June, July, August PLANNING thread

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone

TP2, we are still here. Work was long and busy. asthma / humidity has hit. The big summer NASCAR race here is this weekend, so town will start getting filled up in the next few days. > also means work will be worse. Its like working at disney, taking care of kids from all over.
Glad to read you are almost caught up. I hate having to spend your day, working in the doctor office.

EE22, glad your here, sorry your trip is over. I hate that too. You had an action packed time. The dhs fireworks = the 1st incarnation, ended with the flury> and then a large air filled mickey (balloon?) was behind the chinese theater peeking out and shooting fireworks from his fingers. It was really my favorite show. I heard they only did it a couple of times a year now. So you where very lucky to see it. Now, would you go over the 4th again, or only if that's when the kids could go? Do you like the extra things or are the crowds too much?

Happy monday, with any luck, I will get cancelled tommorrow, (4 rn's on) and I get to stay home.

mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

Perhaps that was before the Hat was there?
I don't think there was a Mickey.

I didn't mind the crowds really...it's always busy when we are there. We have been there twice during the 4th. I guess I'm use to it. Remember...I don't know what a slow time is

Meds: I packed my vitamins in the s-sat thing, but kept my pills in the script bottles and just put them in them when I got there. I wasn't sure about TSA either. The MBTs worked GREAT and no issues with security.

TP2...good luck packing

Candi...you best be getting packing!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

yes EE22, it was definately before the hat. Guess I have been a disneyfile way too long. Even had movie music back then.
Did you meet up with any of our ladies? How did it feel to be staying at "home" this time? I am guessing exciting? Any different?

mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

I missed Mouseaddicts...our schedules didn't fit. I called her Sunday am and she was long gone from AKV for the Poly. I wanted to call her Sat night when we got in from the Studios, but the internet was down and her cell number was in a pm...I never put it in my phone as I knew I'd have the laptop. Go figure I did leave 3 bags of food and water for her at bell services so I hope she was able to use that. They were at Epcot and we were at MGM all day on Sat.

It was great to have all the room at AKV and the sleeping for the kids was GREAT with them in their own bed. I am not sure if we will stay in Jambo or Kidani for that reason next summer because Jambo sleeps 5 so we may just stay there and go over and check out Kidani.

It seemed rushed...maybe because it had been 1.5 years since our last visit. The kids still like all the thrill rides so that is more difficult to navigate. I think next time DH and I may have more down time and let the kids go to the parks alone. They will be 16 and nearly 18 and we don't have to go with them next year I wanted to be in the action though this time so who knows. I love the fireworks.

Loved SAB and that was a great first day...rested all day and relaxed with getting to the BC at midnight with our late flight. Next year DH and DS Will do Universal again for two days. I think if flights remain the same we would leave Th and stay at the BC again...do SAB on Friday and DH and DS would head to Universal for Sat/Sun staying at one of their hotels and then DD and I would stay at the BC until check out on Sunday and then move over to AKV. I don't like moving, but it wasn't too bad.

DD and I are also going to do a tour so perhaps we will do that on a day that we are alone from the boys...not sure yet. I think we would need to be fresh for that.

Meant to tell you too...when we went to MGM...can't get use to DHS reminds me of Dept of Human Services rather than Disney...anyway...we arrived about 8:30 (park opened at 9 am and we were at the rope drop at Sunset Blvd) and hit Toy Story for fast passes and to ride which worked well. It's much busier than RnR. That fast pass wait was not true either as it was broken AGAIN (all 3 days we were there is was broken!) so people were grabbing fast passes and leaving, but there were still fast passes left after lunch time for early evening for RnR. Toy Story: the fast passes were ALL GONE by 2 pm. I swung by there to see so you would know. It's a great ride. Very fun. They also shut down the single rider line when it gets busy. I thought you'd want to know for Max and also Candi's kids too.

