*****OFFICIAL July 2012 Thread! Feelin' HOT HOT HOT!

[bangzoom6877]

That accident sounds horrible. I'm truly sorry. But it's a good thing that they put up guard rails and lights after it happened, so it wouldn't happen again. I live in Colorado and when we go up in the mountains, I cringe when the cliff side of the highway has no guard rails, especially since we get white out snow up there all the time and you can't see anything while driving.

I'll have to mention Biergarten to my dad. Sounds like he'd love it! Then again, we're talking about the person who doesn't want to do any TS meals at all . And I will definitely try to get him to take us to Sanaa, also.

The 'no princesses' thing from the guys is like the complete opposite of my brother. He doesn't mind all the girly stuff like that at all. In fact, when we were talking about the Grand Floridian tea, we were assuming he and my dad wouldn't want to go. But he came along and was like, "Yea I want to go have afternoon tea with you!" I was hoping for a nice brother-free afternoon.

I'm not very educated about the resort restaurants. The most I know is what I read in the Unofficial Guide or what I hear on here. But Kona Cafe sounds wonderful. And I totally forgot that I've eaten at Sci-Fi before! It was my brother, my dad, and me and we walked up and got in with no reservation. I was around 8 years old and the movies they showed scared me. But they did give us awesome light-up ice cubes that we still have!

I'm trying to find a breakfast place to eat that's not a buffet. The only Disney breakfasts we have ever done were Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's. In Disneyland we ate at a lovely little cafe in New Orleans Square that had an awesome breakfast, so I'm trying to find something like that in Disney World. I'm big on pancakes and potatoes and the traditional stuff like that, so I'm going to have to do some research and see what I decide. Usually we make breakfast in our hotel because we stay in condos with kitchens.

But I've never even heard of the Grand Floridian Cafe. Have you eaten there before?

Whoa, roads on cliffs with no guard rails scare me...I've been to some Caribbean islands, on cruises, where we took a tour by bus or taxi, and the roads were like that...it gave me a very uneasy feeling.

I can definitely help you with resort restaurants, and even with the breakfasts because I have done a lot of searching for different places. If you go to the official Disney World website, they have the menus to the a la carte restaurants right on their site, under dining. The breakfast menus are there. I know that people rave about the macadamia pineapple pancakes at Kona Cafe, as well as their tonga toast (banana stuffed french toast). I have only been to character buffet breakfasts there, because we also usually have breakfast in the villa (DVC). Even when we stayed at Pop Century before becoming DVC members, we brought a hot pot to boil water, and Folgers coffee singles. And we bought some cereal bars and some milk at the store...and I reserved a fridge for an extra fee ($10 per night in 2008), because we needed milk for my little one in the room.

I have never been to the Grand Floridian Cafe, but I have read very good things about it. DH's 35th birthday is in May, and I want to get him the Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride-Along as a present. They do the ride-along (in a professional racecar with a professional driver) at the WDW Speedway, right outside of MK. So, I figured that he an do that on the day we arrive, since we are only coming from Tampa that morning and only have an hour and a half drive to WDW. We could leave Tampa after breakfast, check in at BWV and drop off our luggage with them until our villa is ready, and head over to the WDW Speedway. They do ride-alongs all day from 9am-4pm, and when I called to ask about them, they told me that ride-alongs are on a walk-up basis, but there is never a line longer than 30 minutes long. After the ride-along, we could go to lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe, since it is an MK resort. They have an interesting menu. They have a burger there that it topped with lobster, asparagus and hollandaise!

That's nice that your brother still doesn't mind doing the more girly stuff. How old is he? My boys are 4 and 6, and they already told me no princesses!

 

[RHMH]

Good Morning Everyone - Just wanted to get on Dis and say Hi and hope everyone has a great Holiday weekend. Be safe!!!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Good Morning Everyone - Just wanted to get on Dis and say Hi and hope everyone has a great Holiday weekend. Be safe!!!!

