Mickeystoontown's Gang hits the Bahamas & WDW! Who gets choked or stuck this time?

[shan23877]

Wow! You sure are a busy lady! I am so glad to hear the news about your friend Aly, she's so young to be battling such a horrible disease. And, I'm very sorry to hear about your aunt. I lost both of my grandparents to inoperable cancers, so I empathize.

Not a very big garden? Wow! I usually do 5 tomato plants, some zucchini, peppers, and watermelon and even that's a lot of work for me to keep up

What a cool high school that Hunter will be attending! Sounds like there's a lot of different opportunities for the students

 

[mickeystoontown]

Last night, John and I were cleaning up the shop getting it ready for the job he is about to start on. We were moving things here, throwing things out, etc. We took a break so I could run in and DVR Swamp People. I came back out with a cup of hot coffee for John and then I promptly plopped my behind down on the tailgate of the truck. The topic of our vacation came up while we were talking about our day and it went a little something like this:


John: "So what day are we leaving for vacation?"

Me: "We start driving on May 22nd as soon as I get home from work".

John: "What day of the week is that?"

Me: "It's a Tuesday, why?"

John: "And when are we coming back?"

Me: "On Saturday, June 2nd. I've already told you all this before. Why are you asking now?"

John: "I need to go to work and make sure that they have the dates down right on the calendar."

Me: "Oh."

And I hopped down from the tailgate and pushed another wheelbarrow load of wood scraps down to the trash pile. When I got back, John was still standing in the shop doorway.

John: "Hey Sweetie Britches, do you think that we could add another day to our trip?"

Me: "I don't know. If we added another day at the end, that would put us driving all the way home on Sunday and we wouldn't get home until early Monday morning. I know that Paul (that's my boss) would hate it if he knew I was actually back in town but just sleeping in that day. I've already looked at airfare and it would cost us about $900 for us to fly. But, if we did fly, we could get back in about 3 hours instead of 15 hours like when we drive."

John: "But, then, we'd have to rent a car or get Mickey to take us to the Port and that would cost even more money. Why can't we add the extra day to the beginning of the trip?"

Me: "We're already taking Hunter out of school two days early. I don't know about taking him out another day. What do you think?"

John: "You know good and well that they don't do anything the last week of school. They are cleaning out lockers and crap like that."

Me: "Yeah, you're right."

John: "So how much would it cost to add the day?"

Me: "I guess I gotta tell you my surprise."

John: "What surprise?"

Me: "I wasn't going to tell you but I have to now. I changed our first night's reservation from All Star Music to Port Orleans Riverside. It didn't cost that much and I thought it'd be nice to try another moderate. I wanted to surprise you and Hunter when we got there."

John: "Aww, that was sweet. I can pretend that I didn't know and when we get there act all surprised."

Me: "You are such a goofball. What I'm saying is that since we are staying at Port Orleans Riverside, it would cost us more that you thought it would to add another night. But, I can call Disney and find out what it would cost to add the day and if they would let me keep the Spring Offer."

John: "Well what are you waiting for? Go make the call."

He didn't have to ask me twice. I skipped into the house and made the call and Disney Travel was closed for the evening. John came in a little while after I did to see what I had found out which was nothing. I went online to get rack rate costs for POR and it was $203 as was CBR. POFQ was more because they only had a certain category of room available. CSR was either $205 or $206. That's more than I wanted to spend. I was trying to stay within a budget of $160. Next, I priced out POP and it was $114.

I asked John what he wanted to do and he said to see if we could get the room at POR with the discount and if not, just pay rack rate even though that's more than we had planned to pay. Or, if they could book another moderate with the offer, see what it was and make a decision right then.

So, after all that....sorry I didn't realize that would be such a long drawn out ordeal until I started typing it..., I placed a call to Disney Travel on my way to work this morning. The castmember took all my info and then started looking to see if we could book another room at POR and still keep the discount. All they had available was garden view which put the price at about $180 a night. That was a little more than we wanted to spend so I asked her to check other moderates. The first one she checked was the CBR and a standard room was available at just $130 a night. That's less than I was able to book POR way back when the offer was still out.

Book it DanO!

