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

[hstrickland]

I'm sending you some sunshine stat Keep dreaming of that cruise!

Thank you bunches!! We could sure use some sun!! And warm weather! Holy cow, this is crazy weather for us Georgians

As for AKL, when I was going back and forth Jeanette reminded me of your TR, so off I went to check it out. You didn't help the fiscally reasonable side of me at all I had already seen that CL was only $27/nt more than the Arusha view, then read your review and saw all those amazing pictures. So, um yeah, probably making that call today

Melissa

Sorry So you're thinking about the CL???!!! We had such a fabulous experience at AKL. Just can't say enough about the place...especially the Cast Members!!

Can't wait to see what you decide Either way, you'll be good

 

[Koh1977]

We don't spend a ton of time in our room, but when we do we are total balcony people. The kids lived on the balcony at YC and CR, and I can only imagine how much more they would LOVE the animals. My kids have never wanted to stay at AKL before but all of a sudden they really want this I'm sending you some sunshine stat Keep dreaming of that cruise! As for AKL, when I was going back and forth Jeanette reminded me of your TR, so off I went to check it out. You didn't help the fiscally reasonable side of me at all I had already seen that CL was only $27/nt more than the Arusha view, then read your review and saw all those amazing pictures. So, um yeah, probably making that call today Wishing everyone a great day today Kids have a half day so I got to run. But I promise to get back and start catching up! Melissa

Well then, by all means, book CL!!

 

[gwynne]

We don't spend a ton of time in our room, but when we do we are total balcony people. The kids lived on the balcony at YC and CR, and I can only imagine how much more they would LOVE the animals. My kids have never wanted to stay at AKL before but all of a sudden they really want this





I'm sending you some sunshine stat Keep dreaming of that cruise!

As for AKL, when I was going back and forth Jeanette reminded me of your TR, so off I went to check it out. You didn't help the fiscally reasonable side of me at all I had already seen that CL was only $27/nt more than the Arusha view, then read your review and saw all those amazing pictures. So, um yeah, probably making that call today

Wishing everyone a great day today Kids have a half day so I got to run. But I promise to get back and start catching up!

Melissa

Another vote for making the call.
CL at AKL is very nice. I think you guys would love the experience!

 

[Missoutandabout]

I'll just put in a vote for anything AKL. It's such a beautiful resort.

 

[gwynne]

I'll just put in a vote for anything AKL. It's such a beautiful resort.

Hiya Miss
How are you surviving our winter from...heck ?? We got a bit of a break yesterday and this morning. Late afternoon today they are warning of winds, snow, "blizzard-like" conditions. I don't like the sound of that. Then another 4-8 inches tomorrow. Come on spring!!
If mother nature won't supply us with lovely weather, maybe we can make do with this:

 

[Missoutandabout]

Hiya Miss
How are you surviving our winter from...heck ?? We got a bit of a break yesterday and this morning. Late afternoon today they are warning of winds, snow, "blizzard-like" conditions. I don't like the sound of that. Then another 4-8 inches tomorrow. Come on spring!!
If mother nature won't supply us with lovely weather, maybe we can make do with this:

Hiya Ginny! Funny you should mention, just a few minutes ago... I looked out to sideways blowing heavy snow. Twas grey all morning then BAM! I'd been wondering when we'd get more as we've not had any for the past few days.

I'm not relishing the walk to school this afternoon, needless to say. I'm going to just stare at that little beach icon and then close my eyes and think "Disney." Also, looking at Heather's AKL pictures should work wonders.

 

[pas130]

I may not be online much...BUT I am still ch-ch-changing...dates that is

DH and I....well I won't go there, everything is okay..but....instead of August the girls and I are coming in May.

Soooo May 28th-June 2nd....Princess Kate will be arriving to celebrate her birthday evening at BC CL

We will still be in Florida in August...just not in Disney (yet )

Nice to see my girls...and I see someone new popped in

AKL CL....

 

[babyberger]

Heather - I am following your lead....just too good to pass up!

Ginny - sending you some warmth and sunshine your way

Miss - I like your vote I think you need some of this FL warmth as well! I know I missed something about you booking another trip, I'll have to go back and check it out.

Jeanette - you know I love the change

I hope everyone is staying warm and safe! I hope to be back on more frequently now that things are starting to settle down.

Oh and I did book AKL CL today


Melissa

 

[dimndgal1]

pas - I hope this is a good change... though I love any thought of a girl's weekend!

jenny - I feel you! DH says is we really want to look into a cruise, we need to take a break. Since we're looking at moving in a year to a more 'active' assignment, I really want to take advantage of vacation time. Thinking cruise will be a perfect post-deployment retreat!

baby - so hard! DH and I have talked about AKL but feel we'd HAVE to get Savannah view... but we're not room people (we tour lots!). That said, my friend says even the public viewing areas are great so a pool view doesn't mean you miss out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Decided on doing a Disney Florist cooler with snacks for my friend... our post office didn't have the Disney mailer and with the snow, I didn't want to go to teh closest one that does. HOWEVER, I love the idea SOOOO much that my mom said their post office has it and I'm going to do it for my friend who is going on our trip with us in Sept. to celebrate the end of the school year - I think it's the perfect little treat and will make her smile! Thanks for the suggestion!!!

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?

