We need a vacation (or two!) Oct 2016 PTR (Update 12/30)

[Roxyfire]

Welcome to my PTR! After having a big girl job and house for a couple years, I've finally saved enough to go on a real vacation! As a single mom it's a bit tough to get out there and travel as much as I want to. But with my son getting older we can start to explore the world. What better place to start than the Happiest Place on Earth?! Plus a little detour to Universal built in.

So with our introduction out of the way, let's get on with the plans!

I've only been to WDW once as a child and we didn't stay on site so it was a tough choice! Right now, I'm booked Oct 1st through the 10th at CBR. I added 8 day tickets with park hoppers. I figure with at least one day at Universal and two travel days, we won't need that many. I can step down even to 7 perhaps. Based on my research, this seems like a very middle of the road choice, even if there's a lot of sticker shock! I know I can always step down to a value with just two of us, and Pop looks like a pretty good choice too. I keep second guessing the choices but over time I'm hoping to get some clarity as time goes on.

Now I want to end with something a favorite comedian of mine does on her podcast. Hopes and dreams! Nothing too heavy, just for fun!

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First, my hope is that we can get through the Christmas travel season without too much trouble! My son is taking a flight to his dad's for the break. We live in the Chicago area so it could be great weather or feet of snow!

My dream would be Santa surprises me with an all-expenses paid beach vacation instead of having to work for the last few weeks of the year.

That's really all I have now; until next time!

 

[freckles04]

Following! Our dates are similar... we're Oct 1 - 8.

We have stayed at Pop several times. It's a nice, fun resort! We like the fact that it has the one bus stop and doesn't share with other resorts. It's also fun to walk across the bridge to Art of Animation (the Cars section is our favorite).

I haven't stayed at CBR since '94 when I was 10 but I remember really liking the pools.

 

[Roxyfire]

Following! Our dates are similar... we're Oct 1 - 8.

We have stayed at Pop several times. It's a nice, fun resort! We like the fact that it has the one bus stop and doesn't share with other resorts. It's also fun to walk across the bridge to Art of Animation (the Cars section is our favorite).

I haven't stayed at CBR since '94 when I was 10 but I remember really liking the pools.

Thanks for the follow! My son is at that age where he's all about the pool so I mainly picked CBR because I heard it was super fun. Trust me, I would really love to splurge (for me anyway) but I can't stop that voice that says to save a bit! I'm really hoping those free dining bouncebacks get released to everyone and that I don't get locked out of it. Slim chances, I know!

 

[freckles04]

Thanks for the follow! My son is at that age where he's all about the pool so I mainly picked CBR because I heard it was super fun. Trust me, I would really love to splurge (for me anyway) but I can't stop that voice that says to save a bit! I'm really hoping those free dining bouncebacks get released to everyone and that I don't get locked out of it. Slim chances, I know!

Free dining has been more and more difficult to get! Fingers crossed for you! They always seem to start fall FD a few days before that first week in October. It's a popular week for fall breaks and Disney knows it. The last time we got FD (oct 14) I had to take DS out of school for a couple days before fall break and start our vacation early to take advantage of it. He's in middle school now though and I really can't do that anymore. I would expect the check-in date cutoff for FD (if they have it this fall) to be 9/29 or so...

 

[Roxyfire]

Yeah that's sort of my fear, honestly. I saw the end date for the BounceBack was 10/1 so I'm hoping that'll be the same. But with all the things going on at the time with F&W and the Halloween party, it's just as well to be off the plan anyway. I just would like the idea of not paying for food! Here's to hoping I get some kind of discount at least. If not, I'll try Pop and a Universal Hotel and see how that works out!

 

[momabaarjo]

Following along! I love CBR and POP is not a bad second choice!

 

[freckles04]

Yeah that's sort of my fear, honestly. I saw the end date for the BounceBack was 10/1 so I'm hoping that'll be the same. But with all the things going on at the time with F&W and the Halloween party, it's just as well to be off the plan anyway. I just would like the idea of not paying for food! Here's to hoping I get some kind of discount at least. If not, I'll try Pop and a Universal Hotel and see how that works out!

Maybe that's a good sign that it will coincide with the bounceback!

 

[Roxyfire]

So here we are almost ready for the new year! After seeing the newest discounts for both general public and Disney Visa cardholders I'm a bit more optimistic! Maybe getting a room discount and splurging on a preferred room at CBR would be good too. I'm also 99% sure we'll scale back one day just to have a rest day at home, unless the flights end up cheaper in some other configuration. Thankfully I get to put that decision off for a while!

In other news we've seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens and loved it! Can't wait to see it again. Those Chewie and Darth meet and greets are high on the priority list for sure! We're also working on our wish list of attractions and restaurants (thats mostly me) but so far Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, and Everest are the top picks in each park. Hopefully Soarin will be back by October. Hope everyone had a lovely holiday and a wonderful new year! Here's to more magic to come in 2016!