Dave Ramseying to Disney!Some final thoughts 8/18

[999ghostslover]

Oh yes, and I tunes always has a free single of the week..may not be songs she likes or that are age appropriate though!

and she will adore CSR, i just know it! the pool is the BOMB!! I will miss that most next trip!

It looks so fun. Are the kids really out of view for a long time though? My 6 year old will love ti but not sure about my 3 year old?

Erin, do you use southernsavers to find coupon matches?? I love that site, and almost always save 60% or more on my grocery trips. I shop at both Publix and Kroger, but I know they have tons of stores that they list for, at least in the south.

I do use them. And I like I heart publix too.

 

[999ghostslover]

I will be honest, when I first booked CSR I was not exactly thrilled. Does anyone else have a hard time moving down a category? Going from a Deluxe to a mod or mod to a value? I never even entertained the idea of getting a deluxe this trip (we only did it last time b/c it was all we could get with the 4/3 deal in 2009) but I still had some concerns. I picked CSR for two main reasons. The bed and the bed. Well, more specifically the duvet and the queen size. We hate sharing a double and bedspreads gross me out. Even in the WL I hated the bedspread. We got turn down every night but if I got cold I would grab the bedspread in the night and gah! The new queen beds at CSR are supposed to be awesome and that was reason enough to pick a hotel that otherwise did not excite me one bit.
But that has all changed. I just read a new review on allears by Jack Spence. I love him! And he posted very detailed video on the site. Now I am not only okay with going to CSR, I am actually really excited!
Check it out!
http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/08/coronado_springs_resort_part_t.html

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Whoa, that video really is detailed! I love Jack and trust his opinions; he's almost always right on the money. I've never stayed at CSR, but several of my friends will only stay there because they love it so much. I think you are going to have a blast!

And about bedspreads--you are so right! Blech!

 

[inkedupmomma]

It looks so fun. Are the kids really out of view for a long time though? My 6 year old will love ti but not sure about my 3 year old?

nope, they go up some stairs and have to wait their turn, both my kids did great, including my terribly behaved at the time 3 year old!

 

[LMN]

Thanks for including Jack's video on CSR. I had no idea it was so gorgeous! I am putting it on our list of resorts that we need to try out!

 

[999ghostslover]

Thanks for including Jack's video on CSR. I had no idea it was so gorgeous! I am putting it on our list of resorts that we need to try out!

It is a really well done video. i just left the music playing while I was reading a CSR review and TR.

nope, they go up some stairs and have to wait their turn, both my kids did great, including my terribly behaved at the time 3 year old!

Oh good. His sister can help him up there but he is going to want to go down over and over and over. I already know. And BTdub loved your TR. Great job!

Whoa, that video really is detailed! I love Jack and trust his opinions; he's almost always right on the money. I've never stayed at CSR, but several of my friends will only stay there because they love it so much. I think you are going to have a blast!

And about bedspreads--you are so right! Blech!

Yes, so many bloggers and pod-casters are just so down on Disney lately. Nothing is as good as they remember it from yesteryear (that can be said for all things, there is a psychological term for only remembering the good in things and experiencing the bad the next time but my brain no remember) but Jack is not like that. He still sees the magic. He can walk by something and tell you all about it and you will be fascinated even though you maybe walked by it a million times before. He is truthful when something isn't up to par but he doesn't go into an experience already jaded.

 

[999ghostslover]

Abby's birthday party on Monday was a big hit. I didn't know if she would have a good turnout or not with it being Labor Day. I thought it was a great group that ended up coming. Maybe 15 kids. It was Wizard of Oz themed. We had it at the pool and clubhouse in my neighborhood. My dad has all of the good pics on his bad mama jamma camera but I will likely never see them so here is what I have...

The new stroller off Craig's List.

Brady being a goob

Abby ended up getting the ipod touch for her birthday. She loves it. She got some itunes gift cards and has gone to town with those. I think we made the right choice for her. She is just not a gamer.
Getting the ipod touch

My mom and Dad and Brady fighting for couch space

We had a great dinner with my parents on Sunday, the party Monday and then my dad flew off to work Tuesday morning while my mom stayed on a day to have lunch with Abby in the cafeteria at school. They are two peas in a pod. They loved it.

