The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 4

[tmfranlk]

Wouldn't it be fun if all us mom's did a spring break trip with the kids? Unfortunately, we probably all have the break at different times.

That would be so much fun!

 

[UP Disney]

I'm trying to do an assigment and it's seriously messing with my brain - some would be useful if anyone has any spare...

Pixie dust coming your way from Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula (except for yesterday when it was cold, windy & snowing - yes I said snowing - it was only a dusting but it was still snow - Yuck!).

 

[my3princes]

I'm getting really frustrated with a co-worker and her mom, who used to be a co-worker. They are Disney lovers, too, and have a trip planned for September 23-30. I told them about the free dining, and the mom called CRO on Wednesday to add the free dining to their reservation. The cast member told her that there were no more free dining openings for Caribbean Beach. He said that the day the promotion started for the general public that there were 300 people on hold, most for the CB. I told her I thought that was a bunch of malarkey and the cast member was one of those who could care less, and that she should call back. I also put her in touch with an agent at Small World Vacations who said that there WAS availability at CB. However, she didn't even call because she was "afraid of losing her room." It seems that when she made her original reservation, she asked for Martinique or Trinidad and was "assured" that she would get either one. She said that her room was more important to her than the dining plan. I told her that Martinique is the preferred building, and if the cast member assured her that she would get a room there, she either paid for preferred and should just ask for preferred again through Small World, or else the CM who told her she would get Martinique was just telling her what she wanted to hear. I also told her to call CRO again, to get a different cast member. There are three adults going and the free dining would save them around $800 if they were paying for the dining plan, and much more if they didn't have it at all. I checked Disney's website tonight and there is still availability for free dining at CB. Should I call and tell her this, or just stay out of it now? I just don't understand her thinking! The daughter, who still works with me, would really like to have the dining plan, but defers to mom (maybe mom's paying for everyone). Am I overly Disney-educated so that I can't see mom's point of view, or is she really being stupid?

I would just drop it. She obviously is not well informed and has no interest in becoming involved. If she wants to spend the extra money than so be it. It was nice of you to give her the info, but now it is her choice. I've told several of our friends that are in the early planning stages of a WDW trip about the free dining, but they would rather keep the dates that they were working with than make the change to save the money . In my book summer is summer, whether June or August it is going to be hot and the end of August would be less crowded Go figure. I'll let them make their own mistakes.

Deb

 

[my3princes]

Kate, that is a little scary, but it just proves that you and your sister have very strong genes. One of my nieces looks a lot like me and people used to think she was my daughter, and my son looks a lot like my brother.

My neice and nephew both look like my family. Summer is the spitting image of me when I was little including the uncontrollable hair. Since I take care of my brother's two kids and all 5 are little blondies I often have people think that they are all mine. Most assume that Colby and Logan are twins then when I say that they are 4 1/2 months apart I get a look . Then I have to explain that they are cousins. I've explained to so many people that I have given up and just let them think whatever they want

Deb

 

[UP Disney]

I'm getting really frustrated with a co-worker and her mom, who used to be a co-worker. They are Disney lovers, too, and have a trip planned for September 23-30. I told them about the free dining, and the mom called CRO on Wednesday to add the free dining to their reservation. The cast member told her that there were no more free dining openings for Caribbean Beach. He said that the day the promotion started for the general public that there were 300 people on hold, most for the CB. I told her I thought that was a bunch of malarkey and the cast member was one of those who could care less, and that she should call back. I also put her in touch with an agent at Small World Vacations who said that there WAS availability at CB. However, she didn't even call because she was "afraid of losing her room." It seems that when she made her original reservation, she asked for Martinique or Trinidad and was "assured" that she would get either one. She said that her room was more important to her than the dining plan. I told her that Martinique is the preferred building, and if the cast member assured her that she would get a room there, she either paid for preferred and should just ask for preferred again through Small World, or else the CM who told her she would get Martinique was just telling her what she wanted to hear. I also told her to call CRO again, to get a different cast member. There are three adults going and the free dining would save them around $800 if they were paying for the dining plan, and much more if they didn't have it at all. I checked Disney's website tonight and there is still availability for free dining at CB. Should I call and tell her this, or just stay out of it now? I just don't understand her thinking! The daughter, who still works with me, would really like to have the dining plan, but defers to mom (maybe mom's paying for everyone). Am I overly Disney-educated so that I can't see mom's point of view, or is she really being stupid?

