Team Renfroe - Pre-Trip Report for May 15-22, 2009 **Final Chapter**

[alan_renfroe]

Hi Alan,

Subscribing!!
Just found that you (finally!) had decided on a pre-trip report and, of course, I had to get in!

By now, I have visited the Disney parks about 14 times: WDW (12), Disneyland (1) and Disneyland Paris (1) staying mostly off-site. On our last visit, in January 2006 (and the first with our daughter, then 3 ½) we decided to go on site although, for budgetary reasons, we went straight to a Value Resort (All Stars Music). We found that, although the rooms were small, they were clean, the staff really helpful and amiable and the food courts adequate (we only did breakfast there).

Basically we found that we were most of the time at the parks, and used the room to “crash” at night.

This year, we are going to stay at the All Star Sports. We wanted to do POP, but there weren’t any rooms available at the time of booking (I really wanted to go to the Grand Floridian, but that would have broken the bank ).

So what I’m trying to tell you it is that it doesn’t really matter the resort you choose. In Disney even the “values” seem to be a good value. And, after all, home is where the family is…

Regards,

Luis

P.S. This is a photo of our DD during her Disney trip (she's the one on the right...)

Hola, my friend! I'm so glad you found the new thread! The picture of your DD is TOO CUTE!! She is absolutely adorable!

I think you have given me great advice about the value resorts. The point of the entire vacation is to spend time with family. We would love to hang out at the Grand Floridian also, but that would not fit our budget. Rather than saving up for several years, I'd rather go RIGHT NOW on a budget I can afford....just so I don't miss this time in our lives!

Thanks for subscribing, and I hope you'll be around to continue to give me good advice as I plan my next trip! Thanks, Luis!

Alan

 

[jjk]

Hi Alan just catching up your dining revew was great

It has given me a couple of good ideas as I have to rebook all my adrs and replan our whole trip as DS has broken his arm and cant fly

so we have had to pospone our holiday for a month, somtimes all the planning
in the world cant prepare you I didnt see this one coming

 

[alan_renfroe]

Hi Alan just catching up your dining revew was great

It has given me a couple of good ideas as I have to rebook all my adrs and replan our whole trip as DS has broken his arm and cant fly

so we have had to pospone our holiday for a month, somtimes all the planning
in the world cant prepare you I didnt see this one coming

Hi Rachel! So sorry to hear about you DS breaking his arm! That stinks! Anyway, it will just make your holiday that much sweeter when you DO finally get there!

Have a great day!

Alan

 

[jjk]

Hi Rachel! So sorry to hear about you DS breaking his arm! That stinks! Anyway, it will just make your holiday that much sweeter when you DO finally get there!

Have a great day!

Alan

Thanks Alan, we have rebooked all our adrs and we are now taking ds to yachtsman steak house for dinner on his 16th birthday cant wait

 

[alan_renfroe]

Thanks Alan, we have rebooked all our adrs and we are now taking ds to yachtsman steak house for dinner on his 16th birthday cant wait

Make sure to tell them when you check in that it is his 16th birthday! They should do something special! Also, ask if Bill and Eric are working - they work as a team and they are wonderful servers. They make excellent recommendations.

 

[KatMark]

I just found this report and am catching up on it after following your finished trip report from when you returned. I just updated my own pre-trip report (25th Anniversary Trip). Good to be reading of your adventures yet again.

 

[jjk]

Make sure to tell them when you check in that it is his 16th birthday! They should do something special! Also, ask if Bill and Eric are working - they work as a team and they are wonderful servers. They make excellent recommendations.

will do thanks for the info

 

[disneyhockeymad]

Hello hello!
Finally stumbled across your PTR, definately on-board for the ride! Loved your TR so there anything to supplement it is a definate yes for me!!
Loving all the stuff so far, the new car looks fantastic, I love the fact you call it a van in America, it's a people carrier over here! A van is something completely different!!
Your 4th July weekend looks great fun! I wish we had something like that here but unfortunately we're only patriotic when it comes to football (soccer!!)
Can't wait to read more!

 

[Supermom3]

Hi Alan,

I only recently found your trip report, so I never posted there, but I read through the whole thing and really enjoyed it. I'm so glad that I stummbled across your PTR. I look forward to all of your plans for your next trip.

I especially enjoyed all of your food reviews, and can't wait to hear where you'll be eating in May. We'll be heading to WDW in Feb 09 and where to eat is my biggest dilema. Since they are changing the ADR's from 180 days to 90 I guess I have a little more time to stress and analyze.

