FRIENDS, PHOTOGRAPHS, and Birthday FUN! 3/3 30 Day Photo Challenge Day 21

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Well, does the dance club sell alcohol? I'm thinking YES to whether we NEED that!

 

[-Hope-]

Definitely something we need to research a bit more! :rofl:

Someone in the thread I started on the resort board just pointed out that CSR is not a host resort for the Princess... not sure what that entails or if it makes a difference but if so that could have just made our decision much easier. What say you, marathon woman?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Definitely something we need to research a bit more! :rofl:

Someone in the thread I started on the resort board just pointed out that CSR is not a host resort for the Princess... not sure what that entails or if it makes a difference but if so that could have just made our decision much easier. What say you, marathon woman?

Well, first we have to look into whether they are talking about the marathon (early Jan) or the Princess half marathon (end Feb) but if we stay somewhere that is not a home resort, I have to figure out how to get to the race at something like 4am? Not sure if cabs are available, that would work for me. I do believe that POR was a host resort for the Princess in the past but not sure if they are every year or if they change it...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Y'know, since we are such sticklers for transport, we could see about renting a vehicle, but just not sure how much we'll use it...Epcot day I suspect we won't be able to legally drive out of the park!

 

[-Hope-]

Well, first we have to look into whether they are talking about the marathon (early Jan) or the Princess half marathon (end Feb) but if we stay somewhere that is not a home resort, I have to figure out how to get to the race at something like 4am? Not sure if cabs are available, that would work for me. I do believe that POR was a host resort for the Princess in the past but not sure if they are every year or if they change it...

The poster specifically referred to the Princess Half so I'm sure he was talking about the same one. I think we should stick to a home resort because it just makes sense, makes it easier for you to get there without having to figure out the logistics AND it makes our decision easier.

Y'know, since we are such sticklers for transport, we could see about renting a vehicle, but just not sure how much we'll use it...Epcot day I suspect we won't be able to legally drive out of the park!

That's the plan!

I don't know that it would be worth the expense to be honest- how often would we actually use it except perhaps after Wishes... and getting a cab one night will be much cheaper than renting a car for the entire stay. Plus we'd have to drive from the airport instead of taking ME. That would mean gas money plus not drinking on the plane (with those coupons we're going to get on ebay).

I think alcohol is the biggest factor on this trip...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The poster specifically referred to the Princess Half so I'm sure he was talking about the same one. I think we should stick to a home resort because it just makes sense, makes it easier for you to get there without having to figure out the logistics AND it makes our decision easier.



That's the plan!

I don't know that it would be worth the expense to be honest- how often would we actually use it except perhaps after Wishes... and getting a cab one night will be much cheaper than renting a car for the entire stay. Plus we'd have to drive from the airport instead of taking ME. That would mean gas money plus not drinking on the plane (with those coupons we're going to get on ebay).

I think alcohol is the biggest factor on this trip...

NATURALLY!

 

[-Hope-]

Posted concerning the water taxi on the thread where I asked for input about choosing between PO and CSR:

I haven't done them from PO, but I have from OKW. They do take a while, for sure. However, unlike the buses, you are more than welcome to bring a drink from the bar along with you on the boats (plastic cups, please!), and when the weather is pleasant, that's an awfully enjoyable way to cruise!

We all know how important THAT bit of info is...

 

[-Hope-]

Thanks for all who gave us feedback about the resort!

We have made a decision (for now).

We'll be staying at..
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Port Orleans French Quarter​

The decision was based on several factors:
-The water taxi to DTD was one of the biggies. We both just love the idea of a relaxing boat ride to one of our favorite places on Disney property.
-We also like that it is a small resort so it will be easy to navigate.
-Because it is walking distance to POR and a water taxi away from DTD we have a lot of variety in scenery, activity and food.
-The rooms are newly refurbed and beautiful!
-It is a host resort for the Princess Half Marathon so transportation early in the morning won't be an issue for Karen.

So, there you have it. I am very excited about this decision and not at all sad that we ditched our previous plans to do a split stay with a deluxe. I think I'd have been disappointed to spend so much money on the resort and have less for drinks and souvenirs. This way we get a beautiful, comfortable resort AND we have some extra money to splurge.

 

[-Hope-]

There is also a lot of behind the scenes chatter going on about park days and meals. I'll keep you all posted when we make a decision!

 

[jodi90]

I'm excited to hear about your planning and then what you thought about French Quarter. I think that is where I'm going to stay on my next trip. The trip isn't scheduled yet but I'm still making plans for November 2013

 

[-Hope-]

I just want you all to know that Karen is EVIL!

