September 2011 - The Planning Has Started!!!

[jbmom]

jbmom - I was wondering if you remembered me... you, me and another diser (faindrops) started a dismeet back in 2007.... however, your schedule didn't mesh up and we never got to actually meet.

I do remember you! Michelle, right? I see your staying at my favorite resort. You will love POR!

Jo and Shelly don't yell at me but DH finally came around to my way of thinking about the heat in September and suggested we look at October dates again today , we did and we changed our reservation.

We did luck out though since the pin# DH got via snail mail and said it was only good for Dec 1-Dec 22, when I called and gave it to the CM I spoke with "Art" who was so fantastic told me it was good from Oct 18 to the end of the year so we were able to use it to re-book

Back to the drawing board for me now and waiting for Park Hours but I know we will have a better time if we do not have to deal with the heat and humidity as much. Plus we mainly want to go for F&W and late October will so much better than fighting the crowds opening weekend of the F&W.

Anyway L. Harper you can take me off the "Who's Going When List" I love this group and will check in from time to time to see how everyone is doing and I have to stick around to see if disneydreamin247's baby appears on March 4th

Can I yell at you then? I think your smart actually, I would rather go in October too. Unfortunately, until my children fly the nest we are stuck vacationing in the heat or with the crowds!

 

[Smile4Me]

Any ideas on the Port Orleans refurb? We're at Riverside, but I wonder if I should try to switch to French Quarter, since those rooms will already be done. I'm not a switchin' type of person, but it's crossed my mind! Even if I changed my reservation, I see I'd be in good company on this thread!

From portorleans.org it looks like they will be starting Port Orleans Riverside in May, with the Mansions which should be done before or by Thanksgiving, and then moving on to Alligator Bayou which should be done by April/May 2012. I've thought about it too, but I think we're just going to request a Mansion room, hoping for something recently refurbed!

I need some insights and discussion on taking breaks mid-day. I have such mixed feelings on it, but I can't really determine much since we don't have actual experience. I've read a lot of comments on it, but I want your guys' opinions too. I feel like we need to let the boys rest because I'm sure WDW is a very overwhelming experience. Then on the other hand I feel like we'll be wasting SO much time. Thoughts? Help me through this decision!

As so many other people suggested, you're going to have to sorta gauge your own family, and maybe having a plan for if breaks work better, or not just in case...but I'm going to suggest taking a break during the day. We like to get up early and take advantage of rope drop and the cooler temp in the morning (at every park). We tour til we're hungry-try to eat in an air conditioned or shaded area, then do a little more, and then usually leave between 3 and 4 (which you can adjust if you want to watch the parades). We then go back to the hotel, shower,swim, rest, etc. til maybe 6 p.m.-6:30 p.m. And then head back to the parks, usually getting there around 6:30-7 ish for a couple rides and then dinner reservations. Which usually puts us ready to for a couple rides and/or to watch the evening entertainment (fireworks or parade) while our dinner settles.
You can't feel like you're wasting time or let that you may be missing some things stress you out...because otherwise it will ruin your trip. You'll be so caught up on what you're missing, you won't be in the moment! Plus there is SOO MUCH to do at Disney, its impossible to get to it all in one trip,,or even 2, 3, or 4 for that matter!


So I'm looking at September hours and my spreadsheet right now and based on early Magic Kingdom closing times, while we're there (9/17-9/24) the MNSSHP dates will be Tues. the 20th and Friday the 23rd (my boyfriend's birthday!)So far his only request for his birthday is that we eat at Coral Reef. I've asked him if he wants to go the Halloween Party on his birthday (which might make us want to rethink Coral Reef that evening as it would eat up valuable party time). I think from what I've read, midweek parties tend to have less attendance anyway, right? Because the local crowd comes out more on the weekends. Epcot also has extra hours the 23rd. and the other parks are closed by 7 at the latest that day which will make it more crowded...I think that because we will have hoppers, and enough days that we will for sure have one full day at each park,that maybe for his bday, it be His Choice all day! I LOVE THAT THE SEPT HOURS ARE OUT!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Jo and Shelly don't yell at me but DH finally came around to my way of thinking about the heat in September and suggested we look at October dates again today , we did and we changed our reservation.

