*OFFICIAL* July 2010 Thread! It’s Hot. It’s Crowded. AND WE LOVE IT!

[tinkerbell60]

Last July while we were there, the rain was horrible! IMO.

I wore tennis shoes the whole time...we just let them dry over night. (the rain was so bad though that we left the park and went back to our room until night time )

A cousin of mine went w/us and wore flip flops on one of the days that it just poured....once they were wet, she was unable to keep them on to walk in..too slippery.

I agree - we did have at least one horrible rain event. I remember seeing another July Disser's pictures of a near-flood in Tomorrowland at MK the same day. You are absolutely correct about the flip flops - when they get wet, they can be hazardous. Putting on my nurse's cap for a minute - flip flops are bad for your ankles (and yes, DD wears them to my dismay), my niece had a terrible ankle injury walking in wet grass with flip flops, so using them in the rain you should be extra careful and avoid running in them.

I really think the best shoes for rain down there are the sandals that come up around your ankles like the Keens or Tevas. I wish I owned a pair.

 

[tinkerbell60]

We got our DME info yesterday too! Except that it is wrong and I need to call and fix it! My DH is flying in/out on different dates and they have him listed with us coming in and then they have nothing listed for any of our departures. I had spent a lot of time on the phone with the guy setting it all up too Oh well, just another reason to call Disney!!

I am having serious doubts about AKL. I look at the pictures and it just doesn't excite me. My DH suggested we switch to POFQ as he has always wanted to stay there, but seems as it has 2 double beds, I nixed that one. I have been thinking about CSR though as they have 2 queens. On the other hand, this is the absolute last time we will have the opportunity to stay at AKL without renting a villa, and given that choice, I know we would book BLT over AKL. I would feel better knowing we at least had club level at AKL (we would get value out of the BF's and snacks) and it pains me that we are paying almost the exact same for a savannah bunkbed view without the benefit of the club level amenities. Okay, had to get that off my chest! am such a resort flip flopper!!

That is a tough one. Is AK Club Level available for your stay ? I have heard wonderful things about their club level.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I am having serious doubts about AKL. I look at the pictures and it just doesn't excite me. My DH suggested we switch to POFQ as he has always wanted to stay there, but seems as it has 2 double beds, I nixed that one. I have been thinking about CSR though as they have 2 queens. On the other hand, this is the absolute last time we will have the opportunity to stay at AKL without renting a villa, and given that choice, I know we would book BLT over AKL. I would feel better knowing we at least had club level at AKL (we would get value out of the BF's and snacks) and it pains me that we are paying almost the exact same for a savannah bunkbed view without the benefit of the club level amenities. Okay, had to get that off my chest! am such a resort flip flopper!!

I've been posting the SAME thing!! CL isn't available for our stay or we would have totally switched to that, then we thought about changing to pool view. I feel like I'm grasping at straws to convince myself that we picked the right resort

On another note.....ADR changes!

We dropped Boma for 7/21 at 4:30 - we are afraid there won't be much that we'll like, and for $80 (after tip) it's not worth taking the chance

We added MK Dessert Party for 7/19 (we wanted 7/18, but it's totally booked )
- in line with that, I'm a little annoyed that we're paying 'peak' prices when it's value season for our resort and we went the same time last year and didn't pay peak prices for the DP

 

[disneywatcher]

I think the only time I will be wearing my tennis shoes is in the airport when I arrive and when we leave. I have packed Keens for me, Columbia sandals for my middle daughter, some knock off of keens that I got at Gander mountian for my oldest (I was not about to spend 50 dollars on a pair of shoes she would outgrow before next year, the ones I got her were 25 I think) and the baby has Carter sandals that are like Keens.

I went today to print out maps on card stock and the site was acting funky. I went to pull up my reservation and it couldnt find it! I have my DME paper work as well as my reservation paperwork so I know it's in the system. I was able to print out my ADR's and it says that were due to arrive in 28 days.

I had to get an envelope ready for my little sister with her DME tag (although I dont know if they will pick up from Frontier Air) and her "What will you Celebrate" Tag.

I also decorated my Mousekeeping tip envelopes and my TS tip envelopes today! I also printed out CM apprciation cards after I modified them with new text. 28 days to go and I know it's going to blink by!

