~ A PTR for a CAMPING Trip That Might Never Be ~ *TR Started (link inside)*

[carissanboys]

That's too bad that your parents won't be able to join you, but on the bright side, there is that 40% discount on rooms...

So true. But, I could also look at a smaller condo for a low price. If there were only 4 of us and I could get a room at a value resort for cheap, I'd go for it. But, even with 40% - a room that can sleep five will be kind of pricey.

I can think of lots of positives about my parents not joining us. It'll be nice not to have to worry about anyone else but us. I love my parents and totally loved having them with us and they are great. But, my dad's knees really bother him and many times I called it a day for his sake.

 

[winkers]

You could stay in the suites at ASMU. THe 6 of us fit nicely there

 

[carissanboys]

You could stay in the suites at ASMU. THe 6 of us fit nicely there

Do you remember how much they were a night?

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Congrats on making a possible date!!! And BOOO for them denying all 3 of your requests....again!

It's great that you guys are getting to go on a Disney trip just the 5 of you. I would check into the suite at ASMu like Winkers said.

 

[winkers]

Do you remember how much they were a night?

I'm not sure......we always booked with a package. I'm thinking they're @ 200 a night,

 

[carissanboys]

Congrats on making a possible date!!! And BOOO for them denying all 3 of your requests....again!

It's great that you guys are getting to go on a Disney trip just the 5 of you. I would check into the suite at ASMu like Winkers said.

The suites are more pricey than staying at one of the resorts that I guess allows 5 in a room (I know some have a trundle bed). I just did a search using 2 adults and 3 kids and the two least expensive ones were:

Port Orleans Riverside and Coronado Springs

I know I've seen pictures of Riverside and thought it was gorgeous. Any thoughts? If I did my calculations correctly, 7 nights at either one would run us $935 (after the 40% off), which isn't that much more than renting a two bedroom condo. Plus, we'd save a lot on parking by staying on site. Hmmmmm.

 

[jordanyosh]

Are you all revived from the shock yet? Carissa posted an update on her PTR??? Whoa

Well, here's my excuse for being MIA - you ready?

Life got in the way. We really didn't think we were going to be making a trip this year afterall. So, instead of being saddened by continuing with a PTR of a trip that TRULY might never be, I simply vanished.

But, slowly and surely I began making my way back to the Dis. It first started with a PM here and a PM there from friends who had started new PTRs or TRs and for some strange reason requested my presence.

That led to me posting more and other friends seeing my posts and saying, "Hey! Where the heck have you been, woman??"

Now, let's talk about what happened this morning. A thread title happened to catch my eye. Why you ask? Because it had the word military in it. "Hmmmm - I must check this out," I thought to myself.

This is what I discovered:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2046414

For those who do not have the energy to click on that link, I will give you the shortened version of those many pages.

Disney has been nice enough to offer active duty military (among some others) a complimentary 5 day pass! And that's not all, folks! They're throwing in up to five 5-day passes for family members at the cost of $99 each!!

So, what does this mean for us???

It means I sweetly told Chuck about this deal and gave him my most radiant smile . He said I should look into it and see what I could find for accomodations and then we'd talk about it. Y'all know what that means!!

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY, BABY!!!

Up Next - So, what the heck have you been up to???

This made my day!!!! Great to hear when someone gets to go to WDW when they think they can't/aren't ....

 

[Blueyed Girl]

We did Port Orleans Riverside in May during the Flower & Garden Festival. Both were great!! POR was really pretty and they had a lot of fun activities going on around the resort.

 

[jordanyosh]

I've always wanted to stay at POR.......do it.

 

[carissanboys]

This made my day!!!! Great to hear when someone gets to go to WDW when they think they can't/aren't ....

Thanks Jordan - it made my day too. I keep thinking about our past trips and remembering that feeling I get when I'm there and it makes me so happy to know I'll be going back soon.

We did Port Orleans Riverside in May during the Flower & Garden Festival. Both were great!! POR was really pretty and they had a lot of fun activities going on around the resort.

Maybe it was your pictures I saw!

I've always wanted to stay at POR.......do it.

You know, we've only stayed at Shades of Green and off site at Windsor Hills. I'd love to experience staying at an official Disney Resort. I have the deal saved and am going to think about it overnight. I'm too tired to make a decision right now. But, this is how I'm feeling about the idea:

 

[jordanyosh]

Just one more thing about staying onsite...time is money. It much more convenient to take breaks when you are staying onsite. You can be alot more flexible. Staying offsite demands just a tad more forethought.

