My AP-ALOOZA Continues (WE RENEWED!!) ~ NEW TR link posted!

[Imagineer5]

Welcome back! We were in WDW the same time you were at DL! For less than $1000 I would totally book that trip I hope you are able to convince your DH! Cannot wait to read your DL adventures!

haha thank you!! Awesome, hope you had a great time!! It will be even cheaper if he stays home...

Fingers crossed that you can convince dh for June. You might confer with TheMaxRebo. His current PTR has the best argument that I've seen in a while. He lists his points, and then

hahahaha I know, I loved that one! So awesome to have both on board though. if ONLY DH came to me saying that - i would be ecstatic!

 

[khertz]

Sorry for TMI, but Aria hadn’t gone #2 in two days so she was feeling a bit uncomfortable and the meal ended up with me taking her to the potty 3 or 4 separate times (I’ll spare you the details but thankfully she DID end up going…).

Ugh, been there, done that! It always seems to happen in public too!!!

Seems like a lovely dinner! We never really spent that much at DTD when we were in California just because we always felt so short on time and wanted to be in the parks as much as possible.

Man, those close proximity rooms seem SO awesome until the nighttime routines start!! We were all passed out in bed our first night at WL after being in the car for 2 days, and then Wishes started at 10pm and I'm pretty sure they were being set off from our balcony, they were so loud!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Wow - those Tortilla Espanola look great and definitely a huge portion!

Definitely can see the positives/negatives to your location ... especially with having a small child that you want to sleep. If it was just adults being, kinda, in the night time action would probably be not as bad

 

[Imagineer5]

Ugh, been there, done that! It always seems to happen in public too!!! Seems like a lovely dinner! We never really spent that much at DTD when we were in California just because we always felt so short on time and wanted to be in the parks as much as possible. Man, those close proximity rooms seem SO awesome until the nighttime routines start!! We were all passed out in bed our first night at WL after being in the car for 2 days, and then Wishes started at 10pm and I'm pretty sure they were being set off from our balcony, they were so loud!

I figured you guys would understand! We ended up spending quite a bit of time at DTD and of course walked through it multiple times each day which was fun. It was nice to be enveloped in Disney

Yeah fireworks travel far! The worst was the nighttime musicians (DRUMS) though as that just went on and on

Wow - those Tortilla Espanola look great and definitely a huge portion! Definitely can see the positives/negatives to your location ... especially with having a small child that you want to sleep. If it was just adults being, kinda, in the night time action would probably be not as bad

Thankfully aria sleeping was never an issue ( esp since I couldn't just stick ear plugs in her ears) but it really wore us down. Everything I read said to request the adventure tower but I'd suggest requesting anything but that tower! Or paying more for the pool view.

 

[disneygirl2785]

DH and I are drooling over the pictures of your room...and the pool...and Trader Sam's! We have been thinking about when to plan a DL trip.

Can you do me a favor (since you are waiting on replies! )...Can you list all the WDW/DL trips Aria has had in her short little life and what age she was on each one? I have read so many of your reports, but feel like I need an index! Lol! And since we're trying to plan and judge Camryn's first visit. Which, by the way, has officially been moved to January. I am horrible at PTRs and haven't touched mine practically since I started it!

Can't wait for your next post!

 

[Dugette]

Just popped in to catch up here while Izzy's napping (we're still in Oregon, so I haven't been on). Great updates. That pool area looks like fun - love the toddler slide! Drinks sound good and that will be cool to have something like that at the Polynesian. Hmmmm, so if I plan future trips right, maybe we can sneak into that Grand Villa you'll have at the Poly....

Too bad about the first floor issue and noise issue at the hotel. Glad it was good overall, though. That headboard looks pretty awesome. Glad Aria slept well with you - Izzy almost slept with us last night, but did end up going in her Peapod eventually. I love the picture of her in her stroller just surrounded by plush animals - super cute!

So, this super cheap June trip...maybe Izzy and I can come instead of Andrew? I'm pretty sure Dug would be upset, but Seven Dwarves Mine Train!!! Ah, but given we are currently on an unplanned trip, probably not the best idea. I so want to go, though!

