Tim and Lesley Year of Million Compromises/TONS pics- 8/5 help me pg. 164!!!

[TiggerandTink]

Just found your pre TR - how great!
Your DH sounds like a great guy, what a wonderful thing to do, a week of a million wishes. My DH treats me like a queen but isn't always the quickest to come up with these "ideas on his own". Maybe I can get him to read this and help him out!!

Glad you got your schedule worked out (although from what I can tell, its likely to change a bit again before the actual trip isn't it ) But I think the planning is a lot of the fun so have FUN.

We are planning our very first trip to WDW this May with the family, including my parents. My DH and I spent our honeymoon at DL and have since been back with the kids and we all love Disney. My family doesn't seem to be quite as obsessed about our trip as I am...yet...but I know that they are really looking forward to it. I wish we could afford to go every year but alas its not in our budget. We are also using our income tax return to fund our trip but we are staying at ASMo and since we are traveling from the west coast and staying 9 nights, its costing us about $5k for airfare, room, tickets and dining plan.

Since I am new to DIS and WDW I have become just slightly obsessed with other people's trip reports. Trying to see what worked well, tips for things we should do, etc. I have also signed up for TGM and have done and redone our schedule.

I can't wait to hear how the rest of your planning goes and then how the actual trip turns out. And I will be looking to gleen any gems of advice I can.

 

[timandlesley]

Just found your pre TR - how great!
Your DH sounds like a great guy, what a wonderful thing to do, a week of a million wishes. My DH treats me like a queen but isn't always the quickest to come up with these "ideas on his own". Maybe I can get him to read this and help him out!!

Glad you got your schedule worked out (although from what I can tell, its likely to change a bit again before the actual trip isn't it ) But I think the planning is a lot of the fun so have FUN.

We are planning our very first trip to WDW this May with the family, including my parents. My DH and I spent our honeymoon at DL and have since been back with the kids and we all love Disney. My family doesn't seem to be quite as obsessed about our trip as I am...yet...but I know that they are really looking forward to it. I wish we could afford to go every year but alas its not in our budget. We are also using our income tax return to fund our trip but we are staying at ASMo and since we are traveling from the west coast and staying 9 nights, its costing us about $5k for airfare, room, tickets and dining plan.

Since I am new to DIS and WDW I have become just slightly obsessed with other people's trip reports. Trying to see what worked well, tips for things we should do, etc. I have also signed up for TGM and have done and redone our schedule.

I can't wait to hear how the rest of your planning goes and then how the actual trip turns out. And I will be looking to gleen any gems of advice I can.

Hello!
How fun,your families first trip to the World, you are going to have an incredible time! Have you read my trip report from last year? It is in a link in my signature, it is very detailed and has a TON of advice, so I recommend reading that while you await more details here,let me know what you think.
Lesley

 

[aldisneygrl]

So, I know the details of this thread have died down and they will until the trip gets closer but here is the latest.
I have paid AAA 2400 and we only owe 819 on our package and it will be PAID OFF. I will have that money in April so there will definitely be a SUPER happy post in April announcing we are paid in full.
I've been using Sunshine Rewards and am up to 19.50 earned and 1.25 pending so I'll earn that 20.00 Disney Gift Card soon to go towards our spending money. I've been putting a little away each pay check to get to our total 900 budget for spending money for the trip. I have the 150 put aside for the stroller rental money - OH THE MONEY THAT GOES TO DISNEY, but it's worth every penny
I called my AAA agent yesterday about the AAA story hour at MK. Have any of you heard of this/done this? I am considering it but want good stories about it before I change the itinerary around to fit it in. Anyone?
I'm getting excited about all of the POFQ posts on the boards, they are all so positive about the resort, can't wait to taste those Beinets and check out the pool in person.
Well, gotta get back to work, lunch break is ending.
Until next time:
Lesley

Earning money back while paying for your Disney Vacation! What a great idea! You are much savvier (is that a word? I mean really savvy ) than me. When and IF I go back, would you be my Travel Agent?

