Disney Dollars, Deals, and Delights - A PTR - Update 5/9 - We're Here! - GKTW update

[hurleysweety]

Table of Contents:
1. It started with a Honeymoon
2. Let's go back! Already? Where? Again...
3. We're Going PREMIERE!
4. Three Special Nights
5. Going to Disneyland next Weekend!
6. Volunteering at Give Kids the World
7. Dining Plans - Rough Draft
8. Should we add the Dining Plan?
9. Make-A-Wish Night!
10. Dining Plans Updated
11. Oh man, we've been busy!
12. Thank you, sink, for all you do at 4:30 AM
13. I'm ready to plan again! Still no hotel ressie...
14. Planning Journal has been started - PICS!
15. This is GOOD news!!!!!!!
16. 39 Days to go! To-do List is here!
17. hurleysweety's guide to TIW!
18. Let the Countdown Begin
19. A non-Disney type of day, with a happy ending!
20. Rant about a camera
21. Eleven Days - DH's Bday Present finished
22. 10 Days - The countdown officially begins
23. 9 Days - 9 things in my backpack in the parks
24. 8 Days - 8 moments I can't wait for
25. The "Hubby Journal" Pics
26. 7 Days Away - Rides I cannot wait for
27. 6 Days - Things I hope we can squeeze into our plans
28. 5 Days - Five things for the plane
29. The Story of a Rental Car
30. 4 Days - Four things worth the Splurge
31. Let's play a guessing game!
32. 3 Days - 3 ADRs I'm most looking forward to!
33. 2 Days - 2 CHANGES I'm still making...lol
34. One Day! - The ONE thing I can't wait to see
35. DisneyWorld - HERE WE GO!
36. We're Here - GKTW Update

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Okay, so who cares if our trip is over 5 months away? I'm starting my PTR!

Cast:

ME! 25 - a.k.a. "the wife" and "the planner" Favorite things include: Getting the best possible deals, making ADRs and changing them way too much, pricing out vacations that never actually take place, and starting dining reviews that never get finished...whoops.

DH! 27 - a.k.a. "hubby" and also as the "disney trips every 5-7 years" man turned to "lets move there" instigated by yours truly. Favorite things include: Sports and sports related things, Toy Story Mania!, eating anywhere as long as I tell him "well the disboard people said...", and enjoying all the late night/weird obsessive questions I ask because he realizes it leads to good vacations and money saved.

Here we are at WDW last May for our 2 year anniversary.

PTR Title Info
Because I've done a number of these beauties known as PTRs...I wanted to make this one a little different. I'm going to focus on DISNEY DOLLARS and DEALS and my favorite part of each trip, the DELIGHTS.

*DISNEY DOLLARS* aka the *DISNEY MATH* I hate math and I'm actually really bad at it - but if you saw my Disney excel spreadsheets, you might mistake me for a finance guru or an accountant.

*DEALS* Airfare, car rental, hotels, tickets, tables in wonderland, dining plan, souvenirs, AP discounts...you name it, I've looked for it.

*DELIGHTS* aka the *SPLURGES* If you save money in a lot of areas, don't you deserve a special treat? I think so!


Details
WHEN: May 6, 2011 - May 17, 2010
LOCATION: OKW and BWV
TRANSPORTATION: Airfare (*DELIGHT* - Paying extra to fly nonstop)
Rental Car: Alamo (*DEAL* - $135 for a Full Size )
DINING: ADRs: The Wave, Tokyo Dining, Sci Fi Dine In (lunch), Saana, Kona Cafe (lunch), Beaches and Cream, Hollywood Brown Derby(first signature!)

 

[ZFamily5]

The plans sound great so far, keep them coming! I love the picture of you and your DH with Minnie and Goofy!

 

[hurleysweety]

While most of you might find this boring, someone out there might want to know more about us. So without further ado, I give you "hubby & wife, the early years."

We got married in May 2008 and headed off to WDW for our first trip together (I had only been once before when I was 11). We stayed for a week offsite on the most budget trip we'll probably ever take (used in-laws worldmark, 6 day PH tix, only ate 2 table service meals - but yet the best vacation EVER!). We knew very little about what we were getting ourselves into!

