Ho! Ho! Ho! Away we go - A Disney Christmas - 2/15 Dec TR final thoughts and FEB TR!

[manntra]

for the cruise!! That is such awesome news!
DCL was my first ever cruise and I think it ruined me for any other ship.....It is a very majestic ship and just beautiful. And of course Disney..
I am starting to wonder about this picture....here I have DVC and you have more trips planned than I do

Tracy

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow, what a great surprise--a cruise with just you and hubby sounds fabulous!

I am loving your report. The drive down sounds frightful! I hate to drive in snow anymore. I live in Ohio and we can get some wild weather here with snow and ice. So far, it has been okay this winter. But, there is some heavy snow expected Thursday. Go figure , it would be the one night of the week I have to stay late for a board meeting.

I think the parks are beautiful decorated for Christmas. We went over Thanksgiving 2008 and loved it so much we are going back this year. My dear hubby surprised me this week with adding 4 days so we will be there for 10 days. I am so excited and starting to plan.

Thanks to your advice, I am going to see if we can book a room through a DVC owner for AKL. After your report of 1900 Park Faire, I will probably book that as well. DS7 would probably enjoy it and it is nice to see that other boys did so as well.

I look forward to your next update!

Erika

 

[raider97]

Hi!

I'm in! I am really enjoying your trip report! Yikes on the way out of town - that was pretty intense. Glad you all made it there ok. I love the pictures of your sons from the Pirate League! We had a blast there too. My son, also 4, got the cursed pirate look as well. DH and myself spent the next day giggling that it looked like he was wearing eyeliner. That face makeup was so hard to get off!

And we had a great dinner at Ohanas as well... just a little later in the week.

Congrats on the surprise! It sounds like so much fun. When are you guys going? Can't wait to hear what you think about Hilton Head!

Stephanie

 

[Happydog]

What awesome Disney news!!

I keep trying to get my DH down for a us-only Disney vacation, but he isn't on board yet. After going on my December trip with my friend, I'm hoping to convince him soon. WDW is great for grown-ups!!

I really want to go on a Disney cruise. I've been dreaming over the pictures of the Wonder.

Thanks! yup it should be fun! The F & W festival is probably the best "adult only" time to go, btw.... that is a good way to lure him!!

I think the cruise will be fun!

Congratulations!! The cruise sounds wonderful!

It will be fun I think, short, but that is what we were looking for!

Christine, I did not think one naughty thought, really I didn't...

Jennifer! You guys rock! You are going on a cruise! I'm so excited for you! I'll need a play by play as soon as you return. Marc had the passporter cruise edition out to distract me from my spring break whining just today....

Thanks WIgD! Yes, I think it will be a great diversion until summer! I will tell you all about it -- I will do a TR for sure, b/c even I am really curious.. it has been 10 years since we have been on the only cruise we have ever done -- which was a 7 day Disney cruise! I have not seen that Passporter edition, I should go check it out! Is your cruise a 4 day?

 

[Happydog]

Oooh, you've been to BCV? We are trying our best to decide whether to buy BC or BW for DVC and making ourselves crazy!! BW is a bit cheaper, but BC has Stormalong Bay. From what I can see online, the rooms are similar and the location is obviously similar.

Please share any feedback you've got about the BC Villas!!

Hey! Yes! We have mostly stayed at DVC resorts, and the BC Villas were nice! I am going to get my BC updated in today, last night was our first school night in a while so I had to get everyone in bed at a reasonable time -- myself included !!

I will say that we were going to do BW in June... 1/2 at BLT and 1/2 at BW. BUT after another conversation with WigD (whose opinion you already know!! ) and with my DH, we decided to go ahead and switch to BC again. Because Stormalong Bay is definitely a great resource for us with the boys, and while we did use it some this December, I know we will be there much more this summer. WE are staying at BCV in a studio though, for now... This trip we stayed in a one bedroom.

Yep, the main pool has a volcano with a slide. Again, not as big as the SAB slide but my DS thought it was a blast.

No, we aren't staying at the Poly. We bought DVC after our summer trip so we're staying at VWL in April and our home, OKW, in June. Undecided at this point for our Christmas trip! I would if they would build DVC at the Poly!

Cool! Congrats!!! Wilderness! YAY! I love that resort too! Congrats! We stayed in a 2 bedroom at OKW last June/July. I really really liked OKW! SO you have two trips planned too!!! HOW FUN!

Wow! What a great surprise! I've never taken a cruise, but I'd love to. Someday I'll talk the Grump into it, I just gotta keep workin' on him.

Sounds like you had a great meal at O'hana. We ate there once on our first trip with the boys back in 2005 and none of us were impressed. I've read so many good reviews about it lately though that I'm thinking we should give it another try!