Good morning! Same from me, to everyone...have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

On Tuesday, I go back to work. The kids start school on Thursday. Back to the everyday routine...time will fly and before we know it, it will be the holiday season again! I don't know about you guys, but I LOVE watching the Disney Very Merry Christmas parade on Christmas Day! And we don't even celebrate Xmas! (Well, we go to a friend's house and celebrate it with them though!)

I can't believe it is September already...where did the time and the summer go?

 

[miprender]

Needing lots of Pixie Dust that we have NO snow days this year. DH hasn't started school and thanks to IRENE now has 5 make up days because school was canceled all last week Without changing our dates this will allow only 1 snow day

This will be a July 4th trip - just not sure when we will arrive and depart yet. DD will be graduating high school and she does not want to miss too many grad parties - so she does not want to go too early in June, but we still have to be out of Disney by July 12th and we have another potential conflict that would require us to be home by July 7-8th.........the last few years we have stayed 2 weeks. Not sure if that will be an option this time. I hope we can do at least 10 days though. If we are lucky enough to get good air fare, that makes things easier too. Otherwise if we drive, it adds on time......

Do I sound confused? I am!!!! Not enough info to make all the decisions yet!

Maybe we can plan another DISMeet since we will be down there roughly the same time.

But I've never even heard of the Grand Floridian Cafe. Have you eaten there before?

We ate there in July. We had to cancel our ressie at Garden Grill because of the rain (we were soaking wet) and this was the only place we could get a ressie for that same day. There was hardly anyone there but the service was excellent and the food was good. It was probably our most relaxing meal of our trip.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Needing lots of Pixie Dust that we have NO snow days this year. DH hasn't started school and thanks to IRENE now has 5 make up days because school was canceled all last week Without changing our dates this will allow only 1 snow day


We ate there in July. We had to cancel our ressie at Garden Grill because of the rain (we were soaking wet) and this was the only place we could get a ressie for that same day. There was hardly anyone there but the service was excellent and the food was good. It was probably our most relaxing meal of our trip.

I will keep praying that you don't have more than one snow day...better yet, that IF you do have a snow day, it is some time in March so that you can relax a little, knowing that spring will be soon approaching.

I just hope that we don't get wallopped here in NYC again with snow, the way we did last winter. Or, at least if we do, that our mayor is wise enough to make sure there is adequate snow removal after the FIRST storm...not the ones afterwards, where it is snow on top of the ice that is there because he didn't clear any areas other than Manhattan where he and his rich friends live.

OK, I will stop now...hopefully everything will be OK this winter for everyone!

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the GF Cafe. As long as the food is good, we will enjoy lunch there. I'm not expecting anything out of the ordinary for a resort TS restaurant, but their burger does look more unique than the usual lunch entrees I would expect.

 

[miprender]

I will keep praying that you don't have more than one snow day...better yet, that IF you do have a snow day, it is some time in March so that you can relax a little, knowing that spring will be soon approaching.

I just hope that we don't get wallopped here in NYC again with snow, the way we did last winter. Or, at least if we do, that our mayor is wise enough to make sure there is adequate snow removal after the FIRST storm...not the ones afterwards, where it is snow on top of the ice that is there because he didn't clear any areas other than Manhattan where he and his rich friends live.

OK, I will stop now...hopefully everything will be OK this winter for everyone!

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the GF Cafe. As long as the food is good, we will enjoy lunch there. I'm not expecting anything out of the ordinary for a resort TS restaurant, but their burger does look more unique than the usual lunch entrees I would expect.

Thanks. DH was so excited that school was getting out early next June and they were going to start the school year a week early due to the fact that we had a horrible winter here too in RI. We had five snow days to make up last school year, so if we have a winter like this again he will be up to 10 days to makeup.

 

[think-like-tink]

I have been counting down the days. They are NOT going by fast enough. However, we have 2 more months until DH comes from Korea. Glad to see a July 2012 thread

We will be staying at SOG. I will be missing the Poly, but it's the best we can do.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thanks. DH was so excited that school was getting out early next June and they were going to start the school year a week early due to the fact that we had a horrible winter here too in RI. We had five snow days to make up last school year, so if we have a winter like this again he will be up to 10 days to makeup.

