Our "Last" Trip to WDW: Pre-Trip Report

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

See those quotation marks in my title? DH thinks that our next trip to WDW will be our last.

When are we going? June 10-18, 2009. (2009 is not a typo - we are planning ahead 16 months and 1 week.)

Cast Memberst: DH , myself , and DS , who will be 9 when we go. In our hearts: DS16months, who died in 2003 due to complications of his premature birth.

Our WDW history: For various reasons, DH and I were mouse- deprived children. Until we had kids of our own, I had no interest in WDW, and was sure I would find it to be overly sweet and artificially precious. I'm so glad I was wrong!!

Our very first trip was in March 2006. Since it was going to be a "once in a lifetime" trip, (yes, more quotes) we stayed at the YC and loved it! The room was quiet and comfortable, the resort was beautiful, the parks were magical, the weather was perfect, and I was hooked! I couldn't wait to return! However, the balance in our vacation account told me that I would have to wait a few years.

Our second trip took place one year later, in March, 2007. We got a postcard from Hilton Vacation Club offering us 3 nights at the DtD Hilton for $99, if we went on their time share tour. I did the math, and found that if we used all of our frequent flyer points and skipped the park hoppers, we could afford to return to my favorite place on earth! We added 3 nights at CSR to the Hilton stay, and off we went! We had another great trip. (No, we didn't buy into the HVC.)

About DH: Don't get me wrong. He likes Disney. He just doesn't love it with the same fervor and intensity that I do. He doesn't care if I buy guide books or spend too much time here on the Disboards, and he even listens to me when I talk about Disney. He's glad that it makes me happy, but he doesn't want to spend every vacation there for the rest of his life. So, he's almost perfect. Favorite ride: Mission Space. Wants to go back to the YC in 2009, due to the convenient location.

What about DS? He loves WDW too! He is a Star Wars fan, and he has always loved trains. Favorite rides: TTA and Star Tours. Wants to stay at CR for the monorail.

Me: I obviously love WDW. Favorite rides: ToT and EE. My resort of choice changes daily.

Stay tuned for more exciting details of our trip that won't take place for 16 months and 1 week!
Check out Instsallment #2: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1709668
Installment #3: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=23181265&postcount=11
Installment #4: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23610672#post23610672
Installment#5: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23610672#post23610672

 

[ChevyNat]

Great start... keep it coming! I too said that this is my last trip to Disney, but almost every year since 2003, I've gone back... that's where my heart belongs ha! ha!

Sorry about your loss, keep him close in your heart

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

A deluxe, a villa, a condo off property - Every day I seemed to change my mind about where I really want to stay, until...
Last week when this CM I know offered to let us use her CM discount!!
DH doesn't believe it will actually happen, but with a little pixie dust, anything is possible, right? CM asked me for our dates, and our top 3 resort choices. This is what I told her, and why I picked these:

1. CR - Tower Room - either MK View or Bay Lake View - Why?
A. This is where DS8 really wants to stay.
B. I am a deluxe girl trapped in a moderate life.
C. I've always wanted to stay on the monorail line.

2. YC - Water View - Why?
A. Our first and most magical stay at WDW was at YC.
B. We love the location!
C. SAB!!

3. WL - Courtyard View - Why? I don't know!! It just looks cool.

So now it is in her hands, and I can't wait to find out where we'll be staying, and how much it will cost!

 

[dvc at last !]

subscribing.............

 

[ChevyNat]

Wow, you are really lucky!!! Your choices are fabulous, I always wanted to stay on a Monorail resort too, maybe some day!

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Thanks ChevyNat, I do feel pretty lucky at this point. We'll see if it actually works out.
I'm trying to figure out how to post a photo and links to my "exciting" updates, for your viewing pleasure!

 

[daisy_77]

Woohoo! I am sooo excited to hop on board for your pre-trippie! I also love that we will most likely be there at the same time.

I am looking forward to more!!!

 

[BeeBopp]

Wow, so brave to be starting a PTR so early! Subscribing

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

Another 2009er here. I have never done a pre trip report so I might have to join in and start mine soon. Look forward to reading yours!

 

[ty&brenmom]

Another 2009er here. I have never done a pre trip report so I might have to join in and start mine soon. Look forward to reading yours!

Me too, I have been thinking of doing a pre trip, but didn't want to so far out. Glad to see someone else is doing it, can't wait to read more.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Pixie Dust to Shmu, who explained links and posting photos to me!

Peter stopped watching years ago, but I still love my man Stanley and his Great Big Book of Everything! DH was being camera shy, so Stanley chased him and dragged him into this photo at AK.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

DS is a really bad driver, but he has so much fun doing it!

 

[Shmu]

Everything looks great.
I'm on board for your trippie.
Sorry about your loss. Some things in life just are not explainable. I do not try anymore.
Love the pics.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Subscribing!!!!!!
We're also going in 2009. We are going May 3-May 9. We're going to stay at either all star music for the suite or multiple rooms at all star movies. We are booking the trip in a few months. And I'm already very excited, we've been trying to go for years. I just ordered 7 pins for pin trading, and i'm going to keep collecting everything we need through the year. Hey it just gives us more time to get everything in order, right. I'll be doing a trip report too.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Seriously, she's real.
She offered us her CM discount, asked for our resort preferences, said she'd get back to me, and then nothing. I haven't heard from her in about 5 weeks. I was kind of waiting to add an update until I had some actual news. What do you think - no news is good news?
At the risk of being a pest, I guess I'll give her a call or drop her an email.

Want to read a far superior trip report? Jordanyosh has the funniest pre-trippie and TR you will ever read! If you haven't checked it out, I highly recommend it. The title has the words "Peeps" and "Sweaty Asian" in it. It contains unusual photos, and Jordan has a wonderfully satirical writing style.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Good News/Bad News
The good news is that CM is pregnant, and she is planning to quit her job with WDW to stay home with the baby for the next few years. Hats off to her! Unfortunately for me, this means no CM discount. Easy come, easy go. I really am happy for her because she and her DH have been working on this for a few years.

A Window Opens
The day after I heard her news, a caller from Marriott phoned me to say that my name had been given to them as someone who might like to own a time share through Marriott. I was about to blow him off when he said the magic word...ORLANDO! So DH and I talked it over, and for the nominal fee of $199 we will be staying 4 nights at the Marriott Vista Grande Orlando in June, 2009!! Then, we will spend another 4 or 5 nights on WDW property!!We may return to the idea of renting points at a DVC property, or splurge on a deluxe.
The Downside
Of course there's a catch. We will have to endure a 90 minute timeshare presentation while staying at the Marriott Vista Grande. If anyone has stayed there and/or lived through a Marriott timeshare tour, we'd love to hear about it.