January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part II !!!

[Dancegrl624]

Maggied - I hope everything end up ok with your daughter. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Peaches - How wonderful that your parents are trying to work things out. When my sister was about 4 or 5 yrs old (before I was born), my parents got divorced. Then, about a year and a half later, they got remarried to each other! It reminds me of the parent trap. I hope that everything works out for them!

 

[MelXThree]

Shelly or any other Caribbean Beach Resort lover...just hoping to get your thoughts on the resort. I have never been to WDW and picked WL because of the easy transportation back to the resort (for naps & ADR's).

My DH has been giving me a hard time about the $$ for WL and I am hoping for a discount. The Canadian discounts blacked out my dates so I was thinking they may be the same for the public discounts.

Is the transportaion bad for CBR?? Is the resort a pain to get around like everyone say's?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

MaggieD - hope DD is okay. Nice that she can still be close to you.

Peaches - WOW - all around great news!! Best wishes for your parents to work it out. I'm sure it will be hard on all. And an extra trip - NYC sounds awesome. ENJOY!!
Lots to celebrate!!

Gotta rush out of work to get the girlies to dance class. Lots of fun. See you tonight!!

 

[Pluto_fan]

Help! I can't stop second-guessing myself!

Lately I've been thinking about trying to rent DVC points. Have any of you ever done this? The thought of a one-bedroom villa is lovely. Putting the kids to bed and not having to be dark and quiet ourselves! It wouldn't cost that much more than SOG. On the other hand, we always stay in one hotel room together and it's no big deal...and I'm sure we'll be ready to hit the hay when the kids do anyway! Any words of wisdom for me?

 

[jenjolt]

Aw, MAGGIED! Praying that your dd is okay! Keep us posted!

I just got 2 amazing e-mails and I am praising God for both! First of all, my parents split last August, 2007. There were lots of issues, but during this time of separation, Dad found someone else. It's been a really rough year on so many levels. We didn't tell the kids about my parents because we needed a better understanding about what the situation would be like when we hit the US this December and my kids are so young and we're so far away.

I never stopped praying or believing that God would intervene. Well, I just got an e-mail from my dad. He and my mom are in counseling and taking the necessary steps to reconcile! I know lots of people wrote their marriage off, but I did not. It's a long road ahead of them...but it really does seem like things are going to have a happy ending!

Second, less dynamic but still exciting thing? Friends of ours wrote to tell us they've got a time share that they can't use. They asked if we could find a week while we're stateside to use it. All we have to do is get ourselves there! Hmmm...let me think about that one for just a second. YES!!!!! I think we can manage that! I checked out the website and they have places in Manhattan! It's always been a dream of mine to stay in Manhattan. I practially lived there, but always had to leave the city and return home to Nyack. I'd love to stay in Manhattan! Scot and I had our first date on Houston St. and got engaged in the same place! NYC is my very favorite city in the whole wide world!

I'm pretty excited about the possibility. Of course, I haven't been able to discuss it with anyone, but I'm sharing it all here!

Sounds like congratulations on both parts!! I'm so happy for you and your family with the news of your parents. It's always heartwarming to hear about people working their way back to each other!!

And enjoy the time share...I have never been to NYC but I would love to go someday!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Peach3es - That is great news all around! I sure hope things go well for your parents.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly or any other Caribbean Beach Resort lover...just hoping to get your thoughts on the resort. I have never been to WDW and picked WL because of the easy transportation back to the resort (for naps & ADR's).

My DH has been giving me a hard time about the $$ for WL and I am hoping for a discount. The Canadian discounts blacked out my dates so I was thinking they may be the same for the public discounts.

Is the transportaion bad for CBR?? Is the resort a pain to get around like everyone say's?

We love CBR, the other resorts we have stayed at haven't compared for us. We've never stayed at a deluxe, so I can't really say how it would compare to the WL. Although I do know that CBR has larger rooms than the rest of the moderates, making them the same size as the rooms at WL and AKL. So for a lot less money you would be getting the same size room.

