Never challenge a DISer to find a deal--a Nov/Dec PTR 11/26: Today's the day!!!

[moparop]

Having done a split stay with three kids... and having wet luggage delivered late to our room... not in our room as we had been told. We had to wait with a miserable one year old till our stuff got there... not my idea of fun! If we ever do a split stay again with little kids I will take a cab with my stuff.

I remember your horrible split stay last year and it has me the most apprehensive Laura. It's one of the reasons I was pushing the cab idea to Ryan!

 

[Happy Elf]

Great summer pictures! I haven't been to Kings Island in ages! We talked about taking the kids, but haven't done it yet.

 

[moparop]

Great summer pictures. Aileen is getting so big!! She is such a cutie.

Thanks! I know she is getting huge! I was trying to remember back the other day to the 6 pounder I brought home from the hospital, but it's so hard. I told myself I was really going to try to remember this one as it's our last, but that first year is so fleeting!

I'm here now! Your trip plans are looking great! on flying and a split stay! I have wanted to do the HDDR as well, but it still hasn't made it into the plans. I'm looking forward to your review on it and how the kids react to it all.

Love your summer update too - looks like lots of fun! Isn't this summer just flying by?? I can't believe it's mid-July already!

Yay Brook! I am really freaked out about having to get from one half of the split to the other but otherwise I am really looking forward to everything. The HDDR is the most agonized part of our plan. We have neighbors that have girls the same ages as our boys and they loved. Of course then we have our half pint wild card. It could go any which way with that girl!!

Thanks for the compliments on our summer fun! We are very blessed to have so many awesome daycations so close by. It makes summer so much more fun for everyone! I am flabbergasted that it's midJuly. My birthday is this week and that always signals to me that it's halfway through the summer. I cannot believe we are there already! I need at least another 2 months. I am not even wishing to have the boys back in school yet!

 

[moparop]

Great summer pictures! I haven't been to Kings Island in ages! We talked about taking the kids, but haven't done it yet.

Thanks for the compliments! We live less than 10 minutes from King's Island. In fact, you can see the Eiffel Tower from the end of our sub, yet this was only our second visit. My husband was very down on it after our first trip. This time, he brought up the fact that we need season passes for next year! It has such a great kids' area. I am always amazed by the variety of things there are for them to do!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I've done split stays two ways. Once in a rental car, obviously that was no problem at all. The other time, we just used Disney transportation and bell services. I had no problem at all. But if you are worried, take a cab. The fare will be worth you not worrying or stressing while on vacation.

 

[moparop]

I've done split stays two ways. Once in a rental car, obviously that was no problem at all. The other time, we just used Disney transportation and bell services. I had no problem at all. But if you are worried, take a cab. The fare will be worth you not worrying or stressing while on vacation.

That's totally the way I am leaning. Hopefully, my hubby agrees! :lol:

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Love your summer pictures... what fun you're all having. Love the shell shocked mini ToT pic!

I thought I'd posted on your split stay update but then I realized it was on mine. Woo-hoo on the cheap flight!

 

[moparop]

Love your summer pictures... what fun you're all having. Love the shell shocked mini ToT pic!

I thought I'd posted on your split stay update but then I realized it was on mine. Woo-hoo on the cheap flight!

Isn't that photo hilarious!?! After the first drop I could feel him tense up and we just kept dropping and dropping. DH said his face looked like that the entire ride!

That's ok, all these Nov/Dec trips are starting to blend together!

 

[moparop]

Getting the itch to make some changes...


So, I have been thinking (which is probably a bad thing, right? ) -- We are going to land on 11/26 at 7:30. That should have us checking into a resort around 9, I am guessing. On 11/27, we have no park tickets and plan to do either DTD or resort hop. Right now, we are booked at the Movies, but I have read so many things about Pop, have lots of Pap fan friends, and know they are in mid refurb. I am wondering if we should be thinking about Pop instead of the movies. We are going to have 4 plus a baby so we are in close quarters, would there be a difference between the two? How do food courts compare? Which is closer to DTD? I had originally thought that the boys would like the icons at Movies better, but then I got to thinking... would any have major appeal to 2 boys other than Buzz? Which hotel has better holiday decorations in your opinion?

