*Chocolate and Pixie Dust* - An August 2008 TR- 8/29 pg 6: Sort of an update

[Native NYer]

Sigh. Animal Kingdom Villas. The whole reason I want to be a part of the Disney Vacation Club.

It's a sign of a serious illness when I can even think about financing DVC just so that I can be assured of AKV every year at Disney. There's got to be medication out there for that kind of thing.

At least it's a good addiction. It guarantees your family a vacation annually.

Is AKL a definite for next year?

 

[Charleston Princess]

At least it's a good addiction. It guarantees your family a vacation annually.

Is AKL a definite for next year?

I think so -- unless prices completely skyrocket which I just don't really see that happening. However, if that is the case, then Caribbean Beach Resort as that is the only moderate we haven't tried, and I like the sound of their new pirate-themed pool area.

Or the other scenerio if prices were to be outrageous, is a shorter trip and still staying at AKL -- but I feel like the week that we spend there is too short as it is -- so we would do CBR before we would cut down on days.

I wish 2009 packages would release so I could get that all squared away and move on to obsessing about whether or not we can make another trip to Hilton Head or WDW in October for a long weekend.

 

[Native NYer]

I think so -- unless prices completely skyrocket which I just don't really see that happening. However, if that is the case, then Caribbean Beach Resort as that is the only moderate we haven't tried, and I like the sound of their new pirate-themed pool area.

Or the other scenerio if prices were to be outrageous, is a shorter trip and still staying at AKL -- but I feel like the week that we spend there is too short as it is -- so we would do CBR before we would cut down on days.

I wish 2009 packages would release so I could get that all squared away and move on to obsessing about whether or not we can make another trip to Hilton Head or WDW in October for a long weekend.

I wonder how fuel prices will effect 2009 package prices. I get the feeling prices are going to increase so Disney can continue to say Magical Express is a "free" service. Whether or not prices increase, I'm still going back. I need my Disney fix

I wish the prices would come out so I can decide on a resort. We're trying to which would be cheaper, two rooms at a deluxe or a two bedroom villa. I would really like to try POR or POFQ, but I'm concerned about their convenience to the parks. If we stay at the GF, Poly, or CR, we can hop on the monorail. If we stay at the Poly, we're walking distance from the monorail to Epcot. If we stay at the Beach Club or Boardwalk, we can walk or take a boat to DHS or Epcot.

Next year they'll be two kids in our group. This is really influencing our resort choice. T will be 5.5 and Jackson will be 1. We know we'll have a stroller for Jack, as well as diapers and other baby stuff. I'm hoping T won't need his stroller, but who knows. When he's home, he's NEVER in a stroller. But the Florida heat wipes him out. During out June 2007 and January 2008 trips (and it wasn't hot!), T fell asleep in his stroller all the time. He'd sleep anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. If we returned to the room for his nap, he was wide awake and ready to play. A stroller, this summer at least, is necessary for T. No one wants to carry a child in the blazing heat!

I keep telling myself the decision will be easier once the prices are released

 

[Charleston Princess]

We have loved staying at POR and POFQ, but it is a bit more traveling (not bad, mind you, but not as convenient) then traveling by monorail.

Having two smaller kids in the equation definitely makes a difference.

At least when prices come out, we will know what we are looking at for totals for everything. That will make planning a bit easier -- now it's all just guesswork!

 

[stagemomx3]

Sigh. Animal Kingdom Villas. The whole reason I want to be a part of the Disney Vacation Club.

It's a sign of a serious illness when I can even think about financing DVC just so that I can be assured of AKV every year at Disney. There's got to be medication out there for that kind of thing.

That's how I feel about Beach Club Villas, or Boardwalk Villas. I want, I need, I must own someday!

 

[Native NYer]

We have loved staying at POR and POFQ, but it is a bit more traveling (not bad, mind you, but not as convenient) then traveling by monorail.

Having two smaller kids in the equation definitely makes a difference.

At least when prices come out, we will know what we are looking at for totals for everything. That will make planning a bit easier -- now it's all just guesswork!

POR and POFQ look amazing. My dad grew up in New Orleans. I'm thinking he may like both resorts.

Disney just needs to release the prices so there is no guesswork I wonder if there's a website that lists the prices from the past two years. I'd like to see how much of an increase there's been from one year to the next.

How old were Chelsea and Connor when you started taking them to Disney?

That's how I feel about Beach Club Villas, or Boardwalk Villas. I want, I need, I must own someday!

I'm thinking about that too. I may do some more investigating next month, but not with my father. We'd end up with enough points to live at Disney all year. You can sell the Brooklyn Bridge to that man!

