If I say it out loud, will my wish come true.. PTR May 2011(Link to TR pg41)

[Nermel9]

I'll show you next time I come over.

I am very excited but a little nervous. Then again we always stayed offsite so it's not like I have high standards. I figured I would try out the renting process with a short stay first and see how it goes. There's always a Comfort Inn on International drive if it falls through.

The Beach Club is probably the nicest place I've ever stayed in my life. So you will like it. And you get to stay in a villa, which is even better. And that whole Epcot resort area is great.

DD had an assignment in school were she had to write about what she did over the summer (why they are doing this at the end of Oct. I don't know) and guess what it said.

I love going to Disneyworld. (Well, that's what she wanted to write, it didn't actually say that.)

She also has her first loose tooth. A few more days and she will lose her first baby tooth. No more looking like a baby

I don't want her to grow up. Time to have another one. Or maybe I could have my own.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I'm here and all caught up!
Like I said on my PTR, you are going to LOVE Pop Century. As for the distance, definitely go standard. We've been in the 50s section and the 80s section, and they are not long walks at all. A couple of minutes tops to anywhere you want to go in the resort. The 80s is especially close to the buses...also, it's just cool! I'm 27, so I loved being in "my" decade. Walkman, Little Mermaid posters, 80s music playing...heaven. My oldest daughter loves the 50s section, though, so we'll just see where we end up in September!
As for the surprise--How cool! Juju knows we're going next September (and the other two are clueless about time!), but she will still be asking "is it time?" constantly. So I'm just doing a slight surprise. She know's it's sometime in September, and I'm picking her up half-day on Friday and we'll be gone for her entire fall break.
So glad that Caitlin will probably be there for SWW. I know she missed out on meeting some key characters last time.
Subbing now!

 

[dawnbu40]

for Beach Club Villas! It is a beautiful resort with great restaurants and the best pool on Disney property! You will it!

 

[pinkxray]

AWWWWWWW First loose tooth!!! I remember those days!! My dad told Tyler that the tooth fairy brings you $5 for your first tooth, so of course pepa doesn't fib, so $5 he got!! Isn't it aweful how the time flies by so fast? I swear I just had Tyler last year, and he's almost a teenager!! no more baby there!! Enjoy every moment with your little ones. Time flies SOOOO fast, and it'll be over before you know it.

$5 sounds like a good amount for a first tooth. I was wondering what to put under her pillow once it comes out. What did you give for the rest of them? I remember getting some coins when I was younger and maybe it went up to $1 once I got a bit older?

I know how you feel. It seems like she was just a baby.

The Beach Club is probably the nicest place I've ever stayed in my life. So you will like it. And you get to stay in a villa, which is even better. And that whole Epcot resort area is great.

I don't want her to grow up. Time to have another one. Or maybe I could have my own.

Beach Club looks really pretty. I think that the regular rooms are much prettier than the villas, but I'll take what I can get. Plus I think the villas all have balconies, but I could be wrong.

We're hoping for next year. Caitlin keeps asking when we're going to get another kid. As if you just walk into a store and pick one up.

It is definitely time you have your own! Then, you'll have another reason to go back to Disney every year.

I'm here and all caught up!
Like I said on my PTR, you are going to LOVE Pop Century. As for the distance, definitely go standard. We've been in the 50s section and the 80s section, and they are not long walks at all. A couple of minutes tops to anywhere you want to go in the resort. The 80s is especially close to the buses...also, it's just cool! I'm 27, so I loved being in "my" decade. Walkman, Little Mermaid posters, 80s music playing...heaven. My oldest daughter loves the 50s section, though, so we'll just see where we end up in September!
As for the surprise--How cool! Juju knows we're going next September (and the other two are clueless about time!), but she will still be asking "is it time?" constantly. So I'm just doing a slight surprise. She know's it's sometime in September, and I'm picking her up half-day on Friday and we'll be gone for her entire fall break.
So glad that Caitlin will probably be there for SWW. I know she missed out on meeting some key characters last time.
Subbing now!

Glad to hear some feedback about the 80's section. It always seems like people stay in 50's, 60's or 70's. 80's music playing? I'm sold!
50's is my second choice too. Lady and the Tramp are so cute.

We'll see how long I am able to keep it a secret. It's hard when she mentions WDW and wants to go back. I just want to tell her we're going back. She does know we are going to go this year so she's happy.

I hope Caitlin gets to see everyone she wants to. It is so hard since the lines get so long. Plus they rotate the characters and you never know who you will see. You get in line to see Chewy and once you get up there he's gone.

for Beach Club Villas! It is a beautiful resort with great restaurants and the best pool on Disney property! You will it!

