A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making. PTR 10/14 - 23/2011 - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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WOW! $60/night?!?! That is GREAT for you!!
Favorite resort...that's tough. I love POFQ, because that's where DH & I stayed the first time I took him to WDW - sentimental favorite. But we've never been back, because we now do DVC!
We love SSR because it was our first home resort. But I guess I'd have to go with AKL. It is just SO nice! And we all love sitting on the balcony watching the animals. My kids would even forgo the parks to do that. (Well, maybe not completely - but it does buy Mom & Dad some down time!)
Dylan's bday is October 5 and our cut-off is August 31, so we'll be in the same boat as you in a few years.
What a fantastic rate!
Favorite resort - AKL. That's why it's our 'home'. I've only stayed in a few other places - Poly (1st visit), CBR, SSR, & BCV. Man I sound spolied don't I?!
We met a guy in December 2009 that on that trip was finishing his stays at all the resorts. he said his favorite was the Campground because that's where he always stayed as a kid and it brought back a lot of memories.
Hey everyone I was just checking height restrictions and Space Mountain is 44 inches yet Dinosaur is only 40 inches.
Evan is just at 40 inches and I don't think he is going to grow 4 inches over the summer so looks like Space Mountaion is out for this trip . I love that ride - can't see why it is 44 inches, I mean Dinosaur is way worse in terms of bouncing around in your seat and scare factor.
Well maybe I'll get to do the rider switch (I dare not call it baby swap as "I'm not a baby" will get thrown into my face)
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Congrats on booking SoG!!! As for favorite resort....we were fortunate enough to stay at BC last month, but we had two wonderful trips as well staying at CBR & CSR. I guess I'm still a newbie staying at Disney, because I can't really pick a favorite yet. Anywhere we stay in WDW works for me!!!
Great TR and plans. Thanks for sharing Evan's story. That makes him really special. Your travel dates in October will be super as it will be right after his b'day. I have seen both MNSSHP and MVMCP. They are both a lot of fun. One big difference is the junk food given out. Halloween has trick or treat candy while Christmas has cookies and hot chocolate. Good luck on your planning for such a large group. Disney planners should be able to help you with the planning for the group.
I remember how upset my parents were when Disney Inn became Shades of Green. We LOVED the Disney Inn as a family. (It wasn't as pricy as the Poly or Contemporary, but you got the same benefit of staying at a MK resort - if we didn't feel like waiting for a bus we would walk over to the Poly and take the Monorail. Oh and it held a family of 5 - something that seems to be fleeting in the land of Disney - a vacation is now only "value" if you're a family of 4) Not that they were upset about it becoming a military retreat (my dad was an Army Vet) they were just upset that they couldn't stay there anymore.
Personally, as a mom, I love the Poly. There's nothing better than hopping on that monorail or boat and being at MK in a few minutes. I also love Saratoga Springs (where I'm staying next month) - my last experience there was completely magical.
As a kid, I loved the Contemporary. I loved watching the monorail come through the building. It was just so to see on my first trip. That image will be with me forever!
My daughter and I would like to stay at all the hotels on property as well (some people want to see all 50 states, we want to stay in all the Disney hotels - to each her own I guess). So far we've stayed at Poly, Port Orleans RS and SSR together. She hasn't stayed at Contemporary, but I have. Maybe I should book that for my next adventure to put us on the same page of the score sheet?
I would love to stay at CR so we could just walk to MK - but not in the budget this year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
That room rate is un-be-lievable! I've never had the chance to stay at Shades of Green, but have certainly heard very nice things about it. My favorite resort is BWV. I love the ease of walking/scooting to Epcot and DHS and love all the dining choices from the Crescent Lake hotels. That said, I also LOVE AKL and need to spend some more time there. I also like, once in a while, to stay at least one night at CR. I love staying for Wishes and the Goodnight Kiss at MK, but not when I have to brave the crowds waiting for the bus to BWV afterwards.