So ladies (and any possible men who are reading along incognito) which way would you go?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Pop all the way, for the simple fact that their bus system is 100x's better than the All Star resorts. You don't have to share buses with any other resort and Pop buses seem to run more smoothly then some of the other resorts I have stayed at.

The pop icons are fun too, you have Jungle Book, Lady & The Tramp, and I love the pools, they are so much fun. The food court is huge, lots of tables. I just like the feel of Pop so much better than the All Stars.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

We've stayed at both the Pop and the ASMovies. We preferred the Pop by far. First and foremost, the Pop has it's own bus system, no other stops. The rooms are slightly bigger and have just been refurbed. It has a newer feel to it and is just, in my opinion, nicer then the All Stars.

I think it's comparably the same distance from everything else but I'm not positive.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Just read your PTR. Joining in! We will be at Pop for our FIRST WDW vacation from Nov 30-Dec 9.

 

[MeMom]

Pop all the way, for the simple fact that their bus system is 100x's better than the All Star resorts. You don't have to share buses with any other resort and Pop buses seem to run more smoothly then some of the other resorts I have stayed at.

The pop icons are fun too, you have Jungle Book, Lady & The Tramp, and I love the pools, they are so much fun. The food court is huge, lots of tables. I just like the feel of Pop so much better than the All Stars.

What she said....

and a little more.

Movies does have some good photo ops for the boys, but you could always go over there just for a 'walkaround' and see it and take pictures. All three All-Stars are a parking lot apart, so you could walk through all three and see the Sports and Music icons, too. The boys would probably love seeing the huge footballs, helmets, surfboards, basketball goals, etc. You know I prefer Pop and have a bazillion pictures to show why. Right now, I would pick Pop over Movies until Movies gets refurbished. The inside was a bit dingy when we were there a couple of spring breaks ago. If you go for Pop, request an 80's or 90's room and you'll get a bright, fresh, clean one.

Pop's food court opens at 6 and stays open until midnight, as does the gift shop. So, when you come in late from the parks, you can still get a drink.

Or shop.

We do plan to stay at Movies again, but not until they go through a refurb. I hope that will be before the new Animation Suites opens, because once they open that, we'll be wanting to stay there often, I am sure. So many resorts, so little time and money!

Just read your PTR. Joining in! We will be at Pop for our FIRST WDW vacation from Nov 30-Dec 9.

Congratulations on your first WDW trip!
I hope you love it as much as the rest of us do!
If we can answer any questions to help make your trip better, ask away!
You will love Disney World Christmas decorations.
We just got back from a June 30 - July 10th Pop trip, so if you want to see plenty of pictures of where you will be, check out our From Pop to the Top report.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Having done a split stay with three kids... and having wet luggage delivered late to our room... not in our room as we had been told. We had to wait with a miserable one year old till our stuff got there... not my idea of fun! If we ever do a split stay again with little kids I will take a cab with my stuff.

We have done a split once as well...and while we didn't get wet luggage we did have to wait for a while and it just seemed to be a giant hassle with a little one. If we ever do a split again, we will be cabbing it!

I am flabbergasted that it's midJuly. My birthday is this week and that always signals to me that it's halfway through the summer. I cannot believe we are there already! I need at least another 2 months. I am not even wishing to have the boys back in school yet!

I agree! I can't believe it's already mid-July either! It's flying by. I need it to slow down some!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I haven't stayed at an All Stars yet, but I have to agree with the consensus here on Pop. With children, the shorter the bus the better it seems and Pop has their own buses-which are very frequent.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

POP FAN HERE!!!!! I'm going to stay there in Oct (hopefully!) and my brother and I stayed there in March! It doesn't feel quite like at home as WL does for us but it's a pretty good one! The only thing we miss is a hot tub and towels at the pool but if you take a hot bath it kind of compares and you can get extra towels from housekeeping and they will bring you tons!!!

