I Suppose the Baby Can Come, As Well-A December 2013 PTR Updated 12/13* TR Link Up

[MagicShell]

Sorry you can't stay at your dream resort (or your husband's). I totally agree with not really caring for the moderate resorts. We have stayed at 2 moderate resort and all the values except AoA, and I much prefer the value. They just seem more "Disney" to me. We have stayed at Pop twice and loved it both times. I hope you have a better experience, assuming you actually decide to stay there. I hope you get to stay deluxe some day, and that I do too!

 

[MEK]

Oh My... Talk about the long way to your resort pick.

I loved this update. Thanks for the suspense.

I am actually a big Pop fan and I have stayed in the 70's section a couple times overlooking the lake. I think its the best location. Beautiful view. It's convenient to all the pools. The 80's pool is really quiet and relaxing.

I think your trip is going to be great. Could you request or do a king sized bed if you are worried about the space?

Landon's newborn pictures are just awesome. So, so precious!

 

[amazingact21]

Well, Pop is very near and dear to me, I really love the resort. I hope that this trip can change your mind!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I know Pop is a favorite for a lot of people, so I have to assume this next trip will be a better experience for us.

Sorry you can't stay at your dream resort (or your husband's). I totally agree with not really caring for the moderate resorts. We have stayed at 2 moderate resort and all the values except AoA, and I much prefer the value. They just seem more "Disney" to me. We have stayed at Pop twice and loved it both times. I hope you have a better experience, assuming you actually decide to stay there. I hope you get to stay deluxe some day, and that I do too!

That's probably the reason why Alex and I aren't huge moderate resort fans; they just aren't as Disney as the values. And we're definitely Value people, but the extra space in the rooms that the deluxes provide would've been convienent.

Oh My... Talk about the long way to your resort pick.

I loved this update. Thanks for the suspense.

I am actually a big Pop fan and I have stayed in the 70's section a couple times overlooking the lake. I think its the best location. Beautiful view. It's convenient to all the pools. The 80's pool is really quiet and relaxing.

I think your trip is going to be great. Could you request or do a king sized bed if you are worried about the space?

Landon's newborn pictures are just awesome. So, so precious!

Thanks. We're hopeful that we'll enjoy our Pop stay. The worst part I can see is if we're far from the food court, but since we book preferred I doubt that'll happen.

The only downside with a king room is the one we stayed in last time had a handicapped accessible shower, which didn't leave us with a tub. So if we got that I'd be afraid we wouldn't have anyplace to bathe Landon.

 

[Nermel9]

I'm here, finally! IF my December trip works out, we'll be there at the same time again! Maybe I can meet Landon! And as of now, we're staying at Pop too! AHHH I wish I knew if we were going or not!!!!

 

[amazingact21]

I'm here, finally! IF my December trip works out, we'll be there at the same time again! Maybe I can meet Landon! And as of now, we're staying at Pop too! AHHH I wish I knew if we were going or not!!!!

Thanks for joining! Oh, I hope you get to go in December; it's such a great time to visit. Your updates on the Osbourne Lights made me so impatient for this upcoming trip! If you are, I'm sure our paths will cross again.

 

[amazingact21]

I was planning on writing another update detailing the issues I’m going through with my resort reservation, but after getting off the phone with Disney last night, I think I’ll just sum it all up right now.



I hinted in my last update that I might not be 100% happy with my resort choice, and that stems from what I’m calling:


The Discount Dilemma.




When we first booked our room, the 2014 military discounts weren’t out yet, so we had to take the rack rate amount and wait until the following fiscal year’s discounts were released.


No problem.





Without a discount, our total was about 400 more than I’d planned, so for the following three months I watched the DISboards and other Disney sites, waiting for an announcement.










Sometime in early August the military renewal finally arrived! Hooray!



When Alex got off work we saw this piece of news and immediately called to modify our reservation.



Now, these discounts were released at 7am.


We called at 3:30pm.


That’s a measly 8 hours later on THE SAME DAY!


I was 100% sure we’d get our discount.




So imagine my flabbergasted face when the woman on the phone said that not only were all the rooms at Pop booked, but so were Music, Movies, and ALL the moderates!


