puffkin
DVC Owner- SSR & AKV
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2001
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Buzz and Woody- Pre Trip Report
Cast: Woody- planner, 21-year-old college student who has always wanted to go to Walt Disney World, second trip
Buzz- 22 year old fianc$B!&(Bwho has never been to Walt Disney World and isn$BCU(B sure what to think of it
Dates: June 9th $B!&(BJune 16th, 2001
Our story:
My name is Kelly and our story begins on a dark, windy day over a year ago. Well, not really, but it sounded really dramatic. In January 2000, my boyfriend Buzz and I decided that it was time to take a real vacation together, not just a trip to the Jersey Shore. I suggested that we go to Walt Disney World. Being poor college students, we knew that it would take awhile to save up for a trip of this magnitude on our measly salaries. However, we vowed to put away $30 each out of our bi-weekly paychecks away into a savings account we affectionately dubbed $BEU(Bhe Disney fund$B!&(B
We saved throughout the summer and by fall of 2000, we took the next step and started talking to some travel agents and pricing the trip. Now, I had some knowledge of WDW because I had been there in 1996 on a school band trip, but I hadn$BCU(B done much research. After talking to several agencies we decided to stay at a Downtown Disney resort to save money.
In October 2000, our dream became a reality. I decided to book through AAA to receive their extra benefits and service. The agent encouraged us to consider staying onsite since there wasn$BCU(B much of a price difference and the added benefits that staying onsite has to offer (mainly WDW transportation since we weren$BCU(B old enough to rent a car). After pouring through the brochure, Buzz made the decision to stay at All-Star Movies. Our package was booked. A seven-night stay at ASMo, 8 day Ultimate Park hopper passes, round trip airfare from LVIA (Lehigh Valley International Airport, near Allentown, PA) and round trip Mears transfers.
However, the true obsession and planning commenced when the travel agent also gave me a copy of Birnbaums Guide to WDW. I was addicted immediately, and the quest for information was hard to satisfy. I poured through that guide from cover to cover, soaking up as much knowledge as humanely possibly, and I was still thirsty for more. So off to Amazon.com to purchase some more guides, including the Unofficial Guide and WDW for adults.
By January of 2001, we decided to increase our bi-weekly contributions to $40 each in order to save up food and spending money as well. I also purchased Cirque Du Soleil tickets exactly at the 6-month mark because this was something I really wanted to do. By March, I had mapped out what parks I wanted to do each day and we had settled on some places to eat. Then, one fateful day in April, inspiration struck. I began searching the web for sites dealing with WDW and my browser took me to the DIS. What a great find and instantaneous addiction.
I would spend hours each day pouring through the boards and soaking up the information. Thanks to the DIS, I found many great tips and strategies to avoid crowds, beat the heat, or just make the trip nicer. I quickly realized that it would have been easier to book the trip on my own, but it was too late now. Next time though, I will be searching for those great rates! Thanks to advice on the DIS, I added an EE for the Magic Kingdom to do the Fantasyland attractions, learned what E-ride and fast passes were, and scheduled several character meals.
By May, with all our plans and Priority Seatings lined up, it was time to start shopping and packing. I was packed two weeks before we left. Oh well, you can never be too prepared. Throughout the first week of June excitement began to build and I could think and talk of nothing else but the trip. Buzz was slightly irritated about the amount of time I spent planning, reading the boards, and discussing the trip, being that he had no idea what to expect.
As I went to bed on June 8th, I was the happiest person in the world, as tomorrow would be the start of Buzz and Woody$BCT(B Great Adventure.
Buzz and Woody's Great Adventure - Day One
Cast: Woody- planner, 21-year-old college student who has always wanted to go to Walt Disney World, second trip
Buzz- 22 year old fianc$B!&(Bwho has never been to Walt Disney World and isn$BCU(B sure what to think of it
Dates: June 9th $B!&(BJune 16th, 2001
Our story:
My name is Kelly and our story begins on a dark, windy day over a year ago. Well, not really, but it sounded really dramatic. In January 2000, my boyfriend Buzz and I decided that it was time to take a real vacation together, not just a trip to the Jersey Shore. I suggested that we go to Walt Disney World. Being poor college students, we knew that it would take awhile to save up for a trip of this magnitude on our measly salaries. However, we vowed to put away $30 each out of our bi-weekly paychecks away into a savings account we affectionately dubbed $BEU(Bhe Disney fund$B!&(B
We saved throughout the summer and by fall of 2000, we took the next step and started talking to some travel agents and pricing the trip. Now, I had some knowledge of WDW because I had been there in 1996 on a school band trip, but I hadn$BCU(B done much research. After talking to several agencies we decided to stay at a Downtown Disney resort to save money.
In October 2000, our dream became a reality. I decided to book through AAA to receive their extra benefits and service. The agent encouraged us to consider staying onsite since there wasn$BCU(B much of a price difference and the added benefits that staying onsite has to offer (mainly WDW transportation since we weren$BCU(B old enough to rent a car). After pouring through the brochure, Buzz made the decision to stay at All-Star Movies. Our package was booked. A seven-night stay at ASMo, 8 day Ultimate Park hopper passes, round trip airfare from LVIA (Lehigh Valley International Airport, near Allentown, PA) and round trip Mears transfers.
However, the true obsession and planning commenced when the travel agent also gave me a copy of Birnbaums Guide to WDW. I was addicted immediately, and the quest for information was hard to satisfy. I poured through that guide from cover to cover, soaking up as much knowledge as humanely possibly, and I was still thirsty for more. So off to Amazon.com to purchase some more guides, including the Unofficial Guide and WDW for adults.
By January of 2001, we decided to increase our bi-weekly contributions to $40 each in order to save up food and spending money as well. I also purchased Cirque Du Soleil tickets exactly at the 6-month mark because this was something I really wanted to do. By March, I had mapped out what parks I wanted to do each day and we had settled on some places to eat. Then, one fateful day in April, inspiration struck. I began searching the web for sites dealing with WDW and my browser took me to the DIS. What a great find and instantaneous addiction.
I would spend hours each day pouring through the boards and soaking up the information. Thanks to the DIS, I found many great tips and strategies to avoid crowds, beat the heat, or just make the trip nicer. I quickly realized that it would have been easier to book the trip on my own, but it was too late now. Next time though, I will be searching for those great rates! Thanks to advice on the DIS, I added an EE for the Magic Kingdom to do the Fantasyland attractions, learned what E-ride and fast passes were, and scheduled several character meals.
By May, with all our plans and Priority Seatings lined up, it was time to start shopping and packing. I was packed two weeks before we left. Oh well, you can never be too prepared. Throughout the first week of June excitement began to build and I could think and talk of nothing else but the trip. Buzz was slightly irritated about the amount of time I spent planning, reading the boards, and discussing the trip, being that he had no idea what to expect.
As I went to bed on June 8th, I was the happiest person in the world, as tomorrow would be the start of Buzz and Woody$BCT(B Great Adventure.
Buzz and Woody's Great Adventure - Day One
You're report is terrific so far - please keep them coming. I can't wait to hear all about it!
