If we can keep this trip a secret, it will be a Disney miracle! *TR LINK ADDED 12/12!*

[scrpbookr]

following along....

Hot Topic has REALLY great bows, too and you can clip them right on top of the bow that is in place using the loop. I love doing this!

Where in PA are you? We're right near Lancaster. We returned from DW Tuesday of this week after a surprise birthday trip for my now 8 year old. I wasn't sure I could keep it a secret either but it did work out. Great memories!

Have fun planning!

 

[hokieinpa]

following along....

Hot Topic has REALLY great bows, too and you can clip them right on top of the bow that is in place using the loop. I love doing this!

Where in PA are you? We're right near Lancaster. We returned from DW Tuesday of this week after a surprise birthday trip for my now 8 year old. I wasn't sure I could keep it a secret either but it did work out. Great memories!

Have fun planning!

Thanks for joining in!

I've heard that Hot Topic has lots of great Disney stuff. I'm honestly not sure if we have one at our mall...I need to check that out or look on their site!

Small world! We live in State College. We have lived here for almost 4 years now and I really love the area. The winters are a different story...

The secret keeping is easy for now since I'm at a planning standstill. I think it may get harder as it comes time for shopping and packing!

 

[hokieinpa]

****************************************
94 Days until FP+
156 Days until Disney!

Secret Status -
****************************************

Resort and Busch Gardens Mini TR


Well, the secret is still a secret!



I'm hoping it will stay this easy! I haven't even slipped up once! But I'm not sure how things will go when it's time to start packing and prepping. I'm hoping that since Nate will be at Kindergarten all day I will have some more time to get things ready when he's not around. That kid has gotten too observant!

Right now, I'm in that lull between ADR and FP+ that seems to just stretch onnnnnn and onnnnnnn.

I have an idea of what FP+ I want for each day and a general touring strategy so I just need to sit down and write it all out. I think I'll do that towards the end of August when things calm down after our busy summer!

So I thought I would go over our resort choice for this trip.

This surprise/last minute trip came up pretty quickly and we made a plan in just a few days. I looked over several different resort options.

1. 2 bedroom or 2 studios, renting DVC points
2. 2 rooms at POR
3. 2 suites at AOA
4. 2 rooms at an All Star
4. 2 rooms at POP

The cheapest options were an All Star or POP. Ultimately, POP won out because of the dedicated bus service. I know the All Stars can sometimes share buses so that was a big con for us. Also, I've read that the first week in December is Pop Warner football/cheering. I know those groups often fill up the All Star resorts.

So it looks like POP is our best choice!



We've requested connecting rooms, so hopefully that comes through. I think Nate will stay with my parents and Colin and Jake will stay in the room with DH and I.

When I made the reservation, I booked 2 preferred rooms. I left it at that and then a week later, I get a room only PIN code from Disney!

I'll take that 15% off, thank you very much!

I called an applied it to both rooms. Of course, there was only availability at the Preferred Pool View but I still saved money on each room, even with the upgrade.



According to the CM on the phone, we should be on the very end of one of the 60s buildings, closet to Classic Hall.

I'm excited to experience a new resort! We stayed over the bridge at AOA last trip. We got a few glimpses at POP across Hourglass Lake but never walked over to explore. I think the boys will like all of the big statues!

So other than that, Disney news is slim at this point.


But we have been busy this summer!

Last weekend, the boys and I took a road trip to Virginia to visit my parents for a few days. We had lots of fun spending time with family!

While we were in Virginia, we decided to visit Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for the day.

Busch Gardens is like a mini Epcot with huge coasters. It's themed with sections for European countries - England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Italy. Each section has rides, shows, shops, and restaurants themed for the country. There are some great roller coasters. I'm not a huge fan of them anymore and it's not easy to make it work with the boys so mostly stuck to the kid's rides this time.

It's a really beautiful park! Lots of landscaping and plenty of shade.



Not quite the same effect as the arch but it will do!



Colin was ready to go!

We walked through England first.



Apparently, they didn't want there to be any doubt.



There is a small Sesame Street area as well. Not really connected to any country but Elmo is always a hit!



