OLD THREAD: 2012 Beach and Yacht FAQ, Part 2- May, June and July DON'T POST HERE!

[Steph H]

I'm sorry for your loss and firsthand know what you are going through. We lost my father on June 3rd to ALS....he was just shy of 67 years young.
Give your father some time, and then bring him along on a family trip. Trust me, the Mouse is good medicine

So sorry to hear of this. Your family is in my prayers.

KLDMom2000, I saw your post as well (but can't find it again now to quote)...please know you are in my prayers as well.

Teena, I LOVED your Dude Ranch report! What a truly wonderful experience--you make me want to go RIGHT NOW!! I think I might actually suggest that to DH for a future vacation. I know the kids would love it. And I would have the benefit of being the only experienced horse rider of our family.

So, some not-so-happy news. You all might have remembered me being so excited several weeks back to know that I was able to work out our trip budget so that all would be paid off in time without issue. Well, DH, as an employee of a major metropolitan city that is in serious debt (stupid former administrations, spending like there was no tomorrow ), has been waiting to find out what would happen to his contract when the new fiscal year hit on July 1st. Well, Sunday night he got the email, and it's not pretty: he will be getting a 10% paycut, a cut in the rate paid for holidays (like today), and a very large increase in our health care costs, among other things.

Needless to say, this is very disheartening news when it comes to our Disney trip. However, I have made the decision that we are not cancelling the trip. The flights are already paid for, and I currently have half the money for the reamainder of the trip already in the bank. I have to find a way to get the other half between now and mid-October, and I will just have to find a way. It is my hope that we will be able to keep our club level status, as I know that our family will rely on that for snacks and definitely for breakfasts. (All of our ADRs were made late, with the idea that we could feed everyone in the early evening to tide them over!) But, obviously, if something has to give, that's an option. {crossing fingers} that I can make it all work, though. We have the dining package, so that will help. And if the stars align, perhaps I might get a little Disney magic to send me a discount or a free dining offer or something.

I am very much enjoying the trip reports and the updates and all the countdowns. This week especially, it has been a nice escape from reality to come here. I have already changed my Boma reservation to Via Napoli because everyone made Via sound SO good. (And no one in my family was overly enthused about Boma. ) I was also informed today that we received our Rose & Crown CP booking, so that made me smile, too.

So keep those updates and countdowns coming, everyone!! Thanks for letting me "vent" a little here.

 

[kelleigh1]

I just told hubby that the laundry rooms are open 24/7 so I expect him to be doing the laundry when he gets up in the morning (he is always up before me when I'm not working.) He made a not so nice gesture. LOL


Fyi...at home, he usually does all the laundry.

 

[JoshMom5]

Steph:

Sending some pixie dust your way. Things will work out.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

A combination of overpacking and emergency t-shirt purchases when we run out of clothes.

DH calls me the "queen of the overpackers" LOL!

I just realized the difference - you have boys!'
If I just packed for DH and my ds things would be sooo much easier.
Unfortunately girls wear something for 20 minutes and throw it in the hamper, plus everything has to be coorindated. Ds would wear his same favorite outfit everyd day if I let him.

 

[wishinon3stars]

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Princess Lilly is growing up sooo fast!!! She is adorable. She is definitely at a very fun age.

Steph H, Sending positive thoughts your way so everything works out for you all. People I work with make fun of me because I always bring my own coffee and lunch to work with me instead of indulging in their trips to dunkin donuts and buying lunch daily like they do. What they don't realize is that all that adds up and helps us to afford our vacations. All those little things will add up, especially where you already have a good portion of your trip paid for.

 

[wishinon3stars]

kelleigh1, Like others have said, WaterCountry over in Portsmouth would be a nice day and then you could hit dowtown Portsmouth for dinner and siteseeing. There are some great restaurants and breweries there.

Another direction I would suggest is North Conway, although it is a bit more of a drive. I don't remember, are you planning a day trip or would you stay overnight? My husband and I go up there every December with friends and stay at the Mount Washington Hotel for a couple of nights and do some Christmas shopping. I want to go during the fall to do their zip line which looks very fun. You could always do the Mount Washington Auto Road too. Years ago, at a much much younger age, my husband and I with some friends, climbed Mount Washington. It was a bit difficult for me (probably because of the trail we picked). It would have been no problem for my husband had he not brought me along

Lots to see and do up in North Conway area. Also like someone else suggested is on your way to or from North Conway stopping at the lower falls on the Kangamangus River. Probably have to stay overnight tho driving from your area.

