2009 Discussion-We'll make time fly by!

[miprender]

Hello fellow Disney lovers but i want to have 1 more family holiday with my boys before they are too old to enjoy a disney family trip!
Marie

Welcome aboard.... and I don't think anyone is too old for a family trip. When we go in April we are taking my mom (61) and my brother (33) but it is a good excuse to go to Disney (if you needed one)

 

[Picabo]

I keep going back and forth.....I was ALL set to stay at the Poly, figuring it's the simplest (transportation-wise) having 2 toddlers (2 1/2 and 3 1/2 when we go next Dec). Most of our time would be at MK and Epcot and we want character meals at Chef Mickey and 1900 Park Fare and also plan to do Ohana's. Kids will need afternoon breaks to nap or take a dip in the pool so it just seemed to make sense to stay on the monorail line.

I can't get past the COST of staying there though. Cheapest room is about $340 (this year...who knows next year!) I keep thinking I could do better elsewhere (maybe even AKL or Wilderness Cabins) pricewise and space-wise. But I'm afraid the busses back and forth are going to put a huge damper on things.

Any advice? Anyone know how long it takes by bus to get from AKL to MG and Epcot? How about Wilderness Cabins?

THANKS!

 

[CM1997]

Hey all you '09ers!!!

Well, its official!!!!!

My family (my parents, 3 sisters, 1 BIL, and my niece) will all be going in June!!!

I can't wait! It'll be my BIL first time ....my niece's first time, and she'll be 18 months , my whole family hasn't been on a vacation together in over 10 years , and..... I'll be getting married on the trip!!!!

It'll be quite a trip and I can't even wait!!!

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

Hey all you '09ers!!!

Well, its official!!!!!

My family (my parents, 3 sisters, 1 BIL, and my niece) will all be going in June!!!

I can't wait! It'll be my BIL first time ....my niece's first time, and she'll be 18 months , my whole family hasn't been on a vacation together in over 10 years , and..... I'll be getting married on the trip!!!!

It'll be quite a trip and I can't even wait!!!

Welcome!!!

 

[sandym718]

I keep going back and forth.....I was ALL set to stay at the Poly, figuring it's the simplest (transportation-wise) having 2 toddlers (2 1/2 and 3 1/2 when we go next Dec). Most of our time would be at MK and Epcot and we want character meals at Chef Mickey and 1900 Park Fare and also plan to do Ohana's. Kids will need afternoon breaks to nap or take a dip in the pool so it just seemed to make sense to stay on the monorail line.

I can't get past the COST of staying there though. Cheapest room is about $340 (this year...who knows next year!) I keep thinking I could do better elsewhere (maybe even AKL or Wilderness Cabins) pricewise and space-wise. But I'm afraid the busses back and forth are going to put a huge damper on things.

Any advice? Anyone know how long it takes by bus to get from AKL to MG and Epcot? How about Wilderness Cabins?

THANKS!

The Poly IS expensive, but it's soooo worth it if you can do it. Coming back for naps/swimming is just so convenient on the monorail. As long as it's not too crowded, you don't have to fold up strollers which is a huge plus. We Never folded them for the monorail on out trip, waited for a second train only 1 time. It was so convenient. Even though it was both DH and I, I still felt we'd really be fumbling trying to carry a bag, small cooler, 2 strollers and still corral the kids on the bus. We drove to WDW, so we just used our car for the non-monorail places, but spent most of out time in MK and Epcot.

 

[lmillercrew]

I keep going back and forth.....I was ALL set to stay at the Poly, figuring it's the simplest (transportation-wise) having 2 toddlers (2 1/2 and 3 1/2 when we go next Dec). Most of our time would be at MK and Epcot and we want character meals at Chef Mickey and 1900 Park Fare and also plan to do Ohana's. Kids will need afternoon breaks to nap or take a dip in the pool so it just seemed to make sense to stay on the monorail line.

I can't get past the COST of staying there though. Cheapest room is about $340 (this year...who knows next year!) I keep thinking I could do better elsewhere (maybe even AKL or Wilderness Cabins) pricewise and space-wise. But I'm afraid the busses back and forth are going to put a huge damper on things.

Any advice? Anyone know how long it takes by bus to get from AKL to MG and Epcot? How about Wilderness Cabins?

THANKS!

What about WL? It's close to MK by boat and then just hop on the monorail to Epcot. That's my vote. I would love to stay on at one of the monorail resorts, but like you I can't seem to justify it. My vote is WL. It's not a monorail resort, but close.

 

[Picabo]

What about WL? It's close to MK by boat and then just hop on the monorail to Epcot. That's my vote. I would love to stay on at one of the monorail resorts, but like you I can't seem to justify it. My vote is WL. It's not a monorail resort, but close.

LMILLERCREW - you know I've been contemplating WL b/c I LOVE the look of it! Just looks SO nice plus I love the idea of the bunk beds! Have you stayed there? Just curious how long it takes (by boat) to get to MK and how long it takes to get to TTC (boat? bus?) to get to Epcot?

ALSO, anyone know if you can take a stroller (two actually) on the boat without folding it up (incase they are asleep) or do you have to fold them up to go on there? How long do you typically have to WAIT for the boat and busses?

THANKS!

 

[lmillercrew]

LMILLERCREW - you know I've been contemplating WL b/c I LOVE the look of it! Just looks SO nice plus I love the idea of the bunk beds! Have you stayed there? Just curious how long it takes (by boat) to get to MK and how long it takes to get to TTC (boat? bus?) to get to Epcot?

ALSO, anyone know if you can take a stroller (two actually) on the boat without folding it up (incase they are asleep) or do you have to fold them up to go on there? How long do you typically have to WAIT for the boat and busses?

THANKS!

