We Want to Go to DISNEY, not the Beach! Updated ADRs 5/1

[Moira222]

I am joining in!

I love your family descriptions - so awesome! Our first trip ever was in '07 as well - 2 weeks before yours. Best thing I heard during that trip was "Honey I am so sorry that I wouldn't go when you graduated college ('94)....we lost 13 years of awesome vacations".

I love your upgrade! I tried to talk my DH into Beach club for SAB too but he is in love with WLR. I am hoping a dinner ressie & a walk through will put it in the range of possibilities for next time.

Looking forward to your story!

 

[TinksThree]

Riding Dumbo DURING Wishes:

I love this picture!!!

I have two goals for future trips: Halloween and Christmas! I haven't ever been big on Halloweeen either but the more pictures I see of a Disney Halloween makes me want to go more and more!

 

[creativeamanda]

Just read through the beginnings of your PTR, and I'm subscribing! Your description of POR was so great (makes me even more excited to get there this May), but I'm glad you got to upgrade

I love all of the pictures of your family and your Disney memories. Can't wait to hear more about your planning...

Thanks! I really do love POR, and I really am going to miss it there in June. Part of me has been almost like, "What are you doing, not going to POR", but I know I can go back there next time. I hope you like it there, and

Yes, the Lego dogs are cute. Now I want to see them.
I love Spectromagic.

They are cute. They have moved them around from time to time, but they were still there (in a different location) last year.

I love Spectro, as well, and I want them to bring it back. I don't like the Main Street Electrical Parade as much. . .

I am joining in!

I love your family descriptions - so awesome! Our first trip ever was in '07 as well - 2 weeks before yours. Best thing I heard during that trip was "Honey I am so sorry that I wouldn't go when you graduated college ('94)....we lost 13 years of awesome vacations".

I love your upgrade! I tried to talk my DH into Beach club for SAB too but he is in love with WLR. I am hoping a dinner ressie & a walk through will put it in the range of possibilities for next time.

Looking forward to your story!

It's so nice to "meet" someone who started nearabouts the same time as I did!

I think your hubby will love BC, but I would also love to stay at WL. I'm thinking maybe this coming Christmas!

I love this picture!!!

I have two goals for future trips: Halloween and Christmas! I haven't ever been big on Halloweeen either but the more pictures I see of a Disney Halloween makes me want to go more and more!

Halloween is great, but I can't wait for you to see my solo Christmas trip. It was the best vacation ever!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I have two goals for future trips: Halloween and Christmas! I haven't ever been big on Halloweeen either but the more pictures I see of a Disney Halloween makes me want to go more and more!

We did our first Halloween this year. It was awesome! MNSSHP was the highlight of our trip!

They are cute. They have moved them around from time to time, but they were still there (in a different location) last year.

Speaking of Legos... did you know they're opening a Legoland amusement park in Winter Haven???

 

[teachermommy78]

Following you from my PTR and subbing! I will catch up later!

 

[teachermommy78]

Your kids are so cute!!! Congrats on your NBC!!! This is a huge goal of mine. How did you two do it logistically? I know how huge of a commitment and work load it is. And to do it while teaching full time AND raising a young family? How many years did it take? Was it very overwhelming?

I love your past TRs! So fun. Do you have more?

 

[creativeamanda]

Following you from my PTR and subbing! I will catch up later!

Your kids are so cute!!! Congrats on your NBC!!! This is a huge goal of mine. How did you two do it logistically? I know how huge of a commitment and work load it is. And to do it while teaching full time AND raising a young family? How many years did it take? Was it very overwhelming?

I love your past TRs! So fun. Do you have more?

It took us the full 3 years to achieve NBC. We did it similar to the way I got my master's degree--after the kids were asleep, we worked on it. Our school districts gave us each 2 professional days a year to get certified, so that helped as well. In the end, there were a few times I wanted to quit. DH would not let me, and I'm glad!

 

[creativeamanda]

In 99 days I will be walking into the Beach Club! I am so excited! The trip is amost paid off, and I can't wait to be there!

99 Days! It won't be long now!

 

[anjalee6]

Followed you from teachermommy78 PTR. We are also going in June and are also both teachers. It makes for an interesting life. We are not working on NBC, just don't have the time right now with the kids, but I am working on my masters which is enough at the moment.

You have great plans. I am sure your kids will love the BC and you will be closer to Cape May Cafe (one of my favorites). I am also a Disney food junkie. We can't even picture I Disney trip without the DxDP. We won't travel without it! lol. I am so happy when we reach the 180 mark and I can get on and make/change/make again our ADRs. Can't wait to hear more plans.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I'm here!!! Late but oh well!!

I love all the changes I saw on FB you are debating BC. If you can afford it, I say go for it! I would have loved staying there as a kid, esp in June! You will for sure have to add in plenty of resort time but being that you are going in June, the parks will be open super late so you can take full advantage of afternoon breaks + pool time!!

If you decide on the tea, you will love it! I did it with my mom once and then with some of my roommates/co CMs. I had a blast each time and depending on what tea package you pick, you will be full for sure! I can just taste the strawberries and cream now!!

