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

[overthemoon4mickey]

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!!!!

Yeah were out of Bush too! We are in The Woodlands and Hobby is too far away. Dh is trying to see if we can leave a little earlier on the 8th. Cont. just changed our flight to leave 15 min. later. We are going to see if we can catch an earlier flight that day. If Cont. will allow it at no penalty!?! I would love free tickets but DH doesn't fly that much for business.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Becky, we flew out of Hobby once on a SW flight, didn't care for SW or the Hobby airport!! I loooooove the Woodlands!!! And you have a close Disney store!!! I love the little changing room in there. My little girl likes to just go in there and sit!! Ha! I think we may be due for a Woodlands trip--we haven't been in a while. Any good concerts at the Cynthia Mitchell Pavillion thing coming up? We could meet each other if I came over!!!! Yeah At the Disney Store!!!!

 

[jenjolt]

I also wanted to congratulate Shelly on her great discount!! I hope you are able to figure out how to get a voucher that would be great if you could sell them.

 

[coffeehousemom]

First Happy B day (day late) to Becca & to Wendy's DD Maggie.


Well its not been a good week for me snowbirds I could use some hugs. First DH has been having issues w his mom things are not good there. But the main issue is she is supposed to go to Disney with us in Jan. So here I sit wondering how to handle any & all reservations made for 5 if we end up only being a 4. So then to top it off tests came back from Doc yesterday I do have to go in for surgery next FRI!! It was either now or after the trip. So I really hope they do a good deal free park hoppers room rate whatever I really need some cheering up

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Airline question: A few weeks back, from Houston to Orlando was $368, they have been dropping over the last week--Yesterday was $268, today is $248. Here's the dilemma---how many days should I wait and see how low they go? If I get to say $200--and the next day it goes back up, I have 'lost' the savings. If you book and cancel with Cont. to re-book, I think it's a $100 penalty--PER Ticket! That's what the lady told me last year. So, how many days should I wait? What is the optimum time period before a date that the tickets are the lowestk? I know the last few years , we book around 12 or 13 weeks out and that's as low as they go before they start to increase again. But, with oil/gas dropping what should we do? Anyone wondering besides me?

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

Congrats on the awesome airfare, Shelly!

Anyone else have an opinion about the mods? From what I can see, I like the Coranado Springs one best so far...but none of them really stand out to me. I like Pop better! What are the chances that choosing a Mod on a discount over staying in Pop without a discount will work out better financially?

I feel like all the planning I did is flying down the tubes. I read everything there is to read about the value resorts. Nothing about any of the other resorts. I have to discuss with Scot and give my TA an answer since he'll be working his magic while I'm alseep!

We've stayed at CBR and CSR and I like them both!

CBR: We were very far away from the main building at CBR and I didn't like the hike or waiting to take the bus just to get a quick bite. The pools were all nice and the location to all the parks is fantastic. You are basically in the center of all the parks. At night you can see fireworks from your room or just down a path. The Food Court was similar to a mall food court....it was okay.

CSR: Very nice resort similar amenities to CBR with the exception that the food court was a tad more $$. But the food was worlds better than CBR...IMO. We bought 2 buckets and shovels one night ($1-2 each) at the gift shop and layed in a hamock together while DS and DD played in the sand.
One of my favorite nights! I think this one might be my fav. mod.



We are booked into POR but I have been thinking about switching to CBR or CSR. no matter which one we choose, I will request a building close to the Main building.

POR sounds beautiful but I wonder if it's going to look too much like home? Here in Houston we have the azalea's and magnolia's and all the lush green plants that POR has and I wonder if it will be enough of a difference to make me feel like we are on vacation. KWIM? If we stay CBR then it really feels different...hence....more like a vacation. Okay that sounds really whiney...but what can I say....wah wah wah!

 

[trixiequilts]

POR sounds beautiful but I wonder if it's going to look too much like home? Here in Houston we have the azalea's and magnolia's and all the lush green plants that POR has and I wonder if it will be enough of a difference to make me feel like we are on vacation. KWIM? If we stay CBR then it really feels different...hence....more like a vacation. Okay that sounds really whiney...but what can I say....wah wah wah!

I totally get the "I want it to feel different" thing. That's how I felt about CBR, sort of. We live in a beach town. Sand is nothing special for us, I vacuum up more of it than some people have ever seen!

That's part of why we chose AKV. I think I'm really going to feel that we're somewhere else.

