Official Upgrade to SSR thread

[6gr8kidz]

Ok, I am very new here and I must say that the DIS is very addicting. I have a few questions abut the free upgrades if you don't mind.

We are a family of 8. 2 adults and 6 children. The youngest being 2.
We are booked from 8-31-9-8 at ASMo, with 2 preferred rooms on ground level.(requested) My daughter has JRA so I would like to make it as easy on her as possible.

Anyway, I called to ask about a free upgrade. The CM was wonderful and took the time to look to see if I had a pin attached to my name. Nope... She said to keep checking my email and/or calling back. I asked if they would be able to place a family of my size in the SSR or OKW. She told me yes, they "would" give me 2 rooms.

OK, that is great but I know this is a very stupid question but I have to ask it Will these rooms be adjoining?? IF so then great but I don't want to seperate my family. KWIM?? I would think it would be cheaper instead of upgrading to 2 1BR rooms to a 2 BR room. Does anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks, I appreciate any input. I am so darn excited about this trip. I don't know why. I guess it is because we will be there 8-9 days as opposed to the 3-4 days opn our last trips.

Can I just say that I LOVE this board. I am learning so much stuff.

 

[LanaJae]

Hey lanajae-you'll love the LTTaveren. It is my families favorite place to eat.How can you go wrong with thanksgivivg meal! what meal are you doing at akershus? Were doing lunch because I have heard that is when arieal is out in her gown(hopefully she'll be there) We ate at the castle last yr and I was kindof dissappointed with all the hype it gets(It's worth going once)the food was soso but being in the castle was amazing. Ask to be seated by the window when you check in. We had a view of fantasy land.Be prepared the the TS will be packed.We were there last yr during FD and it was a madhouse

Laura

I'm excited about LTT - seems like lots of people love it. We're doing lunch at Akershus just like you, but I didn't know that about Ariel! Thanks! I have read about people being disappointed in the castle, but it'll just be the experience for my 6YO. I'll try to get prepared for crazy on meals - that's what will be so nice about going back to SSR, the tranquility!

 

[LanaJae]

Ok, I am very new here and I must say that the DIS is very addicting. I have a few questions abut the free upgrades if you don't mind.

We are a family of 8. 2 adults and 6 children. The youngest being 2.
We are booked from 8-31-9-8 at ASMo, with 2 preferred rooms on ground level.(requested) My daughter has JRA so I would like to make it as easy on her as possible.

Anyway, I called to ask about a free upgrade. The CM was wonderful and took the time to look to see if I had a pin attached to my name. Nope... She said to keep checking my email and/or calling back. I asked if they would be able to place a family of my size in the SSR or OKW. She told me yes, they "would" give me 2 rooms.

OK, that is great but I know this is a very stupid question but I have to ask it Will these rooms be adjoining?? IF so then great but I don't want to seperate my family. KWIM?? I would think it would be cheaper instead of upgrading to 2 1BR rooms to a 2 BR room. Does anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks, I appreciate any input. I am so darn excited about this trip. I don't know why. I guess it is because we will be there 8-9 days as opposed to the 3-4 days opn our last trips.

Can I just say that I LOVE this board. I am learning so much stuff.

A studio and a 1 BR would be adjoining - that's a 2 BR according to what I've read, sounds like it would be perfect for your family.

 

[6gr8kidz]

Thank you LanaJae....I was so hoping that since my family is a big that we don't get overlooked.

I asked the CM what was these upgrades all about. I asked if it was because the AS were over booked, she said not just that, but Disney is trying to get people to look at the DVC. Which DH and I were thinking of getting. Not sure but this would be a nice way to figure it out. LOL!

I am praying that we get a dream this go around.

 

[LanaJae]

Thank you LanaJae....I was so hoping that since my family is a big that we don't get overlooked.

I asked the CM what was these upgrades all about. I asked if it was because the AS were over booked, she said not just that, but Disney is trying to get people to look at the DVC. Which DH and I were thinking of getting. Not sure but this would be a nice way to figure it out. LOL!

