Help! My Husband Wants to go to Disney World!

[kaffinito]

Ready for more pics?

This is my youngest son John.

This is Ben

This is "Shlomo of the Tundra"

He is a total ham!

And DH again with longer hair when he was outside boxing

Me at DTD

I take really horrible pictures! In real life I am much more attractive and a lot thinner!

 

[MainStMandy]

I know how you feel! I've been waiting for the Poly since 1973 and it looks like I won't get there for a few more years yet! If my husband hadn't wanted to go, then I would have stuck with my normal August - August trips. When are you going? We are going this Christmas too!



Have you stayed there before? It's an incredible resort, and so beautiful! I know you'll love it!

Haven't stayed, only visited! Can't wait to hear about it. Your family is just beautiful!

 

[kaffinito]

Haven't stayed, only visited! Can't wait to hear about it. Your family is just beautiful!

June isn't that far away either! I'll make sure to take lots of pics for you. What kind of room did you book?

 

[MainStMandy]

We are staying in the Jambo house, studio savanah view. Dbf is so excited to wake up with the animals, lol.

 

[kaffinito]

Your family is just beautiful!

Thank you BTW!

 

[kaffinito]

So our trip was turning out to be a pretty cheap one. I did have to add the DDP since my husband started talking about eating sandwiches while there, which to me is total blasphemy. I love to eat at WDW! With all of those wonderful places to eat, and a long list of restaurants still to try, eating sandwiches would be a total letdown for me. So I told him that I had prepaid for the DDP so our meals were all pre paid. A small white lie, but it would make for a better trip.

So even with the cost for the DDP added in the trip was still coming out at a few hundred $$ less than it could have. I love crunching numbers, and was really happy with the way these numbers were coming out. The cost was really low, even with the DDP we were still coming out at under $1300.00. I was happy, and my husband was happy. Life was good.

Then the other shoe dropped. My ex husband decided to move to Texas. Ordinarily that wouldn’t be a problem, (ha ha!) but in this case it was. My oldest boy can be trusted to take care of our cats and to get himself to school, but my 8 year old obviously can’t. We were going to have my ex- baby-sit the youngest so we could take this trip. But now with my ex relocating to Texas, we had a serious problem. The oldest boy can baby-sit cats, but babysitting his younger brother is another matter. My ex suggested that I fly the boys down to Texas for the week of our vacation, that way he could watch the kids and spend some time with them.

It boiled down to not being able to fly the youngest by himself and leave my oldest in charge of the house, since the youngest is ASD. He would definitely need someone to fly down to Texas with him. The only solution was either to cancel the trip or to fly both boys to Texas. Since the trip was already mostly paid for, with the rented (non refundable points and the tickets for Cirque, it would still cost us as much to cancel as it would to fly the kids to their Dad’s new place. So I had to bite the bullet and get the boys airline tickets along with an unaccompanied minor fee on top of it. My cheapish vacation just got a lot more expensive!

If that wasn’t bad enough, another cost was added on when my H decided that it made good sense to buy DVC.

I know I shouldn't count the cost of DVC into the cost of our trip, but it was because of this trip and the one this summer (with the boys) that hubby started thinking of ways to save some $$$ on our trips.

 

[kaffinito]

Buying into DVC!

So back up a few months, I think to somewhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas. My husband was asking about the August trip with the boys when he casually remarked that it would be cheaper for us to buy a vacation home in Florida then to stay at the WDW resorts all the time. He actually said that if we purchased a vacation home in Florida that then I could go to Disney world more often!

Ok, huh? Who are you? You can’t possibly be my husband. Are you on crack or something? But he was actually serious. He spent a few days looking for a place in Florida that would be close to Disney World so that I COULD GO MORE OFTEN! Humm, wait a minute here. He wants me to go more often? What’s in it for him? Well, he said, “If we had a place down in Florida, then you could have cheaper vacations, and we could go down in the winters and maybe start spending a few months in Florida in the winters.”

