*Mommy & Me & the Mouse! A Christmas Time PTR!!*

[disneybarbie]

subscribing! followed you here from the December thread!

I know I've always wanted to ask them if they notice the strange Alien Green color gone missing.

lol I wonder if Disney/paint company look through their statistics ... and wonder why thousands of Alien Green paint chips are taken.. but not much of this color paint is sold?!

So, thanks to a patient DISser and her explanation, I finally figured out the deal with pre-ordering your Photopass CD. So, I just went and pre-ordered that and the Photo Cover Book. When I saw that I couldn't resist. This is just such a momentous milestone for me and my DD, I almost cried just THINKING of getting my book full of Christmas Disney pics.

hope it makes sense! I love getting the photopass cd! that memory book looks like a lovely keepsake too, I might be tempted to get that for my honeymoon trip next year


Looking forward to reading more!

Emma x

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

So, I have just made an exciting discovery/decision.

As MY Christmas present to MY self, once we arrive at the parks, I am going to upgrade our 8 day base tickets to AP's!!!

I looked online and realized that with DVC, I get a $100 savings on my pass and a $90 savings on DD's. That's just too good to pass up.

On the outside, I am sitting quietly at my desk looking like I am concentrating on my work very hard ( ), but on the inside...I am bouncing up and down like Tigger!!!

I did all the math, and for less money that an already paid for our 8 day base tickets, I can upgrade to a full year of park hopping. I am not going to get the premium for a few reasons.
1. More money
2. I don't golf
3. I don't care about Disney Quest
4. I figure you can only go to the water parks some of the time, and if I get there during a good time for that, I wont mind shelling out the dough for 1 day at a water park.

Now I just hope I can make it back there in the next year and it wont be a total waste.

Hopefully if I can find some cheap flights throughout the year, DD and I can make it out for a few weekend trips. Now I need to learn all about Tables In Wonderland, and if you can still qualify for free dining if you're using DVC points for the room and an AP to get in.

Now, we are already Premium AP's out here in CA. But, I do the monthly payment plan. I already asked, and I cannot upgrade to the Premier Pass unless I had the CA ones paid off first. And that is just too much money for me to shell out all at once.

Either way, Merry Christmas to us!!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

subscribing! followed you here from the December thread!



lol I wonder if Disney/paint company look through their statistics ... and wonder why thousands of Alien Green paint chips are taken.. but not much of this color paint is sold?!



hope it makes sense! I love getting the photopass cd! that memory book looks like a lovely keepsake too, I might be tempted to get that for my honeymoon trip next year


Looking forward to reading more!

Emma x

Hi Emma, welcome aboard!!! GLAD to have you!!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

So...

I'm THINKING of another trip to the World in February for my birthday, since I am hoping to upgrade our tickets to AP's in December. I would be taking DD of course, but my DCousin may be coming along for the journey as her birthday is also in February. Been online pricing trips out all day. And wouldn't you know it, DVC is CLOSED until Thursday. I don't know if that means they're closed Thu and open Fri...or open on Thu. Frickin DVC. How can you do this to me???

 

[jesemeca]

Joining in. You're daughter is too cute in her Snow White dress. Can't wait to hear about your trip.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Joining in. You're daughter is too cute in her Snow White dress. Can't wait to hear about your trip.

aboard! Glad to have readers!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

All Right for the APs, that's really exciting!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

All Right for the APs, that's really exciting!

I know!!! Let's just hope I can make at LEAST another trip work and not have wasted my money.

 

[20thingamabobs]

That's awesome about the APs! We're upgrading to APs in Dec too and I'm so excited! I don't know a lot about DVC because we're not members but I know that AP members don't qualify for offers like the Free Dining. I guess they assume we're already "saving" with our APs (and DVC) so they don't give us more "freebies". Also, I read that the reservations are suppose to be back up by tomorrow morning so you should be able to call then! Hopefully!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

And now for the serious, if somewhat too personal portion of our PTR...

So, I've got this responsible adult (read "Grinch") co-worker who is trying to talk me out of taking DD back to WDW in Feb. When I mentioned it to him, he goes "Don't do it. How is she gonna go to college?"

And he has a point. I don't earn that much money. I don't have a degree in anything. I'm an executive administrative assistant/office manager (read "receptionist for a small company"). I live at home with my parents, I drive a hoopty, the fanciest restaurant I eat at on any sort of regular basis is Chuck E Cheese. I pay my bills but most times I do live paycheck to paycheck. I buy Lily what she needs, and when there is extra money I try and hand it over to Disney.

I myself had been having doubts about a second trip to Disney in my current situation. But, I always go back to "What if..."

What if something happens to me and I am left immobile for the remainder of my life? What if I suddenly became terminally ill? What if I don't get "the rest of my life" to do things like this with her? She'll be starting school in 2 years, and then it will be even more difficult to travel. Especially during times when things aren't TWICE as crowded and TWICE as expensive!!

