Disney Gives Me the Warm Fuzzies. January 2010 PreTrip Report. Update 11/6 Pg. 79

[MaryAz]

Sorry you could not swap to the Mod you wanted. I will cast a vote for CBR. We stayed last May and really liked it. The walk to the Food Court is not bad and heck you could drive over there with the car if ya needed to. it is very tropical and beachy. I found the rooms really nice but we stayed in a refurb pirate one. I say go over to the resort board and look at some pics.
ADR's and park plans look great!

 

[jordanyosh]

The buses are not a problem since we will have a rental car. I did read that the rooms are larger, which is nice. It's not that I don't like Pop it's just that I want to try a moderate so badly. I've done deluxe and value. Deluxe is wonderful but too pricey, value is great for a budget trip but I think I want that middle road if that makes sense. I can tell you one thing, as soon as I get home in January I am booking a room at Riverside for the maybe next fall trip just in case.

I love Pop if I'm staying solo. It's affordable and it's a fun place to stay.

But you and I both know that if there's a bounceback in the room......POR baby!

CBR if it's not too much trouble, I'd go for it, especially if you have a car.

 

[MinnieNurse]

Just my opinion, but CBR is my least favorite moderate. I love POFQ and 2nd is CSR. I have not stayed at POR but love the looks of it. I have stayed at Pop and if I had to choose between Pop and CBR I would go with Pop everytime.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh goodness! I'm sorry for the resort dilemma LL! How stressful.

I do agree with the general opinion here that I too would upgrade to CBR since it's just a small amount of money more-the bigger room is worth it. But, I would also keep trying for POR in hopes something will open.

 

[IluvXU]

I agree with everybody... go stay at CBR. I think you will like it, and notice the room being bigger too. It is just pocket change to stay at a Mod so I would jump on it!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Are you outside the Great Movie Ride? Looking at the roof?

You are correct!

This picture is not from the section I zoomed in on...but you get the idea.

UGH! I'm so sorry that you couldn't get a room at either Port Orleans!

My sister usually stays there and she had a heck of a time last year getting a room there at a discounted rate! I guess because it's a really popular resort the discounted rooms go really quickly!

I hope the AP rates work out for you and you can get something closer to what you want!

You 4/3 saga sounds like mine last year!! But we wanted to move from a certain mod that shall remain nameless to WL and add extra days to even take advantage of the deal! The price difference wasn't that big though and we ended up making out really well!! The emailing back and forth with the TA was crazy! Not to mention I hate wait when it comes to disney planning! I get all keyed up and then the waiting stinks!

Your new plans look great! Cali grill is so nice! I can't wait to eat there again someday!

I love the idea of staying at a park and fly hotel. Especially if their going to clean your car if snows gotta love that!

I am so excited about the Park & Fly hotel cleaning off my car! I really hate doing that...especially after a week in Florida. I don't need to come crashing back down to reality that quickly!

The 4/3 deal is just not working for me this year, it was great last year in May but not so much this year. Oh well.

I am so sorry that you did not get POR or POFQ! I will keep my fingers crossed that a great rate will come up for you still - with availability at one of the POs!!

My sister and I actually really considered staying at CBR, we thought the beach theme would be wonderful to get away from grey winter in Germany to sunny Florida in January. But if it isn't what you want, I think keeping POP sounds like not such a bad deal after all!

You know, I started looking at pictures of CBR on Friday night and I got to thinking that the tropical theme of CBR would be really nice in the middle of winter.

Ughhh, what a resort dilemma! For me, I would stay at CBR over Pop if the price was about the same. We liked it there, and Charles even more than me. It's where we will most likely stay next summer -- he wants the kids to experience it. It definitely has a very island feel to it, the rooms are slightly bigger than other moderates, the food court was good, and overall the whole place was just as lovely as all Disney resorts. Since there is only a few dollars difference between it and Pop, if it were me, I would go for the moderate.

I looked at your pictures over on your TR and they are just beautiful. It seems very peaceful.

LL.....

I am so sorry you did not get POR or POFQ (which is the resort I really think you guys will love - but you already know that ). I am SURE that more discounted rooms will open up there, Those AP rates are really fickle. When I was booking CSR with an AP rate for my June trip I could NOT get an AP rate to save my life for Sat night, only Sun. When I called back for another reason I got the most awesome CM who made it happen and offered me the rate. That was like 3 weeks before my trip.

