Katrina cancelled my first trip with wife

[CajunBug]

Well, the wife and I were scheduled to go to the Dolphin (my wife is a nurse and we were getting the $129 rate) Labor Day weekend for 4 nights. It would have been both of ours first trip since we were both kids ourselves.

Anyway, Katrina hit and we live about 70 miles outside of New Orleans to the southwest along the coast. The bank I work for was sending me to Orlando for business and we were going early for a little Disney fun! Well, the bank was without telephones and datalines for about 3 weeks and I am the operations officer and needed to stay. On top of that, our flights (dirt cheap) were cancelled due to the airport closure in N.O. Blah, Blah, Blah...No Disney for me!!!!!!!!!!

But now is time to move forward!!!! I noticed the discounts posted for YQD.

Guys and Gals, I need your help! What should I do? where should we stay? and what are the secrets? I don't have the knowledge or time to figure all this out...I just want to give my wife the vacation she thought we was getting. We have 2 kids...4 years and 2 years...but they are not coming with us. We are thinking Thanksgiving?????

All advice is welcomed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CajunBug


P.S.
Rita hit us about 70 miles to the west. So, I guess I am running out of luck!

 

[gigi1313]

cajunbug... i sent you a pm w/some suggestions... sorry to hear of the trip that wasn't and wish you a fun filled magical trip!

 

[Stitches]

Here are my tips. First, stay at a Disney resort. I'm not sure what your tastes are, but the Wilderness Lodge may be a good choice. It is a VERY highly rated, popular resort and it is supposed to have beautiful holiday decorations which you should see if you are going around Thanksgiving. It is in Disney's Deluxe category, but one of the least expensive in that category. Second, consider having your first night be Sunday, 11/27. This is the start of value season, so the rates will be cheaper. I believe this will be true even if you are booking a package. I hadn't heard of YQD, but heard or YQC and YQE on Mousesavers.com. Good luck.

 

[dixipixi]

Hi CajunBug! (LOVE that name!!!)

First of all, if I could go anytime, I would avoid school holidays. The crowds can really get to you after a couple of days. With all the stress we've been under lately, I think WDW crowds would push me right over the edge!!

Secondly, I would stay onsite. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Yacht Club in June and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. I highly recommend either of them. But, you know your own tastes better than anyone else. I would go to the all ears website and check out the different hotels. Pick the one that most appeals to you all.

Third, I am SO JEALOUS!!!! DH and I have never been on a trip w/out the kids! (didn't even have a honeymoon). I hope you all have a fantastic time!

Thank goodness we didn't have a trip planned during September! I don't think I could have stood giving up my Disney trip in the midst of everything else!

We're on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain so we really caught it from Katrina. We had to stay w/my parents for 3 weeks while our roof was being replaced. I'm planning on treating them to a WDW trip in February for being so good to us. See, that nasty little storm did me a favor in the end!!

Hope y'all have a great time!!!!!