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

[liznboys]

March sounds great! And I know you enjoyed Windsor Hills last time so that'll be good for you.

I'll try to think of anything (changes) you need to know right now...

I'm sure you've already done this but here's a start:

March happenings:
http://allears.net/pl/events.htm#march

March rehabs and closures:
http://allears.net/tp/rehabs.htm#march

 

[liznboys]

Free pin for parking:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/themeparks.htm

"Free Pin at Auto Plaza
Starting December 18, Disney World will be giving away a certificate for a free pin at the Theme Park Auto plazas. The certificate can only be redeemed at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom, Pin Central in Epcot, Sorcerer Hat Shop in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Island Mercantile for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The certificate is only good for the day it is issued. This offer only applies to guests that pay for parking and receive a parking pass and does not apply to Annual Passholders and Resort Guests."

Free is good.

Stomach illness in WDW (hopefully by March this won't be such a topic anymore):
http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Is_there_an_outbreak_of_Norwalk_Virus_at_WDW.htm

Of course as you know we just went and didn't get sick! yippee!!!!

 

[liznboys]

Read on another board that the free pin is a random one....one person said they got High School Musical another got Stitch.

 

[liznboys]

Sounds Dangerous is open seasonally now, so it may or may not be open depending on when you go. I know, this is HUGE, heartbreaking news. lmbo

American Idol should be open then, if you're into that.

 

[carissanboys]

I'm sure you've already done this but here's a start:

March happenings:
http://allears.net/pl/events.htm#march

March rehabs and closures:
http://allears.net/tp/rehabs.htm#march

Actually, seeing as we just found out yesterday, I haven't even looked there yet! So thank you.

Free pin for parking:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/themeparks.htm

"Free Pin at Auto Plaza
This offer only applies to guests that pay for parking and receive a parking pass and does not apply to Annual Passholders and Resort Guests."

That's cool, but I forgot about having to pay for parking. Does anyone know what it costs to park now?

Sounds Dangerous is open seasonally now, so it may or may not be open depending on when you go. I know, this is HUGE, heartbreaking news. lmbo

Oh yeah - breaking my heart! I did already know that one too.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for a WDW trip! I was just reading about the military discount the other day and wondering if I could talk my parents into going (my dad is retired Navy). They won't though, I am sure.

 

[carissanboys]

Hurray for a WDW trip! I was just reading about the military discount the other day and wondering if I could talk my parents into going (my dad is retired Navy). They won't though, I am sure.

Glad you're here Jackie! That's too bad about your parents. My parents never thought they'd like Disney, but when I called them last night and asked if they wanted to join us for a third trip they were so excited.

 

[carissanboys]

Argh!!!!! But, not a good argh.

I just heard from Chuck and all three of our requests were denied AGAIN. This is getting crazy. Now we're back to the drawing board.

I am just going to plan our trip and not worry about where we're going. The navy will eventually ship us off somewhere.

 

[carissanboys]

I just checked out Liz's links and it looks good for March. Looks like the only thing that will be closed is the Hall of Presidents - that is if we go towards the end of March (I can't miss out on Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin!). Oh - and Ellen's Energy thingy. That's closed until the 22nd. I would like to try that as we've never been on it.

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. I bet my parents would love it. I need to go check out the crowd levels for all of March.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Carissa - Glad to hear you are all doing well. Sorry the transfer is still up in the air. May hours aren't posted yet and I'm stressed out - I can only imagine the stress not knowing where you are going to live...

The Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot is beautiful!! I went with my mom for a weekend last spring and we really enjoyed it. It will be going on during our trip this year and we are hoping to at least be able to take a stroll around the WS. Last time we were there with the kids we didn't even step foot in the WS. We're hoping they will enjoy the kidcot stations this time around. We'll see...

 

[carissanboys]

Amy - there is SO much for the kids to see and do in WS! We spent quite a bit of time there on our last trip and we still didn't see so many countries. We plan to spend a lot of time there this trip. We love WS!

