Our little thread of BIG changes, the neverending saga of the Resort Changers

[Janet B]

Melissa, so nice to catch up with you! love the AKL CL plans.

Dani, for late August!! Oh, I'm so hoping Sam and I can get down to Disney then!

Pas, for Memorial Day and birthday celebrations! Princess Kate will feel like the princes she is!

dimndgal1, a Disney coolor with goodies seems perfect for your friend's crew and will be much appreciated. Happy you like the mickey mail idea (and that your sister found him... he is really cute.

Magic, SO happy to see you posting, missed you around here. Don't worry, your Richard Petty will put the medal to the pedal and get you to your ADR on time.

Koh, I second Heather... REALLY??

Ginny, hoping for some warmer temps your way.

Sue, thinking of you and hoping you are having a fantastic time!


Waving Hi to all my RC peeps

Journeyed up to Rochester to visit my Mom, deciding the weather was looking good, and we hadn't been here in a while. Just DH and I as Sam stayed behind with her band practice and mid terms schedule. Mom is just so-so. The progression of Parkinsons is definitely seen. We head back tomorrow, hoping to get back to see most of the superbowl.

Love to all.

 

[gwynne]

.

 

[Sparkly]

Only 9 days to go! I'm so excited I can't believe it!

 

[gwynne]

Only 9 days to go! I'm so excited I can't believe it!

Lucky you!! 9 days away from a mickey bar. Yum!

 

[dimndgal1]

Aaaack!
So, DH is away on business and decided to surprise his fam (they live 2 hrs from where he was working). MIL was so surprised she was in tears (yay) but it also made her nostalgic/desire family time.

So... she wants to do Disney as a big family... the week of Christmas... this year.

I am so torn: on one hand "Disney at Christmas!", but on the other "noooooo, too crowded!" I am trying to convince that we`d do better to go Dec 14-21 and just rent a blace at the beach 21-26 but the fam is hemming and hawing about taking that long off and 'oh, gee, it can`t be that much busier than summer'; a few of my ILs went with DH, DD, and I in mid June 2 years ago and had fun but they were shocked at crowds. DH explained Christmastime makes that look like a walk in the park.

I admit, part of me is like "two Disney trips in one year!" But the rest of me is leery. I have already decided I would use a TA for this trip (12 people, four different family dynamics) and I know people go Christmas week and love it... but ahhhhhh! Sorry to ramble but this came from left field and I`m still processing. Guess I gotta figure out where to even start!

So... anyone recommend some thoughts for Christmas week? Would it be better to go week before if possible? Probably try to swing moderates for the group due to crazy cost of Christmas week (I imagine most military rate rooms are booked)

 

[sjs314]

Melissa, so nice to catch up with you! love the AKL CL plans.

Dani, for late August!! Oh, I'm so hoping Sam and I can get down to Disney then!

Pas, for Memorial Day and birthday celebrations! Princess Kate will feel like the princes she is!

dimndgal1, a Disney coolor with goodies seems perfect for your friend's crew and will be much appreciated. Happy you like the mickey mail idea (and that your sister found him... he is really cute.

Magic, SO happy to see you posting, missed you around here. Don't worry, your Richard Petty will put the medal to the pedal and get you to your ADR on time.

Koh, I second Heather... REALLY??

Ginny, hoping for some warmer temps your way.

Sue, thinking of you and hoping you are having a fantastic time!


Waving Hi to all my RC peeps

Journeyed up to Rochester to visit my Mom, deciding the weather was looking good, and we hadn't been here in a while. Just DH and I as Sam stayed behind with her band practice and mid terms schedule. Mom is just so-so. The progression of Parkinsons is definitely seen. We head back tomorrow, hoping to get back to see most of the superbowl.

Love to all.

Janet Enjoy your time with Mom!

