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

[sweetpea29488]

smj2610 Looks like we have the same birthday! Hope you are having a great one!

Sorry don't have the quote thing fig. out yet.

 

[Funfire240]

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.

Priceless!!!!! I told DH I would give up my tax return if I had a shot at staying there! If I would've won to be honest that would be the last thing on my mind.

 

[smj2610]

Thank you Sweetpea29488. Hope you have a great birthday too.

 

[AquaDame]

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.

I'm not complaining either, I'm being honest. Paying for a nice dinner on our anniversary isn't a hardship nor would "blowing" half the GC be (we split a filet, so in the past the meal has been around $130 with drinks). That's exactly what a budget is past paying for necessities: choosing what you spend the rest of your budget on. Another trip? No. A nice meal we love? Heck yeah! Spending thousands on a second trip when we won one is far more wasteful IMO.

My parents are not kids, you're right. But they would like, and I already offered, to have them spend the night in the castle with us, which would also mean free flights and park tickets which is great for them. Choosing not to blow money I don't need to on a second trip is the very definition of putting on my big girl panties and being an adult. I shot down January & going on two trips - if there were other suggestions I missed them.

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.

They do list out the cash value of the prize in the rules, but not an itemized list - I've wondered that myself, lol! If you take what they say the cash value is and assume 25%-33% then I'd say is a good estimate of what the tax might be next year. Those who have won in the past have shared their knowledge on the tax subject. I won't know till I get the 1099-C what it is exactly, but I absolutely want to be prepared! I'm not sure about the parties... I know you can watch fireworks from inside but no clue what that would be like, lol! I assumed we'd get a tour of the suite/a mini history and - I know there is a 24 hour concierge - but certainly not expecting any fancy FP!

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

I'm not complaining either, I'm being honest. Paying for a nice dinner on our anniversary isn't a hardship nor would "blowing" half the GC be (we split a filet, so in the past the meal has been around $130 with drinks). That's exactly what a budget is past paying for necessities: choosing what you spend the rest of your budget on. Another trip? No. A nice meal we love? Heck yeah! Spending thousands on a second trip when we won one is far more wasteful IMO.

My parents are not kids, you're right. But they would like, and I already offered, to have them spend the night in the castle with us, which would also mean free flights and park tickets which is great for them. Choosing not to blow money I don't need to on a second trip is the very definition of putting on my big girl panties and being an adult. I shot down January & going on two trips - if there were other suggestions I missed them.

See therein lies the problem. You never said canceling your May trip. It was all about balancing all three.

 

[Reality to FANTASY]

Of course my DisBoard friends were right, Bay Tower is not an option. I sent Disney an email today asking for the Polynesian to replace it, hopefully the renovations will be complete by the time we get there. Ya'll are a great group of people helpin' a ole southern girl out. I wonder why Disney didn't tell me?

Thank you also for your kind words about my boy and his sweet girlfriend. I am excited for them. As for the travel plans, she will be the only one to fly, so the itinerary is not an issue. We live in Georgia and my husband hates to fly so we will drive down and pick her up at the airport.

Disney has given no indication yet as to which night is in the Castle. In any case, can't wait!!!

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

Of course my DisBoard friends were right, Bay Tower is not an option. I sent Disney an email today asking for the Polynesian to replace it, hopefully the renovations will be complete by the time we get there. Ya'll are a great group of people helpin' a ole southern girl out. I wonder why Disney didn't tell me?

Thank you also for your kind words about my boy and his sweet girlfriend. I am excited for them. As for the travel plans, she will be the only one to fly, so the itinerary is not an issue. We live in Georgia and my husband hates to fly so we will drive down and pick her up at the airport.

Disney has given no indication yet as to which night is in the Castle. In any case, can't wait!!!

She can take the Magical Express. It's included.

 

[Reality to FANTASY]

She can take the Magical Express. It's included.

What is the Magical Express?

 

[Iris1974]

Hi All,

I know I sound like a broken record, but I tried to find the word of the day for the Wendy Williams show for Wednesday Feb. 11th 2015 and can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know what it is? I hate to ask again, but I'm desperate. LOL Big Thanks and Pixie Dust to anyone who can help me.

 

[Reality to FANTASY]

She can take the Magical Express. It's included.

I looked it up, we may do that, just depends on her flight time and how she feels about taking the bus alone Fairly sure the boy will want to pick her up.

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

What is the Magical Express?

It's Disney's bus service from MCO to the resorts. It's free but only available to guests staying on property.

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

Hi All,

I know I sound like a broken record, but I tried to find the word of the day for the Wendy Williams show for Wednesday Feb. 11th 2015 and can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know what it is? I hate to ask again, but I'm desperate. LOL Big Thanks and Pixie Dust to anyone who can help me.

I'm pretty sure it was party today.

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

I looked it up, we may do that, just depends on her flight time and how she feels about taking the bus alone Fairly sure the boy will want to pick her up.[/QUOTE

It's only about a 30 minute ride from MCO to WDW.

 

[cdepauli]

They do list out the cash value of the prize in the rules, but not an itemized list - I've wondered that myself, lol! If you take what they say the cash value is and assume 25%-33% then I'd say is a good estimate of what the tax might be next year. Those who have won in the past have shared their knowledge on the tax subject. I won't know till I get the 1099-C what it is exactly, but I absolutely want to be prepared! I'm not sure about the parties... I know you can watch fireworks from inside but no clue what that would be like, lol! I assumed we'd get a tour of the suite/a mini history and - I know there is a 24 hour concierge - but certainly not expecting any fancy FP![/QUOTE]


I won a trip that ended up being handled by the Visit Orlando people. While you will get a 1099, you do not have to claim the full amount as long as you can show that if you planned and booked the trip yourself OR you have proof of what the entity paying actually paid, you can report less. I received the amount of our flights (what they paid) right on the tickets, how much they paid for the car rental, and did my own printout of the current rate/discounts of the hotel we stayed at. I used UCT prices for the tickets. I know there is a value for the night in the Cinderella Castle Suite. You could probably ask for a document for that. So definitely keep track of whether there are room discounts for where you are staying at the time since that could be applied.


Also, AquaDame, I don't think you need to keep defending yourself for asking for advice and listing your concerns. No matter what, you will still be paying money out of your pocket and trying to figure out what to do about your other trips is totally valid. You seem to have a balanced, rational approach to your win. Congrats!

 

[ariane37]

I'm pretty sure it was party today.

Yes it was I never watched her show before this contest but you know, I kind of like it!

 

[DisneyDreamer421]

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

I love LOVE bugs

 

[Disney Mama of 2]

Of course my DisBoard friends were right, Bay Tower is not an option. I sent Disney an email today asking for the Polynesian to replace it, hopefully the renovations will be complete by the time we get there. Ya'll are a great group of people helpin' a ole southern girl out. I wonder why Disney didn't tell me?

Don't fret too much about Bat Lake Towers being excluded. It's my home resort. It is beautiful and has a roof top lounge to watch Wishes (DVC members only) but there is not much there. You have to go over to Contemporary for everything, including food.

 

[wendow]

This site lists the word every day: http://sweetiessweeps.com/2015/02/wendy-williams-grand-fantasy-giveaway-codes.html

Thank you!! I have forgotten all about this contest

 

[wendow]

Congrats to all the newest winners! I am thrilled for each of you!

 

[Iris1974]

I'm pretty sure it was party today.

Yes it was I never watched her show before this contest but you know, I kind of like it!

Thank you both very much. I bestow on both of you Pixie Dust.