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

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Morning all....

SHelly - good luck with the running around.....

I already forwarned my DH that if the deal is that good I just might go down to WDW with my DD and make it a girls thing.... he didn't like the idea too much but we'll see what happens... if good enough and if it extends into may maybe we will go for may after all..... i'm keeping my fingers crossed....

It does say the first half of January. . . So it might extend into May! But some are speculating just Jan-March. . . . I guess we'll see EVENTUALLY!!

 

[sarbah77]

We did Chicago in October a few years ago. It was COLD! and Windy! The call it the Windy City for a reason. But we had a blast though, shopped, ate, drank, shopped some more. Went to the American Girl store (we were with my SIL and her hubby and they have 2 girls). I was in Doll Hell. I am so glad I have boys!

Well, I guess my DH is lucky that my niece is currently just a hair over 24 hours old. No reason to go to the American Girl store! I've walked through Chicago once, years ago. We were visiting BIL & wife for Easter and I asked if we could go in to the city one day. Well. The ILs came with us but didn't want to be there. They walked as fast as they could so they could see as little as possible. The end result of that trip? My knee was injured so badly I had major surgery a few years ago. While I don't hold a grudge, per se, I just won't go anywhere with them again that requires touristing!

There really is a lot to see and do in Chicago. Winter can be tough, but I'd go if I was only 4 hours away. We've gone during summer - Cubs game, of course! There's lots of cool restaurants, museums, etc. My girls wanted to go to the AG store, but I've held them off. Now we are getting one here at the Mall of America - 20 min. from my house! Guess we'll be going.

Yeah, I'm very sure a Chicago winter is significantly more brutal than what we get in SE Michigan. But it sounds like FUN. I should look and see if there are any shows I"m interested in for that weekend!

So. I went ahead and booked it (one day sale, after all! ) and have some time to talk my DH into it. I started with the "Well, we do have season tickets for hockey on Valentine's Day but the sale IS good the week after. Wouldn't that be nice and romantic?" Now, he's the romantic one in the relationship. I'm the boring practical one, so appealing to the "we could do something! for Valentine's Day!" is the way to go.

Well according to Mousesavers the information about the HUGE deal is set to be released at 5pm. I tend to have good faith in the Mousesavers site...so I'm just going to settle until 4pm my time and see what it is!! Its Lecture day at school...YAY MITOSIS YAY!!! Then at lunch I have to get some homework done that is due at midnight...you would have thought day off yesterday get work done for class...nope not until I feel that last minute crunch...ewwww.

Ack. 5pm! I'll be on a plane! I sent my TA an "OMG PANIC sort of" email last night and she assured me she'd take care of it, but could I give her any additional resorts I'd like to stay in, in case there's nothing where we're booked? I ended up saying "anywhere is fine and if a deluxe rate is the same as what we have now for a moderate, that's FINE!" I hope DH doesn't mind. And since my parents are tagging along, I had to ask them as well. My mom's reply was "Grand Floridian!" Thanks, Mom, probably a little too rich for me!!

 

[Philharmagiclover]

Alright, so this has nothing to do with January, Snow or Codes BUT....I think someone said we were going to talk about booking other trip!!!

So, last night I see the ESPN weekend dates and they happen to fall on DH's birthday. DS11 would love to go...sooooo....I checked into the airfare and it's 178 round trip....I think I need to book a boys only trip! I mentioned it to DH and he said "please don't make me travel by myself". I reminded him he would be with DS but he is so afraid to fly he just locks up. He's flown several times for business by himself....I just don't know what to do....push him because I know the two of them will love it and have a great bonding experience or leave it alone and let the introverted engineer sit and rot with no quality time with his kid...hmmmmmm......ideas girls??????

 

[PEANUT1]

Good morning guys!!

I was just catching up and now I am excited about whatever this announcement today may be. I only need a room for 2 nights (jan 8-10) bc we are using our timeshare points for the rest of the week.

Shelly...I agree about CSR. I had a bad experience there as well.

Happy late birthday Becca.

Also, thanks to those who added me to their facebook account. One never has too many friends.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Good morning Snowbirds.

Well nothing on the DIS and nothing on Mousesavers so far. . . I really hope we don't have to wait until this evening to find out what the deal is!! I want to know now!!!!!

