djm99
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- Joined
- May 28, 2003
- Messages
- 4,707
The Cast
Joy Queen Bee, the planner,
David the Ogre he claims to hate Florida in August, sick of going to Disney, loves to travel to anyplace tropical without an agenda
Jamie Princess Bee DD 7
Kay Neice age 8
The Moores
Mary (age 37) hates the heat, not looking forward to this trip but she officially adopted Anna so this is her gift to her.
Anna (age 10) A 32 year-old trapped in a 10 year old body.
The Manns Family
Amanda (34) This is her going away present. Shes moving to Columbia to finish her Doctorate Degree and treating her daughter to WDW
Sarah age 10 sweetest little girl in the world.
The Hords
Paul (35) The funny barber who secretly wants to be a real estate agent
Jan (27) a nurse with the kindest heart given to a human being.
Zoe 8 funny, energetic,
Pete (6 months) looking forward to taking his picture with Mickey!!!
Where do I begin? This trip was originally going to be 3 mothers and our girls going to WDW. Something happened and this turned into a Magical Memories event. It all started in the Fall 2006 when my friend Mary wanted to take her newly adopted daughter to Disney and asked for my advise on a few things. I got some information together and emailed her. She said she felt overwhelmed and asked me if Id like to bring Jamilah (my DD) of course Id love to was my response. That following Saturday I handed her a packet and some Disney prices with many quotes. Another girlfriend of ours saw the packet and asked if she could go too. Of course you can! Now its 3 Queens and 3 princesses going to the world. We all begin to plan, but hadnt made any reservations yet until early February when Airtran officially opened their airline to the St. Louis area. Airtran was offering $89 each way from STL to MCO. All other airline dropped their prices. American Airlines dropped their flights to $158 roundtrip. I call DH to inform him that I was taking monies out our travel fund for Jamilah and I. His response, what about me. What about you? He now wants to go. I remind him that we are going in August, staying on property (no cooked meals), and we will be in Disney mode all the time. He agreed to be a big boy and not spoil this trip for me. (Flashback): DH really does not like Disney. He goes because I love it. He complains about everything. The heat, the stars, the trees, you know it hell have a complaint. He had NO complaint in Cancun when the heat, humidity, etc. was the same there he loves but WDW he hates. I digress. I booked 5 roundtrip tickets immediately (my family of three plus Amanda and Sarahs ticket). Mary had enough points and was able to book her own flight.
I, being the over planner that I am begin my hunt. I stalked Disboards and another Disney discussion board for prices changes, discounts, etc. Many months go by when I come across another Disney Discussion Board. A poster heard a rumor that Disney will be offering FREE dining in 2007. Before you know it that thread is filled with speculation. But it was one poster that stood out to me. This poster claims to work at some ad agency and was creating an ad for Disney. According to the poster, the ad was for FREE dining and she lists dates of late August through September. My initial thoughts were that she couldnt be right. Why would Disney start FREE dining so late this year? Last year Disney started FREE dining on the 12th and then moved back the availability dates to the later part of August. Thats what Disney will do this time too (so I thought). Why would they start it so late but start Value season so early (Aug 5)?
This FREE dining speculation caused us to book our trip onsite this year. My family of 3 (Kay would come into play later) planned only to book an AAA room only reservation, while Mary and Amanda (and their daughters) would be sharing a room and wanted to book a package. They thought it would be easier to book a package vs. getting tickets, etc. I went online to http://www.discountorlandovacation.com/ to pay for my 2 adults 1 child 7 day hopper passes ($742 w/free shipping). Now I was excited, everyone was booked. A few weeks would go by with the FREE dining speculation still in the air then DING it happened. Disney offered FREE dining but just as that poster had reported in late August through September. Bummer but Im still glad I booked that room only rate (so I thought). Around mid-May I get a call from my sister in Birmingham, AL. We planned that Id pick up my niece during Memorial Day weekend so shed spend a few weeks with us. My sister told me that Kay was accepted into this gifted program and couldnt spend that time with us. I suggested that she at least come with us to Disney. My sister agreed. I told her Id give a call after I figured out all the details. The next few weeks in May and June I searched vigorously for our flights from STL to MCO to go down for Kay to join us. That would never happen.
