We All Want a Jar of Hunny!~A Nov. 2010 TR! *NEW October PTR 4/4, pg 42!!!*

[MEK]

Ok - I must know - what did Brandon want to go back to the resort to do???? You know where my mind was going with this!

 

[wdwgirl03]

OK, here's my take on the resorts...I am with you in wanting to try new places. So if you really want to stay at the AKL, then I say stick with it. The worst thing that can happen is that you don't like it. And if it turns out that the distance really bothers you, then you know for next time. Honestly the distance is not that bad. I never really understood why people worry about it. Even from AKL it takes maybe 20 minutes to get to the MK. Having a car makes it even easier.

Regardless of what you choose, you'll have a good time. The only place I haven't stayed at out of the ones you're discussing is the Yacht Club. They all have their own perks. If you really think you're going to be wanting to spend a lot of time at Epcot then maybe it would make more sense to switch, but I still say stick with Animal Kingdom Lodge!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

When we stayed at AKL last year, I was worried about the distance, too. I never noticed it going to the parks or to other resorts, though. The only time it seemed far away was when we went to DTD, and it was about 30 minutes. I think the distance opinion is really based on people who take the bus everywhere. I think it takes forever to get anywhere on the Disney buses, which is why we always drive. For instance, on our most recent trip we made it from our door at POR to O'Hana in 15 minutes - that obviously can't be done on a bus. So, to answer the main question, if you have a car, the distance will not be an issue.

With that said, it sounds like you are going to be spending a lot of time at Epcot. I would vote for either BC or YC so you can have easy access to the park. Being able to use the International Gateway to get to F&W would be nice, too. I would go for an Epcot resort over WL, because even though you can take the monorail, you still have to get to the TTC. BC/YC would make for the easiest stay.

I can't wait to find out about how you spent your afternoon! And I completely agree with Brandon - the boat to DTD is so slow!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

great pics!!

Okay here's the point of view from an Ex CM/Disney lover haha!

AKL..yes it's far out. If you have a car, it's not a worry at all. We've stayed at WL 7x now and still like it over AKL just because of location. We took a risk and stayed at AKL in 2008 (when I was a CM) and loved it but haven't been back. We did have a car so the only bus I can comment on is AK which was very quick. The resort rooms are pretty much the same as WL. With that being said, we're staying at AKL in March (shhh don't tell, I haven't revealed it yet on my TR!) and most likely unless my bro is not working, we won't have a car. We're only doing 2 park days but we like afternoon breaks so we'll see how that comes into play without a car.

YC/BC: If it weren't for the fact that they were in a price range that was $200 or more difference, I'd stay there. For example, I would have loved to stay there in March but we could get AKL at 872 and YC/BC was 1,200..so for us, unless it's a really really good deal, WL or AKL will win.

WL: Of course it's great! You can take the bus to Epcot..the monorail isn't connected to it unless you mean boat to CR and then monorail to TTC and then to epcot?? Our price for in march there was 1,010 so between that price and AKL, I didn't think it was worth it to "upgrade" since we just stayed there in Dec too.

With all that being said..since you know the locations of all the other resorts, of course AKL is going to be out of the way but if you have a car, I would totally consider AKL just for something new. My thing is I'm going to have to get over the fact that we booked a standard there and not a Savana view this time!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I say if you really want to stay at the AKL, then stick with it. As everyone else has said, if you have a car, you honestly will not notice the difference. The bus service isn't bad either. It's my favorite resort there, because of how beautiful it is, and they have great restaurants. You really can't go wrong.

I do understand the logic of staying at an Epcot resort for F&W, but don't forgo staying somewhere you've always wanted to stay.

 

[Simba22]

OK I'm really far behind so I'm going to catch up RIGHT NOW! I don't know how far I'll get in 20 minutes before I have to go bed (otherwise I won't get up for work tomorrow! I feel so OLD!! LOL) but I will do my best and then catch up some more tomorrow!

 

[KatMark]

Great pictures! I would stick with AKL if you don't want to go to the BC. The AKL and the BC are the only two resorts we want to try. The YC doesn't appeal to us -- it is too nautical.

As you know, we are staying at the AKL in September. We drove from breakfast at Boma to Epcot afterwards and we did not find it a long distance.

 

[Simba22]

OK I just finished chapter 10 and I love that pic of your plate from the dessert party! I REALLY want to do this next time we go if they're still offering it! Everything looks so good!

