So why am I not HAPPY?

[franandaj]

I agree on the ADRs, snatch up whatever ones you can right now and then worry about if you can keep them!

 

[VickiVM]

....ooooooh, I'm sure lovin' all the help and suggestions!!! Keep 'em coming!

I haven't read all the pages, so someone may have already suggested this - but have you considered Wyndham Bonnet Creek? I would consider myself a WDW resort snob, but 2 years ago we rented a timeshare owners' points in August and I swear I will never consider another WDW resort again unless I'm rollin' in money.

http://vacationupgrades.com/

DisThread on Bonnet Creek:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2739937

We have stayed in Yacht Club, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Dolphin, ASMU, Carribean Beach and Port Orleans - Riverside. But to have the space, full kitchen, washer/dryer and other beautiful amenities at a fraction of what DVC points rent for is fantastic!

 

[pilferk]

....HOO BOY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT!




.....I know - and that's what I'm afraid of too....

Then don't deal with CRO (if you're OK with free dining) and just book the package online. It's DEFINITELY allowing free dining for a stay starting on 12/20. Put the $200 deposit down, get your confirmation #, THEN call CRO to pay off whatever you want in GCs, etc as you go along.

 

[SaraJayne]

....ooooooh, I'm sure lovin' all the help and suggestions!!! Keep 'em coming!

Girl, my suggestion is get your hiney on the phone (or computer) and book already!!

 

[gwynne]

Girl, my suggestion is get your hiney on the phone (or computer) and book already!!

Yep.
I hope she lets us know when she's completed her homework assignment.

 

[kimmar067]

She's going to want to stay at AKL, I'm guessing...which, typically, doesn't have the occupancy rates of the values and mods or "closer to the action" deluxes. She might get lucky.

Here's hoping!

...always the optimist - thanks!

 

[pilferk]

...always the optimist - thanks!

And then I checked for ya, online (though the trip duration might be off).

It's "out there"!

(whistles X-files theme)

 

[kimmar067]

I checked your dates at DVC resorts and all the studios are currently sold out. It is unlikely that you would find someone to waitlist for you, but it might be worth a try. You have considerable DIS "street cred" which would be in your favor. I also checked the Swolphin for you and you can stay at the Dolphin for $1938 for a week using your teacher's discount. The first few days are pretty cheap, but they double right around Christmas. Do you have any Starwood points you can use? Starwood runs a promotion that if you book 4 nights on points you can get the 5th night free so a 5 night stay would be 40,000 Starpoints. We stayed at the Swan last Christmas on points. You can also see if they have their 50% off rack rate available for those later dates. That only costs 1,000 points....

....unfortunately, I don't have enough Starwood points... Personally, I love the Dolphin, but my DH isn't as big a fan as me....you certainly can't beat the location!

 

[kimmar067]

I agree on the ADRs, snatch up whatever ones you can right now and then worry about if you can keep them!

...PM sent your way....

 

[lovin'fl]

I only read through page 1 so far, but I suggest looking at airfare from Reagan International in DC (if that's not too far for you to drive to...hmmmm....it might be, you said NY area) to MCO on Jetblue. We did this lat Xmas and got a great deal (and they have TVs on every headrest...nice...oh, and we didn't have to pay for checked bags).

 

[kimmar067]

Girl, my suggestion is get your hiney on the phone (or computer) and book already!!

 

[kimmar067]

I only read through page 1 so far, but I suggest looking at airfare from Reagan International in DC (if that's not too far for you to drive to...hmmmm....it might be, you said NY area) to MCO on Jetblue. We did this lat Xmas and got a great deal (and they have TVs on every headrest...nice...oh, and we didn't have to pay for checked bags).

....actually, the least of my worries is the airfare....worse case scenario, we could just drive there (not looking forward to that but certainly doable)....the last time we visited during the Chirstmas Holidays, I actually didn't book airline tix till less than 2 weeks before we were leaving and we got an unbelievable deal!

 

[TruBlu]

I know how you feel, my friend! I've booked our trip, paid the deposit and insurance only, and bought our plane tickets. We still owe thousands! And, my hospital bill came today... I'm worried about spending money we don't have & I haven't told DH the total yet... The worry is making the planning not as much fun! Then I have to worry that my health won't be good... I don't know how people afford going multiple times a year unless they live in Fla.

 

[wendypooh]

My best advice is to TRY to book DVC - since you want to stay at Kidani - you might be able to get a good deal - and with your DIS street cred............. lol - there's a very good chance someone would be willing to take your cards as payment. The other thing is BOOOOOOOOOK your dining ADR's NOW - if you end up NOT going, you can always cancel them, but DO NOT wait on those!!!!! My guess is a lot of places are already booked up.......... so, I'd do that FIRST THING!!!!

You have lots of good advice here - I hope it works out and you get to go!!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I agree with getting those ADRs now. You can always cancel them if you have to.

Corinna

 

[TruBlu]

Definitely book ADRs now. They make it so easy now with the online system. A few have to be reserved with a credit card, but they don't charge it. When we were deciding between weeks, I booked meals for both then canceled when we decided. Then you get to post on the Canceled ADR thread and make another DISer happy!!!

Sent from Tracey's iPhone using DISBoards

 

[kimmar067]

I know how you feel, my friend! I've booked our trip, paid the deposit and insurance only, and bought our plane tickets. We still owe thousands! And, my hospital bill came today... I'm worried about spending money we don't have & I haven't told DH the total yet[/b[... The worry is making the planning not as much fun!

....that's why I have this feeling of sadness, when I've waited for this opportunity for so long and I'm just not 'into ' it...

Then I have to worry that my health won't be good... I don't know how people afford going multiple times a year unless they live in Fla.

....I don't get it either .....as a teacher, I make an okay salary [my DH's pay has been cut back because the construction business is not doing well] but I am, by no means, a frivolous person. Other than the haircut I got prior to that wedding a few weeks ago, my last haircut was MORE THAN 2 YEARS AGO! I only get a mani and/or pedi when I get a giftcard (like the one I got from my DS and his GF) I RARELY spend money on myself PERIOD, because it mostly goes towards bills and my DSs' educations and it's not like we're eating filet mignon and prime rib every night. I also economize by using my clothesline almost EVERY DAY [weather-permitting, of course]; we don't go out to eat and I honestly can't tell you the last time that we've been to the movie theatre..... what are we doing wrong?

 

[kimmar067]

....okay, vent over.....

 

[TruBlu]

....okay, vent over.....

Preach, Sista!

Ditto for us - except add in thousands of $$$$ a year for my 13 surgeries... 6 months out of work from an infection they gave me at our wonderful local hospital, and kids that play expensive sports!!!! I've even started coloring my own hair!!!! Somebody keeps sneaking in and coloring the roots of my hair grey when I'm sleeping...

Vent over for me too!!!!

Let's go back to pretending we live in the Castle with Cindy!

Sent from Tracey's iPhone using DISBoards

 

[kimmar067]

Preach, Sista!

Ditto for us - except add in thousands of $$$$ a year for my 13 surgeries... 6 months out of work from an infection they gave me at our wonderful local hospital, and kids that play expensive sports!!!! I've even started coloring my own hair!!!! Somebody keeps sneaking in and coloring the roots of my hair grey when I'm sleeping...

....me too....on BOTH counts.....