Trip #8; But Was It Great? A WDW MAYcation with a side of LegoLand & Celebration, FL!

[DisMomAmy]

Garden Grove looks great!

And congratulations on the new tickers!!!

 

[JoBird]

Okay so maybe I've had too much coffee this morning.

Or maybe it's just me. (Ya' think??)

But I'm in complete hysteria over the December trip this morning! I'm soooooooooooooo glad the cat's out of the bag.

It was really starting to get to me, as if you didn't already know that.

If you're working today that means no updates and I have to go clean.

Or shop.

But I'm not doing both.




So------ get on here girl and tell us all about booking and those shiny new tickers so I don't have to go spend money!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

that sounds good for our first night....I tend to avoid buffets too--I was also looking at it thinking"I might could eat here!!"....we could just walk over from the bc/yc area...will have to add this to my list of things to try!

The GG would be very convenient for you guys on your first night or any 'down time' night. Easy walk over, great atmosphere, great food!

Great pictures on your walk to dinner! Such a beautiful area!

GG looks really nice. And that is awesome that you had characters and were not expecting them. Love that! And so glad they didn't forget DS's birthday! That dessert looked pretty darn good to me!

I have to say that I find it very amusing that you don't like bacon. I don't think I have ever met anyone who doesn't like bacon. That's not a bad thing though... just makes you special.

That was the first review I've ever read of GG and I'm glad to hear you guys all liked it. It did look very clean and the place seemed empty. I love it when restaurants are like that! Glad things are starting to look up for this trip.

IDK why I didn't know there were characters there. I know I read that they were there for breakfast, but not for dinner. It was such a nice surprise since we didn't have any other character meals booked!

I know, I am strange!! I might be the only person in the world who doesn't like bacon. Even the smell of it grosses me out!

Yes, things were starting to look up for this trip!

Garden Grove sounds pretty good! I would like that salad for sure! I read about how they have different menus. I'm sure DH would like the BBQ, I would prefer seafood or Italian (but he'd like those too!). I had also heard about the Restaurant.com deals too. Might have to keep that in mind in the future...

I think someone asked how to get to Epcot from BC earlier -
You just walk down a path from the lake side of BC, turn left and you can go in through the International Gateway into World Showcase. It's a 5 minute walk and it's such a great perk of staying at either YC, BC or BWI (or Swan/Dolphin for that matter).

Yeah, all their menus sound good. I went with the BBQ since it looked like it would have the most stuff for all of us! Of course I'm pretty sure they have corndog nuggets & chicken nuggets every night for the kids!!

Oh sorry, I must have missed that -- thanks for answering that Sheree!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I can't believe how empty that restaurant looked!!!

Characters too...bonus!!

What a nice surprise for DS. I would have been so stressed out wondering if they remembered that you put the b day on the reservation.

I just saw your new ticker!!!!
When did you book that?? Did I miss a whole conversation on this trip!?
I can't wait to go with my family at Christmas time. I was able to go with my sister in 2010. I hope the boys wanna go back sooner than later. When they do it will be for Christmas!

It really was super empty. Maybe only 5 other families in there! I was getting a little nervous that maybe they didn't do anything for birthdays, but I figured if they didn't then I would just mention it at another ADR later in the trip.


YAY!! You are the first one to notice my new tickers!! Nope, you didn't miss that conversation, we haven't had it yet!

I see those tickers too!!!

Christmas season at GF and Poly??? Holy Cats that sounds good!! Start talking lady!

We are looking very forward to it!! I hope it all works out. Still have to get airfare, which scares me to death with the prices lately.

OMG!!! Look at those tickers! My favorite resort...the GF! I am so excited that you will be trying it. And the Poly too?! I know how much you love it there. Congrats!

I have been researching the Poly over the past few days...I know we are going to love it!

Well now we can help each other out -- you can give me GF advice and I can give you Poly advice!! I just know you are going to love the Poly!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I'm home today too - and like Jo, I don't want to be forced into spending money. Although I really do need some new shorts...

