WWYD: VGC Studio, 4 (now just 3!) nights over Memorial Day Weekend

[bwvBound]

Thanks to each of you for the comments!

Firepath - Sorry to hear of the allergies. I hope you get a chance, perhaps being fully covered and protected in lightweight clothing, to ride the bike path someday.

Bobbi - Yes, bringing the dog and the bird up to the house and having them close to me is always important. We originally bought the weekend house because of our desire to vacation with the pets (at that time, two birds). Does your Belle travel well between OH and Cape May?

KAT4DISNEY - Thanks for the invite to meet-up! If we get back to Reno, I'll drop you a line!

hjgaus - Enjoy LJ for Memorial Day weekend! I hope it is good weather for you. You are very correct -- we'd have felt better relaxing in a 1BR unit than the studio. I originally had the 1BR booked but later switched to the studio to conserve points when we decided to send out invitations to the family for the Run Disney Animal Kingdom event next spring. Yes, we love the Grand Cal's backwoods view!

--

As of last night, DH says he still likes my low-pressure plans for Grand Cal weekend (sleep in, watch movies, dine, etc.). There is nothing of particular interest for that weekend available right now via Worldmark, RCI or II ... but I did find a pretty cool kayaking/camping trip through the San Juan Islands for Orca watching. I sent a link to DH ... I'll bet he'll want to jump on it.

In the meantime, my deposit has been accepted for the Honza Bláha clinic next Feb in Costa Rica. (Whoo-hoo!!!!! I've got a seat! The acceptance also warned that I must be "a solid Level 2 or higher" in my horsemanship training. I need to prepare, submit and pass two more auditions ... these were already on my "ToDo List" for 2013 ... wish me luck! )

 

[taaren]

Personally I couldn't stand going to the VGC and NOT going to the parks, so I would either A) get park tickets, or B) go elsewhere ... probably Catalina or even just Newport Beach since I haven't been to either in many years. A place where you could relax AND take the dogs would be the best so you wouldn't have to kennel them ... I guess that's the mountain house option?

Park tickets are a budget buster though ... I was hoping to go to DLR sometime this summer but just can't see spending the $$ to start my AP earlier than December when I'll be able to get a minimum of 3 trips out of it.

Congrats on getting into the clinic! One of these days I hope to be a good enough rider to attend something like that!

 

[Greysword]

Let us know what you decide, please. We'll be at VGC at the same tiem in a 1BR, and I'd hate to knock on our neighbor's door and ask "are you Boardwalk Villas Bound on the DIS?" Probably get some strange looks from the neighbor if it isn't you

 

[bwvBound]

It is down to crunch time ... eeinie, meenie, miney, mo .... Today is my last day to cancel w/out penalty and I still haven't decided: Go or NoGo? Ugh.

There are several reasons in favor of going ... and now just one reason against going. But that one reason against is stressing me on several levels.

 

[bwvBound]

The verdict: we are going to VGC.

I used the old 'Gideon's fleece' method of decision making. I set up an improbable task and allowed God to direct the answer. In this case, I waited until nearly closing time yesterday to book my dog's and bird's kennel reservations. If I could get both reservations at the "last minute of the day" -- I'd accept our taking advantage of the weekend getaway. Calls to both kennels were not only successful, they were wildly successful ... as I confirmed not only the short-term Memorial Day weekend but also New Years.

The follow-up fleece (there is always a follow-up, right?) was seeking any last-minute change of direction from my DH. I was advised by MS to cancel online before 8p PT (11p ET) and typically my DH comes home around 6:30p. Well ... last night DH didn't get home until almost 9p PT. Problem Solved. Decision made for us ... and locked in.

I like "decision made" status. I can work with that. I'm now content thinking about a late breakfast at Brennan's Jazz Cafe!

 

[hjgaus]

bwvBound,
YEAH for VGC and you!!! You would have had a great time wherever you chose BUT my heart is usually with Disney!! Have an awesome time and I will be thinking of you while I am in La Jolla but missing VGC!!! LOL

 

[bwvBound]

&#$! I should have cancelled. My calendar just received a new Saturday event for earlier in the month ... and I'm now way to overloaded with lost weekends. I'm soooooo going to hate that &$!# weekend stuck at VGC. UGH.

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

No you won't. Not when you get there at least. Your reasons for going to get away and make a break from the pain of Memorial Day weekend are still valid. We have suffered a horrible loss this past year and Disney trips have gotten us through some tough times.

 

[Cinderpamela]

&#$! I should have cancelled. My calendar just received a new Saturday event for earlier in the month ... and I'm now way to overloaded with lost weekends. I'm soooooo going to hate that &$!# weekend stuck at VGC. UGH.

There is a reason these things/events did not come up until after you had locked in and committed!! The way I look at it, you are supposed to be going to VGC!

 

[bwvBound]

No you won't. Not when you get there at least. Your reasons for going to get away and make a break from the pain of Memorial Day weekend are still valid. We have suffered a horrible loss this past year and Disney trips have gotten us through some tough times.

There is a reason these things/events did not come up until after you had locked in and committed!! The way I look at it, you are supposed to be going to VGC!

Excellent perspective from you both -- thank you. Last week was a real rough week ... but "this too will pass": (a) my favorite timeshare sold in BK court and closed escrow on Monday, 4/29; (b) my customer gave very late notice on adding a large event to my calendar; (c) one of my staff, who often takes the Saturday bookings, intends to give notice in favor of a very cool job offer from outside source. I've just enjoyed my only weekend for this entire month with my horses -- and I'm just whining.

THANK YOU again for putting such a great spin on the coming event and calling me on my outlook. Well done! You rock -- thanks for sharing the encouragement!

 

[bwvBound]

Update: We are now home from our stay at VGC.

Short version: We feel rested. The highlights of the visit were napping poolside (Saturday), sleeping late (Sat/Sun) and the "Royal Member Gathering" (this morning). Basically, I enjoyed downtime with my darling husband.

Longer Version: Life threw lots of wrenches into our plans ... turmoil existed on all sides in the lead-up to this weekend. I probably should have cancelled before the 30-day window -- but didn't have all the facts prior to the cancelation deadline.

• Work load increased, staff decreased. I lost two weekends.
• Extended family lost a home to fire. We all shuffled to create and offer space/shelter.
• Travel friends changed their plans in response to unexpected medical concern at the last minute. (I have to say the ease with which they could cancel a cash reservation at the GCH was not lost on me.)
• Escrow closed earlier than expected on my favorite place on this earth and boarding home to my horses. This past Tuesday we received official notice to remove our horses from the property. Ugh! That essentially made the Memorial Day weekend the last "big hurrah!" for riding the lovely trails with my barn buddies and I've missed it.

So, lesson learned: if in doubt, just cancel. Trust your spidey sense. If it still seems like a good idea to get away, it is easier to find "last minute travel offers" via cash than to unwind timeshare plans.

 

[bwvBound]

Celebrate your parents lives with some fun and laughter.

Update ... a year later.

We celebrated this past Memorial Day with a rented 'beach cottage.' Three brothers and their families joined us and it was a great day of Beach & BBQ. We exchanged stories and celebrated life:

• One just completed Norra's Mexican 1000.
• One is gearing up for the Rubicon Trail (4x4) in June.
• One just came back from her first year of college.
• One is nearing completion of their educational program and beginning to apply for "first real job!" in their chosen career path.
• Several were celebrating school sports awards. (One had received an award in a ceremony earlier that day!)
• Etc! Non-stop talking, eating, swimming, sharing, game-playing and encouraging!

Lots and lots of great things to celebrate. It was marvelous being surrounded by family and sharing the day together. Looking forward to next year.