That stinks about the crowds....I totally understand. I remember when we arrived at MK on this last trip, it was 10:30am and I thought there was some kind of an emergency or something because there were SO MANY people at the front gates. It was literally just a giant mob. Thankfully it thinned out a little once we actually got inside and we were able to move around pretty easily.

All of the food you tried at F & W looked wonderful! I'm jealous, I have to say! We really didn't eat at a lot of the F & W booths like we thought we would. The food we were eating at our ADRs was filling us up so we just didn't have room! I totally forgot to get a cannoli from the Italy booth and I stopped over there at least twice for gelato so I was really mad at myself!

Going to catch up some more!

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

I think you'd be happy with any of your choices and I don't think the distance from AKL is that bad. That said, if you really want convenience to Epcot during F&W, I think you should go with Beach Club or Yacht Club.

I'm going to guess Brandon wanted to mini golf, but that might just be me. I've wanted to mini golf at Disney since my trip in 2005 and have yet to find the opportunity.

 

[Simba22]

OK I just read a few more chapters and I made a whole page of notes so I remembered what to comment on, so here's what I've got so far!

I LOVE AKL! I really do want to stay there so badly but it's so expensive. Even with the 40% discount, for 10 nights that we stay there it would just be insanely expensive. And Boma!! I love eating breakfast there, but we have to rely on Disney transportation to get us there and it takes FOR-FREAKING-EVER! I really love going there to eat but it's so frustrating trying to get there!

Brandon is like me when it comes to AK! It's my favorite park and I love just sitting around taking pictures of the animals. Thankfully, my DBF doesn't complain....it gives him time to check his Facebook and his Twitter

I am cracking up at all of the pics that Brandon "ruined" by walking in front of you. And the pic where you "got back at him" Too funny! And BTW that pic of you in front of the stars at DHS is CUTE!!!!

Your pics from the Osborne lights came out REALLY nice!

Ugh, I feel the same way about Astro Orbiter! We only did it once and that was one time more than was necessary! We waited for 20 minutes just to get into the elevator then we get to the top and are NEXT IN LINE and the ride goes down! So we waited like another 10 minutes and they finally let us on, but no one asked if we wanted seperate rockets so here's me and DBF trying to stuff ourselves into one rocket...and my genius self decided to wear a skirt that day! UGH!!! I was not comfortable and I kept feeling like I was gonna fall out!

Don't feel bad about Brandon dawdling....I swear, we can never get ANYWHERE on time because my BF is so slow. You know that massive snow storm we had last week? I got to go outside in thigh-deep snow to clean the car off to get to work because he was still in the shower half an hour before we were supposed to leave. When we're in WDW it's only slightly better. I shower first then get dressed, do my make-up, clean the room, and pack the backpack all while he's in the shower. I don't get it? You don't have to shave anything and you only have so many body parts...what takes you so long?! We are hardly ever on time for our ADRs and even though they'll take you up to 30 minutes past your ADR time (some places will take you regardless of what time you get there) it's still annoying to NEVER be on time!

Your pics from Epcot are making me miss it so much! And I like your pic with the seagulls from Nemo! I'm self critcal too, though...I'm always like "Ugh! Look at my stomache roll!" or "Ew, I have a double chin!" Everyone is always telling me I look fine but I hate 60% of the pics I'm in. Thank God for digital so I know if I have to retake pics before we leave the area!

I'm so jealous that you booked your trip already....we were really planning to NOT go this year so we could buy a house in 2012 but I just asked my BF (who does all of the financing for us) to figure out a way to make it happen so we might still see you there! I'm getting my severance in August (supposedly) and he's getting his on Feb 18. We were planning to pay off the car loan with that money but there will still be some left over, PLUS we're getting our income tax checks....so I'm thinking we can make it work but I'll have to really cut back on the extra spending we do (like eating at McDonalds and Taco Bell three times a week!) I'll keep you posted. And you're staying at AKL!!!!! I am literally green with jealousy but for you!

The pic of you in front of the France pavilion is adorable and I love your shirt!!

 

[Simba22]

Whew! I'm finally all caught up!

That stinks you didn't get to ride ToT! I totally understand about stomache issues at Disney, though! Sometimes, it just can't be helped and there is nothing you can do that's gonna change it so why make yourself crazy!

