WDW "Vacation A Day" Contest!

[GaBelle]

Not extremely new here, but forgot password, etc. Been lurking for a while now. Our last trip was in 2008 for our 23rd anniversary. At that time, it was just us. It was a dream trip for us as we stayed at AKL. The thing that sticks in my mind most about the trip is when we were on the bus one day and the only other people were a couple and their little girl. It was evident that she was adopted and just precious. The mom said, it must be nice to be here just the two of you.

I was floored. I would have loved to have been there with a child. We had not yet been blessed.

Fast forward 6 years....we now have our precious son, adopted in 2010 from Ukraine. Due to the economy, hubby in master's school and adoption expenses, we have not been able to take him to Disney.

But...we won! I received the affidavit via email yesterday. Now, to get notarized on Monday, scanned and hard copy mailed.

I only entered 3-4 times and so excited to share Disney with our boy!

Congrats!!!
What an exciting time for you!

 

[Hilly716]

Congrats to all the winners! So very jealous, but happy for you. Can't wait to hear about all of your plans!

 

[heathsf]

Not extremely new here, but forgot password, etc. Been lurking for a while now. Our last trip was in 2008 for our 23rd anniversary. At that time, it was just us. It was a dream trip for us as we stayed at AKL. The thing that sticks in my mind most about the trip is when we were on the bus one day and the only other people were a couple and their little girl. It was evident that she was adopted and just precious. The mom said, it must be nice to be here just the two of you.

I was floored. I would have loved to have been there with a child. We had not yet been blessed.

Fast forward 6 years....we now have our precious son, adopted in 2010 from Ukraine. Due to the economy, hubby in master's school and adoption expenses, we have not been able to take him to Disney.

But...we won! I received the affidavit via email yesterday. Now, to get notarized on Monday, scanned and hard copy mailed.

I only entered 3-4 times and so excited to share Disney with our boy!

Congrats!!!!!!!

 

[momofmaz]

Congrats to all of the winners!!!!!!!

 

[mmjones1021]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

 

[cel_disney]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

We honeymooned at the Poly and I loved it - but you should check on the construction plans this year with DVC to make sure that you won't be disappointed if things are closed.

We own at BLT and really enjoy many things about the contemporary. The restaurants are one of the best things - we like to come home from the parks, shower, and head to dinner. so many choices at the Contemporary! And the fireworks and water pageant have many viewing options! plus - The monorail running thru the resort is so much fun to watch and talk about (everyone knows the hotel with the monorail thru it!).

We are not fans of the GF much at all - it's just not that exciting.

I would suggest you also look ALOT at Boardwalk or Yacht Club as other options. There are many things to do there, walking distance and boat options to Epcot (world showcase for dinner!) and DHS. Plus the boardwalk has some adult nightlife as well!

Congratulations to all the winners!!!!

 

[MamaStrong]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

The 15 days is KILLING me!! I want to start planning right now... real planning. I have narrowed my hotel choices to 1. Con 2. Poly 3. ??? I agree with you on the GF... not really my style. DD wants the Wilderness Lodge...but it didnt seem like the "one" for me.

Congrats on winning as well!! Disneymoon will be awesome!

 

[GaBelle]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

I've stayed at the GF and Poly. My absolute favorite is GF! The theme is the Victorian era. And that is very romantic in my book. The standard rooms are some if the largest, if not the largest on property.
The service there is hands down the best.

 

[frozengurl]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip! I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me. For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon? Thanks!!

What about Bay Lake Towers? That would probably be my number one! I love the Poly, it's my fav but there is some construction going on there right now so of find out as much info about that as possible first. And then I'd say GF. (If you really want to be on the monorail route) However, the pool at BC & YC is amazing! So I'd consider one of those too! Either way~ congratulations! You won a trip to Disney World!!!!

 

[AZMermaid]

That is such a great story! Congrats and have a great trip!

 

[lovin'fl]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

The 15 days is KILLING me!! I want to start planning right now... real planning. I have narrowed my hotel choices to 1. Con 2. Poly 3. ??? I agree with you on the GF... not really my style. DD wants the Wilderness Lodge...but it didnt seem like the "one" for me.

Congrats on winning as well!! Disneymoon will be awesome!

Congrats! The Yacht Club seems very sweet and quiet. That might be a nice pick. It is so close to Epcot and HS too...just a walk or boat ride away.

We stayed at the CR before and I really liked it...very modern and sleek. We also stayed at Bay Lake Towers and didn't like it AS much as we liked CR (it was more noisy over in the Towers). But Bay Lake Towers is DVC and I'm not sure if they'll let you choose any DVC resorts anyway. We also just stayed at AKV and I REALLY REALLY loved it there...but it's not super close to anything (except AK). But the theme-ing there is fabulous and watching the animals is sooo cool.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

Congrats!!!