 

[timandlesley]

I called our AAA agent and she said you can't use the Disney Gift Cards only the Disney rewards card to pay off the balance of our vacation. BUMMER!
Hey, I had a thought though, I have 150 set aside for stroller rental. Could I get 150 in gift cards and use that for stroller, does anyone know FOR SURE if stroller rentals will take Disney gift cards? How do you buy these on Disneyshopping through SR?
Thanks,
Lesley

 

[jenr812]

IIRC, resorts take the disney gift cards. So you could charge the stroller rental to your room and then use your disney gift cards to pay for it. I am pretty sure you have to use a credit card to open up the ability to charge to your room, but I am also pretty sure I've read about people using gift cards and/or disney reward dollars to settle the bill. Why not try calling POFQ and ask?

 

[TiggerandTink]

Hello!
How fun,your families first trip to the World, you are going to have an incredible time! Have you read my trip report from last year? It is in a link in my signature, it is very detailed and has a TON of advice, so I recommend reading that while you await more details here,let me know what you think.
Lesley

Thanks - I'm heading over to check it out now!!!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

I called our AAA agent and she said you can't use the Disney Gift Cards only the Disney rewards card to pay off the balance of our vacation. BUMMER!
Hey, I had a thought though, I have 150 set aside for stroller rental. Could I get 150 in gift cards and use that for stroller, does anyone know FOR SURE if stroller rentals will take Disney gift cards? How do you buy these on Disneyshopping through SR?
Thanks,
Lesley

I would ask again. This is new. DISNEY does take GIFT CARDS to pay off your balance. Have her call Disney to ask. Mine did this for us today, and I don't know why a AAA agent would be any different than a regular TA!!!

So go to SR, click on the member news link, and use the special 8% link (not the regular shopping one). Come over to the Rewards Board if you have anymore questions and we'll help you over there.

 

[IluvXU]

[/QUOTE]Hey, I had a thought though, I have 150 set aside for stroller rental. Could I get 150 in gift cards and use that for stroller, does anyone know FOR SURE if stroller rentals will take Disney gift cards? How do you buy these on Disneyshopping through SR?
Thanks,
Lesley[/QUOTE]

So I was wondering... do you bring a stroller from home for around the resort.. airport, DTD? I am really wondering what to do for my 1 year old and 4 year old. I am leaning towards renting one, but I guess I probably need a double and am not sure it would be comfortable enough for the one year old. Just looking for some advice.

Thanks.
Laura

 

[timandlesley]

I would ask again. This is new. DISNEY does take GIFT CARDS to pay off your balance. Have her call Disney to ask. Mine did this for us today, and I don't know why a AAA agent would be any different than a regular TA!!!

So go to SR, click on the member news link, and use the special 8% link (not the regular shopping one). Come over to the Rewards Board if you have anymore questions and we'll help you over there.

I will call her again, I just don't want to bug her TOO terribly much because I have a feeling I'm already on her last nerve with all of my changes .

I will jump over to the Rewards board, I've never been on that board.
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

Hey, I had a thought though, I have 150 set aside for stroller rental. Could I get 150 in gift cards and use that for stroller, does anyone know FOR SURE if stroller rentals will take Disney gift cards? How do you buy these on Disneyshopping through SR?
Thanks,
Lesley[/quote]

So I was wondering... do you bring a stroller from home for around the resort.. airport, DTD? I am really wondering what to do for my 1 year old and 4 year old. I am leaning towards renting one, but I guess I probably need a double and am not sure it would be comfortable enough for the one year old. Just looking for some advice.

