Practically Perfect in Every Way - UPDATE-3/1 -- LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!!

[tinacaplan]

Thought I'd get one more update in before I start back at school tomorrow and my updating returns to its usual snail's pace.

OK...I’ll admit it. Staying at the BC totally spoiled me for deluxe accomodations. The service we received was excellent. Storm-Along-Bay was amazing. And the rooms felt significantly larger than our rooms at CSR.

However, staying so close to EPCOT made me yearn to be that close to the Magic Kingdom. I’ve wanted to stay at the Contemporary since I was a little girl and rode the monorail straight through it. A visit to the California Grill in 2010 further solidified my desire to stay there.

A very blurry picture of our view from the California Grill, on Valentine’s Day 2010. We had a table right in front of the huge glass windows. I cried when they sat us at this table. Talk about pixie dust!

Needless to say, I walked away from the Contemporary that night determined to stay there.

And then two things happened. I’ll start with thing 1 and then move onto thing 2 (oh wait, wrong park). There were no GP discounts on the horizon as the fall wore on and I was beginning to get nervous that there wouldn’t be any. So I looked into purchasing an AP to take advantage of the discounts, as well as the possibility of a couple of return trips (specifically this summer and a quickie in October for Food and Wine). When calculated through fuzzy Disney math, I decided an AP was the way to go.

So I called Disney reservations again and asked about switching things around a bit. Still wanted CR, preferably in the tower with a theme park view. Unfortunately, the only rooms available with that discount were in the garden wing. I also discovered that in order for my reservation to remain a package, I would have the get the Dining Plan. Considering we did not come out ahead by not doing the Dining Plan in July, I agreed.

Feeling somewhat letdown, I called and called and called, hoping that I would magically be able to snag a room in the tower with the AP discount. No dice.

Thing Two

And then I began to think about it and think about it. Did I really want to stay in the garden wing? Did I really want to stay in a resort that seriously lacks that “resort” feel? Did I really want to stay in a resort with a center atrium that somewhat reminds me of Grand Central Station at rush hour?

Well, no I didn’t. My thoughts turned briefly to the Beach Club. Why not? We all loved it there. My husband was really in favor it. He’s a creature of habit, after all.



I thought about what I really wanted in a resort. A resort with beautiful, lush grounds (if you’re never been to CSR, you will know what I mean about beautiful surroundings) where I could relax. BUT I was also yearning for close proximity to the Magic Kingdom. You can probably predict where this is headed...

Why, the Polynesian, of course! I still get my monorail dreams to come true, plus I get a lush, tropical paradise.

I have spent way too much time looking at pictures of the Poly ever since I changed my reservation and I am sooooooo excited.

When we go is not particularly interesting: we go over our winter break, which coincides with President’s Day. Lucky us! We get during one of the busiest weeks of the year!

But we also get to escape this:

Snow-pocalypse 2011..hopefully 2012 is NOTHING like this.

 

[MEK]

But we also get to escape this:

Snow-pocalypse 2011..hopefully 2012 is NOTHING like this.

We had snow like this in 2010, but totally missed it in 2011. I hope nothing like this foils your travel plans. OMG! Although, as a former skier and someone who still enjoys cross country skiing, it does look very pretty.

Poly sounds like a great plan. I fear that the Poly and the YC are two resorts I may never get to stay in now that I stay almost exclusively DVC. Too bad. I would love to splurge and stay there a night, but its hard to justify considering I just got my annual dues bill in the mail.

 

[KatMark]

Tina, you will love the Poly. Like you said, it reminds me of CSR...very lush and relaxing.

 

[tinacaplan]

We had snow like this in 2010, but totally missed it in 2011. I hope nothing like this foils your travel plans. OMG! Although, as a former skier and someone who still enjoys cross country skiing, it does look very pretty.

Poly sounds like a great plan. I fear that the Poly and the YC are two resorts I may never get to stay in now that I stay almost exclusively DVC. Too bad. I would love to splurge and stay there a night, but its hard to justify considering I just got my annual dues bill in the mail.

I'm so over the snow. I used to ski, too. Only now it absolutely terrifies me. I'm so afraid that I'd break my leg.

Hey...I'll trade my stay at the Poly for DVC dues. OK, probably not. And with the BC Villas, that's pretty close to staying at the YC. And who knows...DVC at the Poly could happen at some point.

Tina, you will love the Poly. Like you said, it reminds me of CSR...very lush and relaxing.

Thanks, Kathy! When I was deliberating, Nicki said, "keep going on the monorail to the next stop and stay at the Poly." I'm really excited for us to be that close to MK. It should be perfect for a quick trip, although I've had my moments where I think, why don't I just go back to CSR?

 

[amandaw]

OMG! The picture of that snow makes me cold!!!

I think Poly is going to be such a great location for y'all. I tried to talk my DH into staying there in December but to no avail. I'll just live vicariously through your TR!

