"Mom, this is like a whole new Disney!" New 7/30 - pg 43 - Final Thoughts & PTR Link

[DisMomAmy]

Yes, the weather is hot & humid, but it is not as bad as the summer of course. It is not as crowded as in the summer. I remember many trips of the parks not being too crowded late at night(extra magic hours). Just remember to check the calendar of the week you are going to see what attractions that they may close to refurbish(if any). It's a good time to go

I'm sure we'll be able to handle the heat... it's usually my DH who suffers the most and he won't be there. So far there are a few rehabs scheduled that week... but nothing I'm too upset over.

Okay Amy, all caught up now! (Again!) first, b/c it is fresh in my mind, WE were out camping for the 4th, and so I know you didn't go over the 4th, but it made me laugh how families with boys tend to make that a common getaway... I know families with girls camp too, but with boys, it is kinda a given

On to this TR/PTR!

SOOOOO happy for you that you get to try out the BW! That is funny how you started with a value to Moderate, then from POR to BW!! You are very convincing!!

The update about Epcot had me totally understanding your lament. I felt that a little at Christmas, but at least my DBIL and his pal are flexible and didn't really care what we did in the park. But missing the morning rides, to be caught up in the lines and the "THEM" as TG Mike says, really gets me off balance. I don't have to make it on all the rides everytime and I don't race around to do that, but I have to have a plan or at least an idea of what to do while there when we start. And yes, eating by noon is a MUST!

It does look like the kids really enjoy the KidCot stations. Mine were just not interested, they were more interested in KP and in looking inside the pavilions. I still have not had my time with WS. I really feel I need to justify a solo trip for that reason!!!

SOME day.

Anyhow, hopefully after lunch things were better!

Yes - camping is definitely a must for families with boys.

You're right... it is funny that we started with value and have ended up with deluxe... but our deluxe is actually costing less than POR! Otherwise there is NO WAY we'd be staying there! It's also funny that I've only stayed on-site three times as an adult... the first time was value at POP, the second time was moderate at CBR and now BWI! Luckily we usually stay off-site - it will be hard for me to go back!

We love TGM... maybe that's why I can't stand being one of "them"!

You're lucky your boys wanted to look around the pavilions... the kidkot stops were the only way to get mine inside! So you really didn't miss out on much by not doing the masks.

Love all the updates!!

I'm so glad you decided on BWI -- I can't wait to hear all about it and see your pictures!

I can't wait to share BWI with you!! I'll try to give you a little sneak peak before your trip!

Momof2Disneyboys- We plan on staying at a different resort on every trip. Which one did you prefer best out of CBR, CSR or POR. Thanks.

Shelly has written reviews of the resorts... at least POR. Somewhere in one of her reports she ranks the resorts from favorite to least favorite. I'm sure she can share the link with you. The title says something like, "stayed at all four moderates" in it...

 

[Glite]

Thanks, I plan to check it out the trip report.
Look forward on hearing about BWI as well when you get back from your next trip.

 

[Glite]

We have friends that live in Orlando. Same thing, they do not go to Disney a lot. Just like us I'm sure; we live close to New Orleans, but rarely go there. So, our last trip(09), we called them about 2 days before we was leaving and told them we will call them if we can get together which we didn't ended up getting together with them as we all was busy. Our 07 trip, we did not call them at all, mainly because we took my mom with us. For our 06 trip, we picked a time and place to meet "THEM" to hang out, which ended up being at DHS for a few hours, which did not disrupt our plans.
We love them, but we all know we can't live in Disney like we want tolmao. As you all know it takes money and months, even years for some of us of anticipating on going to WDW and when you are finally there, we do not want our time and plans to be derailed. That's what happened on our 95 and 2000 trip when you got together with them. We got together with them and things got way off course and balance which gets frustrating.

Best thing to do, is just tell them, you have a jam packed week, so let's pick a time and park or place to meet to hang out. They will understand; if not, they will get over it.

We love them and they know it.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Momof2Disneyboys- We plan on staying at a different resort on every trip. Which one did you prefer best out of CBR, CSR or POR. Thanks.

CBR is our favorite, followed closely by POR! We didn't care all that much for CSR.

I did a review of our Jan 2009 CBR stay here ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2074555

And our Nov 2009 POR stay here ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2333071

I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about any of them!

I can't wait to share BWI with you!! I'll try to give you a little sneak peak before your trip!

That would be awesome!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Thanks, I plan to check it out the trip report.
Look forward on hearing about BWI as well when you get back from your next trip.