 

[Imagineer5]

DH and I are drooling over the pictures of your room...and the pool...and Trader Sam's! We have been thinking about when to plan a DL trip. Can you do me a favor (since you are waiting on replies! )...Can you list all the WDW/DL trips Aria has had in her short little life and what age she was on each one? I have read so many of your reports, but feel like I need an index! Lol! And since we're trying to plan and judge Camryn's first visit. Which, by the way, has officially been moved to January. I am horrible at PTRs and haven't touched mine practically since I started it! Can't wait for your next post!

Hahha sure at the beginning of both of the ongoing trip reports I think there is a post with tr links but I don't think it had her age for each trip so let's see...

1. October 2012 (3 nights Blt then 7 offsite). Aria was 8 months old

2. December 2012 (3 nights POR) aria was 10 months old

3. March 2013 (3 nights AKL) aria was 13 months

4. June 2013 (7 nights off site 3 nights bcv) aria was 16 months

5. August 2013 (7 nights off site, just me and aria) aria was 18 months

6. December 2013 (4 nights VWL) aria was 22 months

7. May 2014 (5 nights at Disneyland hotel) aria was 2y3m

Upcoming - august (BLT & AKV) and October (VGF & BCV).


How old will Camryn be in January? I can honestly say our Disneyland trip was the easiest yet. The fact that she knows the characters, can more easily change up her nap and bed times, is much better in restaurants, and was excited for the rides made it so smooth. But the other thing is that I have seen her on previous trips so it just showed me how much she has grown up from trip to trip.

Hope that helps and feel free to ask any questions

 

[Imagineer5]

Just popped in to catch up here while Izzy's napping (we're still in Oregon, so I haven't been on). Great updates. That pool area looks like fun - love the toddler slide! Drinks sound good and that will be cool to have something like that at the Polynesian. Hmmmm, so if I plan future trips right, maybe we can sneak into that Grand Villa you'll have at the Poly.... Too bad about the first floor issue and noise issue at the hotel. Glad it was good overall, though. That headboard looks pretty awesome. Glad Aria slept well with you - Izzy almost slept with us last night, but did end up going in her Peapod eventually. I love the picture of her in her stroller just surrounded by plush animals - super cute! So, this super cheap June trip...maybe Izzy and I can come instead of Andrew? I'm pretty sure Dug would be upset, but Seven Dwarves Mine Train!!! Ah, but given we are currently on an unplanned trip, probably not the best idea. I so want to go, though!

We were typing at the same time!! Lol! The pool area was fantastic and drinks were great. I am so so excited about the changes coming to the poly. A grand villa would be pretty darn amazing (hope those bungalows won't be THAT many points though Eeek) it was so fun sleeping with aria. Sounds silly but it just felt like a girls sleepover. I know!! Lmk if you can find a cheapie flight. I still have my FP+ reserved but have Been giving Andrew a cold shoulder for a few days over it and he hasn't even noticed. I am tempted to just book it and let him just be upset. It would actually only be $500 for our flights and hotel if it's just aria and me - plus food. So even cheaper! Crazy not to go...right?? lol. If you think you can swing it lmk and I can look at the silver lake resort options - they might have had a 2 BR for a little more

ETA today was the funeral right? I hope things went smoothly and you have had a nice visit with the family. I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Dugette]

We were typing at the same time!! Lol! The pool area was fantastic and drinks were great. I am so so excited about the changes coming to the poly. A grand villa would be pretty darn amazing (hope those bungalows won't be THAT many points though Eeek) it was so fun sleeping with aria. Sounds silly but it just felt like a girls sleepover. I know!! Lmk if you can find a cheapie flight. I still have my FP+ reserved but have Been giving Andrew a cold shoulder for a few days over it and he hasn't even noticed. I am tempted to just book it and let him just be upset. It would actually only be $500 for our flights and hotel if it's just aria and me - plus food. So even cheaper! Crazy not to go...right?? lol. If you think you can swing it lmk and I can look at the silver lake resort options - they might have had a 2 BR for a little more