 

[hstrickland]

Miss & gwynne...good to 'see' y'all



Melissa... CL! Go for it, girl! You'll love it



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!



dimndgal1...Check out CR Love that place! And when we had strollers in tow, it was great to just jump on the monorail or walk over to the MK....so easy. We've had both views, MK and Lake...both are great. And the beds are soooo comfortable. The best!

 

[babyberger]

dimndgal1 - I completely agree with Heather, check out CR!!! I was so against staying there, but my kids insisted and it turned out to be the BEST resort we have stayed at. The conveniences of everything being so close and being able to walk to the MK was PHENOMENAL!!! There is honestly nothing like it being so close to the MK, you feel like you can reach out and touch it. I highly recommend it (if you couldn't tell, lol) As for skipping AK, it will be hot, but it is a must do for us...EE is my kids absolute favorite ride in all of WDW! We usually make it a half day park and just hit the things we really want to do, usually just EE, safari, dinosaur, and sometimes Kali. You will have t see how the whole group feels, but for us it is a not miss park.

Heather - Hubby told me to book Arusha view, so it only make sense to pay the extra $27/nt for CL Once the IPO said they would assist me in getting wheat free, allergy safe food for Steven I knew it was a no brainer. Even though DH doesn't eat breakfast, we would still spend more than $27/day on breakfast, drinks, etc throughout the day, so it is a win win for everyone

Off to Target to pick up a few more gift cards so I can pay the deposit and be all set for May. Got to save my extra 5%

Hope everyone is staying warm! It is going to be 80 here today


Melissa

 

[jennyjinx3]

dimndgal1 - I completely agree with Heather, check out CR!!! I was so against staying there, but my kids insisted and it turned out to be the BEST resort we have stayed at. The conveniences of everything being so close and being able to walk to the MK was PHENOMENAL!!! There is honestly nothing like it being so close to the MK, you feel like you can reach out and touch it. I highly recommend it (if you couldn't tell, lol) As for skipping AK, it will be hot, but it is a must do for us...EE is my kids absolute favorite ride in all of WDW! We usually make it a half day park and just hit the things we really want to do, usually just EE, safari, dinosaur, and sometimes Kali. You will have t see how the whole group feels, but for us it is a not miss park.

Heather - Hubby told me to book Arusha view, so it only make sense to pay the extra $27/nt for CL Once the IPO said they would assist me in getting wheat free, allergy safe food for Steven I knew it was a no brainer. Even though DH doesn't eat breakfast, we would still spend more than $27/day on breakfast, drinks, etc throughout the day, so it is a win win for everyone

Off to Target to pick up a few more gift cards so I can pay the deposit and be all set for May. Got to save my extra 5%

Hope everyone is staying warm! It is going to be 80 here today


Melissa

Melissa yay!! Your trip sounds fab! I am super excited for you!

 

[MAGIC...itis!]

chim02u: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday week (they always seem to strrrrrretch ).

_________

Hi guys. I hope you all are having a great month with lots of fun Disney planning. It is always a busy time for me, just work-work-working at the computer.

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. DH's Speedway dealio may overlap our CG ressie, so I really need to look into that. DH best drive 250 mph so he can get me to my ressie on time...

 

[Koh1977]

So I just read the funniest status msg on FB from WDW Prep School (which is a pretty cool site by the way). The woman said someone just called her and asked her if Disney World was only open on weekends. LOL. Really??

 

[disneydreamin247]

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.

 

[aaz]

the best way to figure it out is to price out the trip at a moderate and then price it at a value and paying to upgrade the dining plan. We did the deluxe in 2012 and it was way too much. Then we had the basic (with 1 cs and 1 ts) and it was just right.

ty

 

[hstrickland]

Howdy All!

A little late night Dis time for me



Melissa....Ok....call me an idiot - but what the heck do you mean by an extra 5% off with gift cards? Am I missing something??? Obviously I am because I have no idea what you're referring to Shed some light please...



Koh...All I can say is "Really??!!"



dreamin....hiya! Hope all is well!!!



Magic...still love all those fab smilies you use!! I want some


Hope everyone sleeps well!
Heather

 

[babyberger]

Heather - when you use a Target credit or debit (yes all the ones that were breached) you save 5% on your entire purchase. Of course there are some exceptions but Disney GC's aren't one of them. It's not a ton of money but it adds up and every little bit of savings is nice!

Oh and if you fill prescriptions at Target you can get another 5% which you can use in combination with the credit card disc!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[babyberger]

So quick little observation.....when we stayed CR CL, I never rec'd anything ahead of time. I reached out to then and they were nice enough but not overly helpful. Now on the flip side, when I emailed the AKL IPO the other day about gluten free food I had a response with in minutes and last night I got the email that they send out to everyone ahead of time asking about dining reservations, spa treatments, the safari extras they have, etc. I am sure it comes down to who is working, but I am already impressed with the AKL IPO

Melissa

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Koh1977]

So quick little observation.....when we stayed CR CL, I never rec'd anything ahead of time. I reached out to then and they were nice enough but not overly helpful. Now on the flip side, when I emailed the AKL IPO the other day about gluten free food I had a response with in minutes and last night I got the email that they send out to everyone ahead of time asking about dining reservations, spa treatments, the safari extras they have, etc. I am sure it comes down to who is working, but I am already impressed with the AKL IPO Melissa Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

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