WHAT?!?!





They only had Sports available.




And between Pop Warner and no food court, there’s no way I want to stay at that particular resort.



Alex and I spent the following few days in a state of shock. In our 3 years of visiting Disney, we’ve never not been able to book with a military deal. Even when we changed our dates 2 weeks beforehand, we still got one (and was upgraded to preferred for less money).



With the discount rejection, thus began the birth of a new era for us.


I’m deeming it the:


Daily/Weekly Date with the Disney Phone Line.



For the past 4 weeks, Alex has called Disney once a week, checking to see if ANY discounts are available. We’re FL residents and will be AP holders, so if any of those 3 open up, we’ll be able to save SOMETHING.


Each time he calls, Alex asks the same question and gets the same answer back, “We don’t have anything at Pop, but we DO have something at Sports!”




And each week Alex gives a polite, thanks but no thanks.




Earlier in the week, we both spoke with an extremely nice person, named Riley, who really did try his best to get us some kind of deal. He even put us on hold and went to talk to his manager. He was looking for a military room at any resort other than Sports, and when he saw that there was still nothing at a single moderate, he became a little shocked.


He said he knew that free dining caused a lot of people to book during our week, but he didn’t expect there to be absolutely nothing. And he also said that by now the AP discounts were usually released.



Eventually, he did manage to find one single other military room at Animal Kingdom Lodge in a Savannah room.


And while I REALLY wanted to switch, there were 2 deciding factors that prevented me from doing so.


#1) We’d have to bunk with my mother. In order to split the cost in half. And while I have no issues with that, putting 3 adults and a baby in one room seems way too cramped. We’d be tripping over each other’s feet and losing odds and ends in the clutter that 4 people’s luggage causes.


#2) Even with the 40% military discount, Alex and I would be spending about 150 more than we are now, and my mother would be paying almost 200.


And the whole purpose of this little song and dance with Disney is to bring our cost down.


Not up.


Alex thinks it’d be worth it to stay in a deluxe, but by this point I’m getting extremely stubborn and digging my heels in the sand. I don’t want to pay rack rate for a room at Pop.



I love Disney. I really do. But 123 and 147 a night for a value? That seems steep and a tad bit outrageous.



Alex and I did toy around with the idea of staying at Shades of Green again. The resort is absolutely gorgeous, and the rooms…


Oh, the rooms are splendid.



They are over double in size to the values, so there’d be plenty of space for Landon, and they have the 2 vanity sink/2 room bathrooms. That alone saves so much time in the morning when we’re trying to get ready.


And we’d be paying almost 20 dollars less a night for a deluxe-sized suite.



So why aren’t we jumping on this immediately, you ask?



Well, because as great as Shades of Green is, it doesn’t give you that Disney atmosphere. There’s nothing that makes you feel like you are inside the Disney bubble, and that is something Alex really enjoys about the resorts.


Plus, no dining plan. And while we’re almost to the point where we think we are going to cancel the Dining Plan from our reservation, we like the system and don’t want to be forced into a decision just solely based on where we’re laying our pretty little heads to sleep.


Another big downside is that Alex wouldn’t even get the chance to try out the MagicBands. He’s really hoping we’ll be part of the test group (Pop is one of the trial resorts). And if they roll it out completely by December, he wants to ensure we get the bands and FP+.


So that’s really what’s stopping us from switching at the moment.



Honestly, if the MagicBands weren’t in the picture, I would have switched us a long time ago. We’d break even on our budget if we were paying military price at Pop, and save almost 300 dollars as of right now.



It’s a tough call.






For about half a day, we’d all decided to splurge on a deluxe, because if we’re paying that much already, why not have a nicer room. I was really hoping for Beach Club. I know I said before I didn’t want to stay there, but that was before we’d have 3 adults in the room. I could handle the crowded space if I knew I could hang out at Stormalong Bay or walk to Epcot whenever I pleased.



But when we called to make that change none of the deluxes had availability.

Even AKL was booked at the time.



And, naturally, I REALLY wanted Art of Animation, but that was and had been completely booked for half a year already.