Hey, I'm still here! (yay, naps!) I'm not positive, but I thought I heard those bungalows are grand villas. Who knows, though. I would be surprised if they're not a ton of points, though. I'm just hoping that maybe we'll be able to get into a regular Poly room (well, studio) by renting points for cheaper than discounted room-only rates. We'll see, I guess. And, yes, totally crazy not to go! (Disney-enabler, here) What dates are you looking at? Are you staying at Silver Lake if you go? Renting a car? Hmmmm, I will look. I totally shouldn't, but I would love to go and Izzy would have SO much fun there at this age and with a little friend.

ETA today was the funeral right? I hope things went smoothly and you have had a nice visit with the family. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Yes, you're right. It went smoothly and we've had a nice time visiting with family and seeing some sights also. We've been so busy, though. This is the only day we've gone back to the hotel for a nap (and we've been here since Tuesday night). Izzy's sleep schedule is crazy messed up (two time zones and staying up late and missing naps, etc.), but she's doing quite well, considering. Izzy absolutely loves her 5 and 7 year old second-cousins. They have been having so much fun together! We'll go back to their place for dinner later, I think. Going home tomorrow.

Oh, and thank you for the idea about hooking the carseat to the stroller! Worked perfectly!!

 

[disneygirl2785]

Don't you think this trip was so good, because somehow in that little brain she is "used" to Disney now? I'm afraid when we get there and its her first time and she's 21 months old that she "won't be used to it" ...I know, it is what it is, and we will make the best of it! I guess it's just a mommy thing to want to be as prepared as possible!

 

[Imagineer5]

Hey, I'm still here! (yay, naps!) I'm not positive, but I thought I heard those bungalows are grand villas. Who knows, though. I would be surprised if they're not a ton of points, though. I'm just hoping that maybe we'll be able to get into a regular Poly room (well, studio) by renting points for cheaper than discounted room-only rates. We'll see, I guess. And, yes, totally crazy not to go! (Disney-enabler, here) What dates are you looking at? Are you staying at Silver Lake if you go? Renting a car? Hmmmm, I will look. I totally shouldn't, but I would love to go and Izzy would have SO much fun there at this age and with a little friend. Yes, you're right. It went smoothly and we've had a nice time visiting with family and seeing some sights also. We've been so busy, though. This is the only day we've gone back to the hotel for a nap (and we've been here since Tuesday night). Izzy's sleep schedule is crazy messed up (two time zones and staying up late and missing naps, etc.), but she's doing quite well, considering. Izzy absolutely loves her 5 and 7 year old second-cousins. They have been having so much fun together! We'll go back to their place for dinner later, I think. Going home tomorrow. Oh, and thank you for the idea about hooking the carseat to the stroller! Worked perfectly!!

Sorry went to bed! I was looking at June 3-6 for the low fares and the short stay low prices at silver lake. That's the resort we stayed at last august which was right around the corner from AK. it is available via a government deal website but hasn't been listed inexpensively in a while (I keep checking bc the location & price is just amazing). We had a 1 br with full kitchen and living room.

I planned to rent a car for free with my capital one points

Glad the stroller / car seat combo worked out!!

If you can swing it, it would be so fun to tour Disney with a friend and friend for aria. we can hopefully work out flight arrival times so we can share the car.

Don't you think this trip was so good, because somehow in that little brain she is "used" to Disney now? I'm afraid when we get there and its her first time and she's 21 months old that she "won't be used to it" ... it is what it is, and we will make the best of it! I guess it's just a mommy thing to want to be as prepared as possible!

Yes, that is very true too. Between the photos we have of previous trips and many times watching you tube she knew a ton of the rides by name & look and of course we had watched a bunch more of the Classic Disney movies so she knew the characters. But you are right - she is seasoned now. The 6 hour direct flight to Disneyland probably wouldn't have been so easy if she wasn't used to flying. Even Lynda commented a few times while we were out doing stuff or in the plane about how unfazed she is because of all her travels.

