Too much laboring during the year means I MUST take a trip over Labor Day Weekend!!

[Bethannk511]

Well I was randomly talking with one of my DIS buddies and mentioned how I wanted to go to the world in October, how I'd be buying an AP, etc. He said "you'd get more value out of that AP if you came for Labor Day too" and that's where it all started.

So then I had to convince my boss that it was OK for me to be out of work on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Mr Boss man was recently announced as the successor to the current president so his head may have been a bit big at the time. I assured him it would be ok for me to be out and, if I came home on Labor Day, the plane ticket would be about $150 more expensive. He caved!!

So here we are. I've lurked on these boards for a long time now and have contributed a few times but never did a PTR or TR. I had the most amazing, and first, solo trip last November and have been missing the world ever since.

So here are the deets:

Who: Well right now it's just me going down but by tomorrow I should know if my younger cousin (finally of drinking age) and a friend of hers will be coming or not. She's like my little sister and lives in NC. I saw her a few weeks ago for a too short day and a half so it would be awesome to spend a few days with her!

When : Saturday, September 3 until Tuesday, September 6.

Where: TBD. If it's just going to be me then I'm going to stay at POP. If it's a cousins trip, then POFQ as I've never stayed there and love everything about NOLA so really, what could be better?

What: what?

Why: Well, I work my assets off and need a break. Good enough reason?

How: See Why. i work my assets off.

Tomorrow I'll be booking my airfare. So far, Jet Blue looks the best (and you still get one bag for free!!).

Until tomorrow!!!!!

 

[Bethannk511]

Jet Blue Leaving Newark, NJ on Saturday, Sept 3 at 6:15am. I know it's early, but, I sleep like a champ on the plane (with a little help from my friend. First name Skyy. Last name Vodka) so when I get in I'll be ready to hit the park!!

I come home on Tuesday, Sept 6 at 7:10pm and get back to Newark around 9:49pm.

From past experiences (always on Continental), we always arrive in Newark much earlier than scheduled. I've never flown on Jet Blue, but, the one free bag perk is a HUGE deal. I mean I could have flown on Continental again, but, $50 for a bag BLOWS!! And I'm not a carry on only kind of girl. Plus, I'm a shopping freak so I need that suitcase for souvenirs!!!

I'm excited this is booked!! If I booked yesterday, it would have been about $10 cheaper, but, oh well. If I came home on Wednesday morning, it would have been about $70 cheaper, but, I would have had to pay for another night in the hotel and had to come to work a half day. No thanks!

 

[Bethannk511]

Looks like it's gonna be a solo trip. Cousin has school on Labor Day. Damn college!!

So now the debate begins. Do I stay at POFQ for $447 or do I stay at POP for $295. $150 difference for the hotel I'd like to stay in because 1) I've never stayed in POFQ and 2) I love everything about NOLA so this would be a great hotel!!

The raise I got at worked kicked into effect today and it's sweet!! I have til August 13th to book the room only offer for the time that I'm going so I have some time to decide if I want to spend the extra cash. Keep in mind I've also got to buy an AP this trip.

Do I buy the AP first and then book the hotel? Does it save me money?

 

[EpcotMan]

I just looked at the dates you mentioned with my AP rate. On the dates you mentioned NOFQ is $430 and POP is $278. It looks as though the savings is only going to be $17 off no matter which one you choose. Probably because it is Labor Day weekend. Not really sure that would be worth buying the pass ahead of time. I leave that to you though.

 

[Bethannk511]

I just looked at the dates you mentioned with my AP rate. On the dates you mentioned NOFQ is $430 and POP is $278. It looks as though the savings is only going to be $17 off no matter which one you choose. Probably because it is Labor Day weekend. Not really sure that would be worth buying the pass ahead of time. I leave that to you though.

Thanks for the info!! I'll hold off until I get down there then. It'll give me time to save some more moolah for it

 

[Bethannk511]

I just realized that I'm going to Disney Sat, 9/3 - Tues, 9/6. Working Wed, Thurs and Friday then leaving for Nashville on Saturday, 9/10 to go on a business trip until Thursday 9/15. Then I leave for a cruise on 10/2 until 10/8th or 9th and then maybe another Disney trip!

