"I"m Only Going Because My Teacher Told Me To" Nov. 2016 PTR * update 12/2 TRIP REPORT STARTED! *

[Carathryn]

This past month has been super busy and led me back into my past lurking ways but I am now back to commenting!

First of all, after seeing your Kohls' Alice In Wonderland pictures I went out and bought 3 shirts/tank tops, because you can never have too many disney tops right?
And although my wallet will be very sad I NEED the Beauty and the Beast D&B and those magic band designs are great!

Love your villain pictures! I'm bummed that Club Villain got cancelled before I could go. Maleficent's green face in your MNSSHP picture is perfect.

And yay for BOG dinner!!!!

 

[ariane37]

This past month has been super busy and led me back into my past lurking ways but I am now back to commenting!

First of all, after seeing your Kohls' Alice In Wonderland pictures I went out and bought 3 shirts/tank tops, because you can never have too many disney tops right?
And although my wallet will be very sad I NEED the Beauty and the Beast D&B and those magic band designs are great!

Love your villain pictures! I'm bummed that Club Villain got cancelled before I could go. Maleficent's green face in your MNSSHP picture is perfect.

And yay for BOG dinner!!!!

Hi Cara! I completely understand being busy but I'm glad you're back You must be getting ready (and excited) for August!
You ABSOLUTELY can never have too many Disney tops I actually picked another one up at Kohls the other day, a LK one, but didn't try it on first and it's too small. They didn't have any bigger sizes so I looked online and holy cow do they have a lot of Disney shirts online!

I wish you'd been able to do Club Villain, it truly was a unique and awesome experience. I still hear a rumor every now and then that they'll bring it back, but that's amongst the rumors that they're tearing down the whole theater so who knows. It stinks that when they get something that really works, they take it away

 

[ArielSRL]

Characterpalooza....ugh, I forgot to look for it and I think we were there right on time. Of course our DHS day got so crappy that afternoon due to the rain. Oh well...something else to put on the list for next time.

Glad you got the BOG you wanted!!

 

[Jfsag123]

Characterpalooza....ugh, I forgot to look for it and I think we were there right on time. Of course our DHS day got so crappy that afternoon due to the rain. Oh well...something else to put on the list for next time.

Glad you got the BOG you wanted!!

The (semi?) good news is if it was raining they probably didn't do characterpalooza anyway, so you didn't miss anything.

 

[ArielSRL]

The (semi?) good news is if it was raining they probably didn't do characterpalooza anyway, so you didn't miss anything.

Definitely could've been the case...

 

[ariane37]

Characterpalooza....ugh, I forgot to look for it and I think we were there right on time. Of course our DHS day got so crappy that afternoon due to the rain. Oh well...something else to put on the list for next time.

Glad you got the BOG you wanted!!

Thanks! That's really too bad about characterpalooza but as Kelley said, since it rained you most likely didn't even miss it. I'm sorry your HS day got crappy, too . You'll just have to put characterpalooza back on your list for June 2017

Oh, and WELCOME BACK!!!!!! Can't wait to hear all about your trip![/QUOTE]

 

[ArielSRL]

Thanks! That's really too bad about characterpalooza but as Kelley said, since it rained you most likely didn't even miss it. I'm sorry your HS day got crappy, too . You'll just have to put characterpalooza back on your list for June 2017

Oh, and WELCOME BACK!!!!!! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

[/QUOTE]
Thank you! And yes, I will definitely need to add it to the 2017 list!

 

[Whit64130]

Just a quick update and a huge shout-out (can I still say that, or am I totally showing my old age here?) to @Whit64130 for hooking me up with the perfect BOG dinner reservation on 11/22 She was going to be dropping one, knew I was looking for one on that date and coordinated it perfectly with me so I was able to snatch it up. Now I don't have to rely on the TP reservation finder or spend any time checking between now and November!

Thank you so much Whitney We all greatly appreciate it and I enjoyed chatting with you!

Now I get to do a little moving around of my other ADR's - like I wouldn't of done that over the next 5 months, anyway

Don't worry, I totally relate to shout out!Glad it all worked out! Sorry I have been MIA. Just got back from vacation so just now getting around to replying!

