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

[eandesmom]

1. Go for fewer nights and stay at a deluxe (more than likely the Poly or the Beach Club)?

OR

2. Go for nine nights/ten days and stay at a mod (probably either POFQ or CSR)?

Without taking discounts into account, we can do a mod for more days for a LOT less than a week at either the BC or the Poly.

So, I'm curious....thoughts? [/B]

For me, #2. I need my balcony, queen size beds and I need closer access to the parks especially in the summer heat. Granted, that's age and older kids talking and frankly...being spoiled! Also for us, we aren't remotely concerned with resort food courts/QS options so that's not a draw at all. Sure, we will fill up mugs and might get a snack or one meal from there but that's it. We are more interested in the sit down dining available nearby and that will drive our choices along with park access. For me, all things being equal I'd go for a few less days. Within reason though! It would depend on how many less we are talking. I would however probably compromise and go for a "cheaper" deluxe like AKL or WL. You would be able to get AP rates at least though, right?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I hope you guys enjoy JetBlue! That's our favorite airline now, the TV's and the snacks are great! And I'll keep my fingers crossed for Tokelau for you!!

Hmmm...I think my choice between the mod/deluxe long/short trip depends on really how many days difference there would be between the trip. I do love the convenience of the deluxes, so I think that would ultimately get my vote. (I also just out of curiosity asked DBF, and he voted for the deluxe too!) I hope Max does better on this trip!!

Your April trip plans sound great! I've always been curious about Saratoga Springs, can't wait to hear what you think of it!

 

[natebenma]

Since this is the week of I just want to say

LOVE that you are in single digits!

LOVE the first day plans for your April trip!!

LOVE that you are thinking about July!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

For me, #2. I need my balcony, queen size beds and I need closer access to the parks especially in the summer heat. Granted, that's age and older kids talking and frankly...being spoiled! Also for us, we aren't remotely concerned with resort food courts/QS options so that's not a draw at all. Sure, we will fill up mugs and might get a snack or one meal from there but that's it. We are more interested in the sit down dining available nearby and that will drive our choices along with park access. For me, all things being equal I'd go for a few less days. Within reason though! It would depend on how many less we are talking. I would however probably compromise and go for a "cheaper" deluxe like AKL or WL. You would be able to get AP rates at least though, right?

I'm trying to plan without the AP rates in mind, as they might not happen. OK...they probably will, but still...you never know. Actually, I ran numbers this afternoon (because I'm bored and that's what I do instead of knitting..) and figured out that because of its value II season at the deluxes in late july, whereas its peak at the mods, and dicounts have been trending toward being higher for the deluxes than the mods...that its possible to afford a deluxe, regardless.

I look at like this. I ran the numbers for nine nights at a mod and came up with a number. I then ran the numbers for the same number of nights at the Beach Club and applied what I anticipate the AP rate will be. And those numbers are very close. Point being, if I can get a dexlue for nearly what I'd pay for rack rate at a mod, I'll take the deluxe.

I know that if I went with the same discount at the mod, the price difference would be even greater and we could save some more money, but...well, I'm in love with the whole deluxe experience now and no doubt our stay at the Poly will only solidify this for me.

I hope you guys enjoy JetBlue! That's our favorite airline now, the TV's and the snacks are great! And I'll keep my fingers crossed for Tokelau for you!!

Hmmm...I think my choice between the mod/deluxe long/short trip depends on really how many days difference there would be between the trip. I do love the convenience of the deluxes, so I think that would ultimately get my vote. (I also just out of curiosity asked DBF, and he voted for the deluxe too!) I hope Max does better on this trip!!

Your April trip plans sound great! I've always been curious about Saratoga Springs, can't wait to hear what you think of it!

Thanks! I think Jetblue will be great.

My husband and I talked about it some more and I think we'll probably go deluxe, if we go at all, for some of the reasons I stated above. And, yes, the deluxes are super convenient and you can't beat interior hallways in the middle of the summer. Walking into the Beach Club's arctic air after being in blazing sun was heavenly.

