Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[brookelizabeth]

Here! Tardy, but Present!


Kathy

Hello you!! Thanks for popping in!!!!

 

[Mindy5767]

Oh My Gosh!! I have caught up!!!

I can't believe how cool that Winnie the Queue is!! Love it! The last time we were there the queue was off on the opposite side and it was all walled off so you really couldn't see what they were up to! I'm really looking forward to seeing that. Heidi will enjoy that.

I am worried that you are homeless for one day! They've GOT to find you something!! right? I think it was WDWgal03 (may have butchered the name) who recently posted FB pics of OKW. I couldn't believe how lovely it looked. We stayed there in 2008 and it was all early 90's pink and pastel with that dated white washed wood look. Now that its rehabbed (I wonder if the rehab is completed), I want to stay there again! SSR is our home resort.. but I really liked OKW too. I want to stay at BCV someday. I like BWV too.. it has that scary maniacal clown slide that barfs children!! But Heidi thought it looked fun. As long as she's not freaked by it mommy will just look away..

So I went to dinner with DH and Heidi tonight, and again, I brought up our not so planned yet, planned summer visit. I'm not sure if I mentioned on this thread or not. My DS19 (Max) interviewed for a job at the Lego Store at DTD. He's in college at Florida Tech. If he gets it, he's coming home for 2 weeks to get his license, and have dental surgery, then returning in our extra vehicle (a huge truck). We'd be free to visit Disney any time during the summer between the ending of Heidi's Brownie overnight camp (July 10th) and when school re-starts Aug. 28th. If Max doesn't get the job and can't find another, he'll have to come home for the summer. If so, we'll have to take him back to Florida Tech around the 18th of August, so we'll have to plan our Disney trip with Heidi for then. So we can't book yet.. and its killing me. I'm worried I won't be able to get a studio at SSR or OKW. We could stay at Pop (Heidi's fave) but we'd have to use cash obviously.

So anyway, I bring up the trip and my DH (Henry) says as he rolls his eyes... "Can't we just show up!".. and I'm like I said "OMG... I can't wait to post THAT on Brook's TR"... Type 2 non-planner. He hates having ADR's because he doesn't like his time at Disney to be scripted.

I mentioned to him about the cruises from NY and Galveston and that I thought from what I read that it is the same ship.. so they would have to bring the Magic down to Galveston when its done in NY, so he says "hmmmm maybe we can get in on the repositioning cruise".. We used to live near Galveston and his parents live in TX, so we could get off there and visit before flying back to NY (which we'd have to do because if we drive from DC to NY our van would be there). Unless we can take the train??? I have never taken a train. In fact, I was the crazy one driving down the street in the middle of Manhattan in my van with VA plates, and sayin' Hey look... there aren't any out of state plates and most of the cars are taxis! wow!! (I dont' count NJ as being out of state in NYC). My Henry DID find parking... but it was nuts to do. When would the repo cruise from NY to Gal be and how many days? It seems it would take quite a while to sail that far.

 

[tiggrbaby]

OMG!!!! That WTP play area is AMAZING!!! Would it look weird if I went there by myself?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wow, not a DVC room to be had? Yikes! What are the crowds supposed to be like that week? No matter, you're a pro and are going to have a GREAT time!

The Pooh queue looks so fun for kids. I hadn't heard there was a potential safety issue with the spot they have roped off. That's too bad, if true. I am that you spent 45 min in the queue and didn't get to ride. But that "free play" and exploring time will be really appreciated by younger kids, I'm sure.

Plaza lunch. Yum.

 

[chicagoshannon]

THe Pooh Queue looks amazing! I knew they did something there but did not realize how awesome it is!! I can't wait to go play in it.

Have you stayed at OKW before? I can't wait to see pics of that resort. I'm contemplating renting points from someone for a week there next year.

 

[kschafer]

Sure hope your not left homeless for a night...or the couches in the lobby are comfy

Question about the Pooh Queue (teehee, that makes me laugh ) How does the rejoining work? I mean, if you select to stay in the regular line or enter the play area, how do you know (or how do others know) when or where your "spot" is?

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow, that is really surprising that neither SSR or OKW had anything for 4 nights. Those places are huge. I can't keep track anymore with all your trips but have you stayed at either of those places? You know I love Saratoga Springs since that's our "home" and OKW was really nice too.

I like the idea of 4 parks in one day. I want to do that sometime too...closest we ever came was 3 parks in one day and that was only because it was the one time we stayed offsite and couldn't go back to a room!