 

[cantoine]

Following along. I am all caught up and eagerly awaiting some more update. Let me just say I LOVE the villains dress. LOVE IT! Beautiful family! It looks like you maybe having the same teeth pulling planning as me!! Can not wait to read more.

 

[ariane37]

Don't worry, I totally relate to shout out!Glad it all worked out! Sorry I have been MIA. Just got back from vacation so just now getting around to replying!

OK good, I don't feel all that old now Hope you had a good vacation! And thanks again

Following along. I am all caught up and eagerly awaiting some more update. Let me just say I LOVE the villains dress. LOVE IT! Beautiful family! It looks like you maybe having the same teeth pulling planning as me!! Can not wait to read more.

Hello and Glad you came over! Isn't that villains dress awesome?? I can't wait to wear it! I'm waiting for a chance to wear it here for something.....something other than grocery shopping lol. Also normally by now it's a lot warmer here but we've only had a couple days in the '80's so far. I have 2 graduation parties coming up so if it's warm enough I just may wear it to one My boys won't be thrilled but I really don't care anymore
And thanks for the compliment on my family, the same goes for you and yours

 

[ariane37]

BCV 2 CSR BC? OR BCV 2 CSR STD RM? LOL!​

Well, most of you are probably familiar with this lull between ADR time and FP selection day, when you really don't have anything major to do except second guess your ADR's (which I'm doing) and think about your park days (yup, doing that, too).

Until the other morning when I walk downstairs and Steve looks up from his computer and goes, "Hey, why aren't we staying in a business class room at Coronado?"

Maybe because when we booked the room and discussed this, he said he wasn't interested in BC? Maybe that's why, but we all know men don't retain info. as well as women do (and I kind of apologize to any man who reads this. Kind of.)

He was on the Disney site and surprisingly BC was available for the 3 nights we're at CSR, surprising because it's Thanksgiving and the nights before and after. So we started debating the pros and cons:

PROS
-we know we'll be in Cabanas section which is centrally located
-access to the BC lounge, which has a nice selection of breakfast items and snacks in the evening - but more importantly SANGRIA
-price difference isn't too awfully bad, $60 more a night. And when you're already paying a lot, well, another $180 isn't going to kill us.
-SANGRIA

CONS
-$60 more a night. $180 could be our dinner at Narcoossees
-I may feel like I need to work in time to use the lounge
-lounge isn't open in the middle of the day, which is when it would be nice to have access since we may be back a couple times between lunch and dinner. Since Ricky is ALWAYS hungry he could grab snacks there, except he can't. They close at 10am and don't reopen until 5pm.

So, is it worth the money? I initially was in the "no" camp because last time we stayed there we lucked out after making no request and got Casitas, which I loved. Plus every area has a bus stop near it, even the section considered least favorite - Ranchos - which is closest to the Dig Site pool. So the only negative I see as far as location there is that Ranchos will put us a distance from the main bldg. but it's not ridiculously far.

Now, as far as using the lounge. As I said, it's not open during the day which is what Steve got excited about. I'm still fine tuning our daily plans but occasionally we may be back in the room for a bit in the afternoon, so if the lounge were open if would work out well for the boys and for my......thirst . As it stands with those hours though, we would only be able to use it to grab breakfast and if we're back by 10, which I don't see happening the nights we're there. So that really cuts it to breakfast. I love the idea of not packing pop tarts and granola bars - if we're not doing a TS breakfast the boys and I usually eat something like that quick as we're going to the bus and then get an early lunch or QS breakfast depending where we are - so I feel like we'd use the lounge every morning.

So if we don't end up using the lounge at night, we're basically paying $60/day for breakfast and a guaranteed "good" location. As I said I was initially a "no" while Steve was a "yes". But now I kind of want to do it just to say we've done it (I know, stupid) and for the breakfast. Another FYI, I AM READY TO EAT THE MINUTE I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING! OK, so I'm pretty much ready to eat all the time, but I wake up starving. And so does Chris, so another reason the lounge for breakfast interests me. And Steve being up every day at the crack of dawn means he could get it for us and bring it back to the room, no inconvenience for me See how it all works in my favor? Unfortunately the lounge being closed mid-day turned Steve off so he's unsure, which most likely means once he decides it'll be a "yes" and it won't be available. Anyway, what do you guys think?

