Dole Whip is a Dish Best Served Cold. A Sept PTR- 10/2 - TR POSTED!

[teekathepony]

Well gwarsh.

Thank you all so much for joining in my little PTR! I've never done two reports at once before so here's hoping I can keep them organized. If I start posting AKL pictures and talking about Christmas, you'll know I've got my wires crossed!

So let's get down to business.

We aren't defeating the Huns.

We're talking about my trip! First, how about a very quick set of introductions.

Who will be going on this trip?

Well, there's me.

I'm Wendy. (Um, I would be the one with less fur...) 28, photographer by trade and hobby, animal lover and, of course, Disney nut.

Then there's Johnny.

He's been my husband for 3.5 years, my other half since June of 2003. He's a plumber by trade, a budding photographer, another animal and Disney lover.

Also coming with us will be MIL and S-FIL. A travel agent and another plumber, this will be their third time going to Disney (though once was only for two days, that barely counts!)

(all of us together on our 2011 trip!)

And this is where the acronyms get hard.

Also coming is Johnny's uncle, MIL's brother, Billy, (DUIL? Maybe I'll stick to Billy) his wife, Shellie, and their two kids, D ( ), who is 11, and C ( ), who is 6. (Cousins in law? )

There is a slight possibility of one of Johnny's sisters coming, (MIL is working on her) but let's say probably not for now.

So this is a very different type of trip for me in several ways. I have never done Disney with kids before! So this will be very interesting. Also, since 2007 we've pretty much always stayed on site (except for 4 days during our honeymoon which I must say, we didn't enjoy!) This time we will be staying off site!



Actually I'm mostly excited for the different experience. So how did we come about this decision to stay off site?

As I touched on in the intro, my Mother-in-Law is a travel agent. A couple of months ago she was at a conference in Halifax for TAs and she won a free week in a 3 bedroom condo at the Bella Piazza Orlando!

Of course she called us right away saying "We all need to go to Orlando together!"

In the beginning we said no. This is the year we get to Germany to visit Caro, my exchange student from 10 years ago. But my MIL is a very, very persistent woman.

At Johnny's cousin, D's 11th birthday party, we learned that Johnny's uncle and family would be going. They were under the impression that we were going for sure, and then we couldn't say no because they were so excited for a big family vacation!

So, free accommodations, using our Airmiles for the flights, and just a few park tickets and buying some groceries instead of always eating out, and we decided we could probably do it. MIL upgraded to the 4-bedroom condo and we were in.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Sounds like the plans are coming along. Let me know how you like staying off property. I am trying to decide to stay in January 2015--on property or off property or splitting a stay. I have stayed onsite except for 1976 and a one day visit many years ago.

 

[amazingact21]

It's hard to say no when you have a bunch of family talking about how excited they are to be vacationing with you. Not to mention 2 of the biggest expenses pretty much paid for (the hotel and transportation.).

I think so long as you go into the trip with the mindset that it'll be a different experience than your normal onsite ones, you'll have a good time. You never know, having all that extra space with the condo might actually end up being a positive aspect to the trip.

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[teekathepony]

Sounds like the plans are coming along. Let me know how you like staying off property. I am trying to decide to stay in January 2015--on property or off property or splitting a stay. I have stayed onsite except for 1976 and a one day visit many years ago.

We're getting there with the planning, hoping to do more today. It's going to be interesting, I'm excited and hoping we enjoy it!

It's hard to say no when you have a bunch of family talking about how excited they are to be vacationing with you. Not to mention 2 of the biggest expenses pretty much paid for (the hotel and transportation.).
Absolutely, the cost effective side to this trip is what allowed us to say yes, but the big group sounds like fun and that's why we really wanted to go!

I think so long as you go into the trip with the mindset that it'll be a different experience than your normal onsite ones, you'll have a good time. You never know, having all that extra space with the condo might actually end up being a positive aspect to the trip.
That will be the key, a different mind set, knowing that this is going to be different. I think we might just like having the extra room!

Following along!

aboard!

 

[MEK]

There is no way I could hold out with a free condo dangling in front of my face. Plus, you know on property so well that you won't have any trouble negotiating your way around.