I am praying that we get a dream this go around.

I wonder if you should mention this every time you call, it might help, you never know. I don't think a 2-room requests would've kept you from getting the email/code, since grand-gathering people received it.

I also meant to write before that I'm sorry about your daughter's JRA, is she able to control it somewhat with medication? I take Decadron for autoimmune problems and I can't imagine what it'd be like for a child to live with this

 

[6gr8kidz]

I also meant to write before that I'm sorry about your daughter's JRA, is she able to control it somewhat with medication? I take Decadron for autoimmune problems and I can't imagine what it'd be like for a child to live with this

Yes, she started out on Naprozen, methotrexate and then enbrel. So far we have been able to wean off of everything except the enbrel which is very expensive. About $600 per month with no insurance. We have insurance and pay $100 per month but it adds up.

Autoimmune diseases are crazy. I have never heard of decadron, is it a NSAID or a DMARD or just for pain?? Sorry I am so full of questions.

Also, it is on my ressies that my daughter has JRA as we need a ref for our stay because of her meds. How often should I call?? Is everyday too much or not enough.

 

[LanaJae]

Yes, she started out on Naprozen, methotrexate and then enbrel. So far we have been able to wean off of everything except the enbrel which is very expensive. About $600 per month with no insurance. We have insurance and pay $100 per month but it adds up.

Autoimmune diseases are crazy. I have never heard of decadron, is it a NSAID or a DMARD or just for pain?? Sorry I am so full of questions.

Also, it is on my ressies that my daughter has JRA as we need a ref for our stay because of her meds. How often should I call?? Is everyday too much or not enough.

Call everyday and tell them the same thing everyday - plus it would be so good for your daughter to be in a whirlpool tub too. You might find a CM that finds a code attached to your reservation - maybe the ones you've talked to don't know how to find it, many of us had a lot of problems even when we had the email with the code in front of us. Their computers weren't set up well for this situation.

That really sucks about the cost of Enbrel - have you ever called the pharmaceutical company to ask for partial reimbursement? I get 3 mos. free co-pays on one med I use, just because it's non-formulary - not because of income level or anything like that. Decadron is like high dose prednisone X's 5. I hate autoimmune diseases (and so do all the doctors, as you've probably found). I am happy to hear your daughter has been able to wean off some of the drugs.

 

[tidefan]

Yes, she started out on Naprozen, methotrexate and then enbrel. So far we have been able to wean off of everything except the enbrel which is very expensive. About $600 per month with no insurance. We have insurance and pay $100 per month but it adds up.

Autoimmune diseases are crazy. I have never heard of decadron, is it a NSAID or a DMARD or just for pain?? Sorry I am so full of questions.

Also, it is on my ressies that my daughter has JRA as we need a ref for our stay because of her meds. How often should I call?? Is everyday too much or not enough.

6gr8kidz,

What a small world. Our DD has JRA as well. She was diagnosed just after her 2nd birthday. So far, we have been fortunate in that it is only Pauciarticulate JRA in her right knee, so we have had 2 Aristospan (Steroid) injections into the knee, but no meds yet beyond Motrin (keep your fingers crossed).

FYI, if you get your newest issue of Arthritis Today, DD and I are pictured on Page 100 for the Lemonade stands that we are doing to raise money here with our local AF chapter to raise funds to get a Ped. Rheumatologist to UAB. Currently, there is not a Ped. Rhuematologist in the state of Alabama, so we have to drive 2 1/2 hours to Atlanta to see our Ped Rhumy (who is great, BTW). Are you going to Hershey in July for the AJAO conference? We are. If you aren't going and have some questions, I will be glad to forward them on there.

Back to the topic at hand, we are new SSR owners (bought this past April on our trip to CSR) and we loved the look of the resort, so much so that we bought at SSR over Animal Kingdom Villas. I don't think that anyone will be disappointed.

