Pre-planning (3 months out):
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I agonized over where we were going to stay. Although we do fairly well financially, we certainly dont have thousands upon thousands of dollars to spend. I narrowed it down to a deluxe hotel (if you could even call that narrowing down). But I also knew I wanted to stay at Universal Studios, too. What days where? And how many of each? Arghhhh!! I poured over the virtual tours on the WDW site, carefully scrutinizing each picture. Are the colors right? Do I like the lobby? How about transportation? What are the on-site restaurants like? I had seen and walked through the Poly in the past, as well as the WL. Each one left a fabulous impression. I wasnt so hot for the stuffiness of the GF, and the Contemporary simply wasnt my style. Since we dont have kids, I wanted something beautiful and quiet and romantic. AKL was fairly new and looked enticing...
Steve? What do you think??? (silence...cricket, cricket... chirp, chirp) Then, I received the devastating blow of an answer, I dont care. Whatever you want. I couldnt believe it! No opinion??? How could that possibly be?? Didnt it matter what the view outside the window was? Didnt he need to know what was on the menu at each resort? Didnt he care what color the carpet was in our room????
(sigh) Apparently not. It didnt take long for me to understand that I was to be in complete and total charge of this trip. He wanted simply to show up. I didnt know whether to wail in panic and frustration, or to rub my hands together in glee. I found myself nervously falling somewhere in between.
Until, that is, I discovered these message boards. Omigod... let me first start out by thanking all of you for your words of wisdom and your profound expertise. However I was soon dismayed to discover that I could not find any two of you that agreed on the same thing! I became obsessed with everyones opinions!! One person thought the AKL was a bit boring... another person thought the WL was too loud... another one thought that the Poly smelled too musty. And THEN I came across those horrid posts about the banana spiders! (Do you know what Im talking about?) I cant even begin to regale you with the tales of my many ups and downs (not to mention sleepless nights!) as a result of what I read on these boards. One day I was on cloud nine, and the next I was convinced our trip was going to be a disaster and that Id end up scarring us for life. I had truly gone insane. They should have support groups for the newbies on the DisBoards. God help me.
Pre-planning (two months out):
Oh, but how much difference a month can make. Let me assure you that now, I am an expert. I know how the codes work. I have read all about the pros and cons of concierge. I know which resort has what kind of transportation, and I not only own every single 2005 WDW book out there, but they are all carefully highlighted with notes in the margins. I managed to determine that due to the WDW Marathon (and possible higher than average crowds for this time of year), wed do the first three days at Universal Studios, and then move over to WDW. I also made a decision that well be staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel in US and the AKL in WDW. Sure, I may change my mind, but the ressies are booked!
And now I even have my BDP code for our AKL room. I had originally booked it under the AP rates, figuring we could buy them just for the hotel discount. But I soon realized when the BDP codes came out; wed save even more money by doing that instead. That way we would just get a 4 day park-hopper pass and just pay the extra $15 for the room. Still a very significant savings over AP passes and AP rates. I was VERY pleased. Rack rates for our standard Savannah room were almost $280 a night. Ive got it now for $168. Still no Entertainment codes for PBH at Universal, and I dont have AAA. Steve will flip when he finds out how much we are paying for that room. But I keep reading that its quieter than the other two (even still... if the other two US hotels were significantly cheaper, Id switch. But there isnt that much of a difference). Maybe the resort staff will help me hide my bill? Perhaps they can slip it under the door disguised as a newspaper? Or maybe I can have them create a pretend invoice and then Ill sneak downstairs to take care of the real one. Surely theyve encountered this situation before. =) Well see...
