lol).

Overall, I did really well. I wound up over-budget, but it was all from the car rental. I had underestimated what the "loss of use" insurance would run. 6 days cost as much as 2 months of my full-coverage insurance on my car. *blech* The insurance was actually more than the cost of the rental (not including taxes and assorted fees)!

The differences I noted between the two coasts is that most of the duplicated rides were better at DL than WDW, but the line queues at WDW are better. Everything was much more compact and closer at DL, which made it easier to get from attraction to attraction, but also made it seem more crowded and harder to maneuver than at WDW.

Another thing I noticed was the CM's. Never ran into bad CM's at WDW, but most of the CM's at DL seemed much more willing and attentive to help keep the magic moving. Except that one photopass photographer :-( He was just way too involved in his conversation with the person he was taking over from, took about 5 minutes for him to acknowledge I was there, then he just kind of waved me in the direction he wanted me to stand in and went back to his conversation. Not sure he even looked through the view-finder for the first 3 pictures he took.

On the super-plus side, I had asked one of the GS CM's when Capt'n Hook was supposed to make an appearance. She told me about 20 minutes, and in "this" general area (waved hand to indicate). Since it was my last day and I had done most of what I wanted, I hung around to wait for him. After about 45 minutes, I went back, and she said she had not seen him yet, and had not heard that he was delayed; didn't know where he was or when he'd be there. So, I left and went to track down Bert. Found out he was on a Jolly Holiday in London and wouldn't be back before the parade, so I went back to wait for Capt'n Hook. He wasn't out yet, but Wendy and Peter were, so I got in line to meet them. Had barely gotten in line when the CM tapped me on the shoulder and said, "I told Capt'n Hook that you were his biggest fan, and he wanted to meet you first." Behind her was the Capt'n. I got to get a picture with him before he went to his meet & greet area, then got another picture with him, Peter, and Wendy all together. (They stayed after he got there.)

Another really good CM group were the ones in DGC. I talked to the GS desk there, and arranged to drop my autograph book off since I was missing a LOT of the signatures. I think I had 12 of the 70. They kept it for 1 day, and when I picked it up the next night, they had "found" every character and gotten their signatures except Sully and Marshmallow (who don't sign), Darth Vader, who wouldn't sign, a Stormtrooper, who wouldn't sign because DV didn't, and Russell. So, I have pictures with about 20-25 characters, but autographs from 65 or so. The whole backstory on getting the signatures was a great conversation I had with the GS CM. According to what she said, they do that on a regular basis for guests, but had never seen a homemade book that was as well-done as the one I brought. Apparently, a lot of the CM's back stage got a kick out of my book. I actually met a few right before I checked out that recognized the book and complimented me on it.

I want to go back sometime, I'm hoping I can arrange it into my budget for next spring break. ;-)
Probably means I won't dump quite as much debt as I could but I refuse to live my life devoid of all fun. I'm taking the view of "as long as I am making progress on reducing overall debt." Besides, I can get a whole lot of fun out of planning the trip, and having almost a year to anticipate is a lot of buildup of fun.

Not meaning to make this one post my trip report. I guess I need to make one of those somewhere. lol.

Glad that you had a great time!! I thought you were going next week. So would you go back to dl or wdw next year?

dayvewc · Mar 31, 2015

gracie1 said:
Glad that you had a great time!! I thought you were going next week. So would you go back to dl or wdw next year?

Right now, I'm thinking of going back to DL, if I can get reservations at the GC again. Maybe even if I wind up somewhere else, but less likely. (I have too much timeshare to pay to stay in a hotel somewhere).

But right now, with half of AK closed for the Pandora expansion; half of HS closed while they decide what to do (Star Wars land or Cars Land or both); and Norway undergoing renovations into Arendell, I'm just not as eager to go to WDW for a couple of years.

Plus, due to the way my different timeshares exchange, it is really easy to use most of them to exchange into resorts around Kissimmee, and then use my DVC to exchange into DGC if it has availability. Plus, if I can get back before September of '16 I'll manage to catch the 60th year anniversary stuff that wasn't up and running yet on this visit.

