Celebrating my Un-Birthday Disney Style-April 2010-New 5/3 - The TR has started!

[DisMomAmy]

Sheraton Vistana Resort here we come!! I'm so happy to have the condo decision & exchange behind us! I knew we'd get something good, but it's still a little unsettling to be "homeless" in Florida.

I set the alarm for midnight, woke up and made the exchange.

Now I just have to work on the requests. We were assigned unit 1412, but I've heard that they don't stick to that. I'm working on trying to figure out which section that is in (my map has teenie tiny little numbers that I can't read...) because I have heard that a new policy means that even though we may not end up in 1412, we will be assigned to that section of the resort - and cannot be placed in any other sections. I'm not even sure if this is true or not, but I want to know what to expect & how to word my request. My guess is that 1412 is in one of the two newest sections - Cascades or Lakes. These are the smallest units... but have the option of a lock-out. I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

Edited to add: I just called the resort & discovered 1412 is in the Fountains section - I'm definitely OK with that! The units are a bit larger - 1200-1260 square feet! Even without a lock-off this will be great!! This section has it's own recreation center & pool complex. It's not he main rec/pool area, but it's secondary - which may mean it will be less busy??

In other news... DMIL finished her GAD project on Monday. She sent books overseas for military moms & dads to read to their kids and be recorded on a DVD. The book & DVD are then sent to their children here in the US. Well I received her voucher today! I'm really excited to be there as a VoluntEAR! Tim says that I'm a professional volunteer - I'm sure some of you can relate - so it will be nice to walk around with the cute the button & maybe get recognized in other ways. I've heard they have some people in parades & that there are special tables in certain restaurants for VoluntEARS. Even if we don't get to do any of those extra special things, it will be nice to see all of that going on. And I'm glad DMIL found an opportunity that was right for her so she can get a ticket & button too.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Your condo selection sounds great. And the room assignment sounds good to. Those units are huge!

I also think it's wonderful that Disney is recognizing volunteers in this way. Yay for your MIL getting her GAD pass!

 

[Angies1274]

Congratulations on getting the condo!!! That's wonderful news!! It sounds like your room is going to be in a great section....less busy is always good!!

Wow! I didn't realize they have been doing so much for the VoluntEars!! That's so exciting!!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I too did not realize you get a special button and everything for doing the GAD. I have a question for you though, you mentioned that you had to upgrade the GAD voucher once you got to WDW, is this because you did not book a vacation package through Disney or is it the case with every voucher? Thanks in advance for any information you can give!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Your condo selection sounds great. And the room assignment sounds good to. Those units are huge!

I also think it's wonderful that Disney is recognizing volunteers in this way. Yay for your MIL getting her GAD pass!

Thanks Julie!! One month left to go for you!!

Congratulations on getting the condo!!! That's wonderful news!! It sounds like your room is going to be in a great section....less busy is always good!!

Wow! I didn't realize they have been doing so much for the VoluntEars!! That's so exciting!!

I keep hearing about little things they are doing here & there recognizing the voluntears... should be fun!

 

[eandesmom]

That's very cool! I still need to look into this for the rest of our gang that hasn't done it yet

 

[DisMomAmy]

I too did not realize you get a special button and everything for doing the GAD. I have a question for you though, you mentioned that you had to upgrade the GAD voucher once you got to WDW, is this because you did not book a vacation package through Disney or is it the case with every voucher? Thanks in advance for any information you can give!

Here's the scoop on the GAD vouchers... They are good for a one day/one park ticket. If you already have a multi-day ticket, as part of a package or if you are already a ticket or AP holder for whatever reason, you can choose an alternate prize. They offer special GAD fastpasses & something like hats & pins?? Haven't heard much about that last option.

I believe you go to Will Call to exchange your voucher for whichever prize you want, I know that's where you go to exchange for the free ticket.

We are staying off-site and won't have any tickets when we arrive in Orlando. We will get the one day/one park tickets for everyone in our party. We each have our own GAD voucher. These tickets are upgradeable to multi-day tickets or APs. I'll get an AP, everyone else will get multi-day park hoppers. We will pay the price of our new tickets, minus $79 per adult & $68 per child (the value of our free tickets). It's a great deal considering we would be buying those tickets anyways!

