Girls Trip #1 (check in daily for any plans being finalized or changes/updates)

[disney-super-mom]

Where is everyone today. I post did I kill the thread Boy will I be welcomed at the meet

No, you're not a thread killer. I'm not sure where everyone is or what they've been doing, but I've been over on the "other" side of the boards trying to figure out what we're going to do about our upcoming WDW trip. I have seen a few other ladies around the boards today though.

 

[toocherie]

I'm here! I am signed up for the VIP tour too and have no idea what happens--just sounded like a good idea! I'll try to do some research too and find out more info on how it gets organized -- maybe come up with a poll where ladies who are going on the tour can specify what they prefer?

 

[daisy_77]

Hi, everyone!
I am sorry that I haven't posted yet....I am subsribed to too many TR's. They are fun to read and make the 16 month wait for our WDW trip that much easier to handle. I am really missing Florida...especially with all the snow.

Last night we did our taxes and it turns out we owe money. Not too much...but enough to make is so I may not be able to swing this trip. Right now is not a good time to ask my DH about this trip since we are trying to figure out what to do. So, for right now the trip is up the air. I am so bummed.

BUT, I am trying to think good thoughts!

 

[Zoemakes5]

I had never heard of it before, either. Here is what the DL website says:

Experience the VIP treatment as only Disney can provide! Our VIP Tour Services team customizes your vacation so you spend your time playing, not planning. Prepare to be pampered with a Disney VIP Tour!

From the moment you arrive, your personal VIP Guide is there to take care of everything:

* Creates your ideal personalized itinerary
* Serves as your personal guide, host, concierge and storyteller
* Obtains priority seating at some of our premier restaurants
* Arranges preferred seating for certain shows, parades and nighttime spectaculars

Tour Length: Four hour minimum.

Price Info: $75 per hour for up to 10 Guests; $95 per hour if booked less than 48 hours in advance
Additional Information

* This tour does not offer expedited access to attractions.
* Valid Theme Park admission is required.
* Tour times and elements – including attractions – are subject to change without notice. Please check upon arrival with the Guided Tour Gardens for the latest information.
* Tours may be booked by calling Disney Special Activities at (714) 300-7710†.

So, four hours would be $300. I'm not sure how early they offer the reservations, or when the reservations are being done. Who is coordinating again? Is one person coordinating for all of us who want to go? I'd like to get the special seating for fantasmic and the fireworks, maybe even the evening parade. Otherwise, I'm not sure exactly what else they do. Though, I find those tour guides really know all the ins and outs of Disneyland and Disney info generally.

 

[toocherie]

Ok--so I found this on the Dis: (sorry this is so long)

VIP Tour Guides will customize their visit by arranging special seating for parades and live stage shows and at the distinctive restaurants at the Resort. Professional and knowledgeable, VIP Tour Guides will also share their personal insight and experience throughout the tour.

And I just called Disneyland "special services" (ok, that sounds scary!)

The lady I talked to confirmed that basically we need to set the itinerary but one of the services includes arranging special seating for parades and live shows (per the above) as well as restaurant seating. Otherwise, it sounds like they just walk you around--if you want to go on rides you do NOT get "front of the line" treatment. The cost is $75 per hour with a four hour minimum.

The other question I asked was whether there was a "spiel" they give as part of the tour, and she said no--that the VIP Tour Guides were the most experienced guides but there was no guarantee of what info or insights they could provide. However, the Disneyland website seems to imply there is an "imparting" of knowledge because it says:

From the moment you arrive, your personal VIP Guide is there to take care of everything:
Creates your ideal personalized itinerary
Serves as your personal guide, host, concierge and storyteller
Obtains priority seating at some of our premier restaurants
Arranges preferred seating for certain shows, parades and nighttime spectaculars (Toocherie comment: wonder if that includes fireworks?)

Tour Length: Four hour minimum.

Price Info: $75 per hour for up to 10 Guests; $95 per hour if booked less than 48 hours in advance

So, I guess we need to decide whether we want to do this, and create our own itinerary, or take one of the "pre-packaged" tours--if we do end up doing the VIP tour, then I would vote that we take advantage of the seating for shows and parades (to the extent running then) rather than burn dollars standing in line with the guide. (Although, maybe we would get lucky and either there would be no line or the guide would have great insights about the ride!) The other thought was whether we could get a ride on the Lily Belle as part of this?

I think what we should do is ask for suggestions from the other participants as to what activities they would most like to do and see what gets the most interest. Of course, since there may be more than one group there is room for different groups to do different things too.

Let me know your thoughts. . . . .

 

[toocherie]

One more thing . . currently the calendar does not show any parades or shows . .. . I'm sure this will change as it gets closer to the time we go

 

[disney-super-mom]

Tink33 (Lesley) is the one organizing the VIP tour. She has a list of those who want to do the tour, and she can give you any info you might need. Just send her a PM if you have any questions.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Hi, everyone!
I am sorry that I haven't posted yet....I am subsribed to too many TR's. They are fun to read and make the 16 month wait for our WDW trip that much easier to handle. I am really missing Florida...especially with all the snow.

Last night we did our taxes and it turns out we owe money. Not too much...but enough to make is so I may not be able to swing this trip. Right now is not a good time to ask my DH about this trip since we are trying to figure out what to do. So, for right now the trip is up the air. I am so bummed.

BUT, I am trying to think good thoughts!

NOOOOOOOOOO! You must come on the trip. I'm so looking forward to meeting you. Oh jeez, I sure hope you can come. I'm sprinkling lots of pixie dust on this one!!!

