January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[danceintherain]

I got some awesome news today.

So I called my sister about our ADRs, because I realized that I booked them before I confirmed whether or not her, my BIL and nephew would be joining us. (this whole trip has been back and forth a million times, and they had to completely back out a few weeks ago...it's a long story...let's just say my nephew has two very loving sets of grandparents, though I'm not sure if either would be completely opposed to cutting him in half )

Anyways... while talking to my sister we were discussing when we would be there, and she said that my Dad told her we would be arriving on the 8th. I was a bit confused by this information, because I thought we weren't arriving until the 9th. So, I called my Dad to ask him, and he finally pulled up the itinerary and said we were arriving on the 8th. I had him forward both the hotel ressie and the flight ressie, and it's true we're arriving on the 8th, so that's a whole extra day at Disney!
I'm incredibly excited! except it completely throws off my planning, but I'll have to call Disney Dining back to add my sister and BIL anyways, so I might as well be sure of our ADRs before I do.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

for those of you planning on a Jan 2010 POP trip, can you tell me your reasons for choosing POP.

POP has never been on our list, I think it's the flashy colours that distracts me - but we have stayed at All Stars

Our first on-property trip was AS Movies. We liked it except for the busses. Maybe it was just one of those trips, but we stood almost all of the time...Holding a very large sleeping 2 1/2 yr old...I realize I'm completely becoming an old fogey (is that how you spell that?), but I think teenagers should be encouraged by their parents to give up their seats to someone who may need it a little more. The next two years we did Pop, and we just liked it better. No real reason except having it's own bus and having slushie machines that you can use your refillable mug for...it's the little things I guess!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Our first on-property trip was AS Movies. We liked it except for the busses. Maybe it was just one of those trips, but we stood almost all of the time...Holding a very large sleeping 2 1/2 yr old...I realize I'm completely becoming an old fogey (is that how you spell that?), but I think teenagers should be encouraged by their parents to give up their seats to someone who may need it a little more. The next two years we did Pop, and we just liked it better. No real reason except having it's own bus and having slushie machines that you can use your refillable mug for...it's the little things I guess!

We're staying at Pop this trip and I'm pretty excited about it. However, I was informed over on the FAQ thread for Pop that they removed the frozen coke machine and put in an iced tea machine instead! I was really looking forward to those frozen cokes because I had never stayed there before. I'm pretty bummed.

I too think that teenagers should give up their seats for people with toddlers or elderly people on a bus. That's how I was brought up! Now that we have a 6yo, we've taught her all about that as well. It's just rude!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We really enjoyed AKL. The decor is gorgeous! We didn't do a Savannah view, because of the extra price, and I'd take extra days over a special view any time. However, the animals were out pretty often, even just walking by the viewing areas, so I'd definitely think the Savannah view would be worth it.

The pool was really nice too. We only did the pool once though, because every time I've gone swimming over the past year or so I've gotten water in my ear, and haven't been able to get it out for a week. The Mara food was decent, though it lacked for lunch and dinner options, but I loved the fries! They always gave me a ton, so half the time I'd eat all my fries and barely touch the other food I got.

Our dinner at Jikos was good, but I found the food a little spicy. I have no tolerance for spicy food though, so I'm sure most people would have really liked it. Also, the bread and butter assortment they give you is delicious. It was fun to try the different breads.

We didn't end up keeping our ADR at Boma, because we got to the night before with 3 CS and a bunch of snack credits left, so we couldn't justify spending the money on Boma and burning the credits. I was really torn about canceling the ADR, but we weren't going to starve so ultimately the rational side of me won out.
I loved the music that could be heard throughout the resort, and the overall theming. I wish I would have taken more pictures, but I never got around to it. I would love to go back and stay there again.
Also, the staff was really nice. Also, even if you don't think you'll have time for AK during your trip, if you have a park hopper and even just a couple hours, the AK bus ride only takes only a few minutes, because it's literally right around the corner. We went to AK the morning we were scheduled to leave, and we were able to do the last few attractions we had missed, and still made it back a while before we needed to be waiting out front for Magical Express. That was one of the benefits of canceling our Boma ADR for that morning.