 

[Koh1977]

Aaaack! So, DH is away on business and decided to surprise his fam (they live 2 hrs from where he was working). MIL was so surprised she was in tears (yay) but it also made her nostalgic/desire family time. So... she wants to do Disney as a big family... the week of Christmas... this year. I am so torn: on one hand "Disney at Christmas!", but on the other "noooooo, too crowded!" I am trying to convince that we`d do better to go Dec 14-21 and just rent a blace at the beach 21-26 but the fam is hemming and hawing about taking that long off and 'oh, gee, it can`t be that much busier than summer'; a few of my ILs went with DH, DD, and I in mid June 2 years ago and had fun but they were shocked at crowds. DH explained Christmastime makes that look like a walk in the park. I admit, part of me is like "two Disney trips in one year!" But the rest of me is leery. I have already decided I would use a TA for this trip (12 people, four different family dynamics) and I know people go Christmas week and love it... but ahhhhhh! Sorry to ramble but this came from left field and I`m still processing. Guess I gotta figure out where to even start! So... anyone recommend some thoughts for Christmas week? Would it be better to go week before if possible? Probably try to swing moderates for the group due to crazy cost of Christmas week (I imagine most military rate rooms are booked)

Are there kids involved? Would it be a problem to take them out of school then? If not, I'd say the week before might be better (cost and crowds). Otherwise, there is nothing like Disney on Christmas. Maybe a moderate would be a good idea. Would you have a car at all? Buses might be more crowded than usual?

 

[Koh1977]

I was trying to be good and do mainly QS except for character meals, but I went ahead and got a dinner ADR at Le Cellier for our Epcot day... Trying to decide if I really should keep it or not...

 

[pas130]

Attempted a huge multiquote but got interrupted by work. So much traffic from super bowl. Got to see the teams heading to the stadium..kinda cool.

I will retry again tomorrow my loves!!!

Sis..its gonna be some rc party in August!!!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Attempted a huge multiquote but got interrupted by work. So much traffic from super bowl. Got to see the teams heading to the stadium..kinda cool.

I will retry again tomorrow my loves!!!

Sis..its gonna be some rc party in August!!!

I wanna party too!

 

[babyberger]

Attempted a huge multiquote but got interrupted by work. So much traffic from super bowl. Got to see the teams heading to the stadium..kinda cool. I will retry again tomorrow my loves!!! Sis..its gonna be some rc party in August!!!

I wanna party too!

Oh hell, are all of you going to make me come to Disney in the brutal August heat??? Need to see when my blackout is over.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[pas130]

Oh and I did book AKL CL today

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO happy they will help out with some GF offerings..and great to have you posting Missed ya!

In a conundrum right now... for a myriad of reasons, DH owes me (mostly do to unexpected traveling and getting stuck due to weather). He made a joke about going ahead and doing CL and I was all set to do it... but when I sat down to look at it, I just don't think we'll benefit. We have three breakfast character meals lined up and two late nights on our trip.

So, of course, it got me thinking that since we won't be spending the money on CL, should we look at other resorts. I really kind of like the motif at WL but I'm also thinking maybe CR is worth a gander... especially for the convenience with the stroller. But, if we did, I'd want MK view and that's a lots more. AHHHHHH!!!!!

Finally - I am on the fence about whether or not to do AK this trip. All of the ticketed members of our group have done Disney before and while I think youngest might be into seeing the animals, the size of the park and limited number of rides makes me second guess going... Not to mention the fact it will be September so AKL will be HOT. Oldest DD loves Everest and Dinosaur but was 'eh' about Kali and the safari and DH just wishes there wasn't a huge hike between each attraction. I'm thinking it would be a better use of time to hit a WP, have extra pool time, or just spend some real time soaking up World Showcase. Anyone else have similar feelings about AK or another park?

We rarely last long at AK due to the heat, katmark(an awesome DISer) mentioned going early and coming back later...which I think I may try! CR..you can't get more convenient to MK. That monorail gets crowded at night and in the AM..but the boat to WL is lovely...with a stroller, I may opt for CR. Plus the rooms are bigger!

Pas...You're going to be leaving Disney on June 2nd??? We arrive on June 3rd!!! Are you kidding me??!! Say it ain't so!!

It was short-lived Heather....back to August. However...I am feeling quite GRAND today

Not too much happening on the Disney front for me. I contacted the "travel planner who cannot be identified" and may be making a change to our August trip. And I really need to finalize our late Feb trip but I just am not feeling it yet.

August...when in August?????

Hellloooooo everyone! I'm working on planning our trip. I finally have dates so there's one thing out of the way lol. Well, more specifically I know when I am off from work. I have the last two weeks in August off. Where are all my August peeps at?! I was planning on flying down Sunday, the 17th but there's two problems. 1) airfare is astronomical on Sunday and 2) that would put my ADR date at Feb 18th and that doesn't work for me so I am going to probably fly down on the 18th or 19th. I can work the Feb 19th and 20th for my ADR dates.