We'll all just keep praying! They gave us one snow day last winter in NYC...yes, only one! It was near impossible walking outside and getting to work, but somehow we managed and we did it! And although attendance was lighter that day than usual, a lot of my students still showed up to school (and I work in a high school).

I have been counting down the days. They are NOT going by fast enough. However, we have 2 more months until DH comes from Korea. Glad to see a July 2012 thread

We will be staying at SOG. I will be missing the Poly, but it's the best we can do.

That's great that soon your DH will be home! The 2 months before that will fly by, and so will the rest of the time before the trip! I heard SOG is a wonderful resort...and you are pretty close to MK over there too!

 

[disneygirl777]

Whoa, roads on cliffs with no guard rails scare me...I've been to some Caribbean islands, on cruises, where we took a tour by bus or taxi, and the roads were like that...it gave me a very uneasy feeling.

I can definitely help you with resort restaurants, and even with the breakfasts because I have done a lot of searching for different places. If you go to the official Disney World website, they have the menus to the a la carte restaurants right on their site, under dining. The breakfast menus are there. I know that people rave about the macadamia pineapple pancakes at Kona Cafe, as well as their tonga toast (banana stuffed french toast). I have only been to character buffet breakfasts there, because we also usually have breakfast in the villa (DVC). Even when we stayed at Pop Century before becoming DVC members, we brought a hot pot to boil water, and Folgers coffee singles. And we bought some cereal bars and some milk at the store...and I reserved a fridge for an extra fee ($10 per night in 2008), because we needed milk for my little one in the room.

I have never been to the Grand Floridian Cafe, but I have read very good things about it. DH's 35th birthday is in May, and I want to get him the Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride-Along as a present. They do the ride-along (in a professional racecar with a professional driver) at the WDW Speedway, right outside of MK. So, I figured that he an do that on the day we arrive, since we are only coming from Tampa that morning and only have an hour and a half drive to WDW. We could leave Tampa after breakfast, check in at BWV and drop off our luggage with them until our villa is ready, and head over to the WDW Speedway. They do ride-alongs all day from 9am-4pm, and when I called to ask about them, they told me that ride-alongs are on a walk-up basis, but there is never a line longer than 30 minutes long. After the ride-along, we could go to lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe, since it is an MK resort. They have an interesting menu. They have a burger there that it topped with lobster, asparagus and hollandaise!

That's nice that your brother still doesn't mind doing the more girly stuff. How old is he? My boys are 4 and 6, and they already told me no princesses!

Ah perfect! I had no idea that they had the menus right there. Guess I should have looked a little harder. And I have heard some great things about the Tonga Toast. I have the recipe for it, but never got around to making it. I'm sure it's better when someone else makes it for you though. And we do the same thing for breakfast. We own a timeshare in Orlando and trade it through RCI to go lots of other places, so we almost always have a kitchen to make breakfast in. And if we're going some place with no kitchen, my mom packs a toaster to make bagels and she takes cereal and milk. I've also only been to character breakfasts.

And sounds like you got a good day planned! My dad is getting sick of doing the usual Disney stuff since we go every year, so I'm planning new experiences to do, and the Rookie Experience at the Richard Petty Driving thing is one of them. We plan to 'give' it to him for father's day. He's always wanted to drive a race car. And that sounds like one interesting burger at the Cafe. Don't know if I'd try it or not.

My brother is 13, turning 14 on Saturday. It's kinda strange, but he never really grew out of all the girly stuff.

 

[miprender]

I have been counting down the days. They are NOT going by fast enough. However, we have 2 more months until DH comes from Korea. Glad to see a July 2012 thread

We will be staying at SOG. I will be missing the Poly, but it's the best we can do.

