Princess Jes' Official (narcissistic) trip planning thread (help and advise required!)

[SorcererHeidi]

thanks ladies,

POFQ isn't usually a part of the room discounts that get released though right? whereas riverside is?
I've always leaned towards CSR, but POFQ took my fancy last year in some research... hmmm

You're absolutely right - The Team even confirmed on a recent episode that FQ never gets discounted (or free dining), but Riverside will - probably because Riverside is immense, so it takes much more to fill it up. But - as Sam has mentioned (and I can confirm) - since it is so huge (same thing with CSR, since you mentioned that) unless you pay for a preferred location, you can be quite far from the main area, the one time I stayed there, I was even quite a walk from a bus stop, even using a short cut.

 

[Princess Jes]

unless you pay for a preferred location

I if go mod, this is a must, no if's or but's.

 

[dkrauss]

Thanks!!! The clown freaks me out! Lol

Ok Jess we're back from the BWV's and as I promised here are some photos.


The view from our room in the BWV's (4059) This room is considered a courtyard view.........but you had the boardwalk (indirectly) and you could see Spaceship Earth


I also promised some room pics............sorry if its a bit messy but didn't take them until a day or two in, and in the BWV's you don't get housekeeping everyday...........well unless you pay for it. We didn't.
Yes that is a Queen bed...............and sooooooooo comfortable! The couch was comfortable too............and I believe will fold out into a bed. Not sure about that tho.


There's only a small desk, attached to a pull down bed (I forget the formal name for it). We used it more for resting phones, cameras and other junk
Note the white cabinet to the left of the TV (Very big flat screen)..........that's the dresser........kinda small.............if you're stay is beyond a week........its to small.




Kitchen area is small but serviceable.............Full size coffee maker........that was key for us!

The closet is ok in size, but again if you pack a bunch..........it may not be big enough. You do get an iron and vacuum too. Bathroom is small but worked fine...........isn't that all that matters?

In the end..........the room worked for my wife and I. The view was a bonus in my mind........didn't expect to see the boardwalk. The resort itself was great..........the CM's awesome. The theming just great............but I feel like I'm forgetting something...................OH YEAH...........


The Clown slide at the Luna pool was AWESOME!
But it's still creepy.........even more so when you see it in person............but the water in the slide is HOT........really hot!

Jess, hope this helps

Doug

 

[Princess Jes]

Ok Jess we're back from the BWV's and as I promised here are some photos.

View attachment 145147
The view from our room in the BWV's (4059) This room is considered a courtyard view.........but you had the boardwalk (indirectly) and you could see Spaceship Earth

View attachment 145148
I also promised some room pics............sorry if its a bit messy but didn't take them until a day or two in, and in the BWV's you don't get housekeeping everyday...........well unless you pay for it. We didn't.
Yes that is a Queen bed...............and sooooooooo comfortable! The couch was comfortable too............and I believe will fold out into a bed. Not sure about that tho.

View attachment 145149
There's only a small desk, attached to a pull down bed (I forget the formal name for it). We used it more for resting phones, cameras and other junk
Note the white cabinet to the left of the TV (Very big flat screen)..........that's the dresser........kinda small.............if you're stay is beyond a week........its to small.



View attachment 145151
Kitchen area is small but serviceable.............Full size coffee maker........that was key for us!

The closet is ok in size, but again if you pack a bunch..........it may not be big enough. You do get an iron and vacuum too. Bathroom is small but worked fine...........isn't that all that matters?

In the end..........the room worked for my wife and I. The view was a bonus in my mind........didn't expect to see the boardwalk. The resort itself was great..........the CM's awesome. The theming just great............but I feel like I'm forgetting something...................OH YEAH...........

View attachment 145153
The Clown slide at the Luna pool was AWESOME!
But it's still creepy.........even more so when you see it in person............but the water in the slide is HOT........really hot!

Jess, hope this helps

Doug

Doug, you're a gem! Too sweet! thank you so much.

that slide freaks me out... vomiting children and whatnot... lol
Thank you!!!

 

[dkrauss]

Doug, you're a gem! Too sweet! thank you so much.

that slide freaks me out... vomiting children and whatnot... lol
Thank you!!!

Jess............the child in that photo was..............ME! Really ..............it creeps me out too

Always willing to help my DIS buddies!

Doug

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Nice pics, Doug. I have a view off my balcony OF the "creepy clown"\, and kept my drapes closed tight - especially at night - he looks even scarier lit up, if you can believe that! You must have had a nice view of the Illuminations fireworks from your room, since I saw them from the Boardwalk itself from basically the same higher view you had, and I was happy.

 

[pjweaver]

Jes, check with DreamsUnlimited first. I got a reply from Kathy the same day. We ended up using Davids dvc rental because we got 10 days at BWV for $75 more than 10 days at PORS, and travel time is a key for us. The down side is dealing with a third party that I don't know vs. dealing with an agent and company that works directly with Disney and can help with problems.

In for a penny, in for a pound. We never have seen the point in the moderates. Other than POR & POFQ, they have those internal bus routes (as does OKW btw) to take you to another bus stop. I'm not into an hour of travel to get to a park. Still a nicer stay than an economy and better in my mind than staying off site. I can usually get to a park much faster from POP or AOA than from CBR, but maybe I just had a bad room.

AKL seems to be the cheapest of the deluxe. While it is beautiful and has great restaurants, you must hop a bus to any park. Our stay in the villas involved a long hike just to get to the bus station or pool. The breakfast buffet (I think it's jiko) was probably my favorite on property.