Sounds to me like she is being stupid but I would stay out of it. She doesn't want to listen. Sometimes you can't save others from themselves. You did what you could and obviously she doesn't care about the $800 (crazy woman)! IMO, I think if you were to pursue it anymore, she would just take offense and trench in even more.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Can someone look at this AP upgrade question for me please?
Right I think a premium annual pass inc parking and water parks is $574

We currently each have a 7 day myw pass hopper - water parks x5 - no expiry which I think I've calculated correctly to be worth $359

So the upgrade cost = $215?

Now we will have to pay to pay to park on 7 days this year (staying off site) so that's another $70 give or take.

If we upgraded on day one we'd have free parking so would save that $70 meaning that if we took another trip within 12 months we could go for 14 days to the parks including free parking for $145 (which is about £85).

A 14 day pass for us is about £175 and 14 days parking would be £140 - total of £315.

So we could have another trip with 14 days of Disney for £85 - instead of £315??

Is that really right?? I may be able to convince DH we should go back in 07...

Plus we'd get discounts off stuff too would we? Like miniature golf...and DTD shopping?? That could even pay for itself!!!!

Could someone please please check my maths for me?

Is it really 140 pounds for 14 days of parking? You calculated 7 days at $70. Isn't a pound more than a $? Other than that it seems right to me.

Here's another thought too. With AP you can purchase the Disney Dining Experience card. It is $60 for one year's membership so you can time it for both trips. Gets you 20% off most table service places and even alcohol. So you only need to spend $300 on dining to make it worth buying.

 

[Tammi67]

Thanks Tammi - I started reading - felt too stressed by the whole thing... went into the kitchen to crack open some treacle sponge pudding... and then the penny dropped...

We're not flying delta we're flying continental! We had looked at delta out of JFK but settled on continental...

DOH!

Panic over anyway...

I'm trying to do an assigment and it's seriously messing with my brain - some would be useful if anyone has any spare...

OOhhh....lucky you! Here's some to help you get through your assignment.

We are off to get Nicholas' hair cut and shop for an Easter dress for Alyssa. I figure they should have some pretty good sales by now.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Hey Denise-How did you make it through the storms last night? I saw GA got hit pretty bad last night. Hope you guys are OK.

 

[tmfranlk]

I promised some photos earlier so dh and I took a stroll down memory lane tonight. It was very nice as my parents took all 3 boys for a sleepover at their house tonight. So here goes my little stroll down memory lane with a disney time line:

Deb

Wow, Deb!! That was really cool. Thanks for sharing them all! I wish that I had a scanner so that I could go back a little further. I'll have to look today for Terra's 3 trips though.

 

[legalslave]

Good morning, Deb. I should be getting in the shower and getting ready to go to the "Alps Sweet Shop" a local chocolate shop, but I'm going back and forth between the DIS and other travel planning sites, just getting psyched for my unexpected free dining trip. When my kids were little we used to get their Easter candy from the Alps. Bud always got a chocolate airplane because he loves airplanes (that's what he does for a living now - sells radio controlled airplanes, builds them for people who don't know how, teaches people to build them, test pilots them for those who are scared to try out their new planes after they spend so much time building them, and teaches people how to fly them. It's nice to be able to turn your hobby into your livelihood - it's amazing how much people will pay to have someone else build the plane for them. I think "what kind of a hobby is that if you don't do it yourself" but to each his own). Anyway, getting back to the chocolate. Last year I was in the store for the first time in a long time, and didn't see the planes, so I emailed the shop a couple of weeks ago to inquire about them. They don't make them any more, but they still have the mold, so they custom made one for me in dark chocolate (his favorite now). I thought since I was going to be in VA with him for half of Easter, it would be cool to bring a little of his childhood with me.

 

[KristineN]

Good morning everyone!!

I loved looking at everyone's pictures...I'll have to look through mine sometime..

June-Nice looking son!!!

All this AP talk still has my head spinning!! I still can't decide if it pays off for me. I usually don't have difficulty making a decision...what's wrong with me?!

Tammi, Kate, Marti, Julie...Is there a NEW plan???

 

[my3princes]

Good morning, Deb. I should be getting in the shower and getting ready to go to the "Alps Sweet Shop" a local chocolate shop, but I'm going back and forth between the DIS and other travel planning sites, just getting psyched for my unexpected free dining trip. When my kids were little we used to get their Easter candy from the Alps. Bud always got a chocolate airplane because he loves airplanes (that's what he does for a living now - sells radio controlled airplanes, builds them for people who don't know how, teaches people to build them, test pilots them for those who are scared to try out their new planes after they spend so much time building them, and teaches people how to fly them. It's nice to be able to turn your hobby into your livelihood - it's amazing how much people will pay to have someone else build the plane for them. I think "what kind of a hobby is that if you don't do it yourself" but to each his own). Anyway, getting back to the chocolate. Last year I was in the store for the first time in a long time, and didn't see the planes, so I emailed the shop a couple of weeks ago to inquire about them. They don't make them any more, but they still have the mold, so they custom made one for me in dark chocolate (his favorite now). I thought since I was going to be in VA with him for half of Easter, it would be cool to bring a little of his childhood with me.

