Christmas 2003 - Who's sailing (20-27 Dec 03)?

[Ginny]

Julie -

You may already know about Mousesavers.com but I find alot of great info on discounts on that site. Here is info I copied from www.mousesavers.com about AAA discounts:

AAA and CAA packages are not usually discounted. However, there are AAA/CAA "room only" discounts. You can generally save about 10-20% at the Disney resort hotels, depending on the season.

In general, the discounts run as follows:

** During Value Season you can get up to 15% off at the Disney Deluxe and Home-Away-From-Home resorts, or 20% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.
** During Regular Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Home-Away-From-Home resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.
** During Peak Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Home-Away-From-Home resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts.
** The only time AAA/CAA discounts don't usually apply is Holiday Season (around Christmas).

AAA/CAA discounts are not always the best rates available; if discount codes are active, they usually beat these rates. However, sometimes the AAA/CAA and Disney Club discounts are the only ones available for certain popular times of year. (See the historical trends chart for more details, to get an idea when deeper discounts won't be available.)

I could be wrong but I think up through 19 December may be considered Value Season. The salute to the U.S. Military runs through 19 December which is why we got the great rate we did. On 20 December, I think they go to Holiday rates. I hope this helps -

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ginny - thanks for all the good information - I have done so much crafting for girl scouts that I am sure I can come up with something - the icons at Home Depot are a good idea. I had planned on asking for a small table with the same thought in mind -- it would probably be the only time we see our girls - they are pretty independent and unless they need something (aka $$$) I will not be expecting to see much of them while we are on the ship.

My DH actually suggested we stay at WL, which we have not stayed at before. I initially wanted to stay at the GF for the decorations, but a cruise was not #1 on his list of choices for this vacation, and he has graciously granted me mine. After reading all of the great things about WL on the boards, I thought that we would probably enjoy it more than the GF for this trip.

Julie, my rate is $186 (+ the taxes, etc.) for a woods view. I tried over and over to get this rate to go through on AAA's website for one night, the 19th, and couldn't. When I tried to get a room for the 18th and 19th, I got kicked to the $215 rate, but still couldn't get the reservation to go through. This was about 1:00 a.m., and I wasn't sure if I wasn't getting my credit card number down correctly, or what!! I called the AAA travel agent in my area the next morning - she was soooo nice and called Disney directly, got me the $186 rate for both nights. This was about the max I was willing to spend for a room for this trip - we only booked our cruise a two weeks ago and are paying dearly for that. I was thrilled that I could find such a good rate. (I hope it is a good rate, it seemed to be quite a bit less than anything else I saw, except for the Swan/Dolphin, and unfortunately we don't fit into any of the categories that can claim the discount - even though I did ask DH if his ID for the local county hospital would suffice as an employee ID!! He informed me that that particular hospital does not require medical staff to wear ID's.)

Anyway, last night I spent a considerable amount of time on the boards learning what others thought about WL, the decorations, best rooms, etc. and I am really glad he made that suggestion - it will be a totally different experience for us.

We are planning on eating dinner at Tony's in MK on the 19th and then enjoying MVMCP -- I think during the day we will either just relax, or resort-hop -- we always spend at least one night doing this on our trips to WDW, and it will be such fun to see the decorations at the other resorts.

I am thinking about decorations for the cabin - I actually saw some really cute small Polish glass fish ornaments that would be really cute on a tree in the cabin -- but can't figure out how to get a tree anchored, or what to anchor it to!

Can't wait!!

The one thing I haven't looked into yet and I keep turning over in my mind is transportation - from airport to WL, from WL to PC, from PC to airport - any suggestions?

I can't tell you how much more enjoyable planning (and schemeing) for this trip is with you guys!!

Don't forget 9:00 p.m. on the Travel Channel tonight!!
Bonnie

 

[Ginny]

Bonnie -

Your rate for WL sounds great!! I hope Julie can pull that off if the rate works for her! The very best rate we could get for the week after the cruise was 289.00 a night. So, we flipped our extra time to before the cruise and will do two days at Universal after. Timing is everything!!

I have to say that the WL lobby was just beautiful last year. We were staying at the Contemporary but friends had told us what fun one of the restaurants was for kids so we booked dinner there. We were just in awe over the massive tree in the lobby. GF was also very pretty and had an almost life-size Gingerbread House that was all hand-made by their chefs. It may be an annual tradition - so I hope you have a chance to see it.

