It's ALL about the FOOD! An October 2012 PTR! - Trip Report Started.

[smile4stamps]

Well I think we are just going to risk it and not pre-order, and see how many we can get, and if we like it enough, then just suck it up, haha.

Ok, so I made one each of Minnie and Pooh. I hope I made them small enough for you. I can still make them smaller if you'd like. I chose a fall-themed Pooh, since your trip will be in October. Hope you like them!

Thanks Andrea!!

My vote is for the extra night in Denver - it seems like the least stressful option, and you wouldn't have to worry about flight delays or that sort of thing. And you guys would be able to fly down together!

Yeah.. That is my thinking too! If I leave my husband to fly there by himself he probably wouldn't make it!
Unfortunately I learning something this morning that puts a huge damper on my plans. I'm just so frustrated I could scream!

 

[smile4stamps]

So this morning I learned something that may put a damper on the whole trip! As I have mentioned all along I planned to exchange 2 banked RCI weeks for DVC. I was led to believe that since I had deposited my weeks as RED 1-bedroom weeks that is what I would be able to get in exchange! So today I get home from work and I log onto the RCI website and see resorts with my dates! I have an ongoing search so I am supposed to get a call or e-mail if anything matches my weeks. I received neither so I called RCI and I was told that nothing is matching my search! I was like "What do you mean?!? I see it on the website!" After an hour on the phone with both Wyndham and RCI I am told that Wyndham can no longer see the records of my deposits because they are almost 2 years old and RCI says they are not "strong" enough to use for the DVC resorts! I am beyond livid as just 2 days ago I paid a chunk of money to be able to extend those weeks for the exact purpose of using them for DVC in October!

I would probably just let the weeks go to waste as we will not be doing any other trips besides Vegas and WDW (if we even go now! )so I definitely wouldn't have paid so much to extend them if I had known that they were not going to be able to be used for when I needed them. I was told that it is possible that my weeks would match if the dates are available when the time is closer but booking it so far out now my weeks are not "Strong enough" Seriously! What are the chances of my weeks being available closer to the time! Its F&W fest! I'm thinking its not very likely!! So MAD!!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Wow, that sounds really frustrating, and a little confusing.

Can you get your money back that you put down 2 days ago? I hope you can. I also hope you can figure something out!

 

[smile4stamps]

Wow, that sounds really frustrating, and a little confusing.

Can you get your money back that you put down 2 days ago? I hope you can. I also hope you can figure something out!

Nope... no refunds! I'm SO MAD! And Sick to my stomach!! Seriously ever since I've deposited the weeks I have told every single person they are for DVC! Could some one not have told me far earlier that it was not an equal trade and I wouldn't be able to do it?!?!

 

[Joyciemc]

How frustrating to just be finding this out now! I'd be really mad, too. Really, really, really hope things work out!

 

[smile4stamps]

How frustrating to just be finding this out now! I'd be really mad, too. Really, really, really hope things work out!

I'm sick... An mad... And it's got me in tears... As my husband said why can't anything ever go easy for us!! To make things even lovelier the IRS is saying we owe them tons of money!!!

I just hope it all works out because this trip is really the thing that's enabling me to survive being apart from my husband!! Without it i don't know how I would get through this time apart.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Oh man Paula....I'm so sorry!! I don't understand the timeshares & DVC stuff.....it's complicated obviously!! Hoping things will work out & you're able to go on this trip!!!

Booooooooo on the IRS saying you owe big bucks!! They've been my best friend for the last few years.....that's how we're getting our trips in!!

Hope things settle down for you!!

PS: How's your mom doing??

 

[smile4stamps]

Oh man Paula....I'm so sorry!! I don't understand the timeshares & DVC stuff.....it's complicated obviously!! Hoping things will work out & you're able to go on this trip!!!

Booooooooo on the IRS saying you owe big bucks!! They've been my best friend for the last few years.....that's how we're getting our trips in!!

Hope things settle down for you!!

PS: How's your mom doing??

Nothing against all the people here that own DVC but timeshares are a joke in my mind. I've had these weeks banked for over 2 years and have tried using them so many times! I tried to use them for Vegas, I tried to use them for DVC last fall, I tried to use them for EUROPE and because I couldn't get anything there we never went to Europe. I've tried to use them for Anaheim, tried for Napa, trying for Vegas again for May, trying for DVC for the fall! It's not like I just deposited them and forgot about them. We have made tentative plans and nothing has panned out!

