The Skeptical First-Timers made it back home, here's the TR! Completed!

[debrapagliasotti]

Yea...he finally got the Disney magic!!

And yea he is willing to go back!!

I am excited to really look around in WS when we go back next year. We missed out on so much of it during our last trip. Seeing your pics got me super excited about it.

 

[FosterA]

Don't get me wrong - we've spent most of our time at the Mods and Values, and our one sojourn to a Deluxe while it was fantastic did not make me feel a blinding need to stay deluxe. I just want to let you know to manage your epectations if you drop to a mod. The room is somewhat smaller (though not as small as a value) and there is a lot less amenities available.

I sort of agree with you about being leery of a Ft. Wilderness stay. The one thing you didn't mention (or maybe notice) about it is the transportation. While there is a boat from the dock to get to MK, the property itself is very spread out and requires an internal bus to get around. When we went to HDDR last year, we didn't want to go back to MK - so we had to first take the INTERNAL BUS, to get to the EXTERNAL BUS stop. So, if you don't have a car there, you have to take TWO buses to get to most of the parks / DTD. I also really have ZERO interest in going on a Disney vacation and cooking meals, so the cabin would be a waste.

So - I think your thoughts are good. Check out POR next time. And if you can, take advantage of free dining! With four "Disney Adults" it would be an incredible value for you, even if you used it for things like HDDR. We had it that week, and we got $1,477 worth of food out of it, and we didn't even try real hard to optimize the value. (My theory behind Disney trips is to try and spend less on them, which allows us to stay longer/go more often. I'd rather spend 10 days at a value than 5 days at a deluxe!)

I really really think I'm going to focus on maybe trying to get into POR next round. I did read a little on the transportation issue with FW and I do think it would be a blast to stay in a cabin and grill steaks and such but maybe more if we went in the summer and could drive our own car and bring lots of groceries.
You're right about 10 days at a value versus 5 at a Deluxe. I loved the Poly but I really think the POR is beautiful too with more of a southern theme that we really like. As long as we get a pool slide for the boy we should be fine!

Great advice !! We've yet to do anything BUT a value and can't remember a "bad" experience other than poor planning on my part (went during Senior nites )

I agree, I stayed at the All Stars for a weekend with my friend and it was PERFECTLY clean and nice and so bright and colorful too! AS a matter of fact, I think little kids would almost prefer the theming of the values versus the other ones.

I just read through your whole TR and loved it!! And congrats on actually getting through it! I started one for my April 2011 trip and have only finished day 1!! Maybe as things slow down over the holidays I can finish it...though I've probably lost all my readers by now

I'm going to jump in an really encourage a POR stay. It was my first on-site resort, and since then I've stayed at the GF and Pop. I loved my stays at all three, but would pick POR over them any day. I think if I had to rate them in order, I'd say POR, then Pop, then GF.

There was just so much cool stuff about POR. The theming is fantastic, and the landscaping is so lush and beautiful. And, I kinda felt it was 2 vacations in one. You had the fun, exciting, stimulating times in the parks, then a nice slow it down and relax time at the resort. The food court (QS) is fantastic, TONS of choices (way more than there was at the GF, which I'm guessing is somewhat comparable to Poly), AND it has the boat to DTD. So your crazy, somewhat umpleasant bus trip? Becomes a soothing 15 minute boat ride along the Sassagoula River, and you can see SSR and the Treehouses. Plus - boat ride!! One of Dave's faves!!

Definitely check out this website: www.portorleans.org. It's run by a fellow Diser named Andre, and there's a wealth of information on there, including some pics of the refurbed rooms in both the Alligator Bayou (AB) and Mansions sections. ALL of the "preferred" rooms are in the AB section (Buildings 14, 15, 18 and 27 - all great locations), so if you paid preferred you'd be guaranteed to be in that section, otherwise it's the standard "a request is just that - a request, not a guarantee" refrain we hear constantly on the Dis...