Glad you got to do your laundry! This was the first year that I did laundry on our trip and it was a pain but totally worth it! It was so nice to come home with 2 weeks worth of CLEAN clothes instead of dirty ones!

And I totally agree with you about EoS! It's so worth waiting for! When we went on this past trip, we got there kind of late so the service was a little iffy (they were washing the floor behind the counter while there were still people in line ordering...and I'm talking buckets of soapy water just dumped on the floor) but my Tuna Melt was still the best ever! LOL

 

[Nermel9]

I didn't read your last update yet because I had to respond to your concern about AKL being so far away. It's really not! Seriously, I have stayed in all different places at the world and I did not find AKL to seem any further than the mod resorts in getting to the MK or anywhere else for that matter.

Sure - staying at the BC, BW, or YC would be ideal during food and wine, but I honestly don't think being at AKL is going to impact your trip, especially if you have a car.

IMHO - AKL is cooler than the WL. Yeah - I expected to love the WL because of the boat and all that, but AKL is just like a tropical oasis. I think the farthest place from both of those resorts is DTD. The parks were a breeze.

So, if you think you will like AKL for its theme, don't change. The place rocks! The pools are fantastic. It has THE best counter service and restaurants. Come on - Jiko, Sanaa, and Boma all in one place. How can you beat that? I LOVE the animal viewing areas and the great cast members.

Of course, if you can comfortably afford one of the Epcot resorts and don't mind spending the extra $, go for it. But you have to promise me that you will put AKL back on your list of must stay places because it really is "all that" and more. I wish I owned at Kidani and if I take the soccer moms in October I am hoping to stay there.

OK .........back to read.

Thanks for all of the advice! I'm actually more confused now than I was yesterday about switching resorts! I wish I could do a split stay, but it just seems like too much of a pain in the butt.

Ok - I must know - what did Brandon want to go back to the resort to do???? You know where my mind was going with this!

LOL get your mind out of the gutter Mary Ellen! I'm going to do another update tonight or tomorrow so you will get to see what we did!

OK, here's my take on the resorts...I am with you in wanting to try new places. So if you really want to stay at the AKL, then I say stick with it. The worst thing that can happen is that you don't like it. And if it turns out that the distance really bothers you, then you know for next time. Honestly the distance is not that bad. I never really understood why people worry about it. Even from AKL it takes maybe 20 minutes to get to the MK. Having a car makes it even easier.

Regardless of what you choose, you'll have a good time. The only place I haven't stayed at out of the ones you're discussing is the Yacht Club. They all have their own perks. If you really think you're going to be wanting to spend a lot of time at Epcot then maybe it would make more sense to switch, but I still say stick with Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Thanks for the advice! I love trying new resorts, I know I will love AKL, but it just seems so far...I remember when we stayed at ASMu I thought that was far, and AKL is even farther! But I would like to stay there...I don't know, I really do not know what to do here!

When we stayed at AKL last year, I was worried about the distance, too. I never noticed it going to the parks or to other resorts, though. The only time it seemed far away was when we went to DTD, and it was about 30 minutes. I think the distance opinion is really based on people who take the bus everywhere. I think it takes forever to get anywhere on the Disney buses, which is why we always drive. For instance, on our most recent trip we made it from our door at POR to O'Hana in 15 minutes - that obviously can't be done on a bus. So, to answer the main question, if you have a car, the distance will not be an issue.

With that said, it sounds like you are going to be spending a lot of time at Epcot. I would vote for either BC or YC so you can have easy access to the park. Being able to use the International Gateway to get to F&W would be nice, too. I would go for an Epcot resort over WL, because even though you can take the monorail, you still have to get to the TTC. BC/YC would make for the easiest stay.

I can't wait to find out about how you spent your afternoon! And I completely agree with Brandon - the boat to DTD is so slow!

Thanks for the resort advice! I'm glad people who have stayed at AKL are reassuring me that it really isn't a bad drive anywhere! When I stayed at ASMu, it seemed like it took forever to get to MK, but I think the other parks were manageable. I'm still considering one of the Epcot resorts, but...I just don't know!!!

LOL, the boat from POR to DTD was really slow...it was nice going there, but on the way back I was getting very impatient!

 

[Nermel9]

great pics!!

Okay here's the point of view from an Ex CM/Disney lover haha!