And no, I don't think that WDW is the ONLY place you can make great memories. I don't think that if you don't or can't take your child to WDW that you are a bad or unconcerned parent. Everyone has their priorities and for me, I want to travel with my daughter while I can. When I can't do it anymore, then I wont. As I've stated before, I don't get enough time with my daughter (especially with the two of us alone) so I want to make the time we do get worth remembering.

So, for now, I am going to take my daughter to Disney World and make as many happy memories there as I can. And I will try worry about crossing other bridges when I come to them. Am I irresponsible? Most likely. At the heart of everything, my DD is my lifeblood. I just don't want to be persecuted for wanting to take my little girl to Disney World while she is still a little girl.

So haters, keep your negative comments to yourself. I've got enough negativity surrounding me already and I don't need yours. These trips are nice reality breaks for the both of us. And who doesn't love a little break from reality? I think I'm a reality break junkie!!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Aaaarg!! I just tried to post a big long announcement and by the time I clicked POST...DIS has signed me off and the post was lost!!! That has nevr happened to me before. It usually gets saved and will post once I sign back in. Well...off to retype the announcement. This time as a Word Doc so I can just copy and paste.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Okay, here we go...

So, I decided to take the plunge. Since DVC was back up and running this morning, I gave them a call to assist me in spending my points. I asked about the dates in February that I was interested in. He said pretty much everything was wide open…except of course for BLT. Now, there are several places I am dying to stay. Beach Club would be one of them because of their awesome pool. But, since we’re going in Feb, I don’t think we’ll be spending much time swimming. So why even tempt myself, or my 3 year old for that matter? The other place I want to stay is Boardwalk. It just looks so super cool. I can imagine that Boardwalk View at night. Mmmmm…

Anyway, what I decided on was Villas at Wilderness Lodge. A few of my main reasons are
1. Proximity to MK
2. We can take a boat and not the stinking busses over to MK, which is where we will most likely spend most of our days.
3. Electric Light Pageant!!!
4. View of fireworks from the beach…right?? Can you see them from there??
5. Proximity to FW. As (I think) I’ve previously mentioned, DD LOVES horses, so I know she would love to be able to go over and maybe take a pony ride. We can also do Chip & Dales Campfire Sing Along. I’m thinking of trying this out in December, but just incase we don’t make it, I am glad to know we’ll now have another chance!

I would also love to try out that restaurant they have there. Someone refresh my memory??

So, VWL all booked up, I started looking for airfare. The cheap flights that existed on Southwest were now not cheap anymore. Aarg!!! Why did the DVC have to be closed during SW’s sale??? So, I look at American Airlines. Eureka!! I found non-stop flights from LAX to MCO on the day I want to leave for $135 p/p. BUT…the return flight was $227. *makes a buzzer sound* Wrong! I don’t want to pay that much. So, back over to Southwest to look at their return flights. BAM!!! Same price as the sale yesterday. $140 p/p. We change planes in Houston, but that doesn’t scare me too much because ALL of our extended family lives in Houston…so it wouldn’t be a bad place to get stuck overnight.

I decided to go LAX – MCO on American, and MCO – LAX on Southwest. Book it Dan-O!!

I call up my mom and tell her about the rates I found, she JUMPS on it and decides to come too. My cousin, who works for Continental Airlines (now United), is handling her own flights, but she won’t be staying with us the whole trip.

Now, since it is just me and DD, and my mom and cousin are leaving their DH’s at home, and because my DD LOVES the Beyonce song “Put a Ring on It”, we are calling it “Single Ladies ‘World’ Tour”.

The fun part is, we'll be there on both my birthday AND Valentines Day. My first EVER trip to WDW was on my birthday and Valentines day back when I turned 20. So...12 year later, I'll be on the same trip. Only this time I'm a mommy!

This is awesome, I'll now have 3 tickers!!!! That is until tomorrow when we check into GC, then I'm back down to two. Still better than I could have ever dreamed!!!

 

[disneybarbie]

That's so exciting you have your next trip booked! I love having more than one Disney trip to look forward too .. it reduces those 'disney blues' when you get home from the first trip!

Hmm.. I'm not sure about seeing fireworks from WL.. I've not been there, but I think I've read that because the trees are so big, it's hard to see much.. I might be wrong though!
It does look like a beautiful resort.. I'm sooo excited for our dinner there at Whispering Canyon Cafe!


Emma x

ps have you looked at the new Virgin America flights from LAX to MCO? I heard they started those recently, direct

 

[20thingamabobs]

How exciting about your new trip in Feb!! You should make shirts for Valentine's day for everyone to wear into the parks! Maybe a red shirt with the word LOVE on it but the O is a Mickey head. Like the one I posted on my PTR for one of the other readers.

Have fun at the Halloween party tonight! Can't wait to see your pics when you get back!