I have not stayed there. But I have been reading TIMANDLESLEY's TR and they stayed there. Read their report because it's fabulous. She even put a little video of the resort in one of her posts. Not sure how long the trip takes, but I'm sure that the answer to that would be on the WL thread in the resort section. Sorry I couldn't help more, but it's still got my vote for you.

 

[miprender]

I stayed at the WL for honeymoon in 1996 so we did not have kids but my bet would be that you would have to take them out of the stroller. The boats are not that big and I think it would be a safety issue because the stroller could topple over the side.

Also, if you can afford it, the monorails system is nice. We stayed at Pop in 2006 and had a terrible time with the busess. I even had my mom with us, so she held DS 10mth and I held DD3 and my husband carried the strollers. Well we would get yelled at by some of the bus drivers that our stroller was taking up too much room. It was very unsettling. Next year when we go we are renting a minivan. So this could be another option.

 

[Picabo]

Miprender....goodness that is HORRIBLE about the busses. I don't think most have that kind of experience so I'm so sorry yours was so bad. Yes, I am quite sure that I don't want to deal too much with the strollers on busses. We'll suck it up a few times to go to DHS and AK but will try to avoid them aside from that! THANKS!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I keep going back and forth.....I was ALL set to stay at the Poly, figuring it's the simplest (transportation-wise) having 2 toddlers (2 1/2 and 3 1/2 when we go next Dec). Most of our time would be at MK and Epcot and we want character meals at Chef Mickey and 1900 Park Fare and also plan to do Ohana's. Kids will need afternoon breaks to nap or take a dip in the pool so it just seemed to make sense to stay on the monorail line.

I can't get past the COST of staying there though. Cheapest room is about $340 (this year...who knows next year!) I keep thinking I could do better elsewhere (maybe even AKL or Wilderness Cabins) pricewise and space-wise. But I'm afraid the busses back and forth are going to put a huge damper on things.

Any advice? Anyone know how long it takes by bus to get from AKL to MG and Epcot? How about Wilderness Cabins?

THANKS!

I went through the same thing. We were booked with a mod and my DH said he would work the overtime to stay on the monorail.

For us it was worth every penny for the convenience and the beauty is second to none IMOP. It is gorgeous. The kids loved it and it was so romantic. Food choices were great and overall, it was magical in every way. Go and enjoy with your first choice.

 

[matlock42373]

I just booked Delta out of ROC to MCO with one stop each way round trip tix were $172 non refundable. We are thinking of POFQ again.But one never knows

 

[punky'smom]

DH(59),DS(17),DD(31)DGD(9)DGS(5) & me(52) will be staying offsite at Westgate again. Also traded in to Orange Lake with RCI for my DSs families for the same week. So far it looks like there will be 8 adults,6 kids. I love taking all the DGKs.

 

[DISNEYRIFFIC]

I have been off of these sites for a while, but we were at our 180th day last week, called on Monday for our ADR's. Was able to get all but the Sprit of Aloha - they said the computer system was being upgraded and to call be in Oct. I even called two times and got the same answer. So I will post here, and on the other one, but help........ does anyone know what's going on ??

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

Disneyriffic,

it appears the ADR system is getting an overhaul and for awhile (til late Oct) we will only be able to book 90 days out.

Sorry I don't have all the details...but there are plenty of threads on the DDP boards that can answer pretty much all questions.

Hope this helps!

 

[miprender]

Miprender....goodness that is HORRIBLE about the busses. I don't think most have that kind of experience so I'm so sorry yours was so bad. Yes, I am quite sure that I don't want to deal too much with the strollers on busses. We'll suck it up a few times to go to DHS and AK but will try to avoid them aside from that! THANKS!

It was awful... DH is reconsidering the minivan b/c of the price, but I said NO WAY I can not go through that again, plus we now have another baby. Everyone I talk to can't believe that they gave us a hard time and it was not just an isolated incident either. That was probably the first time I ever left Disney and glad to be coming home. But after 6mths I couldn't stay mad at ... I have learned from my experience and I think I will be better prepared this time. I just didn't fully realize how different it is when you are there with kids verses the time we went just the two of us. But it is so worth it seeing it through their eyes

 

[janiebegood]

Hey, y'all!

We're doing our first stay at WDW (made two off-site-stay trips as a little kid, and some day trips when we lived in Orlando in the 1990s) over New Year's, staying at the Polynesian. Can't WAIT!

But I'm already planning our NEXT trip, in part because I'm really worried that the New Year crowds may hinder our ability to maneuver around the parks and do some of the things we want to do. I'm looking toward either mid-November 2009 or early December 2009. Any tips about either timeframe?

I'm torn between the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge. If it's December, the holiday decorations/atmosphere at WL seem to tip it in that direction, but the convenience/monorail thing of CR is also appealing.

Opinions?

 

[DISNEYRIFFIC]

Disneyriffic,

it appears the ADR system is getting an overhaul and for awhile (til late Oct) we will only be able to book 90 days out.

Sorry I don't have all the details...but there are plenty of threads on the DDP boards that can answer pretty much all questions.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Nurse Mommy 4... I HOPE this just isn't true. I want the rest of my
ADR's now... yes, I know I am not patient..........

I see you are from WI - like we are

 

[Picabo]

Miprender.....if you rent a car, you HAVE to rent carseats too, right? I assume that it's only on Public transportation (the Disney busses) that you can get away with no car seats? I really wanted to rent a car (we wouldn't even leave Disney property once we're there) but the added cost of 2 car seats is holding me back! haha

 

[snykymom]

Melanie, are both your kids "lap babies" on the plane? If not, you can take your car seat with you on the plane and strap the kids into it in their seats. (At least you could when my d was little.) It might be worth looking into.