5 o'clock pm (EST) is what it says on mousesavers! So everynody just relax and enjoy your day in peace! Try not to get blisters on your fingers from hitting the refresh button every 30 seconds!

I'm off to the mall this mrning! IT's raining here and I need to go somewhere the girls can run! Our local mall is so quiet first thing in the morning - no crowds at all! Check ya later!

Have a great day all!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OH MY GOSH!!! I just saved another $160 on my airfare!!! My flights started out at $109 each way, then went to $84 each way, and now are at $64 each way!!!!! My official grand total round trip for the 4 of us is now $596!!! I saved $360 from the original price!!!

Okay maybe today's my lucky day and we are going to get an awesome Disney deal too!!!

 

[MAGGIED]

Okay so I have sat here and done the math... lets assume (that might be stupid) that the new deal is purchase 4 nights and a 4 day ticket get 3 nights and 3 day ticket free ... Currently I have a standard room with the AP discount, so with the cost of renewing my annual pass, the cost of purchasing tickets for the rest of my party, the room and dining the cost is $2958

if I price out this new deal... standard room, 4 nights, 4 day ticket, plus dining.....getting the three free etc...the price is $2723 PLus we would get the $200 gift card...

if I upgrade to a preferred room, 4 nights, 4 day ticket, plus dining the price is $2835 plus we would get the gift card....

does that sound like ti makes sense??????????? I was hoping they would just do the one day ticket then we could apply that towards another ticket... that would have really saved us money... but I can see why they won't...

 

[MAGGIED]

OH MY GOSH!!! I just saved another $160 on my airfare!!! My flights started out at $109 each way, then went to $84 each way, and now are at $64 each way!!!!! My official grand total round trip for the 4 of us is now $596!!! I saved $360 from the original price!!!

Okay maybe today's my lucky day and we are going to get an awesome Disney deal too!!!

Shelly that is awesome.... congrats

 

[PEANUT1]

shelly that is awesome!! What airline is that?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly that is awesome.... congrats

shelly that is awesome!! What airline is that?

Thank you!!

It's Southwest.

 

[snykymom]

OK, my turn to run the numbers (without tax):
I currently have a AAA rate of $119/night for 7 nights = $833
If it's the buy 4 get 3 free, at rack rate of $149/night for 4 nights =$596 for a savings of $237.

We already have our tickets, so if I have to buy a 1 day ticket for both of us, that's $150 which reduces our savings down to $87. On the other hand, I can return the tickets we bought from UT for a fee of $40 and buy all the tickets from Disney as part of a package.

If it doesn't include free dining (or free dining for the 3 free days), dining still doesn't make sense for us. If there is some free dining, then I'll take it!

And of course, the $200 gift card doesn't hurt!

Of course, this is the one night in months that I can't be home at 5!!! Anyone willing to PM me the deal??? Please???

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

OH MY GOSH!!! I just saved another $160 on my airfare!!! My flights started out at $109 each way, then went to $84 each way, and now are at $64 each way!!!!! My official grand total round trip for the 4 of us is now $596!!! I saved $360 from the original price!!!

Okay maybe today's my lucky day and we are going to get an awesome Disney deal too!!!

Congrats!!! way to go and save some $$$$....More mickey ice cream for you!

OOOOHHHH! I am so jealous! For the 4 of us the airfare was $1000! We really only have Continental to choose from at our closest airport. The other airlines are all way more $$$ and include stops. We could drive an hour south to reach another airport and fly Southwest but the prices were similar when we booked. On the plus side we do have a direct flight and that at least makes me happy.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Congrats!!! way to go and save some $$$$....More mickey ice cream for you!

OOOOHHHH! I am so jealous! For the 4 of us the airfare was $1000! We really only have Continental to choose from at our closest airport. The other airlines are all way more $$$ and include stops. We could drive an hour south to reach another airport and fly Southwest but the prices were similar when we booked. On the plus side we do have a direct flight and that at least makes me happy.

Thank you!

I think this is the least we have ever paid for airfare to Orlando!

 

[PEANUT1]

I am going to have to do some serious searching for good air deals so I can not take the train

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I am going to have to do some serious searching for good air deals so I can not take the train

Good Luck!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Congrats!!! way to go and save some $$$$....More mickey ice cream for you!

