Kidnap the Sandy Claws, lock him up real tight- Oct PTR pg. 234 8/25 up to date itin

[eandesmom]

After much deliberation and math........and after talking with the kids (DH's mind has been made up)........and weighing out the pros and cons: haven't stayed at *home*, time of the year for DVC (popular), and knowing we will cook some.......along with realizing we aren't going to be adding on anytime within the next few years........
















I decided on 5 nights at SSR in a 2 br and 5 nights at the THV. We all love SSR. Chloe and Joshua are all about the THV. Gab is the only one not loving the Treehouse idea- she wants to stay at SSR the entire time or AKV again for the second half but we have been there and I would really like to try them all at some point. It will cost a lot of points, 355 to be exact, but it will be well worth it. I really really tried to convince myself of a one bedroom but with 5 of us, although technically we fit, we bought DVC in part for comfort. I don't miss the shoving-in-a-standard-room days. Don't get me wrong, we have had some amazing vactions, all in standard rooms, but as I age, I prefer to be comfortable and enjoy the ammenities of home minus the daily stress.

So there ya have it, one decision down, and a few more to go such as:

• how and where to celebrate Chloe's bday
• how and where to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah
• what night to do MVMCP
• Candlelight Processional (have to do tons more research)
• what nights to cook
• where to make ADRs
• park hoppers- how many days
• flights
• what to do on our *off* days which will be weather dependent
• grocery list and who to order from

I need to research which THV to request as I would love to watch the boats go by on the river.

So if you have any info with regards to best area of SSR and best unit of the THV, please share.

I think it's a great plan! I am so with you. I'd much rather have comfort and good sleeping!

I've done garden grocer the last 2 trips and was really happy with it both times. For me it's easier than WeGo, since the stores are SO different WeGo was a lot of work for me. And, while we could do the towncar service that includes the grocery stop, who wants to do that the minute they land, UGH!

 

[rentayenta]

I think it's a great plan! I am so with you. I'd much rather have comfort and good sleeping!

I've done garden grocer the last 2 trips and was really happy with it both times. For me it's easier than WeGo, since the stores are SO different WeGo was a lot of work for me. And, while we could do the towncar service that includes the grocery stop, who wants to do that the minute they land, UGH!

Tell me about this towncar/stopping thing. DH and stopped at the store first thing after our driver picked us up in Cabo. I am not opposed to this idea.

 

[eandesmom]

Tell me about this towncar/stopping thing. DH and stopped at the store first thing after our driver picked us up in Cabo. I am not opposed to this idea.

I think it's $125? RT via FL tours and they will stop at the grocery store of your choice on the way in. If you go to the transportation board they have a link on there as they sponsor that section.

I looked at it but it ended up being cheaper to do DME to WL, towncar to HRH, 2 separate towncars to MCO (different flights) and have Garden Grocer deliver. The 3 towncar legs via mears was about $140The delivery fee was only $12 I think and if you go over a certain amount it's free.

Plus they will deliver beer and wine.

After a red eye, the idea of grocery shopping made my skin crawl. Are you going to get an owners locker set up?

 

[rentayenta]

I think it's $125? RT via FL tours and they will stop at the grocery store of your choice on the way in. If you go to the transportation board they have a link on there as they sponsor that section.

I looked at it but it ended up being cheaper to do DME to WL, towncar to HRH, 2 separate towncars to MCO (different flights) and have Garden Grocer deliver. The 3 towncar legs via mears was about $140The delivery fee was only $12 I think and if you go over a certain amount it's free.

Plus they will deliver beer and wine.

After a red eye, the idea of grocery shopping made my skin crawl. Are you going to get an owners locker set up?

I am sure ME will be less expensive but I love to pick out my own groceries, especially perishables, ya know? Plus we'll be grilling and I cannot imagine ordering meat sight unseen. Don't the delivery folks jack up the prices too?

I did the red-eye thing and vowed never again. We saved a bundle but the kids were so miserbale. Maybe that will be tomorrow's countdown photo?!

I haven't looked much into having an owner's locker. I can't think of anything super cumbersome that we'd need to bring to WDW. The kitchens seem well stocked with everything but food. But I do heart my research. Good idea.

 

[eandesmom]

I am sure ME will be less expensive but I love to pick out my own groceries, especially perishables, ya know? Plus we'll be grilling and I cannot imagine ordering meat sight unseen. Don't the delivery folks jack up the prices too?

Depends on the item, fruit was ridiculous but the rest not so bad. Bear in mind we were only getting snack and breakfast stuff though.

I did the red-eye thing and vowed never again. We saved a bundle but the kids were so miserbale. Maybe that will be tomorrow's countdown photo?!

It's not fun to be sure but better than losing that whole day.

I haven't looked much into having an owner's locker. I can't think of anything super cumbersome that we'd need to bring to WDW. The kitchens seem well stocked with everything but food. But I do heart my research. Good idea.

I'd do it mostly for supplies I think, laundry detergent, shampoo, sunscreen, all that stuff that adds up and is heavy! Maybe some pool toys, favorite coffee cup, dunno. I'd probably have to have a trip where I did a kitchen inventory. Usually when we stay condo I'll bring a few things like my griddle, a good whisk, spices etc that I don't expect them to have. I'll have a much better idea if I needed one, or what to put in one after I have my first DVC stay in May.

 

[rentayenta]

Depends on the item, fruit was ridiculous but the rest not so bad. Bear in mind we were only getting snack and breakfast stuff though.

