*~* First Trip: 59 Years In The Making *~* 11/25 - PTR is now closed!

[DsnyMama]

Around, around, around we go!! Made a few ADR changes again!

Switched Tusker House breakfast from the 4th to the 30th - that way we have pre-park opening ADRs booked for each 1st park day! Mom will be able to see each park before opening which is awesome (well, not EPCOT - we have a 9:30 Kouzzina and we'll be there at EPCOT RD to pass through to get to Kouzzina).

I also switched Boma and Kouzzina. It will save time to eat at Kouzzina on our EPCOT day since we can walk right through to the boardwalk from EPCOT. Boma is now our breakfast for our resort/pool day.

Everything else stayed the same though!


Looked at transportation options this morning again. I really need to quit checking air prices every few days, it just depresses me! $250 roundtrip sounds great to many, but upsetting to me since we typically pay $130-$150 rountrip!! I'm going to make myself only look at airfare 1x per week from now on! I know prices are typically best 6wk-12wk out, so we have awhile! There is hope!

I REALLY want the Airtran flight - the schedule would be great! 6:50am flight arrive at MCO at 10:00am and then a 7:50 flight coming home arriving at 11:00pm. Early to Disney and late to leave! Unfortunately that flight right now is $344 roundtrip

We can drive for about $250 and I looked at Amtrak and we could do a 9hr train ride for $340 for everyone....

I need to set a price in my head for airfare and say if it doesn't drop below XXX then we'll drive. Not sure of the train, makes me a tiny bit nervous because we've never done it before and I'm not sure it's a good idea with a 2 and 4yr old....

I think I'm going to make an appointment for all 4 of us at the Main St Barber shop! $18 for Levi's 1st haircut and $7.50 for each of us to get our hair fixed, color gel and confetti!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I wish I could find a round trip flight for $250 per person......Right now we're looking around $400 each!!

Nice that you were able to get the pre-park opening ressies!!

 

[2princesses1minnie]

Love hearing about your plans

 

[DsnyMama]

I wish I could find a round trip flight for $250 per person......Right now we're looking around $400 each!!

Nice that you were able to get the pre-park opening ressies!!

I know - I feel bad complaining about $250 when that is cheap to so many! But, when you are used to paying $130-$150, $250 is super high!!

Love hearing about your plans

Thanks!! I don't think you've posted yet! Welcome aboard!

 

[DsnyMama]

So, I'm picking a backup resort just incase the LM section of AoA is out of "included" rooms when FD opens to the public for November. I have a sinking feeling it will be since there were two rounds of FD pins for the fall and AoA is the newest and shiniest.... I'm between POP Century, All Star Movies, Port Orleans (R or FQ), or Coronado Springs. Here's what we look like budget-wise

(Room + upgraded dining)
Art of Animation $2127
POP $2076
All Star Movies $2030
Port Orleans R/FQ $2455
Coronado Springs $2505

We've stayed at POP and CSR before.

We loved the pool at CSR and also the playground. Because we are going late Nov-Dec, we aren't guaranteed swimming weather though. Food court was good. The rooms are nice, but apart from that it's a pretty standard hotel in our opinion.

We really did like POP Century - we stayed poolside in the 70's and it was a good location! It wasn't too noisy and we had no complaints about the size of the room. Food court was good.

We've never stayed at any of the All Star resorts. The fact that they share buses worries me, especially since we have 5 pre-park opening ADRs booked and 2 early resort breakfasts booked. I'm worried multiple stops will add to our commute time and I won't time things right. That's my main worry. I'm sure the rooms are fine - just like the rooms at POP were.

We considered staying at POR or POFQ on our honeymoon but stayed at AKL instead. It looks like a gorgeous resort, but wondering if the kids would like it enough. Seems more "adult oriented" maybe? The pool areas look nice - but again, not 100% sure we'll have pool time.


So! Clearly staying at a value will be the best budget-wise, but providing my budget checks as it should, we should be able to swing the upgrade to CSR or on of the PO resorts. My mom isn't 100% sold on the HUGE icons (I kinda like them!), "loud" decorations/rooms, ect.. I think she's like CSR or PO better. She said she was totally fine with everything though... She didn't mind PoP or one of the AS resorts. Soooo - here is where ya'll come in! Sell me. What would you choose and why? I don't know....

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

My vote is for PORS/POFQ!!!

We originally thought about staying there in a Royal Room (which I totally plan to some day!), but our DVC rental came through. I've known plenty of folks who have stayed there and said it's super kid friendly (I mean, it's Disney!). There are some romantic options available (like the carriage ride), but it's supposed to be awesome!

The one worry I might have is the food court at POFQ has some "creepy" statues, so it might freak some kids/adults out. Other than that, not too much to complain about!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

I would go with one of the moderates, but thats just me.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We're going with POFQ....so that would be my vote.......lol

Actually for us it came down to the difference of bed sizes......POFQ offers queen beds where the values are dbl beds. Well its been well over 20 yrs since we slept on a dbl.....not sure we could do it.....

My son will be working at the All Star Movies in the food court....so if you stayed there....you would get to see him!!

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the Disney resorts!!!!

 

[tofubeast]

I would go for a Moderate resort if you can't get AoA. I have stayed at CSR twice and loved it. POFQ was nice, but the theme'ing was not as appealing to me. I would consider POR for our next mod one day. I just love the buses at CSR, the pool, and the rooms.

