Is it STILL too early to start a Pre-Trip Report? Updated 2/26

[StephaniexMarie]

Awww, sweet pictures!

 

[bear74]

so maybe its not too early for me to do a trip report after all. We are going Dec. 2012. can't wait to see which hotel you decide on.

 

[ddstratton]

The pictures of your mother crack me up. They are so cute....surprise and tree hugging.

I have no clue on what to suggest as far as Universal resorts. I hope you get some suggestions because we are thinking about going over to Universal if I can get a good deal.

Thanks! I'm still working on my Universal choices....

Awww, sweet pictures!

Thank you!

so maybe its not too early for me to do a trip report after all. We are going Dec. 2012. can't wait to see which hotel you decide on.

Never too early to start a PTR!! More on hotel choices coming up soon...

 

[bear74]

Thanks! I'm still working on my Universal choices....



Thank you!



Never too early to start a PTR!! More on hotel choices coming up soon...

thanks to free dining we are going this year. I have never done a pre trip report or trip report. I might have to think about one.

 

[ddstratton]

423 days to go.

Sorry it’s been a while!!! Got a question for y’all. Who’s done offsite as well as onsite? Yup, we are actually considering staying offsite. I found a great-looking villa to rent. Even considering that we would have to pay for parking each day, renting the villa would end up being a LOT cheaper. Like over $500 cheaper.

So for less money, we could get four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a full kitchen, a living room and separate dining area, as well as a screened in rear porch with private pool.

For more money, we get one room and one bath. But we also get the themed pool and quiet pools at a resort. And Disney transportation (which could be a plus or a minus, depending…)

Our plans change. A lot. The one real item in the “Minus” column for staying offsite is the inflexibility. Once we make our reservation and pay our deposit, we’re pretty much tied in. Changes are a lot harder to make than with Disney.

I’d love feedback from those who have done Disney both ways. Is the savings worth it? Is it a real pain to stay offsite? Or is it not a big deal?

 

[GeminiAngel]

423
So for less money, we could get four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a full kitchen, a living room and separate dining area, as well as a screened in rear porch with private pool.

This is awesome!! I wouldn't even think about it. You have your own car, so no problem. And your own pool?!! Elizabeth seems to really enjoy swimming on all your TR's. Great deal.

 

[mickeystoontown]

For years and years, we stayed offsite and enjoyed ourselves. Until........we stayed onsite. I couldn't believe how much easier it was staying onsite. It's so nice to just hop on a bus and let it take us to the parks.

If you drive (whether staying onsite or off), keep in mind that you'll have to park in the parking lot, jump onto a tram (always hated fighting with the others who would, literally, run and push you out of the way to get on), and then let it take you to the park entrance. If you are going to the Magic Kingdom, you'll have an extra step added. The tram will drop you off at the TTC and then you'll have to take either the monorail or ferry over to the park. Each and every time we pass the ferry boat, we say a little thankful prayer that we no longer have to fight the crowds on the ferry.

Having said all that....if staying offsite was the only way we could afford to go to Disney, I'd be all over booking something offsite. Until my pocketbook screams bloody murder, I'll be onsite.

 

[Rozz]

I wish I could weigh in on the staying on-site versus off-site but we've only ever stayed on Disney property. I've thought about staying at an off-site villa myself. $500 sure is a big difference!

I know some people actually prefer off-site and a few people I've read on DIS drive to the parks even though they are at a Disney resort. You may have to give off-site a try and see how it works for you.

If you struggle much with the decision, you may be more comfortable staying on-site. You don't know what you're getting staying off-site somewhere you've never stayed before. With Disney, you pretty much know what to expect even within the normal ups and downs of the resort experience and all.

 

[ddstratton]

Well, apparently it WAS to early to start a pre-trip report!! I've been horribly neglecting this poor thing recently. And now I must close it. We are NOT taking a trip in October of 2012, after all. We may take one on 2013, but we'll have to see how things play out.

However -- I have a GREAT reason for having to postpone this trip. I'm pregnant!!! We just found out that we are expecting a new baby in mid-May of 2012. The fun part -- I'll be 40 next month!

Taking a trip to Florida with a four/five month old just isn't feasible financially, so we'll have to wait a little while. I'll let the moderators move this to closed pre-trips whenever they like.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Congratulations! I can totally understand why you would need to postpone the trip. Congrats again!

 

[ddstratton]

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Congratulations! I can totally understand why you would need to postpone the trip. Congrats again!

Thank you! It really was a surprise for us, but a good surprise. The main reason for postponing the trip is that we are going to have to build on to our house. We currently live in a small, single-wide trailer. But it's all paid for -- no mortgage. We'll add a bedroom and expand the living room and kitchen/dining room area. So -- any Disney fund for next year will be going toward a building fund instead. But I think we'll take a trip in 2013 instead. But I'm not starting a pre-trip report for that one yet!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thank you! It really was a surprise for us, but a good surprise. The main reason for postponing the trip is that we are going to have to build on to our house. We currently live in a small, single-wide trailer. But it's all paid for -- no mortgage. We'll add a bedroom and expand the living room and kitchen/dining room area. So -- any Disney fund for next year will be going toward a building fund instead. But I think we'll take a trip in 2013 instead. But I'm not starting a pre-trip report for that one yet!!!

What a great surprise! I remember finding out I was pregnant with Hunter (we were not trying and I was actually on birth control) and being so shocked. It didn't take long for that shock to turn to absolute excitement though.

Please keep in touch 'cause I'd love to see how the pregnancy and house expansion goes.

 

[Lesprivate]

Congradulations what a great surprise.

 

[Rozz]

Congratulations to you both!! How exciting! Keep us posted on how you're doing. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers. You beat me by two years. i was 38 when I had my last one! Love it!

 

[ddstratton]

Thank you, everyone. It was a surprise, but it's a good one. And apparently, late babies run in my family. My mom had 2 - 13 months apart! -- at 37 and 38. And her mother had her last at 42.

 

[Maria Rose]

Congratulations!!!!


__________
Maria Rose

 

[ddstratton]

I want to thank everyone for their congratulations and such. However, I have to let you all know that it just wasn't meant to be. We are not having a baby now. Earlier ultrasound showed smaller than expected, and I miscarried a few days later. I'm doing fine now, though. I am going to keep this pre-trip open after all, as we are tentatively planning to keep this trip now.

 

[Lesprivate]

Sorry to hear Darla,

 

[mickeystoontown]

I want to thank everyone for their congratulations and such. However, I have to let you all know that it just wasn't meant to be. We are not having a baby now. Earlier ultrasound showed smaller than expected, and I miscarried a few days later. I'm doing fine now, though. I am going to keep this pre-trip open after all, as we are tentatively planning to keep this trip now.

Oh Darla, I am so very very sorry to hear the news. I will keep all of you in my thoughts.

 

[Rozz]

So sorry for your loss Darla. My thoughts are with you and your family.