Pre-planning (six weeks out):
Oh, how I loooooove watching my countdown drop lower and lower. I have become a true Dis-board member, participating in a few conversations every week. But all of my expertise and confidence have flown out the Haunted Mansion window. Ive been reading some nasty things about the Portofino Bay Hotel. Im also not too sure about the transportation at the AKL. And I just read a post about how the outdoor grounds are much more appealing at WL than at AKL. I also found out that the AKL has the smallest rooms for a deluxe resort. Yikes! Im still trying to figure out if that matters to me or not. And where are those darn Entertainment rates for Universal Resorts??? Each night I rush home from work to hop on the net and scope out everyones messages. Last night Steve noticed (and Im quoting here) that my fun, interesting internet planning has turned me into a maniacal, obsessive lurker. No way! How did that happen? At that comment, I sat there staring off into space, with one half of my brain wondering if I should look into scrapping the whole thing and reserving a villa, while the other half of my brain seriously considered just calling a travel agent. Should I keep trying for perfection, or save my sanity and put it in someone elses hands? Before I realized that I was totally dazing and that I hadnt blinked in over two minutes, Steve patted me on the head and kissed me. Sweetie, he says. Wont you be taking away all of the magic if you fret over every single little detail and plan every tiny little thing? Well, crap... theres some truth in that. He IS right...but do I listen? Nah. I am young! I am determined! I am a woman, capable of (and expected to) changing my mind on a whim! I am Nala... hear me roar!! (Then watch me cry, lol!)
Pathetic-yet-still-determined, I woke up the next morning convinced that we were absolutely NOT going to pay for a three nights-stay at the PBH for over $300 a night (including tax). Especially if Im reading posts about animal smells, moldy walls and stained carpet. We come from the city life where you can get a fabulous room at a casino for only $160 a night. That includes immaculate, lavish rooms, terry cloth robes, Bath and Body Works toiletries, fireplace, hot tub, etc. I have not read anything that convinces me PBH is worth my precious money. So I called and canceled our reservation. And in two minutes flat, it had all been wiped out of their system. Next I was on the horn to WDW. Originally I decided that we would not rent a car, but simply use the on-site transportation for each US and WDW. And maybe use a car service to switch us from one to the other. It truly wouldnt be worth it for us to rent a car, because we wouldnt use it. So now Im thinking that perhaps well just book those three days back at WDW (hopefully AKL with the same room added on) and maybe rent a car. It couldnt possibly be more expensive than over $900 for the PBH for only three nights. I was almost starting to feel ripped off! Im convinced I can keep our costs down by staying the entire ten days at WDW. Especially if I use the BDP code again. Im also considering splitting our stay... maybe we could do those three days at the WL?? Since in my funny little head, this irrational rationalizing will never end, well see what the CR recommends...
But whoops! There werent any rooms left but a couple of deluxes at AKL, CR and WL. Whats a deluxe? I asked (of course, I couldnt believe I didnt already know). Well, its bigger, and more expensive. Thats all. No concierge or anything like that (which we already decided wasnt worth the money). Its basically for families who have kids and need the extra space. Well, thats not us. So I begged and pleaded and begged. Nothing. I waited three more days, and still nothing. So my choices were: I could pay rack rate for a deluxe at AKL or WL for those three days, or I could chance it and wait another couple of weeks to see if more rooms have been released under the BDP code. But as I considered the deluxe rooms at the rack rate, I realized Im back to where I was originally paying $300 a night for a room. I really wanted us to stay on US property for those first three nights to eliminate having to rent a car. And at least when I had my ressie with PBH, wed get the Express Pass thingy with the two US parks. (sigh again!) So, now, as I write this, Im back on the phone with Loews, re-reserving our room at the PBH. All of that work, and all of that time and energy, and I ended up in the exact same spot I was originally. I AM in need of help. So heres where it stays: Our reservation is for January 7-10 at the PBH with a deluxe king room bay view, and January 11-16 at AKL with a standard Savannah room. No more changes... end of that saga. (I think... )
By the way... I am a very strong supporter of unions. I grew up in a very democratic family, and my father was chief steward of his auto union. But I cannot even think about this impending WDW strike. I simply cannot acknowledge that scenario right now. And if I thought long and hard about how that may affect our trip, youll know. How will you know, you ask? Because Ill be all over the news as the crazy lady who is standing in front of the Disney store with wide-open eye balls, making screeching noises as she pulls out her hair in clumps and karate chops anyone who walks past her. (slow karate chops, of course, ala Del and his wife!!)
:jumping4: (more below!!)
