CareBear05
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2005
- Messages
- 157
This is my first trip report, so bare with me.... here we go!
Cast:
Me, 24, Disney Nut
Disney Mom, 50
Disney Dad, 58
Disney Sister, BIL, and kids, 37, 35, 19, 13, 9
Evil Boss
irate:
Helper
I work at an insane job with great benefits, plenty of days to take off, but never a good time to take them. I'm at work 2 months ago, and realized that I have almost 3 weeks paid time off that I have to use by February 15th. UH OH!!!
What's my solution to everything? I'm going to Disney!!
So, I'm at work, look at the calendar, and randomly choose 11 days to take off at the end of January. I go home and announce to my parents "I'm going to the World at the end of January for a week!!"
Ha! "Oh really..." they say, "And where do you plan on staying?" It's an old game we play often. We're DVC members, and I, the lovingly spoiled child, am known for hogging points. "Well, I'll use 3 of my employee comp nights if you'll give me 4 nights with DVC." Whatdoyaknow they go for it and my first obstacle is overcome!!! 
Next things next. Where am I going to spend my 4 nights on-site? I am normally an OKW girl, 100% all the way, always stay there. This is my second solo trip, my first one was unplanned and while I LOVE OKW, it was a little too quiet and lonely for my taste, especially for a solo trip. I decided it was time for a change of venue for this Disney girl. I agonize over all the resorts, and what I could get from each one. Then, a couple days later, JACKPOT! I decide on a 1 bedroom at BWV will do me just fine. Now, I know that a 1 bedroom sounds spacious for a solo girl traveling the world alone, but when I go solo, I don't necessarily spend a lot of time in the parks, therefore, I like to have space to roam in my room, and not feel boxed in. DM understands this, DD always puts up a small fight, but he loves his DD, and indulges her.
DD calls MS and I get a 1 bedroom, for the dates I wanted, preferred view, waitlisted for boardwalk view. Employee comp nights are booked at the Hyatt Grand Cypress, and i'm on my way to planning an awesome vacation!
Next step...the dreaded one: Telling evil boss that I'm taking time off. Turn the vacation form into her. Requesting 11 days off, 7 days for Disney, and 4 days for relaxing at home after I get back. Vacation form is supposed to be approved or denied within 48 hours, company policy. New evil boss apparently doesn't know this (she's new to this property, but not company) and weeks go by. Come on evil spaw!! I want to buy airfare and start planning!!!!! I'm like a 5 year old waiting for my parents answer after I beg them for a puppy. Finally, after 3 weeks, I send evil boss nice email reminding her of my request, and my need to know ASAP whether or not I can go. YES!!!!! Evil boss finally signes vacation request and I'm officially good to go!!!!
Start looking for airfare and find a good deal on Southwest. Booked and paid...alright, I'm on a roll!!! Next, what can I do to make this trip the best it can be at a time when I need it the most? AHA! Cirque tickets!! I've never seen it and have always been tempted to when down there, but traveling buddies usually don't want to dish out the cash for it. Decide to do some research on the DIS and everyone is raving about the show. Do some research and find out they're only having 1 day of shows during my trip down there. UH OH I decide immediately to go for it since I won't necessarily get a second chance if I don't jump on it. CHA CHING!!!!! Not only am I going to the late show of Cirque my first night there, but I'm going and sitting in a FRONT ROW CENTER BALCONY SEAT 
Now I just need to make sure my flight gets in on time or I'm really going to be upset. 
Next up! Buying a park pass. I go on Disney.com and look at my options. last trip I had considered an AP, but never went through with it. After pricing the different tickets that may work for me, I went to dvc.com and research the discount AP's. I get super excited and decide that's my way to go. Then I notice something and stop dead in my tracks. Go over the requirements again. Yes, I live at home with my parents. No, they will not be with me when I go to trade in my vouchers! Oh no!! No discount and no AP after I got all excited?!!? DD to the rescue! he calls MS for me and YES!!! They can help us! They let me purchase the AP over the phone through them. They then called back 2 days later with a reference number I'll need to bring with me along with a photo ID proving that I live at home. WHEW! Close call there.
