Hi Everyone ! I won a trip ! Need some help with planning choices please !!!

[BostonRob]

If you're bringing younger kids, I'd consider Polynesian or Contemporary because of their close proximity to MK and monorail transportation. If you have older kids or no kids, I'd consider the Boardwalk Inn, or the Beach Club or Yacht Club because of their proximity to Epcot, MGM, and all the cool Boardwalk bars and restaurants.

Enjoy.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would say Poly, BW, then AKL. WL is nice too.

 

[jjohnson]

Do go onto alleearsnet.com and look at the pictures of the rooms and other areas of each resort...one of them is bound to suit your fancy.

Also, be sure and talk to your tax person and find out how much income tax you will have to pay for the "free" trip. You can be sure that the "value" of the room will be stated at full rack rate, etc.

This is true. I won a trip to DL last year & got a 1099 for $10,000! Everything is priced at full rack rate & you have 8 people included.

You might be better off in a 2 bedroom villa than "paying" for 2 or 3 rooms.

 

[wdwguy]

I need to let the Disney rep know which Deluxe Hotels are my top 3 choices... Anyone have any suggestions... if price was not a factor? Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Contemporary, etc... ????

Do the banana!
lol. My top 3 choices would be-
AKL-safari room!
BWI-Boardwalk view!
GF-any view!

Wow, you must be excited!!!
Have fun.

 

[mom2threeboys]

I'd go for the Poly as first choice, then AKL and maybe CR? It really depends on your taste though, and the ages of those travelling with you.
Someone suggested the best idea, and that was to check out the pics on allearsnet.com and see what appeals to you. Also think about what locations you want. We have little ones, so YC and BC don't have any great appeal to us right now, but with an older group, they might be great since they're so close to Epcot!
Have fun deciding, and enjoy a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Traveliz]

As far as taxes go - the winner needs to keep track of what they would pay for a trip like that using codes and discounts and documenting that information. You can use that documentation to make the tax bite be not so painful.

It is a perfectly legal and acceptable thing to do - those who often "win" trips through work incentives do it all the time.

Liz

Oh I would pick
Poly
Gf
Beach Club

 

[BostonRob]

As far as taxes go - the winner needs to keep track of what they would pay for a trip like that using codes and discounts and documenting that information. You can use that documentation to make the tax bite be not so painful.

It is a perfectly legal and acceptable thing to do - those who often "win" trips through work incentives do it all the time.

Are you sure that's legal? I mean, I'd have no problem doing that myself because it seems right, and I'd be prepared to argue my case if necessary. But in the eyes of the IRS, is that legal? I'm not sure.

 

[debbiedoo]

Grand Floridian, Poly, Beach or Yacht Club.

Have a great time!!

 

[Allycat1]

Hi! Congrats to the original poster!! We also just won a Disney trip.
It is a Magical Gathering Trip for 8 through Mc'Donalds. It was the sweepstakes they had going when the introduced the Chicken Selects. Just like the Monopoly contests they have with the pull-off game pieces. The game pieces had 8 digit codes to enter online. Anyways, that is how we won!


We are busy trying to plan when to go, where to stay, etc. It's much more fun to plan when it's FREE!! Our trip includes airfare & transfers, park hoppers and 2 rooms at a deluxe resort, also a choice of a grand gathering tour: safari, International dinner at Epcot or morning Character Breakfast at MK.
Does anybody have any info on these tours? Like what food is served?

We're thinking of going one of the first few weeks of Dec. And we're hoping to stay at Grand Floridian. We have 4 adults all in our 30's and 4 kids (15, 14, 6 and 4). Never in our wildest dreams would we ever be able to afford to stay there and seems very convenient on the monorail line.

 

[Abba98]

Wow,just wanted to say congratulations,a trip for 8,that's fabulous! :
Wherever you stay,you'll have a great time.My fave pick (if $ was no object) would be the AKL....
Have fun,
Kirsten

 

[twojo21]

1. grand floridian - monorail resort, view of magic kingdom, grand romance

2. boardwalk villas - location walk/boat to epcot or mgm, nostalgic, entertainment

3. animal kingdom lodge - savannah views:animals in your backyard, african storytelling, decor


i would love to win a trip! congrats on yours!

 

[Traveliz]

>>Are you sure that's legal? I mean, I'd have no problem doing that myself because it seems right, and I'd be prepared to argue my case if necessary. But in the eyes of the IRS, is that legal? I'm not sure.<<


Yes in the eyes of the IRS it is legal - ask a tax preparer.

The place that gives you a prize is going to say its worth full retail value even if no one in the world has ever paid that. You just have to be able to show that you could do the trip for less. Tickets in advance, cheaper flights, code for the room.

I have a friend whose husband owns a car dealership and thus wins numerous trips to expensive locales...she documents whatever she can to bring down the actual cost of the trip.

