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

[DisMomAmy]

While doing some research on AP room-only rates I've stumbled across some AMAZING deals through Travelocity & Orbitz for my fall dates. We can stay at Boardwalk Inn, AKL - Savannah View, or WL for LESS than we were going to stay at POR (with the 30% promo)!! I need to book asap & am waiting for Laura to get home. We can still get ME and the refund policy is the same as Disney's... so we can cancel or change if we so desire. (Yet POR is coming up the same as what we already have booked. )

What should we do?? Boardwalk during the first weekend of F&W is CRAZY... WL has the boat to MK... AKL - Savanna View - need I say more?

Help!! What would you do??

 

[mousescrapper]

Amy this is why I never look to see if there is a better deal...to much pressure

man that is a huge call....

I'd personally go for BWI yes I know crazy next to Epcot for F& W...but it's next to Epcot for F & W...easy in after 11 am and out anytime....

how much are you going to be at the resort...I know you want it special since you don't get on property that much...but I wouldn't go flippin over the choice...POR really is great.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Amy this is why I never look to see if there is a better deal...to much pressure

man that is a huge call....

I'd personally go for BWI yes I know crazy next to Epcot for F& W...but it's next to Epcot for F & W...easy in after 11 am and out anytime....

how much are you going to be at the resort...I know you want it special since you don't get on property that much...but I wouldn't go flippin over the choice...POR really is great.

Thanks Julie... That was no help at all!

Well we booked BWI! And haven't cancelled POR yet.

We paid $460 at POR for waterview ($400 without) and that was with the 30% Special Offer on the website. We booked BWI through Orbitz, at the discounted rate, plus an additional 10% off with a promo code for $417!

Now we just have to think it through... BWI is deluxe & it is next to Epcot, but is it going to be totally loud & crazy every night? Will we get any R&R?

We plan to cancel one of the ressies sometime later this week. If we stay at BWI, I might have to re-think some of our ADRs too.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

BWI ~ Awesome!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

BWI ~ Awesome!!

I was poking around the resort boards today & saw you recently posted on one of the BWI threads!

My only concern with BWI vs. POR is that it is always "on"... will there be peace & quiet? Will it always bee a zoo?

Convince me that we made the right choice! Tell me why you are staying at BWI...

It seems crazy to pay more to stay at a moderate when we can stay at a deluxe in walking distance of two parks for less... but POR seems so much more serene.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I was poking around the resort boards today & saw you recently posted on one of the BWI threads!

My only concern with BWI vs. POR is that it is always "on"... will there be peace & quiet? Will it always bee a zoo?

Convince me that we made the right choice! Tell me why you are staying at BWI...

It seems crazy to pay more to stay at a moderate when we can stay at a deluxe in walking distance of two parks for less... but POR seems so much more serene.

We LOVE the Boardwalk area and visit it on each trip. We are so excited to finally stay there! We've never found it to be a zoo! I really like the looks of the refurbished rooms. Balcony's have views of the BW, or Epcot, or gardens. I think the pool slide looks really long and cool! We just really like the whole atmosphere there. Lots to do and see. Shopping, dining, walking distance to Epcot, DHS, YC, BC, Swan, Dolphin, mini-golf. We love to eat at the Big River Grille too!

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a great morning at DHS except for Alex's temper tantrum!

Can't wait to see the pictures of Zach's stormtrooper costume!

You know we love our Bo at this house!

Oh, no! I don't like the sound of what you are going to encounter in the way of finding lunch!

Boardwalk? Wow! That would be such a fun place to stay! Could you request a quiet room away from the actual boardwalk?

 

[DisMomAmy]

We LOVE the Boardwalk area and visit it on each trip. We are so excited to finally stay there! We've never found it to be a zoo! I really like the looks of the refurbished rooms. Balcony's have views of the BW, or Epcot, or gardens. I think the pool slide looks really long and cool! We just really like the whole atmosphere there. Lots to do and see. Shopping, dining, walking distance to Epcot, DHS, YC, BC, Swan, Dolphin, mini-golf. We love to eat at the Big River Grille too!

I'm sure BWI is the way to go I can just be slow to accept change... We were both really getting used to the idea of the slow pace of POR, having a beautiful water view from our mansion room... I'm not even sure I can put in a room request since we booked through Orbitz... hoping to figure that out today.

