Makin' Memories... A PTR for a 2022 Thanksgiving Trip. (hopefully)

[vamassey1]

I totally understand where you're coming from. I would do it too. I'm only disappointed that I would miss you by one day. We're driving to Disney so we'll be leaving very early on Black Friday to head home.

DH is like Andy. He is so over me talking about Disney all the time but gets sucked in too.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I have to think it will be an add on when you are booking at some point? Like park hoppers? Maybe? Or maybe not?

What do you guys think? I totally think we could survive both those parks without.

I've seen something saying you can either add it to your whole ticket at booking or add a la carte by day once you're there. I've read so much, though, that I don't know where I saw that at this point.

I think, for people who understand the system, Genie+ will be something you want on a few days of your trip but not the whole time. You target specific MK and HS days that you want to use the system. Maybe an HS morning with a hop to Epcot when for the evening. For other days/parks, you plan to be very strategic about what you rope drop, ride in the first two hours, and save for the end of the night. If you don't know how waits build at various parks throughout the day, then Genie+ everywhere.

I'm hoping, since it's a paid add-on, that they won't allocate as much ride capacity to Lightning Lanes as they used to do to FPs. The more they restrict Genie+ and pay-per-ride access, the more reasonable the standby lanes will be.

We WILL go, as long as Gwen is vaccinated! I just keep googling when that might happen like a crazy person every 3 or 4 days...

"So, now your family is fully vaccinated, What are you going to do next?" "Go to Disney World!"

BUT it would mean Gwen would need her 1st shot October 22nd. And I really don't know if that would be possible. And I feel like if I book something, I might jinx it...

Realistically, I don't think we're getting shots in arms for 5-11 by 10/22. Pfizer is talking about releasing data at the end of September and then the FDA/CDC have said they're going to be extremely thorough with this age group, much more so than they were when they added 12-15 to the adult EUA. I have my fingers and toes crossed *hard* but I don't see it happening. The phrase I keep seeing is "mid-winter" so I'm trying to adjust my expectations. In the meantime, I'm busy shopping various KN95s that are made in a kid fit and hoping we can manage to keep Delta out of the house until the girls can be vaccinated.

 

[SEAGULL59]

Worse case scenario you have $$ down for a future trip!! Hope the Thanksgiving trip works out for you.

 

[missjackiemcg]

Ok... So, I just booked it. EEEKKKK!!!!! The chances of it happening are pretty SLIM!!!! Like REALLY slim...

YAY for you!!!!!!! Now, I will cross my fingers that it all works out as it should. .....and that Andy says yes and doesn't get left behind when you go anyway

 

[texas200]

Guys... I have a confession to make... I keep looking to see what hotel rooms would be available for us to sneak in a short trip in December. But I think I hit the point where there isn't any reasonable reservations available. It was kind of a secret plan I had in my head. Like SUPRISE, we are all vaccinated, let's GO! Instead of Now that you won the super bowl, what are you going to do next, this would be the vaccinated version. "So, now your family is fully vaccinated, What are you going to do next?" "Go to Disney World!"

So funny. I am also waiting until my kids are vaccinated before we go again and I also have a December trip booked. I booked it with the same idea of "so now that you are vaccinated...", but now I am getting worried they won't be vaccinated by December. Fingers crossed for both of us.

 

[becauseimnew]

Guys... I have a confession to make... I keep looking to see what hotel rooms would be available for us to sneak in a short trip in December. But I think I hit the point where there isn't any reasonable reservations available. It was kind of a secret plan I had in my head. Like SUPRISE, we are all vaccinated, let's GO! Instead of Now that you won the super bowl, what are you going to do next, this would be the vaccinated version. "So, now your family is fully vaccinated, What are you going to do next?" "Go to Disney World!"

I "could" book Coronado for Black Friday through December 1st. It would be a preferred room. I am sooo tempted to grab it. Like I have it in my shopping cart to check out. As a "package" I would only need the $200 deposit. BUT it would mean Gwen would need her 1st shot October 22nd. And I really don't know if that would be possible. And I feel like if I book something, I might jinx it...

