Celebrating A 5th Birthday with Mickey & Rain,May 2009! Completed..

[leamom2princesses]

How exciting another trip! I"ve been considering it too especially since the buzz is that free dining will open up tomorrow for stays through December. I really, really, really want to see those Christmas lights & parades.

We really enjoyed POFQ. It was much smaller and quieter than CBR. During our stay the bus was really fast and efficient too. I say go for it. Who knows when the next Adult trip will happen so I say splurge a little. If you do end up taking the kids you will still have plenty of room. Hope you had a nice weekend!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hurray for an anniversary trip! I think it is nice that you guys are getting to have some time away together, keeps the marriage strong.

 

[ladybugmom]

YAY for another trip!! Brent wants to go in December (as do I)!! But I still can't get him to make up his mind on our next trip. I say splurge a little for your anniversary and enjoy the time together!!

 

[Disneychix]

Nice job on booking an anny trip!! When in December??

DH and I booked an anny trip at the POP two years ago. We were less than enthused as we planned for the trip but we wanted to stay on budget. It was a 3 day trip like yours and ya know what, We had a blast at POP!!

We asked for a King bed room and we were given that in the 80's/90's so it was a bit quieter (IMHO). The room sort of overlooked the computer pool, a little off to the side. We did rent a car so buses weren't a problem. We were completly happy with our choice to stay at POP!

 

[kaysmommie]

Yay Nichole - just as you stopped this TR you have another trippie in the works! That's the way to do it!

I love the idea of a parents-only trip, but I know what you mean about wanting the kids to be there to see the Christmas stuff. Too bad your trip wasn't planned for a time of year that you had already been before - less guilt!

As for the choice of resort...well if it was my call, I would spend the $300 and skimp on something else to upgrade to a mod. If the kids were coming it would be a completely different story, but as this is an anniversary trip....

Alternatively, if you could score a really good rate at Poly, I might be inclined to do the 1st two nites at a value and then splurge for the last nite.

Whatever you choose, I am sure it will be an awesome trip!!! You will have to post the link here once you start your PTR.

Oh, and about LeCellier and the mushroom fillet: TRY IT!!! I absolutely *despise* mushrooms. Can't stand 'em. Won't eat 'em. If another piece of food has come into contact with 'em, won't eat that either.

However...as I had heard so much hype about that dish, I knew I had to try it. I was tempted to order without the mushrooms but I was worried it might ruin or change the dish. Now I never ate the whole pieces of mushrooms, but I did eat (make that devour!) the sauce and the fillet which was piled underneath all those little fungus. And you know what - it was without a doubt the best piece of meat ever! I order it absolutely everytime!

So, just take a chance and order it the next time. And if you don't like it I will owe you a margaritta!

Too bad btw you can't come in May. There seems to already be a little contingent here shaping up on your TR. I will also be there in May - can't wait!

Well it's official were staying at POFQ! I was fine with pop since we would get a King bed most likely. But POFQ is supposed to be quieter. Not sure it's justified since well hardly be in the room since we are going for all the Christmas stuff.

I would love to come back in May, but with Kaylee's school it is hard. Also she has dance recital the very next weekend. next time I'm ordering that filet at Le Cellier. Not sure if I'm going to do a PTR or not . SO much going on right now. Maybe I will start one a month before we go. I'm still working on talking Tom into taking the kids .

How exciting another trip! I"ve been considering it too especially since the buzz is that free dining will open up tomorrow for stays through December. I really, really, really want to see those Christmas lights & parades.

We really enjoyed POFQ. It was much smaller and quieter than CBR. During our stay the bus was really fast and efficient too. I say go for it. Who knows when the next Adult trip will happen so I say splurge a little. If you do end up taking the kids you will still have plenty of room. Hope you had a nice weekend!

Thanks Leanne
We booked POFQ this morning! still I feel a a bit guilty to leave the kids at Grandma's. Tom doesn't feel the east bit guilty which is surprising. I was able to book a standard room since today they didn't have King rooms last night they did. Well at least if I add the kids there is room. I'm looking forward to seeing the lights and the parade as we have never been in December. Wondering about the weather though. Hope you had a good weekend as well.

Hurray for an anniversary trip! I think it is nice that you guys are getting to have some time away together, keeps the marriage strong.

Thanks Lessa . our marriage can use this time that is for sure. Every time I feel bad one of the kids does something that convinces me to leave them home and go have fun. It's going to be a different kind of trip.

