It’s Not Christmas Till We Visit The Mouse! Dec. 2006

[Lauralee131]

I know I said it before, but....

Welcome Home, Neighbor!!!!



You know, with the ending of your trip, it caused me to recall my own December trip...you reminded me of something strange that happened at Epcot one night that week...

We were wandering around World Showcase, sucking down a couple of margaritas as I usually do, and I left the guys on their own for a bit so I could hit the ladies room.

I walked in the stall, quietly closed the door behind me and then all of a sudden this crazy woman started skrieking like a bandit and saying swear words I don't even hear on my jobsite...

Strange huh??

Totally unprovoked...what's up with that??

 

[aldisneygrl]

LOTS of things have happened since our fantastic December getaway, some good and some not-so-good. I’ll only bore you with a couple highlights.

One major outcome of our trip was a re-hauling of the yearly vacation schedule. We’ve been doing the Big Trip in Dec. / Long weekend trip in May(ish) / overnight here and there for a few years, mainly because I love Holidays Disney-style and there was no incentive to use the pools as Leo couldn’t do much swimming. But things have changed. Gramma and I agreed that, while we’ll always enjoy Disney’s holiday festivities, we’re kind of over spending a week on them. And Leo’s getting to be a big guy – he’s ready for a lot more pool usage, which requires temperatures MUCH warmer than those in Dec. What I’m getting at is, we agreed to start a new schedule: 4-5 nights in May / 2-3 nights in Dec. / a couple overnights a year for Food & Wine Fests and other special occasions.

And. We’ll start with 2007. That’s right – WE’RE GOING BACK TO DISNEY WORLD! May 1-6, to be exact.

And. Due to popular demand, I believe I will do a trip report of some sort for it. Honestly, I was feeling out of interesting material after this one, and wasn’t planning on another for a while. But some interesting things have occurred that should make our May trip more reader-friendly than I once thought. That’s all I’ll say about it for now. Keep a lookout for a Pre-Trippie soon(ish)!!

The other major dose of magic began with me being bored one day and deciding to really take a good look at what Disney’s Vacation Club is all about. Believe it or not, I’ve never bothered before because: A. I thought the initial buy-in was like $30K or so and 2. I never thought there’d be a time when I’d rather stay at a “condo” than a hotel.

So I perused Disney’s rather uninformative DVC website. And I caroused the DISboards DVC threads. And I sent Lauralee far too many PM’s asking questions. I did enough Fuzzy Disney Math to permanently kill some brain cells. I consulted point charts, resale websites and event calendars. In the end, I found that, even with financing, I would break even on Disney accommodation expenditures for the first few years, and come out ahead after that, by buying into DVC rather than shelling out more and more money on ever-increasing hotel rates.

So….













I did it! I figured out how many points we’d really use in a year, found the right number available at Saratoga Springs and sent a down-payment this past Monday!!! It may not pan out, as Disney has the right to swoop in and buy a resale for its own sales or pass and let the potential buyer have it, but I plan to find another contract if that happens.

Anyway you look at it, PrincessV and Family are Coming Home!

And that, dear readers, really is the end. For this trip, anyway.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for joining me! I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had writing this, and much of that is due to your inspiring commentary. I’ve made some real friends amidst all this cyber chat, and for that, I am most grateful. LY/MI!

Congrats on the DVC! That is so awesome!

It sounds like a great plan. Now your trippies can include swimming fun!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm bummed to reach the end. You held my attention the entire report! You are such a great writer. Can't wait to read your next one. Congrats on DVC!!!! That's awesome.

 

[thewesterberg]

Okay, an obsessed lurker is in your midst and deciding since your beautifully hilarious TR has come to an end, I must reveal myself! Thank you so much for sharing! I loved every installment and so sad it's over.

We're heading down in September for our first trip and our little guy is about the same age as Leo... hearing about your experiences has made me itchin' to go even more. The official countdown in DS's 3 year old world isn't some fancy-dancy DIS countdown ticker... It's how many birthday's we have to go... auntie's birthday, grandma's birthday, his birthday, gramma's birthday, mommy's birthday, and once it's daddy's birthday - then we're off to Mickey's house!!

Maybe I'll have to give a TR a whirl...

Thanks PrincessV, and have a magical day!

 

[mlill]

I did it! I figured out how many points we’d really use in a year, found the right number available at Saratoga Springs and sent a down-payment this past Monday!!!