 

[winkers]

I love the F&G festival! It's so beautiful!

this might be laughable, but do you get any reasoning for your transfer being denied?

 

[carissanboys]

I love the F&G festival! It's so beautiful!

this might be laughable, but do you get any reasoning for your transfer being denied?

Not laughable at all.

Yes, we do get reasons. Japan and Australia were because it would be too costly for them to move us (we've heard they won't accept you if you have more than 2 kids). The others have usually been because they were already filled by someone else.

 

[carissanboys]

I've just found out that Disney is also offering 40% off room rates to active duty military. I'm not sure if we could get a room for my parents and also receive the discount. I'd have to call and find out. But, I'm not sure my parents would want to do it. We'd have so much more room in a townhouse - it's just more relaxing. But, we would save on parking. Decisions, decisions!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Glad you're here Jackie! That's too bad about your parents. My parents never thought they'd like Disney, but when I called them last night and asked if they wanted to join us for a third trip they were so excited.

They used to love Disney -- we went all the time when I was younger -- my mom was the one that made me Disney-obsessed, but, now they won't leave their dogs. Go figure.

Argh!!!!! But, not a good argh.

I just heard from Chuck and all three of our requests were denied AGAIN. This is getting crazy. Now we're back to the drawing board.

I am just going to plan our trip and not worry about where we're going. The navy will eventually ship us off somewhere.

That stinks!

Is he qualified to get transferred to the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek, South Carolina (or whatever they are calling it these days)? Then, I could visit you when I go to visit my best friend.

I just checked out Liz's links and it looks good for March. Looks like the only thing that will be closed is the Hall of Presidents - that is if we go towards the end of March (I can't miss out on Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin!). Oh - and Ellen's Energy thingy. That's closed until the 22nd. I would like to try that as we've never been on it.

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. I bet my parents would love it. I need to go check out the crowd levels for all of March.

Flower and Garden is beautiful! You should definitely make your dates coincide with that!

I've just found out that Disney is also offering 40% off room rates to active duty military. I'm not sure if we could get a room for my parents and also receive the discount. I'd have to call and find out. But, I'm not sure my parents would want to do it. We'd have so much more room in a townhouse - it's just more relaxing. But, we would save on parking. Decisions, decisions!!

Decisions is right! I love staying on-site so 40% would be a huge draw for me.

 

[carissanboys]

Is he qualified to get transferred to the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek, South Carolina (or whatever they are calling it these days)? Then, I could visit you when I go to visit my best friend.

Can't say I've ever seen that particular spot show up on his list of options.

Flower and Garden is beautiful! You should definitely make your dates coincide with that!

I think I will.

Liz just told me about something else I could do for my birthday instead of getting the free ticket. My birthday is March 30th so we could work the trip to coincide with that. One of the options is to get FP for your entire party (just for that day in that one park)! I'll have to think about that.

 

[dddisrunner]

Hey Carissa, can Chuck get stationed at the Lakehurst Naval weapons station in NJ? If so you would be sooooooooooooooo close to me, less than 5 miles!! Glad to hear you are getting more plans together! Have you thought about renting DVC points? It probably would be cheaper than staying on site at a hotel.

 

[carissanboys]

Hey Carissa, can Chuck get stationed at the Lakehurst Naval weapons station in NJ? If so you would be sooooooooooooooo close to me, less than 5 miles!! Glad to hear you are getting more plans together! Have you thought about renting DVC points? It probably would be cheaper than staying on site at a hotel.

I've had so many people ask if I can get stationed near them. I have a few in California that are about to kidnap me I think.

I think it would be much cheaper to rent a townhouse off site than to rent DVC points. I'd love to do that - just don't think it's affordable.

I emailed both boys teachers this morning and am just waiting to hear back from them. I'd like to pick a week for sure, but so much still up in the air.

 

[carissanboys]

* 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

 

[Charleston Princess]

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...