As far as them coming, I think a decision has been made. I brought it up one time and the comment that I have a one track mind was made and that was it. My DH and I have decided that it is their loss. We are going to have a blast at Disney. And it will be so much easier to plan and get the reservations we want with just us. I didn't make a stink I just smiled and did not bring it up again. We'll see if they even mention it in the future but I will just say that due to our crazy touring schedule we just don't think they would have a lot of fun and that we'll see them after the trip to celebrate Brady's b-day with them. Abby did ask my mom one time if she was coming to Disney and I heard her say that she thought so. So I'll have to deal with that at some point. I'm just glad that I know who is going now so that I can start to plan.

 

[moparop]

Looks like a great party Erin!

And pooh on the grandparents. Like you did say, it'll be easier to travel at whatever pace you want without them along.

 

[inkedupmomma]

great party pics..and UGH at the one track mind comment..doesn't it make you feel like an idiot?? drives me nuts when people don;t get it. But you are right , their loss!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

What a fun party!! And it's so funny to look at your house in the pics, cause I'm like, "We've got that toy...we've got that gate...oh, got that toy, too..."

Sorry about the grandparents mess. We're taking my MIL as kid help/babysitter (FIL would NEVER go. He wouldn't leave the state. Heck, he won't leave his chair), but we're paying her way this time in hopes that she won't complain as much as she did on our first trip and hopefully has the understanding that we make the decisions. Hopefully.

 

[LMN]

My dad would have totally made a remark like your parents did (one track mind) instead of just flat out telling me he didn't want to come. Why do people have to be like that? I wouldn't let it bother me- like you said, at least now you know and can start planning. And it is completely their loss. Can't wait to follow along with your plans.....

 

[999ghostslover]

Looks like a great party Erin!

And pooh on the grandparents. Like you did say, it'll be easier to travel at whatever pace you want without them along.

It really will be. When I was thinking about dining I was like "well, we can't do two character meals in one day b/c my dad would not like that" Now we can do 3! And thanks, I'm loving easy cheap parties. Don't tell the "Cool" moms but the kids have just as much fun at these!

great party pics..and UGH at the one track mind comment..doesn't it make you feel like an idiot?? drives me nuts when people don;t get it. But you are right , their loss!

Yes, I always feel like I have to watch what I say. Like, we go to Disney a lot but it is because of my husband's grandmother living so close. The truth is that this may be 1% of the reason we both go.

What a fun party!! And it's so funny to look at your house in the pics, cause I'm like, "We've got that toy...we've got that gate...oh, got that toy, too..."

Sorry about the grandparents mess. We're taking my MIL as kid help/babysitter (FIL would NEVER go. He wouldn't leave the state. Heck, he won't leave his chair), but we're paying her way this time in hopes that she won't complain as much as she did on our first trip and hopefully has the understanding that we make the decisions. Hopefully.

Yes, I think it is good that you are setting up the boundaries now. My parents probably would have insisted on us taking one night for ourselves if they had come but honestly I don't know if we would have. I regret that my Dh never got to go to the Adventurer's Club. I loved that place. But to sit at a fancy dinner without our kids at Disney World just does not seem that much fun. At least not at this age. One day in the future for sure!

And do your toys stay where they are supposed to or do they migrate all over like mine do? They have taken over! Sometimes I look at Buzz and Woody and scold them. The kids crack up when I do that!

My dad would have totally made a remark like your parents did (one track mind) instead of just flat out telling me he didn't want to come. Why do people have to be like that? I wouldn't let it bother me- like you said, at least now you know and can start planning. And it is completely their loss. Can't wait to follow along with your plans.....

Yeah, it is passive aggressive and I can't stand that. I only have a one track mind when we agreed we would make a decision about something over the course of a weekend and I bring it up when no one else does. They haven't been to Disney in 15 years. They have never stayed on prop. Their idea of a fun vacation is a suite at the Del in San Diego with 4-5 tee times in a 5 day trip and that isn't going to change. I'm just sad for them that they are going to miss this magical age with their only grandkids.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

And do your toys stay where they are supposed to or do they migrate all over like mine do? They have taken over! Sometimes I look at Buzz and Woody and scold them. The kids crack up when I do that!