So that was all logical and reasonable, but unfortunately the numbers didn’t add up. I’m a book keeper, remember? It’s all about the numbers for me. Sometimes I think those little cost comparison spreadsheets are the most fun in trip planning for me. I am such a dork! He was looking at buying a mobile home, and when you figured in lot rent it would cost us around $450 per month. Well, I saw my chance to get DVC and I took it!

After some number crunching it became pretty apparent to me, and to my husband as well, that DVC would be the way for us to go. (wink wink) I made him a nice little cost comparison spread sheet, and also figured in the trips I had already taken and the two that I currently had booked. I had to take off some of the total cost though, since if my DH knew that somehow over the last two and a half years I had - or was going to - spend $15,000 on Disney vacations he would have a stroke!

Plus DVC would be good for the two of us as well. I knew from my research that Vero Beach and Hilton Head would be great places to take him. If we bought DVC I could take a nice trip to Vero Beach or Hilton Head with DH, and still get to WDW during the summer with the boys. DH (notice he’s slowly becoming a DH now) decided that it made the most financial sense for us to buy DVC. He is REALLY easy to convince if I can give him the right numbers!

Well, I called up my guide Mario and purchased DVC in a few days before DH could change his mind! After some more number crunching of course, I figured it made the most long term sense to buy the new BLT instead of AKV. I really wanted to buy into OKW, but had no idea that I could as a first time buyer, or I would have. I love OKW and think it would be the best long term fit for us. But getting to stay so close to the MK and having that new shiny modern building will be seriously cool too! (Plus resale will be a lot better!)

So now we were, or rather I was, a new DVC owner with a trip coming up on rented points. In the middle of all of my trip planning and just before we bought DVC we bought a house. Yep, we did. It’s a small house on an acre of land, and we got a really good deal on it. So now I had to juggle the trip planning, the details of the new house including painting it and moving into it, and somehow manage to work part time and get the kids enrolled in their new schools. It really put a cramp into my DISboard surfing style! I was still trying to plan the trip and still trying to find the perfect restaurant for that first night dinner though!

Of course, with the possibility of more trips to WDW comes the need for AP’s, another added expense! It’s a bookkeeper’s nightmare! So now I am seriously bummed. The cost of my cheap little March trip that I was so proud of was now 3 times more what it would have cost had we stayed rack rate or had gotten the room on a pin code or other deal. Now I am $2,100 over budget for the trip. Of course we do own a house and DVC, so……

And that brings us to the final details of the trip. The parks!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Well if you like it then I will - I know you have good taste!

Thanks!!
Have to catch up here

 

[kaffinito]

So I had to figure out the parks, and what attractions Shlomo would like. Actually, that was the easy part!

Since he really doesn’t like to do much of anything, and since he thinks that WDW is just an amusement park, the rides I could choose from were pretty limited.

I picked AK, DHS, and EPCOT for parks. Mk would have to be out since I didn’t think he would like any part of it.

For AK, the Flights of Wonder show would be good, and the trails would be really good too. The Maharajah Jungle Trek especially, since that’s the one with the bats. We both LOVE bats, and AK has some really rare ones. The Pangani Forest Exploration Trail is also a really nice place to walk around to see the animals. A lot of people don’t realize that some of the animals and birds that you can see at AK are very rare and that AK has an extensive animal management program. It should be a really nice relaxing day.

Eating there would be easy, since we could eat either at Tusker house or Yak and Yeti. I think I’ll push for Yak and Yeti.

DHS was even easier. I hate that park and think it’s the most boring place on earth. However it does have the Muppet 3D movie and gift shop, which I know my Muppet loving husband will get a kick out of. I also think that we might try to (finally) get to see the Indiana Jones adventure, since I seem to keep missing it. And that’s it for DHS!

EPCOT is a little more complicated, since he has no idea what’s there, and I have no idea where to take him besides the obvious non-Shlomo irritating places. I think we’ll concentrate on the science; I’ll take him to Club Cool. He’ll love the Land and will adore the Behind the Seeds tour. Maybe we’ll try Journey into Imagination. Then we can hit the World Showcase. AT WS we can see China, Mexico, and Morocco, and we can eat wherever he wants to.

I was still bummed about missing MK, but figured that later on I would try to introduce the idea to him and see if I could either get him to go, or get him to agree that I should go.

