Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, it's off to the CSR we go! A Feb PTR 2/28 Trip report started!!!

[jenseib]

Ya for changing resorts!

Where is that outlet? I know you go there alot and it jsut sounds fun...well the Disney outlet does. Maybe we should check it out sometime. (I swear I need 3 weeks to do all I want to)

Looks like a busy, fun day.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

News on our summer vacation 2011 - Aug 13 - Sept 10!

I JUST NEED TO SHARE THIS WITH ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!

Just got off the phone with Disney reservations! I changed/rebooked my existing FD reservation for POR to room only at Old Key West, 1 bedroom villa!! - yes that is HOW excited we are!!!

Saved 1680$ off the rack rate!

Thank you, Disney, for getting 2011 off to a truely magical start!

That is so awesome Karin!!! Did you get a code, or see an ad? What prompted you to call and get the deal?

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, finished reading your plans.

Breakfast looks delicious - I'll have to remember that one - we stay at SSR.
I love riding JC and BTMRR at night! Your EMH night looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing your plans and pics - I, too am feeling down in the dumps and need to plan vicariously through others!

 

[dizneeat]

So happy you'll be at OKW! And yep, we're back tomorrow. Most schools in the states go back the 2nd or 3rd of January! I really could use another week, too. Oh well...

Thank you, Tina! I was so excited, we really love OKW!
Good luck with your first day back to school - I know how it feels, luckily I still have a week until then!

Ya for changing resorts!

Where is that outlet? I know you go there alot and it jsut sounds fun...well the Disney outlet does. Maybe we should check it out sometime. (I swear I need 3 weeks to do all I want to)

Looks like a busy, fun day.

It's the former Beltz Mall, close to where Universal is. It is a brandnew mall and the Disney Outlet there has fantastic deals. We usually go there two or three times a trip as their merchandise changes very often. Picked up 4 glass ornaments 2 years ago for 4.99 and they were still marked 29.99!!!
I just love scoring a good deal!

That is so awesome Karin!!! Did you get a code, or see an ad? What prompted you to call and get the deal?

Thank you!
I read all about the deal here on the DISboards - first page!!! We have been waiting and hoping for an AP discount so we could go back to OKW, but Disney giving me that HUGE new year's present of a General Public discount was just amazing!

Okay, finished reading your plans.

Breakfast looks delicious - I'll have to remember that one - we stay at SSR.
I love riding JC and BTMRR at night! Your EMH night looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing your plans and pics - I, too am feeling down in the dumps and need to plan vicariously through others!

We love WPE - and at SSR it is even in walking distance! Isn't JC at night the most fun? You don't see that much, but the skippers are hilarious!
And BTMRR is fun any time of day, but at night even more so! We love to ride in the last row and sometimes during really late EMH we get to ride several times in a row!
It's good we have the DISboards, always picks me up when I am feeling down!

 

[2princesses2princes]

Geesh all you people and your changes J/K I am so happy for you, that is awesome.

 

[Kleese]

Just signed up! Can't wait to read your post

 

[tinacaplan]

And BTMRR is fun any time of day, but at night even more so! We love to ride in the last row and sometimes during really late EMH we get to ride several times in a row!
It's good we have the DISboards, always picks me up when I am feeling down!

Ooooo...riding BTMRR several times in a row sounds like a definite plan. I am getting so excited!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Oh, wow...and according to the ticker, we're six weeks and two days away...not sure that's entirely right, but hey...works for me!

 

[Stefy]

Ok all caught up. Everything looks good for Days 1 & 2

Score on your saving for your resort change too

Not long now til Feb, I bet you Jan just flies by

 

[Kleese]

I'm finally fully caught up on this thread. I love Disney Cruises too! We've only been two times to WDW and both times we did a DC with it. For me it's hard to think of doing one without the other. Our next big trip will be in 2012 and we are going on the Fantasy. It looks like it's going to be so much better then the Wonder and I loved the Wonder. I'm so excited . Somehow planning a trip to Disney even 2yrs away picks up your mood . Can't wait for more reports from you

 

[Minnie&Nana]

WOW!! So much exciting news since my last visit! A terrible flu has had the best of me for a few days, but feeling better today. Hit me hard bright and early New Year's Day. I refuse to believe this is a bad omen for 2011, but rather the worst is behind me already!

