Dole Whip is a Dish Best Served Cold. A Sept PTR- 10/2 - TR POSTED!

[OrangeJuice]

Hi Teeka!
I've been MIA from the Dis for a while because of work/study but I decided to pop back in today. Glad to hear you've got another trip to WDW planned this year! I haven't had the chance to read your whole PTR yet but just wanted to leave a little note to say hi. Looking forward to reading more about your upcoming trip.

 

[KatMark]

I am sorry to hear you had such a disappointing stay at the Beach Club- I know you have hinted about it in the past, but you have been very diplomatic around me (not that you need to be).


When was your stay there? What time of year?

We were there last June...it was our girls' trip.

 

[teekathepony]

Hi Teeka!
I've been MIA from the Dis for a while because of work/study but I decided to pop back in today. Glad to hear you've got another trip to WDW planned this year! I haven't had the chance to read your whole PTR yet but just wanted to leave a little note to say hi. Looking forward to reading more about your upcoming trip.

Hey! Good to "see" you around again!! to my PTR!

 

[teekathepony]

Tiny bit of trip news.

My passport application came back rejected yesterday.

I knew it would. The minute after it was dropped off at the post office I realized my guarantor didn't sign the photocopies of my ID, and since I was doing the full long form instead of the quick renewal (changing my name, only three and a half years after the wedding! ) I needed all the boxes checked. It took them four weeks to figure out what I knew in four minutes!

Anyway. I was beginning to get nervous that they'd lost my application (with my old passport in it!) so I'm just glad to have it back either way. Now I can just write down exactly what name is going on it, send it again, book my flights and hope for the best. So, either way I should have some flight news to report tomorrow!

 

[khaleesi]

Dooooo it! I'm planning on late November, roughly the 21st - 28th (or longer, we'll see!)

Well, if you insist! Haha!!!!

So, either way I should have some flight news to report tomorrow!

Oh phew!! I saw "rejection" in your title and got REALLY nervous for you, wondering what could have gone wrong!!! Glad you got the old passport back safe and sound! Happy planning!

 

[ZehnJahren]

I'd stay at BC/YC before BWV. I loved BWV on my last trip, but the buses were SO BAD. I hope it was just a seasonal thing - I was there in the off season - but you read my last TR and the buses were bad. We never had that problem at YC! Of course, we did spend most of our time at Epcot and DHS while staying there, so we didn't worry too much about the buses when we were at YC, but I kept trying to get to MK and AK while at BWV and it just took forever for me! Plus, Stormalong Bay is very nice (though I liked the BWV pool too; it's funny how quick you get used to that clown!).

 

[emmysmommy]

Awwww man! At least you planned ahead enough with the passport to not need it today!

YAY! Another DIS trip being planned! I LOVE the Epcot resorts - which is why we do split stays so much. I can't not stay part of my trip there. SAB is a pretty good reason to make you choose BC/YC.

Wouldn't that just be awful if you had to extend your trip a day or two to get your AirMiles flights book. More days in Disney is never a complaint of mine.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Oh no! Sorry to hear about your passport, I hope that they get it back to you fast!

 

[MEK]

Bummer on the passport, but yeah on the flight news!

 

[BridgetR3]

Sorry to hear about your passport!! Hope you get great news on the flights!

 

[KatMark]

That stinks that it took them so long with the passport after you knew right away what you'd done.

I hope you get it all rectified soon and that you get your flights booked.

 

[teekathepony]

Well, if you insist! Haha!!!!

See what I did there? Twisted your rubber arm I did.

Oh phew!! I saw "rejection" in your title and got REALLY nervous for you, wondering what could have gone wrong!!! Glad you got the old passport back safe and sound! Happy planning!

Luckily it was something I figured was going to happen. Still sucks, but at least I can fix the issue and send it back, hopefully get the new one back soon!

