June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

Hello, friends. How has everyone been? I'm just getting better from being sick in bed for the past week! I had the flu and then right when I got over that I got strep throat! Then, I got hives and couldn't breathe, long story short I'm allergic to the medicine they give you for strep throat. I'm finally starting to feel human again though!

My grandmother has been very ill too, in and out of the ICU. We don't know how much longer it will be. Amanda is flying home for the weekend, I guess to say goodbye to her. Maybe I'm in denial but I don't believe she's going anywhere.

Summer trip plans are finally underway. Gave up on the parents. I don't know where they'll end up. My friends and I (including Amanda) are going to California May 19!! We're going to do Disneyland and L.A. We have another friend who just moved to L.A. so we're going to stay with him 3 nights and then we're looking for an affordable hotel for the other 4 nights. Any suggestions? I've never been to Disneyland, I'm really looking forward to it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

valentine2.gif
 
We'll miss you! We'll be on board the magic. May 19 is taylors bday.
For hotels around disney, there are so many. Right now disney is offering a free night with stays, so I suggest using their website and checking out the good neighbor hotels. I used expedia once and got a hotel for $50/night. I can't remember the name and it really wasn't a fabulous place. BUT, since we spent all of our time at the park, it worked for us. Since that is a week day before memorial weekend, you should be able to find a good deal. I hope you have a great time. I am going to dland in march so I'll do some recon for you and post back. Glad your feeling better.

Steph
 
Hi everybody. I found this on another thread. FYI . . .

A report in today's Orlando Sentinel indicates that the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has granted approval to selling timeshare ownership in Disney's $110 million dollar expansion at the Contemporary Resort. This 281-unit addition will reportedly be known as Kingdom Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

The article by Jason Garcia of the Sentinel sheds additional light on the project:

Disney says in the documents that it will sell the time shares in phases, beginning with an initial 75 units. The Kingdom Tower, which will connect to the existing Contemporary via a fifth-floor pedestrian bridge, will ultimately contain 281 units, according to the filings.

A spokesman for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which awarded a time-share license to the Kingdom Tower project earlier this month, said Disney has now been cleared to start selling units at any time.

"They can begin," department spokesman Sam Farkas said.


Garcia also reveals that Disney incorporated "Kingdom Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort Condominium Association" back in January.

The filing reveals other details regarding amenities at the resort. Cited are a swimming pool with a maximum occupancy of 180, two hot tubs and a 104-foot water slide. Elsewhere Disney is constructing two tennis courts, two shuffleboard courts, two bocce ball courts and a barbecue pavilion.

The report also indicates that early points charts submitted to the state show that "guests will have to spend more points to rent one- and two-bedroom units at the Kingdom Tower than any of Disney's other existing time shares."

Construction permits previously indicated that the new Contemporary tower will be under development into the fall of 2009. The Kingdom Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort would be the ninth Disney Vacation Club resort offered to the public

As part of its legal filings, Disney Vacation Development is required to disclose the maximum number of points that a DVC member would have to spend in order to book a single night at a given resort. DVCNews has obtained a copy of the Maximum Reallocation Chart which includes the "Kingdom Tower Resort."

DVC uses a point system to determine the cost for a single night in any of its resort rooms. The cost will vary depending season and night of the week. However, DVC could conceivably reoganize the points such that every single night of the year costs the same amount to members. That cost is revealed in the Maximum Reallocation Chart.

Following are the Maximum Reallocation amounts for all of the Walt Disney World-based DVC resorts:



OKW BWV (Standard) BWV (Preferred) VWL BCV SSR AKV KTV
Studio 15 15 18 18 18 16 15 16
One Bedroom 30 30 36 36 36 32 36 39
Two Bedroom 40 40 46 46 46 41 45 54
Grand Villa 65 n/a 100 n/a n/a 90 99 96



Based upon the data above, it appears that the average One Bedroom villa at the Contemporary's Kingdom Tower Villas will cost 8% more than BWV(p), VWL, BCV. A Two Bedroom villa will be at least 17% higher than all other resorts.

