Book it. Buy it. BELIEVE it! - TR is started! link posted 8/11

[DisMomAmy]

It's always such a relief when the airfare is booked. That seems to be the biggest variable (at least as far as cost) with any trip.

Glad the boys are excited for the beach!

Funny you say that about Eric & all the questions - that's exactly why Tim doesn't want to tell the boys about our trips ahead of time.

 

[mousescrapper]

Booking airfare is definety the most stressful element...

Glad the kids are all excited

Free beer

 

[MRYPPNS]

Well just be thankful that Jeff didn't say "Honey lets wait until there is another disaster at sea to tell the boys about the trip" !

 

[tinacaplan]

Glad that you bought airfare. I totally understand about limited options, though. I will only fly out of one airport and only two airlines fly direct to Orlando out of it. And its a small airport, so there's aren't bargains very often. We bought plane tickets for July almost as soon as we got home from Florida in February. I saw gas going up and up and up and wanted to jump on a reasonable price right away. And I still don't know where we're staying yet.

I love the brooch story...hillarious the way you phrased that. Kids are just so funny and wonderful.

 

[MEK]

So you are going to Vero first? Nice. Work on the tan and all that first! Build up your tolerance to alcohol first. I see in the logic in all that.

Glad the boys are excited and that they already know. "Should we tell them now?" Nothing like being subtle!

I hear ya on the airfare because this is the most I have ever paid and I still haven't bought Nicks return flight because he hasn't decided how long his is staying. I might have to decide for him.

The beach itself at the resort is not what I think of as beautiful. It is actually a little narrow and gravely. Well, its not super fine sand, but it's still a beach with sun and waves and great beach chairs and super close alcohol and a super close pool. What more do you need?

Our view

You can see here what I mean by gravely

There is a nice lawn behind the main part of the resort

And my boys basically rented a soccer ball the whole time we were there

They are free

Imagine that view from your kitchen

Enjoy!

 

[dizneeat]

Congratulations on buying DVC!

And for booking your flights .... makes it SO much more real!

I love how you "sprang" the surprise on the boys, and cannot wait to hear about how they will react when they find out that you bought DVC!

As for that DVC magnet - make sure you let them know that you are DVC. We didn't and they had no record of us! But they made it up to us once we let them know!

Can't wait to read about Free Beer!

 

[Poolrat]

Unlike someone I know I figured I’d get an update up today, even though it will not be at the top of the page.

Boy the Solaor storms, full moon and Spring fever is getting to everyone. Everybody got s little "edge" lately.

Up next. Free Beer.

Mmmmmmmm Beer. Even thoughI like my girl drinks, could not resist.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay for telling the E's! Love the little pins you bought them!

Yikes on the airfare! That is always what keeps us from traveling to the West Coast -- the cost to fly is so outrageous. Glad you went ahead and bought and have that out of the way now.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I'm extremely late and haven't read your whole report yet, but I thought I would tag along for the ride. The parts I have read have been great, it looks like you have gone on some wonderful family trips (LOVE the Alaska pictures!!). Congratulations on DVC and booking flights, and I look forward to reading more

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I think it is so adorable that Jeff couldn't keep the secret any longer. Definitely a closet Disney lover. And how super cute is it that the boys know what DVC is and all the fun it can mean? I can just feel the wind coming out of poor E's sails when you told him you got DVC mail "all the time."

 

[eandesmom]

Um, check again! Now back to read.

LOL! Actually I meant in it the way that I wasn't going to wait until this PTR got to the top of the page for an update, not that you weren't going to do one today. Pretty funny though that you posted it about when I did.

Jeff is so funny! That pretty much sealed the deal, right?

Amazing timing and tact that man, subtle too.

Oh yeah, they'll help you make plans for your points! And suggest an add-on.

Oh I am sure they will. I will be sure not to show them my nifty app! Although honestly I'm a bit surprised they haven't found it on my phone when they are playing games.

Bummer that you weren't able to get as good a deal on flights as in the past, but what're you going to do? I think you were wise to book when you did.

