It's Back-January Trip-A-Day Contest!

[RejoyceoverDisney]

Aquadame and Serial as well as all the other winners on here. Please keep posting. I want to live through you.
I've been poking around and sending weblinks to my father and his wife to help them plan their trip and I'm getting excited for them. They have not gone since the 1980's and was not aware of so many options. I'm super happy for them and although they are concerned about their health issues and finances, I can listen to them process and be happy for them. (No they did not win a prize. They are paying for their own.)

As it was said, we all have wishes that fate had different timing. But it doesn't and we go with what is dealt to us.
No matter who we are, it takes juggling. I'm happy to help process the thoughts of juggling.

Serial, that is a really nice idea and time to go. As much as your little one is young, don't short change how much she will remember. I was barely 3 years old when my brother was born and I remember that almost as clear as the birth of my own sons. My brother will be 50 this month. Pictures also keep the memories alive. Take lots. And don't forget this vacation will be just as magical for Mom and Dad too.

So with that said, I'll go back to my discussion with my 23 year old with Autism about why it's important to me not to run the oven when nothing is cooking inside so that I can save money for another Disney Vacation. To which he says "why do you need another vacation?". And that would be the answer to why I need one. 2016 can't come soon enough. I'm determined. I think I'll read some more about Disney Rewards Visa and consider my upgrade to a premium card.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed tomorrow that I get an email from Betty. Maybe my birthday will be my lucky day

Well I already have mine crossed for me, but Happy Birthday anyway.

 

[loveshak22]

Thanks so much loveshak22. It was very nice of you to put the link up. I bestow the Pixie Dust on you.

Glad to help! And maybe all the pixie dust will bring me some good luck on a contest sometime soon!!

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

I can't help if my post upset some of the winners on here. Believe me I am excited for all of the winners.

Why not jump up and down in celebration? YOU WON!!! It's a very exciting thing.

We all entered knowing that there is a very small chance of winning and no one put ther lives or other plans on hold for the possibility of winning. I would not cancel my vacation planned in March for the small possibility of same.

I understand you were trying to get feedback from other people as to how to handle your
planning. But truthfully, no one knows your situation but you.

In the way I read your posts, it seemed like so many vacations, so little time. Other than time off from work, the win doesn't really cost you much other than the taxes due. The $500 gift card covers your meals, if you budget properly. But then again, it's your choice on how to spend that gift card.

We are all adults and have our own lives to run. Sorry I didn't feel bad for your situation. There are bigger problems in this world than juggling vacations.

With that being said, I wish all the winners the best of luck!

 

[Reality to FANTASY]

For our trip we picked the week before Thanksgiving, the second week of December or the first week of September. We reviewed the crowd calendars and my son's college schedule to come up with the dates. We are definitely cold weather people so I am hoping for one of my first two picks. If it is September, I will tough out the heat and still have a GREAT time.

We picked Bay Tower, Grand Floridian or the Beach Club. ANY of them will make me happy.

For our forth person we decided to ask my son's girlfriend. They have been "dating" for four years but have never met in person. They talk everyday, Skype date, send each other romantic little gifts etc. I know how odd their relationship sounds but it is a new world and a new way for people to meet. My man-child (21) is an awesome young man so she must be an awesome young woman. I am almost as excited for them meeting as I am about winning this amazing trip!!!

 

[rinnythepooh]

For our trip we picked the week before Thanksgiving, the second week of December or the first week of September. We reviewed the crowd calendars and my son's college schedule to come up with the dates. We are definitely cold weather people so I am hoping for one of my first two picks. If it is September, I will tough out the heat and still have a GREAT time.

We picked Bay Towers, Grand Floridian or the Beach Club. ANY of them will make me happy.

For our forth person we decided to ask my son's girlfriend. They have been "dating" for four years but have never met in person. They talk everyday, Skype date, send each other romantic little gifts etc. I know how odd their relationship sounds but it is a new world and a new way for people to meet. My man-child (21) is an awesome young man so she must be an awesome young woman. I am almost as excited for them meeting as I am about winning this amazing trip!!!

Cool! This sounds like the making of a great romantic movie.

 

[Reality to FANTASY]

Thanks Rinny, I think so too! Not many people can say their first kiss was inside Cinderella's Castle...

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

For our trip we picked the week before Thanksgiving, the second week of December or the first week of September. We reviewed the crowd calendars and my son's college schedule to come up with the dates. We are definitely cold weather people so I am hoping for one of my first two picks. If it is September, I will tough out the heat and still have a GREAT time.

We picked Bay Towers, Grand Floridian or the Beach Club. ANY of them will make me happy.

For our forth person we decided to ask my son's girlfriend. They have been "dating" for four years but have never met in person. They talk everyday, Skype date, send each other romantic little gifts etc. I know how odd their relationship sounds but it is a new world and a new way for people to meet. My man-child (21) is an awesome young man so she must be an awesome young woman. I am almost as excited for them meeting as I am about winning this amazing trip!!!

That's not strange. I met one of my best friends through a friend who joined the Army while I was in high school. He and I wrote ( before email) to each other a lot. It took us about 5 years before we met in person. It's going on almost 20 years and we are still friends.

