off to neverland
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2004
- Messages
- 703
Cast:
Me, Rae, 34, Disney lover
Dix, 43, Great guy
Boo, 4.95 year-old picky eater
Sis, 1.95 year-old
We hadnt planned on going to WDW in January. Instead, we planned our first trip home as Disney Vacation Club members would be in May. Our plan was to use our 2005 points in May and our 2006 points the following Decmber so that we could squeeze in two trips on our annual passes.
For weeks, Boo and I had been planning our May trip at night before his bedtime. After his bath, he would sit on my lap while I surfed the Disney sites looking at the pictures. He loved to watch the videos of the rides, and we would both express our desire to be there at that moment. Sometimes we brought our Disney planning into our days with jokes in the car like:
Hey, lets just head to the airport and catch a plane to Disney.
Lets forget about grocery shopping and just catch a plane now to Florida.
Boo loved these jokes. The thought of his mother being THAT spontaneous and irresponsible delighted him.
The beginning of January brought some horrible Canadian storms and the kids and I spent way too much time at home. As I sat for the third day in a row with the kids fighting, bickering and whining about having to be inside, I wished we were headed to the warm Florida weather right then.
Wait a minute . Why werent we going now? Why were we doing the second trip next December? What was stopping us from doing it now? Those brand new DVC points were just screaming to be used, or was that my imagination?
Dix would think I had gone completely off my rocker! He knew I had become a Disney fanatic, the bill on the credit card for the Disney Vacation Club membership was proof enough! But what would he think about his 34 year-old wife saying, Honey, I just cant wait three more months to go to Disney World. We have to go now!
I mentioned my idea to him. He raised his eyebrows; his knowledge of my Disney fanaticism was definitely being reaffirmed. He was concerned we might overspend, (remember that big DVC bill I had just paid for our points?) but I assured him Id book a one bedroom with a full size kitchen so we wouldnt have to eat out for every meal. And we had the frequent flyer miles so we wouldnt have to buy airline tickets.
I thought I'd add a little humor and a little something to help sway him. I mentioned a possible reward in the one bedroom. He laughed at that because he knew the honest truth: I would probably be in that bed with both kids while he slept on the rollout sofa. I have to give DH credit, hes no dummy.
In the end he decided it was a great idea. The trip was a go! I quickly called Member Services. Dix had not been able to think of even one reason we shouldnt go.
Member Services could.
It was black and white for them. Our points could not be used until after March 31, 2005. Because we had purchased the new phase of SSR and it wouldnt be completed until March 31, we couldnt use the points until then. It was in our contract, and had we read it more carefully when we were frantically signing it in the lobby of a motel in Montana, we would have known that. (Thats another long story for another time!)
I was disappointed. I turned to my pals on the DIS, and posted a message on the Disney Vacation Club RENT/TRADE points board asking if anyone would like to trade points with me. I needed some points that were good now.
As I expected, no one seemed interested. I had a few helpful replies, but it looked very doubtful that it would work out. And then, out of the blue came a post from Goldi Locks. I couldnt believe what I was reading.
Gold Locks and I immediately started trading emails as we worked on ironing out the details of our arrangement.
And then, all at once, the world turned black. The tsunamai had come.
I watched the TV around the clock. Like the rest of the world, I was in shock at the horrific devastation that had hit so many people. I got sick when I thought of the children who had lost their parents, and the parents who had lost their children.
Disney? How could I even think about going to Disney? How could we even enjoy it, knowing what large part of the world was going through? I felt Guilty. Horribly, horribly guilty.
Not only was Guilt over the tsunamai eating me up, but I was also worried about how Gold Locks and I would be able to work out this deal. Dix and I had just shelled out a lot of cash for our DVC points, so giving GoliLocks a deposit for her points really wasnt going to work. She hadnt asked for one, but I wondered what would motivate her to give me her points now on just my word that I would give her the points back in April? She didnt know me from Adam, how did she know I was good for it? And I felt funny saying, Hey just trust me. Ill give you the points in April. Trust me! Im good for it!
And, if Im to be honest, I had one other concern. What if Dix took his vacation time and I booked these airline tickets and Goldi Locks backed out? The airline tickets had a huge fee for changing.
That night when I went to bed, my head was spinning. I eventually got up and made myself a Chai Latte and sat an the sofa in the dark living room to think through everything. First of all, the tsunami . I wondered if I wasnt approaching a tragedy like that the wrong way. Should I hold my family back because others are in pain, even though our sacrifices wouldnt help the tsunami victims at all? Isnt that called martyrdom? And shouldnt we be living our lives to the fullest since we dont know when it will end for us?
As for Goldi Locks trusting me about the points, why was I hesitating? I knew I was good for the points and would not take advantage of this womans kindness.
And as for her backing out of the deal at the last minute . In my gut, I knew she wouldn't do that to me. I just knew it.