ETA: So, last night, I started talking to DH again about Poly. Now, he says he may consider it. If you have a glowing review of it in your TR, I'm going to be making him read it! LOL!

 

[dizneeat]

I am glad you stuck with the Poly, since you have never stayed there. It is a really nice resort, even though it is one of those that would need to offer me a huge discount to stay there. No full balconies (remember that was what made us choose the YC over the BC) and even though it is on the Monorail you cannot WALK to the MK.
But you'll love the pool (so hoping it will be so nice and warm again like last year!) and they do an awesome torch lighting ceremony.
I wasn't able to remember your itinerary so I just made one for us and when you are finished with planning we can just tweak it so we can meet. Remember, we will only be two Monorail stops away at BLT and maybe we can convince you of the beauty of the Contemporary and BLT again!

 

[that's nice]

Now you are staying at the Poly???? Man, I am jealous!!!!!

Do you have plane tickets yet? Jetblue just released some deals today from Hartford to MCO. Not sure if it coincides with your dates though.

Love the snow picture! Lucky for us, there is no snow in sight.

 

[annmarieda]

The poly looks so nice!!! I bet you will love it.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

How did I miss the start of your PTR??? Joining in now!!

Yay for the Polynesian!! Your picture got me all excited again to be going there in a couple of days!!

Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[tinacaplan]

OMG! The picture of that snow makes me cold!!!

I think Poly is going to be such a great location for y'all. I tried to talk my DH into staying there in December but to no avail. I'll just live vicariously through your TR!

ETA: So, last night, I started talking to DH again about Poly. Now, he says he may consider it. If you have a glowing review of it in your TR, I'm going to be making him read it! LOL!

I'm hoping that it will be glowing. I have a feeling it will be...hopefully not so much that I won't want to stay anywhere else.

I am glad you stuck with the Poly, since you have never stayed there. It is a really nice resort, even though it is one of those that would need to offer me a huge discount to stay there. No full balconies (remember that was what made us choose the YC over the BC) and even though it is on the Monorail you cannot WALK to the MK.
But you'll love the pool (so hoping it will be so nice and warm again like last year!) and they do an awesome torch lighting ceremony.
I wasn't able to remember your itinerary so I just made one for us and when you are finished with planning we can just tweak it so we can meet. Remember, we will only be two Monorail stops away at BLT and maybe we can convince you of the beauty of the Contemporary and BLT again!

The AP discount I got was pretty significant and was cheaper than a garden wing room at CR and the TPV rooms...forget it!

And no, you cannot walk to the MK, but the monorail is pretty great, as is the view of the castle from the beach.

I'm also hoping that the weather's as warm as it was for us last year. But we're going the third week of February (as opposed to the second, which is when our break was in 2010 and we FROZE), so that should help.

I would LOVE to check out your room at the BLT and I'm sure we'll be able to work out time to meet. The last couple days are always pretty open.

Now you are staying at the Poly???? Man, I am jealous!!!!!

Do you have plane tickets yet? Jetblue just released some deals today from Hartford to MCO. Not sure if it coincides with your dates though.

Love the snow picture! Lucky for us, there is no snow in sight.

Oh, gosh, Tim...I just scored a great deal with my new AP purchase. I'm planning on all of us going in July and then I decided to take my mom down for a quick weekend in the fall to check out Food and Wine and now a friend of mine from work just told me her aunt booked her DVC villa for her over our April break. And flights are cheap, so an April trip just for me might in the works, too!

I'll have to check out the Jetblue site...we're flying on Jetblue..do they reimburse or anything if they publish cheaper flights after?

And yes...the great snows of 2011...I remember them well. As I recall one of the results was that you and I chatted quite a bit on the Dis. I just want one day...maybe two.

The poly looks so nice!!! I bet you will love it.

I think we will. Who knows if we'll ever get the chance to stay there again? I have a feeling, just from a financial perspective, the only deluxe in my future is the Beach Club. Is it a bit cheaper.

How did I miss the start of your PTR??? Joining in now!!

Yay for the Polynesian!! Your picture got me all excited again to be going there in a couple of days!!

Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

and I'm glad you're, fellow Poly explorer. I can't wait for your TR. And I'm so excited for you to start your trip!

 

[natebenma]

Yeah for your stay at the Poly! You know I bleed blue Beach Club blood, but the Poly would be my second choice for a stay.

I agree, the view of the castle from the Poly beach is just amazing. I sat on one of the loungers for 45 minutes one night, just watching the castle turn colors, before the Electrical Water parade and the fireworks. What a nice opportuntiy to head out any night you want and enjoy the fireworks show hassle free, even if the guys are back in the room zonked out!

This is the first time in 4 years that we don't have a trip planned during February break. We went to the same resort (Barcelo in the Riviera Maya, Mexico) in Feb 2010 and Feb 2011 and the difference in temps between the two trips were incredible. They closed the schools in the area we were in 2010 because it was so cold. Sixties, I think, but still... I remember it was frigid all over the south that year.

Wishing you warm temps for your trip!

