June comes before August & the APs will still be valid! I think we're done here!

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

How about Feb?!!!!!

We can't travel in Feb. because DS has NO days off from school. We have to stop taking him out of school for WDW. He missed 2 days last December and it just seemed to throw off his groove. He has a TERRIBLE time figuring out what work he missed and getting it made up. Since we lie about why he was out we can't ask for the work ahead of time.

They don't even get President's Day off because they usually have state testing that week and they don't want the kids to have a holiday before the test.

 

[hematite153]

We can't travel in Feb. because DS has NO days off from school. We have to stop taking him out of school for WDW. He missed 2 days last December and it just seemed to throw off his groove. He has a TERRIBLE time figuring out what work he missed and getting it made up. Since we lie about why he was out we can't ask for the work ahead of time.

And now that he'll be in high school, catching up will be even harder. It's good that you're able to realize that he can't do this, even if it means it's harder to get to WDW.

We're going back in Dec. (18-24) even though during our last Dec. trip (just last year) we didn't think we'd do it again. I come from much colder weather though and FL just doesn't ever really feel cold to me whereas you're coming from the heat. But, that said, if you decide to go, stay in touch!

 

[Dizney73]

I truly did enjoy your live trip update! It gave me something to obsess over while I waited my turn to travel to the World! Next week... here we come! Of course, we just returned from Acadia National Park in Maine early this morning so I still have to unpack, do the laundary and then REPACK for wdw! And my little man had an allergic reaction on Sunday causing his first (and mine) cause of hives EVERYWHERE! They were so bad we took him to the ER. Still don't know what caused them. He is on Benadryl and Steroids... hope they go away before we leave next Monday!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

And now that he'll be in high school, catching up will be even harder. It's good that you're able to realize that he can't do this, even if it means it's harder to get to WDW.

We're going back in Dec. (18-24) even though during our last Dec. trip (just last year) we didn't think we'd do it again. I come from much colder weather though and FL just doesn't ever really feel cold to me whereas you're coming from the heat. But, that said, if you decide to go, stay in touch!

Our trip last December was a debacle right from the get go. I never did get excited about that trip, then we had crappy weather and lost luggage. It was a huge waste of airfare to go for such a short trip and have a crummy time. So I said we wouldn't go back in December. But if we went for a week while DS was on break it might be better. So we'll see. Chances are DH won't be able to get that week off anyway, so it won't matter! Bidding for vacation isn't my favorite.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I truly did enjoy your live trip update! It gave me something to obsess over while I waited my turn to travel to the World! Next week... here we come! Of course, we just returned from Acadia National Park in Maine early this morning so I still have to unpack, do the laundary and then REPACK for wdw! And my little man had an allergic reaction on Sunday causing his first (and mine) cause of hives EVERYWHERE! They were so bad we took him to the ER. Still don't know what caused them. He is on Benadryl and Steroids... hope they go away before we leave next Monday!

In all my years of being a nanny I had never seen hives. My little charge broke out with them a few months ago. I was blown away - they were the freakiest things I had ever seen. BUT then the baby came out with them a couple of weeks ago, so it was good that I saw them on the older child first! We thought maybe the baby was allergic to mango, but now they think she had rotavirus.

Hope your little guy is better soon!

YAY for one week to go until WDW!
I am still not packed for this weekend. Only have one weekend in between my trips was NOT how I would have planned it - that's just the way the dates worked out. I won't schedule things with just one weekend between after this!

 

[hematite153]

But if we went for a week while DS was on break it might be better. So we'll see. .

That's what we're going with. Maybe your DS can get you excited by thinking about how it's a celebration of being on school break!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

That's what we're going with. Maybe your DS can get you excited by thinking about how it's a celebration of being on school break!

We have been 3 times in December. The first time was a COMPLETE surprise for DS. It was a good trip, but it was pretty chilly (by my standards).

The next time we started planning for December it didn't start as a surprise, but then I thought it might be better if DS wasn't distracted by thinking about the trip so we stopped talking about it. I figured he would forget we were considering it. But DH and the friends who traveled with us made slip after slip so he DID know and it probably did distract him. That December it was HOT. Didn't feel the least bit Christmas-y!

Last year DH was the one who brought up going back in December. And if that had been our first December trip then it would ABSOLUTELY be our last. The rain, the cold, the lost bag...TOO MUCH!

So we'll see how it goes for 2011. DH's bid, DS's schedule, my vacation allotment. Lots of stuff to wrangle before we decide.

We are definitely not going back this year. Our next trip will be June, 2011, and then we'll see what happens from there.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DH just got a call from BAGS. The lady told him they are going to process a refund for $70 to his credit card. Very good. We'll see if that is actually what happens.

