Christmas Trip to see an old Friend

[jenseib]

wow, that is a great deal. Whi is the rental with and where did you find it?

 

[Woth2982]

I want to say it is with either Payless or Thrifty and I got it through Hotwire.com I did the "trip watcher" on it, and when the price went under $100 I got it! It is for a compact car. I dont have to pay until I return it, and the price is guarenteed.

The other thing I tried is Priceline and the name your own price. I may do that too, and if I get the lower rate, I will cancel the hotwire reservation.

 

[Woth2982]

Well not much is new here. I have messed with my Dining Reservations AGAIN! I found an opening for Wispering Canyon Cafe for the 11th at 850 pm. So I booked it. I think this is going to be a keeper. I have always wanted to eat there, and the WL is SOOO pretty at Christmas that I can't pass it up.

I also bought my MVMCP tickets at lunch today! We are going on December 14th! We will do MK in the morning as we have our CRT reservation that morning, then go to the GF cafe that evening for dinner then head back for the Christmas festivites! I WILL be telling Jenna about the Christmas party as she has to pay for her ticket, but I have not told her about CRT. Brianne will not be joining us for MCMCP or CRT, as I couldn't get a reservation for three (she doesn't really care we did it last year), and I guess this year they are not offering discounts on the Christmas parties. Last year she was able to get me my ticket for like $35 opposed to close to $60. SO given that information I went and bought them now so I could take advantage of the advanced purchase "sale."

Tomorrow's paycheck will pay for my flight, so that is one thing off the list!

Also got my cast off on Tuesday, my hand is all shriveled and looks like an alien. The scar though is going to be very small and almost un-noticeable when it heals! My surgeon did a great job!

Also running my first 5K this weekend. I went to the gym for the first time in three-four weeks and did it in just under 35, so I think I will be ready for Saturday. Gonna go back tomorrow and do it again, but not push myself. My new years resolution was to get healthy, and so far so good! I have dropped almost 20 lbs and started working out regularly (side tracked though due to the surgery). Still have a long way to go, I used to run 7-8 miles before the surgery, so it will be a few weeks before I am back there.

 

[Woth2982]

Well not much is new here. I have messed with my Dining Reservations AGAIN! I found an opening for Wispering Canyon Cafe for the 11th at 850 pm. So I booked it. I think this is going to be a keeper. I have always wanted to eat there, and the WL is SOOO pretty at Christmas that I can't pass it up.

I also bought my MVMCP tickets at lunch today! We are going on December 14th! We will do MK in the morning as we have our CRT reservation that morning, then go to the GF cafe that evening for dinner then head back for the Christmas festivites! I WILL be telling Jenna about the Christmas party as she has to pay for her ticket, but I have not told her about CRT. Brianne will not be joining us for MCMCP or CRT, as I couldn't get a reservation for three (she doesn't really care we did it last year), and I guess this year they are not offering discounts on the Christmas parties. Last year she was able to get me my ticket for like $35 opposed to close to $60. SO given that information I went and bought them now so I could take advantage of the advanced purchase "sale."

Tomorrow's paycheck will pay for my flight, so that is one thing off the list!

Also got my cast off on Tuesday, my hand is all shriveled and looks like an alien. The scar though is going to be very small and almost un-noticeable when it heals! My surgeon did a great job!

Also running my first 5K this weekend. I went to the gym for the first time in three-four weeks and did it in just under 35, so I think I will be ready for Saturday. Gonna go back tomorrow and do it again, but not push myself. My new years resolution was to get healthy, and so far so good! I have dropped almost 20 lbs and started working out regularly (side tracked though due to the surgery). Still have a long way to go, I used to run 7-8 miles before the surgery, so it will be a few weeks before I am back there.

 

[jenseib]

I love WCC. I have it on my list to to do if we go in Dec. Of course, who knows if thing wil lchange or not too. I had it for last trip, but then changed it for something else that worked out better for that day. We did do it in 2008 and really liked it though.

 

[disneyloverforchrist]

I have a great girlfriend who worked at Disney too a few years ago!!! We did a girls trip three December's ago and had a blast! Not to mention all the perks that came with her knowing so many people (she was a character)!

I love hearing about all the changes....I am so the same way....I need everything to be perfect and get the most out of the experience!!! I know you guys will have an awesome time no matter what! Great friends in Disney...it doesn't get any better!

 

[Woth2982]

So a little personal update. I ran my first 5K this past Saturday. I did the Komen Race for the Cure. I raised $175 dollars for Breast Cancer research. I consider myself fortunate as I think I am the only person I know who Does NOT Have a family memeber afflicted by breast cancer. Unfortunately other types of cancer runs in my family, so I support all types of cancer research foundations. The Jimmy Fund is my personal favorite as my cousin was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 5. She is now 19 and a sophmore in college.

