January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Momof2Disneyboys]

This seems like the place to ask for a little help in making a decision. Please...I really, really need help to make a darn decision once and for all!!!

We originally said we'd stay 10 nights at BWV in a 2-bedroom. I changed everyone's mind down to 8 nights, thinking 10 was too long and that our kids would get bored with us (two boys, 21 and 23). So we've rented points and got everything booked for 8 nights.

Now I want to add 5 nights! LOL

The way I figure it, this could be the last time the boys actually want to travel with us (ok, so I said this the last time...but really....THIS may be the last time...) Plus, once I started looking at a touring schedule, and getting all those attractions in that I've always missed because the boys didn't want to do them....I really need 13 days!

Now the question is ... where? Here are some of the scenarios going through my head:

1. 5 nights at CSR before the BWV. We'd need two rooms. We've stayed here before and really enjoyed it (but our hearts belong to BWV!)
2. We could rent points and stay at BLT in two studios for about the same price as the CSR. Love the idea of a monorail resort!
3. We could rent points and try AKL, club level, if we stayed 4 nights after the BWV, for a $200 savings; or 5 nights before the BWV for a couple hundred more

Option #2 and #3 sound great, except we know this is a set price. If we go with option #1, there is always the possibility that disney will offer a discount at some point, thereby dropping the price, perhaps by as much as 30%.

I seem to be of the opinion that disney doesn't announce January deals until November or so, which is way too late to leave booking flights from Canada. I'd love a 4/3 deal, but heck, I can't wait until January to book flights!

And while all of this is driving me crazy, there is a little part of me that is reminding me to ... suck it up princess....every one should be so lucky to have these problems!!

Anyway, if anyone would care to throw any suggestions in, I'd love to hear them. The bottom line is, we need two rooms, max another 5 nights with a max of $1600-$1700 in the budget for the rooms. What would you do?!

If you can get BLT for about the same price as a moderate I'd go with choice #2!

Yes, last year the 4/3 deal for January didn't come out until November. Makes it kind of hard to plan!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Morning birdies!!

Sheree~ last time we went in Dec. around the first full week--there were LOTS of little cheerleaders!!! BEWARE We were actually on the plane with one group coming in from Alaska!!

Shelly-next trip we will be back at the BC I am sure! We would love to do the Tower Rooms at CR again, but they are always booked!!! We might do a split stay--but I have come to looooove the BC--it's just so convenient. I definitely am glad we got to do the Poly this trip, but we probably won't go back. It'll either be CR or BC for sure. If you just absolutely can't decide-split. I did it one year between the CR and the GF. I am glad we did it- I wouldn't do GF again. maybe for just me and Mike, but for the kids it wasn't any better than the other deluxes and a LOT more $$$$. That's just my 2 cents!!! I am already gettin the fever to go back.... we have a week off of our baseball season the end of April/first of May for the ps kids to do testing. HMMM??? Should I plan Mike would faint!

Anyone know how the end of April will be crowd wise?

 

[Kazooie01]

I'm pretty sure we will be making the LONG drive this time. (Stopping in either Pensacola or Talahassee.) I'm just not ready to fly with my precious baby. I'm a CHICKEN!!!! I have a hard enough time flying with my husband, I can't imagine adding a two year old into the mix. Did I mention she's one of the most hyper children I've ever met? We will see once the time comes. Also, Jenjolt made a good point that driving to the parks may be easier with her, too. That way if we having embarrassing melt-downs it will be in the privacy of our own vehicle.

It's seeming like POP would be the better choice. I've read scary things about the parking fee @ Swolpin.

I think your little one would love POP or Movies. We first took our two rug rats when they were 3 and 1 and they loved the values. They love the bigger than life characters. Three trips later (soon to be four), the values are the only places they want to stay.

You can’t beat the convenience of the buses and where they drop you off at the parks. I wouldn't worry about melt-downs; there will be 10 other children on the same bus having them as well. They're kids after all, it happens.

We are going to drive down for the first time in August and our 5 year old little girl literally bounces of the walls (so it will be fun to see how the drive goes). Aren’t hyper kids the best! Bottom line is that you know that where ever you go you'll have a great time.

