Something About Nothing............ #14

[Sue M]

Happy Valentines Day! And Happy Anniversary to Keisha! Congrats.
Hope everyone is healthy and doing well.

We had 2 days of sunshine here on the wet coast. Yup that’s all we get. Today it’s back to the usually scheduled program rain. Talk about weekend warrior. Saturday I went on a 8.5km paddle then Sunday a lake trail hike. Gotta take advantage of sunny days here and milder weather. The crocuses are coming out! Paying the price today.

After months of staying home I booked Universal today for early Aug. I booked Sapphire, because the top 3 room rates are crazy now. $600 And my last Oct trip I stayed 2 nights and really liked it. I just wish they had EP!

Nothing has been going on here with me. I did order a new car in August, a RAV4 hybrid and still waiting. Wait times esp for hybrids are crazy here.

Tomorrow have an appt with the vet for my little guy Sydney (Yorker poo) a bit worried. He has a cough, bad in mornings.

Hope everyone has a nice day today.

 

[Charade67]

We have done it 3 times. We have only rented from the companies though, not individuals. Two of our rentals were during 2020. Since they were technically non-refundable, we went ahead and took the trips, even though we might not have otherwise due to covid. I would check on the refundable part. Many of the companies have changed their contracts to allow some refund. Individuals, which can be found on the DVC forum here on the DIS, vary. We had good luck with all of the rentals and ended up buying DVC resale, not direct, at Boardwalk. You don't have to end up buying though. Some places and rooms are easier to get than others. The more time you have before the trip the better the chance of getting exactly what you want, about 11-7 months out. Demand has been kind of high though, because DVC owners are needing to use points from 2020/2021 when they couldn't travel and DVC was closed. David's rentals (https://dvcrequest.com/) is a good place to get an idea of what the cost might be. We rented from them and the company that used to be a sponsor of the DIS. They have a new rental company sponsor now. It is definitely significantly cheaper than paying rack rate for the same or similar room. The studios at the DVCs are smaller than most of the regular hotel rooms. You can look around for square footages. The DVC Fan site might list them, and I think Touring Plans (https://touringplans.com/) does too. That part can be deceiving. The 3 of us fit into a studio fine with DS sleeping on the pullout sofa. The kitchenette is nice though. You can only get the DVC rooms if you rent points. Those are studios and 1, 2, & 3 bedroom villas. I don't think you need to pay for parking when you are staying DVC.

Thanks for the info. I read about DVC rental on a Disney blog and it sounded almost too good to be true. The blog mentioned David’s and another company. I might give this a try for our next trip. Do they make you sit through a sales presentation? We did that once with a timeshare company and said never again.

One of our salesmen was not feeling great, took at rapid test (as we have some for testing at work) it was positive. He went home.

I messaged our manager, as he does not have regular hours and told him I'm working from home for the next few days. I'll scan the bulk of my work and send it to my personal email. Then complete what I can at home. Scan what I need to with our little printer. If I need other missing info...I'll email the guys to send it to me.

I don't need to be working in a covid infested workplace right now - when I need that negative test on Wednesday.
I did a rapid test at home - and it was negative.

Smart move. I am looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Nothing has been going on here with me. I did order a new car in August, a RAV4 hybrid and still waiting. Wait times esp for hybrids are crazy here.

Tomorrow have an appt with the vet for my little guy Sydney (Yorker poo) a bit worried. He has a cough, bad in mornings.

Good to see you Sue. Good luck with the car and I hope Sydney is okay.

Time to get some sleep.

 

[Sue M]

Pumpkin close call. Hope your on that plane. It’s a strange virus. My daughter tested positive mid January but her partner never got it.

Charade no you won’t have to go to one of those time share presentations! The only thing I’d recommend is to buy trip cancellation insurance. As I understand it, it’s non refundable.

 

[schumigirl]

Usually I sleep like I`ve been knocked out every night, but just had one of those weird nights I kept waking up for no reason. First time I looked at the clock and expected it to be around 5am......I had only been asleep 20 minutes! Rest of the night was just waking regularly and getting back to sleep.......I might snooze later.

Wind is back so no walking yet, but will pop out this morning for a few bits, no reading as it`s half term this week here.....so no real plans to do anything as this weather just sucks! I am getting a lot of odd jobs done around the house though......I`m currently trying to trim the DVD collection again.....we have far too many.

Honey mustard chicken tonight for dinner, little parmentier potatoes to go with it and whatever veg I pick up this morning, then need to pop into a grocery store as I need to top up some dried spices, passata and some more store cabinet ingredients.

Tea first, then breakfast in a couple of hours.