 

[carly3592]

20 days to go...and I got my ME tags... is it too early to start packing?????? Haha

And as for the rain, I've seen big rain storms I think every time I've been to WDW in the summer. Last time I was there (July 2007), there was a HUGE thunder/lightning storm when I was at EPCOT. I was stuck in Germany for about an hour- torrential downpour with the thunder booming RIGHT over our heads. It actually got a little scary at times.

And I never bring any sort of sneaker to the parks unless there's gonna be cooler temperatures. When you consider the soaring temperatures, number of water rides, and the high likelihood for rain, wearing shoes (no matter how comfortable they are) just ain't worth it. I'm gonna buy a pair of Teva's next week so I can break them in a bit before using them at WDW.

 

[PopArtGal]

I still haven't received my Disney mail. I got the DME. I'm talking about the rest. Did anyone receive it?

 

[3doglovr]

I always make my Disney ressies on my own without a travel agent. I deviated from that practice this time and went with a local agent that advertises discounts she gives back to you from her commissions. I ended up saving $100.00 but now I am regretting it. I'm 18 days out from our vacation and just realized (thanks to a couple of recent posts) that I do not have my DME packet yet! Tried to call Disney about it but since I made the res. thru the TA, I have to contact them. So, I call the TA. No answer. Left a message. Then I tried to call the franchised company that she made the reservation through. They can't help me either...I have to talk directly to the TA that made the res. UGH! I will never book this way again!
Has anyone else ever not received their DME's in time for their trip? What happens? I am not going to want to spend money for a car service!

 

[ocalla]

Last July while we were there, the rain was horrible! IMO.

I wore tennis shoes the whole time...we just let them dry over night. (the rain was so bad though that we left the park and went back to our room until night time )

A cousin of mine went w/us and wore flip flops on one of the days that it just poured....once they were wet, she was unable to keep them on to walk in..too slippery.

Never thought about the flips sliding off. maybe I should just take 2 pair of tennis shoes with me!!

Okay, yeah, great idea EXCEPT - unless you just proactively change your shoes at lunch time, which is generally before a rain, it will never work. It comes down so fast most times that your shoes would be soaked before you get the backpack off your shoulders.

I forgot about that. Yesterday right before soccer camp the skies opened!! I barely had time to open the umbrella.

I guess it usually doesn't start to rain until mid afternoon?

 

[ocalla]

Are Tevas less slippery? Are you talking about the Flip Flop kind? or the strap around the ankle kind?

I don't think I could stand/walk all day in them, but maybe for a change of pace.

Since it is usually colder when we visit WDW, we have never ridden kali River Rapids. Do you change your shoes for that ride?

 

[PopArtGal]

I always make my Disney ressies on my own without a travel agent. I deviated from that practice this time and went with a local agent that advertises discounts she gives back to you from her commissions. I ended up saving $100.00 but now I am regretting it. I'm 18 days out from our vacation and just realized (thanks to a couple of recent posts) that I do not have my DME packet yet! Tried to call Disney about it but since I made the res. thru the TA, I have to contact them. So, I call the TA. No answer. Left a message. Then I tried to call the franchised company that she made the reservation through. They can't help me either...I have to talk directly to the TA that made the res. UGH! I will never book this way again!
Has anyone else ever not received their DME's in time for their trip? What happens? I am not going to want to spend money for a car service!

If you don't receive your tags, do this:

Keep the "coupons" the airline gives you. When you get to MCO, go to the Magical Express counter and give them these coupons. They will e-mail (or phone, or whatever) people upstairs, who will go and get your suitcase off and they will be delivered to your hotel. It might take a bit longer, so pack what you need right away in your carry-on.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

I talked it over with my DH and we switched from AKL to... the Poly! We have never stayed there and my DH has always wanted to, and it was only a total of $50 more for the four nights as we got a garden view room. Although I *think* we would have enjoyed the AKL, I KNOW we will have a great time at the Poly! So so excited!!!

And this rain convo is getting me down! I just remember afternoon showers, and I hope it is like that again this time

And, um, now I get to adjust my dining reservations - don't think we will be making the trek for Boma

 

[SRUAlmn]

I talked it over with my DH and we switched from AKL to... the Poly! We have never stayed there and my DH has always wanted to, and it was only a total of $50 more for the four nights as we got a garden view room. Although I *think* we would have enjoyed the AKL, I KNOW we will have a great time at the Poly! So so excited!!!

