DONE 7/28!! My Life on the DVC Blacklist - an August '09 Pre-Trip.

[jcc0621]

Sooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

 

[debraW76]

Subbing...and going back to read

 

[PrincessV]

:Mum considered eletric mixers and telphones "modern gadgets " and wouldn't use them!

I kind of fell between generations I think - within my life I've gone from a black & white TV with 3 channels, to a color console with 6 channels, to a cable box with about 20 buttons and a cord, to Betamax players, to wireless cable and DVDs!

Now pleeese 'splain Twittering!!!!

Near as I can tell, Twittering is like blogging, but you're limited to 140 characters per "tweet." I really don't get it!

Darn that Gore.

Right?!

Get those wood grain speakers back

Nope. They do sound superior, but there's no room in my decor for faux-wood grain and black mesh anymore.

I love the smell of a new book! It's right up there with new car smell!

Me too, me too!

I'd surely subscribe to your twitter! I'm "TinkyKat" on twitter!

How fun...I only just recently signed up for Twitter out of curiosity. have not really used it, but would love to ready your twitter stuff as I am sure it would be a hoot

V make sure you find me on Twitter, I still prefer FB or here though

Thanks guys! I don't think I'll really do an official Twitter - maybe just use that format to jot down random thoughts. Maybe.

Sorry that technology is driving you crazy V, you have a great way with words though so I can see it working to your businesses advantage .

Thank you! I really am very grateful that I can do what I love most for my job.

Did you get the hair colored yet?

About 3 times since this was posted!

I bet they were somewhat preoccupied with another DIS'er...heh heh...

Awwww...my little buddy...how can you say no to a teary-eyed Leo???

Apparently I can't.

I twittered a couple of trips to NYC and my Vegas trip. It's nice to have the mediums, what takes a paragraph in a TR becomes "OMG 1st gamble in Vegas=free stomp tix!"

See, that's my hang-up - I'm no good at brevity.

This cracked me up pretty good. I work in tech support, have a the glitzy smartphone, nifty laptop and all that good stuff, but the stereo in my living room still has an 8 track player in it. It's the one Tracy's dad took to college and it still works just fine thank you. I can hook it up to my Dish receiver and pump Sirius through it with not problems.

Yes! I ditched my CD player (what I wouldn't give for enough space to bring an LP player back, though) and just have the receiver hooked up to the DVD player, so I can funnel cable, VCR and DVD/CD through it.

Im all caught up on your last 2 installments..GEESH away for 1 lousy week and you give 2 UPDATES!!!!

Hee hee, I was on a roll!

LOVE the t's ..why is it so hard to find a good t.

Seriously. I'm really thinking I should order more and not even take them out of the packaging - just hang on to them for next year...

I agree - but I must admit, my little Sony Reader takes up much less space and weight while I'm traveling.

It seems like such a good idea, but my eyes just can't seem to focus properly on a screen for long-term reading. Yes, I still print things out for editing. But I use both sides and then recycle, at least.

OK I was initially going to just lurk and use the thread tools to subscribe, not I decided to just post.

Yay, glad you did and thanks for joining!

Sooooooooooooooooooo

Yeah yeah yeah, it's coming!

Subbing...and going back to read

Hey Debra - thanks for coming over!

 

[lovealldisney]

Ok where have I been that I didn't see this TR!!! V you are one of my FAVORITE TR writers. Count me in!! Ok now I have to go and catch up!

 

[PrincessV]

Ok where have I been that I didn't see this TR!!! V you are one of my FAVORITE TR writers. Count me in!! Ok now I have to go and catch up!

You're making me blush! Thank you - and thanks for being brave enough to come back for more!

 

[PrincessV]

Guess what?

We have another DIS family joining in this crazy adventure! Ladies and gentleman, it is my great pleasure to introduce…


Traveling DIS Family #3: The Mominators! Lauralee (or LL for short), her husband Tony and their son Michael. LL and I first met on the DIS and then met up in real life at the Tambu Lounge in the Poly, Dec. 2006. It was supposed to be a meet of 7-10ish DISers, but only three showed up. The third left early - LL and I closed the bar. Which speaks volumes, I think, about how we roll together. Heh heh.

