April 15, 2006 - Spring Break -

[Kimmielee]

Have any of you or know someone who has stayed at All-Star Movies? We are thinking of staying there prior to the cruise and a couple days after the cruise. We have only stayed at the delux hotels before so I don't know what the value resorts are like. I checked out the DIS boards on both the All star movie and POP century but I just kind of got vaugh answers on both. Just curious.

Talk to you later-
Mary

Mary, we stayed at All Star Sports which was a ton of fun for Noah... he loved the football field that the kids played on every night (bring a football from home if you do stay there... otherwise it's like $15 to buy a little styrofoam one...) It was a nightly ritual to go out to the field (which was actually the courtyard) and the kids would play "games". It was fun.

We ventured over to Movies... it is amazing with all the "bigger than life" statues, etc. A friend of mine was in Movies at the same time we were in Sports.

The only thing I don't like about the value resorts is the limited places to eat... All of them have cafeterias only. When we were there, Noah was only 4 (just barely) and the lines would be long... he'd want a cheeseburger and I'd want pasta, two separate lines... for you, you can send your hubby to one line... where I didn't have that extra set of hands.

The other thing that keeps us at the Mod resorts are the pools. The Mods have slides!!

For the room, it was clean, housekeeping was great... there isn't much difference other than the mod being slightly larger but we were never in the room!!!

If your little guy is into sports at all... I'd go to Sports (ask for the football building). If he's not, then I'd go to Movies. Especially for a couple of nights. I was hoping to get into the Nick Hotel... but it's booked the night we return from our cruise! We'll probably go back to POFQ just to relax at the pool and head home on Sunday.

 

[Kimmielee]

Waiting to hear from Noah's teacher... I think I'm moving my cruise back a week to save $$$. I'll let you guys know...

It's sad... there isn't even a cruise meet thread started for that cruise... and I'll miss you guys....

 

[joksten2000]

All You Young Folks Going My Wife And Decided Some Older People Were Needed To Help Keep You Youngin's Inline. I Truly Need A Break Today I Spent Three Long Hour With Disney And Us Air Booking Our Family Alaska Cruise. 2 Weeks Ago The Flights Were 261 Philadelphia To Seattle. I Booked 2 At 414.00 Two At 515. 4 At 615. I Was A Wreck Everytime I Spoke The Price Went Up.

The Flights To Florida Have Gone From 179 To 515.00 Amazing, It'll Cost More To Fly Than Cruise.

Am Looking Forward To Meeting You All. I Just Dicovered The Dis On The Way Back From The Mexican Cruise 8/06. Had The Pleasure Of Reading Many Great Trip Reports. Dw Is 63 Dh 62 I Like Older Women

 

[djs113]

Hey John,

welcome aboard!!

You will have a great time to make it all worth it!



Kimmie,

that would be so so sad.

Which week does Noah have off? or would you be puling him out of school?

- David

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

Kimmie-
We would miss you greatly, but would understand the reasoning. The cost of traveling over Easter is greatly increased compared to other times. If you need to go to a lower cabin you know you and Noah are more than welcomed to come to our cabin (cat 6) for "fresh air."
Thanks for the info on the All Star value resorts. David and I have only stayed at the YC/BC and Swan/Dolphin but those prices, even with my nurse discount was BLING,BLING!! I checked into the Mod but decieded against it because of the excursions and stuff we want to do on the cruise. I can only stretch the vacation dollar so much.
Did you get the disney meal package? I haven't quite decided on that one yet. I know you probably have posted this a while ago, what are you doing about transportation from POR to the port?

Talk to you later-
Mary

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

Welcome Joksten 2000 to our little corner of Disney.

Mary

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

Kimmie-
I was online, while waiting to pick up Ryan from school, looking up possible cruises for later on. I think this will be the last time we go over Spring break. The cost of the same cruise is $2000 less on 4/29!! I can see why you are thinking of taking Noah out of school. We plan to rebook while at sea but we are looking at times when it certainly is not peak or holiday season. The money you can save is tremendous.
If I could only have one wish it would be that we could sail anytime of year and not worry about the money issue. If you choose not to sail at this time we will miss you, but boy now looking at the possiblities of other times I would love to move our cruise also ( in which we are not going to do this time).
Let us know what you plan to do.

Mary

 

[djs113]

as we all know, that is why this cruise is expensive, because it is Easter week

most people can't pull their kids out of school


and it is one of the best times of the year to cruise

june to november - potential hurricane season

december to february - whether can be very cool or beautiful

April - May - to me is best time to cruise with the least chance of disruption

- D

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

I know but it still is a Bummer. Oh well we are going to have a great time no matter what!
The spring breaks around the KC area are in mid March. Is everyone eles around Easter or something? I think the public schools get one extra day off around Easter but that is it.

 

[Kimmielee]

Hi guys, thanks for all the support and kind words...

If I can rebook and not lose my deposit, I'm probably going to do it. The $2000 difference pays for the three days in the beginning of the trip, the air fare AND the final night at the end of the trip... that's huge!

I received an email from Noah's teacher and she supports my decision and has promised to work with me before we leave to keep Noah up to date with what's going on while we are gone.

