Started the booking process for another Disney Vacation.

NOTE: These are all 2012 prices.  But that is what we pay when we book.

Week of 9/28 - 10/5
________________________________________________________________________________

Base Ticket  for 7 days is:

             Ages 3-9 = $270 + $57 to add hopper
             Ages 10+ = $288 + $57 to add hopper

Note:  no waterparks are included in this price.

Base Ticket for 4 days is:

            Ages 3-9 = $239 + $57 to add hopper
            Ages 10+ = $256 + $57 to add hopper

Note:  no waterparks are included in this price.

Total = $1318

_______________________________________________________________________________

Family Suite in the Nemo section of the Art of Animation value resort is $3013 for one week.

Standard Room in the Nemo section of the Art of Animation value resort  is $1280 for one week.

If you got two adjoining standard rooms it is cheaper then the suite at $2560.

Two adjoining rooms at the Caribbean Beach Resort moderate resort is $3504 for one week.
                or $1752/week.

______________________________________________________________________________

Disney Dining Plan - 2013 prices

$55.59 per night ages 10 and up
$17.16 per night age 3 to 9

So for Cathy and I to eat for 6 nights it will cost  $667.08
Alex and Maddie will be $205.92

Total cost = $873

Caveats =

      IN ORDER TO GET FREE DINING, YOU MUST BOOK A NON-DISCOUNTED DISNEY  ROOM AND PARK TICKETS AT THE SAME TIME. 

• Stay at select Disney Value Resorts and get a FREE Quick Service Dining Plan.
• Stay at select Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts and get a FREE regular Dining Plan.

Definitions =>

      Quick Service Dining Plan is:
            

• Two quick service meals – includes entrée or complete combo meal and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast; entrée or complete combo meal, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at lunch & dinner
• One snack from a wide variety of options

      Plus:

• One Resort refillable drink mug per person, per package (eligible for refills at quick service locations only in your Disney Resort hotel)

    Disney Dining Plan is:

     

• One table service or buffet meal
  • breakfast: includes entrée and non-alcoholic beverage OR full buffet, and tax (gratuity not included)
  • lunch and dinner: includes appetizer (for kids 3-9 ONLY), entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage OR full buffet, and tax (gratuity not included)
• One quick service meal includes entrée or complete combo meal and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast; entrée or complete combo meal, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at lunch & dinner
• One snack from a wide variety of options

      Plus:

• One Resort refillable drink mug per person, per package (eligible for refills at quick service locations only in your Disney Resort hotel)

______________________________________________________________________________

As of now with a family bedroom on both legs of our round trip, cost is $1626

US Air quote was $856 for August of next year.

______________________________________________________________________________

If no free dining, total would be $5017 for 7 days for the Van Voorens.

Here is a statistical look at how much tickets have went up in price over the last 11 years.

2001-2011 ticket price snapshot. Assumption is a 1 day - 1 park base ticket w/o hopper option

Year	$	Date when prices went up. Except '01
2001	48	01/09/01
2002	50	September 8, 2002
2003	52	June 1, 2003
2004	54.75	February 2004
2005	59.75	January 2, 2005
2006	67	01/01/06
2007	71	February 11, 2007
2008	75	08/03/08
2009	79	05/16/09
2010	82	August 5, 2010
2011	85	June 12, 2011

Here is a graphic showing Major Hurricanes to make landfall in the US from 2001-2010.

Below is a NOAA climatic hurricane summary by month and percentage of strength. The last week in Sept. into the first week of Oct. are the second to last and the last week of the hurricane season. Historical statistics state that these are very unlikely weeks to have a hurricane hit central Florida.

I have compiled a data snapshot of the history of the last three years September Promotions from WDW and what is currently avx in 2012. General public promotions are highlighted in Red.