Dentam · Mar 31, 2015

So glad to hear that you had a great trip, dayvewc!! I am from the west coast, so have been to DL more times than WDW. I agree that DL is more "cozy" and that can be a bit of an issue when it comes to the lines - especially with handicapped access (my mom rents a wheelchair since she has plantar fasciitis) since the park was built before accessibility standards were put into place like at WDW. Anyway, it sounds like you had a great trip overall and that is very cool about the character autographs and all of the CM's admiring your book!

Dentam · Mar 31, 2015

Oh, and we love the GC also - at WDW our favorites are the WL and AKL but the GC is definitely right up there with those two! Overall, I tend to like WDW a bit better just because there is SO much to do there and so many great restaurants to choose from, resorts to explore, and especially because you can travel all over between everything without leaving the Disney "bubble". I guess you can do that at DL too but this last time we stayed across the street to save money and it definitely took away from the experience a bit.

dayvewc · Mar 31, 2015

Dentam said:
So glad to hear that you had a great trip, dayvewc!! I am from the west coast, so have been to DL more times than WDW. I agree that DL is more "cozy" and that can be a bit of an issue when it comes to the lines - especially with handicapped access (my mom rents a wheelchair since she has plantar fasciitis) since the park was built before accessibility standards were put into place like at WDW. Anyway, it sounds like you had a great trip overall and that is very cool about the character autographs and all of the CM's admiring your book!

Yeah, having to travel in an ECV really stressed how narrow the routes were. I also wound up half-way through several lines and then ran into stairs. Then it was kind of fun trying to get a CM's attention to find the way out of the line while people were trying to get around me. :-( But, those things happen.

Dentam said:
Oh, and we love the GC also - at WDW our favorites are the WL and AKL but the GC is definitely right up there with those two! Overall, I tend to like WDW a bit better just because there is SO much to do there and so many great restaurants to choose from, resorts to explore, and especially because you can travel all over between everything without leaving the Disney "bubble". I guess you can do that at DL too but this last time we stayed across the street to save money and it definitely took away from the experience a bit.

I've only ever stayed at Saratoga Springs at WDW. I'd love to stay at AKL or BC or YC or Contemporary or GF or Polynesian or ... lol. One day. Love my timeshares, just wish I could exchange them into the Disney system, though some of the off-site resorts rank very high in my personal opinion. Orange Lake springs to mind. That place is almost as awesome as some of the on-site resorts, and I could get to the parks as fast driving from there as I could taking the Disney busses when I stayed at SS. The only down-vote for my favorite off-site resorts is they don't cultivate that Disney Bubble like the on-site ones do. But when the only time I ever really need to speak to someone at the resort is check-in or check-out, I don't mind that much. Its the times I need to speak to them during my stay that I notice the differences. And luckily, that has seldom happened in my past travels.

Yeah, I think I said that I can't really decide that one is better. Right now, with all the closures, refurbs, and expansions at WDW I definitely like DL better. In 2 years (or so) when those are all finished? Who knows. Both places have great things to recommend them and some of the "good" things are also "bad" at both parks. Like the cozy feel at DL - I loved it, but it made it hard to get around. WDW isn't quite as cozy, but is much easier to maneuver through. So, 6 dozen of one and half of another.

Thanks again for asking about my trip. I had so much fun stuff happen, I'll probably drive my coworkers nuts over the next 2 months talking about it all. ;-)

Dentam · Mar 31, 2015

dayvewc said:
Yeah, having to travel in an ECV really stressed how narrow the routes were. I also wound up half-way through several lines and then ran into stairs. Then it was kind of fun trying to get a CM's attention to find the way out of the line while people were trying to get around me. :-( But, those things happen.

We were there this January and I just remember being so confused that they kept sending us up the exit lines... I was convinced we were going the wrong way especially at Indiana Jones (that's a great ride they don't have at WDW now that I think of it) and it was hard because of the crowds exiting using the same pathway. Same with POTC.

dayvewc said:
Yeah, I think I said that I can't really decide that one is better. Right now, with all the closures, refurbs, and expansions at WDW I definitely like DL better. In 2 years (or so) when those are all finished? Who knows. Both places have great things to recommend them and some of the "good" things are also "bad" at both parks. Like the cozy feel at DL - I loved it, but it made it hard to get around. WDW isn't quite as cozy, but is much easier to maneuver through. So, 6 dozen of one and half of another.