You meet people in strange ways.

 

[DisneyDreamer421]

WOOHOOO!!! I am still all over with this trip so as soon as I have something concrete will, will write it i hope to see more winners on here!

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

For our trip we picked the week before Thanksgiving, the second week of December or the first week of September. We reviewed the crowd calendars and my son's college schedule to come up with the dates. We are definitely cold weather people so I am hoping for one of my first two picks. If it is September, I will tough out the heat and still have a GREAT time.

We picked Bay Tower, Grand Floridian or the Beach Club. ANY of them will make me happy.

For our forth person we decided to ask my son's girlfriend. They have been "dating" for four years but have never met in person. They talk everyday, Skype date, send each other romantic little gifts etc. I know how odd their relationship sounds but it is a new world and a new way for people to meet. My man-child (21) is an awesome young man so she must be an awesome young woman. I am almost as excited for them meeting as I am about winning this amazing trip!!!

Thanks cool!!! I agree with Rinny too.
Can you imagine how excited the girlfriend is? Wow!
Have a blast.
I didn't even think Bay Tower was an option. I guess the DVC resorts confuse me.
But your choices sound great to me.
I'm not big on the heat either but I would love to be there in September for Night of Joy weekend.
I'm getting punchy as each new email comes it I hurry to put on my glasses and make a wish. No luck yet.

Good night all.

 

[Iris1974]

For our trip we picked the week before Thanksgiving, the second week of December or the first week of September. We reviewed the crowd calendars and my son's college schedule to come up with the dates. We are definitely cold weather people so I am hoping for one of my first two picks. If it is September, I will tough out the heat and still have a GREAT time.

We picked Bay Tower, Grand Floridian or the Beach Club. ANY of them will make me happy.

For our forth person we decided to ask my son's girlfriend. They have been "dating" for four years but have never met in person. They talk everyday, Skype date, send each other romantic little gifts etc. I know how odd their relationship sounds but it is a new world and a new way for people to meet. My man-child (21) is an awesome young man so she must be an awesome young woman. I am almost as excited for them meeting as I am about winning this amazing trip!!!

It's not strange to me. I've met some of my closest friends online through writing Fan Fiction. I wouldn't have written a word of any of my stories if not for them. If I win a trip I'm actually going to ask a good, good, friend that I met online and met in person, that I have co authored stories with, to go with me. We got to meet at a fan reunion for the TV show we wrote about. I met many other friends then too, but I'm closest to her. She's from Texas. I know if I won a trip she would have to fly to Boston and then to Orlando. I know it's kind of back tracking but the rules of almost every Sweepstakes state that you must fly on the same itinerary and start and end at the same airport of origin. I thought if I win she could come up to Boston the day before and sleep on my couch and then we could go into Boston to fly to Orlando the next day. I'm hoping I'll win one someday so I can see her again. So meeting friends online is not at all weird to me. I have friends all around the country.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I'll add that I met someone on DIS last year. We happened to be going the same week to WDW and same small airport/flight. So we arranged to meet in a store that her DH worked at before hand and then caught up at the airport for the trip. We really didn't see them the whole week eventhough we actually were at the same resort too. Too funny. But then towards the end of the week we made breakfast reservations and did that together. It was great and memorable. I hope some day to go on vacation at the same time as them again, but we'll see.
If I had a win, I had considered sharing it with her, but since DH wants to come, she and I agreed we wanted a magical vacation with not sharing a room with anyone. Not even the castle. If DH wasn't coming, I would absolutely do a girls vacation and consider her.
So online can be weird in some sense, but I've met many friends from all over the world through forums for different topics.

In regard to the girlfriend/boyfriend thing, it's not all that uncommon. But meeting face to face the first time at WDW, that is super cool to be staying in the Castle.

 

[DisneyDreamer421]

I am requesting for the first and second week of October as well as the first week of Nov... I chose Contemporary (didn't know Bay was an option), GF, and AoA suites Now I just can't wait for confirmation!

 

[AquaDame]

In the way I read your posts, it seemed like so many vacations, so little time. Other than time off from work, the win doesn't really cost you much other than the taxes due. The $500 gift card covers your meals, if you budget properly. But then again, it's your choice on how to spend that gift card.

We are all adults and have our own lives to run. Sorry I didn't feel bad for your situation. There are bigger problems in this world than juggling vacations.

Well, I have said point blank that money is a concern for us and requested a truce after a heartfelt apology that you feel I am ungrateful, so I am not sure why you're still speaking negatively towards me. "Just taxes" still comes out to $1750-$2300 depending on your tax bracket - thank goodness you can sneeze that amount. I never for a moment have thought anyone in this world would feel bad for me or my situation but this is a community board with (mostly) nice people on it who have good advice. Sometimes talking through a problem helps. I accept that doing so has earned me your ire, fair or not, and have certainly kept more considerations to myself for fear of... well heck, I don't really know. I'm not afraid of you, but its certainly not fun having someone say your problems aren't as big as other's because there really isn't an appropriate response. You're right? Is that what you want to hear? Winning a contest is indeed better than losing? First world problems are still problems - do you honestly keep your problems to yourself and never ask others for advice? That seems lonely and I don't want to live like that. I'd rather share good, sad, happy, and even ridiculous times like this with everyone.

