No ticker and no planning make me GO CRAZY.. Feb. 2013 PTR

[Nermel9]

All Star Music is actually pretty nice, if I was going to stay at an All Star Resort, it would be Music. And SSR looks good too, especially a nice, one bedroom villa with that jacuzzi tub! I really wish I rented points for November. I booked my flights yesterday too, they were surprisingly cheap!

 

[lbuzz52]

We stayed at SSR a couple of trips ago. It really felt like a home instead of a hotel room. I loved our location as it was first on, first off the buses and right by the quiet pool. I agree with a PP- Turf Club was really good. i went in there nervous because it wasn't very busy and we made reservations that day. but it was quite tasty!

 

[jenseib]

I like your resort choices. You will have fun. Andeven downgrading on the cruise, you will still have a wonderful time. I have a chance to take a very budget friendly cruise in an inside room, and if it al lworks out, I'm gonna do it. At least I'm on a ship and having fun. I just need to get more info before I can go forward with it.
I like the looks of SSR too. I hope to give it a try someday...so many resort, so little time.....
One of my fellow TA's has that as her home resort and can't say enough good things about it.

 

[oboedm]

Hooray for SSR! I am thinking about buying a resale DVC there, so I will look forward to your review of the place! It does look like a great place to stay. I love the little water fountains with the Donald!

 

[teekathepony]

I honestly don't think I've ever seen pictures of breakfast at WPE and that's a shame because that looks amazing!
Sounds like the plans are coming along great!

 

[amazingact21]

Glad that the Sepember plans are coming along nicely!

I think one night at All Star Music won't be that bad, especially if you go into it with the knowledge that you'll be switching to SSR the following day. Speaking of SSR, that one bedroom villa looks gorgeous. The living room looks roomy and the pool seems really big, which can be a good thing if it ever gets busy.

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[pinkxray]

Sounds like your September plans are really coming together! You'll still have so much fun on the cruise even without the balcony.

And for getting your resors booked! And airfare too!


If you decide to definitely do the 5K, maybe we could attempt to make a meeting place. Or we could exchange cell #'s. I'll have my cell on me for music & to keep track of my running time.

I still haven't switched our cruise ressie to a window. I booked through my credit cards rewards program since they had a promotional 5% cashback for cruises. I have tried calling to switch but they are always closed or busy on days I am not working. It's like a sign that I shouldn't switch.

I'm still considering the 10miler, but as soon as I figure it out I will let you know. I would love to be able to complete a 10 mile run, but we'll see what happens before then. I am not sure my training will go very well once Caitlin is out of school next week.

Diane, the September plans are coming along great. I knew you really wanted to stay at SSR and so glad you got that.

Mark and I were at All-Star Music in April for one night. It's not something we could do for more than one night, but it was fine as we were only there to sleep (we spent the entire night at DTD).

I am happy we are trying out SSR. It looks lovely for 1 day and will be a great choice to chill out at the pool at day.

I don't think I will be at ASMu very much. Just to sleep, so it should work out okay.

Great September plans so far, Diane!

ASMusic is a nice choice for one night - we have stayed at ASMovies many a times (pre OKW )

Sorry about having to change your stateroom asignment, but at least you are going on a cruise!

And as for your September "main" resort - SSR is our home resort!! We have never stayed there, but the CS restaurant has a few yummy options and we love the Turf Club too ....... but then you are just across the lake from WPE and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea that you are going to help out my fellow countryman Wolfgang with eating at his restaurant.

Will we still see you in February?

I always forget that SSR is your home resort. How funny that you haven't stayed there yet.

I am looking foward to eating at least lunch or dinner at WPE and hopefully breakfast the next morning. I wish we were staying a bit longer so I could go there a few times, but I'll take what I can get.

Our Feb. trip is still in the air. I should know by the end of summer if it will happen or not.

Yay for September plans!!! I feel like I am in an endless motion of plan changing!!

I am having a horrible time trying to plan just two days. Everytime I think I have it all straightened out, I think of another way to spend the time. I am just going to step away from the Sept. trip and start thinking about possible Feb. plans.

