Help: No Codes/no go

[Disneycrazymom]

Just a thought, but maybe he would like off site better. Especially if it were a nice house or condo. My DH also is not a hugh fan and sometimes the round the clock "magic" is too much magic. Having a place to spread out and really relax in quite is just the right mix. He likes a condo to go back to, we can have a home cooked meal and play cards at night. A change of pace from the parks. We also really like the Swan for the same reason, it is not as much Mouse in the evening. And great transportation too!

Don't be sad if you end up somewhere else this year! There are so many fun places to visit and Disney will always be there for next time!

 

[vettechick99]

Rent DVC points. You can get OKW or BWI for 9-10 points a night during the week and they usually go for $10/point. We have booked the BCV for Sun-Wed and only needed 36 points ($120/night).

 

[cocowum]

leave him home.

 

[Bugsmom73]

Just to let you know, CHicago is not cheap, yes deals can be had but staying downtown is expensive.

 

[eeyore0062]

Have you tried any of the resorts on Hotel Plaza Blvd? Sometimes in the summer you can find nice rates. Check them out. I believe they just did a complete overhaul of the Hotel Plaza Resort, and of course the Wyndham and the Hilton always get good marks. Holiday Inn is totally redoing their property, but I don't know when it will be completed. They completely gutted all of the rooms.

As others have said, check out the Swan or Dolphin for the teacher rates. I believe they are about $149 a night, and I have only heard great things about the beads and the Grotto Pool. Also, the restaurants there are fantastic, and you will be able to take advantage of Disney Transportation and the ease of getting to Epcot and the Disney MGM Studios.

I have to agree that Pop Century would be a good compromise. It is definitely a few steps up from the All Stars. We are staying there in June!

Ok, here is a tough question for you. You love Disney, right, but DH would like to do something different. When is the last time you went on a vacation he REALLY enjoyed? Maybe you could split the difference, that way he won't think that you always have to go to Disney, but never do anything he wants to do. He may be much more agreeable to either the rates or the offsite resorts if you give a bit in return.

 

[eeyore0062]

Hey, did you see this? Check out this post... $91.50 a night for the Swan/Dolphin.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=757618

 

[CarolA]

Actually the rate was around $139, they saved $91.50, but still a good deal.

Flagirl, our experiences were exactly opposite. I really like the Hotel Royal Plaza and hated the Grosvenor. LOL! (I was in the tower at the Plaza which I think makes a big difference!)

 

[Stressa]

Thanks for the tips! To answer eeyore0062, he does get to do some things that he likes throughout the year (horse racing, visiting his family, etc.), so he isn't totally left out. We do have a good rate for a nice downtown Chicago hotel ($129 I think), and everything else seems pretty comparable. At the moment, Chicago seems to be winning in our family for the summer, but as compromise, I might be able to get them to agree to WDW right before Christmas! We've never been there to see the Christmas decorations, so maybe this will work out okay. Maybe the codes will be better then, and if not, I can use all of these other wonderful suggestions. Thanks!!

 

[westjones]

Thanks for the tips! To answer eeyore0062, he does get to do some things that he likes throughout the year (horse racing, visiting his family, etc.), so he isn't totally left out. We do have a good rate for a nice downtown Chicago hotel ($129 I think), and everything else seems pretty comparable. At the moment, Chicago seems to be winning in our family for the summer, but as compromise, I might be able to get them to agree to WDW right before Christmas! We've never been there to see the Christmas decorations, so maybe this will work out okay. Maybe the codes will be better then, and if not, I can use all of these other wonderful suggestions. Thanks!!

Christmas is the one time of the year that there are no AAA discounts. We actually paid full rate (around $129/night) for Pop Century. BUT we wanted to go, so we just paid it. There are still some AAA discounts this summer (we got Pop for $94 and that includes tax).

It is beautiful at Christmas time though. Enjoy!
DJ

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Christmas is the one time of the year that there are no AAA discounts. We actually paid full rate (around $129/night) for Pop Century. BUT we wanted to go, so we just paid it. There are still some AAA discounts this summer (we got Pop for $94 and that includes tax).

It is beautiful at Christmas time though. Enjoy!
DJ

I had asked for a quote from AAA on a package for our visit of Dec17-26 and was offered a discount on room part ( about $150) off total of package for Pop Century.

 

[westjones]

I had asked for a quote from AAA on a package for our visit of Dec17-26 and was offered a discount on room part ( about $150) off total of package for Pop Century.

Oh, I wasn't thinking about packages. We always book the room and get our own tickets, so I didn't even think about a AAA package. Glad they had discounts for that time of the year. It really is beautiful. You have to see it 'snow' on Main Street at night. Beautiful!
DJ

 

[bearzabout]

I vote for a Ready-Set-Go Skyauction condo for approx $261/week ($37/night). Try staying in Chicago for that rate.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

To put things into perspective....

