Julezdisney's Sept. PTR: Free Dining and my Birthday!

[2xcited2sleep]

What are the big changes???!!! Sooner rather than later? I must know! Update, Julez, STAT!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

You can't leave us hanging like that!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Julez, don't you know it's not very nice to be a tease???

 

[julezdisney]

Big Changes?????? I can't wait to read more about this!

What? That tease just is NOT nice! Spill the beans girl!

What are the big changes???!!! Sooner rather than later? I must know! Update, Julez, STAT!!

You can't leave us hanging like that!

Julez, don't you know it's not very nice to be a tease???

We are from around Quincy. About 4 1/2 hours from you. We finally visited Chicago for the first time last summer and LOVED it. Hope to go back this summer for a 3 day trip. Can't wait to read about your changes

Ok! Ok! The shame you all put me in!

Bunch of impatient little imps!

Here ya go!

 

[julezdisney]

SO.... my little Gnomies....and other readers....

You are wondering what the HECK I'm talking about right?

So... if you read my personal info links to my first PTR from last year, you'd have
seen that I mentioned that we have vacationed with my in-laws from California quite
a bit.

If you read my last TR, you'd have seen that we were previously going to do Disney
in December w/said in-laws to surprise DH but that it fell through due to the necessity
of buying a new work vehicle for DH.

And thus far, you know that we didn't want to pass up free dining this year.

What you DIDN'T know was that my in-laws had planned on visiting this June, and that
it got rescheduled to August. You also didnt know that my sister in law- who will be
a freshman in high school this August, is on a college-track and wont be getting pulled
out of school for vacations much anymore, thereby making the August vacation out here
to the midwest (from there home in NoCal) the only chance for my in-laws to see their
grandchildren for the first time in 2 years!

So TODAY, DH's dad calls him up and says that he wants to surprise my MIL with US during
their yearly pilgrimage to Sanibel/Captiva Island in Florida. Where's Captiva? It's an island
off the gulf of Florida that's accessible by car, and is part of the string of vacation
spots along the Florida gulf shores. It's a playground for the wealthy, as well. Here's a few
illustrations for ya- a map and also a typical house that one would rent to stay there. Very similar to the ones that we went to in 2004 and DH and DS went along with to in
2006.

Now, DH adores Captiva and Sanibel Island. I liked it, but I'm more of a doer than
a 7 days of chillin on the beacher. So I told Dh that Yea, I'd like to go. Sure, tell
him the whole week. DH said, Are you sure? I know you really wanted to do Disney. And I said,
well, if we cant afford to keep it, than I'll just push the reservation forward to Gnomefest in April,
and I won't be too disappointed because I'll know that's coming up, for sure.

But when we got off the phone, I really had doubts. I mean, when we went to Captiva a few
years back, Rach was a toddler, actually just barely- she was.... 15 mos old at the
time.... and Ebin was 2-1/2. And I was also in school at the time. So see... I had homework to do most nights,
and 2 toddlers to chase and care for....so I liked it back than, but with no homework
to do and a self-sufficient 6 year old and 7-1/2 year old, how am I gonna be happy with
that? I could do a few days, sure... but 7? I'd be twiddling my thumbs! I like to SEE things
and EXPERIENCE things.....

So I called DH back a bit later, as I was out doing errands....

And I said...."I don't think I wanna go for a whole week."

And he says, "I do! Sittin' on the beach doin' NOTHING for week?!"

I said, "Yea.... I like to Dooo STuff!"

And he says, "So we'll take a day or two to drive up to Disney. My mom would love to go,
I'm sure."

I'm like, "Huh?! That's like 10 hours away or somethin!"

Jiim says, "No, it's MAYBE 5 or 6."

I said, "Huh. Ok, than!"

So I quick get off and google map it. And what do I discover?!

That according to Google Directions:

Driving directions to Walt Disney World
222 mi – about 4 hours 6 mins

Thats It?! 4 hours and 6 minutes?! Seriously!?

So that's my big news. We get an all-expense paid trip to one of the most pristine
beach destinations in the country , and I fully intend on making DH deliver on 1, if not
2 days in Disney during that time. My wheels are already turning on renting a convertible
for this week in paradise, as well, as where to stay during our 1 overnight in
Orlando.