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I agonized over where we were going to stay. Although we do fairly well financially, we certainly dont have thousands upon thousands of dollars to spend. I narrowed it down to a deluxe hotel (if you could even call that narrowing down). But I also knew I wanted to stay at Universal Studios, too. What days where? And how many of each? Arghhhh!! I poured over the virtual tours on the WDW site, carefully scrutinizing each picture. Are the colors right? Do I like the lobby? How about transportation? What are the on-site restaurants like? I had seen and walked through the Poly in the past, as well as the WL. Each one left a fabulous impression. I wasnt so hot for the stuffiness of the GF, and the Contemporary simply wasnt my style. Since we dont have kids, I wanted something beautiful and quiet and romantic. AKL was fairly new and looked enticing...
Steve? What do you think??? (silence...cricket, cricket... chirp, chirp) Then, I received the devastating blow of an answer, I dont care. Whatever you want. I couldnt believe it! No opinion??? How could that possibly be?? Didnt it matter what the view outside the window was? Didnt he need to know what was on the menu at each resort? Didnt he care what color the carpet was in our room????
(sigh) Apparently not. It didnt take long for me to understand that I was to be in complete and total charge of this trip. He wanted simply to show up. I didnt know whether to wail in panic and frustration, or to rub my hands together in glee. I found myself nervously falling somewhere in between.
Until, that is, I discovered these message boards. Omigod... let me first start out by thanking all of you for your words of wisdom and your profound expertise. However I was soon dismayed to discover that I could not find any two of you that agreed on the same thing! I became obsessed with everyones opinions!! One person thought the AKL was a bit boring... another person thought the WL was too loud... another one thought that the Poly smelled too musty. And THEN I came across those horrid posts about the banana spiders! (Do you know what Im talking about?) I cant even begin to regale you with the tales of my many ups and downs (not to mention sleepless nights!) as a result of what I read on these boards. One day I was on cloud nine, and the next I was convinced our trip was going to be a disaster and that Id end up scarring us for life. I had truly gone insane. They should have support groups for the newbies on the DisBoards. God help me.
Pre-planning (two months out):
Oh, but how much difference a month can make. Let me assure you that now, I am an expert. I know how the codes work. I have read all about the pros and cons of concierge. I know which resort has what kind of transportation, and I not only own every single 2005 WDW book out there, but they are all carefully highlighted with notes in the margins. I managed to determine that due to the WDW Marathon (and possible higher than average crowds for this time of year), wed do the first three days at Universal Studios, and then move over to WDW. I also made a decision that well be staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel in US and the AKL in WDW. Sure, I may change my mind, but the ressies are booked!
And now I even have my BDP code for our AKL room. I had originally booked it under the AP rates, figuring we could buy them just for the hotel discount. But I soon realized when the BDP codes came out; wed save even more money by doing that instead. That way we would just get a 4 day park-hopper pass and just pay the extra $15 for the room. Still a very significant savings over AP passes and AP rates. I was VERY pleased. Rack rates for our standard Savannah room were almost $280 a night. Ive got it now for $168. Still no Entertainment codes for PBH at Universal, and I dont have AAA. Steve will flip when he finds out how much we are paying for that room. But I keep reading that its quieter than the other two (even still... if the other two US hotels were significantly cheaper, Id switch. But there isnt that much of a difference). Maybe the resort staff will help me hide my bill? Perhaps they can slip it under the door disguised as a newspaper? Or maybe I can have them create a pretend invoice and then Ill sneak downstairs to take care of the real one. Surely theyve encountered this situation before. =) Well see...
Pre-planning (six weeks out):
Oh, how I loooooove watching my countdown drop lower and lower. I have become a true Dis-board member, participating in a few conversations every week. But all of my expertise and confidence have flown out the Haunted Mansion window. Ive been reading some nasty things about the Portofino Bay Hotel. Im also not too sure about the transportation at the AKL. And I just read a post about how the outdoor grounds are much more appealing at WL than at AKL. I also found out that the AKL has the smallest rooms for a deluxe resort. Yikes! Im still trying to figure out if that matters to me or not. And where are those darn Entertainment rates for Universal Resorts??? Each night I rush home from work to hop on the net and scope out everyones messages. Last night Steve noticed (and Im quoting here) that my fun, interesting internet planning has turned me into a maniacal, obsessive lurker. No way! How did that happen? At that comment, I sat there staring off into space, with one half of my brain wondering if I should look into scrapping the whole thing and reserving a villa, while the other half of my brain seriously considered just calling a travel agent. Should I keep trying for perfection, or save my sanity and put it in someone elses hands? Before I realized that I was totally dazing and that I hadnt blinked in over two minutes, Steve patted me on the head and kissed me. Sweetie, he says. Wont you be taking away all of the magic if you fret over every single little detail and plan every tiny little thing? Well, crap... theres some truth in that. He IS right...but do I listen? Nah. I am young! I am determined! I am a woman, capable of (and expected to) changing my mind on a whim! I am Nala... hear me roar!! (Then watch me cry, lol!)
