We're not going back 5 years but this is our 5th trip in4years!WERE BACK,NEW tr link

[dddisrunner]

Oh, ick for snow days!!! You poor people did get pounded over there on the East Coast - I am in the Midwest and we've had our share of snow this season, but you poor ladies and gents have been buried!!

I agree with you, I hope they take your spring break. It will stink for those families that have vacation plans, but it's either that or be in school until almost July. I would pick spring break too.

Have a great week!

Yes, we are getting pounded with another potential storm headed this way early next week! I just keep thinking Disney thoughts to get through it!

Diane! Happy Valentine's Day. Here to hoping spring comes soon and no more snow is ahead.

Thanks Laura! From your mouth to god's ears about the snow!

Hi Diane! Well we completely feel your pain -- and that is why this week, when they made it clear they would be cancelling school for the rest of the week (this was Tuesday) we made a few phone calls, threw a few bags in the car, and drove to florida. YES, we did. I love these APs and the discount! We spend 4 days in WDW! I tell you the weather makes you do crazy things!!! We got an additional foot of snow here with that second storm, and we didn't want to stick around to see it!

We didn't get to do the Pirate cruise with our boys last trip b/c the cruise was cancelled due to weather -- but the boat (at the GF) looked really neat! We are planning to try the BClub one this time... did your boys like that one?

SCORE on the extra week for free! AND with the APs you'll get the free parking, so that will be a big plus! Did you get a TIW card? We used it just this week, vs. the Dining plan. Definitely helps!

I think it was my Unofficial Guide that told me one of the golf courses is more "kid" friendly than the other -- I think it was the Winter wonderland one (can't remember the name) -- I will check my book, unless you have the UG...

We still don't know how many days they will be adding.... I am worried too....

Hope you had a nice Valentines' day! Looking forward to hearing about your planning!

HELLO!!! OK, I am SUPER DUPER JEALOUS of your quick Disney getaway, it is ALL I can think about!!! We did have a nice Valentine's Day, I hope yours was great too!! The boys LOVED the Beach Club pirate cruise! Thanks for the golf info too!

Finally found my way over Diane~ Can't believe everything you are going through wow... We got about 4 inches over the weekend here in ATL all melted now, but calling for more overnight?? We start school here soo early , we get out BEFORE memorial day! I feel for you trying to figure out your plans and all huge bummer!

Are you all still doing your first Disney cruise next year?? I'm trying to convince DH to go on one next sept.. the rates aren't as bad as I thought booking so far ahead, but don't want to bring the babies (although they would be over 2 then)so have to look into finding someone to come down and watch them.
looking forward to hearing how all your plans come together
Annette

Hi Annette! SO HAPPY that you made it over, I know how busy you are!! I hope your trip works out for you...that would be great! OK BEFORE Memorial Day school ends....I am INSANELY jealous!!! The weathermen are saying we could potentially have another storm next week!

I've heard Winter Summerland is the better one to do. The pictures look really cool!

Thanks Carissa!!

Happy Valentine's Day to you, too. Too Funny I posted the same thing on Lesley's PTR about if I had known we would have had a whole week off in Feb I could have planned a Disney trip.

We did the minature golf with our boys but it has been several years ago after a day a Blizzard beach. We did the winter side and I remember my boys enjoying it. That is something else I would recommend are the water parks for your family. They are alot of fun.

Thanks for the info! Yes, had I known about the snow days, we wold have been in the car FOR SURE!!

Hopefully, no more snow or snow days. I'm with you. Take away spring break and end school on time.

We always play mini golf at Disney and my 6 yr old nephew LOVES it.
The two courses (summer and winter) at Winter Summerland are much easier than Fantasia Gardens. While I don't remember the exact cost, I know that the second game was 50% off and you until the next day to come back and play.

Winter Summerland is easy to get to. You take the bus to Blizzard Beach and walk right over. Not sure about Fantasia Gardens. We usually drive there.

Thanks for all your help! I bet you are OVER this winter too! I am ready for the summer!!!