The switch to LKB for the first night makes good sense - it is always nicer to be close by, especially when planning to eat at WGPE that evening.

I LOVE your first day plans after CSR check-in! Want to come down just for the day so I can visit all those neat places!! I don't drive, so never leave Disney property - and never thought I'd want to until seeing those pics and reading your plans.

The CSR pics are fabulous! That place has a sense of calm just looking at photos - so pretty....and a water view again this year! Do you & Tom have a location preference?

Then the latest OKW news!!! I am so happy for and with you!!

 

[dizneeat]

Geesh all you people and your changes J/K I am so happy for you, that is awesome.

One thing I enjoy about being my own TA - I can make as many changes as I want to and don't have to charge myself for anything!
Austrian TA are not very flexible - well they aren't flexible at all. Once you have decided what you want you are somewhat stuck with it. NO discounts, no changing dates or anything. This is why I stopped using a TA.
I LOVE being my own TA and getting the best deal there is! (at least what is the best deal for US!)
We love OKW and have stayed there last summer, but with 3 cruises I never thought I would be able to pull it off again. But now with half of it covered by the UK deal and half of it under the 40% off rate (and I am still hoping for that AP discount) OKW is going to happen again and we are so excited!

Just signed up! Can't wait to read your post

Welcome! I LOVE new readers. Hope you are having fun coming along!

Ooooo...riding BTMRR several times in a row sounds like a definite plan. I am getting so excited!!!

Riding BTMRR shortly before 2am will be the ultimate fun! Even if we have to track around and won't be able to stay in our seats!

Oh, wow...and according to the ticker, we're six weeks and two days away...not sure that's entirely right, but hey...works for me!

Yes, we are getting closer and closer! 46 more days until we hit the world again! WPE prepare yourself!

Ok all caught up. Everything looks good for Days 1 & 2

Score on your saving for your resort change too

Not long now til Feb, I bet you Jan just flies by

Hey, great! You are all caught up! Glad you like Day 1 and 2 plans!

I was so excited on New Years Day when I found out about the discount. Then I called after reading here that the code already worked and OKW was not in the system! But the CM told me to call back the next day and I did and that nice CM scored a 1 bedroom villa for me! He made my day!

I guess I can start thinking about what to take with us real soon!

I'm finally fully caught up on this thread. I love Disney Cruises too! We've only been two times to WDW and both times we did a DC with it. For me it's hard to think of doing one without the other. Our next big trip will be in 2012 and we are going on the Fantasy. It looks like it's going to be so much better then the Wonder and I loved the Wonder. I'm so excited . Somehow planning a trip to Disney even 2yrs away picks up your mood . Can't wait for more reports from you

We only discovered that we liked cruising in 2009! It was supposed to be a once in a lifetime thing and I guess, had we been cruising on any other ship it would have been. But we had a blast those first 4 days and while on board we rebooked a back to back! Now, on that cruise we booked 3 cruises back to back - somehow we just can't get enough of Disney.
That's why I love our month long vacations - time to play at the parks and time to relax on a Disney ship!

We have just decided (sort of ) to do a Dream/Fantasy cruise in summer of 2012 too!
No matter when those Disney trips are ......... it is always exciting to plan and in the meantime sharing with friends here and planning is just the best way to pass time!

 

[dizneeat]

WOW!! So much exciting news since my last visit! A terrible flu has had the best of me for a few days, but feeling better today. Hit me hard bright and early New Year's Day. I refuse to believe this is a bad omen for 2011, but rather the worst is behind me already!

The switch to LKB for the first night makes good sense - it is always nicer to be close by, especially when planning to eat at WGPE that evening.

I LOVE your first day plans after CSR check-in! Want to come down just for the day so I can visit all those neat places!! I don't drive, so never leave Disney property - and never thought I'd want to until seeing those pics and reading your plans.

The CSR pics are fabulous! That place has a sense of calm just looking at photos - so pretty....and a water view again this year! Do you & Tom have a location preference?

Then the latest OKW news!!! I am so happy for and with you!!