I enjoy POP 100% more than All Stars..you don't have to wait for long buses and if you stay at Movies your bus stop is the last getting on and the last getting off!

I was in building 6--70s section in March which was refurbished. It had both standard and preferred rooms in that building and was diagonal to Everything POP (side closest to the food court!). I've only ever stayed at building 10 before that which is across from it and directly beside EP. Once again, building 10-70s also has standard and preferred rooms. If you're on FB , take a look at my pics from March

I think the food at POP is pretty much the same as All Stars but just overall, we enjoy POP way better. My mom was even impressed when her and I stayed there a few years ago as she has only stayed at Moderate and mostly Deluxe.


POP is closer to DTD. If you are familar with WDW in general, you would head out of POP and take a right at the light, take a right at the next light which takes you past CBR. You just stay straight on that road past Bonnet Creek and it takes you past TL and right into DTD. Crazy I know that by heart..I guess after a year and 1/2 living there I should know right?!!

POP ALL THE WAY FROM ME!!!!!!!!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

What she said....

Congratulations on your first WDW trip!
I hope you love it as much as the rest of us do!
If we can answer any questions to help make your trip better, ask away!
You will love Disney World Christmas decorations.
We just got back from a June 30 - July 10th Pop trip, so if you want to see plenty of pictures of where you will be, check out our From Pop to the Top report.

Headed over to check it out now! Thanks!!!

 

[IluvXU]

I remember your horrible split stay last year and it has me the most apprehensive Laura. It's one of the reasons I was pushing the cab idea to Ryan!

Send me the bill for your cab... your piece of mind is impt to me!

 

[irishsharon]

Your kids are so cute,I have 2 boys 4& 8 and we are done but seeing your beautiful makes me wish for a surprise of my own, don't tell my DHPlanning trip feb.20-27 or something like that.Anyway I have stayed up way late reading all the great advice and will pay for it in the morning with my normal loud boys wake-up call!

 

[moparop]

Pop all the way, for the simple fact that their bus system is 100x's better than the All Star resorts. You don't have to share buses with any other resort and Pop buses seem to run more smoothly then some of the other resorts I have stayed at.

The pop icons are fun too, you have Jungle Book, Lady & The Tramp, and I love the pools, they are so much fun. The food court is huge, lots of tables. I just like the feel of Pop so much better than the All Stars.

Good to know about the buses and food court. Since it'll be a nonpark day and we are planning to do some kind of resort hopping good buses will be essential.

We've stayed at both the Pop and the ASMovies. We preferred the Pop by far. First and foremost, the Pop has it's own bus system, no other stops. The rooms are slightly bigger and have just been refurbed. It has a newer feel to it and is just, in my opinion, nicer then the All Stars.

I think it's comparably the same distance from everything else but I'm not positive.

Glad to hear the rooms are bigger. We've got to find room for that PnP and it has me so nervous!! Also, we've never stayed in a value so a newer feel will be important.

Just read your PTR. Joining in! We will be at Pop for our FIRST WDW vacation from Nov 30-Dec 9.

So excited to hear about a first timer. We've never been at Christmas, but Disney is magical any time of year. Who all is in your group? Can't wait to hear more about your upcoming trip!

What she said....

and a little more.

Movies does have some good photo ops for the boys, but you could always go over there just for a 'walkaround' and see it and take pictures. All three All-Stars are a parking lot apart, so you could walk through all three and see the Sports and Music icons, too. The boys would probably love seeing the huge footballs, helmets, surfboards, basketball goals, etc. You know I prefer Pop and have a bazillion pictures to show why. Right now, I would pick Pop over Movies until Movies gets refurbished. The inside was a bit dingy when we were there a couple of spring breaks ago. If you go for Pop, request an 80's or 90's room and you'll get a bright, fresh, clean one.

