From Kick'n It at Kidani to Play'n It at Pop adults only p62/63 last thoughts&request

[Wicket's Mom]

Love your photos, especially the Micky ornaments. The photos make me want to dig out my SLR & use it again. I really like my little Canon digital, takes marvelous photos, but the SLR was great for arty stuff. Now I have all this camera stuff that I don't use any more.

I couldn't talk my DH into the Halloween party, but I won't miss it the next time.

 

[MEK]

You've got some great shots in there! I love the empty train track one for some reason. Lovely composition. How fun and what great timing to start playing now, you will be a master by the next trip!

Oh I want another camera.....

Selfishly I wish you'd do a PTR but I do get the rationale....

I LOVE your #1 choice and what a great photo recap of a wonderful night!!!!

So really, draw this one out as long as you want!

Thanks Cynthia -

I did learn a few things while taking those pics. I learned that I should avoid the manual focus ! But for awhile I had it in manual focus and didn't even realize it. Geesh!

As far the PTR, I'm just going to chill on everyone elses pre and post TR reports until May. I'm gonna follow manntra (tracy) around, cause she is all over these here boards!!!!!!

The other wierd thing is that writing TRs makes me want to take more trips. I realized today that when I don't spend as much time on the boards, I don't have this urge to go to disney every three months!!!!

Great shots at Longwood! It's very pretty there!

MNSSHP is wonderful!!! Loved the pictures recap! Makes me want to go again next year just to see that wonderful parade again!

Thanks Jackie. Longwood is beautiful and it put me in the Disney mood. The mood to take pictures of everything and anything!

I really want to go next year during the fall, too. One way or another I am going - either solo, with the soccer moms, or I might even take LJ back. We'll see!

I think we've been to all the parties Disney has offered (MNSSHP, MVMCP, P&P and Grad Nite) and they are all wonderful! I think they really make the whole trip extra special! So glad you enjoyed the party! I can't wait to attend again in Sept!

The parties are all great! I would really like to attend a P&P party. I hope they come back some day. I think that would be really fun. And Grad night???? I have to look into that. Since I will had a grad next year - hopefully!

Congrats on the new Camera MEK! You got some great shots... especially for just getting used to it!

I'm impressed you tried manual focus! I still autofocus the vast majority of time...I never seem to have long enough to mess w/manual, unless I'm doing portraits of VERY still beings (like my Christmas tree LOL!)or something like that and no one is rushing me to get somewhere! Besides...I think manual focusing is hard!

Thanks Paula! I have a long way to go, but its a start. The whole manual focus was just a fluke. I really had no idea what I was doing. I will definately stick with auto focus from now on. What looks focused on manual, really wasn't focused all that well.

I love MNSSHP! You photo highlight series makes me excited that I'm already booked to go again this year!!

MNSSHP was great. I can't wait until I see pictures of your halloween costumes. But at the rate Jen is going, she'll be posting those pics in July. Sorry - Jen - I'm just kidding (sort of)

Those are some great pictures ME! You got some great close up shots! So nice to see flowers in the middle of a deep freeze!
The colors are so vibrant and they just pop...you can really tell the difference with that camera.

The macro shots really did turn out the best. I can't believe how life-like some of those flowers are. I can see a huge difference there.

The image stabilization in the lens also made it easy to take pictures from a moving car. I was surprised about that.

Now I just have to fine a way to get clearer night time pics. When I use the nightime mode I create too much camera shake without the tripod.

Soon enough you will be making your own youtube instructional videos!

NOT!!!!!! (but I wish)

I loved MNSSHP too. Can't wait to do it again!

Are you already booked for next fall?

Before I close this bad boy down I need to take inventory to find out when everyone is going!

Also - what's this about Y&Y bar before EE? I am so in for that!!!!!

I just love your photo tour of Longwood ME... And I was super excited since I've been there so I was just following along (through the entrance, and the grand conservatory, the orchid room (warmish) and the steam mediterranean and tropical plant areas (I'm a geek-I know...) and then I got all excited because I thought they had a Disney tree this year...

You big teaser......you did get me with that one for what it's worth...

I wanted to get better pictures in the Grand conservatory. That's why I went back twice. I would love to try it again in the middle of the day with a tripod. You know - it still runs through the 10th. I bet its lovely this week because its probably empty right now.

Sorry I got you on the Disney tree. I couldn't help it. But I missed taking a picture of one of my favorite ornaments. And those ball ornaments - I got them for $4 for 8 ornaments at Goodwill. I must have walked in the morning right after they put them out! I was more excited about those ornaments then anything else I bought that Christmas! That's when you know you are a true Disney geek - when you start bragging about your cheap Goodwill disney ornaments!!!!!