 

[pamouselover]

Okay, friends! I'm Dis-Dreaming today. Which resort do you think would be better for us on our next trip- with BELLE!!!! She will be about 2 3/4 at that time.

I've been thinking POP. At this point, I'm not really interested in any of the moderates and don't want to shell out the cash for a Deluxe. However, we could get the nurses discount at The Dolphin, which would still be in our budget.

What do you think?

I thinkit depends on your budget. I would like to stay at POP, but DH does not. We stayed a ASmo for our first stay on site, and it is theme great.
I got awesome pictures of DD and DS all around the resort. It might be hard for you since you have stayed at the deluxe level. I enjoyed CBR and POFQ. I would go with what you would like to stay in at her age.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Here is some Mousefest info. This was 2008, I can't find any 2009 info, but this will give you an idea of what goes on.
http://allears.net/btp/mousefest.htm

Thank you Shelly - hopefully they will be on the cruise when we're on land and vice versa! I will keep an eye on the website for 2009 dates.

Morning birdies!!

Sheree~ last time we went in Dec. around the first full week--there were LOTS of little cheerleaders!!! BEWARE We were actually on the plane with one group coming in from Alaska!!

Yikes! Well, it's better to go then rather than not at all. I'm really going to see all the Christmas decorations and events. I don't care so much about the rides (well, just a few, but no major ones!).

Okay, friends! I'm Dis-Dreaming today. Which resort do you think would be better for us on our next trip- with BELLE!!!! She will be about 2 3/4 at that time.

I've been thinking POP. At this point, I'm not really interested in any of the moderates and don't want to shell out the cash for a Deluxe. However, we could get the nurses discount at The Dolphin, which would still be in our budget.

What do you think?

I've only stayed at ASMo, and thought Pop would be the best of the values if I were doing it. The theming looks great and fun. The Swan/Dolphin are really nice, but you wouldn't be eligible for some of the deals, I think they don't get DDP there if I recall. It's not really "disneyfied" there. But the location is terrific. Do you think Belle would be okay with a more generic resort, but get all her "Disney" at the parks? You would probably have bigger rooms and better transportation options at Dolphin.
No matter what, it's going to be so magical with it being Belle's first trip, you probably wouldn't care where you stayed! Good luck planning!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Here is some Mousefest info. This was 2008, I can't find any 2009 info, but this will give you an idea of what goes on.
http://allears.net/btp/mousefest.htm

OOOH! I did find a link that said 2009 mousefest is on hiatus and there had been a cruise too, but it's not going on as a Mousefest cruise. I'm thinking some will still go. Maybe they won't be at the parks?? Of course, if they do cruise at that time, I would venture a guess that many would hit the parks either before or after as well.
One little bit less to worry about.

 

[Pluto_fan]

Good morning Snowbirds!

Here is some Mousefest info. This was 2008, I can't find any 2009 info, but this will give you an idea of what goes on.
http://allears.net/btp/mousefest.htm

Mousefest is not being held in 2009. I think the organizers got overwhelmed and are taking a year off to regroup and decide where to go from here.
http://www.mousefest.org/

Anyway...I'm so excited for all of you planning your next trips!
I don't have any advice to add on where to stay--they all sound great to me!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OOOH! I did find a link that said 2009 mousefest is on hiatus and they're just doing the 4 day cruise. Maybe they won't be at the parks?? Of course, if they do the cruise at that time, I would venture a guess that many would hit the parks either before or after as well.

Good morning Snowbirds!



Mousefest is not being held in 2009. I think the organizers got overwhelmed and are taking a year off to regroup and decide where to go from here.
http://www.mousefest.org/

Well that is great news for you Sheree!

 

[figmentfan0724]

Good Morning Snowbirds, how does everyone like this april snow we got ?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

How much snow did you get in Ohio? We woke up to snow on Sunday, but only an inch or two. It all melted by the evening. That's the only good thing about April snow.
We're looking at 50's by the end of the week. About time!

 

[figmentfan0724]

right now we have around 3 or so inches. and we have a lake effect warning until tomorrow sometime...its supposed to warm up by the end of the weekend...my DF is in your neck of the woods right now!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

right now we have around 3 or so inches. and we have a lake effect warning until tomorrow sometime...