We started talking that night and pretty much never stopped! We met up again at WDW in Aug. 2007, and Leo and I met Michael that trip, too. In Jan. 2008, LL and I took our boys to the now-defunct Pirate and Princess Party, and I finally got to meet Tony when a ton of us DISers converged on WDW in Aug. 2008. Oh, and we spent a wonderful day at the MK with the extended Mominator family that Nov. The Mominators have become like family to Leo and I over the years and I can’t imagine a Disney World – or any world - without them!



This isn’t just an introduction in the sense of more trip characters. No, I’m also here to introduce LL in a guest-writing role here in the PTR. Because, to get the Mominators down to WDW in Aug. took Fuzzy Disney Math, Fuzzy Resort Crunching, and Fuzzy Disney Enabling to levels heretofore unknown. And only LL can possibly retell how it all went down. She’s beyond busy right now, so it may be a bit before she can post the “Tale of Cinnamon”, so be on the lookout. And, in the interest of monitor and keyboard preservation, keep any fizzy drinks at bay whilst reading.





















Oh.


Are you still here?


I was hoping to distract you. From my latest Blacklisting.

Yep, I’ve been at it again!


~sigh~

I’ve just had a nagging feeling about that AKV Kidani reservation since the day I made it. Not for any specific reasons – it just never felt 100% right. Believe me, on paper it looked like perfection, and I’ve tried for months to tell myself that.

Then the Cast Members and DVC Members got a sneak preview. And posted reports and pictures on the Internet. It was all over for V.


Don’t get me wrong – I think it will be a lovely resort. And I’m sure I’ll want to stay there at some point. But it just doesn’t have “August 2009” written on it for me.

And maybe it just comes down to the fact that neither the Waldos, nor the Mominators, nor TheDISneyFamily will be there. Leo and I have spent the last two Augusts at SSR with the Waldo and Mominator families; we loved popping down to the pool to find our friends there! We loved spending a relaxing evening in the Turf Club Lounge with them! We loved the morning bus stop round-up as T texted our behinds out of bed and onto a park bus!

AKV-Kidani feels too far away. Not from the parks, but from our friends.

Aug. 2008 – Return of the DIS Kids




So I called Member Services.

Again.

And canceled my Oct. reservation to free up some points.
No problem.
Canceled.

And I asked to switch my Aug. AKV reservation to an SSR studio.



NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!




Blacklist, schmacklist – “Beatrice” told me they were blocked from canceling any Kidani reservations that day! That day, which just so happened to follow the CM/Member preview tours. Makes me wonder if they expected a mass cancelation, y’know?

More likely, they just blocked me though.


Anyway, I called back the next day and made the switch. No problems at all. “Grace” was most efficient and got me settled at my old-new-rescheduled resort. Yay, we’re going home!!!


We are still booked at the CR for three nights, and no, I don’t make any guarantees that won’t change. I don’t want to change it, but if Disney should dangle a particularly tantalizing annual pass rate for another resort? I just may be powerless to resist.

 

[lovemyblt]

OH V you crack me up!!!!!
I have been semi-lurking on your pretrip, I can't keep up enough to post alot LOL

But I have to tell you the preview photos- well its not the Lodge is it???

I am pleased with the rooms though. We will stay here this time and then next time look into the treehouse villas!

I love that you have the ability to switch it up, I feel like once I book I am too afraid to switch LOL

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Traveling DIS Family #3: The Mominators! Lauralee (or LL for short), her husband Tony and their son Michael.

It's just not vacation without the Mominators! I'm soooo happy they're coming down!

[This isn’t just an introduction in the sense of more trip characters. No, I’m also here to introduce LL in a guest-writing role here in the PTR. Because, to get the Mominators down to WDW in Aug. took Fuzzy Disney Math, Fuzzy Resort Crunching, and Fuzzy Disney Enabling to levels heretofore unknown.

I can't WAIT for that retelling. LL brought fuzziness to an all time HIGH! She is the FUZZ master!

AKV-Kidani feels too far away. Not from the parks, but from our friends.

Aug. 2008 – Return of the DIS Kids

Ahhh... they're just too cute!

NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!

HA!