So, to kind of summarize, while I am extremely happy to be going back to Disney, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little frustrated with the resort situation. It takes a lot of the magic away from the trip when I’m being yanked back and forth between deals/no deals, property/off-property.



I’ve never had this kind of problem with my reservation before, and it stresses me out. I want to have an amazing time while I’m there, but knowing I’m overpaying for a room or settling for a different resort will eat away at me the entire time.

I just wish I could find some compromise that would make everyone in my party happy while also feeling like I’m not spending way more than I bargained for.


I’ve accepted the price I’m paying for Pop, and if that’s what I’m stuck with, so be it. I just really hope that’s not the case.


And while we were talking with Riley, the person over the phone, he told us he wanted us to call everyday right at 7am (6 for us) when they open for the day. His two cents was, “Look, everything turns over first thing in the morning, this is your absolute best chance at finding something, so call. Call every day.”


So, that’s what Alex has been doing for the past 3 days.



I don’t have that kind of patience.



Or time.


Or commitment.


But more power to him.





We have 48 days until we have to be completely paid off and locked in, so I’ll keep you guys in the loop as to what happens in the next month or so. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

 

[MEK]

I can only imagine your frustration and not being able to score a discount. What a shame. I really hope Alex's persistence pays off. I think it will.

So the problem with Sports is the whole Pop Warner thing? Does it overlap exactly with your dates? I can definitely see that being a draw back.

I hope some pixie dust comes your way. Fingers crossed.

I have to tell you a main reason I bought DVC was I couldn't stand being stressed over trying to find a discount, so I totally relate.

 

[MagicShell]

Wishing you .

 

[teekathepony]

Ahh that does sound frustrating. Hope your resort woes work out (and I'm sure something will!)

 

[amazingact21]

I can only imagine your frustration and not being able to score a discount. What a shame. I really hope Alex's persistence pays off. I think it will.

So the problem with Sports is the whole Pop Warner thing? Does it overlap exactly with your dates? I can definitely see that being a draw back.

I hope some pixie dust comes your way. Fingers crossed.

I have to tell you a main reason I bought DVC was I couldn't stand being stressed over trying to find a discount, so I totally relate.

Wishing you .

Ahh that does sound frustrating. Hope your resort woes work out (and I'm sure something will!)

Thank you all.
The AP discounts were released on Tuesday, and Alex called 2 hours after the lines opened. But alas...no availability. So he's still calling in the hopes someone cancels.

 

[amazingact21]

Confession time: I’m completely unorganized and unprepared for my Disney trip in December.


That’s mostly the reason I haven’t updated this PTR in the past week or so.


I’m not sure where to begin!




This will be Alex’s and I’s 6th trip to the world together; you’d think we would know how to tackle these last 3 months leading up to our departure.


But Landon has completely thrown all my tried and true methods out the window.



How do folks get anything accomplished with a baby?!?!







I was relaxing with Alex the other day, after the baby was put down for the night, and I turned to him and said, “You know, aside from dinner reservations, I have NOTHING ready for our trip.”


NOTHING.



Even just thinking about how scattered our plans are thus far sends me into a panic attack.



We haven’t even figured out the resort situation yet.






All the Annual Passholders and Military Discounts are still booked, and time is ticking away. Talk has moved to moving this reservation to a much later date in 2014 to save our insurance deposit and switching to Shades of Green, and Alex mentioned again this morning we could always do a split stay at one of the deluxes that has a discount available.


Who knows???


This morning the CM on the phone said Saratoga Springs and Old Key West had a military room available, but I know those are primarily DVC rooms, and I’m so unfamiliar with them that I have no idea what the resort themselves are actually like.


Are they worth considering?







Continuing on….


In my jumbled mess that is my brain, I decided the best starting point at this time is a few To Do Lists. Something to get me focused and figure out what all I need to do over the next few months.



I have no doubt this list will grow exponentially as I go along, but at least I’ll have a solid base.



A warning in advance- please do not laugh at all my necessities. It’s pretty bad, I know.




Major To Do’s:

-Buy MVMCP tickets

-Figure out resort!!!

-Pre-order PP+??

