Top Secret Pixie Dust! A Surprise 13th Birthday PTR! NEW! TRIP REPORT LINK PAGE 220!

[Megablocks]

I'm so sorry you can't swing the GF! Good for you, though, still finding a way to get there. Charles has mentioned going other places on vacation, and in Orlando, and I have to try to hide my horror whenever he mentions that. I hope it all works out for you!

 

[MeMom]

Oh, it makes me almost cry to think of not going this year. I will make my family eat pinto beans and cornbread from now until July rather than give that trip up completely.

For me it's a PBJ or leftovers every school day. Cheap eating is about the only thing I can skimp on. We're already frugal with heat, lights, water, etc., and I don't drink or smoke or hit the vending machines or stop at Starbucks or buy clothes or jewelry. Disney is pretty much my only downfall as far as spending my money. Just the thought that you'll at least be able to make a trip, even if you have to downgrade seriously, should keep your spirits up somewhat. Maybe you can have a meal at the Grand? Maybe you can stay there for Chelsea's 16th birthday instead. CBR sounds good to her, so that's a plus. Truthfully, some of us (me) have no business going and even staying value, but I'm willing to make sacrifices and am grateful to even be able to do that.

I may have missed it, but are your dates staying the same?

 

[kschafer]

So sorry Jackie!

I still think a surprise trip will be magical no matter where you stay! If you avoid Fri/Sat nights, renting DVC points is a really reasonable way to go and still get deluxe accomodations! Maybe you could do Beach Club and have SAB nearby and still have the beachy CBR feel (plus Anita and Christine's private entrance)

Save lots of $$ on the resort and spend a little extra for something special like a girls day at GF

 

[Mndisneygirl]

It sucks to be a responsible adult sometimes, doesn't it???


I loved your comment to Charles about the hotel too!

I agree with a PP about eating at GF - still go and do the tea with Chelsea - that will be special!

CBR is so great - my kids are younger, but they loved it! They have the deal with 30% off still? or you can get the gift card, that might help. I assume you want the DDP but if not, they have good teacher rates at Swan and Dolphin and the rooms are huge!!! Plus it's close to BW and Epcot/MGM.
I'd look seriously at renting DVC points. You can get some great rates and stay somewhere wonderful! Good luck!
I hope things work out for you and I know you will have a great trip no matter what!!! And now we get to hear more planning (which is always fun!)

 

[eandesmom]

Oh I am so so sorry the GF is officially out but you do have a lot of lovely options.

CBR sounds perfect or even POP with maybe one night at the GF if you wanted to do that? You have your lovely tea booked and that will be incredibly special no matter where you stay. I remember 2 years ago, we were booked at BWV for a Thanksgiving trip, which was a dream of ours at the time. Then I got laid off after 13 years. Moving to the FW cabins and pushing it out to mid winter break was a hard pill to swallow BUT we were still able to go thanks to making that change and the buy 4 get 3 deal at the time. I'd make that change again in a heartbeat to still go.

I would hold on DVC given the uncertainties, we are holding for the same reason.

I don't think on-site or nothing is a spoiled attitude at all. It's funny because in some ways you can get SO much more room wise off-site but you just can't compare the on-site benefits, they are worth every penny. I feel exactly the same way about staying on-site. Non-negotiable!

Jennifer has had such luck with the renting points I would definitely those compare costs to CBR with your PIN.

Breathe. It WILL work out and her birthday will be magical. They think you are going this summer right but don't know where? Or do they not know anything? I can't remember.

Well, I have to admit I was kind of disappointed in the film. I felt like there were a lot of changes made that didn't really need to be made. For me, the charm of the book lies in the little quirky touches that were added -- like the Minotaur wearing tighty whities and Medusa's head being placed in a plastic shopping bag. All of that was left out. Not to mention, the plot was completely changed, Dionysus, Ares, and the Oracle were left out, and Hades was made into the bad guy. On the other side, I loved Uma Thurman as Medusa, Persephone cracked me up, and the Lotus casino was spot on.