I'm lloking forward to SOG. I've never stayed BWV but every time I walk on the boardwalk it does remind me of the Jersy Shore.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
That's a great rate at SoG!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
That is an unbelievable rate on SoG! Congrats!
My favorite resort is Animal Kingdom Lodge/Villas! It always feels like home there.
Thanks - never been to AKL/V
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
WOW! $60/night?!?! That is GREAT for you!!
Favorite resort...that's tough. I love POFQ, because that's where DH & I stayed the first time I took him to WDW - sentimental favorite. But we've never been back, because we now do DVC!
We love SSR because it was our first home resort. But I guess I'd have to go with AKL. It is just SO nice! And we all love sitting on the balcony watching the animals. My kids would even forgo the parks to do that. (Well, maybe not completely - but it does buy Mom & Dad some down time!)
Maybe someday I'll get to be a DVC member but not with Evan still in day care.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ariel14
Holy cow! That's an amazing price at SOG!!!!!!
As for my favorite resort, I am torn between AKL and WL!
AKL seems to be a big hit. I really like Fort Wilderness Cabins so assume I'd like WL too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Dylan's bday is October 5 and our cut-off is August 31, so we'll be in the same boat as you in a few years.
What a fantastic rate!
Favorite resort - AKL. That's why it's our 'home'. I've only stayed in a few other places - Poly (1st visit), CBR, SSR, & BCV. Man I sound spolied don't I?!
We met a guy in December 2009 that on that trip was finishing his stays at all the resorts. he said his favorite was the Campground because that's where he always stayed as a kid and it brought back a lot of memories.
I'm actually glad he has that extra year. I think parent's push it and then they have problems later on in the school year(s).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sorry about the height issue!
Me too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shanmac
for a growth spurt (although that will result in a purchase of pants in mass quantities)
I don't think he will grow 4 inches over the summer 0 but I guess you never know. I get lots of hand-me-down clothes for Evan from my sister so I'm not concerned about buying new clothes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
I've only ever stayed at Pop Century and I love it there. But if I could stay anywhere on property, I would love to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Congrats on the great room rate!!!
I'd like to try AKL too. - someday, hey a girl can dream can't she?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Sorry about the height issue on SM! We always do the parent swap with Stefanie because even though she is tall enough, she doesn't want to ride it.
I hope if we do the swap I won't have to ride alone as it is always more fun when someone goes with you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
Congrats on booking SoG!!! As for favorite resort....we were fortunate enough to stay at BC last month, but we had two wonderful trips as well staying at CBR & CSR. I guess I'm still a newbie staying at Disney, because I can't really pick a favorite yet. Anywhere we stay in WDW works for me!!!
I REALLY want to try BC. I fell in love with it just touring around the resort.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Great TR and plans. Thanks for sharing Evan's story. That makes him really special. Your travel dates in October will be super as it will be right after his b'day. I have seen both MNSSHP and MVMCP. They are both a lot of fun. One big difference is the junk food given out. Halloween has trick or treat candy while Christmas has cookies and hot chocolate. Good luck on your planning for such a large group. Disney planners should be able to help you with the planning for the group.
Evan is a special little boy. I'm looking forward to the MNSSHP but not the 5 pounds I'll gain eating al that candy.
This past weekend we were able to book our flights. Not such a great rate but they are booked so it somehow makes the trip official.
We were waiting for South West flights to open up for October so once they were available we were able to compare rates. We ended up going with Spirit Airlines out of Atlantic City because they have a rate if you join their “Fare Club” it was $99.00 each way but after adding in baggage fees and seat selection and taxes it is about 300.00pp. South West was about $360.00 and United and US Airways were both over $400. I budgeted $300 but was really hoping for something less but with fuel costs on the rise…we booked now and hope the rate doesn’t go up with fuel surcharges.
