I Can See Epcot From Here! ~ A November Trip and Dining Report ~

[Dancegrl624]

So sad to see your TR come to an end. I'm about 1/2 way through mine and my trip was 2 months before yours!!! I hope to update a lot more lately.

We did the same thing with Madison's pins. It's like a cool piece of artwork on her wall. Hers is completely full, so I guess we'll have to buy another one for our next trip....whenever that may be.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Final Thoughts. . .


I'm pretty sure most of you know by now that I am one to tell it like I see it. I don't fake things or exaggerate things. And while I would love to be one of those people who are like – 'every minute of our vacation was perfect', it just wouldn't be truthful. So. . . . .

Was this our best vacation ever? No. We had a great time and cherished every moment, but truthfully this trip was not anywhere near as fantastic as the one before. Why? Well lots of things came into play I guess.

First of all the weather. We froze our behinds off for at least the first three days of the trip. That wind was bitter cold. Made it hard to do the things we wanted to do and enjoy it.

Then there was the whole balcony thing. Or lack-thereof I guess I should say. And yes, they took care of it, but the whole unpacking for one night and then having to pack back up and store our luggage was a pain.

Another thing – While we really enjoyed the Christmas lights and decorations, they just didn't seem near as magical/plentiful as the year before.

Probably one of the biggest thing was the crowds at Epcot. Each and every time we went there it was crowded. Due to the F&WF. All those booths everywhere, the smells coming from them, the huge lines surrounding them, and the people who had too much to drink. Just not for us.

There were a few other things – Like the kids not caring to see the characters. That was a little sad for me. I know they are growing up, but couldn't they at least humor me??? And several times the kids wanted to stay at the resort rather than going to the parks. What's that all about? We encountered some grumpy PP photographers. The gingerbread house wasn't even started. MK was all torn up. Etc. Just little things.

While none of those things ruined our vacation, it did put a damper on it.



The highlights of the vacation – There were plenty!

Staying at the BWI was a huge plus! We really liked it. So convenient to Epcot. And so much to do and see. The BW entertainment in the evenings is so fun! Of course the boys being chosen to participate made it even better! Lots of yummy food right in the area too.

Going to MVMCP was a lot of fun. We all really enjoyed it. I'm so glad we got to go!

The Osborne Lights were amazing again. Everyone should see that at least once!

The Rick Springfield concert!! What an awesome time. We all really had a fun time there. And now everytime Jessie's Girl comes on the radio we crank it up and dance!

We encountered some really nice and helpful CM's throughout the week.

We had some fun times at the parks and some days the crowds were very low.

We had some very good meals – BRG, Sci-Fi, Kona, T-Rex, Cape May, San Angel. . . Also enjoyed some very good CS meals and lots of great snacks!

Speaking of food, we really enjoyed not having the DDP! We weren't sure how we would like not having it since we have had it for the last several trips. We just used gift cards, so there was no hassle with cash, just like the DDP. We ordered what we wanted and in the end we came up saving over $350!! Yes, if we had purchased the DDP we would have paid $352.95 more than what all our meals totaled up to be. And that includes everything – TS meals, CS meals, snacks, even popcorn, lollipops, gummies, soft pretzels, and any other snacks I might not have mentioned in the TR. We were very pleased. Most of the savings is due to the fact that on the DDP DS11 would be charged as an adult, yet he still prefers to order off of the children's menu. Now, had we been going to buffets and character meals everyday the math might have came out differently since he would have been charged as an adult for those meals no matter what he ate.


We had lots of “Firsts” this trip, which was exciting! First time for Tom Sayer Island, Hall of Presidents, BWI, T-Rex, Turtle Talk, F&WF Concert, MVMCP, Pick-a-Pearl, etc.


What did we learn this trip? Lots of things. For one, we learned that you can't send just one person into the park to get fastpasses for everyone! We learned to remember where you are staying and what type of transportation your resort provides (don't go to the bus stop when you need to take a boat!). We learned that the weather can be drastically different from year to year, even if you are going the very same week. We learned to not try to push the kids, if they would rather stay at the resort than go to a park, let them. The parks will still be there. And I learned to not drop the character meals!! Apparently if I want character pictures I am going to have to throw in a character meal here and there. (Chef Mickey's here we come!)

