Now Approaching... Sleepingbooty's Sept. PTR (We're BAAACK! 9/26)

[OhioDisneyLover]

Yay for the SLR. I absolutely love mine. I just need a class to teach me how to use it properly.

 

[klacey1]

The shot of Lucy on the tree swing is precious! I would absolutely LOVE a fabulous camera, but right now it's not in the cards (grr saving up for a house/paying student loans!). My Sony Cybershot is pretty terrfic, but it would be nice to have something fanicer! Have fun learning how to use it! I would definitely use the coupon for a general photography class-- that way, if you get a different camera in the future, you wouldn't have wasted your money only learning one type of camera.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Now we both have Nikon's! You'll love it and figure out the settings soon enough. I've been shooting in manual for about a month now, after finally putting the puzzle of aperture and shutter speed together to where I finally understand! Can't wait to see more pics!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Yay for the SLR. I absolutely love mine. I just need a class to teach me how to use it properly.

I know! There is a lot to learn to be able to take full advantage of all it can do. Luckily, it takes great pictures on Auto mode, too, so I can learn at my own pace.

The shot of Lucy on the tree swing is precious! I would absolutely LOVE a fabulous camera, but right now it's not in the cards (grr saving up for a house/paying student loans!). My Sony Cybershot is pretty terrfic, but it would be nice to have something fanicer! Have fun learning how to use it! I would definitely use the coupon for a general photography class-- that way, if you get a different camera in the future, you wouldn't have wasted your money only learning one type of camera.

Thank you! Yep, that's good advice. Although, with what I have invested in it, I think it'll be with me for a while! But I'm thinking about getting a Nikon D3000 for Dummies book to start off with.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Now we both have Nikon's! You'll love it and figure out the settings soon enough. I've been shooting in manual for about a month now, after finally putting the puzzle of aperture and shutter speed together to where I finally understand! Can't wait to see more pics!

Yep, I've joined the club! I am loving playing with all the settings already!

 

[All7OfUs]

That's so great, Rebecca!! I have a secret obsession for photography too, but have never taken a class, and honestly stink pretty bad at the art. I'd love to take a class, because, like you, I am totally drooling everytime I open up Todd H's or Ann's stuff on the photo board.

Something to look forward to when we move back, I guess...

Congrats!!! (You do know, we'll expect some pretty snazzy stuff in your TR, though, right??!!)

 

[glennbo123]

Ooooo!!!! Congrats on the new camera! I totally understand getting the camera and then instantly lusting after new peripherals.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Congrats!!! (You do know, we'll expect some pretty snazzy stuff in your TR, though, right??!!)

Oh no, the pressure! Now I definitely know I need to sign up for a class!

Ooooo!!!! Congrats on the new camera! I totally understand getting the camera and then instantly lusting after new peripherals.

Thanks! Yeah, why can't I just be happy with what I have, right? It's not like I don't have enough to learn already, and I seem to think I deserve another lens!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 22. Everyone In Your Seats, It's Time for Class!


Math class, that is. Fuzzy Disney Math, to be more specific. I followed some tips over on the Codes and Rates board, and lo and behold, they worked! I've been granted a pin code! 20% off Values, 30% off Mods, 40% off Deluxe, covering most dates until the end of the year.

So I pulled out the trusty Casio and went to work. Here's what we currently have booked:

8 nights at Caribbean Beach Resort, standard view, 8 day base tix, dining plan.
Total: $3182

I went on to Disney's site to find out what portion of that was comprised of the room rate so I could figure the discount. The room by itself comes to 1222 + tax for a total of 1375. So I calculated 30% off of the pretax room total would give us a discount of $366. That would make our current package cost us a mere $2816.

Well, of course I started looking at other options. If you remember at the beginning of my PTR I was really pushing for Wilderness Lodge. And so of course I had to run the numbers on that option, you know, just for fun.

Wilderness Lodge at the 40% discount (leaving all other aspects of the package the same) would run us $3199. Hmmm, we're now looking at only a $400 difference between the two! Just seems almost irresponsible NOT to upgrade, right?

The only thing is, I'm feeling pretty confident that they will come out with a fall special soon - either free dining or maybe something along the lines of Stay 4, Get 3 free. Either one of those deals would beat this pin code. Free dining will save us $864 off either package. The 4/3 deal would bring our total to $2462 at CBR or $2849 at WL.

That is, if I'm figuring correctly. We did the 4/3 deal last May, and the way I think it worked was, you paid for 4 nights of room and tickets, you got 3 nights of room and tix free - but you paid for all 7 nights of dining. In our case, we are staying 8 nights, so I guess we'd pay for 5 and get 3 free.

So, what should I do?? I could:

1. Rebook my current package at CBR with 30% off my room. $2816

2. Upgrade to WL at 40% off. $3199

3. Wait for a better deal.

Free dining at CBR: $2318
4/3 at CBR: $2462
Free dining at WL: $3103
4/3 at WL: $2849 (wow, can that be right?!)​

4. Rebook (either CBR or WL), then rebook again if a better deal comes out.

Some caveats: My parents are going with us, but they have their own ressie. Should I pull the same tricks hoping to get them the same pin, or could I rebook their reservation under my name to use the pin on both rooms (can you even do that? What do parents with lots of kids who need two rooms do?) I realize I'd have to pay for their room if we did that, but they'd pay me back of course, so that's not an issue.

I think I probably need to call my TA stat!

Click here for Picture of the Day 4/14

 

[glennbo123]

Thanks! Yeah, why can't I just be happy with what I have, right? It's not like I don't have enough to learn already, and I seem to think I deserve another lens!

I got a zoom lens just so I can get a better shot of that dang gorilla on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.

