Jackpot Win = Disney Trip

[avenueqpat]

Hey All.

So I had an AMAZING day at Turning Stone Casino today -

Picture It......Verona NY.....8 Hours Ago.....

Sitting with my last 2 Dollars for the day....playing QuickPick Lotto on a Multi Game Machine Dollar Machine (I was already down 98 so I decided to try to win 100 back from it to break even instead of sitting at the Penny's) ----- Bet 2 dollars on one hand......and I won the progressive Jackpot!!!!!!!!!!!!! $7,500 after taxes ------ WOO HOO!!!!!

So, after I get some **** for the home, including a new mattress instead of the old one I have had for like 5 years - I am going to take a last minute trip to Disney in Mid October. I am going to do booking tomorrow but there are some affordable flights for short notice like this.

So......one question - I am a Park Junkie - since I started going, I like to spend whole days in the park, and do some hopping if it gets too crowded - is it worth trying out a Moderate or Deluxe resort? I normally just go and sleep in the hotel, so I don't know if it is really worth it - but I would love some other opinions.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Congratulations on your win!!!!! That's great!!!!!

I have only recently found out how much more there is to Disney than doing the parks at a crazy pace. Twice this year I have stayed at the French Quarter. Once was with a friend who I hadn't seen for years. We reconnected and decided to go to WDW together. It was a great trip and while we had a great time at the parks, it was a very nice resort to come back to and relax. We took the boat to DTD and to Riverside. And we enjoyed the grounds of the hotel.

Earlier this month I again went to Disney with this same friend but this time with my two teenage kids. He got a great deal on the hotel as either a Florida resident or an AP holder. Had he not gotten such a good deal it definitely would not have been worth it. We were up for park opening each morning and stayed till park closing. The hotel was lovely but we did not have the time to enjoy it.

Both of my trips were great but they were completely different. I am going again in December with my friend and I think we are staying at a deluxe - he is making all the plans and I really don't know much of them at all. While we do plan to do the parks this is a Christmas trip where the priority is with decorations and dining.

As I'm sure you know, whatever your decision is, it will be great.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

how absolutely awesome!
Congrats!

i say sleep cheap CHEAP,(value) and then spoil yourself silly everywhere else in disney!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Hey! I know exactly where Turning Stone is! LOL.

If you are planning on spending nearly every waking hour in the parks, stick with the good value resorts. They are fun, and well-a good value!

If, however since you "won" this trip, you want to try something a bit different, go with a moderate or deluxe and plan to actually enjoy the resort too. You can do less hours each day in the parks and spend some time lounging around the pool, etc.

However, you are coming down when Food and Wine Festival is on, so not sure how much lounging around the pool you want to do when you can be strolling the world showcase nibbling and sipping.

Oh, and congratulations on your win!

 

[avenueqpat]

Thanks all for the thoughts.

What I may do is take a slightly longer trip - Usually I have a max at 4 days in the park, and that's it. I may try for 6 days, and get an extra ticket for my arrival so that I can see a fireworks show my first night in, and then skip it another night. I do love the openings (especially MK) and usually I stay for the Show at the end of the night.

What I may do is do a split - stay at a mod or deluxe for a day or 2, and then switch to a value. I think I will still be out a lot because I plan on splurging on some things I don't usually get - for example MNSSHP, eating at some TS places (only one was 50's Prime Time which felt like a Johnny Rockets only with better themeing - I enjoyed it, but it doesn't seem as fancy as an Epcot TS would be), doing some Wine/Beer tasting at Epcot, things like that. I usually don't go above and beyond park admission tickets except at the CS places because you have to eat something while you are out and about, and I am not a big fan of swimming, so I won't be using the pools too much.

Will the resorts transport luggage for you between hotels if you do a split stay, or would I want to get a Taxi for that?

Thanks all for your thoughts and congrats!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yes, the resorts will move your luggage between resorts for you with a split stay.

If you are going to dine in EPCOT, and of course all personal preference, eh, but I'd send you to Bistro de Paris. It's fabulous and the service is nice too.

We also usually like Marrakesh in Morocco.

Otherwise, try one of the TS resort restaurants like YSH, or Artist Point.

 

[avenueqpat]

So, after thinking about it today I decided that I would go for just a Value, but I did take advantage of the Disney Dining Plan free offer.........silly me - trying to make TS reservations now - but I know that things always open up, and there is always a possibility that I could get into one day of. We shall see.

Still a splurge for me as I don't go to the TS except once (see above) so paying rack rate for the hotel will be worth it I think.

I am going to start an actual pre-trip report on here, and will also be doing Twitter updates from the park. I will leave my user name once I create one - yeah for the IPhone!

I also figured that by staying at the value but doing the dining, it will get me out to see the other hotels and enjoy them when I inevitably get there too early so I don't miss my spot in line (yes, I am anal like that), and just check out the main public areas.

Thanks for the thoughts, and I am going to set up a Pre-Trip/Trip report in this forum as well - I know that my fellow princesses will appreciate it

 

[soulmates]

I'm SOOOO thrilled for you! You must have been BEYOND excited!! I'm bouncing up & down with you!!!! Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy it!!!