Oh you should! Say! DO I see a new ticker!!?? Do tell!!!!

The DIS is a dangerous place. I keep adding days to the trip. At this rate, I'm going to become a Florida resident

Dangerous, yes, that is definitely the case!!!

 

[Happydog]

This is your TR, not mine...so no cliffhangers.

Your news is so much better than a spring break trip!!! A cruise with just you and DH, and a night at Hilton Head! I can't wait because I have been dying to go to the Disney resort there if I could just pull myself away from Disney long enough to do that! Can't wait to hear what you think of it. By the way, if you want a GREAT, inexpensive seafood place try the Sea Shack while you are down there!

Thanks! YES I am excited too! What great news about the restaurant, thanks!! My DH was just talking about how there were tons of seafood restaurants, so we were not sure how to decide! RE the the resort, yes, we were curious too, and the timing worked out well for us to use this as a scouting expedition!

So, did you like the Lapu Lapu or was it just too strong? We have only eaten breakfast at Ohana's, but dinner sounds delish! Poor DS collapsing on the bench -- too cute! I love the Poly tree -- so pretty!

You know the Lapu Lapu was very good. It wasn't too strong, just it was a strong drink!! Dinner was good. My DH wants to go there again so that says something. Yeah, he was tired!!! if you look at the picture, you can see his brother's croc in the corner, because he was lying on the bench next to him!!!

All caught up!
You have been so fortunate to be able to go on so many Disney trips!!!! And the upcoming cruise?! I hope that DH and I can do something similar some day. Maybe when life settles down a bit...

Lovin' seeing all the pictures and your viewpoint. Got to see some behind the scenes Disney magic while we were on vacation. (We don't have cable at home). That gingerbread is SOOO cool. Your DS is hilarious. I could totally see mine doing the same thing! IF he would want to eat gingerbread...

Just as I thought, your TR is confirming that one of these Decembers, I would love to be in WDW...

You know I am very appreciative that we have had the opportunities this year to go frequently... I am sure I will have withdrawl after this summer! The cruises are reasonable, so you should consider it when you can, your DS would enjoy it too, I am sure! There are lots of kid activities... the Gingerbread house was way cool, and the carousel, which you will see next! Definitely worth the trip in December, such amazing sites.

 

[Happydog]

WOW! What a great, lovely surprise! I wish Jeff was as big on Disney as your DH is though he did surprise me with DCA so I think he's more bluff than anything.

I was very surprised by the Feb prices, that clinched the deal for me for our '11 Feb Mexican Riviera cruise when the Magic comes west!

I can't wait to hear all about it and what you think of HH!

I'm looking forward to Ohana, it sounds fabulous!

Yes I am looking forward to it too! RE Ohana I think all the food was good some of the meat selections were a little dry -- the pork and chicken, but the shrimp and steak from the grill were great, and all the other food they brought to go with it was also very nice. Bread, potstickers, wings, noodles, all good!

Oh wow!! I was behind but now I'm all caught up!! First--yay for a Disney cruise!!! How exciting!! I'm loving all of the beautiful Christmas decorations in WDW!! How funny that your DS wanted to snack on the gingerbread house!! And O'hana--my FAVORITE!! Can't wait to eat there again in May!!!

Thanks! Yes the decorations were really neat. My favorite part of the trip! Yeah, he was being a Hansel alright...

So exciting that you are going on a cruise and so soon!! You will be SO HAPPY to get out of this horrible cold weather up here in MD!!

Of course I found myself online checking out the great pricing your husband was talking about for Jan/Feb cruises! Would LOVE to be on the Disney Dream in 2011!! Looking forward to that TR...I have heard great things about the Disney Cruise lines

Me too -- this cold weather has been no fun... re the cruises there are some good deals! We have a June booking for the Dream... it looks like such a neat ship!

for the cruise!! That is such awesome news!
DCL was my first ever cruise and I think it ruined me for any other ship.....It is a very majestic ship and just beautiful. And of course Disney..
I am starting to wonder about this picture....here I have DVC and you have more trips planned than I do

Tracy

YOu know that is what we think too.. the boats are so pretty and stylish on board! At least what I remember. I am hoping that is still the case!!! well DVC owner ... get booking!!!

Wow, what a great surprise--a cruise with just you and hubby sounds fabulous!

I am loving your report. The drive down sounds frightful! I hate to drive in snow anymore. I live in Ohio and we can get some wild weather here with snow and ice. So far, it has been okay this winter. But, there is some heavy snow expected Thursday. Go figure , it would be the one night of the week I have to stay late for a board meeting.