I'm soooooo happy for you! Welcome Home! Sending some Pixie Dust your way so the contract passes ROFR! Let us know as soon as it's a done deal!!!

I'm looking forward to your May trippie!!!

-Michelle

 

[PrincessV]

Congrats on your "DVC Coming Home" plan!

I hope it works out for you!

Can't wait to read about your May trip!

Loved this one- thanks again for sharing!

Thnak so much! I think I'll wait to start the May pre-Trippie for a bit, so I can catch up on some TR reading of my own. I'm still trying to get to yours!

Wow V you're now a DVC member that's great, I know Lauralee loves Saratoga, not that she tells us or anything so it must be great. You have so got to do another TR, where else are we going to chat and think you met me whilst writing this one

Thanks Jo! Really,I don't know if I'd have seriously considered SSR if it weren't for lauralee's descriptions - I've never been there and wasn't sure about the location. But I can't wait to go home to it someday!
It's funny - I never expected writing a TR would connect me to so many fantastic people. I really did make some great friends along the way; thank you for being here Jo!

Well, now this one seems so final. I don't like it. You must join the ranks of Tracy and Lauralee and get your pre-trip started! MAY! I'll be missing you by just a few weeks I would have loved to meet you in person.

LOL, I know, it did sound really final, didn't it? Which is ironic, considering we've already been back to The World. I can't believe we'll miss meeting up, either. That's it - I really must insist that you join us in August!

Yay!! Congrats!!! I'm so jealous!! But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, my friend. The Grand Californian is going to build a DVC and maybe, just maybe, I can talk DH into buying. I should be back to work by then!
I love reading the adventures of V and Leo and of course, Gramma! I'm sorry to see this one come to end, but I'm glad to hear a new pre-TR is on the horizon!

Yay, I'm sending you buckets-full of pixie dust for hot job prospects leading to future DVC ownership!
It's funny - my TR's really are mostly adventures of V. and Leo. Much like the trips themselves, Gramma's presence is pretty much about rolling along with whatever I've planned. She seldom if ever has an opinion on what to do/see/eat/etc. so she winds up with a very small part in the TR's. But a very big part in our lives.

 

[PrincessV]

I know I said it before, but....

Welcome Home, Neighbor!!!!

Thank you so very much!

You know, with the ending of your trip, it caused me to recall my own December trip...you reminded me of something strange that happened at Epcot one night that week...

We were wandering around World Showcase, sucking down a couple of margaritas as I usually do, and I left the guys on their own for a bit so I could hit the ladies room.

I walked in the stall, quietly closed the door behind me and then all of a sudden this crazy woman started skrieking like a bandit and saying swear words I don't even hear on my jobsite...

Strange huh??

Totally unprovoked...what's up with that??

Congrats on the DVC! That is so awesome!

It sounds like a great plan. Now your trippies can include swimming fun!

Oh yes, I'm certain the May TR will involve much swimming drama, what with Leo's tendency to sink like a stone! Thanks so much - I can't wait to finish up the DVC transaction!

I'm bummed to reach the end. You held my attention the entire report! You are such a great writer. Can't wait to read your next one. Congrats on DVC!!!! That's awesome.

Wow, thanks so much for the compliments! I actually write for a living, but far more "dry" material, so I spend a lot of time thinking about my intended audience and how best to reach it. It makes me feel so good when I hear that I've succeeded!

Okay, an obsessed lurker is in your midst and deciding since your beautifully hilarious TR has come to an end, I must reveal myself! Thank you so much for sharing! I loved every installment and so sad it's over.

We're heading down in September for our first trip and our little guy is about the same age as Leo... hearing about your experiences has made me itchin' to go even more. The official countdown in DS's 3 year old world isn't some fancy-dancy DIS countdown ticker... It's how many birthday's we have to go... auntie's birthday, grandma's birthday, his birthday, gramma's birthday, mommy's birthday, and once it's daddy's birthday - then we're off to Mickey's house!!

Maybe I'll have to give a TR a whirl...

Thanks PrincessV, and have a magical day!

YAY, thank you for coming out of lurkdom! You absolutely MUST write a TR about your trip. I rpomise, it's even more fun to reminisce as you write than reading someone else's. And I just know your little guy will have a fantastic frist trip to see The Mouse

I'm soooooo happy for you! Welcome Home! Sending some Pixie Dust your way so the contract passes ROFR! Let us know as soon as it's a done deal!!!

