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Jeneice C. Seagraves -- September 2001 -- Walt Disney World (POR)This report covers only the planning for Jeneice's Upcoming Trip. TRIP DATES: Thursday, September 20th - Monday, October 1st CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Previous trips to WDW: September 1987 - Polynesian Resort September 21st - October 1st 1995 - Caribbean Beach Resort In September of 2000 I talked to my then 17-year-old son about a WDW trip. His reaction - I've been there twice and don't want to go again. He'll be 18 by the time we take our trip. Ugh!!! Can't believe he doesn't want to go. I love WDW and could go all the time. This pre-trip plan officially began in February of 2001 with the purchase of The Unofficial Guide to Disney World and Walt Disney World for Kids and we joined The Disney Club. I began reading these books and looking over old trip information. Periodically checking with Liberty Travel for deals. Researching fares on the web (Travelocity.com, USAIR.com). I was in search of the best deals. On July 2nd I struck gold - airline tickets for a direct flight round - trip PHL - MCO Orlando for $143(including tax etc) Yahoo!!!!! I left a note on the table for my Hubby Glenn! That I think we can swing a trip for the fall. So on July 3rd we decided to go for it. So after many hours on line, July 3rd, I put the three round trip tickets to Orlando on hold with US Airways. I hope you are sitting down for this one because the airfare in this trip will be the only constant in my ever-changing reservations. Always in search of a better deal! I actually did a spreadsheet comparison for my husband on the following: Liberty Travel, Disney Resort Magic, staying a Coronado Springs, Park/Land View Liberty Travel, Disney Fall Fantasy, Coronado Springs, Park/Land view Disney Travel Club, Disney Resort Magic, Coronado Springs Park/Land View Disney Travel Club, Coronado Springs Park/Land View Disney Travel Club, Caribbean Beach, Water View Some of them had length of stay passes, Premium Annual Passports, Mears Shuttle, Insurance. Some were packages or separate components. It was helpful in selecting a package vs. individual components. I really wanted to try the Coronado Springs its newer and looked pretty. But on the advice of friends, Debbie and Brian, who stayed there in October 2000. They said everything was a hike and it was far transportation to everything. I also read that this is more for business traveler/conventioneers. My Husband really wanted to stay at the Caribbean again because we both loved it in 1995. We stayed in Martinique Building 25 with a beautiful view of the lake. We were close to the main pool and food court. Our room was really nice too! Sounds like Caribbean Beach is a go. 1st Reservation July 4th, 2001: I confirmed with the Disney Travel Club for the Caribbean Beach and received a discount with our Disney Club Card. The room cost was $150 (water view) less 20% plus 11% tax was $133.20 per night. Well I thought this was a deal. I gave a $100 deposit. I also purchased travel insurance and round trip Mear Shuttle passes, they threw in a Sports Complex Admission. I ordered our Premium Annual Passes - because we were staying for 12 days this was most cost effective (since a length of stay pass would expire). I also got a small discount using our Disney Club Card. (I would love to visit this year more then once). 2nd Reservations July 13, 2001: Well a little glitch-friends of ours will be at WDW staying at the Caribbean Beach. We chatted about us both being at the same resort at the same time. It would have been great to spend a day together. But unfortunately we will not be meeting up in WDW. This could be a problem at the pool or food court. Our 4 year-old daughter Alyssa loves their kids. If we run into them at the hotel she'll want to hang out and play. So after almost two weeks of agonizing over this decision during which I researched other accommodations at Disney.com, WDWIG.com (Unofficial Guide) and MousePlanet.com. I finally decided on July 13th to switch our accommodations to Port Orleans - Riverside and requested Alligator Bayou Building 14 - Water View. Well I figure we get to try another WDW resort. I requested a map of the resort through CRO and they directed me to the Port Orleans. I was told that maps were not given in advance or mailed out. Bummer! I need details! Then I received a new confirmation #2. I was really getting hooked on the web sites and found out about Tiffany Town Car. I was excited about this service and the reviews were great a 1/2 hour stop