Sun, Shopping, Sand, Surf, Sweat & Shamu: A Splashin Summertime Sabbatical at SVR!

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We will hit a couple for sure I grew up there so I'm letting DH and niece decide. They are only there for half the time I am though. Niece picked the zoo (she loves pandas) and DH picked Hockey Hall of Fame. Yes, this Canadian girl got her American DH so into hockey it's now his favorite sport!

I would love to see the Aquarium since it wasn't there when I moved.

That's a fantastic deal on the mini-van! I always fret too much about those deals. I really need to get over that.

We haven't made it to the Aquarium yet, either. Its on my to-do list for our next trip to Toronto....I was thinking maybe over the Christmas holidays, when we are heading to Niagara and will be passing through anyway. Maybe add on a night in the big city before heading to the Falls.

Everyone has to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame at least once . Its fun even for the most mild of hockey fans. Your DH will have a blast!

I'm pretty much all packed, it was a busy busy weekend!! I can't believe how close we are Gina!!!!

Oh, and my ticker is wrong because we added a day at the beginning, but I can't be bothered to change it!

I can't believe how close we are either! I keep bouncing between excitement and panic . So much to do, and so little time left!

Your kiddos must be getting SO pumped!

Plus, we went on a cruise the day after Christmas in 2007. We worked up until the last minute and had all the holiday stuff and parties to attend , so our house was a disaster. It looked like Christmas had thrown up in here when we left.
Well, didn't we get broken into while we were away? We got home and had to call the police. How embarrassed was I calling the police to come over while my living room was still full of wrapping paper and boxes and laundry?

OMG, that's awful!!! Did they ever catch the person who broke in?

(We have been the victims of a home invasion and robbery twice....and its awful. Truly violating. So I feel for you completely!!!)

Last night they were having a discussion about what they would eat while we were gone. They were dividing up who would make what. I've offered to make a few things and leave them in the freezer but so far they have only requested a quiche. I'll come up with a few others and all they will have to do is remember to take it out of the freezer in the morning. At one point I heard the words 'dinner party' which gave me a good laugh. I can just picture it....chicken fingers and fries with a pizza appetizer. Jello and whip cream in a can for dessert.

lol on the "dinner party" . Jake would think that was a meal fit for a king. I can see those same items being served at his wedding some day .... .

We liked the Days Inn when we stayed there in 2012. Great staff, perfectly acceptable room, good price, clean and prompt shuttle. Big pool and hot tub too, so you can chillax the night before you fly. I say go for it .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The travel binder has hereby been updated to include the new rental car information, and I have cancelled the National reservation .

Jake tells me this morning over breakfast that apparently Sweetie is getting worried about the heat and humidity, so I have a little hand-holding to do at some point today. I was worried about the same things before my first August trip, so I have a little compassion for her there. I will text her and give her the reassurance she needs.

I'm all foggy headed this morning, like there's cobwebs crowding the old noggin. Must be the storm coming in tomorrow....I hear we're in for boatloads of rain.

I have someone coming tonight to look at Jake's catholic school uniform pieces. I had listed them on Kijiji some time ago (right after graduation) and hadn't heard a peep from the listing until late last week. Had two people respond within the last few days, so hopefully the first person who comes today will take it all. I would love to empty out that closet before we go on vacation and do all our planned shopping!

5 more work days, including today!

 

[Lynne G]

Oh my gosh! 8 days from now. So, with family obligations, not as much cleaning got done. Laundry yes though. I will have so much to do this week-end.

Kids are old enough to pack, but I've learned to check and ask if they have so and so, with veto power on anything that they want to take.
Funny story about how I know where the Nike Outlet is. We always leave before the crack of dawn. DS has always had two or three pairs of sneakers. Several years ago, while on the plane, he realized he had 2 different sneaker brands on. While both sneakers were black, and it was hard to see the differences, the first stop after landing was the Nike Outlet and another, matching pair of sneakers was bought.

I am on the fence about the rental car. Right now I have the National at $388 with the KLM code, and Hotwire is showing $347 for a midsize, which is the same as what I booked with National. While 41 dollars is alot, I am not sure I want to switch, as I may not get Alamo and I was not pleased the one time I used Hotwire and got Hertz. Hertz was difficult to work with and gave me the hard sell for a long time. I think the best was I used Hotwire last summer and got Alamo in LA airport for 2 weeks, a midsize, for $195. I was somewhat shocked when I priced our holiday trip last year. National, with the KLM code, was the lowest and the best price about 2 months out. Decisions. Decisions. If I do pick Hotwire, then decision over, as payment due on booking. National, I can cancel up to the last minute and no payment until after returning the car. HMMMMM.

