~ A PTR for a CAMPING Trip That Might Never Be ~ *TR Started (link inside)*

[carissanboys]

We priced the counter service plan and it wasn't worth it to us. The cost isn't that great based on our style of eating, and we don't like that it makes you do things a certain way. We value flexibility bigtime on our trips. I'll try to find a link about it for ya unless someone beats me to it.

Good to know.

Here's that bday fun card info, looks like you can't use it on food, they want you to buy STUFF lol:

That's cool too. We don't normally spend much on souvenirs so this will make me buy some stuff.

Here's the info on the Quick Service Dining Plan:

http://www.mousesavers.com/mywplusquickdining2009.html

Thanks!

 

[carissanboys]

There's lots of info here about saving money on food in WDW:

http://www.mousesavers.com/meals.html

Awesome. You're such a wealth of information.

 

[liznboys]

Well, it'll be like last time. We'll leave here on Friday, the 27th and arrive in Orlando on the 28th. Technically we won't be arriving home until the 5th since we'll spend a night on the road coming back too. So, 7 nights in WDW.

Oh, duh, that's right. Well 7 is awesome too!

I feel like this trip will end up being more expensive than I was hoping, but at the same time - it might be our only opportunity to stay on site. I'm really hoping we won't miss the flexibility and room we had staying off site. I know we much preferred our stay at Windsor Hills than we did at Shades of Green. I'm about to start looking at pictures of POR.

Yeah, you should definitely look at both options and do what you think is best. I know you were very happy with Windsor Hills. Maybe ask the kids which they'd prefer, having that pool at your house or trying a WDW pool, etc, etc?

 

[liznboys]

Awesome. You're such a wealth of information.

lol, not exactly, I just have a lot of links handy!

 

[carissanboys]

We can't use the counter service plan anyway since we won't be purchasing tickets with our package. That takes care of that decision!

 

[carissanboys]

lol, not exactly, I just have a lot of links handy!

And it's much appreciated! I just have so much stuff in my head right now that I'm trying to remember to look at so not having to search for everything is very helpful.

 

[liznboys]

And it's much appreciated! I just have so much stuff in my head right now that I'm trying to remember to look at so not having to search for everything is very helpful.

Well you know I can't get enough WDW planning talk so I'm happy to help!

 

[carissanboys]

Yeah, you should definitely look at both options and do what you think is best. I know you were very happy with Windsor Hills. Maybe ask the kids which they'd prefer, having that pool at your house or trying a WDW pool, etc, etc?

We haven't told the boys yet. We're not planning on keeping it a complete surprise, but we're waiting until we've made all of the arrangements and then find some special way to tell them. I can't tell you how many times Connor has asked when we're going back to Disney World.

 

[liznboys]

We haven't told the boys yet. We're not planning on keeping it a complete surprise, but we're waiting until we've made all of the arrangements and then find some special way to tell them. I can't tell you how many times Connor has asked when we're going back to Disney World.

Gotcha, that'll be FUN!!

 

[liznboys]

Someone just posted first-hand info about the birthday fastpass:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2049649

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Good morning!

I really feel like I need to make a decision today on where to stay and make a reservation. As I was lying in bed last night, exhausted and trying to sleep, I started thinking about the fact that staying at POR would be cheaper than ASMS, but - we would have no kitchen to make any meals. That could get very costly.

More research today!

I'm really excited about being at Disney World for my 35th birthday. I had wanted to celebrate my birthday in a big way this year and I'd say this should do that, eh? If you could pick a park to visit on your birthday (and get special FP options for your entire group), which would it be? We won't have PH options so it has to be just one park. I, of course, was thinking MK. What better way to finish off my birthday then with Wishes! I'd also like to eat dinner somewhere special that day. I need everyone's thinking caps because my brain is on overload.

Good morning Carissa!

Here are my thoughts for what they are worth!! We LOVE POR! We've thought about the family suites at ASMu, but they are a bit more expensive and for the time we spend IN our room, it's just a better value to do POR. The grounds are gorgeous and the boat ride to DTD is great. Although there is no kitchen, there is a fridge and you can store some food items. Whoever mentioned the "time is money" thing is right on. For us, the time we can save by staying onsite it priceless. If I were getting 40% off, that'd be the clincher!

As far as celebrating your birthday...my choice would be MK. As much as I love each of the parks, MK is really the most magical and the place that feels most like a celebration.

Whatever you decide, you'll have a blast...it's DISNEY!! Looking forward to more of your plans!

 

[carissanboys]

Someone just posted first-hand info about the birthday fastpass:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2049649

Thanks - yeah, I think I'll go with the gift card. I didn't realize a one day ticket was $75! That'll be nice. We rarely have a problem with waiting in lines (cause I'm a good planner ) so FP isn't a huge thing for us.

 

[carissanboys]

Good morning Carissa!

Here are my thoughts for what they are worth!! We LOVE POR! We've thought about the family suites at ASMu, but they are a bit more expensive and for the time we spend IN our room, it's just a better value to do POR. The grounds are gorgeous and the boat ride to DTD is great. Although there is no kitchen, there is a fridge and you can store some food items. Whoever mentioned the "time is money" thing is right on. For us, the time we can save by staying onsite it priceless. If I were getting 40% off, that'd be the clincher!

