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

[mommaU4]

I'm just lurking on the thread today. I can't book/plan any trips for 2008 until at least 2008.

But I just wanted to ask/comment. Isn't the early entry at DL just 1 day if you are staying a certain number of days. It's not like WDW where there is an early entry or late hours every day at one of the parks.

I mean for more than $200 a night, I'd want more than 1 hour of early entry just once on my trip. Then again, I'm frugal....ok cheap is the word. (and DVC eats up way too many points per night until it is an official DVC over there...yep, I'm really cheap!)

Anyone checking the prices for the other hotels around DL. When I tried a little before, I even found Candy Cane Inn expensive, but I'm more of a Pop Century in value season kind of girl.

Ok, enough from me. Back to your normal chatting..you Wild Western Women.

HI Shelley.

I'm probably going to end up at an off site place because I plan to be there all 4 nights, and I usually don't spend much time in my room. But we'll see.

The CCI seems to be running around $130 a night around that time, so if you had someone to split the cost with, that would not be bad at all. Lots of money left over for drinks, and shopping!!

 

[mommaU4]

Hey... its what I do. Especially since there is nothing else to do... Everyone is sleeping, and the house is as clean as it is going to get.

If your bored, my house can use some cleaning.

 

[staley7580]

If your bored, my house can use some cleaning.

Im on my way!

 

[bumbershoot]

I am making reservations for our December trip, and noticed that HoJo has a special rate for booking more than 10 rooms as well.

Little thought about EE (backing up...from posts by knowledgable people here and elsewhere, I think EE's names and even dates are going to be changing soonish, maybe by the time of this trip)...here we are, a group of women getting AWAY from our families (for those who have them, of course), and we want to go to Fantasyland?

Much as I liked Peter Pan on our Sept trip, I'm not certain I want to do EE unless it's for Finding Nemo.

And the FL rides can be done in the evening, when many people traveling with their children are already going home, rather than worry about EE.

 

[Meriweather]

Aww, I'm sorry. I wish you could come with us! It's a ways off, things might change and maybe you can make it.

the only thing that would change it is if the cruise was cancelled....sorry, but I don't want that 15 days on the Magic

Hopefully another year.

I have done Walk in Walt's Footsteps twice. Loved it! I love tours.
Especially liked going into Club 33....I love restricted places

Wow....rates are getting high. Last time we stayed at DGC it was $179...but that was a few years ago and off season.

 

[mommaU4]

Ok, I agree with you Amy. Why are we planning a trip when there are blackout days? The Deluxe doesn't have that many blackout days so I'm confused on why the times chosen include them.

And, the Segway tour is a blast! That's me riding them with Tink33 in the pic from the DIS info page. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Is that really you??? How cool! That's good to know it's fun. I think that would be a great one to do as a group.

Okay now as far as the times go, these were basically my thoughts when I planned this:

We're in November now, obviously a trip isn't doable with the holidays coming up and everyone spending money and making other holiday plans. And personally speaking I usually need a month after the holidays to recover financially. lol

So that puts us into February. I figured that was still too soon for some to arrange child care, time off work, and get the money together.

Next up is March and first part of April. In those months you usually run into Spring Break times. Different schools, in different states have different weeks off. I didn't want anyone excluded because we picked a time when their kids were home all day and they didn't have anyone to watch them.

June is too busy with school's letting out at different times and many graduations. Then I didn't want to mess with July and August and the summer heat and crowds.

After summer is simply too long to wait, so by process of elimination, I ended up with the choices of either end of April or start of May.

Now there aren't that many block out days for those months. And the dates are the same for both the Deluxe and the SoCal. It's basically every Saturday in those two months.

So for our trip, we'd have to pay for just one day, that Saturday. I know it's not ideal, but it's impossible to pick dates that will be perfect for everyone. So far it seems to be ok for most. I hope that it will work out for you as well.

 

[daisy_77]

I went on the ladies only trip to WDW last year and it was a blast! I am definitely going to consider this one!

 

[mommaU4]

I am making reservations for our December trip, and noticed that HoJo has a special rate for booking more than 10 rooms as well.

Little thought about EE (backing up...from posts by knowledgable people here and elsewhere, I think EE's names and even dates are going to be changing soonish, maybe by the time of this trip)...here we are, a group of women getting AWAY from our families (for those who have them, of course), and we want to go to Fantasyland?

Much as I liked Peter Pan on our Sept trip, I'm not certain I want to do EE unless it's for Finding Nemo.

And the FL rides can be done in the evening, when many people traveling with their children are already going home, rather than worry about EE.

Hi. I'm torn on the EE. I know when we were on the last ladies trip, we preferred to stay up late having fun and then sleep in just a little in the mornings. But I know everyone is different, so that will be more of a personal choice.

I guess I'm saying, for myself, I could take it or leave it. It's nice, but I'm ok with out it.

the only thing that would change it is if the cruise was cancelled....sorry, but I don't want that 15 days on the Magic

Hopefully another year.

Oops! That's right, forgot about the cruise! LOL Okay so now we should be the jealous ones, not you silly!!

 

[mommaU4]

I went on the ladies only trip to WDW last year and it was a blast! I am definitely going to consider this one!