 

[Lynne G]

I'm all foggy headed this morning, like there's cobwebs crowding the old noggin. Must be the storm coming in tomorrow....I hear we're in for boatloads of rain.

I have someone coming tonight to look at Jake's catholic school uniform pieces. I had listed them on Kijiji some time ago (right after graduation) and hadn't heard a peep from the listing until late last week. Had two people respond within the last few days, so hopefully the first person who comes today will take it all. I would love to empty out that closet before we go on vacation and do all our planned shopping!

5 more work days, including today!

Yep, my joints are bothering me. Storm to be tomorrow night into Wednesday morning. 1 to 3 inches of rain. That's ok. We had a beautiful, sunny week-end.

I hope you do sell the clothes. My kids go to public school. They only have the school's rule that what is worn is not obscene. And let me tell you, some of the girls in the junior and senior high wear stuff that I will not let my DD wear, ever.

Ahh youth, it's one of the only times you want to look and be older.

I hope you feel better, and can't believe you'll be leaving soon. We'll have to think about when and if we can fit a Dismeet in. Darkside for us first, then DW the rest of the time. We can travel, as I don't mind driving. Even my DD said to my mom yesterday, mom knows her way around WDW and USO. I guess I do, we've been there many times. I also have been known to use my phone as as GPS though.

 

[tristyp]

I am on the fence about the rental car. Right now I have the National at $388 with the KLM code, and Hotwire is showing $347 for a midsize, which is the same as what I booked with National. While 41 dollars is alot, I am not sure I want to switch, as I may not get Alamo and I was not pleased the one time I used Hotwire and got Hertz. Hertz was difficult to work with and gave me the hard sell for a long time. I think the best was I used Hotwire last summer and got Alamo in LA airport for 2 weeks, a midsize, for $195. I was somewhat shocked when I priced our holiday trip last year. National, with the KLM code, was the lowest and the best price about 2 months out. Decisions. Decisions. If I do pick Hotwire, then decision over, as payment due on booking. National, I can cancel up to the last minute and no payment until after returning the car. HMMMMM.

Is that a midsize suv or a midsize car and what is your dates?

 

[Lynne G]

Is that a midsize suv or a midsize car and what is your dates?

Sorry, midsize car. Dates 19 August to 2 Sept. I drive a midsize SUV, so I want a more efficient car, and I need 4 doors and a nice trunk, so I find the midsize cars - camry or other just right for us.

 

[tristyp]

Sorry, midsize car. Dates 19 August to 2 Sept. I drive a midsize SUV, so I want a more efficient car, and I need 4 doors and a nice trunk, so I find the midsize cars - camry or other just right for us.

You are in a tough position whether to wait or not. I have a full size car from September 27 to October 10 for 213. i am hoping to get a minivan for around 250 for the same time period. I was watching the car prices in April, may and beginning of June and they kept dropping. Getting a van for that price 2 days out was possible. As I have watched through the summer the prices have been rising. The end of August is that in between time. Good Luck with your decision.

 

[tristyp]

Well, the suitcases are all out and the packing has officially begun. Got quite a bit accomplished today (mostly non-clothing items....toiletries, beach towels, ponchos, cameras, medications, that kind of thing) and will work on packing clothes for each of us tomorrow evening after work.

I also made a change to our rental vehicle plans. We originally had a midsize SUV rented through National, knowing that we wanted something with more space than a full-size car. We had hoped that we'd snag a deal on a standard SUV like we did for last summer (Steve loved that Jeep Grand Cherokee!), but with a week to go and prices still beyond sky high ($1000+ for the two week period), the chances were looking mighty slim.

We had considered a minivan rental, but again, right from the start......prices have been absolutely ridiculous. Who pays $1200 for two weeks in a Dodge Grand Caravan???

Our midsize SUV was $477 USD (using the now-defunct KLM code, which National said they would continue to honour for any confirmed reservations). With the exchange and conversion fees, we were looking at a final price of about $525 Canadian, assuming our dollar doesn't drop too much lower by the end of the month.