This new world of travel planning is beyond strange!!!!

I had a whole "plan" in my head. We would be able to do the traditional family Thanksgiving with everyone and there mother here at the house. And then Black Friday, we always put the christmas tree up and decorate. I could leave a note in the ornament boxes that we were leaving for Disney that afternoon/evening. It would be perfect! They would never suspect it! It would be a short trip, just 4 park days. But I think it would be enough just to dip our toes back in. And have a real vacation. We will see.....

Ok... So, I just booked it. EEEKKKK!!!!! The chances of it happening are pretty SLIM!!!! Like REALLY slim... But I need to cancel by October 27th. So, we will know by then if Gwen will have been poked by then or not.

Convincing Andy is going to be the 2nd biggest hurtle. I have been trying to make that balance between not talking about Disney and planting the seeds to get him to agree. He likes Disney but def doesn't want to talk about it all the time. Gwen and I have been watching a lot of Allears.net. And half the time I think Andy thinks we are crazy and then the other half he gets sucked into them.

I think I am going off the deep end in the world of planning. Am I crazy?

How fun!!! That will be such a nice surprise! So jealous.
Why did you all decide to postpone Hawaii? I’ve got hotels and return flights booked, haven’t booked flights there because we plan to use the Luv Vouchers that Southwest gave us for the mess we had to deal with in June.

 

[kastoney]

You are unquestionably not crazy, but of course you are asking the crazy people to validate your level of Disney insanity

I was so hopeful the vaccine would be out for our kiddos by now and am disappointed that it isn't. But its always good to have a trip planned just in case. And heck if you are gonna surprise everyone, why not surprise Andy too? I did that with Jason once.

And if you per chance wanted to move your hypothetical trip by one week your family family will be there

 

[amazingact21]

I just hopped on to the PTR forum and saw you had this one going. Definitely joining along!

Keeping my fingers crossed your Feb. trip and this possible winter trip works out!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I'm hoping, since it's a paid add-on, that they won't allocate as much ride capacity to Lightning Lanes as they used to do to FPs. The more they restrict Genie+ and pay-per-ride access, the more reasonable the standby lanes will be.

I am hoping this as well. And I feel like they kind of have to. They need the lightening lane to be very short wait if people are paying for it. But we will see. I am keeping open minded about it.

Realistically, I don't think we're getting shots in arms for 5-11 by 10/22. Pfizer is talking about releasing data at the end of September and then the FDA/CDC have said they're going to be extremely thorough with this age group, much more so than they were when they added 12-15 to the adult EUA. I have my fingers and toes crossed *hard* but I don't see it happening. The phrase I keep seeing is "mid-winter" so I'm trying to adjust my expectations. In the meantime, I'm busy shopping various KN95s that are made in a kid fit and hoping we can manage to keep Delta out of the house until the girls can be vaccinated.

Ugh!!! I know! I seriously thing they kind of made that announcement the SAME day I posted this. I am not giving up the reservation JUST yet but I think the chances of it happening went from 5% happening to .5% happening....

Worse case scenario you have $$ down for a future trip!! Hope the Thanksgiving trip works out for you.

The nice thing is with Disney we can cancel with ease. Airfare is another thing. I don't want to wait too long to buy tickets but also, that is not as easy to do.

YAY for you!!!!!!! Now, I will cross my fingers that it all works out as it should. .....and that Andy says yes and doesn't get left behind when you go anyway

I am tempted! Let me tell you! But really, it's Gwen I would want to go with and I think if she isn't vaccinated she would opt to stay home.

So funny. I am also waiting until my kids are vaccinated before we go again and I also have a December trip booked. I booked it with the same idea of "so now that you are vaccinated...", but now I am getting worried they won't be vaccinated by December. Fingers crossed for both of us.

