Nine weeks later...we just need a REDO! A January 2013 PTR

[kittylady1972]

So just a few weeks ago we returned from our long awaited PARK-CRUISE-PARK trip during Thanksgiving week. I'm still working on the trip report and really, really hope I can get it done soon!

Of course, since returning I have been suffering from the dreaded Disney Blues. I didn't have a future trip planned and wasn't sure when I'd get around to planning one. And that's when it became dangerous...

I started plotting the return trip. My reasons? Well I had a few but the main one was that we all have ANNUAL PASSES and one of them expires in March. It would be a shame not to get more value out of those...right?

I looked up some room rates. This would be a marathon weekend trip...and by that I don't mean during the ACTUAL marathon but more the fact that we'd be driving down on a Friday (14+ hour drive) and then driving home on a Tuesday, so a very quick trip. And right after the holidays it would have to be cheap too.

I debated a stay at Shades of Green...but then determined I couldn't book that right now because their cancellation policy is pretty harsh. Within 30 days and you lose the full 1-night room deposit. I can't chance that because with our family, ANYTHING can happen.

Then I looked up AP rates and got some pretty good ones for various rooms. I needed to book by end of December to lock in on those rates and so over the weekend I booked my room.

Today...things have changed AGAIN! DH and I started talking about our DVC points. We had some to use so why not? Our favorite resorts were all booked...but that's okay since we know we would be happy with ANY DVC resort...especially since it would be free. We've stayed in all of the ones on Disney property now. And so today I booked us in a DVC Resort...and I am on a Waitlist for TWO other resorts. If they don't come through...it's okay though. We'd be fine with any of them.

Oh and it was going to be just the five of us...but I mentioned in front of my father-in-law that we were talking about going back and since he is about to RETIRE in about two weeks...he was ready to join us. We are not ones to say no as my 70 year old father-in-law loves Disney too. So he and MIL will be joining us.

They don't know yet about the resort change. We'll tell them about it eventually and right now...we'll probably be mean again and not tell them WHICH resort because honestly it could be one of three! There are about six weeks left until we leave AGAIN! I'm hoping around that 30-day window there may be some cancellations and one of my waitlists will open up but if not...no problem.

After all, we are going BACK to DISNEY!

[tallen429]

How exciting!!
I love how having an AP just sort of "makes you" return asap!

Can't wait to hear about your resort plans!

DS and I will be there around the same time you are going. Our dates are Jan 25-Feb 1!

[kittylady1972]

Originally Posted by tallen429

How exciting!!
I love how having an AP just sort of "makes you" return asap!

Can't wait to hear about your resort plans!

DS and I will be there around the same time you are going. Our dates are Jan 25-Feb 1!

I know, it's funny how I can use the line "but just think it will cost us almost NOTHING" with my DH with regards to the AP tickets. Add in a DVC room and it's practically FREE!!!!

I can't wait to post about my resort plans...when I know them for sure!

Keep an eye out for us...and run far AWAY! We'll probably be the ones riding Space Mountain over and over and over again. My DS8 LOVES that ride!

[DMGeurts]

I am here! And for an awesome almost free trip! WHOOT!!!

D~

[kittylady1972]

Originally Posted by DMGeurts

I am here! And for an awesome almost free trip! WHOOT!!!

D~

YIPPEE!!!

[tallen429]

Originally Posted by kittylady1972

I know, it's funny how I can use the line "but just think it will cost us almost NOTHING" with my DH with regards to the AP tickets. Add in a DVC room and it's practically FREE!!!!

I can't wait to post about my resort plans...when I know them for sure!

Keep an eye out for us...and run far AWAY! We'll probably be the ones riding Space Mountain over and over and over again. My DS8 LOVES that ride!

Wow it's getting so close now!!
I'm really getting that "less than one week to go" excitement/adreneline!

That darn AP already has me planning two more trips...LOL!
The cherry on top is that my DH has an international job so we always have a crazy amount of FF miles. FREE FLIGHTS!

eta, my ticker is wrong, fyi. I made it before I added days and never went back and changed it. 6 days!!

[shalom]

I think Saratoga Springs sounds lovely. In the abstract I always tended toward Old Key West (because it looks beautiful in pictures and the units are bigger), but when we actually visited both of them, everyone disliked Old Key West and loved Saratoga Springs. For some reason, OKW felt more "frazzled" and Saratoga Springs took the serene prize. A short trip like yours, that sounds good, right?

[kittylady1972]

Originally Posted by shalom

I think Saratoga Springs sounds lovely. In the abstract I always tended toward Old Key West (because it looks beautiful in pictures and the units are bigger), but when we actually visited both of them, everyone disliked Old Key West and loved Saratoga Springs. For some reason, OKW felt more "frazzled" and Saratoga Springs took the serene prize. A short trip like yours, that sounds good, right?