I think the parks are beautiful decorated for Christmas. We went over Thanksgiving 2008 and loved it so much we are going back this year. My dear hubby surprised me this week with adding 4 days so we will be there for 10 days. I am so excited and starting to plan.

Thanks to your advice, I am going to see if we can book a room through a DVC owner for AKL. After your report of 1900 Park Faire, I will probably book that as well. DS7 would probably enjoy it and it is nice to see that other boys did so as well.

I look forward to your next update!

Erika

Oh how exciting!! We are staying 10 days this summer too, I am trying to figure this out for us, what it would be like to be there for 10 days, never done more than 8! Oh do book 1900 Park Fare, it is great fun! My guys liked it! Yikes on the snow! But that means it might be coming our way...

Congrats on the cruise......how awesome that your DH got back his personal days because of the snow...(I love snow anyhow and see how useful it can be...) I can't wait to read your TR for that trip because if I took a cruise I'd like it to start with one of the Disney 3-4 night cruises before I committed to anything longer and I know they'd offer a first rate experience...

Well I remember really enjoying it on the 7 day cruise... it was something like 10 years ago, so we'll see if memory serves...

Also, I've always been very curious about the Hilton Head property so I can't wait to hear your take on that... I've been wanting to take the children on a "Southern road trip" including Charleston and Savannah and I thought that property might make a nice stop...

Us too! SO I will be happy to share... heck though, if you go all the way down there, you might as well head all the way down, to Disney That is what CP would tell you!

It is beyond cute that your little man wanted to taste the gingerbread house...(I'm sure there are many adults who have thought about it-and possibly done it too...) It is very Willy Wonka-ish...but he is most certainly not Augustus Gloop...remember how excited everyone was when they realized everything was edible...? Well...your little man was just curious... and I don't blame him...I have a feeling they sell a lot of shingles...

Great review of 1900-I was so sad we didn't get to it last summer...this October for sure...(Did Mary Poppins come around or was she the greeter when you came in?) Love some Mad Hatter time...

Yes it made me laugh.... I am sure many adults had the thought, just were not so impulsive!!! I know I bought enough shingles to roof a house!

We did have Mary Poppins at our table, she came round twice. She was very Mary Poppins-ish. Alice was the best! And the Mad Hatter was pretty funny too!

Great Pirate's League Photos...that make up really is something else...isn't it? I had to wash my guy's face about 10 times and he still looked like he was wearing permanent eyeliner...(Ah...Adam Ant......haven't heard of him in a bit...I used to have a little thing for him back in HS...wonder what he's up to these days...)

Oh BIG time face washing!!! BUT yes, the eyeliner!!!! Made me laugh... right, Adam Ant -- I had a thing for him too!!!! HA! I would hate to ruin my fantasy image of him and hear he is a middle aged sop

 

[Happydog]

Hi!

I'm in! I am really enjoying your trip report! Yikes on the way out of town - that was pretty intense. Glad you all made it there ok. I love the pictures of your sons from the Pirate League! We had a blast there too. My son, also 4, got the cursed pirate look as well. DH and myself spent the next day giggling that it looked like he was wearing eyeliner. That face makeup was so hard to get off!

And we had a great dinner at Ohanas as well... just a little later in the week.

Congrats on the surprise! It sounds like so much fun. When are you guys going? Can't wait to hear what you think about Hilton Head!

Stephanie

HI! So glad you had a great time too! Sounds like several of us who were all there at the same time definitely did!

We leave Feb 25th! So about 6 weeks...

 

[wigdoutdismom]

We are doing a 4 day cruise. It worked out perfect. We can do a 5 night Sunday through Thursday stay, cruise Friday through Monday (so we don't have to pay high points for the weekend) spend Tuesday through Thursday and fly out on Friday. Oh and then go back in a couple of weeks for my Birthday.....
It's funny.
Tonight at dinner, Baylor said that he wanted to go on the cruise.
We told him that meant some time at Disney too.
With a sigh....
He said OK.

 

[Happydog]

We are doing a 4 day cruise. It worked out perfect. We can do a 5 night Sunday through Thursday stay, cruise Friday through Monday (so we don't have to pay high points for the weekend) spend Tuesday through Thursday and fly out on Friday. Oh and then go back in a couple of weeks for my Birthday.....
It's funny.
Tonight at dinner, Baylor said that he wanted to go on the cruise.
We told him that meant some time at Disney too.
With a sigh....
He said OK.