I really would love to do a trip SUPER close to when Gwen is fully vaccinated. Maybe it will line up some how! When in December? Or late? I do feel like early December is getting less likely. ;( But still holding on to hope for a bit longer.

Why did you all decide to postpone Hawaii? I’ve got hotels and return flights booked, haven’t booked flights there because we plan to use the Luv Vouchers that Southwest gave us for the mess we had to deal with in June.

A few reasons. One being that Morgan and Gwen are not super excitied about going. And I think Andy is hoping that if we wait another year or two they will be more excitied about it. But also, with Covid still coming and going. I think he just wants the trip to be without any worry of covid and masks. We have been to Disney so many times, that if that isn't quiet right, we are weirdly more ok with it. Does that make sense? Plus for us here in New Jersey, it is a LONG flight, so we want to stay for a long time.

And if you per chance wanted to move your hypothetical trip by one week your family family will be there

I wish! We would need that week since the girls have off a day and half during that time. But I am thinking that it isn't going to happen, regardless...

And heck if you are gonna surprise everyone, why not surprise Andy too? I did that with Jason once.

I USUALLY book the next trip before Andy's knows.. and just wait till the right time to tell him later. Ha!

Keeping my fingers crossed your Feb. trip and this possible winter trip works out!

Thanks! I am obviously more hopeful for Feb. over winter.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Well, I think I did jinx myself with booking that trip. I mean not really. But literally the day I posted that, there was news about it being end of year for approval. I mean no one really knows right now. Which is hard for the planner in me. Sigh... I am keeping the reservation for now but the chances of that happening is very slim!


BUT in other news... Andy and I were talking about what to do for his 50th. And I mentioned that if he is even remotely thinking of doing Disney staycation I should book hotels for it. And he said I could!

BUT we didn't really settle on when we wanted to do it. We could do April and be there literally ON his birthday. Or we could wait till summer to go. I personally torn on which is better. I am going to do some pricing and see what makes sense $$ wise.

Andy did suggest Coronado Springs as one of the hotels!?!?! He really likes it there. So, I am going to maybe see about staying in the tower, maybe?

Stay Tuned!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hello Everyone!!!!

So, things are changing!!!
I cancelled the December trip! But it's ok.... because .... Andy decided that he wants to go to Disney for his 50th. So, I have booked us some hotels for April! I can't try and have a trip in December, February AND April. I mean I would LOVE to!!! But that's just not going to happen.

So, for now... the basic Plan...

5 nights at Coronado and 4 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Andy requested Coronado...
Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 3.32.15 PM
He loves that resort! I don't hate it but not my choice for a birthday hotel. But it's a trip for him, so Coronado it is! It does help the wallet to do this for a few of the trip. EVEN with upgrading us to the Tower!

I have us booked in a "standard" room. Which cracks me up as the water view is technically $5 cheaper. I know it's because the standard rooms have views of EPOCT and Hollywood Studios. It's intresting that they don't just call it that. I guess it depends on what floor you get how well you see the parks?

And then I have the remaining 4 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge in a Savannah View Room. We talked about it and Andy decided on that, since there is so much yummy food we can eat right there.
Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 3.42.43 PM
We kind of debated Animal Kingdom Lodge / the Poly or Yacht Club. But since we are spending the whole week at Yacht Club, we took that out. Although it was HARD!!!


I wanted to try and book the Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, for like a night or two. Every time we do a fake survey. (Which Gwen requested we do the other night all on her own) Andy puts that on as his dream item.
Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 3.23.53 PM

Man alive! Those cabins are CRAZY $$$$. One night at rack rate is $2,800.... for ONE NIGHT!!!!! I know I could try and rent DVC points but right now, with how things are, I would rather have a better cancellation policy. I tried to rationalize it, like I am cancelling the December trip, and can pay for that instead.... But one night doesn't seem like enough... with a 4:00 checkin and an 11:00 check out... You are barely in the room!

But MAN, I know Andy would be super happy to be sitting in this hot tub with a squeeze bottle worth of Iced Tea Moonshine on his birthday.
Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 3.23.41 PM

I am tempted to still just book the one night... But it is pricey...