Thanks.
Laura[/quote]

Good question Laura and something I consider each trip. When Lauren was little (our first two trips) we brought our own stroller. It was just this last trip when she was 2 1/2 that we started renting. Staying at WL helped because with both buses and boat you aren't far from your room so there isn't much carrying of a sleeping child. However with POFQ I am a little concerned with not having something at the resort if the kids fall asleep and we're each stuck carrying them back (which has happened before). I am considering a little umbrella stroller for the resort and then renting daily. We LOVE to rent because you don't have to haul it on the buses back and forth and the convenience of it was worth it to us (Well actually it's Tim who REALLY prefers them, but I agree for the most part ) With a daughter your daughters age you will definitely want that stroller for the resort, etc. so bringing one may be best, I prefer the kind that lean back for easy napping.
Lesley

 

[solgent]

I remember your trip last year. I also love the planning stage and it is fun to follow all the steps of your process.

The cancelled class-- that happened to me too. I'm a university professor and I signed up to teach a summer class last summer, but I picked the wrong class to offer and it didn't get enough enrollment. As a result, I am teaching two classes this summer. One meets 4 hours/day for 2 weeks and the other 2 hours/day (4 days/week) for 5 weeks. I picked popular classes so at least one and probably both should fill up. It will be busy but I just keep visualizing those deposits hitting my bank account!

I love Tim's idea of granting wishes. My kids have next week off for winter break, so that could be a fun time to implement it. (Unfortunately, the university schedule and the public school schedule do not coincide, so I will still be going to the work. Like Tim seems to, my husband works part-time at a flexible job and he can be home after school or on school breaks whenever necessary.) I'll write again if/when I figure out how to do the wishes.

 

[kribit]

hi Lesley,

I would ask your TA about the gift card again. We didn't book our trip with AAA, but I know Disney takes the cards as payments. We're using ours from Christmas gifts, etc... Our gifts have gotten pretty boring over the last year (it's that little red card again?)

Thank you also for the Sunshine Rewards tip. I didn't realize shopping could benefit the "Disney Vacation Fund." I wish there was a way I could add your name as a referral on the site (it didn't occur to me until after I signed up). I have my mom (who is a shopaholic) putting some of her purchases through there to get her grandbabies gift cards. She thinks I'm crazy.

 

[dddisrunner]

Hi Lesley I am new to the boards and I really enjoyed reading your 1st trip report and now this planning one too. I am a totl planner like you. We are going to Disney in April staying at POP. Our 1st time on site can't wait Anyway I was wonderin if you knew whether or not there was anything for boys at BBBotique? face painting or pirate themed things? Also is tour guide MIke similar to The Unofficial Guides touring plans website? Just asking because you seem so disney versed! By the way your family is just adorable and It is so neat that your DH is in to Disney as much as you are! Thanks for any info you might have!

 

[timandlesley]

Hi Lesley I am new to the boards and I really enjoyed reading your 1st trip report and now this planning one too. I am a totl planner like you. We are going to Disney in April staying at POP. Our 1st time on site can't wait Anyway I was wonderin if you knew whether or not there was anything for boys at BBBotique? face painting or pirate themed things? Also is tour guide MIke similar to The Unofficial Guides touring plans website? Just asking because you seem so disney versed! By the way your family is just adorable and It is so neat that your DH is in to Disney as much as you are! Thanks for any info you might have!

first of all, welcome to the Dis!!! I am honored you read my report. Yes, they have a "cool dude" package at BBBotique for boys. It is similar to what they do in the Barber Shop on Main Street at MK with colored hair gel, hidden glitter mickey's on the back of their heads, etc. I asked Luke if he wanted to do that when Luke got all dolled up and he said he'd rather shop with Tim around DTD instead - oh well.
I can't compare Mike with the Unofficial Guides, because I have only used him, but I do swear by it.
You will love POP, we stayed there for the first time we stayed on site as a family and loved it too. They have a great foodcourt, awesome theming and wonderful transportation. Have a GREAT trip in April!
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

I remember your trip last year. I also love the planning stage and it is fun to follow all the steps of your process.

The cancelled class-- that happened to me too. I'm a university professor and I signed up to teach a summer class last summer, but I picked the wrong class to offer and it didn't get enough enrollment. As a result, I am teaching two classes this summer. One meets 4 hours/day for 2 weeks and the other 2 hours/day (4 days/week) for 5 weeks. I picked popular classes so at least one and probably both should fill up. It will be busy but I just keep visualizing those deposits hitting my bank account!