-Pay off trip

-Buy Annual Passes

-Finalize ADRs






Regular To Do’s:

-Buy baby headphones from Amazon (for the fireworks)

-Make tentative day-to-day plans

-Buy some Christmas outfits for Landon

-Buy Landon some warmer clothes in case it’s cold

-Create a list of characters we want to meet

-Decide a plan of attack for MVMCP

-Create a list of Christmas gifts I might want to buy at Disney

-Read up on baby care centers and stroller parking areas

-Decide ahead of time which attractions to avoid due to Landon being scared/uncomfortable

-Figure out what/how much baby stuff to pack and what I can have my mom bring down for us

-Create and organize holiday window decorations for our rooms

-Come to decision on whether or not to keep the Dining Plan





Whew….that took a lot of thought. And the sad thing is that I’m sure there are more items that I forget and/or couldn’t think of.



As you can see…I have a lot on my plate as far as planning goes.



I suppose it’s the unknown that’s freaking me out right now. I could tour Disney blindfolded if it was just us adults going, but adding a baby to the mix has my head all kinds of confused. The main focus for me is creating a magical first trip for Landon without overwhelming and exhausting him.



A part of me wants to leave the plans as open as possible so that I can go with the flow and change decisions on the fly, but the more logical part of me understands the necessity of having a broad schedule to follow. If I don’t have anything concrete to go by, all of us would waste precious Disney time trying to get our bearings.


And we certainly can’t have that!



So hopefully in the next week or so I can chop up our trip into 8 separate days, and perhaps looking at it that way I can figure out what would be best for our group. As of right now, I’m stocking up on trip reports from DISers who have taken babies with them and absorbing all the information possible. Let’s hope some of it sticks!

 

[MEK]

Alicia- don't get yourself too freaked out about accomplishing everything on your list. You can't. Baby is the focus and you'll have to adjust to him and just go with the flow on your trip.

It won't be the same, but it will become the new normal. Enjoy it for what it is. I admire you for planning this. When my kids were young I was so disorganized I planned nothing.

Personally, I love OKW. I stayed there during Christmas and I loved the way the resort was decorated. The studios are really big. I don't see how you can go wrong. I would pick it over Pop any day. It's got a great laid back vibe. I also really like SSR. It beautiful. Again, you can't go wrong with either, but I think I would pick OKW because there is something really special about that resort.

 

[MagicShell]

I agree with MEK, don't worry too much. That's easy for me to say I guess. I can't imagine you would dislike staying at a dvc resort with a little one. When my son was 1 year old we stayed off site at a bigger place and enjoyed having the extra room, I'm sure onsite at a dvc would be even better. Just have fun being with your family soaking up the Christmas atmosphere at the happiest place on earth.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Oh, Alicia, I completely understand your resort dilemma. I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time. I know how important it is to be able to stay somewhere that you really like. I hope so much that something comes through that will make you all happy!

I do want to put my two cents in on Saratoga and Old Key West, if you don't mind. We actually stayed one night at Old Key West during our trip last month, and while the grounds and outside areas of the resort are wonderful, I have to say that it was the first time I've ever really been disappointed with a Disney room. And the sad part, is that the rooms were just refurbed not too long ago. Maybe it's just because I'm so picky when it comes to hotel/resort rooms, but Mike wasn't happy either. Like I said, the grounds and everything else there is beautiful, and the whole atmospehere is really relaxing, but I just couldn't get past the rooms. It's the first time we've ever said that we wouldn't stay there again. Now for Saratoga--that is actually our home resort, so I guess you could say that I'm a little partial. I know a lot of people don't care for it because of the size and the distance from the parks, and I totally get that. And honestly, when we stay there it's usually for a RunDisney event when we aren't going to the parks. I do love the whole feel of the resort--rooms included. But it is big and spread out, so if you don't get a room close to the Carriage House, then it would definitely not make your Mom happy to have to go so far to get her morning coffee.

I hope that helps at least a little!

