NMAmy's Trip Report with no catchy title--Last installment FINALLY posted - 4/12/09

[NMAmy]

If you'd like to skip the pre-trip report babbling, feel free to skip ahead to page 7, post #96. That's where the actual trip report starts!

I’m just going to come right out and admit this: We are a family of procrastinators. We always go to WDW in the spring so that was a given. However, my dd is a senior in high school this year—with AP classes and a job and a school newspaper to edit. So I was holding out for her to give me a definite date when she and her pal could go to Disney World this year.

Let’s see…I’ve been asking since about September. I finally found out at the end of Christmas break. Of course, then I had to wait to get vacation approval after I got back to work. I guess, technically, since I was actually ASKING her back in September that would mean I wasn’t a procrastinator. But I wasn’t asking in a very stern and intense way which means that I was fairly okay with putting off any decisions.

And, so, I found myself in the fun-filled position of trying to schedule one glorious week of vacation at exactly 45 days out. I’ve planned trips before with three months notice but this is my first time at a month and a half. Not stressful at all. Did I mention that this is one of my busiest times of the year at work? But I am not a newbie to planning a trip so I have high hopes that I'll get it all sorted out.

Not to bore my old trip report pals who I’m hoping will peek in here but for any newcomers, this is us:

Amy, Alex, Jen, and Caitlin. The procrastinators--well, Jen gets a pass since she's not related. We look normal, don’t we? Well, normal-ish anyway. Our clothes all match—well, not each other but you know, each individual person’s clothes match so we CAN plan ahead a little bit apparently. It helps that Caitlin packs everything she owns for a one week trip. We don’t do the matching shirts thing. The last thing that child wants is to dress like Mommy. Although she’s never really wanted to dress like me, if I’m totally honest.

I'm embarassed to say we had absolutely no photos of the four of us from our last trip so this picture is from two years ago.

So, I’m Amy, a 40-something mom. Alex is my 50-something husband and dd’s stepfather. They’re best pals. Caitlin is, as mentioned before, 18 and her pal, Jen, is 17. Jen’s come along with us for the last couple of years and she is a wonderful traveling companion. We heart her. And we’re really glad she comes along with us because I think we’d have a really hard time getting Caitlin to come on vacation with us anymore unless we brought Jen along as bait.

Those of you who have read my trip reports before will vouch that I will tell you every argument that my dd and I have while on vacation. She pushed me down the stairs at Lights, Motors, Action once. Okay, it wasn’t on purpose. But it was fairly spectacular. I didn’t go up in flames like the cars but I was a bit bruised. I must say, though, she was here at Christmas and she was just a delight. So maybe we won’t have any fights. Ha. Who am I kidding?

My procrastination does NOT extend to the trip report, though. I am very speedy at getting everything posted once we return. I think two weeks after we got back was the very latest I ever finished one. If you stick with me, you’ll get the whole story on a timely basis, cross my heart.

Plans are coming up next!

 

[NMAmy]

The Plan thus far:
We always stay at the Dolphin. It is our happy place. We love the beds, we love the free upgrades, we love the price, and Caitlin loves, loves, LOVES Picabu’s. (Or Tubbi’s as we still call it.) However, the 4/3 deal came along. Which meant I had to do some math. I hate math.

And, sadly, since the Dolphin doesn’t seem to be offering very good deals for the end of February, we had to branch out and try something new. My child does not like to try new things. She likes the Dolphin, darn it, and doesn’t ever want to stay anywhere else, ever, ever, ever. We had the same discussion when Caitlin was about 10 and we decided to try the Dolphin for the first time. She was POSITIVE she’d never like the Dolphin more than All Star Movies. Stars on the bedspread, a popcorn light, and giant Disney symbols. What could possibly compete with that? Then she fell in love with the Dolphin.

A couple of years ago, I made the huge mistake of doing a split stay between the Dolphin and the Wilderness Lodge. While we loved the WL, none of us like the isolation. We like being able to walk “home” after the parks close. And it took Alex and I an hour and a half to get back from the MK one night. So, WL was out for this trip.

Anyway, with all my math, once I had added in all the fees, and the town car, and the tip for the town car driver, I realized that it was actually cheaper by $200 (the gift card really was what clinched it) for us to stay at a Disney deluxe. So, we debated. Caitlin wanted the Grand Floridian (which cost a little more but doable)—Alex vetoed this as too “fancy.” I was voting for the Contemporary with an MK view—Caitlin vetoed this as too “Jetson-y.” We all decided that we really prefer the Epcot area so it was narrowed down to the Beach Club or the Boardwalk.