at Publix or Goodings included in the fee. So I cancelled Mears $72 and booked with Tiffany Town Car $80 round trip. We'll be driven direct to my hotel - No waiting or stopping at a half dozen other hotels. Surprise! I received a letter from WDW they are delighted we've chosen the Port Orleans. They also included a Disney Resort Guest Answer Book - things to know before your go. It includes maps of each park and lists of dining choices and much more. While browsing Mouse Planet I read a trip report by Susan Cole. She mentioned an $89 AP rate at moderate hotels. I contacted her via email and she gave me the scoop that this had been in the Mickey Monitor - Newsletter for AP holders. She also gave me the package code (CAY) to reserve this special rate. Thank you Sue Cole for the info and saving us a bundle. 3rd and final Reservation, July 26th: I called WDW through the toll free # listed in the Disney Club book instead of the long distance number. I asked about the special AP rate. They told me it was $89 for a moderate resort. They did have rooms available at the Port Orleans - Riverside at the $89 rate. I told the CRO person that I had made my hotel reservations and purchased my PAP on the same day. I said that I couldn't believe that I was entitled to a less expensive rate and wasn't told about it. This was kind of just glossed over and they proceeded to tell me that if I cancelled I would loose my insurance money. She even checked with a supervisor and he concurred. I also was informed that I would have to cancel with The Walt Disney Travel Company and book through another portion of the Company. I couldn't even transfer my remaining deposit. WDW is one company with many different departments how confusing. Well I decided to sleep on it to think it over. I made a spreadsheet to see the cost savings for the room and decided it was worth losing the insurance money $59.90 and rebooking. Called back on July 30th - after a long time and speaking with a different CRO person. She was able to refund my entire $100 deposit. I didn't lose the insurance money after all. (Keep calling until you get the answer you like). She took my reservation out of one system and then booked me in another (the letterhead reads DISNEY Vacation Magic is just Around the Corner) at Port Orleans Riverside requesting a non-smoking room. Also requested Alligator Bayou close to food court and main pool. We also switched from a Water View to a Standard View. Total savings of almost $400 with AP rate and switch to standard view. Well worth the time and effort. Ops I spoke too soon. I had to send a letter and copy of my credit card for the deposit because this system can't take credit cards over the phone. Go Figure. We received our cards to turn in for our Premium Annual Pass, room confirmations, and airline tickets. We're almost ready to go. We told our daughter Alyssa Marie on August 26th by showing her the Disney Travel Planning Video. We had made a chain link of construction paper and she tears one off each day. She loves doing this! I got this idea from MousePlanet it is a great idea. RESERVATIONS FINISHED THIS IS A SKETCH OF OUR PLANS INCLUDING PRIORITY SEATING FOR SOME MEALS. Thursday - Day One:
Friday - Day two:
Saturday - Day Three:
Sunday - Day four:
Monday - Day Five:
Tuesday - Day Six:
Wednesday - Day Seven:
Thursday - Day Eight:
**This was a tough reservation to get. I called for the previous days and never got a reservation. Sixty days prior I got up at 6:45am and started calling a 6:55am. I used my cell phone (Long Distance #) and my regular phone (toll free #). The cell phone died and I got through on the toll free # and sat on hold until about 7:18 and got the last opening. I could not believe this. But I also found out the restaurant only seats about 100 people. Friday - Day Nine:
Saturday - Day Ten:
Sunday - Day Eleven:
Monday - Day Twelve:
This is just a rough draft of our Family Vacation at WDW. Our four- year- old still takes naps periodically and this schedule will change. My husband and I have agreed that when we need a rest we will go back for rests at the hotel. Since we will be using WDW Transportation. One of us can go back to the room and the other can explore. My husband loves to nap and has volunteered cheerfully for this idea. Well I am finally finished this report changing and updating. I can't wait for our vacation to start. I will update everyone with my actual report when I return from Walt Disney World. Jeneice C. Seagraves JCSTUPP@AOL.COM Mail a Comment to Jeneice C. Seagraves |
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