We really won't be in our room that much so proximity to parks it our priority & you can't beat the proximity to Epcot or DHS. We'll be staying for evening entertainment at both parks and it will be really nice to walk "home" after.

Reading mixed reviews about the buses to MK & DTD though...

I also need to wrap my brain around the dining situation as far as where to pick up a quick breakfast, etc. with no food court.

What a great morning at DHS except for Alex's temper tantrum!

Can't wait to see the pictures of Zach's stormtrooper costume!

You know we love our Bo at this house!

Oh, no! I don't like the sound of what you are going to encounter in the way of finding lunch!

Boardwalk? Wow! That would be such a fun place to stay! Could you request a quiet room away from the actual boardwalk?

I knew you'd enjoy the Bo pictures.

Alex bought the stortrooper costume... you'll get to see it in my next update.

Boardwalk could definitely be fun!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Alex bought the stortrooper costume... you'll get to see it in my next update.

I knew I should have gone back and checked who bought the stormtrooper costume!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm sure BWI is the way to go I can just be slow to accept change... We were both really getting used to the idea of the slow pace of POR, having a beautiful water view from our mansion room... I'm not even sure I can put in a room request since we booked through Orbitz... hoping to figure that out today.

We really won't be in our room that much so proximity to parks it our priority & you can't beat the proximity to Epcot or DHS. We'll be staying for evening entertainment at both parks and it will be really nice to walk "home" after.

Reading mixed reviews about the buses to MK & DTD though...

I also need to wrap my brain around the dining situation as far as where to pick up a quick breakfast, etc. with no food court.

If you didn't book a BW view (which is extra) then you should end up with a pretty quiet view. I think the only complaints of noise I have heard about are from people who had a BW view and they could hear people and the boat horn, etc.

I have also read mixed reviews on the buses to MK & DTD. We don't get park hoppers, so we are leaving about 5 of our 8 day tickets open for either Epcot or DHS. We are only going to MK once, so I am not too concerned about that. I am not concerned about the distance to MK, it is not that far from Epcot. I think most of the complaints stem from possibly having to share buses with S/D and YC/BC. We will likely go to DTD a couple of times, so I hope the buses are decent.

We usually do breakfast in the room - cereal bars, fruit, etc. But you can get breakfast at the BW bakery and at the Belle Vue Room. And I think there may be a food court at the Dolphin.

 

[mom3sonstt]

If you have hoppers you can always go through epcot and take the monorail over to Magic Kingdom. I know that's not necessarily the quickest way to do it, especially if you want to be there for park opening. But I use a scooter at the parks now, and I much prefer doing that then loading on a bus, especially if we are sharing with all the other Epcot resorts.
I have only stayed at Boardwalk once - and only for a few days. If we used the bus at all it was to go Downtown. We skipped AK that trip, and I "scooted" to epcot, studios, and monorailed to MK. We just got back from a week-long stay at Beach Club. Used the bus to go to Animal Kingdom with relatively little trouble - it was packed coming and going. And to go downtown - that was a disaster! And we shared with Swan, Dolphin, Beach, Yacht & Boardwalk.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Wow...that's quite a choice! I guess I would look at when I'd ever be able to stay DELUXE again...I'd be really tempted to do BWI for that reason. And the proximity to Epcot, while may be a negative in terms of crowds, would be a real plus after a long park day.

 

[Cory's Gal]

Great morning at DHS Amy!! I have gotta say I LOVE Alex's Storm Trooper mask in the pics!!! I couldn't believe the line for Jedi training was already full at that time! What a popular thing I guess!! Awesome that you got on TOT too! We have missed it the last two trips and I am determined to get back on that thing the next time around!! Great photopass pics too!!! Excited to hear about your MK afternoon, we were there too!!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sorry I missed you guys in all the excitement over BWI...

yes it will be a challange to find something inexpensive but still Disney cool...Rachel will have probably 20+ in her class and I don't know for Naomi-Ruth...but I have to buy something she can use or eat to pass out...

in 05 we bought big bags of Chip n Dale snacks and then divied them up into individual baggies.

Understand that losing thing somethimes not so much losing but not going "his way"....kwim?

love all the PP pictures...and I forgot to post this on Missy's TR...but when she talks about J&K their table mates...I always think of your J&K too...

Have fun on your camping weekend too....

Good luck with your search for inexpensive birthday goodies! I'm sure there is good stuff to be found.

