Happy Birthday, Dear Dude - A Sept 2010 PTR - 9/22 Trip Report Started p34

[swwake]

More bits and pieces - edited down....

Here's a picture of Katie and Haley in ICU. Wed had to wear all of this garb because Mom was in isolation due to MRSA.

Here is a picture of Mom's spine from the MRI:

Next up - back to Disney planning (as much as I can do right now)

 

[Native NYer]

I will keep your mom in my prayers It's wonderful that Katie wants to go into medicine. One event can totally change the course of your life. I'm glad your family had found strength in each other. And I hope your mom continues to recover and make progress.

What resorts are you considering?

 

[swwake]

I will keep your mom in my prayers It's wonderful that Katie wants to go into medicine. One event can totally change the course of your life. I'm glad your family had found strength in each other. And I hope your mom continues to recover and make progress.

What resorts are you considering?

Thanks so much Jen. She is really progressing. I will keep y'all posted on that.

Now, on with the show! Resorts coming up next.

 

[swwake]

Well, again, everything is preliminary at this point. Here are the resorts we are considering and why:

Bay Lake Towers: One of my partners took his (mostly adult) family of 6 to BLT over New Year's Eve this year and RAVES about it. He says there is absolutely nothing like staying on the monorail. He had a view of MK and watched fireworks over the lake and the castle. It's bright and shiny and new, and we saw it under construction 2 years ago when we were there. I also like the sleek style. I love hotels like W, and the pics remind me of that style. It also, for some reason, feels very "grown up". So this is one of our top choices.

Animal Kingdom: Our friends who might be going at the same time stayed at AKL last year and said they MIGHT stay there again this year. We had dinner at Boma one night on our last trip and LOVED the restaurant, LOVED the resort, LOVED the lobby (?) bar. Loved everything about it. Except how far it is from everything. So the only down side is the shuttles. We wouldn't rent a car - we'd rely on the shuttles. But it might be worth it. When I priced these resorts, AKL with Savannah view came back the least expensive.

Polynesian: If we want to stay on the monorail, this is also a choice. We had dinner at O'Hana last trip and enjoyed it. Explored the inside and outside of the Poly and liked it a lot. One day we will probably stay there. It may be this trip, or maybe not. Just not sure.

 

[AuroraRose]

Praying for your mom! Situations like these definitely put things in perspective, and I am glad she's making progress!

All your resort choices sound great! We looked at Bay Lake Towers when we convinced our friends to take the DVC tour last year. Those rooms look amazing!

 

[kangaand2roos]

Subbing!

So sorry about your mom. Seeing any family member suffer is so hard, but there is something about watching the woman who raised you be reduced to a helpless patient that is very sobering. I lost my mom 5 years ago (exactly 5 years on Monday) to a (mercifully) short battle with lung cancer. I am so glad to hear that your mother made it through this ordeal and is improving! Prayers your way!

Well, again, everything is preliminary at this point. Here are the resorts we are considering and why:

Bay Lake Towers: One of my partners took his (mostly adult) family of 6 to BLT over New Year's Eve this year and RAVES about it. He says there is absolutely nothing like staying on the monorail. He had a view of MK and watched fireworks over the lake and the castle. It's bright and shiny and new, and we saw it under construction 2 years ago when we were there. I also like the sleek style. I love hotels like W, and the pics remind me of that style. It also, for some reason, feels very "grown up". So this is one of our top choices.

Animal Kingdom: Our friends who might be going at the same time stayed at AKL last year and said they MIGHT stay there again this year. We had dinner at Boma one night on our last trip and LOVED the restaurant, LOVED the resort, LOVED the lobby (?) bar. Loved everything about it. Except how far it is from everything. So the only down side is the shuttles. We wouldn't rent a car - we'd rely on the shuttles. But it might be worth it. When I priced these resorts, AKL with Savannah view came back the least expensive.

Polynesian: If we want to stay on the monorail, this is also a choice. We had dinner at O'Hana last trip and enjoyed it. Explored the inside and outside of the Poly and liked it a lot. One day we will probably stay there. It may be this trip, or maybe not. Just not sure.