LAST THREE YEAR'S HISTORY OF SEPTEMBER PROMOTIONS AT WDW

Note => General Public Promotions highlighted in Red

	2009 Discounts and Codes
Stay dates	Type of Discount	Became Available

8/2/09-10/3/09	package discount ("free dining") for UK residents	8/20/08, exp 11/4/08
8/9/09-10/3/09	room-only discount for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	6/22/09, exp 8/8/09
8/9/09-10/3/09	package discount for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	6/22/09, exp 8/8/09
8/9/09-10/3/09	Annual Passholder room-only rates	6/24/09, exp 10/3/09
8/9/09-10/3/09	Florida Resident room-only rates	6/25/09, exp 10/3/09
8/9/09-10/3/09	room-only discount for general public	6/25/09, exp 8/8/09, extended to 10/3/09
8/9/09-10/3/09	package discount for general public	6/25/09, exp 8/8/09
8/16/09-10/3/09	package deal ("free dining") for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	3/26/09, exp 6/21/09
8/16/09-10/3/09	package deal ("free dining") for general public	3/30/09, exp 6/21/09
8/22/09-10/3/09	package deal ("free dining") for general public	6/10/09, exp 7/26/09
8/23/09-10/2/09	"Bounceback" room-only offer only for guests staying at WDW Resorts and willing to prebook their next vacation for selected dates in 2009 (at selected resorts only, and dates available vary by resort)	approximately 11/7/08
8/23/09-10/8/09	"Bounceback" package discount ("free dining") only for guests staying at WDW Resorts and willing to prebook their next vacation for selected dates in 2009	8/24/08, exp 10/24/08
9/27/09-12/17/09	package deal ("free dining") for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	7/24/09, exp 9/26/09
9/27/09-12/17/09	package deal ("free dining") for general public	7/27/09, exp 9/26/09

	2010 Discounts and Codes
Stay dates	Type of Discount	Became Available

4/24/10-10/2/10	package deal (kids stay, play and dine free) for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	4/24/10-6/30/10
5/2/10-10/2/10	package deal for general public (kids stay and play free)	4/28/10, exp 8/14/10
8/15/10-9/30/10	"Bounceback" package deal ("free dining") only for guests staying at WDW Resorts and willing to prebook their next vacation for selected dates in 2010	8/16/09, exp 10/24/09
8/15/10-10/2/10	package deal ("free dining") for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	4/29/10, exp 8/14/10
8/15/10-10/2/10	package deal ("free dining") for general public	5/3/10, exp 8/14/10
8/15/10-10/2/10	room-only discount for general public	5/3/10, exp 10/2/10
8/15/10-10/2/10	Annual Passholder room-only rates	6/24/10, exp 10/2/10
8/15/10-10/2/10	Florida resident room-only rates	7/15/10, exp 10/2/10
8/15/10-12/21/10	package deal ("free dining") for general public	7/6/10, exp 8/14/10
10/1/10-12/21/10	package deal ("free dining") for general public	8/16/10, exp 12/20/10
10/3/10-12/25/10	package deal ("free gift card") for general public	8/16/10, exp 11/21/10
10/3/10-12/25/10	Annual Passholder room-only rates	8/17/10, exp 12/25/10
10/3/10-12/25/10	Florida resident room-only rates	9/10/10, exp 12/25/10
10/3/10-12/31/10	room-only discount for general public	8/16/10, exp 11/21/10