YAY for another trip!! Brent wants to go in December (as do I)!! But I still can't get him to make up his mind on our next trip. I say splurge a little for your anniversary and enjoy the time together!!

Hi Becky,
I know you can talk Brent into going back in December. It might be colder but at least it's not rainy. Well I wouldn't call it a huge splurge but I did upgrade to POFQ this morning. It will be nice and quiet. It's hard leaving my babies home .

Nice job on booking an anny trip!! When in December??

DH and I booked an anny trip at the POP two years ago. We were less than enthused as we planned for the trip but we wanted to stay on budget. It was a 3 day trip like yours and ya know what, We had a blast at POP!!

We asked for a King bed room and we were given that in the 80's/90's so it was a bit quieter (IMHO). The room sort of overlooked the computer pool, a little off to the side. We did rent a car so buses weren't a problem. We were completly happy with our choice to stay at POP!

Thanks for telling me that. I think I would have been fine with Pop too. As would Tommy. He didn't really care if I upgraded or not. We liked Pop just fine when we stayed there last March. Getting a King bed in quiet area I'm sure was a plus for you. that would work for us as well. If I had read that before I switched I probably would have kept Pop. Now that they have come out with free dining this morning I think Pop will be busier. Never stayed at a resort that I didn't like yet. But there are a few that I love like Poly and WL. I guess we went with POFQ since it's a special trip and we have never stayed there before. We like to try new resorts.

 

[Disneychix]

I do love POFQ too Nichole! The boat to DTD is sooo nice! Especially if it's just a romatic trip with you and Tommy! Enjoy POFQ!!

 

[29apr00]

What a great last day! How cool that you got to meet up with Tammy! love the Moose from Le Cellier! I so want one now!

I have some news on our next trip to Disney!! tommy really wants to go just us two for 3 nights for our Anniversary In December. I finally said okay to going without the kids, but i will still try to talk him into it I'm sure . i feel bad since they have never seen any of the Christmas shows/ decor at Disney either. Seeing the Santas' in Epcot and watching the MVMCP parade will be tough.

Anyway I asked him where he wanted to stay and he is fine staying at Pop since it's a short trip and we won't be there other to sleep and shower. I figured since it was our Anniversary that i should book a moderate like POFQ or CSR instead. I just called to make the reservation and it was $300 more for POFQ or CSR since they only have King beds or Water view and no standard rooms . Not sure they are worth $100 more a night what do you think? I do need some rest though and I have heard POFQ is usually nice and quiet. I mean it's a room and we won't be squished in like when we have the four of us. It is a special occasion though. But $300 can go towards the airfare or our next trip with the kids. Just not sure and we don't get time away together often. At most one night a year. I hope I don't miss my kids too much .

1st - you're going to be there with us!! WOO HOO!!

2nd - you will miss the kids...but you will still have an AWESOME time alone for your anniversary! And the kids won't miss school! you'll be fine!!

3rd - i'd go for Pop....$100 a night is quite a bit when it's just going to be you two and you won't be heading back to the resort in the middle of the day to nap/swim.

4th - that extra $300 can go towards an AWESOME anniversary dinner someplace you've always wanted to go without the kids...like Yachtsman or Jiko or Narcoosies....or a special tour! Like the Segway tour in Epcot! Or you could book a couples massage at the GF spa!

 

[mom2mek]

Yay on your anniversary trip, Nichole! You will have a great time! Trips without kids are very nice! Very different, yes....but still very nice! If anything, it will get Tommy excited to bring the kids back during the holidays, maybe the next year, because he will have such a great time enjoying it with his lovely wife!

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

What a great last day! How cool that you got to meet up with Tammy! love the Moose from Le Cellier! I so want one now!





1st - you're going to be there with us!! WOO HOO!!

2nd - you will miss the kids...but you will still have an AWESOME time alone for your anniversary! And the kids won't miss school! you'll be fine!!

3rd - i'd go for Pop....$100 a night is quite a bit when it's just going to be you two and you won't be heading back to the resort in the middle of the day to nap/swim.

4th - that extra $300 can go towards an AWESOME anniversary dinner someplace you've always wanted to go without the kids...like Yachtsman or Jiko or Narcoosies....or a special tour! Like the Segway tour in Epcot! Or you could book a couples massage at the GF spa!

That is so funny that you mention the Segway tour! I was looking at that last night. This morning I switched to POFQ. but know you have thinking since we thought they segway tour looked really fun. i have to talk to Tommy after work tonight. I love going to the Spa and getting massages. Tom hates it, he does not like strange people touching him grosses him out. Also your right we won't be napping or swimming in December. We are going to do a special dinner since we have the DDP. Either California Grill or Narcoosse (spelling).