Happy Tuesday



​

 

[Lynne G]

Oh Pumpkin, so worrying, hope your plans go without issue and you are starting enjoying your trip tomorrow.

Sue, good to hear from you. Hope your dog is okay. And yay for car order. Yeah, crazy hotel rates for our September trip, but I am very much hoping to see a much lower rate at least 5 days before I arrive. We are still toying around with a short Spring trip. I did get a good AP rate, almost like last minute, for our quick August trip last year. Really hoping to see close to the AP rate I got last Fall.

Ack Schumi, not a good night sleep and that windy icky day. Hope since you are home more today, hoping some tea enjoying in there too. Hope tonight you are back to that sound sleeping. And ooh, another good smelling food is coming out from your kitchen.

And so, a Taco Tuesday is here. The day Mac says, maybe a Taco Bell dinner tonight. Hope you are feeling good, and teeth okay now.

Robo, I hope you and your DH are doing okay. So scary what you had listed. Sending much good thoughts your way, and hope to hear you both are feeling much better. Hugs.

And so, it’s still that ah, a beautiful Winter day. And yep, with a clearing of the sky throughout the night, a balmy 11 degrees was the thermometer’s reading as I saw older one leave almost an hour ago. And a most glorious sunny day. And yeah, the high temperature is at the freezing mark. Cool and mostly clear is our weather today. Yeah, and a repeat of yesterday’s clothing for my lunchtime walk. And even though that sun is not providing much warmth, weather guy said wear sun protection if outside in the lunchtime time. So, will put suntan lotion on my face before I do my lunchtime walk today. Knowing me, I could get a little sunburn if I don’t.

But as I’m still up and busy well before the sun comes up. And still oh so dark. But as we tilt to give us Spring soon enough, the sunrise is a half hour away now. Was around 7:30 not that long ago, now just 7 minutes before 7 am. Tick tick tick. Yeah, and with that time change coming soon enough too, will be a very dark morning again until closer to the Summer.

A most terrific Taco Tuesday homies. And yes, I have my tea. Ah, happy to say, all is good in my home.

 

[soniam]

Thanks for the info. I read about DVC rental on a Disney blog and it sounded almost too good to be true. The blog mentioned David’s and another company. I might give this a try for our next trip. Do they make you sit through a sales presentation? We did that once with a timeshare company and said never again.

As Sue said, you won't have to listen to a spiel. We own and never have listened to it. They may leave a message in the room about a free gift. We have never gotten it, because the timing just didn't work. It's probably a bag or backpack. I think this is when they might try to do their spiel. DVC pretty much sells itself though, so there are very little to no high pressure sales tactics. Definitely read the cancellation fine print and consider trip insurance. They use to be completely non-refundable, but I read that has changed some with covid. I have not rented points since covid/potential changing of contracts.

@Sue M Good to hear from you. Hope your dog is OK.

 

[Sue M]

Hi to everyone, Schumi it’s awful when you don’t get a good nights sleep and wake up tired! I’m having chicken too. Undecided on what I’ll do with them.

Robo I didn’t hear what happened but sending you good thoughts.
Mac happy taco Tuesday!

Lynne I’m hoping for AP rates too! If they’re good I’ll switch to one of the 3. But at the moment I have a good rate I can live with at SF lagoon view. And I really enjoyed SF last time. But have never gone without Express Pass! I’d upgrade pass for the 4:00 express pass but won’t do me any good as my daughter won’t have one. She’s getting the non US 14 day pass. Since she won’t need a season pass and it’s cheaper.
I’m surprised to hear Sept rates are high. Thought that’s low season? But Universal room rates go up and down so much. I’m tracking all the time. I lucked out on good rate for Lagoon view. Today it’s gone!

Soniam

DOG update: today he’s fine. I canceled appt. Not one cough. I’m blaming the husband. He doesn’t use the harness when he takes them out. And Sydney is a little dog that pulls if he sees another dog, squirrel, a leaf drop so think his throat was irritated. I have to be vigilant and make sure to put harness on when he does the morning walk. I always walk them with the harness.

 

[soniam]

Hard Rock is really expensive right now. My July rate w/o any discounts is ~$700. I am hoping for some discount. My TA had to book Columbus Day weekend for 1 day and then 3 days. The system wouldn't let her book them contiguously. Somehow, it's cheaper than July though. Seems strange.

 

[Sue M]

Hard Rock is really expensive right now. My July rate w/o any discounts is ~$700. I am hoping for some discount. My TA had to book Columbus Day weekend for 1 day and then 3 days. The system wouldn't let her book them contiguously. Somehow, it's cheaper than July though. Seems strange.