We have friends that live in Orlando. Same thing, they do not go to Disney a lot. Just like us I'm sure; we live close to New Orleans, but rarely go there. So, our last trip(09), we called them about 2 days before we was leaving and told them we will call them if we can get together which we didn't ended up getting together with them as we all was busy. Our 07 trip, we did not call them at all, mainly because we took my mom with us. For our 06 trip, we picked a time and place to meet "THEM" to hang out, which ended up being at DHS for a few hours, which did not disrupt our plans.
We love them, but we all know we can't live in Disney like we want tolmao. As you all know it takes money and months, even years for some of us of anticipating on going to WDW and when you are finally there, we do not want our time and plans to be derailed. That's what happened on our 95 and 2000 trip when you got together with them. We got together with them and things got way off course and balance which gets frustrating.

Best thing to do, is just tell them, you have a jam packed week, so let's pick a time and park or place to meet to hang out. They will understand; if not, they will get over it.

We love them and they know it.

That's our plan... I just hope DH can adequately express this to his brother.

CBR is our favorite, followed closely by POR! We didn't care all that much for CSR.

I did a review of our Jan 2009 CBR stay here ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2074555

And our Nov 2009 POR stay here ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2333071

I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about any of them!

That would be awesome!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Our receipt shows that Tim paid at 2:15. He still had to wait for the food & we had to eat! How far in advance would people be lined up in Italy? We rushed to eat, grabbed our stuff and headed over to Italy. (I don’t think I ordered anything – I might have eaten a little of the boys’ chicken but I was trying to keep my stomach settled.) When we got to Italy we didn’t see any signs of Sergio… When I had run into him in 2008 he was already there performing so I didn’t know what to expect for the start of the show. We just sort of stood around in the general area where I’d remembered seeing him. Jeff & everyone showed up to join us for the show:

Zach had been promised another Kaki Gori, so Tim took off and picked up a couple cold treats for me & Zach. Still not exactly sure where Sergio would set up, we stayed put. He came around and layed a rope out on the ground. We found ourselves a spot right up next to the rope. The boys were front & center.

Some of these photos are from behind Sergio... Nancy wanted pictures of us watching Sergio:

Alex's arms, waiting eagerly to catch a ball:

Unfortunately, Alex never got a a ball... but Jeff did:

And Zach did:

Alex trying to steal the ball from him (me yelling "no"):

And some other boy did:

Alex was disappointed that he didn't get to participate, but we all enjoyed the show:

Maybe next time I can make Alex a Sergio shirt to up his chances!

Up next: The rest of our Epcot Day

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great update! In all our trips we have never seen Sergio. I am looking forward to spending lots of time in Epcot/World Showcase next time since we are staying at the BW.

 

[Hallowishes]

Great update! ive always enjoyed sergio's performances! so glad you got to see him!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I've never seen Sergio. Looks like a cute show. I had to really giggle about the "no" picture. My kids would totally be the same way!

Does that picture show a plane flying overheard and writing something in the sky? What did it say?

 

[Native NYer]

Great update!
I hope I get to see Sergio next month.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I've never seen Sergio! What a fun interaction and experience! Glad Zach was able to participate! Hopefully, Alex will get his chance next time.

 

[disneyfan61]

Hi Amy. Hope you are staying cool.

I just got caught up on the last few updates. So as I understand it you are staying with BWI?? I have seen pics of their updated rooms & they look so nice!!

Sorry about your tummy problems while you were there. I have a chronic illness that can make me feel like that at any time!! Glad it did not stop you from doing things.

Aw-Storyland & Lost River. Did them many times when the boys were little. Looks like you all had a great time.

 

[Angies1274]

Great update Amy! YAY! for seeing Sergio! We still haven't seen him yet. It looks like a great show! Too funny about the trying to steal the ball picture. That's definitely something I could see my boys doing as well. That's great Zach got to participate!! Too bad Alex didn't though...hopefully next time!!

 

[Glite]

CBR is our favorite, followed closely by POR! We didn't care all that much for CSR.

I did a review of our Jan 2009 CBR stay here ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2074555

And our Nov 2009 POR stay here ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2333071

I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about any of them!



That would be awesome!

Thank you, I plan to check out your trip reports and reading up on them.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great update! In all our trips we have never seen Sergio. I am looking forward to spending lots of time in Epcot/World Showcase next time since we are staying at the BW.

He's fun to watch!

Great update! ive always enjoyed sergio's performances! so glad you got to see him!

It was one of my goals for the trip so I was really happy we got to see him!