Wow it's going to be an exciting September through October of barely any working!!

 

[Bethannk511]

I'm not making any.

Zero. Zilch. Nada.

I did the whole "make an ADR for your whole trip" back in November when I went solo and it was lovely. I ate at at a lot of great restaurants; Narrcoossees, Jiko, Via Napoli, etc. But this time, I'm just gonna wing it. If I want to eat somewhere fancy for dinner, I'll pick a place with a bar and make friends. I'm only going to be there for 3 nights, 4 days and I really just want to wing the whole thing and not worry about being somewhere at a certain time for a meal.

So hellooooooo WDW bars!! It'll be nice to see you!!!

And slightly off topic, but not since hey, it's my PTR and I'll go off topic if I want to. Not that anyone is actually reading this!! I really should be cleaning my house and doing homework, but, I really don't feel like it. I'd much rather peruse the boards and read what others are doing!

Anywho, happy Sunday to all!! And if you're reading this, thanks for stopping by!!

 

[Bethannk511]

I have a Disney Visa so I finally used one of the perks and got a personal meet and greet on my last day from my November Solo trip. Here's a pic of me and Minnie!

And Minnie and Goofy. I have a better one that they took that I got for free but I never scanned it.

Notice the hat? I had to buy that my 3rd day in Orlando. Days 1 and 2 were spent at Sea World and Universal (both US and IOA). They must have more shade there because, once I got to EPCOT on day 3, the sun was KILLING me. So I bought a hat. I wanted a white one so the sun wouldn't be attracted to be, but, admittedly, I have a big head. So that hat's a little small for my head, but it did the trick and kept the sun off of my face and out of my eyes!! My face is super sensitive to the sun, and, I'm allergic to most sunscreens so this was a life saver!!

Oh and I miss my long hair. I loved being able to braid it to the side and put it under a hat. It's still long enough for a pony tail, but, not as long as it was here!!! Oh well.

 

[Bethannk511]

Thinking of renting DVC points instead of staying at POFQ. Sent a few emails out but if any of you have points to rent for those days at AKL, studio, any view, please let me know!

 

[Bethannk511]

All the DVC studios are sold out that I'd want to stay in. I mean come on!!! Don't they know I wanted to book a last minute trip and rent points from someone from these lovely boards that I dont even know!?!?!?

Anywho, now, to decide if it's POFQ or AKL. I've stayed in AKL but not POFQ. POFQ is about $150 less than AKL. But do i want to splurge this trip and then save on the hotel in October.

I'm a face painter on the side so I have a job this weekend that will bring in a few hundred dollars. And then, a volunteer even on Tuesday that will hopefully bring in some business. Here's hoping!

 

[captaindavidhook]

I have a Disney Visa so I finally used one of the perks and got a personal meet and greet on my last day from my November Solo trip. Here's a pic of me and Minnie!

And Minnie and Goofy. I have a better one that they took that I got for free but I never scanned it.

Notice the hat? I had to buy that my 3rd day in Orlando. Days 1 and 2 were spent at Sea World and Universal (both US and IOA). They must have more shade there because, once I got to EPCOT on day 3, the sun was KILLING me. So I bought a hat. I wanted a white one so the sun wouldn't be attracted to be, but, admittedly, I have a big head. So that hat's a little small for my head, but it did the trick and kept the sun off of my face and out of my eyes!! My face is super sensitive to the sun, and, I'm allergic to most sunscreens so this was a life saver!!

Oh and I miss my long hair. I loved being able to braid it to the side and put it under a hat. It's still long enough for a pony tail, but, not as long as it was here!!! Oh well.

Love the pictures!

 

[captaindavidhook]

All the DVC studios are sold out that I'd want to stay in. I mean come on!!! Don't they know I wanted to book a last minute trip and rent points from someone from these lovely boards that I dont even know!?!?!?

Anywho, now, to decide if it's POFQ or AKL. I've stayed in AKL but not POFQ. POFQ is about $150 less than AKL. But do i want to splurge this trip and then save on the hotel in October.

