January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Momof2Disneyboys]

That's the date of my tentative trip on my ticker!!!! We loved the end of Jan and would love to go back at that time next year.

Well now I know how many days until vacation by looking at your ticker!!

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

I love that people are getting new tickers up!!

Sorry I've been MIA. Been a rough couple of weeks around here. My Grandmother passed away last Tuesday. Hoping to get back to normal here in the near future. She was a huge part of my life and I will miss her terribly.

 

[dundeehunter]

Dundee here I thought I was the only one who likened the WL to the one in the Dells. I think ALL the resorts are neat & cool but I would not pay more to stay at any of them for the sheer fact all I do is sleep there. We honestly don't spend enough time at the resort to justify paying alot for it. As long as there are decent beds, & clean room & some kind of food available I'm cool.

I TOToALLY agree with you on this. That's why we did Pop twice now. I just hate the crowds of people, small beds, and long bus walks at night. We do however LOVE the frozen cokes at Pop....so much that we go to Burger King just to get them here in WI and re-live a bit of Disney.

I
Sorry I've been MIA. Been a rough couple of weeks around here. My Grandmother passed away last Tuesday. Hoping to get back to normal here in the near future. She was a huge part of my life and I will miss her terribly.

I'm sorry for your loss... I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

IF I was able to go again to WDW....I would go in January, however, I would try right after the New Years holiday. I couldn't believe how BUSY this Jan 20-27 was . We knew instantly that it was going to be bad when we saw the Magical Express counter at MCO.

 

[figmentfan0724]

im so sorry to hear about your grandmother Mindyluvsmickey

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Hello Snowbirds!

Life has gotten a little crazy around here lately and I haven't checked in here much.

Anyone planning on being a January 2010 Snowbird???

That's our general plan...either January or February.

 

[mana_liz]

Can I tag along to the new thread, even though I'm going in April 2010.

Has anyone actually gone Easter week, exactly how busy is it? I wish we could go at a different time...but my aunt won't take my cousin out of school.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

OK, I know I'm planning WAY too early, but I"m trying to keep from screaming at my kids who won't settle down to go to sleep, so I'm looking at resort info.

We stayed at CBR this time and liked it, but (insert whine here) I disliked being SO far away from the food court. Not sure if we'll go back, except kids loved the pool. I guess we could pay for preferred, but I don't know if I can justify the extra cost, as I could when we stayed at Pop (only preferred there baby)! Have been looking at pix of POFQ and CSR. I think CSR is just as big as CBR??? I like the looks of it better than FQ, but I've heard FQ is much more compact (I just don't really like the colors/themes). Any help????

 

[trixiequilts]

OK, I know I'm planning WAY too early, but I"m trying to keep from screaming at my kids who won't settle down to go to sleep, so I'm looking at resort info.

We stayed at CBR this time and liked it, but (insert whine here) I disliked being SO far away from the food court. Not sure if we'll go back, except kids loved the pool. I guess we could pay for preferred, but I don't know if I can justify the extra cost, as I could when we stayed at Pop (only preferred there baby)! Have been looking at pix of POFQ and CSR. I think CSR is just as big as CBR??? I like the looks of it better than FQ, but I've heard FQ is much more compact (I just don't really like the colors/themes). Any help????

I'm right there with you sister! I'd really like to go next late January, but where to stay, where to stay?!?!

Everything has pros and cons I guess, we just need to decide what's most important.

I haven't been to any of the mods or values, but I must just say that the pics of all those clown thingies at POFQ scare the crap out of me!

 

[MelXThree]

I wanna go back but I can't

If I ever do go back I don't think I would stay at a mod or a value because those beds are just too small I love my DH but gezz

Tomorrow my twins turn 2 and I am kinda sad about it I am not sure why I don't want any more kids but I feel sad that they are not babies anymore. Or maybe I am just scared of those terrible 2's

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OK, I know I'm planning WAY too early, but I"m trying to keep from screaming at my kids who won't settle down to go to sleep, so I'm looking at resort info.