All Star Music is actually pretty nice, if I was going to stay at an All Star Resort, it would be Music. And SSR looks good too, especially a nice, one bedroom villa with that jacuzzi tub! I really wish I rented points for November. I booked my flights yesterday too, they were surprisingly cheap!

I plan on spending no time at the resort the first night, so I am sure the All Stars will be fine.

I would definitely rent points when staying at AKL. It is such a great deal even with the savannah view. It does stink that it is hard to switch resorts or dates if you want, but I'll take the low price for more space over being able to resort change.

We stayed at SSR a couple of trips ago. It really felt like a home instead of a hotel room. I loved our location as it was first on, first off the buses and right by the quiet pool. I agree with a PP- Turf Club was really good. i went in there nervous because it wasn't very busy and we made reservations that day. but it was quite tasty!

What section were you in, do you remember? I was thinking of requesting Carosel Park for view of DTD but want to be close to a main pool. Although for such a short stay I am guessing it won't matter too much

I like your resort choices. You will have fun. Andeven downgrading on the cruise, you will still have a wonderful time. I have a chance to take a very budget friendly cruise in an inside room, and if it al lworks out, I'm gonna do it. At least I'm on a ship and having fun. I just need to get more info before I can go forward with it.
I like the looks of SSR too. I hope to give it a try someday...so many resort, so little time.....
One of my fellow TA's has that as her home resort and can't say enough good things about it.

I keep considering just leaving the balcony and paying for the difference myself, but it is about $800 and that is a good portion of another cruise right there. I think I would like to take more trips that are less expensive that only a few expensive trips.

Up until a few months ago, SSR was never on my list of places to stay. Somehow I found myself looking at pictures and really wanting to stay there. I love the pools and the ability to walk to DTD. We spend so much time at the resort that I think we will enjoy it.

Hooray for SSR! I am thinking about buying a resale DVC there, so I will look forward to your review of the place! It does look like a great place to stay. I love the little water fountains with the Donald!

I wish I could buy into DVC resale. DH has said no multiple times, but I am hoping that by staying at all of the DVC resorts he will change his mind. He loves the one bedroom so I will keep booking them and spoiling him, so that he will hate all other resorts. I dream of buying resale at AKV but will have to secretly save the whole amount before I can convince DH and that is going to take awhile.

I really like all the pictures that I have seen. It looks like a great choice for a resort stay that doesn't involve a lot of park time. The two main pools look awesome and even the quiet pools look cute.

I honestly don't think I've ever seen pictures of breakfast at WPE and that's a shame because that looks amazing!
Sounds like the plans are coming along great!

Breakfast at WPE was wonderful I want to go back on our departure day and try something else on the menu.

Glad that the Sepember plans are coming along nicely!

I think one night at All Star Music won't be that bad, especially if you go into it with the knowledge that you'll be switching to SSR the following day. Speaking of SSR, that one bedroom villa looks gorgeous. The living room looks roomy and the pool seems really big, which can be a good thing if it ever gets busy.

After seeing your pictures of ASsports, I am thinking of staying there which is something I never considered before. I think at this time last year All Star Sports and SSR where probably the bottom two resorts on my list of places I want to stay. Funny how that changes over time.

joining in

Thanks for joining in!

 

[Queila]

September plans are looking great.

A friend invited me to run a 10K with her (not at Disney) in September and I just don't think I am ready yet. We will see. I think a 5K at Disney is just enough to give you the chance of enjoy it without killing yourself.

If your plan is to stay at every Disney resort you will have to endure a night at ASMu. Haha. How hard can it be? In my book a night at a hotel at Disney is better than a night at any other hotel.

Q

 

[pinkxray]

September plans are looking great.

A friend invited me to run a 10K with her (not at Disney) in September and I just don't think I am ready yet. We will see. I think a 5K at Disney is just enough to give you the chance of enjoy it without killing yourself.

If your plan is to stay at every Disney resort you will have to endure a night at ASMu. Haha. How hard can it be? In my book a night at a hotel at Disney is better than a night at any other hotel.