 

[PrincessAlways]

V and changes......just goes together like peas & carrots!!(like Forrest Gump woud say)

 

[Trentmom]

It would not be a Princess V Trip Report without some changes or I guess it is more like

A LOT of changes




How fun LL and her family is going with you and goign to be chiming in on here


Should make for an interesting read

 

[DisneyJo]

Can't wait to hear LL's cinnamon story I know it'll be good

How strange they wouldn't allow you to cancel AKV to start with And we all knew you'd end up back at SSR

 

[debraW76]

V, Leo's chocolate eyes are just adorable.
I can't believe you switched again. You are going to live up to your reputation aren't you?

I am all caught up now. you may continue

 

[englishrose47]

Hi V just checking in and keeping up with the changes !!

 

[dlwharp]

No, I’m also here to introduce LL in a guest-writing role here in the PTR.

Hi V! Wow, this just gets better and better! I don’t post a lot but thought I’d come out of the woodwork to say hi . My DIS obsession started with LL’s “Magically Dysfunctional Gathering” TR and all of her other hysterically funny TRs . From them, I found yours and T’s and the Focker Chats and have been following for a couple of years now. I always hope that one of our trips will coincide with a Focker DIS meet (although I always have a Lapu Lapu and think of you all when we’re there!) It looks like it’s still not happening – we’ll be arriving on 8/20 (was 8/23, but I just got off the phone with Member Services and changed our reservation – this time it was DH’s idea to add on! ) I’m so glad you decided to do a PTR…I’m coming along for the ride!

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Responsibility is lametastic.

 

[boysmom5150]

OMG I cant wait to hear the Cinnamon story. Glad LL and family are joining you

 

[dolfinjuls]

Hi! I just found your ptr and I think I've lurked on a past tr if I'm not mistaken. Anyway I just wanted to say hi and that your ptr made for some nice work material for me!

And I'm wondering if I'm going to be anything like you are in choosing which dvc resort to stay at in the future! This trip we're stuck at SSR w/ developer points, but after that I get to pick! Yay!

 

[lazydoxy66]

Just kidding. I hope you'll be comfortable at your home base.

 

[Lauralee131]

Guess what?

We have another DIS family joining in this crazy adventure! Ladies and gentleman, it is my great pleasure to introduce…


Traveling DIS Family #3: The Mominators! Lauralee (or LL for short), her husband Tony and their son Michael. LL and I first met on the DIS and then met up in real life at the Tambu Lounge in the Poly, Dec. 2006. It was supposed to be a meet of 7-10ish DISers, but only three showed up. The third left early - LL and I closed the bar. Which speaks volumes, I think, about how we roll together. Heh heh.

Hi!!! Wow - I don't know if I can take the pressure of "guest-writer"...And I'm still amazed that we've only known each other since 06...feels like so much longer than that, doesn't it?

But yes everyone, we clicked instantly and yes - we closed the bar and even after the bar closed we went out to the beach/pool area and continued to talk even more...

We started talking that night and pretty much never stopped!

Quite literally!! I talk to V more than I talk to my own husband!!

Of course, he probably prefers that I bore someone else with the daily ramblings of an insane mind...

We met up again at WDW in Aug. 2007, and Leo and I met Michael that trip, too.

And another great friendship was born...our boys clicked instantly, just like their mama's and became good buddies. Leo's name comes out of Michael's mouth - at a minimum - of once a week - even when it's 6 months between trips. M's trip planning always includes Leo...

In Jan. 2008, LL and I took our boys to the now-defunct Pirate and Princess Party,

Sniff, sniff....RIP Pirate and Princess Party...RIP...

That trip was the beginning of a great trend...touring with a buddy. The boys got to ride a couple of rides on their own (with us closely behind them) and they discovered a new, cool independence...and we discovered how much easier it is when the kids have a friend along.

They walk faster instead of lagging behind. They don't complain about walking or waiting in line - not that we wait in line, mind you. But they're generally happier with a buddy. And the four of us had a great time...

This trip was probably one of the best times M has ever had. And honestly - me too. We had dinners together. Had some wine together. Rode the rides together. Had margaritas together. Rode some more rides together. Had some Lapu Lapu's together...yes, our trips tend to involve booze on some level...

