How Early is Too Early to Plan??? - TR Link Added - 12/29

[that's nice]

I just read all your updates and {gasp} skimmed through the rest but this post caught my eye...

Have you considered or looked into renting points for a DVC resort and getting a one bedroom villa? It might turn out cheaper for you.

Good idea

Also, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but did you see that this year (2013) might be the last year of the Osborne Lights? They haven't said if it would be definite, or if they'd move them to another park, or what. But with the new expansion at the Studios with the Carsland area and the new Star Wars stuff, the lights will more than likely disappear.

REALLY? That would be a shame if they went away totally, Hopefully they find another place to move them to.

Yeah... I'm a little slow. What little Dis time I've had the past few weeks has been spent trying to keep up. I guess I've neglected this, but it is time to make up for that.

You said it. Time to stop piling on me for my slow updates and tardiness.

My drink of choice for the week.

[/CENTER]

Well done. I was drinking those when we went to Ocean City this year.... then I bought a case of them when I got home.

I enjoyed your trip updates... it looks like you had a great time. All I remember about Panama City is La Vela, Spinnaker, and Show 'n Tail with numerous alcoholic drinks in hand. (been there 2 times 1 for spring break and 1 for a friends wedding)

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

I just found your PTR and I am excited to read along. I really enjoyed your mini TR to the beach. Looking forward to hearing about your plans!

 

[afwdwfan]

Good idea

Definitely going to look into it. Especially if we add another person.

REALLY? That would be a shame if they went away totally, Hopefully they find another place to move them to.

I agree.

You said it. Time to stop piling on me for my slow updates and tardiness.

Well, you have been doing a good job the last couple of weeks. Keep it up!

Well done. I was drinking those when we went to Ocean City this year.... then I bought a case of them when I got home.

I got it just to try something different. I'd never had it before, but I really did like it a lot. I actually did go to buy them when we got home, but the local stores were sold out of it. Because you know, by the end of July, summer is over, so it's time to stock the fall beers.

I enjoyed your trip updates... it looks like you had a great time. All I remember about Panama City is La Vela, Spinnaker, and Show 'n Tail with numerous alcoholic drinks in hand. (been there 2 times 1 for spring break and 1 for a friends wedding)

I've never experienced "that" PCB, although it does seem like a lot of fun.

I just found your PTR and I am excited to read along. I really enjoyed your mini TR to the beach. Looking forward to hearing about your plans!

Thanks! Not much developing on the plans, but I guess I should do a minor update to at least reassure everyone that I'm still working on it!

 

[afwdwfan]

Resort Choices

I don't have much to report, but I have been doing some spreadsheet work during my free time over the past couple of weeks. I've got spreadsheets for a lot of different options, so that we can compare costs of various resorts, dining plans, and potential discounts that we could possibly see for our travel time period.

We have a lot of options that we want to explore so it will be hard to narrow it down. We love Wilderness Lodge and I think we'd jump at a chance to stay there again or Animal Kingdom Lodge if there is a good discount that comes out, but if MiL goes with us, that probably wouldn't make much sense.

We really would like to try AoA. Doing the math and comparing a family suite at AoA to some other options or renting points just doesn't seem very cost effective. But DS loves Cars and he's at the right age that this would be a fun place to stay. And I know that is exactly what Disney is banking on and why they have it priced as it is. They aren't stupid.

The thing is, even without renting points, I'm sure that there will be free dining or some discounts available at some of the deluxe resorts that will make them more appealing to our budget (and I hate to miss out on a highly discounted deluxe resort during one of our few opportunities to travel outside of "peak" seasons). It is just going to be a difficult decision and so far, we haven't really got any solid plans of exactly what we want to do. If MiL would decide for sure whether she wants to go or not, that would go a long way to making the decision making process simpler.

Another thing that I've been weighing is Universal. I really would like to go to Universal when we first arrive and stay on property there for one night so that we can use the express pass option and spend a day there. I'm kind of thinking about cutting that out for budgetary reasons though. I really, really, really want to go to Universal and see the new Transformers ride, but with an opportunity to go to Disneyland the following month I would almost rather put an extra $5-10 towards another day at Disney as opposed to paying $128 per person for a 1 day 2 park pass at Universal. That adds up quick! Especially when I'll still have to pay $122 for DS and he still likely won't be able to ride very much stuff there. On top of that, we'd be looking at around $300 for a room for 1 night. This may or may not be a wash on the budget depending on where we end up staying at Disney World.