For those of you thinking "I knew that she would change back to the Caribbean Beach Resort", I can honesly, really, truly, 100% tell you that I was excited about staying at Port Orleans Riverside and I had hoped that there was a way to get the extra night there. But, since we are adding an extra day, it also means that we are adding an extra day of food expenses so I had to keep within my budget.

Now the plan is:

May 21: Start the drive after work and stay at the haunted:

I still have extra cash set aside in case I need to call these guys:

May 22nd: Make the rest of the drive to Walt Disney World and check into Caribbean Beach Resort:

We will, more than likely, just eat in the resort food court:

and spend a relaxing evening at the resort. We absolutely love the hammocks on the beaches!

May 23rd: This was supposed to be our arrival day at Port Orleans Riverside and our dinner at Downtown Disney. Instead, we'll be at the CBR during the day at T-Rex at night:

Although I'm sad that my initial idea to surprise John and Hunter with a stay at the Port Orleans Riverside resort, I'm very excited that my wonderful hubby said to add a day to the trip.

Just like my innocent question, John's innocent question turned into something amazing!

 

[MHTeacher]

YAY for getting to add an extra day! I know you were looking forward to staying at POR, but I would have also changed resorts if it meant getting an extra night! This way you can hang around and relax before your cruise!

 

[lovethattink]

Way to go!! Back to CBR and it sounds like you are saving money.

 

[KatMark]

for adding an extra day. So exciting.

 

[elder]

Never a dull moment Lisa!! I love it! Always good to add more vacation days!!

 

[MEK]

Wow - so after Ally's chemotherapy there was no evidence of cancer. That really is amazing. I pray she stays cancer free for a long, long time!

Sorry that your aunt is feeling so poorly. Terminal cancer is such a devastating disease.

First chair viola - I am very impressed. I love the string instruments. I play flute with 3 sisters who play violin (and one just switched to viola). Occasionally their younger brother joins us on cello. It's amazing how well these kids play now that they have been practicing for so many years. Cool stuff.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow - so after Ally's chemotherapy there was no evidence of cancer. That really is amazing. I pray she stays cancer free for a long, long time!

Sorry that your aunt is feeling so poorly. Terminal cancer is such a devastating disease.

First chair viola - I am very impressed. I love the string instruments. I play flute with 3 sisters who play violin (and one just switched to viola). Occasionally their younger brother joins us on cello. It's amazing how well these kids play now that they have been practicing for so many years. Cool stuff.

Yes m'am. Aly is a true walking miracle! If anyone doesn't believe in the power of prayer, they should look into that beautiful woman's face and they'd believe.

Mama talked with my aunt today. The pain medications have caused stomach "issues" and she's having a bad time with cramps, and let's not talk about the rest.

I was very impressed by Hunter's viola skills as well. The concert they placed in on Monday was Hunter's school and two others all playing together and he was first chair even amongst all those students. Hunter certainly doesn't get his musical skills from his mother. I can't play a gosh darn thing except a radio.

Never a dull moment Lisa!! I love it! Always good to add more vacation days!!

Nope, it wouldn't be a true McBriday day if something didn't happen around here. I just came in from working in the garden with John and we were both saying how happy we are that we added that extra day.

for adding an extra day. So exciting.

I'm take an extra day over a new resort any day.

Way to go!! Back to CBR and it sounds like you are saving money.

By staying at the CBR, we saved at least $50 so, while I am upset that we aren't getting to try POR, I am happy about that extra day.

Ya'll go back to the doctor on Monday don't you?

YAY for getting to add an extra day! I know you were looking forward to staying at POR, but I would have also changed resorts if it meant getting an extra night! This way you can hang around and relax before your cruise!

I was really looking forward to trying POR but I simply couldn't justify the extra money. I was feeling pretty bummed about not getting much "resort" time because of the cruise but this had made me very happy.

 

[lovethattink]

By staying at the CBR, we saved at least $50 so, while I am upset that we aren't getting to try POR, I am happy about that extra day.

Ya'll go back to the doctor on Monday don't you?


I was really looking forward to trying POR but I simply couldn't justify the extra money. I was feeling pretty bummed about not getting much "resort" time because of the cruise but this had made me very happy.