Thanks for all the info Becca!! It does sound nice. I think we will be getting hoppers because it's pretty cheap on the military special tickets, I think it's only 25 instead of 50 or something. I'd like to be able to pop over for a bit and see the Christmas decor there too.

I too think that teenagers should give up their seats for people with toddlers or elderly people on a bus. That's how I was brought up! Now that we have a 6yo, we've taught her all about that as well. It's just rude!

Yay for good manners!!! When we've been traveling with MIL, who's 81, I basically tell my kids, she gets to sit no matter what. You can stand!

 

[drakes]

Our first on-property trip was AS Movies. We liked it except for the busses. Maybe it was just one of those trips, but we stood almost all of the time...Holding a very large sleeping 2 1/2 yr old...I realize I'm completely becoming an old fogey (is that how you spell that?), but I think teenagers should be encouraged by their parents to give up their seats to someone who may need it a little more. The next two years we did Pop, and we just liked it better. No real reason except having it's own bus and having slushie machines that you can use your refillable mug for...it's the little things I guess!

Yes we did have to stand on the busses a dew times with ASMo. And Yes we saw the same thing- able bodied people not giving up their seat.

What I like about POP is the slushies ans the tie dye cheesecake! LOL I never had issue with sharing a bus with the other All Stars, in fact we walked to AS Music because the us stop was closer. My DD still thinks we stayed at Music because we ate there, swam there and got the bus there!

 

[BellaSoleil]

We're staying at Pop this trip and I'm pretty excited about it. However, I was informed over on the FAQ thread for Pop that they removed the frozen coke machine and put in an iced tea machine instead! I was really looking forward to those frozen cokes because I had never stayed there before. I'm pretty bummed.

I too think that teenagers should give up their seats for people with toddlers or elderly people on a bus. That's how I was brought up! Now that we have a 6yo, we've taught her all about that as well. It's just rude!

I know that I'm in the minority, but I'm shouting out a big HALLELUJAH on this one. The Shopaholic's love their tea!!!!

Now if we could just get them to put in a sweet tea machine....

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I know that I'm in the minority, but I'm shouting out a big HALLELUJAH on this one. The Shopaholic's love their tea!!!!

Now if we could just get them to put in a sweet tea machine....

Have you been to McDonald's lately? I see them advertising sweet tea about every 10 minutes!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I know that I'm in the minority, but I'm shouting out a big HALLELUJAH on this one. The Shopaholic's love their tea!!!!

Now if we could just get them to put in a sweet tea machine....

Amen girl! I wonder if they just don't realize that when you ask for sweet tea and they say "No, but we have sugar on the table" that means NOTHING! It just tastes grainy and unsweet! You have to mix the sugar while the tea is hot. Lately around here, they have started offering Raspberry or Peach tea and I have to say it's mighty good!!!! If I can get that at disney next time I'll be just as happy.

 

[BellaSoleil]

Amen girl! I wonder if they just don't realize that when you ask for sweet tea and they say "No, but we have sugar on the table" that means NOTHING! It just tastes grainy and unsweet! You have to mix the sugar while the tea is hot. Lately around here, they have started offering Raspberry or Peach tea and I have to say it's mighty good!!!! If I can get that at disney next time I'll be just as happy.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]

Sweet tea is all the rage here, as well. It is being offered EVERYWHERE!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I can't believe how many restraurants still haven't started offering it. I mean, this is the south.....Texans from one end of the state to the other are all sweet tea drinkers.....what are they thinkin? I don't do coffee. Period. Hate it., but boy do I loooooove tea!!!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Ok. I have to ask. What's the difference between sweet tea and a sweetened iced tea? I can't stand unsweetened iced tea, but I love the sweetened stuff. I'm a huge fan of peach and raspberry iced tea.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

This girl just wishes that Disney would offer Pepsi products instead of Coke. I need my Mtn.Dew to keep me going at Disney!!!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

This girl just wishes that Disney would offer Pepsi products instead of Coke. I need my Mtn.Dew to keep me going at Disney!!!!!