But Transformers... It is calling me... I need to see a TR telling me it sucks.

(not really, I know it is going to be frickin' awesome, and I want all the details!!! I'm talking to you, khertz and Rob!)




Anyway, we're still very early in the discussion of trip details. I really wish MiL would let us know whether or not she wants to go, because that would really help us to start making some headway in discussing various options. I can certainly say that DW and I both have a short list of places we'd like to stay.

Beach Club - Near the top of the list for both of us. We definitely want to stay here sometime, but will likely wait until the kids are a little older and can enjoy Stormalong Bay more. Also, it might be better for a trip after the kids are in school and our trips are in the summer, not late fall. I realize the pools are heated, but the air temperatures can really be unpredictable!

Animal Kingdom Lodge - We both love WL. It just makes sense that we'd enjoy this as well. I really think this one is a strong front runner for us if we have a chance to book on a discount and MiL doesn't go.

AoA - A room in the Cars area here is probably a front runner right now if MiL goes. Again, it is hard to justify the cost, but I know DS will absolutely love it. He'll be at the perfect age to enjoy it. And we'd have someone else to help share the room cost.

Polynesian - DW stayed here once when she was a kid. Probably won't happen, because they never have a big enough discount for us to justify it, but if the opportunity would arise, we'd both love to stay here...

Contemporary - Again, probably isn't going to happen, but since my first trip to the World, I wanted to stay in the hotel with the monorail in a room facing the MK. So if DW ever wants to surprise me with the perfect trip for a Birthday or something...

Renting points - Well, this is something I'm definitely going to price out. We might look at doing AKL this way if MiL goes with us. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind staying at BLT, OKW or Saratoga. Or Wilderness Lodge Villas. Or Beach Club Villas. Or Boardwalk Villas for that matter. My understanding is that this time of year is a pretty good points value for DVC, so we're going to need to know if this is what we want to do so we can get points rented and get booked early. But on the bright side, I don't think we're going to care so much about what resort we'd stay at so it shouldn't be a big deal.

Wilderness Lodge - A favorite for both of us. Would love to stay again, but we'd probably prefer to try something new.

Pop - Again, we've stayed here before, and if we stay at a value that isn't AoA, it would be here. We'd rather try something else though.

As you can tell, our interest is more into the Value and Deluxe resorts. The only Moderate that we've ever stayed at was Coronado Springs and our experience was just kind of so/so. As sprawling as the Moderates are, I guess our opinion is that we'd rather save a little more money and just stay at a value, or spend a little more and stay at a Deluxe. Nothing against the moderate resorts, and I'm not saying that we'll never stay at one, but it just isn't our first choice. Although if we ever have another kid, that could change too.

Ok, sorry I didn't have much news to share, but we are definitely thinking about it!

 

[KatMark]

I sent you a private message about renting points.

It sure would help if your MIL decided what to do.

I'm not a fan of Universal so I would skip that if you are going to DL.

My choices as far as your resorts are:

AKL, Polynesian, Contemporary, Beach Club, Wildnerness Lodge

 

[afwdwfan]

I sent you a private message about renting points.

I still don't know if renting is the way we'll go yet, but I certainly appreciate the info!

It sure would help if your MIL decided what to do.

I'm not a fan of Universal so I would skip that if you are going to DL.

I feel like it is a sacrifice I might have to make, but I really enjoy Universal, so it is a tougher call for me to make. The Disney thrill rides just don't have quite the same level of thrill to them.

My choices as far as your resorts are:

AKL, Polynesian, Contemporary, Beach Club, Wildnerness Lodge

Can't really argue with that. Quite honestly, I think we'd be thrilled with any of them I listed.

 

[eandesmom]

We really would like to try AoA. Doing the math and comparing a family suite at AoA to some other options or renting points just doesn't seem very cost effective. But DS loves Cars and he's at the right age that this would be a fun place to stay. And I know that is exactly what Disney is banking on and why they have it priced as it is. They aren't stupid.