Yeah, we'd like to go to WDW in 2017 once most of these projects are completed but I'm a bit concerned about what the crowds might be like because I have a feeling a lot of people feel the same way. Might try to go at the end of next year instead - we'll see how the debt dumping goes and if we're able to save enough money by then.

dayvewc said:
Thanks again for asking about my trip. I had so much fun stuff happen, I'll probably drive my coworkers nuts over the next 2 months talking about it all. ;-)

No problem, I was curious about how it went and enjoyed hearing about it! I would think spring break would be a pretty crowded time to go but I don't know if it gets much worse than going during Christmas or Easter - both of which we've done. Easter is a "never again" in our book!

gracie1 · Apr 1, 2015

dayvewc said:
Right now, I'm thinking of going back to DL, if I can get reservations at the GC again. Maybe even if I wind up somewhere else, but less likely. (I have too much timeshare to pay to stay in a hotel somewhere).

But right now, with half of AK closed for the Pandora expansion; half of HS closed while they decide what to do (Star Wars land or Cars Land or both); and Norway undergoing renovations into Arendell, I'm just not as eager to go to WDW for a couple of years.

Plus, due to the way my different timeshares exchange, it is really easy to use most of them to exchange into resorts around Kissimmee, and then use my DVC to exchange into DGC if it has availability. Plus, if I can get back before September of '16 I'll manage to catch the 60th year anniversary stuff that wasn't up and running yet on this visit.

I didn't know all those renovations were going on! Guess I've been out of touch with it! You would think with most of this stuff closed that they wouldn't raise the price of tickets since your not getting to see everything - although i know the increase in price helps pay!

dayvewc · Apr 1, 2015

gracie1 said:
I didn't know all those renovations were going on! Guess I've been out of touch with it! You would think with most of this stuff closed that they wouldn't raise the price of tickets since your not getting to see everything - although i know the increase in price helps pay!

I may be exaggerating just a little with "half" of the parks being closed. But I've been following the theme parks forum, and it sure sounds like it's that way.

Angeejoe · Apr 2, 2015

For what ever reason I didn't get any alerts that there were new message in the thread since Saturday! Anyone else ever have this happen?

Dayvewc- looks like you had a great trip! I'd love to see some pics & would gladly read a TR! If you do a TR please post link here!

bcwife76 · Apr 2, 2015

I'm not getting a lot of alerts either to threads I'm watching. These new forums *shakes fist*

Dayvewc - sounsd like a fab trip all around!!!

Dentam · Apr 2, 2015

I don't get alerts most of the time. I've gotten in the habit of putting threads under "watched threads" and checking that list to see when there are new updates.

dayvewc · Apr 3, 2015

Angeejoe said:
For what ever reason I didn't get any alerts that there were new message in the thread since Saturday! Anyone else ever have this happen?

Dayvewc- looks like you had a great trip! I'd love to see some pics & would gladly read a TR! If you do a TR please post link here!

You asked for it. I have started a trip report. Currently it is picture free, but I will upload them as I can and as I finish writing of my adventures.

You can begin reading about my trip here and I will work as quickly as I can to get the rest of it up as soon as possible.

Angeejoe · Apr 3, 2015

dayvewc said:
You asked for it. I have started a trip report. Currently it is picture free, but I will upload them as I can and as I finish writing of my adventures.

You can begin reading about my trip here and I will work as quickly as I can to get the rest of it up as soon as possible.

I'm about to click on the link now!! Get those pics up there!

HubbDave · Apr 3, 2015

Anyone try Dave Ramsey's Every Dollar website and app?

Angeejoe · Apr 4, 2015

What everyone's spending/money pitfalls?

For me it's:

1. I love getting a good deal, I have a hard time passing them up
2. Dining out
3. And the reason we are here, Disney

Dentam · Apr 4, 2015

Angeejoe said:
What everyone's spending/money pitfalls?

For me it's:

1. I love getting a good deal, I have a hard time passing them up
2. Dining out
3. And the reason we are here, Disney

Not so much dining out for me but I definitely love a good deal and have a hard time with that one. I also still own a house in another state that I've been losing money on but should close on selling it soon! Now I'm debating about getting a new to me vehicle since I've been driving the same little 2 door car for over a decade now and it's 14 years old. Trying to decide between using some money from the house for a down payment on a vehicle or putting all of it toward paying off cc's. I'm leaning toward paying off two cc's and using the rest for the down payment since my current car could croak at any moment and also my dog is way too big now to fit comfortably in said car, ha!