 

[cmcadoo66]

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

Princess Lily is so cute!! I remember my DD doing the exact same thing when she was that age. She emptied the Tupperware so she could sit in the cabinet.

Steph~I am sorry to hear about your husband's recent news about his job. I know it is a stressful situation. I'm sure you will be able to make it work and I'm sending out for a nice discount or FD to come your way!

As for me, I am not so patiently waiting for August to get here. I don't know why but this year I am more anxious for our trip to get started. Maybe it's the idea of activating our first ever APs, I don't know. Disney is on my mind all of the time these days. It's so bad I just went for my second Disney tattoo! On a positive note, I now know I have truly converted my DH into a true Disney nut......he got a Mickey tattoo and is having another one done to cover up an old one. That is big!! He was definitely a non-Disney guy when we met, so much so that I was terrified how he would be the first year we took the kids. Now he looks forward to our trips ALMOST as much as me and the kids!

Well, I need to put my need for all things Disney on hold for a while so I can get some cooking done for our 4th of July cook out. For those celebrating today, have a safe and happy day!!

 

[kldmom2000]

I'm sorry for your loss and firsthand know what you are going through. We lost my father on June 3rd to ALS....he was just shy of 67 years young.
Give your father some time, and then bring him along on a family trip. Trust me, the Mouse is good medicine

I'm so sorry for your loss as well... huge ((((HUGS))) going out to you!

 

[franc]

Garden View for us is very nice, we could even see part of SAB from our room! I think unless you plan to spend a lot of time looking at water, GV is a great way to go! You will love it.

Thank you. I can't see us spending too much time in the room, but if we are lucky enough to get a balcony I can see my daughter refusing to budge from it.

 

[kldmom2000]

Steph H ... (((HUGS))) to you... DH is self employed and over the past 10 months, business has not been going well at all I do feel your angst! I hope you get a chance to enjoy your trip and make some wonderful memories!!

Robyn.... My gosh-I thought I was the only one who did that! Granted, I overpack to try to avoid laundry, but I usually end up having to do a load or two on most trips and I also get up at 3:30/4 am to complete the task so that we also make ropedrop If I tried to go mid-day when we go back for the pool break, the washers and dryers are always in use, but nobody is in there in the very wee hours of the morning

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Steph H ... (((HUGS))) to you... DH is self employed and over the past 10 months, business has not been going well at all I do feel your angst! I hope you get a chance to enjoy your trip and make some wonderful memories!!

Robyn.... My gosh-I thought I was the only one who did that! Granted, I overpack to try to avoid laundry, but I usually end up having to do a load or two on most trips and I also get up at 3:30/4 am to complete the task so that we also make ropedrop If I tried to go mid-day when we go back for the pool break, the washers and dryers are always in use, but nobody is in there in the very wee hours of the morning

I know! It sounds crazy but it's actual peaceful, no one waiting for the washers and I can do it all at once.

We go for two weeks and usually wear two outfits a day so I have no choice but to do laundry no matter how much I pack. As I said before it's only worse when you have daughters . . .

 

[kelleigh1]

kelleigh1, Like others have said, WaterCountry over in Portsmouth would be a nice day and then you could hit dowtown Portsmouth for dinner and siteseeing. There are some great restaurants and breweries there.

Another direction I would suggest is North Conway, although it is a bit more of a drive. I don't remember, are you planning a day trip or would you stay overnight? My husband and I go up there every December with friends and stay at the Mount Washington Hotel for a couple of nights and do some Christmas shopping. I want to go during the fall to do their zip line which looks very fun. You could always do the Mount Washington Auto Road too. Years ago, at a much much younger age, my husband and I with some friends, climbed Mount Washington. It was a bit difficult for me (probably because of the trail we picked). It would have been no problem for my husband had he not brought me along

Lots to see and do up in North Conway area. Also like someone else suggested is on your way to or from North Conway stopping at the lower falls on the Kangamangus River. Probably have to stay overnight tho driving from your area.

