The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[trixiequilts]

Anyway, here's the dilemma -- because Charles will go along with whatever. I am really torn -- AKL for more money thus eliminating any hope of the October anniversary trip (of which I already have an ADR and a TR title), or Caribbean Beach Resort for a longer stay, for less money, and the possibility of an October trip???

Added to that is the fact that next year is the last year that Connor will be considered a child with a lower price for food and tickets, so we should make the most of that, right, and stay longer?

On the flip side, in 2010 Chelsea turns 13 and wants to stay at the Grand Floridian for her birthday which means no AKL.

What to do? What to do?

Why not price out AKL with renting points from a DVC owner? Even a studio has more square footage than CBR rooms. The downside is 1 bed and a pull out couch instead of 2 beds, but I'm taking that as a good thing seeing as I can close it up during the day and have more floor space! You could see how you feel about DVC...and you could (based on my experience with renting points) still be at GF in 2010. I vote for the longest possible stay for selfish reasons (longer TR!) and also because you should take advantage of the lower DDP price for Connor while you can.

It could potentially be a win-win-win situation. On the other hand, if it does work out better at CBR, AKL isn't going anywhere, you could stay there in 2011! Just something else to look forward to, right?

 

[Sarilas]

I am so the wrong person to answer this question. I think I'd consider sleeping on a park bench for 8-10 days at WDW!

 

[MRYPPNS]

We could stay 10 days at Pop.

We could stay 8 days at Caribbean Beach Resort in the new refurbed rooms with the new pirate-themed swimming pool.

We could stay 7 days at Animal Kingdom Lodge (for $600 more than 8 days at CBR).

Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I think POP for 10 days is too long with the kids. Too small a room and not enough "green" space for relaxing outside. No beach, no marina.

I think AKL is going to be packed next spring/summer because all of the construction will be done and the animals will be back on the savanna.

I'm all for CBR. But my math says that the $600 more for AKL can be turned into a 10 day stay at CBR. ($300 for 2 more nights and $300 for 2 more days of dinning plan).

 

[julezdisney]

I like the PP's idea of renting DVC points. I went to our Chicago's anniversary celebration of Doorway to Dreams Store and sat through the entire presentation (didn't win a thing though-- boo ) and now I'm convinced I need to get us in place financially to buy into DVC in the next two years. The incentives alone get ya.....

I'm already thinking our first trip to WDW will be on rented points. You should try it so I can live through you! LOL

 

[javamom]

Added to that is the fact that next year is the last year that Connor will be considered a child with a lower price for food and tickets, so we should make the most of that, right, and stay longer?

On the flip side, in 2010 Chelsea turns 13 and wants to stay at the Grand Floridian for her birthday which means no AKL.

What to do? What to do?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

LOL, you know what my vote is!!

 

[stagemomx3]

Did you see CBR now has Pirate themed rooms standard or waterview.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I like what Heidi said, turn CBR into a 10 days and there you go! I also like Heidi's point of AKL being really crowded next year. I think if you are looking to go to GF next year for Chelsea's birthday than you should do CBR this year. I have feeling Connor would love the pirate rooms and the new pirate pool area. Then next year when you drag him to the Grand Floridian Tea, you can give him a look and say, "last year we had a pirate room, it's the girls turn this year!"

 

[MRYPPNS]

The pirate themed rooms at CBR have a rack rate of $220 a night in June.....

 

[TarzansKat]

Alright, you already know where I'm going to go with this right?

Caribbean Beach, baby!!!!

Okay, but seriously. You seem to enjoy the amenities the moderate resort has to offer. CBR will have a totally new pool and refurbed rooms, which will certainly lend to its appeal. It'll still have the nice big food court like a value, but more of a relaxed feel with the sandy white beaches, hammocks, etc. And it seems to me like you really got into some downtime at the resort on this trip.

Now, I love Pop. But if I feel cramped with my family of three, I think you'd go nuts with your family of four, and your kids are older than my little nut! I mean, it's a great fun resort, but I see it for shorter stays, not 10 day ones, kwim? It's sort of the reason I went for 8 days at WL this year, not Pop. I really wanted those deluxe amenities.

Which brings me to the AKL. Now, I do love it. Have stayed there, and it's lovely. Excellent theming, great dining options (I know how you love some Boma!) but the question is...do you need to stay there or can you enjoy it by just having some ressies there? If your heart's desire is to stay there, you can make it work. But if Chelsea's 13th at the GF trumps AKL this year, then that's something to consider.

I do have to tell you though, it's important to plan for right now. Although you want to do Chelsea's birthday there, who knows what those years may bring, right?

Carpe diem!

Now, what does your gut say?

 

[TarzansKat]

The pirate themed rooms at CBR have a rack rate of $220 a night in June.....

Heidi, how did you figure that out?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Heidi, how did you figure that out?