I always heard nice things about SOG. We never have stayed at the Poly but someday. I keep hoping they make a Poly DVC resort

We'll all just keep praying! They gave us one snow day last winter in NYC...yes, only one! It was near impossible walking outside and getting to work, but somehow we managed and we did it! And although attendance was lighter that day than usual, a lot of my students still showed up to school (and I work in a high school).

WOW. That won't happen around here. The schools are very gun shy due to an incident known as the "December Debacle of 2007" when a snow storm hit around 12pm they started letting all the schools out and all the buses then got stuck on the roads. The plows couldn't get through. It took kids 4-5 hours to get home on the bus. Ever since then if there is a hint of a snowstorm school is canceled.

And sounds like you got a good day planned! My dad is getting sick of doing the usual Disney stuff since we go every year, so I'm planning new experiences to do, and the Rookie Experience at the Richard Petty Driving thing is one of them. We plan to 'give' it to him for father's day. He's always wanted to drive a race car. And that sounds like one interesting burger at the Cafe. Don't know if I'd try it or not.

My brother is 13, turning 14 on Saturday. It's kinda strange, but he never really grew out of all the girly stuff.

How sweet that you brother still likes the princesses. I am hoping my boys will still be intouch with their femine side. I have friends that have only boys and they won't even eat at CRT because they have princesses.

That should be an awesome father's day gift.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Ah perfect! I had no idea that they had the menus right there. Guess I should have looked a little harder. And I have heard some great things about the Tonga Toast. I have the recipe for it, but never got around to making it. I'm sure it's better when someone else makes it for you though. And we do the same thing for breakfast. We own a timeshare in Orlando and trade it through RCI to go lots of other places, so we almost always have a kitchen to make breakfast in. And if we're going some place with no kitchen, my mom packs a toaster to make bagels and she takes cereal and milk. I've also only been to character breakfasts.

And sounds like you got a good day planned! My dad is getting sick of doing the usual Disney stuff since we go every year, so I'm planning new experiences to do, and the Rookie Experience at the Richard Petty Driving thing is one of them. We plan to 'give' it to him for father's day. He's always wanted to drive a race car. And that sounds like one interesting burger at the Cafe. Don't know if I'd try it or not.

My brother is 13, turning 14 on Saturday. It's kinda strange, but he never really grew out of all the girly stuff.

I have made tonga toast and it is very good! Never had it at Kona, so nothing to compare it to, but when I made it, DH and I enjoyed it! I have made puffed french toast from Crystal Palace also, but before we ever had breakfast there. I always liked it...it has been my go-to breakfast when there is a snowstorm, for a couple of years now. But, when we went there last summer for breakfast, it tasted just like mine, but I thought it was even better! It is true that when someone else makes the dish, it is definitely more appealing than doing all the work yourself!

That is an awesome Father's Day gift! Definitely very unique!

WOW. That won't happen around here. The schools are very gun shy due to an incident known as the "December Debacle of 2007" when a snow storm hit around 12pm they started letting all the schools out and all the buses then got stuck on the roads. The plows couldn't get through. It took kids 4-5 hours to get home on the bus. Ever since then if there is a hint of a snowstorm school is canceled.

In the suburbs, they close school for a lot less snow than in the city...specifically I notice this in northern NJ where my cousins live (always see this area on the news first as having school closures). I grew up going to public school in NYC, started in 1982 and ended in 1995. We had one extra day off during that entire period of time, and it was not even for snow. It was for Hurricane Gloria back in 1985! And my mom ALWAYS took us to school in the snow...we walked a few blocks, and I would be one of maybe 2 or 3 people in my class! Sometimes it was so bad that they had to combine classes because a lot of teachers couldn't make it in (some traveled an hour to get to work on a good day). For the most part, if public transportation is running, the schools are open. But in the years since I began teaching, there has been the occasional snow day. Our last mayor (Giuliani) was quicker to close schools than the current mayor is...and also quicker to clear the outer boroughs, whereas our current mayor is primarily interested in clearing out Manattan where he and all his rich friends live.

