Girls-only Trip~Old thread, see first post for new one.

[mommaU4]

My mom and don't want to stay at Carousel again next year. Two years ago it was nice but this year it was kind of icky. The towels were not even white, more of a grey color.

Other than the towels, did you have any other complaints. Keep in mind, I've never stayed there and am by no means pushing the Carousel. Just trying to get reviews from those who have. I want the good, the bad and the ugly. LOL

(Thanks for the AP discounts! Good to know! I want to go to Fuzziwigs Candy Factory just because I love the name. lol)

What a dilemma on where to stay, lol. Andrea and I would prefer to stay on-site somewhere and I really, really did love the Villas. If I planned $$ out right I wouldn't mind doing it again even with a higher cost - if there's anyone out there thinking the same way, consider us for roomies! I really was not a fan of the Carousel and would prefer not staying there again and I don't really want to deal with the walk from the HOJO as much as I love the place.

Staying onsite is definitely an option for those who want it, especially with 363 days to save.

I want your good and bad about Carousel, too. If you don't mind sharing...

 

[LisaCat]

My mom and don't want to stay at Carousel again next year. Two years ago it was nice but this year it was kind of icky. The towels were not even white, more of a grey color.

It's funny, I take a microfiber hair towel with me when I travel and after you mentioned the grey towels, I compared my towel with them and it was about the same color. It's cuz I can't use bleach on it and we have hard water. The towels smelled clean, so I wasn't too worried. But if we can get the party room at HoJo again (I know that's why we went to Carousel last year), I'd be fine staying there. Tell them we have ladies who are members of MouseWait. They are the "official hotel of MouseWait" and are pushing REALLY HARD to get people to stay there. LOL

I'd LOVE to stay in the Villas, as staying at The Grand is on my bucket list, but unless one of the beds is a twin, I'd have to pay a bigger share cuz I need my own bed. I don't sleep in a bed with anything bigger than a cat any more. And with the limited amount of "sleep time" we get on this trip, I need it ALL. LOL For 3 nights at Carousel, including tax, our room was $354. Not bad. And close. I like close. Does Desert Inn have a Party Room? They are close too. I don't remember one at Best Western PV (since they send you to Capt. Kidd's for the breakfast).

 

[BillyJazz]

I want your good and bad about Carousel, too. If you don't mind sharing...

I just don't remember being impressed with the place/room. Their elevators aren't the most reliable things in the world and I was not a happy camper last year when the elevator nearest our room was down. The rooms are also tiny and I wouldn't consider more than 1 roommate if I did stay there somehow. I barely slept while I was there because the beds were very uncomfortable. It was great for having a place to stay last year, but I doubt it would ever be something I choose.

 

[MamaKate]

I fourth Mimi's. And the dates are fine with me. Now I just have to wait till March 27 to make my DVC ressie . . . . .

EDITED TO ADD: just for kicks I checked out the points charts for DVC for a February date (until the 23rd) versus the late February/March dates. For a two bedroom, the point requirement for Wed-Sun until February 23 is 204 points. For the late February/March dates it is 316 points. That is a LOT of points. Assuming that those who rented were paying $10 per point, the February two-bedroom would be $2,040 divided by however many stayed. The March two-bedroom would be $3,160--almost a $1,000 more. Even a studio in March is a lot--until Feb.23 it is 78 points for the four nights; From Feb 28 is it 116 points ($380 diff. based on $10 per point).

I also love Mimi's for breakfast especially if I'm not staying at the Grand. It is very close to walk to from both HOJO and Carousel .

I looked up the points when we first started discussing dates and quickly decided not to get a 2-bedroom again. I may still try for a studio, but I'm just as happy to save my points and stay at the Carousel if more rooms need to be booked.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

While I am not too picky about where we stay, I was really hoping to stay in a Disney hotel this trip as it's something I've never got to do before, and it's just something I really, really would like to do. I don't mind paying a bit more to do so.

It's just me this trip and I don't have to worry about cost as much, so I wouldn't mind experiencing a little more Disney than I normally get to with my non-Disney family and friends, haha.