Since I would have an AP, I thought I should get him a four day MYW ticket with hopper, since he’s famous for changing his mind.

And that mind changing of his is what brought us to our standoff – Blizzard Beach vs. Magic Kingdom

 

[DisneyBride'03]

kaffinito...do you want me to post those BLT model pics here or the other thread? I had them on here the whole time under another file! oops! lol

 

[DisneyBride'03]

ok, you signed off..lol..I will post here

 

[DisneyBride'03]

 

[DisneyBride'03]

oops sorry thought I flipped that one I wasnt trying to hijack your pre TR

 

[kaffinito]

No sweat! I consider myself hijacked for a good cause! Those are great photos BTW - I can barely wait to stay there!

Oh, I forgot to ask you - should just pm you with these questions! How is GF Cafe? That might be better for him than Narcooses, although the menu looks a lot more appetizing at Narcooses. Are both places quiet?

TIA!

 

[kaffinito]

Or, how to bargain and negotiate your way to the Magic Kingdom!

Well, all was set. I was still trying to figure out how to get myself over to MK though. I really wanted to be able to ride HM, POTC, TTA, and see CoP again, but needed to find a way to do it. Then I found out that on our first day MK had EMH in the evening – my favorite – and knew I had to find a way. So I started to delicately broach the subject of MK with him.

The conversation went something like this.

Me: “Honey, I think it might be a good idea if we went to the Magic Kingdom to ride on a few rides there”

DH: “No way! I hate rides and don’t want to go to an amusement park. I hate amusement parks”

Me: “Honey, the Magic Kingdom is not an amusement park. It’s a theme park”

DH: “I don’t care what you call it, it’s still an amusement park and I don’t want to go”

So I was at a loss. He wasn’t budging either. I even tried guilt and wheedling. I also suggested that he stay and relax at the resort and I go to MK for the evening. “Look, I have a DSLR and really want to take some night shots at MK.” No go. He whined “But I want to be with you!” “So, then be with me at the Magic Kingdom then!”

Then he was talking to a coworker of his who was telling him about this really cool four story water slide at Blizzard Beach. And he thinks it would be cool to go to BB to ride this water slide. Actually, he wants to spend a whole day there riding the water slides. Well I have two problems with that. First problem is that we only have four days at WDW, and I do not want to spend an entire day at a water park. Second problem, I do not do water slides. I think it stems from a childhood accident on a toboggan. (Hey, that’s my story and I’m sticking with it!)

So we came to a standoff. Then I had a bright idea – one evening at MK in exchange for one morning at BB. Now that seemed to work! Problem solved. We can go to MK and go to BB as well.


Next up – the final itinerary.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

No sweat! I consider myself hijacked for a good cause! Those are great photos BTW - I can barely wait to stay there!

Oh, I forgot to ask you - should just pm you with these questions! How is GF Cafe? That might be better for him than Narcooses, although the menu looks a lot more appetizing at Narcooses. Are both places quiet?

TIA!

Glad you did not mind the photos here!! Looks awesome in person! Going to see them again this weekend at the Doorway to Dreams event...would you like me to get any specific pics for you??

I enjoyed GF cafe! We had a couple of meals there, I do recall breakfast with a mimosa!! NArcoosee's will be 2 TS if you are on DDP compared to the cafe.
WEll, I have read where some think Narcoosee is loud due to the acousitcs and the interior....I never noticed,..lol...and you are on the water with a view, and depending on the time, can plan for the EWP and Wishes!!
GF Cafe has some nice views of the resort grounds as well. I guess it could be hit or miss, depending on the time of the day and what the clientele is!
YOu could have tired kids in GF Cafe.....or all couples in Narcoosee's!

Narcoosee's has the better menu! I saved mine from our rehearsal dinner! HA! WOnder if prices went up! lol
So,looks like I didnt help much!

 

[MainStMandy]

No sweat! I consider myself hijacked for a good cause! Those are great photos BTW - I can barely wait to stay there!

Oh, I forgot to ask you - should just pm you with these questions! How is GF Cafe? That might be better for him than Narcooses, although the menu looks a lot more appetizing at Narcooses. Are both places quiet?

