Christmas all year long!

[tinacaplan]

All the pictures are adorable, even if I have no clue where they might have been taken. I'm not good at this...haven't been there nearly enough!

 

[annmarieda]

I missed today's picture....darn jury duty!

Awe... jury duty? That isnt any fun!

All the pictures are adorable, even if I have no clue where they might have been taken. I'm not good at this...haven't been there nearly enough!

Soon enough you will be though. Next month is trip number???? 4? Is that right? December will be number 5 for me.

 

[annmarieda]

 

[KatMark]

This is Zoe (is that a young Zach?) at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and I am guessing in Asia.

 

[annmarieda]

Kathy, you get a half a point. Zoe is in the picture. That is not a young Zach.
It is not at AKL and it is not in Asia. (did you mean the lodge? or just AK?)

 

[KatMark]

Kathy, you get a half a point. Zoe is in the picture. That is not a young Zach.
It is not at AKL and it is not in Asia. (did you mean the lodge? or just AK?)

I meant Animal Kingdom (I have the Lodge on my brain since I'm staying there).

 

[annmarieda]

I don't blame you... I would have it on the brain too. Wait.. I pretty much have disney on the brain all the time in one way or another. WL... POFQ... whatever my latest fixation is.

Anyway... ok.. so point and a half.

It is in AK
It is not in Asia
It is Zoe
It is not Zach

 

[tankgirl427]

Is it bad, I had to go to the first page and find out your other son's name?

Is it Zoe and Alex at Rafiki's Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom?

 

[momabaarjo]

I swear....I never get to the picture first!

 

[tankgirl427]

I swear....I never get to the picture first!

I only did yesterday cause KatMark had jury duty! I just walked in from work and saw the photo was up today.

 

[annmarieda]

Is it bad, I had to go to the first page and find out your other son's name?

Is it Zoe and Alex at Rafiki's Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom?

Yup, this is exactly it!.

So point and a half for you too.

 

[annmarieda]

Much of what I tend to write about revolves around worries and stress regarding the trip that I probably don't need to have... but do nonetheless.

So here I am again... complaining... stressing... worrying.

Aside from my normal "what to go to Disney" obsession that drives my need to book/plan trips, this December trip came out of a need of sorts. I knew this was going to be a doozy of a year. I also (6 months ago) believed that two of my children would not be home for Christmas. As time has worn on, it has become apparent that that Kira and Josh would likely still be living in town come Christmas. Then came the realization that Zach too would (very likely) be home for Christmas. So this helped me to feel good about changing our dates... going earlier and leaving before Christmas. I still felt good about it yet not so secretly hoped that Kira would be able to convince Josh to go down for a least a bit. Zach had told me before he left that he had no desire to go to WDW again.

Let us fast forward to yesterday when I spoke with Zach. In a brief conversation (they all are brief at this point due to limited phone time) he asked me "so, what is up with the December trip?" me - "what do you mean?" Zach "well, I definitely want to go" I asked him if he talked to his dad about it and he told me that Steve (bless his heart) told him to talk to me about the details.

Ok.. so... I can't just have in in the room with us. He can't just get a room for himself (well.. he could but... cost wise ) Kira is all but certain that they can't swing the trip cause they bought a car this week.

Just when I think I have all our plans pretty set... ADRs booked Don't get me wrong... I would love to have all my kids around me at WDW. I just don't know how to swing this so that I am not paying much more than I am now and that the kids can afford it (both Kira and Zach know that they would have to chip in). I have been running numbers all day. The best way I can see for this to work is to stay off site. I could switch to POFQ and I think 2 rooms there would cost me about the same as the one at WL and wouldn't be too heart broken over it... but that is still 831 for Zachs tickets and dp. ( I doubt he would want to pay that)

It really has me wondering about DVC.. and the offer I got in the mail is somewhat enticing.

Well, I will mule it over... hopefully when I pick up Steve at the airport tonight I can get some input from him. Kira's input was that Zach probably still won't go so I shouldn't just change my plans. Until I know for sure, I definitely wouldn't. I just don't want to end up having to change in September or worse yet.. October

Ok... of to the airport I go.

 

[momabaarjo]

Lots of hugs Ann on this one! I think it would be great if zach went...but I am like Kira and not so sure he would go! Being in the military now, leave may not work out in his favor or yours! Working for the military is not like working in the "normal" world! Has Zach even checked into leave during this time or where he will be stationed at?

Maybe this is a sign to change to POR! You said yourself that it would not be awful to change from WL and that it would be just a room to sleep in...lots of touring plans. If Zach doesn't come then you would be saving $$$.

 

[tankgirl427]

What about renting the points for a 2 bedroom DVC place for December? I mean I'm not sure what will be available, and it could be cost efficent. If you don't mind two kids in the second bedroom and one on a pull out couch. Consider it. Read Su-Lynn's easy breakdown about renting the points.

Go to the DVC section of the Dis and there is a calendar section so you can see which places are all booked up. Then stalk the Rent/Trade board with me. You can still get ME and DDP with the DVC rental, it just all goes through the owner of the DVC unit.

 

[tankgirl427]

Just looked and a standard 2 bedroom at AKV is the cheapest at 343 points. I've seen points between $8 - $12/point. Oh and that many points is from 12/10/11 - 12/22/11. Yep, I'm busy at work again today.

 

[tinacaplan]

Oh, Ann...what a predicament! I would look into renting points. Diane (pinkxray) did her whole trip that way and it seemed to work out fine. I was hesitant about the whole thing when I first heard people talking about it on here, but as time has gone on and prices keep going up...its looking like a more attractive option. Beyond that, I'd go for the two rooms at POR. Hope this helps.