 

[princessallegra]

Thanks, Allegra! It was a prety good trip! Are you guys going back around the same time next year? We loved June!

Last night DH was talking about maybe June and December next year, but we'll have to see how his vacation bid goes. I swore we were NEVER going back in December, but if we go next year it would be for a week, not just a weekend (Dec. 17-23). That third week of vacation is already burning a hole in his pocket. Of course I only have 2 weeks of vacation, so I would have to see if I could negotiate for a third week.

Hi! Actually we are going back for 3 nights (if we have the money God willing!) for DH's birthday/MVMCP 11/18-11/21! I am soooo hoping we get to go. Other than that, we're hoping to do a 3 night Bahamas cruise on the Disney Dream in November 2011 for DH's birthday. We've never done a cruise together, and I've only done the Big Red Boat when I was 5! I can't wait to read about your plans for 2011.

 

[PNO4TE]

Our trip last December was a debacle right from the get go. I never did get excited about that trip, then we had crappy weather and lost luggage. It was a huge waste of airfare to go for such a short trip and have a crummy time.

Well!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Well!

Me too!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Elin and Bernadette, as much as we enjoyed seeing you ladies and our other friends, we were only able to salvage 1.5 park days from that trip. We spent the last morning jamming stuff into our Owner's Locker. I bet if I added up all the money we spent and divided it by the number of hours we actually spent in the parks it would be insanely expensive.

We gave up Christmas to go on that trip. We didn't put the tree up. DS and DH hounded me for presents when we got back. It was NOT pleasant.

 

[PNO4TE]

Elin and Bernadette, as much as we enjoyed seeing you ladies and our other friends, we were only able to salvage 1.5 park days from that trip. We spent the last morning jamming stuff into our Owner's Locker. I bet if I added up all the money we spent and divided it by the number of hours we actually spent in the parks it would be insanely expensive.

We gave up Christmas to go on that trip. We didn't put the tree up. DS and DH hounded me for presents when we got back. It was NOT pleasant.

Sorry it was a bust for you. Remember, I was only there for about 48 hours! I loved it all, including getting together with all of you.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Elin and Bernadette, as much as we enjoyed seeing you ladies and our other friends, we were only able to salvage 1.5 park days from that trip. We spent the last morning jamming stuff into our Owner's Locker. I bet if I added up all the money we spent and divided it by the number of hours we actually spent in the parks it would be insanely expensive.

We gave up Christmas to go on that trip. We didn't put the tree up. DS and DH hounded me for presents when we got back. It was NOT pleasant.

I have to admit a December trip always sounds so much better than it is in reality. I'm stressed to get things done at home and seem to always end up sick. I worry about flight delays due to weather here. Have to bring clothes for both cold and warm weather as you're likely to get both extremes on the same trip.

I think if I did a December trip again I would want to do it in place of Christmas/at Christmas but then it would be so crowded that it would drive me crazy and so expensive.

I would like to declare that I'm done with December trips but I have I feeling I'll be sucked into the lure of all those pretty Christmas decorations again.

 

[MrsHeg]

Elin and Bernadette, as much as we enjoyed seeing you ladies and our other friends, we were only able to salvage 1.5 park days from that trip. We spent the last morning jamming stuff into our Owner's Locker. I bet if I added up all the money we spent and divided it by the number of hours we actually spent in the parks it would be insanely expensive.

We gave up Christmas to go on that trip. We didn't put the tree up. DS and DH hounded me for presents when we got back. It was NOT pleasant.

DH and I had a great time with everyone, we only had Friday and Saturday in the parks, but we had our DD and her BF with us who don't get to go often so we maximized our park time. Friday was a soggy mess but it worked to our advantage, No Lines, we did everything in AK the first half of the day, followed by MK for the Christmas Party, being a Friday night I was expecting a crowd, not so, we did everything we wanted and more with no waits, and were lucky enough to see the parade that wasn't cancelled and Christmas wishes. Saturday we hit DHS, did everything there, DH and I met with all of you while our DD went over to Epcot and hit the big ticket rides, they met us back at DHS afterwards and we all saw OL, and then headed back to Epcot in time for Illuminations, so even though we were soaked most of the time the rain made it possible for us to basically do it all in a very short time period.

Thankfully this next trip we can take thing at a much slower pace,

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am just not one to cope well with rain. I can deal with rain if it is off and on, but that all day, non-stop rain combined with cold just is not my thing. And I don't so well with short trips, either. I would much rather go in the summer for 2 weeks. If it rains non-stop a couple of days, no big deal. But with only 3.5 park days total, only being able to utilize 1.5 days was a problem. We lost a good chunk of Friday AM trying to figure out what happened to our luggage with the shoes, jackets, etc. Since they didn't call when they found the bag we had that worry the whole time we were at Epcot.