I'm right there with you! I survive on Pepsi!

 

[BellaSoleil]

Ok. I have to ask. What's the difference between sweet tea and a sweetened iced tea? I can't stand unsweetened iced tea, but I love the sweetened stuff. I'm a huge fan of peach and raspberry iced tea.

When you make real sweet tea, you pour the sugar into the tea while it is hot. The sugar dissolves because of the heat, giving you REAL-CERTIFIED-SOUTHERN-GIRL sweet tea.

Some people add a package of sugar or sweetener to their iced tea. The sugar can't dissolve in the cold.

As far as flavored iced tea, I think some people (Sonic) have a flavored sweetener that they pour in.

To make 'real' peach, raspberry and such... you can google to find recipes.

 

[Dancegrl624]

When you make real sweet tea, you pour the sugar into the tea while it is hot. The sugar dissolves because of the heat, giving you REAL-CERTIFIED-SOUTHERN-GIRL sweet tea.

Some people add a package of sugar or sweetener to their iced tea. The sugar can't dissolve in the cold.

As far as flavored iced tea, I think some people (Sonic) have a flavored sweetener that they pour in.

To make 'real' peach, raspberry and such... you can google to find recipes.

Thanks Soleil! I knew I could count on you to help me out!

I read on the Pop boards that the tea machine they added was Peak. I guess it's the iced tea put out by Coke (which would make sense) and it's also been added to menus around the World. I'll be sure to try it out when we're there and report back!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm right there with you! I survive on Pepsi!

Hmm. . . maybe they removed the frozen coke machine because they are going to change everything to Pepsi products!!!

Okay, probably not, but a girl can dream!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Here's the link to the tea

http://goldpeaktea.com/

 

[snykymom]

I know that I'm in the minority, but I'm shouting out a big HALLELUJAH on this one. The Shopaholic's love their tea!!!!

Now if we could just get them to put in a sweet tea machine....

Amen girl! I wonder if they just don't realize that when you ask for sweet tea and they say "No, but we have sugar on the table" that means NOTHING! It just tastes grainy and unsweet! You have to mix the sugar while the tea is hot. Lately around here, they have started offering Raspberry or Peach tea and I have to say it's mighty good!!!! If I can get that at disney next time I'll be just as happy.[/size][/color][/font]

Sweet tea is all the rage here, as well. It is being offered EVERYWHERE!!!

From a Northerner from way back (now in the Boston area, so I can't say "Yankee" ): On the first road trip I took to the South, we stopped at a Chinese restaurant. Now, up here in New England and Mid Atlantic states, Chinese restaurants serve little pots of hot, black or green tea. So I asked for tea when the server asked me what I wanted to drink. Needless to say, I got a glass that was cold and SWEET!!! I'm an unsweetened iced tea girl myself (I save my calories for desserts! ); I didn't know you had to order "black tea" to get it unsweetened!

 

[danceintherain]

Thanks for all the info Becca!! It does sound nice. I think we will be getting hoppers because it's pretty cheap on the military special tickets, I think it's only 25 instead of 50 or something. I'd like to be able to pop over for a bit and see the Christmas decor there too.


Yay for good manners!!! When we've been traveling with MIL, who's 81, I basically tell my kids, she gets to sit no matter what. You can stand!

Definitely add the Park Hopper option it's totally worth it if you finish a park early, but still want some park time.
Oh. I forgot to mention the buses (I don't know if you'll have a car). We had few bus troubles while we were there, except when it came to the Disney Studios buses. It seemed like we waited twice as long for those buses than any of the others. I think the reason behind it was that it stops at one of the water parks both ways. It's not that far out of the way, but it seemed to make our wait extra long just about every time we waited for the bus.
If you do have a car with you, then I'd totally recommend driving to the Studios. The other parks we only waited 15 minutes at most no matter what time of day we were trying to catch one.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We are only planning to stay there one night at the beginning of our stay at BLT, so it won't be a problem. We will have a vehicle anyway. I think it would be fun to explore that resort, try out the food, etc. Then I can add that to the list of resorts we've tried!! I really appreciate all the great info!