I am patiently waiting for you guys to check into the BCVs on your trip report. I know Caitlin has a lot of school work right now. She must be happy the semester is half over.

I am going to have such a hard time choosing where to eat on those days. There is so much to choose from. Any favorites?

 

[2princesses2princes]

I am so happy for you. Disney magic happening already. That resort is gorgeous. Maybe someday we'll be able to try out a few of the deluxe resorts. But for now we'll love our value and mod's

 

[TinksThree]

Wow! 3 pages before I find this??? It soudns so great so far! Your bouncing around dates soudns like me! I want to go at Christmas so bad but this year is out since we were just there 6 months ago but Christmas 2011 seems so far off!!

POP is my choice for the next time we stay in a value resort. And I have also been thinking about splitting between POP and BW or BC so that is a little ironic! I can't wait to hear more!!!

 

[pinkxray]

I am so happy for you. Disney magic happening already. That resort is gorgeous. Maybe someday we'll be able to try out a few of the deluxe resorts. But for now we'll love our value and mod's

Thank you!

Right now there are no discount available for our dates in May. If we were to stay at a moderate we would most likely pick CSR this time and it would cost us a little bit more than what we are paying for BCV for the two nights
Pop would be about $100 cheaper for the two nights but we are going to skip the dining plan which will save us some cash on those days. Plus I plan on not planning much on those days so that we can spend a lot of time exploring the resorts around there and spend hours at the pool. And of course we will have to hit Beaches and Cream and Boardwalk Bakery.
Can't wait!

 

[pinkxray]

Wow! 3 pages before I find this??? It soudns so great so far! Your bouncing around dates soudns like me! I want to go at Christmas so bad but this year is out since we were just there 6 months ago but Christmas 2011 seems so far off!!

POP is my choice for the next time we stay in a value resort. And I have also been thinking about splitting between POP and BW or BC so that is a little ironic! I can't wait to hear more!!!

I am so glad you found me. It always feels like you are just talking to yourself when you first start a TR or PTR.

I really want to go around xmas too! DH says we're not going back for 2 years which I am actually pretty good with. Hopefully Magic Kingdom will be done by the time we go back in 2013. I want to do an Oct. 2013 trip and then a Nov/Dec? 2014 trip.

I think it will be really nice to do the split stay. I figure we will be be at the parks most of the time we are at Pop so why spend the money to upgrade to a moderate. We never really used the extras at POR and right now it is just the three of us so the room size is fine.

It will be really nice to move to BC and just relax for the final few days.
I can picture myself in a beach chair right next to SAB, watching DH and DD play with a nice frozen adult drink in hand.

 

[pinkxray]

I just found unofficial May hours so I figured I'd try to come up with a rough draft of the plans and ADRs.

There are a few things that are we must do.
1. Fantasmic- DD loved this show, esp. the when the boat came out with all the characters. She spent the next few nights trying to draw all the characters on the boat. Unfortunately, with Fantasmic comes the crowds. I am hoping to have another morning in DHS that does not have Fantasmic. I also would like to book the Mama Melrose Fantasmic package

2. DHS early morning hours- We stayed on site for the first time last year and did not do any EMH. I just want to see what they are all about. I figure will hit the park early and knock out Toy Story Mania.

3. The Beauty and the Beast show at DHS. I have never seen it. DH and DD had no interest in seeing it last trip. This time I will see it, even if it is by myself.

4. Illuminations- I have seen in before but not for years. We missed it last year. We tended to be up early every morning so we were mostly in bed early every night. This time I will leave a few mornings to sleep in so we can stay up last.

5. Main Street Electrical Parade/ Wishes- We saw Wishes from the water on the Pirates and Pals cruise but this time I want to see them from Main Street
6. Afternoon parades- We followed the Rope Drop, Mid day break, back to park for dinner schedule last trip. I really want to see the 3pm parade at MK. The AK and DHS parades would be nice to see but I’ll be okay if I get outvoted on those.

7. The Flower and Garden Festival- It ends the weekend we arrive so we’ll have to hit EPCOT the first 2 days. Like I really need an excuse to head straight to EPCOT.


That’s all I can think of right now.
DH has one request. Universal Studios. We always have fun when we go and DD really loved it too. I was thinking 1 day would be enough be I was wrong. I was talking to DH the other day and apparently he needs 2 days at Universal.

All of these things are giving me a headache trying to plan the trip. I don’t want an early morning ADR the morning after we stayed up late to see Wishes, We can’t see Fantasmic one night and then head back for the EMH the next day.