That is so sweet. What a nice Mom. I'm sure that will bring back some memories for your ds.

Deb

 

[Tammi67]

Tammi, Kate, Marti, Julie...Is there a NEW plan???

I haven't heard anything 'official' yet but Kate said something about now trying to catch Fantasmic Thurs night, since we all will be in earlier. Sounds like a good plan to me.

I wouldn't know what to do about the AP either, if it weren't for the DVC discount that we get. That makes it an incredible deal for us.

 

[my3princes]

We're headed out to clean the garage. We got winter stuff piled up and the summer stuff has already came out I'd like to be able to walk through it even if I can't park in it with 2 motorcycles (yes, I ride a motorcycle ) two 4 wheelers, 5 bikes, 2 wagons, 4 scooters and a "project" car. We need a separate garage for all our toys. Talk to you all later.

Deb

 

[legalslave]

Good morning everyone!!

I loved looking at everyone's pictures...I'll have to look through mine sometime..

June-Nice looking son!!!

All this AP talk still has my head spinning!! I still can't decide if it pays off for me. I usually don't have difficulty making a decision...what's wrong with me?!

Tammi, Kate, Marti, Julie...Is there a NEW plan???

Thanks Kristine! Would you believe he weighed 4 lbs. 7 ozs. and was 17 inches long when he was born? I couldn't bring him home from the hospital until he was 13 days old. I left the hospital on day 4, after only getting to hold him once (I didn't even get to SEE him up close until he was 3 days old). Things were done differently with preemies back then. He will be 38 the Monday after Easter (the day that my mean bosses wouldn't let me take off) so there's going to be a lot packed into this very short visit. That's why I have been cooking up a storm. I don't want to waste a minute of this visit going to the grocery store and cooking while I'm there. Besides, he doesn't have a stove. Hence, I will be cooking with two crockpots! Also, I kept an inflatable bed at his house for when I visit. My grandson was using it since he moved down there with Bud, but he "popped" it. Now I have to drag my camping cot with me this time. It will be a lot like camping out, but in.

 

[my3princes]

Someone will probably claim post 18000 before I get back so good luck to all those in the running Get your acceptance speech written up now.

Deb

 

[babytrees]

I am quite pleased with myself right now. I took a photo (non-digital) that was taken of me, my son and my daughter at Innoventions about 5 years ago and scanned it in (new with the scanner), then downloaded software that allowed me to resize it (never did that before) and then made it into my new avatar and it worked!!!

I am so proud and jealous of you!! I need to sit my hiney down and figure out all this digital stuff!

p.s. the pic looks great!!

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, all. I wonder what happened last night (okay, the wee hours of this morning). Right in the middle of a great time posting, we lost the DIS! Maybe my new-found skills were too much for it!!

June -- I sincerely doubt that you broke the DIS.

But it certainly does explain why I didn't need to sit here for 24 hours trying to catch up this morning!!

 

[UP Disney]

We're headed out to clean the garage. We got winter stuff piled up and the summer stuff has already came out I'd like to be able to walk through it even if I can't park in it with 2 motorcycles (yes, I ride a motorcycle ) two 4 wheelers, 5 bikes, 2 wagons, 4 scooters and a "project" car. We need a separate garage for all our toys. Talk to you all later.

Deb

Oooohhh! My DH would love your garage and all it's contents. Poor man ended up with three women in his house. The girls are kind of prissy at that. I on the other hand am a tomboy. He has been wanting a 4-wheeler. I talked to him about it yesterday and told him he should look at it. He laughed and said "Why, so you can use it against me to get your DVC?" The man knows me too well! Though, actually I was feeling guilty about wanting DVC when he wants a 4-wheeler. Now, he says they aren't any fun unless you have two. Men!!! The only problem is I'm not the least interested in 4-wheelers. I like to take walks in the woods not tear through them on a machine. Looks like we'll have to spend more time discussing this. Not sure who he thinks will ride the second 4-wheeler. I think that he should buy one and find some friends that he can go riding with.

Have fun cleaning your garage!! After my office, that is the last place that needs to be organized in our house. I don't look forward to it.

 

[PNO4TE]

Thanks Tammi - I started reading - felt too stressed by the whole thing... went into the kitchen to crack open some treacle sponge pudding... and then the penny dropped...

another Clarism...