Confessions of the Resort Changers

[nonsmom]

stepdisney, I was not sure of the theming. I am more of a beach person. I totally fell in love with it. I cannot explain it. It's the lobby and the music and the waterfalls. It totally sucks you in.

Belle, yes we have free dining. It will be our last year to go during this time as DS starts kindergarten in Sept. We will be pulling him out for only 3 days as there is a 4 day weekend when we are going. We went last year in Sept also and I already knew which restaurants I wanted this time. I still am having second thoughts as my DS5 keeps asking to eat with Pooh. I didn't enjoy Crystal Palace for dinner last year, and I am not sure where else has Pooh. Besides, I don't want to drop one of my 2 Chef Mickey dinners. It is my favorite for buffet's. What a dessert bar too.

Where are you eating when you go?

 

[belle2594]

stepdisney, I was not sure of the theming. I am more of a beach person. I totally fell in love with it. I cannot explain it. It's the lobby and the music and the waterfalls. It totally sucks you in.

Belle, yes we have free dining. It will be our last year to go during this time as DS starts kindergarten in Sept. We will be pulling him out for only 3 days as there is a 4 day weekend when we are going. We went last year in Sept also and I already knew which restaurants I wanted this time. I still am having second thoughts as my DS5 keeps asking to eat with Pooh. I didn't enjoy Crystal Palace for dinner last year, and I am not sure where else has Pooh. Besides, I don't want to drop one of my 2 Chef Mickey dinners. It is my favorite for buffet's. What a dessert bar too.

Where are you eating when you go?

We will be eating at LeCelliers, Coral Reef, WCC, Ohana's (fav.), LTT or Boma's, and SCi Fi.

I like Chef Mickeys too but hubby wants to try something new. Last August it wasn't as good as it use to be, and our kids are getting older, 8 and 13, so character meals are not as fun anymore. We were disappointed with Crystal Palace too even though every else says its great. Go figure.

Even though, I have not hit my 180 day mark yet! So this all may change

 

[nonsmom]

We will be eating at LeCelliers, Coral Reef, WCC, Ohana's (fav.), LTT or Boma's, and SCi Fi.

I like Chef Mickeys too but hubby wants to try something new. Last August it wasn't as good as it use to be, and our kids are getting older, 8 and 13, so character meals are not as fun anymore. We were disappointed with Crystal Palace too even though every else says its great. Go figure.

Even though, I have not hit my 180 day mark yet! So this all may change

We ate at LeCellier for dinner last year and loved it. Going back again this year. Coral Reef has a great view, but we were not that impressed with the meal. We booked Ohana and LTT for dinner. I hear Ohana is great and LTT we loved last year. I hear Sci Fi is great for the kids.

We also booked Chef's de France, new to us. Have you eaten there before?

 

[nonsmom]

Nonsmom,

I saw something called a cold pack which was a backpack that you put cold water in and it ran on battery. It kept the water ice cold so the mist was cool all day. That would work for us. We purposely did not purchase hoppers because we anticipate mornings at the parks and afternoons at the pools and evening shows at the parks we visited in the morning. Too hot to hop.

Belle, I'll meet ya at the WCC. Pass the (Heinz) I won't say the other word!! Actually, I have never been to the WL, not even to eat. This will be our first visit there. We have been to AKL to eat at Boma's and we walked all around the place and I said to my DH, "I'm going to stay here next trip." This may be why I am having the anxiety over the choice to stay at WL.

I was trying not to book hoppers this time, but that would tie me down too much to one park. I wouldn't be able to change my mind that day. I'm hopeless with changes. I just know I have to be at a certain park/resort for my dinner that night. I can still change my mind that morning if I want to go to a different park.

Are you okay with your decision about not being able to change parks?

 

[DisneyBride'03]

ktink....CBR was my 2nd hotel booked for this trip way back when!!!! You know, my trip would be paid off already if I stayed there!!!! ugh! Am now considering dropping concierge....I would rather keep that $$ now. Courtyard view opened back up during my dates.....CBR does have the largest room size of the mods, and just abt the same size as standard at WL and AKL!

I just have to change something !!! lol

Am not looking forward to this heat....at that time! I still have one ADR to change...

ktink, thanks for the prayers
nonsmom...being from the midwest, I am totally lovin palm trees and the beach motif...but went with WL on my 4th resort change And still holding...lol I hope I get sucked in!!
Am saving AKL for the next family trip....if DH doesnt give me the "Disney Again?" speech! ha I have to get him through one trip at a time....

stepdisney, keep us posted.....

To the poster with the Alphabet plan.... love it.....Plan Z can be start all over again!! lol You have come to the right place!!!!!

 

[belle2594]

No, we have never eaten at Chef's de France, but Ohana is our must do every trip. If you can make your reservation close to the closing of MK and ask for a window with a view of the castle. You can see the fireworks. We did this on our first vacation and loved it. They have hola hoops and coconut races. My dd's loved it. I agree with you about coral Reef, but my DDs told their cousins all about the aquarium so it is a have to do. I hope to make it or LeCellier apart of the CP package.