I hope we don't get what you have over there! We hardly got any and it is mostly melted now. . . Just hoping for a warm up for the weekend! I'm tired of it always being cold on Easter!

 

[figmentfan0724]

yes me too, i was goin to have some engagement pics taken end of this week outside and i am glad i decided against. its too cold!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

This seems like the place to ask for a little help in making a decision. Please...I really, really need help to make a darn decision once and for all!!!

We originally said we'd stay 10 nights at BWV in a 2-bedroom. I changed everyone's mind down to 8 nights, thinking 10 was too long and that our kids would get bored with us (two boys, 21 and 23). So we've rented points and got everything booked for 8 nights.

Now I want to add 5 nights! LOL

The way I figure it, this could be the last time the boys actually want to travel with us (ok, so I said this the last time...but really....THIS may be the last time...) Plus, once I started looking at a touring schedule, and getting all those attractions in that I've always missed because the boys didn't want to do them....I really need 13 days!

Now the question is ... where? Here are some of the scenarios going through my head:

1. 5 nights at CSR before the BWV. We'd need two rooms. We've stayed here before and really enjoyed it (but our hearts belong to BWV!)
2. We could rent points and stay at BLT in two studios for about the same price as the CSR. Love the idea of a monorail resort!
3. We could rent points and try AKL, club level, if we stayed 4 nights after the BWV, for a $200 savings; or 5 nights before the BWV for a couple hundred more

Option #2 and #3 sound great, except we know this is a set price. If we go with option #1, there is always the possibility that disney will offer a discount at some point, thereby dropping the price, perhaps by as much as 30%.

I seem to be of the opinion that disney doesn't announce January deals until November or so, which is way too late to leave booking flights from Canada. I'd love a 4/3 deal, but heck, I can't wait until January to book flights!

And while all of this is driving me crazy, there is a little part of me that is reminding me to ... suck it up princess....every one should be so lucky to have these problems!!

Anyway, if anyone would care to throw any suggestions in, I'd love to hear them. The bottom line is, we need two rooms, max another 5 nights with a max of $1600-$1700 in the budget for the rooms. What would you do?!

Well, I've never stayed that long, but we just booked BLT. If it costs the same as a mod, you have to try it!! You'll have more space, the monorail or walk to MK, its BRAND NEW!!!
AKL would be a completely different feel, plus club level - I guess it depends on what you're looking for.
I'm one who wants to try all the resorts (at least the deluxe!) some day, so I say try something different to go along with your BWV stay.
Good luck deciding and let us know how it all turns out!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Yeah, I have two girls - Easter dresses must always be worn with tights and a sweater. Why don't they make them with sleeves????

What's your DF doing out here? It's going to be in the 40s today, and hopefully not as windy as of late, so the weather will be nice for him.

 

[figmentfan0724]

he is at best buy headquarters, getting apple certified...hes a geek..

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

he is at best buy headquarters, getting apple certified...hes a geek..

How fun for you!! My oldest son wants to be a geek when he grows up too. He has always loved computer/electronic stuff. My hubby was a geek too--for a different company we have down here.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

he is at best buy headquarters, getting apple certified...hes a geek..

I should invite him over! We're about 20 minutes from there. My DH wants to learn all that geek stuff (especially iPhones and apple computers), but he has no clue! Then again, that might be too dangerous! LOL I can see the Best Buy bill cutting into my Disney budget!

 

[figmentfan0724]

nice, he is totally bummed, there isn't much to do he said near the hotel they are staying at..any ideas for me to give him...

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Is he staying downtown or near the Best Buy headquarters? How long is he here?
Near HQ would be the Mall of America (near the airport). There's a big movie theater and an amusement park inside there, plus some fun restaurants.
Maybe he could go to Minneapolis for a Twins game? Might still get tickets, I know they were sold out for last night's home opener (lost )
Downtown Mpls there is a "Block E" entertainment area near the Target Center (where the Timberwolves play). There's a Planet Hollywood and some bars, lots of good restaurants, movies.