Oh Shelly..... where are you?



I wonder if maybe since you booked bounce back you actually upgraded to APs while you were there??

Oh the GF at Christmastime - Color me jealous! And with friends? WAY COOL!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Yay for tickers!

Especially tickers that overlap with mine!

Woot Woot!!!


Congrats on booking.... Finally!!

What??? They overlap with yours? Who knew?

I'm in! Love your report so far!

Welcome! Glad you are enjoying the TR. Lots more to come! Feel free to post anytime!

oh my goodness!! You are going again this year!? You lucky duck!!!!! I am excited for you to be going at Christmastime & you get to hang out with Jo AGAIN!!!

Yes, hopefully it will all work out and we get to go back in December!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

New tickers! Awesome!

Please tell me you guys are finally going to buy Annual Passes!

Nope, we didn't get annual passes. I have done all the math and unless we are going 3 times in one year (which will never happen) it just isn't worth it for us. I think because we don't park hop. We always buy base tix. I think maybe if we always bought park hoppers, then going 2 times a year and all the other benefits of an AP would be cost efficient.

Garden Grove looks great!

And congratulations on the new tickers!!!

The Garden Grove was pretty nice!

Thank you Amy!

Okay so maybe I've had too much coffee this morning.

Or maybe it's just me. (Ya' think??)

But I'm in complete hysteria over the December trip this morning! I'm soooooooooooooo glad the cat's out of the bag.

It was really starting to get to me, as if you didn't already know that.

If you're working today that means no updates and I have to go clean.

Or shop.

But I'm not doing both.




So------ get on here girl and tell us all about booking and those shiny new tickers so I don't have to go spend money!!

Step away from the toilet scrubber girl!! I took the day off. There is an awards ceremony at the middle school later this afternoon, so I am home until then!! So, no cleaning and no shopping for you! Save your money for that awesome December trip you have coming up!




Okay, so here's the details:

As I think I mentioned earlier in the TR (if not I know I mentioned it in the PTR when we got back), there was a bounceback offer in our room. It said "Save 35% on your next Disney Deluxe Resort if you book before you check out!" So we thought about it all week while we were there. As you all know by now this was not our best vacation ever so it was hard trying to decide if we wanted to spend the money to come back another time by the end of the year. Yeah, the BB offer was only good on select dates thru the rest of 2012: Jun 3-9, Aug 5-Oct 6, Oct 21-Nov 3, Nov 11-17, Nov 25-Dec1, and Dec 9-15. After much contemplation we decided that we would go ahead and book something. After-all it is totally refundable if we want to cancel later. AND - we were only going to book if the Poly was included in the 35% off, because that's the only place we wanted to stay. So then it was time to decide when.....We thought about the end of August (same week we went last year) because then we wouldn't have to deal with school. So the no school thing was a huge plus, BUT the 2 downsides of August were that it was so soon, therefore not much time to save. And the heat. While the heat hadn't bothered us much last Aug it sure was taking it's toll on us this trip. I left it up to DH and he said that he would really rather not deal with the heat next time and go later in the year. He thought it would be nice to see all the Christmas lights & decorations again too. So we decided that we would just make it a short trip, Tues-Sun. And he decided on the week before Thanksgiving - Nov 13-17. So the day before we checked out I called the number on the BB offer to book. And to our surprise the Poly is included and would be 35% off!! But what do you know, it's not available 2 of those 5 nights we wanted that week, under the discount. Crap!! So I ask if it is available the last week of August, and it is. Then I remember DH saying he didn't want to deal with the heat. So I decide to give it one more try and go for the very last week it is offered this year and the dates would be Dec 11-16 (Tues-Sun), and it is!! So I booked it.

I hung up the phone and thought to myself, isn't that about the same time Jodi is going for a family wedding??? I was thinking she is going to freak out, so I start texting her and we are both freaking out like we do!! She was booked the same exact time - Tues-Sun!! Since then she has changed her days to Sat Dec 8-Sun Dec 16.

