A Tale of Two Sisters: Off to Explore the World! Jan '14 - Updated 8/25!

[disney-inspired]

With much disappointment, I regret to inform you all that my trip has been canceled/postponed.
A lot of things are happening in my life right now (not all good) so I need to reshuffle my priorities thus putting this trip on the back-burner.

I'm still hoping for something in 2014 but I have no specific dates at this time.

 

[HappyGal]

I'm here! Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[disney-inspired]

Saving for links to PTR Updates


The Possible Promo Puzzle
180 is A Special Number!
That Darn Donald: The Great ADR Fight!
Real Life Update: Training Mode!
Countdown to Paying off the Trip!
Walt Disney World Bucket List
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BRAZILIAN TOUR GROUPS?!
Parkhoppers are a GO!
Day 1 Planning: Arrival and Magic Kingdom
​

 

[disney-inspired]

I guess I should continue with the details

I officially booked TONIGHT. No, really, I did. I was waiting on my next check before I put down the deposit and there it was, boom! I was on the site like a flash!

I booked with my Disney Visa Rewards card because when Disney announces the January 2014 discounts, DVR cardholders get first crack at these promotions so I want to get a leg-up on the Stay/Play/Dine promo if it returns. I'm just smart like that. But as I'm trying to get out of debt, I will be be paying off whatever I put down for that week.

Now, our sure-to-be fabulous vacation:
January 23 - 27th
Pop Century
4-Day MYW Base ticket
DDP
​

 

[disney-inspired]

aka the boring reasons why I chose January:

I chose January for a variety of reasons, but of course the biggest one being that it was the soonest!

I did contemplate on postponing the trip until late spring so I could use my tax refund but there were three major mental roadblocks: prices, crowds and school.

I've never been to a Disney park during spring break time and I don't plan to... ever! But aside from the crowds, the 'regular season' pricing was less than favorable. Also, now that Anais is in middle school May is full of last minute projects and studying for finals so that was a no-go for her. Strike One.

My mom suggest summer to which I replied with an immediate and emphatic 'NO! '. I have been there in June once and that was enough to last me a lifetime. The rainstorms, the heat, the crowds = and and probably . Strike Two!

My mind then went to September. I went to WDW solo in September 2012 and the weather and crowds were perfect. Again, school reared its selfish head. As Anais would be starting high school this fall, there is no way she could miss any days of school. Three Strikes, you're out!

So after consulting my sister (as she loves school and would hate to miss it and this is totally her) and my parents, we decided to take the trip in January because while it's a new semester, Anais' has the same teachers, just a different schedule. Also, I didn't want to miss too much work (if I'm still there: contract job) so it's a short-ish trip and starts toward the end of the week.

Phew, that's a lot.
Now I have my eyes peeled for any announcements of January 2014 promotions.
I hope for Free Dining but that is seeming less and less likely so I also hope that the Stay/Play/Dine at Kids' Prices promo returns.

I'll link to whichever shows up here for all you folks

 

[HappyGal]

I see you are staying at AoA. LM section?

 

[disney-inspired]

I see you are staying at AoA. LM section?

Ha ha where did you see that? Are you basing that off my ticker? Because I just realized that I WON'T be staying there. Better go fix my ticker...

I wanted to stay there originally but the LM rooms are usually excluded from the promotions and are a bit more expensive. As I'm on a set budget at the moment (this could change depending on work), I'm trying to stay the cheapest. I know the All Stars are cheaper (like $10 less per weekday night) but I really don't like the idea of sharing a bus with two other resorts.

 

[HappyGal]

I'm a huge fan of Pop, actually prefer it over AoA and POR (stayed at both last year). And it's great because it doesn't share buses!

 

[disney-inspired]

After searching for some history on past January promos, I read about: Stay/Play/Dine at Kids' Prices, Room Only discount and Free Dining.

After reading more than a few threads on the subject, it seems Disney is phasing out Free Dining for January. That's a big bummer because that would have saved me the most money. My projected OOP food budget for this trip would have been around $350 and that was eating three CS meals a day with $10 for incidentals (ice cream, cupcake, etc).

As Pop Century is very affordable in January, the Room Only discount would only save $81.60 (based on an estimated 20% discount).