Note that the absence of separate room categories for Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas (Value, Standard, Savanna, Concierge) suggests that the figure presented is an aggregate of all rooms that are scheduled to be declared into inventory. It is likely that the Kingdom Tower Villas will also have multiple views available, perhaps Magic Kingdom View, Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Therefore, even though the KTV Two Bedroom is listed as being 17% higher than the same room at the Beach Club Villas, a room with a Magic Kingdom view may, in fact, have a nightly cost much greater than 17% above BCV.

The complete points charts, including DVC seasons and weeknight vs. weekend stay values should be released as sales officially begin.

UPDATE: There seems to be some confusion regarding the value of the data presented here. Let me take a moment to try and explain a bit more clearly.

The figures presented above represent the amount that it would cost to spend a single night in the indicated resort and room size if the points were equal for every night of the year. For example, by using "Caskbill's" DVC Planner, we can determine that the number of points required to spend all of 2008 in a Two Bedroom villa at the Beach Club is 16760. Divide 16760 by 366 days and you get 45.79 points per day on average. Round-up and the average daily point stay is equal to the 46 points per night cited on DVC's Maximum Reallocation Chart.

DVC has the right to reallocate the points charts as they see fit. This document is part of DVD's disclosure to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Effectively DVC is saying that worst-case, the most a member will ever pay for a BCV two bedroom villa is 46 points per night if the charts were completely flat.

The same will hold true for the Kingdom Tower Villas. DVC will still have multiple seasons and probably multiple room categories as well. There will be nights when you can get a Two Bedroom villa for much less than the 54 points stated here, and other nights when it will cost much more. The 54 points per night is simply an average.

The true relevance in this data lies in comparing one resort to another. KTV's nightly average is 17% higher than the average for the Beach Club or the BoardWalk preferred. While the exact points chart remains a mystery, we have a ballpark figure to work with rather than being forced to speculate whether the Contemporary points will be 5% higher or 80% higher.
 

Thanks for the information on contemporary. Looks interesting.

Just returned from a week at our timeshare in the New Forest Hampshire. Had a great time and the weather was wonderful for early March.

Since we returned home it has been dreadful with storms and heavy rain yesterday and a lot of damage particularly along the coast. The wind was 80 plus mph and not nice at all.

Had a phone call from my eldest daughter while way skiing in France and she is now engaged to her boyfriend and they have everything sorted out for a wedding on th 1st November 08. They have booked a country house hotel all 12 rooms from the Friday until Sunday with the wedding on the Saturday. The hotel has haunted bedroom which apparently I have been allocated to sleep in on halloween night. you can view the hotel at www.Eastlodge.com.

Well more planning with the E/B Panama, then the wedding and then we are all on the 13th December Westbound Magic which will be great.


We have booked the Grand Californian for the couple of nights before the cruise in August and rather wanted to visit the Queen Mary but Disney for once are not being at all helpful. No email contact for the hotel and all that has been suggested is we wait until we get there and then ask.

This really is not like Disney and am a bit disappointed.

Never mind, hope everyone is doing well.
Bren
 
Brenda, congrats to your daughter!! Sounds very exciting!!

On another note, I will be looking for some DVC points in another month or so for a big family trip I'm planning in April of 2009. I'll want to purchase at least 225 DVC points from someone (maybe more) - think they're going for about $10 per point.

I've never done this, but I think it should be an easy transaction - no need to make any reservations. I just pay you a deposit, you transfer the points to me, and I pay you the balance. I'm calling Disney to confirm the process, but it sounds easy.

Let me know if anyone is interested. Thanks!

Jodie
 
Hi Everyone,
It has been awhile. I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Brenda your post about the Brits was too funny. I am starting to get nervous about our trip to Disney in July 2008. I have made 1 dinner reservation at the Yatchsman Steakhouse for DMIL 80th birthday celebration. Can anyone else recommend any other places to dine. We would like to do one or two character meals, Chef Mickey, Lilo and Stitch, Princesses? Also thinking of trying to book the pontoon boat for the Illuminations show. Would this be worthwhile. We will be there from July 19th-July 27th. Then we are going on the 4 night Wonder cruise. We also want go to a water park one day and maybe Universal Studios one day. Is this doable? Universal has special prices for tickets right now - 85.99 for unlimited admission. Or should we just make this trip about Disney. Too many decisions like trying to schedule the Med excursions. Any help from you seasoned Disney fans would be great. Should I invest in any tour plans like from tour guide Mike? Thanks.