I've been really spoiled in the past, no doubt. As of today I am especially glad we've already bought them as it looks like we've got a water issue in the house that is going to eat up some $$ It is a huge relief actually that I don't have to stress about both expenses at once.

 

[eandesmom]

It's always such a relief when the airfare is booked. That seems to be the biggest variable (at least as far as cost) with any trip.

Isn't that the truth! I wish it was more fun that it was to book, it's the worst part no doubt.

Glad the boys are excited for the beach!

Funny you say that about Eric & all the questions - that's exactly why Tim doesn't want to tell the boys about our trips ahead of time.

Eric would do well if we just kept it all as a surprise. Evan on the other hand really wants to know ahead of time. So we try to balance. They'll know most of it...but I have to have at least one big surprise in there still!

Booking airfare is definety the most stressful element...

Glad the kids are all excited

Free beer

Free beer is a very good thing! Airfare stresses me out.

Well just be thankful that Jeff didn't say "Honey lets wait until there is another disaster at sea to tell the boys about the trip" !

Seriously. Or wait, "Hey, let's watch this documentary about hurricanes!" and then tell the kids.

Glad that you bought airfare. I totally understand about limited options, though. I will only fly out of one airport and only two airlines fly direct to Orlando out of it. And its a small airport, so there's aren't bargains very often. We bought plane tickets for July almost as soon as we got home from Florida in February. I saw gas going up and up and up and wanted to jump on a reasonable price right away. And I still don't know where we're staying yet.

In some ways that's easier though, you have dates and you just work your resort around that. We have lots of options, it's just that most of them are pretty awful.

I love the brooch story...hillarious the way you phrased that. Kids are just so funny and wonderful.

I love that he will wear them to school, in middle school! It's all him and it's so cute with him being as focused on style and brands (and his hair!) as he is, that he has zero compunction about a Disney pin on his shirt or jacket!

 

[Misskitty3]

**Hijack**

We are planning a trip to the Oregon Coast but can't stay at the Sand Piper this time....where did you guys stay? Did you like it? I know you mentioned you were doing Lincoln city and Ocean Shores - did you stay anywhere else on the OR coast that you would recommend?

Thanks!

**Hijack over**

 

[eandesmom]

So you are going to Vero first? Nice. Work on the tan and all that first! Build up your tolerance to alcohol first. I see in the logic in all that.

Definitely work on the tan! Somehow I never got a tan in 2010 on our almost 2 week trip, something is fundamentally wrong with that!

Glad the boys are excited and that they already know. "Should we tell them now?" Nothing like being subtle!

I hear ya on the airfare because this is the most I have ever paid and I still haven't bought Nicks return flight because he hasn't decided how long his is staying. I might have to decide for him.

Jeff is not known for his subltety.

Airfare is brutal. Really glad we already bought as we apparently have a major fix to do on the house. Insurance should cover it but there is still that darn deductible.

The beach itself at the resort is not what I think of as beautiful. It is actually a little narrow and gravely. Well, its not super fine sand, but it's still a beach with sun and waves and great beach chairs and super close alcohol and a super close pool. What more do you need?

Nothing! Sounds like heaven to me. The E's have never been to a super fine sand beach so it will be perfect. And good that Vero is before Castaway since that will spoile them.

Our view

You can see here what I mean by gravely

There is a nice lawn behind the main part of the resort

And my boys basically rented a soccer ball the whole time we were there

They are free

Imagine that view from your kitchen

Enjoy!

We will enjoy! I'll remember that about the soccer ball, K may want to check one out.

Congratulations on buying DVC!

And for booking your flights .... makes it SO much more real!

Thanks! We are excited, and flights really help it seem like it will actually happen, no doubt about that! As of today our tickets are up $80pp.

I love how you "sprang" the surprise on the boys, and cannot wait to hear about how they will react when they find out that you bought DVC!

As for that DVC magnet - make sure you let them know that you are DVC. We didn't and they had no record of us! But they made it up to us once we let them know!

Interesting, I'd heard that people hadn't notified anyone and somehow still got a magnet but I will tell them next time I need to call, though that won't be for a while.

Can't wait to read about Free Beer!