We are using Happy Limo from the Airport to WL and from WL to the Port. Same thing on the flip side. We used them on our last cruise and were very happy. We heard about them from Inkkognito (Barb and Tony). Many folks also rent cars from Avis and then drop them at Avis at the Port and then pick up a new one after the cruise. Others use Disney transfers but IMHO those buses get you there later than I like. I want to be there no later than 1100 and know we're there and relaxed.

Bonnie, did you make PS for Tony's for dinner or are you eating in the late afternoon? I thought only Liberty Tree Tavern was open for dinner. All the PS times were already booked until 7:15. The CM that I spoke to said that the last night of MVMCP is usually booked because many of the locals come out on Friday night. But, I will try for Tony's if you had luck there~

I've been sorting through some of my Christmas decorations (only because after 5 months in our new house it is about time I finish all the unpacking) and found some great peel off window stickers and other things I had forgotten I had. I will also call Shirley at the Perfect Gift to see if she has suggestions. She is just awesome!!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ginny, I didn't think I could make a reservation for Tony's until 60 days out -- so I hadn't tried. I was going to try for 5:30 - that way we can eat a relaxed dinner and be in the park for the beginning of the party - from what I understand, if we have the hard ticket for the party, we can get into the park early. In my past experience, even though a park may close early evening, there have always been dining reservations available up until the time of closing, and sometimes up to 1/2 hour later.

I had looked at Happy Limo, and thought about a car probably being less expensive - looked at AAA, but they "prefer" Hertz or Alamo, and I could not get a PC drop off on their site, so I will try Avis - good suggestion!!

Will be getting air reservations this morning - just wish my Disney Visa card would come through - I did this by telephone hoping it would be faster than online, but I think I have to go ahead and get the airfair - got $167 roundtrip from Greensboro, NC on Delta which is darn good!

Once again, I have found that it is much less expensive for the way my family likes to do things to do each portion of our disney trip individually as opposed to a package.

I also think twinkle lights will add quite a bit to the staterooms - maybe around the mirrors and/or windows?? My husband will just be glad not to see any Radko or Dept 56 villages!!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ginny, I just called Disney - PS's can't be made until September 20 - although I will try September 19 - he said it used to be 120 days out, and they changed to 90 days (took the 120 and 60 and merged everything). He could not even tell me if there were any reservations left. I should have asked what time they open - as I am a 5:00 a.m.'er. LOL!!

Did you just move to the DC area or just to a new home? I know how that unpacking is - we have been in our "new" home for 6.3 years -- still have some boxes of stuff in the attic that need to be unpacked, and plenty of art that has not been hung - I told my husband when we moved in that until I could figure out what colors I wanted to paint (everything is builder beige - we bought a spec house about 2 months away from being finished, so got to pick some things, but the paint was already on the walls) I was not hanging anything. Since I haven't decided YET what colors to paint the downstairs, my husband has given it up and hung some of the art himself - you know, at eye level - the 6'4" eye level??? LOL!! He was actually born in Falls Church, and his grandparents moved to SC from Alexandria. Do you and DH work in the government?

Thanks for all your great advice - I can't wait to meet you - what year is your DSS? What does he like to do?

Going to check Avis now ----

 

[Magic8540]

Julie: No "Twang" here, we have been in Nashville for close to 10 years..before that 15 in Los Angeles.

Lynn: The schooner sunset sail is well worth the time. We normally eat at the early seating and we did miss our schedule. We got something to eat when we got back on board.

The WL at Christmas is great. We were there a few years ago. This time we are spending NYE at Disney after the cruise and at WL

All for now. I have yard work to do.

 

[Ginny]

Bonnie -

You've made me feel much better. I am usually all unpacked and organized quickly since we've moved so many times but since we see ourselves here for quite a while, I'm planning carefully (please read as stalling). We bought this house in March but have been back in the DC area for 3 years now. The house is about 25 years old, on a great treed lot on a cul-de-sac with a wonderful mixture of original owners and new younger families moving in. We are very happy.

DS turned 16 in June; loves music, his new driver's license and plays both soccer and golf. He has been on two previous cruises and really likes Common Grounds and the folks he has met there. We don't really expect to see much of him besides excursions and dinner. LOL

Milt - The sunset sail sounds wonderful to me. I love to sail and it sounds like such fun.

