Tim and Lesley Year of Million Compromises/TONS pics- 8/5 help me pg. 164!!!

[timandlesley]

Honestly, I wouldn't change your choice. POR is our absolute favorite resort and you are going to LOVE POFQ - it's so pretty and quaint. The only reason we booked WL (initially, yes I changed it), was because we got a promotion in the mail that offered 40% of the room. First we booked AKL, then WL, then POR out of guilt, and we're finally at BWI because we visited there last trip and LOVED the atmosphere. Plus, we spend a lot of our time at Epcot and it's close to MGM too. Since we drive down and like our car close by, we just didn't think WL would be convenient enough for us. It looks so beautiful and I hope we didn't make a mistake switching though. Your photos of the resort are so nice.

DH said he didn't understand why we just didn't go back to POR, but I really wanted to try a newer deluxe (and I've become quite FRUGAL), so this is a big step spending the extra money. We always stayed at the CR or Poly when we were younger, but I personally think POR is just as nice. I know people will disagree with me.

I'm starting to get excited!!!

Thanks! I know. The only reason we stayed at WL for the first time was I lucked out here on the Dis and got a code to work that you were supposed to need a pin for, a lot of us here on the Dis were able to use it, I got WL woods view for 124 a night!!!!!!!!!!! I know I will never see that rate again. but we were SO hooked on WL and had the money to do it last year so we did WL again. This year money is quite tight so we needed to do moderate if going in June. I am happy to read reports like yours though. I only wish we hadn't stayed at a deluxe to have that to compare everything else too, we should have gone up gradually, it's hard to go back once you've stayed at deluxe, or maybe that's just me. I am really looking forward to POFQ though, it looks so nice and fun, the kids are looking forward to it.
I felt bad today though. I broke out the videocamera to videotape Lauren (hadn't done it in forever) and I asked her tons of questions, including about our upcoming trip and she said she was looking forward to "the bunk beds at wilderness lodge" I told her,we won't have bunk beds this year, she and Luke will share a bed, and we aren't at Wilderness Lodge this year, we're at POFQ, and told her about the cool things there, you could just see her little face sink.
I know, I know, I'm spoiling my kid rotten, She's going to Disney for 10 days MY GOODNESS, I need to get over it! But it's sad to see they will miss it too. I know once Luke lays eyes on that Dragon slide he will be like "Wilderness what?"
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

Lesley, I found this info on another website...

http://allearsnet.com/din/rev_jrchef.htm

is this the baking activity you are thinking of? If so, I hope that this helps!

Thank you! That is exactly it! It looks so fun, my kids will love it. We ate at Seasons last year at Epcot and loved the food there. I guess this year we will eat lunch there and hopefully get in line for the cookie thing, both kids love to bake so it should be a blast. Look for it in the TR (hopefully)
Anyone else done this??? Your thoughts, tips, etc??
Lesley

 

[kribit]

Thanks! I know. The only reason we stayed at WL for the first time was I lucked out here on the Dis and got a code to work that you were supposed to need a pin for, a lot of us here on the Dis were able to use it, I got WL woods view for 124 a night!!!!!!!!!!! I know I will never see that rate again. but we were SO hooked on WL and had the money to do it last year so we did WL again. This year money is quite tight so we needed to do moderate if going in June. I am happy to read reports like yours though. I only wish we hadn't stayed at a deluxe to have that to compare everything else too, we should have gone up gradually, it's hard to go back once you've stayed at deluxe, or maybe that's just me. I am really looking forward to POFQ though, it looks so nice and fun, the kids are looking forward to it.
I felt bad today though. I broke out the videocamera to videotape Lauren (hadn't done it in forever) and I asked her tons of questions, including about our upcoming trip and she said she was looking forward to "the bunk beds at wilderness lodge" I told her,we won't have bunk beds this year, she and Luke will share a bed, and we aren't at Wilderness Lodge this year, we're at POFQ, and told her about the cool things there, you could just see her little face sink.
I know, I know, I'm spoiling my kid rotten, She's going to Disney for 10 days MY GOODNESS, I need to get over it! But it's sad to see they will miss it too. I know once Luke lays eyes on that Dragon slide he will be like "Wilderness what?"
Lesley

$124 per night!?!? WOW, that was a good deal. There is no way we would have passed that up either.