One mid-May morning I was up at the crack of dawn and went on the disboards codes thread. Guess what? Someone listed several codes on the disboards. I immediately write them down, put them in my purse and begin to get ready for work. After I dropped my daughter off to school I called Disney. I get a CM and asked them about the codes. She tells me I cant use the code. I say thank you and hang up. I called again. I get a guy this time. I give him the codes and tells me I can use them. I cancelled my room only reservation and made a package reservation. Why does Disney make us do that BTW? The code that was listed was the gold code. The gold code is 40% off of room rates. Mary & Amandas package went from $1700 for a 7 day 6 nights with 7 day hopper tickets to $1395. My new package was only $1095. I am pleased. My next task was to sell my Disney tickets. Where do I go? Ebay of course! I listed those tickets 3 times before they sold. Each time I listed them, I dropped the price a few bucks. I paid $742 for them and sold all three for $702. This does not include the listing fees. I was every bit of $65 in the hole with those tickets. Disney tickets just do not sell like they use to. Once the funds cleared (from Paypal) I applied the monies along with the 3 nights room only deposit returned to me (from Disney) to my new Disney Package. I only owed about $150.
By the first of July, I was burned out of watching American Airlines (for our same flights for Kayla), so my sister and I decided to fly her directly from Birmingham to Orlando. The problem was finding her flight from Birmingham to Orlando that came in about the same we come in (which was 9:30 am) and finding a departing flight for Kay that leaves BEFORE ours. That way, I will meet her when she arrives in Orlando and see her off FROM Orlando. After what seems like a lifetime, I found some flights with Delta. The only problem, Delta charges $100 for unaccompanied minors. So, I continued looking. After a few days, I couldnt take it anymore so I booked with Delta. One last problem with Delta, I can pay for the ticket online, but I cant pay for the unaccompanied minor online or over the phone. I have to drive to the airport. This is too much trouble for me. Getting to the airport for this was a nightmare.
Its now mid July (Friday July 13th to be exact) when I get a call from my friend Jan. She asks me to look out for airfare to Tampa Bay. She and her husband were thinking about a few days in Tampa and Orlando. I told her that airfare was high right now and Southwest Dings to Orlando or Tampa Bay are few and far between. I looked online while on the phone with her and saw that Southwest did have a Ding to Fort Lauderdale, but she wasnt interested. I told her Id keep an eye out and let her know. That evening (still Friday the 13th), I get a ding guess where- from STL to Orlando. I immediately call Jan and she is on her way to work (she works as a weekend late night nurse). She asks me to book the flights for her ($74 each way). The total for her family - $506.40 Perfect (so I thought)!!!! We then call on a three way to Disney to book her room. The CM tells me the most incredible tale. Disneys Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, and most Villas were all SOLD OUT during our dates (August 6-12)! What did you say CM the only resort available is Saratoga Springs. In early August all sold out!!! Please say it isnt soooooo!!!! This place is going to be crowded as heck!!!
Back to reality. Jan was crushed. She finally convinces her husband and everything is booked. I told her to give me a few days Id find her someplace nice. Over the weekend I sent them many resort timeshare specials. Paul (Jans husband) is off on Mondays and spent the morning looking over the many resort options. He came across his airline information and noticed something. I booked them leaving FROM Orlando going to St. Louis instead of leaving STL going to Orlando. How dingy (pun intended) I felt. In the voice of Urkle from Family Matters, did I do that!!!! Yes I did. What was I going to do? I apologize profusely to shame. I couldnt sleep that night. I really didnt want to give up $500!!! Then it came to me EBAY!! I could sale their credit on Ebay. Southwest is one of the few (if not only) airlines that allow individuals to easily transfer credits and allow those credits to be sold on eBay. So Tuesday morning I call Jannica and let her know what the plan is. Shes on board. She wants to run it by her husband and get back with me. She hangs up and I go wash some clothes. About an hour later I walked by my computer when I hear that beautiful sound ding!!!! It would be a miracle and almost unbelievable to find Orlando right!!! Well, Orlando wasnt there, but Tampa was!!! That is what they originally wanted anyway. The exact same cost. Didnt cost them an extra dime. Wheeeeeee!!!! That is off my heart. They are booked and very happy!!!!!
Long story short, here is the plan. David, Jamilah, myself, Amanda, and Sarah have flights that leaves out at 6:15 AM. We must be in the airport by 4:15 am (yeah it sound good while I was booking but I keep having daydreams that were going to miss our flights). Once in the Orlando Airport we find Kay in the Airport (whos flights comes in 5 minutes after ours) and we all take off in Disneys Magical Express bus. Mary and Anas flight does not come in until 9pm. Jan and Paul plan to spend that day in Tampa and plan to check in later that evening (they have a 2-bedroom condo in Silver Lakes Resorts). They have a few plans in Sea World and maybe US (they will meet us for a day or two in Disney).