Yes we've stayed at both before. I really did enjoy Saratoga Springs. Of course, the best stay we had was November 2007 when we stayed in a 3 bedroom villa....huge and lovely! Our last stay there was December of 2009 and it was nice too and we did get to use the pool. Honestly we spend so little time in the room but it is nice to have a few food options and Old Key West just didn't have as much to us. Plus Turf Club at SSR has become a favorite. We don't have a meal planned right now for there but that doesn't mean we may not try to go there anyway!

[kittylady1972]

Originally Posted by tallen429

Wow it's getting so close now!!
I'm really getting that "less than one week to go" excitement/adreneline!

That darn AP already has me planning two more trips...LOL!
The cherry on top is that my DH has an international job so we always have a crazy amount of FF miles. FREE FLIGHTS!

eta, my ticker is wrong, fyi. I made it before I added days and never went back and changed it. 6 days!!

I know...I can't believe I have only THREE MORE SLEEPS at home and then we'll be on the road. Hoping the week goes by quickly but the vacation time goes SLOOOOOWWWWLLY!

My DH also has been doing a lot of travel too. We are hoping to use some of his miles to plan our big summer trip...to DISNEYLAND!!!

[shalom]

Originally Posted by kittylady1972

Well I had a few but the main one was that we all have ANNUAL PASSES and one of them expires in March. It would be a shame not to get more value out of those...right?

I like the way you think.

We don't have DVC, but we have points in another system, and find they're very motivating in getting us going on vacations.

[kittylady1972]

Originally Posted by shalom

I like the way you think.

We don't have DVC, but we have points in another system, and find they're very motivating in getting us going on vacations.

Honestly it doesn't take much for me to plan a vacation...but it's great motivation!!

[kittylady1972]

PLAYING RESORT ROULETTE
Ok, so my new routine each day is to check the availability of the resorts for our January dates. I'm trying to hedge my bets to give me the BEST chance of getting a different resort than the one I've booked. So far, I *THINK* I have a pretty good chance at getting one of them. So I will now give you some more information about our current selections!

Currently we are booked in a 2BR at Old Key West. We last stayed at OKW for 2 nights I think it was back in November of 2007, so it's been a while but it was a nice place. I know they are some of the largest DVC rooms and I do remember that. For the points value, it can't be beat. And yet...our hearts belong to a few other resorts.

I think my FIRST choice would really be an EPCOT resort, like the Beach Club Villas or Boardwalk Villas. It's so nice to be able to WALK over to EPCOT and we didn't get to spend very much time in that park during our last trip. I never even made to the World Showcase Area...can you believe it? DH took our oldest there on our last park day because he wanted to buy some stuff in Japan, but I stayed back with the younger two so they could ride Sum of All Fears. So of course one of the goals for this upcoming trip is to spend more time at EPCOT! So I have waitlisted a 2BR standard villa at Boardwalk. As of today, TWO of the four nights are available to book...Friday and Sunday. However I'm waitlisting the whole stay so we'll just have to see if it comes through for us.

Our next choice is Kidani Village. We stayed there when they FIRST opened in May of 2009 and just LOVED it! DH and I stayed in Jambo House once as well, but that was prior to joining DVC. Now I'm only going for a standard room since the points value is the same as what I already have booked at OKW. As little time as we spend in the room, we can always walk down to the lobby to view the animals.

So this morning I checked availability and found that Kidani had full availability for a 1BR STD View. Now I *COULD* book that one...but that means I'd have to waitlist a studio for the rest of the family, which means DH's parents. I didn't see much available in terms of studio rooms, so I'm not going to change things right now as tempted as I am to do so. We'll just continue to ride out the waitlist process for a little bit.

I've tried every combination of studios rooms and 1 bedrooms and have had no luck in finding much in terms of availability. I'm hoping that maybe one we get within the 30-day window (we are close right now) some other stuff will open up. I just don't know yet.

AND even though I SAID I was NOT booking an ADRs I have to admit...I have two booked. One of them is at MK and one is at Rose and Crown Pub. I am not even going to tell anybody about them since I really do want to make this trip as easy as possible for us to just wing our parks and days!

[DMGeurts]

Oooh - Interesting about your resort roulette... I hope one of your waitlisted resorts comes through for you.

I just wanted to stop by to wish you all a...



D~

[kittylady1972]

Originally Posted by DMGeurts

Oooh - Interesting about your resort roulette... I hope one of your waitlisted resorts comes through for you.

I just wanted to stop by to wish you all a...



D~

Awwww...thanks! Hope you had a great holiday as well!

[kittylady1972]

Originally Posted by tallen429

I'm soooo excited for you!!!
It's almost (our) time!!!
I will be VERY interested to hear the outcome of the "third time's the charm...or is it?" visit to Turf Club!
I haven't even started packing...LOL!

I have just been read the riot act by my DH for my lack of packing. I guess that should make me get my act in gear huh?

I will keep you posted on Turf Club for sure,

I am so excited that WE are so close!!