	2011 Discounts and Codes
Stay dates	Type of Discount	Became Available

8/14/11-10/1/11	package deal ("kids stay and play free") for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	12/30/10, exp 2/13/11
8/14/11-10/1/11	package deal ("kids stay and play free") for general public	1/3/11, exp 3/27/11
8/14/11-10/1/11	20%-40% off room-only discount for general public	1/3/11, exp 3/27/11
8/14/11-10/1/11	room-only discounts for general public	5/29/11, exp 8/13/11
8/14/11-10/1/11	flat rate room-only discounts (about 21%-40%) for Annual Passholders	6/30/11, exp 10/1/11
8/14/11-10/1/11	flat rate room-only discounts (about 21%-40%) for Florida residents	7/14/11, exp 10/1/11
8/19/11-9/29/11	package deal ("free dining") for general public	8/16/10, exp 12/20/10
8/28/11-9/24/11	package deal ("free dining") for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	4/28/11, exp 8/27/11
8/28/11-9/24/11	package deal ("free dining") for general public	5/2/11, exp 8/27/11
10/1/11-12/15/11	package deal ("free dining") for general public (reissued with slightly changed set of dates)	8/24/11, exp 10/29/11
10/2/11-12/17/11	package deal ("free dining") for general public	8/3/11, exp 10/29/11
10/3/11-12/24/11	30%-40% off Annual Passholder room-only rates	8/3/11, exp 9/4/11
10/3/11-12/24/11	25%-35% off Annual Passholder room-only rates	9/6/11, exp 12/24/11
10/3/11-12/24/11	25%-35% off Florida resident room-only rates	9/9/11, exp 12/24/11

	2012 Discounts and Codes
Stay dates	Type of Discount	Became Available

1/2/12-2/20/12	room-only discounts (20%-35% off) for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders	9/30/11, exp 12/21/11
1/2/12-2/20/12	20%-35% off general public room-only rates	10/5/11, exp 12/21/11
1/2/12-3/8/12	35%-40% off Annual Passholder room-only rates	10/5/11, exp 12/3/11
1/2/12-3/8/12	30%-35% off Annual Passholder room-only rates	12/4/11, exp 3/8/12
1/2/12-3/8/12	30%-35% off Florida resident room-only rates	12/4/11?, exp 3/8/12
1/2/12-3/8/12	package deal ("free dining") for general public (reissued with slightly changed set of dates)	8/24/11, exp 10/29/11
1/2/12-3/8/12	package deal ("free dining") for general public (extended for early 2012 dates only)	10/27/11, exp 12/17/11
1/8/12-3/31/12	package deal ("free dining") for general public	8/3/11, exp 10/29/11
2/21/12-3/31/12	5%-30% off general public room-only rates	11/30/11, exp 1/22/12
2/26/12-3/10/12	One More Disney Day package offer (1 night/day free w/full price 3-night/3-day package)	12/31/11, exp 1/31/12
4/13/12-6/14/12	5%-30% off general public room-only rates	11/30/11, exp 2/28/12

It looks like many of the promotions are open to the general public so far in 2012. Therefore, this is a good indicator that reservations maybe down.

Here is a snapshot of the weeks of 2012 and how they rank according cost vs. value, crowds and any special events that Disney maybe hosting during that specific week. Although we are going in 2013, this information should hold true as it is based on about a decade of historical data. You should be able to click on the picture to expand it.

We are going to try and consolidate all of our blogs into one location

Hello Everyone! It has been awhile, but here is a new post.

What you are going to see are three sets of pictures.

The first set (4 pics) are from Alex's third birthday party held April 14th. It was a cars movie theme. We even spray painted a track on the grass!

The second set is from a visit from my cousin James, his family and my Grandpa Klein . Grandpa just turned 96 this past May. James just shipped out for a 1 year vacation/tour in sunny Iraq!

The last set is from Easter. Enjoy!

Spring Greetings!

It is unbelievable that April is here and we are coming up on a year since meeting Alex.

Nothing too new here.....

Scott has been working on some moulding for our foyer, which is turning out great. He is also almost done his grad class- Not sure if we mentioned before, but Scott is getting his administrative certificate. I'm still trucking along with work- everyday is an adventure there ;) And, Alex continues to grow and improve with his language. We're now up to some 4 word sentences!

As you all know Easter is quickly approaching. We took Alex on a spring hayride to meet the Easter Bunny. Here's a couple of pictures from that. He didn't know what to think!




I am also including some recent photos-- you'll notice the one with the shiner. Yeah, you should see the other guy! Is he all boy or what?