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

Add me to the list for July! We're in Oklahoma, and just came off of a record-breaking summer, with temps at 110 degrees for days and days on end. If I can survive that, I can handle Florida's summer!

I do have a question for you all--how are you handling your planning in regards to the Fantasyland expansion? Are you just planning around it, or trying to include what you think may be open by July? This is our first trip, and I'm already stressing over how to plan around/with the "new" stuff in Fantasyland.

We've had so many booked trips that have had to be canceled, but it looks like this is FINALLY going to happen this time!

 

[RHMH]

Hello Everyone - Wish us luck. My DD 11 People to People Ambassador Program meeting for the Australia's exchange student summer program orientation is this Saturday at 5:00 PM at UTA.

 

[grandmadebby2]

Add me to the list for July! We're in Oklahoma, and just came off of a record-breaking summer, with temps at 110 degrees for days and days on end. If I can survive that, I can handle Florida's summer!

I do have a question for you all--how are you handling your planning in regards to the Fantasyland expansion? Are you just planning around it, or trying to include what you think may be open by July? This is our first trip, and I'm already stressing over how to plan around/with the "new" stuff in Fantasyland.

We've had so many booked trips that have had to be canceled, but it looks like this is FINALLY going to happen this time!

Welcome to the July group, we must all be crazy. We always find so much to do that I am not planning on any of the new things in Fantasyland to be open when we go, then if they are it will just be a bonus. When we went this summer we didn't hardly notice the closure of ToonTown so I'm sure we won't miss things we've never done. I would sugest you plan that none of it will be open because from everything I've read I think it will be later summer or maybe even fall before anything opens.

Have a great 1st trip, the first is always special. You have started at the right place by checking ut the Dis. Our first trip i was oblivious to what WDW had to offer and we didn't even see all of Magic Kingdom. Wish I had been more prepared and knew something about fast passes, taking snack into the park instead of going broke buying them, dining options and numerous other things you will learn here.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Add me to the list for July! We're in Oklahoma, and just came off of a record-breaking summer, with temps at 110 degrees for days and days on end. If I can survive that, I can handle Florida's summer!

I do have a question for you all--how are you handling your planning in regards to the Fantasyland expansion? Are you just planning around it, or trying to include what you think may be open by July? This is our first trip, and I'm already stressing over how to plan around/with the "new" stuff in Fantasyland.

We've had so many booked trips that have had to be canceled, but it looks like this is FINALLY going to happen this time!

Welcome to the July 2012 thread!!

Wow, 110 degrees?!?!?! That's madness!! How was the humidity? The main thing in Florida is the humidity. Even in the morning when we arrive before rope drop (around 8:15am), the temp is in the 70s but it is so humid that you start sweating immediately. Is it crazy to go in July? I certainly don't think so! Besides, there is always an air-conditioned store, ride, restaurant, show, etc. close by!

We are not counting on anything new in Fantasyland to be finished. However, we are hoping that the Beast's Castle is done and the Be Our Guest Restaurant is open...but really it is just wishful thinking. If it is open, we will go there. If not, there is always another restaurant, and we will go next time around.

Hello Everyone - Wish us luck. My DD 11 People to People Ambassador Program meeting for the Australia's exchange student summer program orientation is this Saturday at 5:00 PM at UTA.

Wishing you the best of luck, that everything runs smoothly! Wow...it's tomorrow!! With the craziness this week of going back to work and the kids going back to school, I haven't had time or energy to go online!

Welcome to the July group, we must all be crazy. We always find so much to do that I am not planning on any of the new things in Fantasyland to be open when we go, then if they are it will just be a bonus. When we went this summer we didn't hardly notice the closure of ToonTown so I'm sure we won't miss things we've never done. I would sugest you plan that none of it will be open because from everything I've read I think it will be later summer or maybe even fall before anything opens.

Have a great 1st trip, the first is always special. You have started at the right place by checking ut the Dis. Our first trip i was oblivious to what WDW had to offer and we didn't even see all of Magic Kingdom. Wish I had been more prepared and knew something about fast passes, taking snack into the park instead of going broke buying them, dining options and numerous other things you will learn here.