Jake and I waiting in line for an Elmo tower drop ride - think super mini Tower of Terror with Elmo giggling in the background.

Busch Gardens took another cue from Epcot's playbook and now runs a Food & Wine Festival in the early summer. There are food booths set up from various countries. Sound familiar?



I found the Greece booth after we left the Sesame Street area.





We walked past Escape from Pompeii next. This is a really fun ride! Jim took Nate but I stayed back with Colin and Jake.



Asia Food & Wine booth.





We found a few kid rides in Italy - balloons and DaVinci's Flyers.





You can spy Nate flying in the shades.

A spin on the tea cups (called Turkish Delight) was next!



The newest coaster is called Tempesto. Jim rode it and said it was pretty awesome!



I saw the beginning of the queue when I was walking Colin to the restroom. I noticed they have a clock with the estimated wait time. Again, sound familiar?

Snack break! Pretzels and churros, just like Disney!



We decided to ride the train around to the next country.



Selfie time with Colin!



Next up was Germany and another kid's area - The Land of the Dragons.



Nate and Colin enjoyed exploring one of the play areas.





Lots of fun kid's rides here! Flying dragons, boats, and ladybug cars. There is also a huge tree house and net climbing structure that the boys loved!





It was time for lunch and we were in Germany...so mini Biergarten here we come! It's called Festhaus at Busch Gardens.



The food was good and the show was entertainin. And most importantly, it was air conditioned!



The show was really cute!



But apparently not cute enough to keep Jake awake!



Fun fountain and Glockenspiel type area in Germany.



After lunch, we went back the the Dragon play area and the boys played in a splash pad there. We rode more rides and then decided to take a spin on the Skyride.

I liked the view of some of the coasters during our ride.





We checked out some of the animal barns and then noticed the skies were getting pretty dark. It was time to head out before the sky opened up!

Busch Gardens was the perfect little appetizer for Disney in the fall. Fun, but it left me wanting the real thing!


We got home early this week and now we are getting ready to leave again on Saturday for...FLORIDA!

But not Disney.

My sister-in-law moved to the Orlando area this past winter and we are taking a trip down there to visit her. My in-laws are meeting us there so it will be a fun family vacation.

But get this, no one wants to go to Disney. Seriously???

They want something more relaxed. Which I get. But, seriously?

We are going to do a few days at the beach, which will be fun. Then we are going to visit Sea World and Legoland. Nate is so excited for Legoland!

I'll be sure to either do a separate short TR or fill you guys in here!

Now...to finish packing.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I love Busch Gardens! Used to go there all the time when I lived in Virginia Beach. Thanks for the mini-TR.

 

[missangelalexis]

Pop is a great resort, you'll love it!

Sounds like such a fun time at Busch Gardens, but I can understand how it would leave you antsy for Disney!

I hope you have a great time in Florida! Bummer that you can't sneak in any Disney time, but SeaWorld and Legoland should be fun!

 

[KathyM2]

What a fun day at Busch Gardens...so funny how they sort of copied a lot of Disney stuff. Man...it would be painful to be that close to WDW and not go...but I get it...it does add a lot of money and planning stress and a need to get more done...Legoland and SeaWorld are fun and much slower paced. But I totally know how you feel. A few years ago my mom and I took the kids to Legoland and we drove by all these signs for Disney and we were soooo tempted to just go. But now...even if you changed your mind and decided to go...it would be such an ordeal because of all the planning required...it really discourages any last minute decisions to "just go for a day" or something...oh well. I'm sure it will be a fun trip and you can look forward to your next one even more.

 

[Leshaface]

Well, the secret is still a secret!

Yay good job on still keeping it a secret!

The cheapest options were an All Star or POP. Ultimately, POP won out because of the dedicated bus service

So it looks like POP is our best choice!

When we visited WDW for the first time in 2008, we knew nothing of WDW whatsoever, including their transportation system. Yes, we went to WDW blindly (and stupidly) But the one thing I remember from that trip, was how AMAZING the bus system was at Pop! We even talk occasionally that if we ever need to pay OOP, Pop is our first choice. It was great!