Of course there is the whole dining issue. I have a list of places I want to try and DD has a list of places she wants to do too. DH has no choices which is awesome however I am planning on leaving room for one of his favorites.

I have decided we aren’t going to do the dining plan this trip. We did the dxdp last trip and it was really great to try so many places but I want a more relaxed trip this time. Plus DH did not like eating so much and he felt forced to get an appetizer, entrée, and dessert every meal. I didn’t feel that pressure, if I wasn’t hungry I just skipped dessert.

When our trip was booked for Feb. we had free dining so I did plan out what TS meals we would have. I was thinking to just purchase it this time but it really doesn’t seem to fit in this trip. Most of DD choices are cheaper such as character breakfast and Sci-Fi. Plus, I want the freedom to just cancel an ADR and not worry about having an extra TS credit. There are also a few places I would like to try for lunch that would just be a waste of a TS credit. The Plaza and Beaches and Cream are high on my list. Plus when we go out to dinner I am more likely to order an appetizer as an entrée and DH almost orders a burger or chicken sandwich. We aren’t exactly picking the most expensive. If we got the dining plan it would just be a convience thing. I am thinking of just putting what the dining plan would cost on Disney gift cards.

 

[pinkxray]

Arrival Night

I haven’t booked our airline tickets yet but I am really thinking of flying out Friday night instead of Sat. morning. That way Sat. will be a full day. Plus SW is like ½ the price if we fly out at night. The flight leaves at 6pm so we would land around 9pm.

I figure we can head straight to

Right now we have a preferred room booked but I am going to call sometime this week and change it to standard. I am planning on requesting an upper floor room in the 80’s section because I want to see this

everyday.
I remember seeing this for the first time when I was a kid. I even remember the awful nightshirt my mom had with the cab and bad guys (wolves???)on it. I was born in the 80’s and it will be great to be surrounded by all 80’s stuff.
Should I just leave it with the 80’s request or add a second choice? If I do a second choice it would most likely be the 50’s.


We’ll hit the sack and wake up to our first full day in Disney!

Day 1 Sat.
We are going to wake up bright and early and head over to EPCOT.
It is the last weekend of the Flower and Garden festival. I am glad we will be able to see it.

Breakfast will be at

DD loved meeting Jasmine last trip. She is pretty much over the princesses but I figure she’ll still want to have them sign her autograph book. It will also be nice if we get an early ADR and get to see an empty WS.

Then, we’ll spend the next few hours wandering around EPCOT. DD will most likely be charactering hunting in World Showcase. She was a little shy the first few days we were there so she didn’t get to meet Marie. She was pretty upset about it and wanted to go back to EPCOT on our last day to get Marie to sign. We didn’t have park hoppers and we already planned on going to MK. DD and I were in the bathroom and left the autograph book with DH. When we came out DH said “Oh man Caitlin, you missed it. Marie just walked by and signed your book!)

I would love to try the Kim Possible missions but I will be happy just touring the countries.

After a few hours we will probably head back to Pop. Maybe have some lunch at everything pop.

I’ll probably pick

or maybe some

Time to take a nap or hit the pool

I am thinking we’ll probably stick to the computer pool just b/c it’s closer plus I love my computer and I am sure I will hear something about it from DH and DD. “Mommy gets to swim in a computer pool. HAHAHAHA!” They are so funny.

For dinner I hope to head to Mk and have dinner at

We will kill some time in MK before finding a spot for

and

Head back to Pop and hit the sack

(All these pictures are from google images except the last one)

 

[Nermel9]

I think if you're going to be going so many places with ADR's you should just do the dining plan. You don't have to get appetizers with the basic plan and it's only 1 TS credit per night, it's a lot easier to have it all paid for than worry about it when you're there.

So I ordered a purple wristlet from disneystore.com and I got it today. It's ok but I'm sending it back. The placement is ok but I think I can find a better one in person. And my wallet doesn't fit in it, which is a problem...maybe I'll just get the Mickey balloon purse instead of a wristlet.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

We have lots of the same goals for our next trip! Juju decided this time that she's going to want to see fireworks (very against it the past two times), so we're trying to see Illuminations, Fantasmic (w/ Mama Melrose package, as well!), and Wishes from Main St. DH and I saw it from Cali Grill on our first trip, but I've never seen it from anywhere else.

The last time at Pop, we got there on a Friday and we'd requested 50s section, but it was booked. Every single room in that section. The only section they had available was 80s. They told us if we wanted to switch on Saturday we could, but most people check out and in on Saturday, so lots of the most-requested rooms are taken if you check in on Friday. However, that's a good thing in your case, as 80s is probably the least requested...I guess not many people our age are going? We ended up loving the 80s section even more (all except Juju, though she was convinced they gave us that section because her favorite color is red). We always insist on top floor, as well. The first time, I had LOTS of requests, and they were all met, so it never hurts to ask (50s section, top floor, tramp building, facing the lake).