As long as your there the 24th!! And we can come pick up Danimal for a Universal day...if you want I'll send him and Brandon on the coasters

I've heard nothing but good things about AKL CL.

AKL CL is awesome!

Oh, I'm so hoping Sam and I can get down to Disney then!

Me too It would be AWESOME!!!

Pas-Always fun to follow along with your changes, love your early summer plans.

Only 9 days to go! I'm so excited I can't believe it!

Almost there Emma!!!!

Janet Enjoy your time with Mom!

Where's Kook and Christine....gang's almost all here

Jeanette: Also, a huge smack on the forehead for not getting back to wish a...

Very Happy Birthday to Brandon​

Thank you Miss E!!

I see a Happy Birthday is in order for your little Prince Jeanette! Happy Birthday to Brandon, hope his day was SPECTACULAR!

Thanks Marie, and glad you had a great day yourself!!

Well, I tried to talk DH into taking advantage of the great deal in August tha we all know about....and then I could finally meet up with some of you lovely ladies in person! Even though the rates are fantastic, he thinks we should skip that....save up till August 2015 for the Alaska cruise we want.



Ah well it was a fun dream while it lasted to meet up.

It was an awesome thought!!!

Thinking this question might fall under the too BROAD but I hope not. Planning my next trip for the fall with my 14 yr old twins, my sister and her 10 yr old son. WAITING for Free dining dates!!! My last 3 trips were with free dining at value resorts. Last trip Sept 2013 the value dining plan was ok but not enough variety for us. So finally to my ??
Value resort and upgrade the free counter service dining? OR go with a moderate which will included the upgraded dining plan?
Opinions on which will be more economical, and which moderate (since I know very little about them)

THANK YOU

September is value season, and hot...for the kids I would recommend trying a moderate..slide in the pool lovely grounds. I love the values and I am not much help of which is cheaper since you will need 2 rooms either place. POR has trundle beds, but it would be small for your nephew I think. POR/POFQ has the boat to DTD which is cool, and CSR has a neat looking pool. Being you are all "Disney" adults on the DP might make it economical to do a mod! Happy planning!

Thank you. I figure that it is the least I can do with all of the money she is saving me with her discount.

It's still super sweet!!!

Day#4 of our emergency snow/cold days...I don't mind the extra day off right now, but I'm really sick of this wintery weather...Bring on Spring! (Or Florida!)

Ah, we are having another snow day..they already took 3 days off away from the kids (their optional holidays)

What is my issue. I can't stop changing my mind about where to stay.

You may be a resort changer

One thought .... whenever I've done the Dessert Party I haven't really wanted a big dinner. So maybe that day a nice TS lunch and then either a CS dinner or just some munching .....

Now I think a late lunch at CRT and Wishes dessert party...​

 

[pas130]

I wanna party too!

Well...you know what to do mama

Oh hell, are all of you going to make me come to Disney in the brutal August heat??? Need to see when my blackout is over.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

UMMMMMM yes

 

[Koh1977]

I was trying to be good and do mainly QS except for character meals, but I went ahead and got a dinner ADR at Le Cellier for our Epcot day... Trying to decide if I really should keep it or not...

Lol. I think part of my problem is that I can't change resorts!! (Not that I want to, but there's nothing else to play with and change right now!)

 

[pas130]

Lol. I think part of my problem is that I can't change resorts!! (Not that I want to, but there's nothing else to play with and change right now!)

DH loved LeCellier, but not the price. TS takes up too much of my ride time...IMO

 

[Koh1977]

DH loved LeCellier, but not the price. TS takes up too much of my ride time...IMO

I know...I'm considering canceling it, but not sure...Also trying to figure out a good time for Chef Mickey's then...Right now it's set for 9am on our second MK day, because we are so not morning people. (I did a pre-park opening ADR at CP the day before so we could hit MK first thing after we're done at least) Maybe change it to a late breakfast maybe? Hit RD and ride a few things then do CM, and either hit the pool/nap at the resort or back to MK. Later dinner at CRT that night...