I'll take that 15% off, thank you very much!

I called an applied it to both rooms. Of course, there was only availability at the Preferred Pool View but I still saved money on each room, even with the upgrade.

Heck yes to an upgrade and savings!

While we were in Virginia, we decided to visit Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for the day.

Is this the park that has the biggest coasters in the country?

think super mini Tower of Terror with Elmo giggling in the background.

I don't know, a giggling elmo does sound frightening

If he wasn't cute enough already, those glasses just put him into cuteness overload! I think toddlers with glasses are just way too adorable for words!


Busch Gardens actually looks really cool and you're right on with the description about it being a mini Epcot. That's exactly what it looks like!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Your kids will LOVE Pop Century!!! It's one of our favorites as a couple and now with DS, Jimmy, who is 5. He loves it there!

SeaWorld and LEGOland will be a hit with your guys I'm sure. You should check out Arianna's TR (Pluto0809 on the DIS). It is FULL of awesome pictures and info on both of those and Universal. I would be like, "See you guys! I'll be at the Magic Kingdom!"

Great job on the secret keeping!! Keep up the good work

 

[hokieinpa]

I love Busch Gardens! Used to go there all the time when I lived in Virginia Beach. Thanks for the mini-TR.

I think the boys have been one time before now that we live in Pennsylvania. My parents live in Richmond so we always had season passes when I was younger. I wish we lived closer now - such a fun park!

Pop is a great resort, you'll love it!

Sounds like such a fun time at Busch Gardens, but I can understand how it would leave you antsy for Disney!

I hope you have a great time in Florida! Bummer that you can't sneak in any Disney time, but SeaWorld and Legoland should be fun!

I've heard all good things about Pop. I'm excited to try it out!

I'm going to have a hard time flying into MCO tomorrow and walking right by the ME line. Maybe I could sneak over to MK without anyone noticing?

What a fun day at Busch Gardens...so funny how they sort of copied a lot of Disney stuff. Man...it would be painful to be that close to WDW and not go...but I get it...it does add a lot of money and planning stress and a need to get more done...Legoland and SeaWorld are fun and much slower paced. But I totally know how you feel. A few years ago my mom and I took the kids to Legoland and we drove by all these signs for Disney and we were soooo tempted to just go. But now...even if you changed your mind and decided to go...it would be such an ordeal because of all the planning required...it really discourages any last minute decisions to "just go for a day" or something...oh well. I'm sure it will be a fun trip and you can look forward to your next one even more.

I never realized how similar Busch Gardens and Epcot were until I started planning our trip last year. It does make me even more excited to get back to Disney!

It's going to be so hard being that close and passing Disney right by. My in laws just are not into heat or crowds so Disney in late June was just not for them. I tried to talk Jim into going down a few days early but with our trips in November and May he is just out of vacation time!

And you're so right about last minute trips being hard now! I think we would be hard pressed to get an ADR or any good FP+!

Yay good job on still keeping it a secret!

It's easy now but I just know that it will get hard when I need to pack and such!

When we visited WDW for the first time in 2008, we knew nothing of WDW whatsoever, including their transportation system. Yes, we went to WDW blindly (and stupidly) But the one thing I remember from that trip, was how AMAZING the bus system was at Pop! We even talk occasionally that if we ever need to pay OOP, Pop is our first choice. It was great!

I've heard nothing but good things about Pop! I love the dedicated bus service and I think the food court will have some yummy choices!

Heck yes to an upgrade and savings!

Is this the park that has the biggest coasters in the country?

It does have some of the top coasters - Alpengeist, Apollo's Chariot, and the Griffon are the best ones! It's not as big as a Six Flags but it's fun!

I don't know, a giggling elmo does sound frightening

It is the stuff parent nightmares are made of!

If he wasn't cute enough already, those glasses just put him into cuteness overload! I think toddlers with glasses are just way too adorable for words!

Thank you! The trouble is he knows just how cute he is!

Busch Gardens actually looks really cool and you're right on with the description about it being a mini Epcot. That's exactly what it looks like!

Nate kept calling it "little Disney World" when we were headed there!