OOOOHHHH! I am so jealous! For the 4 of us the airfare was $1000! We really only have Continental to choose from at our closest airport. The other airlines are all way more $$$ and include stops. We could drive an hour south to reach another airport and fly Southwest but the prices were similar when we booked. On the plus side we do have a direct flight and that at least makes me happy.

Are you flying out of Bush? We are too- and we only do Continental. Southwest has a crazy route and it costs more. What's up with that? Oh well, that's who our reward point are with anyway-I think we are at 3 free (well not really free,! rewarded) tickets right now. So, we will only have to buy 2---unless we get enough between now and then-we usually don't have to but any!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Electric Umbrella (CS)


Customize Your Sandwich at the Topping Bar

Bacon Double Cheeseburger - with apple slices or fries $7.59

Double Cheeseburger - with apple slices or fries $7.09

Tossed Island Chicken Salad with mango, pineapple, and raisins, in a fat-free Italian dressing $7.19

Whole Wheat Vegetable Wrap with hummus, zucchini, lettuce, cucumber, carrotts, roasted red peppers, balsamic vinaigrette and apple slices $6.79

Grilled Chicken Sandwich - with lettuce and tomato served with a wheat bun with apple slices $7.19

Chicken Breast Nuggets served with apple slices or fries $6.89


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Offerings

Cheeseburger with fries $6.09

French fries with cheese sauce$2.99

Fruit Bowl $2.99

Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce $3.49
Chocolate Chip Cookies $1.59
No Sugar Added Brownie $2.39

 

[MAGGIED]

Electric Umbrella (CS)


Customize Your Sandwich at the Topping Bar

Bacon Double Cheeseburger - with apple slices or fries $7.59

Double Cheeseburger - with apple slices or fries $7.09

Tossed Island Chicken Salad with mango, pineapple, and raisins, in a fat-free Italian dressing $7.19

Whole Wheat Vegetable Wrap with hummus, zucchini, lettuce, cucumber, carrotts, roasted red peppers, balsamic vinaigrette and apple slices $6.79

Grilled Chicken Sandwich - with lettuce and tomato served with a wheat bun with apple slices $7.19

Chicken Breast Nuggets served with apple slices or fries $6.89


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Offerings

Cheeseburger with fries $6.09

French fries with cheese sauce$2.99

Fruit Bowl $2.99

Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce $3.49
Chocolate Chip Cookies $1.59
No Sugar Added Brownie $2.39

I have never eaten here.... anyone have any comments on the place...

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Alright, so this has nothing to do with January, Snow or Codes BUT....I think someone said we were going to talk about booking other trip!!!

So, last night I see the ESPN weekend dates and they happen to fall on DH's birthday. DS11 would love to go...sooooo....I checked into the airfare and it's 178 round trip....I think I need to book a boys only trip! I mentioned it to DH and he said "please don't make me travel by myself". I reminded him he would be with DS but he is so afraid to fly he just locks up. He's flown several times for business by himself....I just don't know what to do....push him because I know the two of them will love it and have a great bonding experience or leave it alone and let the introverted engineer sit and rot with no quality time with his kid...hmmmmmm......ideas girls??????

Hmmmm..... that's a tuffy!!! If he can fly for work, why can't he fly with the kids? Is it more scary for him to be alone with them on a plane with the responsibility that something would happen? My mom is like that-she'll fly with my stepdad(barely), but would never in a million years get on a plane with a grandkid. I think --honestly---she'd have such panic it would give her a heart attack. No joke-she really panics like that. If it would be too scary and your hubby and kid would be traumatized, don't do it. Just pray about it, maybe the Lord will give him the courage.There will be loads of fun once the plane part is over!!!!

 

[PEANUT1]

I just checked the SW site. If I go down the night before I was planning to go...it would be 716$ R/T for the 4 of us. That is not bad and it saves us almost $300 from what we were going to pay to take the train. But we won't have our car so I would have to rent one which would be about $150 still saving us $150...but then we'd need a hotel room for the extra night which would be about $100...still saving me $50 and then I would have an extra night, less travel time bc of flying.....hmm I am going to call hubby.

Thanks Shelly.