A word to the wise, if you see a great rate – BOOK IT. We missed out on an $88.00 ROUND TRIP fare with Spirit about a month ago. I told my sister and there was this big debate on booking it before SW had their rates. I was like “screw it” I’m booking this. Nothing is going to be this low. I went to book it a few days later and it was gone.
So we are leaving Friday 10/14 at 2pm arriving 4:15, my sister and fam are taking a 5:45pm flight arriving 8pm. Coming home on Sunday 10/23 leaving at 1:30 and getting back to AC at 3:50pm.
Usually I take the “crack of dawn flight” down to MCO but our this year we were to take a 6pm flight down so we could work that day and kids go to school. After I thought about it I really didn’t want to be getting into Orlando at 8-9pm and then have to get a car and check in and have it be 10pm or later by the time I get Evan settled in. I opted to take an earlier flight; I was planning on taking Friday off anyway and Evan isn’t even in school. Now I can get up at my normal time, get the dogs to the kennel, have my shower and clean up and not be a crazy lady. I may even send Evan to day care for a few hours – we’ll see.
So that is our flights.
Out hotel is Shades of Green and we are renting a minivan while we are there. We have purchased our Park Hopper tickets already.
I still need to order my Disney Visa Rewards card but I still have some time. I’ll probably do it this weekend and then I can go to the Disney store (guilt free).
We are planning some meals and things but until park hours come out and our 180 day window opens up I don’t have too many details.
We are doing a character breakfast, The Hoop Dee Doo and lunch at Prime Time Café. Other then that I think we are just gonna wing it. I want to do Beaches and Cream but they don’t take ADR’s and we will probably eat at the hotel on Prime Rib Buffet night.
The little boys are going on a pirate cruise. Hopefully at the Grand Floridian and I plan on touring the resort while they are “abroad”. Megan is having tea at the Grand Floridian with her mom and Grandmom (aka my sister and mom) and we are looking for something special for Aaron to do. I thought he would love the Segway tour at FortWilderness but he is not old enough. I suggested the archery experience at FW so my sister is discussing it with him.
We are defiantly doing the MNSSHP and if the Wishes Dessert party is offered again I want to surprise everyone with that.
We will be planning at least one group event per day and the rest of the day will be spent as smaller groups. Here are some of my ideas, Wishes, Wishes from the Poly and watching Electrical water pageant, Illuminations, Fantasmic, Character Breakfast, Lunch at Prime Time, HDDMR, MNSSHP, Wishes Dessert Party, MSEP, Soarin’ (all of us love this ride), Tom Sawyer Island. I’m sure I’ll be thinking of more as there are 3 day time parades. Any suggestions?
A lesson I learned from our last big trip was that even though you are a big group, we all split up and travel as individual groups. Last trip everyone scattered to the winds and would just meet for the one activity that day. It made it difficult at times to really reconnect as this person/group went to MK and this person/group went to AK and then if you wanted to switch groups, well they were doing Epcot and I wanted to do DHS…you get the point. It can get very complicated.
This trip we agreed we will all do the same park each day, (everyone does MK on Monday, Epcot on Tues) even if we get there at different times or do different things. It will make a chance meeting more likely and the availability to switch kids and adults around in the party(s). You know one adult return to the hotel with the little ones for naps and another adult take the bigger kids out or big kids on Mission Space, little ones talking with Crush, etc. If we are all in the same park we can text – hey lunch over here and we could have unscheduled meeting and hopefully eliminate the problem of being and seeing different parks on different days. That’s my plan anyway.
Hopefully once park hours come out and parade/firework schedules and EMH are published, I can make up a park schedule for each day.
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Disney Magic - Oct 2015
yet Dinosaur is only 40 inches.
. I love that ride - can't see why it is 44 inches, I mean Dinosaur is way worse in terms of bouncing around in your seat and scare factor.
Holly: 
Susan
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to see on my first trip. That image will be with me forever!
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