That being said, our first DVC stay is actually in late Sept. at OKW. We were just going to extend an already planned trip to Jacksonville for the Alabama - Florida State game, so we booked a couple of nights at OKW because they require the least amount of points. Got a 2 Bdr. so that we can take FIL to Animal Kingdom. Also, we are trying out the DDP while we are there. One nice thing about DVC and the DDP is that you don't have to buy park tickets to be able to purchase the DDP, so Turf Club and Kona Cafe, here we come...

Lastly, I think that it's great that all you folks are getting this upgrade. I hope that you enjoy your stay and I have a sneaky suspicion that some of you will become fellow owners

 

[6gr8kidz]

Tidefan~ I am so glad that your daughter only has Pauci. My daughter is def a poly. I am glad that Motrin is working for her. I heard the joint injections are painful. DD was going to have them in the wrist and the Dr. wanted to put her to sleep. She scaped out of the injections and moved on to bigger things. I am praying that we can wean of the enbrel very soon but the Dr. told me there are no confirmed cases of anyone staying off the enbrel for large amounts of time. So we just have to wait and see.

My parents live in AL. That is where I am headed this weekend. I didn't realize they don't have a ped rheumy in AL. I love my Dr. if you have to travel anyway you might want to look into it. Our Dr. is in Gainesville, Florida and is located in SHANDS teaching hospital. She is wonderful and I would drive to see her if I needed to. We have thought about moving to AL. and the Dr.'s were what was keeping us here. Sad that you plan your life around a Ped Rheumy.

Anyway, thanks for all the information. I appreciate it. I actually got the nerve up and called again and this sweet woman Janet (great CM) took her time in looking for a code that was attached to any of our names. NOPE. She told me to call everyday if I wanted to see if it has been given. She said they are still sending them out. So I guess I won't give up hope just yet.

 

[tidefan]

My parents live in AL. That is where I am headed this weekend. I didn't realize they don't have a ped rheumy in AL. I love my Dr. if you have to travel anyway you might want to look into it. Our Dr. is in Gainesville, Florida and is located in SHANDS teaching hospital. She is wonderful and I would drive to see her if I needed to. We have thought about moving to AL. and the Dr.'s were what was keeping us here. Sad that you plan your life around a Ped Rheumy.

Well, with the money that AF and UAB have raised, they are supposed to have one in place here (Birmingham) by the end of the fall. We LOVE our MD in Atlanta. He is at Emory, which is another teaching hospital. Our new Ped Rhumy will be at UAB, which is a top 25 US News hospital. Come on up to Alabama, you'd love it. I grew up in Jacksonville and Tallahassee, and quite honestly, Birmingham isn't that much different.

On another note, there is a camp (Camp M*A*S*H - Make Arthritis Stop Hurting) that is absolutely free for all kids with JRA and their immediate families. It will be held just outside Mobile, AL (not too far from Pensacola, FL) at an awesome property with lakehouses, horses, etc. If you want you can PM me and I can get you in touch with who can get you information on this. Dates are August 3-5. It's great for the kids to get together with other kids with JRA.

Back to the main post. Keep trying with CRO. You just never know what you might get...

 

[6gr8kidz]

Thanks, I will PM. My parents are about 20 minutes away from Mobile.

 

[MEK]

I was off the boards for a few weeks and just found out about this fantastic upgrade. Ofcourse, I immediately contacted my AAA agent to see if I might be eligible. She says she has been offered upgrades on other bookings during this time period.

Anyway - has anyone been offered an upgrade recently (last few days)? I know I probably won't get one, but I'm truely excited for all my fellow Dis'ers who did get one. I stayed at SSR last November and it was wonderful. It's spread out, but it is really a great upgrade from a value resort. It is quiet and the buses aren't packed. I would go back to SSR in a heartbeat. I would even promise to take the DVC tour if I got an upgrade. I liked this resort enough, that if I was to buy DVC, this would be the one. It's got all the makings of Disney, but its also a great spot for ANYTHING you might want to do in the Orlando area.

I hope you all enjoy your stays at SSR (and OKW)!