As for September.... it's in an iffy stage. But notice I said iffy and not OFF. We're
gonna have to wait and see for a couple mos on that one. Jim's job as a cable-installer
is kinda rocky right now. They laid off 8 guys and Jim is down to 5 days a week from
6 so we're praying that as people take advantage of the home buyer credit and start
closing on their houses, business will pick back up... we have no idea if we'll be able
to swing it or not so it's 100% wait and see and all that just happened THIS PAST WEEK!

But even if DH has to stay home and work in Sept... he doesn't know this but Im pretty
hell bent in my mind that I will be spending my birthday in the Magic Kingdom this year.

With or without DH... and therefore, DS. DD would still tag along. SOOOO

those are the big changes! Just like my last PTR.... I have changes before I've really
begun to plan! And AFTER the ressies were made! But at least I'm not thinkin' it's switchin'
to DisneyLAND or anything near as crazy as last year's changes.....

Oh and I got Disney Mail yesterday. It made me so happy. Nothin' like a mailer from
WDW to make you instantly perk up, huh? It just had the park maps, info on Pop Century, and
a fliar about ADRs. Don't you just love their mail packaging?

Phew! I'm exhausted from writing this! And now I'm off... to check out crowd calendars
for the last 2 weeks of June..... DH said the "week of the 27th" But then he didn't know if that was the week ENDING the 27th (a sat.) or the week beginning that weekend.....

Oh...and I need to think about some ADR's!!! With just a day or two, must maximize time and oppurtunity!!!

Oh so much to think about.... Toodles!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Wowee, I'm wore out just reading it. That's a lot to take in. The trip with the in-laws sounds very nice. I'm like you, I like to relax and such but only a couple days of that is plenty. It would be the best of both worlds if you got to do that and go to disney a couple of days. Hope you can still go in Sept. Hopefully your dh will be there with you as well,lol.

 

[ILuvCrush]

wow!! some serious changes! but not bad ones free trips are always a GOOD thing! And at least you'll get to visit rhe world a couple days...will you do your overnighter at POP still??

P

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I'm so glad you didn't keep us in suspense any longer! Sanibel/Captiva and some down time with the family sounds lovely. Of course, I'm a total beach person and a shell collector so Sanibel is perfect for me! Hurrah for finding the compromise of a day or two at WDW. Four hours is definitely do-able; and all the more so with a convertible!

And I do hope that you are able to cook up a way to spend your birthday in the MK. That would be magical! My fingers are crossed that it works out.

Can't wait to hear more about your June plans!

 

[kschafer]

WOW

Hurray for a couple days this summer . I'm with you, a week at the beach sounds like too much! A few days...sure, I don't think I could handle a week! WDW would be a wonderful break in the middle

Here's hoping September holds for you!

 

[Lady Lallie]

It wouldn't be a Julez PTR if there weren't major changes!

I agree, the beach for a week is not my idea of fun. I like to be on the go!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wow! Big, Big Changes! At least you still get to do Disney and even earlier at that!

 

[julezdisney]

Wowee, I'm wore out just reading it. That's a lot to take in. The trip with the in-laws sounds very nice. I'm like you, I like to relax and such but only a couple days of that is plenty. It would be the best of both worlds if you got to do that and go to disney a couple of days. Hope you can still go in Sept. Hopefully your dh will be there with you as well,lol.

Yes, I do love the beach and chillin' but..... a whole week is too much for me to do NOTHING. Blech.

I mentioned Sept. to DH this morning and he grumbled about money so I won't bring it up again until he's in a better (financial) mood but since Ebin will get to go this year, I think it's safe for me to continue planning for me & Rachael!

wow!! some serious changes! but not bad ones free trips are always a GOOD thing! And at least you'll get to visit rhe world a couple days...will you do your overnighter at POP still??

P

Yes, free trips are def. a good thing. One should never pass one up!
And I want the overnight to be at POP but we'll see.

I'm so glad you didn't keep us in suspense any longer! Sanibel/Captiva and some down time with the family sounds lovely. Of course, I'm a total beach person and a shell collector so Sanibel is perfect for me! Hurrah for finding the compromise of a day or two at WDW. Four hours is definitely do-able; and all the more so with a convertible!

And I do hope that you are able to cook up a way to spend your birthday in the MK. That would be magical! My fingers are crossed that it works out.

Can't wait to hear more about your June plans!

Yes, a wednesday visit to the MK would be lovely!

WOW

Hurray for a couple days this summer . I'm with you, a week at the beach sounds like too much! A few days...sure, I don't think I could handle a week! WDW would be a wonderful break in the middle

Here's hoping September holds for you!