It is SO funny that you mentioned Lauren and the WL. I was having the same conversation with my daughter today and she's insisting that we are staying at POR again. Now, she's only been to Disney once and has nothing the compare it to, but it's amazing what a 4 year old can remember. To be truthful, we didn't do too much at the resort our last trip, so I'm not sure why she's so stuck on POR...she's a girl I guess. You are not spoiling Lauren at all, she just has good taste. Really though, you won't regret the choice in POFQ...it really is a nice place.

My son on the other hand is so laid back. DH was chatting with him over the weekend and all he cares about is the Pooh Ride. As long as we have Pooh, we are all set. DH cringed when I told him there were going to be some rehabs to popular rides. I kiddingly told him Pooh was going down and he almost had a heart attack. I hope I didn't jinx myself doing that. Not to mention, people will hunt me down.

Oh, I can't believe how fast time is flying. I'm thinking I should do a pre-trip report in the next couple of months. I just don't want people to be bored. Yours and a couple of others are so fun and interesting.

 

[jbmom]

My oldest ds did the Nestle Junior chef last September his little bro chickened out. He loved it and wants to do it again in August. He really wants me to buy one of those special ovens they have there! It's so cute they give them a paper chef hat with their name on it and the cm running it put a dab of flour on each of their noses. They each put in an ingredient and mixed the cookies and they gave them 2 to take with them(not the ones they mixed). It was really fun.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Lesley, question for you. Your kids look to be around the same age as mine. What kind of stroller do you use for them? My kids haven't used one in a couple years but I know we will need it at Disney. For now, I'm renting from abbf.com. I'm just wondering what other moms do.

P.S. I recently read your last trip report and when I saw the pictures of your son with the Power Rangers, I quickly showed my son and he was ecstatic. He is a Power Rangers freak!

 

[timandlesley]

$124 per night!?!? WOW, that was a good deal. There is no way we would have passed that up either.

It is SO funny that you mentioned Lauren and the WL. I was having the same conversation with my daughter today and she's insisting that we are staying at POR again. Now, she's only been to Disney once and has nothing the compare it to, but it's amazing what a 4 year old can remember. To be truthful, we didn't do too much at the resort our last trip, so I'm not sure why she's so stuck on POR...she's a girl I guess. You are not spoiling Lauren at all, she just has good taste. Really though, you won't regret the choice in POFQ...it really is a nice place.

My son on the other hand is so laid back. DH was chatting with him over the weekend and all he cares about is the Pooh Ride. As long as we have Pooh, we are all set. DH cringed when I told him there were going to be some rehabs to popular rides. I kiddingly told him Pooh was going down and he almost had a heart attack. I hope I didn't jinx myself doing that. Not to mention, people will hunt me down.

Oh, I can't believe how fast time is flying. I'm thinking I should do a pre-trip report in the next couple of months. I just don't want people to be bored. Yours and a couple of others are so fun and interesting.

I'm glad my kids aren't the only ones thinking of specific things in regards to those Disney returns. For Lauren it was the bunk beds and Small World Ride, for Luke it is the Cars characters and Tower of Terror, his favorite!
You should write, I'd read!!!
Lesley

My oldest ds did the Nestle Junior chef last September his little bro chickened out. He loved it and wants to do it again in August. He really wants me to buy one of those special ovens they have there! It's so cute they give them a paper chef hat with their name on it and the cm running it put a dab of flour on each of their noses. They each put in an ingredient and mixed the cookies and they gave them 2 to take with them(not the ones they mixed). It was really fun.