And now since you've all listened to my ramblings and since I made a somewhat negative statement about my wonderful husband and his memory retention skills, I'll show you something he does do well: buy me things Last weekend he stopped at a flea market and picked me up these 2 awesome Disney snowglobes







Both of these are musical and light up! Beauty and the Beast plays the title song and a fireplace on the back lights up; the Cinderella one plays "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" and the pumpkin/coach and the inside of the castle (on a side I didn't take a pic of) light up. Both of these are so lovely, but I have to say the BEST thing he brought home, is THIS!

How completely awesome is that??!! I do love me some villains and finding things with any of them is harder than finding stuff with Princesses, Mickey and Minnie, etc. I've been looking on Ebay to find out what year this was made and so far no dice. It also needs a battery and we can't figure out what kind so I have to take it to a clock place, and I have to find a home for it because I'm already cluttered up with all my Disney sh*t but you can be sure I'll find the perfect spot for it

That's it for now, going to watch game 6 of the NBA finals. I have one kid rooting for each team lol. I'm going to force Steve to make a Business Class decision this weekend between our graduation parties and whatever we do for Father's Day. Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

​

 

[Karabear15]

How can you turn down SANGRIA??!! If it's only 180 extra...I'd say go ahead and do it. It's far enough out that you can save that up real quick for your dinner at Narcoossee's!

I talked with my mom today regarding our ADR's, we are currently eating at CP on 11/23, but I'm not a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh/Friends, and mom prefers "Classic Pooh" anyways...the guys don't care regardless, and I really want to jazz it up for my bro's GF (she's the one we are trying to convert), so I really really want reservations for 1900 PF...but it is apparently the hardest thing to get, especially with our 6 man crew. Ugh! I try to look every day, but it almost becomes overwhelming and frustrating. I wish there was a place where I could get notified if something opens up so that I don't have to keep searching.

 

[Karabear15]

P.S...the snow globes are awesome! Now I'm going to keep my eyes out for little treasures like this when we hit up the flea market by us on Sunday mornings!

 

[ALEXandFAB]

You had me at sangria Yes, do the business class! The price increase isn't very much. You can grab extra stuff at breakfast to keep in the room as a snack for later in the day.

Love the snow globes, but I have to agree with you, the villains clock is

 

[ArielSRL]

I'm frugal so I probably wouldn't do the BC since it isn't open midday or EON (end of night). But that's just me and my reasoning. I could definitely find something else to spend $180 on!

Love the snow globes! I used to collect them but not anymore. I really like that Villains clock. I want to say I've seen it before somewhere but I may or may not be remembering correctly.

 

[ariane37]

How can you turn down SANGRIA??!! If it's only 180 extra...I'd say go ahead and do it. It's far enough out that you can save that up real quick for your dinner at Narcoossee's!

I talked with my mom today regarding our ADR's, we are currently eating at CP on 11/23, but I'm not a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh/Friends, and mom prefers "Classic Pooh" anyways...the guys don't care regardless, and I really want to jazz it up for my bro's GF (she's the one we are trying to convert), so I really really want reservations for 1900 PF...but it is apparently the hardest thing to get, especially with our 6 man crew. Ugh! I try to look every day, but it almost becomes overwhelming and frustrating. I wish there was a place where I could get notified if something opens up so that I don't have to keep searching.

