Completed PTR - California or Bust!... But first we WDW! Last Change 3/10

[cinderkelly]

IASM goes out side!?!?

Yes! You actually get on and off the ride outside!

Was it scary in Blue Bayou for a toddler?

Not at all! The restaurant sits at the beginning of the ride where it's kinda like a Lousiana swamp area with "fireflies" and soft banjo music, it's pretty dimly lit but very mellow

 

[SarahDisney]

Both times I've gone to DL I've stayed offsite.
That said ... I think you should stay at the Disneyland Hotel! I'm hoping to stay onsite next trip and that's one of my options.
(The offsite hotel you picked does look pretty cool, though)

IASW at DL has more Disney elements in it. Still the same song over and over again (and I think it is a little longer), but some people find it more interesting with the Disney characters hidden in there.

I have yet to eat at Blue Bayou (hopefully next trip), but from what I hear, it's great ... and people will wave to you from the boats and you can wave back!

 

[NJlauren]

We had a M&G with Arura today in Epcot! Well it was via FaceTime but it still counts! My sister was in Epcot and FaceTimed us, it was fun!

I didn't get a good picture but it was pretty fun and DD seemed to enjoy it, was blowing kisses!

 

[KathyM2]

We stayed at the DL hotel one night during our honeymoon...a loooong time ago. What about the cost difference though? Because if the other one is also walkable but a lot cheaper...well there's that...but early entry would be nice too...I can see why it would be a tough decision lol

 

[NJlauren]

We stayed at the DL hotel one night during our honeymoon...a loooong time ago. What about the cost difference though? Because if the other one is also walkable but a lot cheaper...well there's that...but early entry would be nice too...I can see why it would be a tough decision lol

It does save a bit of money but i don't know the idea of staying on site just sounds so amazing.....

 

[NJlauren]

Advice, maybe? Can you either push me over the ledger or talk me off of it.

I have been really bummed that I am not going to be able to see the Osborn Lights one more time.... So I have been toying with the idea of going down for a long weekend, 2 (maybe 3) park days. To make it do able we would stay Value, which I have never done (thinking POP?) I am little worried about having to take the bus everywhere... Reassure me the buses are good!

Positives getting to see the lights and I mean going to Disney!
Negatives would be expensive for only 2 park days, wouldn't be bad if we didn't need to fly. We like to travel other places aside from Disney so this may push us to no trip till late 2017 or sometime in 2018......

I am crazy for even considering it right?

 

[Elevationist]

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

(I'm a bad influence.)

 

[NJlauren]

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

(I'm a bad influence.)

I knew I could count on you!

Now what will I do.... I am just having a hard time finding a weekend that lines up with our schedule, flights, and hotels.....

 

[cinderkelly]

Advice, maybe? Can you either push me over the ledger or talk me off of it.

I have been really bummed that I am not going to be able to see the Osborn Lights one more time.... So I have been toying with the idea of going down for a long weekend, 2 (maybe 3) park days. To make it do able we would stay Value, which I have never done (thinking POP?) I am little worried about having to take the bus everywhere... Reassure me the buses are good!

Positives getting to see the lights and I mean going to Disney!
Negatives would be expensive for only 2 park days, wouldn't be bad if we didn't need to fly. We like to travel other places aside from Disney so this may push us to no trip till late 2017 or sometime in 2018......

I am crazy for even considering it right?

I say do it!! If you can make it work, totally go for it!!! I wish I could organize a quick trip down to see them also, as I've never seen them but I don't think I can make it happen . I wish I was within driving distance or I'd totally make it work!

 

[SarahDisney]

I'm not going to push you one way or the other, but I will say...
I've stayed at Pop, as well as a few other values. We always find the bus service to be pretty good. The only big downside is that the bus stops for the values tend to be the furthest from the parks (although of the values, Pop and AoA are often closer).
One of the big advantages of Pop is that you can take the AoA bus and and walk across the bridge ... it's about an 5-10 minute walk (maybe more if you're tired and pushing the stroller...).

