11-23-2008 DCL per-Thanksgiving 3 night Wonder cruise!!

[pillow]

Ron Jons is a HUGE surfing store. I used to go there all the time in the early 80's and it was a surf shop with some cool Tshirts. Well, now it takes up more than an entire block. They have a ton of Tshirts.

The most important thing you can know if you are driving down 95 is there were be tons of signs that say "250 miles to Ron Jon Surf Shop". This is the best count down because it is so close to port. Are you driving?

That is a good rate on a shuttle. It looks like a van is about $120 one way.

I don't remember those signs. Just must not have paid attention when we drove before.

Yes, the 4 of us are driving - about 12 hours for us. We're leaving Friday night after dh gets home from work. My mother, her dh, my grandmother, neice and nephew are all flying down on Saturday to meet us (which is why I need the airport shuttle).

So, it looks like we'll be staying at the Dolphin after the cruise. We were on a wait list (we have DVC) for either the Beach Club Villas or AK Villas, but neither opened up. I was blown away at how quickly the villas booked up for T-giving week!

On another note, it looks like I'll be "selling" my spring break Beach Club Villas reservation since we've decided to visit the Grand Canyon instead. We've got a 1 bedroom villa booked April 5th for 5 nights. I used 200 points, so the price would be $2,000. Anyone interested? I haven't advertised over on the "rent/trade" board yet.

Jodie

 

[spaddy]

I don't remember those signs. Just must not have paid attention when we drove before.

Yes, the 4 of us are driving - about 12 hours for us. We're leaving Friday night after dh gets home from work. My mother, her dh, my grandmother, neice and nephew are all flying down on Saturday to meet us (which is why I need the airport shuttle).

So, it looks like we'll be staying at the Dolphin after the cruise. We were on a wait list (we have DVC) for either the Beach Club Villas or AK Villas, but neither opened up. I was blown away at how quickly the villas booked up for T-giving week!

On another note, it looks like I'll be "selling" my spring break Beach Club Villas reservation since we've decided to visit the Grand Canyon instead. We've got a 1 bedroom villa booked April 5th for 5 nights. I used 200 points, so the price would be $2,000. Anyone interested? I haven't advertised over on the "rent/trade" board yet.

Jodie

Be careful when listing your Beach Club reservation. They only allow reservation available for rent if it is within 30 days. This is a new rule. We actually have a reservation at VWL in a studio at the same time. I am very excited about it.


I love the Ron Jon signs. We always drove when I was a kid and I got excited when we finally got to 95 so the signs would start.

 

[pillow]

Be careful when listing your Beach Club reservation. They only allow reservation available for rent if it is within 30 days. This is a new rule.

Can you clarify? Are you saying that I can only list the rental on the Disboards if it is within 30 days of vacation time? Guess I need to look into this.

Jodie

 

[spaddy]

Can you clarify? Are you saying that I can only list the rental on the Disboards if it is within 30 days of vacation time? Guess I need to look into this.

Jodie

Yep, that's the new rule. I guess it is to stop people from getting reservations at prime times and trying to rent them. People can still post requests for reservations, so you could look for someone look at that time.

 

[TCB in FLA]

I love the Ron Jon signs. We always drove when I was a kid and I got excited when we finally got to 95 so the signs would start.

I love those Ron Jon signs as well -- I remember them from my chidlhood vacations. They have cute surf shirts. My favorite is one DS#1 picked last time of the the shuttle blasting off. The place is just massive and open 24 hours.

 

[spaddy]

So, how is the planning going for everyone? I am starting to freak out a little bit. I think I need to do a test packing to see if I can fit all the stuff I want to fit in my suitcase.

I just signed up for the Segway tour in Nassau. I have done the tour in Epcot and thought it was really fun, so I figured I will give it a try.

 

[TCB in FLA]

A Segway tour sounds like so much fun! I've never had a chance to ride one.

I've putting my planning on hold this week. DS#1 turned 8 yesterday, and DS#2 has his 6th b-day on Saturday. We had their party last weekend, but still need to have family celebrations, cookies for the class, etc. But my biggest challenge this week is the Read-a-thon I'm planning for the boys' school. We've got about 150 readers coming in to read to about 30 classes. It's our biggest daily event of the year, and I feel like this right about now:

If I can make it through this weekend, I'm not going to even set a foot in the door to the school until post-cruise -- I'll drop the kids off at the curb.