We always go back and forth about the dining plan, too, but we've always done it.
Love your double update!

 

[bouncycat]

LOVE the plan!!! I would do universal for 2 days also, each park is easily one day each. we'll have to keep in touch and maybe we'll pass each other in the parks one day....and say hi!! I've met some dissers in person, and they've all been WONDERFUL!!!!!! Living so close to the parks, I can pop over on weekends to meet people. Anyways, enjoy your weekend, we may pop over to DW tomorrow night, if we get bored

 

[pinkxray]

I think if you're going to be going so many places with ADR's you should just do the dining plan. You don't have to get appetizers with the basic plan and it's only 1 TS credit per night, it's a lot easier to have it all paid for than worry about it when you're there.

So I ordered a purple wristlet from disneystore.com and I got it today. It's ok but I'm sending it back. The placement is ok but I think I can find a better one in person. And my wallet doesn't fit in it, which is a problem...maybe I'll just get the Mickey balloon purse instead of a wristlet.

I'm still debating the dining plan. I just don't really have many expensive places on our list. I think the most expensive place I have is Akershus and that is if Caitlin wants to do it. I have a feeling she'll decide not to.

Plus we will be at Universal for 2 days and I don't want to have to deal with heading somewhere just to somewhere for breakfast or dinner.

You know John is like the cheapest person ever to feed too. I could take him to a signature restaurant and he will find a way to order a burger and sprite.

As soon as I decided I didn't want the blue one, I saw a purple one on ebay with a placement I liked. I bid on it figuring there was no way I would win. I put my max bid to be the same price as if I was getting it from Disney and included the shipping. I actually won. Hopefully I'll like it.

You should get the balloon purse. I really like that one. Pretty much all of my extra money is going straight in the Disney jar right now so no purse for me. I really want to get one in May though. I kind of like the original white one.

We have lots of the same goals for our next trip! Juju decided this time that she's going to want to see fireworks (very against it the past two times), so we're trying to see Illuminations, Fantasmic (w/ Mama Melrose package, as well!), and Wishes from Main St. DH and I saw it from Cali Grill on our first trip, but I've never seen it from anywhere else.

The last time at Pop, we got there on a Friday and we'd requested 50s section, but it was booked. Every single room in that section. The only section they had available was 80s. They told us if we wanted to switch on Saturday we could, but most people check out and in on Saturday, so lots of the most-requested rooms are taken if you check in on Friday. However, that's a good thing in your case, as 80s is probably the least requested...I guess not many people our age are going? We ended up loving the 80s section even more (all except Juju, though she was convinced they gave us that section because her favorite color is red). We always insist on top floor, as well. The first time, I had LOTS of requests, and they were all met, so it never hurts to ask (50s section, top floor, tramp building, facing the lake).

We always go back and forth about the dining plan, too, but we've always done it.
Love your double update!

I'm glad to hear not many people request the 80's section. I kind of figured that since it isn't close to the food court but I really don't see us being at the food court enough to really mind.

I couldn't believe we missed all the fireworks! I am really trying not to plan something every morning so we can stay up later, but it is so hard.

Watching Wishes from CG looks pretty cool but it is not the same as being there. The only thing I didn't miss about being in the park is fighting the crowds back to the parking lot.

LOVE the plan!!! I would do universal for 2 days also, each park is easily one day each. we'll have to keep in touch and maybe we'll pass each other in the parks one day....and say hi!! I've met some dissers in person, and they've all been WONDERFUL!!!!!! Living so close to the parks, I can pop over on weekends to meet people. Anyways, enjoy your weekend, we may pop over to DW tomorrow night, if we get bored

I am so jealous that you can just pop over to Disney if you get bored.

I am okay with the two days at Universal. Last trip I planned one full day and one half day and on the half day we ended up being there almost the whole day. There is so much to do and now with Harry Potter I'm sure we'll have a blast.

I was on the lookout last trip for some Dissers but I don't know if I would even realize it was them if I saw them. It would be great to actually met a Disser. Someone to talk to about Disney. I don't know what I would do with myself!

 

[bouncycat]

OH yea. That's the best part of living this close. it pretty much only costs gas, since the AP's cover parking. I'm doing a yard sale in the morning, quitting around noon, so maybe afterwards. Who knows. IF it happens, great, if not that's fine too. We can hang out at home. LOL

 

[Nermel9]

I'm still debating the dining plan. I just don't really have many expensive places on our list. I think the most expensive place I have is Akershus and that is if Caitlin wants to do it. I have a feeling she'll decide not to.