The new Winnie the Pooh line is adorable. I like the pic with Henry and his little buddy! Cute!

 

[CaseFace5]

Congrats on the solo trip! I hope to be able to do one of those myself someday.

The Winnie the Pooh area was so cute! So glad you guys had fun there, especially henry. Looks like a blast! It is so fun traveling to the world with a child and there fun always makes things better.

Hope everything works out for the first night of your trip! I sure hope you won't be homeless! Although I couldn't think of a better place to be homeless! Let us know how it works out!

 

[onelilspark]

haha, I find it hilarious that you didn't have time to ride the ride!!

You can get an AP rate still for a few of the moderates, like Coronado Springs if you need to for a night on Saturday. And if you came by my PTR, sorry it's a little lame. My PTRs are never that exciting...

 

[glennbo123]

Hey Brook! GREAT title for this chapter!

That queue looks like a lot of fun, and it makes me wonder what it must be like sitting in the Imagineering brainstorming sessions to come up with these ideas.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh My Gosh!! I have caught up!!!

I can't believe how cool that Winnie the Queue is!! Love it! The last time we were there the queue was off on the opposite side and it was all walled off so you really couldn't see what they were up to! I'm really looking forward to seeing that. Heidi will enjoy that.

I am worried that you are homeless for one day! They've GOT to find you something!! right? I think it was WDWgal03 (may have butchered the name) who recently posted FB pics of OKW. I couldn't believe how lovely it looked. We stayed there in 2008 and it was all early 90's pink and pastel with that dated white washed wood look. Now that its rehabbed (I wonder if the rehab is completed), I want to stay there again! SSR is our home resort.. but I really liked OKW too. I want to stay at BCV someday. I like BWV too.. it has that scary maniacal clown slide that barfs children!! But Heidi thought it looked fun. As long as she's not freaked by it mommy will just look away..

So I went to dinner with DH and Heidi tonight, and again, I brought up our not so planned yet, planned summer visit. I'm not sure if I mentioned on this thread or not. My DS19 (Max) interviewed for a job at the Lego Store at DTD. He's in college at Florida Tech. If he gets it, he's coming home for 2 weeks to get his license, and have dental surgery, then returning in our extra vehicle (a huge truck). We'd be free to visit Disney any time during the summer between the ending of Heidi's Brownie overnight camp (July 10th) and when school re-starts Aug. 28th. If Max doesn't get the job and can't find another, he'll have to come home for the summer. If so, we'll have to take him back to Florida Tech around the 18th of August, so we'll have to plan our Disney trip with Heidi for then. So we can't book yet.. and its killing me. I'm worried I won't be able to get a studio at SSR or OKW. We could stay at Pop (Heidi's fave) but we'd have to use cash obviously.

So anyway, I bring up the trip and my DH (Henry) says as he rolls his eyes... "Can't we just show up!".. and I'm like I said "OMG... I can't wait to post THAT on Brook's TR"... Type 2 non-planner. He hates having ADR's because he doesn't like his time at Disney to be scripted.

I mentioned to him about the cruises from NY and Galveston and that I thought from what I read that it is the same ship.. so they would have to bring the Magic down to Galveston when its done in NY, so he says "hmmmm maybe we can get in on the repositioning cruise".. We used to live near Galveston and his parents live in TX, so we could get off there and visit before flying back to NY (which we'd have to do because if we drive from DC to NY our van would be there). Unless we can take the train??? I have never taken a train. In fact, I was the crazy one driving down the street in the middle of Manhattan in my van with VA plates, and sayin' Hey look... there aren't any out of state plates and most of the cars are taxis! wow!! (I dont' count NJ as being out of state in NYC). My Henry DID find parking... but it was nuts to do. When would the repo cruise from NY to Gal be and how many days? It seems it would take quite a while to sail that far.

Can't we just show up?!?! Oh man!! Thankfully Joe gets that part of it all! Though, he stands with your Henry on ADRs, he'd love to be able to walk-up!

That unknown about a trip would drive me bonkers too. When will your DS find out about the job? Hopefully soon! I hope he gets it!!!

Thank you for the reminder of checking out Sarah's OKW pics on Facebook - when I tried to look last time FB was acting quirky and I couldn't see them, but now that I am trying for OKW I REALLY want to see them! I hope those last 2 nights come through for me...I'm not worried yet since DVC rooms shift around so much. I'm going to check a TA rate for Pop or the like for that first night too - they did not have all my dates, otherwise I'd try to stay there on a TA rate since it's cheaper than points. Maybe they have one night! Fingers crossed!