My point is....you WILL get POR. It is only October and you are going in January. Those general AP rates will open more rooms. I did not get the AP code either, though I wish I had.

However, I have stayed at CBR and Pop and for $34 more I would definately stay at CBR. I know it is not close to being your first choice, but in January it would be so pretty and tropical. Plus I bet the new pool remodel is nice and you will have Jen's car to get around the place, which is pretty big. You stand a good chance of getting a room really close to where you park the car. Big convenience there. Seriously, one thing I didn't like about Pop is walking to the car. Too far! (Boy am I a complainer).

Anyway - I know how badly you wish everything was all wrapped up with a nice neat bow, but you will just have to be patient a bit longer. Here's hoping pixie dust will come your way real soon.

I know, when she first told me that there was a standard room at POFQ, I thought, Mary Ellen will be so excited!

If we wouldn't have a rental car, I think I would skip CBR but since we do it's a nice place to stay. I want to stay at every resort anyways so I guess this is just part of making the rounds!

OMG...I have missed too much! I have to catch up, but I DID read your latest update. I have never stayed at Pop, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I really like CBR. Of course, I'm with you on POR- it is so quiet & relaxing. CBR is very pretty & colorful...and maybe you can get a pirate room.
I am going to be there the same time as you & doing the mk emh on the 17th! We should talk about meeting up for a few emh rides!

Oh yes, we will have to set up a meet for sure and exchange cell phone numbers. I love DIS meets!

Just jumping in here with my opinion......
Like you need that.....
Any who, after looking at CP's CBR photo's I think you would really enjoy it! Well I would anyway!
I think you should go for it! If something opens up at POR you can switch, right?

All opinions are welcome! I know, CP's pictures sold me on CBR too.

I am going to go with CP's advice too and try out CBR. If not for anything that you haven't stayed there before and it will be something new. Was it that one or CS that was just refurbed? I think CS from reading another TR awhile back. If you do this and then still keep trying for your true wish then hopefully it will come through

Tracy

I think Coronado Springs was just refurbed. Though I know some rooms at CBR have been refurbed to get the pirate and Nemo themes.

Well not to beat a dead horse since I think you have a universal opinion so far but I too would book at CBR. For all the reasons everyone else said.

And keep checking. I think Mary Ellen is right and there is a strong liklihood of it opening up. Make sure your TA is basically checking daily for you, give her permission to just move you automatically to either Riverside or FQ if they open up.

Of course it it were me I'd probably book that fall room now, you know my saga with next August room availability, better to protect it now!

On to happier things.

I your ADR list!

YUM!

It's so crazy that in less than one day all the standard rooms have been booked. I have to say though that the TA seems to think that there are not a whole lot of rooms set aside for this discount to begin with. I believe that, especially with the 4/3 deal and AP rates taking up rooms too.

Sorry you couldn't get POR or POFQ. I know it's not your first choice, but I would upgrade from Pop to CBR. You'll have a bigger room. Plus, the beaches look so beautiful in the photos. I hope something opens up at POR or POFQ for you.

I think it's worth upgrading to CBR from Pop. Not that I have anything against Pop, I just have stayed there before. I love the idea of staying somewhere new.

Sorry you could not swap to the Mod you wanted. I will cast a vote for CBR. We stayed last May and really liked it. The walk to the Food Court is not bad and heck you could drive over there with the car if ya needed to. it is very tropical and beachy. I found the rooms really nice but we stayed in a refurb pirate one. I say go over to the resort board and look at some pics.
ADR's and park plans look great!

Thanks. It seems like most who have stayed at CBR were happy there.

I love Pop if I'm staying solo. It's affordable and it's a fun place to stay.

But you and I both know that if there's a bounceback in the room......POR baby!

CBR if it's not too much trouble, I'd go for it, especially if you have a car.

Will either of us ever get to stay at POR? I think having the car makes CBR a smart choice for this trip.

Just my opinion, but CBR is my least favorite moderate. I love POFQ and 2nd is CSR. I have not stayed at POR but love the looks of it. I have stayed at Pop and if I had to choose between Pop and CBR I would go with Pop everytime.