Everything's going good so far. Got the room and hotel I wanted, amazing seats to Cirque, decent airfare, and my discounted AP. DM and DD are starting to get jealous.
Now..where am I going to eat? I'm a pretty socially dependent person so last solo trip I never tried TS food. I stuck to CS or food in my room at OKW. This time, I'm being brave, everything's going so well so why not make it better with some restaurants I've been wanting to try. Call to make PS and yes, things are still going my way. Got everything I wanted including Le Cellier, Boma, and California Grill. I was also able to meet Thumpers Tara on the DIS. She'll be there solo the exact same dates and we'll be meeting at Libery Tavern. Plus, my CG ressie is perfect timing for fireworks too!!
DD is really starting to get jealous now. Especially when a letter comes from Disney in the mail. Can it be true??? YES!! My waitlist came through for Boardwalk view!!!!! This is going to be the best vacation ever, I just know it!! Not to mention that it's playoff season and my Steelers keep hanging on so I just might be able to watch them at ESPN which I've never been able to to.
After all of my wonderful planning, I start to worry I'll be lonely like last time. Now, I know a lot of people love their solo trips, but I really am a very social person and thrive around friends and family. One acquaintance once joked he never sees me without my "harem" of friends. Now you ask, if I'm nervou about going alone, why did I plan it that way? I work insane hours, the other day I had to work 20 hours in 1 day! I am so desperate for a vacation I am determined to go no matter what!! My friends, unlike me, have normal Monday through Friday 9-5 jobs and vac ation isan't as easy for them to take. So, my thought was this, plan it alone so I'm prepared for it, but if I find someone to come, it's a bonus. Pretty good attitude I think for a person like me. Anyway, I digress. I start thinking of my sister, BIL, and kids. Why not ask my sister if she'll loan me a kid for a week?! Brilliant I tell you! Two nephews are in middle school and high school so they're hard to pull out of school, but AHA, my niece is only 9 and in elementary school. Call my sis and ask if I can borrow a kid. You could say she was shocked. She'll talk to BIL about it and get back to me. My sweet niece is daddy's lil princess and he had a heart attack when my sister asked him. She promised to work on it and he finally gave in! They want to talk to her though, to see if she'll be ok without mom and dad for a week. Things were looking good, everyone thought it'd be good. Then, boom, she's mommy and daddy's girl (can't blame her she's only 9) and being without them for an entire week scares her too much. I understand completely, but what a bummer after things were looking so good! Back to my solo trip I guess.
My disappointment didn't last too long. I'm on the DIS and notice that Expedition Everest is having a DVC preview and it's during my trip!! I can't believe my luck!
More bad news comes my way... another manager in my department quits. Not only am I losing my best friend at work, but I'm cover my responsibilites AND hers now. Evil boss won't promote me to the position, but it ok with me doing everything until she finds someone new. Anyway. Ask evil boss "I'm still getting my vacation right?" She says "We'll see" WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! There is NO "we'll see" in my book. No way Jose!!!! I will quit before losing my vacation time I worked so hard to get. Apparently though, evil boss has a plan. After calling to different properties to see if anyone would want to transfer in, they find an old acquaintance that doesn't have anyone willing to transfer, but it's a quiet time of year with hours cut back so she'll send someone to help out. Wonderful! I get my vacation back! Boss books plane for helper and finds out after books it that helper is going to Vegas the EXACT same dates I'm going to the World. 
Made me laugh...don't you check that before you start booking flights?? So, boss has finally resigned herself to the fact she'll have to find another way to work it out and decides I can still go on vacation. PHEW!
Christmas comes, DM and DD suprise me with a laptop I can take to the World with me and that way I won't be so alone if I can get online and talk to everyone while I'm there. Obviously, that's not the main reason I got it, but it's a very nice perk in my opinion. And hey, I can now give you guys live trip reports.
So after all my drama and fun planning, I'm ready to go!! Hope I did well on my first report and you enjoyed reading it. I'll make sure to give you all some live trip reports in a couple of weeks. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!