Your kids will LOVE Pop Century!!! It's one of our favorites as a couple and now with DS, Jimmy, who is 5. He loves it there!

Pop looks like such a fun resort! And I heard the food court is delicious!

SeaWorld and LEGOland will be a hit with your guys I'm sure. You should check out Arianna's TR (Pluto0809 on the DIS). It is FULL of awesome pictures and info on both of those and Universal. I would be like, "See you guys! I'll be at the Magic Kingdom!"

Yes, I really thought about trying to swing a solo day at MK...you guys don't really need me at the beach today, do you?

I've read Arianna's TR and I loved hearing about Legoland! I haven't seen many TRs with a visit to Legoland so I really enjoyed reading about her trip!

Great job on the secret keeping!! Keep up the good work

Life is easy now but Nate notices EVERYTHING and he'll be full of questions if he sees anything out of the ordinary. Luckily, our trip in May is a good way to pass of anything Disney related that he notices!

 

[Dugette]

First off, we love Pop Century. It feels like our "home" resort, as we've been there a number of times and it was the first on-property resort we ever stayed at. I'm sure the boys will get a kick out of the theming too.

Busch Gardens looks pretty awesome! I have to admit that I knew nothing about it, but the combination of good roller coasters + world showcase + kiddie rides + food & wine sounds great! Thanks for sharing!

So, today is the day you fly into MCO without going to WDW, huh? Just wondering - do you have an Annual Pass? I may well have forgotten, if you said. But you mentioned the room discount pin code, so I wasn't sure, since AP should get you a discount too. Plus, it should be cheaper than buying park tickets for two trips. PLUS, if you get one now, it's still good for your May trip, so if you sneak away to WDW - it's FREE!

 

[MissMaryQC]

Yay for POP!

Busch Gardens has some super fun stuff! I haven't been to that one since I was a teen, but the one in Tampa doesn't look nearly so nice as Virginia!

Wait, you mean you'll be near Orlando and you aren't going to Disney...? But why? I've done it, it's kind of heart breaking, but it happens.

 

[Elevationist]

But get this, no one wants to go to Disney. Seriously???

They want something more relaxed. Which I get. But, seriously?

People are crazy.

Your day at BG-Williamsburg looked super fun! And even the SeaWorld/Legoland trip will be a good time! This kind of stuff at least will help kill time until DISNEY!

 

[hokieinpa]

First off, we love Pop Century. It feels like our "home" resort, as we've been there a number of times and it was the first on-property resort we ever stayed at. I'm sure the boys will get a kick out of the theming too.

Busch Gardens looks pretty awesome! I have to admit that I knew nothing about it, but the combination of good roller coasters + world showcase + kiddie rides + food & wine sounds great! Thanks for sharing!

So, today is the day you fly into MCO without going to WDW, huh? Just wondering - do you have an Annual Pass? I may well have forgotten, if you said. But you mentioned the room discount pin code, so I wasn't sure, since AP should get you a discount too. Plus, it should be cheaper than buying park tickets for two trips. PLUS, if you get one now, it's still good for your May trip, so if you sneak away to WDW - it's FREE!

It's good to hear so many good reviews of Pop! I'm really excited - it feels very classic Disney to me. And dedicated bus service is always a good thing!

Oh I so wish I could have scooted over to WDW for a day. I don't have an AP now but I'm planning on converting my ticket in May into an AP (6 park days plus 5 days for my solo trip the next year) and getting a TiW card. Our trip was set in stone and my in laws aren't exactly up for watching the boys at any point. It was painful to drive pass the signs and seeing the billboards!

Yay for POP!

Busch Gardens has some super fun stuff! I haven't been to that one since I was a teen, but the one in Tampa doesn't look nearly so nice as Virginia!

Wait, you mean you'll be near Orlando and you aren't going to Disney...? But why? I've done it, it's kind of heart breaking, but it happens.

I'm really excited for Pop!

Busch Gardens is a great park - really fun for kids and great roller coasters! It does pale in comparison to everything Disney but it helps pass the time!

Being so close yet so far was SO HARD! Driving past the sign for Magic Kingdom or a billboard for the Mine Train actually hurt.