Then I had to take Caitlin to the airport to go back to New Mexico. (She lives in New Mexico with her dad while she’s finishing high school.) I’m an early bird and she’s a night owl. Her internal clock is also set on New Mexico time—two hours behind me. She had an early, early flight to go back so we stayed in a hotel at the airport.

As I tried to sleep while she watched a CSI marathon, I came to realize something. That we REALLY needed our own rooms. I mean, who can sleep after watching people get murdered all night? Umm…Caitlin and my mother (who shares Caitlin fascination with crime scene investigation), apparently, but not me.

I had always shied away from the DVC villas because I felt bad about making the girls sleep on the couch and I didn’t want to spring for a 2 bedroom. Suddenly, with Horatio discussing really icky stuff, I wasn’t feeling so weird about it anymore. (Does anyone else think that Horatio is a bizarre name for a tv character?)

I pulled the pillow off my head and asked Caitlin, “Hey, do you think you and Jen could sleep on a couch at Disney World?”

Caitlin: Why can’t you and Alex sleep on the couch?

Me: Because we’re paying. If you guys slept on the couch in a 1 bedroom villa, you wouldn’t keep us up at night and we wouldn’t be waking you up in the morning.

Caitlin: Oh, sure, that’s a great idea. Yeah, we’ll sleep on the couch. What are the villas like?

Me: They have a full kitchen and a washer/dryer.

Caitlin: If they have a washer/dryer then I definitely want to stay there.

I’m not sure what that was about because I had no idea laundry was so important to her but I went back to sleep after that. Maybe I dreamt that part.

When I got back home, I started doing more research. Turns out that both the Beach Club Villas and the Boardwalk Villas had 1 bedrooms available and it would only be about $200 more than we’d originally planned on spending. That seems to be the magic number, doesn’t it? EVERYTHING at Disney World is $200. Even a bottle of water or a Mickey bar.

And then, once again, I procrastinated. Neither Caitlin nor Alex cared which one I picked. I posted a thread on the Resorts Board and most everyone confirmed my inclination to go with the Beach Club—mainly due to being closer to Epcot. I was still waffling so I decided to sleep on it.

I woke up, credit card in hand, with a definite decision. This was it. I was booking the Beach Club Villa, darn it! So, I went online and….yep, the 1 bedroom was no longer available for our dates. I kept checking throughout the day and, nope, it was really not available.

That night, I told Alex that I’d check in the morning and if it STILL wasn’t available, then I’d absolutely book the Boardwalk. Alex pretended to care and promptly fell asleep. But I got to thinking—I’d slept on the Beach Club decision and it wasn’t there in the morning. What if the 1 bedroom Boardwalk villas was gone the NEXT morning? Then I’d be back to square one in the waffling department.

I hopped out of bed, ran downstairs, and immediately booked the Boardwalk Villas, standard view. And I’m good with that decision. Finally.

Since it was exactly 45 days before our trip, I had to bite the bullet and pay the entire thing all at once. THAT was a little shocking. With our Dolphin trips, I can pay for individual items (tickets, airfare, town car, etc) and you only pay for one night in advance. Seeing it all lumped together made me gulp and plan a trip to the bank to move some money around.

After obsessively combing the internet for all pictures of the Boardwalk Villas, I am very excited and happy with my choice. If nothing else, it will be fun to try someplace new AND Caitlin will be able to walk to Picabu's very easily, thank heavens.

More plans tomorrow!

 

[dddisrunner]

Yay! Another TR with Amy!! Thanks for the PM! I am so glad the "whole" crew is going again!! 45 days that is not near enough time for me to changes around my dining ressies the way I like too OK what I am MOST excited about is that we are booked in a studio at the Boardwalk villas for our trip this summer in a standard view, I cannot wait to hear what the views are like and what you think! Hey anything without lattice is pretty good right! You will have to take lots of "view" pictures especially for me OK?

 

[NMAmy]

Yay! Another TR with Amy!! Thanks for the PM! I am so glad the "whole" crew is going again!! 45 days that is not near enough time for me to changes around my dining ressies the way I like too OK what I am MOST excited about is that we are booked in a studio at the Boardwalk villas for our trip this summer in a standard view, I cannot wait to hear what the views are like and what you think! Hey anything without lattice is pretty good right! You will have to take lots of "view" pictures especially for me OK?