 

[stepdisney]

We loved Bomas and we are going back again. I too hope to be sucked in by WL charm.

Dianna, looks like it will be you and I unless Ktink has time to make change back to WL . You are, STILL and I repeat STILL in charge of snacks. Get in there girl and get those pretzels, or cheese ....or whatever they have behind that concierge door! On a serious note, I'm praying for your mom also.

So far, we have ADR's at Ohana, Boma, Le Cellier, Spoodles, Crystal Palace (though it sounds like I should change that), Chef Mickey's, Alfredos and WCC and Mama Melrose Fantasmic dinner. Wow! Sounds like a lot. Belle, I really want to eat in France this time, but have no takers in my camp over here. My husband keeps saying that the children won't eat it.

nonsmom, I don't think I'll miss hopping. When we had it before, it forced us into commando mode. We actually have time to go to each park twice and still do two water parks. If we do the parks in half day sessions, we will be more relaxed and we will get to spend more time at the resorts (I totally plan to tour the other resorts so that I will have a visual when planning my next trip).

 

[disneydance]

Hey we seem do do the same thing it so hard not to

 

[deide71]

ktink....CBR was my 2nd hotel booked for this trip way back when!!!! You know, my trip would be paid off already if I stayed there!!!! ugh! Am now considering dropping concierge....I would rather keep that $$ now. Courtyard view opened back up during my dates.....CBR does have the largest room size of the mods, and just abt the same size as standard at WL and AKL!

I just have to change something !!! lol

Am not looking forward to this heat....at that time! I still have one ADR to change...

ktink, thanks for the prayers
nonsmom...being from the midwest, I am totally lovin palm trees and the beach motif...but went with WL on my 4th resort change And still holding...lol I hope I get sucked in!!
Am saving AKL for the next family trip....if DH doesnt give me the "Disney Again?" speech! ha I have to get him through one trip at a time....

stepdisney, keep us posted.....

To the poster with the Alphabet plan.... love it.....Plan Z can be start all over again!! lol You have come to the right place!!!!!

Northern Minnesota has many resorts with similar motifs to the Wilderness Lodge. They are not anywhere near as grand as Wilderness lodge though. I just love the music playing in the lobby when you walk in. It really adds to the experience.

The grounds are awesome as well. The walkway through the woods to the boat dock is so relaxing and tranquil. And we loved taking the boat back to the lodge at night and seeing the hotel and the courtyard all lit up from the water. It was a truly magical experience.

We would be staying there again if the points for DVC were lower (oh no...should I add a 3'd resort to the mix...hmmm, friday and saturday at the lodge in a 2 bedroom.... )

Gotta go check the DVC point chart! See ya!

 

[momtoPrincessA]

Ok, so the resort changer addiction is kicking in. Tried again today to upgrade my room at AKL, no luck. Now I'm thinking of switching it to WL, then the whole 10 nights would be there. WL is where DH wanted to stay, so our last 4 nights are booked there anyway. He is opposed to a standard room at AKL, so should I switch to WL (and then maybe he won't be so mad about the $$$??)? Then I could keep trying to switch back to AKL with a better room type. YIKES!! I'm trying to limit the amount of trouble I will be in with DH when he finds out I've upgraded from POP to a deluxe.

 

[ktink]

Ok, so the resort changer addiction is kicking in. Tried again today to upgrade my room at AKL, no luck. Now I'm thinking of switching it to WL, then the whole 10 nights would be there. WL is where DH wanted to stay, so our last 4 nights are booked there anyway. He is opposed to a standard room at AKL, so should I switch to WL (and then maybe he won't be so mad about the $$$??)? Then I could keep trying to switch back to AKL with a better room type. YIKES!! I'm trying to limit the amount of trouble I will be in with DH when he finds out I've upgraded from POP to a deluxe.

Good luck on your decision.

Stepdisney, I thought about going behind DH's back and surprising him and the kids w/ AKL or WL but I just can't make myself pay that. I would have to loose a night and we all talked about it so CBR it is.

Well I won't get to hang out w/ yall much tonight. I have my Leadership Graduation ceremony tonight. DH hates these kinds of events and I'm not really looking forward to it. I'm just glad I made it through the past 9 months and it was a good experience. Tonight is my last active night as Historian and after that I get to hang up my camera.

 

[deide71]

Ok, so the resort changer addiction is kicking in. Tried again today to upgrade my room at AKL, no luck. Now I'm thinking of switching it to WL, then the whole 10 nights would be there. WL is where DH wanted to stay, so our last 4 nights are booked there anyway. He is opposed to a standard room at AKL, so should I switch to WL (and then maybe he won't be so mad about the $$$??)? Then I could keep trying to switch back to AKL with a better room type. YIKES!! I'm trying to limit the amount of trouble I will be in with DH when he finds out I've upgraded from POP to a deluxe.

Boy, that's a toughie.

I guess If it were me, and I was concerned about the increase in $$$$, I would not even try to upgrade. I would either split the stay and hope for an upgrade @ AKL (happens frequently) with the understanding that the entire hotel is fabulous, and even with a standard room your stay will be pleasant. Plenty of public viewing areas throughout the lodge. Great pool area, restaurants, shops etc.

