J
JulesMom
Guest
Cast of Characters:
Michele(me) 38obsessive planner and WDW lover
Ronnie(DH) 40has become Disney addicted, though he tries not to show it
Juliana(DD)16aka Jules, WDW Princess, loves all things Disney, DIS obsessed
Jacob(DS)10also Disney obsessed, loves Pluto
DatesDecember 21,2002-December 30,2002
Accomodations:
Econolodge-KissimmeeDecember 21
Beach Club-standard viewDecember 22-December 29
Comfort Inn-Tillmans Corner-Mobile, AlabamaDecember 29
Background:
We took our once in a lifetime trip in March 1996. We had always wanted to go, but this was the first time we could afford to go and Jacob wasnt a baby. We became totally hooked. Juliana & I even cried when we left, on the way home and after we got home!
We have been at least once every year since. In March 2002, we finally joined DVC. I wish we had done it sooner!
We try to stay at different resorts each trip. We hope to eventually stay at every WDW resort!
Pretrip Planning:
We had planned on going to DIS-CONII in early December, but then Jules realized region band was that weekend, so we couldnt go.
So, we made ressies for December 18-28 at POFQ. About August, I knew we couldnt afford to go. Airfare had gotten so high. And we dont have our taxes escrowed in with our house payment. So, I wanted to be sure we had the $6000 we needed to pay in December. So, I cancelled our ressies.
October 30, 2002:
Jacob & I are watching the Travel Channel. Great Hotels is on. And they are at YC/BC at WDW. Well, YC is my favorite resort! The WDW bug bit me REALLY hard. We started talking about going NEXT Christmas. When Jules got home from school, the planning started real heavy. We decided we could drive. We have never driven before, but driving could save us a lot of money. If we watched how many souvies we bought and stayed at a mod, then we could go for about $2000. Not including our APs. We are going for 2 weeks in June, so well have those.
I started thinking why cant we go this year!! I had been unhappy at my job and wanting to quit. If I quit now, I wouldnt have to work Christmas. I could work partime at another hospital to save the money for the trip. So, I checked out mousesavers.com and called CRO to see what was available. I couldnt use an AP rate because you had to check in by 12/19. But code BBK was available. But, not at any mods. YC, BC & WL were available. We havent stayed at BC so, I decided to try there. I sent in a request to Dreams Unlimited that night. I decided not to tell the kids until I was sure I could work it out financially.
October 31, 2002:
I receive our quote from DU for $198.69(tax included) at Beach Club. I forwarded the email to my husband at work. He called me and asked Whats up?. So, I filled him in on my plan. He said Can we afford it? I said, Yes, if I work some extra shifts. He said, GO FOR IT!! Woo Hoo!!!
So, I called a hospital I used to work at to set up an interview. And sent our deposit in to DU. That night I sent an email to our agent for PSs.
November 1, 2002:
I went for my interview. The nurse manager said your probably still in our system and when do you want to start. I said Tommorrow She said OK.
Ronnie & I decided to keep it a secret from the kids. We surprised them last year with a Christmas trip, so they will never suspect!
December 7, 2002:
All the plans were made.
We got a little off track when my Mom was admitted to the hospital 11/30 with a live ailment. She is doing well now, but I missed one week of work. I was hoping to have the trip paid off by the time we left. I would only be a few hundred dollars short.
Jules had region band today. She came home about 7:30pm. She didnt make it L. She made it her freshamdna and sophomore years, so she was very upset. It had been a rough week. My mom was in the hopital and Jules had been sick with a cold. I told Ronnie I wanted to tell the kids. I needed something to smile about. He agreed.
The night before, we had the kids open 1 present each. Jacob got the Poly for the monorail set and Jules had gotten the GF for the monorail. We had put together the Poly but not the GF.
I put our WDW ressies in with the instructions for the GF. I started filming with the camcorder. Jules wanted to know why I was filming. I gave some lame excuse. Then she grabbed the instructions and the ressies fell out. Whats this? she said. Then she just starting crying and saying No way! over and over. Jacob sat there looking confused. She showed him the ressies and he looked like he was in shock! Jules said I cant believe you surprised us again?!?
Needless to say, they were very happy. We looked over the plans I had made-which were basically the plans for our 2003 trip. And started counting down the daysless than 2 weeks!!!