Most of all I think we learned that nothing is quite as good the second time. We really should have known this from our May experiences. We went in May 2007 and it was a near perfect trip. The weather was great – mid 80's each day and the crowds were super low. We went again in May 2008 the very same week and it was miserably hot – mid 90's each day and it was noticably more crowded. Basically the same thing happened in November. November 2009 was probably our very best trip. Everything just fell into place. The weather was perfect, right around 78-82 each day. Not too hot, not too cold. Crowds were very low. And there were Christmas decorations everywhere. It was so awesome that there was no question as to when we were going in 2010, the very same week. Well like I said, the weather was not quite as cooperative this time, they extended the F&WF through that week (it was done by that week in 2009) therefore all the crowds at Epcot, which was a little disappointing considering this was an 'Epcot trip' since we were staying within walking distance and were spending the most time there.

I don't think we should ever try to recreate a trip again. It just sets you up for disappointment. If something is wonderful, then great. Cherish that memory and move on!


What else can I touch on. . .


Staying Deluxe for the first time. Was it everything we dreamed it would be? Mostly. Did we find it amazingly different/better than the moderates? Not really. Don't get me wrong, we loved it. The room was larger, we had a balcony (eventually), we had lots of restaurants right at our fingertips, we could walk to Epcot, etc. But the rest – the pool was awesome, no question about that. But so are the pools at the moderates. We had CS choices, but there are more/better ones at the moderate food courts. We had the boat to DHS, but honestly I've never been a huge fan of the boat transportation at WDW. It's nice I guess, but so slow!!

So overall I think staying at a Deluxe is great, but I considering the price I think you get more bang for your buck at the moderates.

CBR continues to remain our favorite resort, with BWI and POR right up there next to it. We would stay at any of them again.


The parks. We had a nice time at all of them and got to ride and see just about everything we wanted to. MK was torn up and a mess. Not very magical. But what are you going to do. Someday it will look amazing again. Epcot was very fun too. We got to ride our favorite rides (TT and Soarin) a few times and finally took our time through WS and really enjoyed it. I wish the F&WF would not have been going on. DHS, I wish we would have spent a little more time there. We usually do 2 half days there. This time we did an evening and then one morning for only about an hour or so. I still love DHS and it remains my favorite park! AK, well what can I say here. . . We don't love it, never have. DS11 does love EE and that's the main reason we make the trek over there each time. DS9 could care less to ever go there again. Likely next time DS11 & I will just make a very short trip over there to ride EE and then leave. We came across some really great CM's at the parks and in the restaurants. Some of the PP photographers could use a little customer service training, but we did encounter a few really fun ones as well!

Transportation was very good for the most part. Short waits and short rides. With the exception of coming back from DTD, when all 5 resorts shared a bus. I think that is ridiculous to pay that much to stay at a Deluxe and then share a bus like that. And I expressed that when I did my WDW survey when we returned. I'm sure we will run into the same thing when we stay at the Poly with lots of MK resorts sharing a bus.



So moving onto WDW 2011! ~ August 26-September 4 ~

We are looking very forward to this trip. Even though we are doing something we said we would NEVER do – going on the summer! We are going in knowing that it is going to be miserably hot and humid. And knowing that we aren't going to be able to do much. Even though it is supposed to be a very slow time of year, I just know the heat is going to slow us way down. But DS11 is entering Middle School in the fall and I know it is going to be a huge adjustment for him and I just don't think it's wise to take him out for a week. We will see how MS goes for him and maybe we can go back to traveling in the off season the following school year. Or maybe we will love summer and we will continue to go then. Who knows!

At this point I don't have airfare for this trip. AirTran and Southwest recently released their rates for our dates but they are well over what we usually pay. So I am waiting them out. . .

During the time we are going they are offering Free Dining and room discounts. I was hoping for 40% off Deluxes so we could stay at the Poly. Well the Poly wasn't included in the 40% and it is only 30% off. What we have found is that when staying at a moderate it is better (money wise) to take FD. And when staying at a deluxe it is better to take the room discount. We have really been wanting to get back to CBR, and really wanting to try the Poly. . . So after much discussion we are doing a split stay!!! We did one before – 6 nights at POR and 2 at OKW. It wasn't too bad, but I said I would never do one again unless we were going for about 10 nights and had enough time to thoroughly enjoy each resort. Well, we are going for 9 nights – close enough, right?!

So we will do the first 5 nights at CBR with FD and then move to the Poly for the last 4 nights on the room only discount. I'm not really looking forward to having the DDP and dealing with all the meal/snack credits and so on, but I will take advantage of it and book our most expensive meals and character meals during that part of the trip! The second part of the trip will be the more relaxing half anyway, since we have never stayed at the Poly we will want to have lots of resort time instead of running around to the parks & ADR's all day!


Okay, I think that about sums it up. If you have any questions please let me know. Thank you all so much for reading all the way though. Like I said before, I have really enjoyed sharing it with all of you!