Joy Queen Bee, the planner,
David the Ogre he claims to hate Florida in August, sick of going to Disney, loves to travel to anyplace tropical without an agenda
Jamie Princess Bee DD 7
Kay Neice age 8
The Moores
Mary (age 37) hates the heat, not looking forward to this trip but she officially adopted Anna so this is her gift to her.
Anna (age 10) A 32 year-old trapped in a 10 year old body.
The Manns Family
Amanda (34) This is her going away present. Shes moving to Columbia to finish her Doctorate Degree and treating her daughter to WDW
Sarah age 10 sweetest little girl in the world.
The Hords
Paul (35) The funny barber who secretly wants to be a real estate agent
Jan (27) a nurse with the kindest heart given to a human being.
Zoe 8 funny, energetic,
Pete (6 months) looking forward to taking his picture with Mickey!!!
Where do I begin? This trip was originally going to be 3 mothers and our girls going to WDW. Something happened and this turned into a Magical Memories event. It all started in the Fall 2006 when my friend Mary wanted to take her newly adopted daughter to Disney and asked for my advise on a few things. I got some information together and emailed her. She said she felt overwhelmed and asked me if Id like to bring Jamilah (my DD) of course Id love to was my response. That following Saturday I handed her a packet and some Disney prices with many quotes. Another girlfriend of ours saw the packet and asked if she could go too. Of course you can! Now its 3 Queens and 3 princesses going to the world. We all begin to plan, but hadnt made any reservations yet until early February when Airtran officially opened their airline to the St. Louis area. Airtran was offering $89 each way from STL to MCO. All other airline dropped their prices. American Airlines dropped their flights to $158 roundtrip. I call DH to inform him that I was taking monies out our travel fund for Jamilah and I. His response, what about me. What about you? He now wants to go. I remind him that we are going in August, staying on property (no cooked meals), and we will be in Disney mode all the time. He agreed to be a big boy and not spoil this trip for me. (Flashback): DH really does not like Disney. He goes because I love it. He complains about everything. The heat, the stars, the trees, you know it hell have a complaint. He had NO complaint in Cancun when the heat, humidity, etc. was the same there he loves but WDW he hates. I digress. I booked 5 roundtrip tickets immediately (my family of three plus Amanda and Sarahs ticket). Mary had enough points and was able to book her own flight.
I, being the over planner that I am begin my hunt. I stalked Disboards and another Disney discussion board for prices changes, discounts, etc. Many months go by when I come across another Disney Discussion Board. A poster heard a rumor that Disney will be offering FREE dining in 2007. Before you know it that thread is filled with speculation. But it was one poster that stood out to me. This poster claims to work at some ad agency and was creating an ad for Disney. According to the poster, the ad was for FREE dining and she lists dates of late August through September. My initial thoughts were that she couldnt be right. Why would Disney start FREE dining so late this year? Last year Disney started FREE dining on the 12th and then moved back the availability dates to the later part of August. Thats what Disney will do this time too (so I thought). Why would they start it so late but start Value season so early (Aug 5)?
This FREE dining speculation caused us to book our trip onsite this year. My family of 3 (Kay would come into play later) planned only to book an AAA room only reservation, while Mary and Amanda (and their daughters) would be sharing a room and wanted to book a package. They thought it would be easier to book a package vs. getting tickets, etc. I went online to http://www.discountorlandovacation.com/ to pay for my 2 adults 1 child 7 day hopper passes ($742 w/free shipping). Now I was excited, everyone was booked. A few weeks would go by with the FREE dining speculation still in the air then DING it happened. Disney offered FREE dining but just as that poster had reported in late August through September. Bummer but Im still glad I booked that room only rate (so I thought). Around mid-May I get a call from my sister in Birmingham, AL. We planned that Id pick up my niece during Memorial Day weekend so shed spend a few weeks with us. My sister told me that Kay was accepted into this gifted program and couldnt spend that time with us. I suggested that she at least come with us to Disney. My sister agreed. I told her Id give a call after I figured out all the details. The next few weeks in May and June I searched vigorously for our flights from STL to MCO to go down for Kay to join us. That would never happen.