Hi Carol,

Our favorite dining spot in all of WDW is the Contemporary Grill. If possible, book it during the MK fireworks...they dim the lights and pipe in the music into the restaurant. Alternately, you can walk out onto the balcony and watch. Our favorite character meals were at the Grand Floridian and Crystal Palace. It really depends on the characters you want to see. The pontoon cruise would be a good option since the crowds will be big during the summer and finding a good viewing spot would be tougher without staking out the spot an hour or two in advance.

If you do one of the Disney water parks, go early. By late morning all the chairs are usually taken up and it's pretty packed. Blizzard Beach is my favorite park but tends to be busier because it's newer and has more thrilling attractions. Typhoon Lagoon is more laid back.

On tour plans, don't bother. The BEST thing you can do is get to the parks early...avoid them if possible in mid day (hot, humid) and then go back out in the evening. I personally also avoid the Early Entry parks, or if I go, I leave them by 11 am and go to another park. Ride the Fastpass attractions early, get Fastpasses as soon as your window opens up. Save the non-Fastpass attractions, especially the indoor air conditioned ones, for the hottest parts of the day. As an example, Hall of Presidents, American Adventure are great respites. :-)
 
Hi Carol,

Our favorite dining spot in all of WDW is the Contemporary Grill. If possible, book it during the MK fireworks...they dim the lights and pipe in the music into the restaurant. Alternately, you can walk out onto the balcony and watch.

Hi Jeff. How are you guys?

Are you talking about the California Grill? We've never had dinner there. Can you go for just dessert? The fireworks are at 10:00 - too late for dinner for us. Is the balcony open to everyone, or just those dining in the restaurant?

We're getting ready to go to WDW for Spring Break - am counting down the days!!!

Jodie
 
Hi Jeff. How are you guys?

Are you talking about the California Grill? We've never had dinner there. Can you go for just dessert? The fireworks are at 10:00 - too late for dinner for us. Is the balcony open to everyone, or just those dining in the restaurant?

We're getting ready to go to WDW for Spring Break - am counting down the days!!!

Jodie

Hay Jodie,

What are the dates that you are going to WDW?

We are going the week after Easter.
 
Hi Jeff. How are you guys?

Are you talking about the California Grill? We've never had dinner there. Can you go for just dessert? The fireworks are at 10:00 - too late for dinner for us. Is the balcony open to everyone, or just those dining in the restaurant?

We're getting ready to go to WDW for Spring Break - am counting down the days!!!

Jodie

We're doing great Jodie thanks. We're doing another Disney cruise this summer (June 8th Mexican Riviera) and have been having fun planning that. Yes, I meant the California Grill. We've eaten there at least 20 times...you'd think I could get the name right! :blush:

I am pretty sure, but not positive, that you can do dessert only. The balcony is only open to CG guests though. In fact, in the last few years they've changed the setup to where you can't even access that level unless you have a CG person take you up.

Other excellent places to eat are:

Epcot: LeCellier
Animal Kingdom Lodge: Boma
Boardwalk: Flying Fish Cafe
Wilderness Lodge: Artist Point
 
Hay Jodie,

What are the dates that you are going to WDW?

We are going the week after Easter.

We'll be there with you. Where are you staying? We're all over the place this time - Fri and Sat before Easter at Fort Wilderness; Sun, Mon - Animal Kingdom; Tues, Wed, Thurs nights Beach Club Villas.

I'm ready for some warm weather and sunshine. This winter feels like its gone on forever.

Jodie
 
Yep -I'm on the June 8th cruise... and now Jeff and his family are going.....

Virgil
pirate:
 
Hay Jodie,

How about the Olive Garden for dinner one night? Did you rent a car? If not, I rented a car & can pick you guys up at your hotel?

I would love for you to meet my DH.

Is PJ's sister going to be in Disney that week?
 
Hey all...
Sounds like everyone is doing great. Congrats on the engagement brenda.