Ah, Diane, I can't believe you remember the lattice! I will absolutely take lots of view pictures especially for you. I'm really very curious as to what we'll end up with. It seems that most people posting their BW views online are those with a view of the actual Boardwalk. I'm really okay with anything we end up with but I hope it's not a dumpster, KWIM?

I don't think I'll have a problem with changing ADR's once I get them set. Oh, yeah, I still haven't made those yet.

Thanks for posting, pal. I'm always afraid I'll write a TR and no one will read it.

 

[Hedy]

I was to PM you looking for this!
I think you'll like BWV, it's a great location, and the laundry is nice.
How's senior year going? Is Cait still going to your college?

 

[NMAmy]

I was to PM you looking for this!
I think you'll like BWV, it's a great location, and the laundry is nice.
How's senior year going? Is Cait still going to your college?

Hedy! I'm so glad you're here! I hope you're doing well, my friend.

Cait is doing great with her senior year. She recently decided to quit cheerleading--it's a year round thing at her school and practically every night and I think it was just too much for her. She's now working at Applebee's and really likes it.

She's changed her mind roughly 7 times just since September about where she's going to go to college. I'm not making any plans until she definitely decides.

Did you stay at BWV or the Inn, Hedy? I'd love to hear all about it. I've walked through the lobby and spent a bit of time at the Boardwalk but I'd love to hear about the rooms!

 

[Hedy]

Hedy! I'm so glad you're here! I hope you're doing well, my friend.

Cait is doing great with her senior year. She recently decided to quit cheerleading--it's a year round thing at her school and practically every night and I think it was just too much for her. She's now working at Applebee's and really likes it.

She's changed her mind roughly 7 times just since September about where she's going to go to college. I'm not making any plans until she definitely decides.

Did you stay at BWV or the Inn, Hedy? I'd love to hear all about it. I've walked through the lobby and spent a bit of time at the Boardwalk but I'd love to hear about the rooms!

Glad Cait's doing well. Senior year is so crazy, and I imagine being on the other side of the country doesn't help at times.
The family stayed at BCV, but I could see the plusses of the DVC villa.

 

[NMAmy]

Glad Cait's doing well. Senior year is so crazy, and I imagine being on the other side of the country doesn't help at times.
The family stayed at BCV, but I could see the plusses of the DVC villa.

Thanks, Hedy! I'm really looking forward to trying it out.

I'm anxious to get to Florida and just possibly stay there until spring. It's been snowing here non-stop since 11:00 am on Friday! I REALLY need to get to the grocery store--I was busy taking Cait to the airport last weekend so we're running low on stuff like milk and bread and eggs. You know, that french toast stuff that people always buy before a storm. It's actually kind of difficult to put a meal together without any of those ingredients. Last night, I made shepherd's pie at Alex's request but had to use all canned ingredients except for the hamburger and potatoes. It was surprisingly good. Luckily, it's stopped snowing now but we got about 5" so hopefully the roads will be cleared enough for us to make it to the store today!

More plans--
I got the hotel all set and then went to work on actually GETTING to Orlando. Procrastination did pay off a bit--the tickets for Cait and Jen actually went down by $25 each by the time I was ready to get them! They'll have to change planes in Atlanta and they'll be coming down on Saturday, 2/21. Alex and I are going to fly down the night before again. We're just so much more likely to run into bad weather coming from Michigan in February that I like to give us lots of lead time to get there before the girls. Once again, I'll be working all day and then catching a bus to Detroit and a plane to Orlando. It makes for a rough beginning to the trip but we'll survive.

Procrastination did NOT pay off in another way, though. I'd found a hotel by the airport that I could have gotten for $45 with points but did I book it right then? Oh, heck, no, because I still was setting up the flights. When I went back the next day, the cash and points option was no longer available. I don't know why the heck I didn't go ahead and book it and cancel it if I needed to. Well, I'll keep trying and see what happens that way.

We'll be using ME for the first time ever. Apparently, though, since I paid for the entire reservation in one shot, I can't go back in and add our flight info. I guess I'll have to call and get that set up.

Does anyone know if different members of a party can ride ME at different times? We were thinking that Alex and I might take the ME around noon and have the girls just meet us at BWV via Magical Express when they arrive in the afternoon. It would save us from an afternoon of hanging out at the airport.