Now I have walked many 5ks in the past. But my new years resolution was to lose weight and get into shape. My goal is to be back to my high school weight by this time next year. I have dropped almost 20 lbs already since my birthday in February. In December I had knee surgery and was unable to workout until May. Now I am averaging about 5-6 miles 3-5 times a week at the gym. My goal for the 5K was to do it in 35 minutes. I failed miserably. I finished in 48:01 and came in 1926th place out of 2300+ runners. But now I have something to build on for next year! The conditions were not ideal, it was 84 degrees by 915 am, and I had to run the first quarter mile on cobblestones because the walkers did not follow directions and walk to the right. I also pulled a muscle in my leg pretty badly so I have to wait for that to heal, but I think I should be good by tomorrow to go back out and do it again at the gym. Gonna have to wait til all this humidity in Boston goes away before I can run outside again.

But that is my mini personal life update.

As for Disney, I talked to Brianne and have to send her our plans for the week so she can do her work schedule around it. I am also considering pre-ordering the photo pass CD. I did it once before at DW and once at DL (the DL one was much better for whatever reason). But that is really all for now. I have been so busy with real life that Disney has taken a backseat the last few days. I am starting to look at Condos again (I really want to move out of my parents house and have been saving for so long), so that is taking up some time. Unfortunately I can't afford much so my choices are very limited making the search that much harder to find a decent unit in a nice town. When did life get so complicated?

 

[Woth2982]

I have a great girlfriend who worked at Disney too a few years ago!!! We did a girls trip three December's ago and had a blast! Not to mention all the perks that came with her knowing so many people (she was a character)!

I love hearing about all the changes....I am so the same way....I need everything to be perfect and get the most out of the experience!!! I know you guys will have an awesome time no matter what! Great friends in Disney...it doesn't get any better!

Almost all my trips have been girls only the last few years! My mom and sister came once. The friends working there are great perks! She is friends with Tinkerbell and Ariel, my friend is at an odd height so she can't be a character. Too short for a princess too tall to be a character lol.

I am possibly the most indecisive person on the planet. I am always changing my mind about everything. I also want to get the most out of everything, which is why we are getting the car. I figure it will just cut down on travel time.

 

[jenseib]

Hold off on preordering for now. I have preordered, and if we do go in Dec, I plan on arranging/heading a share (where everyone contributes, and then I make copies for all in the share). It's much cheaper. So if you are interested, let me know. You don't have to actually preorder till the day before you leave. So it's not like a rushed thing.

 

[Woth2982]

Hold off on preordering for now. I have preordered, and if we do go in Dec, I plan on arranging/heading a share (where everyone contributes, and then I make copies for all in the share). It's much cheaper. So if you are interested, let me know. You don't have to actually preorder till the day before you leave. So it's not like a rushed thing.

OH that would be awesome! Please keep me informed! I would love to do a share! I am all for saving money! Thank you so much! What would I do paypal your the money or mail you a check? I really hope you get to go! I have always wanted to go to Disney on my birthday. I know Claire would love it!

 

[Woth2982]

Well I made another change on my trip. This time it was not on my ADRs it was on my hotel! I REALLY wanted to stay at the Boardwalk, but at the time it was about $500 more than AKL. Well I went and looked and the BWI was now $200 more than AKL! So I called the travel agent and switched the hotel! I am canceling the rental car because BWI is just such a central hotel I really don't see a point of having it. I think with the rental being canceled it will be a wash on the cost. When we stayed at the BC a couple years ago I found we got to every park in what seemed like record time! I am so excited about this.

 

[jenseib]

Yay for the Boardwalk! That place has the creepy Clown slide right? LOL! It's not that bad, really. But lots of people alway make comments about it, so I had to throw that in.

 

[Woth2982]

Well I went to the Disney Store today. Had a lunch date with a friend and because it took me 15 minutes to find a parking spot, I decided after lunch I was hanging at the mall for a bit. I got my Disney gift card while I was at the Disney Store. I put $25 on it, and I think I will do that once a week until I leave for my trip. I plan on using the card for tips as every one of our meals is TS thanks to the Deluxe Dining Plan. The less I have to put on my credit card while I am there the better! I love the idea of having everything pre-paid. I will be able to enjoy my vacation that much more!

 

[Woth2982]

Yay for the Boardwalk! That place has the creepy Clown slide right? LOL! It's not that bad, really. But lots of people alway make comments about it, so I had to throw that in.

I know the clown is really freaky! I don't think we will be at the pool much though so it won't matter. But I definitely think they should consider removing it. I know more people complain about it more than not.