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ginny, sounds like a great neighborhood! Hard to find in that area, I am sure.

My eldest DD will be 17 the end of this month - she LOVES music - has an awesome voice, and used to play club soccer. As a freshman she ran track, but didn't have time last year, and probably won't this year either.

She went to Governor's school for six weeks this past summer in voice, and had a great time. She plays piano and wants to take violin, (the younger plays the viola), but between school, her music internship/job at church, boyfriend, community theater and clubs at school, there seems to be little time for more lessons and practice. She's a junior, and I keep reminding her that she really has to do well this year - this is what colleges look at -- and she is sooooooooooo tired of hearing that from me!

My DH plays the classical, blues and electric guitars - and quite well, I may add, but not in public! I can't play and I can't sing -- LOL, and often am looking for a little peace and quiet. I am just hoping that my DH does NOT bring the portable, digital electric guitar I bought him for Xmas last year on the cruise - though I don't think I have a prayer for that wish -- we keep trying to get him to plug the headphones in, but he refuses! He will have to, though, if he chooses to bring it on the trip (the neighbors). Maybe it can get lost somewhere!!

 

[hawkrn]

grumpysmom-I know how you feel-my son plays the drums. One of us is going to need a hearing aid soon! As for transportation, I got a rental through Budget a while ago after seeing a walmart code on mousesavers. $60/day. Then we're going to take the Disney bus from the Port back to the airport. I decided to stay with ASMU since we are not really going to be in the hotel except to sleep. We saw WL last XMAS and it was great (AKL was awesome)-all the XMAS decorations are great. I have been pricing airfare and it stinks! Unfortunately 12/27 is a blackout date for some of the airlines. Airtran is my best option and it will be $350. Plus they don't have check-in at the port which is a nice touch when you have tons-o-luggage!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

OMG - there are two things I hoped my children never wanted to do - 1 swim team (didn't want to get up at 5:30 a.m. in the summer) and 2 the drums!!

Julie, how do you arrange for the Disney bus? We have plenty of time between the time we disembark and our flight (3:00 p.m.), so that would work out well. I didn't want to take it from WL on the 20th after looking at the posted pick up schedules - no ressies at Palo's for us if we were to take that route.

Do you know if the rental companies have shuttles back to the Port?

What kind of car did you rent? I am on the National site now, with the AAA code, can get a Premium car for two days at $121.00 (includes everything) - but am still looking. I am going to go downstairs and get my Sam's card to see if that will help!!

 

[hawkrn]

grumpysmom-I got a one-way bus trip by Disney from Port to MCO. You have the option of round-trip or one-way. Since I was renting a car anyway, we'll just drive to the port and drop off the car at Budget. Budget and Avis have shuttles to the port from their offices. If you go to Dave's site http://www.dcltribute.com/, he has a list of rental places and if they shuttle. I tried AAA, but I think there was a shuttle problem or something. And then I saw the mousesavers code and picked that one. My flight back home won't probably leave till 2:30 either, which means about 5 hours of sitting in MCO. We sat 3 hours last time. YUK!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Julie, thank you! That page on Dave's site saved me about five more phone calls.

How do I get more information about the Disney bus? I am sure there is probably a charge, and that I will need to make ressies - can do this on the Disney site? If so, where?

Right now, it is looking like a toss-up between a rental car and a town car for the first two days of our trip - mco to WL to PC. Just trying to figure out the last day -

Maybe we can have a spades tournament at the airport!! OR, even better, figure out who spent/saved the most!!

Thanks for your help!!

 

[hawkrn]

You can book the DCL bus thru whomever you booked your cruise. I went thru AAA. If you did it on your own, you can just call them directly. I don't remember the charge per person for one way. Another reason we will rent a car is to stop at the grocery store in Port to get some bottled water to take for our excursions and we also wanted to look for the manatee area over by the Radisson. People have posted about seeing manatees there. If you decide to rent, don't forget to take $$$ for the tolls. Dave's sight also gives you a map and how much money the tolls are.

 

[Ginny]

Bonnie and Julie - Between the two of you, perhaps we could start a band. What talented families!! Julie, God bless you and the drums!! That is way out of my league with "mother-love!!" Bonnie, we will be happy to help if you need a "neutral country to excile the guitar!!"