Here's a pic from our Disneymoon!

That following May, 2009, we got Disneyland APs (a very nice 6 hr drive away) and went on 5 trips to Disneyland in the 2009-2010 year. In May 2009, the in-laws joined us for part of the trip. Then, in January 2010, we planned and hoped and crunched the numbers and then DH's parents said they would love to go with us to see the "big difference" at WDW and then BAM, they were able to get a 1 bedroom at OKW and his dad just booked it without confirming with us so, May 2010, we were all back! And more big news is coming later this year...you'll just have to wait and see about that...

Alright, whew, you made it past. No more ramblings...I think. [/FONT]

 

[hurleysweety]

Like most people, as soon as we returned from WDW last June, we were already talking about going back. When would be go back? Two years? Three years? After we decide to start a family? Dare we plan another vacation somewhere else? But after lots of discussion, we decided that we just love Disney so much and we know its going to be fun. So it was settled. We would go back in 2011. At first we were just thinking to go back in October for F&W. My MIL already started looking at DVC villas through RCI as early as July of this year! But about a month ago, we knew we couldn't wait that long to go back. So we considered a short visit to DLR this fall, but the ticket prices were just too expensive to go. We needed our "fix" as soon as possible - then DH suggested his birthday. Yes, DH suggested the trip - so I know full well to just agree in excitement and get to the disboards asap! In about 3 weeks, and lots of hours in front of the computer, I had priced out every possible scenario - but then life gets in the way, so nothing got booked or past the point of discussion.

So last week, DH is talking to his mom and she says that they can get a 2 bedroom in May for all four of us. WHAT? I love my in-laws, but I was looking forward to a nice Disney trip with just DH. Oh well, still means I get to go. So then comes the idea, "Would you be okay with OKW again..?" Er.r....hmmp...well, OKW is fine, means we get to go to Disney, so cool. Then three minutes later we get a call back and she wasn't able to "checkout" in enough time and the 2 bedroom was gone. Bittersweet...maybe she'll find AKL or BCV? Then the next day I get a call from DH at work and he says his mom booked a 1 bedroom just for us. Wait...WHAT...for May? Complete shock and disbelief, especially after getting excited yesterday and then being let down.

7 night stay for only $400!

Here are some pics from OKW last May. I hear the rooms have been renovated?

My perspective on OKW is warped because I slept in a kitchen for week

And then, yes there is more, DH suggests adding on some days towards the end of the trip so that we can maybe swing a deluxe, or rent points to stay BCV or BWV. AHHHH! Is it wrong that I'm more excited about three days than one week?

We booked nonstop airfare!

Then I suggest adding one night before our week stay so that we can fly nonstop and not loose a whole day. The airfare schedule to MCO on southwest for the whole first 2 weeks of May arrives every day at 11:30 PM! That should be a super fun day to write about!

 

[hurleysweety]

The plans sound great so far, keep them coming! I love the picture of you and your DH with Minnie and Goofy!

Thank you and welcome! My favorite pictures of the trip were the ones where we wore our Bronco's shirts. You betcha I'm coordinating our outfits for every day our next trip!

 

[hurleysweety]

Well at my house, we have this family tradition where Santa is a still a pretty big deal. (I should add that there hasn't been a child under the age of 14 involved in our Christmas in over 10 years...but Santa STILL comes ) Over the years, my mom has not been the only one filling the stockings each year. She told my sister and I, when we were about that "questioning Santa" age, that as long as we still believed, Santa would bring gifts. And since then, we've received a lot of fun gifts. (I should also add that we do celebrate the real meaning of Christmas...not just Santa, for those curious. )

DH has been a part of our Christmases for about five years now, and is now catching onto the buying of little gifts for stockings. This year in my stocking, I received a simple hand-written note from DH. And you wouldn't believe it, but it made me more excited than any present...

"Good for 2 Premiere Passports to DLR & WDW for 2011. Merry Christmas!" AHHHHHH!!!!!!

My response, while everyone else was going through their own stockings, "WE'RE GOING!??" Which in my head was really, "When are we going?" because at one time we talked about going to Disneyland in January!!!

