Glennbo’s City, Sand, and Savanna PTR - TR Link (pg 73)

[Flossbolna]

I am actually looking at doing some days at US/IoA on our upcoming trip. Still trying to plan when that might be around Matthew's potential time off before his ship deploys in July. The two youngest had already mentioned the HP stuff and just basically something different to do anyway.

Understand your Pros and Cons, but crowds and ticket prices for one day are playing too much in my decision I guess. I am looking at staying the first two or three nights at a Universal related resort so we get the hour early entry benefit and also getting the multi-day passes so it at least doesn't "seem" that expensive per day. More time to let everyone tour the parks a little slower and hopefully get the full experience. Then we will move on to DVC and Disney the rest of the trip. At least it will save us some of our DVC points to maybe do a short trip around New Years again.

I certainly understand with the rest of your plans and extended family why you are going with your choice though for sure. I know that "how much longer will we be able to all go together as a family" feeling first-hand. Our trip last summer just didn't quite feel right being the first one without Matthew. The funny thing is, when I mentioned to him about possibly doing Universal also while he can go with us, his response was "sounds like fun BUT.......after so many trips as a family spending so much time at Disney, it will probably feel strange taking that time away from the Disney parks."

I just noticed your post only when Glenn replied to it - I will try to blame the slow DIS on me being not as careful when reading threads...

I think your idea is great! I haven't come to the conclusion of my Universal part yet (am just about to post another update) but I will definitely include a few days there on my next trip! My guess would be that Jonathan will spend a lot of time riding the coasters at IoA!! From what you said in October about having experienced everything at Disney quite a bit in the recent past, I think you all will love the possibility of exploring something new!

I will write a bit about the Royal Pacific Resort (the cheapest of the Universal ones, but I think you can get early entry if you buy a packet through Universal at one of their good neighbour hotels as well) when I write about our dinner there. But I can tell you that we were very impressed and really liked what we saw! Since I love the exotic theme, that would be my first choice.

You are right about the multi-day tickets. While the one day is just as pricey as Disney, the multi day ones are actually considerably more affordable in relation, even though they still aren't cheap.

 

[Flossbolna]

I know, I know…it’s been absolutely miserable, so I completely understand. What’s also weird is that we have 2 pc’s at home and it works better for one than the other. I think the one has trouble loading the ads that appear on every page.

Since this seems to be the place where my pals all talk about how SLOW the DIS is at the moment:

I just listened to the DISunplugged podcast today and they explained what happened: They were supposed to get new servers online in December but the company that was hosting these servers seemed to mess up and now they have decided to move the whole site to a new company because the old one was not doing their job. They said that things were still going to be bad for a few weeks until they have managed to move - supposedly the new company wants to set up things differently (no idea what that means, I just repeat what I heard!!) and that takes a bit. But the promise that after that change has been done, it will never get as bad again.

So people, be patient, the issue will be resolved soon!!

 

[nodnol]

pictures!!!!

I'm so glad you decided to include Universal. Even if it's only one day. you'll at least know what to expect and I'm sure you will lan for more days there on a future trip

 

[winkers]

drum roll please..............

Does Lauren take pictures of NYC? 19 yes.....0 no

The Dis has spoken.

 

[glennbo123]

I will write a bit about the Royal Pacific Resort (the cheapest of the Universal ones, but I think you can get early entry if you buy a packet through Universal at one of their good neighbour hotels as well) when I write about our dinner there. But I can tell you that we were very impressed and really liked what we saw! Since I love the exotic theme, that would be my first choice.

I’m looking forward to your write-up. I briefly looked online at their hotels and wondered how they were and the differences between them.

Since this seems to be the place where my pals all talk about how SLOW the DIS is at the moment:

I just listened to the DISunplugged podcast today and they explained what happened: They were supposed to get new servers online in December but the company that was hosting these servers seemed to mess up and now they have decided to move the whole site to a new company because the old one was not doing their job. They said that things were still going to be bad for a few weeks until they have managed to move - supposedly the new company wants to set up things differently (no idea what that means, I just repeat what I heard!!) and that takes a bit. But the promise that after that change has been done, it will never get as bad again.

So people, be patient, the issue will be resolved soon!!

Thanks for the update Magdalene…I’ve never listened to the podcast. I’m glad to read that changes are in motion and they expect that the performance will improve. It’s too bad that it’ll still take a few weeks yet, but at least there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

pictures!!!!

That’s 19, and another international vote!

I'm so glad you decided to include Universal. Even if it's only one day. you'll at least know what to expect and I'm sure you will lan for more days there on a future trip

Me too, I’m looking forward to it. I think you’re right – it might result in even more days there in the future. I hope so!

drum roll please..............

Does Lauren take pictures of NYC? 19 yes.....0 no

The Dis has spoken.

It has! (I knew it would)

I suppose I could count myself to get to a nice, round 20. After all, I think I want to see pictures of it most of all…I’m so close to going on the trip, yet so far!