You can always take a boat over to POR from DTD if you wanted to check it out. Or keep it on the bucket list so you have something to try in the future! I'd love to try a princess room! Think I can get all my princes to consent?

Yes, we go back on Monday. He has been doing very well with the seizures, or I guess I should shout from the top of my lungs...THE LACK OF SEIZURES!! April 20th was the last one!

 

[francis6306]

I have gotten behind… forgive me!

Praise God for his healing power!

I know you are bummed about not staying at Port Orleans, but now, you are really "going home" so it's not all bad. And an extra day?!?!?!

 

[deedeew80]

Hi Lisa! Sorry to hear that your Aunt isn't doing too well. But glad to hear Aly is doing so well!! God works miracles sometimes!

Yay for John wanting to add on an extra night!!! As you know, I too am a lover of CBR!!! So is POR totally out now?

My mom and stepdad are going to DISNEY in September! My stepdad is a veteran & they were having a special at the Shades of Green for veterans plus an additional 40% off. They got the room for I believe about $80 a night!!! She was trying to get me to go but we really can't afford it right now. We live in an apartment now & we are trying are hardest to safe every penny we can so we can eventually buy our first house!!! So trips to Disney aren't in our near future unfortunately! My aunt and uncle, who are DVC members, are going to Disney at the end of the month for 12 days. They are staying at AKL!! They were taking their one daughter & her family. Well, today the daughter lost her job so she can no longer afford to go. So my uncle asked my mom if her & my stepdad would like to go. They would have to pay their way there, park tickets, and food. Well, my mom is all bummed because they can't afford to go since they are going in September! Oh well! Anyway. Wish I had a disney story of my own to tell, but I don't! LOL!

Bet you are getting excited for your trip!!! It's going to be here so soon!!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I'm very sorry to hear about the young lady at your church. That is devastating to deal with at such a young age. I'm so glad that she is recovering well though and her prognosis looks so good! If there is one thing I've learned in life, it's that things don't always make sense to us, but God can and will use all things for good!

Congrats on adding a day to your trip! I'm always for adding every possible day you can squeeze in! I can't believe you switched resorts though!

 

[mindystar]

If you HAVE to spend an extra day/night at WDW, then I *guess* it's ok to ditch my favorite mod
Hurray for an extra day!!!!

 

[TinksThree]

[
For those of you thinking "I knew that she would change back to the Caribbean Beach Resort", I can honesly, really, truly, 100% tell you that I was excited about staying at Port Orleans Riverside and I had hoped that there was a way to get the extra night there. But, since we are adding an extra day, it also means that we are adding an extra day of food expenses so I had to keep within my budget.

This absolutely cracks me up!!

We were booked at CBR (your favorite) because we couldn't get PO (Keith's favorite). Making changes thanks to our husbands (mine is the biggest victory! ) has you going back to your favorite and us to ours...but we were both excited about trying something different! Wow!!

Your life seems as crazy as mine. But I am still so sorry about your aunt! That "C" word is so nasty!! It can be a terrible thing to witness! But great news about Aly! It is so wonderful to hear hope when there is so much sadness!

 

[mickeystoontown]

This absolutely cracks me up!!

We were booked at CBR (your favorite) because we couldn't get PO (Keith's favorite). Making changes thanks to our husbands (mine is the biggest victory! ) has you going back to your favorite and us to ours...but we were both excited about trying something different! Wow!!

Your life seems as crazy as mine. But I am still so sorry about your aunt! That "C" word is so nasty!! It can be a terrible thing to witness! But great news about Aly! It is so wonderful to hear hope when there is so much sadness!

Yeah, I think your's IS the biggest victory out of the two. I am still surprised at how Keith is so ready to go back.

My aunt is the same age as my mother so she's lived a full and wonderful life. Just that fact doesn't make it a whole lot easier but knowing that she is ready to go and be with her loved ones in Heaven does.

Aly's story is absolutely a miracle in my opinion.

If you HAVE to spend an extra day/night at WDW, then I *guess* it's ok to ditch my favorite mod
Hurray for an extra day!!!!

I hated to "ditch" POR but I if it means another day in Disney, I'd have taken any moderate resort if the price was right.