People are crazy.

Your day at BG-Williamsburg looked super fun! And even the SeaWorld/Legoland trip will be a good time! This kind of stuff at least will help kill time until DISNEY!

Right?? I did get to spend quite some time at the "Earport" at MCO so I did drool a little over all the Disney...sigh.

Busch Gardens was fun! And we had a great trip to Florida - I'll update soon!

 

[Dugette]

Oh I so wish I could have scooted over to WDW for a day. I don't have an AP now but I'm planning on converting my ticket in May into an AP

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can still get AP holder discounted room rates, so long as you can show the AP at check in (so, you'd have to upgrade right away when you arrive, probably, not sure how that works). I also don't know if the AP discount would be any better than your PIN, but just something to keep in mind.

I am impressed you were able to bypass WDW on this trip. I guess it helps to know you're coming back a couple times.

 

[hokieinpa]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can still get AP holder discounted room rates, so long as you can show the AP at check in (so, you'd have to upgrade right away when you arrive, probably, not sure how that works). I also don't know if the AP discount would be any better than your PIN, but just something to keep in mind.

I am impressed you were able to bypass WDW on this trip. I guess it helps to know you're coming back a couple times.

We're renting DVC points in May 2016 but when I go for my solo trip in spring 2017 I'll use the AP room discount! I would love to stay in a Little Mermaid room since it's something that just doesn't work for family trips but I'm not sure if they are usually excluded from AP discounts? I know the LM rooms aren't included in most other discounts.

And it was SO HARD to pass WDW! We passed right under the signs for each park. I really had no say in picking the activities for this trip but I did try to push hard for some Disney time!

 

[KathyM2]

I don't have an AP now but I'm planning on converting my ticket in May into an AP

That's really cool...can you do that at any time? How do they figure the start date when you convert your ticket?

 

[hokieinpa]

That's really cool...can you do that at any time? How do they figure the start date when you convert your ticket?

I'm not 100% sure of all the details but my plan is to purchase my ticket either through Disney or Undercover Tourist ahead of time and visit Guest Relations right after we enter our first park. I'll then pay the difference between my ticket and annual pass. I think the start date of our AP will be the date you first used your ticket - so if you first enter the park on your ticket on May 1 but convert to an AP on May 6...your AP renewal date is May 1.

I know I'll be getting at least 11 days out of this AP plus savings with my TiW card and room discount it will be worth it!

 

[roller99]

Love hearing about your little trips in between Disney trips!

A logistical question: I see you have a Britax stroller from that sleeping picture of Jake. Which one do you have? I have the Britax B-Ready with the second seat, and I'm questioning whether it will be easy to use at Disney because it's kind of a beast and not easy to fold up and maneuver on buses and stuff.

 

[hokieinpa]

Love hearing about your little trips in between Disney trips!

A logistical question: I see you have a Britax stroller from that sleeping picture of Jake. Which one do you have? I have the Britax B-Ready with the second seat, and I'm questioning whether it will be easy to use at Disney because it's kind of a beast and not easy to fold up and maneuver on buses and stuff.

The trips this summer are making the countdown to our Christmas trip much easier!

We have the B-Agile. It's a single and really easy to fold up and pretty compact. We're going to take that and then rent a double jogger (City Mini) for our next 2 trips. We've tried amusement parks this summer with just one stroller and Nate and Colin just can't handle walking all day yet. If your Britax will be too much trouble on the bus, maybe you could rent a double? The City Mini folds really easily and is as light as a double can get!

 

[Dugette]

I think the start date of our AP will be the date you first used your ticket - so if you first enter the park on your ticket on May 1 but convert to an AP on May 6...your AP renewal date is May 1.

You are right about this, but make sure to double-check before you walk away with your AP. I didn't realize until afterwards that mine somehow got activated with the date that I BOUGHT my park-hopper ticket (that I converted) instead of the day I first USED that ticket. They did change it for me, but it always made me nervous (i.e. - I was getting inaccurate emails that my AP would expire before this last trip - but it didn't give me any problems, thankfully).