Check in here if you won a OMDD trip! UPDATE: We HAVE 16 (+1) Winners!!

[camsmama]

Yep, you can charge almost anything back to your room. We charged ice cream and popcorn to the room this past weekend. Almost all places take gift cards, except some of the carts that have the light-up toys and maybe the balloon people. I can't remember if you get your GC balance on your receipt every time you use it, but I think you do.

Yes, I think you do get your gift card balance on your receipt when you make a purchase.

 

[juliehoey]

Just keep telling yourself that there are only 60 sets of 4 people going on these trips, and not all 60 are going to the same place. So then take into account that of the probably half that are doing DL, not all of us are going the same dates. I want to arrive the same day watkinsme is checking out. They've blacked out holidays, which will cut down on peak season travel. I think our odds of getting the dates we want are probably pretty good.

I agree. I'm not worrying at all about the date. It's the last week in August and the parks are half empty because most kids go back to school that week, even locals. We have both told our work the time off and I haven't received my questionaire yet for my choices I am more concerned about flight itinerary

 

[camsmama]

I am sooooo in the same boat. Have you tried calling your contact? You are going to WDW too right? I keep forgetting who is going where!

Yes, emailed my contact and was told that planning papers are processed in the order they are received and it typically takes about 72 hours for confirmation of the dates. That puts me into Saturday, which means I probably won't hear anything until next week. I am going to DL because I live very close to WDW and go there a lot! Never been to DL, though! So excited!

 

[Toystoryfan32]

Yes, emailed my contact and was told that planning papers are processed in the order they are received and it typically takes about 72 hours for confirmation of the dates. That puts me into Saturday, which means I probably won't hear anything until next week. I am going to DL because I live very close to WDW and go there a lot! Never been to DL, though! So excited!

I wonder if it is because of the volume of people that are choosing WDW trips that it causing some of us to have such a long wait for our confirmations? I am way over the 72 hours.

 

[dbbydk]

Yes, I think you do get your gift card balance on your receipt when you make a purchase.

I like places that give you your gift card balance. I would expect Disney to do something like that since they are so Customer Service oriented. I worked for a hotel in Las Vegas that based their entire training manual on the Disney training manuals. We were Cast Members. When we were in front of guests, we were "onstage". It took me a couple years after leaving there to stop telling people to "have a grand day" when I got off the phone. Again, I digress.

So, I know we have $1500 coming to us, but does anybody else feel like that may not be enough? I usually ask for Pottery Barn gift cards for my birthday and Christmas, but I think, since my birthday is a few weeks before our trip, I will be asking for Disney gift cards. I think my kids will also be asking for Disney gift cards for their birthdays. Plus, I just found out I was approved for the Disney Visa I applied for a couple weeks ago, so I will be getting a $100 gift card from that. I think I just found a way to pay for the Halloween party tickets!!

 

[jarnolddancer]

I like places that give you your gift card balance. I would expect Disney to do something like that since they are so Customer Service oriented. I worked for a hotel in Las Vegas that based their entire training manual on the Disney training manuals. We were Cast Members. When we were in front of guests, we were "onstage". It took me a couple years after leaving there to stop telling people to "have a grand day" when I got off the phone. Again, I digress.

So, I know we have $1500 coming to us, but does anybody else feel like that may not be enough? I usually ask for Pottery Barn gift cards for my birthday and Christmas, but I think, since my birthday is a few weeks before our trip, I will be asking for Disney gift cards. I think my kids will also be asking for Disney gift cards for their birthdays. Plus, I just found out I was approved for the Disney Visa I applied for a couple weeks ago, so I will be getting a $100 gift card from that. I think I just found a way to pay for the Halloween party tickets!!

Did you used to work for the MGM Grand in Vegas?

 

[camsmama]

I like places that give you your gift card balance. I would expect Disney to do something like that since they are so Customer Service oriented. I worked for a hotel in Las Vegas that based their entire training manual on the Disney training manuals. We were Cast Members. When we were in front of guests, we were "onstage". It took me a couple years after leaving there to stop telling people to "have a grand day" when I got off the phone. Again, I digress.

So, I know we have $1500 coming to us, but does anybody else feel like that may not be enough? I usually ask for Pottery Barn gift cards for my birthday and Christmas, but I think, since my birthday is a few weeks before our trip, I will be asking for Disney gift cards. I think my kids will also be asking for Disney gift cards for their birthdays. Plus, I just found out I was approved for the Disney Visa I applied for a couple weeks ago, so I will be getting a $100 gift card from that. I think I just found a way to pay for the Halloween party tickets!!

I was saying the same thing earlier; "wow! $1,500 to spend at Disney; how in the world will we ever go through it... oh wait, it's Disney! Of course we'll go through it and very quickly, I imagine." It seems like a lot, but I'm sure it will not be enough; especially with a child who already knows exactly what he wants to buy... and it's not food!

