Running for my Disney - Now a PTR!

[WanderlustNZ]

Sounds like you are ticking the last bits off. Who are you having a DisMeet with in San Antonio if you don't mind me asking? and I'd love to hear the details of the horse ride! Unless I have already missed this being AWOL as always; we did have a snake under the bedside table yesterday evening to deal with always something keeping me away from the computer. DH discovered it while getting ready for bed, probably a tree snake but could also have been a brown, we do get them, so I am afraid it is no more as much as we hate hurting them.

Oh my goodness, I can't even imagine how scared I would be. I scream if I see a mouse.

 

[zanzibar138]

Good luck! I think that if you stick with it, your patience will pay off eventually.

I hope so!

Sounds like you are ticking the last bits off. Who are you having a DisMeet with in San Antonio if you don't mind me asking? and I'd love to hear the details of the horse ride! Unless I have already missed this being AWOL as always; we did have a snake under the bedside table yesterday evening to deal with always something keeping me away from the computer. DH discovered it while getting ready for bed, probably a tree snake but could also have been a brown, we do get them, so I am afraid it is no more as much as we hate hurting them.

Yikes!

I'm meeting up with Millie12591 in San Antonio. We became friends after I stumbled across her PTR, we're both using Disney as a way to get on top of our health and fitness

I'm looking at booking the horse riding with OK Corrals in Apache Junction. They get pretty good reviews on TripAdvisor. In the summer they do a 2 hour sunset ride starting at 5pm around the base of the Superstition Mountains. I'd dearly love to do a half day ride in the Superstition wilderness, but just can't fit it in My goal for this trip is just to see some saguaro cacti

 

[zanzibar138]

Priceline success!

I worked out how much it would cost for me to stay at the Apache Junction/Mesa KOA.

$48 for the camping cabin (shared bathroom facilities)
$20 for a linen package for a queen bed
10% discount for being a KOA member

It worked out to about $60 pre-tax.

I thought if I could get a 3 star hotel with my own bathroom for that price, I'd be happier, so I started the 'name your own price' process with Priceline. I noticed the average hotel price was lower than other areas, so I thought as an experiment I'd try bidding $50, not expecting to find anything.

Well, after a few tries adding in areas between the airport and Apache Junction as I went, I was surprised to see that I was successful with my $50 bid (about $65 with taxes)! I got the Holiday Inn Phoenix/Mesa, which has a lower TripAdvisor rating than I would normally consider booking. However, it's still positive overall, and comes with free parking and wifi. When I did a quick rate comparison on Expedia, the price came in at $116 per night, so I feel like I got a pretty good bargain

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Well done! Great deal!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Well done!


I love a DisMeet. Hope it goes great.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Hotel sounds like a good deal. I haven't ventured into Priceline bidding experiences yet but have no doubt one day I will. The horse ride sounds lovely and you certainly look like seeing some cacti! I still have to look at the options of a ride in Monument Valley-since its just me and DH this trip I have to factor something shorter and easier as his back won't stand the jolt of a horse too much-he may bail and let me do it by myself but I feel guilty leaving him alone so again that means a short ride. DisMeets are always fun!

 

[zanzibar138]

Well done! Great deal!

Well done!


I love a DisMeet. Hope it goes great.

Hotel sounds like a good deal. I haven't ventured into Priceline bidding experiences yet but have no doubt one day I will. The horse ride sounds lovely and you certainly look like seeing some cacti! I still have to look at the options of a ride in Monument Valley-since its just me and DH this trip I have to factor something shorter and easier as his back won't stand the jolt of a horse too much-he may bail and let me do it by myself but I feel guilty leaving him alone so again that means a short ride. DisMeets are always fun!

Oh I would so leave him behind

I also have a short 1 hour ride planned in San Luis Obispo with Mum - love my horsey adventures!

 

[zanzibar138]

I had a bit of trouble booking the horse riding in Phoenix. The original place I wanted to go to would only accept reservations for a minimum of 2 people. And so would the other places in the area. I finally found a place that will accept my reservation for one, which actually looks better than the original place anyway The only trouble is, the new place is right on the other side of town, over an hour away from the hotel I booked.

And speaking of booking hotels, I had another success with Priceline I booked the Menger Hotel right across the road from the Alamo for a grand total of $150. The cheapest room on Expedia is going for $380 for the same nights! Again, the reviews are not brilliant, but it's a historic hotel in a location that can't be beat, so I'm pretty happy Because of the great location, and the fact that parking is $28 per night I've decided to ditch the rental car for San Antonio.

So now I just need Priceline to come through for me in Anaheim...

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Fantastic savings! I love historic old hotels - especially when they're in a good location. It sounds like that part of your trip is coming together nicely.

 

[FireflyFi]

Well done on the successful bargains! you should be good for Anaheim - these things come in threes, right?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great job on Priceline.