We did luck out though since the pin# DH got via snail mail and said it was only good for Dec 1-Dec 22, when I called and gave it to the CM I spoke with "Art" who was so fantastic told me it was good from Oct 18 to the end of the year so we were able to use it to re-book

Back to the drawing board for me now and waiting for Park Hours but I know we will have a better time if we do not have to deal with the heat and humidity as much. Plus we mainly want to go for F&W and late October will so much better than fighting the crowds opening weekend of the F&W.

Anyway L. Harper you can take me off the "Who's Going When List" I love this group and will check in from time to time to see how everyone is doing and I have to stick around to see if disneydreamin247's baby appears on March 4th

Aw Sheila, I am so bummed!! But I totally understand. I was wanting a fall/Oct vacation this year, but it didn't work out with the school schedule. So we are going to try our luck with late Aug/early Sept. Hopefully we will survive the heat.

Congrats on being able to use the PIN! Happy planning to you! Please stick around, the thread wouldn't be the same without you.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

From portorleans.org it looks like they will be starting Port Orleans Riverside in May, with the Mansions which should be done before or by Thanksgiving, and then moving on to Alligator Bayou which should be done by April/May 2012. I've thought about it too, but I think we're just going to request a Mansion room, hoping for something recently refurbed!

Thanks! Yes, that website is what got me wondering about it! I'm not a fan of requesting rooms because the only time we tried it, it got all messed up. We called prior to our check-in and confirmed a certain building location. We were so excited and arrived to find out they had already given our room away. Basically, they told us that even though it was confirmed over the phone, nothing is confirmed until they hand you the keys. So, since then, I don't get my hopes up for a particular building or floor or room. We just go with the flow and take what we get.

Hmmm....I'll have to think about this one! The reason why I went with Riverside was because their current room-only promo had a greater discount than French Quarter. Granted, we are only staying one night, so it's a minimal difference. Decisions, decisions....We're usually pretty good about getting pins, so maybe I'll just wait it out and our resort may change altogether! Who knows?!?

 

[MamaJessie]

I AM GOING TO DISNEY WORLD IN SEPTEMBER AND I GET TO STAY AT TWO FANTASTIC RESORTS AND I GET TO DO IT CLUB LEVEL!!!!!!!!


heehee....okay, that helped.

I need some insights and discussion on taking breaks mid-day.

I agree with everyone that said play it by ear. We have taken quick breaks at the hotel, we have taken long breaks. We have also decided to go from park to park instead since everyone was having such a great time. When giving myself a very basic timeline I go morning 9-1 break time 1-3 evening 3- park closing. I am super laid back though so this is just my rough estimates.

Plus, going back to the resort and getting into the pool might be one the the kids' favorite things- don't be surprised if it is. Lots of people come home and say that they paid all of that money for the trip and all their children wanted to do was get in the pool.

My kids LOVE hanging by the pool.

**Update on Baby Watch** there isn't one! She must be clinging to her umbilical cord like Tarzan. I thought my water may have been leaking last night but I realized I had sneezed without taking a trip to the restroom in the last 20 minutes

Little Tarzan

I'll have to figure out how to post pics, its AWESOME!! (the party LOL)
Its where Disney JR (was Playhouse Disney) is held during the day, but during EMH its a DANCE PARTY for your kids,

Do you happen to know if it is just evening emh, or am emh too? Never heard of this before!

Jo and Shelly don't yell at me but DH finally came around to my way of thinking about the heat in September and suggested we look at October dates again today , we did and we changed our reservation.

Glad you came here and planned with us for awhile. Nice to meet a friendly DISer, Enjoy your planning and please come back and say hi!

 

[Smile4Me]

Thanks! Yes, that website is what got me wondering about it! I'm not a fan of requesting rooms because the only time we tried it, it got all messed up. We called prior to our check-in and confirmed a certain building location. We were so excited and arrived to find out they had already given our room away. Basically, they told us that even though it was confirmed over the phone, nothing is confirmed until they hand you the keys. So, since then, I don't get my hopes up for a particular building or floor or room. We just go with the flow and take what we get.

