PART TWO *December 2012 Roll Call* Holidays, FLE & MVMCP!! A very, merry thread!

[Valgoof]

I liked CSR but not loved it. To be honest, the Casitas part of the resort is less Disney-like than the rest of the property. It's more large hotel and the lesser themed-looking than the rest of the sections. But like I said, it's there mostly for the conference travelers. I think if we end up there again it would be Cabanas 8A/B or 9A/B for us.

Where were you when I was debating resorts a couple weeks ago? LOL I have realized that Casitas look a lot like the condo we stayed in offsite last year and others that we stayed at while I was growing up. I think that is why I am drawn to them. Cabanas look nice, but I doubt we use the pool much if at all, so closeness to it doesnt help me. I decided I didn't want POP, so we could have a little respite from everything Disney. My budget decided I couldnt have deluxe. Maybe I will completely throw caution to the wind and not make any requests.

 

[WedgieSock]

Seriously? You're gonna get me on a technicality? Ugh... (that's something I would do too)...

ok, so let me REPHRASE for the masses LOL...

ANYONE and I mean anyone who may have heard, read, seen or otherwise attended parade days that might have some words of wisdom for me, please share your opinion or knowledge of what parade day can be like...
We won't arrive to MK until after 2pm. Will parade taping fill park to capacity? Do I need to cancel my ADR? Can I even use my ADR if it's closed due to crowd level??

Ha! There is one right now http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3005704&highlight=parade+taping

Take special note of Post #3 .... rest of the park fine

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Updating the Roll Call AND your featurette!!

Thank you!

 

[jwgm2012]

Where were you when I was debating resorts a couple weeks ago? LOL I have realized that Casitas look a lot like the condo we stayed in offsite last year and others that we stayed at while I was growing up. I think that is why I am drawn to them. Cabanas look nice, but I doubt we use the pool much if at all, so closeness to it doesnt help me. I decided I didn't want POP, so we could have a little respite from everything Disney. My budget decided I couldnt have deluxe. Maybe I will completely throw caution to the wind and not make any requests.

LOL, that was during my hiatus (days off, LOL) and when I came back and started catching up, I saw your question and sadly, you'd already made your decision before I could comment. It was funny because as I read what you were asking, it's was like a slow motion "noooooo" came out of my mouth...

We actually ended up at CSR because we wanted not to do POP. I loved the value of saving money and really, there aren't bad things said about POP at all (more positives, really) but we have older kids and I knew they wanted a better pool... Ironically, we spent less than 2 hours at the pool the entire time because it was just too hot!

 

[cybrkitn]

Just noticed the Disney site now has an advertisement up for FLE Grand Opening. Looks like they are starting to advertise it more.

I'll have to check it out since that is the day we will be at MK!

 

[jwgm2012]

Ha! There is one right now http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3005704&highlight=parade+taping

Take special note of Post #3 .... rest of the park fine

Ahhhh, perfection! Thanks so much for taking the time to find this for me. That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for!

 

[Valgoof]

LOL, that was during my hiatus (days off, LOL) and when I came back and started catching up, I saw your question and sadly, you'd already made your decision before I could comment. It was funny because as I read what you were asking, it's was like a slow motion "noooooo" came out of my mouth...

We actually ended up at CSR because we wanted not to do POP. I loved the value of saving money and really, there aren't bad things said about POP at all (more positives, really) but we have older kids and I knew they wanted a better pool... Ironically, we spent less than 2 hours at the pool the entire time because it was just too hot!

As grrrlennyl would say....Whomp!!

I am so easily swayed!! LOL Have you stayed at POP before? Where are you staying this trip? Did you eat at the breakfast buffet at CSR??

 

[mom2travel]

I feel for you. The only other trip I've got on the horizon is to the TESOL conference in March. Good networking opportunity, but SOOOOOO not as fun as planning a trip to Disney!

Maybe I can talk Dad into going on another cruise this summer since he loved the one I took him and Mom on in June so much..............umm........is there a support group for people who are addicted to planning vacations?

I think I need that support group too! After this trip I don't (currently) have anything in the works. DS is a senior and heading off to college next year, so I'm hesitant to plan anything until I know where he's going, when they have orientation, back to school dates, etc. I suppose I'll just plan theoretical vacations

 

[WedgieSock]

Ahhhh, perfection! Thanks so much for taking the time to find this for me. That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for!

You're welcome I read a few other 'parade taping' threads and they pretty much say the same.

 

[M&MGirl1]

I think I need that support group too! After this trip I don't (currently) have anything in the works. DS is a senior and heading off to college next year, so I'm hesitant to plan anything until I know where he's going, when they have orientation, back to school dates, etc. I suppose I'll just plan theoretical vacations

Theoretical vacation planning is good. Just be careful - our December Disney trip started out as a theoretical planning exercise to find out what it would cost if we went in 2013 and just look where that got me

Totally understand about kids going off to college. My oldest niece is a junior this year and I swear every weekend between now and Thanksgiving is taken up with college visits. She sees neat dorm rooms and cool looking areas to hang out on campus and all her Mom and I see are dollar signs

 

[Valgoof]

I was over on the dining board and there are lots of posts about "how do my ADRs look?". I click on a couple and they are for March/April trips and I thought wow that seems soooo far away. LOL

 

[cybrkitn]

Ha! There is one right now http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3005704&highlight=parade+taping

Take special note of Post #3 .... rest of the park fine

Yikes! So glad we are in AK that day!

