The TR that shouldn't have happened - June 2012 - TR and Decision Complete!

[LuvLuvLuv]

This trip should have had barely anything "Disney" to report about. I had no plans of reporting anything. That took a spin, and here we are!

The Cast: Me. I'm Deena, and I went on my first solo trip to Orlando from June 21-26.

My husband and I took our most current trip to WDW in May, and my TR for that is in progress here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2926610
(Minor hiatus due to this trip)

When we came back, we did some serious talking. We love to travel a few times a year to WDW, and we have really fallen in love with the area. The past few years we have discussed buying into DVC or just completely relocating. We have decided to take the plunge and move to Central Florida! It feels great to get all this talk out here... because shhhhhhhhhhh we haven't told our families yet

We're looking at moving this fall. After lots of research, I put together the trip, and made all my appointments. Before I knew it, the trip was here!

In the true fashion of my Resort Changing addiction, here is my run down:

*Booked Flight
*Change September's AoA Little Mermaid Reservation to All Star Sports for this trip in June---Cheapest Value
*Change to All Star Movies because it was just refurbed
*Change back to All Star Sports because it was cheaper
-----Thought that Disney would be distracting so looked elsewhere
-----Bonnet Creek sold out Boo
*Booked Buena Vista Suites--Free Buffet Breakfast!
*Found a better deal at Mystic Dunes Resort (1 BR Villa, full kitchen, w/d, jacuzzi)
*Called to find out the status of the Mystic Dunes refurb and was told it was 100% complete
*Booked Mystic Dunes for 5 nights for a little less than $500.
*Canceled Buena Vista Suites
*Canceled All Star Sports

My itinerary was as follows:

Day 1 (Thursday)
Flight Lands
Rental Car
Visit 3 Properties
Check in to Mystic Dunes
Dinner at Fulton's Crab House and DD Shopping

Day 2 (Friday)
Visit 6 Properties
Visit 3 Prospective Malls I can transfer my work to

Day 3 (Saturday)
Visit 6 Properties
Free time at resort, or park

Day 4 (Sunday)
Free Day!!! Via Napoli reservation at 8:10pm

Day 5 (Monday)
Visit 1 Property
Last chance if needing to get anything done
Pack

Day 6 (Tuesday)
Leave resort by 10am for airport


Well if you've ever been involved in a TR of mine--- you know that whatever the itinerary says... is not what ends up happening. This trip was a real treat I got hit with the bad luck stick, and now that it's over... I'm finding it all rather entertaining

So sit back, relax, and we'll get this party started

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

The day before.....

I couldn't focus at work. My nerves were getting the best of me. Big changes were starting to take place, and I carry the worry weight of the family. DH doesn't worry and is easy going about everything. I'm an anxious mess, but also the responsible one that remembers everything and know the right things to look for. I guess you can say we balance each other out

I didn't pack until the night before. Although I probably could have survived with only a carry-on, I made the executive decision to just carry a purse and check a bag. The baggage fee was worth not dragging a carry on and a massive purse thru the airport. Plus--I have a shopping issue... so where would I put my new stuff I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed, so I felt better with the big bag anyway.

I brought cereal, fruit snacks, pb, jelly, a decent amount of clothes--even though I would have a washer/dryer, toiletries because I didn't know what they would have, 2 pr of flip flops (crocs and tone ups) and my candace clog crocs. Of course there were the essentials like my phone, kleenex, sunglasses, my glasses (just in case), my new iPad2, my new digital camera (if you're reading my other TR--this gives a cliffhanger away, lol), purex laundry sheets, and in interest of saving space--I decided against bringing my Rx sunglasses. I wear Biofinity extended wear contacts now--love them! I tried to save weight on other stuff like packing an exfoliating face wash instead of my Clarisonic, and packing lots of sample items that could be thrown away before I come back.

I was all packed, and I took one last look at all the properties I was visiting. This was really happening, and I was ready.

 

[Reberella]

Whoa! That's so awesome that your moving so close to Disney! LUCKY!
That's going to be soo exciting!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Whoa! That's so awesome that your moving so close to Disney! LUCKY!
That's going to be soo exciting!

Yay!! First to Post Award Goes to You!!!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I'm here and almost first!!!! So glad you are back safe and sound!!!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

And the Adventure Begins

I double and triple check that I have all my things, then DH packs me in the car. We live less than 10 minutes from the airport, and he works right by the airport--so it was no big deal for him to drop me off on his way.

I check my bag, and they advise me that the flight leaves from a different area of the airport that I had never been on. They're doing lots of work to CVG, and I had only ever been on the one concourse. Of course--uncharted territory. It wasn't bad at all. Just paid more attention to where I was going. I was a little early, and my nerves were getting worse. I didn't want to eat, but I did get a cherry coke and Chik-fil-a Chicken Minis.

I settled in a seat to wait and I opened my book. Currently I'm reading "Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me." It is hilarious! I got to board in Zone 1 with my Delta Economy Comfort seat. I paid an extra $29 to be in the EC area which is the first 3 rows of coach, and they have extra room.

Sitting next to me was a little girl, and her mom was by the window. (If you do not enjoy reading my views about people--then skip over this paragraph) From the very beginning, the little girl kept telling her mom that her tummy hurt. She told her "I'm sorry, just stay still." She made a business call, and was the type that did not want to turn her phone and iPad off when they told her to. Finally after the flight attendant stood over her--she turned both off and was snotty about it. The little girl was squirmy and kept telling mom how her tummy hurt. So the mom started to read Cosmo. The little girl then laid down in her seat with her head on mom, and her rear end and feet ON ME. Mom didn't say anything about her feet and kicking me when she had stomach pain, and to be honest--I just let it go. The little girl wanted her mom to recognize she didn't feel good and tried to get her attention. Mom kept reading. The little girl started to read the magazine and asked her mom what "porn" was. At that point, she finally put away the Cosmo and got out her iPad. Meanwhile, her tummy was bothering her more, and with that came gas. Let me remind you that her rear was on me. This went on for the remainder of the trip. Kind of hilarious now--but I was not so thrilled then. Some point in the 2 hours we were on the plane, the mother should have put her entertainment away and taken her to the potty. Maybe also not let her daughter lay on a stranger when she had constant gas that could knock someone down. I realize I'm not a parent--but she gave me a lesson in how NOT to treat a child. Anyway--I read, and played a few games on my iPad during the flight. Had Delta cookies, and a coffee, and that was about it.