It will be fun having some kid time, but I know you'll have some couple time too. It's all about the balance.

And look at you - doing two TRs at once. I will forgive you if you get mixed up.

 

[khaleesi]

Thanks, so glad to have you along, and !!
YAY! You saw my hidden message! I was wondering if anyone would

I stayed offsite for our big family trip six years ago. We had a blast. And when I was younger, it was always offsite. For me, the hands-down biggest draw to staying onsite is the transportation. So when I'm there alone, there is no other option. But you are going to have an amazing time!!!

 

[teekathepony]

There is no way I could hold out with a free condo dangling in front of my face. Plus, you know on property so well that you won't have any trouble negotiating your way around.
It was just too tempting! And you're so right, knowing what I know will make it a lot easier!

It will be fun having some kid time, but I know you'll have some couple time too. It's all about the balance.
Good point, I'm sure we will split off into our own pairs and groups sometimes, it will be interesting to see how easy it is for us to balance!

And look at you - doing two TRs at once. I will forgive you if you get mixed up.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!

I stayed offsite for our big family trip six years ago. We had a blast. And when I was younger, it was always offsite. For me, the hands-down biggest draw to staying onsite is the transportation. So when I'm there alone, there is no other option. But you are going to have an amazing time!!!

We're going to just have an altogether different type of trip than we ever have, the transportation will be the biggest change for me I think. I think we're going to have a great time, we have some fun things planned!

 

[WDWaddictt]

I am joining along...


Sounds like It is going to be a whole different experience, but fun experience!

I will be in WDW the same time, Sept 23-Oct 7 (possibly might change, but that is it for now) staying at POR.

Looking forward to reading about staying off site. We might want to do that the next time we go.

 

[momabaarjo]

You had me at dole whip...joining in!

 

[BridgetR3]

I"m here now. Late to the party as usual.....

Love the intro!

 

[eandesmom]

I admire you for attempting 2 and if you mix them up well, it happens!

Offsite can be fun. For free? I'd be SOOOO in.

At a certain point though yes, you just give up on the acronyms

 

[teekathepony]

I am joining along...


Sounds like It is going to be a whole different experience, but fun experience!

I will be in WDW the same time, Sept 23-Oct 7 (possibly might change, but that is it for now) staying at POR.

Looking forward to reading about staying off site. We might want to do that the next time we go.

Yes it will be very different for us, but I'm excited.
Cool, we overlap by 4 days! There are a lot of Disers going around that time.

You had me at dole whip...joining in!

Glad to have you along!

I"m here now. Late to the party as usual.....

Love the intro!

You're not late at all, we just started
Thanks! And

I admire you for attempting 2 and if you mix them up well, it happens!

Offsite can be fun. For free? I'd be SOOOO in.

At a certain point though yes, you just give up on the acronyms

Haha thank you for your understanding!
I'm hoping to make it a really fun offsite trip, and yeah, free was a big draw!!
Everyone's just going to be a name or initial this trip!

 

[emmysmommy]

I'm finally catching up on your TR and whoa, I missed this until now. Oops!

I'm sure between FREE and my MIL made me, that's it. You had no chance to say no. I'm glad that it's working out and a big family trip will certainly build a lot of great memories!

 

[teekathepony]

I'm finally catching up on your TR and whoa, I missed this until now. Oops!

I'm sure between FREE and my MIL made me, that's it. You had no chance to say no. I'm glad that it's working out and a big family trip will certainly build a lot of great memories!

Hi Brenda! You didn't miss much at all.
I definitely couldn't say no, she twisted my rubber arm

 

[teekathepony]

Just a quick note to say that I have not abandoned you or this PTR! I promise I'll be back and soon. My boss was on vacation (in Florida, no less!) so I have only had Sundays off the last two weeks. He's in transit home today so I'll be back to normal soon!

I hope to have some news too, I'm just about at my 180 day mark!

Thanks for sticking with me!

 

[teekathepony]

About the accommodations.

"The Bella Piazza Luxury Condo Rentals"​

Hi guys! First of all:

(Pretend that says second instead of first)

We started off our spring with a snow storm. Yay...

