Just Keep Swimming - March 31-April 7, 2013 - Closing Thoughts (Updated 5/17)

[marDgreen88]

I enjoyed your TR as usual, even if I didn't get to comment on every update. The wrap-up was great! BLT love.

See ya real soon!

 

[jecskc]

Great wrap-up, Susan. Enjoyed the TR and pictures as always.

Thanks Kathy !! I am so happy you were here !!

I enjoyed your TR as usual, even if I didn't get to comment on every update. The wrap-up was great! BLT love.

See ya real soon!

Thanks Marissa !! Yes, BLT was amazing !! Can't wait to stay there again !! Love !! I hope you have a great trip !! I can't wait to read about it

 

[wilma-bride]

Thank you for a wonderful trip report Susan

What a fantastic final day you had - light crowds at Magic Kingdom, lunch at CHH and root beer floats and ice-cream. A perfect end to a great vacation.

Thanks for your closing thoughts, particularly the comments on Spring Break. It's not something we have here in the UK and I have always been nervous about being at WDW then. However, conversely, DD and I have always wanted to head to WDW to celebrate our Birthdays, both of which are in March. So, next year, we WILL be at the World during Spring Break and I WILL remember your report and that it IS possible to have a great time at WDW, even when it's crowded. So thank you for that, you've made me feel much better about it

Hope you have a great trip in 104 days

 

[jecskc]

Thank you for a wonderful trip report Susan

Thanks Joh !! I am so happy you followed along !!

What a fantastic final day you had - light crowds at Magic Kingdom, lunch at CHH and root beer floats and ice-cream. A perfect end to a great vacation.

It was a good day. We were very sad to leave.

Thanks for your closing thoughts, particularly the comments on Spring Break. It's not something we have here in the UK and I have always been nervous about being at WDW then. However, conversely, DD and I have always wanted to head to WDW to celebrate our Birthdays, both of which are in March. So, next year, we WILL be at the World during Spring Break and I WILL remember your report and that it IS possible to have a great time at WDW, even when it's crowded. So thank you for that, you've made me feel much better about it

You will have to set your alarm and get our early, but you will have a great time. Easter isn't until Mid-April next year, so March might not be so bad. It is usually the week before and after Easter that can be so bad. I still think it will be crowded when you go, it jut won't be as bad as Easter week. I hope you get to go during the Flower and Garden Festival. We really loved that !!

Hope you have a great trip in 104 days

I know we will !! Thanks !!

 

[Tricia's mom]

Oohhhh , it's over ???? I still have 3 more hours left at work. What the heck will I do now ?

Went through your photo bucket twice....
Did tr
Also did dr ????
What now ?????


Lets see if I can book a quick weekend for Tricia and I .... The dcl phone is not working...

Hmmmmm where should I stay.... ?????????


LOVED your report as usual !! I had to many comments along the wAy. And they have left my mind by now...

Back to work I guess

 

[jecskc]

Oohhhh , it's over ???? I still have 3 more hours left at work. What the heck will I do now ?

Went through your photo bucket twice....
Did tr
Also did dr ????
What now ?????


Lets see if I can book a quick weekend for Tricia and I .... The dcl phone is not working...

Hmmmmm where should I stay.... ?????????


LOVED your report as usual !! I had to many comments along the wAy. And they have left my mind by now...

Back to work I guess

LOL. Thanks Janet !!! I know, work sucks. It gets in the way of all of our Disney fun. But I guess we have to pay for the Disney fun somehow.

 

[Pixie Princess]

Exactly !!! I like the new bathroom area. But yeah, she deserves better. Just sayin'.

They must designate princess park space by box office. Poor Rapunzel. She only earned fancy bathroom space.

 

[Pixie Princess]

Closing Thoughts

OK, fellow dissers. Time for the last post. The Closing Thoughts. I’ll break it down into the following sections:


[*]Spring Break Crowds

[*]Weather

[*]Dining

[*]Resorts

[*]Flower and Garden Festival


So, here goes:

Spring Break Crowds

I know everyone says to NEVER go during Spring Break. But I have to say, our best trips happen during that time. The kids are out of school, the weather is always lovely and we have always had a fantastic time. It is crowded ??? Yes. Yes, it is. Did the crowds bother us ?? Not really. Because we expected it to be crowded and therefore planned our trip around that. We hit rope drop and Early Magic Hours. Not every day, but every morning we planned a park day. If we went to a park later in the day, we expected long lines and therefore knew we wouldn’t get on the popular attractions if we didn’t want to wait in line longer than 30 minutes. Which we didn’t. So we just did what we could on those days knowing we would be back later in the week to hit the headliners we really wanted to see.

We used fast pass religiously. Anytime our window came to get another fast pass, we got one. And for the most part, we were done with what we wanted to do by about 1 or 2 PM. This gave us time to head back to rest and enjoy the resorts which are awesome. I would go again in April and in fact we plan on going again next year for Spring Break. We have been in September when the crowds were low and we were able to ride all rides with no fast pass. And that was great. But there is an energy that the crowds provide that make it more exciting. Especially, when you are winning the crowd war and getting everything done you want without waiting longer than 20 minutes.