Cast:
Me, 24, Disney Nut
Disney Mom, 50
Disney Dad, 58
Disney Sister, BIL, and kids, 37, 35, 19, 13, 9
Evil Boss
irate:Helper
I work at an insane job with great benefits, plenty of days to take off, but never a good time to take them. I'm at work 2 months ago, and realized that I have almost 3 weeks paid time off that I have to use by February 15th. UH OH!!!
What's my solution to everything? I'm going to Disney!!So, I'm at work, look at the calendar, and randomly choose 11 days to take off at the end of January. I go home and announce to my parents "I'm going to the World at the end of January for a week!!"
Ha! "Oh really..." they say, "And where do you plan on staying?" It's an old game we play often. We're DVC members, and I, the lovingly spoiled child, am known for hogging points. "Well, I'll use 3 of my employee comp nights if you'll give me 4 nights with DVC." Whatdoyaknow they go for it and my first obstacle is overcome!!! Next things next. Where am I going to spend my 4 nights on-site? I am normally an OKW girl, 100% all the way, always stay there. This is my second solo trip, my first one was unplanned and while I LOVE OKW, it was a little too quiet and lonely for my taste, especially for a solo trip. I decided it was time for a change of venue for this Disney girl. I agonize over all the resorts, and what I could get from each one. Then, a couple days later, JACKPOT! I decide on a 1 bedroom at BWV will do me just fine. Now, I know that a 1 bedroom sounds spacious for a solo girl traveling the world alone, but when I go solo, I don't necessarily spend a lot of time in the parks, therefore, I like to have space to roam in my room, and not feel boxed in. DM understands this, DD always puts up a small fight, but he loves his DD, and indulges her.
DD calls MS and I get a 1 bedroom, for the dates I wanted, preferred view, waitlisted for boardwalk view. Employee comp nights are booked at the Hyatt Grand Cypress, and i'm on my way to planning an awesome vacation!
Next step...the dreaded one: Telling evil boss that I'm taking time off. Turn the vacation form into her. Requesting 11 days off, 7 days for Disney, and 4 days for relaxing at home after I get back. Vacation form is supposed to be approved or denied within 48 hours, company policy. New evil boss apparently doesn't know this (she's new to this property, but not company) and weeks go by. Come on evil spaw!! I want to buy airfare and start planning!!!!! I'm like a 5 year old waiting for my parents answer after I beg them for a puppy. Finally, after 3 weeks, I send evil boss nice email reminding her of my request, and my need to know ASAP whether or not I can go. YES!!!!! Evil boss finally signes vacation request and I'm officially good to go!!!!
Start looking for airfare and find a good deal on Southwest. Booked and paid...alright, I'm on a roll!!! Next, what can I do to make this trip the best it can be at a time when I need it the most? AHA! Cirque tickets!! I've never seen it and have always been tempted to when down there, but traveling buddies usually don't want to dish out the cash for it. Decide to do some research on the DIS and everyone is raving about the show. Do some research and find out they're only having 1 day of shows during my trip down there. UH OH
I decide immediately to go for it since I won't necessarily get a second chance if I don't jump on it. CHA CHING!!!!! Not only am I going to the late show of Cirque my first night there, but I'm going and sitting in a FRONT ROW CENTER BALCONY SEAT Now I just need to make sure my flight gets in on time or I'm really going to be upset. Next up! Buying a park pass. I go on Disney.com and look at my options. last trip I had considered an AP, but never went through with it. After pricing the different tickets that may work for me, I went to dvc.com and research the discount AP's. I get super excited and decide that's my way to go. Then I notice something and stop dead in my tracks. Go over the requirements again. Yes, I live at home with my parents. No, they will not be with me when I go to trade in my vouchers! Oh no!! No discount and no AP after I got all excited?!!? DD to the rescue! he calls MS for me and YES!!! They can help us! They let me purchase the AP over the phone through them. They then called back 2 days later with a reference number I'll need to bring with me along with a photo ID proving that I live at home. WHEW! Close call there.