I can't say I've been curious about SSR. But its free, so who am I to complain?? I will eventually get my hands on the reservation number (I'll need it for DME) and I'll put a location request in and I think we'll be fine. I've learned that people on the Dis tend to exaggerate the sizes of the resorts and the length of walks and that the Disney resort maps make things look much further apart than they are.

The pictures I've seen look lovely. It'd be great if I was a bigger fan of DTD, although that will give us good transportation options, at least in terms of gettin to other resorts.

And I think Max will be very good on this trip! He's gone from demanding everything in every store we enter to being a reasonable child who understands things like, not now...maybe for Christmas...or your birthday! Nearly every meltdown in July seemed to have to do with him wanting toys. Our Wishes! dessert party fiasco had a lot to do with being tired and trying to squeeze way too much into one day. Not doing that again.

Since this is the week of I just want to say

LOVE that you are in single digits!

LOVE the first day plans for your April trip!!

LOVE that you are thinking about July!!!

Awww...thanks! I really want to do it and if we do...I think you know where we'll be staying.

Do you get to plan much for your big journey, or is all pretty much done for you? Where are you and your hundred eighth graders staying?

 

[natebenma]

Awww...thanks! I really want to do it and if we do...I think you know where we'll be staying.

Do you get to plan much for your big journey, or is all pretty much done for you? Where are you and your hundred eighth graders staying?

This trip is just about going to kill my planner spirit! I don't get to choose the resort (it is going to be one of the All Stars), I don't know what airline we are flying, can't make ADRs (I think we will have vouchers for counter service meals- I can work with that), I don't think I get to choose which days we will go to which parks...

And I am going to be in the hands of 4-8 teenage boys deciding what they want to do next. I see a lot of RocknRollerCoaster and Space Mountain in my future and not so much Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast.

My son doesn't even want to go to EPCOT because Test Track will be down. But I have a plan to lure them to EPCOT- Karamel Kuche- Braces be damned!

 

[that's nice]

And that is where you and I differ, Tim. As you commented on one of my earlier TRs, we probably don't spend enough time at the parks. What can I say? We like to come back to the resort and go to the pool and hang out. This is especially true in the middle of a Florida summer. That said, I suspect we'll spend a bit more time in the parks on this upcoming trip, or at least I hope we do. We're missing a lot of the shows and things like that because we don't stick around in the parks longer. But, Max is still too short for the 40" rides. And he's just barely missing it this time.

Oh well...I think if we do anything, it will likely be at a mod, which is fine. CSR and POFQ are lovely.

I hear ya. We've never stayed at a Deluxe so maybe I have no clue what we're missing. I figure if I spend less per trip I can go more often and longer for the same amount of money (probably less).

 

[tinacaplan]

This trip is just about going to kill my planner spirit! I don't get to choose the resort (it is going to be one of the All Stars), I don't know what airline we are flying, can't make ADRs (I think we will have vouchers for counter service meals- I can work with that), I don't think I get to choose which days we will go to which parks...

And I am going to be in the hands of 4-8 teenage boys deciding what they want to do next. I see a lot of RocknRollerCoaster and Space Mountain in my future and not so much Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast.

My son doesn't even want to go to EPCOT because Test Track will be down. But I have a plan to lure them to EPCOT- Karamel Kuche- Braces be damned!

I'm trying to think about Jedi mind tricks for you to somehow convince the boys you're chaperoning of your supreme Dis-skills so they'll at least listen to your insight on how to enjoy the parks to their fullest and avoid horrendous lines and things like that. If I come up with anything, I'll let you know.

I know its no where near the scale, but I've done trips to Six Flags in Mass and its always been fun. The kids have a blast, aren't bored, and its a pretty self contained situation, which is nice, too.

I've also travelled via plane to Atlanta with a slew of eighth graders (and I was the main person in charge of all of them ), many of whom had never flown before or been too far past the state of CT, so they were fairly easy to shepherd around.

Like I said, if I can think of any good tips for you, I'll let you know. I'm sure it will be a great, albeit a different trip.

I hear ya. We've never stayed at a Deluxe so maybe I have no clue what we're missing. I figure if I spend less per trip I can go more often and longer for the same amount of money (probably less).