Us, not the kids. Just in case any of you were wondering...

and I finally got to meet Tony when a ton of us DISers converged on WDW in Aug. 2008. Oh, and we spent a wonderful day at the MK with the extended Mominator family that Nov.

This was the trip that Tony finally found out that my "invisible internet friend" was in fact a living, breathing person...the year before, Tony and V kept missing each other at the pool, etc. so I think he was really starting to doubt that she even existed.

The August of 2007 trip he met T's family and quickly bonded with Waldo and Andy and was really looking forward to seeing them again in 08...this was the beginning of a new phase in Tony's life...actually looking forward to a WDW trip!! Well, I think secretly he always does, although he complains about going to anyone who will listen, but now it's different...it's much like Michael & Leo...it's better with buddies...

We began taking turns with nights' out...the girls had a night out one year whilst the boys babysat. The next year the boys had their night out whilst the girls babysat.

And of course, because we're good at this, we still managed to make a party out of a babysitting night


And we all even managed some grown up time in the August of 08 trip - although brief - it was the dawning of a new age for the DISkids...

Kids' Club Nights...ahhhh....

Everybody wins...

The Mominators have become like family to Leo and I over the years and I can’t imagine a Disney World – or any world - without them!

Oooh!! LOOK!!! Photopass!!!

So true, so true...you know that old commercial, "everything's better with Blue Bonnet on it"...? Well, WDW's better with friends...

I think the boys sort of think that the other one lives at WDW or something because every time we go, the other one is "magically" there for a visit...

Even when I'm trapped in a trip with family members...Miss V and Leo always manage to come visit and make my trip a happy one. And we love them for that. I couldn't imagine a visit to FL without a visit with V. Like Peanut Butter and Jelly...they just go together...

This isn’t just an introduction in the sense of more trip characters. No, I’m also here to introduce LL in a guest-writing role here in the PTR.

Oh great, so long as there's no pressure...

Because, to get the Mominators down to WDW in Aug. took Fuzzy Disney Math, Fuzzy Resort Crunching, and Fuzzy Disney Enabling to levels heretofore unknown. And only LL can possibly retell how it all went down. She’s beyond busy right now, so it may be a bit before she can post the “Tale of Cinnamon”, so be on the lookout. And, in the interest of monitor and keyboard preservation, keep any fizzy drinks at bay whilst reading.

And here's where it gets fuzzy...heh heh...but first a little background.

For those of you that don't know, we all start planning our next trip basically before we unpack our suitcases from the last trip. Soooo..this August trip's been a long time in the making.

Oh and I have yet to mention this trip is T's fault.

Just wanted to throw that out there.

Ok, I feel better now...

So it's a given that when T had her dates that me and V would be there.

So it is written. So it is done.

And then...BAM! The economy TANKS. Apparently there's been a recession for awhile, but I was just choosing not to participate. I'm like that though. I don't like to get involved in something just because everyone is.

So...whilst everyone was being careful with their credit cards and buying things with cash...well, me - I was happily sailing that river in Egypt...you know the one, right?...Denial.

And what a great cruise it was...

4 WDW trips a year...

Lots of shopping...

And a brand spankin' new car for the Mominator..

That's right...I was happily sailing down Denial, minding my own business when all of a sudden I looked around and saw that people were losing their jobs...credit card limits were being decreased...interest rates were being increased...

Holy crap! When did this happen?? Where was I?

Oh yeah, I was busy treating my whole freakin' family to a vacation in a Grand Villa at the happiest place on earth...brilliant, eh? I spared no expense and gave them the trip of a lifetime - which, had I gotten my TR done, you'd have all heard about...

Well, come December...construction was basically at a standstill. Oh - for those of you who don't know, my husband and I both work in construction...So we were staring in the face of dual unemployment and reality crept up behind me and gave me the wedgie of all wedgie's....

You know the kind...the one that rips your underwear in two so you have to actually throw them out and get new ones...

So that's what I had to do...make the decision to buy new, big girl panties and do the grown up thing...be responsible and NOT go to WDW in August...

Have I mentioned that Reality Bites??

Anyone else have My Sharona in their head right now??

Ahem...sorry - got trapped in the 80's there for a minute...

Where was I? Ah yes...drydocked from my cruise down Denial...

Well, let me just say that not only does reality bite, it plain sucks.