I have not stayed at BLT or the Poly (but would love to one day!) so, from personal experience, I can only speak to AKL. We bought into DVC at Kidani in August 2008 and had our first stay there this past Thanksgiving. I had reservations about the bussing too and it wasn't nearly as much of a problem as I had expected. It is definitely more out of the way than some, but the bus rides weren't terrible. The only route I really minded was to DTD, and that one was long, but again, not horrible. It was extremely crowded when we were there. It shouldn't be nearly as crowded in October. In fact, I was there the last few days in October on a quick solo trip and the crowds were very light. Between the crowds, MNSSHP and Food and Wine, I have determined that to be my favorite time to go to WDW! We're booked for October 22-31 of this coming year. AKV, Jambo House, Concierge!! Wahoo!!! It will be the first time for the kids to be there at that time of year

I am doing a PTR now for both my May and October trips and I am about to post some pics from my solo trip over there if you want to pop in and say "HI!" The link is in my siggie.

Again...good vibrations going your mom's way!

 

[Native NYer]

Well, again, everything is preliminary at this point. Here are the resorts we are considering and why:

Bay Lake Towers: One of my partners took his (mostly adult) family of 6 to BLT over New Year's Eve this year and RAVES about it. He says there is absolutely nothing like staying on the monorail. He had a view of MK and watched fireworks over the lake and the castle. It's bright and shiny and new, and we saw it under construction 2 years ago when we were there. I also like the sleek style. I love hotels like W, and the pics remind me of that style. It also, for some reason, feels very "grown up". So this is one of our top choices.

Animal Kingdom: Our friends who might be going at the same time stayed at AKL last year and said they MIGHT stay there again this year. We had dinner at Boma one night on our last trip and LOVED the restaurant, LOVED the resort, LOVED the lobby (?) bar. Loved everything about it. Except how far it is from everything. So the only down side is the shuttles. We wouldn't rent a car - we'd rely on the shuttles. But it might be worth it. When I priced these resorts, AKL with Savannah view came back the least expensive.

Polynesian: If we want to stay on the monorail, this is also a choice. We had dinner at O'Hana last trip and enjoyed it. Explored the inside and outside of the Poly and liked it a lot. One day we will probably stay there. It may be this trip, or maybe not. Just not sure.

BLT would be fantastic. You could just walk to the MK. And the Poly is wonderful I loved sitting on the beach and just relaxing.

My friend and I are staying at AKL in July. It's cheaper than some of the other deluxes and is so beautiful. Since it's just the two of us, the buses probably won't be an issue.

Since you're planning on going to F&W, have you considered a different Epcot resort? Maybe BWI?

 

[swwake]

Praying for your mom! Situations like these definitely put things in perspective, and I am glad she's making progress!

All your resort choices sound great! We looked at Bay Lake Towers when we convinced our friends to take the DVC tour last year. Those rooms look amazing!

Thanks for the prayers. I am sure BLT would be awesome. It sorta depends if we go at the same time as our friends and whether they stay at BLT or nearby.

Subbing!

So sorry about your mom. Seeing any family member suffer is so hard, but there is something about watching the woman who raised you be reduced to a helpless patient that is very sobering. I lost my mom 5 years ago (exactly 5 years on Monday) to a (mercifully) short battle with lung cancer. I am so glad to hear that your mother made it through this ordeal and is improving! Prayers your way!



I have not stayed at BLT or the Poly (but would love to one day!) so, from personal experience, I can only speak to AKL. We bought into DVC at Kidani in August 2008 and had our first stay there this past Thanksgiving. I had reservations about the bussing too and it wasn't nearly as much of a problem as I had expected. It is definitely more out of the way than some, but the bus rides weren't terrible. The only route I really minded was to DTD, and that one was long, but again, not horrible. It was extremely crowded when we were there. It shouldn't be nearly as crowded in October. In fact, I was there the last few days in October on a quick solo trip and the crowds were very light. Between the crowds, MNSSHP and Food and Wine, I have determined that to be my favorite time to go to WDW! We're booked for October 22-31 of this coming year. AKV, Jambo House, Concierge!! Wahoo!!! It will be the first time for the kids to be there at that time of year

I am doing a PTR now for both my May and October trips and I am about to post some pics from my solo trip over there if you want to pop in and say "HI!" The link is in my siggie.