For the dates in October that I want it, the rate is $195 a night.

 

[stagemomx3]

For the dates in October that I want it, the rate is $195 a night.

It's $174 in August.

 

[willwriteforears]

Like many others, I'm leaning toward CBR for you.

That's too funny, though, about Charles saying you have to book today!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

As some of you know, 2009 Walt Disney World packages were released today. It has become my own, personal, Christmas morning.

So cute!

Charles: That's fine with me. You have to book today, though.

Me: Why?

Charles: Because packages got released today, and it's bad luck if you don't.

Charles is getting in the swing of things!

Now, I know I am dressed in my WDW t-shirt and all for the occasion,

Even cuter!!

October anniversary trip (of which I already have an ADR and a TR title)

Hmmm.... I knew about the ADR but a TR title too?? Seems like fate to me!

what about a split stay between pop and AKL?

That's a good idea!

But my math says that the $600 more for AKL can be turned into a 10 day stay at CBR. ($300 for 2 more nights and $300 for 2 more days of dinning plan).

I like her math!!

Looking forward to hearing what you've decided! Whatever you choose you can't go wrong. It will be magical!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Heidi, how did you figure that out?

Disneyworld.com.....in the ressie section.


Jackie.... I thought it was Disneyland for her 13th birthday...no?

 

[Native NYer]

Either CBR or AKL. I would skip POP. I agree with Heidi. It's a small space. And 10 days with 4 people in a small space is never a good thing.

If you really have your heart set on AKL, go for it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Looking at all my notes again, I realized that I was not looking at it correctly -- it would be $600 more to stay at AKL for 8 days -- so we would not be giving up a day just adding a lot more money.

I guess it all depends on how important the resort is to you. If you think that AKL is worth $600 + 1 day more than CBR, then stay there. Otherwise, stay at CBR. Also, you may want to consider the dining options. If you are doing the DDP or DDxP, then you may prefer the AKL because of their excellent dining options.

We typically have a car, so we always make our way to Boma at least once -- the resort is pretty important, but price is also.

what about a split stay between pop and AKL? that way you get to experience the best of both worlds!

charles sounds just like ray....whatever you want is fine with me because i know you'll end up making up your own mind anyway!!!! it's just nice to have their thoughts and usually they're not very willing to give them!

The thought of a split stay is intriguing, but knowing my family they aren't really going to want to switch mid-trip -- we tend to like to unpack and get comfortable for the duration. I am going to price out a split stay and see what it looks like money-wise -- if it's reasonable maybe I can convince them.

That's exactly what Charles says to me! I made him give me some opinions today -- I had to have his help!

8 days CBR gets my vote. There is the new pirate pool to check out and you get a longer stay, plus a possible anniversary trip.

I think that's funny that he said you had to book today because it's bad luck if you don't.

I swear he is getting weirder as he gets older.

Staying longer at Disney is always something I want. I like what they are doing with all the refurbs at CBR.

I'd go longer with the possibility of an extra trip for sure!


Allyson

I wish I could just book two weeks at AKL and be done with it.

Why not price out AKL with renting points from a DVC owner? Even a studio has more square footage than CBR rooms. The downside is 1 bed and a pull out couch instead of 2 beds, but I'm taking that as a good thing seeing as I can close it up during the day and have more floor space! You could see how you feel about DVC...and you could (based on my experience with renting points) still be at GF in 2010. I vote for the longest possible stay for selfish reasons (longer TR!) and also because you should take advantage of the lower DDP price for Connor while you can.

It could potentially be a win-win-win situation. On the other hand, if it does work out better at CBR, AKL isn't going anywhere, you could stay there in 2011! Just something else to look forward to, right?

I am not familiar with the whole renting points thing -- has it been a hassle at all?

I definitely want 8 days so we can have two days per park.

I am so the wrong person to answer this question. I think I'd consider sleeping on a park bench for 8-10 days at WDW!

Me too!

Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I think POP for 10 days is too long with the kids. Too small a room and not enough "green" space for relaxing outside. No beach, no marina.

This is true -- I just think we would be so claustrophobic by the time the 10 days was over.

I think AKL is going to be packed next spring/summer because all of the construction will be done and the animals will be back on the savanna.

Very good point, but don't you think that CBR will be just as crowded with refurbed rooms and the new pool area?

I'm all for CBR. But my math says that the $600 more for AKL can be turned into a 10 day stay at CBR. ($300 for 2 more nights and $300 for 2 more days of dinning plan).

I am only willing to spend that extra $600 for AKL -- I don't think I can justify it to myself for CBR.

I like the PP's idea of renting DVC points. I went to our Chicago's anniversary celebration of Doorway to Dreams Store and sat through the entire presentation (didn't win a thing though-- boo ) and now I'm convinced I need to get us in place financially to buy into DVC in the next two years. The incentives alone get ya.....