Michele(me) 38obsessive planner and WDW lover
Ronnie(DH) 40has become Disney addicted, though he tries not to show it
Juliana(DD)16aka Jules, WDW Princess, loves all things Disney, DIS obsessed
Jacob(DS)10also Disney obsessed, loves Pluto
DatesDecember 21,2002-December 30,2002
Accomodations:
Econolodge-KissimmeeDecember 21
Beach Club-standard viewDecember 22-December 29
Comfort Inn-Tillmans Corner-Mobile, AlabamaDecember 29
Background:
We took our once in a lifetime trip in March 1996. We had always wanted to go, but this was the first time we could afford to go and Jacob wasnt a baby. We became totally hooked. Juliana & I even cried when we left, on the way home and after we got home!
We have been at least once every year since. In March 2002, we finally joined DVC. I wish we had done it sooner!
We try to stay at different resorts each trip. We hope to eventually stay at every WDW resort!
Pretrip Planning:
We had planned on going to DIS-CONII in early December, but then Jules realized region band was that weekend, so we couldnt go.
So, we made ressies for December 18-28 at POFQ. About August, I knew we couldnt afford to go. Airfare had gotten so high. And we dont have our taxes escrowed in with our house payment. So, I wanted to be sure we had the $6000 we needed to pay in December. So, I cancelled our ressies. October 30, 2002:
Jacob & I are watching the Travel Channel. Great Hotels is on. And they are at YC/BC at WDW. Well, YC is my favorite resort! The WDW bug bit me REALLY hard. We started talking about going NEXT Christmas. When Jules got home from school, the planning started real heavy. We decided we could drive. We have never driven before, but driving could save us a lot of money. If we watched how many souvies we bought and stayed at a mod, then we could go for about $2000. Not including our APs. We are going for 2 weeks in June, so well have those.
I started thinking why cant we go this year!! I had been unhappy at my job and wanting to quit. If I quit now, I wouldnt have to work Christmas. I could work partime at another hospital to save the money for the trip. So, I checked out mousesavers.com and called CRO to see what was available. I couldnt use an AP rate because you had to check in by 12/19. But code BBK was available. But, not at any mods. YC, BC & WL were available. We havent stayed at BC so, I decided to try there. I sent in a request to Dreams Unlimited that night. I decided not to tell the kids until I was sure I could work it out financially.
October 31, 2002:
I receive our quote from DU for $198.69(tax included) at Beach Club. I forwarded the email to my husband at work. He called me and asked Whats up?. So, I filled him in on my plan. He said Can we afford it? I said, Yes, if I work some extra shifts. He said, GO FOR IT!! Woo Hoo!!!
So, I called a hospital I used to work at to set up an interview. And sent our deposit in to DU. That night I sent an email to our agent for PSs.
November 1, 2002:
I went for my interview. The nurse manager said your probably still in our system and when do you want to start. I said Tommorrow She said OK.
Ronnie & I decided to keep it a secret from the kids. We surprised them last year with a Christmas trip, so they will never suspect!
December 7, 2002:
All the plans were made.
We got a little off track when my Mom was admitted to the hospital 11/30 with a live ailment. She is doing well now, but I missed one week of work. I was hoping to have the trip paid off by the time we left. I would only be a few hundred dollars short.
Jules had region band today. She came home about 7:30pm. She didnt make it L. She made it her freshamdna and sophomore years, so she was very upset. It had been a rough week. My mom was in the hopital and Jules had been sick with a cold. I told Ronnie I wanted to tell the kids. I needed something to smile about. He agreed.
The night before, we had the kids open 1 present each. Jacob got the Poly for the monorail set and Jules had gotten the GF for the monorail. We had put together the Poly but not the GF.
I put our WDW ressies in with the instructions for the GF. I started filming with the camcorder. Jules wanted to know why I was filming. I gave some lame excuse. Then she grabbed the instructions and the ressies fell out. Whats this? she said. Then she just starting crying and saying No way! over and over. Jacob sat there looking confused. She showed him the ressies and he looked like he was in shock! Jules said I cant believe you surprised us again?!?
Needless to say, they were very happy. We looked over the plans I had made-which were basically the plans for our 2003 trip. And started counting down the daysless than 2 weeks!!!