Again...good vibrations going your mom's way!

Stacey, Thanks for joining. Sorry to hear about your mom. I know it must be very hard!

Wow - Concierge! I can't wait to hear about that. I need to learn more about Kidani, which seems to be a hot topic at the moment.

BLT would be fantastic. You could just walk to the MK. And the Poly is wonderful I loved sitting on the beach and just relaxing.

My friend and I are staying at AKL in July. It's cheaper than some of the other deluxes and is so beautiful. Since it's just the two of us, the buses probably won't be an issue.

Since you're planning on going to F&W, have you considered a different Epcot resort? Maybe BWI?

I remember you staying at the Poly - wasn't that the same time we were there? I wonder why AKL prices out cheaper?

I don't think we want to do one of the Epcot resorts this time, just because it's so similar to the last trip. We looked at last year's F&W itinerary, and I think we'll enjoy it but may not spend an awful lot of time there.

 

[Native NYer]

I remember you staying at the Poly - wasn't that the same time we were there? I wonder why AKL prices out cheaper?

I don't think we want to do one of the Epcot resorts this time, just because it's so similar to the last trip. We looked at last year's F&W itinerary, and I think we'll enjoy it but may not spend an awful lot of time there.

Yes, I stayed at the Poly and CR that trip. The Poly is amazing and I love it. The rooms at CR are absolutely beautiful.

That makes sense about the Epcot resorts. We don't even bother looking into that area because we spend so much time in the MK

I'm not sure what AKL is cheaper than the other deluxes. Actually, I think WL is about the same. I know the rooms are a bit smaller and don't have the daybed. Maybe that's why

 

[kangaand2roos]

I'm not sure what AKL is cheaper than the other deluxes. Actually, I think WL is about the same. I know the rooms are a bit smaller and don't have the daybed. Maybe that's why

I think it's location. The other deluxe resorts are either on the monorail or walking distance from Epcot/DHS.

 

[kangaand2roos]

Stacey, Thanks for joining. Sorry to hear about your mom. I know it must be very hard!

Wow - Concierge! I can't wait to hear about that. I need to learn more about Kidani, which seems to be a hot topic at the moment.

Yeah, it's hard, but I try to remember the happy and not dwell on the sad. It's a little harder this time of year, but most of the time I enjoy many happy memories.

We stayed at Kidani for the first time in November and really loved it. The location was a little inconvenient, but it wasn't a huge issue.

I'm excited about staying concierge. I've never done that at Disney before. It'll be a new experience. I'm mostly excited to go back at that time of year!

 

[Native NYer]

I think it's location. The other deluxe resorts are either on the monorail or walking distance from Epcot/DHS.

Oh I completely forgot about location. That makes sense.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Hi Susan,

I just found your trip report - we're coming in Oct as well and I'm interested to hear about your plans as well.

I'm so glad you mother is getting better. I was very impressed on how your family really rallied around her. Challenges can either make a family stronger or put a huge wedge in it. Best of luck with her OT/PT! I'll be following along to hear about her progress.

Jane

 

[swwake]

Hi Susan,

I just found your trip report - we're coming in Oct as well and I'm interested to hear about your plans as well.

I'm so glad you mother is getting better. I was very impressed on how your family really rallied around her. Challenges can either make a family stronger or put a huge wedge in it. Best of luck with her OT/PT! I'll be following along to hear about her progress.

Jane

Jane! Glad to have you with me. I see your PTR in your signature, so I will have to check it out. Thanks for the thoughts on Mom. She really is doing better and we are counting our blessings.

 

[swwake]

Oh, boy! I am starting to get a little obsessive.

We went out for brunch today and Chris and I talked about where we'd liek to stay this trip. We narrowed it down to between BLT and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We decided against the Epcot resorts, since we just stayed at Beach Club the last trip.