 

[shocky5]

I secretly hope Zach gets to go! I hope that works out for you all and he can get leave, and so forth. AND with minimal expense to you!

After reading some of the comments about DVC, I would look into that, Ann. Seems like it could be a solution once you know for certain that Zach can go!

 

[KatMark]

I secretly hope Zach gets to go! I hope that works out for you all and he can get leave, and so forth. AND with minimal expense to you!

After reading some of the comments about DVC, I would look into that, Ann. Seems like it could be a solution once you know for certain that Zach can go!

I agree with you shocky.

However, my concern is with the time that Ann and family are going that there will not be any DVC availablility at this late date.

 

[shocky5]

I agree with you shocky.

However, my concern is with the time that Ann and family are going that there will not be any DVC availablility at this late date.

True - it kind of becomes a 'need to decide now' situation. Hugs, Ann!! I get why it's become a worry for you!

 

[annmarieda]

Lots of hugs Ann on this one! I think it would be great if zach went...but I am like Kira and not so sure he would go! Being in the military now, leave may not work out in his favor or yours! Working for the military is not like working in the "normal" world! Has Zach even checked into leave during this time or where he will be stationed at?

Maybe this is a sign to change to POR! You said yourself that it would not be awful to change from WL and that it would be just a room to sleep in...lots of touring plans. If Zach doesn't come then you would be saving $$$.

Zach will be done with AIT in about 16 weeks. He is technically guard right now so he will come home and only have to contend with his weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer gig. He may end up going full army by then... or get "borrowed" and those are kinda the variables for now. So while he might not be here for Christmas... unless he gets borrowed, he probably will.

I am going to look a bit more closely at POR or POFQ. I do like the queen beds... and I do love the resorts. I would miss being close to the monorail resorts.. but I can probably live with that. I mean, Pop is pretty far away and we still managed to eat at Poly twice without any sort of headache.

The thing is, unlike most of our "commando" trips, this is not suppose to be one. Steve plans to spend as much if not more time at the resort than at the parks... so this is what led us to WL in the first place. Ultimately since he will be the one hanging out at the resort, he will have to decide if he will be willing to go to POR or POFQ.

What about renting the points for a 2 bedroom DVC place for December? I mean I'm not sure what will be available, and it could be cost efficient. If you don't mind two kids in the second bedroom and one on a pull out couch. Consider it. Read Su-Lynn's easy breakdown about renting the points.

Go to the DVC section of the Dis and there is a calendar section so you can see which places are all booked up. Then stalk the Rent/Trade board with me. You can still get ME and DDP with the DVC rental, it just all goes through the owner of the DVC unit.

I have thought about it. I must admit that DVC kinda scares me. I know how to book through Disney. I like that I can pay on it (0% interest)until...what is it? 45 days? Then I can put the remaining balance on my DV (get the points) and get an additional 6 months interest free. Going through an owner means paying all up front...which doesn't work the best for me.

Just looked and a standard 2 bedroom at AKV is the cheapest at 343 points. I've seen points between $8 - $12/point. Oh and that many points is from 12/10/11 - 12/22/11. Yep, I'm busy at work again today.

Thanks for looking into that! Course, if those points are $12 each.. I would be better off with my room discount at POR.. ( it think I can still book a second room.. not sure though)

Oh, Ann...what a predicament! I would look into renting points. Diane (pinkxray) did her whole trip that way and it seemed to work out fine. I was hesitant about the whole thing when I first heard people talking about it on here, but as time has gone on and prices keep going up...its looking like a more attractive option. Beyond that, I'd go for the two rooms at POR. Hope this helps.

I am not sure what I am going to do at this point. I do stalk the code thread... and I know a lot of people are hoping for fd to be extended into December. For the 4 of us at WL, my room discount is about the same as if we got fd... so I haven't been obsessed. however, if fd came out and we could book Pop with it (and upgrade to dp instead of qsdp since values never have regular) it would be the cheapest option for all of us. So I think that is what I am crossing my fingers for.

I secretly hope Zach gets to go! I hope that works out for you all and he can get leave, and so forth. AND with minimal expense to you!

After reading some of the comments about DVC, I would look into that, Ann. Seems like it could be a solution once you know for certain that Zach can go!

I hope to talk more with him about it to know for sure. All of this stress.. and I really can't say for certain. I did talk with Steve ever so briefly last night. Apparently, Zach told Steve he doesn't want to go to WDW.. but wants to do something.. anything since basic and AIT will be such a long deal that he will need fun of some sort. Hmm... so he wants to have fun and go with us... but really doesn't want to be at WDW. Stinker also told Steve that once he mentioned it to me it was all I wanted to talk about. In a "yay.. how do you want to work this." kind of way. He didn't realize that my wanting to discuss it further was in a "omg, how I am going to make this work sort of way"

I agree with you shocky.

However, my concern is with the time that Ann and family are going that there will not be any DVC availablility at this late date.

Very good point.

True - it kind of becomes a 'need to decide now' situation. Hugs, Ann!! I get why it's become a worry for you!

I will figure this out. I will. Looks like Josh is having a good month at work with may mean a bit extra cash in their pockets, which might possibly... hopefully mean that they could give me a number on what they could spend and thus end up going. If they went, I think it could be a fun trip to plan. Can you say starting from scratch? Planning the trip is part of the fun though, so I would enjoy it. I just hate the uncertainty of how to make it work.