And this rain convo is getting me down! I just remember afternoon showers, and I hope it is like that again this time

And, um, now I get to adjust my dining reservations - don't think we will be making the trek for Boma

That's exactly what we wanted to do, but for some reason it was going to be almost $200 to switch from AKL savanna view to Poly garden view We have the 20/30/40 code.... Hmm??? We're staying 5 nights instead of 4, but it shouldn't make that much of a difference If it's only $50 I could totally sell him!!

 

[Mom2Elliot]

That's exactly what we wanted to do, but for some reason it was going to be almost $200 to switch from AKL savanna view to Poly garden view We have the 20/30/40 code.... Hmm??? We're staying 5 nights instead of 4, but it shouldn't make that much of a difference If it's only $50 I could totally sell him!!

Probably because we were Savannah Bunkbed - I have a 12 yr old boy and 9 yr old girl, so I need separate beds for them. My DH is very happy ad so far I feel no regret! lol!

 

[mdrob214]

I am a Keen wearer most of the time, but I have Reef flip flops and Nike Celso flip flops that are great, even when wet. The Nike's are a smoother footbed, so slightly slippery, but the Reefs are perfect! They are intended to get wet and not have problems. I think Teva's are much the same, but I've yet to find a pair I like. The Teva Mush are nice, but I have a large foot and they don't fit right. I wear Keens in the morning and often switch to flip flops for the evening, after a break.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I wear my New Balance walking sneakers while at WDW. So comfy, worked like a charm last time! And no problems with them getting wet...I will keep in mind that newspaper idea!

Well, I changed our plans yet again! Not with ADRs...not with resort (of course!)...not with dining plan or no dining plan...not with park itinerary...but with the trip on the way down!!!!!!

Marriott has this great deal that was just way too good to pass up! They are giving a $20 Target gift card with a Friday or Saturday night stay! So...instead of paying $114 for the Hampton Inn in St. Augustine, FL on the way down...hold onto your hats...we're paying $79 for the Fairfield Inn in Palm Coast, FL (only an extra half-hour of driving that day) AND we get a complimentary $20 Target gift card!!!!! I'm ecstatic! I also discovered that the Fairfield Inn we are staying at in Lumberton, NC has the same deal, but we can only use it on the way back up (Friday night stay...on the way down is a Thursday). AND I got a lower rate! By only $5 but still, money saved is money saved!!

OK, so now I need some opinions...I have read about Palm Coast being a nice area but I am completely unfamiliar with any area of Florida except for the Disney World area and Boca Raton/Ft. Lauderdale! It is safe there right? This is about 2 miles off of I-95, and I only read positive reviews on Trip Advisor, although it was ranked as #9 out of 11 hotels in Palm Coast. But all the hotels there seemed to have great reviews, don't know how they rank tham really. As long as it is a safe area and we have someplace to eat dinner, we will be fine! Please tell me I did the right thing!

By the way...I exercised yesterday for the first time since my back went out 2 weeks ago...and I was fine! I took it very lightly though. For those of you familiar with Turbo Jam...I did the Fat Blaster workout, but I went lightly and modified a lot. No jumping or running, and I didn't lift my knee too high. I also took it easy on the stretching at the end, and I didn't push it. Afterwards, I picked up a pair of 3-pound weights and did alternating shoulder presses, bicep curls and tricep kickbacks (but didn't really bend over for those). Then I stretched those muscles. I feel great!! Still taking it slowly though, did not work out today and will go light again tomorrow!

 

[Tollerwalker]

We will be @ AKV July 3-17. Can't wait!!

 

[disneywatcher]

I still haven't received my Disney mail. I got the DME. I'm talking about the rest. Did anyone receive it?

Yep I got the little packet that has my check in information as well as my cup vouchers and all the other goodies.

20 days to go...and I got my ME tags... is it too early to start packing?????? Haha

I think I've been packed for a little over a month now Then again I keep unpacking and repacking myself. DH think's I'm NUTS!

 

[3doglovr]

If you don't receive your tags, do this:

Keep the "coupons" the airline gives you. When you get to MCO, go to the Magical Express counter and give them these coupons. They will e-mail (or phone, or whatever) people upstairs, who will go and get your suitcase off and they will be delivered to your hotel. It might take a bit longer, so pack what you need right away in your carry-on.