 

[pillow]

So, how is the planning going for everyone? I am starting to freak out a little bit. I think I need to do a test packing to see if I can fit all the stuff I want to fit in my suitcase.

I just signed up for the Segway tour in Nassau. I have done the tour in Epcot and thought it was really fun, so I figured I will give it a try.

It just hit me that we're going on a cruise soon! Don't freak out. Its only 3 nights, and since you don't have to go formal, you don't have to bring too much really.

I've had to get the rest of my family's transportation straight today. I've booked 3 shuttles and cancelled 3 hotel rooms. Then I had to call DCL and get some details straight about my mother's b-day celebration. Lots of loose ends!

Oh, and last night I noticed one of the secret porthole rooms opened up on the 11 night 2010 x-mas cruise. I booked it late last night. Then I had to call and cancel my original reservation. Saved lots of $$ by moving down a category.

I'm trying to get rid of some points, so I've been on the Disboard rent/trade thread some today too. There is an incredible amount of activity on those boards!!

Chaperoning a 3rd grade field trip to Monticello tomorrow. Busy Busy!


Jodie

 

[spaddy]

I was just in my niece weeding on Saturday. My 4 year old was in the wedding too. It was really time consuming and now that it is over I feel like I really need to focus.

The problem I am having with packing is I have to pack for 2 day at DW, 3 day cruise, and 3 days in Fort Lauderdale. I can't decided how to divide the bags. We are at least flying Southwest so I don't have to obsess on having to pay for every bag we bring with us. I can't decided if I should just pack a couple beach toys with us, or if I should just go buy a couple when we get there. We dont' have much time before the cruise and I really want to enjoy stay at the Beach Club. Sorry, I am rambling.

Pillow, the Rent Trade board is very busy. I think it is busy now especially because of all the developer points people have. Have you though about a transfer? I have transferred points twice before and it was a pretty painless process. I asked $10/point the first time and $10.50 the second. I think it will be easier to get a buyer too if they are BC points. You can usually ask a premium.

 

[pillow]

Pillow, the Rent Trade board is very busy. I think it is busy now especially because of all the developer points people have. Have you though about a transfer? I have transferred points twice before and it was a pretty painless process. I asked $10/point the first time and $10.50 the second. I think it will be easier to get a buyer too if they are BC points. You can usually ask a premium.

They are actually Saratoga points, but the res is at Beach Club - probably better just to rent the res since BC is more popular than Saratoga. I also have 33 points left in this use year (end of March) that I'm trying to get rid of. Unfortunately though, they are in a holding account, so I can only book within 60 days of vacation time.

Jodie

 

[spaddy]

They are actually Saratoga points, but the res is at Beach Club - probably better just to rent the res since BC is more popular than Saratoga. I also have 33 points left in this use year (end of March) that I'm trying to get rid of. Unfortunately though, they are in a holding account, so I can only book within 60 days of vacation time.

Jodie

Yeah, the holding points are hard. I think once you get into January and Feb. being within 60 days it will get easier. December is just impossible at the 7 month window, not to mention 60 days. I always get stressed out about getting rid of extra points, but once I take a day and work at it it is usually over quickly.

I don't know about the SSR points. With the Tree House Villas opening someone might be interested in SSR for when they open. I know I will definitely be planning a trip there when I can get my extended family to go with me.

 

[pillow]

Yeah, the holding points are hard. I think once you get into January and Feb. being within 60 days it will get easier. December is just impossible at the 7 month window, not to mention 60 days. I always get stressed out about getting rid of extra points, but once I take a day and work at it it is usually over quickly.

I don't know about the SSR points. With the Tree House Villas opening someone might be interested in SSR for when they open. I know I will definitely be planning a trip there when I can get my extended family to go with me.

I was thinking that as well. I might just wait until Jan 1 to sell my remaining 33 points.

My dh and I stayed at SSR for the first time just a month ago. I wasn't that crazy about it. Beach Club is still my fav! What are the tree house villas?

Jodie

 

[etblank]

I was thinking that as well. I might just wait until Jan 1 to sell my remaining 33 points.

My dh and I stayed at SSR for the first time just a month ago. I wasn't that crazy about it. Beach Club is still my fav! What are the tree house villas?