AND - then all that occurred with us getting the 2 comp nights at any deluxe. At first I thought about adding 2 nights onto the Poly stay. Then I thought about the Contemporary. Then finally decided on giving the GF a try! So now our dates are Sun Dec 9-Sun Dec 16! The first 2 nights at the GF and the next 5 at the Poly. The kids will now have to miss 5 days instead of 4, but hopefully it won't be a problem. They did fine with it this year and the school is always great about it!

So that's that. I bought 5 day base tix from UT, before the price increases. Many things could change between now & then and this could all be cancelled. Airfare will play a big part of that. I am terrified what it will be this time after the enormous amount we had to pay last time.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Well SHOOT!!! That first week you tried was my week!!!!! DANG! Well, if i can't have you there for my week, I will share you with Jodi!
It it's any concellation at all, we won't book our airfare till sometime in July, maybe August,...around 12 weeks out has always been the sweet spot for us. so, that gives you even more time to save...your 12 weeks won't be until sometime in Aug for sure,...and like you said, you can cancel,...but next week or so you will be making ADRs right? I am hoping with my fingers crossed Be Our Guest is open for our trip. If not, it'll def be opened for y'alls!!! They said for Holiday Season 2012,...the Christmas parties/decor are up and going during our week, so I am hoping it's open...if not it'll be December I bet.

 

[JoBird]

Who, Us????


Freak Out???


Didn't happen.










The frenzy that was that day was hysterical.





Yay for being at the GF at the same time as ME!!!!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

SWEEEEET!!!


What a great trip! You are going to love the Christmas stuff!!! It's so beautiful and festive there that time of year.
The GF decorations are just gorgeous too!
And you get Jodi, too? What could be better??

I can only imagine the flying texts between you too!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Well SHOOT!!! That first week you tried was my week!!!!! DANG! Well, if i can't have you there for my week, I will share you with Jodi!
It it's any concellation at all, we won't book our airfare till sometime in July, maybe August,...around 12 weeks out has always been the sweet spot for us. so, that gives you even more time to save...your 12 weeks won't be until sometime in Aug for sure,...and like you said, you can cancel,...but next week or so you will be making ADRs right? I am hoping with my fingers crossed Be Our Guest is open for our trip. If not, it'll def be opened for y'alls!!! They said for Holiday Season 2012,...the Christmas parties/decor are up and going during our week, so I am hoping it's open...if not it'll be December I bet.

I was thinking you were probably going again that week!

Well for us airfare is typically the cheapest right when it comes out and then 6 weeks before the trip. But last year the 6 weeks out thing never happened. So IDK what to think.

Yes, ADR's will be the week after next.

I don't know too much about Be Our Guest. I had heard of it, but didn't know it was set to open this year!! That would be awesome to try out a brand new restaurant!

Who, Us????


Freak Out???


Didn't happen.










The frenzy that was that day was hysterical.





Yay for being at the GF at the same time as ME!!!!!!

No us, never! We would never do such a thing!!









It was quite amusing, wasn't it?

SWEEEEET!!!


What a great trip! You are going to love the Christmas stuff!!! It's so beautiful and festive there that time of year.
The GF decorations are just gorgeous too!
And you get Jodi, too? What could be better??

I can only imagine the flying texts between you too!

We've visited the GF when the gingerbread house was being built. Looking forward to seeing it when it is complete. And we absolutely LOVE the Osborne Lights at DHS!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Congrats again on the new trip!! That's going to make for one heck of a TR!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Your next trip sounds awesome Shelly! We went during the same time frame before (mid-Dec) and the Christmas trees and decorations were simply beautiful.

 

[T*Bird]

Whoa!! I was exhausted from just reading about how this next trip came about! How do you girls do this? It's a science, that's what I think. And you and Jodi are 2 mad scientists! The calling, the pricing, the switching, the calling back, the switching back, the booking......I would never in a million years be that good at trip planning. I can just imagine the texts going on between y'all. All in all, it sounds like everything fell right into place. No, strike that, everything was forced right into place with a lot of work!