Hmmm....I'll have to think about this one! The reason why I went with Riverside was because their current room-only promo had a greater discount than French Quarter. Granted, we are only staying one night, so it's a minimal difference. Decisions, decisions....We're usually pretty good about getting pins, so maybe I'll just wait it out and our resort may change altogether! Who knows?!?

We've always had really good luck when we've requested (nothing specific just close to the main building) when making the initial reservation. I'm a little more nervous this time since POR is so large! I went on the POR resort thread on the resort board to ask about the best way to go about a request (fax, phone, in person, etc), and what they would deem more important as far as bed size vs location and just got snapped at like I was dumb because I didn't know resorts don't take fax requests anymore. My boyfriend had originally said he'd like AB section (which apparently the only preferred rooms for the resort are in this section), but I'm going to specifically request Mansion I think in hopes of getting a refurbed room..cause I'd rather walk a little further from those rooms and have a queen sized bed, than have to pay so much extra for a King!

 

[jbmom]

We've always had really good luck when we've requested (nothing specific just close to the main building) when making the initial reservation. I'm a little more nervous this time since POR is so large! I went on the POR resort thread on the resort board to ask about the best way to go about a request (fax, phone, in person, etc), and what they would deem more important as far as bed size vs location and just got snapped at like I was dumb because I didn't know resorts don't take fax requests anymore. My boyfriend had originally said he'd like AB section (which apparently the only preferred rooms for the resort are in this section), but I'm going to specifically request Mansion I think in hopes of getting a refurbed room..cause I'd rather walk a little further from those rooms and have a queen sized bed, than have to pay so much extra for a King!

I saw that on the POR thread! I love POR, just watch our while walking under trees. I had a frog fall on my head last time we stayed there. I had originally booked POR again, but we decided to try something different.

 

[disneydreamin247]

In that situation, I think I would choose 5 nights at Poly and 4 at GF. We've stayed at Poly and really liked it, but I've never stayed at GF. I would like to stay there, but I don't know how long I'd want to stay there.

Are you doing main building or Sugar Loaf CL?

We are doing SL. The thing is, my mom would love to stay at GF and this is her first stay on property. I want to really make it special for her because she's been through SO much in the last 2 years, and is my absolute BFF in the whole world. I'm paying for most of the trip so it would be really nice to do what she wants. I also don't want to disappoint DS. Why do I have to be such a bleeding heart?!

OK everyone I need help!!!!!

We only have four days in the parks, and REALLY want to do Epcot two days, and the Disney JR EMH party....so here's what I'm thinking

Day one SEPT 7: AK am; DHS or Epcot pm
Day two SEPT 8: MK MSEP, Wishes AND EMH this day (may be crowded but no choice that I can see)
Day three SEPT 9: Epcot
Day four SEPT 10: Epcot; or DHS OR both..... (this is the ONLY day DHS has evening EMH to get the Dis JR Dance Party in)

Someone PLEASE help me ixiedust:

I really am SO glad to see all the new people!!!

O and one more personal request, if you are of the 'higher power' believing camp, PLEASE pray for my kitty, he is sick and I'm a mess b/c of it THANK YOU )

Oh, I'm so sorry about your kitty! Definitely sending some prayers your way.

Will you have a double stroller? DD slept in the stroller mid-day.



Too funny. With my DS it was the opposite--I woke up wet and assumed I drank too much before bed, but when I stood up I realized it was way too much!

I've been praying for that every single night when I go to bed! And every morning I wake up, look down, and just keep it moving!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

We've always had really good luck when we've requested (nothing specific just close to the main building) when making the initial reservation. I'm a little more nervous this time since POR is so large! I went on the POR resort thread on the resort board to ask about the best way to go about a request (fax, phone, in person, etc), and what they would deem more important as far as bed size vs location and just got snapped at like I was dumb because I didn't know resorts don't take fax requests anymore. My boyfriend had originally said he'd like AB section (which apparently the only preferred rooms for the resort are in this section), but I'm going to specifically request Mansion I think in hopes of getting a refurbed room..cause I'd rather walk a little further from those rooms and have a queen sized bed, than have to pay so much extra for a King!

Ughh, sorry to hear you got snapped at. Some people!

