Magical Grand Gathering Trip with Pics. Completed

[ariel2007]

Oh you will be there one day the same as us then if you go for those dates. Shame about the BC, have you tried the Yacht Club?

 

[kaysmommie]

Oh you will be there one day the same as us then if you go for those dates. Shame about the BC, have you tried the Yacht Club?

I was actually trying to book beach Club Villa's which is a DVC resort. So on rented points it's much more affordable then booking yacht/ beach. If we have the extra to spend then we will go with Beach or Yacht. I would also like to try AKL. Who knows right now I'm thinking about goinbg back to CBR or renting points for Saratoga Springs. Since we only be there 5 days then I guess I shouldn't spend alot on the resort. I think we are going to fly to Disney this time and probably do the Dining plan too.

 

[ariel2007]

I was actually trying to book beach Club Villa's which is a DVC resort. So on rented points it's much more affordable then booking yacht/ beach. If we have the extra to spend then we will go with Beach or Yacht. I would also like to try AKL. Who knows right now I'm thinking about goinbg back to CBR or renting points for Saratoga Springs. Since we only be there 5 days then I guess I shouldn't spend alot on the resort. I think we are going to fly to Disney this time and probably do the Dining plan too.

Ah get you. I am surprised the 4/3 deal hasn't been good for you. At first when we looked it didn't look like it would save us any money but we eventually managed to book the Poly for about what we would be paying for a moderate. Any of the resorts you have mentioned though would be great. We loved AKL when we stayed there, and there is so many things for children to do and see. Saratoga Springs wouldn't be my first choice of resort as when we went there we found it a bit lacking in the usual Disney atmosphere but its location is great and I have heard lots of good reports on it so guess we will have to try it one day too. But CBR looked great in your last report and your kids sounded like they loved it. Have you stayed in Port Orleans before?

 

[WDW Fan]

Just read your latest post about your next trip planned!!! You'll really love going in May. We've been three times at that time of year and have found the weather to be just perfect. It does get very crowded though the closer you are to Memorial Day weekend! Can't wait to hear your plans.

 

[kaysmommie]

Ah get you. I am surprised the 4/3 deal hasn't been good for you. At first when we looked it didn't look like it would save us any money but we eventually managed to book the Poly for about what we would be paying for a moderate. Any of the resorts you have mentioned though would be great. We loved AKL when we stayed there, and there is so many things for children to do and see. Saratoga Springs wouldn't be my first choice of resort as when we went there we found it a bit lacking in the usual Disney atmosphere but its location is great and I have heard lots of good reports on it so guess we will have to try it one day too. But CBR looked great in your last report and your kids sounded like they loved it. Have you stayed in Port Orleans before?

The 4/3 deal isn't that great for us since we are only staying 5 nights not 7. So only 1 free night. Also we would have to buy at least 1 day tickets. We have passes already that we can use up this year. That is great news that your getting Poly at about the same price as a moderate. Wish we were staying there.

Anyway I ended up booking Saratoga. I almost just booked CBR or OKW. Just couldn't decide . Thomas loves CBR. Kaylee loves Polynesian so she doesn't get too excited about the other resorts. Never stayed at PO before. I'm just not sure about the theme, prfer more tropical I guess. Unfortunately SSR is not tropical at all. I really wanted BC but I'll have to gte over it. I have to go figure out when 90 days is for us to make ADR's.

Just read your latest post about your next trip planned!!! You'll really love going in May. We've been three times at that time of year and have found the weather to be just perfect. It does get very crowded though the closer you are to Memorial Day weekend! Can't wait to hear your plans.

Thanks so much. We are looking forward to trying May. I'm sure the weather will be better than October . I'm hoping for no lovebugs though. I've been working on the plans today. Checking flights ect.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

GREAT NEWS FOR YOU GUYS!!!! I wish we were going at the same time though!

 

[ariel2007]

The 4/3 deal isn't that great for us since we are only staying 5 nights not 7. So only 1 free night. Also we would have to buy at least 1 day tickets. We have passes already that we can use up this year. That is great news that your getting Poly at about the same price as a moderate. Wish we were staying there.

Anyway I ended up booking Saratoga. I almost just booked CBR or OKW. Just couldn't decide . Thomas loves CBR. Kaylee loves Polynesian so she doesn't get too excited about the other resorts. Never stayed at PO before. I'm just not sure about the theme, prfer more tropical I guess. Unfortunately SSR is not tropical at all. I really wanted BC but I'll have to gte over it. I have to go figure out when 90 days is for us to make ADR's.

Oh yes I see it wouldn't be such a good deal. Saratoga has got the great location, I would love to just be able to walk to DTD for dinner and shopping. And it does look quite beautiful there. What are you staying in, a studio, one bed?

