Secret Vacations

[Tom A. Swift]

Thursday night my wife and I decided to pack a bag and head for Disney World. We are annual passholders and I have points to cover the hotel... So why not?

This is our 3rd trip this year and trust me... We feel very blessed to have the ability to get so much "Dis-time" this year.

As we packed for the trip (took about an hour to book the hotel and get the car loaded) we discussed how to cover our tracks with our friends and family. Why?? YOU guys know why. We get tired of the "Your going again?", the "Why do you guys go so often??" and of course the comments about how much money it must cost.

So how about you guys... What lengths do you go to in order to take your "secret vacations"?

 

[davper]

We get tired of the "Your going again?"

They are jealous that they cannot go so often for whatever reason.

"Why do you guys go so often??"

They just don't understand the disease Disneyitis and are probably concerned that it is contagious. Tell them there is no cure but only treatment that is only provided at WDW.

of course the comments about how much money it must cost.

Just tell them that you have a really good health insurance and prescriptions for frequent treatments for Disneyitis is covered.

 

[maryandtyson]

Some of our trusted friends knew of our April trip. Family, not so much. We posted no photos on Facebook. DH called his parents most days, just like usual. What they don't know can't hurt us. Luckily, we have quite a few friends who understand.

Enjoy your trip! We are new AP holders and are plotting and planning on how to maximize them.

 

[MataHari22]

I pretty much don't talk about my vacation plans anymore, really. I get tired of the comments from some people and some family. I haven't even gone as many times as others, but this will be my third year in a row. I don't know how much longer I will be able to take these trips because of my health, and I want to go. So, you know what, I am going to go! I got a lot of comments last year, for sure. Some people comment that they don't understand why since I am a grown adult who has never had kids that I would want to go to WDW. Others, say they could never afford it, but they drive brand new vehicles every two years, and I have a 2006 Toyota, which I didn't even buy new, and I don't buy "things" for myself or eat out, or do many of the things that they do. The other reason that I am not saying anything about my trip in advance, and will probably not post on line when I'm down there, is because I just want to go to WDW, and I do not want to meet up with family or friends while I'm down there. I just want to enjoy my vacation time at WDW and do what I'd like to do. So, I think it's going to be a secret trip this year. Very few people will know.

 

[peg110]

We haven't gotten to the point of "Secret" Vacations (Yet), but I think recently I had gotten the "Disneyitis". It hit me, I think, when we were there in Nov/Dec 2014 which was my 5th time.

1. With DW for a "Long Weekend" (Aug 2010) Off Property at a hotel
2. With Family (Oct 2010) Liki Tiki
3. with Family (Nov/Dec 2012) at Fort Wilderness
4. With DD as a Chaperone on her Schools Marching Band Trip (Apr 2013)
5. With Family (Nov/Dec 2012) again at Fort Wilderness.

2 months ago the DW was planning another trip at the Fort (We really do love Fort Wilderness) and had made reservations for June of 2016, and even though it's expensive, I just couldn’t help to control my excitement. My DW was the same way (Although I think she had Disneyitis long before I have.) so much so that she was waiting to POUNCE on the Free Disney Dining Offer and now we have additional reservations in November of 2015 for Pop Century. I am excited but when I asked her how we were going to pay for it, she basically told me not to worry about it. We’ll figure it out.


So to those who say they can’t afford it most of them just choose not to in favor of other activities. It’s possible to do by saving money in advance, avoid the “Extra’s” like eating out all the time or make your own coffee instead of buying the expensive coffee shop coffee or things like that. If it’s important to you, such as treating this illness, you will figure it out.

I fear, however, that we are rapidly approaching the "Secret" vacation status. We actually talked this year about getting the Annual Passes. This is a big progression in our illness as we live in Northeast PA, no direct flights (the DW doesn't like flying anyway, we usually drive), and a long drive (which with a family of 4 is financially slightly cheaper to drive the fly when especially you consider luggage costs) so to get value out of an AP, we need to make MORE trips. (We figure at least 2 trips a year of 5 or more days each to have the value.)

 

[maryandtyson]

We just got Annual Passes this year. I think your calculation is right about two 5 day trips. Keep in mind that you won't qualify for free dining, however you will be eligible for good room discounts. We live close enough to drive (9 hours), so we are lucky that way. We are planning at least 3 visits. And only one will be made public.

 

[peg110]

While this post is not "Specifically" about the "Secret Vacations" it will certainly lead us down that path.

I know you don't qualify for "FREE" Dining, but can you "PURCHASE" the dining plan (if you are staying on property)?

We are going down in November this year (with the free Dining) and planning to go again in June 2016. I was planning on converting our "6 day" Pass in November to the Annual Pass (that way we still get the free dining that trip) but we will still save a couple of bucks (about $200 - $400) over buying our tickets separately in June. We may also try and squeeze another trip in, in October 2016 to further take advantage of the pass.

The DW has concerns though. She likes the DDP whether it's free (which is always better) or if we purchase it. For us it works well and we usually maximize the value of it. She has pointed me to the site http://www.****************/top-ten-pros-cons-annual-passes/ however and specifically item #4 that basically says you cannot get the DDP. I am thinking that you cannot get the FREE DDP however but if you are planning a vacation otherwise with the AP, that you can purchase the DDP with a "Ticketless" Reservation to one of the resorts. Is this correct?

Also, it's my understanding that if we do take advantage of the free Dining plan in the future (Say next October) that we could just get a 2 day pass, and again, apply that value to the "Renewal" cost to the AP if it's in that window (which it would be) Is that true too?

Anyone's input is appreciated as well.

 

[Lisa75]

While this post is not "Specifically" about the "Secret Vacations" it will certainly lead us down that path.

I know you don't qualify for "FREE" Dining, but can you "PURCHASE" the dining plan (if you are staying on property)?

We are going down in November this year (with the free Dining) and planning to go again in June 2016. I was planning on converting our "6 day" Pass in November to the Annual Pass (that way we still get the free dining that trip) but we will still save a couple of bucks (about $200 - $400) over buying our tickets separately in June. We may also try and squeeze another trip in, in October 2016 to further take advantage of the pass.

The DW has concerns though. She likes the DDP whether it's free (which is always better) or if we purchase it. For us it works well and we usually maximize the value of it. She has pointed me to the site http://www.****************/top-ten-pros-cons-annual-passes/ however and specifically item #4 that basically says you cannot get the DDP. I am thinking that you cannot get the FREE DDP however but if you are planning a vacation otherwise with the AP, that you can purchase the DDP with a "Ticketless" Reservation to one of the resorts. Is this correct?

Also, it's my understanding that if we do take advantage of the free Dining plan in the future (Say next October) that we could just get a 2 day pass, and again, apply that value to the "Renewal" cost to the AP if it's in that window (which it would be) Is that true too?

Anyone's input is appreciated as well.

Yes you can get an AP plus dining package for sure. You call to book it but if AP rates for your period are out you can add it online. Package deposit and rules apply. Hope that helps.

 

[myrtleturtle]

We are going next month, just us, no kids. But we are also taking the kids in October. We plan to keep the adult trip super secret because most of our friends don't get it. Staying off social media will be hard.