On a tip from the August car rental thread on the transportation board, I read that Hotwire was coming up with some great prices on minivans......so I thought I'd check and see what the rates were for our particular dates. To my surprise, the total price Canadian was $497......a small savings vs. our SUV rental, but definitely more space. I agonized for quite some time over whether to make the switch (not knowing which rental agency we would end up with made me edgy at best) but I took a leap of faith this afternoon and went ahead and booked the minivan via Hotwire. Much to my delight (or shall I say relief? ) we ended up with Alamo.....which we have used on each trip in the past (with the exception of one) and have always been very pleased with. So despite all my fretting, we still get to pick our vehicle which makes my Steve-o a very happy guy. (I will note, though, that he was all for the Hotwire rental regardless....he thinks the extra space in the minivan will be a godsend, and the small savings was just a bonus).

Tomorrow, I will cancel the National rental and put the Hotwire confirmation in our travel binder. And now I can stop watching prices....which will be nice as these last few days before we leave get busier and busier.

Every dollar counts!! I think you guys will enjoy that minivan. i have one at home that we just bought. My wife wanted a Traverse but after trying both out and putting the price in perspective we went with the van. i will say after being in my fil 2004 van i was shocked when i test drove it how nice they are. The seats are quite comfortable and plush as well as the trunk is deep. They have come a long way in the last 10 years.

Good luck with all your packing and last minute things. I think the week before vacation is just crazy making sure you have everything. We like you guys like to leave with a clean house so we can return to a clean house. However, with 3 small kids trying to do a deep clean and it staying like that a week before is not going to happen. My wife is a clean freak so the house is always pretty tidy. This year we plan to do all our packing and that stuff Thursday night. We are both taking Friday off so when the kids go to school we can give everything a good clean and pack everything in van. As soon as they come home from school I will entertain them for 15 minutes while dw gets there school bags cleaned up and taken care of and we will be off. We may not even let them use the washroom before we leave

 

[dancin Disney style]

LynneG....consider all the extra insurance that comes with the KLM code as a good value for $40. Just a thought.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I am on the fence about the rental car. Right now I have the National at $388 with the KLM code, and Hotwire is showing $347 for a midsize, which is the same as what I booked with National. While 41 dollars is alot, I am not sure I want to switch, as I may not get Alamo and I was not pleased the one time I used Hotwire and got Hertz. Hertz was difficult to work with and gave me the hard sell for a long time. I think the best was I used Hotwire last summer and got Alamo in LA airport for 2 weeks, a midsize, for $195. I was somewhat shocked when I priced our holiday trip last year. National, with the KLM code, was the lowest and the best price about 2 months out. Decisions. Decisions. If I do pick Hotwire, then decision over, as payment due on booking. National, I can cancel up to the last minute and no payment until after returning the car. HMMMMM.

There is something to be said about going with what you know will give you a good experience. That's what made me fret about Hotwire....the not knowing which agency we'd get. Thankfully it all worked out when it revealed that Alamo was the rental agency, but I won't lie....I would have been horribly disappointed if it were Enterprise or SixT (just because that adds an element of unknown to the trip....and that's not the way I want to start out my vacation!!).

I hope you do sell the clothes. My kids go to public school. They only have the school's rule that what is worn is not obscene. And let me tell you, some of the girls in the junior and senior high wear stuff that I will not let my DD wear, ever.

I hope you feel better, and can't believe you'll be leaving soon. We'll have to think about when and if we can fit a Dismeet in. Darkside for us first, then DW the rest of the time. We can travel, as I don't mind driving. Even my DD said to my mom yesterday, mom knows her way around WDW and USO. I guess I do, we've been there many times. I also have been known to use my phone as as GPS though.

Jake is very excited to be able to wear his street clothes to school for the first time since the elementary grades. While he didn't mind the uniforms (nor did I), it sure seemed pointless to have two whole sets of clothing (three if you count his work uniform too). I may actually have closet space for a change!

I am always reachable by PM during our vacation if you have a free night and want to get together. Even if you just wanted to meet us at the resort for a drink . Of course, we'll both have to see if weather or other factors upset our carefully laid plans. So many variables!!!!

