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Old 07-17-2017, 07:59 AM   #1
dutchdisneyfamily
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The Trip Full of Spontaneity TR July 22-26

There really wasn't time to do a PTR for this trip. I crammed in finished my other TR so I could start this one. I'm so excited! Just wait until you see how it all came together.

Cast: Amy, planner, teacher, Disney nut. Favorite character has evolved into Rapunzel.

Tim: husband, teacher, Disney nut. Favorite character is Brer Bear.

Resort: Coronado Springs

Celebrating our 25th Anniversary
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Old 07-17-2017, 08:21 AM   #2
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We had a family trip in June and had some rough patches. We decided before we were even off the plane that we would get Annual Passes and plan a trip just the two of us. And we did, for March. Spring break is a crazy time but we are teachers. We can't go on our actual anniversary in October until we retire because it always falls in Parent/Teacher Conference time. So we celebrate when we can go.

I looked at what plane tickets costs were going to be for our Spring Break. Gulp. Okay, we were saving money aside to get those. Then last Friday I got a crazy idea. A crazy, brilliant, wonderful idea.

I realized both kids were going to be gone to camp July 21-27. They are camp counselors at a special needs camp. So how crazy would airfare be for a week from now? $300 total round trip. I also had a flight credit. So for $197 I got airfare for the two of us round trip. Okay, what resort can I get, and can I get it at a decent price? Yes, Coronado Springs had an awesome discount with my Annual Pass.

I presented this crazy, brilliant, wonderful idea to Tim. He loved it! It would take the pressure off the end of the year costs, the crazy airfare, the crazy spring break crowds. The timing is certainly perfect. Yes, book it! We could just stay super cheap at All Star Sports and make all of this happen for what the cost of airline tickets alone would have cost in March.

I had to call Southwest because applying my travel fund credit online was being stupid. I got that taken care of, but it took awhile. Meanwhile I got online and started looking at dining options. While I was on hold, Tim called me on Preston's photo me and said that we should upgrade to Coronado Springs, because it wasn't that much more and it is our Anniversary trip. We love Coronado so I had no problem agreeing to that.

What's this? Here's an 'Ohana dinner at the perfect time for us? On the perfect day? Yes please. Then I began looking for Fastpasses.

I got done with Southwest and in the time it took me to do that, Tim had gone to Target and back to purchase gift cards. With a Target Red card, you save 5% on gift cards, so there's an extra savings.

I got on the phones me with Disney. This turned out to be a frustrating experience as their booking system crashed. So after an hour and a half of being either on hold or talking to different people, they put a hold on it and told me to call back in two hours. Ugh! Meanwhile I was trying to book Fastpasses and dining and the whole system crashed.

So I took a break, lots of deep breaths, and we discussed what things we wanted to do.

Finally, an hour later, the system was back up again. No Flight of Passage Fastpasses were available but everything else was for the times I wanted it even. Even Frozen Ever After.

Meanwhile I callled again and after a much shorter wait I was able to book and pay for our reservation. Whew!

It was kind of nice doing Fastpasses before dining, I have to say, instead of the other way around. It was decided we would spend quite a bit of time in Epcot, as we love it so. Also two full days in Magic Kingdom. A half a day and late Extra Magic Hours in Animal Kingdom, and a morning in Hollywood Studios.

Next update: The planning continues
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Old 07-17-2017, 09:38 AM   #3
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Wow that is great airfare, we can't even come close to that in Canada. Your plans are sounding great and everything is coming together.
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Old 07-17-2017, 09:42 AM   #4
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Wow that is great airfare, we can't even come close to that in Canada. Your plans are sounding great and everything is coming together.
I couldn't believe that either. It just seemed meant to be!
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Old 07-17-2017, 01:59 PM   #5
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Sounds like a good trip planned even though it's a bit rushed! Glad you got great airfare and an AP discount for CSR!
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Old 07-17-2017, 02:47 PM   #6
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Oh my goodness, how exciting that things came together for you so well - it seems as if it was magic... Disney perhaps? And wow, how great you could get Fastpasses pretty much for whatever you wanted. Does that indicate that the crowds will be low while you're there?
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Old 07-17-2017, 02:58 PM   #7
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Sometimes on the hoof planning is the best - I just can't bring myself to do it. I need to plan at least a year in advance
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Old 07-17-2017, 03:04 PM   #8
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That sounds great, hope you have a lovely time.
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Old 07-17-2017, 05:23 PM   #9
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Sounds like a good trip planned even though it's a bit rushed! Glad you got great airfare and an AP discount for CSR!
It's only one day less than my June trip, so I was excited about that. And who knows if we will get another short trip in this year.

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Oh my goodness, how exciting that things came together for you so well - it seems as if it was magic... Disney perhaps? And wow, how great you could get Fastpasses pretty much for whatever you wanted. Does that indicate that the crowds will be low while you're there?
That's what I'm hoping!

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Sometimes on the hoof planning is the best - I just can't bring myself to do it. I need to plan at least a year in advance
I'm normally the same way, but this has been fun!

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Originally Posted by Saratogasprings View Post
That sounds great, hope you have a lovely time.
Thank you!
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Old 07-17-2017, 05:59 PM   #10
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Nice plans so far!! How cool that everything is just falling into place!!
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Old 07-17-2017, 07:34 PM   #11
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What a great start! How great that this trip came together!!
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Old 07-17-2017, 07:43 PM   #12
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What a wonderfully spontaneous trip! With the low airfare and AP discount for the resort how could you NOT go??
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Old 07-17-2017, 07:45 PM   #13
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Nice plans so far!! How cool that everything is just falling into place!!
Thanks!

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What a great start! How great that this trip came together!!
I'm very happy about that.

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What a wonderfully spontaneous trip! With the low airfare and AP discount for the resort how could you NOT go??
Exactly! It was meant to be.
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Old 07-17-2017, 10:18 PM   #14
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The way this trip is falling in to place tells me it was meant to be.
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Old 07-18-2017, 06:43 AM   #15
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Great plans!
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