The No Fancy Name Pre-Trip Report - Sept 27 to Oct. 4

[carmie3377]

I've never done a pre-trip report(or a trip report), so please bear with me. DH is getting tired of hearing all the changes so maybe writing them down will make me feel better.

I'm at again, driving my DH totally insane with all the changes to our plans. One day I think I've got it perfectly planned, the next day I change my mind. DH finally just tells me "I don't care!" I know he really does care, it's just he doesn't care what we do/where we go, ect because he trusts me!

Anyway, we are the ONLY Disney nuts in the family. No one else in our family, with the exception of DH's sister, has been to Disney World. The one time she went, was with us. We have tried to convince every one else in the family to go with us. Finally MIL says "YES!" Let's hope she can carry on with her plans!

The Cast
Me - 31 YO SAHM, obsessed with anything Disney. I live, eat, and breath Disney
DH - 33 YO Resident Physician. Works an insane number of hours and doesn't want to hear about all my changes during his few hours at home. In his heart, is a Disney Lover too!
DD - 9 YO that is like me. Says she wants to work at Disney World someday, specifically at AK since she loves animals too! Actually hopes to be a vet at AK someday!
DS - 2 YO that destroys everything in his path. DH has recently nicknamed him 626 after Stitch
MIL - 54 YO PhD student/Library Scientist (whatever that is?) Never been to Disney. Hope to make this trip perfect for her!

Four Members of the cast taken Dec 06.

So, our original dates were Sept 28 (sun)-Oct. 5.(sun) I originally planned those dates so Fri and Sat nights would be back to back. We are DVC members and point requirements are much more on the weekend (about 2x as much) so I thought I would try to take advantage of the lower points during the week. First 5 nights would be in a 1 BR at AKV Savannah and then we would move to a studio at VWL for Fri and Sat night. That way, our weekend nights wouldn't cost us more points.

More to come....

 

[carmie3377]

Okay, I think I have everything perfect. I've called DVC and was able to secure our 1 BR, Savannah view room at AKV . I was really worried since the AKV is very new and in real high demand. Then, I confirm our studio at VWL. Yes, I know things will be cramped, but for only 2 nights! DH agreed that everything was fine.

I called at the 180 day mark and secured all our ARDs which include Le'Cellier, Kona Cafe, O'hana, Restaurant Marrakesh, Chefs de France, Boma for breakfast, CRT for early breakfast, Hollywood and Vine, and Mama Melrose. MIL has agreed to watch the kids when DH and I go to Marrakesh on Oct. 3. This will be an anniversary dinner since we will celebrate our 13th anniversary on Oct. 5.

One day when DH gets home I mention something about the studio, "WHAT?" I guess he doesn't like the idea of all of us cramped in one room and wasn't listening the first time I mentioned it to him. So, I call DVC the next morning and try to get Fri and Sat switched to AKV 1 BR. They don't have availability for Sat so I switch both those nights from the studio at VWL to 1 BR. Great, things are perfect again. At least I thought!

We will be flying on SWA airlines since their fares are so much cheaper and they are the only non-stop carrier from the airport only minutes from our home. I really don't want to fly out of Houston International (too big for a short flight and an hour from our home). SWA has not released airfares for Sept yet (they will on April 17 or 18). However, I began to review current dates and it appears that Sat flights are cheaper than Sun flights. With 4 tickets to buy, differences add up fast. Plus a review of DING specials reveal that Sat flight DINGS are more common.

So for another change. DVC reservations can get tricky closer to the dates of travel. So I decide that will stay from either Sat, Sept 27 - Sat, Oct. 4 OR Sun, Sept 28 - Sun, Oct. 5, depending on airfare prices Well, I want the first day and last day options to be flexible in case a DING is released, it can be changed just few days ahead of time. Therefore, DVC on the first or last night would not be good for changes.

I decide to call DVC member services and switch Oct. 3 to AKV and cancel Oct. 4 at VWL. Now, I have Sept 28-Oct 4 checkout at AKV. I have booked Sept 27 and Oct 4 at POP. So, depending on airfare, I will cancel Sept 27 or Oct. 4 and still have a 7 night trip!

Are you confused yet, I think I may be too. No really, I've got, I think!

 

[carmie3377]

Once again, I think I've got it worked out. We can stay from Sat-Sat with the first night at POP and the remaining at AKV 1 BR or Sun-Sun with the first 6 nights at AKV 1 BR, last night at POP.

Then I remember, we have 8:05 ADRs for CRT on Sun Oct 5 . DD is 9, not really into the princesses, but does want to eat in the castle. To tell the truth, so does her Momma! Anyway, I call Disney and they can split us 3/2 at 8:55 on Sat. Oct 4. I hate to be split, but it's better than nothing. I thought about sending DH and DS to the Crystal Palace for breakfast while the girls eat in the castle. However, I don't want him to miss DD in the castle and I don't want to miss DS with the Pooh characters. So, I've currently got both booked and will definitely announce on the dining boards when one of them is canceled .

Now, I'm just patiently waiting (NOT) for SWA to release their schedules.

Since DH and I discussed the Sat vs. Sun option, we've talked about homeschooling DD. I told DH, maybe Fri-Fri (which wasn't an option before because I didn't want to take her out of school more than 5 days), He says NOOOOOOOOOOO! Not again. So, as to not drive my sweet, caring, loving DH nuts, I will stick to either Sat-Sat or Sun-Sun.