Anyhow - feel free to pester me with questions about POR. I'm hoping to take another trip in February, and am seriously looking at booking either POFQ or POR (likely AB side this time).

Also, the "Staying at Riverside, show me pics" thread on the Resorts Photos and Videos forum has some gorgeous photos to drool over and help get you excited!!

Wow! thanks for all the great advice and I'm so glad that you stuck with me and read my entire report I understand giving up on writing a TR, because if I didn't bang it out so fast, I might have never finished. I had to keep at it and not slow down or I'd give up. Sort of wanted to wrap it up before Christmas with all the hectic that goes along with that.
I'm going to go and look at that site all about the POR now! Thanks!!

I totally agree with PracticallyPerfect. Check out portorleans.org. I loved that site. Awww....you guys are making me wish I had changed to POFQ instead. But I've heard some reliable rumors that Poly is being totally redone...like switching CMs to a different hotel, not just a refurb. So I am glad I stayed with it for this trip, but will defintely do PortOrleans next time. We would stay at FQ because of its small size, but the great thing about them is you can just walk over to the "sister resort" no matter which one you are staying at. And they seem to have just as many amenities as the deluxes...other than a beach. So excited for you! Maybe there is hope for my hubby. We will soon find out

I can't wait to hear what your hubby thinks too!! You'll be happy you stayed with Poly. It really is amazing. I'd do it again next time but I just really love the old Southern theme of the POR and want to check that out too. As a matter of fact, I really want to stay at every single resort once.

I have really enjoyed your TR so far. I'll have to catch up on what I miss next Friday when we're back. So glad your DH is finally feelin' the magic!

I am so glad that you've been with me through it all!! You have so many great tips too! I hope you have a fantastic trip and you better tell us all about it when you get back!!

Yea...he finally got the Disney magic!!

And yea he is willing to go back!!

I am excited to really look around in WS when we go back next year. We missed out on so much of it during our last trip. Seeing your pics got me super excited about it.

Thanks for reading along Have a fabulous trip next year!

 

[204charity]

Patiently waiting to see how your final moments at Disney were......

 

[heaven2dc]

How exciting that Dave wants to plan another trip! He may love POR as much as FW but if I were you, I'd let him make that decision We want him to keep coming back for years to come!

Your seats at the show were a little strange but if not sure how they could have arranged the tables any different. So glad your family enjoyed the trip and can't wait to read about your final night at MK

 

[FosterA]

Patiently waiting to see how your final moments at Disney were......

I'll have it up in just a bit. Wrote it out already but just need to paste it in and add the photos but trying to get the family out of my hair first I need to sort of proof read it first and I can't concentrate yet.

How exciting that Dave wants to plan another trip! He may love POR as much as FW but if I were you, I'd let him make that decision We want him to keep coming back for years to come!

Your seats at the show were a little strange but if not sure how they could have arranged the tables any different. So glad your family enjoyed the trip and can't wait to read about your final night at MK

Thanks a bunch! yep, next trip I'm going to make DAve make some decisions, especially about where to stay.
I'll have the final update up in just a bit Thanks for reading along!

 

[sandieb]

Thanks a bunch for reading along!
When you stay at the cabins, do you drive?? I really am intrigued by them but hung up on not having a car if we were there because it seems like that would be so much easier as far as bringing groceries and getting around. I'm going to look into it more though when I get time.
Have a great Easter Trip!!!

We rent a car. I look for deals and it hasn't been too expensive. We like being able to go off site to eat occasionally and to shop. Remember, we go once and sometimes twice a year, so it is ok to have some down time. The other day my husband (68 years old) said he sees another dozen visits in our future. I'll be the old geezer on a scooter with a huge smile from ear to ear!