I do so hope to go in September. It really depends on how Jim's job goes. It's finally hitting home for us! And yes, a wonderful break from relaxin' is something I'll need!

It wouldn't be a Julez PTR if there weren't major changes!

I agree, the beach for a week is not my idea of fun. I like to be on the go!

Yes, I'm starting to think PTR's might be bad luck for me..... The beach for a few days sounds like heaven to me. But a whole week? Blech.

Wow! Big, Big Changes! At least you still get to do Disney and even earlier at that!

Yes! STILL and EARLIER are the operative words!

 

[julezdisney]

So... I'm freaking out not knowing what days we'll be in Florida. Jim was supposed to call his Dad to let him know that our local airport flies out to St. Petersburg also to help him w/booking.... but we'll see.

So here's the hours for the Magic Kingdom the last two weeks in June/July for the time we may be there. I figure a straight in the middle of the week Wednesday visit would be good. Depending on if we leave EARLY in the AM on Wed. or later around the afternoon and return the next day around the same time, we may do the park on Day 1 or Day 2. We'll also do DtD for shopping and do the mini-golf that I've been dying to do before we head home.

Magic Kingdom is 9-10 each Wed/Thur. w/early EMH from 8-9 on Thursdays.


The Hall Of Presidents - Closed for Refurbishment [ Monday, September 11 - Wednesday, July 1 ]
Tomorrowland® Transit Authority - Closed for Refurbishment [ Sunday, April 19 - Monday, August 24 ]
Space Mountain® - Closed for Refurbishment [ Sunday, April 19 - Saturday, November 21 ]
[/I]

Now, Jim is very against the idea of spending the night there. But DAMN if I'm gonna be in Florida and not come home w/some Disney SouvinEARS! And if we leave at 5am and get there around 9, tour until lunch, resume touring... we'll be exhausted to be driving the 4hours back to Captiva! If we left around 9-10, then we wouldn't get back until 2am!!! Yikes! Why not say the night, grab a character breakfast in the AM... shop, play, and THEN go back, arriving sometime in the middle of the afternoon?

OR vice versa- drive out in the early afternoon, grab dinner and shop at DTD in the evening... play mini-golf in the cooler night, crash at the hotel and then go commando-touring first thing in the am? If we got enough done, we could be on the road right after Wishes, and since my MIL is from the West Coast, her internal clock could handle the drive back at night!
What's that website where the attractions schedule for the day is on? I must have it!!
​

 

[MEK]

Wow - I missed alot not being on the boards for, ummmmm, 24 hours! Well Julez - those are some big changes, but not necessarily bad changes. Sanibel will be lovely. I'm not a major beach person either, but that's probably cause I live 1hour 15mins from the beach and I've had one too many beach trips, so I know where you're coming from.

I think the sidetrip to Disney is great. And if you don't go there, you could always go to Busch Gardens Tampa. I think you definately need an over nighter, though. That's far too much driving for one day. Hey, if you get a one day ticket you could upgrade to an AP and be all ready for gnomefest. Plus you would have a ticket if you do decide to go in September (which I hope you do).

Anyway....keep us posted!

 

[julezdisney]

So this is a post w/me just babbling basically. Now I've been thinking about this June trip and am not only in desperate NEED of the exact dates, but also wondering if I can run there a couple times over the course of that week. Maybe one day for shopping & a character meal, and one seperate day for touring the park. Maybe no overnight at all. But than AGAIN, I priced an overnight with DDP for one night and it's not so bad!

Hmmm.... what to do...what to do....

I think an O'hana breakfast would be fun. Or a really late breakfast to make it brunch-y since we probably will be leaving early in the AM and hitting park at opening. Does the bakery on Main St. open before rope drop so you can get a snack/pastry?

Also thinking 1900 would be fun for a LATE dinner if we do stay overnight. That way, the kids could play in the pool in the AM before checking out and heading to shopping... if we stay overnight.

GRRRR! I need dates from my DH's dad!

JuleZ

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi!!! I hope I'm not too late to join in here.....it seems I got in in just the knick of time with all of your changes! Can't wait to hear more!!!

 

[MEK]

I vote for overnight and the DDP. But that's just me, cause I hate driving! Any chance you could go 2 nights or is that pushing it???? How about one night and a 2 day ticket? I'm just trying to think of ways to maximize your time there.

I'm eating Ohana's breakfast in June so I'll let you know how it is. I am hoping it's tasty and fun. 1900 park fare sounds like a good option, too.