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

found you!!, read you trip report and am so looking forward to your pretrippie. we are also heading to wdw next yr though arrive after you may 25th.

I would certainly look at the cbr, we stayed there last year and loved it, its a really nice laid back resort, yes it is spread out but nothing too bad.

Loving the new van, both dh and I drive Hondas and love them.

 

[alan_renfroe]

I just found this report and am catching up on it after following your finished trip report from when you returned. I just updated my own pre-trip report (25th Anniversary Trip). Good to be reading of your adventures yet again.

Hey Kathy and Mark! Glad you found the new link! Welcome aboard!

will do thanks for the info

No problem, Rachel. We LOVED the Yachtsman....very classy!

Hello hello!
Finally stumbled across your PTR, definately on-board for the ride! Loved your TR so there anything to supplement it is a definate yes for me!!
Loving all the stuff so far, the new car looks fantastic, I love the fact you call it a van in America, it's a people carrier over here! A van is something completely different!!
Your 4th July weekend looks great fun! I wish we had something like that here but unfortunately we're only patriotic when it comes to football (soccer!!)
Can't wait to read more!

Yay! disneyhockeymad is here too!

Okay, now I've got to know...what is a van in the U.K.? (I absolutely ADORE my British friends! Cheers!)

Hi Alan,

I only recently found your trip report, so I never posted there, but I read through the whole thing and really enjoyed it. I'm so glad that I stummbled across your PTR. I look forward to all of your plans for your next trip.

I especially enjoyed all of your food reviews, and can't wait to hear where you'll be eating in May. We'll be heading to WDW in Feb 09 and where to eat is my biggest dilema. Since they are changing the ADR's from 180 days to 90 I guess I have a little more time to stress and analyze.

Hi Supermom3! Thank you VERY much for all of your kind comments. We can count down the days til our next trip together!

found you!!, read you trip report and am so looking forward to your pretrippie. we are also heading to wdw next yr though arrive after you may 25th.

I would certainly look at the cbr, we stayed there last year and loved it, its a really nice laid back resort, yes it is spread out but nothing too bad.

Loving the new van, both dh and I drive Hondas and love them.

Hey Kirstie! Glad you are here too! Too bad we'll miss you at WDW. We are thinking May 16 - 22 right now.

We are loving the van too! I've always wanted a Honda. The Odysseys are made about 25 miles from where we live. I've toured the plant and you could literally eat off the floor it is SO clean. I was impressed enough to buy one! I can't wait to drive it down to Florida on Sunday!

 

[mama2girls]

wooHOO!!! more stories with the Griswold clan!!! For my 2 cents worth, we stayed at POP last August and we couldn't be happier! My biggest thing is why spend all the cash for the moderate when all we use the hotel for is sleeping and showering! When we are at WDW, we spend as much time at the parks as possible. As for the deluxe resorts, $400 a night just makes me choke. POP is fun, great pools, a big food court and its own dedicated bus line. In fact, in 28 more days, I will be able to book our 2009 10 day trip staying at POP (hopefully with free dining!!) I can't wait to be a part of your planning and to get ideas when I start my pretrippy in a few months!

 

[Camster0307]

Hey Cammie! I think $55 for a trip to the GF salon is totally worth it! I think we'll do this for DD this trip instead of CRT. She LOVED seeing those pictures of your DD. It is impressive that it lasts so long!

I would love to know a little more about DVC, Cammie. Anything you can share with me would be appreciated.

Oh, you are SOOO on my wavelength on restaurants!! If DS wants to do Tony's Town Square again as a father/son thing, I'm in! Who knows how much longer we will have these moments together! All I know is that on our last trip, this was a special moment for me and my DS. Also, one of my top priorities for this upcoming trip is to dine at Artist Pointe. In my next post, I am going to share my thoughts about restaurants we would like to go to on our next trip. Rest assured, Artist Pointe is on the top of that list!

Thanks, Cammie. Your $.02 is worth A LOT to me!

Yes, the braids are still in but they need to come out this weekend. I would say they were looking pretty good up until last week; but family is coming up this weekend and DD wanted to show them. But still for $55, I feel we got our money's worth!

Definitely keep that Tony's meal w/ your DS going. I feel anything that they enjoy doing with us at this age is fine with me. I know Tony's gets a bum rap around these boards but I thought it was fine. I went in with low expectations and I thought it was pretty good.