Also, JetBlue is having a sale right now. I think JFK to MCO starts at $129 ... which is not fantastic, but is at least a little cheaper than regular price. I think flying from LGA or EWR may be a little cheaper, but I had a terrible experience with JetBlue out of LGA on my last trip (and I don't know anything about Newark because it's a little far from me).

 

[NJlauren]

I say do it!! If you can make it work, totally go for it!!! I wish I could organize a quick trip down to see them also, as I've never seen them but I don't think I can make it happen . I wish I was within driving distance or I'd totally make it work!

If I was driving distance I would be going for sure! My sister went for dinner last week! But IMO she doesn't go nearly enough!

I'm not going to push you one way or the other, but I will say...
I've stayed at Pop, as well as a few other values. We always find the bus service to be pretty good. The only big downside is that the bus stops for the values tend to be the furthest from the parks (although of the values, Pop and AoA are often closer).
One of the big advantages of Pop is that you can take the AoA bus and and walk across the bridge ... it's about an 5-10 minute walk (maybe more if you're tired and pushing the stroller...).

Also, JetBlue is having a sale right now. I think JFK to MCO starts at $129 ... which is not fantastic, but is at least a little cheaper than regular price. I think flying from LGA or EWR may be a little cheaper, but I had a terrible experience with JetBlue out of LGA on my last trip (and I don't know anything about Newark because it's a little far from me).

Thank you for all the info about the POP! I think we both remember the JetBlue days of round trip for 150.... Or maybe just I do.... I'm old

I like flying from JFK for savings but Newark is so close to us like 20 minutes, JFK is over an hour even with no traffic (which there never is) so my husband says it needs to save us tons of money to be worth it. Plus the drive home with DD would probably suck!

Also happy new year and have an easy fast

 

[NJlauren]

So I took the plunge and booked a 3 night 2 park day (maybe 3 park day) trip. I am really excited and a little freaked out!

So I booked the trip and it asks who are the other guest so I go to pick my husband from the drop down list and his name is there twice because I am also linked to his dad who has the same name but different middle initial (which doesn't show in the drop down). Yup you guessed it I picked my FIL by mistake! Ugh so I called Disney and what a mess! They said they changed it but it's still wrong, I don't think this is a huge deal but I feel like a bit of an idiot! I want it linked to my DHs account not my FILs account. Disney IT drives me crazy! Plus the tickets aren't transferable so it could be problem! It was still wrong so I called back and was told to talk to Internet help. Hold time of 14 min!

Forget it, I fixed it on my own, I rebooked my reservation with the correct name/account and canceled the other reservation much easier then dealing with Disney IT!

If we have a son we are not giving him the same name, so stressful! Ok a bit of an exaggerated but still!

Well I don't have a lot of time to get my ducks in a row here. 7 days yes ONLY 7 days till FP+.... Not going to totally lie but I had been looking up and booking a few ADRs for the days I thought we would go so I have some meals booked. I also think we will mostly do QS so I don't need a ton of ADRs.

I currently have the following booked:

Nov 29 - 1pm at Hollywood and Vine (Disney Jr charters)
Nov 29 - 2:20 The Plaza

Nov 30 - 3:05 Rose & Crown

I am obviously not going to keep both H&V and The Plaza that close together (I don't even know how it let me book that), i am leaning towards the Plaza, but just not sure yet....

Tentative plans, the whole point of the trip is to see the lights so I plan on hitting Hollywood Studios each night:

Nov 28 - arrival day, supposed to land approx 345, hoping to be at the resort by 5 or 530 and hoping I can convince DH to go to Hollywood studios for a few hours... I got 3 day tickets hoping we could hit up the park for a few hours. DH did not like DME last trip so wants to take a car.... we shall see where we go with that.