Up Next: Our Vacation Video!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

So sad to see your TR come to an end. I'm about 1/2 way through mine and my trip was 2 months before yours!!! I hope to update a lot more lately.

We did the same thing with Madison's pins. It's like a cool piece of artwork on her wall. Hers is completely full, so I guess we'll have to buy another one for our next trip....whenever that may be.

I know, I am a super speedy TR updater! I just don't like to drag it on too long. Although it feels like I have been writing it forever. Probably because it seems like vacation was so very long ago.

I love seeing those pins on the corkboards when I walk into the kids rooms!

 

[T*Bird]

Wow, that is the mother of all recaps! Shelly, you are the best TR'er out there! You should have been a lawyer - you would have given some great closing arguments. (I used to watch too much Court TV)

I love how you are so unbiased and honest. And you spell things out in a clear and easy to follow fashion. Pros and cons, tips and suggestions, things you would repeat or never do again, just all so very helpful.

I guess in the grand scheme of things, this trip could have been a disaster if you hadn't been so prepared or if you had let all those little things spoil the whole trip. Luckily, you made the best of those things and took care of the things you could change. That is what a good planner does! Hey, there's another career you missed - you would have been a great wedding planner! I know.....you could have been a Disney Wedding Planner!

I have loved reading every minute of your TR. You made us feel like we were there right along with you. It was great the way you included so many pictures, and you did the dining reviews within the TR and not in a separate thread. It has been so much fun how we've seen your boys grow up from your early trips. They are such handsome young men! (and obviously very good kids - no small feat of parenting in this day and age) You should be very proud of them!

I think your plans for Dis2011 sound perfect! 5 nights at your fav resort and then 4 at the Poly! Get out of town! How awesome is that? Just remember that cold wind when you're dripping from the humidity! JK, I think you will handle the heat just like you handle other challenges. If I had to pick from being hot or freezing, I would pick hot every time. Of course, it is 30 degrees here now (so unusual for us) and I am ready for short sleeves and flip flops!

Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us! It has been so much fun to read!

I know we joked about it, but when do you think you might start that PTR?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Wow, that is the mother of all recaps! Shelly, you are the best TR'er out there! You should have been a lawyer - you would have given some great closing arguments. (I used to watch too much Court TV)

I love how you are so unbiased and honest. And you spell things out in a clear and easy to follow fashion. Pros and cons, tips and suggestions, things you would repeat or never do again, just all so very helpful.

I guess in the grand scheme of things, this trip could have been a disaster if you hadn't been so prepared or if you had let all those little things spoil the whole trip. Luckily, you made the best of those things and took care of the things you could change. That is what a good planner does! Hey, there's another career you missed - you would have been a great wedding planner! I know.....you could have been a Disney Wedding Planner!

I have loved reading every minute of your TR. You made us feel like we were there right along with you. It was great the way you included so many pictures, and you did the dining reviews within the TR and not in a separate thread. It has been so much fun how we've seen your boys grow up from your early trips. They are such handsome young men! (and obviously very good kids - no small feat of parenting in this day and age) You should be very proud of them!

I think your plans for Dis2011 sound perfect! 5 nights at your fav resort and then 4 at the Poly! Get out of town! How awesome is that? Just remember that cold wind when you're dripping from the humidity! JK, I think you will handle the heat just like you handle other challenges. If I had to pick from being hot or freezing, I would pick hot every time. Of course, it is 30 degrees here now (so unusual for us) and I am ready for short sleeves and flip flops!

Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us! It has been so much fun to read!

I know we joked about it, but when do you think you might start that PTR?

The mother of all recaps!! You are too funny! You know, I always thought I would have made a good lawyer! My DH thinks so too when we argue!

You know I like to just tell it like it is, that's the only way to help other people plan!

I'm so glad you have enjoyed the TR so much. I really appreciate all your comments and kind words throughout the TR.

Yes -- next year I'm sure I will be telling about how blazing hot it was! I am trying to prepare myself for it, but it's hard to when it's 9 degrees here.

If I do a PTR I probably won't start it until the summer. I don't like to start them too early and bore people! So, maybe sometime in June.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Hey Shelly! Great TR! I love that you stayed at the BWI because I haven't ever stayed there but your TR made me want to sometime real soon! We're gonna be at WDW at the same time this summer! Our dates are the 17th-29th. We have never been at that time of year, but we've heard that it's great and are really looking forward to it! Hope you have a great time! Enjoy the Poly! We are staying there on our trip in July and I am SOOOO excited!!! Thanks for the wrap-up! I'm sad you won't have any more updates though.