As for the transportation, WDW transportation is hit or miss no matter where you stay - Value, Moderate, or Deluxe. No, CBR won't have a boat to MK like the WL does. It buses to everywhere. We had no bus issues whatsoever when we stayed there. The nice thing about CBR is that it does not share buses with any other resort, very few resorts are like that. And it is centrally located, so none of the bus rides are very long.

As far as getting around, there is a bus stop in every "village" of CBR, so you are never far from one. The resort is very large, but that's the beauty of it for us. There is also a "quiet pool" in every village. And the main pool has just been completely redone and it is huge and zero entry - like a deluxe. Plus the addition of the new children's pirate pool. And the rooms are all currently being redone. It is all very well marked and we never found the resort hard to navigate. Most villages are a 5 minute walk to the pool, food, & gift shop. A few are more like a 10-12 minute walk. There is an internal bus that you can take if you don't like to walk.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Ah! The UPS man just made my day!!!! I'll be back in a bit to show you why I'm so excited!!!!

 

[trixiequilts]

I have a question for all you WDW experts...

When we are in the world it is going to be "What will you Celebrate?" back in 1997?? they had the Cake Castle...do you think they bring it back for this celebration? Here is a picture I found..

I would be really sad if they did that...this is my first trip to the world and I really think the castle should be left the way it is.

OMG, I would be so disappointed if that was the first castle I saw.

 

[trixiequilts]

Ah! The UPS man just made my day!!!! I'll be back in a bit to show you why I'm so excited!!!!

What is it? What is it?

 

[crzyred]

Help! I can't stop second-guessing myself!

Lately I've been thinking about trying to rent DVC points. Have any of you ever done this? The thought of a one-bedroom villa is lovely. Putting the kids to bed and not having to be dark and quiet ourselves! It wouldn't cost that much more than SOG. On the other hand, we always stay in one hotel room together and it's no big deal...and I'm sure we'll be ready to hit the hay when the kids do anyway! Any words of wisdom for me?

We are renting points this trip for the first time. My sister is actually the one that has been in contact with the person, but it has been incredibly easy for us. She got in contact with them and they reserved the room and everything for us. We have a contract with this person for payment. We will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa at SSR.

It is also about $20 cheaper per person for us to do this. Yeah $20 might not be a big deal, but if you think about it, it's about the cost of a meal! I know that you can save more depending on where you stay and what type of rooms you want.

I'd say it's worth it to look into it.

 

[Dancegrl624]

What is it? What is it?

Once my desktop computer gets its act together, I will reveal the source of my happiness!

 

[trixiequilts]

Help! I can't stop second-guessing myself!

Lately I've been thinking about trying to rent DVC points. Have any of you ever done this? The thought of a one-bedroom villa is lovely. Putting the kids to bed and not having to be dark and quiet ourselves! It wouldn't cost that much more than SOG. On the other hand, we always stay in one hotel room together and it's no big deal...and I'm sure we'll be ready to hit the hay when the kids do anyway! Any words of wisdom for me?

I'm renting points and I think it's great. I found my person here on the DVC boards. I'm staying at a deluxe resort for less than the cost of a moderate! The only bummer for me is that if free dining does by some chance happen, we won't qualify for it. So if that possibility is important to you, you may not want to book it yet.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

 

[sharadoc]

I have a question for all you WDW experts...

When we are in the world it is going to be "What will you Celebrate?" back in 1997?? they had the Cake Castle...do you think they bring it back for this celebration? Here is a picture I found..

I would be really sad if they did that...this is my first trip to the world and I really think the castle should be left the way it is.

I was there then! They won't be going back to something that "different". They got SO MUCH BACKLASH for it. People cancelled weddings, and they got lots of complaints. The point of that "Pepto" castle was the 25th birthday of WDW - it doesn't work with all of the different celebrations they are pushing next year. I think that was the first ever "celebration" event they did. We got to register and we got a pin with the date of our first visit. I put a magnet on them and we use them on our fridge.

 

[distherapy]

Once my desktop computer gets its act together, I will reveal the source of my happiness!

You're taunting us!!!

MaggieD - hugs and prayers for your DD! I broke my wrist in college playing football for a sorority tournament. I remember I didn't cry until they told me I needed a cast and I didn't like any of the colors...

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Help! I can't stop second-guessing myself!

