CLOSED PLEASE CLOSED**Official September 2012 Thread!**

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

Mommy of 3: We're coming in from Chicago, too. Only we're going to road trip.

That's awesome! Where abouts are you? We're far southwest suburbs...just south of I-80.

 

[Akitajade]

We are! Just booked 10 nights at POFQ Sept 12-22 2012. It's never too early to plan! We'll do 8 park days, and a DTD day. And of course our first time at MNNSHP. Can't wait!

 

[Princess/es19]

We are! Just booked 10 nights at POFQ Sept 12-22 2012. It's never too early to plan! We'll do 8 park days, and a DTD day. And of course our first time at MNNSHP. Can't wait!

Hello! I have added you to the list!

I am close to finishing my PTR!

and by close i mean I would be done if I don't stop "editing" the darn thing!

 

[Boymom78]

That's awesome! Where abouts are you? We're far southwest suburbs...just south of I-80.

We are also in the southwest suburbs. Not sure if we're considered far... probably. About 45 minutes from downtown Chicago.

So, I did some research. It looks like 2 rooms at a value will be cheaper than a suite, by about $150. I'm trying to decide if the kitchenette thing at the suite is worth the $150, or if having 4 beds and 2 completely separate spaces will be of more value. Any thoughts? (side note, we are in the midst of infertility treatments, and with any luck, will be bringing along a small baby)

Also, we're reconsidering the DDP. The convenience may be a bigger factor than I anticipated. The only thing that makes me hesitate to go for it, is that DS1 will be 9 1/2, and REALLY does not want to eat chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and pizza all week. He's a good eater, and prefers to eat similarly to DH (meat, veggies, potato). So I think we'd pay to upgrade DS1 to a 10 year old, so he can get adult meals. And I guess, some small part of me is hoping that will encourage DS2 to try his veggies and healthier options, LOL- maybe a little plate sharing once in a while. A mom can hope.

 

[Princess/es19]

With the new free dining promotion only going into march, I wonder when we are gonna see some deals! I'm really hoping for room only deals to pop up soon, but now I am unsure if the deals will be so great going into 2012 as the economy has picked up more.

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

Free dining was already released to everyone BUT the US Aug 19-Sept 29. It's only a matter of time before they release it to us.

With that being said, I saw a link for what I think may have been the Canadian Aug/Sept free dining and Art of Animation was not included in free dining. If this is true when we get free dining, we are switching to a deluxe resort. Now to figure out what the backup resort is. Leaning towards Contemporary, but Poly, BC, Boardwalk and YC are also possibilities. Will be researching them all!!

Boymom, I am south of Joliet...about an hour from Chicago. If you can get free dining, go for it and upgrade your DS#1. And sending prayers and positive thoughts your way for your treatments!! How exciting! I enjoy being a mom of 3. It can be hard because your outnumbered, but so rewarding.

 

[Boymom78]

Lera, I am TERRIBLE with directions, LOL. I want to say that I am northeast of Joliet. Thanks for the positive thoughts... I'm trying not to worry about it too much, but of course, I am! What if it doesn't work, what if it REALLY works? I always sort of pictured myself as a mom of 3 boys, so I can't imagine it not working, but my boys are so much older now, it's actually hard to picture it working.
If they offer the free dining for the time we're going, that would be pretty awesome. Why would they not include AoA in that? It would seem to me that that would only encourage people to NOT stay in their newest resort, right? Well, clearly, since you're looking at other options. If I had a choice between all those resorts, I'd be inclined to go with either Poly or Contemp. Poly is just so pretty, but the Contemp is also pretty impressive. It'd be a tough call.
Princess/es, I am eager to see confirmation of offers/deals, too. I can't imagine that there'd be NOTHING in September.

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

If they offer the free dining for the time we're going, that would be pretty awesome. Why would they not include AoA in that? It would seem to me that that would only encourage people to NOT stay in their newest resort, right? Well, clearly, since you're looking at other options. If I had a choice between all those resorts, I'd be inclined to go with either Poly or Contemp. Poly is just so pretty, but the Contemp is also pretty impressive. It'd be a tough call.