Christine, I hope that you are feeling much better right now! Let's put it that way - you got being sick out of the way right away!

I am glad you understand about the Clarion at LBV. We have had bad experiences checking in late. And even though I don't mind a bad room for a night or two, but not for my whole stay!
AND it is real close to DTD and my favourite Wolfgang!

Being able to have a car and drive around is awesome! I am not all that happy with Disney transportation. I just can't stand having to wait for a bus and then having to stand INSIDE the bus! Guess I have outgrown the age when that was fun!
And since it IS president's weekend the parks will be packed and we'll need some other "distraction"!

Can you imagine that in 2002 we toured all the resorts and decided that CSR was not for us? We had run into a convention, all men in dark suits and ties and I felt so out of place. We were sure we would not like it there. Then I checked out KatMark's thread about CSR and we thought that it looked really good, so gave it a try! Kathy told me to get a standard view and that is what I did. Now, Disney really knows how to get to me ........ upgraded us to a waterview (quiet pool AND lake), corner room and we got turn down service every night! Needless to say we were hooked, this year we BOOKED the waterview!
It is such a wonderful and peaceful resort - love Pepper Market! and Maya Grill too!

I could not believe it when I read about the discounts (40%!!!! ) on New Years Day! With 3 cruises I was not sure I would be able to go ALL the way and stay at OKW again. But then we got in on the UK deal for OKW (42% off of the resort AND Free Dining) for the first part of our trip, pre-cruise. I was hoping for an AP discount some time in spring, but to score 40% off right now made me literally dance around the room - guess you can still see I am over excited!
OKW is our ALL time favourite resort - Disney got us hooked right away. I had seen the resort on TV and when they offered an AP discount we booked a studio for 10 nights. Disney upgraded us to a 1 bedroom, needless to say I nearly fell over backwards when the CM told us! Ever since ........ we have paid for the 1 br. Can't go with a Studio any more!

Whoops ....... now that has gotten a bit long. Hope you don't mind!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Long posts are like having a visit.

The first few times I (with friends) visited CSR the same thing happened - it was turn off to see so many conventioneers, so I decided while it was pretty, it was not for me. Then I began following the CSR FAQs thread and the photos were incredible - heaven on earth! Then one December visit my friend and I took the time to go over and visit CSR again - wow!! The decorations are gorgeous! Much more in line with deluxe holiday decorations. One of these days I'll get to stay there, but when traveling with friends you know how important flexibility can be.

In truth, I LOVE a deluxe resort, especially a MK resort. CR, (then Poly 6 mos later) was our very first WDW experience 30 yrs ago this coming August (I SO want to go back for a few days for my "anniversary" but haven't found a willing friend yet ).

When OKW was brand new my Godson and I went for a tour and LOVED it - have not stayed there because I don't drive, so it feels a bit isolated and I can only imagine (that) Disney transportation would not be a happy experience staying.

Darn - I was sick Near Years so missed the discount news!! Fingers crossed for an even better AP rate.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 3, February 21, 2011

We will sleep in today.

Breakfast is yet undecided, depending on when we will finally get up we might just have a snack out of the fridge in the room, or we might even walk over to Pepper Market

or drive to Earl of Sandwich for some breakfast.

If we are already at Downtown Disney, we will most probably have a “good look” through the stores and pick up a few souvenirs.

We will then head over to Epcot

for our lunch reservation at Via Napoli.

Guess a good pizza

and some Zeppole

are on the menu! We might even try to fit in a ride or two if the lines aren’t too crazy.

By early afternoon we will leave and head back to the resort, for some extensive photo taking,

a walk around the resort and maybe cocktails with Tina and her family at the Dig Site.

In the evening we will head over to the Magic Kingdom

to explore the shops, and maybe fit in a ride on the Peoplemover. Then we will find a spot along Main Street to watch the Main Street Electrical Parade.

Once the Parade is over it will be time to walk over to the Contemporary Resort, to check in for our dinner at the California Grill.

We should be there right for the fireworks at 8pm.

Then it will be time for a nice and relaxed meal

before we head back to the Coronado Springs Resort.

 

[dizneeat]

Long posts are like having a visit.