The next morning I decided to call Gold Locks and talk to her. The minute I heard her voice all of my fears were absolved. She told me there was a family health issue that was contributing to her expiring points situation and I told her of my guilt over going on a trip after the tsunami. You have to live your life, she told me. Life is too short . Ive never regretted one of my trips to Disney they hold wonderful memories for me.
And, after hearing her talk to me, I had to laugh at my worry she would back out of the deal. I completely trusted her. She is such a kind person, I could hear it in her voice! She trusted me too, and told me that she knew I would pay her her points back.
We decided we would sign an agreement, just to make sure we had all of our ducks in a row. Over the next few hours we emailed a contract back and forth and by that night, Goldi Locks and I had made reservations for six nights in a one bedroom at Old Key West.
That night I lay in bed, thinking about my day. I wasnt as restless as I had been the night before. I said a prayer for Gold Lockss family, and started planning the trip which was only a couple weeks away. I had so much to do tomorrow . I had to make my airline reservations, book our priority seatings, book a hotel for our first night there.... I debated which restaurant we should eat at our first night .. As I pictured Chef Mickeys in my head, I drifted off to sleep
Next Installments:
Pretrip...Without Usable Points!
Part 1...We are NOT wanted by the FBI!!
Part 2...I am NOT a drug addict!!
Part 3...Who put this diaper on me?
Part 4... Just leave me for dead on the side of the road!
Part 5... Where is Dix?
Part 6... The Brat Hat!
Part 7...Why didn't I listen to Dix?
Part 8...The Hanky Panky Promise!
Part 9...Forgive me Zurg, for I have sinned.
Part 10...A thief in the crowd...
Part 11...Time for a break...
Part 12...I think I broke my elbow!
Part 13 The German Hottie!
Part 14...The Big Fight!
Part 15...Get your finger off my flab!
Part 16...Lost in the wilderness
Part 17...Tarzan Rocks, but so does Dix! THE END...
Me, Rae, 34, Disney lover
Dix, 43, Great guy
Boo, 4.95 year-old picky eater
Sis, 1.95 year-old
We hadnt planned on going to WDW in January. Instead, we planned our first trip home as Disney Vacation Club members would be in May. Our plan was to use our 2005 points in May and our 2006 points the following Decmber so that we could squeeze in two trips on our annual passes.
For weeks, Boo and I had been planning our May trip at night before his bedtime. After his bath, he would sit on my lap while I surfed the Disney sites looking at the pictures. He loved to watch the videos of the rides, and we would both express our desire to be there at that moment. Sometimes we brought our Disney planning into our days with jokes in the car like:
Hey, lets just head to the airport and catch a plane to Disney.
Lets forget about grocery shopping and just catch a plane now to Florida.
Boo loved these jokes. The thought of his mother being THAT spontaneous and irresponsible delighted him.
The beginning of January brought some horrible Canadian storms and the kids and I spent way too much time at home. As I sat for the third day in a row with the kids fighting, bickering and whining about having to be inside, I wished we were headed to the warm Florida weather right then.
Wait a minute . Why werent we going now? Why were we doing the second trip next December? What was stopping us from doing it now? Those brand new DVC points were just screaming to be used, or was that my imagination?
Dix would think I had gone completely off my rocker! He knew I had become a Disney fanatic, the bill on the credit card for the Disney Vacation Club membership was proof enough! But what would he think about his 34 year-old wife saying, Honey, I just cant wait three more months to go to Disney World. We have to go now!
I mentioned my idea to him. He raised his eyebrows; his knowledge of my Disney fanaticism was definitely being reaffirmed. He was concerned we might overspend, (remember that big DVC bill I had just paid for our points?) but I assured him Id book a one bedroom with a full size kitchen so we wouldnt have to eat out for every meal. And we had the frequent flyer miles so we wouldnt have to buy airline tickets.
I thought I'd add a little humor and a little something to help sway him. I mentioned a possible reward in the one bedroom. He laughed at that because he knew the honest truth: I would probably be in that bed with both kids while he slept on the rollout sofa. I have to give DH credit, hes no dummy.
In the end he decided it was a great idea. The trip was a go! I quickly called Member Services. Dix had not been able to think of even one reason we shouldnt go.
Member Services could.
It was black and white for them. Our points could not be used until after March 31, 2005. Because we had purchased the new phase of SSR and it wouldnt be completed until March 31, we couldnt use the points until then. It was in our contract, and had we read it more carefully when we were frantically signing it in the lobby of a motel in Montana, we would have known that. (Thats another long story for another time!)
I was disappointed. I turned to my pals on the DIS, and posted a message on the Disney Vacation Club RENT/TRADE points board asking if anyone would like to trade points with me. I needed some points that were good now.
As I expected, no one seemed interested. I had a few helpful replies, but it looked very doubtful that it would work out. And then, out of the blue came a post from Goldi Locks. I couldnt believe what I was reading.
