*Chocolate and Pixie Dust* - An August 2008 TR- 8/29 pg 6: Sort of an update

[Charleston Princess]

My head hurts from all the Disney pricing I have done today.

 

[rentayenta]

My head hurts from all the Disney pricing I have done today.

I am having a heck of a time trying to get AAA prices from their site. I really hate to call someone when I can do the research myself.

 

[swwake]

It's going

Yay to going home early
What time are you landing?

well, my last flight from vegas to Austin is delayed 30 minutes, so now it looks like I'm going to arrive around 12:30am.

 

[Tanya90210]

I spent a lot of time in front of the computer and on the phone with Disney today. Why? The 2009 packages were released

Now it's time for some decisions. We ditched the idea of staying in a 2 bedroom villa because they're not available yet. The CM said that villas open up based on when DVC members booking window. I priced three resorts so far and will price some more tonight and tomorrow.

Here is what I came up with so far:

*J will be 1 and is considered an infant.

Polynesian Garden View Room
8 day park hoppers
deluxe dining
insurance

3 adults, 1 child: 6015.62
2 adults, 1 infant: 4404.36

Grand Floridian Garden View Room
8 day park hoppers
deluxe dining
insurance

3 adults, 1 child: 6362.12
2 adults, 1 infant: 4950.86

Contemporary Tower Bay Lake View
8 day park hoppers
deluxe dining
insurance

3 adults, 1 child: 6291.14
2 adults, 1 infant: 4880.02

Mom, dad, T, and me

I'm also going to price BC/YC, BWI, WL, and AKL. According to the UG, these deluxes have smaller rooms than the Poly, GF, and CR. Plus, I don't know if I want to give up being so close to the MK. Decisions, decisions!

Is anyone else pricing packages for 2009?

shhh don't tell my DH

 

[scottny]

I spent a lot of time in front of the computer and on the phone with Disney today. Why? The 2009 packages were released

Now it's time for some decisions. We ditched the idea of staying in a 2 bedroom villa because they're not available yet. The CM said that villas open up based on when DVC members booking window. I priced three resorts so far and will price some more tonight and tomorrow.

Here is what I came up with so far:

*J will be 1 and is considered an infant.

Polynesian Garden View Room
8 day park hoppers
deluxe dining
insurance

3 adults, 1 child: 6015.62
2 adults, 1 infant: 4404.36

Grand Floridian Garden View Room
8 day park hoppers
deluxe dining
insurance

3 adults, 1 child: 6362.12
2 adults, 1 infant: 4950.86

Contemporary Tower Bay Lake View
8 day park hoppers
deluxe dining
insurance

3 adults, 1 child: 6291.14
2 adults, 1 infant: 4880.02

Mom, dad, T, and me

I'm also going to price BC/YC, BWI, WL, and AKL. According to the UG, these deluxes have smaller rooms than the Poly, GF, and CR. Plus, I don't know if I want to give up being so close to the MK. Decisions, decisions!

Is anyone else pricing packages for 2009?

I am pricing for June. But we are doing Mods. Probably POR. the people I go with we are not in the room much, either in the park or the bar at the resort so we cannot se epaying the money for a deluxe if we are not going to fully use the room and stuff. So back to POR we go. besides I can get more souvies witht he extra money and more drinks.

when r u thinking of?

 

[Native NYer]

My head hurts from all the Disney pricing I have done today.

Mine too

I am having a heck of a time trying to get AAA prices from their site. I really hate to call someone when I can do the research myself.

I called AAA and the woman told me the AAA rates weren't out yet. I thought they were released at the same time.

Their website isn't so great. Either that or I haven't figured out how to use it

well, my last flight from vegas to Austin is delayed 30 minutes, so now it looks like I'm going to arrive around 12:30am.

That's not too bad. At least you got home a day early. And soon you'll be in Disney

shhh don't tell my DH

When are you thinking of returning next year?

I am pricing for June. But we are doing Mods. Probably POR. the people I go with we are not in the room much, either in the park or the bar at the resort so we cannot se epaying the money for a deluxe if we are not going to fully use the room and stuff. So back to POR we go. besides I can get more souvies witht he extra money and more drinks.

when r u thinking of?

The POR looks so great. We're going to have a 1 year old with us, so we're looking to be as close to the MK without having to sleep on a bench on Main Street.

I'm not sure when we're going. It'll either be June, July, or August. I priced the same week in August we're going this year just to see. I'm hoping to get a great bounceback offer next week.

 

[willwriteforears]

I'm not sure why (well, I have a guess that starts with the letter "b" and ends with the ugly "udget") but lately whenever I see numbers that have anything to do with money my brain starts to give out those "bree bree" alarm noises and shuts down to save it from frying.

 

[Native NYer]

I'm not sure why (well, I have a guess that starts with the letter "b" and ends with the ugly "udget") but lately whenever I see numbers that have anything to do with money my brain starts to give out those "bree bree" alarm noises and shuts down to save it from frying.

I am not the best with budgets either. It makes planning a vacation so difficult!

 

[Native NYer]

5 days!!!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

5 days!!!!!

WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so impatient. I want to go now.

 

[TarzansKat]

I'm so impatient. I want to go now.

Tell me about it. I feel the same way, and I'm about five weeks out, not five days!

 

[Native NYer]

Tell me about it. I feel the same way, and I'm about five weeks out, not five days!