This may seen "dumb" but I was more critical of the room and how clean it was since I "own" it I thought the vents could have been cleaned a tad more and also the ceiling fans. Weird...I know It's nice knowing though that we will continue to go back.

We had more issues this year with that than any other...just little things that went wrong...pics destroyed when delivered to the resort, AKV hasn't figured out the linked ressies yet, parking pass had the wrong date...little things that will be worked out I'm sure. They are not use to DVC yet at AKL that's for sure.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone, (or the few here now)

EE22 you must be more settled now. Thanks for the heads up. Would think it the opposite> opening single rider when more busy? Or should i say busier? after all you are a teacher. Sorry you missed each other, I am sure mouseaddict's appreciated that. What a nice gesture.

For our trip in March, I want to do the SEGWAY thing out at FW. That would be cool out there. We did the epcot 2 years ago, and it is alot of work, and hard on ankles and feet. So am psyching myself up for that. If it looks like it might be possible, I want to try.

Candi and tp2 > Have a great time, hopefully your about packed.

Still working on car ideas. use the questionable code with a great price or stick with the reliable ones that cost a fortune. Not sure how to decide.

Have a great nite, mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

mky: have you tried the hot deals tab with Alamo? That's how Tomar got a great deal closer to her trip and mine came down too. I started at $350 for 10 days and was down to $224. $139 per week for a full size.

TP2 and Candi...good luck getting ready. Vacation is a lot of work.

I worked for 2 hours yesterday putting away laundry!!

We leave for Wisconsin on Friday again. Constant mode of packing and unpacking around here this summer.

 

[tripplanner2]

Hi Guys: Our first 2 nights are at 2 different hotels and then our 3rd night we check in for the week. I am packed for the first 2 nights and for the pool. Food is packed but the suitcase for the week is still empty and I need to iron. DD4 has been a nightmare today. I took care of a neighbors 4 kids, one being a baby (only 1 year old). She was so jealous. Still hearing about it and they left about a 1/2 hour ago. I have all day tomorrow to pack and then early to bed, we leave at 5:00am!

EE22: Hope all works well on Friday.

MKY: I get nervous too. What if you play dumb at the counter, will they let you use another code or charge you full price? Never rented so I am completely lost at how it all works.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Good Luck TP2!! It never ends with the kiddos that's for sure. I hope the trip goes well for you.

MKY: I did the hot deals tab for our trip in August and it only goes to 7/22 so far, but it was about half of what we are paying in August. It was about 2 weeks before we left when Tomar and I got lower rates. No hot deals for Sanford but there were for Orlando and I just plugged in all my coupons again and got a better deal

Our parking was $55 for the entire time we were gone (12 days). Midway is $50 per day!! thanks again for the heads up on the parking at the hotels!

DH finally told me today that someone drove over our bumper at the airport parking not happy about that, but there's nothing we can do about it and it's our new car too...not even a year old yet no cool!!!

Paper released stats on displaced students by the flooding...17% of one of the high schools...that's a lot of students. I'm not sure what the districts are going to do what a mess. The K-8 students may be even greater.

 

[candizfan]

Wow I missed a lot the past few days.

EE22 - I am glad you had a good trip. Let member services know about your issues. They are very good about fixing problems reported to them by members.

We will be staying at AKV so I will let you know if we have similar issues. I have a linked reservation as well.

DH will be dropping us off, so I don't have to worry about the price of parking at Metro for this trip.

MKY - when are you planning on going in March? We are trying to set our dates but I am going to decide based on air fare. It might be cheaper to stay a couple extra days and save on plane tickets.

I have not packed a thing yet...gotta go...