I did love the tropical theme of the Poly, and CSR was kind of tropical too. But I did love the theming of PO, its quite laid back and romantic but it also has 2 great pools. Its nice to be able to walk along the river, and catch the boat to DTD etc.

Your 90 days from the 17th May should be 15th February, but then you can book 10 days before that too.

 

[mom2mek]

Yay Nichole! That is great news indeed! I'm so excited for you! Keep us updated on all the plans! I hope you had a great New Year!

Sara

 

[hlrababy]

Awww, yea Nichole!!! how cool!!!

 

[kaysmommie]

GREAT NEWS FOR YOU GUYS!!!! I wish we were going at the same time though!

Thanks . Wish you were going at the same time.

Oh yes I see it wouldn't be such a good deal. Saratoga has got the great location, I would love to just be able to walk to DTD for dinner and shopping. And it does look quite beautiful there. What are you staying in, a studio, one bed?

I did love the tropical theme of the Poly, and CSR was kind of tropical too. But I did love the theming of PO, its quite laid back and romantic but it also has 2 great pools. Its nice to be able to walk along the river, and catch the boat to DTD etc.

Your 90 days from the 17th May should be 15th February, but then you can book 10 days before that too.

Thanks, putting that date on my calendar . I booked Chef Mickey's for Thomas Birthday. I hope that bug is gone now . I really wanted to just go to Garden Gril instead, but yuck catfish. I'm scared of the food there. It stinks because all of Thomas' favorites are there. Not sure i will love Saratoga since it's not tropical or very Disney themed. But it looks nice and I'll try once and see . POFQ looks pretty too.

Yay Nichole! That is great news indeed! I'm so excited for you! Keep us updated on all the plans! I hope you had a great New Year!

Sara

Hi Sara . Haven't seen you on line in a while. The plans are coming along and they are giving me a huge headache . Yes we had a nice New Year's, hope yours was too.

 

[kaysmommie]

Awww, yea Nichole!!! how cool!!!

Hi Heather . We can't wait to go. I hope no one gets sick this time. We are flying though, so 10 hour drive this trip. How was your New Year's?

 

[hlrababy]

Hi Heather . We can't wait to go. I hope no one gets sick this time. We are flying though, so 10 hour drive this trip. How was your New Year's?

That will be great!!! No long drives!!

Our's was really good! We went to eat and then came back home and played.....Disney Scene It!! I know, I know, we are so boring!! By the time it hit 12, I was so ready for bed! Hollie spent the night with my parents. They always like to get her on New Year's and they shoot fireworks and wear the cute New Year's hats and blow horns!

How was yours?

 

[ariel2007]

Thanks, putting that date on my calendar . I booked Chef Mickey's for Thomas Birthday. I hope that bug is gone now . I really wanted to just go to Garden Gril instead, but yuck catfish. I'm scared of the food there. It stinks because all of Thomas' favorites are there. Not sure i will love Saratoga since it's not tropical or very Disney themed. But it looks nice and I'll try once and see . POFQ looks pretty too.

Ah you should go to Garden Grill, we loved it there. When we went it was peak season in August and it was so quiet. The service was so good, the food was quite yummy and the setting and character interaction was first class. We all had so much fun. Plus I have heard it may be closing soon so you should try it before it does. Just ask for no catfish

 

[dddisrunner]

Nichole, I just saw that you are flying! That is great because I know how much you hate the long drive! Did you get your tickets yet? What airline are you flying?

 

[Disneychix]

Oh great you are going back and soon!! I can look forward to filling up my work days reading about your planning!!

We went last early June and the love bugs were just coming out so you should be safe in mid May.

 

[kaysmommie]

That will be great!!! No long drives!!

Our's was really good! We went to eat and then came back home and played.....Disney Scene It!! I know, I know, we are so boring!! By the time it hit 12, I was so ready for bed! Hollie spent the night with my parents. They always like to get her on New Year's and they shoot fireworks and wear the cute New Year's hats and blow horns!

How was yours?

We are boring too. We fell alseep before midnight . I'm sure Hollie had fun with your parents.

Ah you should go to Garden Grill, we loved it there. When we went it was peak season in August and it was so quiet. The service was so good, the food was quite yummy and the setting and character interaction was first class. We all had so much fun. Plus I have heard it may be closing soon so you should try it before it does. Just ask for no catfish

Myabe we will since Thomas loves Chip & Dale. But we ate there in 2003 and I thought the food stunk. Tom will be annoyed if I book it again and it still nasty. Just not our kind of food. I love the atmosphere and the character interaction was excellent! Chef Mickey's is so loud and also doesn't have great food. Not sure yet.