AKL..yes it's far out. If you have a car, it's not a worry at all. We've stayed at WL 7x now and still like it over AKL just because of location. We took a risk and stayed at AKL in 2008 (when I was a CM) and loved it but haven't been back. We did have a car so the only bus I can comment on is AK which was very quick. The resort rooms are pretty much the same as WL. With that being said, we're staying at AKL in March (shhh don't tell, I haven't revealed it yet on my TR!) and most likely unless my bro is not working, we won't have a car. We're only doing 2 park days but we like afternoon breaks so we'll see how that comes into play without a car.

YC/BC: If it weren't for the fact that they were in a price range that was $200 or more difference, I'd stay there. For example, I would have loved to stay there in March but we could get AKL at 872 and YC/BC was 1,200..so for us, unless it's a really really good deal, WL or AKL will win.

WL: Of course it's great! You can take the bus to Epcot..the monorail isn't connected to it unless you mean boat to CR and then monorail to TTC and then to epcot?? Our price for in march there was 1,010 so between that price and AKL, I didn't think it was worth it to "upgrade" since we just stayed there in Dec too.

With all that being said..since you know the locations of all the other resorts, of course AKL is going to be out of the way but if you have a car, I would totally consider AKL just for something new. My thing is I'm going to have to get over the fact that we booked a standard there and not a Savana view this time!

Thanks, this is all really helpful! I'd really like to stay at an Epcot resort, but I don't know if I want to spend the extra $$ to upgrade, but you have to admit, that location is amazing, it's worth the extra couple hundred dollars! But I've already been to the Beach Club, and I'd like to try YC someday, but I don't know if I really want to right now...this is so confusing!

I hope you get your upgrade to a Savanna room! I would have booked a Savanna room but for the same price, I could stay at BC or YC so I didn't think it was worth it! I wouldn't say no to an upgrade, though!

I say if you really want to stay at the AKL, then stick with it. As everyone else has said, if you have a car, you honestly will not notice the difference. The bus service isn't bad either. It's my favorite resort there, because of how beautiful it is, and they have great restaurants. You really can't go wrong.

I do understand the logic of staying at an Epcot resort for F&W, but don't forgo staying somewhere you've always wanted to stay.

Thanks! I've never taken a WDW bus, so I'm not too worried about the buses, but even driving sometimes seems to take forever! Although, I'm like a little kid at Disney, I have no patience and I get very anxious when we are driving to a park, I just want to be there NOW! I love the Epcot resort area, but they are a lot more expensive...

Great pictures! I would stick with AKL if you don't want to go to the BC. The AKL and the BC are the only two resorts we want to try. The YC doesn't appeal to us -- it is too nautical.

As you know, we are staying at the AKL in September. We drove from breakfast at Boma to Epcot afterwards and we did not find it a long distance.

Thanks! I'd love to stay at BC again, but I was thinking I might try YC just for something different. I like the rooms there, they look very nice, but they are so masculine, while BC is so pretty and girly! And BC is a lot closer to Epcot!

I do love AKL, I didn't want to leave when we ate at Boma! I'm glad it's not a far drive to Epcot, since I practically live in Epcot on our trips!

I think you'd be happy with any of your choices and I don't think the distance from AKL is that bad. That said, if you really want convenience to Epcot during F&W, I think you should go with Beach Club or Yacht Club.

I'm going to guess Brandon wanted to mini golf, but that might just be me. I've wanted to mini golf at Disney since my trip in 2005 and have yet to find the opportunity.

Thanks! I think I will be happy wherever I stay also, they all have their good and bad points, and the only bad thing about AKL that I can see so far is it's location!

Good guess...

 

[Nermel9]

Ali, you're getting your own reply since you wrote so much today! I'm going to just reply in your reply with a different color, it seems like it will be less confusing that way!

OK I just finished chapter 10 and I love that pic of your plate from the dessert party! I REALLY want to do this next time we go if they're still offering it! Everything looks so good!

Thanks! The dessert party was a lot of fun, I'd love to do it again, I hope they continue it for a long time!

That stinks about the crowds....I totally understand. I remember when we arrived at MK on this last trip, it was 10:30am and I thought there was some kind of an emergency or something because there were SO MANY people at the front gates. It was literally just a giant mob. Thankfully it thinned out a little once we actually got inside and we were able to move around pretty easily.

Ugh that first weekend was totally unexpected with the crowds! I mean, I knew it might be bad because of F&W, but it was crazy! Glad they thinned out later in the week!