I was afraid that this was going to happen. I had been happy at CSR and had pretty much realized that a deluxe would be out of our budget for a long, long time (possibly ever), yet here I am...scheming away. Honestly, there's no way its worth it if you spend a lot of time in the parks and I can make a pretty compelling argument against deluxe resorts if I had to. That said, don't you usually have a car? That makes a bit of a difference, I guess, although you do have to deal with parking, so I don't know.

Really...I'd stay anywhere as long as I was going to Disney!

 

[that's nice]

I was afraid that this was going to happen. I had been happy at CSR and had pretty much realized that a deluxe would be out of our budget for a long, long time (possibly ever), yet here I am...scheming away. Honestly, there's no way its worth it if you spend a lot of time in the parks and I can make a pretty compelling argument against deluxe resorts if I had to. That said, don't you usually have a car? That makes a bit of a difference, I guess, although you do have to deal with parking, so I don't know.

Really...I'd stay anywhere as long as I was going to Disney!

Yes, we have always had a car. We've been flying into Tampa, sending time with Melody's grandfather (& g-ma when she was still alive), driving to Disney, going to her cousin's house who lives outside or Orlando. So it is almost a necessity to have a car.

I loved CSR. I feel like it has a Deluxe feel to it. (but once again, how would I know that??)

 

[tinacaplan]

Yes, we have always had a car. We've been flying into Tampa, sending time with Melody's grandfather (& g-ma when she was still alive), driving to Disney, going to her cousin's house who lives outside or Orlando. So it is almost a necessity to have a car.

I loved CSR. I feel like it has a Deluxe feel to it. (but once again, how would I know that??)

That's what I thought...you have a reason to have a car. Us...not so much.

CSR definitely does and it got refurbed before all of the other mods and got the queen beds and flat panel tvs. Its a beautiful resort, no doubt. I probably wouldn't even be questioning anything if it weren't for that fact that it isn't available the week I want to go down. Don't get it and don't know if something will open up or what?

POFQ's bus situation makes me nervous. CSR has amazing bus service. That said, if we were there for a few extra days, I'm not sure that an extra twenty minutes here and there on the bus would matter that much. Plus, I actually like the busses!

 

[natebenma]

I'm trying to think about Jedi mind tricks for you to somehow convince the boys you're chaperoning of your supreme Dis-skills so they'll at least listen to your insight on how to enjoy the parks to their fullest and avoid horrendous lines and things like that. If I come up with anything, I'll let you know.

I know its no where near the scale, but I've done trips to Six Flags in Mass and its always been fun. The kids have a blast, aren't bored, and its a pretty self contained situation, which is nice, too.

I've also travelled via plane to Atlanta with a slew of eighth graders (and I was the main person in charge of all of them ), many of whom had never flown before or been too far past the state of CT, so they were fairly easy to shepherd around.

Like I said, if I can think of any good tips for you, I'll let you know. I'm sure it will be a great, albeit a different trip.

Thanks for your words of encouragement! As you said, this is going to be fun trip, but different... My biggest fear is that we will have a mix of tolerances for thrill rides. It will be a bummer if some of the group is into coasters and others refuse. I had that situation on the 7th grade class trip (Canobie Lake Park, in Salem NH). Fortunately, like the Disney trip, there were two chaperones per group, so I took the coaster kids and the other chaperone accompanied the less daring in the group.

My son is a commando and Disney vet in his own right and even if the kids won't listen to me, I think they will follow his lead. I have already quizzed Nate on where he wants to eat and I was pleased with his answers:

MK- Columbia Harbor House or Pecos Bill
EP- Sunshine Seasons
AK- Tamu Tamu
HS- He didn't know (which is the correct answer, we never do CS here), but I am going to suggest Starring Rolls: Ginormous sandwiches and insanely sweet cupcakes. Yeah, that will work.

 

[tinacaplan]

1. "You've Got a Friend In Me" is stuck on repeat in your head.

