The Unofficial Guide to MRYPPNS' WDW Vacation: TR link is up!

[If U Had Wings]

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! The kids are just adorable!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Super cute pics of the kids!

 

[DisMomAmy]

How goes the planning?

 

[MRYPPNS]

My PTR has become that book that you were so excited to read when you first got it, but then life gets in the way and you put it down. You keep saying to yourself that you really need to find that book and start reading it again because you really liked it but you never seem to have the time for it.

I have been really busy planning and getting ready for my Spectrum Moms trip....I leave in 9 days!!!

Once I get back I have to start getting ready like crazy for our family trip....we leave for that on Feb. 26th. Once I start making my touring cards for the family trip, I plan to post them here and get back to telling you about our trip. I think my grand idea of following the "UG" theme is going to get thrown out the window for a lack of time. I'm in a panic as it is now about getting ready for the family trip because there is so much to prepare because we are driving down from NH with two little kids. Good news is that I have already gotten most of the kids clothes that they will need (picked up Danica the cutest swim suit for $9!). And I have a box full of goodies for them for the car ride. And for Christmas Grammy and Grandpa got us a dual DVD player for the car!! And I got them each a new pair of Crocs during the Christmas sales.

I've been second guessing some of my plans for this trip but I'm holding off on really looking at it until after I come back from my girls trip. I think then I'll have a clearer picture of what I want us to do as a family.

I'm having a hard time with the resort right now. We have Riverside booked and I really do not want to stay there. So much so that I'm thinking off-site. I'm hoping for some pixie dust for either a good deal on DVC points rental for OKW or SSR --OR-- for something at CSR to open up with a discount. DVC rental is really the way I want to go but DH would not like it at all if I spent more than $100 over what I have already got at POR. It's possible but I need some of that pixie dust!!

**Past Riverside Guests: Is the main pool zero-entry??

Liam has been going to child/parent swim lessons since November w/ DH. We don't expect him to be able to swim for our trip but I think he's going to be comfortable around the resort pools and Typhoon Lagoon and really enjoy himself.

That's it for now. I should be back by the end of the month with an update on the family trip. Until then feel free to stop by the Spectrum Mom's PTR

 

[Lady Lallie]

Have fun on your Spectrum Moms trip!

Riverside does not have a zero entry pool.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Have fun on your Spectrum Moms trip!

Riverside does not have a zero entry pool.

Thanks! Have a great time on your BBF trip....we'll get the place warmed up for you!!

Arck! I was hoping you'd throw me a bone about the pool at POR. I think if we have to stay there I will request the swamp section and pretend I'm a Disney frog.

 

[mousescrapper]

I have lots of books like that around

wish I could help w/ your resort issues. We did stay there...first trip w/ kids and really, really loved it. (that was after staying at CBR and AS Sports w/ no kids)...we didn't actually take advatage of property/ammenties there except the boat to/from DTD and the laundry area...I don't recall anything about the pools.

why don't you want to stay there?

 

[MRYPPNS]

I have lots of books like that around

wish I could help w/ your resort issues. We did stay there...first trip w/ kids and really, really loved it. (that was after staying at CBR and AS Sports w/ no kids)...we didn't actually take advatage of property/ammenties there except the boat to/from DTD and the laundry area...I don't recall anything about the pools.

why don't you want to stay there?

POR is going under refurb later this year. I think there is a good chance that they will get some the specialty rooms and I'd rather stay there AFTER that is done. I think the rooms as they are now are ugly and they are double beds not queens which means I'd be sleeping next to a child not my DH. I'm ok with the food court and the location it's the rooms that don't thrill me.

 

[mousescrapper]

POR is going under refurb later this year. I think there is a good chance that they will get some the specialty rooms and I'd rather stay there AFTER that is done. I think the rooms as they are now are ugly and they are double beds not queens which means I'd be sleeping next to a child not my DH. I'm ok with the food court and the location it's the rooms that don't thrill me.

ahh....given any thought to CSR...I know you have eaten at Pepper Market...but I feel it's a bit pricey for OOP, the pool is very cool but no zero depth...but the rooms are all refurbed and has queen beds.