5 weeks will fly by faster than you think. I remember when I was months out

 

[willwriteforears]

5 days!!!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

I just called AAA for some package prices. Even though I don't want to relinquish control to some random TA, the 10-15% discount might be better than nothing at all. After talking with Carol, the TA at AAA, I started to feel a little better about putting my vacation plans in someone else's hands. She told me that AAA rates had been released and since it was mentioned on Mousesavers, everyone's been calling. I thought it was a good sign that she's aware of the various Disney websites.

So, as it stands right now, I'm waiting for a call back from Carol with rates for summer 2009. If it's a significant savings, we'll book through AAA. If not, we'll stay in control of our own reservation. I'm really hoping for a terrific bounceback discount for next year. But whenever I check over on the Resort boards, the only bouncebacks mentioned are ones for the end of 2008.

Our group (as of right now) will be 5 adults, 2 children ( 5 yrs old & 1 yr old)

Passes: 8 day park hopper passes. Base tickets would be much cheaper, but not sure if we could stick to one park for the entire day.

Dining Plan: Deluxe. Yes, it's a lot of food. But it's nice to have all meals prepaid. It's more of a convenience thing.

Our resort choices are: Poly, GF, CR, WL, BWI, YC/BC, or AKL.

While my preference is a monorail resort, I'm not 100% sure that we should stick with that area. I've also been throwing around the idea of staying in one of the moderates. If we try a moderate, it would be POR or POFQ. While the CBR's new pirate rooms seem interesting, the theme does not thrill everyone in our group. Also it seems like it's a large, sprawling resort. We're not renting cars, so we want to avoid large and sprawling.

Room size is important to us as well. From what I've read, GF, CR, and Poly have the largest rooms.

My thoughts on each resort:

Poly: LOVE this resort. It's beautiful and there's monorail access to both MK and Epcot (short walk to the TTC). Plus, there's the resort boat that goes to the MK and the ferry is a short walk away. Counter service, table service, and room service dining options.

GF: Beautiful resort. MK is one stop away on the resort monorail. The monorail may be crowded b/c it stops to pick up people at the CR, TTC, and Poly first. Lots of dining options. Will my nephews get the theme? The theme seems a bit too old for them.

CR: Nice rooms. Lots of dining options. Monorail access to MK and TTC. Walkway to the MK. Seems like a busy hotel, rather than a relaxing resort. Feels like many of the hotels in major cities. Will have more to report on after our Saturday night stay.

WL: Seems beautiful, but we've never visited. We plan on taking a look around after our WCC ADRs.

BC/YC: Going to visit next week, so have nothing to go on.

BWI: See above.

AKL: We're going to visit this trip, but really don't seem to have enough info on this resort. The location seems less than optimal, especially since we are not renting cars.

What are your thoughts? Which resorts do you think should top our list?

 

[Native NYer]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am practically counting down the minutes!!!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Since money doesn't seem to be an issue, I would recommend for your group either the Beach Club (lots of dinning and boat to Studios/walk to Epcot) or Wilderness Lodge (access to lots of dinning and boat to MK/TTC). Unless you all fall in love with the Poly and want to repeat that but I think that you would like to try a new resort.

 

[Native NYer]

Since money doesn't seem to be an issue, I would recommend for your group either the Beach Club (lots of dinning and boat to Studios/walk to Epcot) or Wilderness Lodge (access to lots of dinning and boat to MK/TTC). Unless you all fall in love with the Poly and want to repeat that but I think that you would like to try a new resort.

Money isn't a huge deal for next year's trip since my parents are the chief financiers And when I suggested a value or mod to my mom, she looked at me as if I had 3 heads. Mom is very concerned about convenience. Jackson will be in diapers (I don't think 1 yr olds are potty trained yet ), still eating baby food, and in a stroller. T, who will be 5.5 at the time, will probably need a stroller b/c of the heat and all of the walking.

Next week's stay at the Poly will be the second for my mom and me and the first for my dad. It'll also be our first stay at the CR. I'd like to try a new resort, particularly one with a theme that everyone would love.

Do you know if all BC rooms have balconies? Does the WL share buses with any other resorts?

 

[TarzansKat]

5 weeks will fly by faster than you think. I remember when I was months out

You're so sweet! I know it will, and we're really busy until then, it's last days of summer get togethers and whatnot.

Our resort choices are: Poly, GF, CR, WL, BWI, YC/BC, or AKL.

Room size is important to us as well. From what I've read, GF, CR, and Poly have the largest rooms.

My thoughts on each resort:
What are your thoughts? Which resorts do you think should top our list?

If you're looking to try something new, and money's not an issue, I would totally pick the Grand Floridian. I really, really love that resort. But that's me being selfish, everyone in your group needs to be on board with that one, you know?

I'm staying at the Wilderness Lodge this year and I love it there. Sometimes it does share a bus, but it's never been inconvenient to me. And there's something wonderful about having that boat ride to the Magic Kingdom. Cool for T, and convenient with new baby's stroller not having to be folded up like on the busses. Of course, the monorail is more convenient.

If you know you're going to spend the majority of your time at the Magic Kingdom, I would stick with that area of resorts.

For an Epcot resort, I would totally pick the Beach Club. I love that one as well, and being able to walk to Epcot is priceless, truly. Think walking back to your resort after Illuminations instead of having to bus it. Soooo nice. Also, you can boat to Epcot and DHS, so very convienent in that respect.

If I were to pick a mod for your family, I would POFQ. It's the smallest mod, you're able to use the amenities at POFQ and POR, and it's a great atmosphere.

HTH!

 

[Tanya90210]

When are you thinking of returning next year?

Mid august... i wanna be there on my bday hehe