I love your MNSSHP wrap up...thanks for allowing me to live vicariously through your photos...I absolutely cannot wait to do that when we are there in October (I think that other than the fact that it will be Em's b-day and that is the most special thing...the party will be my favorite too...

:

I can't wait to go back to MNSSHP either. You are going to have such a great time for Em's birthday. It's such a great time of year to be there.

PTRs are bad luck...are they...

Nah - they aren't. I just have a little phobia about PTRs. My worst fear is having to cancel a Disney trip. I think that's why I never want to do a PTR. I'm afraid to jinx my trip. Totally illogical - I know!

Love your photos, especially the Micky ornaments. The photos make me want to dig out my SLR & use it again. I really like my little Canon digital, takes marvelous photos, but the SLR was great for arty stuff. Now I have all this camera stuff that I don't use any more.

Thanks! Oh - you should dig out your SLR. I am so jealous of people who know what they are doing. But I WILL learn!!!! You owe yourself a few artsy shots on your next trip!

I couldn't talk my DH into the Halloween party, but I won't miss it the next time.

You'll just have to leave your DH back in the room next trip. There's enough people on the boards that would want to go with you.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love your #1!

MNSSHP is just so much fun, I can't wait to get back there. It's so neat how it gives MK a totally different feel.

 

[MEK]

I love your #1!

MNSSHP is just so much fun, I can't wait to get back there. It's so neat how it gives MK a totally different feel.

Agreed! The theming is superb - can't wait to go again next year!

 

[MEK]

with a disclaimer....... I am having computer issues. My lap top keeps going black and I have to hibernate it and let it come back alive. It's quite annoying. The boys and I each have a refurbed IBM T41/42. We bought these from a friend of ours who runs a computer business specializing in refurbing used IBM work computers. I have had the computer for over 2 years and it is a great work horse. I wanted something cheap (inexpensive) since my first HP lap top completely broke after 2 years - dead as a doornail. It was expensive and it made me sick to spend that kind of $ for two years. Our friends fix these computers for free and they help with system maintenance. It's great because when they tell this thing is fried, I know its done. I may just get another one.

So, this bad boy keeps blacking out. When I can't stand it anymore, I quit.

I love to post final thoughts, especially after a really great trip. And this was a really great trip - definately one of my favorites. Everything was perfect - the timing, the weather, the crowds, the food, the cast members. I have no complaints.

So let's begin......

Pop Century.....I'll admit, I was a little worried about staying at Pop after our wonderful trip to Kidani in June. Heck, I had a hard time going from Kidani to CSR. It just felt like such a downgrade. But fortunately enough time passed and I was able to feel quite comfortable at Pop. The room was clean, the furnishings were adequate, the location was excellent, and the resort was probably not anywhere near capacity. As DawnBu said - the resort was great for September, but its probably not where you want to be during the high crowd season. I completely agree with this.

I have already informed Denny that when are kids are both in college we will be traveling to WDW in Sept/Oct, Jan, and May. I would like to combine our fall trips with a short stay at Pop. It's my prediction that free dining will be around for awhile, so why not take advantage of it for a few days then segway into a DVC stay for food and wine. Pop is a great resort for free dining.

As far as the turbo toilets - well, our first few days were silent. Of course, you may remember that on the third day I woke to the sound of a power pee. That was jarring, to say the least. You know how things sounds really loud when you first wake up - well that's what it was like. I always think my alarm sounds REALLY loud first thing in the morning. Well, this was like my alarm. A bodily function alarm. Somebody else's bodily function!

The DxDP......I can't say enough good things about this. 4 days was a perfect length of time for the Dxdp. Any longer than that and I would have been in a food coma. I am so glad we decided to add this. For $60 a day it added a huge value to our trip. I am glad we decided to spend money on food and cut back on the resort. We tried so many wonderful new restaurants including Narcoosee's, Flying fish, Artist Point, and the Tusker House. And, of course, we enjoyed our old favorites as well like the Cape May Cafe, Brown Derby, Kona Cafe, and LTT. I think the DXDP is really the way to go if you want to focus on the signature restaurants. I still have a few more signatures I'd like to try including Citricos, Yachtsman, & Jiko. The food was excellent and the cast members at every eatery were exemplary.

OK - this computer is starting to drive me crazy, so I will add a few more final comments at work tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great final thoughts, Mary Ellen! I find myself planning out Disney trips for when I retire -- a nice, long Food and Wine trip is always at the top of the list.

 

[eandesmom]

Gosh when you put it at $60 a day it doesn't sound like so much. Something to look forward to if we ever do an adult only trip!