 

[Charleston Princess]

That's how I feel about Beach Club Villas, or Boardwalk Villas. I want, I need, I must own someday!

If I don't come out of this obsession, I will so be putting down a down payment on July 31st when I get paid again.

POR and POFQ look amazing. My dad grew up in New Orleans. I'm thinking he may like both resorts.

Disney just needs to release the prices so there is no guesswork I wonder if there's a website that lists the prices from the past two years. I'd like to see how much of an increase there's been from one year to the next.

How old were Chelsea and Connor when you started taking them to Disney?

The only thing is, Jen, that you are so used to staying deluxe that I don't know how you would like a moderate -- there are a lot of differences.

Mousesavers probably has something that shows it. I can never find what I am looking for on that site, though!

Chelsea was 9 months old when we took her the first time in 1998. Then, we went through what I call The Disney Drought (I was paying for and working on my Masters and had Connor during all of that) until 2004 when we went again. Chelsea was seven and Connor was five. We still did a stroller for Connor because he could only do so much walking and we were touring commando style.

 

[Native NYer]

The only thing is, Jen, that you are so used to staying deluxe that I don't know how you would like a moderate -- there are a lot of differences.

Mousesavers probably has something that shows it. I can never find what I am looking for on that site, though!

Chelsea was 9 months old when we took her the first time in 1998. Then, we went through what I call The Disney Drought (I was paying for and working on my Masters and had Connor during all of that) until 2004 when we went again. Chelsea was seven and Connor was five. We still did a stroller for Connor because he could only do so much walking and we were touring commando style.

I think I could handle a moderate, but not one of the values. I've been checking room size and configurations in the UG and Passporter, as well as pics online. I'm planning on resort hopping this trip, which I have never done.

I'm going to check Mousesavers.

The Disney Drought

A stroller is so much better than a tired child. And it's better than carrying the kid!

You're lucky that you live a reasonable drive away from Disney. Membership may make more sense for you. Also, as Chelsea and Connor get older, you may want to opt for the one bedroom or two bedroom villa. Then you can spread out and your adolescents will have their privacy too.

 

[jordanyosh]

I've used Garden Grocer and had a good experience with them. We got everything we wanted except one item which they substituted something comparable. It was easy. You do have to order ASAP as they do book up on certain days.

I've heard of 30-45 minute waits for ME, but you know what...it's "free". I miss using the towncar, but for me it's not a big deal. SO ME for me.

If you can get into one, I think the BCV dedicated 2 bedrooms are the best option for you. The 2nd bedroom will have 2 queens instead of a queen and sleeper sofa. The space is divided with the master on one side and the 2nd bedroom on the other side separated by the living room and kitchen. This provides a bit more privacy and space. Being so close to DHS and Epcot is a big plus with small ones. It's quite easy for someone to take the kids back for a nap without having to take a bus or travel quite a distance.

 

[Native NYer]

I've used Garden Grocer and had a good experience with them. We got everything we wanted except one item which they substituted something comparable. It was easy. You do have to order ASAP as they do book up on certain days.

I've heard of 30-45 minute waits for ME, but you know what...it's "free". I miss using the towncar, but for me it's not a big deal. SO ME for me.

If you can get into one, I think the BCV dedicated 2 bedrooms are the best option for you. The 2nd bedroom will have 2 queens instead of a queen and sleeper sofa. The space is divided with the master on one side and the 2nd bedroom on the other side separated by the living room and kitchen. This provides a bit more privacy and space. Being so close to DHS and Epcot is a big plus with small ones. It's quite easy for someone to take the kids back for a nap without having to take a bus or travel quite a distance.

I'm putting my Garden Grocer order in today. I really like the selection on their website.

Towncars are nice, but ME is free. Since we're not going to any of the parks on the first day, we're not in a rush to get to the CR.

I am nervous about ME transporting our luggage. But since our flight arrives at noon, we should have our bags well before bedtime.

I didn't know there were differences with the two bedroom villas at BCV. I'll request a dedicated 2 bedroom if we book there. Two queen beds is better than a queen and a sleeper sofa.

How was transportation to and from the MK and AK?

I really love AKL and AKV and would love to stay there. We were going to stay in a savannah room in January, but knew we were going to spend a lot of time at the MK. So we opted for the Poly. For our one night room only (August 9th), we originally booked AKL savannah view again. But since our package starts on the 10th at the Poly, we didn't want to be that far away. Right now, AKL's location is holding me back. Yes, it's close to AK. But it's buses to everywhere else. And it doesn't seem as convenient.