 

[FosterA]

DAY 7-part 4

I’m a little sad since I think this will probably be my last TR segment. But…now I’ll have more time to read everybody else’s! yay PLUS…who knows? Maybe I can start up another PTR for a second Foster Family Trip! We haven’t gotten “serious” about planning another trip but the important thing is that David is willing to go again which is huge considering he told me that we would only go to Disney ONCE to get it out of my system. And no, I haven’t even been begging, pleading, whining, or generally annoying him until he said yes. He did it all on his own! However, I’m afraid it wont be until 2013 because my sister has a big wedding in June that we have to fly to and it’s going to be very expensive. We can usually only afford one big trip that involves flying once a year. I wouldn’t be against driving to FL from TX but we really are only interested in going in November again during the “off season” and driving wouldn’t work because the kids can’t miss that much school.

As far as what resort I’d like to stay in for a second trip…..well……the Poly is super but the truth is that it’s not really worth the money for us simply because it’s just all about being close to MK and frankly, that is probably my whole family’s least fave park. Plus, you are really paying for the convenience of being so close with the ability of going back and forth but since we don’t have little ones that need naps in the middle of the day nor do we do summer season where you might go back to the resort middle of the day , so the ease of being so close doesn’t really make that big of a difference to me. Am I making sense? We noticed that we are more the type to get up and go to a park and stay all day then go back and stay put for the night. I know mid-day breaks are popular but when you go in November with shorter touring days, you don’t really need them. Especially with older kids.

So….since David got so hyped up at Fort Wilderness and the Hoop and since he’s really a Southern Country boy from the Swamp country, I figured I would look into either getting a cabin at FW or doing POR and possibly the Alligator Bayou section. The only thing about the cabins that concerns me is that the bus system seems a little bit of a pain plus you’d almost HAVE to rent a golf cart and I imagine that aint cheap! I’ve never done one bit of research on FW before so I have a lot of work ahead of me as far as even considering if I’d like it or not. OH well, planning is half the fun. I’d also plan on letting David do his own thing whether that be renting a boat, fishing, sitting out on a patio all day, whatever. He would probably skip MK on a second trip but would be great doing the other 3 parks with us. Basically, a second trip would be smoother because I will have learned not to set such huge expectations on how I “think” my husband would love something and then be disappointed when he doesn’t. I set high expectations on the fact that I KNEW the kids would have a blast at Disney and they sure did!! That part worked out great though. As a matter of fact, Allison told me she had more fun than she ever imagined she would.



OK….Let me finish up our final day here: Back to the TR!


I had this checklist in my head of everything I wanted to get done on this trip and we had fulfilled all of it but one thing and that was the Electric Parade and I was bound and determined that I was going to see that. They had one at 9:00 and 11:00 that night but since our Hoop show was at 6:15 I wasn’t sure if we would make the 9:00 parade. Well….it actually worked out because after the Hoop we got on the boat and we got to MK probably around 8:40. I was thrilled because, though I really wanted to see the parade, I didn’t want to see it bad enough to kick around until 11:00.

Since my only mission was the parade, no rides, no food, nada I told everybody that we should just watch it right at the entrance that way we could be out of there before the mass exodus. We found a “decent” spot right here on these steps. But check out the photo of the crowd. It was SCARY! This was BY FAR the biggest crowd we had run into on this entire trip. (well, I guess the crowds after the MVMCP fireworks was worse). I did not want to even think about how you would move in this which is why I’m so glad we were right by the exit.

Doesn’t Ian look like he’s having a great time? He was so DONE with the parks by Day 7.

Here’s a couple horrid night photos:

David thought the parade was corny but that doesn’t surprise me. In general, he doesn’t like anything with characters apparently. I LOVE this parade though and I think it’s because I love the music so much. Allison, being my mini-me, loved it a lot!

Since I saw this parade back in Feb with Julie, I sort of knew when the ending was coming so I told the fam that we were going to split out of there around the 3rd to the last float and get a jump on the crowd. Allison didn’t want to leave early and wanted to see IT ALL but I told her it was really for the better to stay ahead of the flood of people. Good move because we walked right out and got on the Monorail. David wanted to do the boats since he loved them so much but I reminded him that we had yet to ride the monorail through the Contemporary and that was sort of on my bucket list.