We have been talking about the premier passes, as opposed to just WDW passes. But I told DH that he couldn't talk about them unless we were actually going to get them...and now I have proof. Written proof from "Santa" that next year we'll be going to both WDW and DLR. Our last year of [inexpensive] freedom before we start our family! Three trips to DLR and two to WDW (one with family) - should be a magical, great and wonderful year!

This is just a *DELIGHT* - IMHO, Premiere Passes are expensive. Only sorta justifiable by Disney math- that going to Disneyland will cost us an extra $200, as opposed to just WDW. (Its about a $200 difference between regular APs at WDW, premium APs at WDW, and premiere). We're going all out, when will we have another chance? Probably never.

Merry Christmas everyone! [/COLOR]

 

[hurleysweety]

So after lots of discussion, we've made our plans for the remaining three nights on our trip. After lots of careful research and planning, we've decided to rent points for DVC and cannot wait to begin our stay after talking about this particular hotel since our last trip.

***Drumroll Please!****
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We're staying at:

THE BOARDWALK VILLAS! Studio room, preferred view, not on the boardwalk though - all sold out. We have a garden/pool view and are on a waiting list for the boardwalk. At least its not a parking lot... I've also added that it was our anniversary on the reservation, so we'll see if that goes in our favor.

Now we just gotta figure out where we're staying that first night. Betterbidding, Hotwire & Hyatt Regency Airport...here I come!

Renting points is probably the best kept secret, not DVC!

 

[hurleysweety]

So, my WDW PTR has taken a slight pause as I'm gearing up for a trip to DLR next weekend. We're going Jan 7-9, and you can see my giant PTR in my signature below. It'll be our first trip back since last April 2010 - and that was such an unplanned trip. We were kinda burn out about DLR at the time, and just ready to go to WDW. But this time we're so ready for a vacation! I'll want to ride all the rides and see everything. It will also be the first time we'll see WoC!

This will be a super budget trip. Using a free night stay that I won online through Dr.Oz, and a good rate, our hotel will be under $100 for 2 nights in a pretty nice suite room with a hot breakfast in the morning. Its also rated #10 on trip advisor. So I'm pretty stoked. We'll be driving to the parks and getting free parking with our passes. And we'll probably only eat one meal each day in the parks, and probably counter service. Unless the pull at Storyteller's Cafe is just too much, and then we'll splurge on a delicious dinner! I don't plan on buying any souvenirs, unless Christmas stuff is still on sale, so no money spent there.

Anyway, back to Disney World! We are so excited to go. It really hasn't even hit me yet that I'll be there in a little over 4 months!!! I have so much to do, which excites me personally. I love the planning, even if its just for me and DH.

Quick question for anyone reading. Have you ever been planning both a WDW and DLR trip at the same time? What did you find the most confusing? How far apart were the trips? Just curious how you're all doing!

 

[hurleysweety]

AHH! I just saved us $40 on our southwest flight - and it took me 5 minutes! I hope it drops even lower.

I'm off to the store to buy some food, and get some things for our trip this weekend. I can't believe we go to to Disneyland in like 3 days. I'm also hoping for some mad Christmas sales at Wal-mart. They always have fun disney stuff at cheap prices. We shall see...I'll post what I get when I return.


Edit: (5/3/11) - Over the past four months, I have saved us almost $200 on our flight!

 

[DLR29]

Since I've been following your DLR TRs, I might as well stop by here. It's always a little sad when nobody posts on your PTRs or TRs, so I'm here!

You know what's funny? On our last trip to WDW we did an RCI exchange from Worldmark to get our SSR 2BR suite! And yes, it only cost us a couple hundred dollars in exchange fees and it was wonderful! Hope you have a great DLR trip and can't wait for more WDW trip deets when you get back!

 

[Hawleys]

I'm here too! Keep the updates coming.

 

[hurleysweety]

Since I've been following your DLR TRs, I might as well stop by here. It's always a little sad when nobody posts on your PTRs or TRs, so I'm here!

You know what's funny? On our last trip to WDW we did an RCI exchange from Worldmark to get our SSR 2BR suite! And yes, it only cost us a couple hundred dollars in exchange fees and it was wonderful! Hope you have a great DLR trip and can't wait for more WDW trip deets when you get back!