 

[Toystoryfan32]

I like places that give you your gift card balance. I would expect Disney to do something like that since they are so Customer Service oriented. I worked for a hotel in Las Vegas that based their entire training manual on the Disney training manuals. We were Cast Members. When we were in front of guests, we were "onstage". It took me a couple years after leaving there to stop telling people to "have a grand day" when I got off the phone. Again, I digress.

So, I know we have $1500 coming to us, but does anybody else feel like that may not be enough? I usually ask for Pottery Barn gift cards for my birthday and Christmas, but I think, since my birthday is a few weeks before our trip, I will be asking for Disney gift cards. I think my kids will also be asking for Disney gift cards for their birthdays. Plus, I just found out I was approved for the Disney Visa I applied for a couple weeks ago, so I will be getting a $100 gift card from that. I think I just found a way to pay for the Halloween party tickets!!

I have been worried about $1500 not being enough myself. My birthday is in April so I think I am going to ask for gift cards too. I have been trying to put way extra money since we are adding for days. I think if we don't go over the top crazy with a bunch of table service meals we will be ok. We are just going to do a couple.

Off topic, has anyone noticed how long this thread has gotten. How long before they cut us off and we have to start a new one? Anyone know?

 

[camsmama]

I have been worried about $1500 not being enough myself. My birthday is in April so I think I am going to ask for gift cards too. I have been trying to put way extra money since we are adding for days. I think if we don't go over the top crazy with a bunch of table service meals we will be ok. We are just going to do a couple.

Off topic, has anyone noticed how long this thread has gotten. How long before they cut us off and we have to start a new one? Anyone know?

Yes, this thread has gotten very long! I'm fairly new to it and it has grown tremendously since I have joined! I love it, though; I feel like I have made some new friends; and friends who love Disney are the greatest kind!

 

[dbbydk]

Did you used to work for the MGM Grand in Vegas?

Why, yes I did. However did you guess?

 

[dbbydk]

Yes, this thread has gotten very long! I'm fairly new to it and it has grown tremendously since I have joined! I love it, though; I feel like I have made some new friends; and friends who love Disney are the greatest kind!

I feel the same way. Which reminds me that I wanted to ask... I've gotten a couple of friend requests, and sent a couple, too. What exactly does the contacts & friends list do?

 

[jarnolddancer]

Why, yes I did. However did you guess?

Your have a grand day gave it away. When you posted that, it made me remember that I've heard that statement before. Also, when they said it to me, I thought "have a magical day". I really like that place. Too bad they got rid of the lion exhibit. It's strange but I've always wanted to either work for Disney or at a casino in Vegas.

Oh and just to clarify, I don't mean dancing at a casino in Vegas. I'd like to work either behind the scenes or maybe the check-in desk. I would have liked when I was younger to dance at Disney but I'm too short for the height restrictions. Now, I'd like to work as a CM at Haunted Mansion or maybe a character like Stitch.

 

[suevr]

I think you could easily spend $1500 in a day if you wanted to! We're planning on ordering groceries and have them delivered to the hotel so we can eat breakfast in the room and take drinks and snacks with us to the parks. We'll probably do one or two character dinners and mostly counter service for the rest of our meals. I don't want to buy too much there because then we have to get it home, either in our suitcases (which will be full already) or mail them home. I really want to put the boys in childcare one night so DH and I can go to Napa Rose. He thinks it's a waste of money, but who cares...we're not paying! LOL!

 

[albertagirl]

Too bad they got rid of the lion exhibit.

So glad I got to take my kids in December....sad they are gone.

 

[jarnolddancer]

Totally OT here....

There were still lions at the MGM in December... Have they gotten rid of them since then?

Yep, I read on a Vegas blog that they are adding a restaurant in it's place.

 

[Laurali]

Well the last 4 pages have pretty much been 4 of you stressing about your planning! I am not complaining! I love to hear all the details, but I can't help but think...Man I wish I was just stressed on when our plans will be complete, and not, I am so STRESSED that I may not be one of the lucky 60!!!

 

[dbbydk]

Well the last 4 pages have pretty much been 4 of you stressing about your planning! I am not complaining! I love to hear all the details, but I can't help but think...Man I wish I was just stressed on when our plans will be complete, and not, I am so STRESSED that I may not be one of the lucky 60!!!

I know, it's kinda pathetic that we are getting stressed out over a totally free, dream trip from Disney.

 

[Toystoryfan32]

I know, it's kinda pathetic that we are getting stressed out over a totally free, dream trip from Disney.

So true. I really need to step away from my keyboard for awhile and all electronic devices for that matter. I swear I have been checking my email 5 million times a day.....waiting for my email......

 

[dbbydk]

So true. I really need to step away from my keyboard for awhile and all electronic devices for that matter. I swear I have been checking my email 5 million times a day.....waiting for my email......

I have hit reload so many times on my email, that I think the word 'reload' is burned into my retinas.

 

[Toystoryfan32]

I have hit reload so many times on my email, that I think the word 'reload' is burned into my retinas.

You are not alone!