Jodie

We just joined DVC in June. SO, I am kind of new at this, but we have a reservation booked in March. I will need more points for a few reservations later in the year. Is it possible to rent points for my March reservation and save my actual points for later in the year? If so, Jodie, I might be interested. We are hoping to stay at the Tree House Villas in October and that is going to jack up the points I borrow from 2009.

As far as packing...we had our first offical snow here last night. Enough to still be on the ground in the morning. Two weekends ago I put all the summer clothes away, picked out the nicer outfits and put them right in a suitcases, so I am about 90% done! Plus, lucky me, I am actually going to a conference at Disney the weekend prior to our arrival for the beginning of our family trip. What a great primer. The only weird part will be not having my husband or kids with me! One of my co-workers has never been, so that will be fun taking her around.

I think I am now in the daily check the weather in Orlando mode!

 

[TCB in FLA]

As far as packing...we had our first offical snow here last night. Enough to still be on the ground in the morning. Two weekends ago I put all the summer clothes away, picked out the nicer outfits and put them right in a suitcases, so I am about 90% done! Plus, lucky me, I am actually going to a conference at Disney the weekend prior to our arrival for the beginning of our family trip. What a great primer. The only weird part will be not having my husband or kids with me! One of my co-workers has never been, so that will be fun taking her around.

I think I am now in the daily check the weather in Orlando mode!

Wow - SNOW! My kids have been asking to just SEE snow for the last 3 years (DS#1 doesn't remember the snow in Abq. or Va.). We are actually supposed to get in the 40s tonight, which is really cold for us. I might actually have to change into normal shoes rather than my usual flips.

I'm thinking about trying a ski vacation during the boys' spring break if DH will go for it.

 

[etblank]

We considered moving to Florida in January of this year. My kids begged us not to because they like snow! I like it when it is fresh and pretty, but come about February, I am sick of it! Fortunately for the kids, the job offer wasn't attractive enough for us to move.

 

[pillow]

I'm thinking about trying a ski vacation during the boys' spring break if DH will go for it.

We would love to go on a ski trip out West! Only 2 things though - (1) the price $$$$$, and (2) I get tired of it after about 2 days. My brother will be moving out to Colorado in May, so I'm hoping we'll be able to couple a visit to him with a short ski trip next winter. We live about 4 hours from Snowshoe, WV, which is probably the best skiing in the area. My dh and I both love it (although I'm a bit of a chicken), and the kids love it too!!

Jodie

 

[pillow]

We just joined DVC in June. SO, I am kind of new at this, but we have a reservation booked in March. I will need more points for a few reservations later in the year. Is it possible to rent points for my March reservation and save my actual points for later in the year? If so, Jodie, I might be interested. We are hoping to stay at the Tree House Villas in October and that is going to jack up the points I borrow from 2009.

Not sure if that would work. If you cancelled a portion or all of your March reservation in order to rebook using my points, then I THINK you would have to use those cancelled points within your use year - by the end of June (assuming June is your use year) - so you couldn't use them for your October trip. Unfortunately, since my 08 points are in a holding account, Disney won't allow me to just transfer them to you.

However, I do have a spring break trip in April booked with 200 points (09 use year). I think I could cancel that and "transfer" the 200 points to your account. We have an April use year, so you would have to use them between April 1, 2009 and March 30, 2010.

PM me if you think that could work.

Jodie

 

[aseal]

Are we doing a gift exchange? I went back a few pages and did not see anything about it. We would love to participate if there is one. We did it in June for the Mexican Riviera Cruise and it was so much fun. My kids loved it. We really got to know the other DIS families.

 

[pillow]

I don't think we'd be interested - just because the cruise is so short, and we've got a million family members tagging along on this trip with us - a lot going on in such a short period of time. I've heard others say that they really enjoyed it though, so maybe some folks will want to participate.

Jodie

 

[spaddy]

I don't think I can do the FE gifts. I think if I try to bring anymore stuff with us my DH is going to go crazy.

I really want my 4 year old to ski. My DH didn't ski until he met me and he said he will only ski out west. He doesn't like the cold. We would ski in Santa Fe all the time and we were usually sweating in the middle of the day. I have never been to Snowshoe, but it is pretty close to us too. Maybe I can take my son there sometime. I see they have kid's lessons.

It snow here too today. It didn't ever really stick, but it was COLD. Can't wait to be in Orlando/Bahamas/Ft Lauderdale.