But whatever you choose should be awesome. Still hoping you get your FIRST choice and all this is a moot point!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

POR Royal guest room I am staying there WITH FDing and its new too so dont give up hope!

 

[BDL]

So, I'm picking a backup resort just incase the LM section of AoA is out of "included" rooms when FD opens to the public for November.

We considered staying at POR or POFQ on our honeymoon but stayed at AKL instead. It looks like a gorgeous resort, but wondering if the kids would like it enough. Seems more "adult oriented" maybe? The pool areas look nice - but again, not 100% sure we'll have pool time.


So! Clearly staying at a value will be the best budget-wise, but providing my budget checks as it should, we should be able to swing the upgrade to CSR or on of the PO resorts. My mom isn't 100% sold on the HUGE icons (I kinda like them!), "loud" decorations/rooms, ect.. I think she's like CSR or PO better. She said she was totally fine with everything though... She didn't mind PoP or one of the AS resorts. Soooo - here is where ya'll come in! Sell me. What would you choose and why? I don't know....

I am all about POR. We're even staying in 1 of the RGR's this trip. I've never been to CSR, but the Ol' Man River pool area is just pure fun (and having the little cabana bar near by doesn't hurt ). But once you get to the area where the rooms are, along the river, there is 1 word to describe it... Serenity.

 

[DsnyMama]

All resort worries aside, I am thrilled with my ADRs! I showed mom the menus today and she is over the moon excited! Below are our menus - directly from WDW website (some buffets are from allears since WDW doesn't put menus up for buffets). I'm putting them here more for my reference, but feel free to drool


California Grill
* Dinner
* Dessert
* Kids

Crystal Palace
Breakfast Buffet

1900 Park Fare
Dinner Buffet

Hollywood & Vine
Breakfast Buffet

Sci-Fi Dine In
* Lunch
* Dessert
*
Kids

Boma
Dinner Buffet


Kona Cafe
* Breakfast
* Kids Breakfast

Coral Reef
* Lunch
* Dessert
* Kids

Tutto Italia
* Dinner
* Dessert
* Kids

Tusker House
Breakfast Buffet

Yak & Yeti
Lunch
Kids

'Ohana
Dinner

Boma
Breakfast Buffet

Le Cellier
* Lunch
* Dessert
* Kids

Narcoossee's
* Dinner
* Kids

Kouzzina
* Breakfast
* Kids


Chefs de France
Lunch
Kids

Biergarten
* Dinner Buffet

Cinderella's Royal Table
* Lunch
* Kids

Rainforest Cafe
* Lunch

Raglan Road
Dinner
Kids

 

[RooRach0906]

Your ADRs look fanastic!!!

We are also hoping for flights to come down a little and we are also flying Airtran, if we have to we will drive.

I wish I could help with the resorts but I don't know much about any of them. I stay at All Star Music once and did like it! I have wanted to stay at CSR but since you already stayed there I am in the trying a new resort mind of thinking.

 

[DsnyMama]

Thank you guys for your thoughts


I love the look of POR but DH has decided he wants to try it and since he isn't going this trip, it's out for now. It would really be in our best interest to stick with the same budget (already nearing $5K with everything), so we decided:

1st choice - AoA LM Room
2nd choice - POP 60's
3rd choice - CBR - Jamaica!


Truthfully, CBR would be my 2nd choice, but I just don't know about the extra $600.... If it were dead of summer or sometime I *KNOW* without a doubt we'd utilize the outdoor areas I'd choose CBR even with the extra $600. They have an amazing pool... But since it's Nov/Dec and the weather is so unpredictable, I think we'll put it 3rd choice.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Thank you guys for your thoughts


I love the look of POR but DH has decided he wants to try it and since he isn't going this trip, it's out for now. It would really be in our best interest to stick with the same budget (already nearing $5K with everything), so we decided:

1st choice - AoA LM Room
2nd choice - POP 60's
3rd choice - CBR - Jamaica!


Truthfully, CBR would be my 2nd choice, but I just don't know about the extra $600.... If it were dead of summer or sometime I *KNOW* without a doubt we'd utilize the outdoor areas I'd choose CBR even with the extra $600. They have an amazing pool... But since it's Nov/Dec and the weather is so unpredictable, I think we'll put it 3rd choice.

true... save POR for when he is with you. I agree sve the extra $$ how much will you be at the resort really? we arent there enough to fully enjoy it or id spend the extra $600 and do AKL!

 

[DsnyMama]

true... save POR for when he is with you. I agree sve the extra $$ how much will you be at the resort really? we arent there enough to fully enjoy it or id spend the extra $600 and do AKL!

lol - I actually priced AKL out but it was $2000 MORE than AoA That's a no-go.

 

[DsnyMama]

Tiny update! We switched Sci-Fi to 50's Prime Time! I'm excited about that! Mom had picked sci-fi (I wanted 50's), but after showing her newest menus she decided 50's looks better! Works for me! I let her pick 95% of the restaurants since this may be her only trip, but I was hoping for 50's!

 

[BDL]

Sounds fair to me.

 

[tofubeast]

I enjoyed 50s way more than Sci Fi. (good choice! )

 

[RooRach0906]

I agree I like 50's way better than Sci-Fi!