For our trip we picked the week before Thanksgiving, the second week of December or the first week of September. We reviewed the crowd calendars and my son's college schedule to come up with the dates. We are definitely cold weather people so I am hoping for one of my first two picks. If it is September, I will tough out the heat and still have a GREAT time.

We picked Bay Tower, Grand Floridian or the Beach Club. ANY of them will make me happy.

For our forth person we decided to ask my son's girlfriend. They have been "dating" for four years but have never met in person. They talk everyday, Skype date, send each other romantic little gifts etc. I know how odd their relationship sounds but it is a new world and a new way for people to meet. My man-child (21) is an awesome young man so she must be an awesome young woman. I am almost as excited for them meeting as I am about winning this amazing trip!!!

Those are great times to go! I hope you get your first pick and that his girlfriend can go - that would be such an amazing next step for them. Four years is a long time so I am sure they know enough about each other that it will be great fun. My brother and one of my best friends met their partners online, I don't think it is so odd anymore - more opportunities for people to find each other is just amazing and to be celebrated!

I am requesting for the first and second week of October as well as the first week of Nov... I chose Contemporary (didn't know Bay was an option), GF, and AoA suites Now I just can't wait for confirmation!

I'm so excited to hear back from you all about what they come up with! <3 Still waiting for my email but it hasn't even been a week yet so I have awhile to go!

 

[Anne5555]

I have a question for the current and past winners. Are you able to request which night of the trip will be your night in the Castle or is it assigned? Which night do you want it to be?

 

[Kristina4109]

I was thinking the same thing! If it was me I'd want my very first night to be in the Castle, so we could watch MSEP and Wishes and then go right on up. Sigh...what a beautiful dream...

Incidentally, I'm sure most people know about it, but there is another contest running now, themed to the new Cinderella movie, that includes a stay in the Cinderella Castle suite.

 

[Jfsag123]

Do any of you guys listen to the podcast? This week they announced the top threads on the boards for the month of January. We were number 1

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

Well, I have said point blank that money is a concern for us and requested a truce after a heartfelt apology that you feel I am ungrateful, so I am not sure why you're still speaking negatively towards me. "Just taxes" still comes out to $1750-$2300 depending on your tax bracket - thank goodness you can sneeze that amount. I never for a moment have thought anyone in this world would feel bad for me or my situation but this is a community board with (mostly) nice people on it who have good advice. Sometimes talking through a problem helps. I accept that doing so has earned me your ire, fair or not, and have certainly kept more considerations to myself for fear of... well heck, I don't really know. I'm not afraid of you, but its certainly not fun having someone say your problems aren't as big as other's because there really isn't an appropriate response. You're right? Is that what you want to hear? Winning a contest is indeed better than losing? First world problems are still problems - do you honestly keep your problems to yourself and never ask others for advice? That seems lonely and I don't want to live like that. I'd rather share good, sad, happy, and even ridiculous times like this with everyone.

All I said was I would not complain if I won. That is all. If you want me to go into detail with your posts I will. What bothers me is that you are complaining about finances, yet talking about eating at Yachtsman Steakhouse. Simple solution. It's called budgeting. Use the $500 gift card wisely. Don't blow half of it on 1 single meal. It's like spending $500 on a purse but not having any money to keep inside of it.

Also, you are talking about taking your parents on both trips and needing a separate room. Simple solution. Go as planned with your parents in May. Then, go with your husband for this trip later as you would like for Food and Wine. Your parents are not kids and do not need to go with you on both trips.

Anytime anyone has given you advice, you seem to shoot it down. Put on your big girl panties and be an adult. I'm not trying to intimidate you. I'm just being truthful.

Money isn't easy going for me. I just see an easy solution for you. I don't see the hardship that you are making it into.

I have enjoyed hearing from other winners. When they ask for advice, I have given advice based on my stays at WDW.

I just see BS in some of your issues. They are easily solvable.

As to you asking if I never ask for advice, I do. But seriously you are online with basically strangers who don't know your problems. YOU should be speaking with your husband about what's best for the two of you.

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

I am requesting for the first and second week of October as well as the first week of Nov... I chose Contemporary (didn't know Bay was an option), GF, and AoA suites Now I just can't wait for confirmation!

watch out for love bugs. They swarm end of September/beginning of October.

 

[jo-jo]

"Just taxes" still comes out to $1750-$2300 depending on your tax bracket - thank goodness you can sneeze that amount.

Did Disney tell you the amount? Did they break down what everything is worth? If so, what was the value of the castle?????


Also if you go when they have parties, do you get to attend? Do you have to buy party tickets if its the night for the castle stay?

I wonder if you get a tour type CM the evening of the castle stay. During the million dream thing, I heard people say the had a CM take them on all the rides like an instant FP.

Sorry for all the questions and I understand if your answers are don't know, don't know, don't know. I'm just curious how these things work.