I said I wouldn't....but I guess I did

[rosiep]

Hi! I'm Rosalie.

I have vacationed at Disney every year since 2004; occasionally I've gone twice a year, and once I went three times. I've taken my Mom, I've been with my husband, but my absolute favorite Disney partner is my daughter Tara.

She and I have share an incredibly similar touring style, a love of Disney and a delight in indulgence. That said, this year was going to be different. That's because last year I lost my job. The company I'd been happily working at part time for the last 13 years announced it was closing it's doors last September. I'd already had a Disney Cruise planned and mostly paid for and decided I'd go ahead and go since it may be the last one for a long while. As luck would have it, I was offered a new job with a company three doors down from my old one! A job which the company owner recommended me for. It even paid more than my previous job and so Tara and I set sail on the Disney Wonder with our minds clear and happy...well. I did anyway. Tara had just broken up with her boyfriend of 5 years and her mind was muddled and her heart sad...but she's a plucky girl and was determined to have fun. And we did...but that's another story entirely.
Naturally, with a job in hand I booked a bounce-back cruise and eagerly looked forward to the adventure ahead. Only, it was not the dream job I'd imagined. In fact, it was awful. I was under qualified, the owner scattered and unorganized and I left in tears every day. I was unaccustomed to being told “This isn't brain surgery!” and “ I showed you THAT yesterday” in such belittling tones. It was crushing to my normally happy and secure self esteem. So, at my wonderful family's urging I quit. No hopes of unemployment, I'd just shot myself in the foot in order to save my sanity.
I quickly got to work reorganizing myself, brushed up on training for what I really love to do and set to work finding a job in childcare. Meanwhile, I canceled our scheduled cruise and instead set up a Disney fund jar. I needed one positive focus and Disney it was. I clipped coupons and “paid” myself $20 every time I grocery shopped. I put aside every extra dollar that passed through my hands and for Christmas my amazing, wonderful and generous husband gave me several Disney gift cards. I finally found work in January. Not just any old work mind you. I am now nanny for an awesome family. My charge is now 18 months old- sweet, smart, playful...just a joy! And her Mom is just as amazing.
But, back to Disney. My wonderful husband (see above) said that since we'd been getting along without my paychecks for several months I could start putting it all away towards a Disney extravaganza! Just in time for my 50th birthday.
Here's the plan: My birthday is Sept. 4th. Tara and I leave Portland Oregon on the night of the September 2nd. And arrive at Disney's Pop Century on the 3rd. We've given ourselves the whole day to relax and recoop from jetlag. Sept. 4th starts at the Magic Kingdom. Dinner is at Narcooses on the Deluxe Dining plan (upgraded free dining). We have dinner reservations at Jiko's, Sci Fi Diner, Artist Point, Rose and Crown and finally Le Cellier. That takes of through Sept. 7th where we switch gears and transfer to the Boardwalk Villas using rented DVC points. We're taking two whole days off to relax at this resort, including scheduling spa services at Mandera Spa at the Dolphin Resort. Our dinner reservations for the next few days are paid OOP and include: Cape May, Flying Fish, Hollywood Brown Derby, T-Rex and California Grill.
We fly back to Portland on Sept.14th

And so:
I said I wouldn't be going to Disney for my 50th...but I am
Said I wouldn't write a Pre-trip report...but I did.
And said it'd be the only Disney trip this year...but it's not. I'm going to Disneyland in October for a friend's 50th birthday.

(disclaimer): I know that my trips are indulgent. I am very grateful to be able to afford such a luxury and I do not take it lightly. I haven't always had the discretionary income to pay for Disney trips let alone necessary items like shoes...so please believe me when I say I feel very blessed and thank you for sharing this happy, magical journey with me.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Have you stayed at POP before?

So glad to read that you have found a job and are employed. I know that is a huge relief for you. My DH was laid off for quite a while and it was such a stressful time.

Love your idea of a Disney Fund Jar. What a great idea to "pay yourself" every week.

Look forward to more details!

P.S. You might want to move your pics back over to the left side of the page and just stack them - it may make your PTR easier to read.

 

[rosiep]

Have you stayed at POP before?

So glad to read that you have found a job and are employed. I know that is a huge relief for you. My DH was laid off for quite a while and it was such a stressful time.

Love your idea of a Disney Fund Jar. What a great idea to "pay yourself" every week.

Look forward to more details!

P.S. You might want to move your pics back over to the left side of the page and just stack them - it may make your PTR easier to read.

Aren't you a sweetheart!! I'll try moving the pictures. My computer skills are not as great as my Disney planning skills!

 

[BearcatsFan]

So, so much better and way easier to read!

 

[Sappermont]

Your trip sounds awesome and what an AWESOME story! I wish you tons of pixie dust on your trip.

I apologize if you already know this but since Sept is your b-day month and you are going to T-Rex OOP - have you considered getting the Lawry's reward card?

Lawry's is the restaurant company that runs T-Rex (Yak & Yeti) too! The card costs $25, but then you get $25 in Welcome Reward credits AND an additional $25 dollars for use in your b-day month! This way for $25 dollars you get $50 to spend at T-Rex. You also accumulate points for future rewards.

I did this last year when we went in August and it worked perfectly. The plan is to accumulate points at home and use them in WDW!

Have an awesome trip. Look forward to the trip report!

 

[starann]

Hello my sweet!!! Funny meeting you here!!!! Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

So who turns 50 in OCt?

 

[rosiep]

So, so much better and way easier to read!

Thanks for the letting me know. I never would have thought to do so.

Your trip sounds awesome and what an AWESOME story! I wish you tons of pixie dust on your trip.

I apologize if you already know this but since Sept is your b-day month and you are going to T-Rex OOP - have you considered getting the Lawry's reward card?

Lawry's is the restaurant company that runs T-Rex (Yak & Yeti) too! The card costs $25, but then you get $25 in Welcome Reward credits AND an additional $25 dollars for use in your b-day month! This way for $25 dollars you get $50 to spend at T-Rex. You also accumulate points for future rewards.

I did this last year when we went in August and it worked perfectly. The plan is to accumulate points at home and use them in WDW!

Have an awesome trip. Look forward to the trip report!

Thank you!!
I did not know this! Is the card obtained immediately online or will I need to wait for it in the mail? I do have an AARP card and I know they offer a discount for that.

Hello my sweet!!! Funny meeting you here!!!! Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

So who turns 50 in OCt?

Aren't you a doll. Thanks for visiting.

 

[Sappermont]

Thanks for the letting me know. I never would have thought to do so.

Thank you!!
I did not know this! Is the card obtained immediately online or will I need to wait for it in the mail? I do have an AARP card and I know they offer a discount for that.

Aren't you a doll. Thanks for visiting.

It takes a few weeks, but last year I told them I was leaving soon for WDW and they priority mailed it to me. This is the website: http://www.lawrysonline.com/vip-rewards

What makes it worth it is that you are going in your b-day month so for $25 you get $50 to spend!

Have fun!!

 

[rosiep]

It takes a few weeks, but last year I told them I was leaving soon for WDW and they priority mailed it to me. This is the website: http://www.lawrysonline.com/vip-rewards

What makes it worth it is that you are going in your b-day month so for $25 you get $50 to spend!

Have fun!!

Thanks I ordered it today!!