Wonderful final thoughts, Disney 3x4 times a year, I can't imagine how lovely that would be!

Nice thoughts on POP. I think both the values and the mods would be a heck of a lot easier to do with just 2 people instead of a larger group.

Just reading where you ate makes me hungry, are you doing the deluxe plan for the WL trip? I can't recall.

I hope your computer shapes up soon!

 

[dawnbu40]

I totally agree that upgrading the food plan during free dining is the way to go! It's a great deal and allows you to try the signatures which you might not try otherwise!

 

[MEK]

(I will respond to individual posts, but I kinda wanted to wrap this up)

There is one more thing I wanted to say about the Dxdp - I do think 2 sitdown meals a day are a bit time consuming, but in September it was a non-issue. It fit perfectly and I enjoyed doing two sits downs. Three sitdowns would have been too much. Actually, though, a noontime sit down is probably preferable to standing a 1/2hr in a long counter service line.

Rental Car - I know that some people never rent cars, but I think they also add some value to the trip, particularly if you get a good deal. I think we paid about $120 for the four days. I consider that to be a good deal (it may have even been less than that). I was carrying three different reservations during the last week before my trip. I did find that rates dropped about 7 days prior to departure and I went with the lowest on site price. This happened to be the old L&M (the new name escapes me). Last December we rented the mystery car from them which was a 5 speed hundai with nonpower everything. The car was exceptionally clean and in excellent running order. This year's car ended up being an upgrade, because we returned the first car. Both cars were in need of wheel alignments, but the first car was worse. We would have needed to return the second car, had we not been going just to WDW. The car was not suitable for extensive highway driving as there was considerable wheel shake when driving over 65mph. We never drove that fast around WDW, so it was a non-issue. Otherwise the car was clean and comfortable. It just disturbs me that a rental car agency would let two cars continue to go back into service that need maintenance. I will be hesitant to rent from them in the future.

The rental car did make it easy for us to commute all over property, while allowing us to maintain our "last minute" habits. That's just us - always leaving at the last minute for everything. The only negs were the self parking at the GF and at the Boardwalk. All the other parking lots were great. And of course, the biggest drawback to self parking was that I wore the wrong shoes and then paid the price with blisters. If my feet were in there normal state, walking for East jibbip would have been just a minor annoyance.

I am also pleased to announce that we did not have to venture off site for any reason this trip. It's true - Denny did not leave his belt in the airport (like he did last December), nor did he run out of underwear or socks. I think that's because I packed extra.

The addition of the rental car and the DxDP cost us a tad more than it would have to upgrade to a moderate resort. I think maybe $50 - 70 more than a resort upgrade. Yet, for us and the way we like to travel, I think we got a lot more value from the dining upgrade and rental car compared to a resort upgrade.

Weather - I think it was considered "hot" that week, but compared to last June (and CP & Wigd can attest to this), it was wonderful! Last June was brutal. So brutal that I begged to stay in the AC the last day of the trip. September felt comfortable in comparison. Yeah - it was a little hot between 12 and 2pm, but the rest of the day was great. Sunny skies, minimal rain. Loved it. No complaints!

Crowds - Again, what a winner! The crowd level was perfect. Loved it. I would replicate it in a heartbeat. I think the crowds probably increased by thursday, which was the day before Food & Wine started, but prior to that - pure low crowd bliss. I hope to do future trips during this time frame. I would like to start during the end of free dining, before F&W, and then segway right into F&W. The other thing I noticed was that I DIDNT come across any grumpy visitors. Usually I come across one grumpster (usually a female) who rubs me the wrong way. But not this time!

Castmembers and Customer Service - I did not meet one grumpy CM this year. The service was exemplary. Everyone was friendly and, as you know, we felt like celebs with all our special anniversary treatment. I think they have won us over as fall anniversary customers for life.

Regrets, Do-overs - None!

up next....future plans!

 

[brookelizabeth]

All caught up again - wonderful way to wrap up the report! I like your idea of a "free dining Pop to DVC" trip.

Looking forward to your future plans!

 

[jenjolt]

First of all I love your pictures you are taking some very very good ones! One of these days I'm going to upgrade to one of those fancy cameras..until then mine is only about a year old so it is fine!!

Loved your final thoughts!! I think you have some very GREAT ideas!! I hope we can run into each other in the Fall!

 

[MEK]

Great final thoughts, Mary Ellen! I find myself planning out Disney trips for when I retire -- a nice, long Food and Wine trip is always at the top of the list.

