Curse you, PIN codes, curse you, Airtran!

[Gina]

We were just in WDW in December (although, as I'm sure many of you can understand, it already feels like forever ago.) We're going on a cruise next February. For once, we were not planning on making it to WDW in December.

So I'm minding my own business the other day, when one of the mythical (for me) PIN codes pops up in my inbox. It was the one for big kids/little kid prices, and sounded like a really good deal. But airfare from nearby Houston is always the issue. When we went in December, it was $500 for DS and I, and that was even better than I feared it would be. It's just too expensive. The whole thing was put out of my mind. (Well, mostly.)

This morning I get an airfare alert from Airtran for $112 RT from Houston-Hobby to MCO. What?!? That fare is unheard of from here. NOW I'm interested. But Pop always fills up so fast... and DS and I won't stay anywhere else. Surely they are full up by now, since the PIN had been out for a while.

I called, got a super nice CM, and found out that Pop was indeed available, and that with the PIN code it would only be $832 total for DS and I both for 3 nights, with 4-day park tickets including hopper option, and with the quick-service dining plan. Yeah, like I could pass THAT up!!

Soooo... I have no business doing it, and we will be eating a lot of mac & cheese for dinner between now and then, but we're booked for Dec. 12-15 at our beloved Pop. I finally graduate with my Bachelor's degree on the 11th, so that's the excuse I'm using for this trip.

It may be 7 months away, but it just always feels so *good* to actually be booked.

 

[disneysuncat]

Well congratulations! See, it was DESTINY, meant to be! The code, the fantastic air fare.....it's KARMA, you must have done something verrrry verrry good lately.

I'll be at Pop the same time you are, from December 8th to December 20th. It's our first stay at that resort.

 

[5boyz]

Well congrats on Dec 11 and have a great time Dec 12-15

 

[Singinglizzie]

Well, sounds like it was meant to be! Great for you that you got a code! Still keeping my fingers crossed we get one, oh yeah we did, but it was only an upgrade of park tickets - nothing to really entice us! Enjoy!

 

[Gina]

Well congratulations! See, it was DESTINY, meant to be! The code, the fantastic air fare.....it's KARMA, you must have done something verrrry verrry good lately.

I'll be at Pop the same time you are, from December 8th to December 20th. It's our first stay at that resort.

That's right! Destiny! And I *have* been a very good girl... Plus, it'll be a great bonding exercise for DS and I. He's 13, and I try to involve him a lot in our budget and decisions, so it'll be good for us to work together toward this goal. "Yeah, Whataburger and their to-die-for honey barbeque chicken strip sandwich *would* be great tonight, but..."

Hey, there's another trip excuse! It's a lesson in budgeting and prioritizing! Yeah!!

 

[stella27]

Sounds like it was meant to be! have a wonderful time and congratulations on your graduation!!!

 

[tiggeraholic]

We are going to WDW 12/17 to 12/26 and I wish we could get the $56 pp each way. I live an hour south of Houston. Congrats to you!

 

[ancestry]

Yeah! Congratulations on the trip and your bachelor's degree! I know how good that feels as I am graduation with my 2nd bachelor's degree and master's degree this coming Saturday.

 

[Gina]

We are going to WDW 12/17 to 12/26 and I wish we could get the $56 pp each way. I live an hour south of Houston. Congrats to you!

I was shocked... that is a seriously insane fare from Houston. Do you already have your airfare?

And thanks, everyone, for the graduation wishes! I just went and pulled up my ressie online, and clicked on the "add celebration" button. To my surprise, that sweet CM had added "Gina's Graduation Celebration" in there! I had only mentioned in passing that I was graduating the 11th, so any day after that would work, reservation-wise. I love Disney.

And disneysuncat: I forgot to say that I hope you love Pop as much as we do... We have stayed all over the place, but once we stayed there that was it. It just has a certain energy... I can't even explain it. It's just awesome.

 

[Coconuts]

Sounds like an awesome deal, including the great airfare! Congrats on graduation--consider this a present to yourself.

 

[disneysuncat]

And disneysuncat: I forgot to say that I hope you love Pop as much as we do... We have stayed all over the place, but once we stayed there that was it. It just has a certain energy... I can't even explain it. It's just awesome.

Thanks Gina! I admit to being a little nervous about it, having only stayed in deluxes, but it looks SO DISNEY, I think we'll love it.

I am glad they put the note about your graduation on your reservation, you never know what "magic" could appear!

 

[Gina]

Thanks Gina! I admit to being a little nervous about it, having only stayed in deluxes, but it looks SO DISNEY, I think we'll love it.

It is a fun, fun resort, but it is also so much more beautiful than I think people expect out of a value resort. Walking around the lake is just wonderful, and sitting on the "bridge to nowhere" is so incredibly peaceful -- you'll feel like the only person around. And the Everything Pop! food court is the best of any resort I've stayed at. Don't miss trying the tie-dye cheesecake!!

I was so burnt out after this semester... I was really wondering how I was going to make it through one more. But honestly, just having this trip booked has done so much in the motivation department! Now my last semester is merely a speedbump in between me and WDW.