Usually my taxes are pretty decent! Apparently my husbands playing in the stock market (he buys and sells the same $2000 over and over again) is showing a profit of $24K!!... This makes it look like our income is higher and then it doesn't give as much of a deduction for the student loans. I am hoping by providing the full trading statement where it shows he has made very little profit that it will eliminate this tax bill! I wish we had a profit of $24K, then I would have no problem paying the tax man more money!

My mom is hanging in there. The chemo is kicking her butt! She has to get an injection after the chemo to help reboost her immune system and she says that makes her whole body ache! She's lost all her hair, and despite drinking lots of fluids still has to go into the DR's office a couple times a week for fluid boluses! She said food is just not appealing but they don't want her to lose weight so she is trying to eat but nothing tastes good.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

That sounds so fishy, Paula. Why won't they let you use your points anywhere? That's just odd.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. I hope at least the chemo is doing it's job.

 

[jenny105]

That all sounds very confusing to me as I'm not exactly sure how the points would work/transfer but it's frustrating anyway! I'm sorry, that stinks

 

[smile4stamps]

That sounds so fishy, Paula. Why won't they let you use your points anywhere? That's just odd.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. I hope at least the chemo is doing it's job.

That all sounds very confusing to me as I'm not exactly sure how the points would work/transfer but it's frustrating anyway! I'm sorry, that stinks

I'm oh so confused by it! I tried calling back again this morning but just ended up in tears. I just don't know if I can deal with anything else! This trip was literly the only thing that keeps me sane being in CA by myself without my hubby. I just miss him so much and I so wanted this trip and I don't think its going to be possible if we don't get the DVC timeshare. They said it might be possible as a last minute exchange. But basically said if I want to be guaranteed a timeshare in Orlando then they have lots available but not DVC. I'm not willing to go outside of DVC as the transportation then becomes a big issue.

 

[jenny105]

I'm oh so confused by it! I tried calling back again this morning but just ended up in tears. I just don't know if I can deal with anything else! This trip was literly the only thing that keeps me sane being in CA by myself without my hubby. I just miss him so much and I so wanted this trip and I don't think its going to be possible if we don't get the DVC timeshare. They said it might be possible as a last minute exchange. But basically said if I want to be guaranteed a timeshare in Orlando then they have lots available but not DVC. I'm not willing to go outside of DVC as the transportation then becomes a big issue.

I hope it all works out and you can go. Sending some pixie dust and positive thoughts your way! I know you said you want DVC but can you get one of the Bonnet Creek resorts? At least you'd be close. Unless you had your heart set on getting the DDP.

 

[smile4stamps]

I hope it all works out and you can go. Sending some pixie dust and positive thoughts your way! I know you said you want DVC but can you get one of the Bonnet Creek resorts? At least you'd be close. Unless you had your heart set on getting the DDP.

Bonnet creek is close and we have actually stayed there but getting anywhere on Disney property from there is not convenient unless you have a rental car. Since we will be drinking with the food & wine festival I am not comfortable with that and is why I wish to stay on property.

 

[PixieMama]

Oh, no!

I really hope everything works out for you guys! DH and I tried a timeshare a few years ago... it seems once we used it the first time, nothing was ever available the next times we tried to use it. So I can definitely understand how frustrated you are! DH will never again buy into another timeshare. It's left a bad taste in our mouths, so to speak.

Fingers crossed, good thoughts, and pixie dust coming your way.

 

[smile4stamps]

Oh, no!

I really hope everything works out for you guys! DH and I tried a timeshare a few years ago... it seems once we used it the first time, nothing was ever available the next times we tried to use it. So I can definitely understand how frustrated you are! DH will never again buy into another timeshare. It's left a bad taste in our mouths, so to speak.

Fingers crossed, good thoughts, and pixie dust coming your way.

Thank you. I'm determined to make this trip happen so will do everything in my power to get there!!

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm going to continue on with my planning as if its all going to happen as I dream!

So with that here are our Day 1 Plans.

Keep in mind flights are NOT booked yet but this is what I am thinking

We will leave Denver bright and early in the morning.

Flight departs: 7:20am
Flight Arrives:12:50pm
We will then take ME or a town car rental to the resort.
Arrive to hotel approximately 2pm.
Check into hotel, hopefully room will be ready and we can freshen up and catch a quick nap!
4ish hop on a bus for Hollywood Studios
Walk from DHS to Swan/Dolphin for Food & Wine Classic!
Enjoy the classic till it ends and then probably grab a taxi back to the resort.(Other option besides taxi would be bus to DtD and then transfer to a bus to our resort. After getting up so early Taxi is probably the better option!)