I knew you were less than thrilled with CBR so that was putting me off a bit. Why is picking a resort so difficult?

Oh goodness! I'm sorry for the resort dilemma LL! How stressful.

I do agree with the general opinion here that I too would upgrade to CBR since it's just a small amount of money more-the bigger room is worth it. But, I would also keep trying for POR in hopes something will open.

The bigger room is well worth it, plus staying somewhere new is always exciting for me.

I agree with everybody... go stay at CBR. I think you will like it, and notice the room being bigger too. It is just pocket change to stay at a Mod so I would jump on it!

It is just pocket change to upgrade to CBR so it's worth it.

 

[Lady Lallie]

So shortly after I posted my update on Friday considering Caribbean Beach Resort, I made an executive decision.

I sent Jen a PM, telling her that I emailed the Travel Agent, asking her to upgrade us to CBR. My exact words to the TA were...

I'm probably too late but...if there is a standard view room available at Caribbean Beach, could you book us there, please?

And you know what the TA emailed me back...??

Well, you’re not going to believe this. You’re right the Caribbean Beach was no longer available....



BUT I was able to find a water view room at the Port Orleans French Quarter.

At first I was really upset because it was going to make our cost jump from $633 for a standard room at a moderate to $735 for a water view at POFQ. I sent a heated text message to Jen saying how upset I was and then went and ran some errands with Marc.

While I was driving, I calmed down. Really, it would be $50 more for us to stay at one of the resorts we really wanted to stay at. Is that so bad? Is it going to break the budget? The answer is no.

So Jen starts texting me and we agree to just stay at POFQ and be happy about it. After running my errands and eating dinner I had a chance to chat with Jen some more. At first, we emailed the TA and asked her to keep checking for any standard moderate but then....we decided that we just wanted her to keep checking for a standard room at French Quarter or Riverside period.

That is where we want to stay and $50 is not going to break the budget. So for now we are in a French Quarter water view room. We are going to request a river view since we were looking at some pictures online and those views are just so pretty and peaceful.

I'm finally excited about our resort. I get that southern charm I have been wanting, I get to try a new resort and I'm staying at a moderate for the first time.

After the resort drama from the last few days, I needed to do something fun. I've been teasing Jen telling her I was going to make a sign for the rental car so she has a habit of losing it.

Well, I went to VistaPrint yesterday to look for Christmas Cards when I stumbled up on them offering CAR DOOR MAGNETS!!

This is what I designed and ordered for us.

I'm not really sold on the hair colors of either of us but Marc was giving me advice on them and those were his hair choices.

It's only a small car door magnet, 8 1/2 x 11. So I am hoping that if we get a car with a bigger trunk we can just put it on the back of it while we are parked. I think it's really cute. I'm also thinking of making a special antennae topper for us. We'll see how that goes, worst case we can just buy one of the fun Disney ones and put it on the car.

Warm Fuzzies.

Jen: Looking closely at the large Peter Pan View Finder Disk.

Leslie: Riding Pirates of the Caribbean in an empty boat.

Where in Disney Am I?

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi LL! I was just going to post my recommendation to stay at CBR - I have stayed at both Pop and CBR and liked CBR a lot. But it looks like it all worked out for you guys!!! Congrats!!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

POFQ! You are going to love it! Fingers crossed to get POR ....

What a great car sign! So fun! My guess for the new pic is IASW... I think the room that has the big ferris wheel ..?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hallelujah!! As much as I liked staying at CBR, I also liked POR. I'm so glad you decided to do PO whatever! It is beautiful and relaxing in a totally different way than CBR.
Heck, $50 is nothing these days! That's like 10 mochas at Starbucks. Of course, you probably aren't having those anyway. It's been so fun to follow along with your decision-making process. Not to poke fun at your stress or anything, we've all been there. I still don't know why we do it - worry so much about our resorts. Most of us get to go back more than a few times and so it's not like this is the trip of the lifetime, but we do realize this is a great place, lots of nice options for every budget, and we want our money's worth and to like where we stay. I guess we just have to keep going until we've stayed at ALL the resorts! That's what I'm going for!

Love the magnet! What a fun idea. Although, you may not want to use a disney antenna topper to find your car at Disney - might be a few others!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Congrats on POFQ water view! IF you end up there I think you will love it!
Great idea on the car magnet! Another idea for finding lost vehicles is to take a picture of the car and lot number when you leave each time!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Oh, the picture - I really have no idea!