I'm already thinking our first trip to WDW will be on rented points. You should try it so I can live through you! LOL

I would love to own DVC, but I don't want to finance -- hence, I will need to come up with a whole lot of money to own.

LOL, you know what my vote is!!

Longer stay?

Did you see CBR now has Pirate themed rooms standard or waterview.

I did see that, but Charles nixed that idea when he saw the room design -- he doesn't seem to want tattered curtains and crates for a chest of drawers.

 

[stagemomx3]

I did see that, but Charles nixed that idea when he saw the room design -- he doesn't seem to want tattered curtains and crates for a chest of drawers.

I wouldn't either honestly.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I like what Heidi said, turn CBR into a 10 days and there you go! I also like Heidi's point of AKL being really crowded next year. I think if you are looking to go to GF next year for Chelsea's birthday than you should do CBR this year. I have feeling Connor would love the pirate rooms and the new pirate pool area. Then next year when you drag him to the Grand Floridian Tea, you can give him a look and say, "last year we had a pirate room, it's the girls turn this year!"

Oh, when I showed him the pictures, he was all about CBR -- Chelsea likes AKL, but she has her heart set on GF for 2010 (too bad I can't convince her she wants AKL for her 13th -- that would solve all my problems, I think).

The pirate themed rooms at CBR have a rack rate of $220 a night in June.....

And they are the farthest from the main areas.

Alright, you already know where I'm going to go with this right?

Caribbean Beach, baby!!!!

Okay, but seriously. You seem to enjoy the amenities the moderate resort has to offer. CBR will have a totally new pool and refurbed rooms, which will certainly lend to its appeal. It'll still have the nice big food court like a value, but more of a relaxed feel with the sandy white beaches, hammocks, etc. And it seems to me like you really got into some downtime at the resort on this trip.

We do spend a good bit of downtime at the resort so that is important to us -- we like all the activities offered at AKL and I adore the pool -- everytime I see a picture of the Uzima Pool I start dreaming about laying there with a drink.

Now, I love Pop. But if I feel cramped with my family of three, I think you'd go nuts with your family of four, and your kids are older than my little nut! I mean, it's a great fun resort, but I see it for shorter stays, not 10 day ones, kwim? It's sort of the reason I went for 8 days at WL this year, not Pop. I really wanted those deluxe amenities.

I love Pop, but I think 10 days is too long for the four of us sharing a room.

Which brings me to the AKL. Now, I do love it. Have stayed there, and it's lovely. Excellent theming, great dining options (I know how you love some Boma!) but the question is...do you need to stay there or can you enjoy it by just having some ressies there? If your heart's desire is to stay there, you can make it work. But if Chelsea's 13th at the GF trumps AKL this year, then that's something to consider.

I do have to tell you though, it's important to plan for right now. Although you want to do Chelsea's birthday there, who knows what those years may bring, right?

Carpe diem!

Now, what does your gut say?

My gut is as confused as my head. I am all about carpe diem but I am so undecided about what resort to seize!

Heidi, how did you figure that out?

For the dates in October that I want it, the rate is $195 a night.

It's $174 in August.

I see the whole playing with the Disney reservation site was fun for everyone today.

Like many others, I'm leaning toward CBR for you.

That's too funny, though, about Charles saying you have to book today!

I spent a lot of time looking at the pictures of CBR -- it is a lovely resort.

He made me book today -- like before dinner.

Hmmm.... I knew about the ADR but a TR title too?? Seems like fate to me!

Looking forward to hearing what you've decided! Whatever you choose you can't go wrong. It will be magical!

But when I went to book Pop today for October, it's all booked up. Our choices now are All Star Sports or Music. I just cannot get excited about either one of those. Grrrr.

It will be magical, you're right! Thanks for reminding me of that!

Jackie.... I thought it was Disneyland for her 13th birthday...no?

I wanted that, but Chelsea wants Grand Floridian -- since it's for her b-day, I guess we will let her have a say in it!

Either CBR or AKL. I would skip POP. I agree with Heidi. It's a small space. And 10 days with 4 people in a small space is never a good thing.

If you really have your heart set on AKL, go for it.

My heart is so perplexed. Sigh.

Thank you for all the advice! I knew I could count on my fellow DISers to help. We did go ahead and book our June 2009 trip. However, it is all subject to change where the resort is concerned (maybe as soon as tomorrow). I am still curious about renting points and the possibility of a split stay. However, I feel better knowing that no matter what we do have a room guaranteed for June. I am going to be an evil princess and wait until I start the PTR to reveal the resort. Update for this TR coming in the next couple of days -- after all, our intrepid adventurers do need to return to the real world and show off their souvenirs.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I wouldn't either honestly.

I certainly wasn't sorry that he said no way to the pirate-theme. My thing is that I wouldn't want to be so far away from the dining and main pool.