OMG - I do the same thing. I have trips planned for when Brian goes to college and then when Nicholas goes. The great thing is there are so many variations on the WDW theme that I don't think I will ever get bored. I want to combine DVC trips with everything - Daytona Beach, back to Vero, Hilton Head, I really want to see Savannah Georgia, the west coast of florida. I could go on and on, but I won't!

Gosh when you put it at $60 a day it doesn't sound like so much. Something to look forward to if we ever do an adult only trip!

It's definately worth it to upgrade to the DxDP. It just opens up so many dining possibilities. There were a couple OOP meals I wanted to do when we were planning with the basic, then I realized for only a few dollars more we would get so much more flexibility with the deluxe plan. It's definately the way to go with an adults only trip! (IMHO)

Wonderful final thoughts, Disney 3x4 times a year, I can't imagine how lovely that would be!

If I could go every 4 months I would be a very happy girl!

Nice thoughts on POP. I think both the values and the mods would be a heck of a lot easier to do with just 2 people instead of a larger group.

Definately. I think the values are great for an adults only trip. I have also stayed value when I have gone with just the kids. When the whole family goes we definately need more space. That's why DVC is so great for teenagers and for guests.

Just reading where you ate makes me hungry, are you doing the deluxe plan for the WL trip? I can't recall.

We thought about it, but thought the money would be better spent with an extra OOP meal and a few appetizers. Plus, we are strongly considering Cirque de Soliel. It's all cost shifting in my book. Plus I really wanted my friends to experience Ohana and Le Cellier. Plus I wanted to try Rose & Crown for Illuminations. Once you plug in those top tier (IMHO) TS then there isn't a lot of room for the signatures, especially if we go to Cirque one night. They haven't been to Disney in forever, so I thought it would be better to go the basic DP route with one extra TS character meal. I know they would love the signature places, but I really wanted to share the classics - so its The Wave, Le Cellier, TH breakfast, Yak & Yeti, Ohana, and Rose & Crown. I think that's a good sampling of all things yummy.

I hope your computer shapes up soon!

Ugghhhh! My computer needs to go back to Bob Johnson. I know he will fix it. And if he can't, I'll probably just buy another one from him. I would like a Dell or a Mac, but I just bought that camera. I need to watch the $ right now. I want to preplan for a nice computer purchase. Plus we need a new shared desk top. I rather put the money into that. Denny has a really nice laptop, so he will just have to share for awhile!

I totally agree that upgrading the food plan during free dining is the way to go! It's a great deal and allows you to try the signatures which you might not try otherwise!

Definately - if you are going to do the signatures you have to do the appetizers. What's the use of combining 2 TS when you still have to pay for appes - that's part of the meal. It is essential to the experience! I prefer it over dessert!

All caught up again - wonderful way to wrap up the report! I like your idea of a "free dining Pop to DVC" trip.

Looking forward to your future plans!

Welcome back! I have to head on over to your TR tonight before I end up on the 5th or 6th page!

I am definately looking forward to creative ways of combining DVC stays with free dining stays. I just always have to stay at POP first. I really don't think I could go in reverse.

First of all I love your pictures you are taking some very very good ones! One of these days I'm going to upgrade to one of those fancy cameras..until then mine is only about a year old so it is fine!!

Loved your final thoughts!! I think you have some very GREAT ideas!! I hope we can run into each other in the Fall!

OMG - thanks re: the pics. I feel like I have so much to learn, but I will eventually master it - I hope!

Glad you like the final thoughts and my creative trip planning ideas.

I really, really would love to meet you this fall. It seems that there is a bit of variety in people's dates. I think you, LL, and Christine are going around the same time - mid october. Paula is going at the end of September and Dawn is going at the beginning. I need a list of everyone's dates so I can stratgically plan.

 

[MEK]

I have one final thought - actually two....

1st..... I feel really blessed to have visited WDW 3 times in a calendar year. I visited last Dec 08, June 09, and again in Sept 09. I feel so fortunate that I live close enough to get reasonable flights and that DVC has afforded me some flexibility while still alllowing me to partake in the Disney promotions such as free dining. I have been fortunate enough to stay at POP, POFQ, CSR, SSR, and Kidani in the last calendar year. How great to be able to experience so many wonderful resorts - each with their own unique characteristics and strengths.

2nd .......I feel really lucky to have such a great group of Dis friends following my last three trip reports. I thank you all for reading!!!!! I will definately be following all your PTR/TRs and I promise to start a TR after my May trip!


Now for future plans.....

1st......I would like to put out a special request that everyone post your tentative or confirmed dates for Sept/Oct 2010. That means - Jen, LL, Paula, Ellen, Dawn, Patricia, Christine, Jackie, Tracy and anyone else is planning or thinking about planning a trip. I want to stratgically plan my dates. I would really like to take advantage of free dining again. I can't help it - I'm hooked.