That is cool, didn't know they put their names on the chef hats, I am hoping my kids won't chicken out, I know Luke will do it, but Lauren tends to be a bit shy and slow to warm up in situations like that, I'll start showing her pics of it now and getting her used to the idea.
Thanks!
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

Lesley, question for you. Your kids look to be around the same age as mine. What kind of stroller do you use for them? My kids haven't used one in a couple years but I know we will need it at Disney. For now, I'm renting from abbf.com. I'm just wondering what other moms do.

P.S. I recently read your last trip report and when I saw the pictures of your son with the Power Rangers, I quickly showed my son and he was ecstatic. He is a Power Rangers freak!

When we went with our own stroller I bought the double side by side stroller that reclined so the kids could nap (especially Lauren) the side by side was nice because it was easy in and out. I got it at a local resale shop for 50 dollars. I also bought a double stroller rain poncho off of Ebay for 20 bucks, this was a GODSEND because when it was raining we just kept trucking along and the kids could see out but were totally dry.
Your son will love the Power Rangers, just ask the CM's where to stand for his favorite color, they come and go so fast, you need to get in line before they arrive, there is a spot (unmarked so you need to ask) for each color Ranger. Luckily we got to see Green and Pink last year, We were first for Green then darted over to PInk's line and got up to see her right before they had to leave. My kids LOVED this!!!!
Lesley

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

When we went with our own stroller I bought the double side by side stroller that reclined so the kids could nap (especially Lauren) the side by side was nice because it was easy in and out. I got it at a local resale shop for 50 dollars. I also bought a double stroller rain poncho off of Ebay for 20 bucks, this was a GODSEND because when it was raining we just kept trucking along and the kids could see out but were totally dry.
Your son will love the Power Rangers, just ask the CM's where to stand for his favorite color, they come and go so fast, you need to get in line before they arrive, there is a spot (unmarked so you need to ask) for each color Ranger. Luckily we got to see Green and Pink last year, We were first for Green then darted over to PInk's line and got up to see her right before they had to leave. My kids LOVED this!!!!
Lesley

Thanks! Going to ebay now...wish me luck

 

[timandlesley]

Thanks! Going to ebay now...wish me luck

GOOD LUCK!!!! Glad I could help!
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

Just had to share. We've had a rough week here because I had more classes cancel last week and I've been stressing nightly over bills, we even (GASP) thought (of course BRIEFLY) about having to cancel Disney. Needless to say it has been very stressful here and I was worried about us making bills, etc. etc. Well, I was scheduled for FOUR courses and a mentorship today which will equal about 2000 more for June/July than I had budgeted for I AM SO EXCITED. Of course when I called Tim he said "can we do WL now". I ran the numbers and it is a 1200 difference so I told him "let's just be happy with the extra money, try a new resort which I'm getting excited about trying and just be happy with what we have instead of spending it on WL and pinching pennies" You do agree right Diser's??

Lesley

 

[jbmom]

I definately agree, stay with what you got. Great news about the extra $$ though! I know what it's like to stress over money. I do at home daycare and one of my mothers told me yesterday she thinks she's resigning. No big deal except she has 3 kids in my daycare!! That's a big chunk of change. Oh well I've never had a problem filling spots before, and it won't make or break us. I just can't put as much away for our Disney trip for a little while.

 

[pooksma]

Always love those unexpected winfalls. Na d you were right to go with your plan and not spend the extra. I, on the other hand, would probably have blown it. Thats why I have DH!

 

[jenr812]

Wooo!!! Awesome Lesley! And I totally agree with the decision to keep the plans as is

 

[timandlesley]

I definately agree, stay with what you got. Great news about the extra $$ though! I know what it's like to stress over money. I do at home daycare and one of my mothers told me yesterday she thinks she's resigning. No big deal except she has 3 kids in my daycare!! That's a big chunk of change. Oh well I've never had a problem filling spots before, and it won't make or break us. I just can't put as much away for our Disney trip for a little while.