You'll have a fun trip though!! It's always fun at Disney with SOOO much to do. Enjoy the down time and pools as much as the parks. Hopefully she will nap in the stroller which gives you guys the freedom to do the big rides while she is sleeping vs using her precious awake time for it. Oh and rider swap is SOOO awesome

 

[Imagineer5]

BIG NEWS!!! (you knew this was coming right??)

I just bought flights, 2-bedroom condo, and rental car for a trip in JUNE!!! Dugette, a fellow DIS-er (I'm sure you all know her!!) is going to try to join us, she is just waiting for the crazy airfare prices to come down. I am so hoping she can make it - that way we can both experience the Seven Dwarves Mine Train! (along with other ones, but that's the biggie we are both excited about!).

Tentative plans:

June 10th - early flight arriving into MCO at 9:15am! Grab rental car and depending on Dugette coming or whatnot we may take a pool day for a bit then head to MK - I have a ressie at Kona for dinner and have FP+ reservations for Seven Dwarves Mine Train (will change that if she doesn't come), Barnstormer (it'll be Aria's first roller coaster!), and MSEP! (so surprised that was available!) then we can watch Wishes from the MSEP FP spot.

June 11th - AK opens at 8AM this morning, so planning on heading there then getting a late breakfast/early lunch at tusker House (currently have a reservation for 2, and none are available for 4 but I will keep checking). Around noon hop over to EPCOT - I made FP reservations for Spaceship Earth, Living with the land and Maelstrom. Tentative dinner ADR at Les Chefs (but would love Garden Grill if it opens up).

June 12th - MK opens at 8AM. If Dugette can't come, I'm toying with the idea of using Kids Nite Out to come to my room from 8-12 (they have a min. of 4 hours). Then I'd head to MK, and have scheduled FP's for Seven Dwarves, Big Thunder and Splash all before 11:30AM (and could ride Space during the early morning) and then make another FP reservation before I leave the park for later on w/ Aria - head back to the room and grab her to go back to the park (or maybe pool time?) and spend the afternoon at MK. I made a 3:45 Crystal Palace reservation for an early dinner. IF Dugette comes then I won't have to use KNO to ride Seven Dwarves...so hoping I can sweet talk her into it...

June 13th - Flight is at noon, so have a breakfast reservation at Cape May for their character breakfast. Thought that would be fun to try!

I have the Tables in Wonderland card still so that is why I booked a number of TS vs. doing CS, and Aria will eat free at buffets...so my budget is right at $750 including the 2 bedroom condo (literally around the corner from the Animal Kingdom Lodge), rental car, flights for Aria & me, and food/snacks/gas, oh and KNO too. That will go down if I can split the condo cost and delete KNO But either way, pretty cheap IMO for a 3 night Disney trip!

Can you tell I've gotten ZERO work done today!!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

wow - congrats on the new trip! and $750 all in really isn't that bad

I'd love to do something like that but with already dragging my (then) 8 month pregnant wife to Pennsylvania for the Hershey DISmeet I won't push my luck

I think some more of the nightime FP+ are opening up since you can't really get a 4th/revolving one if you have one pre-booked so that might explain getting the MSEP one

Obviously the babysitting is an extra cost but if you can bang out all those rides during that time definitely probably will be worth it (ok, "definitely probably" I don't think makes sense, but you know what I mean)

 

[Imagineer5]

wow - congrats on the new trip! and $750 all in really isn't that bad

I'd love to do something like that but with already dragging my (then) 8 month pregnant wife to Pennsylvania for the Hershey DISmeet I won't push my luck

I think some more of the nightime FP+ are opening up since you can't really get a 4th/revolving one if you have one pre-booked so that might explain getting the MSEP one

Obviously the babysitting is an extra cost but if you can bang out all those rides during that time definitely probably will be worth it (ok, "definitely probably" I don't think makes sense, but you know what I mean)

Oh how fun!! I didn't realized you were doing that, when is it? Hershey park is a lot of fun, though I haven't been in about 9 years!

That is very true - it is why I made the MSEP FP for our first night there instead of the full MK day! But that FP is SO worth it, I'm excited to have gotten it.