 

[pas130]

I know...I'm considering canceling it, but not sure...Also trying to figure out a good time for Chef Mickey's then...Right now it's set for 9am on our second MK day, because we are so not morning people. (I did a pre-park opening ADR at CP the day before so we could hit MK first thing after we're done at least) Maybe change it to a late breakfast maybe? Hit RD and ride a few things then do CM, and either hit the pool/nap at the resort or back to MK. Later dinner at CRT that night...

A late breakfast would allow you guys to get rides in before the crowds hit...and fill up for most of the day and then CRT for dinner

 

[dimndgal1]

Are there kids involved? Would it be a problem to take them out of school then? If not, I'd say the week before might be better (cost and crowds). Otherwise, there is nothing like Disney on Christmas. Maybe a moderate would be a good idea. Would you have a car at all? Buses might be more crowded than usual?

The only child with school issues is my daughter, and we're going to be moving soon after Christmas so I have no qualms pulling her out (especially if we do end up going overseas). Both my SILs are in education and worried about taking the time off so we will see. Right now, I'm pushing for the 17th of December through the 23 (then go spend Christmas at a beach house to avoid TOO much chaos!)
I think we will rent a van - that way we can transport the majority of the group. One SIL is not as Disney as the rest of us, so I might suggest they rent a car so they can go visit Cape Canaveral or Daytona to get some time away from the mouse but still enjoy the non-park time with family.
I am glad to hear how magical disney at Christmas is!!! Makes me less nervous!

ALSO - I have always been mixed about Le Cellier... it sounds so great but I also feel like I could go to a great steakhouse nearby and end up eating somewhere else. I have had 2 ADRs and cancelled them both in the past... maybe one day.

We rarely last long at AK due to the heat, katmark(an awesome DISer) mentioned going early and coming back later...which I think I may try! CR..you can't get more convenient to MK. That monorail gets crowded at night and in the AM..but the boat to WL is lovely...with a stroller, I may opt for CR. Plus the rooms are bigger!

September is value season, and hot...for the kids I would recommend trying a moderate..slide in the pool lovely grounds. I love the values and I am not much help of which is cheaper since you will need 2 rooms either place. POR has trundle beds, but it would be small for your nephew I think. POR/POFQ has the boat to DTD which is cool, and CSR has a neat looking pool. Being you are all "Disney" adults on the DP might make it economical to do a mod! Happy planning!

We may try that, too... I am thinking of leaving a morning as a 'float' morning and playing by ear if we feel up for AK or not. That way we're not pushed either way and we have the flexibility. And I am seriously looking at CR now... we shall see!!!

Also, another vote for POR! We stayed with family summer of '12 and I have to say one great thing going for it is all the shade!!! Lots of trees and a cool breeze from the Sassagoula River helped beat the Florida heat!!!


-------------------------------------------------

Working on getting the framework down for our possible December trip with the in-laws but have to admit I'm focusing on our September trip because it's 'my' baby and and we can make it work how we want whereas the inlaw trip will be more catering to the masses.
I am going back and forth with possibly moving from WL to CR - part of me is thinking of saving the money to upgrade so we aren't pinched too tight for December but DH is leaving it up to me.

On a 'man, I sound spoiled' front, DH pointed out if we do end up going to Japan, we will hit three Disney parks in 12 months: WDW in December, Tokyo Disney while in Japan, and we've agreed to meet my family in California the fall after we move if we move overseas to make it easier than flying all the way to the East Coast and my sisters want to do LA and San Diego. What can I day? It's a small world afterall!!!

HaPpY pLaNnInG!

 

[Koh1977]

A late breakfast would allow you guys to get rides in before the crowds hit...and fill up for most of the day and then CRT for dinner

Already changed. And Le Cellier deleted...again...

 

[Koh1977]

Dimndgal1 - so jealous!! I haven't been to DL since I was a really little kid, like 4 I think? That's when I fell in love with Snow White (when the characters just walked around the park without handlers and lines and all). And then an overseas Disney park? Lucky you!

I know being a teacher makes Disney trips during low crowd times is difficult...especially when final exams are right before Christmas break (I'm a high school teacher). Took a year off from teaching in 2012 and went during September for MNSSHP. Still too hot for my liking, BUT the lack of crowds was awesome! And Hallowishes was amazing (as was getting a picture with the 7 dwarves and the princes with the princesses)! One of these days we'll get there for Christmas! I went with my parents and sister before, but not DH and DS and DD.