 

[that's nice]

Congrats on staying at the Boardwalk!!!!!! I've been following Brooke's TR (not sure if you are following it) but she has a ton of pics from the Boardwalk. Here is the link if you want to check it out:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2554275

You might have to put $50 a week on that card for 10 weeks till your trip... good idea though.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

So, I spent last night crunching numbers (I'm an accountant it's what I do hehe). I was on the WDW site, and on South West Vacations website. I love staying at Deluxe hotels. When I do Disney, I like to get up go to a park, come back during the peak time of the day for a swim, then go back out nice and rested. I have some knee and feet issues so I end up in a lot of pain when it is go, go, go.

I really would love to stay at BWI, but I think this time I am going to stay at AKL. I have never had a strong desire to stay there, but I do have a desire to stay at every DW hotel on property at some point (except the values and the vacation club specific hotels SSR and OKW). I am getting close, still need GF, BWI, POFQ and AKL. So not bad.

So like I said I was looking up deals and found a REALLY good one on Southwest Vacations. I would be able to get the Free dining in a standard room, and a pay for 4 get 7 day park hopper! This comes out to slightly less than the deal on WDW and on WDW I would only get a base ticket!

So now I am waiting on my friend Brianne to call me to discuss this. She gets a 50% off deal on hotels if she stays in the room with us (and she is planning on it I think), 40% off if she doesn't stay with us. She is checking to see if she can add the dining plan onto the room if she stays with us. I told her I would foot the bill for her portion of it if she can add it. I am not adding her to my SW package because she gets into the parks for free, and I don't think she would be willing to pay for her PH ticket, and I am not willing to pay for it if she already gets in for free.

I am also contemplating getting an AP. She said she can get me a discount on that but she has to buy it AT Disney.

So it looks like we are gonna stay at AKL. I just need to talk to Brianne and get the ball moving on her end so I know if I should book this deal or not.

Phew that was a lot!

UP next....where do we eat?

I LOVE AKL! It's my favorite Disney resort that I've stayed in. You're going to have a great time. Your ADR's are great too I loveee 50's Prime Time and Tutto Italia is a family favorite.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Oh wait....now you're staying at BWI hahaha well still that resort is beautiful too. And I would probably prefer that one at Christmastime anyway. Plus it is much more convenient to the parks

 

[Woth2982]

Oh wait....now you're staying at BWI hahaha well still that resort is beautiful too. And I would probably prefer that one at Christmastime anyway. Plus it is much more convenient to the parks

Haha I don't think ANYTHING about my trip is the same from when I started this PTR. I JUST changed to an earlier flight yesterday lol. It was a little cheaper so now I have a credit for my next trip! I am very excited about BWI. I will stay at AKL another time!

 

[Woth2982]

Well I finally got around to canceling the rental car. It was a hard decision to make, but being in the Epcot area is just way too convenient so it is what it is. Last night I got home from work and there on my counter were my Disney's Magical Express tickets! I wasn't expecting them for another week or so.

When Disney re-vamped its booking system, several of my ADR's were lost. I was so disappointed. But I think I will live. I am also thinking about canceling the Candlelight Processional dinner. I am looking at the schedule and almost the entire day would be spent eating, and I think I would much rather see some of the cultural holiday things at the different pavilions. I wish we had an extra day so we could do it all. Darn work getting in the way of fun!

I did change my flight though so we get to Disney a little earlier than we were originally going to, but only by a few hours.

Needless to say the trip is getting very close. According to my ticker it is 1 month 2 weeks and 1 day away! It must go by the actual days left because I leave on a Saturday and tomorrow (as much as I wish it was) is not Saturday. Oh well, can't complain!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Well I finally got around to canceling the rental car. It was a hard decision to make, but being in the Epcot area is just way too convenient so it is what it is. Last night I got home from work and there on my counter were my Disney's Magical Express tickets! I wasn't expecting them for another week or so.

When Disney re-vamped its booking system, several of my ADR's were lost. I was so disappointed. But I think I will live. I am also thinking about canceling the Candlelight Processional dinner. I am looking at the schedule and almost the entire day would be spent eating, and I think I would much rather see some of the cultural holiday things at the different pavilions. I wish we had an extra day so we could do it all. Darn work getting in the way of fun!

I did change my flight though so we get to Disney a little earlier than we were originally going to, but only by a few hours.

Needless to say the trip is getting very close. According to my ticker it is 1 month 2 weeks and 1 day away! It must go by the actual days left because I leave on a Saturday and tomorrow (as much as I wish it was) is not Saturday. Oh well, can't complain!

I went to Disney's site, and it keeps showing a message stating they are unable to retrieve my dining reservation. How did you check yours? Is anyone else having this problem?

If I lost my ADR's I am going to be extremely ticked off.