We zipped on to the Poly and I think it’s so neat how the monrail goes through the Contemporary, though the Contemp. in general doesn’t really turn me on. Ian thought it was cool too how we were inside a building.

Once we got back to the Poly, it was almost time for Wishes and believe it or not, we had never actually watched them from our own beach yet. We did some on our Luau night but just for a second so I don’t count that.

Since Ian was “done” with Disneyworld, he wanted to go to the room and play on my phone

Allison found a chair somewhere to watch the fireworks but of course she’s too cool to sit by us so I really don’t know where she went. Dave and I found chairs and laid there and watched them. AWWWW, such a nice ending to our trip. It was sort of a neat final night and felt like good closure on our trip. I didn’t even have the Elec. Parade and Wishes really scheduled in because it really all depended on the Hoop letting out so it was nice how it all turned out so perfect this night. Here’s a couple pics.

After the fireworks we went to bed at the Poly for our last time. Boo hoo. I wanted to rip that big painting off the wall that was by our bed and take it home just for the memories but I don’t think that would go over well.


I’m not going to make a chapter just for our departure day because there’s not really much to it. Things went smooth as silk and we got up and caught the ME around 10 am. My bag was a couple pounds overweight so we had to do some shuffling around out in the Poly parking area but it all worked out. The flight was uneventful and we got home right on time.



All in all, I’d rate our trip an 8 out of 10. We lost a point because of how sick I got and that really put a damper on how much we got done and I hate that I never really “tasted” any food on the trip. Bummer!

Lost another point because I set too high of expectations on how I “thought” my family would act at Disney and when they (David) didn’t, I was disappointed. I wont do that again. I had visions of David doing cartwheels and grinning ear to ear the whole trip and when he didn’t, I was mad at him. I see now how dumb I was to do that and I certainly wouldn’t do that on a second trip!


A few random thoughts:


Hopper was sort of a waste for us because the hours are shorter so there’s really not time to hop anyway. We only used it for our F! night. And speaking of F!, I probably would not do that again, way too nuts getting in and out. Of course Allison says it was one of her most favorite things on the whole trip! I’d maybe try to walk up to it 2 minutes before it starts and just stand somewhere around the top or lean against a wall or something to see it and then slide out 2 minutes before it ends. As a matter of fact, I think an ideal trip for us would be no park hopper and do one full day at each of the 4 parks. and one day right in the middle to lay around and rest.

The best thing I did on this trip was plan, plan, plan. It really paid off because we didn’t flounder around with maps and schedules and such. We got a ton done and didn’t zig zag too much. My whole family made fun of me and all my planning but they certainly thanked me later!

The other super thing I did was plan this trip for the time we went. It was PERFECT. Fantastic weather and low crowds!

oh...and we just paid cash for everything and didn't do dining plan. That was good for us with the kids being "adults" but not big eaters. I found that just to keep money in the safe and just take out enough for each day really worked well....for us anyway. Of course if the dining plan is "free" than we would have probably done that. We had a percentage off our room so that was better for us.


anyway....I "think" this might be my last update but you never know....I might remember something else to ramble on about

Thanks to everybody for being loyal readers and all of you out in lurkdom too!! I lurk and stalk lots of reports and don't post so I totally understand!

Have great trips everybody and I hope I was able to give some decent advice if you are also newbies heading out for your first time

Thanks for reading along
Aimee

 

[BridgetR3]

Thanks for sharing your memories with us!!! I'm glad it all ended well and that you may even get another trip out of your DH!

 

[skier_pete]

Boo hoo...a TR at an end. I'll miss your stories. I think you did a great job for first-timers going to Disney. I hope next time your trip is even better, and especially you don't get sick. I also hope you'll stick around on the boards and continue to follow my TR (and stick around for my PTR for next summer- which will include a trip to Disneyland AND Australia!) Plus you can let me know when that PTR gets started.