I'd stay at BC/YC before BWV. I loved BWV on my last trip, but the buses were SO BAD. I hope it was just a seasonal thing - I was there in the off season - but you read my last TR and the buses were bad. We never had that problem at YC! Of course, we did spend most of our time at Epcot and DHS while staying there, so we didn't worry too much about the buses when we were at YC, but I kept trying to get to MK and AK while at BWV and it just took forever for me! Plus, Stormalong Bay is very nice (though I liked the BWV pool too; it's funny how quick you get used to that clown!).

I'm definitely not looking forward to the buses, they don't sound too good from anywhere. Very glad to hear your take on the Epcot resorts! I'm taking and weighing all opinions!

Awwww man! At least you planned ahead enough with the passport to not need it today!

Yeah, I wish it wasn't rejected of course, but was prepared for the worst!

YAY! Another DIS trip being planned! I LOVE the Epcot resorts - which is why we do split stays so much. I can't not stay part of my trip there. SAB is a pretty good reason to make you choose BC/YC.

I'm really excited about that trip, the Epcot resorts are just so appealing! I can see me being the same after this and not having a trip without staying there!

Wouldn't that just be awful if you had to extend your trip a day or two to get your AirMiles flights book. More days in Disney is never a complaint of mine.

Ahh yeah, terrible. I'd take one for the team though. Hehehe. I agree, no such thing as too many Disney days.

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[teekathepony]

joining in

So glad to have you along!~

 

[teekathepony]

Howdy folks! It's the beginning of a beautiful day, and I'm off! That never happens!

I have several bits of news to report on three different trips.

First up: The trip farthest away.

Disney, November 2015

(567 days to go!)

Well, a little bad news here. A quick recap: My parents bought a time share type of package. They upgraded their package in February and were told it now could get them 4 weeks at any of the DVC resorts, and I was able to use it.

YAY!

So they tried to book a week at the BWI for this coming November and were told it was too early to book, call back in a week. Then they called a week later and were told it was booked up and that you would have to book a year in advance. Another time they called, they were told that OKW and Saratoga were available. They called back another time to book one of those and were told they were too late, everything was booked up. Summary: 5 calls, 5 different people told them 5 different things.

They then called and spoke to the person who actually sold them the package.

Turns out, they could book a year in advance... but they would need two years' worth of points. But they were told they had enough for 4 weeks... but that's only if they book within 30 days or less. No one ever told them THAT when they bought it!

RIP OFF!

So they're wild and I'm shaking my head because they always get into these "too good to be true" situations. They're calling and trying to get their money back or something because really, salespeople can be slimy, but this was just really, really dirty.

What does that mean for me?

Well, my Nov. '15 options were either I use their package, or save up for the Epcot resorts. Since option A is out, we're at option B! (Unless we look again at renting points. Let's call that a possible option C.)

That also means BWV and BCV are out, and as of now, the Yacht Club has been moved to the top of the list.

Our upcoming Germany trip is paid for (more on that later) and our upcoming Orlando trip is paid for (more on that later too!) This means that as of about a month ago, all the money we each set aside every pay is going for our '15 trip. Anything extra I make from my camera classes -- right in the Yacht Club jar. I'm currently setting up my Etsy shop to sell some of my paintings. Anything comes of that -- right in the Yacht Club jar! lol

We have already made our "Restaurants: Long List" and let me tell you, we are going to have a heck of a time whittling it down to a manageable number. I have 30 restaurants on it right now. (Johnny said we're going to need the Deluxe dining plan!!)

Anyway, more on that trip when we're LESS than 18 months away!
--------------------------------------------------------------

Next bit of news on the closest trip to me:

Germany, July 2014

(72 days to go!)

Since I did get my passport back (even though it was rejected!) I was at least able to confirm exactly how my name will appear on the new passport. (which has been fixed and is ready to send out again) This means that we could book the flights we were waiting for! We go from Halifax to Frankfurt, no stops on Condor. I love that flight, so much easier than skipping around airport to airport. We go for 11 days! Included will be lots of visiting, sightseeing

DSCF0377 by teekathepony, on Flickr

Hopefully a trip to Mittenwald:
11 by teekathepony, on Flickr

Some easy days around Caro's town:
DSCF0340 by teekathepony, on Flickr

And with a little luck, a little dose of Disney:

I'll give you a little report on that trip when we get back.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, some trip news for the trip about which this report is actually being written.