Everything's going good so far. Got the room and hotel I wanted, amazing seats to Cirque, decent airfare, and my discounted AP. DM and DD are starting to get jealous.
Now..where am I going to eat? I'm a pretty socially dependent person so last solo trip I never tried TS food. I stuck to CS or food in my room at OKW. This time, I'm being brave, everything's going so well so why not make it better with some restaurants I've been wanting to try. Call to make PS and yes, things are still going my way. Got everything I wanted including Le Cellier, Boma, and California Grill. I was also able to meet Thumpers Tara on the DIS. She'll be there solo the exact same dates and we'll be meeting at Libery Tavern. Plus, my CG ressie is perfect timing for fireworks too!!
DD is really starting to get jealous now. Especially when a letter comes from Disney in the mail. Can it be true??? YES!! My waitlist came through for Boardwalk view!!!!! This is going to be the best vacation ever, I just know it!! Not to mention that it's playoff season and my Steelers keep hanging on so I just might be able to watch them at ESPN which I've never been able to to.
After all of my wonderful planning, I start to worry I'll be lonely like last time. Now, I know a lot of people love their solo trips, but I really am a very social person and thrive around friends and family. One acquaintance once joked he never sees me without my "harem" of friends. Now you ask, if I'm nervou about going alone, why did I plan it that way? I work insane hours, the other day I had to work 20 hours in 1 day! I am so desperate for a vacation I am determined to go no matter what!! My friends, unlike me, have normal Monday through Friday 9-5 jobs and vac ation isan't as easy for them to take. So, my thought was this, plan it alone so I'm prepared for it, but if I find someone to come, it's a bonus. Pretty good attitude I think for a person like me. Anyway, I digress. I start thinking of my sister, BIL, and kids. Why not ask my sister if she'll loan me a kid for a week?! Brilliant I tell you! Two nephews are in middle school and high school so they're hard to pull out of school, but AHA, my niece is only 9 and in elementary school. Call my sis and ask if I can borrow a kid. You could say she was shocked. She'll talk to BIL about it and get back to me. My sweet niece is daddy's lil princess and he had a heart attack when my sister asked him. She promised to work on it and he finally gave in! They want to talk to her though, to see if she'll be ok without mom and dad for a week. Things were looking good, everyone thought it'd be good. Then, boom, she's mommy and daddy's girl (can't blame her she's only 9) and being without them for an entire week scares her too much. I understand completely, but what a bummer after things were looking so good! Back to my solo trip I guess.
My disappointment didn't last too long. I'm on the DIS and notice that Expedition Everest is having a DVC preview and it's during my trip!! I can't believe my luck!
More bad news comes my way... another manager in my department quits. Not only am I losing my best friend at work, but I'm cover my responsibilites AND hers now. Evil boss won't promote me to the position, but it ok with me doing everything until she finds someone new. Anyway. Ask evil boss "I'm still getting my vacation right?" She says "We'll see"
WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! There is NO "we'll see" in my book. No way Jose!!!! I will quit before losing my vacation time I worked so hard to get. Apparently though, evil boss has a plan. After calling to different properties to see if anyone would want to transfer in, they find an old acquaintance that doesn't have anyone willing to transfer, but it's a quiet time of year with hours cut back so she'll send someone to help out. Wonderful! I get my vacation back! Boss books plane for helper and finds out after books it that helper is going to Vegas the EXACT same dates I'm going to the World. Made me laugh...don't you check that before you start booking flights?? So, boss has finally resigned herself to the fact she'll have to find another way to work it out and decides I can still go on vacation. PHEW!Christmas comes, DM and DD suprise me with a laptop I can take to the World with me and that way I won't be so alone if I can get online and talk to everyone while I'm there. Obviously, that's not the main reason I got it, but it's a very nice perk in my opinion. And hey, I can now give you guys live trip reports.
So after all my drama and fun planning, I'm ready to go!! Hope I did well on my first report and you enjoyed reading it. I'll make sure to give you all some live trip reports in a couple of weeks. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!
You are taking my dream vacation - I'd love to go solo once but with 5 kids (12-27 and all living at home) I don't think I could sneak away 
