A Salute to Food & Wine but Mostly Wine..12/21 FINAL THOUGHTS...a Solo Trip Adventure

[askelton]

The best thing I bought though... if you stop at one of the festival souvinier booths that sells the F&W shirts and stuff... they have Gift cards on little stretchy bracelets!!! I put $50 on it and walked around with it on my wrist, so I didn't have to dig for $$$. They said it's reloadable too, so I'm going to keep it to take on my next trip

Uh, I've been twice and haven't seen this.

I've never done a split stay so hopefully it all goes smoothly. I was able to get an AP rate on the room so it isn't rack rate at least but it also 'ain't' a value resort rate either. But I was getting nervous about Pop hearing about the size of the rooms, bus service etc. and wanted something a little more Christmas-y. And I may be turning into a deluxe snob. The DIS has created a monster!!!

No such thing.

Okay, let me be nosy, because lately I have been wondering if I should get APs partly because it would make it easier to go on a whim, and also because of the room discounts. What is your room rate? Do you mind me asking?

AP's are always a good thing.

Don't mind at all. For a standard view (e.g. no animal view) room for 3 nights it is ~$150/night. I'm having heart palpitations thinking about it but it will be worth it!

That's awesome! When we looked into one night for Party For the Senses at Beach or Yacht, $291. Needless to say we're sleeping at home.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

That would be great! And thanks for finding that -- so if I am planning a seven-night stay at a deluxe, it almost makes the most financial sense to get an AP!

And you can still do the dining plan with an AP, right?

Yes- I believe that you can still book dining plan w/ an AP. That turns it into a package with the rules that go along with that in terms of when you have to pay but otherwise it is possible. The CM was talking it up this afternoon. There is also the "tables in wonderland" card (formerly Disney Dining Experience) that offers 20% off meals including alcohol.

I will forgive you for booking AKL since WL was full. I also have to tell DH this because I better be able to get my WL package for next year in December. Sigh. I really am very excited. I told Marc that you said you might try to swing a trip while we are there. Hehehe.

I'm glad you approve. I'm disappointed about no WL this year but it will be fun to look forward to for next year! Does Marc think we're nuts?

Hey Christine,
are you still thinking about doing the DVC tour next week??? Awesome incentives going on there.... maybe now is the time!!
Oh BTW, I think we were talking about it here...maybe another thread, I'm subscribed to way too many But I think you were involved in the discussion any way. The $100 GC for taking the DVC tour doesn't exist... at least not right now BUT I got 3 free FP to anywhere that you have 4 days to use and there's free ice cream involved!! Was a nice relaxing break!

With becoming a deluxe snob...and all the upcoming trips.....

Paula

Very good idea. I think I will still go on the tour. Incentives are good, huh? We were talking about the gift certificate. Too bad that's not offered any more but ice cream is a close second. So not to pre-empt your TR but I take it you didn't win DVC membership in the YOAMD?

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm glad you approve. I'm disappointed about no WL this year but it will be fun to look forward to for next year! Does Marc think we're nuts?

Nope. He is really getting into Disney. At the wedding we went too last night, he was really talking it up and how he was so surprised that he had such a great time. I think he wants to go next year as badly as I do.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I thought that, too. I may make it my b-day gift, although I won't be able to get it until we go down. Is that right? I know so little about APs except that I want one today.

I ordered mine earlier this summer before the rates increase and they sent me a little voucher that I'll turn in when I get there. So the one year clock doesn't start until I get down there and activate it.

Uh, I've been twice and haven't seen this.

A reason to go back!

That's awesome! When we looked into one night for Party For the Senses at Beach or Yacht, $291. Needless to say we're sleeping at home.

Thanks. That makes me feel better. I was starting to worry that maybe I got swept up in the magic and that it wasn't really a good deal.

Now I'm thinking I need an ADR at Jiko.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Nope. He is really getting into Disney. At the wedding we went too last night, he was really talking it up and how he was so surprised that he had such a great time. I think he wants to go next year as badly as I do.

That's awesome. I've got to find myself either a Disney-fied man or a very patient man. Or perhaps he'd better be both.

 

[Lady Lallie]

That's awesome. I've got to find myself either a Disney-fied man or a very patient man. Or perhaps he'd better be both.

I recommend both. I am a very lucky lady to have Marc.

 

[ILuvCrush]

Very good idea. I think I will still go on the tour. Incentives are good, huh? We were talking about the gift certificate. Too bad that's not offered any more but ice cream is a close second. So not to pre-empt your TR but I take it you didn't win DVC membership in the YOAMD?

Those Dream Squad guys were SCARCE!!! They must be running low in the prize closet

I did not see ONE PERSON with Dream Ears all week!!
I did not see a dream Fast Pass on ANYONE until my 4th day!!
I did not see a Dream Squad member ONCE ALL WEEK!! and believe me... I was looking

So unfortunately, no, no free DVC membership for me... but when YOU win it PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take me along on your 1st trip home

Paula

 

[Donald is #1]

Wow, that's awesome that you were able to book AKL for part of your trip! That is a great rate!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wow, that's awesome that you were able to book AKL for part of your trip! That is a great rate!