Orlando, September 2014
(142 days to go!)

Again, with the passport being back, had the name, collected the AirMiles and were ready to book! We got the same flights as the rest of our party (though not the ones we wanted unfortunately!)

We travel from...

Sydney (depart 1:15pm Atlantic time) to Halifax (arrive 2:12pm AT)
Halifax (depart 4:30pm AT) to Toronto (arrive 5:53pm EST)
Toronto (depart 8:50pm EST) to Orlando (arrive 11:40pm EST)

and on the way home we go from...

Orlando (depart 10:00am EST) to Montreal (arrive 1:07pm EST)
Montreal (depart 2:45pm EST) to Halifax (arrive 5:11pm AT)
Halifax (depart 6:15pm AT) to Sydney (arrive 7:07pm AT)

So the Sydney to Toronto direct was not available, meaning one extra stop both ways. Could be worse though! And now that we have our flights booked and our days confirmed (no extras! ) we are on a roll for that trip too!


Sorry to overwhelm with three trips' worth of information, but a lot happened last night!

Have a good one, all!

 

[ljcrochet]

booking flights always makes the trip seem so real.

That sucks about your parents timeshare scam.

 

[MidnightParade]

Following along! Nice to meet someone else doing the Airmiles counting! We are 169miles away from one 7 day Disney Parks ticket! Woot. Which should be in the bag by monday when the credit card miles comes through.

I want to stay at the Boardwalk as well! But Stormalong Bay is pretty hard to resist! Yay for Nov'15 planning!!! Have you guys rented DVC before?

Yay for Germany! Looks so beautiful, I hope to visit it myself some day!

Can't wait to read more on all three trips!!

 

[KatMark]

Wendy, that's a lot of trips to keep track of.

Glad the flights are settled...even if NOT exactly what you wanted.

Your trip to Germany sounds really nice.

That sucks about your parents and their purchase. I would certainly be calling and asking for my money back or calling the Better Business Bureau.

Ahhhh...the Yacht Club. I would really like to stay at the Yacht Club someday. But my pocketbook just shakes when I even think about it. I think we'll stick with our Studio at Old Key West until we win the lotto.

Have a great weekend.

 

[MEK]

When are you planning to go in November 2015? Do you have an exact time frame?

You know - Denny and I did a timeshare presentation down in Williamsburg a couple years ago and this salesperson was emphatic that we would be able to use those points for a DVC exchange. And I knew it was totally crap. Not impossible, but also not very liking and ultimately a frustrating experience. All I could do was chuckle to myself because, you're right - Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.

That being said - if you end up at OKW or SSR it won't be the end of the world. I know you are persistent so ultimately it will work out for you.

Germany sounds amazing! And it will be here before you know it!

 

[teekathepony]

booking flights always makes the trip seem so real.

That sucks about your parents timeshare scam.

I love when the flights are booked, definitely makes it feel real!
I know, I mean not technically a scam, they didn't lie per se, they just didn't tell the whole story. Doesn't look like they're going to do much about it either.

Following along! Nice to meet someone else doing the Airmiles counting! We are 169miles away from one 7 day Disney Parks ticket! Woot. Which should be in the bag by monday when the credit card miles comes through.

Glad to have you along! Oohh that's awesome! We do fairly well with our AirMiles, we're pretty careful about getting as many as we can. Hope you get your miles Monday!

I want to stay at the Boardwalk as well! But Stormalong Bay is pretty hard to resist! Yay for Nov'15 planning!!! Have you guys rented DVC before?

Stormalong Bay just looks so cool, the lazy river especially. I have not rented DVC, we looked into it last year but there were a few things that made us decide against it, mainly that we were looking at room discounts and free meal plan promos. Have you?

Yay for Germany! Looks so beautiful, I hope to visit it myself some day!

I've been to Germany twice now to visit my "sister" and it's really beautiful, very interesting. I love the food a lot more than I thought I would!

Can't wait to read more on all three trips!!