4/6-11 Trip Report/photos:SSR/AKV Value and DDP vs. DDE

[WoodysRoundup]

What a fantastic report, wonderful pictures, great information, (and adorable kids)! THANKS!!!!!!!! Can't wait to get to AKV!!!!

 

[disneymom8589]

Thank you for your terrific TR. I always enjoy your TRs and the pictures you include. Glad you had such a wonderful time, with the exception of the crowds. Wow! We were there March 30-April 4 and, although somewhat crowded, was not nearly as wild as you had it! We stayed for our 1st trip to AKV and it was better than I had imagined! We were in a 1 bdrm. SV. Your pictures made me want to be back!!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Thanks for the report it was great to read.

 

[AKV707]

Thanks for the report Starbox! I especially like the AKV value studio pics. DW and I will be in a value 1 br (SV requested) in July. Even though they are smaller it should be plenty of room for the 2 of us.

I agree about the DDE. For us it makes much more sense than the DDP.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

You know, in a freakish way I think it was BETTER to go down the actual Easter week because the parks opened earlier (MK was 7AM EMH every day; AK was 8AM) and had extended evening hours. I have seen more comments about this last week than I saw about being down there March 20-27 right around Easter.
Starr BTW if you are reading this--next year I thought I read the superintendent said testing would be the week after EAster--right after vacation week, which is before Easter next year (April 6-10)
Robin M.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

********** it's vastly different to sit in your jammies on the balcony and watch......... The waves coming in.

I know... I'm weird. Glad you had such a good time. Kids look healthy and happy. That's what life is about....... Thanks so much for doing the hellish work for the VB chair swap.

 

[catlady10]

I think UK schools get a longer break around Easter.

Hi just to add that we usually get 2 weeks for Easter break in the UK, with Easter weekend (Good Friday -Easter Monday) in the middle of the two weeks. This is normally the same across the country except for private schools who usually have an extra week (or two).

This year because easter was so early, different parts of the UK had different weeks so easter break was spread across 4-6 weeks here!! Very unusual and meant UK visitors to WDW were spread around. Also, more came over this year because, of the slightly longer break, fab $ exchange rate, and also prices for travel were not hiked as much as normal because of the different school breaks!

Should be back to normal next year here!!!

Kate

 

[Starr W.]

You know, in a freakish way I think it was BETTER to go down the actual Easter week because the parks opened earlier (MK was 7AM EMH every day; AK was 8AM) and had extended evening hours. I have seen more comments about this last week than I saw about being down there March 20-27 right around Easter.
Starr BTW if you are reading this--next year I thought I read the superintendent said testing would be the week after EAster--right after vacation week, which is before Easter next year (April 6-10)
Robin M.

Here is the official statement:
The calendar included a change in previously posted calendars. Spring break will be moved to April 6-10. Formerly, spring break had been scheduled so that students would be taking state achievement tests beginning on their first day back. The Ohio Achievement Tests are administered to grades 3 through 8.

The official statement was due to the Blade article talking about approving next years school calendar, though the headline read "Changing Spring Break" and the board got swamped with people who didin't bother reading the whole article to figure out it was 2009 not 2008. The Blade did put a correct article in a few days later.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Thanks for the trip report.

We were at SSR the week before you and had the same issue with having NO SHEETS for the pull-out bed. I wonder if it's just because it was a busy time of year or if that's starting to become the norm. I'll have to pay attention to future trip reports, or maybe other DVCers who don't use the pull-outs could check and see if they have sheets available anyway.

Thanks for the pics from the Grandstands and from AKV. We haven't stayed at Grandstands yet but I do like the quiet view you had. We're hoping for a 1-BR at AKV in June (we're waitlisted for DS's birthday) so it was nice to see the pictures.

Oh, about the Treehouse Villas, we also noticed that the entrace from the road is closed off.

 

[VrBchJ]

Thanks for the great trip report. But I'm stunned to learn they've taken "Coffee two ways" off the Artist Point menu. That was my favorite dessert. I guess I'll just save calories now by not having dessert. But I sure will miss it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wow, the construction is really progressing rapidly now! That's quite a difference since our trip a month ago!

 

[starbox]

Thanks for the great trip report. But I'm stunned to learn they've taken "Coffee two ways" off the Artist Point menu. That was my favorite dessert. I guess I'll just save calories now by not having dessert. But I sure will miss it.

I know! The biggest reason I decided to try DDXP was that I *knew* I wanted the maytag bleu cheese salad appetizer, salmon entree, and coffee two ways dessert when i ate at AP. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of Disney desserts - but I just loved that one. I was so sad to see it gone.