No, we're not crazy...we're just tolerant of that heat and humidity! And what better way to make yourself feel better than enjoying a Mickey ice cream bar?!

We're also making plans based on current Fantasyland attractions only. I do keep reading anything I can find about it, and I will be on the lookout, but not expecting it. As I said above, I wish the Be Our Guest Restaurant would be open by then, but if it isn't, we will go next time around.

 

[wed100105]

Hi everyone! Add my name to the list of crazies! We're going sometime next July. I am a teacher so we have to travel during the summer or spring break. We went once during Christmas break to Orlando and did one day at Epcot. It was ok, but I doubt we'll be able to fit in another holiday trip until my kids are older.

I'm really hoping for a check-in the week of July 21; we'd be able to celebrate my 30th birthday and my son's one-year birthday. I'm currently trying to exchange into DVC with RCI. We own at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but would love to stay on property for the first time since we'll have a four-year-old and one-year-old with us. Hopefully we'll get a resort that is easy to navigate with Disney transportation. I went with my then 2.5 year old daughter and my mom in July 2010. It was hot, but honestly not that much hotter (if at all) than it is here in Central Illinois during that same time. We have high humidity, too.

We've definitely been bitten by the Disney bug. I took DD and my mom in July 2010 after my grandmother lost a painful battle with cancer earlier that year and then convinced DH that he HAD to go last March so he could experience how exciting it was to take DD. We have been blessed with two phenomenal trips and had planned on not visiting again until 2013 when our newborn son would be two. Then Disney released the military promotion will continue for tickets and RCI is getting easier to exchange into Disney (still crossing my fingers) and we decided it's really not that much more expensive to go to Disney vs the other places we were considering.

And now, I'm really crazy because I've been staying up ready messages on disboards and tug instead of sleeping while the baby sleeps!

I'm so happy to join the club!

 

[disneygirl777]

I'm really hoping for a check-in the week of July 21; we'd be able to celebrate my 30th birthday and my son's one-year birthday. I'm currently trying to exchange into DVC with RCI. We own at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but would love to stay on property for the first time since we'll have a four-year-old and one-year-old with us. Hopefully we'll get a resort that is easy to navigate with Disney transportation. I went with my then 2.5 year old daughter and my mom in July 2010. It was hot, but honestly not that much hotter (if at all) than it is here in Central Illinois during that same time. We have high humidity, too.

We've definitely been bitten by the Disney bug. I took DD and my mom in July 2010 after my grandmother lost a painful battle with cancer earlier that year and then convinced DH that he HAD to go last March so he could experience how exciting it was to take DD. We have been blessed with two phenomenal trips and had planned on not visiting again until 2013 when our newborn son would be two. Then Disney released the military promotion will continue for tickets and RCI is getting easier to exchange into Disney (still crossing my fingers) and we decided it's really not that much more expensive to go to Disney vs the other places we were considering.

And now, I'm really crazy because I've been staying up ready messages on disboards and tug instead of sleeping while the baby sleeps!

I'm so happy to join the club!

We also own a timeshare (Sheraton Vistana) and trade through RCI all the time. A few years back, we spent months and months checking every day for an opening into DVC through RCI. After about 5 months of that and 3 months before our trip, we just decided to use our Starwood points to go to the Swan. It was frustrating! I sure hope it's gotten easier like you say and that you can get in okay! This trip we're renting points at BCV through an owner. We booked through this guy and it was so amazingly easy! Of course, unlike RCI, you have to pay to rent the points. But I really hope it's easier to get in through RCI because that would make our lives so much easier in the future!
Anyway, congratulations on your newborn son! I'm sure you guys will have an amazing time next summer! Crossing my fingers that you can get in through RCI! Let me know if you do!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Hi everyone! Add my name to the list of crazies! We're going sometime next July. I am a teacher so we have to travel during the summer or spring break. We went once during Christmas break to Orlando and did one day at Epcot. It was ok, but I doubt we'll be able to fit in another holiday trip until my kids are older.