 

[MrsPinup]

I am with Jazz, if we stay at Carousel I would not want to be crammed in with 3 other ladies. I love Jodi, Carol, and Marie, but it was a tight fit last year. The Grand was in my dreams next year since I didn't get down to the pool and spa like I wanted to, but if the points are too high to rent (and I would start saving now if there are interested ladies wanting a villa), I will happily stay at HOJO's - it was a nice place. What are the biggest rooms they have?

 

[MrsPinup]

And while I am thinking about it, Jessica - could you pretty please make me a Briar Rose siggy?

 

[BillyJazz]

Jen - I can get to work on that right now. And like I said, you can count Andrea and me as interested in doing the Villas if that's a route you're willing to go again.

Actually, speaking of signatures - is there anyone else who would like one?

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Could you make me a Stitch one? I love making siggies too, but it would be nice to match all the other Divas.

 

[tinkermell]

Howdy ladies!

Hey, maybe before we post the official dates, we should wait for Katie's and some of the other ladies input on crowds. If it is just about the same, then we should consider keeping it where it is. The only other contender would be the Princess Marathon, that some of the ladies want to do. Not sure if it is next year, but I know at some point, there will be a conflict.

Cheryl, since we stayed at at 2 bedroom last year, the last week of Feb into March, were the points as high as the coming year of 2013?

OK, now I need to address the scavvy hunt suggestions.

I promise you that we will and were already going to go back to the good ole fashion style of hunting.
That's why we asked you all for your feed back after the race. We realized that it was way too long, way too much and way too hard for most of you. And we realize that we are no Mouse Adventurers. We will leave that style to them.

So I hope that this makes everyone feel better. Please do not feel scared to try again next year. We really want to try make it fun for everyone! And we really want to have as many sign ups as possible. That's what makes it fun! I love seeing everyone's costumes and names that you come up with! I would hate to lose that!

Thanks so much for listening!

Most sincerely,
Melody

 

[DizNee Luver]

I found the room at the Carousel last year to be quite nice.....but the furniture is over sized which ends up taking up a lot of space. Having more than 2 in a room makes for tight quarters. I found the beds very comfortable & the privacy door to the sink area a nice touch. (it's a pull door that separates the bathroom/sink area from the main room). That being said.....the elevators were horribly slow......using the stairs wasn't a big deal most of the time.....but after a very long day at the parks.....4 flights of stairs seemed like miles. They also charged my card twice which tied up almost $1000 of my money......when you come down on a budget...you don't need all your meal money being tied up in holds.

I have stayed at a number of the motels on Harbor & the HoJo's is still hands down my favorite. I've always paid full price, so it's not even the price that makes me say that. We had the Disney View rooms, so the rooms were huge!! We had 2 queen beds, a dresser that runs almost 3/4 length of the wall, table with 2 chairs & we had 2 cribs & 2 large strollers.......we still had room to move around & for the twins to play. Well worth it to me to walk 3-5 mins more for the comfortable bed & room. (the gift shop gives AP disc. too!!)

 

[sameyeyam]

Howdy ladies!
OK, now I need to address the scavvy hunt suggestions.

I promise you that we will and were already going to go back to the good ole fashion style of hunting.
That's why we asked you all for your feed back after the race. We realized that it was way too long, way too much and way too hard for most of you. And we realize that we are no Mouse Adventurers. We will leave that style to them.

So I hope that this makes everyone feel better. Please do not feel scared to try again next year. We really want to try make it fun for everyone! And we really want to have as many sign ups as possible. That's what makes it fun! I love seeing everyone's costumes and names that you come up with! I would hate to lose that!

Thanks so much for listening!

Most sincerely,
Melody

I will most definitely sign up next year. I didn't realize you changed the hunt (since it was my first one). So something a little less intense would be awesome. I don't think it made it any better having the park so crowded. It was still fun though.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

I'd like to sign up to play too! Sounds like fun.

 

[stacielee]

Good luck during MA!!! Are any other Divas doing it?

