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

[jennyjinx3]

Pixarmom thanks for your honesty about POR.

 

[Koh1977]

Pixarmom thanks for your honesty about POR.

I will await your POR report, jennyjinx!

For us, the balcony's nice, but I didn't use it all that much at the Poly. We're not planning to be in the room much, so that's why I was thinking it wasn't worth the cost to stay deluxe when we could stay an extra day for the same price if not cheaper at a value or moderate...

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[pixarmom]

Pixarmom thanks for your honesty about POR.

Jenny, I so hope you have a wonderful time!!! There are so many great places to stay and so many great ways to enjoy WDW - just stay away from a crabby looking CM in the pasta line at the food court, and you'll have a fabulous trip!

 

[Koh1977]

Does DME run 24/7? If you check in around 2am, I assume you basically pay for that night before if you want a room to check into when you get there, right?

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[dansdad]

Does DME run 24/7?

Yup.

If you check in around 2am, I assume you basically pay for that night before if you want a room to check into when you get there, right?

Right.

 

[Koh1977]

Have any of you done Star Wars Weekends before? Could move the trip up to June and save some money...if so, we'd be there for the last weekend of SWW...

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[jennyjinx3]

Have any of you done Star Wars Weekends before? Could move the trip up to June and save some money...if so, we'd be there for the last weekend of SWW...

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We did last year....it was great! Yes it was crowded at HS that day but we were fully prepared for that. We had a plan ahead of time what we wanted to see and do and pretty well stuck to that. We didn't get upset over waiting in line to meet characters, it was worth it to us. The Darth Mall was cool, but just a heads up it is crowded in there, and hard to navigate with little ones. There was a meet and greet in there as well with the Rancor statue. That was good for some pictures. It was DH's dream for the kiddies to the Jedi Training that day and they did so in his eyes it was a successful day lol.

 

[pixarmom]

Pas, thank you again for encouraging me to keep trying for GV CL at Poly - it just became available with the AP discount this morning!!!! For the past several weeks, no GV CL was available - with or without a discount. So I'm thrilled! Just changed around ADRs and BOG FP+ to fit our new plans! Thanks again!

 

[Koh1977]

We did last year....it was great! Yes it was crowded at HS that day but we were fully prepared for that. We had a plan ahead of time what we wanted to see and do and pretty well stuck to that. We didn't get upset over waiting in line to meet characters, it was worth it to us. The Darth Mall was cool, but just a heads up it is crowded in there, and hard to navigate with little ones. There was a meet and greet in there as well with the Rancor statue. That was good for some pictures. It was DH's dream for the kiddies to the Jedi Training that day and they did so in his eyes it was a successful day lol.

The only thing I'm wondering is if it'd be better to either have more days on site then or get park hoppers so we can do one day for SWW stuff and one day for regular HS stuff...and then...are we really saving any money going in June or not...LOL. I will have to spend some of my day off tomorrow doing Disney math I think...

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[Sue M]

Hi Koh1977! OK, I really like to stay positive but I also want to be helpful. In recent years, we've only stayed mod for 1-3 nights before transferring to a deluxe. Based on these experiences, we've concluded that we'll stick with deluxe.

So the positives first: For purposes of a late-night arrival, POR was a good fit. The theme is very well done. Everything was clean and we loved the new triple sheeting with runner. Made the room look and feel so clean! Loved the curtain separating the bathroom area - that really came in handy! We were in a preferred room, so our walk to the lobby/food court was quick!

The not-so-good: We're just not fans of the theme, particularly in alligator bayou. I did miss interior corridors and really missed the balcony (especially in the morning!) I'm not a fan of food courts and the CM at the POR food court was really rude to us. Air conditioning in the room was louder than I'd like. But I think in the end, it just comes down to the theme not being our style. Again, however, it was really well done!

If we did another late-night arrival, I'd probably lean towards POFQ for its small size and quaint theme. But for a whole trip, we'd shorten our stay, go in value season, etc. to book deluxe. Again, that's just because the resort part is such an important part of our stay - we're at the park in the morning and then resort in the afternoon. And that balcony is important to my sanity!



