I recently booked a vacation for Dec 14-21 for my family of 4 and this will be our first stay at the POP. I have a few questions, and I'm sure down the line, I will think of a few more...
For anyone who has been there in December (this will be a first for us in that month), how is the weather? I am from MA and in Dec., it is pretty cold, so I am hoping for some mild weather down South.
I have 2 children, DD7 and DS4, and was wondering which building would be a good bet for us to be as close to the amenities as possible? I don't know if it will be warm enough for pools when we will be there, but what about a playground? Also, which building is closest to the "Everything Pop" place? Don't get me wrong, I have no issues with walking and actually love a scenic,brisk walk, but with little ones who are out of the stroller stage, it can be tiring for them. Last year we did a combo cruise/vaca and stayed at the CBR for 5 nights. I had requested a building as close as possible to the main themed pool, however did not pay the extra $ for a preferred room/building. I figured I would just take a chance. On the day of check-in, we were given a room as farthest away from the food court/main pool as possible ~ as if I never requested a closer room at all.

I guess it wasn't in the stars for us to get a decent room during that trip since on the ship (Disney Magic), our cabin room was below some nightclub where we heard a piano and banging above us for 4 nights in a row! When I called guest services (on the ship) to complain about the "noise" (mind you this was on the 3rd night), I was told I could come to the guest relations desk and pick up some earplugs!

And talk about not being accomidating , I had booked this trip 1 year in advance, and basically my most important request was to have the earliest seeting for dinner as my youngest was just turning 3 the week of the cruise, and was still taking naps, etc. Once we arrived, I was given the later dinner times, and was told that there nothing that could be done to help us.

For every dinner, my son would pass out in either my lap, DH's lap, or the chair at the table that was supposed to be his, and his dinner would go uneaten. We ended up taking a bowl of fruit and a few cartons of milk back to room every night so he would have something to eat once he woke. I hope at least this time, I will be able to get a better room while staying at the resort.
This leads me to my next ? ~ Our flight does not arrive in Florida until 4:30 pm on a Wednesday, and we are going with the ME option. So, since we will not be checking in until later that afternoon (we will be at the mercy of Disney), do you think that my chances of getting a room on the 50's or 70's building will be nil, due to the (unavoidable) later check-in time?
And here's another on the refillable mugs...We have never bought them in the past, but figured we would try this time around. I am thinking 2 will be enough (more for the kids than us), and wonder, do they have more than 1 color so they will not get mixed up? And are there different sizes/prices? If yes, what is the difference in size/price? Also, other than carbonated drinks, can you also get milk, juice, or hot chocolate in them? What about frozen cokes? (Nothing like being prepared, hehe).
Okay, so that is it for now and a a special THANK YOU to Tyler who I hope to meet in December.
Lori