I'm with you on hoppers - we have only ever done it when we had the AP in 09-10, and even then we barely hopped. I prefer one park - one day. I'd rather save that $54 per person for something else.

Another thing to consider for a future trip - if you really only do one day per park - consider hitting one of the water parks. We love them, and touring there just has a whole different vibe from touring the regular parks. Being from the South, maybe it wasn't warm enough for you guys, but we had a great time, the water was heated, and its always so much fun. Plus, you might have a shot at rope drop there - they don't open until 10 AM!

SP

 

[204charity]

Awwwww Aimee, it was great to read along! It made me get very excited for our trip in April. Since you told me how much Ian loved the pool at the Poly and that by day 7 he was pretty much done with the parks, we decided today to book a cabana for our check-out day! Our flight doesn't leave Florida until 8:20 pm, so we have our whole last day to do something, but no hotel room! So, I figure we have park passes for our final day if we want to use them, but we can also just relax in the cabana and rest in the shade, read a book or whatever while my DD swims and slides her heart out!

 

[FosterA]

Thanks a bunch for reading along!
When you stay at the cabins, do you drive?? I really am intrigued by them but hung up on not having a car if we were there because it seems like that would be so much easier as far as bringing groceries and getting around. I'm going to look into it more though when I get time.
Have a great Easter Trip!!!

We rent a car. I look for deals and it hasn't been too expensive. We like being able to go off site to eat occasionally and to shop. Remember, we go once and sometimes twice a year, so it is ok to have some down time. The other day my husband (68 years old) said he sees another dozen visits in our future. I'll be the old geezer on a scooter with a huge smile from ear to ear!

Hey, my favorite people at WDW were old geezers. I loved seeing older couples with cute matching sweatshirts and stuff! so great to still be a kid at heart!

Thanks for sharing your memories with us!!! I'm glad it all ended well and that you may even get another trip out of your DH!

Well thanks for joining in and reading along

Boo hoo...a TR at an end. I'll miss your stories. I think you did a great job for first-timers going to Disney. I hope next time your trip is even better, and especially you don't get sick. I also hope you'll stick around on the boards and continue to follow my TR (and stick around for my PTR for next summer- which will include a trip to Disneyland AND Australia!) Plus you can let me know when that PTR gets started.

I'm with you on hoppers - we have only ever done it when we had the AP in 09-10, and even then we barely hopped. I prefer one park - one day. I'd rather save that $54 per person for something else.

Another thing to consider for a future trip - if you really only do one day per park - consider hitting one of the water parks. We love them, and touring there just has a whole different vibe from touring the regular parks. Being from the South, maybe it wasn't warm enough for you guys, but we had a great time, the water was heated, and its always so much fun. Plus, you might have a shot at rope drop there - they don't open until 10 AM!

SP

well of course Pete, that's the best thing about ending my TR, more time to read other reports. I love reading on yours! Look forward to your updates!

Yep, Ian really wanted to do a waterpark this time and I might consider it. Normally I don't like waterparks that much but of course I'm sure Disney's is amazing. WE live 20 minutes from Schlitterbahn waterpark which is supposedly the biggest or best waterpark in the country (according to travel channel) so I feel like we do enough of that. BUT......I'm all about the detail and theming and I bet Disney's are way nicer, maybe not as big, but so much cleaner and cuter I bet

Awwwww Aimee, it was great to read along! It made me get very excited for our trip in April. Since you told me how much Ian loved the pool at the Poly and that by day 7 he was pretty much done with the parks, we decided today to book a cabana for our check-out day! Our flight doesn't leave Florida until 8:20 pm, so we have our whole last day to do something, but no hotel room! So, I figure we have park passes for our final day if we want to use them, but we can also just relax in the cabana and rest in the shade, read a book or whatever while my DD swims and slides her heart out!

AWESOME IDEA!! you will be so glad you did that. We all were toast by that 7th day, Ian especially and the Poly pool is soooooo relaxing. You are going to LOVE that you did the Cabana. We never did one of those but they looked awesome!