I had been somewhat on the fence about my 7th graders going to see it since we read the book in the spring. After seeing the movie, I said, "If you want to see the movie that's fine because it won't ruin the book for you at all." It was a nice way to spend the afternoon, and I enjoyed the movie for what it was.

I was shocked that Ares and Dionysus were left out as well. The Oracle, "calling" back to camp....many many things.

I guess I expected the kinds of changes and missing elements so it did meet my expectations in many ways, not necessarily in a good way but I wasn't exactly disappointed, more annoyed than anything. It is a huge cast when you think about it, perhaps if they do continue making it they will rectify some of the key missing characters. Evan just want Tyson. Persephone was a riot.

I forgot about the tidy whities....book one was a long time ago for us!

Oh Jackie......

this really is the "winter of our discontent" isn't it?

I'm sorry about the $ woes...I feel just about every other person I know is going through some kind of financial problem right now...

(Doesn't it just stink sometimes being the grown up?)

I think that if you can still swing the trip...without the GF...you should still go...it will be a different trip but it doesn't have to be any less special for that...it just takes more creativity and thought...trip planning when you are flush is easier it takes smarts when you have less $$$ to work with-but that can be fun if you approach it right...(you just can't compare it to GF in your mind...)

Being the creative soul (if I do say so myself...) I can think of lots of cute 13th bday tie ins for any of those other hotels you mentioned...

and btw kudos on the hotel remark to Charles...I almost spat at my coffee......

Ditto!

 

[Happydog]

Say Jackie, I thought about what she said, and I agree with MeMom about Pop! Renovated rooms, the resort looks too CUTE regardless, her photos made me excited to try there! But renting points might get you at an Epcot resort, which would be great fun, too! Keeping the same dates for the trip since you have ADRs makes sense, but I was able to get pretty good choices even in the summer last year when I had to make my changes, so if your dates do need to move a little I am sure it will be fine!

 

[jillyb]

I'm sorry to hear about GF. Sounds like you've got lots of great options though. It's defninitely a good thing Chelsea didn't know beforehand.

Charles is right about the "hotel room" and I cracked up over your response. So true!

I did a search on the Yellow Box flip flops and I, too, liked the giraffe print! They would look Ab Fab with my giraffe print Bagallini!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I've not idea what furlough days are but they don't sound good. Even the word furlough sounds yucky!

Sorry to hear about the loss of your dream of staying at the GF. I think you're right it's a good thing Chelsea didn't know. She wouldn't want you to feel bad about not having the $ to justify it either though.

I think after you've had a few days to grieve over GF you'll decide on your next plan. I think all the choices you mentioned (except the non-disney one) sound good. I have faith you'll still make Chelsea's birthday trip special no matter what you do.

But don't forget since you have two children that whatever you do for Chelsea you have to match or even increase for Connor so maybe it's better that the GF is out.

 

[pinkpixie0920]

Hi!

I'm so sorry that you had to make a change in your plans! We rent DVC points every year and it has always made our trips very affordable and it is an extremely easy process. If you need any help or suggestions with this feel free to send me a PM. I'd be happy to help.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Oh Jackie! My heart sank when I read that! I know in the grand scheme of life, this is no big deal, but I really can feel for you. Money is tight for us as well and has been for the last 6 years while I have been a SAHM, so I know exactly what kind of decisions you are trying to make. My DH always says that our money is so tight that we have to squeeze a nickel so hard that it makes the buffalo *%#@. You'll have to infer the last part! He's never been known for having couth.

I'd say if Chelsea likes CBR, then go for that if you can. But you know Pop really isn't that bad. I know there are no bells and whistles, but if you spend most of your time in the parks, then it doesn't matter too much. Your children will have a blast no matter where you stay. I have found that if I take the time to make all the little things very special, then my DD walks away with fantastic memories just as if I had spent a million dollars. And I know you know how to make ordinary things special, like your Christmas elves for example. So my advice would be to turn your lemons into lemonade. You are so creative and I am certain there are tons of good ideas floating around in that brilliant mind of yours! I am very confident that you will come up with something fabulous and you guys will have a vacation that is just as magical and all the others have been.