Keep checking your dates. They go up and down. When I picked my dates I found arriving a day early lowered daily rate by $70. I use a TA too, but I continually check rates!

 

[soniam]

Keep checking your dates. They go up and down. When I picked my dates I found arriving a day early lowered daily rate by $70. I use a TA too, but I continually check rates!

Unfortunately, we can't change dates. Already booked airfare and have a cruise at the end. I have been checking but no changes yet. I think it won't happen until closer to the trip.

 

[Charade67]

Hello everyone. Nothing much going on here. I heard that Disney is going to drop the mask requirement for vaccinated guests, so that makes me happy.

Charade no you won’t have to go to one of those time share presentations! The only thing I’d recommend is to buy trip cancellation insurance. As I understand it, it’s non refundable.

That's good to know. I sat through one of those presentations once and never again. I hate high pressure sales.

but just had one of those weird nights I kept waking up for no reason. First time I looked at the clock and expected it to be around 5am......I had only been asleep 20 minutes! Rest of the night was just waking regularly and getting back to sleep.......I might snooze later.

Welcome to my life. I rarely sleep through the night.
Last night I dreamed that we were going to buy a new condo that was somehow both close to the university where dh works and walking distance from Citywalk. I was happy about having new restaurant options.

As Sue said, you won't have to listen to a spiel. We own and never have listened to it. They may leave a message in the room about a free gift. We have never gotten it, because the timing just didn't work. It's probably a bag or backpack. I think this is when they might try to do their spiel. DVC pretty much sells itself though, so there are very little to no high pressure sales tactics. Definitely read the cancellation fine print and consider trip insurance. They use to be completely non-refundable, but I read that has changed some with covid. I have not rented points since covid/potential changing of contracts.

No presentations or gifts for me. I never want to sit through another time share presentation. It will probably be a few years before I actually look into this. Our next planned Disney trip will be to Disneyland after B graduates.

DOG update: today he’s fine. I canceled appt. Not one cough. I’m blaming the husband. He doesn’t use the harness when he takes them out. And Sydney is a little dog that pulls if he sees another dog, squirrel, a leaf drop so think his throat was irritated. I have to be vigilant and make sure to put harness on when he does the morning walk. I always walk them with the harness.

Glad to hear the dog is okay.

I am going to try to take a short nap if my neighbor's dogs stop barking.

 

[macraven]

Hard Rock is really expensive right now. My July rate w/o any discounts is ~$700. I am hoping for some discount. My TA had to book Columbus Day weekend for 1 day and then 3 days. The system wouldn't let her book them contiguously. Somehow, it's cheaper than July though. Seems strange.

Unbelievably high room costs listed for now
I have been looking at what rates are today and have not pulled up anything enticing
I have my room booked for my fall trip but keep checking for when rates will fall down

Most past times of my fall trips, I do not book until some time in mid May

I had been watching room rates early January and thought… Loews has to be kidding.
Assume that is my highlight of the day is food..

i did see a rate drop about 1:00 am in the morning mid January so booked it and thought I will watch how the rates run

so far, they have not dropped

And the room type I booked is not showing up anymore as available

Assume rates will fall down later this year and I will adjust my reservation then for rates.

Who am I kidding….. even if rates stay high, my trip plans will still be on

i don’t like it but will live with it

Going to fix dinner now
Bought two pork steaks yesterday and get so excited just thinking about how much we enjoy that meat.



What is for dinner at your house?

 

[buckeev]

Greeting from Orlando sans fam! Belated Happy Valentines Day to you-and-youse guys & gals!
We have been going like gangsters here since late last week…first at USO (Sapphire Falls was BEAUTIMUS!) Crowds were pretty decent except for Saturday-Dianna Ross concert! She was really good…sometimes even great. I staked out a primo spot 2 rows from the “front row” at 5:15 pm…for a 8:30 concert! Had a really good vantage point!
AND…Velocicoaster is STILL incredible!
At Beach Club Villas right now and enjoying the “Secret” EZ access to the Festival of the Arts food booths/kiosks! Most of the work of the many artists is really good…I even bought a Jason Ratner print. (Not an original, but still cool!) Hope to get it home safe!
Le Cellier was delicious-as always. Eating at Cape May later tonight (Unlimited Crab Legs are back starting tonight!)
Don’t wanna leave, but Gage has a convention this weekend in Dallas/Fort Worth that I unwittingly agreed to ferry him to, …plus I am about out of Disney GCs!
We are booked for another DVC TRIP for Spring Break but I’m trying to reschedule…little to no luck so far. DVC bookings have been a mess lately.
Hope y’all are all “healthy and we’ll fed”-my daughter used to tell people they looked “healthy and well fed”

Robert

 

[soniam]

No presentations or gifts for me. I never want to sit through another time share presentation. It will probably be a few years before I actually look into this. Our next planned Disney trip will be to Disneyland after B graduates.