QUOTE]

Uhm, definitely migrate! We have an upstairs playroom AND a downstairs playroom, yet somehow they're still in my living room, the office, all the bedrooms, and in the kitchen. Bad toys!!

 

[999ghostslover]

I am finally starting to seriously look at ADRs for our trip. We will have 8 TS credits per person. To avoid having to pay OOP for kids meals for my two under 3 year old guys we will try to get in as many buffet and preferable family style meals as possible. The fist day we get there we will not eat TS as it will be late. The next day we will go to Titusville to see my grandmother-in-law and some other family. We may have a cookout so we are not going to do ADRs just in case. But we are going to get CS breakfast at WPE before we drive over. Score! We will not have park hoppers. I'm going to lay out the days but the order will likely change as TGM and TP update their best days for parks. I want feedback. Like seriously, tell me what you love and hate.

DHS (only day there)
early lunch at Play and Dine.
This gets pretty great reviews. They added handy manny and I am hoping they will ditch jojo and add Oso or someone else current. If all of the people in your house use the toilet then none of this means anything to you.
We will probably be done here by about 2pm. Head back for naps.
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

AK (only day there)
early Tusker House ADR. Get in before park opens.
Dinner at Ohana.

MK day 1 (not Brady's b-day)
LTT dinner (non-negotiable. It was our best meal last trip)

MK day 2(Brady's b-day)
Pirate makeovers.
Can we get in early for this? I'm hoping it is like BBB.
Crystal Palace Dinner

Epcot day 1
Chefs de France for dinner

Epcot day 2
Cape May Cafe
We really want to eat at the boardwalk area and do the back entrance to Epcot. We have not done that as a family. I did it in 99. I love doing that in the evening.

I know I said I wanted family/buffet but I feel like I want one less somewhere. I would really like to try Raglan Rd but not sure where to make it work. And I really want to d Earl of Sandwich at some point and we can't commit to getting to DtD that much. Agh!

 

[999ghostslover]

http://www.viddler.com/explore/disneyparks/videos/20/


soooo cool!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I've never been to most of those places, just Play-n-Dine and Cape May, and we enjoyed both of them (no matter what the reviews are on the first!). We, too, are buffet people because of small children. We've eaten at the Crystal Palace, but only for breakfast, so I can't speak to how their dinner is; their breakfast is one of the best things we've had at Disney, though!

I'm still in research mode, and I am toying with the idea of Tusker House. Have you been there before?

Pirate Makeovers sound really cool! I hope Brady has an awesome birthday...though how could he possibly not!?!

 

[inkedupmomma]

[COLOR="Green"

DHS (only day there)
early lunch at Play and Dine.
This gets pretty great reviews. They added handy manny and I am hoping they will ditch jojo and add Oso or someone else current. If all of the people in your house use the toilet then none of this means anything to you.
We will probably be done here by about 2pm. Head back for naps.
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare.
[B][COLOR="Purple"]I have eaten breakfast at hollywood and vine and I did not like it one bit it deserved the bad reviews that it got. Not a decent size buffet, but the character interaction was superb! I agree, I love jojo, but they dont even snow that anymore..so how are the kids supposed t know? as for 1900, that gets bad reviews as well, but I actually thought it was decent! The food was pretty good, and the character interaction was stellar![/COLOR][/B]

AK (only day there)
early Tusker House ADR. Get in before park opens.
Dinner at Ohana.
Loveddd Tusker House!! Also enjoyed Ohana!

MK day 1 (not Brady's b-day)
LTT dinner (non-negotiable. It was our best meal last trip)
no opinion, never eaten here, just doesn't appeal to me. although lunch seems better than dinner for some reason

MK day 2(Brady's b-day)
Pirate makeovers.
Can we get in early for this? I'm hoping it is like BBB.
Crystal Palace Dinner
never have done dinner, just breakfast.. i think it gets good dinner reviews though

Epcot day 1
Chefs de France for dinner
we may try here next trip too!