Do you know when the DVC portion of the CR will open?

 

[jordanyosh]

I'm not sure when the DVC at the CR will open, but I imagine it will be sometime next year. I think they want to make sure that most of the AKL and any remaining SSR timeshares are sold before opening the CR DVC up for sale.

Most 2 bedroom units at any DVC resort are of the 1 bedroom + a studio variety. Newer DVC resorts, BCV/SSR and AKLV have dedicated 2 bedrooms.
Really any Epcot resort would be nice--even the Swan and Dolphin aren't bad.
The convenience can't be beat.

The busses at the Epcot resorts have a bad rep because it used to be that busses went to all 5 resorts. Now they separate them out and have dedicated busses for each pair of resorts. Sometimes they combine YC/BC/BW or S/D/YC/BC......Transportation isn't bad. We had one long wait for the MK and that was it.

the good thing about AKL, at least until the DVC portion opens, is the fact that it only serves the AKL. I haven't heard too much about poor bus service, just the remote location.

 

[Native NYer]

I'm not sure when the DVC at the CR will open, but I imagine it will be sometime next year. I think they want to make sure that most of the AKL and any remaining SSR timeshares are sold before opening the CR DVC up for sale.

Most 2 bedroom units at any DVC resort are of the 1 bedroom + a studio variety. Newer DVC resorts, BCV/SSR and AKLV have dedicated 2 bedrooms.
Really any Epcot resort would be nice--even the Swan and Dolphin aren't bad.
The convenience can't be beat.

The busses at the Epcot resorts have a bad rep because it used to be that busses went to all 5 resorts. Now they separate them out and have dedicated busses for each pair of resorts. Sometimes they combine YC/BC/BW or S/D/YC/BC......Transportation isn't bad. We had one long wait for the MK and that was it.

the good thing about AKL, at least until the DVC portion opens, is the fact that it only serves the AKL. I haven't heard too much about poor bus service, just the remote location.

Thanks for the info

Right now, we're leaning either towards BWV or BCV. Stormalong Bay is swaying us!

 

[jordanyosh]

Thanks for the info

Right now, we're leaning either towards BWV or BCV. Stormalong Bay is swaying us!

You cannot beat Stormalong Bay. The sand bottomed pool area is so cool.

 

[Native NYer]

The Disney Store has a huge online summer sale right now. So, naturally I bought a few things last week. Everything finally arrived yesterday!!!

I got shirts for my mom and dad also, but forgot to take pics of them.

Flip flops, swim shorts, and shirts for T:

Shirts and shorts for me! My mom got the same red Disney shirt, purple Cinderella shirt, and blue Tink shorts. I got my dad the Disney shirt in blue and a black Mickey polo.

FYI: We will NOT wear matching t-shirts to the park, even though we have a few of the same ones. My mom refuses

 

[Native NYer]

You cannot beat Stormalong Bay. The sand bottomed pool area is so cool.

I think T will especially love it.

I'm also debating the water park, fun, and more option for next year. I'm thinking TL and Blizzard Beach deserve a visit.

 

[jordanyosh]

Nice shopping purchases.

We don't do matching outfits, but Wendy will have the kids wear something themed to a particular park...i.e. a High School Musical shirt for DHS.....

I'm just glad I remember to put clothes on much less matching clothes...

 

[Native NYer]

Nice shopping purchases.

We don't do matching outfits, but Wendy will have the kids wear something themed to a particular park...i.e. a High School Musical shirt for DHS.....

I'm just glad I remember to put clothes on much less matching clothes...

Thanks!!!

I'm the same way.

Maybe I can convince my family to wear matching shirts next year

 

[Charleston Princess]

Cute purchases from the Disney Store!

Bummer about your mom refusing to wear matching t-shirts.

 

[jordanyosh]

Thanks!!!

I'm the same way.

Maybe I can convince my family to wear matching shirts next year

Good luck with your family.....

I would say I would never embarrass myself at WDW by wearing matching t-shirts, but clearly I've already embarrassed myself many times over just during this last trip.....

 

[Native NYer]

Cute purchases from the Disney Store!

Bummer about your mom refusing to wear matching t-shirts.

Thanks!

Maybe after a few Grey Goose slushies she'll feel differently

Good luck with your family.....

I would say I would never embarrass myself at WDW by wearing matching t-shirts, but clearly I've already embarrassed myself many times over just during this last trip.....

In a sober state, I don't think I could intentionally dress like another person and skip into the MK ready to go. I'd be mortified!