This is truly going to be a "once in a lifetime" combination trip that I really want to do while I can take him out of school.... and paying the extra money to simply avoid 3 additional missed school days just didn't make sense. Being a single Mom, with no child support coming in... I'm very blessed that I have a great job and can take care of us financially on my own. Being wise about these decisions is important to me.

Once I'm rebooked, I'll let you all know... and I will still find a need to pop in and post here as well!!

 

[Kimmielee]

The spring breaks around the KC area are in mid March. Is everyone eles around Easter or something? I think the public schools get one extra day off around Easter but that is it.

Our spring break always starts on Good Friday... we have a winter break during President's week in Feburary... prices are high then too!

I do understand that it's supply and demand... it is just very frustrating!!

 

[Kimmielee]

Kimmie-
Did you get the disney meal package? I haven't quite decided on that one yet. I know you probably have posted this a while ago, what are you doing about transportation from POR to the port?

Talk to you later-
Mary

Mary, I did get the meal package... from what I've read it's a really good buy! I like having the entire vacation covered, for the most part, for food... less money to budget in the spending $$$.

We use Tiffany's Towncar Service. I've used them three times... in the last two years. We've always had great service... I asked for a special sign for Noah - "Welcome, Mr. Noah (last name)" with Mickey Mouse on it so he could find the driver himself... and the last two times, I didn't even have to ask... which was funny... because the last time Noah wasn't with us!! (A friend from work and I went on a Carnival cruise in March).

When I booked it for the cruise... the driver took us to the Radisson...and when he heard us talking about the shuttle... he said ... "I'm bringing a family down here in the a.m. for the Disney Cruise... don't waste your money, I'll come back after dropping off that family and take you to the port". No add'l charge... of course, we tipped him... but he didn't HAVE to do that.... he just did. I'm having them pick us up at the airport, take us to POFQ, pick us up there, take us to the port... then from the port to the Nick hotel and then the Nick hotel to the airport. They were very accomodating when I made the initial arrangements and now that I'm probably going to change my dates, they will be easy to work with again, I'm sure.

Some may think it's kind of silly or wasting money for just the two of us... but I like being in charge of my destiny... choose what time I want to go... not have to wait on a bus with a ton of others... and relax on the way. I love it!

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

You go girl!! I knew Noah teacher would be fine with it. Maybe Noah could give a little presentation of all the places he has been when he gets back. Being in the primary grades I don't see that it hurts to take our kids out of school ( my mom is a 3rd grade teacher, and says go for it.) You are making a very wise decision, we will miss you but totally understand! Hopefully we can cruise together sometime in the future. Don't forget to pop in every once in a while to chat. Ok..

Mary

 

[MV_Photon]

Ahoy Mates --

We've reserved a block of six (6) staterooms, to accomodate:

• just Me & Eileen
• our boys Brian (DS 10) & Brendan (DS 8)
• our friends Chris & Renee
• their daughter Bree (DD 9)
• our babysitter, Stacey
• my in-laws, octogenarians Betty & Bernie

If you happen to see the lonely kids and their grandparents in the dining rooms, be sure to say hello. We plan dine at Palo every evening!

 

[joksten2000]

I DO ON THIS 14TH DAY OS SEPTEMBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2005 BEGIN THE COUNT DOWN AT 212 DAYS 11 HOURS 36 MIN. SO I KNOW ITS ADDED CORRECTLY

 

[djs113]

MV

welcome aboard !!

what is your real name so I can update our speadsheet

seems like we have many kids in the same age groups on this cruise

approx 6 years and 9-10 years old seems to be the 2 buckets

my daughter will be 9.5 - she should probably meet Bree

- David

 

[Kimmielee]

Thank you so much Mary and David .... it's been a pleasure planning and getting to know you and your families... I'm so sad about leaving this sailing.... but feel much better about the finances. I saved way too much to not do this!!

Everyone have a wonderful cruise and wave to Noah and I who will be waiting impatiently to get on the ship while you are sadly departing her.... Take care and keep in touch!!

 

[djs113]

UPDATED for the latest changes


Hannah and Jordan, DD 9.5 and DS 6 of DJS113 - David
Vanessa, DD 18 of CruisinGoose - Vicki
Ryan, DS 6 of MaryPoppinsiam - Mary
Kevin, DS 15 of Swede63 - Marc
?? and ??, DD 10, and DS 7.5 of DVCfromNJ, Maria
Madison, DD 10 of UWbadger, Sherri
Brian, DS 10 and Brenden, DS 8 of MV Photon = "Me and Eileen"
Bree, DD 9 of Chris and Renee


- David

 

[Cruisin'goose]

Thank you so much Mary and David .... it's been a pleasure planning and getting to know you and your families... I'm so sad about leaving this sailing.... but feel much better about the finances. I saved way too much to not do this!!

Everyone have a wonderful cruise and wave to Noah and I who will be waiting impatiently to get on the ship while you are sadly departing her.... Take care and keep in touch!!

Kimmielee - Sorry to hear you won't be joining us but I understand saving $$. Hope you have a great time

Welcome to those joining us!!!!!

 

[Kimmielee]

Kimmielee - Sorry to hear you won't be joining us but I understand saving $$. Hope you have a great time

Welcome to those joining us!!!!!

Thanks! I miss you guys... there are THREE people that have talked on the thread for my cruise and neither of them have kids... There's no way Noah will be alone... right?