Epcot day 2
Cape May Cafe
We really want to eat at the boardwalk area and do the back entrance to Epcot. We have not done that as a family. I did it in 99. I love doing that in the evening.
dinner or breakfast? as you know i wanna try breakfast here next trip

I know I said I wanted family/buffet but I feel like I want one less somewhere. I would really like to try Raglan Rd but not sure where to make it work. And I really want to d Earl of Sandwich at some point and we can't commit to getting to DtD that much. Agh![/COLOR]

You HAVE to try EoS!! find the time! then go to goofys for a snack!

 

[999ghostslover]

Uhm, definitely migrate! We have an upstairs playroom AND a downstairs playroom, yet somehow they're still in my living room, the office, all the bedrooms, and in the kitchen. Bad toys!!

yes, what is with that??!!

I've never been to most of those places, just Play-n-Dine and Cape May, and we enjoyed both of them (no matter what the reviews are on the first!). We, too, are buffet people because of small children. We've eaten at the Crystal Palace, but only for breakfast, so I can't speak to how their dinner is; their breakfast is one of the best things we've had at Disney, though!

I'm still in research mode, and I am toying with the idea of Tusker House. Have you been there before?

Pirate Makeovers sound really cool! I hope Brady has an awesome birthday...though how could he possibly not!?!

I have not been to Tusker House before. Well, a long time ago when it was a counter service restaurant. We have had Crystal Palace lunch and I have liked it a lot. If we can't get in to the park early for pirate makeovers then we may switch this to breakfast.
Pirate makeovers do look cool. I think it will be a fun thing to do since he will not get a party and this will be his gift. He and Abby can do it together. She has an awesome Elizabeth Swann costume that she can wear. And I think we have a pirate costume for B. C will be too little for it.
Yes, I may get flamed but I do not like BBB. I do not like the way the little girls look. And while I love Abby to enjoy the princesses I don't overly encourage the acting like one. I just think the thought of a kid at Disney World needing to be pampered like a princess seems too indulgent. But I am also the mean mom who wouldn't let her go in a limo to a kid's salon to get a facial for a 5 year old's party. Because what do you have to look forward to in life if you get to experience that at 5? We got some Cinderella blue hair glitter and a crown and I did her hair before CRT and she looked beautiful. And I love that kid so much because she asked why all of the girls there had their hair extensions and all of that. She looked sad for about two seconds and then she said she was too happy to see Cinderella to care. And I was so proud of her.I don't know why this turned into a BBB rant. If my kids lived and breathed princesses I'm sure I might feel very different.

Here is Abby after Mommy-Bobbidi Boutique

and it is hard to tell but her dress is the Cinderella story in toile. All of the princesses went crazy for it and she felt like a star.

You HAVE to try EoS!! find the time! then go to goofys for a snack!

Yes, that sounds way better than having a set ADR. And I think we will all enjoy Raglan when the kids get a little older. EoS may be what I look forward to the most!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

We don't do BBB, either. I really don't think my girls would like someone brushing their hair and putting it up tightly and adding itchy fake hair. Not their thing. I bought the little crowns at Disney Store that look like the ones from BBB, and I put their hair up in buns (well, a little ponytail for the little one!), and they were happy. My girls like to take a dress to the park, but only wear it for brief periods, like CRT or for meeting fairies. I am not paying for BBB when I know they wouldn't even like it and they don't even understand it!
I took Juju to get her first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop, and she was very excited to get the pixie dust. For $5, I think I'll stick with that if she wants any special Disney hair.

 

[999ghostslover]

We don't do BBB, either. I really don't think my girls would like someone brushing their hair and putting it up tightly and adding itchy fake hair. Not their thing. I bought the little crowns at Disney Store that look like the ones from BBB, and I put their hair up in buns (well, a little ponytail for the little one!), and they were happy. My girls like to take a dress to the park, but only wear it for brief periods, like CRT or for meeting fairies. I am not paying for BBB when I know they wouldn't even like it and they don't even understand it!
I took Juju to get her first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop, and she was very excited to get the pixie dust. For $5, I think I'll stick with that if she wants any special Disney hair.

I have wanted to do Harmony Barbershop since I was little. I hope we get to. It won't be a first haircut but they boys would still like it.