Pathetic-yet-still-determined, I woke up the next morning convinced that we were absolutely NOT going to pay for a three nights-stay at the PBH for over $300 a night (including tax). Especially if Im reading posts about animal smells, moldy walls and stained carpet. We come from the city life where you can get a fabulous room at a casino for only $160 a night. That includes immaculate, lavish rooms, terry cloth robes, Bath and Body Works toiletries, fireplace, hot tub, etc. I have not read anything that convinces me PBH is worth my precious money. So I called and canceled our reservation. And in two minutes flat, it had all been wiped out of their system. Next I was on the horn to WDW. Originally I decided that we would not rent a car, but simply use the on-site transportation for each US and WDW. And maybe use a car service to switch us from one to the other. It truly wouldnt be worth it for us to rent a car, because we wouldnt use it. So now Im thinking that perhaps well just book those three days back at WDW (hopefully AKL with the same room added on) and maybe rent a car. It couldnt possibly be more expensive than over $900 for the PBH for only three nights. I was almost starting to feel ripped off! Im convinced I can keep our costs down by staying the entire ten days at WDW. Especially if I use the BDP code again. Im also considering splitting our stay... maybe we could do those three days at the WL?? Since in my funny little head, this irrational rationalizing will never end, well see what the CR recommends...
But whoops! There werent any rooms left but a couple of deluxes at AKL, CR and WL. Whats a deluxe? I asked (of course, I couldnt believe I didnt already know). Well, its bigger, and more expensive. Thats all. No concierge or anything like that (which we already decided wasnt worth the money). Its basically for families who have kids and need the extra space. Well, thats not us. So I begged and pleaded and begged. Nothing. I waited three more days, and still nothing. So my choices were: I could pay rack rate for a deluxe at AKL or WL for those three days, or I could chance it and wait another couple of weeks to see if more rooms have been released under the BDP code. But as I considered the deluxe rooms at the rack rate, I realized Im back to where I was originally paying $300 a night for a room. I really wanted us to stay on US property for those first three nights to eliminate having to rent a car. And at least when I had my ressie with PBH, wed get the Express Pass thingy with the two US parks. (sigh again!) So, now, as I write this, Im back on the phone with Loews, re-reserving our room at the PBH. All of that work, and all of that time and energy, and I ended up in the exact same spot I was originally. I AM in need of help. So heres where it stays: Our reservation is for January 7-10 at the PBH with a deluxe king room bay view, and January 11-16 at AKL with a standard Savannah room. No more changes... end of that saga. (I think... )
By the way... I am a very strong supporter of unions. I grew up in a very democratic family, and my father was chief steward of his auto union. But I cannot even think about this impending WDW strike. I simply cannot acknowledge that scenario right now. And if I thought long and hard about how that may affect our trip, youll know. How will you know, you ask? Because Ill be all over the news as the crazy lady who is standing in front of the Disney store with wide-open eye balls, making screeching noises as she pulls out her hair in clumps and karate chops anyone who walks past her. (slow karate chops, of course, ala Del and his wife!!)
:jumping4: (more below!!)
booked us on a Southwest Disney package...needless to say, I really have no idea what everything ended up costing, but I think how much we paid for our lagoon view at the GF was why I got my request for a MK view!!
and since we missed Fantasmic last year we want to do the dinner package. Probably do some CR restaurants since that will be our Disney home base. Last year we did all the GF restaurants except 1900 Park Fare ( no PS's available ) and they were all good, especially Narcoosee's - you and Steve would like it!
Mary Ann, why am I not as smart as you?? You're a genius! Steve went out this morning to get coffee and a paper (after I read your post) and while he did that, I put together a list of what restaurants I want to schedule a PS for. 