Don't know if this would work or not...
Rae, I have 130 SSR points banked from 2003 into 2004 (DEC UY), which expire by Nov 2005.
But I'd like to use them for a January 2006 trip.
Don't know if we could work out some kind of swap, or if there is availability for the dates you want in January.
FYI - Because these are banked points, they are not transferable.... so I'd have to make the reservation in your name....
Maybe you could buy my points, and I could buy yours....???
We'd need some kind of contract....
At any rate, if you want to explore this, contact me at
Rae, I have 130 SSR points banked from 2003 into 2004 (DEC UY), which expire by Nov 2005.
But I'd like to use them for a January 2006 trip.
Don't know if we could work out some kind of swap, or if there is availability for the dates you want in January.
FYI - Because these are banked points, they are not transferable.... so I'd have to make the reservation in your name....
Maybe you could buy my points, and I could buy yours....???
We'd need some kind of contract....
At any rate, if you want to explore this, contact me at
Gold Locks and I immediately started trading emails as we worked on ironing out the details of our arrangement.
And then, all at once, the world turned black. The tsunamai had come.
I watched the TV around the clock. Like the rest of the world, I was in shock at the horrific devastation that had hit so many people. I got sick when I thought of the children who had lost their parents, and the parents who had lost their children.
Disney? How could I even think about going to Disney? How could we even enjoy it, knowing what large part of the world was going through? I felt Guilty. Horribly, horribly guilty.
Not only was Guilt over the tsunamai eating me up, but I was also worried about how Gold Locks and I would be able to work out this deal. Dix and I had just shelled out a lot of cash for our DVC points, so giving GoliLocks a deposit for her points really wasnt going to work. She hadnt asked for one, but I wondered what would motivate her to give me her points now on just my word that I would give her the points back in April? She didnt know me from Adam, how did she know I was good for it? And I felt funny saying, Hey just trust me. Ill give you the points in April. Trust me! Im good for it!
And, if Im to be honest, I had one other concern. What if Dix took his vacation time and I booked these airline tickets and Goldi Locks backed out? The airline tickets had a huge fee for changing.
That night when I went to bed, my head was spinning. I eventually got up and made myself a Chai Latte and sat an the sofa in the dark living room to think through everything. First of all, the tsunami . I wondered if I wasnt approaching a tragedy like that the wrong way. Should I hold my family back because others are in pain, even though our sacrifices wouldnt help the tsunami victims at all? Isnt that called martyrdom? And shouldnt we be living our lives to the fullest since we dont know when it will end for us?
As for Goldi Locks trusting me about the points, why was I hesitating? I knew I was good for the points and would not take advantage of this womans kindness.
And as for her backing out of the deal at the last minute . In my gut, I knew she wouldn't do that to me. I just knew it.
The next morning I decided to call Gold Locks and talk to her. The minute I heard her voice all of my fears were absolved. She told me there was a family health issue that was contributing to her expiring points situation and I told her of my guilt over going on a trip after the tsunami. You have to live your life, she told me. Life is too short . Ive never regretted one of my trips to Disney they hold wonderful memories for me.
And, after hearing her talk to me, I had to laugh at my worry she would back out of the deal. I completely trusted her. She is such a kind person, I could hear it in her voice! She trusted me too, and told me that she knew I would pay her her points back.
We decided we would sign an agreement, just to make sure we had all of our ducks in a row. Over the next few hours we emailed a contract back and forth and by that night, Goldi Locks and I had made reservations for six nights in a one bedroom at Old Key West.
That night I lay in bed, thinking about my day. I wasnt as restless as I had been the night before. I said a prayer for Gold Lockss family, and started planning the trip which was only a couple weeks away. I had so much to do tomorrow . I had to make my airline reservations, book our priority seatings, book a hotel for our first night there.... I debated which restaurant we should eat at our first night .. As I pictured Chef Mickeys in my head, I drifted off to sleep
Next Installments:
Pretrip...Without Usable Points!
Part 1...We are NOT wanted by the FBI!!
Part 2...I am NOT a drug addict!!
Part 3...Who put this diaper on me?
Part 4... Just leave me for dead on the side of the road!
Part 5... Where is Dix?
Part 6... The Brat Hat!
Part 7...Why didn't I listen to Dix?
Part 8...The Hanky Panky Promise!
Part 9...Forgive me Zurg, for I have sinned.
Part 10...A thief in the crowd...
Part 11...Time for a break...
Part 12...I think I broke my elbow!
Part 13 The German Hottie!
Part 14...The Big Fight!
Part 15...Get your finger off my flab!
Part 16...Lost in the wilderness
Part 17...Tarzan Rocks, but so does Dix! THE END...
I know that after my family had a scare it made us so appreciative of eachother and our time together (not that we weren't before, but it sheds a new light on our love for eachother). 