The alternate of staying at the WL for the entire 10 nights sounds easier, and if it keeps your husband happy to stay at the WL the entire time i guess that is what I would do. I try to keep DH happy, so he doesn't oppose my Disney addiction.

 

[belle2594]

The alternate of staying at the WL for the entire 10 nights sounds easier, and if it keeps your husband happy to stay at the WL the entire time i guess that is what I would do. I try to keep DH happy, so he doesn't oppose my Disney addiction.[/QUOTE]

Hee Hee that is me. The man just doesn't understand that Disney is as wonderful of a trip as I say it is. I'm not crazy, honest

 

[princessminnie2]

funny

this is sanctuary....lol...

Ok, I see that you have stayed at POP and Poly....please help me!!! Is it worth the extra $$ to stay at Poly (or Contemp) strictly for the convenience factor (I don't care about the theme/luxury). Or is the transportation just as efficient from POP???

 

[CoolPool]

I'm signing in here because I just switched resorts for one night from PoP to POFQ. There you go. I said I pop, but I can't.

Anyway, PoP is the only value with dedicated buses I believe. Like AKL. I have stayed at AKL and using their buses was absolutely no big deal. I might have balked if we had multiple stops. Therefore if money is a serious consideration I would not move from PoP to Poly soley because of one issue (transportation). MO, not H. There is too much of a price difference for just transportation. But as you can see I will be staying the bulk of my upcoming trip at Poly....

 

[DisneyBride'03]

HI and a Big Welcome to CoolPool and princessminnie2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ktink....congrats on your graduation I cant wait to hear abt CBR!!! I hear the theme music from "At Worlds End" now.....lol..love the palm trees...will have to make do with pine!!! lol

So...Happy Hour at Poly.....having a Lava Flow walking on the beach....

princessminnie2.....hiya Ok....I loved POP!! Transportation was great, loved the food court/merchandise store....CM's were great....the pool area at the 60's area (bldg 4) is the best IMO....very close to everything...fun spot!! The only thing I can say if someone asked what I didnt like abt Pop...would just be the room size..We did have connecting rooms, so it wasnt bad.
Poly.....of course I had to go visit...if $$ is not an issue..I would choose Poly. Its that once in a lifetime experience to sit on the beach and see the GF in all its glory, see the castle....swimming in the pool, seeing the castle, at night the resort takes on a different personality if you will...the rooms are large! Depending on your longhouse....the GCH and Captn Cooks may not be as convenient....you could get caught in the rain etc....it just comes down to what is important to you

You will have a great time at either place....I loved POP cause it was fun, you knew you were at DW...and its reasonable...and we did the parks constantly...it wasnt the ...oh lets relax kind of vacation. If thats what you want, Poly is great for that. My thing is...if you are going to spend alot of down time at a resort...go for mod or deluxe..If its a fun, lets do the parks kind of thing...Pop it is The monorail is great....but the buses aat POp were great too!!

Hope that helped...if it didnt...I understand...lol...choosing resorts and sticking with them is what we do best here at Resorts R" Us!!

 

[nonsmom]

We loved Bomas and we are going back again. I too hope to be sucked in by WL charm.

Dianna, looks like it will be you and I unless Ktink has time to make change back to WL . You are, STILL and I repeat STILL in charge of snacks. Get in there girl and get those pretzels, or cheese ....or whatever they have behind that concierge door! On a serious note, I'm praying for your mom also.

So far, we have ADR's at Ohana, Boma, Le Cellier, Spoodles, Crystal Palace (though it sounds like I should change that), Chef Mickey's, Alfredos and WCC and Mama Melrose Fantasmic dinner. Wow! Sounds like a lot. Belle, I really want to eat in France this time, but have no takers in my camp over here. My husband keeps saying that the children won't eat it.

nonsmom, I don't think I'll miss hopping. When we had it before, it forced us into commando mode. We actually have time to go to each park twice and still do two water parks. If we do the parks in half day sessions, we will be more relaxed and we will get to spend more time at the resorts (I totally plan to tour the other resorts so that I will have a visual when planning my next trip).

I heard that Alfredo's was closing and another restaurant was going in its place. I read it on allears. Not to make you go changing again, but you may want to call and make sure they will still be open when you are there. I wanted to book it for out trip and DH said that if they don't open the new place in time, we wouldn't be able to get another ADR for that night. I didn't want to take a chance so I booked Chef's de France.

 

[stepdisney]

We booked Alfredos for the last night it will be open. We will take nice pictures so we will have a piece of history.

 

[nonsmom]

That sounds great. Will you be able to post them so we can see?

When is their last night open? We don't arrive until 9/11.

 

[stepdisney]

nonsmom, the official last night is 8/31. I'm not sure how to post pictures yet but I'll learn.


MomtoprincessA, that was really a leap of faith. Let me know it turn out and if it turns out great, let me in on what you said to smooth it over. (There's a book I'd pay good money to read "how to convince DH to switch resorts). I agree with ktink, stick to a standard and he will be even more happy when you get a great upgrade .