Have you ever been to Hoop Dee Doo or Spirit of Aloha? i want to try one of these this trip but not sure which. I love the idea of the Lua but i heard it's not that great for 2 TS. Hoop Dee Doo looks fun but the music seems kind of corny to me. I can just see my slef siting there rolling my eyes . I hope I'm wrong though. I guess whichever one is better for a birthday. Of course we could just go to Cali grill instead.

Nichole, I just saw that you are flying! That is great because I know how much you hate the long drive! Did you get your tickets yet? What airline are you flying?

We are flying Southwest, didn't purchase our tickets yet. We should have 2 free flights though. Just have to buy two tickets. I like driving because then you have your car there. I rented the points for Saratoga. But I have to admit that place doesn't appeal to me for some reason. The rooms look nice but the there is no theme. I should have just booked a pirate room at CBR. But thought it would nice to go more deluxe, so much for that. i had the chance to book BWV and now I wish I would have for the location.

Oh great you are going back and soon!! I can look forward to filling up my work days reading about your planning!!

We went last early June and the love bugs were just coming out so you should be safe in mid May.

Hi there . Thanks. When I start my pretrip I will post a link. Wow love bugs in June. I know lots of times it has been May. Well maybe we will get lucky.

 

[kaysmommie]

I need help with some dining suggestions. At first I was going to just pay OOP for the meals we want to book. that way if I decide to cancel one of them it will be no big deal since I haven't already paid. Sometimes I just hate having to work the trip around dining.

Anyway now i think I might just add the DDP after all. We are thinking of doing a dinner show. Not sure which one has better food and is more fun?? Also which ever is better for celebrating a birthday will help me choose. If we don't pick a dinner show then we will just got to Cali Grill instead. We love the food there, though it might be boring for the kids. What do you think. HDD, SOA, or Cali Grill??

So far I think our other ADR's will be..

Chef Mickey's or possibly Garden grill?? dinner

Sci fi Dine Inn- dinner

Le Cellier - dinner

Tusker House- Breakfast.

The Plaza for lunch

I might take Le Cellier of the list if we go to CG. What do you think?

 

[ariel2007]

We have done both and loved both. Personally though I think children will enjoy HDD more, the Spirit of Aloha is good but is mostly just different Polynesian dances. The food was very yummy though, chicken, ribs, rice, salad and bread. The pudding wasn't to my taste but no others love it. As for HDD we absolutely loved it. We were worried being 2 adults that we may feel daft and when we got there our table was a table for two at the very front and center, we were very worried by this point. But we loved every second of it and Nick hasn't stopped going on about it. The music was good, the show was hilarious and the food was the best. Thats part of the reason we are going to Trails End as they share the same kitchen so cant wait to have some more of those ribs.

 

[kaysmommie]

We have done both and loved both. Personally though I think children will enjoy HDD more, the Spirit of Aloha is good but is mostly just different Polynesian dances. The food was very yummy though, chicken, ribs, rice, salad and bread. The pudding wasn't to my taste but no others love it. As for HDD we absolutely loved it. We were worried being 2 adults that we may feel daft and when we got there our table was a table for two at the very front and center, we were very worried by this point. But we loved every second of it and Nick hasn't stopped going on about it. The music was good, the show was hilarious and the food was the best. Thats part of the reason we are going to Trails End as they share the same kitchen so cant wait to have some more of those ribs.

Well it sounds like Hoop Dee Doo is the winner for sure! I would be scared too if my seats were front & center . I don't want to sing old Mcdonald . the only thing about Spirit of Aloha is the fire twirler. thomas loves to watch them do the torch lighting when we are at Poly. He even pretends to be at home with out the fire of course! it's hilarious. I'm thinking of not booking Le Cellier and going to Teppan Edo. It looks like so much fun but not sure if Thomas will eat anything there, he is so picky. The monorail plates are cute though .

 

[dddisrunner]

Well it sounds like Hoop Dee Doo is the winner for sure! I would be scared too if my seats were front & center . I don't want to sing old Mcdonald . the only thing about Spirit of Aloha is the fire twirler. thomas loves to watch them do the torch lighting when we are at Poly. He even pretends to be at home with out the fire of course! it's hilarious. I'm thinking of not booking Le Cellier and going to Teppan Edo. It looks like so much fun but not sure if Thomas will eat anything there, he is so picky. The monorail plates are cute though .

Not sure if it is because it was Christmas time, but friends of ours went to Teppan Edo for dinner and said that the kids meals weren't served in the monorail dishes I vote for Hoop Dee Doo too, I couldn't imagine sitting at SOA outside with the eat