 

[carissanboys]

Good morning!

I really feel like I need to make a decision today on where to stay and make a reservation. As I was lying in bed last night, exhausted and trying to sleep, I started thinking about the fact that staying at POR would be cheaper than ASMS, but - we would have no kitchen to make any meals. That could get very costly.

More research today!

I'm really excited about being at Disney World for my 35th birthday. I had wanted to celebrate my birthday in a big way this year and I'd say this should do that, eh? If you could pick a park to visit on your birthday (and get special FP options for your entire group), which would it be? We won't have PH options so it has to be just one park. I, of course, was thinking MK. What better way to finish off my birthday then with Wishes! I'd also like to eat dinner somewhere special that day. I need everyone's thinking caps because my brain is on overload.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Morning, Carissa! You know you can also get a gift card for the equivalent of a one-day park ticket -- then you could buy a really cool Disney souvenir for your 35th!

I would have to choose MK for a birthday visit. Wishes and dinner at the Castle -- that would be what I would choose to do on my birthday!

Have you thought about the quick service dining plan for your trip? Or the regular dining plan?

 

[carissanboys]

Morning, Carissa! You know you can also get a gift card for the equivalent of a one-day park ticket -- then you could buy a really cool Disney souvenir for your 35th!

I would have to choose MK for a birthday visit. Wishes and dinner at the Castle -- that would be what I would choose to do on my birthday!

Have you thought about the quick service dining plan for your trip? Or the regular dining plan?

You're the second person to say I should pick the gift card. Liz gave me info on it, but I can't remember - can it be used at restaurants?

The thing with the dining plan is we'd spend far more on food than if we didn't do it. We normally only eat one meal a day in the parks - and only a few meals at TS. I understand the DDP is great IF you normally eat all of your meals out. I just recently heard about the counter service plan and I need to look into it. If anyone can point me in the proper direction of where to do so, that'd be great.

 

[liznboys]

What do you all think about going during the Flower and Garden Festival? It begins March 18th. I've seen pictures and it's so beautiful.

It is gorgeous, you are going to love it!

* Breaking News *

My parents - Memere and Pepere - will not be joining us on our trip. They've decided they can't spend the money. So, this will actually be our first trip as just a family of five. I'm kind of looking forward to that. It also opens up more options for accomodations that I will have to look into tomorrow.

I also think I have decided on some dates - you ready?

March 27th - April 4th

I'm sorry they won't be joining you. But, it will make a different trip for you.


Yay for official dates!!! So 8 nights?!?! AWESOME!!!

Good morning!

I really feel like I need to make a decision today on where to stay and make a reservation. As I was lying in bed last night, exhausted and trying to sleep, I started thinking about the fact that staying at POR would be cheaper than ASMS, but - we would have no kitchen to make any meals. That could get very costly.

More research today!

I'm really excited about being at Disney World for my 35th birthday. I had wanted to celebrate my birthday in a big way this year and I'd say this should do that, eh? If you could pick a park to visit on your birthday (and get special FP options for your entire group), which would it be? We won't have PH options so it has to be just one park. I, of course, was thinking MK. What better way to finish off my birthday then with Wishes! I'd also like to eat dinner somewhere special that day. I need everyone's thinking caps because my brain is on overload.

It is SO cool you'll be there for your bday!! I would without a doubt spend it at MK... And you already know I would choose the money card over the FP's. But I LOVE to shop!

I would choose a moderate over the All Star Suites. I know you don't get the kitchen, but I just think there's such a difference between the values and mods. I'd love for you to experience a mod.

 

[liznboys]

You're the second person to say I should pick the gift card. Liz gave me info on it, but I can't remember - can it be used at restaurants?

The thing with the dining plan is we'd spend far more on food than if we didn't do it. We normally only eat one meal a day in the parks - and only a few meals at TS. I understand the DDP is great IF you normally eat all of your meals out. I just recently heard about the counter service plan and I need to look into it. If anyone can point me in the proper direction of where to do so, that'd be great.

We priced the counter service plan and it wasn't worth it to us. The cost isn't that great based on our style of eating, and we don't like that it makes you do things a certain way. We value flexibility bigtime on our trips. I'll try to find a link about it for ya unless someone beats me to it.