 

[wiigirl]

I agree with MEK, don't worry too much. That's easy for me to say I guess. I can't imagine you would dislike staying at a dvc resort with a little one. When my son was 1 year old we stayed off site at a bigger place and enjoyed having the extra room, I'm sure onsite at a dvc would be even better. Just have fun being with your family soaking up the Christmas atmosphere at the happiest place on earth.

x2

 

[teekathepony]

I know that feeling of falling behind mixed with fear of the unknown. I also know that a magical time can be had in Walt Disney World under almost any circumstances and I know you're going to have a magical time. Landon's first trip will be magical! Everything will fall into place.

 

[amazingact21]

Alicia- don't get yourself too freaked out about accomplishing everything on your list. You can't. Baby is the focus and you'll have to adjust to him and just go with the flow on your trip.

It won't be the same, but it will become the new normal. Enjoy it for what it is. I admire you for planning this. When my kids were young I was so disorganized I planned nothing.

Personally, I love OKW. I stayed there during Christmas and I loved the way the resort was decorated. The studios are really big. I don't see how you can go wrong. I would pick it over Pop any day. It's got a great laid back vibe. I also really like SSR. It beautiful. Again, you can't go wrong with either, but I think I would pick OKW because there is something really special about that resort.

Sometimes, I think I'm insane for attempting to go to Disney with a baby, but we're so close to the parks that it'd be crazy to not go while he's free. Plus, Alex and I are always out and about with him, and he's pretty used to traveling. and thus far, he's fabulous in restaurants. He tags along at least once or twice a month with zero meltdowns.


I have heard good things about OKW, more than I have about SSR, and the theming does sound nice. Both my mom and I love the Keys, so that laid back atmosphere really appeals to us. I'm just not sure if we're up for it on this trip.

I agree with MEK, don't worry too much. That's easy for me to say I guess. I can't imagine you would dislike staying at a dvc resort with a little one. When my son was 1 year old we stayed off site at a bigger place and enjoyed having the extra room, I'm sure onsite at a dvc would be even better. Just have fun being with your family soaking up the Christmas atmosphere at the happiest place on earth.

I agree, no matter where we stay, I'm sure I'll have a wonderful time experiencing the world with a little one.

Oh, Alicia, I completely understand your resort dilemma. I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time. I know how important it is to be able to stay somewhere that you really like. I hope so much that something comes through that will make you all happy!

I do want to put my two cents in on Saratoga and Old Key West, if you don't mind. We actually stayed one night at Old Key West during our trip last month, and while the grounds and outside areas of the resort are wonderful, I have to say that it was the first time I've ever really been disappointed with a Disney room. And the sad part, is that the rooms were just refurbed not too long ago. Maybe it's just because I'm so picky when it comes to hotel/resort rooms, but Mike wasn't happy either. Like I said, the grounds and everything else there is beautiful, and the whole atmospehere is really relaxing, but I just couldn't get past the rooms. It's the first time we've ever said that we wouldn't stay there again. Now for Saratoga--that is actually our home resort, so I guess you could say that I'm a little partial. I know a lot of people don't care for it because of the size and the distance from the parks, and I totally get that. And honestly, when we stay there it's usually for a RunDisney event when we aren't going to the parks. I do love the whole feel of the resort--rooms included. But it is big and spread out, so if you don't get a room close to the Carriage House, then it would definitely not make your Mom happy to have to go so far to get her morning coffee.

I hope that helps at least a little!

Hmmm, thanks for the help. That was really informative. I did not know about the room differences, or about the layouts of each. I guess I have some more thinking to do....

x2

Thanks, I'll try to keep all that in mind for when I'm planning this trip.

I know that feeling of falling behind mixed with fear of the unknown. I also know that a magical time can be had in Walt Disney World under almost any circumstances and I know you're going to have a magical time. Landon's first trip will be magical! Everything will fall into place.

That is very true. I suppose I need to stop focusing on what I should get done and concentrate more on how many fun memories I'm going to create while I'm there.

 

[afwdwfan]

A little late to the party here, but I hope I can offer some constructive input. I've gone the first week of December (2012) and the week right after Thanksgiving (2011) and the trip last year was even made with a 7 month old... And while I don't typically share my kids' names on the Dis, let me just say we've got a whole lot of things in common here.