Q

I wish I could try a 10k this summer. There don't seem to be many around here. It is either 5ks or half marathons.

I guess I'll have to try an All Star at some point. I don't even now why I don't like them since I haven't been there. A few years ago we were planning on staying at Movies and I was soooo excited. I think I have just been spoiled by the other resorts that they don't appeal to me much. But I do like Pop and hopefully AoA.

 

[pinkxray]

New ticker alert!!



As you can see from my pretty new ticker, there will no longer be a girl’s trip to WDW in Feb 2013. Hopefully we will be able to go back in Feb. 2014 for the Princess Half but we’ll see.



I have been driving DH crazy lately trying to get him to agree to do a few days in FL over the summer. I have been missing Disney like crazy lately. Everything seems to remind me of WDW lately. We were driving around town yesterday and out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a monorail track. (It was just a regular train track over a small bridge)



I have also been thinking about upcoming trips. As much as I want to do a half marathon in Disney, the idea of traveling there over Feb. break doesn’t appeal to me much. Plus, I want our next family trip to be a very relaxed half Disney/ half Universal trip with lots of resort and waterpark time. Since I also want to see the xmas decorations, I thought we could do a Nov. 2013 trip. However, Typhoon Lagoon is closed. Plus, who knows how Nov. weather will be?


I start thinking maybe our next family trip should be the week of Caitlin’s birthday next year, which is in Oct. It sounds perfect. Great weather, food and wine, waterparks and fall decorations. Only problem is that I wouldn’t see the xmas stuff. So I asked DH If he would mind if our girls trip moved up to Dec. He said as long as I stop talking about Disney to him, he doesn’t care when we go. I headed over to Jen’s house to ask her but she had the nerve of not being home. Later on I sent her a text and she agreed on the dates I had in mind.



Jenny, Caitlin and I will be in Disney from Dec.7 – Dec. 10. Unfortunately, it can’t be longer due to Caitlin being in school but with an early flight there and late flight back we will have almost 4 days of parks.



Now, on to the important stuff.


Where to stay?


I thought it would be hard to arrange a trip with another diser who has their own favorite resorts and dining choices but for some reason neither Jen or myself really care where we stay this trip. I think because we both know we will spend most of our time in the parks the resort really doesn’t matter.

It will most likely be between a value or moderate but I am going to list my deluxe choices too, because I like to daydream and I do buy a powerball ticket most Wednesdays and Satudays.


I would love to hear your top two choices. One realistic, budget choice and one no budget, $$$ is no object choice.



Value


Art of Animation

This is my only pick for staying in a value. Not really interested in the All Stars and we have already stayed at Pop.





Moderates


Coronado Springs

Caitlin and I have not stayed here yet. I think it looks nice and I know Caitlin would love the pool. But will we have enough time or good enough weather to use it. Jen has stayed here, but it was just for one night so that doesn’t really count, does it?



Port Orleans Riverside

We have all stayed here. However, it was pre-refurb so I would love to try the new royal rooms or the new AB rooms. The AB rooms have an added bonus that we would all have our own bed. Caitlin is a huge bed hog and I never sleep well when I have to share a bed with her.



Port Orleans French Quarter

No one in our group has stayed here. It seems like a pretty good option. DH never wants to stay here or CSR, he doesn’t like the look of them so it would be a good chance to check them out. The resort is nice and compact and there is only one bus stop. Plus, Jen loves the color purple so I’m sure she’ll like the comforters.




Deluxe


I would love to stay at any deluxe resort but for a Christmas trip, only four really call to me.


Animal Kingdom Lodge

Caitlin and I love this resort. So far it is my favorite Disney resort and I would love to go back. Jen has not stayed here, but I wonder how she would feel about staying here without her DH, since I’m sure he would love this resort. Plus, this is my DH’s favorite resort so I know we will be back one day.

Also for such a short trip a deluxe that is closer to a theme park and has other transportation besides buses is probably a better option. But I would really love to wake up with giraffes out side my window again.

I also know that Caitlin would love to stay here with her aunt and show her all the awesomeness that is AKL.