We stayed at CBR this time and liked it, but (insert whine here) I disliked being SO far away from the food court. Not sure if we'll go back, except kids loved the pool. I guess we could pay for preferred, but I don't know if I can justify the extra cost, as I could when we stayed at Pop (only preferred there baby)! Have been looking at pix of POFQ and CSR. I think CSR is just as big as CBR??? I like the looks of it better than FQ, but I've heard FQ is much more compact (I just don't really like the colors/themes). Any help????

You could be just as far from the food court or pool at CSR. The lake is smaller at CSR, but it is laid out differently than CBR, so some rooms could be just as far. And you can not book a preferred location there. I have even heard people who love CSR say that the Ranchos are very far from the food court and the Casitas are very far from the pool. (The food court and pool are seperate at CSR) They do have queen beds now if that's something you are looking for. But if you don't like having to walk and are looking for a moderate I would suggest POFQ. It is very small! Very nice, but very small. Everything is close to everything. You can be from one end of the resort to the other in about 5 minutes. That's kind of what we didn't like about it! But to some that is why they love it, and that sounds like what you are looking for! It's very cute and quaint and small. But with that also comes a smaller pool and small food court, but you would be able to use the pool and food court at POR if you stay at POFQ, although that would put you back to walking or taking a bus to get there!

I know, it's hard deciding where to stay! It's fun trying new things, but it's no fun when you are disappointed in something new.

Good luck!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I wanna go back but I can't

If I ever do go back I don't think I would stay at a mod or a value because those beds are just too small I love my DH but gezz

Tomorrow my twins turn 2 and I am kinda sad about it I am not sure why I don't want any more kids but I feel sad that they are not babies anymore. Or maybe I am just scared of those terrible 2's

CSR does have queen beds now if you are looking for a moderate with queen beds!

It wouldn't do us any good because it would make for less floor space and the kids love using an air mattress, so the full size beds at the other mods are fine for us because DH and I get our own beds!! But it might help you if you are looking for a moderate with bigger beds!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your twins!!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I love that people are getting new tickers up!!

Sorry I've been MIA. Been a rough couple of weeks around here. My Grandmother passed away last Tuesday. Hoping to get back to normal here in the near future. She was a huge part of my life and I will miss her terribly.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

That's our general plan...either January or February.

YAY ~ Another January/February 2010 Snowbird!!!


Ours is just a general plan too - and mostly just in my head! But I'm sure we can make it happen!

 

[MAGGIED]

I love that people are getting new tickers up!!

Sorry I've been MIA. Been a rough couple of weeks around here. My Grandmother passed away last Tuesday. Hoping to get back to normal here in the near future. She was a huge part of my life and I will miss her terribly.

So sorry for your loss...

OK, I know I'm planning WAY too early, but I"m trying to keep from screaming at my kids who won't settle down to go to sleep, so I'm looking at resort info.

We stayed at CBR this time and liked it, but (insert whine here) I disliked being SO far away from the food court. Not sure if we'll go back, except kids loved the pool. I guess we could pay for preferred, but I don't know if I can justify the extra cost, as I could when we stayed at Pop (only preferred there baby)! Have been looking at pix of POFQ and CSR. I think CSR is just as big as CBR??? I like the looks of it better than FQ, but I've heard FQ is much more compact (I just don't really like the colors/themes). Any help????

We have stayed at both POFQ and CSR.... when the kids were younger we stayed at POFQ.. we loved it because of the size... it was easy to get to anything... and the dining hall had great pastries...yummmm... the pool was plenty big enough for them and they loved the dragon slide.... now that they are older we like CSR as our fav moderate... here is some info on CSR..

The average guest room is approximately 314 square feet. There are 60 rooms with king-size beds; 1,718 have two queen beds; and 99 disabled-accessible rooms. The Coronado rooms have only one sink and not the double sink setup that the other three Moderate Resorts have. All rooms have sliding wood doors across the sink area.