I initially heard that you have to enter the park using your one day/one park GAD ticket, then upgrade it sometime within 10 days, or before you need it again, at any Guest Relations. I have since heard that some Will Call CMs are letting people upgrade their tickets right on the spot when they turn in their GAD vouchers.

Does that make sense? Do you have a specific question I can help answer? I've done a lot of research on the matter...

 

[DisMomAmy]

That's very cool! I still need to look into this for the rest of our gang that hasn't done it yet

There are still do-at-home opportunities available, even if they don't show up when you search your area. I've found Project Linus, the books for soldiers program that DMIL did, as well as the Haiti Care Kits. Some of them end up costing about $80, but I think it's still worth it if you are using it to save $80 on tickets. Not sure if you would think it's worth it for fastpasses...

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Here's the scoop on the GAD vouchers... They are good for a one day/one park ticket. If you already have a multi-day ticket, as part of a package or if you are already a ticket or AP holder for whatever reason, you can choose an alternate prize. They offer special GAD fastpasses & something like hats & pins?? Haven't heard much about that last option.

I believe you go to Will Call to exchange your voucher for whichever prize you want, I know that's where you go to exchange for the free ticket.

We are staying off-site and won't have any tickets when we arrive in Orlando. We will get the one day/one park tickets for everyone in our party. We each have our own GAD voucher. These tickets are upgradeable to multi-day tickets or APs. I'll get an AP, everyone else will get multi-day park hoppers. We will pay the price of our new tickets, minus $79 per adult & $68 per child (the value of our free tickets). It's a great deal considering we would be buying those tickets anyways!

I initially heard that you have to enter the park using your one day/one park GAD ticket, then upgrade it sometime within 10 days, or before you need it again, at any Guest Relations. I have since heard that some Will Call CMs are letting people upgrade their tickets right on the spot when they turn in their GAD vouchers.

Does that make sense? Do you have a specific question I can help answer? I've done a lot of research on the matter...

Thanks for all of the information! I am calling tomorrow or Saturday to book our room and I will be able to double check with the CM. I have a feeling that if I am expecting to be able to apply a discount when it comes out for the dates we are there that I won't be able to use the GAD toward our park ticket. However, the buttons and FP will be worth the $20 we spent on fleece to make the blankets!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for a successful condo exchange! I know that must be a relief to know you have a definite place to stay!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Thanks for all of the information! I am calling tomorrow or Saturday to book our room and I will be able to double check with the CM. I have a feeling that if I am expecting to be able to apply a discount when it comes out for the dates we are there that I won't be able to use the GAD toward our park ticket. However, the buttons and FP will be worth the $20 we spent on fleece to make the blankets!

The fastpasses sound like a great alternative to me!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hurray for a successful condo exchange! I know that must be a relief to know you have a definite place to stay!

Huge relief!! Thanks Jackie!

I was starting to drive myself crazy with all the options at the different resorts & starting to second guess our decision. I was playing the resort changing game before we had even booked one! I think you know a little bit about that game...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Huge relief!! Thanks Jackie!

I was starting to drive myself crazy with all the options at the different resorts & starting to second guess our decision. I was playing the resort changing game before we had even booked one! I think you know a little bit about that game...

I might have played it a time or two...

 

[DisMomAmy]

I might have played it a time or two...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Well the rain has actually already stopped, but we don't have power. We had a major rain & wind storm last night (it had actually been raining for days) and lost power around 11pm. We have a generator hooked up so we are OK. The basement only got a little bit wet. Almost everyone in our neighborhood has a generator after the big ice storm in December 08 when we lost power for a week! Hopefully this one won't be a week long event! We were outside hooking it up and it was so scary - the wind was whipping like I've never seen it before!