I love Tim's idea of granting wishes. My kids have next week off for winter break, so that could be a fun time to implement it. (Unfortunately, the university schedule and the public school schedule do not coincide, so I will still be going to the work. Like Tim seems to, my husband works part-time at a flexible job and he can be home after school or on school breaks whenever necessary.) I'll write again if/when I figure out how to do the wishes.

well, hello again, glad to have you back on board for this trip. Boy, you are going to be busy this summer. I'm currently emailing my schedulers trying to get my courses switched a bit for the summer so I don't have to work online while in Disney, so far so good, but we'll see. It is a major financial strain when I don't do online work so taking that week off may hurt us, BUT I DESERVE a VACATION WITH NO WORK, right???
The granting wishes was a LOT of fun, Tim's a VERy creative guy (one of the many reasons I married him) I love that he is falling for disney as much as me and it has been awesome to plan trips together (o.k., who am I trying to kid, I plan and feed him bits of information here and there )
Take care,
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

hi Lesley,

I would ask your TA about the gift card again. We didn't book our trip with AAA, but I know Disney takes the cards as payments. We're using ours from Christmas gifts, etc... Our gifts have gotten pretty boring over the last year (it's that little red card again?)

Thank you also for the Sunshine Rewards tip. I didn't realize shopping could benefit the "Disney Vacation Fund." I wish there was a way I could add your name as a referral on the site (it didn't occur to me until after I signed up). I have my mom (who is a shopaholic) putting some of her purchases through there to get her grandbabies gift cards. She thinks I'm crazy.

I actually emailed her AGAIN today and she keeps saying she can't do it, VERY frustrating. I'm trying to find a post or specific story from someone who was able to get their AAA agent to accept them so I can show her that. We got two "little red cards" for our trip this year for Christmas and we can't wait to spend them down there. Oh yes, Sunshine is great, enjoy making money for that upcoming trip!!!
Lesley

 

[Mouse511]

Lesley, loved your last trip report, looking foward to the next

 

[dddisrunner]

Lesley, thanks for the quick reply! I asked my ds7 and ds5 if they wanted to do the cool dude package and of course 1 wants to and 1 doesn't. Guess we will split up that day for a little while. Thanks for the info about POP. I am such a wreck trying to figure out bus schedules and allocating time to make it to our ADR as we are on the dining plan. In addition trying to fit in the water parks as we got the free upgrade during Disney's last package promo. Who am I kidding though I thrive on this kind of stuff. It's nice to know there are others out there like me! Thanks again!

 

[timandlesley]

Lesley, thanks for the quick reply! I asked my ds7 and ds5 if they wanted to do the cool dude package and of course 1 wants to and 1 doesn't. Guess we will split up that day for a little while. Thanks for the info about POP. I am such a wreck trying to figure out bus schedules and allocating time to make it to our ADR as we are on the dining plan. In addition trying to fit in the water parks as we got the free upgrade during Disney's last package promo. Who am I kidding though I thrive on this kind of stuff. It's nice to know there are others out there like me! Thanks again!

I forgot to mention the cool dude package is only 10 bucks I think which is a great deal. Does your 5 year old or 7 year old want to do it?
It was hard for us this year changing dining around too without that easy access to the boat or monorail at WL but when we were at POP we had no problem getting to parks early for character meals in the parks. We do afternoon breaks so I make dinner reservations from 6-7 p.m. to allow time for those breaks and getting back to the parks.
Oh yes, you are not alone in your planning craziness, I love it too!!!!
Lesley

 

[bbmommy]

Hey, just ran across your trip report, We will be there june 10-17 with DD 4 and DS 2. I noticed in your report from last year the name on the back of Luke's mousketeer ears, did you get those at WDW or somewhere else. I love the font.