Coronado Springs resort is large and spread out. Bell Services Staff, drives around the resort in their carts, and are very willing to give you a ride to most places you'd like to visit on the grounds. While the walks are most pleasant, it is a distance to get to and from some areas of the resort.
As you read the Building numbers and locations below, picture a large, almost circular lake. Beginning at 6 o'clock is Casitas Building 1, followed by Building 2 and so on as you walk clockwise around the lake. Completing the circle is Cabanas Building 9B at 5 o'clock.

Casitas 1 is directly over the convention center and closest to Pepper Market, Maya Grill, the Main Bus Stop and the Front Desk. The Health Club and Beauty Salon are located between Casitas 2/3 and Casitas 4. Casitas 3 and 4 are closest to the Casitas Quiet Pool (and Guest Laundry). Casitas 4 is nearest the Casitas Bus Stop (Bus Stop 2). Casitas 5 is the furthest of the Casitas from the Main Building but closest to the Dig Site.

Ranchos 7A and 7B are the closest to the Dig Site. The Ranchos share a bus stop with the Cabanas (7A being the closest Ranchos building to Bus Stop 3). Ranchos 6A and B are the furthest buildings out and probably the quietest.

The Cabanas Building 8A is close to both the Cabanas Bus Stop (Bus Stop 4) and the Dig Site. Cabanas 9B is closest to Main Building (El Centro, which houses Pepper Market, etc.), the Marina, and is just a short walk from Bus Stop 1. Cabanas 9A is closest to the Quiet Pool (and Guest Laundry).

A stroll around Lago Dorado, clocking distances with a basic pedometer measured the perimeter to be about 1.1 miles. Other distances measured:

From El Centro moving clockwise around the lake to:
Casitas 3 = .16 miles
Casitas 4 = .24 miles
Casitas 5 = .27 miles
Ranchos = .46 miles

From El Centro to the Dig Site, via the bridge near the Cabanas = .35 miles

From El Centro moving counterclockwise around the lake to:
Cabanas 9B = .16 miles
Cabanas 9A/8B = .22 miles
Cabanas 8A = .31 miles


We have always requested and gotten Cabanas 9B which is a wonderful location.... we also love the Pepper Market... its a little confusing at first but really has some great food once you figure out how to use the crazy thing...

We will be trying POR in May... so maybe that will move up as our fav moderate... but it will have to be pretty awesome to beat out CSR...

 

[MAGGIED]

I wanna go back but I can't

If I ever do go back I don't think I would stay at a mod or a value because those beds are just too small I love my DH but gezz

Tomorrow my twins turn 2 and I am kinda sad about it I am not sure why I don't want any more kids but I feel sad that they are not babies anymore. Or maybe I am just scared of those terrible 2's

Happy Birthday to Your Twins!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I love that people are getting new tickers up!!

Sorry I've been MIA. Been a rough couple of weeks around here. My Grandmother passed away last Tuesday. Hoping to get back to normal here in the near future. She was a huge part of my life and I will miss her terribly.

I am sorry for your loss. I know how you feel, I still miss my Granny...and it's been a long time. There is nothing in the world like a wonderful grandparent.

I TOToALLY agree with you on this. That's why we did Pop twice now. I just hate the crowds of people, small beds, and long bus walks at night. We do however LOVE the frozen cokes at Pop....so much that we go to Burger King just to get them here in WI and re-live a bit of Disney.

I'm sorry for your loss... I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

IF I was able to go again to WDW....I would go in January, however, I would try right after the New Years holiday. I couldn't believe how BUSY this Jan 20-27 was . We knew instantly that it was going to be bad when we saw the Magical Express counter at MCO.

We were at the ME counter on a Sat(the 24th) and it was UNBELIEVABLE!!! I almost wanted to cry! The only really slow day we saw was the Sunday of the SuperBowl. Do any of you have an idea of what weekend will be marathon or MLK next Jan.? I looked for Thanksgiving and it's on the 26th--kinda late in the month again, which messes up our plan to go the end of Nov/Dec. We did like Jan, but really thought crowds would have been nil.

