Yeah, I think we will be hitting the parks pretty hard this trip since we only have 4 park days before our cruise...I felt bad paying all that money when we probably won't utilize the room as much as we normally do.
I am sure Sugarloaf will be fantastic though!!!
I think you've made a great choice, in that case. For us, we like to do RPC when we plan to spend most of our time at the resort, and garden view or SL when we are busier with parks.
(I think I said that already, lol)
DisneyDmbNut, isn't Richard wonderful? The weather was quite frosty last Christmas. They had a gas heater placed near the entrance, just for him while he was on duty. If anyone deserves to be warm and cozy, it's Richard.
Thanks for that, what a great image!
Looking for some tips from all of you GF experts.......
We will be there for the first time in 2 weeks
We have booked a garden view room.
My husband has bad back problems so we were hoping for a building that was close to the main building so we requested Big Pine Key.
Would others say that would be the closest and best? And what floor ?
Looking for any and all advice
Only 2 more weeks, woohoo!!
Big Pine Key is probably the closest non-CL building to the back door of the Main Bldg. Keep in mind, the resort is pretty small so any of the buildings are not a far walk - I have a bum knee and bad ankle, and do not have any trouble walking within the resort, even after a long day in the parks.
If you do want Big Pine Key, there are a few rooms in that building to try and avoid. The lower floors down near Boca Chica will look into the back of the pool building, so requesting an upper floor close to the Main Building end will likely give you the view you want.
My DD is excited to be there in February.. She is hoping richard is out roasting chestnuts! Lol
Do they still have chestnuts out in February?! It is one of the months we have not been, and only in the first week of January, so I was unaware. We don't care for them, but the greeters are always so enthusiastic, we take them to be polite.
I'm starting to think that way about going in March/peak season. The more I think about end of May/June (or possibly end of April), the more appealing it's becoming with the lower rates as I can get the same vacation for less money just by pushing it back 2 months. Crowds don't bother us as we usually go to a park for 2-3 hours in the morning then back to the resort for swimming/relaxing then back to a park after dinner for a maybe an hour or two....
....
Thanks.....I'm really starting to like the idea of May/June. I was just starting to rethink March and then it really kicked in when I rechecked airfare......I've never paid anywhere close to $300/pp for roundtrip, so I'm definitely not even entertaining the idea of paying that for one way
. I am also considering the end of April (after Easter) when rates go down, so I'm tossing around a few ideas.
LOL on your budget inches up and up as time goes on. I do the same thing, especially with discounts. After awhile my Disney brain starts thinking "with this discount I can do this resort", which turns into "well now I can do this resort and this room type".....it never ends
.
I was considering April before I started looking at May/June. My oldest DS asked if we could go after basketball season ends but before playoffs start
. It sure was easier to plan and take trips when they were younger
.
Kudos to you for not paying $300+ for r/t, even; we used to pay under $200/person r/t, but in the last couple years it has soared in KC. Yikes. I at first refused to pay that outrageous amount, but gave in lately as it seems the price these days.
Good luck with your planning!
LOL about your son and the basketball season. It is, indeed, easier when they are little, although we used to have to work around the school, swim lesson and baseball schedules.
.... I can't wait to meet Richard. I have read all about him and he looks like a sweetheart!
....
All the talk about budget was making me cringe about what it costs when we are going . . . LOL We are going in the peak of the peak seasons . . . The good thing about our trip this year is that my inlaws are taking us as a gift. My MIL has always wanted to take all the grandkids to Disney and so I get a free trip this year!
Woohoo, free trip!
Isn't Richard a doll?! I have to give a shout out to his partner in greeting - think his name is Oliverio - as he doesn't get as much love.
Richard is the rock star, lol.
I know what you mean regarding the peak season, yikes! The amount you start with before the discount sounds like a joke, right?!
Got the GF for the Dopey weekend. It's going to be great to be back. Got o see all of the improvements.
I hope that you continue to have fond memories of your family being at the GF together. My children remember all the fun times we spent with my mother there before her passing. I think that is one of the reasons why we still go back to the GF, so that they can feel her there with us.
I've been busy with kids. Went on our last college tour yesterday! Now it's a waiting game, much like the countdown before our Disney vacation.
which I prefer to do anyways. Flying makes me nervous and I only do it if I have too!
I have even had to pay $200 one way a time or two, I won't do that again, I'll just drive.
We have done it many times (DH and oldest DS hate to fly), but it means at least 4 extra days for us (2 there, 2 back) and a couple extra nights of motel costs. Not always feasible with school/work schedule. 
Changing room categories yet again....I think that you made a great change...We always stay SL if we go in the summer...You just cant beat the location for a pool day...returning to the lounge for a quick snack or beverage...And when our family was younger we always preferred SL...just my two cents! 
BPK sounds like the perfect choice for your families needs..since you asked..my advice would be to take some time to enjoy all the the GF has to offer..the ambience in a lobby..the lovely grounds...Hope you have a grand vacation!
That is quite a road trip.. the trip from DC will definitely seem like a hop skip and jump! Well..are we back in sync..are you posting about now??? 
I actually made a list..LOL..casue I know that I wouldn't remember..I'll need to get out my "packet" from this last trip ..I know that others of you have admitted to having these too! LOL..
and post it later...