Hey you!! I hope you can make it!!

 

[daisy_77]

Hey you!! I hope you can make it!!

The more I think about it the more I want to go!

 

[staley7580]

There is also the Desert Inn and suites.. Where you can get a room with 4 queens, 2 bathrooms, and a living room. Around that time it looks to be about $159. per night.

 

[grumpyvet]

Hey, I have the cheapo southern CA AP...all Saturdays are black outs!!! So, for me....any weekend is the same. I was trying to poke fun on my hesitation to put in an extra $40!!!
Everyone has a different budget...but if you think about several people splitting the cost of a resort room, it gets closer to the value resorts....we can all get cozy and pack in like sardines. It's not like just one of us is paying the 240 plus per night, divide it by a few and it is much better. Divide Parkvue and you got chump change!!!
I'd like to save money too!!! The smaller my bill for the hotel, the more other stuff I can do!!!
Oh, and I mentioned it to my husband, and got the most lukewarm response possible. He blamed his reaction to how unhappy our DD7 would be that I wasn't taking her. So, I asked the DD, "Would it be okay if I went to DL on a ladie's only trip if I bring home a sourveneir!!!???". Totally fine with her. So, then I said, "Yeah, it might be too weird going with a group I don't know. Maybe I should just go on the Girl's trip to Vegas with the people from the DD's school".
Changed his tune real quick. He thinks that I would enjoy the trip to DL much more than Vegas...so I should do DL!!! He is so EASY!!!! And I had no intention of considering the Vegas trip...not a fan!!
So, unless things change, I am SO IN!!!!!
Any other "old ladies", over 40 going? Amy

 

[staley7580]

Hey, I have the cheapo southern CA AP...all Saturdays are black outs!!! So, for me....any weekend is the same. I was trying to poke fun on my hesitation to put in an extra $40!!!
Everyone has a different budget...but if you think about several people splitting the cost of a resort room, it gets closer to the value resorts....we can all get cozy and pack in like sardines. It's not like just one of us is paying the 240 plus per night, divide it by a few and it is much better. Divide Parkvue and you got chump change!!!
I'd like to save money too!!! The smaller my bill for the hotel, the more other stuff I can do!!!
Oh, and I mentioned it to my husband, and got the most lukewarm response possible. He blamed his reaction to how unhappy our DD7 would be that I wasn't taking her. So, I asked the DD, "Would it be okay if I went to DL on a ladie's only trip if I bring home a sourveneir!!!???". Totally fine with her. So, then I said, "Yeah, it might be too weird going with a group I don't know. Maybe I should just go on the Girl's trip to Vegas with the people from the DD's school".
Changed his tune real quick. He thinks that I would enjoy the trip to DL much more than Vegas...so I should do DL!!! He is so EASY!!!! And I had no intention of considering the Vegas trip...not a fan!!
So, unless things change, I am SO IN!!!!!
Any other "old ladies", over 40 going? Amy

OMG!!! That is too funny! My dh was like... UH NO!!! SO this morning I got a little sad... How I wasnt angry with him, just a little hurt that he wouldnt even think about it.. My dh is a very sensitive, emotional man... So to think I was HURT... Oh yeah... He told me to go and have fun!

 

[tinkermell]

Hey, I have the cheapo southern CA AP...all Saturdays are black outs!!! So, for me....any weekend is the same. I was trying to poke fun on my hesitation to put in an extra $40!!!
Everyone has a different budget...but if you think about several people splitting the cost of a resort room, it gets closer to the value resorts....we can all get cozy and pack in like sardines. It's not like just one of us is paying the 240 plus per night, divide it by a few and it is much better. Divide Parkvue and you got chump change!!!
I'd like to save money too!!! The smaller my bill for the hotel, the more other stuff I can do!!!
Oh, and I mentioned it to my husband, and got the most lukewarm response possible. He blamed his reaction to how unhappy our DD7 would be that I wasn't taking her. So, I asked the DD, "Would it be okay if I went to DL on a ladie's only trip if I bring home a sourveneir!!!???". Totally fine with her. So, then I said, "Yeah, it might be too weird going with a group I don't know. Maybe I should just go on the Girl's trip to Vegas with the people from the DD's school".
Changed his tune real quick. He thinks that I would enjoy the trip to DL much more than Vegas...so I should do DL!!! He is so EASY!!!! And I had no intention of considering the Vegas trip...not a fan!!
So, unless things change, I am SO IN!!!!!
Any other "old ladies", over 40 going? Amy

That's the way to work it!!!!

 

[mommaU4]

The more I think about it the more I want to go!

I knew we'd suck you in......

There is also the Desert Inn and suites.. Where you can get a room with 4 queens, 2 bathrooms, and a living room. Around that time it looks to be about $159. per night.

Really? Heck, I'd do that.

I know there are lots of hotels in the area that would work. I grew up going to DL but as I said before we lived so close that it was always a day trip. It's only been lately we've needed a hotel. So I'm not THAT familiar with which ones are nice and which aren't.

I can leave that up to those of you who've been and stayed at several of them. And honestly, when it comes to the hotel, I'm not picky. On the last family trip we took, we got back to our rooms around 1 a.m. and woke up around 8.