"Not going his way" is the perfect way to describe it!

That's funny about Missy's J & K... I think the same thing when I read her report!

Awesome update Amy!! I just love DHS and love seeing all the pictures of it. Sounds like a fun morning. Well, except for poor Karen, I hope she felt better the rest of the day.

Karen did perk up... I think lunch helped... once we ate.

Hi Amy! Catching up again...there just never seems to be enough DIS time lately.

Loved your updates!! It sounds like you had a great date night! Oh and I love all your shopping pics. I picked up those grocery bags last year. They are so cute!

Great photopass pics! Love the picture of the boys in their 3D glasses before riding TSM...very cute!

I know what you mean about not enough DIS time... Every time I get caught up, I get behind again!

Great update Amy! How sweet that Alex bought Karen a set of Minnie ears. What a nice kiddo.

The boys love Karen!

Great update Amy!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the photopass pics of the boys with Alex in his stormtroopers mask! SO cute!

Wait until you see the rest of the stormtrooper pictures!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I knew I should have gone back and checked who bought the stormtrooper costume!

Don't worry... I call them by the wrong name all the time!

If you didn't book a BW view (which is extra) then you should end up with a pretty quiet view. I think the only complaints of noise I have heard about are from people who had a BW view and they could hear people and the boat horn, etc.

I have also read mixed reviews on the buses to MK & DTD. We don't get park hoppers, so we are leaving about 5 of our 8 day tickets open for either Epcot or DHS. We are only going to MK once, so I am not too concerned about that. I am not concerned about the distance to MK, it is not that far from Epcot. I think most of the complaints stem from possibly having to share buses with S/D and YC/BC. We will likely go to DTD a couple of times, so I hope the buses are decent.

We usually do breakfast in the room - cereal bars, fruit, etc. But you can get breakfast at the BW bakery and at the Belle Vue Room. And I think there may be a food court at the Dolphin.

More on the BWI situation coming up...

Thanks for the dining ideas!

If you have hoppers you can always go through epcot and take the monorail over to Magic Kingdom. I know that's not necessarily the quickest way to do it, especially if you want to be there for park opening. But I use a scooter at the parks now, and I much prefer doing that then loading on a bus, especially if we are sharing with all the other Epcot resorts.
I have only stayed at Boardwalk once - and only for a few days. If we used the bus at all it was to go Downtown. We skipped AK that trip, and I "scooted" to epcot, studios, and monorailed to MK. We just got back from a week-long stay at Beach Club. Used the bus to go to Animal Kingdom with relatively little trouble - it was packed coming and going. And to go downtown - that was a disaster! And we shared with Swan, Dolphin, Beach, Yacht & Boardwalk.

Thanks for your input on BWI.

I have an AP but Laura will NOT have a park hopper. We have one MK day planned & one day that was a maybe MK/maybe Epcot night. I suspect we'd end up at Epcot if we stay at BWI. We're planning to skip AK too, so DTD would be our worst bus situation.... But for such a short trip we could probably live with it.

Wow...that's quite a choice! I guess I would look at when I'd ever be able to stay DELUXE again...I'd be really tempted to do BWI for that reason. And the proximity to Epcot, while may be a negative in terms of crowds, would be a real plus after a long park day.

I totally agree about the fact that I'll probably never stay deluxe again... at least not for a long time!

Great morning at DHS Amy!! I have gotta say I LOVE Alex's Storm Trooper mask in the pics!!! I couldn't believe the line for Jedi training was already full at that time! What a popular thing I guess!! Awesome that you got on TOT too! We have missed it the last two trips and I am determined to get back on that thing the next time around!! Great photopass pics too!!! Excited to hear about your MK afternoon, we were there too!!!

Wait until you see Alex in the full costume walking through MK! I'm so glad Alex didn't REALLY want to do the Jedi training - that could have turned into a big problem.

MK update in the works... hopefully tomorrow.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Thanks for all the input on the "deluxe" situation... To summarize some of the chit chat that you may not have followed, here is where things stand:

Last night we booked a standard room at the Boardwalk Inn!! But we aren't sure we're going to keep it. I know that sounds crazy since it's deluxe, but we love the idea of the quiet, peacefulness (and waterview) of Port Orleans - Riverside. We also felt comfortable with the dining options and had already sort of planned things out. There are a lot of unknowns with BWI... where will we eat? will our room look out over the service road? how long will it take us to get to MK or DTD? And a biggie... will we have to share a king bed?