Thanks so much PopArt! My TA just called and apologized for not putting my flight info into the Disney system. She is doing so right now but who knows if I'll get those tags in time. I'll do what you adivised.
We're hanging out at the resort the first day and swimming so I'll make sure to put suits and stuff for that in carry on!

 

[tinkerbell60]

Are Tevas less slippery? Are you talking about the Flip Flop kind? or the strap around the ankle kind?

I don't think I could stand/walk all day in them, but maybe for a change of pace.

Since it is usually colder when we visit WDW, we have never ridden kali River Rapids. Do you change your shoes for that ride?

I think anything with an ankle strap is more supportive, but that is just my opinion.

I talked it over with my DH and we switched from AKL to... the Poly! We have never stayed there and my DH has always wanted to, and it was only a total of $50 more for the four nights as we got a garden view room. Although I *think* we would have enjoyed the AKL, I KNOW we will have a great time at the Poly! So so excited!!!

And this rain convo is getting me down! I just remember afternoon showers, and I hope it is like that again this time

And, um, now I get to adjust my dining reservations - don't think we will be making the trek for Boma

Glad that worked out for you! I LOVED the Poly last year - the rooms are enormous!

I wear my New Balance walking sneakers while at WDW. So comfy, worked like a charm last time! And no problems with them getting wet...I will keep in mind that newspaper idea!

Well, I changed our plans yet again! Not with ADRs...not with resort (of course!)...not with dining plan or no dining plan...not with park itinerary...but with the trip on the way down!!!!!!

Marriott has this great deal that was just way too good to pass up! They are giving a $20 Target gift card with a Friday or Saturday night stay! So...instead of paying $114 for the Hampton Inn in St. Augustine, FL on the way down...hold onto your hats...we're paying $79 for the Fairfield Inn in Palm Coast, FL (only an extra half-hour of driving that day) AND we get a complimentary $20 Target gift card!!!!! I'm ecstatic! I also discovered that the Fairfield Inn we are staying at in Lumberton, NC has the same deal, but we can only use it on the way back up (Friday night stay...on the way down is a Thursday). AND I got a lower rate! By only $5 but still, money saved is money saved!!

OK, so now I need some opinions...I have read about Palm Coast being a nice area but I am completely unfamiliar with any area of Florida except for the Disney World area and Boca Raton/Ft. Lauderdale! It is safe there right? This is about 2 miles off of I-95, and I only read positive reviews on Trip Advisor, although it was ranked as #9 out of 11 hotels in Palm Coast. But all the hotels there seemed to have great reviews, don't know how they rank tham really. As long as it is a safe area and we have someplace to eat dinner, we will be fine! Please tell me I did the right thing!

By the way...I exercised yesterday for the first time since my back went out 2 weeks ago...and I was fine! I took it very lightly though. For those of you familiar with Turbo Jam...I did the Fat Blaster workout, but I went lightly and modified a lot. No jumping or running, and I didn't lift my knee too high. I also took it easy on the stretching at the end, and I didn't push it. Afterwards, I picked up a pair of 3-pound weights and did alternating shoulder presses, bicep curls and tricep kickbacks (but didn't really bend over for those). Then I stretched those muscles. I feel great!! Still taking it slowly though, did not work out today and will go light again tomorrow!

We stayed in Palm Coast last summer, and I felt very safe. It seemed like a very nice area. We were one exit further down, off Rte 100 than the Fairfield. We ate at a restaurant called Hijackers near the local airport there. It was not fancy, but had really good food. The exit ramps are a bit odd, hard to describe them, but they seemed a little confusing to us. Just be cautious. They loop down and under I95 in an odd way. I think it sounds like a good deal!

We will be @ AKV July 3-17. Can't wait!!

I will add you to the list on page 150 - Welcome!!!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I wore Reef (stash) the entire time we vacationed with Tropical Storm Faye. They were wonderful. By day five or six, I earned a blister where the wet thong rubbed my toe. It was resolved with a band-aid. I can't imagine what that trip would have been like in sneakers.

On the other hand DH has major foot problems. He gets foot pain trying to walk in traditional flip flops. He probably couldn't have imagined that trip in anything other than his sneakers.

My girls (6-1/2 then) wore crocs and sneakers. I let them choose each day.