It doesn't agree with me.

You know how some people are Lactose intolerant? I'm responsibility intolerant.

A few months went by while I was drydocked and it finally looked like I'd be transferred to Atlanta so hey - I now knew that I'd have a job. Then it looked like Tony would have a job down there too...Phew! It was really dicey there for awhile. This was certainly a relief! And a learning experience. I really needed to be better about handling my money and start acting like a grown up.

So I did what any responsible adult would do...

I kicked reality to the curb and got on the phone with DVC Member Services!!

Ok, well no - responsible adults would have learned from this and taken the time to reflect and get smart.

But...not me. I'd have none of that, thank you very much.

BUT...reality came knocking one more time. In the form of a DVC CM...who ever so politely informed me that I was out of points.

ACK!! I forgot...I used everything but 42 points up on that GV in November and then, thinking I was going to lose them, I banked the 42 points into my next use year.

Which begins September 1st.

Guess what? You can't borrow against banked points in your next use year...

Sorry LL, they said...

NO TRIP FOR YOU

UGH!!

So, I began pricing up the 4/3 deal, imagining AP discounts...you know...Gittin' Fuzzy Wit It...

Well, a wise man once said, "brick walls are there to keep other people out"...RIP Randy Pausch...RIP...

Then it occurred to me...

What if I booked a trip after September 1st and then cancelled it? Then I should be able to book my August trip on points, right?

So I called and booked a studio at SSR (Home Sweet Home, baby!!) for September...

And I waited...

I waited for V to continue her resort shenanigans so I could slip by the ever watchful Blacklist Mafia....Bob and weave, bob and weave...

So whilst V was distracting them with her Resort Roulette, I called MS to cancel my September reservation and re-book to August...

I got the lovely "Cinnamon" (if that's her real name) on the phone...Yes, the economy was hard was everyone - even strippers who now were manning the phones apparently at DVC..."Cinnamon", "Candy"...who else was there?

But anyway, Cinnamon was awesome...and would love to help me change my reservation...

She cancelled September for me...with the greatest of ease, whilst making small talk...

But wait, she said...I'm having a problem...The September reservation was booked with banked points...cancelling your reservation will put the banked points back into the Use Year they were banked into.

Sorry LL...no trip for you...

I had to think fast....

Brick walls all around me...

I was trapped...

Bob and weave, LL....a little voice said...Bob and weave...

So I had to turn on the tears...I sensed Cinnamon's sympathy and I needed her to push the magic little button for me. I needed her to make everything in my world ok again...

And then...BAM...it came to me...

I then proceeded to tell Cinnamon that my company just issued a notice that because of the economy, there will be no vacations allowed after August 15th.

Indefinitely.

Much like the Damsel in Distress in a cartoon, I put on my best "Oh me, oh my...what ever will I do?"...

I promised my baby a vacation...He's finally tall enought to ride Rock N Roller Coaster...how am I going to explain this???

(Quick, someone get me a tissue)...

Finally, Cinnamon couldn't take it any longer...

Please hold for a moment, will you Lauralee131?

Sniff...sniff...Ok I said through my tears...

A few minutes later, Cinnamon was back...

And asking when I would like to re-schedule my trip to...

Sniff...sniff....Early August...sniff...sniff....boo hoo...

Well, bibbity bobbity boo...Cinnamon waved her DVC wand, with the help of her Fairy Godfather/Manager's approval, and the magic button was pushed...

Cinnamon went and begged her manager on my behalf...She told me how she told him of my predicament with my job...I promised my little boy his first RNRC ride...I may never get a vacation again...

At first he was resistant. Said it was impossible.

But she wasn't about to give up...I had her heart and her sympathy and she was going to see that I got my vacation...

The clouds parted....

The sun shone down on me....

Angels sang....

The Manager caved...and...

I got my reservation booked...

Oh yeah baby....

"Lauralee131, you just pulled the wool over the Mouse's ears...what are you gonna do now?"

I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!


So, I'm fully prepared to join V on the DVC Blacklist as you know there's CM's everywhere lurking...just looking for crap like this...

I've blown my cover early...which I was a little hesitant to do and am hoping I can stay under the DVC radar...