Thanks! You are an AKL expert so I'm sure I will have questions for you as we get closer to December. Yahoo a whole new resort to research! Why I never got this excited about research in school I don't know.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I am now doing a split stay in December. 2 nights as originally booked and...


... wait for it...



3 nights at AKL! I tried for WL but it is booked. The CM says it is VERY popular at Christmastime. So I'll just have to book it early when I go in 2009 to meet LL!

I've never done a split stay so hopefully it all goes smoothly. I was able to get an AP rate on the room so it isn't rack rate at least but it also 'ain't' a value resort rate either. But I was getting nervous about Pop hearing about the size of the rooms, bus service etc. and wanted something a little more Christmas-y. And I may be turning into a deluxe snob. The DIS has created a monster!!!

Congrats on the split stay! AKV is our home resort and we will be there for Christmas this year. You will love it there. We love WLV too...they are kinda tied for us as far as favorites. The lodges just feel so cozy and homey and what better time to have that than around the holidays.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Congrats on the split stay! AKV is our home resort and we will be there for Christmas this year. You will love it there. We love WLV too...they are kinda tied for us as far as favorites. The lodges just feel so cozy and homey and what better time to have that than around the holidays.

Oh good! Another AKL expert for me to ask questions. I'm excited. I'm sure it will be beautiful, especially at Christmas!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh good! Another AKL expert for me to ask questions. I'm excited. I'm sure it will be beautiful, especially at Christmas!

Have you headed over to the AKL photos thread yet?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Have you headed over to the AKL photos thread yet?

NO! Good idea!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Click Here for a Little Glimpse of Heaven!

 

[askelton]

Now I'm thinking I need an ADR at Jiko.

You do! It's lovely.

 

[Donald is #1]

Thanks! You are an AKL expert so I'm sure I will have questions for you as we get closer to December. Yahoo a whole new resort to research! Why I never got this excited about research in school I don't know.

Feel free to ask away!

 

[brookelizabeth]

The best thing I bought though... if you stop at one of the festival souvinier booths that sells the F&W shirts and stuff... they have Gift cards on little stretchy bracelets!!! I put $50 on it and walked around with it on my wrist, so I didn't have to dig for $$$. They said it's reloadable too, so I'm going to keep it to take on my next trip

What a great tip!

I am now doing a split stay in December. 2 nights as originally booked and...


... wait for it...



3 nights at AKL!

AKL IS BEAUTIFUL! You will love it!!!!!! There are plenty of public viewing areas to see the animails too, so even if you don't have them outside of your balcony, you will still get to see them a lot! You'll love it...and while I've never seen it with my own eyes at Christmas, I've seen LOTS of pictures, and it's beaaaaaaaaaautiful.

Break even for a moderate resort is 6 nights and 3 nights for a deluxe stay!! Using an average discount of ~$87/night. I got this info from a Disney podcast. I can PM you the info; I don't think the mods like us to post info about other sites/shows on here.

Wow! And the DDP being without appy's and without tip now, it isn't such a great deal-so the DDE (TIW) might even work out to be better....I'm planning our 2010 trip in my head as I type...


THREE DAYS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I cannot believe that I leave on Thursday!!! I am not at all prepared. I had a minor crisis last night where I thought I lost my annual pass voucher but luckily I found it... I had just filed it too well. That'll show me for trying to get organized!

I think I am entering the what the heck am I thinking phase of the trip. I'm worried that it won't live up to the hype. Afterall I've been planning this thing since January!! I'm worried that it's weird that I'm going by myself. I'm worried that I'll miss being there w/ friends (although at this point I have a few meets scheduled so hopefully it will be a good blend). I'm worried that I'll gain 25 lbs at F&W! Yes, Paula, I'm worried about getting a picture of the headless horseman. I'm worried about whether I made the right ADR choices. I'm worried about whether I'll get to ride TSM. I'm worried about the weather. I'm worried/upset that I haven't had time to do a special iron-on shirt for MNSSHP.

I have issues.... OK???????????????

Does any of this make sense??? Can you relate?? Pretend you do even if you don't so I can feel normal!

And just to prove the depths of my sickness as I have all of these doubts about the trip this week I continue to plan for another trip in December. I just called looking for Jiko reservations for Monday 12/15.... 9:05 pm!! I checked other days and the earliest I could get was 8:45 so I just stuck w/ my preferred day.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Does any of this make sense??? Can you relate?? Pretend you do even if you don't so I can feel normal!

Ummmmm, yes. This sounds like me three weeks ago right before we left for Disney. Deep breaths...it'll be okay.

Oh, and unless your like...an alien or something...it WILL live up to the hype. Bring buffet pants to make the rounds at F&W Festival...its lethal to the waistline!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Ummmmm, yes. This sounds like me three weeks ago right before we left for Disney. Deep breaths...it'll be okay.

Oh, and unless your like...an alien or something...it WILL live up to the hype. Bring buffet pants to make the rounds at F&W Festival...its lethal to the waistline!

As far as I know I am not an alien. I will add some elastic waist band clothes to the pile for F&W-- good tip! I am taking deep breaths. Very weird to be giddy and anxiety ridden all in one!!