Is there a hotel closer towards your new horse riding place?

 

[zanzibar138]

Fantastic savings! I love historic old hotels - especially when they're in a good location. It sounds like that part of your trip is coming together nicely.

Getting there...

Well done on the successful bargains! you should be good for Anaheim - these things come in threes, right?

I hope so!

 

[zanzibar138]

Great job on Priceline.

Is there a hotel closer towards your new horse riding place?

There are heaps of hotels closer. You're somewhat familiar with the area, so I'll try to explain where everything is

The ride I was looking at doing was just past Apache Junction, so I booked a hotel in Mesa, which is south of downtown Phoenix. The ride that I have now booked is in Cave Creek, pretty much on the northern limits of Phoenix on the way out to Sedona. I could book anywhere north of Phoenix really and be a lot closer. The only trouble is my Priceline hotel is non-refundable.

I'm currently trying to figure out whether it's worth forfeiting that reservation to be closer. My main concern is driving back to the hotel after the ride, which will be after dark, around 8pm. Ideally I'd prefer somewhere less than half an hour away.

 

[zanzibar138]

Now, I know that I already bought my Dapper Day dress, and it's really cute! And I also know that I said I'd never buy clothing online again after all the issues I had last time.

However, when I was first looking at dresses, there was one that I was desperate to buy. I thought it was just perfect for Dapper Day, and was disappointed to find that it was out of stock. I clicked on the link to be notified if it came back in stock and promptly forgot about it. Yesterday, I got an email to tell me that it was back in stock.

After much questioning over sizing, measuring and re-measuring, I added it to my cart with my 20% discount code. So here it is...



I don't usually do red, but with the polka dots and bow detail, it's too Minnie inspired for me to ignore!

I also couldn't go past these shoes.



I may decide that they are too high for an evening of frivolity at Disneyland, and they may be too... um... yellow for the dress, but the Minnie inspiration And I figured I could use some colour in my shoe wardrobe anyway. If it doesn't work, it will be much easier to find another pair of shoes to go with this dress.

I found these earrings on Etsy, but haven't purchased them yet.



To be honest, this was more the look I was thinking of when I first decided to get involved in Dapper Days. A bit more elegance - after all, they do suggest a gallery opening as inspiration.

I'll accessorise with some seamed stockings, black lace gloves, and some good shapewear! Unsure whether to do a fascinator or just a hair accessory.

I'll be hanging out for the next couple of weeks waiting for my delivery to see how everything fits, feels and looks on!

In the meantime, I still love the other dress and think it's really cute. I'll take it down to get altered anyway, and I think I'll get a lot of use out of it over summer

 

[Caroline NZ]

Very cute ( though I have never worn anything other than a t-shirt, utility shorts and sports sandals in the parks, so good luck with the comfort factor )

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oh wow! This one is just PERFECT and brilliant.

I would definitely do the yellow shoes (from your wardrobe). It would be the perfect touch for Dapper day.

 

[zanzibar138]

Very cute ( though I have never worn anything other than a t-shirt, utility shorts and sports sandals in the parks, so good luck with the comfort factor )

Normally I go for the comfort factor over all else too, so this will be um... interesting... I even wore flats as my wedding shoes!

My only saving grace is that because of the heat in September, Dapper Days is actually only one evening. So I'll probably just go to the parks for a few hours, include a table service dinner (maybe at Carthay?) and head back to the condo when I've had enough. I may even be tempted to slip a pair of flats into my bag to eek out a bit more park time

Oh wow! This one is just PERFECT and brilliant.

I would definitely do the yellow shoes (from your wardrobe). It would be the perfect touch for Dapper day.

Thanks PIO I'm glad you agree! I felt a bit silly buying another dress

I think I should do the yellow shoes too. They're high, but I used to wear 3.5" heels for ballroom dancing (and be in them all days at comps etc), so if I make sure I practice hopefully it will all come back to me. As long as they fit ok and are a comfortable heel (which they are according to all the reviews) I should be able to last for a few hours.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I love the dress and shoes!
Start wearing the shoes around the house as soon as you get them and you should be fine. It's not like you'll be aiming for a commando touring style on that day anyway. It will be more about the atmosphere.
Can't wait to see the pics.

 

[zanzibar138]

I love the dress and shoes!
Start wearing the shoes around the house as soon as you get them and you should be fine. It's not like you'll be aiming for a commando touring style on that day anyway. It will be more about the atmosphere.
Can't wait to see the pics.

Yeah that's my plan. Hopefully 3 months of practice will hold me in good stead OMG is that really how close it is? I really need to start doing boring things like ESTAs...

But yes, it will definitely be more about the atmosphere and the photo opportunities that day

 

[WanderlustNZ]

OMG is that really how close it is?

Scary is right.
I've worked out that I'm leaving in 8 pay days which is making me even more scared.