I got off the flight, made my way to baggage claim, got my bag, and went over to the rental car area. I had never rented a car before. I got a great deal with Dollar, and signed up for their Express service that you can use a kiosk on. I had noticed some of the others had kiosks, but I didn't see them for Dollar. What I did see was a big line. Boo. So I stood there, people watched, and what I noticed was a giant issue in one of the lines. Apparently someone didn't read the fine print and didn't have the fundage for the extra hold that they put on your card. The 2 ladies were making a scene, also causing their child to act up and kick the counter wall time after time. After about 20 minutes, they pushed all the paperwork off the counter on to the employee, and the little boy gave the counter one more swift kick--and they stormed off. Finally--I was next. They look me up--tell me I'm a Dollar Express member and that I should have just used the kiosk Ummm I don't see a kiosk. They told me it was IN the garage. Welp... I didn't know. I got my info, my GPS, and set up the toll pass and I was on my way to the garage.

I had chosen a mid-size and had the options of a Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger, or Ford Fusion. I took a black Ford Fusion. And I was off...

Um, yeah. Where am I? I have never driven down here, never used a GPS system, rarely drive a car that's not mine, and was starting to freak. I had a spreadsheet that I saved as a photo on my iPad so I could get it anytime with all the addresses and info on the properties. There were all kinds of pieces in the GPS bag. I had no idea what to do with them, but I turned on the Garmin Nuvi and punched in the address. It went dead. OMG. They gave me an un-charged GPS. I was so agitated and thought I'd have to wait till I got to the hotel to charge it in the wall... so I put the Nuvi in the bag--never looking to see that there was a car charger in there

I pulled up the Mapquest app on my iPhone and put the address in there. It worked just fine--it just ate the battery up pretty fast.

I was taking in all the scenery and trying to remember to retain everything and not just go where the Mapquest lady told me.

I got to the first property right on schedule--Whisper Lakes. Just pulling in and looking at the surroundings, I was thinking it wasn't for me--but I would look anyway. Online I liked how they were a loft style. I was shown around and when we went into the apartment, my mind said, "I think we're done here" -- but the nice lady in me just smiled and tried to point out the positives in the place. As soon as I was back in my car... I put a big line through it.

I got to the next place in no time with the Mapquest App--Sun Key. I really liked it, liked the people, and the apartment was cute. It was a little cramped and a little far away, but cute. Not against this place in anyway.

I got to the final place for the day--Crowntree Lakes. This place was beautiful and is on my top 5. I loved everything about it. It's a little pricy, and the biggest downfall is that a washer/dryer is included, and we have our own steam front loaders. I was really happy with this place.

So I was feeling a little better with the day. One No, One Maybe, and One Yes. I was pretty uneasy driving in unfamiliar areas and taking in some of the rougher areas, but I just kept going. I was pretty drained so I decided it was time to go to the resort.

By the time I would make it to Mystic Dunes, it would be past the 4pm check in time that is strictly enforced there. Let's talk about this place for a minute. I haven't stayed offsite since I've been out of high school. Since DH and I have been going to Disney together, we've stayed at CBR, YC-CL twice, CSR, SSR, Kidani twice, CR, OKW, Poly, POR, and Grand Californian Villas and Paradise Pier CL in Disneyland. I was very nervous to stay offsite, but I didn't want to be distracted by my love of Disney on this trip. I wanted to keep it mostly business, and figured I could drive over when I had the time.

When I had called to book it, the lady told me it was 100% refurbished. I did a pay in full/no remimbursement booking with her then. I later read online thru different places that the refurb was NOT finished and only select buildings were. This made me nervous, and I had made a call to say that I wanted a refurbished room and NOT the first floor. They updated this on the reservation and told me it would be NO problem. Yay!

Okay, so Mrs. Mapquest brought me into the resort which was good because my iPhone was on 12% battery life and I needed to settle in and charge all my stuff. I was ready to relax for a few after a long day.

And that's the end of today's update... Thanks for joining in!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I'm here and almost first!!!! So glad you are back safe and sound!!!

Yay!!! You're here!!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Can't wait to hear what you have to say about Mystic Dune.

 

[sjs314]

Can not wait to read more. Love the names of the Apt. Complexes.

 

[elleinad16]

Oh lordy, coming from your FB update I know how this is going to shape up! I can't wait to follow along on this journey! I hope there is some good news to all of this!!!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Hi! May I join in??

 

[DFTWbride2013]

I'm dying to know what went wrong at the hotel. I can't believe you've never used a GPS! It would be terrible if they didn't have car chargers. Ours never leaves the car.

Can't wait for the next update!

 

[basketlacey]

Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Joining in on the fun! Can't wait to hear about your adventure!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I'm here too! Going to back to catcxh up - cannot wait to read as it all unfolds!

Oh dear me...cliffhanger about the hotel....

 

[mebbradley]

Joining it!

 

[Janet B]

Deena!!

I'm in!!

 

[luckylady]

OHHH you left me hanging about the hotel. Hope you got a refurb. room.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Hi I'm joining in too.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Hi Denna! I am here and loving your TR!