 

[okw19]

Thanks for letting us relive your trip with you. I really enjoyed reading about it. Hopefully there will be a PTR in your future for us to read.

 

[johnGorski]

Thanks for sharing your Trip, kind of bummed as it was a well written TR and oh it was fun guessing David WoW moment! I agree we have stayed at the poly and felt it was not worth the $$, we have stayed at the CBR, POR and found them to be just fine.


Hope you and your family have a wonderful X-mas..

 

[Moodyzblu]

Waaaah .. it's over ??

You did an awesome job on your TR .. I had a great time reading it !

I agree with no hoppers .. we never hop .. it's just too much work and my guys have no patience to go park to park. (although I plan on hopping one day this next trip because we are getting 3 day park hoppers and want to do AK and DHS in one day).
I also don't do the DDP. It't not worth it for us and I don't really like the stress of ADR's. I'd rather just walk up to a CS and grab a bite than sit around waiting for a ressie and waiting to order .. waiting for the food.. waiting for the bill .. too much down time for us. My guys get bored and obnoxious !

I hope you guys get back there sometime soon !
Thanks for sharing your trip with us !

 

[BridgetR3]

Double post...I double posted because this was the last TR I was on before going to bed. I hit reply and after watching it "load" for about 5 minutes, I gave up and went to bed. Awoke this morning to find it on the same screen and thought "wow that's crazy!" so I hit reply again. Of course it posted both of them.

 

[nvsnot]

Great TR and the first ever that i've read in its entirety from start to finish .

 

[ZehnJahren]

Aw, it's all over. I've been following along since I read your PTR, and I'm so glad that your kids seemed to like it so much! It sucks being sick on vacation, but you did sick at Disney very well! (I was sick on our November trip last year, and I'm certain I was NO FUN TO BE AROUND)

I don't know much about FW, but if your DH liked it that much I think you may be obligated to stay there next time! Hey, when DH is happy, everyone's happy, right? I HAVE read that the bus system can be irritating and confusing, so have a car if you're going to stay there. You should go over to the resort forum - they have a FW thread and it's FULL of information on how all that works. Then you can drop a few "interesting tidbits" on your husband in the upcoming weeks, like "oh, did you know Fort Wilderness has...." before you spring another trip on him.

 

[FiveBoys]

I loved reading your report, I'm kind of sad it's all done.

ITA with you on the hopper tickets. Being Disneyland passholders, we did a lot of hopping because California Adventure and DTD are RIGHT there, just a short walk across from each other. So, our first trip to WDW, we got the hoppers without even thinking. Total waste. WDW is way too spread out, the travel time between parks is a huge time waster. We will ship the hoppers in the future.

 

[alex9179]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do your TR. I've been following since the beginning and was particularly interested since you stayed at the resort we (well, really I) picked for our trip next year. We will also basically be first-timers, it's been decades since DH and I have been! I was in High School

I'm a lot like you with the planning! My kids are young so we won't spend all day in the parks so dithering on what to do next is a time waster. DH is really going for the kids and me, although he's pretty easy to please as long as he can get a beer. The fact that the volcano pool was a big hit with your son ensures that my pool-crazy kids will have a good time!

A big wave to your DH from the swampy bayous of Galveston County! I'm glad he appreciated how immersive WDW can be in the end. He would probably enjoy POR next time and I believe that resort has a piano bar he may like since he appreciates musicians. Also, Boatwright's food has gotten some good reviews lately.
Have you read MickeyNicky's food reports? She and her husband really enjoy POR. If you haven't read her reviews, yet, I would definitely recommend it

 

[glennbo123]

Great job on the TR Aimee. I felt like I was right there with you, and it was a very entertaining read.

I hope you do get back to the World someday soon! It sounds like everyone in your family has figured out how they best experience it, whether it's thrill rides, exploring the World Showcase, or just riding in boats, eating fried chicken, and checking out the decorations around Fort Wilderness.