Good luck with all your packing and last minute things. I think the week before vacation is just crazy making sure you have everything. We like you guys like to leave with a clean house so we can return to a clean house. However, with 3 small kids trying to do a deep clean and it staying like that a week before is not going to happen. My wife is a clean freak so the house is always pretty tidy. This year we plan to do all our packing and that stuff Thursday night. We are both taking Friday off so when the kids go to school we can give everything a good clean and pack everything in van. As soon as they come home from school I will entertain them for 15 minutes while dw gets there school bags cleaned up and taken care of and we will be off. We may not even let them use the washroom before we leave

lol, that's hilarious . And totally something *I* would do!!!

I have already told Jake and Sweetie that they are being banished from the house on Saturday morning so I can clean like a woman possessed. For their own safety, they must find another locale until we're ready to roll (otherwise, I am putting them to work cleaning toilets and cat little boxes ). Jake has decided he will go for a haircut, then they'll probably walk around the mall for a bit (a good plan before a long-ish drive). They can return at lunch time to help load the luggage, then we're off like a herd of turtles . The plan is to arrive in Syracuse in time for dinner.

 

[tristyp]

There is something to be said about going with what you know will give you a good experience. That's what made me fret about Hotwire....the not knowing which agency we'd get. Thankfully it all worked out when it revealed that Alamo was the rental agency, but I won't lie....I would have been horribly disappointed if it were Enterprise or SixT (just because that adds an element of unknown to the trip....and that's not the way I want to start out my vacation!!).



Hi Gina

I have Enterprise. Is there something wrong with them? Now i am nervous

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi Gina

I have Enterprise. Is there something wrong with them? Now i am nervous

Oh gosh, no! I just have never used them, or know anyone who has. I don't know if you get to pick your vehicle. I don't know if you can skip the counter. We've rented through Alamo 3 times before (very pleased every time). We've used Budget once (epic fail). After our Budget fiasco, we're just not that adventurous with rental vehicles. We prefer to stick with what we know works.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Oh gosh, no! I just have never used them, or know anyone who has. I don't know if you get to pick your vehicle. I don't know if you can skip the counter. We've rented through Alamo 3 times before (very pleased every time). We've used Budget once (epic fail). After our Budget fiasco, we're just not that adventurous with rental vehicles. We prefer to stick with what we know works.

I'm using Alamo for the first time this trip and glad to hear at least SOMEONE trusts them!

I used Budget one trip - never again. I left my jacket in the backseat and called them as soon as I got to my gate. They "never found it" and there wasn't even an apology or anything. I called within 20 minutes of leaving the car and you can't find my jacket?? I was so angry at the time; just thinking about what a fiasco it was makes me angry all over again. It wasn't just that they didn't find my jacket - I understand, my fault and I shouldn't have expected to see it again. It's that they continually didn't call me back, called me different names when they did call me (I was called three different names, none of them mine, by the SAME WOMAN on three calls!), and they just couldn't have cared less. I won't rent from them again.

 

[dancin Disney style]

No you can't choose your car with Enterprise or any one other than Alamo/National.

What happened with Budget Gina....that's who I booked.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I'm using Alamo for the first time this trip and glad to hear at least SOMEONE trusts them!

I used Budget one trip - never again. I left my jacket in the backseat and called them as soon as I got to my gate. They "never found it" and there wasn't even an apology or anything. I called within 20 minutes of leaving the car and you can't find my jacket?? I was so angry at the time; just thinking about what a fiasco it was makes me angry all over again. It wasn't just that they didn't find my jacket - I understand, my fault and I shouldn't have expected to see it again. It's that they continually didn't call me back, called me different names when they did call me (I was called three different names, none of them mine, by the SAME WOMAN on three calls!), and they just couldn't have cared less. I won't rent from them again.

We've had nothing but good service and great vehicles from Alamo so far . Always received what we booked or better. I hope I don't jinx myself for this trip by praising them up now!!

No you can't choose your car with Enterprise or any one other than Alamo/National.

What happened with Budget Gina....that's who I booked.