Monorail Lines are perfect, especially if you just won a lottery or are on a short stay. We often dine and shop there, but rarely actually spend the money to stay there. If it's a 3 day stay, Poly or Contemporary win, but 7-10 day stays often need some sacrifices.

This leads me to where you probably expected, back to the Crescent Lake resorts. Hands down my choice with YC BC or BW. You are dumping a ton of money just on the flight. I get to go a few times a year with airfare running about $100 per ticket. We swap between POP (it's cheap, we're in the parks most of the time, has it's own bus route) and these deluxe resorts. We walk to HS & EPCOT, or walk through EC to the monorail for MK. I hate standing in the queues for busses, so these are our dream resort.

A final option is a split stay, keep that as an option, but I recommend the best resort last.

I think your husband sounds similar to me, and would prefer these selling points. I would push for BCV or BWV for the price, location, and amenities. Not to beat a dead horse, but your case is unusual in that you are flying from the opposite side of the world. Make in as magical as you can.

 

[disneysteve]

that slide freaks me out... vomiting children and whatnot... lol

I have a view off my balcony OF the "creepy clown"\, and kept my drapes closed tight - especially at night - he looks even scarier lit up, if you can believe that!

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who hate clowns... and clowns.

 

[Princess Jes]

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who hate clowns... and clowns.

I'm not sure what it is about clowns that's actually creepy, but I blame that stupid horror movie from a million years ago... It? what a ridiculous concept for a movie!!

 

[samsteele]

I blame that stupid horror movie

I was a kid when that mini series came out. The teasers on TV frightened me so much that I became an absolute coward at street hockey. Puck went near the storm sewer? Not getting it . . . you get it. Frightened the life right out of me. I still can't watch Tim Curry in anything. Nada.

 

[disneysteve]

I still can't watch Tim Curry in anything.

Not even Rocky Horror... or Clue?

 

[Sean91]

Tim Curry did a creepy as hell episode of Criminal Minds afew years back, he plays creepy SO well!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I was a kid when that mini series came out. The teasers on TV frightened me so much that I became an absolute coward at street hockey. Puck went near the storm sewer? Not getting it . . . you get it. Frightened the life right out of me. I still can't watch Tim Curry in anything. Nada.

 

[samsteele]

Not even Rocky Horror... or Clue?

Nope. Zippo. Still traumatized!

 

[samsteele]

Oh for goodness sake! (and sub other phrases). Squeal fur real. I now need new underwear. Its the eyes, I swear. His eyes are freaking me right out. Just like Penny-whats-its! Shudder. You bad, bad boys! ps just waiting on a freezing rain storm here in Ontario. So I kinda like this but am still acting like I am truly offended and such. At least we still have power and the lights are on.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I've never even seen all those movies/shows you guys are all talking about (although I did hear references to them before my BWV stay), and I am not scared of clowns at all (matter of fact, used to idolize Bozo the Clown when I was a kid - those of you who know who he is know I'm dating myself by saying that!) LOL - and that BWV clown is STILL just CREEPY!!

 

[samsteele]

For those not in the know, here is Pennywise making nicey-nice with small children in his storm drain. This is one of his more benign & cuddly moments. Before it all goes pear-shaped & terrifying for the little ones. ps his teeth grow. A lot. Ahh, memories.

 

[Princess Jes]

Hey kids!

Quick question... I'm just looking at Travelex in the USA, and the exchange rate there is USD$1:AUD$1.28
But here, it's USD$0.68:AUD$1 so I think that ends up being USD$1.47:AUD$1 (I'm an Accountant, I should know how to do this calculation confidently, alas, I always question myself)
That's a much better rate!!

I doubt it's possible, but I wonder if I could buy a travelex prepaid card the other way around over there? And use that to book Accom?

I know I should be able to exchange cash over there once I land, but the bulk of our spend will be in Accom, which I need to pay for before I get there.

I'm trying to cheat the system, but I cant see how... Any suggestions?

 

[samsteele]

I wonder if I could buy a travelex prepaid card the other way around over there?

I'm not familiar with that product. Have you checked out the Canadian Trip Planning subforum on the Boards: US Dollar Accounts and Credit Cards? Its an interesting discussion and may be of some help. I recall there was recently a discussion about the amazon credit card and that it didn't charge the conversion fee (on top of the exchange) re Cdn dollar. Some of the products may also be available in Australia. Good luck!

ps given how the Cdn dollar has plunged well below 70 cents US in the past week, I don't anticipate taking my Fall vacation to WDW this year for F&W. I did have a mini trip for a few days last Feb and a great Fall free dining vacation this Oct so no tears shed for me. But my US dollar account is now exhausted and its time for me to look at other options. Whether that be no vacations and saving for overseas travel in 2017 or possibly a less $ US option involving a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Cape Canaveral (Royal Caribbean has a history of offering Canadian specials on their Caribbean routes) plus tagging on 2 or 3 nights at a value resort. I'm fortunate that my proximity in Eastern Canada allows me these opportunities. I understand its a completely different ballgame for Australians largely because of travel distance/expense plus the dollar exchange.

 

[disneysteve]

I'm just looking at Travelex in the USA, and the exchange rate there is USD$1:AUD$1.28
But here, it's USD$0.68:AUD$1 so I think that ends up being USD$1.47:AUD$1

I'm not an accountant but I'm not following your math.

Travelex is USD$1:AUD$1.28. That means the USD is worth about 22% less than the AUD.
In Australia, it's USD$0.68:AUD$1. That means the USD is worth 32% less than the AUD.

How are you getting from those numbers to USD$1.47:AUD$1 which would mean the USD was worth 47% more than the AUD?