Liz

 

[DW mouser]

The best thing for you to do is look at some pictures of the different resorts and see which theme suites your tastes. We have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Poly, and Wilderness Lodge. We are thinking about going again either later this year or next year and I honstly don't know where I want to stay. Grand Floridan is too fancy to suite my taste although it is pretty at X-Mas. At the Poly you can see a nightly water parade that is awesome if you have kids. Chef Mickey's is not to be missed, we start all our WDW vacations with a dinner there. So much fun and lots of characters!! It all depends on your tastes and the ages of your kids, ect. Whatever you choose, you are going to love it and there's nothing like your first trip to WDW!!! Don't be surprised if you find yourself saving for another trip when you get back!!!

 

[Tink03477]

Hi! Congrats to the original poster!! We also just won a Disney trip.
It is a Magical Gathering Trip for 8 through Mc'Donalds. It was the sweepstakes they had going when the introduced the Chicken Selects. Just like the Monopoly contests they have with the pull-off game pieces. The game pieces had 8 digit codes to enter online. Anyways, that is how we won!


We are busy trying to plan when to go, where to stay, etc. It's much more fun to plan when it's FREE!! Our trip includes airfare & transfers, park hoppers and 2 rooms at a deluxe resort, also a choice of a grand gathering tour: safari, International dinner at Epcot or morning Character Breakfast at MK.
Does anybody have any info on these tours? Like what food is served?

We're thinking of going one of the first few weeks of Dec. And we're hoping to stay at Grand Floridian. We have 4 adults all in our 30's and 4 kids (15, 14, 6 and 4). Never in our wildest dreams would we ever be able to afford to stay there and seems very convenient on the monorail line.

Congrats to you too AllyCat1!!!
Kim

 

[lakeparadise]

You all are just AMAZING !!! Thank you soo much for all of your suggestions !!!

Yes I too won this dream vacation from McDonalds just like Allcat1 !

We have the dates of when we would like to go... the problem I have still is the hotel accomodations All of the resorts just look sooo amazing !!! We are traveling with some young ones... so the Monorail hotels seem very convient however the Animal Kingdom Lodge seems spectacular too but I am just concerned on the extra time it takes to use their shuttle service to the theme parks. Im off to go look into some of the resorts that you all suggested... had not thought of the Polly...so Im gonna take a lookie-loo at that one too now! Too many choices !!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

1. Grand Floridian!!!

(a distant second and third..)
2. Poly
3. Boardwalk Inn

I would suggest trying to book a lunch at Cinderella's castle. It can be hard to book so you have to start trying about 90 days out. We have gotten it most of the time by booking that early, and it's SO Disney

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hi! Congrats to the original poster!! We also just won a Disney trip.
It is a Magical Gathering Trip for 8 through Mc'Donalds. It was the sweepstakes they had going when the introduced the Chicken Selects. Just like the Monopoly contests they have with the pull-off game pieces. The game pieces had 8 digit codes to enter online. Anyways, that is how we won!

We are busy trying to plan when to go, where to stay, etc. It's much more fun to plan when it's FREE!! Our trip includes airfare & transfers, park hoppers and 2 rooms at a deluxe resort, also a choice of a grand gathering tour: safari, International dinner at Epcot or morning Character Breakfast at MK.
Does anybody have any info on these tours? Like what food is served?

We're thinking of going one of the first few weeks of Dec. And we're hoping to stay at Grand Floridian. We have 4 adults all in our 30's and 4 kids (15, 14, 6 and 4). Never in our wildest dreams would we ever be able to afford to stay there and seems very convenient on the monorail line.

That is SOOOOOO wonderful for both of you (OP too!) I am so happy for you. So good to know people who actually won! (we entered on line like 10 times for that!)

I would choice GF since we would never pay for that on or own. We are DVC members and LOVE Y&BC, but stay at BCV often (in 6 days! ) and that is a good choice too.

I say GF, go for the glamer!

I just had to say, I am so happy for you both!!!!!!!!!

 

[mariamouse]

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I also strongly suggest the monorail resorts.. which resort you choose truly does depend on your taste in resort themes, but this would be my list:

1. Grand Floridian
2. Polynesian
3. Beach Club

I'm so excited for you-- you will have an amazing trip!

mariamouse

 

[junebug]

I won that same trip! We have already turned in our dates and preferences, I have been to Disney many times (just returned in January) so I was pretty sure where I wanted to stay, my choices were:
1)grand floridian
2)polynesian
3)contemporary
Monorail access was most important to me. Congrats to the other winners!

 

[tinawv]

CONGRATULATIONS If you have small children (ages 3-6) I would select a monorail resort for easy convenience of going back to your hotel for rest periods. With small childrent this a must. If you have older children, my first choice would be the Animal Kingdom Lodge with a savannah view. There's nothing like waking up first thing in the morning and watching the animals roam about. My second choice would be the Polynesian, and my third choice would be the Boardwalk Inn for it's convenience to Epcot & MGM. It is also beautiful at night and has some great places to eat (Beaches & Creame). You really can't go wrong with any of the deluxes. Have a great time.