There is a lot going on that week in Disney, and a part of me doesn’t want to be anywhere near the chaos while its underway.

Don't worry about it. It is a great week to be there! The parade isn't too big of a deal. Just don't go to MK that Saturday morning. We actually went on a Friday morning when they were filming concerts and had Fantasyland to ourselves with a nice soundtrack. The park did get crowded around noon, so we left MK and went to EPCOT. I just don't think having to work around a couple of mornings in MK is too big a deal with the typically lower crowds that week.

Pop Warner isn't a big deal as long as you don't stay at one of their resorts.

We’re just not moderate people.

I can't disagree. I feel exactly the same way.

I read someone TR who stayed at Coronado with the Pop Warner kids, and they said their little one woke up once because of the teenagers.

I think I've heard that story...

The more time that passes, the more I’m looking forward to giving Pop another chance.

I'd think that POP would definitely have a hard time living up to any kind of expectation after a cruise. I mean they always say that if you're doing a split stay, make sure the deluxe comes after the value. I really do like POP, a lot, so hopefully you'll enjoy it. If you end up staying there...

I’ve accepted the price I’m paying for Pop, and if that’s what I’m stuck with, so be it. I just really hope that’s not the case.

Well, I hate to throw another question mark into your resort plans, but they typically reserve blocks in resorts for POP Warner that would block out the discounts for those resorts, yet they don't announce which exact resorts they use for Pop Warner until a few months out... (that's how we got burned at CSR after we'd already booked there). I would be concerned that if All Star Sports is the only Moderate or Value with any discounted rooms available, that maybe they're not planning to put Pop Warner there since there's no food court. Purely speculation on my part, but I'd be a little concerned about it.

Did you happen to ask about availability at those resorts if you were to check out before the 6th?

How do folks get anything accomplished with a baby?!?!

At that age, easily!!! It's when they get a little older and more independent that it gets more difficult!

This morning the CM on the phone said Saratoga Springs and Old Key West had a military room available, but I know those are primarily DVC rooms, and I’m so unfamiliar with them that I have no idea what the resort themselves are actually like.


Are they worth considering?

Well, I don't know the dollars and cents of it, but I'd definitely look into it! I've never stayed at OKW, but I know I've heard it said that those rooms are about the biggest you can get.

-Read up on baby care centers and stroller parking areas

We never used the Baby Care centers much. It is a nice quite A/C place if you need a break in the park, but we were mostly doing diaper changes in the park and it typically just made more sense to head to the nearest restroom. DD was on formula by the time we went though, so this might not be relevant to you.

-Decide ahead of time which attractions to avoid due to Landon being scared/uncomfortable

I wouldn't think you'll have any problems here. Maybe just be ready to cover his ears when there are loud noises? DD seemed to enjoy everything when she was that age. She just took it all in and was really too young to be scared if that makes sense. DS, on the other hand, taking trips at almost 2 and then almost 3 was aware enough of his surroundings that he had certain things he just didn't like.

-Figure out what/how much baby stuff to pack and what I can have my mom bring down for us

Just a tip for the parks. We packed a bag with the essentials that we carried everywhere with us and put some extra snacks, clothes, blankets, etc that we weren't too concerned about possibly losing in a bag that we just left under the stroller. I wouldn't leave anything of value like that, but nothing ever disappeared.

I suppose it’s the unknown that’s freaking me out right now. I could tour Disney blindfolded if it was just us adults going, but adding a baby to the mix has my head all kinds of confused. The main focus for me is creating a magical first trip for Landon without overwhelming and exhausting him.

Just have a general game plan in place, but be ready to change plans at any time. I'm sure he'll be fine. And most importantly, if he falls asleep in the stroller, take advantage of that time to use rider swap and do some of the things he can't ride!

 

[amazingact21]

And while I don't typically share my kids' names on the Dis, let me just say we've got a whole lot of things in common here.

My son's name is a popular one here on the DISboards, I've discovered. I guess a lot of great minds think alike.