Plus we will be at Universal for 2 days and I don't want to have to deal with heading somewhere just to somewhere for breakfast or dinner.

You know John is like the cheapest person ever to feed too. I could take him to a signature restaurant and he will find a way to order a burger and sprite.

As soon as I decided I didn't want the blue one, I saw a purple one on ebay with a placement I liked. I bid on it figuring there was no way I would win. I put my max bid to be the same price as if I was getting it from Disney and included the shipping. I actually won. Hopefully I'll like it.

You should get the balloon purse. I really like that one. Pretty much all of my extra money is going straight in the Disney jar right now so no purse for me. I really want to get one in May though. I kind of like the original white one.

I guess if you're doing a lot of buffets or character meals, the dining plan doesn't make sense. We're doing 2 buffet breakfasts and I'm just going to pay for them instead of wasting a credit on them. I wish the ADR's on the Disney website would start working again, I need to move some things around.

The placement on my purple one isn't bad, but I'd rather just pick one out in person. I want one of those balloon purses but they're all over $200. The only way I will get that is if I don't spend any money on anything else during the week, and you know I'm going to buy like 10 million ornaments while I'm there so there goes that idea.

 

[pinkxray]

I guess if you're doing a lot of buffets or character meals, the dining plan doesn't make sense. We're doing 2 buffet breakfasts and I'm just going to pay for them instead of wasting a credit on them. I wish the ADR's on the Disney website would start working again, I need to move some things around.

The placement on my purple one isn't bad, but I'd rather just pick one out in person. I want one of those balloon purses but they're all over $200. The only way I will get that is if I don't spend any money on anything else during the week, and you know I'm going to buy like 10 million ornaments while I'm there so there goes that idea.

Gee thanks. First you tell me I should do the dining plan and I go ahead and decided you're right. I change our whole schedule and now you tell me not to

Anyway I decided I'll do the dining plan for the first part of our trip. I did have to shuffle around a few things. I was planning on the Fantasmic package for the weekend but moved it up. I'm not going to use a TS on the plaza and pay OOP for that.

I would try to go for the bag. Get like 1 or 2 ornaments. You go back to Disney enough. You can always get other stuff on the next trip.

 

[pinkxray]

Thanks to nermel9 I decided I should go ahead and get the dining plan for our stay at Pop. I ended up shuffling around our days so that I didn’t have the more expensive things- such as the Mama Melrose Fantasmic package- being paid for OOP and the Plaza being a TS. Most of the plans I had will be the same but the first two days have been switched around.

New Day 1 Plan
Wake up and head over to Everything Pop for breakfast
I really want to try the

Breakfast Pizza

Head over to IOA

I am not sure if we should head straight to

Wizarding World of Harry Potter
I’m sure that is what everyone does. I have also heard the crowds get a little lighter in the afternoon?

I don’t really have any plans at IOA. We just take it as it goes.
I know that I want to try butterbeer and maybe eat at Three broomsticks. All I know is that I will not eat at the place with Captain America over it. We ate lunch there last time and it was gross.

We’ll spend most of the day there and when we are done we’ll head over to

For dinner

We love Steak and Shake. We don’t have them in CT. When DH and I went in 2001,2002 we stayed offsite and we were really close to Steak and Shake. We pretty much ate there everyday.
Since DH never cares where we eat I am making sure to include Steak and Shake for him.

Best part? I got a $25 gift card off of Mypoints. Last time our bill was less than $20 so it will be a free meal.

I am leaving the night open. MK should have MSELP that night so maybe we can head over to MK and check it out.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I saw someone with the purple purse today at the pumpkin farm and I thought of you!! Except hers was one of the huge balloon ones. She was also wearing a POTC shirt. I almost said something to her, but I was chicken.
I used to work at Steak n Shake and I STILL like to eat there! SO that's saying a lot!

 

[pinkxray]

I saw someone with the purple purse today at the pumpkin farm and I thought of you!! Except hers was one of the huge balloon ones. She was also wearing a POTC shirt. I almost said something to her, but I was chicken.
I used to work at Steak n Shake and I STILL like to eat there! SO that's saying a lot!

I would have been to chicken to say something too. I am so jealous she had the big bag!

Glad to hear you still go to Steak and Shake after knowing what goes on behind closed doors. DH worked at Wendy's when he was 16 and still eats it all the time. Whenever someone asks about it he sounds like a commercial. "Good food, good prices"