As for DVC.......you don't really want to get me started on that, do you? I'm a walking commercial for that membership! Love it! But let me just say this first, you get your money's worth as long as you know you'll travel to WDW pretty regularly!

 

[alan_renfroe]

wooHOO!!! more stories with the Griswold clan!!! For my 2 cents worth, we stayed at POP last August and we couldn't be happier! My biggest thing is why spend all the cash for the moderate when all we use the hotel for is sleeping and showering! When we are at WDW, we spend as much time at the parks as possible. As for the deluxe resorts, $400 a night just makes me choke. POP is fun, great pools, a big food court and its own dedicated bus line. In fact, in 28 more days, I will be able to book our 2009 10 day trip staying at POP (hopefully with free dining!!) I can't wait to be a part of your planning and to get ideas when I start my pretrippy in a few months!

Hi mama2girls! Glad you're tagging along!

I'm thinking like you on the POP. We don't spend a lot of time in the room. As much as I LOVED CSR on our last trip, we could save $456 before tax by staying at the POP. At this moment, it is looking like the POP.

Yes, the braids are still in but they need to come out this weekend. I would say they were looking pretty good up until last week; but family is coming up this weekend and DD wanted to show them. But still for $55, I feel we got our money's worth!

Definitely keep that Tony's meal w/ your DS going. I feel anything that they enjoy doing with us at this age is fine with me. I know Tony's gets a bum rap around these boards but I thought it was fine. I went in with low expectations and I thought it was pretty good.

As for DVC.......you don't really want to get me started on that, do you? I'm a walking commercial for that membership! Love it! But let me just say this first, you get your money's worth as long as you know you'll travel to WDW pretty regularly!

DD liked the idea of BBB, but she felt she was a little too big for that. This GF salon will be perfect for her. I think we'll surprise her with it!

I am definitely keeping the meal at Tony's. I think it is great that DS wants us to start this as being our tradition. That's special! You are SO right about them being at the age where they won't find us cool for too much longer.

Feel free to share with us on this thread about DVC. Don't worry about being a commercial!

By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Being the foodies we are, the Gris...uh...Renfroes are all about eating out...especially on vacation....especially at DISNEY!! Here are some of the places I am thinking about for our trip this spring:


Places where we haven't eaten before:

Breakfasts:
- Chef Mickey's

Lunchs:
- Mama Melrose
- Crystal Palace
- Earl of Sandwich (maybe)

Dinners:
- Artist Point
- Flying Fish
- Les Chefs de France
- Boatwright's
- 'Ohana


Repeat places:

Breakfasts:
- Kona
- Boma

Lunchs:
- Yak & Yeti
- Le Cellier
- Liberty Tree Tavern (maybe)

Dinners:
- California Grill
- Kona


So, what do you think? I am particularly interested in knowing thoughts about the restaurants we've never eaten at....we want to try some new things this time! As wonderful as our last trip was, we don't want to repeat it...we want to expand upon it!

 

[Supermom3]

hi all, sorry to highjack for just a sec, but I wanted to clarify my earlier post where I mentioned ADRs going to 90 days. I didn't want to inadvertantly spread any mis-information. I had misunderstood what was going on with ADRs. Apparently no one will be able to make ADRs between Aug 1st and Oct 25th but on Oct 26th (or there abouts) it will go back to 180 days, but as far as I know Disney is not going to 90 day ADRs. Here's a link explaining it better than I can http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1886843

Sorry again, now back to your previously scheduled pre-trip report.

 

[englishrose47]

P.S. This is a photo of our DD during her Disney trip (she's the one on the right...)

Love the pix I would never have known which was youDD if you hadn't explained

Being the foodies we are, the Gris...uh...Renfroes are all about eating out...especially on vacation....especially at DISNEY!! Here are some of the places I am thinking about for our trip this spring:


Places where we haven't eaten before:

Breakfasts:
- Chef Mickey's

Lunchs:
- Mama Melrose
- Crystal Palace
- Earl of Sandwich (maybe)

Dinners:
- Artist Point
- Flying Fish
- Les Chefs de France
- Boatwright's
- 'Ohana


Repeat places:

Breakfasts:
- Kona
- Boma

Lunchs:
- Yak & Yeti
- Le Cellier
- Liberty Tree Tavern (maybe)

Dinners:
- California Grill
- Kona


So, what do you think? I am particularly interested in knowing thoughts about the restaurants we've never eaten at....we want to try some new things this time! As wonderful as our last trip was, we don't want to repeat it...we want to expand upon it!