I feel your dilemma here, I'd pick a discounted deluxe over AoA as well but...DS won't always be the age to enjoy AoA the way he might now. Split stay?

Another thing that I've been weighing is Universal. I really would like to go to Universal when we first arrive and stay on property there for one night so that we can use the express pass option and spend a day there. I'm kind of thinking about cutting that out for budgetary reasons though. I really, really, really want to go to Universal and see the new Transformers ride, but with an opportunity to go to Disneyland the following month I would almost rather put an extra $5-10 towards another day at Disney as opposed to paying $128 per person for a 1 day 2 park pass at Universal. That adds up quick! Especially when I'll still have to pay $122 for DS and he still likely won't be able to ride very much stuff there. On top of that, we'd be looking at around $300 for a room for 1 night. This may or may not be a wash on the budget depending on where we end up staying at Disney World.

But Transformers... It is calling me... I need to see a TR telling me it sucks.

(not really, I know it is going to be frickin' awesome, and I want all the details!!! I'm talking to you, khertz and Rob!)

From what I have heard...it is amazing. That said....it is a pricey add on. Depending on the time of year, staying onsite, though the benefit is huge, may not be worth the upcharge. The first time we did it was when the E's were 4&5 and there was plenty for them to do but also a lot they couldn't. To me, kind of depends on how soon you think you'd be back. If it's several years then I might go for it, if not then I might wait.

Beach Club - Near the top of the list for both of us. We definitely want to stay here sometime, but will likely wait until the kids are a little older and can enjoy Stormalong Bay more. Also, it might be better for a trip after the kids are in school and our trips are in the summer, not late fall. I realize the pools are heated, but the air temperatures can really be unpredictable!

I'd wait. To me, that pool is a bit stressful to keep track of the kids, it is SO huge! Yes it is great but you can lose a child.

Animal Kingdom Lodge - We both love WL. It just makes sense that we'd enjoy this as well. I really think this one is a strong front runner for us if we have a chance to book on a discount and MiL doesn't go.

AoA - A room in the Cars area here is probably a front runner right now if MiL goes. Again, it is hard to justify the cost, but I know DS will absolutely love it. He'll be at the perfect age to enjoy it. And we'd have someone else to help share the room cost.

Polynesian - DW stayed here once when she was a kid. Probably won't happen, because they never have a big enough discount for us to justify it, but if the opportunity would arise, we'd both love to stay here...

Contemporary - Again, probably isn't going to happen, but since my first trip to the World, I wanted to stay in the hotel with the monorail in a room facing the MK. So if DW ever wants to surprise me with the perfect trip for a Birthday or something...

Renting points - Well, this is something I'm definitely going to price out. We might look at doing AKL this way if MiL goes with us. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind staying at BLT, OKW or Saratoga. Or Wilderness Lodge Villas. Or Beach Club Villas. Or Boardwalk Villas for that matter. My understanding is that this time of year is a pretty good points value for DVC, so we're going to need to know if this is what we want to do so we can get points rented and get booked early. But on the bright side, I don't think we're going to care so much about what resort we'd stay at so it shouldn't be a big deal.

I'd vote for AKL, or renting points and AKV or OKW. Unless there is a discount you could actually use at AoA. Or a split stay.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

All good choices! I'm staying at the Beach Club in a couple of weeks and AKL in January for the family trip so would be happy to share my thoughts. I'm pretty sure I'm going to love both.

I have yet to have stayed at CR as well and you're right that it's one of those iconic WDW hotels that I've always wanted to try a stay there and watch the monorail go through the building!

 

[shan23877]

I understand needing Mothers in Law to decide to join you or not.

I hope she gets back with you soon!

I like all your resort choices! I agree that it's the perfect time for the Cars suites, but I also get the draw of the deluxes. I'm still trying to talk myself into taking the CR off the list for our spring trip. I'm just not sure I can justify the cost difference!

Can't wait to hear how the resort choices shape up.

 

[afwdwfan]

I feel your dilemma here, I'd pick a discounted deluxe over AoA as well but...DS won't always be the age to enjoy AoA the way he might now. Split stay?

It could be a tough call. We've considered a split stay, but then again, with 2 young children, I'm not sure we'll want to pack up all our crap and move it more than we have to.