I'm really hoping for a check-in the week of July 21; we'd be able to celebrate my 30th birthday and my son's one-year birthday. I'm currently trying to exchange into DVC with RCI. We own at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but would love to stay on property for the first time since we'll have a four-year-old and one-year-old with us. Hopefully we'll get a resort that is easy to navigate with Disney transportation. I went with my then 2.5 year old daughter and my mom in July 2010. It was hot, but honestly not that much hotter (if at all) than it is here in Central Illinois during that same time. We have high humidity, too.

We've definitely been bitten by the Disney bug. I took DD and my mom in July 2010 after my grandmother lost a painful battle with cancer earlier that year and then convinced DH that he HAD to go last March so he could experience how exciting it was to take DD. We have been blessed with two phenomenal trips and had planned on not visiting again until 2013 when our newborn son would be two. Then Disney released the military promotion will continue for tickets and RCI is getting easier to exchange into Disney (still crossing my fingers) and we decided it's really not that much more expensive to go to Disney vs the other places we were considering.

And now, I'm really crazy because I've been staying up ready messages on disboards and tug instead of sleeping while the baby sleeps!

I'm so happy to join the club!

Welcome!!!!

First of all, congratulations on your baby boy!

DH and I are teachers too, and since we stay at WDW for 10 nights each trip, AND we drive down from NYC, we have to go in the summer. We would rather spend more time on a longer vacation than go during the holidays, when it is even busier anyway. We don't mind the heat and humidity that much, and we go to the parks very early in the morning so that we could take a break after lunch, and then maybe go back in the evening if we want. That way, we avoid the hottest and most crowded part of the day.

I hope you are able to exchange and get a DVC resort! I would suggest BCV, BWV or BLT for easy access to the parks with little ones. If you stay at either BCV or BWV, you have the boat to take you to both Epcot and DHS (or you could walk, we did this from BWV last year). You would only need the bus for AK and MK. And it is centrally located on property, so the bus ride is not that long.

BLT is also good because it is part of the Contemporary Resort, which is on the monorail line, and a short 5-minute walk to MK. So, you would have monorail access to MK and Epcot (or walk to MK), and the bus would take you to AK and DHS.

There is also The Villas at Wilderness Lodge. They have the boat to MK, and the buses to the rest of the parks.

The other DVC resorts (OKW and SSR) use buses to get to all the parks, and are located closer to DTD.

I have heard great things about all the DVC resorts though...so if you end up staying in any one of them, you will probably be very happy!

On our first WDW trip in 2008, our boys were 3.5 years old and 14 months old...similar ages to your kids when you will be going next summer. We had the best time, and Disney made it very easy to travel with a baby. We were able to go on most of the rides with our little guy, even though he wasn't even walking yet at that point. We didn't own a double stroller, because our older son wasn't using one at that point anyway. But, we knew we would need one for him at WDW. We rented a double stroller from A Baby's Best Friend, and it was at our resort when we arrived. We returned it at our resort on the morning of check-out, and it was very easy. When you rent a stroller in the theme parks, you have to return it before you leave the park, so renting it from ABBF was much more convenient for us, since the little one wasn't walking yet at that time. Stroller parking at the parks was very easy, and we had a great time...that was when we decided to buy the DVC membership and go every other summer.

We were also at WDW in July 2010! We were there from the 13th through the 23rd, at our home resort, BWV. We are going from July 23, 2012 to August 2, 2012, staying at BWV again. So, we might be there at the same time as you! Can't wait to go!!

 

[RHMH]

Midori and I made a You Tube video, hope you guy's can veiw it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdYMMbUa3qQ&feature=email

 

[bangzoom6877]

Midori and I made a You Tube video, hope you guy's can veiw it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdYMMbUa3qQ&feature=email

I just watched it...what a beautiful video, and beautiful family!

Your photos are amazing...you could easily make a commercial for WDW with a video like this! If they ever have a contest, you should enter!