The DDA Trouble Free Zone

[bethbuchall]

If you purchased the 10 day premium ticket(hopping and water park fun and more options) it would include 10 days at the major theme parks, plus I think 5 days at the water parks/disney quest, and you could stretch it out for the entire 14 days that way. Looks to be $282 (ETA: with tax it's $300.34) in advance with park hopping and water park fun and more. I have also heard of a 14 day ultimate pass sold in Europe, or possibly by some US brokers. If I can find any more info on that I will let you know.

Thanks for that information! We have water park days left on old hoppers...I think 2 a piece. Maybe we really only do need the 10 passes. I would love to convince myself that we should get AP's, because then I wouldn't feel like we were "wasting" a day if we only want to go into a park for an evening after a water park day.

Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

I would add that if you're worried about the fit at POR, maybe you should consider renting points from a DVC member for a 1 BR? It might be cheaper, depending on the days/season, than doing 2 rooms at a value. (Although 2 rooms at a value would give you 2 bathrooms!)

I've heard of renting points, but I've never looked into the details. I may check it out. Thanks!

Beth

 

[mgkkgdm]

DH is still not 100%, but he said he'd rather pay for it up front than finance. For him to EVEN mention that means I'm headed in the right direction. I do think he is leaning towards Beach Club because of location and pool. Here's hoping! I really think it may happen. He had that "look" like, "crud, I don't want to spend any money (he never does- he works in Corporate finance for a Fortune 50 company doing their budget), but she's actually making sense..."

Keep your fingers crossed!

Tell him, Hunka said you can't take it with you, so you might as well leave it with the Mouse...

The kids will love it !!

 

[bethbuchall]

I see there have been answers to most of your questions, but I wanted you to know that PO is one of the few resorts that allows 5 people to a room. They apparently have a trundle bed (I think) for the 5th person, and not many other resorts do this. I wouldn't cut your trip in half for the Poly - as nice as it is, I'd rather go to the parks and enjoy myself rather than paying for a more expensive room. You know what to expect since you were at Dixie Landings - so I would stay there so you don't have to risk disappointment. Either way -- you're at Disney!!!

That was my thinking, too, Marti! The last time we were there we had only 2 kids, and they were quite a bit smaller. We usually do fine with the "togetherness" so I think we'll be ok.

Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

Beth - as some of you know I'm turning 43 and skunka just turned 40.... does that qualify for a boy toy????

I'm closing in on 42, and my "boy toy" is 40 like Skunka.

Beth

 

[Eeyorecln]

We never dealt with ART. We simply stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn or Park Vue Inn. Both are directly across from DL's entrance. It's literally a 5 minute walk from the door of your room to the line at DL. Works for us with our little ones.

We couldn't get a good price on those when we went. I've read that due to the 50th hotels aren't offering as many discounts and are booking up quicker.
We got a good package deal at Holiday Inn in Aug. and a great internet discount rate at Comfort Suites in Dec. Now, this summer we'll have 2 extra with step-sons. That'll be 8 total. Do you know if either of these hotels have suite type rooms? We like having a microwave and fridge with the baby. We were also looking at the HoJo which says it's within walking distance.?

 

[bethbuchall]

Beth, we just stayed in POR in Oct (we are 5) & it was fine. There is enough room for sleeping with the trundle. It was a very pleasant resort. The boat to DTD was fun. Also the surrey bikes are great to rent too.

As far as the adr's...now its 180 days before & if you are staying at a Disney resort you get the +10...you can call on the 180th day & get 10 days of adr's. I kinda like the old 90 day deal...180 days is too far out for me.

Thanks! I don't know if I can be ready with a plan 180 days out and then stick to it. We'll see...

Beth

 

[Eeyorecln]

Pretty sure it is the right one. I'll double check for you.

Denise, Glad to see your kids again. You always have such cute pictures of them.