Yep! There will have to be a repo cruise from NY to Galveston! I have been stalking the Repo Cruise page on the TA site, so when I see it, I will announce it! I would LOVE to do the FL to NYC one. I imagine NYC to Galveston would at least be a 7 or 8-nighter. Stop at Nassau, Castaway Cay...and maybe Port Canaveral too? Taking the train here would be easy! Just hop on the Amtrak, it goes right into Penn Station or Grand Central. Probably cheaper than parking too!

OMG!!!! That WTP play area is AMAZING!!! Would it look weird if I went there by myself?

Go for it! But no, I don't think it would look weird at all. There were lots of adults playing. I'm sure others would just assume you had a child with you somewhere...

Wow, not a DVC room to be had? Yikes! What are the crowds supposed to be like that week? No matter, you're a pro and are going to have a GREAT time!

The Pooh queue looks so fun for kids. I hadn't heard there was a potential safety issue with the spot they have roped off. That's too bad, if true. I am that you spent 45 min in the queue and didn't get to ride. But that "free play" and exploring time will be really appreciated by younger kids, I'm sure.

Plaza lunch. Yum.

The crowds are listed at 8 and 9's. Which makes me a little but I kinda expected it too since it's the holiday. I am hoping by being solo (or a group of 2) we can still get a lot covered.

I read about the safety concerns on another board...and that is all I had ever heard about why it never opened. Just seems strange that it passed all the checks until they invested the money and built it, doesn't it? There are a few YouTube videos of it out there, and it looks like a BLAST, but I can see the potential safety concern as well.

Yes, that free play was a BIG winner for H. He talked about it for a long time. Later when we tried to go on the ride, he refused.

THe Pooh Queue looks amazing! I knew they did something there but did not realize how awesome it is!! I can't wait to go play in it.

Have you stayed at OKW before? I can't wait to see pics of that resort. I'm contemplating renting points from someone for a week there next year.

It really is done VERY well. It's creative and fun for everyone! The items are sturdy so I think they will last too.

I haven't stayed at OKW yet - we have explored a wee bit, but not much. I'm really looking forward to staying there - I hope I get all the nights! I'll pretty much go anywhere they have open though!

Sure hope your not left homeless for a night...or the couches in the lobby are comfy

Question about the Pooh Queue (teehee, that makes me laugh ) How does the rejoining work? I mean, if you select to stay in the regular line or enter the play area, how do you know (or how do others know) when or where your "spot" is?

LOL I told the CM I'd be hitching a ride to WDW (they can't add my ME because I don't have a room for that first night!) and walking around property all night. She laughed at me. The loungers in pool areas are quite nice as well...

The Pooh Queue (and yes, that is funny!) doesn't really start now until after the play area. You can walk right through the play area and straight into the queue and keep your spot; otherwise, if you play, others will get in front of you. I thought it was going to be more part of the queue - like a little scene here, then you queue for a while, then another little play scene - but it's not. It's all or nothing! Except, they do have the honey walls in the actual queue and a few other things to look at.

Wow, that is really surprising that neither SSR or OKW had anything for 4 nights. Those places are huge. I can't keep track anymore with all your trips but have you stayed at either of those places? You know I love Saratoga Springs since that's our "home" and OKW was really nice too.

I like the idea of 4 parks in one day. I want to do that sometime too...closest we ever came was 3 parks in one day and that was only because it was the one time we stayed offsite and couldn't go back to a room!

The new Winnie the Pooh line is adorable. I like the pic with Henry and his little buddy! Cute!

Isn't it? I was a bit shocked myself about NO studios! I could have gotten a 1-bed, but we are point poor...so....I'll risk it! We have stayed at SSR, but not OKW yet! I'm really looking forward to trying OKW, but I'll take whatever resort they can give me for the entire stay. I hope something comes up! OKW, AKV or SSR would be the easiest since they are huuuuuge, but we'll see.

Congrats on the solo trip! I hope to be able to do one of those myself someday.

The Winnie the Pooh area was so cute! So glad you guys had fun there, especially henry. Looks like a blast! It is so fun traveling to the world with a child and there fun always makes things better.

Hope everything works out for the first night of your trip! I sure hope you won't be homeless! Although I couldn't think of a better place to be homeless! Let us know how it works out!

The Pooh Queue really is adorable. Traveling with a little one brings a whole different aspect to WDW. I'm very curious about what I will think of it as a solo/adult. Joe and I went as honeymooners, but I can't remember what it was like really (other than we LOVED IT! LOL)...did we get that "magic" feeling like we do now with H? Or was it just really fun? I'll find out!