All of the food you tried at F & W looked wonderful! I'm jealous, I have to say! We really didn't eat at a lot of the F & W booths like we thought we would. The food we were eating at our ADRs was filling us up so we just didn't have room! I totally forgot to get a cannoli from the Italy booth and I stopped over there at least twice for gelato so I was really mad at myself!

I LOVED the Food and Wine festival! A huge reason we are going in October is for Food and Wine, 2 days was just not enough time, and I need to go on a few weekdays so it's not so crowded! I have never had gelato in Epcot, that sounds so good, I love gelato! It's hard timing Food and Wine with ADR's though, I wanted to try so much more but I couldn't let myself eat too much or I wouldn't have room for dinner or the dessert party!


Going to catch up some more!

OK I just read a few more chapters and I made a whole page of notes so I remembered what to comment on, so here's what I've got so far!

I LOVE AKL! I really do want to stay there so badly but it's so expensive. Even with the 40% discount, for 10 nights that we stay there it would just be insanely expensive. And Boma!! I love eating breakfast there, but we have to rely on Disney transportation to get us there and it takes FOR-FREAKING-EVER! I really love going there to eat but it's so frustrating trying to get there!

See, that's what I'm worried about with AKL, that it's so far from everything! We have to rent a car, it's just easier that way for us, but I'm worried even driving will take a long time! I know it will take a long time to get to MK! And it is very expensive, even with the 40% off, you're right...another reason I might be reconsidering...

Brandon is like me when it comes to AK! It's my favorite park and I love just sitting around taking pictures of the animals. Thankfully, my DBF doesn't complain....it gives him time to check his Facebook and his Twitter

LOL, Brandon could probably stay in AK all day and take pictures of the animals! I love seeing the animals, but after a while I'm like "can we do something now???"

I am cracking up at all of the pics that Brandon "ruined" by walking in front of you. And the pic where you "got back at him" Too funny! And BTW that pic of you in front of the stars at DHS is CUTE!!!!

Your pics from the Osborne lights came out REALLY nice!

Thanks! I can't believe he walked in front of so many of my pictures...he loves ruining pictures for me! I really like those stars at DHS, they're so simple but so pretty! And the Osborne lights were amazing, I'm gonna miss them this year!


Ugh, I feel the same way about Astro Orbiter! We only did it once and that was one time more than was necessary! We waited for 20 minutes just to get into the elevator then we get to the top and are NEXT IN LINE and the ride goes down! So we waited like another 10 minutes and they finally let us on, but no one asked if we wanted seperate rockets so here's me and DBF trying to stuff ourselves into one rocket...and my genius self decided to wear a skirt that day! UGH!!! I was not comfortable and I kept feeling like I was gonna fall out!

Haha, isn't Astro Orbiter the worst? They seemed kind of surprised that we wanted separate rockets, but there was no way I was about to stuff myself in one of those things with Brandon! I felt like I was gonna fall out too! It was terrible! Never again!

Don't feel bad about Brandon dawdling....I swear, we can never get ANYWHERE on time because my BF is so slow. You know that massive snow storm we had last week? I got to go outside in thigh-deep snow to clean the car off to get to work because he was still in the shower half an hour before we were supposed to leave. When we're in WDW it's only slightly better. I shower first then get dressed, do my make-up, clean the room, and pack the backpack all while he's in the shower. I don't get it? You don't have to shave anything and you only have so many body parts...what takes you so long?! We are hardly ever on time for our ADRs and even though they'll take you up to 30 minutes past your ADR time (some places will take you regardless of what time you get there) it's still annoying to NEVER be on time!

OMG that storm was so annoying, it took us 2 hours to clear out our driveway because our stupid snow blower was just not working properly, then Brandon had to go to work to do the same thing, shovel and snow blow for like 6 hours! And we're supposed to get more snow Friday, I'm SO sick of shoveling!

We are pretty good about making ADR's on time, unless it's Mama Melrose for some reason, but I have such a hard time getting Brandon out of bed and ready in the morning, especially at WDW! I do the same thing you do, get ready first, and then he takes an hour in the bathroom doing who knows what? He told me once, a long time ago, that he sometimes leans his head against the wall in the shower when it's early in the morning to try to get a few more minutes of sleep...who does that? It's so weird to me!


Your pics from Epcot are making me miss it so much! And I like your pic with the seagulls from Nemo! I'm self critcal too, though...I'm always like "Ugh! Look at my stomache roll!" or "Ew, I have a double chin!" Everyone is always telling me I look fine but I hate 60% of the pics I'm in. Thank God for digital so I know if I have to retake pics before we leave the area!