I agree. Spring Break is a lovely time. Our first SB trip, I knew, truly, nothing. We had three trips under our belt, but I still hadn't discovered some critical planning resources. We still had a lovely time despite the crowds. Our second SB trip was last year, and it was awesome despite it being unseasonably hot.

Weather

I think weather plays a huge role in your vacation. I find the weather in April in Florida to be beautiful. Sometimes it is cooler, but I like that. Sometimes there is rain, but we worked around it and it didn’t bother us at all. Fortunately for us, it was never an all day event. Temps were lovely. The kids got to swim. And I got a sunburn anyway. We love Disney in April. We will be back during this time. With sunscreen.

ITA about the weather. Our best trips have been when the weather is pleasant. My worst trip was when it was surface of the sun hot and jungle humid. I learned a valuable lesson that trip about taking a break mid-day. I was so cranky from the heat and generally unpleasant to be around. Knowing what a cranky little priss I was being made for a bad time. We have since been in July and had a lovely time.

Dining

I know some people don’t think it is a good value, but I love the Disney dining plan. We really make it work for us and I love its convenience. DH tends to be what I call a “bean counter” and tends to moan A LOT about how much everything costs. When it is all paid for in advance, he really loosens up and we have more fun because he is less grumpy. He does moan about tipping, though, so I can’t win.

Hey, whatever works for you and the fam. There is something to be said for peace of mind. I've gotten it for that reason myself a time or two.

Resorts

We were so pumped to be staying at Bay Lake Tower. And we absolutely loved it. All of it. Everything. I just can’t think of anything that I don’t like about it. We loved our room, the location, the staff …. Don’t have one complaint. I loved seeing the Electrical Water Parade every night, I loved hearing the whistle from the boat launch. I loved our spacious and comfortable, quiet room. I loved being a short walk away from Magic Kingdom. I can’t wait to go back.

Animal Kingdom Lodge. We love this place, too. We stayed here for the last two nights because we were running low on points and the AKL Jambo standard view rooms were the cheapest available. I expected a dumpster view or something but we lucked out and got a really great location. Just an elevator ride from the pool and the Mara. Yes, our location was excellent. Our room was the smallest DVC 1 BR room I have ever stayed in though. We liked our room at Kidani so much better. It was so much bigger. I agree that the location of our Jambo room was very convenient though. We were comfortable and happy there, but compared to Bay Lake Tower, our Jambo room was cramped and dark. I will definitely stay at Jambo again, but if I had the choice, I’d pick BLT over Jambo in a heartbeat.

I'm sure the fact they cobbled those rooms DVC units together at Jambo has something to do with their size. Kinda like how set up of the family suites at AoA is better than at whatever All-Star resort has them. AoA was planned out.

Flower and Garden Festival

I just love the F&G. Everything is so lovely at Epcot and I just love all of the topiaries. The addition of the Food Booths this year was pure genius and this increased my love of F&G even more. We can’t wait to go back during this time. It was loverly.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone who has read along and especially those who stopped in to chat. I have enjoyed your company so much and I can’t wait until our next trip. Hopefully, I will see all of you on that trip report when gets going. Until then…….as daisymomof4 reminds me to say ..... See ya real soon !!!

Susan

I love me some Flower and Garden Festival too! Totally bummed we had to cancel on it this year. Happy I could live vicariously through you though! Glad y'all had such a great time. Now to make thru the summer.

 

[Carable]

I've finally just finished up the report and it was GREAT. I, too, adored Bay Lake during our trip. I appreciated your Spring Break thoughts, as I will be back teaching next year and that will really be our only choice of time to go back. Thanks for such an informative and cute report, I've really enjoyed it.

 

[jecskc]

I love me some Flower and Garden Festival too! Totally bummed we had to cancel on it this year. Happy I could live vicariously through you though! Glad y'all had such a great time. Now to make thru the summer.

103 more days will not only get me through the summer, but then I get to see you and your DD as well and that makes it even better !!!

 

[jecskc]

I've finally just finished up the report and it was GREAT. I, too, adored Bay Lake during our trip. I appreciated your Spring Break thoughts, as I will be back teaching next year and that will really be our only choice of time to go back. Thanks for such an informative and cute report, I've really enjoyed it.

Hey !! You are back !! Going to check your report now. Thanks so much for following along !!

 

[tazdev3225]

Closing Thoughts

I know everyone says to NEVER go during Spring Break. But I have to say, our best trips happen during that time. The kids are out of school, the weather is always lovely and we have always had a fantastic time. It is crowded ??? Yes. Yes, it is. Did the crowds bother us ?? Not really. Because we expected it to be crowded and therefore planned our trip around that. We hit rope drop and Early Magic Hours. Not every day, but every morning we planned a park day. If we went to a park later in the day, we expected long lines and therefore knew we wouldn’t get on the popular attractions if we didn’t want to wait in line longer than 30 minutes. Which we didn’t. So we just did what we could on those days knowing we would be back later in the week to hit the headliners we really wanted to see.

I have never gone during Spring Break but I have gone in the summer. However I don't know if they really are comparable. We just looked at it like what we don't see now we'll see another time.

.