I don't want to talk about it.

So, as I've mentioned, for this trip we are staying offsite. (MIL won a free week at the Bella Piazza, in case you missed that.) I know a lot of people love staying offsite, but for me, when it was first mentioned, you might as well have told me we were staying in a lovely collection of garbage dumpsters (with their own puddle!) I didn't want to stay offsite, I much prefer staying on property and letting Disney do the driving. Before you think I'm just a snob about it, (ok, maybe I am a little!) we have stayed offsite in the past with not great results. Our last offsite stay left us feeling like we never wanted to do it again.

I was, however, convinced by several things.

1. Reports from other people about wonderful offsite trips (MEK's comes to mind)
2. The fact that this would be a different type of trip, going to several different parks and other non-Disney venues.
3. The condos are really quite beautiful and have a great rating on Trip Advisor. (You can see it here if you're interested!)
4. I'm a Disney junkie who would do anything for the possibility of getting back there.

I have been looking at the pictures and reviews and it does look really nice.

The official list of resort amenities includes:

Mediterranean Accented Architecture with Tile Roof
Elevators in all Buildings
Spacious Club House which includes a Game Room, Business Center, Modern Fitness Center
Two Resort-style Pools
Hot Tub
Children's Water Playground
Outdoor Kitchen/BBQ Grills
Lush Tropical Landscaping
Plenty of Parking

" It is within walking distance of shops, a food store, liquor store, and restaurants as well as golf at Highlands Reserve Golf Course. Just outside of Orlando, it is a short 10/15 minutes drive to all the family attractions the area has to offer including Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens and much more!"

The clincher for me?

"The master features a soaking tub and a separate shower."

A SOAKING TUB

Ok, call me convinced. I started to look at the positive side of it all. BBQs in the evening with the family. More room to stretch out. Ability to just make a sandwich for myself. Walking distance to some shops. I'm willing to give this offsite thing another (very different) try.

Three little things have made this positive attitude hard to keep.

1. MIL casually told us about an amazing Disney deal with one of the companies she deals with. Around $650 per person for flights and a week at Pop Century (which I adore, btw) with free dining. Great deal! But can we take advantage? No. We're already locked in to this condo thing.

2. My parents own a vacation club thing... I have no idea what to call it. Not a timeshare per se, but one that uses condos all around the world. They recently upgraded their package to include WDW DVC resorts. And I can use it too. Yep, for about $250 I could stay at AKL again, or try the BWV or BLT for a whole week. Not $250 per night, that's for the whole week with my parents' package. How does one stay happy at a condo offsite knowing that??

3. The sheer amount of Dis'ers who will be there at the same time! I want to meet you all, but we've only got two days at Disney!

While I will have to just be patient to use my parents' package (that's the next PTR, for our 2015 trip!) and I can be ok letting a great deal slip by me, what I can't easily live with is missing out on so many Dismeets. Johnny and I are trying to figure out how to get more Disney days out of this. We shall see!

Up next: Hopefully a word about dining, since we're 183 days away!

 

[geckodani]

About the accommodations.

I know a lot of people love staying offsite, but for me, when it was first mentioned, you might as well have told me we were staying in a lovely collection of garbage dumpsters (with their own puddle!)

​

​

​

​

I kind of feel the same way. Especially with all the options that have now presented themselves for you. I hope you can keep viewing it as a different kind of trip and still have a good time!​

 

[teekathepony]

I kind of feel the same way. Especially with all the options that have now presented themselves for you. I hope you can keep viewing it as a different kind of trip and still have a good time!

It's hard for me to see the big picture (which is mainly that I have the rest of my life ahead of me to use Mom and Dad's package and meet Dis'ers!) when everything is coming up all at once. We're hopefully having a meeting on Sunday to talk about this trip and I hope it will get me excited again. (As I type this I'm realizing how spoiled I am... lmao #FirstWorldPains much?? )

 

[BridgetR3]

Awww, I don't see it as spoiled. I see it as a great value that you are having to pass up by staying offsite. Does that help? O.k., well I tried!!

I would have a very hard time staying off site too but hey it's free!! I can't wait to hear about your ADRs!