 

[BDL]

I was over on the dining board and there are lots of posts about "how do my ADRs look?". I click on a couple and they are for March/April trips and I thought wow that seems soooo far away. LOL

I bet if you went to the December 2012 Roll Call pt1 thread, I bet we have a few ADR posts. And just think how far away we thought we were then. Now, I like many other, am vibrating like a solar powered Norelco razor in Arizona.

 

[SAT887]

Yikes! So glad we are in AK that day!

We will be in AK too! Well for the morning!

 

[molitva]

The only trip I will be planning is a trip to Gatlinburg with my in-laws in March.

We really enjoyed visiting the Apple Barn when we were in Gatlinburg (actually I think it might have been just outside of Gatlinburg in Seiverville (something like that). They had delish food (apple fritters anyone?) and I love sweet muscadine wine.

Also, a short drive outside of town is Cades Cove. It's really beautiful there and you can just do a drive if you want (the cars can get backed up really badly, though) or you can hike around there.

I'm sad we didn't go back there this fall, but with the Disney trip we decided to wait until next year. Last year we went and stayed at a fabulous cabin and had a great time. We avoided the really tacky touristy stuff (though I was so tempted to go to the Hatfield and McCoy Feudin' Feastin' Family Fun dinner show )

 

[Valgoof]

I bet if you went to the December 2012 Roll Call pt1 thread, I bet we have a few ADR posts. And just think how far away we thought we were then. Now, I like many other, am vibrating like a solar powered Norelco razor in Arizona.

Yeah it was funny to see people who are now at the point that we all used to be. We were all so excited to hit 180 days and get to make those ADRS and now we sit at 50-80 days and ou trips are so close!!

 

[Valgoof]

We really enjoyed visiting the Apple Barn when we were in Gatlinburg (actually I think it might have been just outside of Gatlinburg in Seiverville (something like that). They had delish food (apple fritters anyone?) and I love sweet muscadine wine.

Also, a short drive outside of town is Cades Cove. It's really beautiful there and you can just do a drive if you want (the cars can get backed up really badly, though) or you can hike around there.

I'm sad we didn't go back there this fall, but with the Disney trip we decided to wait until next year. Last year we went and stayed at a fabulous cabin and had a great time. We avoided the really tacky touristy stuff (though I was so tempted to go to the Hatfield and McCoy Feudin' Feastin' Family Fun dinner show )

It's not Gatlinburg I am opposed to, more the in-laws. We went a couple years ago with my BIL and his wife and kids. This time we are bringing MIL and FIL too.
I will make note of the Apple Barn. Love apple fritters!!
Cades Cove is definitely on the list. We somehow didnt make it there last time.
We did Dixie Stampede last time because my niece was really into horses. I actually think we looked at the Hatfield and McCoy show but it wasn't open yet. LOL

 

[sunnysideup3]

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Is this thing on?

just wondering if I should change my ADR to another day...

We "accidentally" went on parade taping day and left right away. I later learned that if we'd gotten past the throng of people oogling at the Jonas Brothers at the front of the park, it was virtually a dead zone in the back. So.. we're planning on getting in early this time with an early ADR and heading back away from the crowds.

 

[cybrkitn]

We will be in AK too! Well for the morning!

We're there all day with ADRs for RFC at 5:30.

 

[jwgm2012]

As grrrlennyl would say....Whomp!!

I am so easily swayed!! LOL Have you stayed at POP before? Where are you staying this trip? Did you eat at the breakfast buffet at CSR??

Nope, never stayed at POP or any other resort for that matter. When I was there before this last trip we stayed at the Wingate timeshare place. It actually worked out really great for us back then. 8 days for $350...

This time around we're staying at the Hilton at DTD. As much as I'd have loved to stay on site - I'm actually really excited to stay close to DTD or at least walking distance from it. We didn't get but one hour there last time and there are so many places on my list that I want to visit!!

We didn't eat at the breakfast buffet at CSR Pepper Market but we did do the lunch and that was pretty good. The desserts are ah.maze.ing. Lunch was your basic standard stuff: pizza, chicken nuggets, but also there were a few Mexican food choices keeping in the theme of the resort. I don't care for Mexican food but my kids enjoyed it. It's pretty big, food is pretty spread out - and the dining area is huge!

There's a quick service type of place, can't remember the name - but it's where you'll get your mugs and refills. They had a pretty good assortment of morning treats and also some hot items - we had the breakfast croissant and that was great. I love breakfast foods!