Saturday was not too bad - we bought umbrellas as soon as we got to the park. Lunch was delightful! The Lights were cold and crowded, but that is to be expected. Sunday at MK was good, and our plan to spend Monday AM at AK was cancelled due to getting the Owner's Locker and trying to cram everything in there that wouldn't fit in the luggage. Definitely not our best trip. And because we go every year I am more critical of trips that don't go well. If we are going to pay airfare we might as well get a LONG trip out of it.

Bernadette, I am not sure if the crowds would put me over the edge if we went Dec. 17-23. And the chances of DH being able to secure that week off are pretty slim.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Bernadette, I am not sure if the crowds would put me over the edge if we went Dec. 17-23. And the chances of DH being able to secure that week off are pretty slim.

In 2006 we came home on the 17th (I remember because it is my sister's birthday) and the crowds were bigger than I liked. Why not stay for Christmas Day and beyond for a longer trip if you go those dates?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

In 2006 we came home on the 17th (I remember because it is my sister's birthday) and the crowds were bigger than I liked. Why not stay for Christmas Day and beyond for a longer trip if you go those dates?

Because the DVC points jump. Also because Christmas is on a Sunday in 2011. DH will be off Christmas Eve (Saturday) but if any of his accounts are open on Sunday he will have to work. Absolute best case scenario would be that he would have to work Monday the 26th and I would have to work the 27th. I don't want to fly home on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, so we'll go home the 23rd.

NONE of that will happen if I don't get a third week of paid vacation, or if DH can't get that week during the bid. He can only bid for 2 weeks during the first round, then he bids for the third week in round 2 so the weeks that are left are mostly scraps. I guess he could bid for one June week and one December week in the first round, but I would rather have 2 June weeks and skip December as opposed to having one week in June and one week in December.

I would like to go sometime for Spring Break, but I wouldn't know for sure if we could go until December. Not knowing until December if we could travel in March would give me stress. And airfare tends to be really high in March. But we'll see.

EDIT: Spring Break airfare is $1000 round trip for the 3 of us. And we would have to pull DS out of school on Friday to be able to go on the cheaper flight.

 

[PghLybrt]

Sorry, I never think about the whole school thing. I should probably start. My nephews are getting to a point that they bring homework with them when we go. The problem usually is that I can't go when they have school breaks because that is when I am busy at work!

So from reading I guess you would never just fly in for the day? We actually did this when we bought DVC. We flew down signed our paperwork , hung out at Epcot and spent the night at the poly. Next day we got up and drove toMiami! We were meeting family for a cruise.

I have to say, that might be one of my favorite days we ever spent down there. We actually had nothing planned and honestly didn't do much of anything. It was really nice. (It did help that the flight to orlando was cheaper than to Miami and the rental car was not much either.) We did have to suck it up and pay for the room at the Poly, but I did always want to try it. My Mom NEVER let us stay on property! So when I started going by myself I have wanted to try all of the resorts.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Sorry, I never think about the whole school thing. I should probably start. My nephews are getting to a point that they bring homework with them when we go. The problem usually is that I can't go when they have school breaks because that is when I am busy at work!

So from reading I guess you would never just fly in for the day? We actually did this when we bought DVC. We flew down signed our paperwork , hung out at Epcot and spent the night at the poly. Next day we got up and drove toMiami! We were meeting family for a cruise.

I have to say, that might be one of my favorite days we ever spent down there. We actually had nothing planned and honestly didn't do much of anything. It was really nice. (It did help that the flight to orlando was cheaper than to Miami and the rental car was not much either.) We did have to suck it up and pay for the room at the Poly, but I did always want to try it. My Mom NEVER let us stay on property! So when I started going by myself I have wanted to try all of the resorts.

DS is a good student, but he is easily distracted so pulling him out of school is a bad idea from 2 angles. Bad because he gets distracted thinking about the trip, and bad because he has a terrible time getting back in the groove after the trip. But also we have ridiculous truancy laws. We took him out for 4 days in 4th grade and the district sent me this UGLY letter saying I had to attend a parent education meeting and additional absences would result in a Class C misdemeanor charge and a $500 fine. Our attorney laughed about it, but if they would have brought charges it would have been a pain in the butt to fight.

With 3 of us, and "cheap" airfare coming in around $650 total no matter which airline we fly or how long we stay, the short trips really are a waste. I can mentally hear the seconds ticking on the short trips.

With DS's schedule and DH having to bid for his weeks it really is a pain to coordinate our trips. Hopefully my bosses will be open to giving me another week of time off instead of a pay increase for next year, then if we CAN coordinate the weeks we will plan to go twice.