Wilderness Lodge

I have always thought that if we went on a xmas trip we would stay here. It has the perfect feel for the holidays. Since it’s the cheapest deluxe it could still be possible if Disney is nice enough to release a room only discount. However Jen has stayed here multiple times and might want to try something new. However, the rooms are getting redone soon and we might need to check them out.



Grand Floridian

This was always my top choice for a girl’s only trip with DD since DH HATES GF. We will never stay there with DH.

Let’s pretend for a moment that the GF doesn’t cost anymore than the other resorts.
Along with the WL, it is the most Christmassy. It is close to the MK for the xmas party. The pools look decent. And they stayed there on Full House.
Once you bring back the extra cost though, it doesn’t seem worth it. Not only will you have the extra resort cost, but for me I would have too many great dining options that it would add to my food budget too.

Last deluxe choice




Boardwalk Inn

I think this one is my favorite. The ability to walk to two parks, the dining options around BW, being able to check out the BC/YC decorations.

What are your top picks?

AOA
POR
POFQ
CSR

WL
BWI
GF
AKL


​

 

[amandaw]

A new ticker! How exciting!

Y'all will have so much fun! And Christmas time is such a lovely time to go to Disney.

What are your top picks?

AOA
POR
POFQ
CSR

WL
BWI
GF
AKL


​

Okay, here are my picks:

If I needed to stay on a tight budget, I would definitely give AoA a try.

If I could spend a little but not go all the way to deluxe, I would choose a Royal Room at POR. That would be a terrific room for a girls' trip.

But, if I could pick any resort then I would pick Boardwalk. It just looks so pretty & the location seems terrific. Wilderness Lodge would be my 2nd choice for a deluxe. I do think it has the overall best Christmas feel of all the Disney resorts.

Can't wait to hear what y'all pick!

 

[tinacaplan]

Ooooh...more plans = more fun! Personally, I've always wanted to stay at AKL over Christmas, but this was always my idea if/when we ever go during the actual Christmas week. I figure with all the things to do at AKL, if we weren't able to do the parks (or didn't want to deal with the crazy crowds), we'd still have plenty to do. Plus, something about the resort itself feels a little Christmas-y. Sorta.

As for mods, I love, love, love CSR. I really, really do. The rooms are fabulous and the pool is great, too. Plus, the bus service is excellent.

I also really like the BWI option, as that area is just fantastic.

I don't think you could wrong with your choice, though.

 

[dizneeat]

New ticker alert!!


What are your top picks?

AOA
POR
POFQ
CSR

WL
BWI
GF
AKL
​

Congratulations on your brandnew exciting ticker!!!!!!!!

Did I read that correctly and your February trip is off?
I really would have loved to see you, but I do understand your reasoning and there is always 2014!

You are going to LOVE Disney at Christmas .... so fun and beautiful! We went there a few years ago (had to take unpaid leave ) and we both absolutely LOVED it.

Resort choices:
Value .... AoA hands down! I have my eyes on it for our first night in February.
Moderate .... POR, in a princess room! Perfect for a girls only trip! Three princesses in a room, what else can you want.
Deluxe .... since you didn't list my favourite Epcot resort, the YC, I think I have to go with BWI! Can't beat the location, walking distance to Epcot and DHS.
If you had more time to enjoy the resort I would have said AKL

DREAM resort .... OKW .... okay, you know me!

 

[Nermel9]

I don't care where we stay just because this is a bonus Disney trip for me, so I'd rather we stay somewhere you and Caitlin really want to stay.

However, from the resorts you listed:

If we did a mod, any of those would be fine, but if we did POR, I'd like to try an Alligator Bayou room, just because I'll probably never stay in one again...and it would be nice for us each to have a bed! I'd also like to try Coronado again, since Brandon hated it so much, I'd like to give it another chance. I feel like we'd need a car there, though.

For deluxes...OMG, I want to stay in the Grand Floridian SO bad! Too bad it's the most expensive place in the world. I wouldn't mind staying in WL again either, and AKL and the Boardwalk would be really nice too. I'd also love to stay at the Yacht Club during Christmas, because when we went in there with the carolers singing in front of the tree, it was SO Christmasy and nice!