I'm pretty sure I won't be homeless either, something will open up...I just have to be diligent about calling and checking on it all...and speaking of which...I should call DVC Member Services right now!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Love love love the pictures of Henry playing in the new Winnie the Pooh queue. Like a previous poster said, I knew they had new interactive elements but had no idea there was so much to see and do.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

YAHOO for two new tickers!! The solo/girls/DIS trip will be a new experience and half the battle is the guilt! lol I strongly believe we all need time to recharge the batteries, whatever it might be. Good for you and I know you'll have a blast! It will be a new experience and so much fun! I actually took the plunge too - One of my BFF's is my "travel buddy" and we've been to local places but also Germany and Paris together on separate trips. We knew we were due to go together this year since it's been 2-3 years since we have travelled together. We talked about NYC, the Grand Canyon, etc and she told me, "honestly you know where I want to go? WDW with the Christmas decorations out". I immediately thought - i can't do that to my DS! After thinking about the "girlie" things we could do and the recharging we all need - I told her we would! Luckily I got a 30% off during the week we had saved months ago in my itineraries so we're going the week before Thanksgiving which is when we went as a family for the first time. I can't wait!

I love the Pooh queue pictures and I also love that you took the time to absorb it all with Henry! I'm looking forward to this on our next trip!

Heather

 

[photographymom517]

Wow! Brook I had no idea about your solo trip. I wondered what you meant in that email when you said you'd be at WDW for your birthday this year!!! I was confused but too tired at the time to ask questions!

I can't wait to hear what you think of going solo when you get back.

I the new Pooh Queue! When we were there last June, the big tree had construction walls all around it. We could see ladders & men working at the top of the tree, but nothing else. Here's what I saw in June:

I really like the new area!!! It looks very interactive! I can't wait to see it in person! It looks like Henry had alot of fun playing inside the tree & also the different games with Joe! I am interested to hear your response to kschafer's question -- how do you know where "your spot" in line is after you are in the interactive portion of the queue? Is your place somehow held in line or do you just lose your spot & go to the back of the line?

Thanks for answering my questions about the circus area! I read something a long time ago (I think on the Disney Blog) about it, but never heard specifics! Good to know, thanks!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I love this new queue!! Our next trip is girls only and my daughters are 11 & 12. A little too old probably but still, I want to check this out for sure. So, so cute!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

DH and I were in this cue playing at 11:00 at night and it was dead! We were able to see all of the very cute tricks and imagined Madelyn loving this! I can only imagine prying Henry away. I think my favorite part were the "honey walls" further on in the cue. I love the surprise you get after playing with them. Very nice!

on the solo trip AND the cruise. I don't see any dates at the bottom of your cruise ticker? I know I must've missed something there.....

 

[DisMomAmy]

I love the new Pooh queue! We had a lot of fun with it too.

Good luck with your wait list for OKW. And I hope your friend can go along with you. That would be a lot of fun!!

 

[KatMark]

I think it BEST that I KEEP this new Queue at Winnie the Pooh from my wonderful husband. You see...Pooh is a FAVORITE of mine for all time and I have a feeling that he is going to have to "peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel" me out of there to go on the ride.

Brook, thanks for all the pictures...it looks terrific.

Keeping fingers crossed that you won't be homeless when you arrive in Florida.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Good luck with finding somewhere to stay on the 28 - will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Also the new WTP Queue looks awesome!!! I'm def going to be having some fun in that line even if I do get funny looks for my over excitement as an adult!

 

[claryche]

I love the Pooh que too. I can't believe though that I missed that Tigger bounce area, I had no idea about it. Now I want to know the whole story about that.

Didn't know about Piglet's voice in the tree, but I do know that you can hear his voice when you knock on his tree door, which is on a storybook page in the que area. My son did knock on the door and we heard Piglet, but I can't remember what he said. Here is what it looks like. Just in case you don't remember what I'm talking about.

Funny how you guys spent too much time playing in the que. That is my only problem with the que, that you aren't really in line. Which I guess that is what they will be trying to solve with the Dumbo ride being talked about as having a queless wait or whatever.

It was hard to pull out gopher. Even after my DH and DS pulled him out, my DS had a hard time keeping him out by himself. And I was shocked that Gopher had already lost an arm, which you can see in your picture. And I'm pretty sure when we were there that one of the vegetables was broken, thought I had a pic, but I don't.