I have no idea. I tried all different dates from Aug19-Sept 29. All of them said that the resort or resort category is unavailable. If free dining is released and AoA is NOT part of it, it would be $15 more expensive to stay at AoA than Poly and $475 more expensive than Beach Club. I'd be stupid not to switch. Plus, my DH said dealing with construction and all that kind of makes it a no brainer as well.

I am pretty sure our backup is Poly...it's just so pretty!! My DD LOVES it.

 

[Boymom78]

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how they can call AoA a value, when it seems to me that there are better prices and options out at other resorts, even at the other values. $475 is a pretty significant savings. (and for what my opinion is worth-- I'd do Poly, too-- never stayed there, but gawd, it's simply stunning IMO).
So if we're fairly confident that they will offer free dining, I'm wondering if it's better to upgrade to a moderate, get two rooms there, and just deal with the fact that we're in two different resorts (from my brother and mom). Of course, the moderate may be a better deal for my brother, too. I'll have to price that out and see. We're not doing QSDP, so we'd be paying to upgrade to the DDP anyway, so there may be a savings there. At the rate I'm going, I'm not going to be booked until September, LOL.

 

[goofytiggerfan]

Hi we are going to WDW September 9-15th 2012 to celebrate family time!! We are staying at POR in the Royal Suites!! Our first Mod trip!!

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how they can call AoA a value, when it seems to me that there are better prices and options out at other resorts, even at the other values. $475 is a pretty significant savings. (and for what my opinion is worth-- I'd do Poly, too-- never stayed there, but gawd, it's simply stunning IMO).
So if we're fairly confident that they will offer free dining, I'm wondering if it's better to upgrade to a moderate, get two rooms there, and just deal with the fact that we're in two different resorts (from my brother and mom). Of course, the moderate may be a better deal for my brother, too. I'll have to price that out and see. We're not doing QSDP, so we'd be paying to upgrade to the DDP anyway, so there may be a savings there. At the rate I'm going, I'm not going to be booked until September, LOL.

I called Disney this morning to get an opinion, and the CM said that she know nothing about discounts for AoA, but her own opinion was that they probably wouldn't offer a code the first year. Said that they didn't offer it to ASMu when they opened (another DISer said this as well) and that there's too many variables at stake. So, we'll be jumping ship to Poly.

I would definitely go with 2 rooms at a mod to get the DDP upgrade. But then again, even with an infant, you still could stay in 1 room.

My downfall right now is I booked soooo early and I'm regretting it. I am driving myself crazy with all these variables and unknowns....should have waited till they either released free dining or a couple weeks before my ADRs were due.

 

[Boymom78]

I'm debating waiting another month, until mid-September to book, to see if anything comes out in that time frame, so I can stop changing my mind and looking at variables, LOL.

 

[Boymom78]

So, I tried convincing DH that we should stay at Boardwalk, LOL. He loved it, but it's just not in our budget this time. So, we're looking at the moderates. Caribbean or Port Orleans Riverside (and we'll be getting two rooms). It's only $600 more, and when you factor in that the pools at either resort will probably be enough to keep the kids from wanting to do the waterparks, it's actually only $300 more, LOL. So now I've got it narrowed down to those two. We're not booking till September now, so I've got time to figure it out. I'm loving the decor and layout at POR, but the pool at CBR looks like more fun for the kids.
My brother is up in the air about going again, so I'm not even gonna worry about his plans anymore. If he goes, he can stay where he wants, and go for as many days as he wants, and we'll just meet him at the parks, or for meals. Probably better that way anyway- too much togetherness and all that, LOL. If he doesn't, being in two rooms already means we can just add my mom to the other room ressie.

 

[Princess/es19]

Hi we are going to WDW September 9-15th 2012 to celebrate family time!! We are staying at POR in the Royal Suites!! Our first Mod trip!!

That sounds awesome! I have added you to the list!