 

[EEyorelover22]

Candi...let me know about the linked ressie. Maybe all the room charges aren't linked. I assumed that they would be though. We only got a check out on the door our last day, but it only had the charges for that last day too. Very strange. Otherwise, things were okay. It was odd, but good not having mousekeeping everyday. I hate when we would have to leave the room. I just had to train the kiddos on the towels a bit. Having the washer in the 1BR helped though too.

mky: by the way...I was hunting around and talking to the AKV guru again and saw pics of Kidani Village and now I see what you mean about the shower and tub. Yes, that is a nice feature and I'm sure it's because Jambo was converted. The rooms in Jambo have less square feet than the rooms in Kidani. Maybe we can stay there next year...can't wait and I haven't been home long!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone,

Candi, you need to get busy. 4 Days! and your at the world. I saw this am, while driving a giant harley and a girl driving it, it was a beauitful white / chrome one. And I thought "there goes candi"

EE22, I have not rented by alamo, I know the return is same as national, but do you go and pick out your own car like national or is it a counter and they give you the car? I get the same advertisment deals from alamo about deals, but what other codes are you using? Right now (please no flames anyone) I have my suv ressie with national and its $600. then the questionable code minnie gave me> is $324. for intermediate on emerald aisle (maybe something better or larger), and I made another ressie with avis for intermediate at $525. So I will have to be making a decision soon. National sends out alot of last minute specials too. But I find since we go for so long, alot of them we don't qualify for. I will try the #'s with alamo again thou, thanks.
Wisconsin now? Is this a track / field event? or vacation? Either or have a great time. Remember it gets humid up there too.

TP2, Good luck, be careful driving. Hope the girls settle down and help. Your still ironing. I try not to iron anything. Ok, vacation is one of the few times I will.

Happy wednesday! mky

 

[mkymouse4ever]

EE22, just back from playing with cars again, and alamo is not a good deal. using there $20.00 coupon and a couple of codes from mousesavers could get intermediate for $798. and using the ap code = $786.00 for the same suv i have = $1300. Will keep watching these, but for now not such a deal. Tried a couple of dollar codes too that is a little better but I am thinking I will keep my suv at national on the original code. This ify code is a great deal, but alot of contravsery= comes with insurance, which you can't refuse, but if something happens they check and unless your a foriegn traveler you don't qualify for code > means the insurance is invalid, and since you didn't waive it (or couldn't) > means your own insurance won't cover either. But of course if nothing happens and the guy doesn't notice the code or ask for passport > you could of used it without a problem. So I guess it comes down to no guts (definately chicken here) no glory.

mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

mky: flames?? from us??? are you taking about multiple car rentals? is that bad? I think I had like 4 at one point Ignorance is bliss I guess.

They never ask for coupons even from me. I think all of mine expired the end of June. Tomars were sky high anyway. I will see if I have any left or any other ones.

I know when we went in Dec of 06, mine never got any better and for one week is was over $300 for a full size car.

I also think you are too far out for the hot deals for Alamo...they only go through 7/22

DH and the kiddos decided WI was too much this weekend and don't want the pressure so they are just going to keep working here for next season. It wasn't meant to be. That's okay.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Did you hear about this?

As of July 16, 2008, no reservations will be taken for dates later than January 15, 2009. Reservations for January 16, 2009 and beyond can be made beginning on October 15, 2008. The exceptions to this are Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table and Victoria & Albert's which will continue to accept reservations at the 180 day mark. Word is that this move may foreshadow a permanent return to the 90 day ADR booking window

 

[candizfan]

EE22 - I will update you when we get home. I am hoping for smooth sailing.

The car rental thing is a complete pain isn't it. Here is what I have done in the past with some success.

Call the company and talk to a supervisor. Tell them about the rate that you know the foreign travellers can get (which by the way does not count for us Canadians - we are not foreign enough I guess ) and see if they will match it for you. If you have rented before, you might have luck.

We I use to travel for work, they would give me any car I wanted when I called for the reservation and always for the midsize rate - that was Avis. I drove a different car every week....the problem was coming out of a store or restaurant and having to read the tag to find out what you were suppose to be looking for in the lot..

Good luck...two days to go...just starting digging through the clothes to see what will fit the kids without having to do laundry every other day.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone!