The plan is to do a mostly non-park trip. Things that I have mentioned doing:

• One day in EPCOT to do Flower and Garden.
• Discovery Cove
• Kennedy Space Center
• Cirque du Soleil
• Hoop Dee Doo Review (if it reopens)
• Mini Golf
• Surrey Bikes
• Maybe a water park... but Andy isn't completely on board with that.

Any other non-parks things we should consider? If the girls said they wanted to go to Universal, he would love that. But I am not sure they would want to do that yet.

On other note, I started a You Tube Channel for all of our videos... Granted they are NOT anything special. But it's a good place to house them all. And Gwen got a HUGE kick out of them going up there. I am still working on getting all of them up there. But if you are so inclined, check them out. And if you are even more inclined subscribe and make Gwen's Day!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh-JCSoxKl6RxmFmdPlJdyTCbDCjwboHL
I do think when we go again, Gwen is going to try and do more video. We will see...

 

[SEAGULL59]

Are you still planning to go on the February trip too?

 

[becauseimnew]

Hello Everyone!!!!

So, things are changing!!!
I cancelled the December trip! But it's ok.... because .... Andy decided that he wants to go to Disney for his 50th. So, I have booked us some hotels for April! I can't try and have a trip in December, February AND April. I mean I would LOVE to!!! But that's just not going to happen.

So, for now... the basic Plan...

5 nights at Coronado and 4 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Andy requested Coronado...
Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 3.32.15 PM
He loves that resort! I don't hate it but not my choice for a birthday hotel. But it's a trip for him, so Coronado it is! It does help the wallet to do this for a few of the trip. EVEN with upgrading us to the Tower!

I have us booked in a "standard" room. Which cracks me up as the water view is technically $5 cheaper. I know it's because the standard rooms have views of EPOCT and Hollywood Studios. It's intresting that they don't just call it that. I guess it depends on what floor you get how well you see the parks?

And then I have the remaining 4 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge in a Savannah View Room. We talked about it and Andy decided on that, since there is so much yummy food we can eat right there.
Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 3.42.43 PM
We kind of debated Animal Kingdom Lodge / the Poly or Yacht Club. But since we are spending the whole week at Yacht Club, we took that out. Although it was HARD!!!


I wanted to try and book the Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, for like a night or two. Every time we do a fake survey. (Which Gwen requested we do the other night all on her own) Andy puts that on as his dream item.
Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 3.23.53 PM

Man alive! Those cabins are CRAZY $$$$. One night at rack rate is $2,800.... for ONE NIGHT!!!!! I know I could try and rent DVC points but right now, with how things are, I would rather have a better cancellation policy. I tried to rationalize it, like I am cancelling the December trip, and can pay for that instead.... But one night doesn't seem like enough... with a 4:00 checkin and an 11:00 check out... You are barely in the room!

But MAN, I know Andy would be super happy to be sitting in this hot tub with a squeeze bottle worth of Iced Tea Moonshine on his birthday.
Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 3.23.41 PM

I am tempted to still just book the one night... But it is pricey...

The plan is to do a mostly non-park trip. Things that I have mentioned doing:

• One day in EPCOT to do Flower and Garden.
• Discovery Cove
• Kennedy Space Center
• Cirque du Soleil
• Hoop Dee Doo Review (if it reopens)
• Mini Golf
• Surrey Bikes
• Maybe a water park... but Andy isn't completely on board with that.

Any other non-parks things we should consider? If the girls said they wanted to go to Universal, he would love that. But I am not sure they would want to do that yet.

On other note, I started a You Tube Channel for all of our videos... Granted they are NOT anything special. But it's a good place to house them all. And Gwen got a HUGE kick out of them going up there. I am still working on getting all of them up there. But if you are so inclined, check them out. And if you are even more inclined subscribe and make Gwen's Day!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh-JCSoxKl6RxmFmdPlJdyTCbDCjwboHL
I do think when we go again, Gwen is going to try and do more video. We will see...