Our cable, phone, internet are all out but I'm borrowing DH's computer before he goes to work. He has an air card so he can connect to the internet. He ran out to search for gas for the generator before work so I'm stealing a few minutes to go online. I checked the power company website - 226,000+ customers without power, then Zach went on Club Penguin to buy an orange puffle and now I'm here to get my DIS fix. Priorities...

Hopefully Tim will be able to find gas sometime this morning - when the power is out the gas stations can't pump gas... in the ice storm last year he had to drive over an hour away to fill up the gas bottles.

I'll check back in tonight when Tim & his air card get home!

 

[carissanboys]

Glad you're happy with the resort and room choice.

Sounds like the United Through Reading program. Chuck is going to be doing it on the ship. He works nights so he's trying to find a time he can have someone record him reading. I know the boys will love getting the DVD. So, thanks to your MIL!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh my goodness, Amy! The wind and rain storm sounds crazy!!! I hope you get your power back soon!

 

[eandesmom]

I checked the power company website - 226,000+ customers without power, then Zach went on Club Penguin to buy an orange puffle and now I'm here to get my DIS fix. Priorities...

I hope Tim comes home with gas and the power is on soon!!! YIKES!

 

[mousescrapper]

yay for the condo exchange being done...

and sorry about the storms going on, hope it doesn't get worse or Tim is driving too far for the gas again.

Is your power out too or just communications? Stay safe and Dry!


ok another GAD question...sure I could dig around for it, but why not ask my in house pro

how long are the vouchers good for? if we find something to do say in the next few months are they vaild for several months for us to use in Nov.


I feel confused enough w/ ordering tickets or upgrading etc, let alone the GAD stuff.

my other concern is...can I actually pre purchase my tickets through Disney (or DVC MS for any DVCr's reading) and still use the voucher at GS upon arrival or do you need to do everything there... If ticket prices go up in say Aug...do they not go in affect till Jan 2011? maybe I don't even need to worry...

I am not quite sure how this would work for us or how much we would save...Ok now I am rambeling on...

Matt & I are getting AP's w/ DVC member discount which I believe would be more than the GAD upgrade...tell me what is your single AP w/ GAD costing?
the reg AP is $489, DVC discount is $389...2 reg priced AP's - GAD upgrade would be $820 and the 2 DVC AP's would be $778


and then I will have to buy a full price ticket for Margaret either way since she is under 6 yrs...so would I get one ticket through UT? Can you do that?

so I am thinking really the GAD would only work for the 3 older kids...

I am looking at purchsing 2 Adult 7 PH for twins Disney price is ($286) $304.59 per kid and then 1 child ticket 7 day PH for Mae at Disney price of
($253) $269.45 I think that is the right price w/ tax?

UT prices are Adult $291 and Child $257

if I do the GAD for the 3 kids... the Adult tickets would be $207 plus tax and Child $185 plus tax...

am I thinking that correctly?

SO...would my passes total be:

2 DVC discount AP's $778
1 Child 7 Day PH (WDW price) $269.45
2 Adult 7 Day PH w/ GAD upgrade $414 + tax
1 Child 7 Day PH w/ GAD upgrade $185 + tax

= $1831.45 (plus some more tax)

Ok Amy I am sorry I have taken up all this space on your PTR dealing w/ my ticket insanity...

I think if I added up WDW direct w/ DVC AP's = $1926.08 and UT tickets for kids plus DVC AP's = $1874.00

so if the GAD is correct I would save another $40 some dollars (on top of $50 from doing UT)

do you see I need help? Or maybe I figured it out and need someone to confirm my math

Should I ask if my InLaw's would want to do a GAD thing? maybe they would save even more money?

thanks

J~

 

[KathyRN137]

... I checked the power company website - 226,000+ customers without power, then Zach went on Club Penguin to buy an orange puffle and now I'm here to get my DIS fix. Priorities...

Yes, there are certain priorities!!

Wow, sorry about your power being out... our lights flickered several times before I went to bed last night, but the power stayed on.

We got about 18 inches of snow, though!!

I was a good girl and was out there helping Ed clear the driveway, so I'm rewarding myself with DIS time!!

Good Luck... hope you get back to normal soon!


Kathy