 

[tink52937]

Hi, I am new here, I found your report while lurking. I am leaving in 26 days and going INSANE. Reading other peoples reports is the only thing getting me through the day.
First LOVE the Snow White Dress your daughter is beautiful, So sorry about your eye. Don't you love toys that end up in bed! My DD is a horse fanatic too, and I usually have a hoof sitcking in my back most nights!!

We have stayed at the villas at the WL a few times, and I have never been able to see Wishes from the beach but someone may come around and correct me.

My daughter liked the pony rides but since she rides at home it was a little boring for her. But anytime she can get on a horse is a good day for her!!

Wispering Canyon is one of our favorite places to eat in WDW. We try and get there once a year. Geno Casino is our favorite waiter. The place is loud and crayz but so much fun. Put it on your list of to do's.

Roaring Forks is the counter service and we have never had a problem with any food there. Waffles for breakfast and burgers at lunch we are simple eaters!

We are planning a DL trip and have a TON of questions so I may hit you up for some of your knowledge there.

 

[stephielela]

How did you like that stroller for the parks? Does it have snack spots for him? (Jack is my FAVORITE boy name, btw)

I love the Maclaren, it's so easy to steer, but my problem with it is ther are no cupholders. They do make an organizer attachment you can buy that goes on the back that adds some storage space and cupholders, but there are no snack places for the child. The jogging stroller I have is what we are taking in Dec because it does have snack/cupholder for Jack, but it's bigger and there is no way I would have wanted to deal with that alone.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Alright, so now I am facing a new dillema. Since I will be returning to WDW in February, I am thinking I will need to downgrad from the Deluxe Dining Plan to a QS or DDP. Either one of those plans would help me have the money to upgrade to the AP's I want to get us. Especially since I just purchased another set of round trip tickets for DD and I to go in Feb. So...what do I do? I'll need to cut some of my ADR's. And I'm okay with that. The only one I am not cutting, no way, no how is Hoop Dee Doo. I have been looking forward to that for months. It is some place I have ALWAYS wanted to eat, but it is so expensive, no one else ever wants to go. So, since this trip is JUST DD and myself, this is the only time I will be able to make this happen. So, the question is, do I downgrade to the DDP and use TWO of my precious TS credits for this one dinner? Or do I go the cheapest of all with the QS route, and then pay out of pocket for HDD?? The dinner for the two of us will be $79.98. The difference between QS and DDP is $96. So, I would almost be paying the difference for just the ONE dinner. But, with QS, I'll get two snacks per day which may help keep us less hungry throughout the day. The good thing is that because I am staying there with DVC, I can call ahead and have some groceries put in our room before we arrive. So I can have breakfast items in there.

The only other TS place we want to go to is Liberty Tree Tavern. Samantha Brown goes there in the video that DD watches on her iTouch. DD likes the idea of the mashed potatoes they serve, which I must admit excite me too!!

Uugg, I am so bummed about losing the DlxDP, but I have to look on the bright side. It means another trip!!

What do you think? Which plan sounds the best for us.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Hi, I am new here, I found your report while lurking. I am leaving in 26 days and going INSANE. Reading other peoples reports is the only thing getting me through the day.
First LOVE the Snow White Dress your daughter is beautiful, So sorry about your eye. Don't you love toys that end up in bed! My DD is a horse fanatic too, and I usually have a hoof sitcking in my back most nights!!

We have stayed at the villas at the WL a few times, and I have never been able to see Wishes from the beach but someone may come around and correct me.

My daughter liked the pony rides but since she rides at home it was a little boring for her. But anytime she can get on a horse is a good day for her!!

Wispering Canyon is one of our favorite places to eat in WDW. We try and get there once a year. Geno Casino is our favorite waiter. The place is loud and crayz but so much fun. Put it on your list of to do's.

Roaring Forks is the counter service and we have never had a problem with any food there. Waffles for breakfast and burgers at lunch we are simple eaters!

We are planning a DL trip and have a TON of questions so I may hit you up for some of your knowledge there.

We are simple eaters too. Waffles and burgers sound good to me.

And ask away. I loooove discussing Disney.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Well, I did it. I called and canceled CRT, Akershus, Le Chefs de France, Garden Grill and Sci-Fi. Still debating canceling 'Ohana. I am keeping CP, HDD, LTT and 1900 PF. I called the DVC to downgrade to QS from DlxDp, but since the change (that had them shut down the other day) they now require full payment at the time of booking. Woops! I can't do that today, so I told her to leave it as is and I would call back on payday to change it.

So, QS it will be but it's okay. Like I've said, we're not "foodies" so it should be fine. And we'll still get two yummy snacks a day and a second trip to compensate. Not a bad deal.

 

[20thingamabobs]

I think you'll still be happy with the QS plan. Plus, without so many dining reservations, you'll get so much more park time!!!