Could it be in Pooh's ride?

 

[Native NYer]

I'm so happy you got the resort you wanted A view of the river is going to be so relaxing for both of you.

The car magnet is so cute! Whenever I come over to one of your ptrs, I get learn of a new website. Now, I have to go and buy some stuff. Thank you for feeding my shopping addiction

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I'm clueless on the picture too....

 

[Lady Lallie]

Hi LL! I was just going to post my recommendation to stay at CBR - I have stayed at both Pop and CBR and liked CBR a lot. But it looks like it all worked out for you guys!!! Congrats!!

I'm very excited that we are going to stay at Port Orleans.

POFQ! You are going to love it! Fingers crossed to get POR ....

What a great car sign! So fun! My guess for the new pic is IASW... I think the room that has the big ferris wheel ..?

You know, even if we don't get Riverside I will be happy at French Quarter. It's Port Orleans either way and I love the feel of both of the resorts.

I really love the car sign. I think it's cute! Even when we went in May, I had trouble remembering what color our car was and what it looked like. After awhile all those cars look the same.

You would be correct!! It is It's A Small World.

Hallelujah!! As much as I liked staying at CBR, I also liked POR. I'm so glad you decided to do PO whatever! It is beautiful and relaxing in a totally different way than CBR.
Heck, $50 is nothing these days! That's like 10 mochas at Starbucks. Of course, you probably aren't having those anyway. It's been so fun to follow along with your decision-making process. Not to poke fun at your stress or anything, we've all been there. I still don't know why we do it - worry so much about our resorts. Most of us get to go back more than a few times and so it's not like this is the trip of the lifetime, but we do realize this is a great place, lots of nice options for every budget, and we want our money's worth and to like where we stay. I guess we just have to keep going until we've stayed at ALL the resorts! That's what I'm going for!

Love the magnet! What a fun idea. Although, you may not want to use a disney antenna topper to find your car at Disney - might be a few others!!!

I totally get what you are saying. It just makes sense since ADRs didn't stress me out that the resort will. I think it's just that with Disney you want to experience everything you possibly can and we know just too much. I mean I never knew as much about the Disney resorts until I started posting on the DIS. Last year was my first time staying on property and now I've become a Disney Property Snob!

Congrats on POFQ water view! IF you end up there I think you will love it!
Great idea on the car magnet! Another idea for finding lost vehicles is to take a picture of the car and lot number when you leave each time!

We tried that but we would forget. Hehehe.

Oh, the picture - I really have no idea!

Could it be in Pooh's ride?

Nope. It's A Small World.

I'm so happy you got the resort you wanted A view of the river is going to be so relaxing for both of you.

The car magnet is so cute! Whenever I come over to one of your ptrs, I get learn of a new website. Now, I have to go and buy some stuff. Thank you for feeding my shopping addiction

Glad I can help that shopping addiction. I LOVE vista print. It's such a great cheap website to get photo cards, address labels and such. Plus if you sign up for their email newsletter you get TONS of deals sent to you. The quality is great too.

I'm clueless on the picture too....

It's A Small World!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I don't have to tell you how much I love POFQ -- it's still my favorite moderate -- so I am super pleased you went with that one!

Love the car magnet!!! I know where I am headed after cleaning house today!

 

[wdwgirl03]

haha, love the car magnet! Very cute.

POFQ sounds great...I'm sure you'll love it!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

IASW - duh. Why is it that every time (almost) you tell us where it is, I think - of course!! Well, at least I was in Fantasyland!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I am so happy for the two of you.......


You will love it there...you really will...it's really charming and evocative and now you have the whole Frog Princess film opening...

It has a special place in my heart because that is the first resort we stayed at when we took Emily when she was 3 1/2 and my inlaws came too...

You guys are going to have the bestest time every...

(Great boat road right to DTD too...)

 

[meeko_33785]

Awesome news about Port Orleans French Quarter! Hopefully that's the end of all the resort drama for you guys. I love French Quarter and I'm sure you both will too. Plus, you're just a short walk or boat away from Riverside if you want to check those out. Plus you can eat beignets for breakfast every day if you wanted to. So many good things about French Quarter!