 

[JoBird]

Wow what a wonderful final thoughts update.
So informative and honest.

I know this trip had it's challenges- especially at the beginning with the room situation and with the weather and crowds at Epcot. A few times when we talked on the phone and thru texts I could tell that you were hoping for this trip to be like the year before and it wasn't. It made me sad for you.

But you kept going along and it really does seem, in reading this TR, that you had a lot of very positives and all in all, it ended up being a good one-- just different.

I know exactly what you mean about trying to recreate a trip. Each trip seems to have it's own "energy" and rolls out totally different than all others.
We too have tried to recreate trips that we thought were "perfect"-- they just never live up to the dream of what was.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this all up so that others can share in your experiences- good and bad- and learn so much from your journey.
It has been a pleasure reading it every day.

I am hoping that you find that the next trip will be the best ever and you'll love your split stay...
and that the Poly gods will be good to you. (C'mon CL upgrade!!!!)

I'm gonna miss coming on here every morning, checking out what's new.

It's sad.

I'm sad.

Waaaaaaaah.

Oh whatever will we do now??????????????



PS--- love the cork boards!! I get so tired of hearing my kids' lanyards banging around all the time- they are hanging on their closet doors so everytime they open them, they jingle. I may have to steal the idea!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

CBR is on my must-do list and the Poly is gorgeous. I think you made two great choices.

I'm glad you included the lows of your trip because you are exactly right, nothing in life is perfect. Some things just don't go according to plan, no matter how much we plan and plan.

I'm sad this is over Shelly! It's fun getting on each morning to a new update. Will you write a PTR for your next trip?

 

[jbmom]

Your final thoughts are thorough, very well thought out and informative. I think people think that because they are spending so much money on a Disney vacaton that pixie dust should fall from the sky and give them a perfect vacation each time. When things don't go that way it ruins it for them. Each of our vacations is special for different reasons and the feelings can't be recreated. Sometimes I think its hard for me to let go of the character meet and greets and rides geared toward younger kids because I don't want my kids to grow up. Your trip report really puts in perspective that you can still have a great time no matter what you are doing at Disney. After all it is the happiest place on earth!

Thanks for sharing it!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Shelly! Great TR! I love that you stayed at the BWI because I haven't ever stayed there but your TR made me want to sometime real soon! We're gonna be at WDW at the same time this summer! Our dates are the 17th-29th. We have never been at that time of year, but we've heard that it's great and are really looking forward to it! Hope you have a great time! Enjoy the Poly! We are staying there on our trip in July and I am SOOOO excited!!! Thanks for the wrap-up! I'm sad you won't have any more updates though.

Thank you! I'm glad I could help you out with some BWI info!

I have heard that is a very slow time for WDW. The locals will be back in school, so I'm sure that helps!

Have fun at the Poly in July!

Wow what a wonderful final thoughts update.
So informative and honest.

I know this trip had it's challenges- especially at the beginning with the room situation and with the weather and crowds at Epcot. A few times when we talked on the phone and thru texts I could tell that you were hoping for this trip to be like the year before and it wasn't. It made me sad for you.

But you kept going along and it really does seem, in reading this TR, that you had a lot of very positives and all in all, it ended up being a good one-- just different.

I know exactly what you mean about trying to recreate a trip. Each trip seems to have it's own "energy" and rolls out totally different than all others.
We too have tried to recreate trips that we thought were "perfect"-- they just never live up to the dream of what was.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this all up so that others can share in your experiences- good and bad- and learn so much from your journey.
It has been a pleasure reading it every day.

I am hoping that you find that the next trip will be the best ever and you'll love your split stay...
and that the Poly gods will be good to you. (C'mon CL upgrade!!!!)

I'm gonna miss coming on here every morning, checking out what's new.

It's sad.

I'm sad.

Waaaaaaaah.

Oh whatever will we do now??????????????



PS--- love the cork boards!! I get so tired of hearing my kids' lanyards banging around all the time- they are hanging on their closet doors so everytime they open them, they jingle. I may have to steal the idea!!

Thanks Jo!


Challenging -- yep, that's the word I should have used. We had a few challenges. Mainly my own fault since I was pretty much trying to recreate the previous year's trip.

We didn't get to have the same wonderful experience we had last year, but we ended up with some fun new memories of things we had never done before.

I'm hoping this next trip will be the best trip ever too!!!