Weather

I think weather plays a huge role in your vacation. I find the weather in April in Florida to be beautiful. Sometimes it is cooler, but I like that. Sometimes there is rain, but we worked around it and it didn’t bother us at all. Fortunately for us, it was never an all day event. Temps were lovely. The kids got to swim. And I got a sunburn anyway. We love Disney in April. We will be back during this time. With sunscreen.

The weather really was gorgeous. I only had rain the one day but since it was a last minute trip and I was alone I just left to come back the next day. And I get a sunburn in December with sunscreen.

Dining

I know some people don’t think it is a good value, but I love the Disney dining plan. We really make it work for us and I love its convenience. DH tends to be what I call a “bean counter” and tends to moan A LOT about how much everything costs. When it is all paid for in advance, he really loosens up and we have more fun because he is less grumpy. He does moan about tipping, though, so I can’t win.

I have mixed feelings on the DP. When we went with kids and family it was a great thing to have, especially the "free" dining. For just DH and I? We're not getting it the next trip. There are some meals we will split and seriously neither of us want dessert all of the time. I'm going to compare how I feel after the trip to see what I want to do with the DP.

Flower and Garden Festival

I just love the F&G. Everything is so lovely at Epcot and I just love all of the topiaries. The addition of the Food Booths this year was pure genius and this increased my love of F&G even more. We can’t wait to go back during this time. It was loverly.

Totally agree. I loved the F&G show this year. I really want to try and go back for it again. The topiaries are so pretty.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone who has read along and especially those who stopped in to chat. I have enjoyed your company so much and I can’t wait until our next trip. Hopefully, I will see all of you on that trip report when gets going. Until then…….as daisymomof4 reminds me to say ..... See ya real soon !!!

Susan

Loved reading about your trip. Looking forward to the next one,

 

[afwdwfan]

I agree with your point about crowds. I always prefer to go during a lower crowd period (as we have the past couple of trips), but I've been during the 4th of July too. You're absolutely right, you just have to have a good plan and do your thing!

I'd absolutely love to go in April sometime to experience F&G and see things this time of year. I'm afraid that won't be able to happen since it is always a busy time of year though.

Great job on the TR!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

All finished! I really enjoyed your TR. You took tons of great shots of the parks and resorts. The wrap up post was great too, I love those posts. There is always good information to be found. I can't wait for the next one!

 

[jecskc]

Loved reading about your trip. Looking forward to the next one,

Thanks Lorrie !! Looking forward to the next one for sure !!

 

[jecskc]

I agree with your point about crowds. I always prefer to go during a lower crowd period (as we have the past couple of trips), but I've been during the 4th of July too. You're absolutely right, you just have to have a good plan and do your thing!

The people that don't plan are the ones that moan about the crowds. Or the ones that refuse to get up and get going.

I'd absolutely love to go in April sometime to experience F&G and see things this time of year. I'm afraid that won't be able to happen since it is always a busy time of year though.

Flower and Garden is so beautiful. We love going during that time.

Great job on the TR!

Thanks for following along and taking the time to comment. I really enjoyed your input !!

All finished! I really enjoyed your TR. You took tons of great shots of the parks and resorts. The wrap up post was great too, I love those posts. There is always good information to be found. I can't wait for the next one!

Thanks for reading !! I can't wait for the next one either. 102 more days !! until Beach Club, baby !! I hope I helped you. See you on the next TR !!

 

[jecskc]

One more shameless bump before letting this TR slide onto page three. I can't wait to go back !!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Your closing thoughts pretty much sum up how I feel about spring break trips! It seems like so many people are afraid to go during that time but really, if you go early (like both of us do!) you shouldn't have any problem doing what you want to. I also agree about the weather. It is generally so nice and not to hot, which is good for me coming from Wisconsin! I don't like it when it's really hot and humid. Plus there is the Flower and Garden Festival which is like an added bonus for going in the spring! And then there's BLT...I am so glad my dad and I were able to stay there. We both loved it too!

Great report and looking forward to your next one.

 

[jecskc]

Your closing thoughts pretty much sum up how I feel about spring break trips! It seems like so many people are afraid to go during that time but really, if you go early (like both of us do!) you shouldn't have any problem doing what you want to. I also agree about the weather. It is generally so nice and not to hot, which is good for me coming from Wisconsin! I don't like it when it's really hot and humid. Plus there is the Flower and Garden Festival which is like an added bonus for going in the spring! And then there's BLT...I am so glad my dad and I were able to stay there. We both loved it too!

Great report and looking forward to your next one.

Thanks for following along Sarah !! See ya real soon!! 100 more days until my next trip !!

 

[scottny]

That lady sounded obnoxious. Nothing like ruining it for the little ones but it sounds like it didn’t but still.
We skipped Russell and Dug and I regret it. Nice pics.
I love the pool at Jambo and the gym there has the best sauna and steam room.
Great animal pics. The camp fire looked like fun.
I have never seen a park opening. Maybe one day.
Fun times at MK.
Sad you are now leaving.
I would rather not play the crowd war. LOL
Sounds like Vinny complaining about every little penny.
It was a great report. Thanks for sharing it with us.