Hope all is well with everyone else out there. Stay tuned next time for a glimpse at Alex's 3rd birthday EXTRAVAGANZA! It should be a hoot!

Time to update...
Sorry it has been so long everyone. Between school and everything else life throws at us, we just haven't had the time to post.Alex continues to thrive! His vocabulary is building immensely, although we are not using 3+ word sentences yet, we're getting there. And, as for food, he is certainly developing a list of favorites such as: yogurt, hot dogs, mac & cheese, cereal & milk, M&Ms, Cinnamon swirl toast, baked beans, popcorn, milk, chips, and cookies.

As for nuances~
Alex is now sleeping in his big-boy bed. We converted his crib into a double bed with side guards. He loves it and is able to stretch out clockwise in every direction during the night!

We are also starting to delve into potty training. He has been letting Mommy know when he has to go #2 and then off we trail to the potty. Scott now calls me the "Poop Coach," which is one of my MANY titles these days!!!

The snow was a fun time for Alex, as you can see in these pictures. He enjoyed sledding but wasn't too keen on touching the stuff at first. Then, after a few snow ball fights and a face plant while trudging
across the yard; we are good to go!



Lastly, I included Alex's 1st date with his friend, Sofia. The Cupano family came over to hang out and have dinner and these two were inseparable! It was WAY TOO cute! They were dancing together and holding hands- chasing each other around the house calling each other "Ofia" and "Ali"- and then the best part was when they cuddled up on the couch together, pulling down the blanket, and telling us "Night, night."

We'll have to keep an eye on these two in the future!!!!

Well, that's it for now. Thanks to those who continue to express in interest in our little sweetheart! We love hearing from you and appreciate all the love and support you give :)
Until next time~~~~
love,
The Van Voorens

~Happy Holidays~

Well, another month passes with tons of excitement....
The 1st weekend of December found us in Washington D.C. for a tour of the White House all decorated for Christmas! We met family there and stayed the night to view the sites, go to the museums, spend time with each other, and of course, our pre-arranged tour. Alex was so overwhelmed by the White House and all that it stands for, that he fell asleep on Mommy's shoulder about 5 minutes in-- Daddy, was appalled!!!!! Here are some pictures below:








The 2nd weekend of December brought us to my old stomping grounds in Pittsburgh. Scott won an award for his teacher's union website for Penn-Delco. For that, he was invited to come out to the 'burgh, stay at a very nice hotel, and attend the Union House of Delegates meeting for the state. Alex & I tagged along(sorry above pic is so small). It was cool to visit Pitt again and see all the changes; it had been years since my last visit. It was kinda' surreal to be there with Scott and Alex.

On the 3rd weekend, we went out with Poppop,
Maryanne, and Chloe to pick out our Christmas tree. Although there was no snow, we had a great time trudging through the fields together!





In quickly rolled the holiday....we went to visit Santa
(aka- Sansa) and had Alex's picture taken and got to
spend lots of time with family and friends. We spent one day at Grandma & Grandpa VanVooren's.

<-- Here are some shots -->

Christmas Eve was here at our house. It was my first year cooking and hosting the traditional 7-fishes dinner for the family. Of which, I am proud to say, turned out fantastic! The stink in the house, however, not so great. One of Alex's favoriate gifts came from Uncle Matt- Car 54....








The next morning we filmed Alex coming down to see what Santa had brought him. Opening gifts was quite the nuance for Alex, so he took his sweet little time ;) Of course, like any other toddler, he opened one and was set-- we had to keep showing him there were more. He seemed a bit overwhelmed but had no problem jumping right in and playing with all of his new toys. I am sure next year he'll understand more.

Following our morning, we went over to Mommom's house for dinner- By 6PM Alex was laying down in the middle of the kitchen saying "night-night." TOO CUTE!

Happy New Year Everyone!
** Best Wishes for 2007 **