It was literally just a place to sleep and shower. If we think we are going to be out doing things, and keeping busy, then I don't mind getting a cheaper place off site.

Of course, like I said, we will probably end up with some who want to stay at a Disney hotel no matter what, and some who want to be off site. That's fine. It's not that hard to meet up in the mornings. So I don't want anyone to feel they can't do what's best for them, kwim?

We want to keep the focus on the fun, and not get bogged down in the details!!

 

[gnbuggy]

Ok, so from reading the posts about the block out dates, its only $40 to go that day?? I have a Deluxe AP. I am so excited. Still havent mentioned this idea to DH, I am affraid of the reaction Ill get... Told DSIL, she thought it might be strange to go with people I dont know. I said, Ill know them pretty well by April. And how bad could it be, they all like Disney and are on the Disboards.

 

[mommaU4]

Hey, I have the cheapo southern CA AP...all Saturdays are black outs!!! So, for me....any weekend is the same. I was trying to poke fun on my hesitation to put in an extra $40!!!
Everyone has a different budget...but if you think about several people splitting the cost of a resort room, it gets closer to the value resorts....we can all get cozy and pack in like sardines. It's not like just one of us is paying the 240 plus per night, divide it by a few and it is much better. Divide Parkvue and you got chump change!!!
I'd like to save money too!!! The smaller my bill for the hotel, the more other stuff I can do!!!
Oh, and I mentioned it to my husband, and got the most lukewarm response possible. He blamed his reaction to how unhappy our DD7 would be that I wasn't taking her. So, I asked the DD, "Would it be okay if I went to DL on a ladie's only trip if I bring home a sourveneir!!!???". Totally fine with her. So, then I said, "Yeah, it might be too weird going with a group I don't know. Maybe I should just go on the Girl's trip to Vegas with the people from the DD's school".
Changed his tune real quick. He thinks that I would enjoy the trip to DL much more than Vegas...so I should do DL!!! He is so EASY!!!! And I had no intention of considering the Vegas trip...not a fan!!
So, unless things change, I am SO IN!!!!!
Any other "old ladies", over 40 going? Amy

Oh no, I didn't think you were whining at all. I totally understand where you are coming from.

And you are right, so far we have 26 ladies interested in going. That's alot of different ideas, opinions, and budgets, but it can be done! Heck, we did it at WDW with over 40 and there's lots more to consider there.

Way to go with your DH!!

Last year when I went away, I explained to my kids that I was going to be with a bunch of ladies my age, no other kids, and they said to me, "Oh, then you'll probably just want to shop the whole time. Yuck."

Ummm, yeah, that's right. Just boring grown up stuff.

By the way, 40 does not make you old!! So stop that right now. I'm 36, but some days I feel 56. I guess 4 kids will do that to you!!

 

[mommaU4]

Ok, so from reading the posts about the block out dates, its only $40 to go that day?? I have a Deluxe AP. I am so excited. Still havent mentioned this idea to DH, I am affraid of the reaction Ill get... Told DSIL, she thought it might be strange to go with people I dont know. I said, Ill know them pretty well by April. And how bad could it be, they all like Disney and are on the Disboards.

Yep, which ever date wins, the Saturday that we'll be there is a block out day for both the Deluxe and the regular SoCal passes. That means you can pay $40 that day at the gate and that will get you into both parks for that day only. At least that's what I've read online. (you have to show your AP to buy that special priced ticket)

Break it slowly to your DH and make sure he's in a good mood and didn't just wake up!!

Trust me, by then you'll know us well enough especially if we can keep chatting here now and then.

 

[bumbershoot]

By the way, 40 does not make you old!! So stop that right now. I'm 36, but some days I feel 56. I guess 4 kids will do that to you!!

I just went to my 20 year HS reunion, and I was just at the very end of 37 for it. I have a 3 year old. I generally feel pretty young. But talking to my HS classmates I realized that a few of them have grandchildren the age of my child....THAT will make you very very confused about your age very very quickly!


I've met up with people "from online" before...it's always a bit odd to get ready for (worrying that someone is, as DH once said, "a big galoot"), and then there's a moment of ACK when you meet, but then usually things are fine.

About the Saturday...that could always be a DTD shopping/eating/movie-viewing day for AP holders who don't want to pay for the day. Of course, I bet that would cause FAR more expenditures than just $40!


Today I'm pretending that I am not here. Just been making plans for our December trip and trying to ignore the "boys". They made cookies, sitting on the living room floor. DH said that he wanted everything to be at DS's level, rather than dealing with the kitchen. Guess he forgot the whole point of buying that tall kitchen chair/stepstool, eh?

 

[staley7580]

Yep, which ever date wins, the Saturday that we'll be there is a block out day for both the Deluxe and the regular SoCal passes. That means you can pay $40 that day at the gate and that will get you into both parks for that day only. At least that's what I've read online. (you have to show your AP to buy that special priced ticket)

Break it slowly to your DH and make sure he's in a good mood and didn't just wake up!!

Trust me, by then you'll know us well enough especially if we can keep chatting here now and then.