MsPennieLane
<font color=660099>Self-confessed Disney addict<br
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2003
Dates: December 16th 30th
Adventurers:
Annabel Me, the narrator Age 31 and still not grown up. Total Disneyaholic and music buff. Nervous flyer and chief planner.
Andy aka Hubby Age 34 and still not grown up. Loves WDW and Florida, converted by yours truly. Chief Coors Light drinker, loves coasters.
Resort/Hotel: Pop Century/Portofino Bay/Contemporary Tower Concierge
Background:
Our story begins way back in February of this year. Hubby and I spent 2 weeks at the end of January at WDW and had a wonderful time, although with the flight delays coming back I managed to get myself into a state and swore that Id never ever fly again (Ive since been to Universal Mediterreanea in Spain for 2 days and flown twice more to Orlando but we wont mention that
) After a few weeks of being back, the post-holiday blues set in and I started feeling homesick 
I logged on to one of the other Disney boards I frequent and was reading the new postings, when one caught my eye. A fellow Disney lover had looked into going at Christmas and had managed to get a reasonable deal. Hmm, Christmas at Disney wow, how cool would that be! I mulled it over through the day and pounced on hubby when he got home from work. He loved the idea so I set to work :jumping4:
I managed to get reasonable flights with Virgin Atlantic. I also priced up 2 weeks at Pop Century through Virgin Holidays but the price was extortionate. I went through the Disney UK Travel company and found rooms available at Pop, so I priced it up. At the time, I didnt have an Annual Pass and knew nothing about the rates you can sometimes get. I showed hubby the prices and he was easily convinced.
I was all ready to book when I got that sinking feeling in my stomach. The dogs somebody would have to take care of them. Hmm. Deefers ok but Woody, well to put it lightly shes a pickle of a puppy! At this point in time, she was Destructo Dog and loved to chew everything she could get her paws on! And during our fortnight away in January, she had managed to annoy my mother-in-law whom theyd stayed with by chewing god knows what
I was convinced that shed say no to having the dogs again, hubby was convinced shed agree. So who won? I did she flatly refused. I was disappointed and I wasnt prepared to put the dogs into kennels. Dee is 11 years old now and I dont know how she would react to it.
We left it for a few days. Hubby ended up talking to his mum again and she asked if we were going ahead with our plans, to which hubby said yes wed be putting the dogs into kennels. His mum went on and on about how it wouldnt be fair on Dee as shes old etc etc, and eventually yes youve guessed it, she caved! Woohoo
I did say to her next time I saw her that by the time our Christmas trip comes, Woody will be almost 1 and a half years old so she wont be as bad. Touch wood, shes nowhere near as bad as she used to be so long as you dont leave stuff lying around her, otherwise the temptation can sometimes be toooo great for her! As it happens, the in-laws looked after the dogs during our September trip and Woody was as good as gold phew! So back to the PC I went and set about making some plans.
In the end, we booked flights with Virgin Atlantic and booked a room at Pop Century. I booked everything online, including the car hire with Yes Car Hire (they use Alamo), and I had to pay upfront for the flight and car, and pay a deposit on the room. Id been offered a good deal on upgrading to Premium Economy with Virgin but had hesitated and decided against it. Two days later, I regretted my decision and got hubby to ring up. We upgraded to Premium Economy no problem so will be traveling in style.
Fast forward to May. I was reading everything bit of Disney information that I could get my hands on and I started reading about Christmas at the World. I loved the idea of Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party and decided we had to go. A few days later, people started posting that the Christmas Party tickets were on sale and that you could also book your PSs for dinner on those nights. All excited, I got on the phone and spoke to a lovely CM at Disney. I love speaking to them, it always makes my day! Anyhoo, I buy 2 tickets to the Christmas Party on the 17th, the last night, as we wont be arriving until the evening of the 16th. I also booked a table at the Liberty Tree Tavern for 6pm. At first the CM told me I couldnt book it so far out but I insisted that you could so she went to find out, apologising when she came back as Id been correct. A week later, a lovely DHL man with a Disney envelope knocked at my door and I wanted to jump up and down like a little child, but I didnt in case I scared him. I was so excited to have the tickets in my hand. Looking at the tickets which are still attached to the original letter, I ordered them on the 7th May!
So the months pass and I get to take a solo trip to the World, and then we went in September talk about greedy! Ah well, its not like its going to happen every year! Anyway, I digress! In the meantime, I discover that I can ring and book the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package so I get hubby to ring and we get a PS for 6pm on Christmas Eve at the Rose and Crown, followed by the Candlelight Processional at 8.15 woohoo. Our trip was starting to shape up nicely.
During our September trip, our 90 day PS window opens and at the same time, Hurricane Jeanne hits. 2 days later than planned, I nag hubby into ringing to try and book some PSs for Christmas Day. We managed to get a PS for breakfast at the Crystal Palace at 10.05am and are incredibly lucky to get the last table for 2 at Cinderellas Royal Table for dinner at 4pm. Phew!
A few weeks back, I was feeling a little disappointed at how our last trip ended for those of you that dont know Andys grandmother died and we ended up flying home 4 days early
We were supposed to be spending our last 2 nights at the Contemporary at 14th floor concierge and I was gutted to have missed out. Hubby has said that one day well get to do it, and it would possibly be during our 2006 trip with my mum and her (soon-to-be) husband. 2006??? Thats too long to wait really. So I started formulating a plan 
coming up in part 2: our itinerary, our plans etc!