We have stayed at GF, Poly 4x, and Bay Lake Tower. GF was fabulous and I think it's a great choice for a honeymoon. If I won a trip I would want to stay somewhere that we wouldn't ordinarily be able to afford otherwise and GF pretty much fits that bill, lol. It's pretty, romantic, love the bath shop, and the live music in the lobby is wonderful!

Poly would be a great choice too. The lush grounds are so lovely and the transportation to Epcot and MK is terrific.

While we really enjoyed our stay at BLT, for a honeymoon, imo, I don't think it's as romantic as GF and Poly... lots more concrete, less beautiful grounds, but that walk to MK was amazing.

If I were you, I would also consider the Yacht Club for a honeymoon. We have stayed there as well as the Beach Club. It is so close to Epcot, so you would have access to many restuarants and night life, a good choice for adults.

My top choice is GF, though. Hands down.

Have fun choosing!

 

[momto3boys+aprincess]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

I agree the wait is hard! I have been driving my family nuts with my "pre-planning". We are going to need a second room and I am hoping they will be offering us a great discount like other years winners have gotten.
So we are thinking WL, AKL and ???

 

[lugnut33]

Thank you for all the Congrats!!!

We had planned on doing a WDW trip this upcoming Christmas, but were unable to pull it off financially. We then decided to save up for DL instead (no flying since we are in Az), but due to my youngest daughter having yet another surgery (third in 6 months), the trip money was used for Dr. bills.... so no DL either. We were crushed, but decided to start saving for 2015.....

Now... we get to do WDW!!! I am so stoked and a little overwhelmed since I want this trip to be AMAZING (like it wouldn't be regardless??) Starting to try to figure out where we would want to stay...what we HAVE to see... where we HAVE to eat. ACK.

Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated.

That's cool you won.

 

[jsgrand0]

I agree the wait is hard! I have been driving my family nuts with my "pre-planning". We are going to need a second room and I am hoping they will be offering us a great discount like other years winners have gotten.
So we are thinking WL, AKL and ???

While I haven't been fortunate enough to stay at a deluxe, I made it a point to visit many of them. I figured I would like Poly the best...but I must say it came in 2nd to WL for me! It is so beautiful there!

 

[fabulousfive]

Love hearing all the winning stories and plans, but makes me want to win all that much more! Keeping fingers crossed for this week as they unveil the final winners.

 

[2010_Bride]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

We were married and had our honeymoon at Disney
We stayed at the GF and LOVED it! We had a gorgeous room that faced the MK and the staff were so friendly and attentive. We even received the odd special surprise during our stay seeing as it was our Disneymoon

I suggest GF as your number one, but if you have your heart set on the Poly (also nice) then make GF your number two!!

 

[whositsandwhatsits]

Congratulations to all of the other winners! I don't know about all of you... but the 15 day wait until we're contacted by Disney is killing me!! I'm so anxious to start planning this trip!
I'm working under the assumption that we will pick our hotel choices the same way they did last year (winners select their top 3 choices and Disney finds an available room in one of those resorts). My fiance and I think we're going to put the Polynesian as #1 (it is our honeymoon, after all) but we're torn for #'s 2 & 3. We're thinking the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary because we really want to be on the monorail. In looking at both hotels, I'm a little disappointed in the rooms at the GF (they seem very outdated) and the Contemp. feels a little "convention-y" to me.
For those of you that have stayed at these resorts before, what are your thoughts? Which would be better for a honeymoon?
Thanks!!

You may want to research the Boardwalk Inn. It is just fabulous. The themeing is gorgeous and it's a short walk, or ferry boat ride, to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Epcot has some fabulous dining and it's so nice to be able to pop over and eat. Plus, you can see Illuminations from some of the rooms.

The Boardwalk itself is a lot of fun. There are several good restaurants including a brewery and ESPN, and 2 clubs; Jellyrolls, home of the dueling pianos and the Atlantic Dance Hall. The overall atmosphere is so fun with street performers, small shops and happy guests.

 

[wendow]

Not extremely new here, but forgot password, etc. Been lurking for a while now. Our last trip was in 2008 for our 23rd anniversary. At that time, it was just us. It was a dream trip for us as we stayed at AKL. The thing that sticks in my mind most about the trip is when we were on the bus one day and the only other people were a couple and their little girl. It was evident that she was adopted and just precious. The mom said, it must be nice to be here just the two of you.

I was floored. I would have loved to have been there with a child. We had not yet been blessed.

Fast forward 6 years....we now have our precious son, adopted in 2010 from Ukraine. Due to the economy, hubby in master's school and adoption expenses, we have not been able to take him to Disney.

But...we won! I received the affidavit via email yesterday. Now, to get notarized on Monday, scanned and hard copy mailed.

I only entered 3-4 times and so excited to share Disney with our boy!

Congrats on winning! Hope you have a great time with your son!

 

[Maineiak]

So....what are we all going to enter next? I know they probably still have to notify a few more winners next week, but c'mon, let's be realistic here, I didn't win.

So what contest(s) next???