 

[micandminforever]

Sorry to hear about the change in plans. You still have the tea to look forward to, and have you thought about just spending an afternoon at the GF shopping, listening to the music and people watching. The last time we ate at the GF Cafe there was a bridal party taking pictures, that was magical just to watch.

I love Pop Century it is not the GF but it is a fun place to just hang out. They have fun pools, great food court, and I believe the best gift shop outside of the parks.

Have you checked Bay lake with your pin the price will be quiet a bit cheaper than GF or even check garden view at the Contemporary.

If Chelsea has mentioned CBR she might be hinting that it is want she wants. Then in three years the GF would be a great way to celebrate her 16th birthday.

 

[MHTeacher]

Oh, Jackie, I'm so sorry that it's not going to work out to be at the GF this year. The good thing is that Chelsea didn't know about it to be disappointed. Like so many others have mentioned, your kids, just like my kids, will just be happy to be at Disney---that's what's important! You can still have a magical birthday surprise trip!

The way Disney has come out with discounts non-stop, I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of discount comes out for your trip dates---maybe a resort room offer, and you can grab something that appeals to you!

 

[TarzansKat]

Oh, gosh, hon. I'm so sorry. You know, Disney will always be there, but it doesn't soften the blow of not having the magical trip you were hoping for. More importantly, I can understand your angst over your job, and it is a scary world for everyone right now, teachers included. It seems like no sector is really safe, and I'm hoping that you will not have anything to worry about!!!

In the mean time, I know you'll make the right choice for your family. I happen to love CBR, and I know your kids would love it to. I think it's a great resort to stay at with older kiddos, and that could be a wonderful trip for you. Keep us posted.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I would really love to be present when you and Charles talk Disney. I bet it's really funny to hear the back and forth.

I'm sorry about no Grand Floridian but it will always be there at a better financial time!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

So sorry about not getting to stay at the Grand, but at least you can still go. We will still dress Bo up for Chelsea's big day!

 

[KathyRN137]

Oh, what a bummer! I totally understand... this has been a pretty rough year for us, too. I work per diem so whenever the doctor goes on a vacation, I get a vacation from a paycheck. Things don't seem too bad for him, though. He took a trip in December, another in January, another in February.... Ah well, the rich get richer and the rest of us....

Anyway, I think the CBR sounds like a fabulous and more economical choice. The theme pool looks fantastic and CBR is so centrally-located that bus travel time is not so bad at all. We stayed there on our first-ever Disney trip; it holds such wonderful memories!

I also think it has the best food court of all the mods.

Then again, because of the economy lots of DVCers are renting points and you can get some pretty good deals....

Chin up, you know you'll get back there somehow! And the Grand would be awesome for Chelsa's Sweet Sixteen!


Kathy

 

[wsushocker]

For me it's a PBJ or leftovers every school day. Cheap eating is about the only thing I can skimp on. We're already frugal with heat, lights, water, etc., and I don't drink or smoke or hit the vending machines or stop at Starbucks or buy clothes or jewelry.

To self.....Quick, get the duct tape! Don't say a word!

 

[IluvXU]

Sorry Jackie at the GF dream ending. You are being smart... which is hard to do. Darn tax returns!

I hope you still get to go to WDW... I think you will be happy just going and staying anywhere. I totally understand wanting to stay on property too.

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Oooohhhh nnnnnooooo! (can you hear my whiney voice?)
I think if Chelsea has mentioned CBR that's what I'd go with, and try for the GF for a sweet sixteen. (Or even a happy 21st during food and wine. )

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm soooo sorry Jackie! That's awful news, but I'm glad you were keeping it a secret from Chelsea...

I know it will all work out in the end. CBR or renting points both sound great. We loved CBR last year & I'd love to rent points sometime too.