I've never seen Sergio. Looks like a cute show. I had to really giggle about the "no" picture. My kids would totally be the same way!

Does that picture show a plane flying overheard and writing something in the sky? What did it say?

I was surprised I didn't have to restrain Alex from running onto the "stage"!

That plane was flying around all week & Doreen (disneyfan61 saw him the next week too)... it was writing something about Jesus...

Great update!
I hope I get to see Sergio next month.

Thanks!! I hope you get to see him!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I've never seen Sergio! What a fun interaction and experience! Glad Zach was able to participate! Hopefully, Alex will get his chance next time.

It was a lot of fun - you should check him out sometime.

Hi Amy. Hope you are staying cool.

I just got caught up on the last few updates. So as I understand it you are staying with BWI?? I have seen pics of their updated rooms & they look so nice!!

Sorry about your tummy problems while you were there. I have a chronic illness that can make me feel like that at any time!! Glad it did not stop you from doing things.

Aw-Storyland & Lost River. Did them many times when the boys were little. Looks like you all had a great time.

Yes - BWI!! And I cancelled the POR ressie yesterday so we won't be changing our minds again!! I can't wait... I think I've told you that BC is my dream resort... BWI is the next best thing!!

Tummy problems stink!

Our trip up north was fun... we need to come up with some new ideas for next year though. The boys are getting too big for Story Land!

Great update Amy! YAY! for seeing Sergio! We still haven't seen him yet. It looks like a great show! Too funny about the trying to steal the ball picture. That's definitely something I could see my boys doing as well. That's great Zach got to participate!! Too bad Alex didn't though...hopefully next time!!

I was happy for Zach but a little disappointed for Alex... maybe next time. That's the only problem with the shows that involve audience participation... They don't take both siblings!

Thank you, I plan to check out your trip reports and reading up on them.

Happy reading!! Shelly's a good resource!

 

[eandesmom]

what a fun update! I especially love the picture of Alex trying to steal the ball and you saying "no", that's classic!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Sergio looks like a lot of fun Amy! I have never seen him or even heard of him before! We will have to try and catch him next time, I think the kids would really get a kick out of all his cool tricks!!! I like the pics that Nancy took too, and see him from a different perspective!!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

what a fun update! I especially love the picture of Alex trying to steal the ball and you saying "no", that's classic!

That's definitely a typical family moment for us!

Sergio looks like a lot of fun Amy! I have never seen him or even heard of him before! We will have to try and catch him next time, I think the kids would really get a kick out of all his cool tricks!!! I like the pics that Nancy took too, and see him from a different perspective!!!

He's so much fun!! You should check him out on one of your future trip! Nancy is always snapping away with her camera... it's nice to see pictures from a different perspective!

 

[DisMomAmy]

After finally catching Sergio’s show, we all headed out of the World Showcase toward Norway & Mexico. Zach & I stopped in China to play with these:

He ended up buying a small one:

Somewhere along the way we found a PP photographer and had these pictures taken:

Now we had a decision to make. We had a dinner ADR at Boma. We could go back to the condo for a little while or take in a couple more rides and go directly there. We all thought it would be easier and less rushed if we went directly to Boma. Unfortunately Alex didn’t agree because he hadn’t brought his “stuff” that he needed for dinner. He can’t just sit and eat, he has to have “stuff” – sometimes it’s just paper & markers, sometimes it’s a book, sometimes it’s action figures. Tonight he wanted his markers & paper. We decided to stop at Mousegears to buy him some new markers & he was game! Crisis averted! So off we went to a ride… can you guess? Jeff, K, Tim, the boys & I decided to give Test Track another try before leaving Epcot. Nancy & Karen lingered a while in the WS. Luckily it was open & we were able to get in a ride!!

After Test Track we decided to try to ride Soarin’ all together. We made a pit stop at Mousegears for Alex’s markers & a couple activity books then met up with Karen & Nancy and finally got to ride something together.

While we were over in the Land, I picked up a set of F&G Festival Mickey gnome windchimes for my mom.

Somehow I completely skipped this in my notes, but I know we drove over to the AKL & self parked before making our way into the most beautiful lobby. It was gorgeous!! But we had plans so we couldn’t take in the sights quite yet. We made our way to Boma & enjoyed probably the best buffet at Disney… that we’ve encountered anyways. Everyone loved the meal. I played it safe and ate bread, plain pasta and a little meat. I’m normally a pretty bland eater so there wasn’t too much at the buffet that I was interested in… plus I was trying to avoid another incident.

Boma:

Continued next post...