Aw well time at Disney in the SUMMER is a totally different place, right? He enjoys the pool and the activities? Movies, etc on the beach? Maybe that will change his opinion! SO he is excited for the cruise, and less so for the park, well maybe that will be different after being on the cruise... say, the dates change I guess for the summer? The four day is Sunday - Thursday right now... if it were Friday through Monday we would have totally done the 4 day! Don't forget to schedule Paolo's for dinner and or the brunch! You will love it! it is adult only, but the kid club options he would probably like because it would give him a little independent time with other kids so he could socialize... The wrap around the cruise sounds perfect!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Aw well time at Disney in the SUMMER is a totally different place, right? He enjoys the pool and the activities? Movies, etc on the beach? Maybe that will change his opinion! SO he is excited for the cruise, and less so for the park, well maybe that will be different after being on the cruise... say, the dates change I guess for the summer? The four day is Sunday - Thursday right now... if it were Friday through Monday we would have totally done the 4 day! Don't forget to schedule Paolo's for dinner and or the brunch! You will love it! it is adult only, but the kid club options he would probably like because it would give him a little independent time with other kids so he could socialize... The wrap around the cruise sounds perfect!

We were just wondering about Paolo, I think we should get right on that, what do you think, dinner or brunch?

 

[Happydog]

We were just wondering about Paolo, I think we should get right on that, what do you think, dinner or brunch?

Well we would be doing both if we had both options, I think you can sign up for both, just not one option twice -- like dinner two times -- it costs extra but I remember thinking it was totally worth it, and enjoyable... Can you book both? I would do both -- you can always cancel once you get on board that first day, you are going to want to make sure your Paolo is on your "double" restaurant night...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I wanna go on a cruise, she says pouting. Insert pouty smiley here. I'd insert a smiley but who knows how Anita would interpret it.

But seriously, so excited for both of you. I can't wait to hear about your experiences!

 

[Happydog]

Okay, so here is my update about the Beach Club and the Beach Club Villas...

The Beach Club was a beautiful place, and I loved the decorations... the big display at the BC was the Gingerbread Carousel.... I didn't get a photo of them close up, but at the bottom of the carousel there were "mickey" shaped Gbread cookies, and in the window of the gingerbread SHACK (for it wasn't the GF house that is for sure!!!) there were snow "mickey heads" -- see photo below! It was a cute store front, so they could sell gingerbread shingles!!!! We really loved the lobby area, not totally as grand as it is at AK or WL, with the multi-floor open lobby, but very attractive and stylish. I thought it was lovely!

Here are some lobby photos too!

Some details on the decorations! See the Starfish!

The Villas had their own decorative scheme...

NOT to be outdone... Villa 303 had some great decor as well...

Now we also spent time at SAB, I have those photos on my old camera so I have to load them, but needless to say this resort is great fun and will be even better this summer for the pool area, etc. We have decided to return for part of our summer trip! The villa was nice! It reminded me of WLodge a little in layout, but not totally. It did feel a little small. I still loved it very much, but the space was tight I thought, especially near the kitchen. However, I wasn't complaining, and was very glad to have our one bedroom villa for the week! The resort overall was very well kept, the rooms nice, and the location was great! Our villa overlooked the courtyard and that was perfect. I liked that view better than the pool... while we didn't decorate our balcony we did have a christmas tree, and I loved seeing it peeking through the curtains!!! We were on the 3rd floor, and not far from the main building. It was a great location in my opinion. We are staying there this June again, and I can't wait! I will post pics from the pool area in the next few days... Coming up our AK day!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I think we were just a couple of doors down from you this past summer, we were on the 3rd floor too with that same view! I know what you mean about feeling a little cramped for space, Kidani is BIG, but I lovey my BC!
Thanks for the visit! I miss it so....
I was clueless about the shingles until you told me about them and then we never saw them.
Oh well, that's something to look forward to next year. Already making that list!

 

[IluvXU]

Love any sights of the Beach Club. We are so excited for our short stay there this summer!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Subbing. Love it so far. I hated the snow that weekend. Stuck home for the weekend.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

AND I love your tree! I think it's wonderful that you were able to take such a nice sized one. Your Disney ornaments were perfect!
Were there lots of people with lighted balconies? That will have to be the way for us to go next year. We only have a teeny tiny tree.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh you should! Say! DO I see a new ticker!!?? Do tell!!!!

You do! It's actually a trip I've had in the works for a couple of months now, just my mom and I going for the Flower & Garden Festival. She has never been to WDW, so I'm sooooo excited to show her around! (I am feeling a little guilty about going without the kids though...) We'll be there May 1st-8th.

Love your pictures of the BC decorations - so pretty! I also think it's great that you could take such a big tree, one of the benefits of driving!

 

[ladybugmom]

The Beach Club and Villas are so beautifully decorated!! I love all of the little details--Hidden Mickeys, starfish, etc. And your tree is so nice! I bought that same Tinkerbell tree topper this year!! Love all of your Disney ornaments and Mickey stockings!!