Nov 29 - I would like to hit up MK in the morning for rope drop and this is the park I will be using FP for (at least for now I have 7 longs days to decided). Ideally we stay here till midday and DD sleeps in the stroller.... Now if she won't sleep in the stroller we will take a mid day break then head to HS later (if you followed my last TR your probably think I'm crazy to think she MIGHT not sleep!) Then head to Hollywood studios. Other option is few hours MK then early to Hollywood and Vine for lunch. I would really like to get DD to see the DJ characters at this restaurant but haven't 100% decided on how to make it happen....So its possible we end up just skipping a meal at H&V.

Nov 30th - I would like to hit up Epcot and do a few favorites in Future world and walk World Showcase . Early dinner/late lunch and the head to Hollywood Studios for the lights! We may (probably will) walk in hopes that DD will sleep the whole way.

Dec 1 - Departure day, breakfast at the hotel either early MDE or car back to MCO for 11ish flight.

Quick trip, but still a lot to do!

Finalize ADRs, debating Rose & Crown, and what to do the first day, I would take a breakfast at H&V or Cinderellas Royal table if i could get either one and then cancel whatever other reservation we have that day. I am just not sure how DD is going to do with the characters, so I am thinking face characters or just skip character meals this trip (but would make an exception for Disney Jr)

FP Plans - need to totally set up a plan, but I am thinking 28 - HS, 29 - MK, 30 - Epcot or HS.... 7 days till to make FP+

We will most likely skip big rides that DD can't go on... so not sure what i would use them for at Epcot.

I also am doing a double digit dance! I mean why should i miss out on the dance just because I booked late!

 

[Elevationist]

BEST. POST. EVER.

How exciting! But boooo, you'll miss me by 3 days!!!!

You know, you'll be there while NPH is narrating CP. Just a thought.

 

[NJlauren]

BEST. POST. EVER.

How exciting! But boooo, you'll miss me by 3 days!!!!

You know, you'll be there while NPH is narrating CP. Just a thought.

I originally was trying to go the weekend after, as the weekend we are going has me missing a prior commitment, but the weekend after was significantly more expensive with fewer hotel options. Hopefully another trip we will line up

UGH! About NPH and CP! SO MANY OPTIONS so little time (for real so little time)

 

[cinderkelly]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!! I'm so excited for you!!!!! And completely jealous!

Where are you staying?? Holy mackerel 7 days till FP+!!! Now that's the good kind of stress!

Yea for you!!!!!!

 

[NJlauren]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!! I'm so excited for you!!!!! And completely jealous!

Where are you staying?? Holy mackerel 7 days till FP+!!! Now that's the good kind of stress!

Yea for you!!!!!!

Thank you! I am pretty excited too!

HAHA! Was so excited for my crazy update I forgot to mention where I was staying! We are staying at the POP!

 

[cinderkelly]

Thank you! I am pretty excited too!

HAHA! Was so excited for my crazy update I forgot to mention where I was staying! We are staying at the POP!

Awesome! I would totally stay at Pop, and I'm sure will stay there someday! The theming is so cute and the resort has such a fun vibe. When we stayed at AoA we walked over there one evening and it looked like so much fun.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

So I took the plunge and booked a 3 night 2 park day (maybe 3 park day) trip. I am really excited and a little freaked out!

7 days yes ONLY 7 days till FP+

You can figure it out!

I am obviously not going to keep both H&V and The Plaza that close together (I don't even know how it let me book that), i am leaning towards the Plaza, but just not sure yet....

My vote between the two would be the Plaza. Absolutely wonderful service and good food.

 

[NJlauren]

You can figure it out!

My vote between the two would be the Plaza. Absolutely wonderful service and good food.

Working on FP+ today! Its only 3 days so cant be that hard right!

I am totally leaning towards the Plaza, happy to hear you had a good experience!

Is the Disney Jr show mostly singing, dancing? Its says its 25min so I am looking for a little more info, and i know you did it recently!

 

[NJlauren]

Awesome! I would totally stay at Pop, and I'm sure will stay there someday! The theming is so cute and the resort has such a fun vibe. When we stayed at AoA we walked over there one evening and it looked like so much fun.

I am excited to check it out! I haven't stayed Value before, and I am really hoping I like it, the buses are the main thing I am worried about...