I wouldn't bother trying to rent DVC points at Disneyland. There is only 1 hotel, and it's constantly full. I think we are doing a Disneyland trip this summer instead of Japan, which is still closed to everyone.

@buckeev Sounds like a good time. I need to plan our next DVC trip. I have to bank our leftover 2021 points.

 

[Lynne G]

Yay! Love, love live reports! Thanks for sharing Buckeev. Sounds like the perfect trip.

Ah, evening and all are chilling, though DH is teaching in person, and also video, as he wants to be in person for the half or so of his class that comes in person at the university.

I too did not have a good night’s sleep last night, so may have had a little nap after dinner.

Since that later in the week storm is to stay good amount West of us, it’s coming from the South. Hence that taste of Spring, with low 60’s the high degree weather this Thursday and Friday. I’m sure little one will be breaking out those shorts again this week. She’s happy when she’s in shorts. This is from the kid that I begged to get a job in FLA, said she wants to be working in a cold place. And she doesn’t run hot, like older one does. But even he has his limits on wearing shorts. That chilly start and day we had, he had his jeans on. But as the house is that perfect warm for me, he’s in shorts as soon as he gets home.

And so a good nights sleep to all the homies, and a night light on for those that need just that enough light to find the restroom or wander into the kitchen for a midnight snack or two.

 

[Charade67]

Unbelievably high room costs listed for now
I have been looking at what rates are today and have not pulled up anything enticing
I have my room booked for my fall trip but keep checking for when rates will fall down

Most past times of my fall trips, I do not book until some time in mid May

I had been watching room rates early January and thought… Loews has to be kidding.
Assume that is my highlight of the day is food..

i did see a rate drop about 1:00 am in the morning mid January so booked it and thought I will watch how the rates run

so far, they have not dropped

And the room type I booked is not showing up anymore as available

Assume rates will fall down later this year and I will adjust my reservation then for rates.

Who am I kidding….. even if rates stay high, my trip plans will still be on

i don’t like it but will live with it

Going to fix dinner now
Bought two pork steaks yesterday and get so excited just thinking about how much we enjoy that meat.



What is for dinner at your house?

I haven't even started looking at room rates. Last year I booked just a few months out. I do have my airline reservation though.

Dinner tonight was chicken parmesan. Now I have to figure out something for tomorrow.

Greeting from Orlando sans fam! Belated Happy Valentines Day to you-and-youse guys & gals!
We have been going like gangsters here since late last week…first at USO (Sapphire Falls was BEAUTIMUS!) Crowds were pretty decent except for Saturday-Dianna Ross concert! She was really good…sometimes even great. I staked out a primo spot 2 rows from the “front row” at 5:15 pm…for a 8:30 concert! Had a really good vantage point!
AND…Velocicoaster is STILL incredible!
At Beach Club Villas right now and enjoying the “Secret” EZ access to the Festival of the Arts food booths/kiosks! Most of the work of the many artists is really good…I even bought a Jason Ratner print. (Not an original, but still cool!) Hope to get it home safe!
Le Cellier was delicious-as always. Eating at Cape May later tonight (Unlimited Crab Legs are back starting tonight!)
Don’t wanna leave, but Gage has a convention this weekend in Dallas/Fort Worth that I unwittingly agreed to ferry him to, …plus I am about out of Disney GCs!
We are booked for another DVC TRIP for Spring Break but I’m trying to reschedule…little to no luck so far. DVC bookings have been a mess lately.
Hope y’all are all “healthy and we’ll fed”-my daughter used to tell people they looked “healthy and well fed”

Glad you are having such a good time. DH wants to try Le Cellier the next time we go to WDW.

I wouldn't bother trying to rent DVC points at Disneyland. There is only 1 hotel, and it's constantly full. I think we are doing a Disneyland trip this summer instead of Japan, which is still closed to everyone.

I was thinking about renting for our next WDW trip whenever that might be. I would love to stay at an Animal Kingdom resort with a savannah view. Dh wants the Grand Floridian. The Disneyland trip will be for B's graduation in 2023.



Where do y'all purchase trip insurance from? I've always booked my Disney trips on their website and just purchase the insurance they offer there.

 

[macraven]

Buckeev !!
So you finished the Darkside and now at the motherland or close to heading back soon for Gages convention

I know you have been enjoying your vacation.

Have your people contact my people and line up our dates for next time you will be at the parks !

 

[soniam]

I haven't even started looking at room rates. Last year I booked just a few months out. I do have my airline reservation though.