My children and I have never been to WDW, even though my oldest is almost out of high school and I have wanted to go since it opened in the 70s. Nine years ago I started saving for a family trip to WDW in the year 1999. We had never taken a family vacation as my husband was military and our budeget was tight. I was a stay at home mom then and that was the only way to fit a $4000 trip into our budget. By the time 1999 rolled around, I ended up having to use that saved money to pay for a divorce instead. In 2000, I decided it would serve my kids better to scrape all my pennies together and buy a house rather than visit WDW. In 2001, I had to paint, pour concrete and landscape the yards. In 2002, I had to buy a new car when my mini-van drew its last breath. In 2003 I went back to college and finally finished that last stupid semester to get my degree. In 2004, I got the great-paying job I love that is affording us trips to Chicago (look out American Girl Place) and WDW, sending one kid to Williamsburg, Washington DC, River rafting in Minnesota and sending the other to Spain and France.

So you see... I am thrilled we are even going NEAR Walt Disney World. It's been a dream of mine as long as I can remember. This will probably be our only trip for several years, as after all these great trips are over... I will have to start paying for a car for the kids, college tuition, you get the idea... We should all be so thankful that the biggest thing you have to worry about is which rate you'll have to pay at the most amazing place on earth when you are visiting with the people you love most.

Be well and enjoy your good fortune!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Oh, I wasn't thinking about packages. We always book the room and get our own tickets, so I didn't even think about a AAA package. Glad they had discounts for that time of the year. It really is beautiful. You have to see it 'snow' on Main Street at night. Beautiful!
DJ

We can't wait----seems so very far away....................

 

[we3disneygo]

If you have never been to Chicago you will have a blast, there's so much to do and a disney store on Michigan Ave.

 

[Stressa]

As Expirateshopgirl said, I know in the scheme of things this isn't a big deal, and I keep trying to analyze why I like Disney so much to keep wanting to go back. We have only really been able to go anywhere the last few years, but I think it does go back to my childhood (doesn't everything?). The last trip I took with my mother was to WDW when I was about 11. It was just a few months after it opened, and her parents lived in Tampa, so we were visiting them. We just went for the day, and my teenage brother was pretty grumpy, but overall we had a good time. It was just a few years later that my mother died from a brain tumor (I was 16 that weekend). So I think on some level, it is just reliving a part of the past and trying to create some nice memories with my family. We have had great times in other places, and I think we'll have a good time in Chicago too. It really isn't a big deal, it's just hard to try something new. I agree though that the most important thing is just to be with my family and enjoy being together where ever we are--even if we are at home.

 

[SeaSpray]

To put things into perspective....

So you see... I am thrilled we are even going NEAR Walt Disney World. It's been a dream of mine as long as I can remember. This will probably be our only trip for several years, as after all these great trips are over... I will have to start paying for a car for the kids, college tuition, you get the idea... We should all be so thankful that the biggest thing you have to worry about is which rate you'll have to pay at the most amazing place on earth when you are visiting with the people you love most.

Be well and enjoy your good fortune!

ExPirateShopGirl:

I have to say, I am extremely moved by everything you've done since 1999 in order to take care of your kids and give them a good life, including provinding them with a home AND vacations, and cars, college, etc. Those are things that often a 2-parent,2-income family can't provide, yet there you are doing it all on your own. I know that as a mom we do anything and everything we can for our kids and you are an excellent example of that

However, I don't think the OP was trying offend anyone by "complaining" about not being able to go AGAIN to WDW this summer without any discount codes.

This message board is not about keeping things "in perspective". I've seen people thrilled to pieces because they've finally been able to book a trip and stay onsite at a value resort, and I've also seen people comment about staying in the deluxe resorts in a suite, as casually as if they were going for a haircut, And everything in between.

Recently I posted a thread where I was "complaining" about being able to only book a garden view room at the Polynesian this summer, because there is no availability in the concierge building. Believe me, this is NOT the biggest thing I have to worry about in my life, it's just that this is the Resorts Board so I am posting threads about my resort issues right now. For a lot of people, planning and researching a Disney World vacation is a wonderful distraction to other problems in our everyday lives

Perhaps the OP has other issues in their life too, but is just here on the Resorts Board to share her feelings of disappointment if they can't go to WDW this summer.

Anyway, I am not "flaming you" in the least!! Like I said, I sincerely find it amazing all that you have accomplished in your life I just wanted to point out the "other side" of posts like this, where it appears or seems that one's biggest problem is a Disney World vacation.

 

[SeaSpray]

The last trip I took with my mother was to WDW when I was about 11. It was just a few months after it opened, and her parents lived in Tampa, so we were visiting them. We just went for the day, and my teenage brother was pretty grumpy, but overall we had a good time. It was just a few years later that my mother died from a brain tumor (I was 16 that weekend). So I think on some level, it is just reliving a part of the past and trying to create some nice memories with my family.

I can relate to this. I have a similar "emtional" tie to WDW because of visiting there with my mother when I was a teen. It was a very special trip. I am sorry about the loss of your mother, especially at such a young age

Wherever you and your family go this year, I hope you all have a great time, even your DH

 

[Stressa]

Thank you SeaSpry. You're right in that I thought I could just express disappointment just about the trip here without getting into other life issues (as I have seen others do). We all have faced challenges and continue to do so. I don't tend to post very much, and this is one of the reasons why. It just seems like sometimes the least little post can receive responses that go beyond the OP's intentions.

 

[nwdisgal]

The other thing that you could do is to book a 'value', then if codes come out you could switch to a 'moderate'.