So glad to see I am not the only one who enjoys mousesavers.com. What a great site. Your rental car rate sounds great. We opted to go with the towncar because we are staying 5 days, we got bumped to a weekly rate which was much higher than the towncar. I much prefer having a car when we are at the parks but it just worked out better with Happy Limo this time.

Bonnie, should I mention that Christopher Radko did an ornament of the MAGIC/WONDER that is exclusive to the ship (or eBay, of course)? LOL It is just beautiful. I am bringing bubble wrap and some peanuts with me to cushion my new one - I dropped mine last Christmas so need a replacement.

Also, great news about LTT and the Christmas Party. I posted over on the Theme Parks board and asked if anyone had already booked PS for those dates so I'll know which CM was correct. I'm crossing my fingers for Bonnie's answer.

With the time between flights - It is just a thought but is there enough time to do a quick stop at the Space Center before your flights. I have read lots of posts about doing that and it sounded fun.

We are off to visit my mom - they are having a "Grandparent's Day" celebration at her Assisted Living facility so DD and I will make a day of it. Have a great Sunday!!

 

[Ginny]

Dan Murphy, such a nice man, already responded to my question on the other board. Here's the link:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=4129666#post4129666

I will dialing on the 19 and 20th, too.

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ginny, thanks for checking on the other board - yes, I have found the people on these boards to be wonderful!! I don't think we have been to the LTT - why is it just that restaurant that was available for early PS's, I wonder? I was thinking Tony's because we have always had great service, excellent food, and my girls are particularly fond of it - "Lady and the Tramp" was the first video my eldest DD (should that be EDD?) watched at two years old. She called it "Doggies". When she went to Governor's School this year, the only things she wanted to take for her dorm room to put on her bed were her stuffed Lady and Tramp!! It has become a tradition for our family to eat there!

Jim -- what did you think of the Key West charter? I have a friend here in town whose family manufacturers toilet paper and the holders - he does most of the marketing (they have their toilet paper in every WalMart in the country) and does a lot of these trips out of Key West to entertain customers. As a matter of fact, their house burned down 3 years ago, and while I was sitting outside it with his wife in tears, he was on a boat fishing down there with customers. (I only just thought of him this AM). I will check with him this week to see if he has some good suggestions - are you "Thegales" in the chat room on Friday nights? This will make a good birthday present for DH in October!

Anyone else interested in fishing?

 

[jgalecpa]

Grumpy's Mom,

a tree in the cabin -- but can't figure out how to get a tree anchored, or what to anchor it to!

This sounds like a job for Duct tape. There will have to be something that a small piece of tape can affix to.

Besides the tape, I also will probably have a travel size can of wd-40, which is great for remove tape goo off of things (as well as a marital aid.)

Jim -- what did you think of the Key West charter?

We have early seating (6pm) for dinner and since sunset looks to be about 545 that night, we will probably opt out. More like stay on deck, take out pictures and than high-tail it to eat. Probably go back out to town after dinner.

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Jim - sounds like a plan. I will continue to check out the charters for DH. We have the late seating and I think us girls will let Dad have his day and we will figure out something else to do - they will love the sunset and Mallory Square, I know, at night.

As for the WD-40...after 27 years of marriage, that might spice things up!!

Bonnie

 

[Ginny]

Jim - I laughed right out loud! You are too much~


Bonnie- LTT is utilized (I think) because of where it is located.....they have to clear out the parks of that day's visitors before allowing the MVMCP folks in, they section off the park. The sit-down character restaurant is LTT or you can opt for Tommorowland and fast food. As Tony's is right at the front of the park, it might be more difficult for the CM's to maneuver folks out and in.......that is purely speculation on my part. We love Tony's, too!! It broke my heart when they stopped having Lady and Tramp sign the autograph books but we still love the food.

Gotta run to Home Depot - we don't have any WD-40~~

 

[hawkrn]

If you're already at MK for the day, you can grab a wristband for the MVMCP in the park and then they will send you to Tommorrowland while they "clear" the others out of the park. Last year we got some fast food about 5pm (at the place by the ice cream shop) and had our cookies and cocoa later and we were fine. Tired, cold, but fine!