 

[smile4stamps]

Just found out the Disney Parks app is available on the iPhone and while the app says Verizon it works on my At&t version!! (I think there are some features only for Verizon users)

The coolest thing I've noticed on it is it shows the times of all the little shows such as the Fife & Drum in American Pavilion and you can set a reminder for it!!

I'm tickled with this newest App for my phone!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I really don't know much about timeshares, but that does seem really really bizarre that you had extended your time, had told them you wanted to use it for DVC, and now can't. Is there a manager or supervisor you can discuss this with? After going through all of this aggravation, at the very least, hopefully you can get the money back for extending your time. How frustrating! I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this!

Would you consider just booking a room, not using DVC or your timeshare? Or would that mean all of your timeshare weeks would be going to waste?

The Disney Apps really are great, aren't they? I loved using them!

 

[smile4stamps]

I really don't know much about timeshares, but that does seem really really bizarre that you had extended your time, had told them you wanted to use it for DVC, and now can't. Is there a manager or supervisor you can discuss this with? After going through all of this aggravation, at the very least, hopefully you can get the money back for extending your time. How frustrating! I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this!

Would you consider just booking a room, not using DVC or your timeshare? Or would that mean all of your timeshare weeks would be going to waste?

The Disney Apps really are great, aren't they? I loved using them!

The call yesterday I did talk to a supervisor and was given basically the same information. She said there are lots of options for me in the Orlando area that are very nice and she would be happy to book me into one of those but then as I said before I have the transportation issue. My husband and I like to drink and while he handles his alcohol well I would really prefer not to have to put us in that situation.

WE DO have a room booked at Coronado Springs Resort using a 30% off PIN code so that is my fall-back. I was just hoping to save the money by going the DVC route!

If we end up going the Coronado Springs route than I will have to make the vacation shorter in length I think to save some money. Not sure which Dinner locations I would give up if we do that as there are even more I wanted that are not fitting in the schedule!

Everything will work out some way or another! I'm thinking positively! And who knows the DVC may come through as a last minute. Would most likely be SSR or OKW but I would make it work! Because my CSR is booked as a room only I can cancel that pretty last minute if it does happen!

The new app is an official Disney Parks App! Can't wait to play around with it more!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Nothing against all the people here that own DVC but timeshares are a joke in my mind. I've had these weeks banked for over 2 years and have tried using them so many times! I tried to use them for Vegas, I tried to use them for DVC last fall, I tried to use them for EUROPE and because I couldn't get anything there we never went to Europe. I've tried to use them for Anaheim, tried for Napa, trying for Vegas again for May, trying for DVC for the fall! It's not like I just deposited them and forgot about them. We have made tentative plans and nothing has panned out!

Usually my taxes are pretty decent! Apparently my husbands playing in the stock market (he buys and sells the same $2000 over and over again) is showing a profit of $24K!!... This makes it look like our income is higher and then it doesn't give as much of a deduction for the student loans. I am hoping by providing the full trading statement where it shows he has made very little profit that it will eliminate this tax bill! I wish we had a profit of $24K, then I would have no problem paying the tax man more money!

My mom is hanging in there. The chemo is kicking her butt! She has to get an injection after the chemo to help reboost her immune system and she says that makes her whole body ache! She's lost all her hair, and despite drinking lots of fluids still has to go into the DR's office a couple times a week for fluid boluses! She said food is just not appealing but they don't want her to lose weight so she is trying to eat but nothing tastes good.

I just don't understand the timeshare stuff......if it's not easy to use, I'm not sure it would be something I'd be interested in. We'd have to buy a pretty good share for our family size....even just basing it on Mike & I and the 4 youngest......that's still a 1 bdrm+ villa.......and then you have a yearly fee too. They say it pays for itself in the first 5 yrs.....but I'm not so sure of that. Those villas are far fancier than we'd ever stay at,.......we tend to be budget motel people....lol

UGH on the taxes........

Tell your mom to stay positive. My stepmom went thru that (3 rounds of it)...... her keeping an upbeat attitude even on her worse days is what got her through it. Drinking & eating was an issue for her as well.......she almost had to force herself....even knowing it could make her sick. My stepmom was a tough lady.....she battled her cancer demons for 30 yrs....not too many people can say that!! I'll continue to pray for your mom as she goes thru this.