I'm a face painter on the side so I have a job this weekend that will bring in a few hundred dollars. And then, a volunteer even on Tuesday that will hopefully bring in some business. Here's hoping!

Go with AKL. Never stayed there but man that is one gorgeous resort. Don'y know much about POFQ. Have stayed at Wilderness Lodge both trips. If you want to splurge then do it! Your trip, do what makes you happy

 

[captaindavidhook]

I'm not making any.

Zero. Zilch. Nada.

I did the whole "make an ADR for your whole trip" back in November when I went solo and it was lovely. I ate at at a lot of great restaurants; Narrcoossees, Jiko, Via Napoli, etc. But this time, I'm just gonna wing it. If I want to eat somewhere fancy for dinner, I'll pick a place with a bar and make friends. I'm only going to be there for 3 nights, 4 days and I really just want to wing the whole thing and not worry about being somewhere at a certain time for a meal.

So hellooooooo WDW bars!! It'll be nice to see you!!!

And slightly off topic, but not since hey, it's my PTR and I'll go off topic if I want to. Not that anyone is actually reading this!! I really should be cleaning my house and doing homework, but, I really don't feel like it. I'd much rather peruse the boards and read what others are doing!

Anywho, happy Sunday to all!! And if you're reading this, thanks for stopping by!!

I am reading this..was more or less lurking til today lol

 

[Bethannk511]

I am reading this..was more or less lurking til today lol

Go with AKL. Never stayed there but man that is one gorgeous resort. Don'y know much about POFQ. Have stayed at Wilderness Lodge both trips. If you want to splurge then do it! Your trip, do what makes you happy

Love the pictures!

YAY a reader!! And a Jersey Boy!! Woo hoo!!!!!

Hahahaha thanks!!! Yeah I'm leaning way more towards AKL since it's a pretty decent deal too. And I LOVE their pool, all things animals, and duhhhhh they have a hot tub!!!!

 

[captaindavidhook]

YAY a reader!! And a Jersey Boy!! Woo hoo!!!!!

Hahahaha thanks!!! Yeah I'm leaning way more towards AKL since it's a pretty decent deal too. And I LOVE their pool, all things animals, and duhhhhh they have a hot tub!!!!

Hahaha lol yes a Jersey Boy! One thing I loved about WL was the hot tub. Was awesome, no complaints--didn't hurt that you could also bring liquor around the hot tub area during the late hours and no one said boo about it lol

I love animals as well and that is why I would love to stay there one day. Lucky you...

 

[Bethannk511]

Hahaha lol yes a Jersey Boy! One thing I loved about WL was the hot tub. Was awesome, no complaints--didn't hurt that you could also bring liquor around the hot tub area during the late hours and no one said boo about it lol

I love animals as well and that is why I would love to stay there one day. Lucky you...

Yeah the AKL hot tub is secluded and not around anything (if i remember correctly from 2004). Yeah, more reasons to go there!!!

 

[captaindavidhook]

Yeah the AKL hot tub is secluded and not around anything (if i remember correctly from 2004). Yeah, more reasons to go there!!!

Now your thinking. Even more reason to stay there. I would love to stay there and stay in those savannah suites. To wake up and see the animals there, would be kinda cool. That's why I also think AK the park, is vastly underated. I love it!

 

[Bethannk511]

WOOO HOOOOOO!!!

This makes me very very excited.

I went from POFQ to POP back to POQF and landed at AKL!!!! They had a fabulous room only deal, and they have an awesome pool, and a few fabulous hot tubs. That's a lot of fabulous in one sentence right there!!

I went for the standard room. There are two reasons for this.
1) I'm barely every in the room and if I am, I'm not on the veranda (fancy word huh?)
2) The standard was $200 cheaper
3) It's one of my favs!!!

I am so very very excited by this!!

 

[Bethannk511]

It really can't come fast enough.

I sooooo need a vacation.

 

[Bethannk511]

As my excitement for my trip grows, I can't help but be anxious!!!

Soooooooo, as I've gotten all my homework done for the week (I take college courses online at DeVry), I bring you............

Pictures of Me with Characters!!! (I know i know, try to hold back your excitement! )

Mary Poppins was slightly snooty and less practically perfect!! Not very nice a all!