msdaisy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2012
- Messages
- 548
For a few years my family has made the annual exodus to Disney World. Well After we returned from our stay at Old Key West last June, we started talking about 2013. We all agreed that we would return in June and stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge via renting DVC points. So, we got excited about it and went on about our business as usual. About August my sister and I started talking about changing our trip to Disneyland! We decided that it would be nice to not have our faces melt off in the Florida sun and of course then there was Carsland.
So, we talked our Mom into the switch.
My husband, 2 daughters, Mom, Sister, and Brother in Law were all in on this trip. I bought books on Disneyland, stalked the Disneyland board on Disboards, watched YouTube videos of the hotels, etc. I was secretly attempting to rent DVC points for a stay at the Grand Californian. I wasn't going to tell anyone else. Everyone else thought we were staying at Sheraton Park. Well, let me tell you renting points for the first week of June at GCV is not an easy task. I was shot down at the 7 month mark. My dream was crushed. I then started looking at using a senior discount that had been around for Paradise Pier Hotel. My mom is over 60 and traveling with us, but no that plan fell through as well. Carsland is so popular there is no need for those discounts.
Well, we finally bit the bullet and booked the Disneyland Hotel. We were set. I had the hotel reservation but was waiting to buy our tickets. We were all excited about our trip, and I was amazed at how little planning was to be done for Disneyland. Can't book dining 180 days out, etc. I was going through the mourning process of not seeing the Epcot ball, but I was looking forward to the weather in California and possibly shorter lines. It would be a whole new Disney adventure. Or would it?
The Disneyland trip had such a hard time coming together as far as where we were going to stay, and flights in and out of LAX were sky high. I mentioned to my sister that we could switch to DW for same amount of money, but it would include the dining plan. Hmmmmmm, maybe everyone would be willing to go back to DW!
Well my Mom has a true love for Disney World, and even though I think the weather and size of the parks at Disneyland would suit her better she dropped Disneyland like a hot potato when Disney World was mentioned a few weeks ago.
So here I sit the proud owner of reservations at Port Orleans Riverside.
I took advantage of the spring discount for our package. I had to be patient as Port Orleans Riverside didn't have much availability for the discount. I, in fact, had a back up plan of renting DVC points for Old Key West. I was about to send an email when I decided to give Disney a call. I found out that at that moment they had one standard room and two royal rooms with garden views available. So, I just closed my eyes and started the booking process for those royal rooms!
And of course wouldn't you guess that airfare in and out of LAX looks great compared to Orlando!
So, we added a day to the beginning of our trip so that we are flying out on a Friday to save airfare. Adding days to our Disney vacation is never hard for me! 
So, here we go -
5 adults & 2 children
5/31 - 6/1- POR Preferred Room
6/1 - 6/10 - POR Royal Guest Rooms
Regular Dining Plan
8 Day One Park Per Day Tickets
I hope that Disney World can forgive me and takes me back with open arms!
So, we talked our Mom into the switch.
My husband, 2 daughters, Mom, Sister, and Brother in Law were all in on this trip. I bought books on Disneyland, stalked the Disneyland board on Disboards, watched YouTube videos of the hotels, etc. I was secretly attempting to rent DVC points for a stay at the Grand Californian. I wasn't going to tell anyone else. Everyone else thought we were staying at Sheraton Park. Well, let me tell you renting points for the first week of June at GCV is not an easy task. I was shot down at the 7 month mark. My dream was crushed. I then started looking at using a senior discount that had been around for Paradise Pier Hotel. My mom is over 60 and traveling with us, but no that plan fell through as well. Carsland is so popular there is no need for those discounts.
Well, we finally bit the bullet and booked the Disneyland Hotel. We were set. I had the hotel reservation but was waiting to buy our tickets. We were all excited about our trip, and I was amazed at how little planning was to be done for Disneyland. Can't book dining 180 days out, etc. I was going through the mourning process of not seeing the Epcot ball, but I was looking forward to the weather in California and possibly shorter lines. It would be a whole new Disney adventure. Or would it?
The Disneyland trip had such a hard time coming together as far as where we were going to stay, and flights in and out of LAX were sky high. I mentioned to my sister that we could switch to DW for same amount of money, but it would include the dining plan. Hmmmmmm, maybe everyone would be willing to go back to DW!
Well my Mom has a true love for Disney World, and even though I think the weather and size of the parks at Disneyland would suit her better she dropped Disneyland like a hot potato when Disney World was mentioned a few weeks ago.
So here I sit the proud owner of reservations at Port Orleans Riverside.
I took advantage of the spring discount for our package. I had to be patient as Port Orleans Riverside didn't have much availability for the discount. I, in fact, had a back up plan of renting DVC points for Old Key West. I was about to send an email when I decided to give Disney a call. I found out that at that moment they had one standard room and two royal rooms with garden views available. So, I just closed my eyes and started the booking process for those royal rooms!
And of course wouldn't you guess that airfare in and out of LAX looks great compared to Orlando!
So, we added a day to the beginning of our trip so that we are flying out on a Friday to save airfare. Adding days to our Disney vacation is never hard for me! So, here we go -
5 adults & 2 children
5/31 - 6/1- POR Preferred Room
6/1 - 6/10 - POR Royal Guest Rooms
Regular Dining Plan
8 Day One Park Per Day Tickets
I hope that Disney World can forgive me and takes me back with open arms!
only 88 more days to go!