I had to Google Fire and Ice. Looks like a cool place.
That's one thing I wouldn't mind doing during the next trip. Going to Anaheim Gardenwalk and checking it out, and have lunch or dinner there. Just something I'd personally enjoy.

Mary Jo and Chris's team are doing it again. They are the Green Boa Divas, or something like that. So we all need luck!! And more of you Divas should do it, especially those who are local.

 

[nwdisgal]

Mimi's for breakfast on the last day sounds really good . Also, Beth's suggestion about the restaurants at Garden Walk sounds intriguing. Has anyone been over there? They make it look that area is fairly close to the parks? BTW, I texted my DD today and told her I'm taking her with me to the Diva trip. She was a CM at WDW last year as part of the college intern program so I think she'd enjoy hanging with the Divas.

 

[MrsPinup]

Jen - I can get to work on that right now. And like I said, you can count Andrea and me as interested in doing the Villas if that's a route you're willing to go again.

Actually, speaking of signatures - is there anyone else who would like one?

Thanks! I know Holly wants to stay at the Grand again. We would just need to find someone reliable to rent from.

I promise you that we will and were already going to go back to the good ole fashion style of hunting.
That's why we asked you all for your feed back after the race. We realized that it was way too long, way too much and way too hard for most of you. And we realize that we are no Mouse Adventurers. We will leave that style to them.

I liked the puzzles (even though I am terrible at them) because it made standing in line for a few things not seem like a giant waste of time. I want to be productive and go-go-go, the puzzles help give me focus and a purpose while I wait for JC or a photo with Mickey.

I would really like to try MA - guess I should go look up some dates!

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks to all those who shared their Carousel reviews. Good to know these things, and hear opinions.

I would still consider staying there. Or at Hojos. At Hojo they do have a Queen suite for up to 5 guests. Not sure what price range that would be during that time. And Carousel has suites, too.
For me, it will probably boil down to price. Story of my life. But I'm okay with that. It would be fun to have more of us in the same hotel, the way it was in the beginning, but I guess we'll see what happens.

Howdy ladies!

Hey, maybe before we post the official dates, we should wait for Katie's and some of the other ladies input on crowds. If it is just about the same, then we should consider keeping it where it is. The only other contender would be the Princess Marathon, that some of the ladies want to do. Not sure if it is next year, but I know at some point, there will be a conflict.

It doesn't matter to me. I pray it's not the same though. I mean, I'm sorry it means higher points for DVC, but these crowds sucked. For real. So I hope this week is better.

Who was going? And um, wait, shouldn't they have gone today?? What we wanted to see was Thurs and Fri crowds a week later, which is this week. We already know to expect crowds on a weekend so that won't tell us anything. What we wanted to know is if we'll catch a break during the week, right?? Or am I mistaken?
Usually we have a bit of a slow time on Thurs and Fri to ease into the crowds. This time, it was packed every single day.

Mary Jo and Chris's team are doing it again. They are the Green Boa Divas, or something like that. So we all need luck!! And more of you Divas should do it, especially those who are local.

Alright!! Best of luck to all the Divas!

Mimi's for breakfast on the last day sounds really good . Also, Beth's suggestion about the restaurants at Garden Walk sounds intriguing. Has anyone been over there? They make it look that area is fairly close to the parks?

I've never been but would love to check it out. Not sure just how far it is...
That's great your daughter will be joining you! Another mother/daughter for the photo.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

My mom and I want to stay at the Grand next year too. And I think a farewell breakfast would be great!

Since I didn't make it to the M&G I feel like there were so many that I didn't get to spend time with.

 

[wendylady36]

Jess,can you pretty please make me a Belle (preferably in her blue dress w/white apron if possible) signature. Thanks!

 

[MrsPinup]

My mom and I want to stay at the Grand next year too. And I think a farewell breakfast would be great!

Since I didn't make it to the M&G I feel like there were so many that I didn't get to spend time with.

Join the group Jessica and I have started

Based on MouseWait, today is much better than last Thursday!