Here goes Alan on your choices of new restaurants

Le Chefs I also had dinner there and loved it, it is a little "refined" but your gorgeous children would be little angels !! I had the shrimp and scallops which were delish for dessert I had the apple crepes which are my favorite dessert in WDW now .
I love CP but have only had dinner there , they have peel & eat shrimp..Yum
I had dinner at Mama Melroses and it was okay the steak was fine and the polenta was okay, Tiramusu was gooooood!
Can't comment on others as haven't been, but I do intend to try Kona after your reviews and I want to try Boma for breakfast. I think DD and DW will enjoy Pooh at CP. I go there solo and don't feel strange at all!
I have to decide when I am going solo next year I am so undecided, I really want to go when other Dissers are and yet I also want to go for my birthday in March!!

 

[Luis Rodriguez]

Being the foodies we are, the Gris...uh...Renfroes are all about eating out...especially on vacation....especially at DISNEY!! Here are some of the places I am thinking about for our trip this spring:


Places where we haven't eaten before:

Breakfasts:
- Chef Mickey's

Lunchs:
- Mama Melrose
- Crystal Palace
- Earl of Sandwich (maybe)

Dinners:
- Artist Point
- Flying Fish
- Les Chefs de France
- Boatwright's
- 'Ohana


Repeat places:

Breakfasts:
- Kona
- Boma

Lunchs:
- Yak & Yeti
- Le Cellier
- Liberty Tree Tavern (maybe)

Dinners:
- California Grill
- Kona


So, what do you think? I am particularly interested in knowing thoughts about the restaurants we've never eaten at....we want to try some new things this time! As wonderful as our last trip was, we don't want to repeat it...we want to expand upon it!

Well, based on your TR we decided to change our H&V's ADR for one at the Brown & Derby. We have read some nice things about it, so maybe you would like to consider it if planning to visit DHS.

Also, several years ago (2000) I had the opportunity to visit the Liberty Tree Tavern, and have wonderful memories of their New England Clam Chowder, a dish I'm particularly fond of. I know it is a long shot, but that is the reason I'm including a visit to this restaurant during my September trip.

Regards,

Luis

 

[alan_renfroe]

hi all, sorry to highjack for just a sec, but I wanted to clarify my earlier post where I mentioned ADRs going to 90 days. I didn't want to inadvertantly spread any mis-information. I had misunderstood what was going on with ADRs. Apparently no one will be able to make ADRs between Aug 1st and Oct 25th but on Oct 26th (or there abouts) it will go back to 180 days, but as far as I know Disney is not going to 90 day ADRs. Here's a link explaining it better than I can http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1886843

Sorry again, now back to your previously scheduled pre-trip report.

Thanks for the clarification and the link, Supermom3! I knew there were going to be some changes, but this link really helps to explain things. Please feel free to post pertinent information on this thread at any time. Consider this a happy place!!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Here goes Alan on your choices of new restaurants

Le Chefs I also had dinner there and loved it, it is a little "refined" but your gorgeous children would be little angels !! I had the shrimp and scallops which were delish for dessert I had the apple crepes which are my favorite dessert in WDW now .
I love CP but have only had dinner there , they have peel & eat shrimp..Yum
I had dinner at Mama Melroses and it was okay the steak was fine and the polenta was okay, Tiramusu was gooooood!
Can't comment on others as haven't been, but I do intend to try Kona after your reviews and I want to try Boma for breakfast. I think DD and DW will enjoy Pooh at CP. I go there solo and don't feel strange at all!
I have to decide when I am going solo next year I am so undecided, I really want to go when other Dissers are and yet I also want to go for my birthday in March!!

Les Chefs is the one I am most on-the-fence about. We've done Teppan Edo, Tutto Italia, and Le Cellier. I know I would LOVE Rose & Crown. If we DO NOT go with the Deluxe Dining plan, I will do Rose & Crown and pay out of pocket. (All I really want is fish & chips and a cold Bass! I'm not hard to please!) I do think that Les Chefs' menu might be a little ambitious for the kids.

Make no mistake about it....Crystal Palace and the Pooh characters are for DW!!! She would LOVE to get pictures with the Pooh characters!

The reason I want to try Mama Melrose at DHS is because we've already done 50s Prime Time Cafe and H & V. That only leaves Mama Melrose and Brown Derby. I would love to do Brown Derby, but I don't think I want to give up 2TS credits for it.