From what I have heard...it is amazing. That said....it is a pricey add on. Depending on the time of year, staying onsite, though the benefit is huge, may not be worth the upcharge. The first time we did it was when the E's were 4&5 and there was plenty for them to do but also a lot they couldn't. To me, kind of depends on how soon you think you'd be back. If it's several years then I might go for it, if not then I might wait.

I don't know how soon it will be before we get back. I always thoroughly enjoy a day at Universal, myself. Maybe it is a little bit of selfishness on my part wanting to go. Truthfully though, if MiL goes with us, our room cost to stay on site at Universal wouldn't really be anymore than the cost of a room for 1 night at Disney, depending on where we stay, so it would make more sense in that scenario than if it is just DW, the kids and me.

I'd wait. To me, that pool is a bit stressful to keep track of the kids, it is SO huge! Yes it is great but you can lose a child.

That is part of why I don't think we're ready to stay there yet. I think it would be an all around better experience for our family a few years down the road.

I'd vote for AKL, or renting points and AKV or OKW. Unless there is a discount you could actually use at AoA. Or a split stay.

All good choices! I'm staying at the Beach Club in a couple of weeks and AKL in January for the family trip so would be happy to share my thoughts. I'm pretty sure I'm going to love both.

I honestly can't think of any TR that I've seen a complaint about either of those resorts.

I have yet to have stayed at CR as well and you're right that it's one of those iconic WDW hotels that I've always wanted to try a stay there and watch the monorail go through the building!

I know. I just remember those early trips when they didn't have a bunch of Disney World resorts. It was pretty much only the MK resorts and we would stay offsite at a motel in Kissimmee that my dad's aunt owned (they sold it probably back in early 90s). That first taste of Disney to me, was always riding the monorail through the CR, and I've always wanted to stay there.

I understand needing Mothers in Law to decide to join you or not.

You don't say...

I hope she gets back with you soon!

We'll figure it out one of these days.

Maybe.

I like all your resort choices! I agree that it's the perfect time for the Cars suites, but I also get the draw of the deluxes. I'm still trying to talk myself into taking the CR off the list for our spring trip. I'm just not sure I can justify the cost difference!

It's that whole cost thing that really throws a wrench in things. If we just didn't have to worry about money and how much of it there is, it would make decisions so much easier!

 

[that's nice]

I'm kinda in a same situation as you are. We are cruising next Sept followed by a few days in WDW. We REALLY want to stay at the Poly but with all the construction that is going to be going on there, the possibility of both Kona & 'Ohana being closed, and the ridiculous prices, we are thinking of going in a different direction.

If you need more room and wanted to spend less money, why not get 2 connected rooms at POP? When my mom came with us last year we had connecting rooms at CSR and it was nice to have the 'extra' space. Plus if you stay at POP you can always visit AoA and not pay the premium of staying there.

 

[afwdwfan]

I'm kinda in a same situation as you are. We are cruising next Sept followed by a few days in WDW. We REALLY want to stay at the Poly but with all the construction that is going to be going on there, the possibility of both Kona & 'Ohana being closed, and the ridiculous prices, we are thinking of going in a different direction.

Hadn't even considered that angle. Like I said, Poly is a very long shot at this point, but I'd assume that could still be an issue when we're there.

If you need more room and wanted to spend less money, why not get 2 connected rooms at POP? When my mom came with us last year we had connecting rooms at CSR and it was nice to have the 'extra' space. Plus if you stay at POP you can always visit AoA and not pay the premium of staying there.

I've considered that as well. It is weighing how much we want to just go visit AoA, vs. how much we want to sleep in a room immersed in Cars decorations.

 

[that's nice]

I've considered that as well. It is weighing how much we want to just go visit AoA, vs. how much we want to sleep in a room immersed in Cars decorations.

Just ship some dollar store Cars decorations to POP and hang em up on the walls while you're there. You'll save money, help out a fellow DISers husband ( ) and solve your problem.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Wow, you have a lot of decisions to make! It would be much easier if MIL knew what she was doing, or if Disney didn't have so many great resort options. All of your choices are high on my list. A lot of the moderates don't make my short list at all, because there are so many deluxes that I want to try but I did really enjoy our stay at CSR last year.