It was quite a toss-up. What we like about Bay Lake Towers is the convenience of the monorail, and walking to Magic Kingdom. We like the thought of watching Wishes every night from our balcony. It's new, crisp.

But we also LOVE AKL. We know we want to go back to Boma, and we missed Jiko the last trip and I'd like to try that if possible. If we stay there, the chances are higher that we would do both. We love the idea of waking up and watching the animals with a savannah view.

Chris asked me if they have balconies, and I couldn't remember. So I checked when we got home and found out they do!

And the decision between BLT and AKL was not including price at all. We played the "money is no object" game. But when I price AKL, as I mentioned below, it's several hundred dollars less expensive than BLT.

AND I just ran another price test and found out we could stay concierge for still less than Bay Lake Towers would be! I have read that the beenfits of concierge level aren't so great, but at AKL, you get the option of these:
# Opportunity to book and experience Wildlife Discovery Excursion at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park
# Opportunity to book and experience the Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure
# Opportunity to book and experience the The Wanyama Safari and Dinner

I think I remember that the Sunrise Safari is ONLY offered to AKL concierge level guests. I think we'll be interested in one of these. So I am thinking we are leaning toward AKL at the moment!

 

[Native NYer]

I say go with AKL CL. We were upgraded to CL at both the Poly and CR in 2008 and we're hooked. We're staying CL at the GF in August.

The IPO is fantastic. They email quickly and really plan anything you want. Plus, you can just grab breakfast and snacks in the lounge. If you want to be pampered a bit, I would definitely go with CL.

 

[swwake]

I say go with AKL CL. We were upgraded to CL at both the Poly and CR in 2008 and we're hooked. We're staying CL at the GF in August.

The IPO is fantastic. They email quickly and really plan anything you want. Plus, you can just grab breakfast and snacks in the lounge. If you want to be pampered a bit, I woudl definitely go with CL.

Ok Jen, you twisted my arm!

 

[swwake]

Seriously, I have gotten a bit obsessed and have decided to do this. So much seems to come with the CL at AKL. I'm pretty sure we'll do the Sunrise Safari. I told Chris about it and he said Pizzafari is one of his favorite restaurants, so breakfast there will be awesome!

Also, the reviews I'm reading say that the food in the Concierge Lounge is actually pretty good. Reviews I read of CL at Beach Club in 08 said there was never enough food and it wasn't that great.

It's awesome that every CL room is near the lobby with a guaranteed Savannah view. They say bring your binoculars and a zoom-lens camera. I'm getting so excited!

 

[swwake]

Chris saw the Superbowl commercial for the Harry Potter area at Universal Orlando. At the same time, I was checking out their website. It looks pretty exciting. I can't tell for sure when it opens - it says it will be revealed Spring 2010 but I'm confused as to whether it will be open then, or that is when they show us what it will be like.

If it's open when we go (and I think it will be), we have pretty much decided to take a day and either rent a car or take a cab over to Universal. Chris will be excited about the whole experience, rides and all. I will like the rides, but I think I'm more excited about having a pint of Butterbeer at the restaurant!

 

[swwake]

Three posts at a time!

Ok, as for dates: Since we are very flexible for this trip, we might wait and see if free dining comes out again this year, and plan to visit during that time. F&W and MNSSHP are draws for us, but if we have to miss either of those and get free dining in exchange, it might be worth it.

Do any of you know what the historical dates free dining has been offered were?

Oh yeah, and Chris just mentioned that he might want to add a day to our trip so he can rent a car and visit some motorcycle dealerships around Orlando. He owns a parts distributorship, so this would be awesome for him. And - BONUS - We will be able to deduct a portion of our trip from our taxes!

AND - I'm personally pretty excited about this because it gives me a day on my own. I could go watch the American Idol Experience (which Chris will not want to see with me) to my heart's content. I could do some other things that Chris may not be as interested in, I could drink around the world at Epcot by myself, I could get a massage, or all of the above! Kind of like my own little solo trip within a trip!

Can you tell I'm starting to get really excited?