Budget assigns the vehicle. We had a midsize SUV rented, went straight to the kiosk (so far, so good). Was given a fully loaded Equinox (again, so far, so good). Get to the vehicle....something smelled off. Literally. Thought it was because it had been closed up, so we opened the windows. You could tell that a cleaner or disinfectant had been used at some point because that chemical smell mingled with the underlying odor. Vehicle was high mileage (almost 50,000 miles) and looked like it has been repeatedly abused (so much so that we took photos of all the bumps and bruises on the exterior so they didnt try to bill us for them at drop off). We should have gone straight back to the kiosk and asked for another vehicle but didn't know any better.....bad decision on our part. Whatever the "smell" was in that vehicle, Jake had an asthma attack every single time we rode it in. And it the attacks were BAD....enought that I was sure he'd need medical attention on our way back from the Poly one morning. And while he does suffer from allergies, they are normally well controlled with his medication......he hadnt had a full blown asthma attack in many moons before, and hasn't since.

After our trip, I emailed the details of the vehicle (and a list of the issues) to Budget and received a reply back from the manager at the MCO location, apologizing and noting that they located the vehicle in question and had pulled it from circulation, noting that "it failed to meet their minimum standards". No kidding!!!

Budget had one chance to impress us, and they blew it big time. Steve says never again, and I have to agree. Probably things would be fine the next time, but we won't take the chance.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We always give a rental a very thorough once over before even starting it up. I'll be sure to give it the sniff test too. I always make them take note of any damage, even small scratches and I get it in writing.

We have rented from all the big companies, may times, over the years and in different cities. Never had an issue...so far, knock wood.

I agree that Alamo/National are my first pick at MCO....I like picking out the car. We love cars in this family. I'll keep looking for a better deal but I doubt that I'm going to find anything. I've got a compact for $106 total incl a second driver. Booked through Costco.

 

[tristyp]

We always give a rental a very thorough once over before even starting it up. I'll be sure to give it the sniff test too. I always make them take note of any damage, even small scratches and I get it in writing.

We have rented from all the big companies, may times, over the years and in different cities. Never had an issue...so far, knock wood.

I agree that Alamo/National are my first pick at MCO....I like picking out the car. We love cars in this family. I'll keep looking for a better deal but I doubt that I'm going to find anything. I've got a compact for $106 total incl a second driver. Booked through Costco.

Did you book through costco.com? If so as i know we as Canadians are not supposed to rent through them or so they say at the bottom. Have you had any issues. I rented through them and am a little nervous about that but i got a full size rental for 213-all in through Enterprise and i have not seen anything better since.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Did you book through costco.com? If so as i know we as Canadians are not supposed to rent through them or so they say at the bottom. Have you had any issues. I rented through them and am a little nervous about that but i got a full size rental for 213-all in through Enterprise and i have not seen anything better since.

Yes, I did book through Costco.com. I just read the find print and it does indeed say you must reside in the USA. I didn't know that. I have never booked on the Costco site but I have booked using the ID and coupon code from Costco...along with about 6 other families that we traveled with at that time. However, that was 2 years ago. No one had any issues then.

I will probably just make a back up reservation.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We always give a rental a very thorough once over before even starting it up. I'll be sure to give it the sniff test too. I always make them take note of any damage, even small scratches and I get it in writing.

Excellent advice (all things we wish we had done with that crappy Budget rental ). Definitely one of those "live and learn" vacation lessons!!!

Its a dark, stormy start to the morning here. Heavy rains are on the way. Its going to be a good day to stay inside and stay dry.

The person coming to see Jake's uniform pieces was a no-show last night, so I have person #2 coming this evening. When the uniform buyer didn't show, I took the opportunity to get some extra packing done . So all was not lost.

My sister and her family left for their first Disney trip yesterday (they are staying onsite, having the dining plan, no rental car.....a true Disney-only vacation). Her DH isn't very good with heat, so I am wondering how they will fare. I'll be watching Facebook for their updates.

I am trying to keep my calm in the midst of all the last-minute to-do's, but its hard. If I am not careful, I could let panic set it .... but that's normal for me as my carefully orchestrated life unravels a little under all the pressure of the final preparations. Have I mentioned that I tend to gravitate toward order and organization? Suitcases have overtaken my rec room, there's lists everywhere I look, and my last-minute to-do's are almost overwhelming.

And yet, I am still excited . Go figure!!

 

[Lynne G]

Rain is coming soon. Big golf umbrella is next to me. I'm ready.

Ha! Suitcases have not been brought out yet. Kids have been warned, any clothes they want to take, I'm only doing laundry on Saturday.

I too take pictures of my rental when I get it, and make them write down even scratches. They sometimes seem like they don't want to note scratches, but they do it.

Went over my lists yesterday. A few more days for us too.

Have a nice, dry day!