2. You're checking accuweather and weather.com every hour, instead of just once a day.

3. You make and re-make packing lists on scraps of paper while you're supposed to be paying attention to other things.

4. You run into the living room to quiz your husband about where he'll be seven days from now. He will have no idea and drolly reply, "Um...somewhere in Disney?"

5. You listen to the "Welcome Song" on Four Parks, One World and think it was written especially for you.

6. You're stressed about whether or not you should make cute enevelopes for mousekeeping.

7. You're scheming and planning your next trip..or two...or three.

8. A good pedicure is in your future.

9. You keep reminding yourself to leave no chargers behind!

10. You're walking around with a HUGE smile on your face and its getting increasingly more difficult to concentrate on anything not directly related to Disney.



So...how do you know???

And, what of those mousekeeping envelopes? Necessarry or not?

 

[amandaw]

I love your signs!

As for cute mousekeeping envelopes:

Necessary? Probably not.

BUT, if you have the time, they can be so much fun to make & will put you into the Disney mood even more!!! I love making mousekeeping envelopes!

ETA: I just noticed your revolving ticker has a summer vacation in there! So, is it official?!? : )

 

[KatMark]

Tina, I love your Top Ten list...so very true.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

LOL that is the truest list ever!!!

Mousekeeping envelopes - nah. I made them for our stay at the YC, didn't make them this past time. It seemed to make absolutely no difference!

 

[natebenma]

GREAT list!!!

Number 9 is especially meaningful. I literally have nightmares that I have left my camera, or the charger or the memory cards behind.

I don't bother with mousekeeping envelopes, but I have Mickey-shaped sticky notes and I write Thanks! on these when I leave the tip.

 

[Lidian]

I love your "signs"!

Last year, we made very nice Mousekeeping envelopes. This year, we'll just use plain envelopes, write "Thanks" on them, and put a Disney sticker on it.

 

[eandesmom]

I'm of the plain envelope variety myself, just addressed to mousekeeping and "thanks"

I love your list of signs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[annmarieda]

Love your list... especially #10... SO TRUE!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

I love your signs!

As for cute mousekeeping envelopes:

Necessary? Probably not.

BUT, if you have the time, they can be so much fun to make & will put you into the Disney mood even more!!! I love making mousekeeping envelopes!

ETA: I just noticed your revolving ticker has a summer vacation in there! So, is it official?!? : )

Thanks! And no...our summer trip is far from official. In my mind, it is. Just haven't convinced Mark. He actually said he's getting bored with Disneyworld! Well, then, where else should we go this summer?

I think we've come to the agreement that we we'll assess the situation before we leave Orlando. If we have a great trip (and why wouldn't we?) and Max is well behaved, then we'll upgrade their tickets to APs, too, and be back in July.

Tina, I love your Top Ten list...so very true.

Thanks!

LOL that is the truest list ever!!!

Mousekeeping envelopes - nah. I made them for our stay at the YC, didn't make them this past time. It seemed to make absolutely no difference!

Thanks!

I so don't want to make them. I'm not crafty, even when its just a question of printing some labels.

GREAT list!!!

Number 9 is especially meaningful. I literally have nightmares that I have left my camera, or the charger or the memory cards behind.

I don't bother with mousekeeping envelopes, but I have Mickey-shaped sticky notes and I write Thanks! on these when I leave the tip.

I went to AK without a memory card last year... Horrible.

I love your "signs"!

Last year, we made very nice Mousekeeping envelopes. This year, we'll just use plain envelopes, write "Thanks" on them, and put a Disney sticker on it.

Thanks!

I'm of the plain envelope variety myself, just addressed to mousekeeping and "thanks"

I love your list of signs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Cynthia!

Love your list... especially #10... SO TRUE!!!

Thank you!


Glad everyone enjoyed my list...wish I was feeling some of that excitement today. I'm a little draggy and tired this morning and there's a lot of school work to get done before I can start the fun trip stuff!

 

[amandaw]

Thanks! And no...our summer trip is far from official. In my mind, it is. Just haven't convinced Mark. He actually said he's getting bored with Disneyworld! Well, then, where else should we go this summer?

Disneyland? OR a Disney Cruise?