I've researched the food situation and feel pretty comfortable with our options at this point. Since there are several resorts all within walking distance, we have some great choices for food.

I'm working on the bed issue... when we booked the room, it said "2 queens or 1 king bed". I would assume that we would most likely get 2 queens since they tend to have more of those rooms but I'd like to know for sure. We're good friends, but we'd rather not share a bed if we don't have to.

There's also the view... we knew we would have a lovely view at POR - it was so important to me that I upgraded us to waterview. At BWI we weren't going to pay the extra $100 for waterview... and that's probably a good thing if we are concerned with noise. But would that mean we would be looking at a parking lot or even worse, by the loud service road that I've read about??

To work on the two room issues, I called Disney first, but they told me to call Orbitz because they wouldn't have details about our ressie until right before our check-in date. So I called Orbitz... it took two tries, but the rep called Disney and was able to get our requests (2 beds, rose garden courtyard view, upper floor) noted on our ressie. I guess she had to send our ressie over to Disney early to add the reqeusts. Then she gave me an email address that I could use to follow up directly with Disney. I sent them a follow up email tonight, because there was something odd the Orbitz rep told me... She said that Disney could guarantee our room view, but they couldn't guarantee 2 beds. Doesn't that sound backwards to you?? I would think they could guarantee the 2 beds, but they NEVER guarantee a specific view. Hopefully my confirmation email will clarify these questions. I'll keep you posted.

The bus situation is still an issue... MK & DTD require buses - and the buses are shared with the Swan, Dolphin, BC & YC... and I've read multiple reports of LONG, difficult rides to/from MK & especially DTD. Laura won't have a hopper so we can't take the monorail to MK. This problem is what it is & we'll have Epcot & DHS withink walking distance, so that may make up for it.

Once I get the room questions resolved we'll be able to make a better decision. Assuming Orbitz honors our reservation... Apparently they were taking 40% off the already 40% off rates for deluxe resorts, and honoring the additional 10% promo code that I used. They corrected the problem this afternoon and the great rates disappeared. Nobody has heard that they won't honor the reservations, but those of us on the DIS who booked deep discounts with Orbitz are holding our breaths waiting to see if they do anything. If they don't do anything over the next couple days I think we'll be OK. Luckily we have until 5 days before our trip to cancel the ressie we don't want. Disney did say that since we booked through Orbitz they don't see any of the money so I'm pretty comfortable that we won't run into any problems, due to the discount, at check-in.

So there you have it... Still researching, still weighing the options. I'll keep you posted...

And I'm working on our MK day update... have it all written but need to upload the photos. Tim's been working on a project on our family desktop PC that he left running all day today so I didn't dare use that computer (which is where all of our pictures are).

 

[mousescrapper]

Here is a transportation option to MK...

so remember last yr when we made the last minute switch to MK after arriving at DHS

well we arrived at DHS prior to RD and were able to hop a basically empty bus to the TnTc then a monorail up to MK...

not very direct but you are not stopping at any other resorts etc...I can't remember exactly how long it took...but I'll look for my notes and see if I had written it down...but I want to guess under 20 min...

JAT...

J~

 

[eandesmom]

why would you need a hopper to ride the monorail? I must be missing something as it seems the monorail entry is outside of the park entries and I don't ever recall showing a ticket but I could be missing something entirely.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Here is a transportation option to MK...

so remember last yr when we made the last minute switch to MK after arriving at DHS

well we arrived at DHS prior to RD and were able to hop a basically empty bus to the TnTc then a monorail up to MK...

not very direct but you are not stopping at any other resorts etc...I can't remember exactly how long it took...but I'll look for my notes and see if I had written it down...but I want to guess under 20 min...

JAT...

J~

Great thought Julie - that would work for DTD too!

why would you need a hopper to ride the monorail? I must be missing something as it seems the monorail entry is outside of the park entries and I don't ever recall showing a ticket but I could be missing something entirely.

From the Boardwalk/BC/YC area you would have to go through the Internationay Gateway and exit the front of Epcot to get on the monorail. You would need a hopper to go through Epcot then enter MK.

 

[Popfan]

Great thought Julie - that would work for DTD too!

Does the bus go from Downtown Disney to TTC? I though they only went to other resorts?!