Thank you so much!!! YC in August will be fabulous! Really love SAB in the summer! (Love SAB anytime, but really use it the most in the summer.) Thanks for the booking tips - I'll keep stalking the site! A theme park view CL room just opened up, but I'm just not up for the $$ amount on that one. I'll hold tight for a garden view CL room and see what happens. If we get one, I'd probably cancel CP and Kona breakfasts and the CL upgrade would "pay for itself!" What happened to your ADRs? Does your husband prefer to play it by ear?

Hi Pixar!! We happily go back & forth between Deluxe & POR stays, POR, but we don't care for AB theming either, so we stay in the Mansions. I request a location close to Old a Man Island foot bridge, so we are close to everything!

We always try to have at least 1 meal in the food court, for the make your own pasta bar, very yummy! Sorry you had a rude CM, that's not good
Also love the boat to DTD, and evening entertainment! I wish more resorts had it!
We've also stayed in POFQ, and like it there too. Although I think the grounds at POR are prettier!

congrats on the Princess Half!! Way to go!!

 

[Sue M]

Just bought our 3 day park to park universal tickets. Wasn't planning on buying them yet, plan was to buy after I finished paying off Aug Poly! But just found out Universal raised ticket prices this week so went on Undercover tourist web site using Mousesavers.com link, they still have some tickets left at old pricing!
So just a heads up for those who are also planning Universal days!

 

[pixarmom]

Hi Pixar!! We happily go back & forth between Deluxe & POR stays, POR, but we don't care for AB theming either, so we stay in the Mansions. I request a location close to Old a Man Island foot bridge, so we are close to everything!

We always try to have at least 1 meal in the food court, for the make your own pasta bar, very yummy! Sorry you had a rude CM, that's not good
Also love the boat to DTD, and evening entertainment! I wish more resorts had it!
We've also stayed in POFQ, and like it there too. Although I think the grounds at POR are prettier!

congrats on the Princess Half!! Way to go!!

Hi Sue! So good to see you and thanks! I absolutely love runDisney events and I'm running the full marathon next year - can't wait! That pasta bar looked great, and we stood in line for quite some time, but unfortunately, no pasta for us in the end. I thought maybe I was just too sensitive, until a fellow guest sought us out to tell us she thought the CM's comments/tone/behavior were unacceptable - and then she told them CM! But seemed like that was the exception and not the rule - and certainly happens anywhere! (We know of a very crabby BC CL CM that is now part of our family's Disney history!) Everyone else at POR was friendly. I do think we'd prefer the mansions section - good point!

 

[dimndgal1]

Dimndgal - my BIL and his family are staying in a LK suite at AoA next month...but the suites are as much as our GF deal, so...that's out...although I LOVE the Nemo suites!

Yeah, I don't get the price... it's cheaper to have 2 Value rooms in most instances. We looked into a suite for our shindig in Dec (figuring a suite and a room) and it's cheaper to do 4 rooms at a Mod.

Hoping your Disney math works well for summer!

At the urging of DH, we cancelled all our ADRs. And I only have a Princess breakfast now. We need to be as flexible as possible. This may be an interesting trip with our little man Apologies in advance to anyone staying at YC/BC

I'm actually nervous because this is the most ADRs we have had... but with the potential for FD and butting up to the start of F&W, I'm afraid to NOT have things reserved. Also, if LO is anything like her sister, she'll be into the characters so might as well enjoy.

Now, trying to figure out ADRs for the Dec group -- that's been CRAAAZEEEEE!

pixarmom I'm beyond impressed by anyone who can run the marathons and 1/2 marathons... I'm hoping one day I can do the Princess 1/2.
I'm sorry POR didn't wow you but I understand what you mean. We enjoyed POR resort but I definitely felt the mansions were more our speed than AB (however MIL loved the feel of AB so it really is different strokes...) Loved the food court and the pool, and just enjoyed the ambiance of the resort.

jenny sooooo excited for your trip!!! *HUGS* and safe travels!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Waffling back and forth on which MOD to book for Dec... CSR looked good but I really like the pool and the idea of the CBR refurb. I talked to MIL today and by the time I got off the phone she was MUCH more excited than previously. I totally dodged anything regarding extended family (that's DH's conversation) but I did get into some of the planning ideas with her and I think she's slowly coming around. We shall see.