Yay on your anniversary trip, Nichole! You will have a great time! Trips without kids are very nice! Very different, yes....but still very nice! If anything, it will get Tommy excited to bring the kids back during the holidays, maybe the next year, because he will have such a great time enjoying it with his lovely wife!

Sara

I'm sort of looking froward to it though I know i will miss the kids being around all those kids. Another reason I switched resorts. Maybe I should have switched to CSR . I'm hoping that works Sara, that he will want to rbing the kids back sooner.

 

[scottny]

I am caught up and your done. you post fast.

great tr and pics.

Sorry it rained so much for you.

Sorry you didn't like Tusker House, it is my favorite character breakfast but I never had a bad time with the characters. Never felt rushed.

Le Cellier sounds nice. I am booked there for October along with Cat Cora's new place.

I would choose POFQ over CSR. Biff and I really did not like CSR. It was very pretty but paying 10% tip for cs meals is ridiculous. The cm's let me know it is nto Disney owned. Just not very magical, but beautiful.

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Nicole !! I've never stayed anywhere but Pop !! I have no desire to stay anywhere else !! All I need is a room and a bed !!Pop provides both !! Oh yes a toilet is nice and a bathI know when we all went in 2007 we were at the Contemporary for supper and Judy said "I'm glad we're at Pop, this isn't us !!!"" and she's right . We are just plain and simple folk ..Happy to be at Disney!!!!

 

[kaysmommie]

I am caught up and your done. you post fast.

great tr and pics.

Sorry it rained so much for you.

Sorry you didn't like Tusker House, it is my favorite character breakfast but I never had a bad time with the characters. Never felt rushed.

Le Cellier sounds nice. I am booked there for October along with Cat Cora's new place.

I would choose POFQ over CSR. Biff and I really did not like CSR. It was very pretty but paying 10% tip for cs meals is ridiculous. The cm's let me know it is nto Disney owned. Just not very magical, but beautiful.

Hi Scott,
Thanks for the reminder about CSR, I read that in your TR. We also said we would never stay there. So it's off the list as not Disney enough . We are booked at POFQ. Le Cellier is the best, hope you like it. We loved the food at Tusker House but the characters were crazy fast.

Hi Nicole !! I've never stayed anywhere but Pop !! I have no desire to stay anywhere else !! All I need is a room and a bed !!Pop provides both !! Oh yes a toilet is nice and a bathI know when we all went in 2007 we were at the Contemporary for supper and Judy said "I'm glad we're at Pop, this isn't us !!!"" and she's right . We are just plain and simple folk ..Happy to be at Disney!!!!

Hi Rosie,
I agree with you as all we need is a place to sleep and shower since it's a short trip. Pop was absolutely fine last time we stayed there. Though it was a bit noisy at night in our section. We do love Deluxe resorts though to relax and swim. But that is not in the budget right now. I guess we are settled on POFQ since it's a tad quieter, but who knows I could change my mind.

 

[kaysmommie]

I hope to have my final thoughts posted tomorrow. This is the last nice day we are supposed to have for a week do taking the kids out to the park and swimming in the pool today.

Anyway we booked POFQ and I'm fine with that as we never been there yet. Then yesterday a room code came out too. So I tried to book Pop for 2 nights followed by 1 night at a deluxe in the club level. Tom thought this was the best idea. I fianlly decided to book but pop was gone and all they have is AS sports. no way I.m staying there with the Pop warner kids coming in the same weekend. So for now we still put at FQ.

 

[kaysmommie]

FINAL THOUGHTS

Saratoga Springs Resort : We had a nice stay overall. Our room was nice and clean and it was a beautiful place. It certainly wasn't my favorite by a long shot though. The theme just wasn't my favorite and the bus service was bad on our visit. I do prefer having a car there. Artist Palette the counter service, was pathetic IMHO. Way too small and the hours were the most convenient for us. But yes I would stay here again if I were able to get a super deal.

Worst moments of the trip:
Probably the screw with our dining plan courtesy of the front desk CM at SSR. That was a huge hassle and chunk of our time. Mind you that was the last sunny day of the trip.

The rain was also just awful, I mean 24 inches of rain ina single week is crazy! It caused us to miss so many of the things on our list. Because it rained the whole week there was no way to find a way to fit things in.