Everyone is off having there vacations, EE22, I am kinda glad you back with me now. Sorry about WI but they probably want to rest with all the things going on around them. Those last pictures where scary. I could not imagine. I will try the new codes you sent. I have been doing the EA, AAA, Costco, AP, and codes on mousesavers.
I knew you guys would not flame, but got :furiouson: on transport board for asking a similar question. You never know if someone is reading and ready to pounce.
EE22, I almost forgot: your info about ressies> I thought you where talking about hotel ressies! I was like> I can't book March????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Then I figured it out meaning adr's> thats OK, gives me more time to figure it out.

Candi, should be gone today: Have a great time Candi! Not sure if I could pull that off, calling the company, I would break and so, ok I will pay it.

TP2, I think is gone or going soon, Hope you love your east coast visit!

Tomar, we miss you, hope your having a great time!

Minnie, hope your relaxing and having some

Mouseaddict's hope your having a great time!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

Hiya mky...just us here. Good thing we didn't leave.

Yes, the 90 days was for ADRs. I'm trying to figure out what the odds are that we can stay in Kidani next summer. No one knows for sure how many rooms will be in DVC inventory as it's not all sold yet. So...I guess I'll just wait and see what happens.

I figured you were talking to perhaps someone reading our threads. I get so upset when I ask an innocent question and get the wrath. I'm asking because I'm ignorant like I said. Ignorance is bliss. I didn't know we couldn't bring our mugs back

TP2 left yesterday I believe because we were suppose to leave the same day when we returned from WDW. Candi had to pack in a flash that's all I know!! Tomar comes home this coming week and I am not sure about Mouseaddicts and Minnie. I'm having troubles remembering my own schedule.

I'm down to about 1 month before school starts and so many questions due to the floods I might have to take up yoga this year or something!!

Cooler weather coming your way after we had some nasty storms last night and this morning!!

No idea when we are going back next summer. Waiting on track meet dates.

Why March? isn't it pricey that time of year. P&P Parties though.
Do you have a direct flight I hope? I heard that some flights get where they are going and then nothing to take them the rest of the way??? That's just not cool!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

hiya ee22,

Our flight seems to be holding and we are direct. Maybe cause ohare is hub for united? The time coming home was changed to earlier
I lose 2 hours > mky not happy March i am probably driving, tired of these flight things.

March> yes is more $$$ BUT our vacation at work is approved by Jan 31 for the year from march to march. So I can plan ahead and I already have it approved for next year. Its the hospitals rules not mine. Remember last year we did our extra trip in nov /dec and year before at halloween with all the parties. So if we go in aug 08' it is technically just 1 trip this year and 2 next (march and aug or july?).

Did you have the dining plan? or DDE? I want to do the dde again, but not pre-ordering card, will get at dtd. Did you eat at yak & yeti? we don't have an adr wondering if i should?

This is weird we come home on aug 16th (nite) and our tix expire on aug 16th. Wow, I must of planned that? We will get ap's in march & use for both trips if not 3

The big nascar race from here is this weekend. Town is crazy. Good thing i am working. Heard they ran the race around YOUR rain. Chicago, probably lost there olympic bid with 4th of july problems. Lots of gangs.

mky

 

[candizfan]

MKY ane EE22 - I am finished packing and just getting ready to head to bed.

We did all the packing last night and today and even had time for everyone to take a turn on the bike. Both of our daughters are hooked. DH and I were able to leave the kids home for a nice 20 minute ride together. It has been 14 years since we did that....

I can't believe how much I have missed the bike. It was a wonderful night for a ride.

I have to be up by about 5 tomorrow to get out of here on time. At least I don't have last minute items to still pack...all done. Plus I usually have to get the house ready and since DH isn't coming, I don't have to do that either

I will be thinking of you ladies.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Candi, sorry thought you went today already!
Have a great time!Your going to disneyworld!!!