We did Garden Grocer in 2007 but the day was a blur as you said below, we lost the whole day, but I remember it being $$$.

It's not fun to be sure but better than losing that whole day.

ITA. It's a toss up. Maybe the kids will do better when they are older and maybe if we could find a red-eye without a layover in Hotlanta at 3 am it might be palpable.

I'd do it mostly for supplies I think, laundry detergent, shampoo, sunscreen, all that stuff that adds up and is heavy! Maybe some pool toys, favorite coffee cup, dunno. I'd probably have to have a trip where I did a kitchen inventory. Usually when we stay condo I'll bring a few things like my griddle, a good whisk, spices etc that I don't expect them to have. I'll have a much better idea if I needed one, or what to put in one after I have my first DVC stay in May.

I didn't even think of those items but you are right especially with having to pay for bags now when flying and anything over 50 lb cost an outrageous amount. Wonder how much a locker is? I would love to need one. Flying to MCO is so spendy and with Disneyland being within driving distance, I don't see DH ever going for WDW more than once every other year.

 

[eandesmom]

oh man, with a layover no way would I do a red eye. not sure at all on the cost of the purple locker but for some reason, I don't think it's that much.

 

[kaoden39]

The plans all look wonderful.

 

[rentayenta]

oh man, with a layover no way would I do a red eye. not sure at all on the cost of the purple locker but for some reason, I don't think it's that much.

This will further justify your decision to NEVER do a red-eye with a layover. No amount of money is worth this.

I have never seen my children more miserable.

The plans all look wonderful.

It feels good to have another decision made. I am hoping the weather will allow at least some pool time.

On to research SSR.

419 days!!! ​

 

[eandesmom]

purple locker looks like it runs $100 a year plus an initial set up fee of $75. They'll bring it to you once a year, (extra "visits" are $25 or for $179 a year, as many times as you want.

So...probably not worth it, far cheaper cheaper to pack a full extra suitcase and buy spices you won't keep I guess if you only go 1x every other year.

But they do have a free trial so...I dunno. You could keep a full bar stocked in there.

From their site
OK, here's the deal on how you can try Owner's Locker RISK FREE for one full year:

- Sign up and become a Member of Owner's Locker.
- See how you like the convenience of Owner's Locker for one full year.
- Anytime during the year, YOU get to decide whether you want to continue with the service or not.
- If you like it, you don't have to do anything—other than enjoy the convenience of Owner's Locker.
- If you decide that Owner's Locker is not for you FOR ANY REASON WHATEVER during the year, just let us know and drop the empty Locker off at bell services and we will promptly return every penny that you've paid us. Period. No questions asked.

So, go on.Why not give it a try?




A lot of DVC people use it though.

 

[rentayenta]

purple locker looks like it runs $100 a year plus an initial set up fee of $75. They'll bring it to you once a year, (extra "visits" are $25 or for $179 a year, as many times as you want.

So...probably not worth it, far cheaper cheaper to pack a full extra suitcase and buy spices you won't keep I guess if you only go 1x every other year.

But they do have a free trial so...I dunno. You could keep a full bar stocked in there.

From their site
OK, here's the deal on how you can try Owner's Locker RISK FREE for one full year:

- Sign up and become a Member of Owner's Locker.
- See how you like the convenience of Owner's Locker for one full year.
- Anytime during the year, YOU get to decide whether you want to continue with the service or not.
- If you like it, you don't have to do anything—other than enjoy the convenience of Owner's Locker.
- If you decide that Owner's Locker is not for you FOR ANY REASON WHATEVER during the year, just let us know and drop the empty Locker off at bell services and we will promptly return every penny that you've paid us. Period. No questions asked.

So, go on.Why not give it a try?




A lot of DVC people use it though.

I like the full bar idea. Thanks for finding the info. I could see how it could benefit folks who go once a year. It's a brilliant idea though. Wonder if they are making any money? Wonder how I get my stuff back if I try it, find it's not for us?

 

[rentayenta]

418 days!!! ​

Self portrait in the queue for Indy, October 2009.

 

[rentayenta]

From the top of EE. Fabulous. AK really is so aesthetically pretty.

417 days!!! ​

 

[rentayenta]

416 days!!! ​

In honor of a very rainy Saturday here in Utah, my picture is of a very rainy day in Epcot:

 

[Native NYer]

Yay for deciding on a SSR and THV split

We got our Owner's Locker for the first time in August. I it! We have a bunch of stuff in ours and love not having to carry certain things back and forth. Totally worth it, IMO. I just scheduled our Nov. 18th delivery today.

 

[rentayenta]

Yay for deciding on a SSR and THV split

I am way excited! I have been pouring over photos and I love them both! I love that it's the same resort yet so different. I think I want to find a tree swap for those dates too.

We got our Owner's Locker for the first time in August. I it! We have a bunch of stuff in ours and love not having to carry certain things back and forth. Totally worth it, IMO. I just scheduled our Nov. 18th delivery today.

What do you put in it?

 

[rentayenta]

415 days!!! ​

The 3rd bathroom in our 2 bedroom lockoff villa at the GCV.

 

[rentayenta]

They couldn't quite tell where to look but I still love this photo of the kids in Mickey's House, Disneyland 2005:

414 days!!! ​

 

[kaoden39]

They've matured so much. It's funny I look at pictures of my own kids from three years ago and I see so many changes.

 

[rentayenta]

They've matured so much. It's funny I look at pictures of my own kids from three years ago and I see so many changes.

It truly flies by.

How was your weekend?