Can I tag along to the new thread, even though I'm going in April 2010.

Has anyone actually gone Easter week, exactly how busy is it? I wish we could go at a different time...but my aunt won't take my cousin out of school.

CROWDED!!

I'm right there with you sister! I'd really like to go next late January, but where to stay, where to stay?!?!

Everything has pros and cons I guess, we just need to decide what's most important.

I haven't been to any of the mods or values, but I must just say that the pics of all those clown thingies at POFQ scare the crap out of me!

I too, have a clown fear!They are just creepy.

I wanna go back but I can't

If I ever do go back I don't think I would stay at a mod or a value because those beds are just too small I love my DH but gezz

Tomorrow my twins turn 2 and I am kinda sad about it I am not sure why I don't want any more kids but I feel sad that they are not babies anymore. Or maybe I am just scared of those terrible 2's

Happy Birthday!! I know how you feel about being sad...I am always a little sad on their birthdays.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

When we go back, we have already talked about where to stay. Dh realllllly wants to go to the cont. But, if that is too full, we are going back to the BC. It is sooooo awesome to just walk back from Epcot at night!!! I wouldn't mind the family suite at the All-*, but he doesnt want to do the bus everywhere, everytime. And, he is paying for it, but I am trying to be economical!!!!!! The thought of 2 bathrooms is amazing for me!!!!!
Well, my dd is in 2 dance classes, my boys are both playing baseball--we started this week) and the oldest is in drum lessons, so we are really getting busy!! My time here is going to be limited!!!!! I will check in as often as I can, but I am not leaving!! Count us in for the Jan/Feb 2010 Snowbirds too!!!!! New Years Day is on a Friday for '10, so I think the local kids will be back in school on the 3rd. Which means we may go earlier in the month, if the marathon isn't that weekend. I am sure MLK would be around the 20th again,right? My wheels are spinning!!!! Anybody got dates for that yet?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Count us in for the Jan/Feb 2010 Snowbirds too!!!!! New Years Day is on a Friday for '10, so I think the local kids will be back in school on the 3rd. Which means we may go earlier in the month, if the marathon isn't that weekend. I am sure MLK would be around the 20th again,right? My wheels are spinning!!!! Anybody got dates for that yet?

YAY another January/February 2010 Snowbird!!! I'm thinking MLK weekend is always the third weekend in January. . . Right? We are looking at not going until the 30th to avoid the holiday, marathon, and MLK crowds. So technically most of our vacation would be in February. But in Feb. before peak season/spring break starts!!

 

[BellaSoleil]

Hi everyone! I haven't been around much. Other than writing my trip report, I'm trying to detox from DISSING. I'm not sure when DH and I will go again and I don't want to keep my mind on it. We really need to be careful with our money (since DH will soon apply for grad school and won't be working for 2 years) and a Disney trip just doesn't seem to be something that we should spend our money on. Yes, I'm devastated!!!

The good news is that we have front row seats to Disney on Ice for Belle's 2nd birthday. I'm hoping Mickey or Minnie will shake her hand. I will be a bucket tears that night!!!!

I miss you all! Thanks so much for the new friendships. I had a blast counting down with you.

 

[Pluto_fan]

Good morning Snowbirds!
I haven't posted in a while, but I've been peeking in to keep up.

Sorry I've been MIA. Been a rough couple of weeks around here. My Grandmother passed away last Tuesday. Hoping to get back to normal here in the near future. She was a huge part of my life and I will miss her terribly.

Mindy, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Tomorrow my twins turn 2 and I am kinda sad about it I am not sure why I don't want any more kids but I feel sad that they are not babies anymore. Or maybe I am just scared of those terrible 2's

I'm so jealous of all of you who are planning your next trips! I'm going to keep hanging around so I can plan vicariously with you.

The only moderate I've stayed at is POFQ, and we liked it. I think I picked it because it is more compact. I am not a fan of clowns either , but I don't remember them being part of the decor at all.