Pretty pre- pre- pre-trip report

[soarinup]

Well I finally did it! after lurking for over a year, and having made a trip to WDW already in 2010 [january], I joined the Dis! Honestly, I didn't do it before now because of the looks I knew I would get from my former husband. Now that he's gone,, let the Dising begin!

Okay, here's the particulars.
I called my bf up [she lives in another state] and told her we were going to WDW with our kids. She has a son about the same age as mine...5. Now you might say , big deal, you called your bf, to go on a trip. Well, you see,, I hadn't spoken to her in 4 years! No, we really are best friends! But we just don't have to talk all the time to be best friends!

So anyway, we are staying at the POLY,[a lifelong dream of mine] my husband didn't understand my fascination with the POLY. I guess its a childhood thing, you see something that you can't have, and want it. He said it looked dated. I agree, you might be able to label it as dated. He called it "Brady Bunch Hawaii". And you know , I agree with him, but I can't help it, I love it!

But I want to stay at another monorail or deluxe, so I let my bf pick that one, she wants CR. Which is great too. So its a split stay for 8 days for us and our two boys.

I'm flying down with my son, she lives closer and will drive, and meet us at club level POLY! [with the 40% discount of course] I'm afraid to even type that, I'm so afraid they will change up next year and go to regular prices.

I'm getting photopass,We will be doing CRT for breakfast, T-Rex for the boys, Sci-fi, maybe afternoon tea w/out the boys at GF. And shopping at DTD of course!

You have no idea what a change in my life the planning for this trip means to me. When my husband said he wanted a divorce in April this year, one week later I was on the phone calling my BF.

When I plan for a Disney trip, I feel better all the time. I know you people understand what I'm talking about. The planning stage comes close to being as good as being there. And when I get a day that doesn't go well,,,I remember that this time next year, I'll be at WDW, and the day is better instantly!

Thank you for the vent! I will be back soon I'm sure!

 

[soarinup]

So, when last I left, I'd announced my plans. Roughly our plans are made.Now come the ADR's!
My BF hasn't read up on WDW. She was last there in 2001 on a honeymoon with her husband. She stayed at ASsports, and did not do a touring plan of any kind. You know, your average WDW guest!

Whereas I, because of the new fangled internet thingy, have researched and researched and sought information from lots of sources. Everytime I think I know all there is to know about WDW, I learn something new. Which is fine with me, its the hunt that is the thrill.

I've tried and tried to get my BF to look at the Disboards. Its not as if she's an internet rookie like me, she is very well versed in this stuff. Maybe thats the reason, she's so over the internet. I dunno.

I've sent her links and posts and all kinds of stuff to get her into the excitement of the planning. She is very happy to be going,[I'm paying!] but I can't get her motivated. She needs to look at the restaurant selections. I told her we need to get ADRs, and made some suggestions. So far we've at least settled on CRT for breakfast. That was easy to do. I mean who wouldn't want to get into the Magic Kingdom before the crowd and go into the Castle?

I told her that I was a planner and she said "I trust you , go ahead and plan"
Well you know what that could lead to. A miscommunication about what the plans should be! She is not an early riser, I can tell you that. She takes 3 or 4 hours to dressed and get out the door. I hate to break it to her, but I'm gonna get me some rope drop! Its easy to drag my 5 year old along! I can tote him if I need to!

There will be days that we separate, and I told her this. Maybe that will help keep a strain from developing on our friendship!

At least I should be grateful that she looked into choosing a resort hotel. I wanted to do 2 deluxes, and let her choose the other. She too thought POLY was dated and chose CR for our other.

Well thats all for now. I've got a year of this planning to do, so I'd better pace myself!

September 24-30@ POLY and CR

 

[soarinup]

I can't believe it, just can't believe it. Its a year away and I got a PIN code for 40% off! I just can't believe it! How did I ever get this lucky? Why didn't I buy a lottery ticket instead and win the big one? Cuz thats how I feel, like I won the lottery!

So awesome. 3 nights club level at the POLY, 5 nights theme park view at Contemporary. Gosh I am feeling that warm fuzzy stuff right now. I could hardly get to sleep last night, after I made the ressies.

Oh and speaking of reservations, you need to be careful people. There are many many CM's on the phones, but I spoke to Salvador, and he was sneaking the insurance into the room price on me. I however, am a Dis-er! Don't mess w/me! I know the prices, backwards and forwards! I feel badly for people who go into this reservation thing blindly. You can really spend money unnecessarily.

 

[soarinup]

I have to keep this trip a secret for 353 days! I can't tell my 4 year old now, he could not take the pressure of it. Every day for 353 days he would wake up asking me ,,,,Can we go to Disney now?

There is only 2 people that knows I am going. My BF, who is going with us, and my babysitter. My soon to be ex is NOT going to know until after the divorce is final, actually, he won't know til we arrive at the POLY!

No need for him to know my plans, he isn't included in my plans anymore.! HA!

I swear it just might kill me to keep this all to myself!

 

[soarinup]

What a great show, we went to Toy story 3 on ice last night, the cheapest tickets they had were $11. awesome! It really really helps to have Disney movies and shows and other Disneyfile options to keep me happy til next trip. I am just so happy right now! I've been on vacation for 10 days,[ at home], its been torture. I have much more freedom and fun at work. I know it sounds really weird, but I love going to work more than staying at home. I get out, and do things, and get to work-out at the gym. Its the exception for me, I know. Just lucky!

Finally, I go to work at 2 p.m.!

 

[soarinup]

Don't mind this post, it's just for me to keep track of everything!

Okay, 3 nights club level at POLY, 5 nights theme park view standard at CR, room only at rack rate is $4196 total. $520/thurs. $530/fri, sat. at POLY
$465/night at CR....with 40% peter pan pin discount, I'm saving $1678. These are pre-tax of course. The taxes are almost $300

 

[soarinup]

Things keep trying to put a kink in my spending money! I have to replace a crown! Those things aren't cheap. My portion will be 500 bucks. I'd hoped it would hold until later. Oh well. These things happen. Besides, I have 11 months to save up. I just hate spending my Disney money!

 

[soarinup]

So I recently separated from my husband. [rather he separated from me] And we finally got our money separated. [what a headache that is, note to self: if you ever get married again, keep finances separate!]

I have money! I have so much left over money at the end of the month! What the heck? I have always made more than him, but when you are married you just put it all together. I only ask him for 1/2 of daycare, and 1/2 of medical for our son, but I have no money worries! I am sooooo glad I went deluxe on planning this trip! Its gonna be wonderful for me and DF!

I pride myself on living within my means, I do not spend money easily, I rarely get new clothes, and my son, I get his clothes at the thrift store. Why pay top dollar for clothes he will be in for 6 months? But when it comes to Disney........look out! I go all out! I stay home a lot, and spend little, very little, so that I can live it up at WDW! I'm gonna get that 220 dollar Dooney and Bourke MM bag at DTD when I go, and I don't even buy purses that often!

 

[soarinup]

I have plugged the numbers in, and tried hard to get the DDP, but it all adds up to NO. We are planning on so many OOP restaurants, that we just can't feasibly do the dining plan.
Tea at the GF.....OOP
T-Rex................OOP
Rain Forest.........OOP
If the plan were just a bit more flexible....we can't possibly eat all the snacks and CS meals that we have to get. But then, I guess thats what WDW instigated the whole plan for! They will make money!
Oh well!