Raring up for 6-10 inches of snow (bleh!) and then ski weekend ((or, as I call it, wine and hot tub in the snow weekend!))

to the RCers and happy changing!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Booked our airfare for August!!!

SW finally came out with the schedule this morning. That piece is all done!!! Now I just need to buy our new AP's and we are DONE!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Booked our airfare for August!!!

SW finally came out with the schedule this morning. That piece is all done!!! Now I just need to buy our new AP's and we are DONE!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Right back at ya!!! One more day for you my friend!!!!

This morning was very productive. Not only did I get my airfare, but I showed up bright and early to get our girls registered for summer camp. I got all of the weeks I need and that is all paid in full now! So nice to be crossing stuff off of my checklist!

Now, I just want my money back from Disney so that I can PIF for our room through the TA, and then purchase our annual passes!!!

 

[pas130]

Hi Koh1977! OK, I really like to stay positive but I also want to be helpful. In recent years, we've only stayed mod for 1-3 nights before transferring to a deluxe. Based on these experiences, we've concluded that we'll stick with deluxe.

So the positives first: For purposes of a late-night arrival, POR was a good fit. The theme is very well done. Everything was clean and we loved the new triple sheeting with runner. Made the room look and feel so clean! Loved the curtain separating the bathroom area - that really came in handy! We were in a preferred room, so our walk to the lobby/food court was quick!

The not-so-good: We're just not fans of the theme, particularly in alligator bayou. I did miss interior corridors and really missed the balcony (especially in the morning!) I'm not a fan of food courts and the CM at the POR food court was really rude to us. Air conditioning in the room was louder than I'd like. But I think in the end, it just comes down to the theme not being our style. Again, however, it was really well done!

If we did another late-night arrival, I'd probably lean towards POFQ for its small size and quaint theme. But for a whole trip, we'd shorten our stay, go in value season, etc. to book deluxe. Again, that's just because the resort part is such an important part of our stay - we're at the park in the morning and then resort in the afternoon. And that balcony is important to my sanity!

Thank you so much!!! YC in August will be fabulous! Really love SAB in the summer! (Love SAB anytime, but really use it the most in the summer.) Thanks for the booking tips - I'll keep stalking the site! A theme park view CL room just opened up, but I'm just not up for the $$ amount on that one. I'll hold tight for a garden view CL room and see what happens. If we get one, I'd probably cancel CP and Kona breakfasts and the CL upgrade would "pay for itself!" What happened to your ADRs? Does your husband prefer to play it by ear?

Hubby gets stressed when we do sit down meals with the kids, and at Disney its soooo expensive so I tend to agree. I've decided on a via napoli lunch though..so yummy

Last year yc cl rate was so much better than this years. Adding cl would double my room rate so we really can't justify it. If I only needed one room I'd totally go for it though. I initially wanted BC, but we want a balcony and the quieter resort. It's going to be awesome! My kids look at your Sab pics every day

Pas, thank you again for encouraging me to keep trying for GV CL at Poly - it just became available with the AP discount this morning!!!! For the past several weeks, no GV CL was available - with or without a discount. So I'm thrilled! Just changed around ADRs and BOG FP+ to fit our new plans! Thanks again!

yay!!! I knew you'd get it!!!!! Nice!!

Yeah, I don't get the price... it's cheaper to have 2 Value rooms in most instances. We looked into a suite for our shindig in Dec (figuring a suite and a room) and it's cheaper to do 4 rooms at a Mod.

Hoping your Disney math works well for summer!

I'm actually nervous because this is the most ADRs we have had... but with the potential for FD and butting up to the start of F&W, I'm afraid to NOT have things reserved. Also, if LO is anything like her sister, she'll be into the characters so might as well enjoy.