But really, any of these will be fine! I'm just happy I'm going to Disney in November, and then 3 weeks later, I'm going to Disney again!

I have to make a new ticker!

 

[pinkxray]

A new ticker! How exciting!

Y'all will have so much fun! And Christmas time is such a lovely time to go to Disney.



Okay, here are my picks:

If I needed to stay on a tight budget, I would definitely give AoA a try.

If I could spend a little but not go all the way to deluxe, I would choose a Royal Room at POR. That would be a terrific room for a girls' trip.

But, if I could pick any resort then I would pick Boardwalk. It just looks so pretty & the location seems terrific. Wilderness Lodge would be my 2nd choice for a deluxe. I do think it has the overall best Christmas feel of all the Disney resorts.

Can't wait to hear what y'all pick!

I like your choices. I should let you take over the planning.

Ooooh...more plans = more fun! Personally, I've always wanted to stay at AKL over Christmas, but this was always my idea if/when we ever go during the actual Christmas week. I figure with all the things to do at AKL, if we weren't able to do the parks (or didn't want to deal with the crazy crowds), we'd still have plenty to do. Plus, something about the resort itself feels a little Christmas-y. Sorta.

As for mods, I love, love, love CSR. I really, really do. The rooms are fabulous and the pool is great, too. Plus, the bus service is excellent.

I also really like the BWI option, as that area is just fantastic.

I don't think you could wrong with your choice, though.

I would love, love, love to stay at AKL. It does seem Christmas-y to me to. The only worry I have is the transportation for such a short trip. If I'm going to spend money on a deluxe BWI makes much more sense since you can walk to two parks. However, every once in awhile I start daydreaming of seeing the giraffes outside my window. I just love them

CSR seems like a great option, especially since I know DH does not want to stay there.

It is going to be a tough decision, but I think you are right that there really isn't a bad choice.

Congratulations on your brandnew exciting ticker!!!!!!!!

Did I read that correctly and your February trip is off?
I really would have loved to see you, but I do understand your reasoning and there is always 2014!

You are going to LOVE Disney at Christmas .... so fun and beautiful! We went there a few years ago (had to take unpaid leave ) and we both absolutely LOVED it.

Resort choices:
Value .... AoA hands down! I have my eyes on it for our first night in February.
Moderate .... POR, in a princess room! Perfect for a girls only trip! Three princesses in a room, what else can you want.
Deluxe .... since you didn't list my favourite Epcot resort, the YC, I think I have to go with BWI! Can't beat the location, walking distance to Epcot and DHS.
If you had more time to enjoy the resort I would have said AKL

DREAM resort .... OKW .... okay, you know me!

I'm so sad I won't be able to meet you this Feb. but it will happen one day.
There are just too many things keeping me from going this year. Hopefully, it will work out next year.

The YC looks lovely, but I'm going to wait until Caitlin is a bit older to stay there or BC. I found SAB a bit overwhelming on our last stay. I didn't feel that Caitlin was old enough to leave the pool area on her own to use the slide and I didn't like having to constantly be moving to new areas in the pool. I like to go in the pool and relax, and there was no relaxation in that pool for me.



How did I know OKW would be thrown in there? If it was available through DVC, I would certainly stay there but only SSR is open for our dates. Plus, I think I would like to stay there during spring or summer. We will stay there one day, hopefully soon. It looks so pretty.

I don't care where we stay just because this is a bonus Disney trip for me, so I'd rather we stay somewhere you and Caitlin really want to stay.

However, from the resorts you listed:

If we did a mod, any of those would be fine, but if we did POR, I'd like to try an Alligator Bayou room, just because I'll probably never stay in one again...and it would be nice for us each to have a bed! I'd also like to try Coronado again, since Brandon hated it so much, I'd like to give it another chance. I feel like we'd need a car there, though.

For deluxes...OMG, I want to stay in the Grand Floridian SO bad! Too bad it's the most expensive place in the world. I wouldn't mind staying in WL again either, and AKL and the Boardwalk would be really nice too. I'd also love to stay at the Yacht Club during Christmas, because when we went in there with the carolers singing in front of the tree, it was SO Christmasy and nice!