Pop's food court opens at 6 and stays open until midnight, as does the gift shop. So, when you come in late from the parks, you can still get a drink.

Or shop.

We do plan to stay at Movies again, but not until they go through a refurb. I hope that will be before the new Animation Suites opens, because once they open that, we'll be wanting to stay there often, I am sure. So many resorts, so little time and money!

Ok, I am really loving the Pop idea. With our later flight having the food court and shopping open will be perfect. I can get the kids tucked in and go wander to burn off Disney adrenaline!

Congratulations on your first WDW trip!
I hope you love it as much as the rest of us do!
If we can answer any questions to help make your trip better, ask away!
You will love Disney World Christmas decorations.
We just got back from a June 30 - July 10th Pop trip, so if you want to see plenty of pictures of where you will be, check out our From Pop to the Top report.

MeMom has one of the best TRs in town. They have great photos and make everyone who stops by feel like family. Seriously, after reading for a few weeks you are going to want to send them all Christmas presents. They are just that awesome!

We have done a split once as well...and while we didn't get wet luggage we did have to wait for a while and it just seemed to be a giant hassle with a little one. If we ever do a split again, we will be cabbing it!

That seems to be what I am hearing all the way around.

I agree! I can't believe it's already mid-July either! It's flying by. I need it to slow down some!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I haven't stayed at an All Stars yet, but I have to agree with the consensus here on Pop. With children, the shorter the bus the better it seems and Pop has their own buses-which are very frequent.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! You are reading my mind about the bus thing. Long bus lines and three kids? This will be me!

POP FAN HERE!!!!! I'm going to stay there in Oct (hopefully!) and my brother and I stayed there in March! It doesn't feel quite like at home as WL does for us but it's a pretty good one! The only thing we miss is a hot tub and towels at the pool but if you take a hot bath it kind of compares and you can get extra towels from housekeeping and they will bring you tons!!!

I enjoy POP 100% more than All Stars..you don't have to wait for long buses and if you stay at Movies your bus stop is the last getting on and the last getting off!

I was in building 6--70s section in March which was refurbished. It had both standard and preferred rooms in that building and was diagonal to Everything POP (side closest to the food court!). I've only ever stayed at building 10 before that which is across from it and directly beside EP. Once again, building 10-70s also has standard and preferred rooms. If you're on FB , take a look at my pics from March

I think the food at POP is pretty much the same as All Stars but just overall, we enjoy POP way better. My mom was even impressed when her and I stayed there a few years ago as she has only stayed at Moderate and mostly Deluxe.


POP is closer to DTD. If you are familar with WDW in general, you would head out of POP and take a right at the light, take a right at the next light which takes you past CBR. You just stay straight on that road past Bonnet Creek and it takes you past TL and right into DTD. Crazy I know that by heart..I guess after a year and 1/2 living there I should know right?!!

POP ALL THE WAY FROM ME!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all of that info! Glad to hear your mom was impressed. I have wanted to save money by doing values, but feel like I might be disappointed.

Send me the bill for your cab... your piece of mind is impt to me!

I went back and reread your story to Ryan and then I quoted him the cost of cab fare. Long story short, we are cabbing it! Thanks for the offer though!

Your kids are so cute,I have 2 boys 4& 8 and we are done but seeing your beautiful makes me wish for a surprise of my own, don't tell my DHPlanning trip feb.20-27 or something like that.Anyway I have stayed up way late reading all the great advice and will pay for it in the morning with my normal loud boys wake-up call!

Well thank you for the very kind words! You know my husband was overwhelmed when we found out Aileen was on the way but that girl has a way of melting hearts. It's amazing how well she has completed our family.

It is so easy to get sucked into the boards at night. I have found myself many times at 1 am just jumping from report to report gaining so much info! Hope your trip planning is going well. I hear late Feb is an awesome time to see the "World"!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I hope you made it out to the store to get you some Vera B for your birthday!! I was at the Library today to return my movies and pick up my books for next week. They were having story-time. I thought of you!!!