Lcaemom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2007
- Messages
- 709
I graduated from nursing school in May of 2006. I had no desire for any type of party...all I wanted to do was take my girls to WDW. I started school when they were 7,6, and 2...about the time that all of their friends were making trips to Disney. I wanted more than anything to take them too. So, once I graduated, I lined up my first nursing job, in telemetry and ICU...and was told that with the training and the earned time accruing system that I wouldn't have a whole week accrued for about a year!?!
and 
I spent a year learning and accruing time and money...and finally booked our first trip, last October for Dec 8-15, 2007. We stayed for 8 days at POR...and had the most perfect, magical, amazing time ever. My girls who were then 12, 10, and 6, were just amazed by it all. My only wish is that my older two had the chance to go when they were a little younger. But, oh well.
So, we're home on Christmas...all the Disney gifts had been opened. All the relatives want to see our pictures and our video...at least I'm sure they wanted to see...they really had no choice.
Suddenly, I felt the need to just price another trip...maybe to see what it would hypothetically cost to stay at the WL, or the Poly...or any of the other beautiful places that we visited. So, I went to the Disney website just to play. I couldn't get their system to give me a ressie for the WL...which was really our favorite...just beautiful, especially all decorated for Christmas. So, I called Disney to inquire. I was told that the resort was already booked for the dates I was requesting...so, we play with some dates and still no room. The CM asked if I would like to consider another resort...so, I said the GF...which we LOVED but, considered that to be WAAAAAY out of price range. I said "sure," kind of shaking my head as I was thinking this was turning into a huge waste of our time. She came back with a price of $4200...for 7nt/8days...8d PH tickets. That was more than we paid for POR...obviously. But, considering that we would be on the monorail...and it was the GF...and there was room...and it would only cost $200...AND, at this point I was having severe Disney withdrawl...I BOOKED IT!!! I hung up and my DH was glaring at me and said "What did you just do?!?" So, I said "I just booked the same week for next year at the GF." He must have thrilled inside...he didn't argue at all. In the meantime...now so excited that we were going to Disney
...in only 300+ days...I found all of you who are just as enthused about the same thing...I had a place to go to chat with so many others who eat, sleep, and breathe Disney. I have learned so many things here. So, about two weeks later...I called AAA(something I learned about here)...and ended up making a second reservation, with a AAA discount for ~$3800. Now, we had two reservations...for the same week. But, the second was over $400 less. About a week later, I called Disney to see if I had a code/pin next to my name(something else I learned here)...I was told "why yes, you do," this time I saved about $1200...my reservation had been lowered to $3203!!! Same days, same tickets.
Got to run...DDs running around outside...should probably go out there, too...been here way too long this morning
Next up: airfare...a nailbiter...definately not as fun...still holding my breathe
and I spent a year learning and accruing time and money...and finally booked our first trip, last October for Dec 8-15, 2007. We stayed for 8 days at POR...and had the most perfect, magical, amazing time ever. My girls who were then 12, 10, and 6, were just amazed by it all. My only wish is that my older two had the chance to go when they were a little younger. But, oh well. So, we're home on Christmas...all the Disney gifts had been opened. All the relatives want to see our pictures and our video...at least I'm sure they wanted to see...they really had no choice.
Suddenly, I felt the need to just price another trip...maybe to see what it would hypothetically cost to stay at the WL, or the Poly...or any of the other beautiful places that we visited. So, I went to the Disney website just to play. I couldn't get their system to give me a ressie for the WL...which was really our favorite...just beautiful, especially all decorated for Christmas. So, I called Disney to inquire. I was told that the resort was already booked for the dates I was requesting...so, we play with some dates and still no room. The CM asked if I would like to consider another resort...so, I said the GF...which we LOVED but, considered that to be WAAAAAY out of price range. I said "sure," kind of shaking my head as I was thinking this was turning into a huge waste of our time. She came back with a price of $4200...for 7nt/8days...8d PH tickets. That was more than we paid for POR...obviously. But, considering that we would be on the monorail...and it was the GF...and there was room...and it would only cost $200...AND, at this point I was having severe Disney withdrawl...I BOOKED IT!!! I hung up and my DH was glaring at me and said "What did you just do?!?" So, I said "I just booked the same week for next year at the GF." He must have thrilled inside...he didn't argue at all. In the meantime...now so excited that we were going to Disney ...in only 300+ days...I found all of you who are just as enthused about the same thing...I had a place to go to chat with so many others who eat, sleep, and breathe Disney. I have learned so many things here. So, about two weeks later...I called AAA(something I learned about here)...and ended up making a second reservation, with a AAA discount for ~$3800. Now, we had two reservations...for the same week. But, the second was over $400 less. About a week later, I called Disney to see if I had a code/pin next to my name(something else I learned here)...I was told "why yes, you do," this time I saved about $1200...my reservation had been lowered to $3203!!! Same days, same tickets. Got to run...DDs running around outside...should probably go out there, too...been here way too long this morning
Next up: airfare...a nailbiter...definately not as fun...still holding my breathe
You live and learn...sometimes the hard way. I am very excited to be starting this now. I am going out of my mind with anticipation of this trip; this will certainly help pass the time. Also, knowing that if I don't finish last year's book...I'll never get caught up after this year's trip. It will also help me to know what to take pictures of...I have 100 pics of "It's a Small World"...absolutely not necessary...this year I'll focus more on the scenery outside...the decorations, etc. I'll also know what I'll need for supplies...can't wait to go back to the scrapbooking store in DTD.
We're going Dec 6-14 too! Only 55 more days!! We'll be at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge this time, but we stayed at the Grand Floridian the same week last year. The GF's Christmas decorations are the best...especially the huge gingerbread house. You will love it! BTW...I'm in MA too!
Oh my...I think I can actually smell it, as I type. I thought my DH was burning something but, he isn't cooking anything. Agghhhh!!! It IS the pig!!! I don't think I'll be joining in, in the actual eating of the pig. But, I need to go buy the ingredients for Vampire Bread (rolled up pepperoni and cheddar cheese inside bread...mmmm!!! Can't wait to try it...and we always have fun with the neighbors. Good way to spend another day...as we get one day closer to DISNEY!!! 55 days!!!