 

[creativeamanda]

Followed you from teachermommy78 PTR. We are also going in June and are also both teachers. It makes for an interesting life. We are not working on NBC, just don't have the time right now with the kids, but I am working on my masters which is enough at the moment.

You have great plans. I am sure your kids will love the BC and you will be closer to Cape May Cafe (one of my favorites). I am also a Disney food junkie. We can't even picture I Disney trip without the DxDP. We won't travel without it! lol. I am so happy when we reach the 180 mark and I can get on and make/change/make again our ADRs. Can't wait to hear more plans.

It's been busy since I got NBC, as well. Everyone wanted to hear my experience, as it's the first person in my district who has gone through the process in about 6 or 7 years.

Of course, I don't think I'd even want to do National Boards and a master's at the same time!

I'm here!!! Late but oh well!!

I love all the changes I saw on FB you are debating BC. If you can afford it, I say go for it! I would have loved staying there as a kid, esp in June! You will for sure have to add in plenty of resort time but being that you are going in June, the parks will be open super late so you can take full advantage of afternoon breaks + pool time!!

If you decide on the tea, you will love it! I did it with my mom once and then with some of my roommates/co CMs. I had a blast each time and depending on what tea package you pick, you will be full for sure! I can just taste the strawberries and cream now!!

Hey, you know, I've been such a terrible disbuddy recently, I'm surprised you have not disowned me!

We are sticking with BC. It's not that we can't afford it--my NBC bonus is paying for it. Dan was right in telling me that we may never have a bonus like that again and since our bills are current, we have no debt, and we have a little windfall, we should go for it.

He's right (just don't tell him).

Right now, we have reservations for the tea. I'm not touching that right now, but it is on our last day and I'm wondering if it should be earlier in the week and maybe just the girls and me.

 

[shera]

love your pretrip report,I love the wishes dumbo picture.The first year we took the kids we were on dumbo and wishes started,it was so amazing.Can't wait for more about your trip.

 

[creativeamanda]

love your pretrip report,I love the wishes dumbo picture.The first year we took the kids we were on dumbo and wishes started,it was so amazing.Can't wait for more about your trip.

You are the first person I have heard from who has had the same experience! It was completely awesome! That day, it was meant to be, because Dumbo was down for the Dumbo race in the morning.

Thanks for joining in and

 

[natebenma]

Wow, that IS a fantastic picture of Dumbo during wishes. I have never been on Dumbo! Peter Pan is always our first thing dash. I also appreciate the info about your Halloween trip. I would love to do that some year. Halloween is my birthday, so that would be a really special way to celebrate!

 

[Moira222]

Just popping in to say HI!

 

[creativeamanda]

Wow, that IS a fantastic picture of Dumbo during wishes. I have never been on Dumbo! Peter Pan is always our first thing dash. I also appreciate the info about your Halloween trip. I would love to do that some year. Halloween is my birthday, so that would be a really special way to celebrate!

That trip, we ended up on Peter Pan first, because Dumbo was down. The line for Dumbo was short that night--I guess because everyone was on the other side of the castle for the fireworks.

I think you would love a Halloween trip--like I said, I have never been a Hallowee fan, but Disney changed that.

Just popping in to say HI!

Hey!

 

[creativeamanda]

Facebook friends will know I've been debating that for some time now. To be honest, it's not about the money. It's about familiarity and being scared of change.

It's about not getting to ride the boat to Downtown Disney and beignets.

The flip side is in two parts--first deluxe stay and Stormalong Bay.

Oh, what is a girl to do?

Port Orleans-Riverside or Beach Club?

Beach Club or Port Orleans-Riverside?

AGGGG! Calgon, take me away!

I know what many people are thinking here--the easiest way to settle it is a split stay.

But packing then unpacking, then repacking and unpacking and repacking? Not my idea of fun. And considering the fact that I have already begun to pack (yes, you read that right), no split stay is not my idea of a great vacation. Unless. . .

Since 2008, all except one time, we have driven to Orlando the day before and stayed offsite, then gotten up early the next morning and checked into our Disney resort in time for Magic Kingdom rope drop.

We have stayed at all sorts of places: a Comfort Inn at the eastgate area (never again), a Best Western halfway down past Savannah (still a long drive the next morning), and a Comfort Suites near Universal. This time we were going to stay somewhere in Lake Buena Vista--I think another Comfort Suites. But then, my brain started spinning. . .

What if, we stayed at Port Orleans-Riverside? Just for that first night. We book the room, drive down on Saturday, be there around 3pm, put our overnight bag and toiletries in the room, take the boat to Downtown Disney, have dinner, come back to the room for a dip in the pool, and get up early the next morning for beignets to eat on the way over to check in at the Beach Club.

So I did it.

I booked the room at POR.

So the answer to the question--

Port Orleans or Beach Club?

Both.

 

[blessedmom4]

The Best of BOTH Worlds...

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Well done Amanda!!!

Familiarity AND something new!

 

[britt_ji]

That's such a great idea! Your first night will be full of familiarity, and the rest of the trip will be a new adventure.