 

[crzyred]

Electric Umbrella (CS)

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

I ate there for the first time on my last trip. We usually eat at the Seasons in The Land Pavilion (think that's the name of it). We thought both were fine. I personally liked Electric Umbrella better. Seasons, yes had a lot of different food, but I'm a rather plain person so nothing, other than their salad appealed to me.

And for those of you who don't know, the salads down there can be HUGE! Usually my sister and I split one and we still can't finish it off.

sounds like maybe it was Peco Bills

OMG...I LOVE PECOS BILL!!!!!!!!!! Whenever someone asks what I want to eat, my response is always Pecos Bill!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Becky, that was the same thought I had!! We don't want to look like we are still in TEXAS!!!! I don't think Mike will ever want to go to Hawaii, so I love the Poly. We also like the BC because it reminds him of going with his family from Penn and Jersey to the Boardwalk-somewhere I may never go--so we enjoy being there too. We really like being so close to Epcot at night. That's the only thing about the Poly--but,I am planning on being back to the room a bit earlier a few nights so we can watch the fireworks from the beach

 

[sarbah77]

Well its not been a good week for me snowbirds I could use some hugs. First DH has been having issues w his mom things are not good there. But the main issue is she is supposed to go to Disney with us in Jan. So here I sit wondering how to handle any & all reservations made for 5 if we end up only being a 4. So then to top it off tests came back from Doc yesterday I do have to go in for surgery next FRI!! It was either now or after the trip. So I really hope they do a good deal free park hoppers room rate whatever I really need some cheering up

Well, Kayte, we'll be surgery buddies! My date is next Friday, as well!!! I'll be thinking about you.

 

[snykymom]

We've stayed at CBR and CSR and I like them both!

CBR: We were very far away from the main building at CBR and I didn't like the hike or waiting to take the bus just to get a quick bite. The pools were all nice and the location to all the parks is fantastic. You are basically in the center of all the parks. At night you can see fireworks from your room or just down a path. The Food Court was similar to a mall food court....it was okay.

CSR: Very nice resort similar amenities to CBR with the exception that the food court was a tad more $$. But the food was worlds better than CBR...IMO. We bought 2 buckets and shovels one night ($1-2 each) at the gift shop and layed in a hamock together while DS and DD played in the sand.
One of my favorite nights! I think this one might be my fav. mod.



We are booked into POR but I have been thinking about switching to CBR or CSR. no matter which one we choose, I will request a building close to the Main building.

POR sounds beautiful but I wonder if it's going to look too much like home? Here in Houston we have the azalea's and magnolia's and all the lush green plants that POR has and I wonder if it will be enough of a difference to make me feel like we are on vacation. KWIM? If we stay CBR then it really feels different...hence....more like a vacation. Okay that sounds really whiney...but what can I say....wah wah wah!

I totally get the "I want it to feel different" thing. That's how I felt about CBR, sort of. We live in a beach town. Sand is nothing special for us, I vacuum up more of it than some people have ever seen!

That's part of why we chose AKV. I think I'm really going to feel that we're somewhere else.

I get it, too! I don't need to stay at the Yacht Club or the Beach Club - if I want Nantucket, it's cheaper to go to Nantucket! Ditto for the Cape. Those are too much like "home". So it'll be Wilderness Lodge if we upgrade, or we'll stick with CSR (or CBR if CSR isn't available for the HUGE deal!)

 

[BellaSoleil]

First Happy B day (day late) to Becca & to Wendy's DD Maggie.


Well its not been a good week for me snowbirds I could use some hugs. First DH has been having issues w his mom things are not good there. But the main issue is she is supposed to go to Disney with us in Jan. So here I sit wondering how to handle any & all reservations made for 5 if we end up only being a 4. So then to top it off tests came back from Doc yesterday I do have to go in for surgery next FRI!! It was either now or after the trip. So I really hope they do a good deal free park hoppers room rate whatever I really need some cheering up

I'm so sorry that you have to have surgery. I sure hope things get better with DMIL very soon!

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

This is an official quote from an email from my CAA travel agent,

I will be re booking at 5pm tonight. I called disney and they would not tell me for sure however when I said I would call back at 5 she said that would probably be about the right time. I will do whatever works best for you. Will let you know when it happens.

I had already given my other choice and what options I wanted and I asked to keep in the same price range.

Woo hoo!!!

I have no idea until I come home after 9pm tonight what exactly I will be getting but I know from above it should be good.