No overnight this time. My birthday is a Thursday and we only have that day off. It's down to either Water Country or Liquid Planet. Of course, we have to keep an eye on the weather too because that could have an impact. I should probably think of a backup plan in case the weather is bad.

 

[jakeybake]

Who's ready for another cute picture of Teena's grandaughter, Princess Lily???


"Oh no! Mom caught me and she's not going to buy that the cats made me do it."

She is so cute and she looks like she is into everything, which I think is great!

Can't believe how big she is now!

Jay

 

[Ninja Mom]

So, some not-so-happy news. You all might have remembered me being so excited several weeks back to know that I was able to work out our trip budget so that all would be paid off in time without issue. Well, DH, as an employee of a major metropolitan city that is in serious debt (stupid former administrations, spending like there was no tomorrow ), has been waiting to find out what would happen to his contract when the new fiscal year hit on July 1st. Well, Sunday night he got the email, and it's not pretty: he will be getting a 10% paycut, a cut in the rate paid for holidays (like today), and a very large increase in our health care costs, among other things.

Oh Steph! I am here to tell you that you can do it! There is nothing like a Disney trip to motivate you to find ways to save! We went through something like this and it really motivated me to make my priority to pay off my Disney trip.

The good news is that you sort of adopt a new mind set and it carries over after the trip is paid off. By having to think about every penny spent you start to realize what you can live with out comfortably and this will help you to get through this period.

I firmly believe that things will get better, so hang in there, adapt and KEEP dreaming of Disney. It will all work out so don't worry too much!

HUGS!!!!

~NM

 

[Laffites Landing]

Please add us to the guest list! We'll be there CL Aug 17-24. We've been staying in villas, but this time we won't have the extended family with us, so I decided to splurge and and CL. That part is a surprise for DH and the boys. We also usually rent a car (I'm a control freak), but we'll be on ME for the first time this trip. DS 7 always begs to ride the buses from the airport, so this should make him happy.

I do have one question. From what I can tell, the laundry machines for the BC are still only coin operated. Is that the case, or have they been converted to take the room key yet?

Thanks for this wonderful thread that's full of great information and wonderful people. It's really helping me get excited about our trip in the Aug heat!

Well, I did laundry around the 22nd of June at the Yacht Club and it was coin operated. I had to get coins for the dryer and found myself in the Crews Cup lounge drinking a scotch waiting for my clothes to be washed. Hey, if you got to do laundry, why not have a nice Johnny Walker black straight up to help ease the pain!

 

[lucysmom]

I so understand your predicament. I am a schoolteacher, and we have been hit with cut, after cut, after cut. It is very discouraging. However, this is my take on it. These have to be my golden years. I will never get the retirement lifestyle that my parents had. I am a public service employee. My retirement will probably be a couch and a remote control (although my DH says I won't have the remote control!) So, these trips are more important to me than ever. These trips provide the moments that make my family smile. They give me the memories to treasure through the dark days of winter. We don't get to take a holiday every year, and don't get me wrong, I recognize that a holiday is not a right of life. But, if you can make it happen, go and enjoy every minute of it. I am sending you buckets of pixie dust.

 

[Steph H]

Thanks, everyone. I can't deny I feel really selfish about the fact that my biggest concern regarding the paycuts and increased costs is that I might have to forego a trip to Disney. I mean, there isn't a question about whether we can continue to send the kids to private school or keep them in hockey, so we are very, very blessed.

BUT, at the same time, I have been planning and wishing for this trip for 7 long years (since our last trip in 2005), and the thought that I wouldn't be able to take it, or even that it wouldn't be the trip I have imagined in my dreams, is just a big bummer. However, I keep reminding myself that this is truly NOT a real problem...a real problem would be if we didn't have 2 incomes and that 10% cut was TRULY 10% of our income. Or, worse yet, if my husband had gotten laid off. Thankfully, we don't have to worry about either of those things...so we will make it work.

Oh Steph! I am here to tell you that you can do it! There is nothing like a Disney trip to motivate you to find ways to save! We went through something like this and it really motivated me to make my priority to pay off my Disney trip.