I wrote down the wdw restaurant selections. I've been looking for some good recommendations.
Won't anyone be down on the 8th or 9th of may??? Thats when we'll be there for the first time...well my second.

Glad all is well. Have fun on the riviera cruise.

Steph
 
Hay Jodie,

How about the Olive Garden for dinner one night? Did you rent a car? If not, I rented a car & can pick you guys up at your hotel?

I would love for you to meet my DH.

Is PJ's sister going to be in Disney that week?

Believe it or not, we have reservations every night!! What day do you get there? We get there Friday the 21st - late afternoon. We have reservations at the Trails End buffet (at Fort Wilderness) that evening at 6:00 (the only night we're not in the parks). Would you be interested in meeting us there? Since they aren't in the parks, and don't get too busy, I could probably just add you to our reservation if you want. If that doesn't work, PM me and we can figure something else out. Would love to get together!!

I'm gonna PM Lauren and ask her if Amanda will be working. I'm guessing that Lauren's break was earlier and that shes probably back in college.

Jodie
 
Hey all...
Sounds like everyone is doing great. Congrats on the engagement brenda.

I wrote down the wdw restaurant selections. I've been looking for some good recommendations.
Won't anyone be down on the 8th or 9th of may??? Thats when we'll be there for the first time...well my second.

Glad all is well. Have fun on the riviera cruise.

Steph

Hey Steph. Are you going to Epcot? One of our favorite places to eat is the food court in the Land Pavilion (near Soarin). Its just counter service, but I swear its some of the best food in all of Disney - and compared with the sit down restaurants, its cheap. We always have lunch there.

Aren't you just doing 2 parks? Can't remember which ones?

Can you pack me in your suitcase and bring me with you?

Jodie
 
Hello, friends. :grouphug: How is everyone?

It's been a VERY long past month for me. I think I posted that I was out of school with the flu and then strep throat and that my grandma wasn't doing well. She did pass away on February 17. Amanda flew home to see her but by the time she got here my grandma was already mentally gone. She didn't recognize us and she couldn't really speak. That's been really hard for Amanda since she never got to say goodbye to her. She passed away at Hospice. She was 77 years old. We miss her a lot every single day. :sad1:

I had a little computer mishap these past couple of weeks. My Senior Research Project was due this past Wednesday, a 30 page paper. I finished it and (long story) my computer deleted it because it got a virus! So, I ended up having to write the whole paper twice.

This weekend I have my teacher certification test, the Praxis. I've been studying for it like crazy!!

With everything that's been going on all of my other plans have more or less been put on hold. I was supposed to be in Disney the week after Easter, we had a reservation at the All-Stars, but I had to cancel it. I just don't have the money right now. But Jodie and Patricia...I'm sure Amanda would love to see y'all again! Maybe I can let you know her schedule or something.

Hope everyone is doing well. I sure wish it was last year at this time and I was getting ready for an 11 night Mediterranean cruise!
 
Thanks for the epcot info...I have big plans in short time. We are doing 4 parks in 2 days. Wish us luck.
We get in at 7am to MCO, and the parks open at 9am. I have every intention of being at AK at 9am. 1st night Magic Kingdom is open until 11pm so I feel that we can stay at AK until 3:30 if we need to, then head over to MK and finish out that night. Next day we will do Hollywood studios in the am then Epcot in the late afternoon evening. Unfortunately on friday all parks close at 9pm! What kinda crazy is that?
Based on that...we won't really be sitting to eat...eat and run eat and run. Who needs rest when we'll be on a cruise for 15 days right after. I can sleep then right?!?

And yes, jodie..we'll swing thru and pick you up.

Lauren, sorry to hear about your grandma. It's hard to lose people. If your sister or you will be working may8/9 let me know. We'll try to catch up and say hi!

On a bright note, my plan to lose weight before this cruise is happily going along. I have lost just about 40lbs. Hoping, of course, to gain it all back while on board...;) NO, just kidding. I plan to continue to work out to work off the alcohol and multiple desserts. We already have a group walk/jog every morning set up.

OH, and remember VTiffany..she'll be on this cruise too and we are sharing a car to the port. Very exciting to catch up with our past cruisers.

Thats all for now. Have a great easter and wonderful spring break!

Steph
 

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