Well, it didn't take me long to change our resort! I decided to switch to French Quarter. The refurb at French Quarter will be done by the time we are there, which means we'll get refreshed rooms. Plus, we don't have to spin the wheel on *possibly* getting a refurb at Riverside or deal with "Pardon Our Dust" signs in Riverside. Also, we stayed at Coronado Springs Resort shortly after their refurbishment and it was one of the best hotels we've stayed at yet. The larger beds and newer rooms were awesome. It cost us $9 more to switch to French Quarter, so I can't complain.

L-Harper, whenever you get the chance, can you delete our original entry:

4-5 ~ ThereYouSeeHer (Port Orleans Riverside) - DISNEY DREAMIN'!

and replace it with this:

4-5 ~ ThereYouSeeHer (Port Orleans French Quarter) - First Disney Cruise & 7th Anniversary!

Thanks!!

 

[budkarin]

Hi everyone, we are going September 28-October 4 we are staying in the all star music resort...We just went for 2 weeks in July for our honeymoon, we loved it...So my daughter is expecting my first grandson this month sometime (He needs to hurry up and get here). So we are going to be taking him in September also. So excited to see the parade at Disney again.....

 

[sjs314]

Just because you aren't going in September doesn't mean we're going to kick you out of our group. You can most certainly stick around!

Thanks L Harper I have grown fond of this group of travelers

I do remember you! Michelle, right? I see your staying at my favorite resort. You will love POR!



Can I yell at you then? I think your smart actually, I would rather go in October too. Unfortunately, until my children fly the nest we are stuck vacationing in the heat or with the crowds!

jbmom-I hear you, for years we went Easter Week, twice in August ' Memorial Day Week anytime at all where my DS did not have to miss school or only had to miss a few days, once we did take DS#2 out for a week and we went first week in Oct

Aw Sheila, I am so bummed!! But I totally understand. I was wanting a fall/Oct vacation this year, but it didn't work out with the school schedule. So we are going to try our luck with late Aug/early Sept. Hopefully we will survive the heat.

Congrats on being able to use the PIN! Happy planning to you! Please stick around, the thread wouldn't be the same without you.

Thanks Shelly-

You will survive the heat I did back when I was younger it is just now since getting older I do not tolerate it as well with my asthma

I was almost in shock when the CM told me the pin could be used from Oct 18th till the end of the year instead of just in December like the mailer said. It is only for 20% but still saved us $500 and who knows maybe a better discount will come along since even FD would save us about $120 more than the 20% off pin.

 

[MissLiz]

Aww, sjs314 (sorry, I'm not sure of your "real" name ), sorry you aren't going in Sept! But, enjoy October even more! One of these days, we'll head down for F&W. We hit a soft opening in 2008 and got to enjoy a few stands, but it just wasn't the same.

disneydreamin -- you're still here?!?! Tell that little one to get out here and meet the crazy Sept dissers right now!

I understand planning things around someone. We took DH's grandma last year in Sept for her 80th bday and we really tried to schedule things for her. It ended up that my DMIL and grandma spent a lot of time at the Poly pool and the CL lounge, so we had to throw our plans out the window and wing it.


ETA -- I guess I might want to check in your sig, Sheila, because if I could read, I would know what your name is. Sorry.

 

[lemonsours]

Jo and Shelly don't yell at me but DH finally came around to my way of thinking about the heat in September and suggested we look at October dates again today , we did and we changed our reservation.

Sheila,
My dates are mostly in October too, the extra wait is killing me! Stick around so I have someone to wait with! Besides, the October threads I have found are slooooow.....
Marce

 

[disneydreamin247]

Aww, sjs314 (sorry, I'm not sure of your "real" name ), sorry you aren't going in Sept! But, enjoy October even more! One of these days, we'll head down for F&W. We hit a soft opening in 2008 and got to enjoy a few stands, but it just wasn't the same.

disneydreamin -- you're still here?!?! Tell that little one to get out here and meet the crazy Sept dissers right now!

I understand planning things around someone. We took DH's grandma last year in Sept for her 80th bday and we really tried to schedule things for her. It ended up that my DMIL and grandma spent a lot of time at the Poly pool and the CL lounge, so we had to throw our plans out the window and wing it.