Lately I've been thinking about trying to rent DVC points. Have any of you ever done this? The thought of a one-bedroom villa is lovely. Putting the kids to bed and not having to be dark and quiet ourselves! It wouldn't cost that much more than SOG. On the other hand, we always stay in one hotel room together and it's no big deal...and I'm sure we'll be ready to hit the hay when the kids do anyway! Any words of wisdom for me?

I think renting DVC points can be a great opportunity. I just haven't done it yet!

I was going to say that Trixie is doing it, but she beat me to it!

 

[steffali]

Aw, MAGGIED! Praying that your dd is okay! Keep us posted!

I just got 2 amazing e-mails and I am praising God for both! First of all, my parents split last August, 2007. There were lots of issues, but during this time of separation, Dad found someone else. It's been a really rough year on so many levels. We didn't tell the kids about my parents because we needed a better understanding about what the situation would be like when we hit the US this December and my kids are so young and we're so far away.

I never stopped praying or believing that God would intervene. Well, I just got an e-mail from my dad. He and my mom are in counseling and taking the necessary steps to reconcile! I know lots of people wrote their marriage off, but I did not. It's a long road ahead of them...but it really does seem like things are going to have a happy ending!

Second, less dynamic but still exciting thing? Friends of ours wrote to tell us they've got a time share that they can't use. They asked if we could find a week while we're stateside to use it. All we have to do is get ourselves there! Hmmm...let me think about that one for just a second. YES!!!!! I think we can manage that! I checked out the website and they have places in Manhattan! It's always been a dream of mine to stay in Manhattan. I practially lived there, but always had to leave the city and return home to Nyack. I'd love to stay in Manhattan! Scot and I had our first date on Houston St. and got engaged in the same place! NYC is my very favorite city in the whole wide world!

I'm pretty excited about the possibility. Of course, I haven't been able to discuss it with anyone, but I'm sharing it all here!

What a great story, it's so nice to hear your parents are working things out. People are always so quick to give up on marriage.
Have fun in NYC!!!!! I love it there!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Okay, I'm off to make an early dinner and take DS to his last soccer practice. Tomorrow are class parties for Halloween. Saturday is trick or treating. Sunday is Church and the kids last soccer games of the season. Busy Busy!!

 

[sharadoc]

Help! I can't stop second-guessing myself!

Lately I've been thinking about trying to rent DVC points. Have any of you ever done this? The thought of a one-bedroom villa is lovely. Putting the kids to bed and not having to be dark and quiet ourselves! It wouldn't cost that much more than SOG. On the other hand, we always stay in one hotel room together and it's no big deal...and I'm sure we'll be ready to hit the hay when the kids do anyway! Any words of wisdom for me?

Hi Pluto_fan,
Have you considered the All Star Music Family Suite? I think it's a great, cheaper alternative. You'd be giving up the full kitchen compared to the 1BR Villa, but you'll have a kitchenette with microwave, fridge and coffee pot, and TWO bathrooms. (The villa only has one). Plus there's all the great activities and the nightly movie by the pool. Rate is only $184 a night before any discounts, and you can sleep six. The bedroom has a door to close, so you could put the kids in there, and hang in the living room while they sleep.

I'd love to do a villa, but I'm afraid to rent points. Not that I don't trust someone, but it's even worse than using a TA for me. Absolutely NO control over my reservation!!!! If a room discount comes out for January, you may be able to get a villa for the same price as renting points and have control over everything yourself!

We won't stay in a regular hotel room, so I always want to see and hear about suite options that won't break the bank.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Ok, this is why I'm so excited! The UPS man dropped off a Disney box to my front door. Off course, my DD saw it and wanted to know who it was for. I said it was for me, but I didn't know what it was (yeah right!). So, I locked myself in my room and took some pics!

Shirts and a hoodie for me!

My DD's fav princess (the white one is long sleeved)

A few more for my DD

That's why the UPS man made my day! Well, I thought I'd post a few more Disney purchases too!

Here is a pic of the matching tank tops I bought for myself and my DD (I love Target!)

And this is the sling back pack I bought for the parks (again, Target!)

I'm one happy Disney-loving chick right now! Don't worry, my back pack with have a LGMH on it before I leave on my trip!