Thank you for your thoughts on doing business class! I'm liking the idea more and more....
And listen, there IS a place that will notify you if a certain ADR opens up! It's Touring Plans reservation finder. You were able to sign up for free but I read the other day that they may be changing it and you have to pay now to join the site to get the Touring Plans subscription. I think it's $12.99 for the year. Anyway you input the restaurants you're looking for along with the date and a time, and your phone number and/or email. Touring Plans will alert you when and if one comes available. I used this for some of our ADR's last Nov. and it worked great, look into it for your PF

You had me at sangria Yes, do the business class! The price increase isn't very much. You can grab extra stuff at breakfast to keep in the room as a snack for later in the day.
Love the snow globes, but I have to agree with you, the villains clock is

I hadn't even thought about keeping stuff in the room for later! That would cut down on the amount of snacks I'd have to bring from home (although I'd still bring some for while we're at Beach Club)
I wonder, if I brought a pitcher from home, would they let me fill it up with Sangria and keep THAT in my room

I'm frugal so I probably wouldn't do the BC since it isn't open midday or EON (end of night). But that's just me and my reasoning. I could definitely find something else to spend $180 on!

Love the snow globes! I used to collect them but not anymore. I really like that Villains clock. I want to say I've seen it before somewhere but I may or may not be remembering correctly.

I know, that's why I keep going back and forth One minute I think "no big deal", the other I think I'd rather spend it on something else. I did say to Steve earlier today let's just book it was in a text, neither of us was home. He's working late tonight so we'll most likely figure it out tomorrow.

I collect SO much Disney stuff it's getting a bit out of control lol!! I also used to collect Wizard of Oz stuff but I may have to get rid of some of that to make more room if I don't stop this obsession

 

[Carathryn]

I also was tempted by business class at CS for my August stay but ultimately decided against it. If I had planned my ADRs differently and would be at the resort in the evening than I could make it worth it with the unlimited sangria, but I plan on being in the parks every evening, so no sangria. I do like the idea of guaranteeing you won't be stuck in ranchos though.

WOW those purchases are all stunning! I am completely in love with the Beauty and the Beast snow globe. I am going to have to find me one of those! And that villain clock looks perfect for you! I love the villain selections and all of their facial expressions. All it is missing is Ursula.

 

[kastoney]

Well you know you sold me at Sangria!!!!!!!!!! How did I not even know that CSR had a club level area???? But if you do the math $60/night = about 6 sangrias so you would at least break even

 

[Karabear15]

Thank you for your thoughts on doing business class! I'm liking the idea more and more....
And listen, there IS a place that will notify you if a certain ADR opens up! It's Touring Plans reservation finder. You were able to sign up for free but I read the other day that they may be changing it and you have to pay now to join the site to get the Touring Plans subscription. I think it's $12.99 for the year. Anyway you input the restaurants you're looking for along with the date and a time, and your phone number and/or email. Touring Plans will alert you when and if one comes available. I used this for some of our ADR's last Nov. and it worked great, look into it for your PF

Yea, I couldn't remember the site name...and the cheap side of me is trying to justify spending the 13 bucks...which is really dumb if I think hard about it...yea, I'll just sign up. I need those reservations!!

 

[Whit64130]

access to the BC lounge, which has a nice selection of breakfast items and snacks in the evening - but more importantly SANGRIA
-price difference isn't too awfully bad, $60 more a night. And when you're already paying a lot, well, another $180 isn't going to kill us.
-SANGRIA

Ahhhhh Sangria + breakfast...I would say do it!

-$60 more a night. $180 could be our dinner at Narcoossees

My dumb phone missed a quote here. The adult in me says if you won't be able to take advantage of it don't do it. But.....I'm not familiar with the layout of CSR or the business class selections for breakfast but if you were to go out and buy breakfast for the 4 of you it would be around $40 or more (Disney prices) so essientially you are paying the extra $20 for preferred location which I'm sure the middle of Thanksgiving week would be worth it. Just anothe way to look at it. Granted may not have as much evening time in the lounge but if you are like me having options for breakfast is better than the same poptart every morning for a week.

Another FYI, I AM READY TO EAT THE MINUTE I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING! OK, so I'm pretty much ready to eat all the time, but I wake up starving.

I am like this too. My husband can skip breakfast. In fact he hates breakfast. So he thinks I'm nuts because I roll out of bed and go straight to the refrigerator every morning (or night, depends on how I'm working).


Love all of the goodies! Especially the Villians!! I am always on the lookout for Disney items when I'm at yard sales or other odd and end places!