The good news is that you sort of adopt a new mind set and it carries over after the trip is paid off. By having to think about every penny spent you start to realize what you can live with out comfortably and this will help you to get through this period.

Thank you, NinjaMom!! I have to agree with you on that! I have spent the better part of the morning going over and over our budget, looking at federal tax tables, calculating exactly how much money we will be short each paycheck (including the all-important holidays) and also doing my best to estimate the new costs for health care. I am already thinking of ways to do things more economically and how to say "no" when asked to do things that I really don't need to do. These are good habits to learn, I know!

I so understand your predicament. I am a schoolteacher, and we have been hit with cut, after cut, after cut. It is very discouraging. However, this is my take on it. These have to be my golden years. I will never get the retirement lifestyle that my parents had. I am a public service employee. My retirement will probably be a couch and a remote control (although my DH says I won't have the remote control!) So, these trips are more important to me than ever. These trips provide the moments that make my family smile. They give me the memories to treasure through the dark days of winter. We don't get to take a holiday every year, and don't get me wrong, I recognize that a holiday is not a right of life. But, if you can make it happen, go and enjoy every minute of it. I am sending you buckets of pixie dust.

Thanks, Lucysmom! I am beginning to agree with you--my parents travel a LOT now that they're retired, and I don't see that in the cards for us. But a few trips between now and retirement won't hurt.

Thank you all! Happy Fourth of July...time for me to get AWAY from the spreadsheets and tax tables and go enjoy the pool on this 97 degree day!

 

[Couchy]

Last live report from SAB:

Yesterday after relaxing at SAB we went shopping at Mousegears And DH bought his second Disney shirt. This is huge . It means he is converting . I got another Mickey shirt and then DH insisted on getting me lounge pants. Who am I to say no
We then had our official Via Napoli dinner. Calamari, split an individual pizza and tiramisu , oh and sangria , how I love the sangria here
We watched illuminations and then strolled around the boardwalk. We picked up a night cap and brought it back to the balcony and sat there for about an hour before heading in to pack. Life is good

Got up this morning for a final attempt to beat DH at TSM. I thought I had him wit my highest score ever of 189,200. But nooooo he decides to have his highest score ever and beats me by 700 points. We were one of the forsta in the park and on the ride so when we came out the line was only ten minutes so back in we went so I could lose again. This time though I could laugh cause the ten year old in the car next to us crushed DH
We then went to the star wars store where DH bought his light up R2D2 lunch bag. We the. Checked in our luggage and are enjoying our last few hours at SAB sipping fruity fun drinks. We are going to head for our last meal at beaches and cram in a moment

Ohhhh but the best part was that I met the lovely,kind Teena today and she is the sweetest woman who also happens to be a wealth of info. Thanks Teena I enjoyed your talk and after chatting with you and all the info about food and wine test wrist cards DH said to me " I guess the dis boards are helpful" . To which i said "well duh"

Anyway back to reality soon but I will post final thoughts about our first BC stay and let you know all I learned

 

[msheriffm]

We are staying at the BC and have reservations at Ragland Road in DTD one evening. This is our first trip so I am wondering what the best way is to get from BC to DTD. I think I read before that getting either to or from DTD is difficult. Can you please refresh my memory because at the time we weren't planning to go there so I did not store the information. What is the cost for a cab if it is needed? thanks

 

[natebenma]

We are staying at the BC and have reservations at Ragland Road in DTD one evening. This is our first trip so I am wondering what the best way is to get from BC to DTD. I think I read before that getting either to or from DTD is difficult. Can you please refresh my memory because at the time we weren't planning to go there so I did not store the information. What is the cost for a cab if it is needed? thanks

The ride to DTD usually isn't that bad. Coming back can take awhile sometimes and we don't find those rides pleasant- lots of stops, very crowded.

A cab is probably around $15, so you may want to consider doing that on the way back.

If you are not in a rush, what my family does is we take a boat to one of the DTD resorts, then catch a bus to EPCOT, enjoy a few attractions and then go back to our room at the BC.

I describe this scheme in the FAQ section on Page 1, it is the last or one of the last posts there.

Note- park hoppers may be needed to do this if you visited a different park that day, and EPCOT would still need to be open when you are headed back.