I'm very sorry to hear about the young lady at your church. That is devastating to deal with at such a young age. I'm so glad that she is recovering well though and her prognosis looks so good! If there is one thing I've learned in life, it's that things don't always make sense to us, but God can and will use all things for good!

Congrats on adding a day to your trip! I'm always for adding every possible day you can squeeze in! I can't believe you switched resorts though!

Aly and Josh have been through so very much and the test results and prognosis were incredible to hear. I am with you....God can and does use all things for good. He has a plan and we can only be faithful to Him and believe that all will be well.

We are excited about adding another day to the trip. My boss? Not so happy. Oh well, he'll just have to get over it.

Hi Lisa! Sorry to hear that your Aunt isn't doing too well. But glad to hear Aly is doing so well!! God works miracles sometimes!

Yay for John wanting to add on an extra night!!! As you know, I too am a lover of CBR!!! So is POR totally out now?

My mom and stepdad are going to DISNEY in September! My stepdad is a veteran & they were having a special at the Shades of Green for veterans plus an additional 40% off. They got the room for I believe about $80 a night!!! She was trying to get me to go but we really can't afford it right now. We live in an apartment now & we are trying are hardest to safe every penny we can so we can eventually buy our first house!!! So trips to Disney aren't in our near future unfortunately! My aunt and uncle, who are DVC members, are going to Disney at the end of the month for 12 days. They are staying at AKL!! They were taking their one daughter & her family. Well, today the daughter lost her job so she can no longer afford to go. So my uncle asked my mom if her & my stepdad would like to go. They would have to pay their way there, park tickets, and food. Well, my mom is all bummed because they can't afford to go since they are going in September! Oh well! Anyway. Wish I had a disney story of my own to tell, but I don't! LOL!

Bet you are getting excited for your trip!!! It's going to be here so soon!!!

Yes, POR is totally out of the picture this trip. We talked about staying at one of the other moderates the first night and then moving over to POR the next. But, we are already having to pack an overnight bag for the road, bags for our short stay before the cruise, the cruise and then for WDW. I couldn't see throwing another resort into the mix.

I know that you have to be bummed about not getting to go to WDW but saving money for a new home is a great reason not to.

Girl, you know that I'm countin' down the days!

I have gotten behind… forgive me!

Praise God for his healing power!

I know you are bummed about not staying at Port Orleans, but now, you are really "going home" so it's not all bad. And an extra day?!?!?!

Amen sister! Aly is a walking miracle in my opnion.

I was really excited about surprising John and Hunter with the POR stay but an extra day won out in the end!

You can always take a boat over to POR from DTD if you wanted to check it out. Or keep it on the bucket list so you have something to try in the future! I'd love to try a princess room! Think I can get all my princes to consent?

Yes, we go back on Monday. He has been doing very well with the seizures, or I guess I should shout from the top of my lungs...THE LACK OF SEIZURES!! April 20th was the last one!

That's exactly what I told John. Depending on what kind of extra time we have on our hands, we may just take the boat from DTD to POR just to check it out.

14 SEIZURE FREE DAYS! I am so happy for you! That's fantastic!

 

[mindystar]

I hated to "ditch" POR but I if it means another day in Disney, I'd have taken any moderate resort if the price was right.

No way can I fault that!!!!

 

[kaileighbug]

Yeah for John wanting to add a day and for saying he will just act suprised....

At least your hubby listens.....mine tunes me out....which allowed me to book 10 night...

 

[GrammyJudy]

Lisa I have not been on the DIS for a couple of weeks...life gets in the way sometimes. Anyway first thing I did was catch up on your PTR and wow you lucky girl you are going to be in Disney for almost 2 weeks...I am so jealous. And it is so soon...have you started packing yet? Well I know you will have a great time and I so look forward to hearing about the cruise as that is on my "Bucket List". My prayers go out to your aunt and to your mama.

 

[Caretames1]

Apparently it's the hubbies that have the "add an extra day" bug! And who are we to discourage?

Too bad about POR, I know you would have enjoyed it, but more time and better price trumps all!

We've stop by POR last trip just to take the boats to Downtown Disney, and we're planning on it again.

 

[Mom&RN]

Oh my gosh!! I just discovered you had a PTR going and you are already on page 26!! How did I come so late to the party??? Anway, better late than never, I'm in.