~How TWO trips became...who knows? ~ It's a TRIP! and an upgrade.... 4/22

[maroo]

You are the QUEEN!
That is so awesome... plus a great deal!



Will Maroo ever reveal her secrets to getting upgrades?????
Only time will tell! LOL

Sure...I will tell you everything I know...really...right here...

1. Hang out on the Codes and Rates portion of the Resorts Board. They have lots of hints over there and most of what I learned was from those guys.

2. Register your email as many places as you can. Order a planning DVD. (Register all of your emails.) Also join the Disney.com site (not just Disney World, but all things Disney).

3. Play around with vacation packages on "My Vacation" on the Disney website. Make sure you are logged in under your email address. I usually only do "real" dates when I will be there and look at value vs moderate vs deluxe, with and without dining. And I just play with it. And then I try to "close" it without booking and sometimes it gives me a survey. If it does, check the dot that indicates you are looking for a better deal. If it comes up more than once, click it lots of times. I KNOW one of my PINs came from this because the email indicated that I had "not booked with us" and wanted me to "consider this amazing offer"...

4. Never hurts to ask. I used this for this upgrade. I knew (from the DIS) that there were people who got the same PIN I did and were able to choose a 1BR Villa...so I knew it was possible. The CM didn't really believe me (which is totally fine) and was stunned when she "priced it out for me" and my price didn't change. So...if you know it is possible...ask. Never hurts (if you ask kindly and innocently). I had asked about 4 more times when I was calling about other things. Always be nice - very nice. Don't mention the DISboards...but you can say "A friend of mine also got this PIN and she was able to _____" Some of them don't appreciate the DISboards as much as we do!

5. Check the Codes and Rates boards every morning. Sometimes they announce deals and they go VERY FAST. Both the 40% off deal and the special upgrade PIN were things I had to act on within the hour or they would have been gone. For my WL stay (40% off), I got the LAST room in the type I wanted. For the "upgrade to SSR/OKW" PIN - there were people calling 30 minutes later that were not able to take advantage of the deal.


So, there ya have it...Hints from Maroo about Upgrades. I might even make this a post....

I was right and That's Nice agrees with me.
Maroo is the Upgrade Queen!

I don't know how you do it, but I am totally impressed and wowed!

Couldn't happen to a nicer person.

You are so sweet. I will definitely get this information out to you guys. See above.

So...should I make a "full post" out of it and "advertise" it on the title? Or should this be our little secret?

Here's to hopin' her way with upgrades holds out!!

My obsession will certainly continue.

how awesome that you get to help grant a Wish!!!!!! I can't wait to hear all about it! I hope it all works out so you can participate!

Have you ever eaten at Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD? Delicious huge portions of food, served to your table, and counts as a counterservice for the meal plan! By far our tastiest and best value in all WDW for using CS points!

It has the potential to be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Literally a wish granted that would NOT have been granted had it not been for the grace of God and the DIS.

I can't wait to tell you guys ALL about it and how it came to be. It is a pretty cool story.

So I was reading my AllEars weekly newsletter which includes an article about the Magic Meets. A certain "Mary" was mentioned and I am wondering if that would happen to be our Maroo?

lol

Yep...that was me!

Go figure that!

I can't believe I have a famous friend!! Now, don't get caught when the paparizzi wants a shot of you in your bikini in the hot tub!

BIKINI??!?!?!?!?!?!?!


Are you sure you know me???

can I get an autograph to go along with my pawtograph maroo?

That is so, so funny! Muffin will be glad to give pawtographs...but I think you are better off with Mickey's on my behalf!

 

[maroo]

It's a roller coaster ride....

Rachel is on her way to the ER this morning. She is nauseated and has a headache. They are now thinking maybe her shunt (tube in her brain that drains brain fluid) is malfunctioning (which could have caused all of this).

So she is on her way to the hospital.

I will let you guys know what is up from here.

Please, please pray for them both!

 

[Sandy321]

Prayers indeed!

Maroo - for your Cali Grill ressie - rest assured you will get to view WISHES from their balcony! This is the best place at letting you know when to head out - and if you have a window seat, they do dim the lights and pipe in the music - but honestly - you have to walk out to the balcony! Maybe when you come up the elevator while waiting for your table - head out there!!

Have you registered at gheridelli.com? I forget why, but its been a hint to do that!