Free beer is a fabulous thing

Boy the Solaor storms, full moon and Spring fever is getting to everyone. Everybody got s little "edge" lately.

Nah, just having fun. Although it was even funnier that my poke happened about the same time Glenn actually posted...and was at the top of the page.

B
Mmmmmmmm Beer. Even thoughI like my girl drinks, could not resist.

Free is

Yeay for telling the E's! Love the little pins you bought them!

aren't those cute? I liked the fact that they each liked a different one better, that was fun.

Yikes on the airfare! That is always what keeps us from traveling to the West Coast -- the cost to fly is so outrageous. Glad you went ahead and bought and have that out of the way now.

It's horrible. Our tickets are now up $80pp!

I'm extremely late and haven't read your whole report yet, but I thought I would tag along for the ride. The parts I have read have been great, it looks like you have gone on some wonderful family trips (LOVE the Alaska pictures!!). Congratulations on DVC and booking flights, and I look forward to reading more

Not late at all! Trip is still several months away. very happy to have you here.

 

[eandesmom]

**Hijack**

We are planning a trip to the Oregon Coast but can't stay at the Sand Piper this time....where did you guys stay? Did you like it? I know you mentioned you were doing Lincoln city and Ocean Shores - did you stay anywhere else on the OR coast that you would recommend?

Thanks!

**Hijack over**

Hijack away! I'm actually going to do a mini TR but probably won't go into much detail on the hotels. We had one night in Lincoln City. We stayed at Surftides.

I really liked the room, the location and the resort. The pool complex was a bit dated and weird but the kids loved it. The hot tub area had some construction going around it but I'd imagine it would be long completed by summer.

This was the view from our balcony, I did not do a good job of taking pictures as it was a blustery Feb day but it's a great location.

 

[Chilly]

$2/300 for flight sound good to me. Our Orlando ones are normally around the $750 mark, the ones for our Alaska cruise were over $1000 each We were going to use our miles for that flight but they only started flying that route a week after we needed to go

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Congrats on getting your airfaire! That always makes a trip more real to me when we fly.

Love how Jeff couldn't wait to tell the boys. Too cute!

Vero looks like so much fun. I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[eandesmom]

$2/300 for flight sound good to me. Our Orlando ones are normally around the $750 mark, the ones for our Alaska cruise were over $1000 each We were going to use our miles for that flight but they only started flying that route a week after we needed to go

2/300 would be great, if that's what we paid It is what I've paid in the past but this time we are just under $500. Still glad we bought when we did as the same tickets are creeping closer to $600 now. That is a bummer that your tickets were over $1000, you have the Vancouver Depart/Seattle return itinerary don't you? That probably increased the cost. Some airlines seem to be getting a lot better about the one way fares but I know when I went to Germany last Jan ('11) the one ways were impossible, I had to book a RT ticket to get anything remotely affordable and that was close to 1K then, over a year ago at a non busy time of year.

The Alaska cruise was definitely more affordable for us because we didn't have to fly anywhere.

Congrats on getting your airfaire! That always makes a trip more real to me when we fly.

Love how Jeff couldn't wait to tell the boys. Too cute!

Vero looks like so much fun. I can't wait to hear all about it!

It does make it much more real! Glad it's over, I'm tracking October now in hopes that those will come down but at the moment don't have a lot of hope.

 

[eandesmom]

**Hijack**

We are planning a trip to the Oregon Coast but can't stay at the Sand Piper this time....where did you guys stay? Did you like it? I know you mentioned you were doing Lincoln city and Ocean Shores - did you stay anywhere else on the OR coast that you would recommend?

Thanks!

**Hijack over**

AHA! I found some more

As you can see, it wasn't warm but didn't slow them down a bit!

 

[Misskitty3]

AHA! I found some more

As you can see, it wasn't warm but didn't slow them down a bit!

Thanks! I don't think it ever is warm there, is it?.

We talked about the Oregon coast last night at dinner. I think we may also look into Lake Chelan too. We had a great time there last summer and much shorter drive. However, we love the tax free shopping in Oregon.....

We went to Hawaii in January so our summer trip needs to be very budget friendly!