DH really, really, really wants to wait to book until we file our taxes and get our tax returns, and I think part of the reason is my constant change of hotel choice, and the second, not knowing a trip budget until after Christmas and My 21st birthday have gone. (cause you know its going to be a big shindig!) He also said that the budget is going to determine:
1. How many days we vacation for
2. If we rent a car
3. If we visit Universal
4. What type of hotel price/amenities we want/afford.
We got almost 2000 from tax returns last year, but I don't know what to expect from filing in a different state. Thats the difference between staying in the poly or at the pop.
We always file our taxes in January/February, so late February is when we usually see our return statement.

With the setbacks we have had before, I can't blame him.

He also wants to add another puppy into our family, and we are thinking about getting a beagle, so he is really focused on that right now. His favorite movie is fox and the hound, and I think that's why he wants one sooo bad. Sometimes he is like a little kid!

I really want to wait until I see the killer deals that were promoted in the past that were to the sound of 35-40% off Room only rates. I am not that picky about which hotel we stay at, as I seriously doubt we will be spending enough time at the hotel to make it a big deal. The only thing I worry about is travel times between parks and stuff like that. Ideally, I like the look of Carribbean beach or the serene look to POR.

And this sounds awful, but this weeks recent stock market plumet makes me hopeful for better deals for those better value deals. I feel so guilty saying that but its brutally honest.

 

[Boymom78]

Princess/es- Your 21st birthday should absolutely be a HUGE shindig! Have fun! Mine was really awesome- so much so that even a decade later, I still remember it! Well, most of it.
I think I'm leaning towards Port Orleans French Quarter now. I really like the looks of the rooms, and the shared pools with Riverside is a bonus for the kids. Gah. Eventually, I will make up my mind!

 

[Princess/es19]

Princess/es- Your 21st birthday should absolutely be a HUGE shindig! Have fun! Mine was really awesome- so much so that even a decade later, I still remember it! Well, most of it.
I think I'm leaning towards Port Orleans French Quarter now. I really like the looks of the rooms, and the shared pools with Riverside is a bonus for the kids. Gah. Eventually, I will make up my mind!

Thanks!

I absolutely love the look of Art of Animation, but, not that I don't like kids, its a hotel made for families specifically, and I'm not sure how romantic it can be. That's why I lean toward one with a beach setting, now that I'm living in Oregon, warm white sandy beaches are hard to come by!
I would stay at either side of Port Orleans, but the River scene isn't as exotic for us.

Anyway, I am getting myself really excited for Fantasy Land expansions! I am keeping both fingers crossed that at least a majority will be completed by the time we get there. MK is the one park we may spend the least time in, and I am placing it second to last on my itinerary as the attractions we will ride will be ones that are not in Disneyland, like Country Bear (something I miss dearly) and Mickey's Philharmagic, or ones that are different from what we know like Haunted Mansion.
Of course, DH will have to ride Space and I have to ride Pirates. But that seems like a half a day event, even with Wishes and MSEP. So a new Fantasy Land will set the tone of the day for us very nicely.

I cannot wait for Epcot though! I speak French, and DH is Italian so we may have to thumb wrestle over where we make our dining reservations!

 

[DisneyDre]

cant wait for our trip Sep 5-16 !!!

 

[hotcarib]

Just finalized all our dining and got it entered into Mouse Memos!!!
12-19 @ POFQ~YAY!!!
We say this every trip, but we are REALLY excited for this trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[orangecats2]

Just finalized all our dining and got it entered into Mouse Memos!!!
12-19 @ POFQ~YAY!!!
We say this every trip, but we are REALLY excited for this trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi! We"ll be at POFQ a couple of the same days as you! DH and I will be there the 15-22. Maybe we can have a DIS meet?

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

I'm debating waiting another month, until mid-September to book, to see if anything comes out in that time frame, so I can stop changing my mind and looking at variables, LOL.

Hopefully something will come out by then, but I'm not holding my breath. I so badly want to just say screw it and have my TA change to Poly, but there is NO way I can justify paying that amount of money if we don't get any sort of discount. I can pay for AoA without a discount.