The kids usually have their lanyards hanging on their doors for a little bit after we get back from vacation. That banging every time you open/close the door is enough to drive me insane!! That's why they usually end up in the closets! I love them where they are now -- quietly displayed on the wall.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

CBR is on my must-do list and the Poly is gorgeous. I think you made two great choices.

I'm glad you included the lows of your trip because you are exactly right, nothing in life is perfect. Some things just don't go according to plan, no matter how much we plan and plan.

I'm sad this is over Shelly! It's fun getting on each morning to a new update. Will you write a PTR for your next trip?

Thank you!

Yep -- unfortunately everything is not perfect and does not go according to plan all the time, but we were at WDW so all was good in the end!

Thanks so much for reading, I'm glad you enjoyed.

I may do a PTR as we get closer, maybe this summer.

Your final thoughts are thorough, very well thought out and informative. I think people think that because they are spending so much money on a Disney vacaton that pixie dust should fall from the sky and give them a perfect vacation each time. When things don't go that way it ruins it for them. Each of our vacations is special for different reasons and the feelings can't be recreated. Sometimes I think its hard for me to let go of the character meet and greets and rides geared toward younger kids because I don't want my kids to grow up. Your trip report really puts in perspective that you can still have a great time no matter what you are doing at Disney. After all it is the happiest place on earth!

Thanks for sharing it!

Thanks!

Nope, there was no pixie-dust falling from the sky on this trip, but we made the best of things and still managed to have a great time!

Thanks for reading!

 

[drakes]

Although it is over, you have a wondeful trip to look forward to. Your trip reports are always so informative!

Recreating the last trip... wish I got that advice before I left for our Jan 2011 trip
I still owe you a mini TR.

Maybe I will start this weekend

Thank you for sharing...

P.S. I love the cork board pin collection, we had talked about doing this and seeing this I really like the look,so off to buy cork boards!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Although it is over, you have a wondeful trip to look forward to. Your trip reports are always so informative!

Recreating the last trip... wish I got that advice before I left for our Jan 2011 trip
I still owe you a mini TR.

Maybe I will start this weekend

Thank you for sharing...

P.S. I love the cork board pin collection, we had talked about doing this and seeing this I really like the look,so off to buy cork boards!

Thanks Joanne!

Yes, I'm still waiting for your mini TR!! Can't wait to hear all about it.

I definitely recommend a corkboard for displaying Disney pins!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

One last update -- Here is a little vacation video I put together of this trip. Enjoy!



(click on picture)

 

[*tinker*bell*]

awe so sad that your TR is over it was so awesome to live vicariously through you and your family!!! love the overview at the end to, and that you tell it how it is that video was really great too!!! I was planning on going at the end of August before but we have changed ours to the end of September, hopefully not as hot and less crowded! I shall keep an eye out for a PTR sometime in June can't wait!

 

[sjs314]

You did a wonderful job of writting that summary of your lastest trip. I think it is normal to compare each new trip to ones taken previously, which I guess does raise expectations and sets you up for some disappointments.
I know our first trip was the best and at that time there was on MK and Epcot but everything was so new it was just great and we did not even stay on property but at the Hotels in DTD.
No two trip are alike and that is what makes the memories so special.

Thanks to you we all learned that not all rooms at BW have balconies and that everyone must enter the park to get fast passes...both good things to know.

I can see where you could easily spend less money paying OOP than with the dining plan, your family are light eaters, but in a few years those boys will be eating you out of house and home and you may have to revert back to the DP.

I hate to see your TR end but like they say all good things come to and end. I will miss reading about your trip but will have to settle for some laughs with you and Jo over on the September thread.

Your little video made me smile and then tear up a bit there is nothing better than taking the family to Disney.

 

[DeckedOut]

That was a great trip report! And a fun video, my DD must have said every 5 seconds "that looks fun, I love this song!" I had to say I know

 

[JessicaFaye508]

I haven't been able to read TR's in a while because I've been so busy, but I just found out that yours ended! so i finished it up... and I just wanted to tell you that I really really enjoyed it! Your stories and pictures were great and this was one of my favorite reports to read! I hope you're doing one for your next trip because I will look forward to reading that when the time comes! Thanks for sharing your story!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm sorry to see your TR coming to an end but I've really enjoyed reading along. Your trip recap was great and your family vacation video amazing! I'll have to give it a try one of these trips because it's a great way to look back at all of the highlights.

Can't wait to follow along on your next trip.

 

[T*Bird]

The video is awesome! You did an amazing job with it! The music was perfect, and the way you transitioned from picture to picture was so creative. I love how more people are doing these vacation videos to capture their trip memories. I don't know if I could ever pull it off, but I would sure give it a try for my next vacation!