As far as my May trip. I am still undecided about my exact arrival date. I am really leaning towards arriving April 30th in the evening. The only concern I have is that I will be out of the house for an entire week. That is a long time for teenage boys to have no mother around. They will be supervised, but its not the same. So, that's why I am not 100% sure. There are AP rates out for those nights and I have some AAA rebate certificates, so I'm sure my AAA agent could book me the AP rate and I could cover some of the cost with the certificates.

As far as the tournament over President's weekend - go figure - they scheduled it the weekend before - in Fayetteville, NC. I tried to justify how I could combine that with a trip (driving) to WDW, but I don't think I could ever drive all the way home from Orlando by myself. That's too much driving and I do not enjoy driving. I get very antsy after a couple hours. I think I could do the 8 hour drive from NC, but not the return drive.

I even considered heading over to Hilton Head for a few days. There are some remarkable AP rates for studios, but it just doesn't make sense. I think I just need to be happy with my May trip and stop thinking about squeezing in another trip. I should never have been tempted by the possibility of renting those January points (which, by the way, my friend was able to rent).

So that's the scoop - A May trip with undecided arrival date and a fall trip. I am really looking forward to meeting Katie and her friend and Tracy. I also hope I do get to meet Ellen and the Dismoms. That is a big reason why I want to arrive on Friday. I would love to run into them somewhere on Saturday (preferably a bar!).


OHHHHHHHHHHH........I just thought of one more thing. There is one more thing that has been bugging me since my return. That is the absence of Sunnie RN.......where the heck did she go???????? She was on the boards constantly before our September trips, then she just disappeared. If anyone has heard from her, please post. I would love to hear from her again. Her disappearance is a bit mysterious.

Well, that's it. Thanks for following along. I will check back for any comments!!!!!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Welcome back! I have to head on over to your TR tonight before I end up on the 5th or 6th page!

I am definately looking forward to creative ways of combining DVC stays with free dining stays. I just always have to stay at POP first. I really don't think I could go in reverse.

Oh, don't worry, I haven't even started my TR yet. Gotta get the pics organized and some "house stuff" done first. Perhaps Friday.

I don't think I could go in reverse either. This time we did Kidani to a hotel room in New Orleans and that was a bit hard. We were in a different place, so that helped, being in Disney and going in reverse wouldn't work for me!

Your future trips sound just great! 2 trips planned.... We currently have one, but tossing around some varying ideas. If any happen to land across your future dates, I will let you know.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I am VERY (embarrassingly so) behind but just saw your latest post and will respond to the immediate request and then hopefully go back and catch up over the next couple of days.

I will be in the World Oct 14-23. Would be AWESOME if you and Denny were there at the same time!

I'm so glad to have been able to meet you both in WDW no matter how briefly and I can't wait for the next time!

 

[dawnbu40]

I'm so sad to see your TR ending! But I'll be looking forward to the next!

Our trip is the first week of Sept but I believe you told me that wouldn't work with your boys schedules. Maybe someday we'll end up there the same time in May?

 

[Charleston Princess]

"If" we were to go again, and it is a HUGE "if" as in "probably not," but "if" we did go, it would be October 15 -- 18. I really don't think we will be able to swing it though -- I really need to divert some funds to new floors for the living room and kitchen.

 

[kschafer]

OK, I totally missed your last couple updates! Here's a few thoughts I can remember now that I am caught up:

I would love to take a MNSSHP/F&W trip someday. I don't know if it will ever happen but I will keep dreaming. I think this May trip will be my only off-season visit for any of the forseeable future.

Deluxe dining: I'm really struggling with wanting to switch to deluxe for the 5 day portion of our trip. With an extension of room-only, that would give us 5 1/2 days to use up the credits. I just don't know if I want to commit to that much time and am not sure I could actually eat that much but I might be up for the challenge.

I think you know what my vote is on the early arrival in May

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Love your top 5. Love that you spaced them out like to increase our suspense. Although I would have put money on the MNSSHP being #1. But I would have lost money because I did think your special viewing of the singers would have made it's own category. Good thing I'm not actually a betting gal.

I have done the deluxe plan before and agree that for an entire week it would be just too much. For a weekend it was manageable.

Thanks for sharing.

Good luck with the camera!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I have a question, is May really a non busy time to go to WDW? September used to be, but was really crowded for us this time. After all of those years going for Spring Break, as God is my witness I will never do WDW that time of year again!

May would be a good time to go if it was not crowded.