 

[MRYPPNS]

ahh....given any thought to CSR...I know you have eaten at Pepper Market...but I feel it's a bit pricey for OOP, the pool is very cool but no zero depth...but the rooms are all refurbed and has queen beds.

That's where I want to stay if we can't get into a DVC rental but it's booked for our week. I'm hoping something opens up at the 45 or 30 day mark but it will need to be discounted.

 

[jenjolt]

WOW! Hope you have a great time on your Mom's only trip!! 9 days...no kidding you are in super planning mode...and to turn around and leave again in about a month LOL!! But you are a superb planner so I know you'll have it all figured out!!

Sending lots of pixie dust that you'll be able to figure out the resort situation!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

So no luck getting any DVC points yet, huh? Bummer...

Vistana is just down the road & has a zero entry pool!! Maybe more than one! Just sayin'!

But seriously, I hope DVC or CSR work out for you!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Have fun on your Spectrum Moms trip!

Why don't you want to stay at Riverside now? What has changed your mind?

 

[TarzansKat]

I hope you have a great time on your spectrum moms trip, Heidi...and the baby is now crying, so I'm out.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I was just about to go root through your plans to see where we match up (and you are attending the Small World meet on March 1 shortly after park opening, right?), but I will wait until you get back in case anything changes.

I really hope something opens up or you get some pixie dust with the DVC points. If we had extra, I'd rent to you!! We are point poor! I hear ya on wanting the zero entry - it's wonderful with kiddos.

I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip! I can't wait to read all about it - you ladies are going to have a blast!

 

[eandesmom]

ok 4 days now! Have a GREAT trip and I bet some resort magic will happen between now and then.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Hi All! I'm back from a great weekend in Disney with the girls. The TR for that should be starting shortly.

I came away from that trip with some new ideas about this family trip. I will tell you that DH and I had given some serious thought to not going....but in the end we decided that is it worth it to spend the money it takes to get away for a week just the 4 of us. I'm looking forward for both DH and I to be "off" at the same time with the kids. [Parents of kids with special needs will understand what I mean by that.]

My first "decision" about this family trip was that I was going to change the focus of it. It won't be about going to the theme parks. We are going to focus on having some relaxing family time (at the resort) and we'll make "outings" to the theme parks. It's really just a mind shift for me, but one that lets me set the bar really low for my expectations on our theme park time.

My second "decision" was that there was no way in Hades that I was staying at POR. I'd rather not go if I had to stay there....and I meant it. I guess staying at Kidani didn't help much with that one!

DH and I discussed our options....one of them was NOT spending more money than what we had already paid for our POR ressie. Cheap DVC rental points have not come thru....and might not at all at this point. So hold on.......
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We're staying off site at the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas in a one-bedroom. Even with the cost of parking at the theme parks - it's a bit cheaper than POR and I feel that we are getting a lot more. No Extra Magic Hours for me but that's ok.

 

[Flossbolna]

We're staying off site at the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas in a one-bedroom. Even with the cost of parking at the theme parks - it's a bit cheaper than POR and I feel that we are getting a lot more. No Extra Magic Hours for me but that's ok.

Sounds like a great decision!! I love being part of the Disney Magic, but i can understand the need for space so well! My mother refused to do hotel vacation with us when we we were little, we always were in a vacation home or appartment, for her it was important to have some personal space for everyone as well as a place where you can hang out all together which is not a bedroom and I very much see her point. And Disney prices for lots of space are just soo expensive. I have heard great things about the Sheraton Vistana on the DISUnplugged and it sounds like a lovely place. And especially for a vacation with outings to the theme parks it seems to be the perfect place for you!

I am glad that you enjoyed your trip and am looking forward to your TR!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I, for one, am VERY excited about your resort change!! I think you will really enjoy Vistana & maybe now we can all go for a swim together.

I think you will enjoy the space & amenities at Vistana. It's really close to all of the parks & we found it nice to have the car there to keep a cooler with cold drinks & a dvd player for instant decompression when leaving the parks!

I'll email you my notes about the resort.

 

[KathyRN137]

I think you're making a great decision and how wonderful that you can "get the skinny" on the Sheraton Vistana from Amy!!
Plus a DIS-meet by the pool would be a fun bonus!


Kathy