 

[momabbate]

Joining in your fun. I also started a ptr for oct 2013. After starting it plans are changing and noting it decided. I do feel no time is to soon to start. Your choices and reasons for resorts seem reasonable. Hope MIL decides soon. As for your kids, they are both adorable, can't wait to see more pics of them.

 

[MEK]

The good old resort dilemma. I would definitely look into the point rental, especially since you are pretty flexible as to what resort you want to stay at. They are all great.

I definitely think it would be cool to stay at AoA, but I hear ya on the price. But still - what a great experience for a little boy.

Tough decision.

 

[afwdwfan]

Just ship some dollar store Cars decorations to POP and hang em up on the walls while you're there. You'll save money, help out a fellow DISers husband ( ) and solve your problem.

Well, that's one way to do it. Truthfully, if it comes down to dollars and cents, I have no problem staying at Pop.

Wow, you have a lot of decisions to make! It would be much easier if MIL knew what she was doing, or if Disney didn't have so many great resort options. All of your choices are high on my list. A lot of the moderates don't make my short list at all, because there are so many deluxes that I want to try but I did really enjoy our stay at CSR last year.

I know! Knowing how many people are going would be a great starting point, but all the great choices still make it tough.

I mean if it is all about expense, then I'm picking Pop without hesitation. But there are so many great resorts, and so many that I've yet to stay at and want to some day! I'd love to eventually say I've stayed at all of the resorts once.

Joining in your fun. I also started a ptr for oct 2013. After starting it plans are changing and noting it decided. I do feel no time is to soon to start. Your choices and reasons for resorts seem reasonable. Hope MIL decides soon. As for your kids, they are both adorable, can't wait to see more pics of them.

I'll have to head over and check yours out. There's always so many things that go into planning, that it seems like even if you're not planning a trip for the near future, you need to be looking ahead to the next trip even if it is a year or 2 away.

The good old resort dilemma. I would definitely look into the point rental, especially since you are pretty flexible as to what resort you want to stay at. They are all great.

Definitely will!

I definitely think it would be cool to stay at AoA, but I hear ya on the price. But still - what a great experience for a little boy.

Tough decision.

If you throw money out of the equation, AoA is probably our preference for this trip.

But then again, if I made that same statement tomorrow, it might be CR or Beach Club or Poly.

I really think that if it works out to make sense, AoA is where we ultimately want to stay. Just having a hard time making it make sense.

 

[khertz]

But Transformers... It is calling me... I need to see a TR telling me it sucks.

(not really, I know it is going to be frickin' awesome, and I want all the details!!! I'm talking to you, khertz and Rob!)

Reading up to that, I was sure thinking to myself, "He better stay away from my TR then!"

Really, I can understand wanting to add Universal obviously, since we are doing it this trip. But the cost can really be prohibitive, and I totally understand that too. It's exactly the reason we didn't do Universal last trip and the one before that. I managed to convince DH that we should splurge since we won't be back for probably two years. I would say keep it on the back burner until you decide where you are staying in WDW. If you end up spending less than you planned on a resort, maybe it would make the Universal tickets a softer blow. And if you go at a slow time and use baby swap, not staying onsite at Universal might not be the end of the world either. Having done so in December myself and my parents doing it last October, we didn't feel we missed out on anything.

 

[KatMark]

I still don't know if renting is the way we'll go yet, but I certainly appreciate the info!

Just let me know...because you'll want to book at 7 months out if it is NOT the home resort of someone where you can book at 11 months.


Can't really argue with that. Quite honestly, I think we'd be thrilled with any of them I listed.

You are at Disney so it shouldn't really matter (well in my case when the resort is very important to me ).

 

[Leshaface]

I'm so with you about Moderates. I'd just as soon stay at Pop than CSR. DH didn't like CSR mainly because the resort was so large it took forever to get anywhere. The rooms were really nice though. We actually still talk about our stay at Pop. We really enjoyed it and felt like there was always plenty of busses and didn't feel like we were too far from AK, Epcot or DHS. If we weren't DVC members, it would always be either Value or Deluxe.

Wonder if your DW will come across your plea for the Contemporary