 

[liznboys]

Here's that bday fun card info, looks like you can't use it on food, they want you to buy STUFF lol:

Use of birthday fun card is acceptance of its terms and conditions.

1. Card valid only on day issued.

2. You may use the Birthday Fun Card only towards the purchase of merchandise items at participating merchandise locations owned and operated by the owners of the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts. The Birthday Fun Card may not be used towards the payment of Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® Resort Hotel room night folio charges, or a Disney Cruise Line® reservation aboard Disney Cruise Line®, or towards the purchase of any food and beverage items, alcohol, cigarettes, spa services and products, or personal services such as face painting, caricature drawings, hair braiding, and hair wrapping.

3. The Birthday Fun Card is also not accepted at Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant locations, including but not limited to, China, Japan, and Morocco pavilions at World Showcase in Epcot®, Arribas Brothers, Basin, Basin White, Cirque du Soleil, Curl by Sammy Duval, Ghiradelli, House of Blues, Hoypoloi, LEGO Imagination Center, Magic Masters, Magnetron, Niki Bryan Spas, Orlando Harley Davidson Store, Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Rubio Balloon Arts, SD Watersports, Sosa Cigar, Starabillias, Sunglass Icon, Surrey Bike Rental, Virgin Megastore, Wyland Galleries and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned and operated by the owners of the Walt Disney World® Resort.

4. The Birthday Fun Card is also not accepted at Disneyland® Resort Operating Participant locations or any other locations or kiosks that are not owned and operated by the owners of the Disneyland® Resort, including but not limited to, Midway Games, Names Unraveled, Jewel of Orleans, Silhouette Studio, Portrait Artists, Parasol Cart, Heraldry Shop, Crystal Shops (Crystal Arts & Crystal d'Orleans), Paradise Pier Face Painting, Airbrush Tattoos, Rubio Portrait Artist or at Downtown Disney® District locations except World of Disney® Store, Marceline's Confectionery, and the Downtown Disney® District Pin Cart. The Birthday Fun Card is also not accepted at Disneyland® Resort outdoor vending carts.

5. No portion of the Birthday Fun Card balances will be redeemed for cash.

6. The terms of acceptance of the Birthday Fun Card by participating Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® Resort locations may vary, check with individual locations for Birthday Fun Card program participation details.

7. The Birthday Fun Card will not be replaced if lost or stolen, except as may be required by law.

8. A damaged Birthday Fun Card will only be replaced if the original card is presented on the day such card was issued to the Guest Relations Lobby at Disney's California Adventure® Park or City Hall at Disneyland® Park.

9. The Birthday Fun Card may not be resold in any manner whatsoever.

10. The Birthday Fun Card may not be used towards the purchase of any Disney Dollars or gift certificates/cards.

11. The Birthday Fun Card is issued by and represents an obligation of Disney Gift Card Services, Inc.

12. The Birthday Fun Card is not a credit or debit card and carries no warranties, express or implied.

13. Disney Gift Card Services, Inc. is not responsible for any unauthorized use of your birthday fun card.


Q: What if I don't spend my entire birthday fun card on my birthday?

A: The birthday fun card is valid only on your birthday. Any residual value cannot be recovered by the Guest after that day.

 

[liznboys]

There's lots of info here about saving money on food in WDW:

http://www.mousesavers.com/meals.html

 

[liznboys]

Here's the info on the Quick Service Dining Plan:

http://www.mousesavers.com/mywplusquickdining2009.html

 

[carissanboys]

Yay for official dates!!! So 8 nights?!?! AWESOME!!!

Well, it'll be like last time. We'll leave here on Friday, the 27th and arrive in Orlando on the 28th. Technically we won't be arriving home until the 5th since we'll spend a night on the road coming back too. So, 7 nights in WDW.

I would choose a moderate over the All Star Suites. I know you don't get the kitchen, but I just think there's such a difference between the values and mods. I'd love for you to experience a mod.

I feel like this trip will end up being more expensive than I was hoping, but at the same time - it might be our only opportunity to stay on site. I'm really hoping we won't miss the flexibility and room we had staying off site. I know we much preferred our stay at Windsor Hills than we did at Shades of Green. I'm about to start looking at pictures of POR.