TIA!

Grand Floridian Cafe is nice. I went there for lunch once...very casual. We were thinking about Narcoosees for our trip but decided on Citricos. Someone on the dis said, Narcoosees is good if have kids, Citricos is good for an adults only meal. My mom and I went to Citricos on our last trip and it was amazing!!

 

[Disneychix]

Hee Hee, your PTR is making me laugh!
I once suggested that DH and I 'split' up for the evening because I had plans to go to CRT with friends. He complained so much about 'wanting to spend time together' that I said "well then you're going to eat with Cinderella if you want to spend every second with me!"
He came and ate with Princesses!

Have fun on your trip!!!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Well now, since MSM threw Citricos into the hat..

Very nice as well, more upscale and high end than Narcoosee's IMO....had Grappa there for the first time...UGH!
We had a lovely meal, service was top notch! THis is a 2 TS too.

My inlaws took DH and I here as a .."We're sorry we missed your wedding ceremony at Sunset Pointe(Poly) we lost track of time at the GF RPC"...LOL

They came all the way from San Fransicso, and showed up during pics! lol THey had no idea they missed it! lol
Oh that would have been a great TR if I were on the DIS back then! LOL

Back to kaffinito'sPre TR!!! lol

Looks like you have lots of choises! Just being at the GF...ahhh! Well, you WILL be right across from it via Seven Seas Lagoon!

 

[kaffinito]

Glad you did not mind the photos here!! Looks awesome in person! Going to see them again this weekend at the Doorway to Dreams event...would you like me to get any specific pics for you??

Maybe you could bring me back a sample! Naw, I just have to wait until I can get there in person. I'm going to try to talk my way over there when we leave for our trip IN 10 DAYS! I do appreciate your offer though! Maybe you could just take a LOT more pics, eh? I'm sure everyone on the DVC boards wants to see more!

Grand Floridian Cafe is nice. I went there for lunch once...very casual. We were thinking about Narcoosees for our trip but decided on Citricos. Someone on the dis said, Narcoosees is good if have kids, Citricos is good for an adults only meal. My mom and I went to Citricos on our last trip and it was amazing!!

I did look at Ctiricos, but I think DH needs a meal that contains things he can pronounce! That will have to be a solo meal for me over the summer I'm afraid. Darn!

Hee Hee, your PTR is making me laugh!
I once suggested that DH and I 'split' up for the evening because I had plans to go to CRT with friends. He complained so much about 'wanting to spend time together' that I said "well then you're going to eat with Cinderella if you want to spend every second with me!"
He came and ate with Princesses! Have fun on your trip!!!

Oh man! I would pay really good money to see my DH eat dinner with the Princesses! Just wait until he sees a character - heck I'm hoping like crazy we bump into Peter Pan! Glad you're enjoying the pre- trippy. I'm looking forward to posting what happened on our actual trip.

Well now, since MSM threw Citricos into the hat..

Very nice as well, more upscale and high end than Narcoosee's IMO....had Grappa there for the first time...UGH!
We had a lovely meal, service was top notch! THis is a 2 TS too.

My inlaws took DH and I here as a .."We're sorry we missed your wedding ceremony at Sunset Pointe(Poly) we lost track of time at the GF RPC"...LOL

They came all the way from San Fransicso, and showed up during pics! lol THey had no idea they missed it! lol
Oh that would have been a great TR if I were on the DIS back then! LOL

Back to kaffinito'sPre TR!!! lol

Looks like you have lots of choises! Just being at the GF...ahhh! Well, you WILL be right across from it via Seven Seas Lagoon!

How did they manage to miss your wedding? I would have been slightly steamed, but I'm sure the food at Citricos more than made up for it!

Oh, and I screwed up. It wasn't the FIRST night that I was having trouble with all along, it was the second night! The second day is our EPCOT day. I want to switch the first night's ressie with the second nights ressie and get to GF for one of our meals. That way we will be in the MK area during EMH. (Now how ever did that happen! )

Oh, and by the way. the 15 day forecast calls for rain on the day we are supposed to be at BB. Darn!