I know, I miss Epcot too! I'm not allowing myself to listen to my Four Parks One World CD's right now, otherwise the next 8 months will take a LONG time, but I do listen to the pre-Illuminations music...and it makes me want to be there SO bad!

I hardly ever like any picture of me. Even when we take a few different shots, they just don't look good. I'm just not happy with how I look, luckily I have 8 months to get something done! I can't wait til it's spring so I can attempt the Couch to 5K program again!


I'm so jealous that you booked your trip already....we were really planning to NOT go this year so we could buy a house in 2012 but I just asked my BF (who does all of the financing for us) to figure out a way to make it happen so we might still see you there! I'm getting my severance in August (supposedly) and he's getting his on Feb 18. We were planning to pay off the car loan with that money but there will still be some left over, PLUS we're getting our income tax checks....so I'm thinking we can make it work but I'll have to really cut back on the extra spending we do (like eating at McDonalds and Taco Bell three times a week!) I'll keep you posted. And you're staying at AKL!!!!! I am literally green with jealousy but for you!

Originally, we were supposed to do a super cheap trip, stay at a value, go for less days, because Brandon wants us to start really saving lots of money, but every time we would talk about it, it became obvious that we really wanted to stay in a deluxe. And not only that, I really don't know if we will go at all in 2012, Brandon really doesn't want to go at all next year, so I might have to accept the fact that this will be my last Disney trip til 2013. (I can't even think about that, it's so depressing!) So I want this trip to be fun, and stay in a nice resort and everything. It is expensive, and I'm kind of feeling guilty about how expensive it is, but I'm hoping we can use a good chunk of whatever we get back for taxes so we can put more money towards saving. The problem with all of this is my job, it sucks, I make no money and it's totally holding us back, but I just can't find anything else right now.

I hope you guys figure out a way to go! We should meet up in the spring since we live somewhat close to each other, that way we'll already know each other in WDW!


The pic of you in front of the France pavilion is adorable and I love your shirt!!

Thanks, I actually like the France picture, one of the few I do like from the trip!

Whew! I'm finally all caught up!

That stinks you didn't get to ride ToT! I totally understand about stomache issues at Disney, though! Sometimes, it just can't be helped and there is nothing you can do that's gonna change it so why make yourself crazy!

Yeah, it was kind of sad not to ride ToT that night, but what can you do, if I got sick, I'd want to leave too! There have been times in WDW where I haven't felt that great and we had to cut things short. It happens. I wish it wouldn't happen so often, but I feel like all we do at WDW is eat, so it's kind of expected!


Glad you got to do your laundry! This was the first year that I did laundry on our trip and it was a pain but totally worth it! It was so nice to come home with 2 weeks worth of CLEAN clothes instead of dirty ones!

Ugh I can't stand doing laundry at WDW! The dryers are terrible, they take forever, and being trapped in a laundry room is not exactly fun! I'm so glad I have my Iphone to keep me entertained, because I'd go crazy sitting there waiting for stuff to be clean!

And I totally agree with you about EoS! It's so worth waiting for! When we went on this past trip, we got there kind of late so the service was a little iffy (they were washing the floor behind the counter while there were still people in line ordering...and I'm talking buckets of soapy water just dumped on the floor) but my Tuna Melt was still the best ever! LOL

I love EoS! Do you know one is opening in New York soon? I can't wait! I've never had bad service at EoS, and we have come in like, 5 minutes before they were going to close! I love the tuna melt, I'd love one right about now!

 

[Nermel9]

A Disney First!

Day 5, 11/16, Part 2

Hi everyone! I wasn't going to do an update 2 days in a row, but this will be quick and I want to get it out of the way to get back to talking about the parks!

So what is this mysterious thing Brandon has wanted to do since 2008 that I always managed to put off on each trip?

If you guessed mini golf

you were right!

When we stayed at All Star Music in 08, we drove by Winter Summerland a few times and Brandon kept saying he wanted to play, and I would just brush it off..."yeah, sure, sometime, when there is time"! Well, we finally had time, so we went over there to check it out!

I really wanted to do the winter course, since we were there for our Christmas trip, but the Winter side was closed. But the Summer side turned out to be almost as cute!

Brandon takes his mini golf very seriously!