 

[ampc3]

well it is a trade off for sure, don't be too jealous we start AUG 1!! so our summer is over in a blink of the eye

Hope you don't get another storm.... it has been freezing here!@

 

[dddisrunner]

well it is a trade off for sure, don't be too jealous we start AUG 1!! so our summer is over in a blink of the eye

Hope you don't get another storm.... it has been freezing here!@

WOW, I can't believe you start August 1st! That is CRAZY early! Our summer will be short this year too! I hope the weather warms up for you soon! It was actually nice here yesterday, 45 degrees and BRIGHT SUNSHINE!!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Diane,

My DS Jeremy did the GF pirate cruise on our Thanksgiving trip in 2008. He absolutely loved it. It was the highlight of the trip. He got a mickey pirate ears bandana type thing along with a bag of loot at the end. One thing I learned on the Dis that was very helpful was to get him a disposable camera to take along with him. He took all kinds of pictures and they are so special coming from him. I believe he told me that cruise stops at the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. I know Fort Wilderness for sure but I believe he told me he came to the Lodge (we were staying at the Lodge that trip so it is a little fuzzy).

I have booked the Albatross cruise this time for him from the Yacht club. Did your boys like it?

Erika

 

[Jeanine3kids]

Hey Diane we played Mini golf at blizzard beach summerland I think it's called the kids really liked it you get a dvc discount not sure how much it was but I do remember it was a pricey so I made hubby play with 3 kids and I kept score. My oldest son did pirates cruise at gf but it rained that day and they had to search for treasure around the gf he had a ball. My kids also have done yacht club one to and they loved that one. Crossing my fingers that we are done with all this snow. Right now we are in queensbury ny at great escapes water park and lodge it's really nice here you should check it out I am keeping my fingers crossed for the both of us that our trips work out take care..

 

[timandlesley]

Hello everyone! Well, we ended up with ANOTHER snow day on Friday so, that makes 6 all together now!!!! This is unpresedented, record breaking snow here in our town!! I can't wait to go back to school on Tuesday and find out what is going on, there are rumors that they might take away our Spring Break, I hope they do! (Did I really just say that?) Heck, if I knew we would have these 6 days off, we could have gone to Disney!

I wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!


I was thinking of taking to the boys to play minature golf while we are at WDW....we know NOTHING about the courses! Does anyone know which one is better or how much it costs?

We are also considering the pirate cruise, the boys have done the one from the Yacht Club and they loved it but I would like to try the one from the Grand Floridian. Does anyone know anything about it? Thanks for any help!!!

Hey Diane, If you DO end up doing the pirate cruise let us know. I've always wanted the kids to do it but I know they would only do it if they knew other kids. SOOOOOOOOOOOO IF you guys get down there the same time as us AND we could coordinate this, they could have fun doing it together. Is there an AP or DVC discount
Lesley

 

[dddisrunner]

Diane,

My DS Jeremy did the GF pirate cruise on our Thanksgiving trip in 2008. He absolutely loved it. It was the highlight of the trip. He got a mickey pirate ears bandana type thing along with a bag of loot at the end. One thing I learned on the Dis that was very helpful was to get him a disposable camera to take along with him. He took all kinds of pictures and they are so special coming from him. I believe he told me that cruise stops at the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. I know Fort Wilderness for sure but I believe he told me he came to the Lodge (we were staying at the Lodge that trip so it is a little fuzzy).

I have booked the Albatross cruise this time for him from the Yacht club. Did your boys like it?

Erika

Thanks Erica! What a GREAT idea to give them a camera! Thanks for all of the info! The Albatross cruise was tons of fun, the boys LOVED it!

Hey Diane we played Mini golf at blizzard beach summerland I think it's called the kids really liked it you get a dvc discount not sure how much it was but I do remember it was a pricey so I made hubby play with 3 kids and I kept score. My oldest son did pirates cruise at gf but it rained that day and they had to search for treasure around the gf he had a ball. My kids also have done yacht club one to and they loved that one. Crossing my fingers that we are done with all this snow. Right now we are in queensbury ny at great escapes water park and lodge it's really nice here you should check it out I am keeping my fingers crossed for the both of us that our trips work out take care..

Hi Jeanine! Thanks for the mini golf info! I really want the boys to try the GF cruise...I have to see which dates it sails! I sure hope we are done with the snow too! It's been awful hasn't it!