 

[Tammi67]

DH is still not 100%, but he said he'd rather pay for it up front than finance. For him to EVEN mention that means I'm headed in the right direction. I do think he is leaning towards Beach Club because of location and pool. Here's hoping! I really think it may happen. He had that "look" like, "crud, I don't want to spend any money (he never does- he works in Corporate finance for a Fortune 50 company doing their budget), but she's actually making sense..."

Keep your fingers crossed!

Party at the Triplefigs house tonight. When we went on the tour, I knew pretty much everything about DVC from the folks here, but DH was clueless other than what I would try to explain to him. Afterwards all he could say was "I can't think of anything bad about this." We are going in Oct. for 4 nights, will get an AP, then are going back first week of May, getting a 2 br and taking my parents. Then we should have enough points to go again in Dec. 07. We are going to spend all of our money in airfare!

 

[Eeyorecln]

Congrats - what excellent news! I've never been to Delaware, and would probably have had some of the same reactions before going. It's funny how we have ideas about certain areas of the country and how people are and what they do living there.

I know being from Texas, we get asked some funny things! At the Rose Bowl, one of the workers commented to my dad about how many Texas people had made the trip and then asked "how did all of you guys get here?"

I told my dad he should have said we all hitched up our horse and wagon a couple of months ago and began the trek!

Hope you guys get what you want!

I have to admit I had preconceived notions on TX, but when we went 2 years ago I just loved it. We went to sightsee in Dallas/Fort Worth. I absolutely loved San Antonio. I told DH that if we had to move again, I wouldn't mind going there. Of course, I don't know the cost of living or housing. I just like the looks and feel of it.

 

[Eeyorecln]

Boma is great, and I've been with a couple of picky eaters (myself included!), and there is plenty of variety. Even some of the stuff that might be more "African" is actually recognizable (fish, chicken, etc.), and the difference is in how it's prepared. Plus, there's the kiddie buffet that typically has chicken tenders, spaghetti, mac and cheese, etc., if an adult were to get desperate.

Plus, with it being a buffet, if you don't like something, you can go back and keep trying stuff until you find what you like. I HIGHLY recommend it!

That's too funny. I could just see my 35 YO sister stuffing her plateful of spaghetti and chicken nuggets. She is not adventurous.

 

[bethbuchall]

"LOST" I love Lost.

Me, too!!! Dh and I have "date" to watch that every week. Finally, it was new again!

Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

DH is still not 100%, but he said he'd rather pay for it up front than finance. For him to EVEN mention that means I'm headed in the right direction. I do think he is leaning towards Beach Club because of location and pool. Here's hoping! I really think it may happen. He had that "look" like, "crud, I don't want to spend any money (he never does- he works in Corporate finance for a Fortune 50 company doing their budget), but she's actually making sense..."

Keep your fingers crossed!

Good luck to you!!! That is very exciting news! I think that I would fall over in a faint if dh ever received a bonus that good, and I'd know that I was in an alternate reality if he agreed to buy into DVC. He just isn't into it.

Beth

 

[Steamboat Marti]

DH is still not 100%, but he said he'd rather pay for it up front than finance. For him to EVEN mention that means I'm headed in the right direction. I do think he is leaning towards Beach Club because of location and pool. Here's hoping! I really think it may happen. He had that "look" like, "crud, I don't want to spend any money (he never does- he works in Corporate finance for a Fortune 50 company doing their budget), but she's actually making sense..."

Keep your fingers crossed!

Denise - two things:

1) do I still get my $20????? and

2) the world as we know it has stopped revolving.... "she's actually making sense..."

 

[Eeyorecln]

Since it seems like many of you live close by your families, I thought maybe you might have a suggestion or two.

My SIL just contacted me, seeking advice on creating boundaries with the rest of our husbands' family. (DH is the youngest of 3 boys, and his parents, both brothers, and their wives and 2 children each all live in the Houston metro area - we live 300 miles away in the Dallas area. This SIL is married to the oldest brother of my DH.) They all tend to do a lot together, but my SIL is getting worn down from all of this, as it is usually her house they all gather at at the drop of a hat, etc. Her DH will complain on the side to her about his family and this, but won't stand up to anyone. Our DH's are very different - my DH draws boundaries very clearly with his family, plus we have the extra geographical cushion.