 

[Zoemakes5]

Just had to come on for a moment and whine.....
My birthday weekend has historically been a weekend my DH and I go away for the weekend. Sometimes it's the entire weekend, sometimes one night or two. It falls President's day weekend, and DH always gets Monday off, so we even have a longer weekend to work with.
Anyway, this year we toyed with the idea of going to Vegas, but it was expensive and we were having difficulty getting set up with child care. We finally got that taken care of, but decided to go to DLR for the weekend. We were going to get my annual pass that weekend, go to ESPN zone to watch the Daytona 500, and sleep in and hang out at HoJo's.
Well........just found out my DS's basketball playoffs are next weekend through 2/25! I'm so bummed. We so needed that time together without the kiddos.

There's a slim chance that some of the days might work. Depends upon when on Sat. and when on Monday he plays. So, everyone keep your fingers crossed for me, okay?
Who the heck schedules playoffs during a long holiday weekend, anyway!?! That's a big weekend to head out of town. And, our school has off Friday AND Monday, so it's an even longer weekend. Grrr!

 

[toocherie]

Keeping fingers crossed for you! (Does your sports league not have a calendar (LOL)?)

 

[Zoemakes5]

Keeping fingers crossed for you! (Does your sports league not have a calendar (LOL)?)

Not really. We got a schedule of games for our team, and there's a master calendar on the website of games, but they didn't put a post-season schedule (not even tentative) on there and they didn't have practices on there either.

 

[toocherie]

Not really. We got a schedule of games for our team, and there's a master calendar on the website of games, but they didn't put a post-season schedule (not even tentative) on there and they didn't have practices on there either.

You'd think somebody would have clued in to it being a holiday weekend . . . .

 

[mommaU4]

Hi ladies.

January, I am so sorry things are up in the air about the trip! I will be really hoping for the best.

Michelle, I hope things work out for you for your b-day week-end.

 

[Belle1997]

Tink33 (Lesley) is the one organizing the VIP tour. She has a list of those who want to do the tour, and she can give you any info you might need. Just send her a PM if you have any questions.

So maybe Tink33(lesley) could help us understand what we are going to do? Getting special seating is nice wonder what that actually means. Do we get a coupon or something is it only for a day or for our four days?

Thanks

 

[DangerMouse]

Hi ladies!

Belle, I think Lesley is in Hawaii (I thought someone here just left for HI). I'm sure she'll give us more details once she gets back.

But I do know that there are some pretty neat options with the VIP tour. You can ride the in Lilly Belle on the DLR Railroad, and go into the lobby of Club 33. They can arrange for you to pilot the Mark Twain, etc. I'm not sure how this will all work since our group size is so large. Also, the special VIP seating is guaranteed for the date of your tour, but I have heard that quite often they extend it through the end of your stay. Your tour guide tells you what time to meet them at the assigned location and they check you in to your special seating. I can't wait!

January, BUMMER about the taxes! We're having ours done in 2 weeks (after my DL trip with my dd -- thank goodness). This is my dh's first year with his own business, so I'm scared to death we may owe. I really hope you are still able to come!

Michelle, I hope you are able to fit in a small birthday trip during the game playoffs.

Well, I've been on the boards too much tonight already. I gotta go get some sleep! Night ladies!

 

[Zoemakes5]

Well, turns out I have bigger things to worry about than my birthday weekend. I just found out that I'm losing my job as of 2/22. Apparently, the lawyer I work with just doesn't have enough work right now for me and doesn't anticipate having enough any time soon.
I'm crushed and devastated! It took quite a bit of time to get a job here in CA. We were just now getting caught up with me being unemployed for so long after moving here. My income covers more than half of our take home, so this is a BIG hit for us.

 

[DangerMouse]

Well, turns out I have bigger things to worry about than my birthday weekend. I just found out that I'm losing my job as of 2/22. Apparently, the lawyer I work with just doesn't have enough work right now for me and doesn't anticipate having enough any time soon.
I'm crushed and devastated! It took quite a bit of time to get a job here in CA. We were just now getting caught up with me being unemployed for so long after moving here. My income covers more than half of our take home, so this is a BIG hit for us.

Oh Michelle, I'm soooo sorry! Do you do paralegal work or legal secretarial work? I have done both in the past. Is the market not good in San Diego for these kinds of positions? I hope you are able to find something to replace that salary soon.

 

[staley7580]

Well, turns out I have bigger things to worry about than my birthday weekend. I just found out that I'm losing my job as of 2/22. Apparently, the lawyer I work with just doesn't have enough work right now for me and doesn't anticipate having enough any time soon.
I'm crushed and devastated! It took quite a bit of time to get a job here in CA. We were just now getting caught up with me being unemployed for so long after moving here. My income covers more than half of our take home, so this is a BIG hit for us.

Oh NO! That is awful.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Well, turns out I have bigger things to worry about than my birthday weekend. I just found out that I'm losing my job as of 2/22. Apparently, the lawyer I work with just doesn't have enough work right now for me and doesn't anticipate having enough any time soon.
I'm crushed and devastated! It took quite a bit of time to get a job here in CA. We were just now getting caught up with me being unemployed for so long after moving here. My income covers more than half of our take home, so this is a BIG hit for us.

Oh sweetie, that's just the PITS!!! I'm so sorry you're going through this. I sure hope you're able to find something soon. It's nice that he/she gave you a little notice at least. I hope he/she is willing to give you a nice recommendation to a future employer.

You're in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[MamaKate]

Wow! I've been gone all day and there is a lot of not so good news happening .

Michelle ~ Sorry about your job. I'll pray and send pixie dust that you're not out of work for too long . I hope you'll still be able to make it .

January ~ Owing taxes equals no fun . I'll also send prayers and pixie dust to you that you'll be able to make it . I was really looking forward meeting you . Keep us updated.