Now, trying to figure out ADRs for the Dec group -- that's been CRAAAZEEEEE!

pixarmom I'm beyond impressed by anyone who can run the marathons and 1/2 marathons... I'm hoping one day I can do the Princess 1/2.
I'm sorry POR didn't wow you but I understand what you mean. We enjoyed POR resort but I definitely felt the mansions were more our speed than AB (however MIL loved the feel of AB so it really is different strokes...) Loved the food court and the pool, and just enjoyed the ambiance of the resort.

jenny sooooo excited for your trip!!! *HUGS* and safe travels!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Waffling back and forth on which MOD to book for Dec... CSR looked good but I really like the pool and the idea of the CBR refurb. I talked to MIL today and by the time I got off the phone she was MUCH more excited than previously. I totally dodged anything regarding extended family (that's DH's conversation) but I did get into some of the planning ideas with her and I think she's slowly coming around. We shall see.

Raring up for 6-10 inches of snow (bleh!) and then ski weekend ((or, as I call it, wine and hot tub in the snow weekend!))

great plan to have ADRs just in case of fd

So glad the snow missed us last night...although the kids got a delayed opening LOL

I'll attempt to pop back on later, I'm sick with some virus from those sick kiddos at work I'm sure. Just feel like bleh.

Jen, you will have an awesome trip

 

[pixarmom]

pixarmom I'm beyond impressed by anyone who can run the marathons and 1/2 marathons... I'm hoping one day I can do the Princess 1/2.

Waffling back and forth on which MOD to book for Dec... CSR looked good but I really like the pool and the idea of the CBR refurb.

Thanks, and just wanted to send along some running encouragement - you can do it! I've been a runner since law school, but with three kids, I wasn't running much at all. But now, they're ages 7, 13 and 14 and I work part-time, so I can fit it in more easily. I figured this is the year to train for the marathon - I'll start working more as the older two get closer to college, so now is the time. The whole runDisney atmosphere is fun and encouraging - I highly recommend the WDW races! (DL wasn't as well organized, but still fun!)

We've now stayed at all the mods, and previously, I would have recommended CSR over CBR. But with the remodel - CBR is looking like a great option! I asked our boys if we stayed a night in a mod again, which they would choose - unanimous among all three for CBR.

Hubby gets stressed when we do sit down meals with the kids, and at Disney its soooo expensive so I tend to agree. I've decided on a via napoli lunch though..so yummy

Last year yc cl rate was so much better than this years. Adding cl would double my room rate so we really can't justify it. If I only needed one room I'd totally go for it though. I initially wanted BC, but we want a balcony and the quieter resort. It's going to be awesome! My kids look at your Sab pics every day

Via Napoli is such a great choice - we love it! We're lucky with the ages of our boys now, because our teens enjoy TS meals and our youngest often falls asleep at them. With the ages of your little ones . . . that's a different story! Too bad about the CL prices, isn't it? I remember just a couple years ago, the extra cost of CL was something like $80/night. Now, CL costs so much more - boo. It's still worth it for us because we fit in one room and our teens eat so frequently. I think YC will be great for you! We LOVED our regular GV room at YC. So peaceful there, too.

Speaking of GF, I think we are going to book CL, especially if there are good deals during value season. I've researched the difference between the RPC and SL, but can't decide. I know it's all subjective, but in your opinions, is RPC worth the extra cost?

 

[jennyjinx3]

Thanks for dancing for me everyone! In less than 24 hours we will be headed to the airport! Hmmmm... Guess I should start packing!

Jeanette : feel better soon please!!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Just poppin' in to say hello. We had a great weekend. Friday night, we saw Pompeii at an eat in theater. Saturday, we went to Sam's Club with the inlaws. After we got the almost $500 worth of stuff (which we some how fit in my minivan despite having 6 people in it) put away, the DH, Joey and I went out to eat. JM didn't want to go, so he could stay home and play on XBOX Live with his cousin. I had a super yummy chili relleno, stuffed with fajita chicken meat and covered in queso. When we got our food, I decided I wanted a 20 oz frozen strawberry margarita. By the time I was done with the drink, I was giggling and asking my DH "how do those girls keep their heads up, their bows are as big as their entire bodies." There was a group of about 20 people and several girls between the ages of 7 - 10 wearing huge bows. Sunday, I made potato soup.

As far as my WDW trip goes, we're now looking into renting DVC points.