As far as celebrating your birthday...my choice would be MK. As much as I love each of the parks, MK is really the most magical and the place that feels most like a celebration.

Morning Missy! Thank you very much for your thoughts. Hearing from others who have stayed at POR is really helping me make my decision. Since you've stayed there and you have 3 kids, how does it work? I know the AB area has the trundle beds. How can you be sure that's what you get? I've also read that AB area is more surrounded in trees and bushes, which sounds wonderful to me!

I think we'll definitely be going to MK on my birthday.

 

[liznboys]

Thanks - yeah, I think I'll go with the gift card. I didn't realize a one day ticket was $75! That'll be nice. We rarely have a problem with waiting in lines (cause I'm a good planner ) so FP isn't a huge thing for us.

You'll have great fun spending that puppy!! woohoo!

 

[carissanboys]

Missy - thanks for letting me know about the fridge in the room at POR. That would help a lot. And I love the idea of being able to take a boat to DTD!!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Since you've stayed there and you have 3 kids, how does it work? I know the AB area has the trundle beds. How can you be sure that's what you get? I've also read that AB area is more surrounded in trees and bushes, which sounds wonderful to me!

It is my understanding that because you are a party of 5 you will be placed in AB automatically. I did call and request a specific building though. I would recommend building 16 or 18. They are close to the main building, but not too close. Building 14 is the closest, but it gets a lot of foot traffic on the path. 16 and 18 are also right by a quiet pool which is nice for the kids at night...mine liked to take a swim when we got back from the parks each night and it was convenient to have it right there. The grounds in AB are lush and beautiful....lots of trees, bushes, flowers, and DUCKS! We had a family of ducks that greeted us each morning as we headed for the bus stop. There is also a shortcut to the main bus depot near those two buildings....BONUS!!

The room is not huge, but it has a privacy curtain which divides the main area from the bathroom/sink area. VERY helpful. The trundle works great for the kids and mine LOVED it. I have a few pics of the grounds, etc. if you'd like to see them...PM me!

 

[carissanboys]

Thanks for all of the great info Missy! I PM'd you.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I feel like this trip will end up being more expensive than I was hoping, but at the same time - it might be our only opportunity to stay on site. I'm really hoping we won't miss the flexibility and room we had staying off site. I know we much preferred our stay at Windsor Hills than we did at Shades of Green. I'm about to start looking at pictures of POR.

You sound just like me... I'm so excited to stay onsite at CBR this year - but it may be our only chance to stay onsite... I know what you mean about the flexibility of the condo - but I made a good point to my husband - this is my vacation too and cooking and doing laundry after a long day a the parks isn't all that much fun. This year's deal is just too good to pass up.

We haven't told the boys yet. We're not planning on keeping it a complete surprise, but we're waiting until we've made all of the arrangements and then find some special way to tell them. I can't tell you how many times Connor has asked when we're going back to Disney World.

That's funny... we are going to wait until Easter - 2 weeks before we go - to tell the boys. Zachary has been talking about Disney because A LOT of the kids in his class of 13 have already gone to Disney this year. I hope I can hold out and not spoil the surprise in the next 3 months. The other reason for the surprise is that this trip relies heavily on a bonus DH is supposed to get in March. He has already earned it, but if the company does something crazy like put a freeze on bonuses we will probably have to cancel or postpone the trip.

Sorry your parents can't join you - but it'll be nice to have a trip just the 5 of you - that's what our plan is this time. And now that we have booked CBR, nobody can join us unless they pay for their own room.

 

[carissanboys]

This year's deal is just too good to pass up.

That's for sure!

That's funny... we are going to wait until Easter - 2 weeks before we go - to tell the boys. Zachary has been talking about Disney because A LOT of the kids in his class of 13 have already gone to Disney this year. I hope I can hold out and not spoil the surprise in the next 3 months. The other reason for the surprise is that this trip relies heavily on a bonus DH is supposed to get in March. He has already earned it, but if the company does something crazy like put a freeze on bonuses we will probably have to cancel or postpone the trip.

We will use part of our tax return to pay for the trip, but I should be able to pay off most of the room before we even arrive. I hope your dh's bonus comes through.

 

[carissanboys]

I'm not going to post a link to each of the small updates I've posted the past two days. So, I will give a quick recap of what's going on here for those that just use the links to follow along.

*My parents decided not to join us on this trip.

*Not only is Disney offerering the great deal on tickets for military, but they're also offering a 40% off code for room only bookings!

*We decided on dates for our trip: March 27th - April 5th (the first and last days of those dates are travel days - we'll actually be at Disney for 7 nights)

*We will be at Disney for both the Flower and Garden Festival AND my birthday!

And the big news.........................................

I just booked our stay at Port Orleans Riverside!!!!!!!!!!

The CM I spoke to didn't know anything about the military rate, but thankfully I had the code and it worked! 7 nights at POR for $934!

Now that the hard part is over, I can begin planning our days and making the small amount of ADRs we'll be making.

Up Next - Epcot Stuff/Henna Tattoo