One mid-May morning I was up at the crack of dawn and went on the disboards codes thread. Guess what? Someone listed several codes on the disboards. I immediately write them down, put them in my purse and begin to get ready for work. After I dropped my daughter off to school I called Disney. I get a CM and asked them about the codes. She tells me I cant use the code. I say thank you and hang up. I called again. I get a guy this time. I give him the codes and tells me I can use them. I cancelled my room only reservation and made a package reservation. Why does Disney make us do that BTW? The code that was listed was the gold code. The gold code is 40% off of room rates. Mary & Amandas package went from $1700 for a 7 day 6 nights with 7 day hopper tickets to $1395. My new package was only $1095. I am pleased. My next task was to sell my Disney tickets. Where do I go? Ebay of course! I listed those tickets 3 times before they sold. Each time I listed them, I dropped the price a few bucks. I paid $742 for them and sold all three for $702. This does not include the listing fees. I was every bit of $65 in the hole with those tickets. Disney tickets just do not sell like they use to. Once the funds cleared (from Paypal) I applied the monies along with the 3 nights room only deposit returned to me (from Disney) to my new Disney Package. I only owed about $150.
By the first of July, I was burned out of watching American Airlines (for our same flights for Kayla), so my sister and I decided to fly her directly from Birmingham to Orlando. The problem was finding her flight from Birmingham to Orlando that came in about the same we come in (which was 9:30 am) and finding a departing flight for Kay that leaves BEFORE ours. That way, I will meet her when she arrives in Orlando and see her off FROM Orlando. After what seems like a lifetime, I found some flights with Delta. The only problem, Delta charges $100 for unaccompanied minors. So, I continued looking. After a few days, I couldnt take it anymore so I booked with Delta. One last problem with Delta, I can pay for the ticket online, but I cant pay for the unaccompanied minor online or over the phone. I have to drive to the airport. This is too much trouble for me. Getting to the airport for this was a nightmare.
Its now mid July (Friday July 13th to be exact) when I get a call from my friend Jan. She asks me to look out for airfare to Tampa Bay. She and her husband were thinking about a few days in Tampa and Orlando. I told her that airfare was high right now and Southwest Dings to Orlando or Tampa Bay are few and far between. I looked online while on the phone with her and saw that Southwest did have a Ding to Fort Lauderdale, but she wasnt interested. I told her Id keep an eye out and let her know. That evening (still Friday the 13th), I get a ding guess where- from STL to Orlando. I immediately call Jan and she is on her way to work (she works as a weekend late night nurse). She asks me to book the flights for her ($74 each way). The total for her family - $506.40 Perfect (so I thought)!!!! We then call on a three way to Disney to book her room. The CM tells me the most incredible tale. Disneys Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, and most Villas were all SOLD OUT during our dates (August 6-12)! What did you say CM the only resort available is Saratoga Springs. In early August all sold out!!! Please say it isnt soooooo!!!! This place is going to be crowded as heck!!!
Back to reality. Jan was crushed. She finally convinces her husband and everything is booked. I told her to give me a few days Id find her someplace nice. Over the weekend I sent them many resort timeshare specials. Paul (Jans husband) is off on Mondays and spent the morning looking over the many resort options. He came across his airline information and noticed something. I booked them leaving FROM Orlando going to St. Louis instead of leaving STL going to Orlando. How dingy (pun intended) I felt. In the voice of Urkle from Family Matters, did I do that!!!! Yes I did. What was I going to do? I apologize profusely to shame. I couldnt sleep that night. I really didnt want to give up $500!!! Then it came to me EBAY!! I could sale their credit on Ebay. Southwest is one of the few (if not only) airlines that allow individuals to easily transfer credits and allow those credits to be sold on eBay. So Tuesday morning I call Jannica and let her know what the plan is. Shes on board. She wants to run it by her husband and get back with me. She hangs up and I go wash some clothes. About an hour later I walked by my computer when I hear that beautiful sound ding!!!! It would be a miracle and almost unbelievable to find Orlando right!!! Well, Orlando wasnt there, but Tampa was!!! That is what they originally wanted anyway. The exact same cost. Didnt cost them an extra dime. Wheeeeeee!!!! That is off my heart. They are booked and very happy!!!!!
Long story short, here is the plan. David, Jamilah, myself, Amanda, and Sarah have flights that leaves out at 6:15 AM. We must be in the airport by 4:15 am (yeah it sound good while I was booking but I keep having daydreams that were going to miss our flights). Once in the Orlando Airport we find Kay in the Airport (whos flights comes in 5 minutes after ours) and we all take off in Disneys Magical Express bus. Mary and Anas flight does not come in until 9pm. Jan and Paul plan to spend that day in Tampa and plan to check in later that evening (they have a 2-bedroom condo in Silver Lakes Resorts). They have a few plans in Sea World and maybe US (they will meet us for a day or two in Disney).