Dinner tonight was chicken parmesan. Now I have to figure out something for tomorrow.


Glad you are having such a good time. DH wants to try Le Cellier the next time we go to WDW.

I was thinking about renting for our next WDW trip whenever that might be. I would love to stay at an Animal Kingdom resort with a savannah view. Dh wants the Grand Floridian. The Disneyland trip will be for B's graduation in 2023.



Where do y'all purchase trip insurance from? I've always booked my Disney trips on their website and just purchase the insurance they offer there.

Our son will graduate in 2024.

I have only purchased insurance for cruises. Once I used Insure My Trip to get quotes. For our Summer 2023 cruise, my TA found a policy that was cheaper and better than what Celebrity offered. It’s through Arch Roam Right (roamright.com). It’s the same company that Celebrity uses but was cheaper and provided more. You usually have to purchase insurance very soon , ie few days to 14 days, after putting a deposit on/purchasing your travel. Most other travel expenses give you something of a refund or credit, so we don’t usually buy it.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Quick late night stop in!!!

I was hoping to stop in sooner, but time seems to be going quickly. Half day of work tomorrow, testing at 1:30 then hopefully on the road by 2:00 to spend some time with the kids in the big city before heading to the airport! I was messaging my manager and told him, if I test positive -heads will roll So far we feel fine.

Suitcases and carry-ons are packed up. I'm just downloading a new book onto my e-reader and will download another one I haven't read in a while. I have alot of books, and had to reset my reader to clear everything out. All the ones I own are saved in my cloud. I am one to reread the books I love.

There is a small change in returning requirements for us. It won't apply to us - unless we test positive with our test. Then we can retest with just a regular cheaper rapid test at a Walgreen's or CVS. It is a small step in the right direction. Restrictions are lifting in our province. No more masks once we get back, and no capacity limits on anything any more. Small steps are happening.

We had 2 days of sunshine here on the wet coast. Yup that’s all we get. Today it’s back to the usually scheduled program rain. Talk about weekend warrior. Saturday I went on a 8.5km paddle then Sunday a lake trail hike. Gotta take advantage of sunny days here and milder weather. The circuses are coming out! Paying the price today.

Welcome back Sue I have wondered how you are faring. We have had our fair share of grey dreary skies as well. With the temps above normal, I won't complain, but the sun has not been out nearly as much as other winters.

I heard that Disney is going to drop the mask requirement for vaccinated guests, so that makes me happy.

Gosh...that would be awesome if it happened before Saturday Saturday is our Disney day, and the only place where a mask is required. It would be soooo nice not to have to wear one if we didn't want to. We will probably still wear one if someone is coughing or hacking beside us anywhere we are, but for the most part, we are looking forward to no masks!

Greeting from Orlando sans fam! Belated Happy Valentines Day to you-and-youse guys & gals!

Enjoy your park days!!!!!

Well, I should finish my tea, and get to bed.

I'll leave the light on for our early risers...and if anyone has trouble counting sheep.

 

[Sue M]

Charade dropping mask requirements probably do nothing for me! I’ll probably still wear one for queues and crowded places. It would suck for me to get Covid there and have to quarantine 10 days in a hotel room. Our govt just made announcement today about changes to testing requirements returning home. I was hoping they’d drop testing for fully vaccinated people. But nope they just said now the antigen test is acceptable. Maybe by August testing will drop. A friend got Covid in wdw a few weeks ago. Fortunately for him he lives in NY so didn’t have to quarantine in Florida. And he didn’t feel sick until he got home.


Mac looks like we’re all on the hunt for lower rates! $500/night is hard to swallow for a regular non CL room at HR! So for now at SF which I enjoyed very much last time. But only had 2 nights there before moving to HR.
Dinner tonight was curry chicken! We had pork chops Saturday!

buckeev sounds like a great trip! Love BC/YC and Cape May yum! And love SF.

Lynne my neighbour is in his shorts already. But then he wears shorts practically all winter! Funny to see him shovel snow in his shorts.
Thanks for the nightlight for those of us out west .

Charade ooooh that’s a hard decision AKL or GF. I love both! But are wonderful, no bad choices here. Maybe if you have enough time you could do a split. For me GF has the edge. It’s magical seeing the castle from many spots around the resort. Watching the MK fireworks and the electric water parade from the resort. Many dining options at GF, Poly, CR and WL. All within easy walk, monorail or boat. Also transportation with monorail to Epcot and now the walking path to MK.
I buy travel insurance with Blue Cross. Or CAA (Canadian AAA).
LeCellier - I could make a meal from their cheddar soup and pretzel bread! Yum.