Next up--ADR's. I'm going to call today and see if I can get any reservations at 41 days out! I'm hoping since it's mostly lunches, we'll be ok. I'll keep you posted!

 

[dddisrunner]

Thanks, Hedy! I'm really looking forward to trying it out.

I'm anxious to get to Florida and just possibly stay there until spring. It's been snowing here non-stop since 11:00 am on Friday! I REALLY need to get to the grocery store--I was busy taking Cait to the airport last weekend so we're running low on stuff like milk and bread and eggs. You know, that french toast stuff that people always buy before a storm. It's actually kind of difficult to put a meal together without any of those ingredients. Last night, I made shepherd's pie at Alex's request but had to use all canned ingredients except for the hamburger and potatoes. It was surprisingly good. Luckily, it's stopped snowing now but we got about 5" so hopefully the roads will be cleared enough for us to make it to the store today!

More plans--
I got the hotel all set and then went to work on actually GETTING to Orlando. Procrastination did pay off a bit--the tickets for Cait and Jen actually went down by $25 each by the time I was ready to get them! They'll have to change planes in Atlanta and they'll be coming down on Saturday, 2/21. Alex and I are going to fly down the night before again. We're just so much more likely to run into bad weather coming from Michigan in February that I like to give us lots of lead time to get there before the girls. Once again, I'll be working all day and then catching a bus to Detroit and a plane to Orlando. It makes for a rough beginning to the trip but we'll survive.

Procrastination did NOT pay off in another way, though. I'd found a hotel by the airport that I could have gotten for $45 with points but did I book it right then? Oh, heck, no, because I still was setting up the flights. When I went back the next day, the cash and points option was no longer available. I don't know why the heck I didn't go ahead and book it and cancel it if I needed to. Well, I'll keep trying and see what happens that way.

We'll be using ME for the first time ever. Apparently, though, since I paid for the entire reservation in one shot, I can't go back in and add our flight info. I guess I'll have to call and get that set up.

Does anyone know if different members of a party can ride ME at different times? We were thinking that Alex and I might take the ME around noon and have the girls just meet us at BWV via Magical Express when they arrive in the afternoon. It would save us from an afternoon of hanging out at the airport.

Next up--ADR's. I'm going to call today and see if I can get any reservations at 41 days out! I'm hoping since it's mostly lunches, we'll be ok. I'll keep you posted!

Too funny about all the snow you are getting! We keep praying it will snow here but because we live about 8 miles from the ocean we always just get coastal slush! Sorry about the airport hotel, what a bummer! As far as magical express goes, when you call just make sure you give them your flight info and Caitlins flight info for your arrival flights. If you are going to travel back to MCO with Caitlin and Jen then make sure you use the same info for all four of you for the return flight so that you will all have a ticket for the same Magical Express pick up time. For example...if you register your flight as a 6pm flight Magical express won't pick you up until 3pm (approx.) and if you register the girls flight for 2pm then they will be picked up around 11am. Does that make sense? The only overall problem that you may run into is because the reservation is under your name, I don't know if they will mail Caitlin and Jen's tags to you or to Caitlin. I guess just ask ME when you call to register, unless the girls will just get there own luggage, then you don't need the tags at all Geez Amy, I hoped this helped and didn't confuse the heck out of you

 

[NMAmy]

Too funny about all the snow you are getting! We keep praying it will snow here but because we live about 8 miles from the ocean we always just get coastal slush!

Coastal slush must be a local term--here we don't have coastal slush but we get lake effect snow! It's snowing again today and again tomorrow and then we get below zero temps later in the week. Yippee! You all should come visit and I'll let you play in all my snow.

Geez Amy, I hoped this helped and didn't confuse the heck out of you

It made perfect sense, pal! Thanks for the advice. The girls are going to collect their luggage before catching the bus. I don't want to listen to Cait complain that she doesn't have something vital that she needs.

Hey, has anyone reading here used Garden Grocer? I'm going to order some perishables (well, and pop and beer) and I'm wondering how far in advance I need to do this.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Yummy...more Alex!!!

 

[NMAmy]

Yummy...more Alex!!!

Ah, if Alex only knew the following he had on the DIS boards. I'm not telling him, btw. The ladies he works with are always swooning over his accent as it is.

I've missed you, pal! Everything going well?

 

[MickeysMommy]

Ah, if Alex only knew the following he had on the DIS boards. I'm not telling him, btw. The ladies he works with are always swooning over his accent as it is.

I've missed you, pal! Everything going well?