Don't worry about it. It is a great week to be there! The parade isn't too big of a deal. Just don't go to MK that Saturday morning. We actually went on a Friday morning when they were filming concerts and had Fantasyland to ourselves with a nice soundtrack. The park did get crowded around noon, so we left MK and went to EPCOT. I just don't think having to work around a couple of mornings in MK is too big a deal with the typically lower crowds that week.

Good to know that Friday morning typically isn't that bad. I knew about the music portions being taped that day and wasn't sure if that would cause the park to be crowded.

Pop Warner isn't a big deal as long as you don't stay at one of their resorts.

I can't disagree. I feel exactly the same way.

I think I've heard that story...

Haha, I remember I read your TR while I was tentatively planning this trip with DS, and I made a note to avoid that.

I'd think that POP would definitely have a hard time living up to any kind of expectation after a cruise. I mean they always say that if you're doing a split stay, make sure the deluxe comes after the value. I really do like POP, a lot, so hopefully you'll enjoy it. If you end up staying there...

I'm sure that played a part in my opinion (although, I was pretty happy to be on open land after a week out at rough seas) plus being sick really didn't help. When you feel like your head's weighs a hundred pounds and you're stuck in sludge, the last thing you wanna do is walk across a large resort.

I believe now that we'll be in a preferred room and closer to everything I'll enjoy the resort a lot more. It can't be too bad; so many DISers claim it as their favorite.

Well, I hate to throw another question mark into your resort plans, but they typically reserve blocks in resorts for POP Warner that would block out the discounts for those resorts, yet they don't announce which exact resorts they use for Pop Warner until a few months out... (that's how we got burned at CSR after we'd already booked there). I would be concerned that if All Star Sports is the only Moderate or Value with any discounted rooms available, that maybe they're not planning to put Pop Warner there since there's no food court. Purely speculation on my part, but I'd be a little concerned about it.

Did you happen to ask about availability at those resorts if you were to check out before the 6th?

I've been very worried about that exact same problem. I've asked several CMs on the phone why there were no discounts, and everyone says it is because their was a general public and a free dining promotion that caused everyone to book during those dates. Whether they were blowing smoke up my butt or actually telling the truth, who knows. We've tried cutting our dates back, but still no luck.
Worst case, if I find out that Pop is one of the hosts resorts, I'll probably suck it up and switch to Sports.

At this rate...with no food court and potentially no Pop Warner kids...we'd have the resort to ourselves. The poor cast members on the phone are forever saying, "Everybody's fleeing from Sports. Nobody is staying there!"

We never used the Baby Care centers much. It is a nice quite A/C place if you need a break in the park, but we were mostly doing diaper changes in the park and it typically just made more sense to head to the nearest restroom. DD was on formula by the time we went though, so this might not be relevant to you.

We'll probably make more use out the Baby Care Centers, only because my son gets distracted easily and sometimes needs a quiet place to settle down.

I wouldn't think you'll have any problems here. Maybe just be ready to cover his ears when there are loud noises? DD seemed to enjoy everything when she was that age. She just took it all in and was really too young to be scared if that makes sense. DS, on the other hand, taking trips at almost 2 and then almost 3 was aware enough of his surroundings that he had certain things he just didn't like.

We have a friend who took their 1 year old a few months ago, and she seemed to be afraid of the dark rides. That worries me a little, because here lately DS has gotten into a kick where he doesn't like really dark rooms. So I'm afraid Spaceship Earth might scare him a little. Then again, he could grow out of that phase by December...

Just have a general game plan in place, but be ready to change plans at any time. I'm sure he'll be fine. And most importantly, if he falls asleep in the stroller, take advantage of that time to use rider swap and do some of the things he can't ride!

Oh, how I'm looking forward to those nap times in the stroller. Sorry, Son, I love you, but Mom and Dad have to get their Disney coaster fix...

 

[GrammyJudy]

We took grandson when he was 4 months old and he was great...slept alto. If he is afraid of the dark, get a small flashlight on a string and show him that. It will distract him. Only problem we had all week was one night at dinner when he was fussy. If I was taking an infant again I would not plan a sit down dinner every night. He loved the character meals we did. I think we did cm for dinner and cp for breakfast that year. He is now 5 and this will be his fourth trip so he is a pro now.