Hmmm...I'll need a distraction...

But where....

Think....think....

How can I avoid the ever watchful eye of Member Services??

Are you still here?

I was hoping to distract you. From my latest Blacklisting.

Yep, I’ve been at it again!


~sigh~

Sorry - I got a little long-winded...didn't mean to completely hijack your Pre-Trippie!!

I’ve just had a nagging feeling about that AKV Kidani reservation since the day I made it. Not for any specific reasons – it just never felt 100% right. Believe me, on paper it looked like perfection, and I’ve tried for months to tell myself that.

And here it comes...

I can smell change...

Then the Cast Members and DVC Members got a sneak preview. And posted reports and pictures on the Internet. It was all over for V.

Don’t get me wrong – I think it will be a lovely resort. And I’m sure I’ll want to stay there at some point. But it just doesn’t have “August 2009” written on it for me.

And here comes the MS distraction I've been hoping for to take the attention off of me....

And maybe it just comes down to the fact that neither the Waldos, nor the Mominators, nor TheDISneyFamily will be there. Leo and I have spent the last two Augusts at SSR with the Waldo and Mominator families; we loved popping down to the pool to find our friends there! We loved spending a relaxing evening in the Turf Club Lounge with them! We loved the morning bus stop round-up as T texted our behinds out of bed and onto a park bus!

No maybe about it Sista...

All who knew this was coming, please raise your hands...

AKV-Kidani feels too far away. Not from the parks, but from our friends.

Aug. 2008 – Return of the DIS Kids

Yep - you know that's the reason.

We all belong together...You can't just break up the band...

It's been nagging at you, I know it has...

So I called Member Services.

Again.

And canceled my Oct. reservation to free up some points.
No problem.
Canceled.

And I asked to switch my Aug. AKV reservation to an SSR studio.

Ahhhh...sweet distraction....by this point I imagine MS is probably saying "Lauralee who? We have bigger fish to fry"

NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!

Brick walls, V...Brick walls...they're not there to keep YOU out...they're there to keep OTHER PEOPLE out...

Blacklist, schmacklist – “Beatrice” told me they were blocked from canceling any Kidani reservations that day! That day, which just so happened to follow the CM/Member preview tours. Makes me wonder if they expected a mass cancelation, y’know?

More likely, they just blocked me though.

That'd be my guess...

If I was a bettin' woman...

Anyway, I called back the next day and made the switch. No problems at all. “Grace” was most efficient and got me settled at my old-new-rescheduled resort. Yay, we’re going home!!!

Wooo Hoooo - say g'night Gracie!!!

We are still booked at the CR for three nights, and no, I don’t make any guarantees that won’t change. I don’t want to change it, but if Disney should dangle a particularly tantalizing annual pass rate for another resort? I just may be powerless to resist.

It's just not vacation without the Mominators! I'm soooo happy they're coming down!

We're excited too...and well prepared to blame you as we freakin' sweat to death...

Love you, mean it!!

I can't WAIT for that retelling. LL brought fuzziness to an all time HIGH! She is the FUZZ master!

I think it was better the first time around when I originally told you girls though....

It's been awhile...

And we all knew you'd end up back at SSR

Thank you Jo - my sentiments exactly...we could have seen her doing this a mile away, right!!

We'll miss you in August my friend!!!

Hi V! Wow, this just gets better and better! I don’t post a lot but thought I’d come out of the woodwork to say hi . My DIS obsession started with LL’s “Magically Dysfunctional Gathering” TR and all of her other hysterically funny TRs.

Awwww...You're too kind...too kind!! It's quotes like this that make me sorry I didn't write a November TR...it was a classic dysfunctional trip!!

From them, I found yours and T’s and the Focker Chats and have been following for a couple of years now. I always hope that one of our trips will coincide with a Focker DIS meet (although I always have a Lapu Lapu and think of you all when we’re there!) It looks like it’s still not happening – we’ll be arriving on 8/20 (was 8/23, but I just got off the phone with Member Services and changed our reservation – this time it was DH’s idea to add on! ) I’m so glad you decided to do a PTR…I’m coming along for the ride!

Wooo Hoooo!!!

Responsibility is lametastic.

I haven't given up hope....

Just sayin'...

LY my friend!!