Anz
Adventurers:
Annabel Me, the narrator Age 31 and still not grown up. Total Disneyaholic and music buff. Nervous flyer and chief planner.
Andy aka Hubby Age 34 and still not grown up. Loves WDW and Florida, converted by yours truly. Chief Coors Light drinker, loves coasters.
Resort/Hotel: Pop Century/Portofino Bay/Contemporary Tower Concierge
Background:
Our story begins way back in February of this year. Hubby and I spent 2 weeks at the end of January at WDW and had a wonderful time, although with the flight delays coming back I managed to get myself into a state and swore that Id never ever fly again (Ive since been to Universal Mediterreanea in Spain for 2 days and flown twice more to Orlando but we wont mention that
) After a few weeks of being back, the post-holiday blues set in and I started feeling homesick I logged on to one of the other Disney boards I frequent and was reading the new postings, when one caught my eye. A fellow Disney lover had looked into going at Christmas and had managed to get a reasonable deal. Hmm, Christmas at Disney wow, how cool would that be! I mulled it over through the day and pounced on hubby when he got home from work. He loved the idea so I set to work :jumping4: I managed to get reasonable flights with Virgin Atlantic. I also priced up 2 weeks at Pop Century through Virgin Holidays but the price was extortionate. I went through the Disney UK Travel company and found rooms available at Pop, so I priced it up. At the time, I didnt have an Annual Pass and knew nothing about the rates you can sometimes get. I showed hubby the prices and he was easily convinced.
I was all ready to book when I got that sinking feeling in my stomach. The dogs somebody would have to take care of them. Hmm. Deefers ok but Woody, well to put it lightly shes a pickle of a puppy! At this point in time, she was Destructo Dog and loved to chew everything she could get her paws on! And during our fortnight away in January, she had managed to annoy my mother-in-law whom theyd stayed with by chewing god knows what
I was convinced that shed say no to having the dogs again, hubby was convinced shed agree. So who won? I did she flatly refused. I was disappointed and I wasnt prepared to put the dogs into kennels. Dee is 11 years old now and I dont know how she would react to it. We left it for a few days. Hubby ended up talking to his mum again and she asked if we were going ahead with our plans, to which hubby said yes wed be putting the dogs into kennels. His mum went on and on about how it wouldnt be fair on Dee as shes old etc etc, and eventually yes youve guessed it, she caved! Woohoo
I did say to her next time I saw her that by the time our Christmas trip comes, Woody will be almost 1 and a half years old so she wont be as bad. Touch wood, shes nowhere near as bad as she used to be so long as you dont leave stuff lying around her, otherwise the temptation can sometimes be toooo great for her! As it happens, the in-laws looked after the dogs during our September trip and Woody was as good as gold phew! So back to the PC I went and set about making some plans.In the end, we booked flights with Virgin Atlantic and booked a room at Pop Century. I booked everything online, including the car hire with Yes Car Hire (they use Alamo), and I had to pay upfront for the flight and car, and pay a deposit on the room. Id been offered a good deal on upgrading to Premium Economy with Virgin but had hesitated and decided against it. Two days later, I regretted my decision and got hubby to ring up. We upgraded to Premium Economy no problem so will be traveling in style.
Fast forward to May. I was reading everything bit of Disney information that I could get my hands on and I started reading about Christmas at the World. I loved the idea of Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party and decided we had to go. A few days later, people started posting that the Christmas Party tickets were on sale and that you could also book your PSs for dinner on those nights. All excited, I got on the phone and spoke to a lovely CM at Disney. I love speaking to them, it always makes my day! Anyhoo, I buy 2 tickets to the Christmas Party on the 17th, the last night, as we wont be arriving until the evening of the 16th. I also booked a table at the Liberty Tree Tavern for 6pm. At first the CM told me I couldnt book it so far out but I insisted that you could so she went to find out, apologising when she came back as Id been correct. A week later, a lovely DHL man with a Disney envelope knocked at my door and I wanted to jump up and down like a little child, but I didnt in case I scared him. I was so excited to have the tickets in my hand. Looking at the tickets which are still attached to the original letter, I ordered them on the 7th May!
So the months pass and I get to take a solo trip to the World, and then we went in September talk about greedy! Ah well, its not like its going to happen every year! Anyway, I digress! In the meantime, I discover that I can ring and book the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package so I get hubby to ring and we get a PS for 6pm on Christmas Eve at the Rose and Crown, followed by the Candlelight Processional at 8.15 woohoo. Our trip was starting to shape up nicely.
During our September trip, our 90 day PS window opens and at the same time, Hurricane Jeanne hits. 2 days later than planned, I nag hubby into ringing to try and book some PSs for Christmas Day. We managed to get a PS for breakfast at the Crystal Palace at 10.05am and are incredibly lucky to get the last table for 2 at Cinderellas Royal Table for dinner at 4pm. Phew!
A few weeks back, I was feeling a little disappointed at how our last trip ended for those of you that dont know Andys grandmother died and we ended up flying home 4 days early
We were supposed to be spending our last 2 nights at the Contemporary at 14th floor concierge and I was gutted to have missed out. Hubby has said that one day well get to do it, and it would possibly be during our 2006 trip with my mum and her (soon-to-be) husband. 2006??? Thats too long to wait really. So I started formulating a plan coming up in part 2: our itinerary, our plans etc!
Anz
I shall post up photos of the present once I transfer the photos from the digital camera. 
