January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[MAGGIED]

We had a more relaxed and slow paced trip this last time. It was great! We still did everything we wanted to and then some. It's nice to not always be rushing from place to place, then come home and need days off to relax from your "vacation". We had a chance to enjoy our room at SSR and being a 7 minute walk from DTD we spent a lot of time down there too.

XXXXX

So, I'm a clutz. The other night I was doing some stuff on the Wii Fit. Well I apparently got a little to "excited" with the boxing stuff because my right shoulder is killing me. I can barely lift it above my head and can't do much to put weight on it. I did the fit before going to bed and my shoulder hurt when I woke up...so it's either the fit or I had a fight in bed with my pillow .

Hope your better soon.... that sounds very painful...

 

[figmentfan0724]

good afternoon ladies! i just got off the phone with DF and it looks as if we are adding another trip! Woo Hoo we are heading down in july for our anniversary!

 

[BellaSoleil]

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?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

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?

Hmm. . . that's a tough one. With her age, Belle is going to be happy anywhere. So I would say to go with whatever is best for you and your DH. Belle is just going to be happy to be there!

We have been interested in the Swan/Dolphin too. We actually went to visit them on our January trip. The location sure can't be beat! So handy to the Boardwalk, DHS, and Epcot. But, they are not going to scream Disney like the Disney resorts. So I guess it's all in what you want. If you can get a good rate at the Dolphin I'd say to go for it. The room is sure to be much larger!

I am still torn on where to stay next year as well. But my list is much longer than 2 resorts!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I agree with what Shelly said! I have never checked into the swan or dolphin for us. I do like staying at the BC though! that location is awesome!!!! But, for way less $$$$ the All star area is just as good. You are going to do buses mostly, but seemed to me that we didn't wait long at the all star area for any bus.

 

[BellaSoleil]

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.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Our kids love the values! Drew's first trip was to ASMovies (he was about 2 and 3/4)and he states he still remembers the 3-story Buzz and Woody (he thought it was cool that Daddy's name "Andy" was written on the bottom of their shoes!) I don't know if he really remembers or just remembers thru pix. After that we stayed at Pop twice and CBR. The little ones I think relate to the "over-the-top-ness" that is the Value resorts. (But I'd pay for preferred-You're so much closer to the food court for apple juice and chocolate mile)! Just my opinion! I'm pretty sure we'll return to Pop next time unless there's just a fantastic deal for the mods. My oldest really likes the water slides!

 

[PEANUT1]

Soleil...I think you will be happy wherever you go....that being said, you may be disappointed in a value after staying at the poly and wl...I know I would. Also, the values are very much like hotels...noisy and thin walls. I couldn't do it...well I guess i could, if I had no other choice.

Shelly...you will LOVE LOVE LOVE the Beach Club!! It is stones throw from Epcot and just lovely. If I could bottle the smell in the lobby I would.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I need to vent and whine!!!!
We had planned our next trip for nov/dec right after thanksgiving. We had a bounceback for a 3 day cruise, booked it and were told we could call and apply our voucher today. We called and that date is blacked out!!! Now we have to switch to either before Thanksgiving (no decorations) or 12/10. The kids will probably only miss one day of school more, but we had booked hotel and cruise for three families. What's so frustrating is that when we called to book originally, the CMs didn't know what dates were blacked out and said it would be fine. We just thought we'd better get our rooms or we'd not get them at all. If I had waited until today, I wouldn't have to go through all this nonsense trying to rearrange everything, cruise, hotel, etc for three families.

I'll keep you posted!!! Thanks for listening my snowbird friends!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I need to vent and whine!!!!
We had planned our next trip for nov/dec right after thanksgiving. We had a bounceback for a 3 day cruise, booked it and were told we could call and apply our voucher today. We called and that date is blacked out!!! Now we have to switch to either before Thanksgiving (no decorations) or 12/10. The kids will probably only miss one day of school more, but we had booked hotel and cruise for three families. What's so frustrating is that when we called to book originally, the CMs didn't know what dates were blacked out and said it would be fine. We just thought we'd better get our rooms or we'd not get them at all. If I had waited until today, I wouldn't have to go through all this nonsense trying to rearrange everything, cruise, hotel, etc for three families.

I'll keep you posted!!! Thanks for listening my snowbird friends!

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGG!!!! How frustrating! Vent and whine away my dear! That's what we're here for!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Thank you Jenny!

My DH is on the phone on hold right now. One SIL says anytime is fine, the other has to check with work. For me, it would have been perfect for my work for the week we'd booked - not too much would be going on, now I'll have to find a sub for some stuff. We're going to try to push everything out a week later. Hopefully it will work.

Wasn't there some big group thing that happens in December at WDW? I can't remember if it's cheerleading or something? Does anyone know?
We think we're going to try to be at WDW from 12/6 - 12/10 and go on the 12/10 cruise. We shall see...

 

[Lizziejane]

I feel for you Sheree - there is nothing worse than trying to coordinate all the details for so many different people. I hope it all works out for you

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Well, so far we've managed to move the cruise date to 12/10 for two of the three families.
Once we hear from the other, we'll try to change our ressies at BLT. Sure hope that works! I'd hate to try to figure out where else we're going to stay!! It was a hard enough decision to begin with. Hopefully we can still get our military discount.
It's a good thing I love Disney so much that I'm willing to go through all of this! LOL

I guess I should change my ticker...

 

[it's kelly]

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 had my first value stay last September at Pop and I really enjoyed it. We got a room in the 50's building facing the lake and we had no noise issues. Either way, enjoy your trip!

 

[trixiequilts]

Wasn't there some big group thing that happens in December at WDW? I can't remember if it's cheerleading or something? Does anyone know?
We think we're going to try to be at WDW from 12/6 - 12/10 and go on the 12/10 cruise. We shall see...

Isn't the Pop Warner football stuff around that time?

Good luck with the changes!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly...you will LOVE LOVE LOVE the Beach Club!! It is stones throw from Epcot and just lovely. If I could bottle the smell in the lobby I would.

Hey Andrea! Good to hear from you!

I think the BC would be the best choice for us, but sometimes I still think about the Poly!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Isn't the Pop Warner football stuff around that time?

I think Pop Warner plus the All Ears Mouse Fest is during that time too.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Pop Warner is 12/7 - 12/11. I've read that they don't seem to affect the parks too much, only the resorts they stay at. I heard they've stayed at POR. Hope that's true.
How does Mouse-Fest affect crowds? Do they all stay at the same resort?

We are re-booked for BLT with our same rates. WHEW! So far so good. I'm not pleased about the change, but at least I can still go. I'm hoping that my SIL can get off work that week too.

 

[Lizziejane]

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?!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Pop Warner is 12/7 - 12/11. I've read that they don't seem to affect the parks too much, only the resorts they stay at. I heard they've stayed at POR. Hope that's true.
How does Mouse-Fest affect crowds? Do they all stay at the same resort?

We are re-booked for BLT with our same rates. WHEW! So far so good. I'm not pleased about the change, but at least I can still go. I'm hoping that my SIL can get off work that week too.

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