The GF and the Poly in one trip! That's like a dream come true! I think you will be so happy going back in December. I know how much you loved the Christmas decorations and the Osborne lights.

So now I am predicting that this will be your worst Disney vacation ever!

















Geez, I wonder what people are going to think of me. And I hope you got the joke.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Congrats again on the new trip!! That's going to make for one heck of a TR!!!

Thanks Rinky!! I hope it makes one heck of a trip before it makes one heck of a TR!

Your next trip sounds awesome Shelly! We went during the same time frame before (mid-Dec) and the Christmas trees and decorations were simply beautiful.

Thank you Kelli! We are really looking forward to the Christmas stuff! We have seen a lot of it on our early Nov trips, but not all of it I don't think.

Whoa!! I was exhausted from just reading about how this next trip came about! How do you girls do this? It's a science, that's what I think. And you and Jodi are 2 mad scientists! The calling, the pricing, the switching, the calling back, the switching back, the booking......I would never in a million years be that good at trip planning. I can just imagine the texts going on between y'all. All in all, it sounds like everything fell right into place. No, strike that, everything was forced right into place with a lot of work!

The GF and the Poly in one trip! That's like a dream come true! I think you will be so happy going back in December. I know how much you loved the Christmas decorations and the Osborne lights.

So now I am predicting that this will be your worst Disney vacation ever!

















Geez, I wonder what people are going to think of me. And I hope you got the joke.

Well, it is exhausting. But someone's got to take one for the team. Right?!! I don't have too many talents in life, so I really think this is mine!


It really is a dream come true. It will be a bit shorter of a trip than we are used to, but considering this will be our second trip this year we just feel lucky and blessed to be able to go again at all. And two awesome resorts and a great price make it even better.

Now, if only the airfare will cooperate on this very budget trip.



And thanks for the prediction. I really appreciate it!!

 

[wakica]

Garden Grove looked like a very nice restaraunt!!

Sorry about the problems with your room That's AWEFUL of them to just ignore the notes you left. What was with that??? We had some issues with our stay onsite at Universal on our trip too - I have yet to complain but i will still do so. I'm pretty sure that I won't get anything comped though bc Universal just is NOT Disney when it comes to customer service. I'm glad they did end up giving you something for your troubles and that's SO EXCITING that your already planning your next trip back

 

[monica23535]

Congrats on your new ticker! I can't believe you get to go again so soon, that is just greedy

I am definitely jealous lol

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Garden Grove looked like a very nice restaraunt!!

Sorry about the problems with your room That's AWEFUL of them to just ignore the notes you left. What was with that??? We had some issues with our stay onsite at Universal on our trip too - I have yet to complain but i will still do so. I'm pretty sure that I won't get anything comped though bc Universal just is NOT Disney when it comes to customer service. I'm glad they did end up giving you something for your troubles and that's SO EXCITING that your already planning your next trip back

It really was.

Yeah, I'm not sure what the problem was at the BC. It sure was disappointing. I'm sorry you had issues at Universal. It really puts a damper on the vacation. I hope they do something to make it right for you.

Congrats on your new ticker! I can't believe you get to go again so soon, that is just greedy

I am definitely jealous lol

Thanks! Yep, I'm so greedy I wanted to get 3 tickers -- a GF one, a Christmas one, and a Poly one!! Just couldn't fit them all in.

 

[danceintherain]

Congrats on booking for December!
I've been subscribed for a while, but just caught up. I'm sorry your stay at the Beach Club didn't work out as you had hoped. It's nice that you're getting the Grand Floridian as a result though!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Congrats on booking for December!
I've been subscribed for a while, but just caught up. I'm sorry your stay at the Beach Club didn't work out as you had hoped. It's nice that you're getting the Grand Floridian as a result though!

Welcome Becca!! So glad you are here!

Thanks, we are really looking forward to the December trip.