Angeejoe · Apr 4, 2015

Dentam said:
Not so much dining out for me but I definitely love a good deal and have a hard time with that one. I also still own a house in another state that I've been losing money on but should close on selling it soon! Now I'm debating about getting a new to me vehicle since I've been driving the same little 2 door car for over a decade now and it's 14 years old. Trying to decide between using some money from the house for a down payment on a vehicle or putting all of it toward paying off cc's. I'm leaning toward paying off two cc's and using the rest for the down payment since my current car could croak at any moment and also my dog is way too big now to fit comfortably in said car, ha!

I agree with the idea to spend the house proceeds on the CCs, and the leftovers on the down payment. If you buy a new car, the interest rates are so low right now, that in the long run its cheaper than a promotional rate CC. I'd do it the same way. I feel comfortable with certain debt (of course I'd prefer none, lol) like mortgages & vehicle payments.

Why are good deals so hard to pass up???

dayvewc · Apr 4, 2015

Angeejoe said:
I agree with the idea to spend the house proceeds on the CCs, and the leftovers on the down payment. If you buy a new car, the interest rates are so low right now, that in the long run its cheaper than a promotional rate CC. I'd do it the same way. I feel comfortable with certain debt (of course I'd prefer none, lol) like mortgages & vehicle payments.

Just my $0.02, but I agree also. In my opinion, secured debt (house, car) is a much "better" debt to carry than unsecured (CC) debt. Though I would also prefer to be debt free, I acknowledge that it isn't likely to happen quickly or soon. Unless I win the lottery. :teeth:

Angeejoe said:
Why are good deals so hard to pass up???

My problem in passing up good deals is really dependent on what the good deal is on. If it is on something I know that I will need eventually anyway, I am much more prone to buying (spending) outside my comfort zone. But I don't have a problem passing up a "good deal" on other stuff. Kind of like last month, I spent over $100 on dog food, bedding, and other supplies. I normally spend about $50 a month for those things ($40 just for food) and budget out to save up for more periodic things (replacement beds, flea&tick medicine, etc.) But, when I caught the store close-out sale with everything 75% off, I just couldn't resist. Especially since that $100 actual cost represented about $650 sticker price in materials. My girls have food for another 3-4 months, flea&tick meds for a year, new beds for each, and treats out the wazoo.

That's where I have a hard time passing up the deal. It was an extra expense at the time, but ultimately it will/is saving me much more on items I would have to buy anyway. Ok, the treats may not be an absolute necessity, but I can't say no to the "Bambi eyes" very well. ;-)

Angeejoe · Apr 4, 2015

dayvewc said:
Just my $0.02, but I agree also. In my opinion, secured debt (house, car) is a much "better" debt to carry than unsecured (CC) debt. Though I would also prefer to be debt free, I acknowledge that it isn't likely to happen quickly or soon. Unless I win the lottery.

My problem in passing up good deals is really dependent on what the good deal is on. If it is on something I know that I will need eventually anyway, I am much more prone to buying (spending) outside my comfort zone. But I don't have a problem passing up a "good deal" on other stuff. Kind of like last month, I spent over $100 on dog food, bedding, and other supplies. I normally spend about $50 a month for those things ($40 just for food) and budget out to save up for more periodic things (replacement beds, flea&tick medicine, etc.) But, when I caught the store close-out sale with everything 75% off, I just couldn't resist. Especially since that $100 actual cost represented about $650 sticker price in materials. My girls have food for another 3-4 months, flea&tick meds for a year, new beds for each, and treats out the wazoo.

That's where I have a hard time passing up the deal. It was an extra expense at the time, but ultimately it will/is saving me much more on items I would have to buy anyway. Ok, the treats may not be an absolute necessity, but I can't say no to the "Bambi eyes" very well. ;-)

I shop like you on some things, I like to stock up. Last month Kroger had my almost $4 cereal on sale for 4@ $8 plus if you bought 4 you got a free gallon milk ($3.69), this was such a good deal & it went over 2 wks, so I eventually got 12 boxes & 3 free gallons of milk. The cereal is good until next year, and I've already been through several boxes.

I'm bad about clothes on a great sale or fun stuff. That's the things I need to reel myself in on.

Debt Dumpers - 2015

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