Thanks for coming on over! I must admit it is difficult to write two trip reports at the same time. I'm afraid that this one has seen a definite lack of attention because of my excitement for Disneyland!

Oh and RCI is amazing for being able to get into DVC! My in-laws are always talking about how DH and my brother in law will be able to use the points once they aren't able to treck all over the world.

I'm here too! Keep the updates coming.

Thanks for stopping by! Yay new readers and motivation to keep writing!

 

[Becc1]

Hope you guys had a great time in DL. I am very jealous, I have several friends who have AP out there and go all the time. Can't wait to hear all about your trip

 

[hurleysweety]

This is a total delight. We're soooo excited to announce that we have finalized our plans to help out with Give Kids the World (GKTW) during our trip. We will be spending our first Monday - May 9th - all day down at the magical village. We have been assigned to three different shifts on our day there.

Here was our email from their staff:
Ice Cream Palace – 12:00pm- 3:00pm (2)vol – please wear hat and closed toed shoes – you will be making icecream cones and milkshakes along with banana splits for the families. So much fun – can’t believe we even have this open – this ususally is taken by volunteers as quick as someone cancels.

Amberville – 3:00pm – 5:00pm (2) vol – you will be working with the remote control boats and in the game room with X-box, Rockband, all kinds of fun stuff, we even have a pool table – just lots of fun for the kids and you!

Kids Night Out – 5:30-9:00pm (2)vol – this is where the parents drop the kids off and you have one on one time with the kids –having dinner, icecream and having fun till the parents come back to get them –they stay on property but its time away from the parents and visa versa – you will have so much fun doing this as well.

We are so excited to spend some time down there. DH and I are really looking forward to this experience as he plays a small role in our local MAW foundation. He still works for the university (we both graduated from) in the athletic dept and is responsible for the student athletic council something-rather...anyway, its like a student government thing for athletes required by the NCAA. (Thank goodness DH never reads this stuff, he'd laugh at my knowledge of sports/athletics...and his job...). Its a division two school, so we have the liberty of not charging admissions to our games, but asking for donations instead - for MAW. So when DH's committee is running the door, all donations for that night go to MAW. And then sometime in late spring, we do a MAW night and have five or six local families come out, have dinner, watch a game and enjoy all these fun perks. It was super fun last year, first time we did it, and I can't wait til this year. So far I haven't met any wish families, but how awesome would it be to meet one that was going? I just have such a heart and compassion for children and their siblings and parents in those difficult situations. And I also love making dreams come true!

I'm so excited we get to do the ice cream - I mean, who doesn't want free ice cream on a sunny day in May in the afternoon? How many kids do I get to just give one small smile to - what a blessing this will be - and an eye opening experience as well. I only hope to make one child's vacation a bit better, and bring some hope into their lives, even if just for a moment. Ok ok ok...sappy moment is over. Like I said...I just have a heart for these kids.

 

[blessedmom4]

Okay, I was already hooked on your PTR report and was avidly reading...then I saw your last post about volunteering at GKTW and knew I had to sign in and say Hi! THANK YOU, I know they will be so happy to have your and DH help. You make a BEAUTIFUL couple!

 

[hurleysweety]

Okay, I was already hooked on your PTR report and was avidly reading...then I saw your last post about volunteering at GKTW and knew I had to sign in and say Hi! THANK YOU, I know they will be so happy to have your and DH help. You make a BEAUTIFUL couple!

You are so sweet! Thank you! Now I get to go read your PTR...

 

[fitzy819]

This is my first PTR to follow

Your plans sound great! I can't wait to read more.

 

[hurleysweety]

This is my first PTR to follow

Your plans sound great! I can't wait to read more.

Welcome! Oh I feel so privileged to be chose first! I hope to not let you down!

 

[DanielleandBrady]

This is a great thread! Thank you for posting. I am new to DIS and I have enjoyed reading your posts! Please keep them coming!

 

[hurleysweety]

This is a great thread! Thank you for posting. I am new to DIS and I have enjoyed reading your posts! Please keep them coming!

Thanks and welcome to the DIS! Its a great place full of all kinds of information, and can become very addicting! Thanks for reading!