So awesome! Yay for more trips.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Are you still planning to go on the February trip too?

Yes! As of now, it is still a go. In fact, I have to look into airfare for both!

So awesome! Yay for more trips.

I am excited to try this whole staycation thing!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hello!!!!

So, of course, I have been noodling with options for April, as we do.... And I of course have come up with a few other options that I need to float by Andy...

OPTION A: (8) nights at Coronado Tower Standard View and (1) in the Cabins at Wilderness Lodge
This option is actually the same price as the I mentioned before. It EQUALS (5) days at Coronado Tower Standard View and (4) at Animal Kingdom Savannah View!

It kind of occured to me that, that might be the case at some point today. Savannah View rom at Animal Kingdom is pretty pricey! And the Tower rooms, aren't cheap but compared to AK Savannah View room much cheaper.

OPTION B: (4) days at Coronado Tower Standard View, (4) at Yacht Club and (1) night at the Cabins at Wilderness Lodge

This option is about $1,300 more than what I booked this morning. But in true Disney Math, that makes is feel better. Ah Disney Math!

This option, though, not sure if we would want to switch resorts 3 times. BUT I also don't know if I would want to spend the entire staycation at Coronado Springs....

I am going to try and feel Andy out tonight and see what he thinks. But I have to wait for Gwen to go to bed. While April won't be a suprise to the girls. I don't want to talk about it with them till we are much more sure that the trip is happening.

 

[amazingact21]

Whoo hoo for a birthday trip! And hopefully being able to go to WDW within a few months of each other, that's something great to look forward to after months and months of no trips on the horizon.

Personally, changing resorts 3 times in one trip would be too much for me. But! I know you love Yacht Club and it would probably be nicer than a longer stay at Coronado. I guess the question is, are you wanting to do a big splurge aside from the cabin on the bday trip? Like how you want to rent a cabana in February? Because if not, then that extra 1,300 can just be considered part of the cabin splurge. If that makes sense....

Aw, the Wonderful Wolchicks (that's me/my kiddos) subscribed to the channel! My kids are youtube obsessed, as well, and will enjoy seeing other DIS kids in the parks.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

April sounds great! I love the idea of the cabin, but I agree that one night in a room would be too little.

Thoughts on renting points: do the cabins usually book out or are they often empty? Assuming they're still available with only a few months to go, you could rent someone's cheap OKW or SSR points to try to do two nights. I would probably line up a Coronado reservation that would be for all but the two nights. Then, you either cancel that and keep the Coronado/AK split or, if the points work out, cancel the other two and do a two night point rental for the cabin.

 

[quandrea]

I’m planning my fiftieth for 2022 as well! Mine is October though. We are worried that we won’t make it though due to Covid. So many testing requirements for travel to and from Canada. We just cancelled for November and February. Planning a grand villa at Saratoga springs for my fiftieth. Lots of friends joking us.

Your plans sound great for April. By then I bet Gwen is vaccinated. I’d go for the cabin. Life is short!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Boo for having to cancel December, but big YAY for a Disney birthday!!!! If you are able to swing it to add the cabin night in any way, I think it would make Andy's birthday SO special. For that personal hot tub (and moonshine!) alone, it feels worth it.

I love how our Disney brains work, and keep adding and changing things from the moment a trip gets booked LOL

 

[Woth2982]

April sounds great! I love the idea of the cabin, but I agree that one night in a room would be too little.

Thoughts on renting points: do the cabins usually book out or are they often empty? Assuming they're still available with only a few months to go, you could rent someone's cheap OKW or SSR points to try to do two nights. I would probably line up a Coronado reservation that would be for all but the two nights. Then, you either cancel that and keep the Coronado/AK split or, if the points work out, cancel the other two and do a two night point rental for the cabin.

I was curious about this, I own at Copper Creek and just looked and the entire month of April is available for Cabins right now. They range from 116 points a night to 196 points a night.