Best Moments:
Having Thomas celebrate his Birthday at MK and Chef Mickey's. Also seeing him get picked for the Pirate Tutorial. Just spending time together as a family is also one of the great things about going to Disney. It's impossible not to have a good time even with the bad weather.

My next favorite was meeting some of my DIS friends . It was so nice to spend time with Sara & Shawn, Michelle and her DD Samantha, Becky and her adorable family, and Tammy and her beautiful family. Also loved meeting Leanne, Mary and their families as well, even if it was brief. Dissers have the cutest kids I have to say.

Future trip plans:
So far our plans as a family are to come back in the beginning of June for Star Wars weekend. I really want to get back in May before the crowds but Kaylee's school and dance that is going to be hard. Well see though, it's still a possibility. Hoping to go back to Poly or try a new deluxe. But CBR will fine as well.

Our next trip will be in December to celebrate our wedding Anniversary Most likely it will be just Tommy and I. It was a tough decision for me though and honestly I'm still working on him to add the kids and another day. So far we booked POFQ since we didn't budget for this trip. It looks quiet and nice and also it's a new resort for us to try. The planning so far is completely different than when we go with the kids. It seems much easier already. We plan to celebrate at Narcoossee's or California Grill.

I hope you all are having a great summer. We have been super busy this summer. Between swimming, play dates most days, Kaylee's dance schedule it's been crazy here ! We have been to the parks, the Zoo and the movies a few times as well. Here are a few pics of what we have been up to this summer. Some of you may have seen these pics already on my FB page.

Someone tell me what is so great about milking the pretend cow?

Thinks he is so funny trying to squirt me.

Kaylee got picked to participate in the bird show.

My girl who never stops dancing...

I haven't had time to tape R2D2 that Thomas got for his Birthday, but I took a picture of him today. Thomas loves him.

I will still be on here reading all of your reports. Also planning for our next trips. Planning on maybe doing a TR for December. See ya real soon !!

 

[ladybugmom]

Awww!! It makes me so sad to see your TR come to an end! I hope you decide to do a PTR for your December trip! And I'm so glad we were able to meetup on our trip!! Praying for MUCH better weather next time!!

 

[shannon47142]

I've enjoyed reading your report--enjoy your next trip!!

 

[joy13]

I enjoyed your report - you certainly made the most of yucky weather! Your December trip should be very nice

 

[kaysmommie]

Awww!! It makes me so sad to see your TR come to an end! I hope you decide to do a PTR for your December trip! And I'm so glad we were able to meetup on our trip!! Praying for MUCH better weather next time!!

Thanks for reading Becky.
I'm so glad we were able to meet up too ! Now I will be able to find time to read more TR's. I'm hoping for better weather on all of our next trips to Disney. I will probably start a PTR like a month before. Then again i might need planning help before then .

I've enjoyed reading your report--enjoy your next trip!!

Thank you so much for reading.

I enjoyed your report - you certainly made the most of yucky weather! Your December trip should be very nice

Thanks so much. We did the best we could with that crappy weather. Looking forward to December and the Christmas decorations.

 

[dddisrunner]

Great report Nichole, as usual!! I think the rain probably put a huge damper on your experience at SSR, I agree about it being so big though! I agree about Artist's Palette too! I am so happy you and Tommy are giving a couples only trip a try and I think POFQ is the perfect resort!! You will love either Narcoosee's or Cali Grill! I sure hope you choose next June for your family vacay and push it back a week or so I'm just saying! Glad you got to meet so many disser's, sounds like so much fun!!! What a busy summer you have had! i CANNOT believe your kids go back to school in 10 DAYS!!! I feel like our summer just started!! I look forward to your December PTR!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I had so much fun with ya'll! I love the pics you took of the kids too. I wish I had taken some. We will make up for it in December! Might I make a suggestion!? If I were you whether or not you bring the kids along I would book POP. Then use the extra $ to upgrade to Deluxe Dining so you and Tommy can go to a bunch of nice romantic two credit table service places! (Or Dinner shows) Knowing you guys I think it would best suit your needs. December is hit or miss with the weather so you may not even be able to enjoy the fancier pool. Ya know? Also, the $ saved from the other resort could go towards tours...Segway, Behind the Scenes at the MK...all that cool stuff! Now if you had the 40% code I'd say stay in a super romantic place...but since it's free dining I'd do Pop and then go all out on everything else!

Your trip report was awesome! Will you finish mine for me!?

Hope to see ya'll on Sunday! Call me K?