Depending on how good it is, I will have to buy her a great big treat. I am an "A" type person, and I have tried not to bug her too much.

I will come back and share with you tonight what my new package may be. We weren't even planning on moving resorts or any extras, so any deal would be welcomed greatly.

Remmy

Disney is being very tight lipped about what this discount is going to be. I spoke with my travel agent this morning and she told me she knew nothing more than I do - that "Disney is not saying a word." She's heard something about 5 today, and also 8:00 p.m. She told me regardless she will be working to make sure if we can use it, she'll get it applied. I guess that's why I love having a TA - I don't have to sit on the phone and wait - she can do it for me. Sounds like it's going to be a long night!!

 

[PEANUT1]

Shelly...my hubby is at work but when I talk to him later I will ask him about the travel credits.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Mods - I have only stayed at POR. We loved it. It's just beautiful, nothing like where I live, great food court. Fun extras, like renting bikes, boats; the boat ride to DTD. Buses were crowded for us, but it was MLK weekend when we were there last year.

So sorry to hear your needing surgery Kayte! Hope all goes well for you. We will be thinking of both you and Sarah.

DisneyMommy3 - don't wait too long on airfares!! I was just burned by NWA. On Tuesday, flights from Orlando to Minneapolis were $90 one way (I already have one way down). I was waiting on the dang codes, so I didn't want to book and spend more money if I was changing hotels, etc. On Wednesday they went back up to $144. Granted, not huge dough, but still. It can change any minute. If you can get a $200 round trip, I'd do it.
I have heard that after an election, no matter who wins, things in the economy will go crazy - like the price of gas going back up. It hasn't here at least as of this morning (thank goodness)! My DH is driving to WDW, so we'd love it if prices stayed where they are!! Good luck!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

8 !!!! Holy cow!! Well, you know the old phone lines are going to be jammed one way or the other!!! My little girl has gymnastics at 4:45, but 5 Disney time is 4 here--so maybe I can squeeze in a call before she goes. If it's going to be 8 tonight I might explode!! I think they are just tempting us!!! It's just odd that they would wait til 5. Wonder why?

 

[PEANUT1]

snykymom.....I understand what you are saying about YC/BC BUT....
I can't overemphasize the convenience factor of staying so close to EPCOT. It is really wonderful. Now that being said...for a little more you can stay at one of the monorail resorts and be really convenient.

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

Becky, we flew out of Hobby once on a SW flight, didn't care for SW or the Hobby airport!! I loooooove the Woodlands!!! And you have a close Disney store!!! I love the little changing room in there. My little girl likes to just go in there and sit!! Ha! I think we may be due for a Woodlands trip--we haven't been in a while. Any good concerts at the Cynthia Mitchell Pavillion thing coming up? We could meet each other if I came over!!!! Yeah At the Disney Store!!!!

Oh that would be fun! I love the Disney store and The Children's place is just next door! The Cynthia Woods Mitchel Pavillion is closed untilearly next year. It suffered tremendous damage during Ike! The top was torn off or left in tatters and the stage was completely wrecked! So sad! You should check out all the new growth along the water way. This year they are putting the Ice Rink along the water way behind the CWM Pavillion.
Are ya'll north, east, south or west of me?

 

[MAGGIED]

First Happy B day (day late) to Becca & to Wendy's DD Maggie.


Well its not been a good week for me snowbirds I could use some hugs. First DH has been having issues w his mom things are not good there. But the main issue is she is supposed to go to Disney with us in Jan. So here I sit wondering how to handle any & all reservations made for 5 if we end up only being a 4. So then to top it off tests came back from Doc yesterday I do have to go in for surgery next FRI!! It was either now or after the trip. So I really hope they do a good deal free park hoppers room rate whatever I really need some cheering up

Kayte..... hope all goes well with your surgery.... I have learned after being married for 20 something years that isn't much I can do to change MIL issues... I know how it can really put a strain on things... I hope it gets better for you and DH!!!

 

[snykymom]

snykymom.....I understand what you are saying about YC/BC BUT....
I can't overemphasize the convenience factor of staying so close to EPCOT. It is really wonderful. Now that being said...for a little more you can stay at one of the monorail resorts and be really convenient.

Oh, absolutely - I'd prefer the Boardwalk, though! Right now, unless the HUGE deal is really HUGE and not the $200 I'm thinking I might save, we're sticking with a moderate anyway. D's dream is to stay at the Grand Floridian, but something tells me that ain't happening - at least not if she wants to stay in college!