Thanks, I am sorry about the daycare, how terrible. I pray you get them filled quickly!!!
Lesley

Always love those unexpected winfalls. Na d you were right to go with your plan and not spend the extra. I, on the other hand, would probably have blown it. Thats why I have DH!

Those unexpected winfalls are TRUE blessings!!! I am glad we are not blowing it this time and sticking to our original plan, does take some willpower though
Lesley

Wooo!!! Awesome Lesley! And I totally agree with the decision to keep the plans as is

Thanks Jen!
Lesley

 

[dddisrunner]

How great! I love those unexpected surprises! Just think how much more relaxing and wonderful your trip will be knowing that you don't have to stress about the money! Let's face it that almost never happens! I think trying a new resort will be great too! Congrats again

 

[princessjv]

Just had to share. We've had a rough week here because I had more classes cancel last week and I've been stressing nightly over bills, we even (GASP) thought (of course BRIEFLY) about having to cancel Disney. Needless to say it has been very stressful here and I was worried about us making bills, etc. etc. Well, I was scheduled for FOUR courses and a mentorship today which will equal about 2000 more for June/July than I had budgeted for I AM SO EXCITED.

You know, it all works out in the end. Glad to hear you 'hung' in there!

Of course when I called Tim he said "can we do WL now". I ran the numbers and it is a 1200 difference so I told him "let's just be happy with the extra money, try a new resort which I'm getting excited about trying and just be happy with what we have instead of spending it on WL and pinching pennies" You do agree right Diser's??

I agree...pocket the extra. I am sure there are a few things you 'need' around the house or save it...just incase you have a bad quarter/semester that doesn't pan out like you want it too.

We loved FQ! I liked the 'small' feeling of the resort. The food court is not Crazy...busy (at least in compare to other mod's and value that we have been too). As you mentioned, the pool is very fun for kids (and grown ups too). PLUS we were always the 1st stop on the bus. You do have to sit through 5 more stops at POR, but you always get a seat on the way to the park and on the way home, you always get off 1st. There were times when we just went straight to the parks and skipped POR all together

 

[Cinderella16]

Hi Lesley,
I have just spent hours reading your pre trippie, and I absolutely love it!!! You have a such a beautiful family and I love all the pictures! We have a lot in common, I am almost a teacher (graduating in December) AND we will be at Disney at the same time as you!!!! Here is our plan:
June 17 - MGM - Hollywood and Vine
June 18 - Blizzard Beach - Chef Mickey's
June 19 - Magic Kingdom - CRT
June 20 - Typhoon Lagoon - Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
June 21 - Epcot - Alfredo's
June 22 - Animal Kingdom - Downtown Disney???
June 23 - Magic Kingdom - Crystal Palace

May be we will cross paths on some of those days, I have never met a fellow DISser but that is probably because I havent been to Disney since I found the DIS Keep up the great work with the pre trippie, I love it!! We got 83 DAYS until we leave (we are driving so we are leaving the 15th)

 

[ClaraBug]

Did we have a bride and groom on our cake? Oh no, it was Minnie and Mickey of course.

I had Cinderella's Coach as my cake topper. But my cake cutters and our toasting glasses were Mickey and Minney!!

 

[momof2cutegirls]

Lesley,

I have a question for you about TGM. Once you suscribe to it (for $20 or so, right?), how long are you a member or able to check out his website? Thanks for your help!

Nikki

 

[medicgirl911]

Wow, thats great that you have some extra money for your trip!! Scary there for a second though. I think you are definelty making the right decision to stay at POFQ. The extra cushion will be nice, and maybe an extra nice souvenier for your Disney room hrmmmm????

The chef's thing in the Land sounds super cute!! Those would be adorable pics!! Lauren sounds like Mackenzie, she is a bit shy and slow to warm up around adults as well. School has really helped ease that some, but she is definetly not one the chatty kids who will talk to any adult in ear shot thats for sure!