Yeah Kids Nite Out is definitely an option I'm seriously considering if need be - I could technically do it in August instead (hadn't even considered the idea until I realized a brand new ride was opening and I can't even ride it!) but with the FP availability for 3 biggies all so early, plus the ability to ride a few more in between.

However it's looking more and more like Dugette might just be able to come! Flights are looking a little better today!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Oh how fun!! I didn't realized you were doing that, when is it? Hershey park is a lot of fun, though I haven't been in about 9 years!

That is very true - it is why I made the MSEP FP for our first night there instead of the full MK day! But that FP is SO worth it, I'm excited to have gotten it.

Yeah Kids Nite Out is definitely an option I'm seriously considering if need be - I could technically do it in August instead (hadn't even considered the idea until I realized a brand new ride was opening and I can't even ride it!) but with the FP availability for 3 biggies all so early, plus the ability to ride a few more in between.

However it's looking more and more like Dugette might just be able to come! Flights are looking a little better today!

Glad it looks like Dugette will be coming - I am sure you will have a ton of fun together.

The Hersey DISmeet is the weekend of June 14th. Should be a good time - most of the DISBoards Podcast crew is coming up for it so will be nice to meet them.

Lot of auction items too (I am actually responsible for brining the craft beer basket for it). Judi's parents live out that way and are going to take the kids one night so we will actually get a "date night" out of it as well

 

[dtr_angel]

That is great news! Congratulations on the super cheap trip! So excited, really hope Dugette can join you!

 

[Imagineer5]

Another trip related update! I just found a city mini stroller for $70 on craigslist and bought it today! I was worried about strollers for my august trip with magical express. My thoughts were - checking the comfy but large city select and then bringing the MacLaren umbrella stroller through airport. Then using city select while at BLT and walking or monorailing to MK / Epcot and the maclaren when I switch to AKV and use the bus. Sounded like a lot of work though to have two. SOOO I have been stalking amazon, eBay and Craigslist and found one for only $70 (about the cost to rent one!) so very excited about that. Seems great from the couple minutes I played with it. It is 10 lbs lighter than the city select! So easy to fold and lays nearly flat for nap time.

Glad it looks like Dugette will be coming - I am sure you will have a ton of fun together. The Hersey DISmeet is the weekend of June 14th. Should be a good time - most of the DISBoards Podcast crew is coming up for it so will be nice to meet them. Lot of auction items too (I am actually responsible for brining the craft beer basket for it). Judi's parents live out that way and are going to take the kids one night so we will actually get a "date night" out of it as well

Oh yay that will be great! So nice to have a date night coming up and I bet Judi's parents are excited to see you guys and babysit!

That is great news! Congratulations on the super cheap trip! So excited, really hope Dugette can join you!

Haha thank you!! So excited!!

 

[dtr_angel]

awesome news about the stroller! We have a Britax B-Agile which is almost the same thing as a City Mini and we love it! It's been perfect for 2 trips to Disney. (flying and driving)

 

[Dugette]

Yay, you got the stroller! Like dtr_angel, we have the Britax B-Agile and I love it. We've taken it on all of our trips and my only complaint is that the basket below could be bigger and easier to get stuff in/out of. We have friends with a City Mini and theirs is pretty much the same as ours.

 

[Imagineer5]

awesome news about the stroller! We have a Britax B-Agile which is almost the same thing as a City Mini and we love it! It's been perfect for 2 trips to Disney. (flying and driving)

Yeah I was looking at that one too and watching craigslist - I liked them both equally just was waiting for a deal on either LOL!

Yay, you got the stroller! Like dtr_angel, we have the Britax B-Agile and I love it. We've taken it on all of our trips and my only complaint is that the basket below could be bigger and easier to get stuff in/out of. We have friends with a City Mini and theirs is pretty much the same as ours.

Yeah that is what I read, I am going to try and be a little better about the park bag I pack so that I am able to fold the stroller and pull it out. The City Select also allows me to be pretty lazy and fill up the HUGE basket with stuff I don't even need.