 

[maroo]

No news on Rachel...except she just waited in the waiting room for hours. I hope she doesn't get something else! (She did wear a mask, but still.)

Just wondering what you guys think...

The rumor is that the Candlelight Processional will be 2 Dining Credits this year. And it is a fixed menu. They only have added a "special seating (actually standing) area for Illuminations"...

I don't think it is worth so much money to do that? Certainly not 2 credits?

Am I alone here?

 

[Sandy321]

never did the Candle light - but I have read about it!! With the rumours of going to 2TS most say its not worth it -

I know you have to do the math - and figure out what your likes and dislikes are! and of course read all you can!! (with DD being a picky eater, using the DDP for Cali grill isnt worth 2 TS for our family - we pay OOP for that (DD gets a flatbread pizza, and that's it! So dh and I will usually get an entree and just water -I think last time we paid $70 for the 3 of us) - and for some - that would be crazy!! It just depends!!

 

[eyor44]

We won't be doing CP. I was so looking forward to it. Was still considering it as a 2TS, but when the fixed menu was "announced" I decided againist it. My family won't like the fixed menu and I have heard from others about the special area for Illuminations and they say unless you are at the front of the area, it's the same as being any wheres else. Just not worth it in my opinion. Especially since I had it planned for lunch.

 

[eyor44]

Praying for Rachel. I hope she is okay.

 

[hematite153]

The rumor is that the Candlelight Processional will be 2 Dining Credits this year. And it is a fixed menu. They only have added a "special seating (actually standing) area for Illuminations"...

I don't think it is worth so much money to do that? Certainly not 2 credits?

Wasn't it 2 credits last year, too?

Also, there was an issue with DDP and CP and tipping last year. I believe that there was a mandatory 18% tip on the cost of purchasing the CP oop, but, with the DDP they didn't give you an appetizer, so, you were expected to tip on a cost that was higher than the food you'd ordered. It was weird.

I doubt I'd use DDP credits for the CP, but, then, I didn't think that DxDP credits were a good deal for HDDR and I ended up using them that way simply because it fit my vacation plans.

 

[maroo]

Quick update....

Ra has been sent home from the ER. Her shunt is clear. No hospital stay! So now we can focus on Disney!

 

[eyor44]

Quick update....

Ra has been sent home from the ER. Her shunt is clear. No hospital stay! So now we can focus on Disney!

WooHoo! Rachel has gone home! That is good news.

but, is she feeling better?

 

[maroo]

Rachel Update:

Rachel WAS feeling better when they released her...but as we were about to leave Olive Garden, she had a "spell" where she got really hot, her face went pale and she got real nauseated. It was very strange and pretty scary for us all. We have no idea what happened. But we did get her home (which is a long story and my car is hopefully still in the parking lot of Olive Garden) and to sleep.

We have no idea what is up. They totally cleared her to go home. There is a virus going around. Several of our good friends from church have it and I guess it is possible this is unrelated to the rest of the stuff and just a virus? Time will tell, I suppose.


AND


Tuesday Plans!!

Park: DHS
Breakfast: In the room
Lunch: Brown Derby
Dinner: Counter Service wherever we are!

The major plans for the day.........


*drumroll please!*.......



Sharon is...




Trying out for American Idol!!!!







She is a pretty good singer! So hopefully she will make it!

We have no plans for the evening. We will gas up her car and get all packed, because we will both be heading out the next day!

 

[that's nice]

Rachel Update:

Rachel WAS feeling better when they released her...but as we were about to leave Olive Garden, she had a "spell" where she got really hot, her face went pale and she got real nauseated. It was very strange and pretty scary for us all. We have no idea what happened. But we did get her home (which is a long story and my car is hopefully still in the parking lot of Olive Garden) and to sleep.

We have no idea what is up. They totally cleared her to go home. There is a virus going around. Several of our good friends from church have it and I guess it is possible this is unrelated to the rest of the stuff and just a virus? Time will tell, I suppose. [/SIZE]

Wow that is scary. Hopefully it is nothing.. maybe something she ate didn't agree with her? I will keep her in my thoughts.

 

[All7OfUs]

How freaky! And way scary! I'm so glad she's doing better, and it wasn't the shunt! That's a risky surg, with her having just been sick.

That would be really fun for Sharon to make AI! What a hoot you guys would have doing that.