Question: why is there a cupcake on your drum? Oh, it's a roll! I get it!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

glennbo did you say you were doing IOA only or Universal too?
There are some rides in Universal that my kids wouldn't wanna miss. Last year RRR (Rip Ride Rock it) was broke down so DS10 (my daredevil) never got to do it. There are others though like MIB which they love but not that many.
So I guess I have to buy the 1 day park to park UGH!!!
Thank god that my parents are buying kids' tix.

 

[glennbo123]

glennbo did you say you were doing IOA only or Universal too?
There are some rides in Universal that my kids wouldn't wanna miss. Last year RRR (Rip Ride Rock it) was broke down so DS10 (my daredevil) never got to do it. There are others though like MIB which they love but not that many.
So I guess I have to buy the 1 day park to park UGH!!!
Thank god that my parents are buying kids' tix.

I'm only planning on IoA. If we got the 2-park tickets I'd be totally stressed, feeling like we really had to work to get our money's worth. The big "must see" is WWoHP, and anything after that is gravy. And besides, you have to save something for "next time"!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, I'm going to request advance notice of a question as a make up - the second question was asked while I was in surgery so I couldn't possibly be first. (No big deal just "girl stuff", but still a good excuse) and

I know it's A and A, but if it's not documented, it didn't happen - on the DIS, that means pics! maybe my vote makes it a 21 gun salute!

 

[glennbo123]

Okay, I'm going to request advance notice of a question as a make up

I could give you your own question, just for you....how about George Carlin's "Can God make a rock so big that he himself can't lift it?" Or Steven Wright's "How young can you be and still die of old age?"

the second question was asked while I was in surgery so I couldn't possibly be first. (No big deal just "girl stuff", but still a good excuse)

Sorry about my timing on that softball question. I hope you're recuperating well.

I know it's A and A, but if it's not documented, it didn't happen - on the DIS, that means pics! maybe my vote makes it a 21 gun salute!

Oh yeah, good point. That is a saying we have around here, isn't it!

 

[glennbo123]

Yes, it is time to start thinking about dining. Actually, it was time waaaay back on August 3rd, when I sent out what I am about to show you. (Hey, we’re all DISers here. This is what we do – we think about meals nearly a year in advance. And after all, in August I only had a mere 4+ months to get ready for my ADR window to open on December 26th! )

Since I was planning the trip for my family and for Gram and Poppy, I decided I needed a little input from the travelers. A survey seemed like the way to go, and there’s no easier, more accessible survey tool than surveymonkey!! I had never created a survey in it before, but I had watched a business colleague do it once and it looked super-easy. It was – I highly recommend it. It didn’t take long at all to create, and soon I was e-mailing it out to the travelers.

Here are some screenshots:

You astute readers will notice that questions 1 and 2 are really the same. I wasn’t sure if people would really understand what they might be able to eat at some of those places. I mean, when do you ever hear someone say “hey, let’s go out for Canadian food”?

Also, I was also curious to see if people would stay consistent from question 1 to question 2.

With the one above I went with descriptions of the menu rather than the restaurant names because Gram and Poppy aren’t familiar with the names. And probably most of my family isn’t either, for that matter.

Can you guys recognize the restaurant by my menu synopsis?

Okay, time for some demographics. It wouldn’t be a survey without demographics! And how else was I going to be able to tell who provided which answers. (Hey, I never said it was an anonymous survey. )

Say what?

With that last one I thought that I should gauge the bias in the responses from people (ie. kids) who weren’t going to be paying!

And I threw in a fun question:

Next time we’ll find out how Gram, Poppy, Judy

, the kids, and I responded.



Link to next chapter

 

[Poolrat]

1 Judy


I like it. You made something some family members would consider mundane or boring or crazy - Why are looking at ARD more than a year out- into something fun. Good for you.

 

[Native NYer]

Love your survey!

 

[tinacaplan]

Wow...love that you used Surveymonkey to, well, literally survey your travelmates. We use it at work for various things. And you're so right...who doe ever suggest going out for Canadian food, eh?

Can't wait to see your choices.

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

HAHAHHHHHHAAAA ... Glennbo ... the use of SurveyMonkey was brilliant!! I use it a lot at work to obtain referrals for new employees, etc. I love how easy it is to develop questions and it was such a creative use to get this out to your fam ... I think you've given me an idea that will be used for October!!

Can't WAIT to read the results!!!!!

 

[jenbear123]

What a great way to get opinions when travelling in a big group. Hope it helps make decisions.

 

[winkers]

Darn....I thought we could vote too!


After reading the menu options, I'm a little hungry.

 

[MEK]

I wanted to vote, too!

Thanks for that tease! I love me a Disney survey! Fun stuff! You get the creativity award!

 

[englishrose47]

I vote Glenn pays for my food !!!!

Am I male or Female
Yes

Do Iwanr Hamburgers, chicken, shrimp and steak .. absolutely!!!!

Glen the survey is brilliant !!!

 

[eandesmom]

I LOVE it! What a fantastic idea. I am totally doing that on the next big trip. My family would get the biggest kick out of it.

I am hungry reading it though.

1 Judy

 

[norybell]

Love the survey! I want someone to send it to me. Preferably someone who's going to pay for all the meals in question.