ETA -- I guess I might want to check in your sig, Sheila, because if I could read, I would know what your name is. Sorry.

I really want her to enjoy the resort and she said GF looks just dreamy. Just a little background info: June 09 I get hit a car, 3 days later my 13 yr old sister dies, 6 months later I get by another car. She's still dealing with the loss of my sister and not doing very well. The one thing she's really looking forward to is her new granddaughter and taking this trip to Disney with the kids, so if staying at GF makes her happy I'm all for it. I already know not to schedule her for early morning ADRs unless it's CRT or Chef Mickey's.
I also don't want DS to be disappointed. This is where our split comes in. I actually really want to stay at both resorts so that's no biggie. The only problem is how much time at each. I think 4 at Poly/5 at GF could be a pretty decent compromise...I could also just add another night and call it even! lol

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

I'll have to figure out how to post pics, its AWESOME!! (the party LOL)
Its where Disney JR (was Playhouse Disney) is held during the day, but during EMH its a DANCE PARTY for your kids, the bubble machines are going nonstop and they play fun music for the kids and all the characters come out and dance and play with the kids and they give out balloon animals!! it WAS A BLAST and probably the highlight of the trip for the kiddos LOL they got a LOT of one on one time with Minnie and Goofy and Mickey and SO many others.....

I'm sorry that there are no evening EMH at DHS during your stay The evening EMH dance party was one of my little one's (4 at the time) absolute favorite things last year. We plan on park hopping over to DHS on September 19th just for this. I would definitely recommend this for those with young kids!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I really want her to enjoy the resort and she said GF looks just dreamy. Just a little background info: June 09 I get hit a car, 3 days later my 13 yr old sister dies, 6 months later I get by another car. She's still dealing with the loss of my sister and not doing very well. The one thing she's really looking forward to is her new granddaughter and taking this trip to Disney with the kids, so if staying at GF makes her happy I'm all for it. I already know not to schedule her for early morning ADRs unless it's CRT or Chef Mickey's.
I also don't want DS to be disappointed. This is where our split comes in. I actually really want to stay at both resorts so that's no biggie. The only problem is how much time at each. I think 4 at Poly/5 at GF could be a pretty decent compromise...I could also just add another night and call it even! lol

Oh my! So sorry to hear all of this! You all will have a wonderful, healing vacation together no matter where you stay!

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

I really want her to enjoy the resort and she said GF looks just dreamy. Just a little background info: June 09 I get hit a car, 3 days later my 13 yr old sister dies, 6 months later I get by another car. She's still dealing with the loss of my sister and not doing very well. The one thing she's really looking forward to is her new granddaughter and taking this trip to Disney with the kids, so if staying at GF makes her happy I'm all for it. I already know not to schedule her for early morning ADRs unless it's CRT or Chef Mickey's.
I also don't want DS to be disappointed. This is where our split comes in. I actually really want to stay at both resorts so that's no biggie. The only problem is how much time at each. I think 4 at Poly/5 at GF could be a pretty decent compromise...I could also just add another night and call it even! lol

Hope all of you have the most magical trip

 

[disneydreamin247]

Oh my! So sorry to hear all of this! You all will have a wonderful, healing vacation together no matter where you stay!

Thanks! I want her to come so badly and her and my dad couldn't afford their own room so I figured putting them in with us and upgrading to CL is a good idea because the lounge will give us some extra space. My parents can hang out there while I get the kids ready, or my dad who usually goes to bed super early can stay in the room with the kids while my mom and I unwind in the evening. All they're paying for is their tickets and dining (but I'm trying to put aside a few extra bucks towards that too!).

I know both resorts are great and being together is what's really going to make this trip special. I just want to make it extra special any possible way for my parents. I'm a sap!

 

[lindap1]

Hey everyone! I'm coming over from the other September 2011 thread! We will be there Sept 25 - Oct 1 and my daughter (4) and I are REALLY excited, my DH...not so much! lol
WooHoo! Park hours have been released and it's time to get this planning party started!!

We are staying in a preferred room at CBR with FREE DINING!!
I keep editing this post...lol. This will be our very first Disney trip of any kind!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Hope all of you have the most magical trip

Thanks! I'd really be lost without my DIS fam!