I'm looking forward to your May trippie!!!

-Michelle

Thanks so much Michelle! UPDATE: I jsut got word that my contract was submitted to ROFR on Fri., so finger, toes and everything else is crossed while I wait.......

 

[bawsmom]

more trip reports...

 

[princessjv]

Yaaa, I'm all caught up.


Is it over?


hello...


Am I late?


Congrats on the purchase! See you in the pre-trips.

Can't wait!

I will try to not be too late...

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

SharkB8 in mourning....not only is August completely out of the question, but I am about to cancel our ressies for next month

I HATE it when reality takes hold.

I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through you!

ps...keeping all things crossable crossed for you

 

[Disneygrl36]

Sad that the trippie is over.

Happy to say WELCOME HOME V!!!!!!!!! We bought resale & had to the ROFR thing & you will make it through the nervousness but it sure is hard to wait. We added on points at SSR just the last couple of months. Warning V.........it's addicting!!!!!

Make sure you link us up to the next pre-trippie.

Thanks for taking the time to share your, Gramma & Leo's adventures with us. Can't wait to read more & watch Leo grow in your trippies.

Ciao!!!!!!!!

 

[Lauralee131]

SharkB8 in mourning....not only is August completely out of the question, but I am about to cancel our ressies for next month

OH NO!! Sorry to hear that SharkB8!! Hope things get better...

Sending some your way...

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

OH NO!! Sorry to hear that SharkB8!! Hope things get better...

Sending some your way...

Thanks, Lauralee. I appreciate the thoughts and the pixie dust. I'm clinging to my trip to DisneyLand in August. I'm not gonna give that one up

 

[PrincessV]

more trip reports...

Hee, hee, yep - it looks that way!

Congrats on the purchase! See you in the pre-trips.

Can't wait!

I will try to not be too late...

LOL, better late than never! Thanks so much!

SharkB8 in mourning....not only is August completely out of the question, but I am about to cancel our ressies for next month

I HATE it when reality takes hold.

I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through you!

ps...keeping all things crossable crossed for you

SAY WHAT?????? SharB8, I'm so sorry - I hope things change and you're able to keep your WDW plans after all.

Happy to say WELCOME HOME V!!!!!!!!! We bought resale & had to the ROFR thing & you will make it through the nervousness but it sure is hard to wait. We added on points at SSR just the last couple of months. Warning V.........it's addicting!!!!!

Thanks Disneygrl! I know, I know - guess who's already looking at AKV points?!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

SharkB8 in mourning....not only is August completely out of the question, but I am about to cancel our ressies for next month

I HATE it when reality takes hold.

I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through you!

ps...keeping all things crossable crossed for you

Bummer SharkB8!!! Reality bites!

Hope things get better for ya! I'm crossing everything for you, even the stuff not meant to be crossed. Sorry, TMI!

Hope you're able to make Dland in August. Perhaps we could grab a frosty adult beverage.

Tossing good vibes & Pixie Dust your way, sister! ixiedust:

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Thanks, everyone, for your kindness and well wishes. I cancelled today, but we're still doing DL this summer, so I can't complain. I will say, however, that my house is spit-spot. I'm a stress cleaner, so in two days time I've done no DISsing, but have painted Little Bite 2s room and have cleaned all the carpets. Maybe I should stress more often

But as far as that frosty adult beverage...I could use one right about NOW!

Sorry for the mini-hijack, V.

 

[PrincessV]

Psst....pssst... yeah, you....

Just thought some of you might be interested in a recent addition to my siggy...

 

[sorul82?]

Oh no! I just found out that I have contracted one of those highly communicable "V" diseases! What am I going to do? Here we are just 12 days from our trip and this happens?


I have been rearranging all of my ADR's. V, why didn't you use protection? Or warn us to read with caution?

Will I infect others? Will Disney block my number? Will I be forever labeled as an ADR changer?

 

[DisneyJo]

Oh no! I just found out that I have contracted one of those highly communicable "V" diseases! What am I going to do? Here we are just 12 days from our trip and this happens?


I have been rearranging all of my ADR's. V, why didn't you use protection? Or warn us to read with caution?

OMG Kristi you're hilarious

 

[sorul82?]

OMG Kristi you're hilarious

I think I feed off my virtual friends!