But really, any of these will be fine! I'm just happy I'm going to Disney in November, and then 3 weeks later, I'm going to Disney again!

I have to make a new ticker!

I don't think Caitlin really cares where we stay. I think she would like AOA best though even without a pool slide and hot tub. Even if we were to splurge and stay at the GF, I don't think she would fully appreciate it. Maybe I should get her to start watching Full House. Is that out on DVD?

Did you stay at WL while all the decorations were up? Was it as pretty as it looks? Did you see the new refurbed rooms? They look pretty cute.

 

[TinksThree]

Wow! A new ticker!! How awesome!!

My choices?? Value AOA no question!

Mod would be POR/POFQ because that is our fave!!

Deluxe: 1st: AK, nd WL and 3rd BW during Christmas (I would rank differently at other times of the year! )

 

[oboedm]

AAH! Such a hard decision. I would LOVE to stay at CSR sometime. I know that Jen stayed there, but wasn't she sick that night? A re-do may be in order. That being said, the southwest isn't the most Christmassy. Trust me. I live here. No amount of Christmas trees will make me feel as though it is Christmas, and I have lived here my entire life!

I like AoA, but I refuse to support Little Mermaid anything. Ariel is awful.

POR is great because you would have the extra bed. If you choose somewhere besides POR, I force Jen make the resort selection and then say, "well, this was your choice so you have to sleep with Caitlin."

 

[teekathepony]

Alright let's see... and before I begin, take my opinion with a grain of salt as I've only ever stayed at Pop and am speaking not from experience, but from what I would want to do!

Value
Art of Animation
​

Ok so you might be able to tell from my own upcoming trip that I am all for this option. All the reviews coming in on it are amazing, the Big Blue Pool looks pretty awesome despite the lack of water slide or hot tub (assuming you get pool time and weather). The LM rooms look adorable for an all-girl trip. Also it's new and fun. If I only had 4 days I know I'd be spending them all in the parks and therefore unlikely to want to spend much on the hotel (and here you should keep in mind that I'm very cheap! ) This would be my first choice among values of course, but it would also be my first choice among all your choices.

Moderates
Coronado Springs
Port Orleans Riverside
Port Orleans French Quarter
​

Hmm, I think I'd have to go with POFQ since no one has stayed there, especially if your DH never wants to. Although the appeal of an extra bed in an AB room at POR is quite a draw. Personally I'd axe CSR, agreeing with oboedm (but without her firsthand knowledge!) that the southwest isn't someplace I'd jump to call Christmassy. So in order of my preference:
1. POFQ
2. POR
3. CSR

Deluxe

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Wilderness Lodge
Grand Floridian
Boardwalk Inn
​

Alright, some thoughts.

ALK - I have to admit to putting myself in each situation and thinking about it as if it were me going, and I wouldn't go to AKL without my DH. I know how much he would adore the place and just couldn't do it without him. So I guess I have to sympathize with you when you wonder about Jen's wanting to do it without her DH. I wouldn't. Also as much as I want to stay at AKL (seriously, it's #1 on my list of somedays!) I just couldn't justify it for a quick trip. I'd have to spend more time at the resort to really enjoy it. But it would be awfully pretty at Christmas time...

WL - If not for Jen having seen it, this would be my top choice for a deluxe. Very Christmassy and as the cheapest, it would be my pick for a short trip.

GF - I have to agree with your DH, I don't much like that place. I have to put it last on my Deluxe list. Also, too expensive.

Boardwalk - My top choice. The ability to walk to two parks would be a bonus on a short trip and I think the Boardwalk is beautiful anyway, and would be stunning at Christmas!

In order of my preference:

1. Boardwalk
2. Wilderness Lodge
3. Animal Kingdom Lodge
4. Grand Floridian

Whoops! I've written a novel! Rainy weekday mornings make me want to talk Disney more I guess!

 

[jenseib]

My vote is for Wilderness Lodge.. I just think that would be a perfect place for Christmas feelings!