The Stay/Play/Dine promo (all future reference will be SPD because that's a lot to type out for the numerous times I'm sure I'll mention it in this PTR) would give me a savings of:
$38 - Tickets
$170 - discounted QSDP
$208

I thought, 'hmm...How much would it cost to upgrade to the standard DP?".
So, I did a little Disney math:
Adult DP - Adult QSDP = $19.02
Kids QSDP + $19.02 = $34.77

[($34.77 x 2) + 9 (avg. tip per TS meal)] x 4 Nights = $314.16

So for less than my projected food budget, I could get a sit-down meal each night of our trip.

Oh, I hope the SPD deal comes back!

 

[disney-inspired]

As I write this, it is officially Friday, July 26th.

My 180+10 Day for ADRs is SATURDAY. As in 24 hours away!
I only have two for-sure places that both Anais and I agree would be fun/good.

AK - Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House
EP - Teppan Edo for Dinner
MK - ? (Possibly Ohana at the Poly)
DHS - ?

I better figure this out and fast!

Why doesn't DHS have any good TS places? We've eaten at Mama Melrose's and weren't impressed.

I'm thinking maybe we'll eat a resort that day instead of settling for what DHS has to offer.

Instead of using our TS credit for BOG at MK, I think we'll stop by there for a CS lunch. Hopefully the lines have gone down by then.

 

[disney-inspired]

Helllooooooo!

I'm not posting this PTR for my health, you guys!
....
.......
Okay, so maybe I am.

I need something to help keep me a bit sane as I wait these next six months. I'm sure it will be filled with a lot more than just planning; possibly some work rants, home rants, and life rants in general. Who doesn't like a good rant, now and then?

So, please don't be shy! I'd love to chat away with you all and hear your opinions and ideas of a great time at WDW!

So sit back, relax and enjoys this week's episode of... Oh, wait that wdwradio. Ha, my bad

If you ever need a Walt Disney World podcast to help you pass the time, I highly suggest Lou Mongello's WDWradio. It is fun and you learn so much about past and present restaurants, attractions and experiences of the World. It definitely takes a 'Mickey-shaped glasses' approach but that is a-okay with me!

Oh, and I promise: I don't bite!
​

 

[disney-inspired]

(deleted)

 

[ABCastillo]

Congrats on ADRs! I'll also be there in January and will be booking ADRs Monday morning. Were you able to book online OK? Any tips?

 

[disney-inspired]

Congrats on ADRs! I'll also be there in January and will be booking ADRs Monday morning. Were you able to book online OK? Any tips?

I would suggest being ready to book online at 6am EST. I was up at 3am (CA) and while I got Donald saying 'Server is down' I kept hitting the refresh process and made it through for each of my ADRs. I actually booked my first night's ADR, Ohana, through the old website and that was easy but the old site wouldn't recognize my 180+10 capabilities.

If you don't want worry about the hassle, just be ready to call at 7am EST.

Hope you get everything you want!

 

[shalexmom]

Ha ha where did you see that? Are you basing that off my ticker? Because I just realized that I WON'T be staying there. Better go fix my ticker...

I wanted to stay there originally but the LM rooms are usually excluded from the promotions and are a bit more expensive. As I'm on a set budget at the moment (this could change depending on work), I'm trying to stay the cheapest. I know the All Stars are cheaper (like $10 less per weekday night) but I really don't like the idea of sharing a bus with two other resorts.

I stayed at ASMu in January 2012 and we never shared buses with the other two resorts. We only shared the ME from the airport.

 

[autoracepr989]

Joining in from the fb January group.

 

[disney-inspired]

Joining in from the fb January group.

Awesome! Always great to have another reader!

 

[katiee37]

Just started reading some fellow January 2014 PTRs! Following! Hope you have a magical trip!

 

[LB1122]

What fun sister trip you have planned. I have heard Jan is great time to go. We will be there the opposite of down time...Christmas

Your plans look like fun. A day in each park to just enjoy right? Very fun.

 

[disney-inspired]

I was finally able to get Photoshop back onto my computer and I was messing around with it a few days ago.

I think I am going to have way too much fun with it!

I left the source credit for the base on the BTMRR photo because I found it on google.

What do you think?