I've heard some good reviews for BD, will it be your first time there?? I know you'll enjoy that!!!

 

[kdzbear]

Maroo,

How is Rachel doing today? We are still praying for her.

I also like all of your trip updates! I don't think I would do the candlelight processional, but I have never been there for it before so I guess I can't tell you if it is worth it.

 

[StefaniLyn]

I hope Rachel's spell was just caused by a virus and not something more serious. How scary!

Have fun at AI - I can't wait to read your TR with details. We haven't seen that attraction yet but it will likely be in our plans for December. Sharon is braver than I

 

[eyor44]

Still praying for Rachel. Hope she is doing good today.

We really liked the food and atmosphere at the Brown Derby, but our server was so incredibly slow that the manager on duty even noticed. Other servers seemed to be going a great job though.

 

[maroo]

Wow that is scary. Hopefully it is nothing.. maybe something she ate didn't agree with her? I will keep her in my thoughts.

How freaky! And way scary! I'm so glad she's doing better, and it wasn't the shunt! That's a risky surg, with her having just been sick.

That would be really fun for Sharon to make AI! What a hoot you guys would have doing that.

I've heard some good reviews for BD, will it be your first time there?? I know you'll enjoy that!!!

Maroo,

How is Rachel doing today? We are still praying for her.

I also like all of your trip updates! I don't think I would do the candlelight processional, but I have never been there for it before so I guess I can't tell you if it is worth it.

I hope Rachel's spell was just caused by a virus and not something more serious. How scary!

Have fun at AI - I can't wait to read your TR with details. We haven't seen that attraction yet but it will likely be in our plans for December. Sharon is braver than I

Still praying for Rachel. Hope she is doing good today.

We really liked the food and atmosphere at the Brown Derby, but our server was so incredibly slow that the manager on duty even noticed. Other servers seemed to be going a great job though.

Thank you ALL for your many prayers!!

We really, really appreciate it!

I have not been able to reach them by phone this morning. So...no update yet. Although sometimes no news is good news...it does worry me a little that I can't reach them.

 

[maroo]

Wednesday Plans!

I can't believe we are already to our last day! I guess I can't be sad already!


Park: Magic Kingdom (our only MK day, and it is a morning)

Breakfast: 8:05 AM ressie for Crystal Palace! (also meeting a wish family this morning!)
Lunch: Counter Service somewhere? Casey's for sure if we have not eaten there yet!


My plane leaves at 3:00 ish... It is possible that Sharon will take me to the airport. I need to figure this out soon! Otherwise, I will be taking ME from OKW around noon or so.

 

[Sandy321]

Continued prayers for Rachel - May God continue to watch over her, and heal her!!

Best AI Wishes for Sharon!!

For Counter Service at DHS - the best is over by Indiana Jones - called Backlot Express - the worst (and I'm not alone here!!) Is ABC Commissary - now BE is hard to find - and ABC is easy to find - so it gets the most traffic!! Do yourself a favor go to BE (and it is kinda as you are walking towards Indy and Star tours - BE is set back between them - and timing is everything - if you get there before Indy lets out - no lines, a show at Indy lets out LINES!!!

Never been to Brown Derby (2TS on DDP - we'd rather eat at Cali Grill, Yachtsman etc) but my friend swears by it - they are well known for their Grapefruit cake!!! (and the Cobb Salad - which seems really weird to me btw!!)

 

[maroo]

Continued prayers for Rachel - May God continue to watch over her, and heal her!!

Best AI Wishes for Sharon!!

For Counter Service at DHS - the best is over by Indiana Jones - called Backlot Express - the worst (and I'm not alone here!!) Is ABC Commissary - now BE is hard to find - and ABC is easy to find - so it gets the most traffic!! Do yourself a favor go to BE (and it is kinda as you are walking towards Indy and Star tours - BE is set back between them - and timing is everything - if you get there before Indy lets out - no lines, a show at Indy lets out LINES!!!

Never been to Brown Derby (2TS on DDP - we'd rather eat at Cali Grill, Yachtsman etc) but my friend swears by it - they are well known for their Grapefruit cake!!! (and the Cobb Salad - which seems really weird to me btw!!)

This is a great point about the BE! I had not really thought too much about where we would eat supper! I would have so ended up at ABC!

We are paying OOP for the Brown Derby meal, so it won't be credits.