The first few times I (with friends) visited CSR the same thing happened - it was turn off to see so many conventioneers, so I decided while it was pretty, it was not for me. Then I began following the CSR FAQs thread and the photos were incredible - heaven on earth! Then one December visit my friend and I took the time to go over and visit CSR again - wow!! The decorations are gorgeous! Much more in line with deluxe holiday decorations. One of these days I'll get to stay there, but when traveling with friends you know how important flexibility can be.

It has such a laid back feeling! We stayed at the Cabanas and even though we were real close to El Centro, it felt like we "lived" far away. I loved it. And the "beach" with the hammocks is just ...

In truth, I LOVE a deluxe resort, especially a MK resort. CR, (then Poly 6 mos later) was our very first WDW experience 30 yrs ago this coming August (I SO want to go back for a few days for my "anniversary" but haven't found a willing friend yet ).

When OKW was brand new my Godson and I went for a tour and LOVED it - have not stayed there because I don't drive, so it feels a bit isolated and I can only imagine (that) Disney transportation would not be a happy experience staying.

Darn - I was sick Near Years so missed the discount news!! Fingers crossed for an even better AP rate.

Funnily enough the GF or the Poly don't pull me/us all that much. I love the CR though! In 2000 when we were still booking through a TA we got a reservation there and were so excited. Now imagine how we felt when they told us that all we "had" booked was a garden room. They totally advertised it as the tower structure, but what they (the TA) sold you - and even far too expensive as well was the Garden Wing. Even though we loved it - the rooms were HUGE and we could see the Monorail, it is still a dream of mine to stay in a tower room! Only thing is ....... I would need to win the lottery first!

OKW has quite a good internal bus service. The thing is ...... I don't like waiting for the bus. So much more convenient to just open a car door and fall into your seat!
Plus ..... having a car is such a fun experience. They are far softer than the European ones and we just enjoy "cruising" along!

No big deal you missed the announcement of the discounts - they were supposed to go into effect on Jan 1, but somehow the codes already worked on the first and second! So as long as you had the code you were able to book "a little ahead of time"! Just what I needed to start the new year with!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I must be feeling better because I think I might have felt a little drool forming when looking at the Via Napoli photos....sooo good. The adult beverages, not so much right now.

Your plans are fabulous! Ending the day with the People Mover, Main St Electrical Parade and then Wishes from CR. What could possibly be better? Have not yet been to California Grill, but I hear it's fabulous. I must eat very plain food, which can be a challenge, but Disney Chef's sure can come through - and I'd bet California Grill would be delicious.

Another great update, Karin. Thanks!!

 

[dizneeat]

I must be feeling better because I think I might have felt a little drool forming when looking at the Via Napoli photos....sooo good. The adult beverages, not so much right now.

Your plans are fabulous! Ending the day with the People Mover, Main St Electrical Parade and then Wishes from CR. What could possibly be better? Have not yet been to California Grill, but I hear it's fabulous. I must eat very plain food, which can be a challenge, but Disney Chef's sure can come through - and I'd bet California Grill would be delicious.

Another great update, Karin. Thanks!!

Yeah for feeling better! You definitely need to check out Via Napoli - the food is really yum yum! Even Nicki had several meals there during her stay!

Thanks for your approval of our third day at WDW! And what COULD be better - I LOVE the Peoplemover and the MSEP! And since I guess it will be real crowded, being President's Day, so I figured a nice meal at the CG would be fun.
And if you have never been there, than you should get an ADR next time you are at WDW! They are very helpful when it comes to diets! And the food and ambience of the restaurant blow me away every time. Maybe even more since we have befriended Ron, one of the CMs there! He makes us feel extra special every time we go there.
You know I was picking up the Mickey and Castle confetti on our table when we were there last February and he just laughed and brought our a small bag full of the confetti! How sweet is that!

 

[2princesses2princes]

I love how you tell your plans through pictures, I can visualize it so well. However they make me even more anxious and excited to get there, only 5 weeks and 1 day left. YAHOO!!! Your plans sound great, sleeping in, and just taking it easy as you go along.

 

[tinkmom2]

My mouth is once again watering looking at your pics! I am having tuna casserole tonight and just got a "Ugh" from my hubby lol!