 

[tinacaplan]

What? What is that you hear? Is that the sound of me jumping up and down because I just purchased PLANE TICKETS???



In the immortal words of Phineas and Ferb: Why yes, yes it is!


​

Yesterday, a coworker mentioned that she booked a trip to Disney for our April break. I asked a couple questions and come to find out her aunt owns DVC (still not sure which resort) and is letting her have a villa, free of charge, for the week! I jokingly said, can I come? And she said, sure!

With my AP (see, this is what happens...this is how the evil marketing geniuses at Disney pull you in... ) and some pretty cheap airfare (amazing how cheap airfare gets when you're paying for only one ticket ), this trip would cost almost nothing.

When I went home last night, I asked my husband and his immediate reaction was no. Then I explained the details a bit more and he relented, telling me I could only spend $300 and should eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in my room. He is only half-joking. Although, to be clear, this trip will not be about signature dining.

The bottom line is this: I am going in April, I have purchased plane tickets. Should it not work out with my co-worker, I've already figured out I could afford a room at Pop! with little problem. So...I'm going to Disney again!!!!

 

[amandaw]

That is awesome that you get another trip to Disney!!! And you don't have to worry about meltdowns and tantrums! Unless, your co-worker is prone to have them.

 

[natebenma]

NICE!!!!!!!!

A "solo" trip. Well, at least without family.

*jealous*

And if it is at BCV, I'm gonna throw my own little tantrum!

 

[tinacaplan]

That is awesome that you get another trip to Disney!!! And you don't have to worry about meltdowns and tantrums! Unless, your co-worker is prone to have them.

This is what having an AP will do! That a short plane trip to Disney. I'm almost more excited for this trip than for February. I can't wait to be able to go off and explore on my own. That said, even if it doesn't work out with my co-worker, I can swing three nights at Pop! Its the equivalent of not buying some new clothes or new shoes for awhile and I think I can handle that.

NICE!!!!!!!!

A "solo" trip. Well, at least without family.

*jealous*

And if it is at BCV, I'm gonna throw my own little tantrum!

I'm so excited!!! I don't even mind that the trip is going to be pretty short; the luxury of being able to do whatever I want when I want while I'm there is just too much.

I have to say, if I'm lucky enough and this would work out to be the AKL/Kidani or the villas at BWI or BC or BLT (how's that for a string of abbreviations?) I think I'll lose my mind from excitement. Although, solo at Pop would be just fine, too.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That's awesome that you're getting another trip in!!! How fun!!!

 

[that's nice]

That AP is a dangerous thing!

We might be in Florida in April too.... except we aren't going to Disney.

 

[dizneeat]

Now girl, didn't I tell you an AP would come in handy?

Congrats on the new trip!!!!!!!!

I cannot wait to hear where you will be staying!

And I have some news of my own to share ..... am going to post it a little later!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Hi Tina!! Joining in!!

Woo hoo for you Feb trip and a new April trip!

I've stayed at Poly twice! The second trip, coincidently, was Presidents week last year! It was heavenly!!!

We had a very good Presidents week experience! I didn't think it was crazy crowded! Sure, it was more crowded then our January trips but not too bad at all! I also think that staying on the monorail helps a lot! You get to MK and Epcot much faster! One Poly tip in that regard. Walk to TTC and take the monorail to epcot from there instead of taking the monorail all the way back around through MK and the Contemporary! It will save you time

 

[tinacaplan]

That's awesome that you're getting another trip in!!! How fun!!!

Well...an AP makes such things pretty easy. I'm so excited.

That AP is a dangerous thing!

We might be in Florida in April too.... except we aren't going to Disney.

Yes, it is, Tim. Its like...oh, let me take the cost of tickets out of the equation and things get SO much cheaper Well, I'll take Florida, even minus the Disney! When are you all planning on going back? I know you've been planning and debating a resort.

Now girl, didn't I tell you an AP would come in handy?

Congrats on the new trip!!!!!!!!

I cannot wait to hear where you will be staying!

And I have some news of my own to share ..... am going to post it a little later!

Thanks...saw the news on your end! Very exciting. And you're right about the AP. Who knows where I'm staying? I just know I'm going!

Hi Tina!! Joining in!!

Woo hoo for you Feb trip and a new April trip!

I've stayed at Poly twice! The second trip, coincidently, was Presidents week last year! It was heavenly!!!

We had a very good Presidents week experience! I didn't think it was crazy crowded! Sure, it was more crowded then our January trips but not too bad at all! I also think that staying on the monorail helps a lot! You get to MK and Epcot much faster! One Poly tip in that regard. Walk to TTC and take the monorail to epcot from there instead of taking the monorail all the way back around through MK and the Contemporary! It will save you time

We actually don't mind President's Week. We've heard how terrible the crowds are and we've never experienced it personally. I really can't wait to stay at the Poly. I know its going to amazing! And to have the chance to go sorta solo in April is almost too much!

And thanks for the TTC tip!