I've missed you too...

 

[tinkgurl]

I just found this TR and wanted to let you know that I'm hooked and ready for more! Oh wow, I remember being a senior in high school. It goes by so fast! Are you going to make it out to New Mexico for her graduation?

 

[NMAmy]

I just found this TR and wanted to let you know that I'm hooked and ready for more! Oh wow, I remember being a senior in high school. It goes by so fast! Are you going to make it out to New Mexico for her graduation?

Welcome, tinkgurl! I'm so glad you're reading along!

I really can't believe that my child is now legally an adult. Luckily, she doesn't seem to realize it yet and still calls to check with me on everything. I'm planning on enjoying it while it lasts.

Yep, we're absolutely going out for her graduation. She's having a party with one of my best friend's sons. They've known each other since they were tiny and I'm really tickled that they've decided they'd like to have their graduation party together. He's about the closest thing to a brother that she's ever had. We lived there for about 15 years so it will be really nice to see all our old friends.

 

[tinkgurl]

Yep, we're absolutely going out for her graduation. She's having a party with one of my best friend's sons. They've known each other since they were tiny and I'm really tickled that they've decided they'd like to have their graduation party together. He's about the closest thing to a brother that she's ever had. We lived there for about 15 years so it will be really nice to see all our old friends.

That will be great!

 

[NMAmy]

Good news! ADR's have been made. Sunday, after several hours of "All circuits are busy--please call again later," I finally got through. What's up with that? I like to call on Sundays because it's usually easier to get through.

The bad news? Well, I got most everything I wanted (even at a mere 41 days out) but Caitlin has severely limited my dining choices. She didn't give me much input this year but did tell me, "Mom. NO breakfasts. And, please, no character meals." What the heck? No character meals? I told her I was leaving her and Jen and taking my 5 and 3 year old great nieces instead. I bet they'd go see Mickey with me.

Anyway, here's the reservations thus far:

Sat - Nothing. Well, last year, Caitlin and Jen fell asleep at dinner on their first day. They'd had to leave at like 3:00 am to make their plane and didn't get in until the afternoon. I decided this year, we'd just kind of play it by ear--maybe grab something at Picabu's and let them take a nap. There's no EMH that night which is kinda weird.

Sunday - Lunch at Le Cellier. I might as well admit something. I'm one of the few Americans that don't like steak. I do enjoy hot dogs and apple pie, though. I'm pretty sure that's the only reason I'm allowed to remain a citizen. This does relate--I like Le Cellier's lunch options better than the dinner ones--the dinners really run heavy on the steaks. Plus, I've never had an issue with getting a lunch reservation there.

Monday--Nothing again. I'd hoped to do dinner at the Prime Time that night but it was the one reservation I'd requested that wasn't available. So, I'll call again and see if I can change it. If not, we'll go to lunch at Planet Hollywood. Caitlin fell in love with those Captain Crunch chicken strips. Really, they taste WAY better than they sound.

Tuesday -Rose & Crown for lunch. Alex is British and this is his one request every year. I think he likes it because every time we go, the place is just chock full of Brits. He usually ends up having lived somewhere near where our server lived. Oh, and I like the Harp. Here's the girls last year--we had a blast having dinner with some friends we met up with there. They are our vacation buddies.

Wednesday - Ok, I took this time for dinner at Prime Time. It was my original DTD Disney day. Here's the girls sharing the Viewfinder last year.

Thursday - Biergarten for dinner. Caitlin and Jen are still deciding whether they'll come with us. Cait does love the spatzle. And I love the beer. (Are you sensing a theme here?)

Friday - Sci Fi for lunch. I got the Mystery Science Theater 3000 20th Anniversary dvd for Christmas. We had a blast watching them--Cait said it was a warm up for Sci Fi.

Here's one of my all-time favorite pictures of Caitlin from the Sci Fi. When she was a little girl, she used to ask me if she'd be "freakishly tall" when she grew up.

Oh, and Diane, here's a random picture of Caitlin's stormtrooper boyfriend. I thought of Eric when I was going through the photos.

 

[tinkgurl]

I like the idea of sharing your pics from restaurants that you are returning to!

 

[NMAmy]

I like the idea of sharing your pics from restaurants that you are returning to!

Thanks! I was getting bored by my own trip report so I thought I'd jazz it up a little.

 

[tinkgurl]

Thanks! I was getting bored by my own trip report so I thought I'd jazz it up a little.