How do those of you with families that live in the same city draw/keep boundaries (particularly if it's your IL's)?

Thanks - I'm at a bit of a loss when she tells me her DH isn't much help.

We moved. She really needs her DH on board with anything she does or it won't work. I used to try politely talking to MIL about boundaries. ( She had a key to DH's house from after his divorce. She didn't call or knock, she would just pop in. One time, she walked in on us being "newlyweds" in the kitchen. ) But, she just kept ignoring me and saying my son hasn't said anything. If her DH was to help her set the boundaries, the Inlaws are more likely to listen. Maybe, she could try for a month making everything to do with these drop-ins his responsibility. The cooking, cleaning(before and after), etc. so he sees the problem from her perspective and sets the boundaries. Not sure if this is making sense.

 

[Eeyorecln]

In the past, it has been the "drop ins" at their house (and the staying beyond their welcome) - particularly by my other BIL/SIL and their 2 young kids, sometimes after 9 p.m. at night when her kids are usually already in bed! But, long story short, the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back was this weekend, when under pressure from the entire family, she had her daughter's 4th b-day party at a tea room, and then had to come home and cook a meal and have a "family" party at her house that same night since the men couldn't go to the tea party. She told me no one lifted a finger, and she felt like a caterer.

I still think it needs to be her DH that says something (they're his parents and brother after all, and it's best not to be painted as the witch), but I know she's at the boiling point - neither of us are very good at holding our tongues!

I've initially responded telling her to seriously sit her DH down and talk about this - and I might even say something to my DH about it, and maybe he can suggest something be done to his brother.

Any other suggestions - keep em coming!

I just had to send a hug for that poor girl. I really think her DH needs a swift kick in the pants to motivate him.
ETA: I would have said visits are potluck only. We did a pizza Superbowl night for both families before we moved. Everyone agreed it would be "cheaper" for DH and I to do homemade pizza instead of order it. Of course, had we ordered it everyone could have chipped in, didn't feel right asking for grocery money. Long story short, it cost a fortune and I spent the entire time in the kitchen. Everyone wanted different things on their pizza. So I ended up making all these separate pizzas. We either did take-out(everyone chips in) or potluck. Much easier.

 

[Eeyorecln]

Congratulations Denise.

 

[eeyore45]

RE Mommkds - and taking the kids out of school... I'm a permanant sub, used to teach 5th grade,and I have a 20, 17 ds, and a 9yr DD - I say take them out of school!! What is the worst thing that can happen to the 5th grader if they flunk or get all zeros? On their permanant record???? Its not high school, colleges do not look at their grade schools? Are you thinking of private school for jr high/middle school?

I too took DD out last year, and her 3rd grade teacher was one heck of a b*tch about it - actually it was her math/reading teacher (she's in a high class for those subjects btw) I got so mad when I was complaining about how dd was being treated to the principal, listing specific incidents that were intolerable- so the principal I guess made the teacher call me, often (lines of communication etc) WELL, my response "HOW DARE you hold that over dd head? 1 - you have no right to judge me, and 2 you have no idea what we are dealing with right now, and THREE - you were absent TWO of those days too!! and then I emailed the principal AGAIN!!

So, dd is willing to go again, like you it falls during a time they only miss a few days, not a whole week. Life is too short, and I want to be there then, so she has no choice but to come with me

Good Luck!! I want to do Party of the Senses again - dh gave the green light!! Now trying to figure out if we will like the Boardwalk, or should we do WL or AKL??!!

 

[eeyore45]

Denise, you will have such a great time!! Good luck narrowing the choices down!! Air mattresses are such a great option nowadays!! Go for the Boardwalk area!!

 

[KristineN]

Tell him, Hunka said you can't take it with you, so you might as well leave it with the Mouse...

The kids will love it !!

I totally agree!!!