 

[julezdisney]

Wow - I missed alot not being on the boards for, ummmmm, 24 hours! Well Julez - those are some big changes, but not necessarily bad changes. Sanibel will be lovely. I'm not a major beach person either, but that's probably cause I live 1hour 15mins from the beach and I've had one too many beach trips, so I know where you're coming from.

I think the sidetrip to Disney is great. And if you don't go there, you could always go to Busch Gardens Tampa. I think you definately need an over nighter, though. That's far too much driving for one day. Hey, if you get a one day ticket you could upgrade to an AP and be all ready for gnomefest. Plus you would have a ticket if you do decide to go in September (which I hope you do).

Anyway....keep us posted!

OooOOoOOoo....Busch Gardens Tampa!?!??! Whoa.... another idea..... dang, it MEK! I'm gonna be annoying the HECK out of my DH with all these ideas during his "bein' lazy on the beach for a whole week" vacation!!! But that's def. an AWESOME idea and I'll look into that!

Hi!!! I hope I'm not too late to join in here.....it seems I got in in just the knick of time with all of your changes! Can't wait to hear more!!!

Hi Kristen!!! Thanks for joining in! Changes are the case so far in my PTR's....

I vote for overnight and the DDP. But that's just me, cause I hate driving! Any chance you could go 2 nights or is that pushing it???? How about one night and a 2 day ticket? I'm just trying to think of ways to maximize your time there.

I'm eating Ohana's breakfast in June so I'll let you know how it is. I am hoping it's tasty and fun. 1900 park fare sounds like a good option, too.

When are your June dates again? And I was just re-reading my thoughts and I'm REALLY leaning towards an overnighter.... 2 nights would be pushing it because more than likely, it'll be me & the kids, my MIL, and my SIL. I imagine DH will be w/his Dad- it would be perfect timing for them to go charter-fishing!!

I'm gonna bug DH to bug FIL right now. I need those dates.

 

[kschafer]

I'm REALLY leaning towards an overnighter.... 2 nights would be pushing it because more than likely, it'll be me & the kids, my MIL, and my SIL. I imagine DH will be w/his Dad- it would be perfect timing for them to go charter-fishing!!

Here's a thought. If you have 3 adults in a normal room, there is a fee (assuming you are all wanting to share 1 room). This is not the case for DVC rooms. I just looked at the points chart and in June you can get a studio at Old Key West for 10 points mid week (sun-thurs). Lots of people sell points for $10 each, that makes a 1 night stay only $100.

We stayed in a studio last year at OKW and there is plenty of floor space for a kid. According to UG, OKW is the largest of the studios and the only to have 2 queen beds (the others have 1 queen and a pull out couch) You can also add the dining plan with a DVC stay. AND you can save a few bucks by getting your tickets through an offsite dealer like Undercover Tourist.

Heck, at $100/night I would be temped to stay 2 nights! You could arrive in early afternoon on day 1, do DTD (using snack credits for dipped pretzels!) and use one TS for dinner that night at one of the resorts. Have 1 FULL day at MK using both CS credits for your meals. That leaves time to hang out at the resort and use your last TS credit on a late breakfast before leaving. You would still get back to Captiva by dinner time.

 

[julezdisney]

Here's a thought. If you have 3 adults in a normal room, there is a fee (assuming you are all wanting to share 1 room). This is not the case for DVC rooms. I just looked at the points chart and in June you can get a studio at Old Key West for 10 points mid week (sun-thurs). Lots of people sell points for $10 each, that makes a 1 night stay only $100.

We stayed in a studio last year at OKW and there is plenty of floor space for a kid. According to UG, OKW is the largest of the studios and the only to have 2 queen beds (the others have 1 queen and a pull out couch) You can also add the dining plan with a DVC stay. AND you can save a few bucks by getting your tickets through an offsite dealer like Undercover Tourist.

Heck, at $100/night I would be temped to stay 2 nights! You could arrive in early afternoon on day 1, do DTD (using snack credits for dipped pretzels!) and use one TS for dinner that night at one of the resorts. Have 1 FULL day at MK using both CS credits for your meals. That leaves time to hang out at the resort and use your last TS credit on a late breakfast before leaving. You would still get back to Captiva by dinner time.

Katie- not ONLY are these AMAZING touring plans for a quick trip, but you also had me LAUGHING hysterically as I realized just how much you probably scheme in your mind about quick weekends away to WDW!

You rock though! And I'm running off to look at point charts right now. I got my dates!

Next post.....