I was getting along just fine, hadn't been thinking much about Disney or the DIS and she totally sucked me back in... and then abandoned me at the height of my obsession. Some paltry excuse like family in town for the holidays...

 

[-Hope-]

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! Ours was great.

The kids got Toy Story Mania for the Wii and even Robbie was excited about it. It was one of his favorite things from our trip (which is saying a lot because he didn't like much about it).

For us Christmas is all about the kids so we didn't exchange gifts. However, Robbie got a nice Christmas bonus Friday so Saturday, Christmas Eve, I booked the beach house for our October trip to Gulf Shores, AL with my parents.

The view of the house from the beach:

From the side you can see that we are in the front row of houses, right on the beach!

I am SOOO excited about this trip! For one thing, we've been to the beach with my parents one other time and it was a great trip so I know this will be too. Mostly I'm excited though because Robbie is coming with us.

He doesn't love travel as much as I do so I try to respect that. We've fallen into a comfortable pattern of him going with us every other year on the trips the kids and I take. This way the kids get some vacation memories with their dad but he also gets a break. After our trip to Disney (which he hated but was a good sport about) we decided that the years he goes with us will be our more low key trips. He loved the mountains but we've done that twice (Rockies and Smoky) but he had to miss our last beach trip. My dad really enjoys the laid back beach trips as well so in October we are ALL headed to Gulf Shores and this fabulous beach house! Even though I booked it myself it felt like a really fantastic Christmas present.

And, because I'm a travel planning FREAK I already have our trip for the following year (without Robbie) in the works. Mom and I are taking the kids to Universal and Legoland. The kids and I have just recently been sucked into Potter mania- we only started reading the books a couple of months ago! It didn't take much to suck us in and my mom is already a Potterhead so in September 2013 we are going to WWoHP!! Jace also loves Legos and recently got a dvd with his Lego Club Magazine for the new Legoland in Winter Haven (about 45 minutes from Orlando). After seeing the dvd he was hooked and has been begging to go.

We won't have the time or money to do much Disney on that trip but we will absolutely go to DTD while we're in town. I'll be coming off the heels of my trip with Karen so I *think* I'll be okay to be in Orlando and not be at Disney. (Blasphemy, I know!) And if Jace outgrows his desire for Legoland (he'll be 14 by the time we get to go) then we'll just have to add a day at a Disney park to take it's place.

Now that I think about it, I may need to start a PTR for that trip...

 

[-Hope-]

I just found a website and forum that is completely dedicated to POFQ!

I'm supposed to be taking my tree down today but now I dunno...

 

[-Hope-]

HAPPY NEW YEAR! ​

I hope all of you have a magical 2012!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

HAPPY NEW YEAR, my friend!!!! Hope for all the best for you!!!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

Hey Hope, that means just a little over a year until OUR GIRLS TRIP!!!!!

I may have to get the link for that house from you, I LOVE how it's right on the water and I've got beach-fever, so I think our next trip will be the beach as well. I was thinking Galveston, but maybe a different beach would work as well.

 

[DrMomof3]

Happy New Year Hope!

I'm so glad you had a good holiday and the beach house looks AWESOME!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

HAPPY NEW YEAR, my friend!!!! Hope for all the best for you!!!!!

Thank you! I wish the same for you and your family.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

Hey Hope, that means just a little over a year until OUR GIRLS TRIP!!!!!

I may have to get the link for that house from you, I LOVE how it's right on the water and I've got beach-fever, so I think our next trip will be the beach as well. I was thinking Galveston, but maybe a different beach would work as well.

Yep, we are getting closer! Look how far my little witch has flown on my ticker.

I have tons of info for Gulf Shores (shocking I know). I think there is just as much to do as in the Galveston area and price wise it's a much better deal. Something else for us to talk about when I FINALLY get to see you again!

Happy New Year Hope!

I'm so glad you had a good holiday and the beach house looks AWESOME!

Amanda

Thanks, Amanda! I hope your family enjoyed the holidays as well.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

POFQ! Woo hoo!

The beach house looks beautiful! The Gulf Shores trip looks like a nice and peaceful vacation.

Legoland and WWoHP will be a fantastic trip, even without days at Disney. Yes, it is blasphemy, but what are you gonna do?

Happy New Year!

 

[-Hope-]

POFQ! Woo hoo!

I know! The more I think about it and look at pics the more excited I get!

The beach house looks beautiful! The Gulf Shores trip looks like a nice and peaceful vacation.

Yep, the only downside is that there isn't much for me to plan.

Legoland and WWoHP will be a fantastic trip, even without days at Disney. Yes, it is blasphemy, but what are you gonna do?



Happy New Year!

Thanks, you too!