They had these little poems at the beginning of each hole, they were so much fun to read!

Another serious mini golfing shot

and another cute poem!

The castle! You would think this would be the last hole, but it wasn't...weird!

I loved this, Santa buried in sand!

Ugh, this hole was frustrating!

You hit your ball into that spiral thing, it goes all the way up the spiral and shoots out the the top, where it looks like a little white tube is sticking out, and it goes onto the green where the hole is...my ball shot out, bounced around, and that was it. Brandon's ball? Goes right into the hole, hole in one! Ughh!! I was so mad!

The last few holes were in a little cabin thing, it was really cute, but I liked the outdoor holes better

Our scores ended up being me-45, Brandon-42. Beat me by 3! I'm pretty proud of my score, considering Brandon is actually good at mini golf and I'm terrible!

One last picture, the castle from the Winter side:

We really liked playing mini golf that afternoon, we went on a perfect day, there were maybe 2 other families there besides us, so we could take our time and not feel rushed with people waiting for their turns! It's a nice way to spend an afternoon when you're not going to a park, the theme is really cute! I would definitely like to try the Winter side someday, along with the Fantasia mini golf! I think it's cute how they give you a little souvenir golf ball too!

When we were finished with mini golf, we went back to POR and went to Riverside Mill to get some snacks. Brandon had carrot cake and milkshake and I had iced tea. We then went to the store before we went back to our room so we could get milk, and I ended up getting another giant Minnie cookie, which I think I ate when we got back to the room. I can't resist those things!

We rested for a little while before we were ready to go back to...Epcot!

Up next...Fun at Epcot, again!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

GREAT UPDATES!!!

I haven't been to that Mini Golf in years! We always tend to go to the other one haha! I think with the MYW package, you get 1 free round and with my AP, I think it's 50% off so I might have to do that in March!

Can't wait for another Epcot update!

As far as YC BC goes..my family (dad and bro mostly) said they would NEVER stay at YC that it was fussy like GF but we did the one time in Dec, they LOVED it, my bro and I stayed there again in Aug and LOVED it..he even went on the water slide! But now..they say they would never stay at BC, they LOVEEE YC HAHA. I love how close it is to Epcot but I just wish the price level was that of WL or AKL I really would have liked that in march but the rates even with the CM discount were $270..which I can't really justify for my mom and I..now all 4 of us would have to be something to think about but it would be more $$ because of the extra people in the room..It's tough!

 

[laashley]

My advice on AKL vs. an Epcot resort would be to stay where you want to stay most, just compare resort to resort. No resort on property is really far from any theme park. I would say that out of the places we have stayed POR seemed to be the furthest away from the parks (maybe that is because not one was real close?). Hope that makes sense to you.

Mini golf looked like fun, even better that it wasn't crowded.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Ha, I totally thought you were going to say mini-golf! I have only mini-golfed once at WDW, and we went to Fantasia Gardens. Except my dad didn't want to be fun, and he wanted to do the side that's designed like the greens of a golf course. Pfffftttttt. I want to hit golf balls at hippos!

 

[Dugette]

Great update! We actually went to Winter/Summerland on our December trip...fun place! I'll have to find our scorecard and see how we did compared to you guys!

As far as your AKL/YC decision, I'm not sure I can help. When we think about our hypothetical next trip in 2013 or so, we'd really love to (just like you) go back longer for Food & Wine. And, having stayed at the BC for F&W, we definitely enjoyed the convenience of walking over to WS. And you have Stormalong Bay. However, we stayed at AKL on our June trip and LOVED it. It's at the top of our list when we talk about where we'd like to stay in the future. Only a savanna view room, though...it's worth it to us. So, we're conflicted too. We've got time to decide, I guess...

Having done several split stays, I will say that we've never really found it a pain at all. I think the key is only spend a night or two in one place, then move, so you don't have to really unpack/pack up a lot from the first place. The moving is easy...bell services handles everything and you just go to a different resort that night. I'd consider doing a couple days (maybe the weekend when F&W is crowded) at AKL, just hanging out and enjoying it, then moving to an Epcot resort the rest of the time to be near F&W.

Again, not sure it helps, as we're split on the idea too!

 

[Shannon84]

How fun!! I really wanted to do a round of mini golf last year, but we didnt have a car and I honestly didnt know an easy way to get there

It looks like a very cute themed course though..too bad the winter side wasnt open!