Our Thanksgiving Christmas Trip - Nov. 2015 PTR - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I really thought and thought about starting a PTR. I mean, is it too early? It is the end of the school year, and things are crazy. What am I thinking!? It comes down to this, there have been a lot of changes and lots of things to think about and frankly, I love talking Disney, so here it is.
Cast of characters:
Me (Amy) - Disney planner for myself and other people lately. I love Mickey the most I think, but I really am a fan of Disney in general. So much so, that I don't even have a favorite Disney movie.
Tim- husband. He chimes in on the planning and listens to me go over them all the time. He loves Disney too, thankfully. He loves to save money, which doesn't always go in the same sentence as someone who loves Disney.
Preston - who will be 16 at the time of the trip. He is now driving. It is scary. He loves show choir, Five Nights at Freddy's, which is some sort of game on his phone, and Disney. Oswald is his favorite, but Star Wars stuff is up there.
Caden - Who is 12, loves all things Disney. He is so much a fan that he dressed up as Walt for his living museum last year. He loves Star Wars, especially Mace Windu. He loves Mickey, and frankly, won't admit it, but likes the princesses too.
How did this all begin?
I don't remember the exact date, but somehow I talked my husband into booking a trip originally from November 25 - Dec 2 at POFQ. I had our days planned out. Our meals planned out. How much our airfare would probably be and most likely the flights we would be on. We discussed and planned and I had it all written out. I even knew that Free Dining wouldn't be happening during our stay and we were okay with that. You know, to have lower crowds at the end of our stay.
And then, on April 27 I was awake with insomnia from a nightmare. Huh, look at that. Free Dining was released to the general public. At 3:30 a.m. I wonder.....
And so I played with numbers. I had it firmly set in my head how I could make this work. At 3:50 a.m. I woke my husband up by saying, "I'm waking you up to talk Disney". He asked what time it was. I told him. He rolled over. I said, "Get up, this will probably save us money." He was awake. I explained that if we booked at Coronado Springs for a total of 10 nights we would actually be paying the same as what we are planning to pay now. Longer at Disney? Okay. At 4:05 I booked it online. Was I ever glad. However, I had to change our dates around a little. I had to make it so we are arriving late on November 19 and we were to stay until November 29th. Yay for so much time in Disney!! Plus we were booked in Business Class. What a perk! That's the end of it, right??
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Wow loved reading this and am so zealous that yet another husband loves Disney. Glad you could get a 10 day trip for the same money you were planning on spending...what a nice thing. As we all now there isn't anything cheap about Disney but hey these days I don't think anything you want to do won't cost you an arm and a leg.
Congrats on saving money. Thanksgiving is great there.
I sure am looking forward to it!
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Originally Posted by lauriep
Great start, Amy! More time, same money? No-brainer!! Well worth waking up in the middle of the night.
We thought so too!
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Originally Posted by Jambo
Congrats on such a good deal! I can't wait to see what other savings you have managed.
It will be coming soon! 😉
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Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy
Great start. Love that time of year at WDW!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksimas
Wow loved reading this and am so zealous that yet another husband loves Disney. Glad you could get a 10 day trip for the same money you were planning on spending...what a nice thing. As we all now there isn't anything cheap about Disney but hey these days I don't think anything you want to do won't cost you an arm and a leg.
Very true!
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Originally Posted by rphstearns
This is a great start and I am totally intrigued!! We will be in Disney for Thanksgiving.!!
Awesome! Feel free to chime in with your plans as well!
Great start! I know what happens next I also know I'm one of those you've helped with planning a trip! Can't wait to read more!!!
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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After I got done booking our trip, I texted a friend. She had called me to help her plan her Disney trip. She was new at it, and apparently a lot of people told her I was the "Disney Queen". I don't know about that, but I was able to help her. So I told her Free Dining had been released and she needed to call or get online ASAP. Well, as many have heard, the phone lines crashed or were busy for hours. The computers crashed. Everything was gridlock for about 2 days. She couldn't get through or get anything she wanted. Just so you know, about a week later she was able to apply a room discount to her room. But anyway, about 2 days after free dining hit, the computers stopped crashing. I got online and I played around a little. I was reading about the bus system at CSR. That actually being at the back of the resort wasn't a bad thing because you were picked up second, instead of third or fourth. I found a Standard Room was available. I called Tim, and he of course agreed. After all, it saved us $600. The Business Class really wasn't going to work much for us other than the breakfast items. $600 is expensive for breakfast. So I booked it. Yay!!!
Meanwhile, I checked back later, and all those dates and rooms have sold out. So I am really glad I got what I did, when I did. We won't be arriving until very late on the 19th, so I know I'll just be glad to have a bed!
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I also know I'm one of those you've helped with planning a trip! Can't wait to read more!!! 
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