I don't know what to tell you about your trip options. It would definitely be tempting to upgrade to Wilderness Lodge for basically the current cost of your trip.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

I've been lurking on your report, I've really been enjoying it! We are going to WDW 9/23-10/3 and it seems like forever away. Of course we were just there in January, but still, I hate the waiting! I wanted to let you know that your parents can book under your pin code. We got a pin code for free dining and my parents did not. We've been waiting for free dining for them to book, but as you know, nothing's come out yet. My DH called Disney last week and the CM he talked to said that as long as it's a close family member (parents count), they can book under your pin code. Hope that helps!

Krista

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I don't know what to tell you about your trip options. It would definitely be tempting to upgrade to Wilderness Lodge for basically the current cost of your trip.

Very tempting. The only problem is, I've never really looked at the current cost of our package (rack rate) as what I'd end up paying. Although, I technically have the funds for it in our vacation account - I was planning on getting some kind of discount.

I've been lurking on your report, I've really been enjoying it! We are going to WDW 9/23-10/3 and it seems like forever away. Of course we were just there in January, but still, I hate the waiting! I wanted to let you know that your parents can book under your pin code. We got a pin code for free dining and my parents did not. We've been waiting for free dining for them to book, but as you know, nothing's come out yet. My DH called Disney last week and the CM he talked to said that as long as it's a close family member (parents count), they can book under your pin code. Hope that helps!

Krista

Krista! Thanks for coming out of lurkerdom to give me that wonderful little tidbit of information! I will have to relay that to my TA (maybe she already knows). Did you get a pin code for free dining for you 9/23 - 10/3 trip - or a previous trip?

 

[Dancegrl624]

I see you've been caught by the Fuzzy Disney math bug! I think my DH and I need to sit down and go over all possible scenarios so that when the fall discount is released, we'll have a plan and I won't have to call him first. Wouldn't it be great if they did the 4/3 deal again but this time include the dining plan (buy 4 nights of dining get 3 free)!!! That would save us oodles of money!!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I see you've been caught by the Fuzzy Disney math bug! I think my DH and I need to sit down and go over all possible scenarios so that when the fall discount is released, we'll have a plan and I won't have to call him first. Wouldn't it be great if they did the 4/3 deal again but this time include the dining plan (buy 4 nights of dining get 3 free)!!! That would save us oodles of money!!!

I've totally been bit! Yep, that would be an awesome scenario - but don't count on it!

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Krista! Thanks for coming out of lurkerdom to give me that wonderful little tidbit of information! I will have to relay that to my TA (maybe she already knows). Did you get a pin code for free dining for you 9/23 - 10/3 trip - or a previous trip?

We got the pin code through e-mail in January. It was funny we were just in WDW for the marathon 1/4-1/13, but we booked the Sept trip when we got the e-mail late January because we knew we wanted a fall trip (our 10 year anniversary is in Oct). So when DH called to book the trip, the CM was looking at our history and said "Let's see, your last trip was....like....2 weeks ago???". It was funny! Yeah, we like Disney, we go a lot.

Krista

 

[klacey1]

I say stay at CBR (with your discount), and then rebook at WL if a code comes out. It's tempting to just book at WL since it's practically the same as what you're paying now, but I'd hold off for now, since you did think you were going to get some kind of discount (which you would be...it's just what you're currently spending!). I bet you end up at WL-- fingers crossed!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

We got the pin code through e-mail in January. It was funny we were just in WDW for the marathon 1/4-1/13, but we booked the Sept trip when we got the e-mail late January because we knew we wanted a fall trip (our 10 year anniversary is in Oct). So when DH called to book the trip, the CM was looking at our history and said "Let's see, your last trip was....like....2 weeks ago???". It was funny! Yeah, we like Disney, we go a lot.

Krista

Wow, way back in January. So did you run the marathon?

I say stay at CBR (with your discount), and then rebook at WL if a code comes out. It's tempting to just book at WL since it's practically the same as what you're paying now, but I'd hold off for now, since you did think you were going to get some kind of discount (which you would be...it's just what you're currently spending!). I bet you end up at WL-- fingers crossed!!

I know, its so tempting to do WL. But even with any kind of code - it'll still be more money than CBR. I guess that's why we call it 'fuzzy Disney math' - because it really doesn't make a whole lot of sense the way we rationalize the upgrades. I should probably do the responsible thing and stay with CBR no matter what the deal that comes out.

 

[All7OfUs]

You know who's really, really good at this stuff is Cynthia. I'm sure she'll make it over here and give some good advice pretty soon! For me, I just leave all that up to Mary. Someone has to have the brains and beauty in this operation!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I think I'd keep CBR and then if a better offer comes out move to WL. We are staying at WL and my family just upgraded from CBR to WL. I still think that there is time to wait for a possible better offer. This way, if one doesn't come out, you will still have a great price at CBR. The only other thing to consider is it's really not that much more to upgrade now....and you can take the boat to MK (which is a huge plus for my family).

Disney math is much more than , isn't it?

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Wow, way back in January. So did you run the marathon?

I ran the Goofy Challenge, the half marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday.

Good luck deciding what to do! WL is an awesome resort and I love it. Sorry, I know I am not helping you. DH is glad that if I can't stay deluxe, I'd rather stay at the Pop over the moderates. I don't think even Fuzzy Disney Math can justify the Poly over Pop!

Krista

 

[Sleepingbooty]

You know who's really, really good at this stuff is Cynthia. I'm sure she'll make it over here and give some good advice pretty soon! For me, I just leave all that up to Mary. Someone has to have the brains and beauty in this operation!

Yeah, where is she!?

Disney math is much more than , isn't it?

Okay, you win for best use of smilie!

I ran the Goofy Challenge, the half marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday.

Holy Guacamole!