Hey Diane, If you DO end up doing the pirate cruise let us know. I've always wanted the kids to do it but I know they would only do it if they knew other kids. SOOOOOOOOOOOO IF you guys get down there the same time as us AND we could coordinate this, they could have fun doing it together. Is there an AP or DVC discount
Lesley

Hey Lesley! I am going to look into the dates and see, I will let you know when I have all the info!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Diane! The bathroom looks fabulous! I love the black vanity with the granite counter! Very snazzy!

Eric is too cute with no front teeth!

How long a drive will it be for you?

I know what you mean about the dining plan/no dining plan. It does save a ton of money to not do it, but I will say that from our standpoint, part of our fun at Disney is eating at all those fun places. It would be hard for us to forego that.

 

[Trentmom]

Hey Diane

Your bathroom looks great


Lot of great buys...skull crocs are cool


That is so cute he missing his front teeth. Trent has not lost any yet


I think driving will be fun, think of it as an adventure. Dont't forget to stop at South of Border and say Hi to Pedro..

Just make sure if you stop, only stop when it is still daylight out

You probably will be able to save a ton if you eat breakfast in the hotel and maybe dinner and just eat a big lunch at the parks

Sorry not help there

 

[Native NYer]

The bathroom looks great!

I'm sure the drive will be lots of fun. Are you going to stop overnight somewhere? Or are you driving straight through?

I would bring the stroller anyway. In the heat, that stroller may be a necessity. Plus, you can store your stuff We are planning on bringing two Mac Volos for my nephews in August. They'll be 2 and 6. We LOVE the storage too. I hate carrying things in the heat.

 

[Happydog]

Hey there! Well I hear you about the booking nightmare for planes AND trains, and you are right it can be expensive to book closer in -- but I will say the autotrain allows you to cancel pretty close to the departure... not sure if you knew that or not, but regardless, the drive wont be so bad I am sure you can make it fun! We were going to autotrain again this summer, but we ended up adding a few days at Vero to our vacation so because of that, we are going to drive again. At anyrate, with the stroller, I am only bringing a single for my DS4 who will be 5 this summer and we too are going to skip the stroller for our DS7 who will have just turned 8... he is small and can still fit in it, ironically, but I think he will be okay. If it is small, you got a volo right? I would bring it -- you never know -- and with the car, they don't take up much space!

We brought food these past trips because we were staying in a villa with a kitchen. That said, we only brought breakfast -- cereal, milk, juice... and snacks, and fruit. I think we tried to bring adult snacks but frankly we hardly touched them... lunch in the summer for us was pretty laid back anyhow, and since we were on the basic meal plan it was covered... had we NOT done the plan I could have thought about lunch some days in the room, and that could have been simple -- sandwiches and chips, etc. We DID bring freezer pops with us and they were a great big hit! -- but we had a full fridge with freezer -- do the studio fridges have freezers? Maybe the week you are off site, when you are going to be doing other things too, that would be the week to eat more in the villa -- you have one with a kitchen there, right? And besides, with a car, you can hop to the store, no problem, if you decide to go this route... vs. hauling it down and potentially hauling it back.. we always brink park snacks for the boys and fruit, because then I can control the kind of junk they are eating!!! And I am not buying popcorn every five minutes..... a box of Annie's Cheese bunnies goes a long way in our house!

Anyway, GORGEOUS bathroom colors! LOVE it!

 

[mefordis]

LOVE the bathroom!

If I may offer my opinion:

1. I'd bring the stroller just in case. It does come in handy for holding things.
2. For selfish reasons I want you to choose the DXDDP -- for pictures! However, how about the ddp and your own food for breakfast? Would that be a good compromise?

Are you thinking of going for Jersey week again this year? I am thinking about going at the same time you did last year -- Halloween and the week after. How were crowds that week? I read your trip report and it looks like they were pretty manageable. Do you recommend going at that time? Thanks

 

[cdotla]

I am another one who says bring the stroller. Just in case. Perhaps you could try out a day in the Parks without it, and if you decide that you need it, you will have it. Either way, you could probably donate it to someone on your last day so you don't have to lug it home as I bet this will be the last year for sure that you use it.

As for the DDP - I say go for it. You can still eat breakfast in your room some days, even with the plan, and then splurge on some of the great 2 credit meals. While my wallet and waistline would be better off if I didn't love dining at Disney so much, I know my trip just wouldn't be the same without it.

Great deals on the shoes for the trip BTW! There! You are already finding other ways to save so you can splurge on dining!

 

[DWGal210]

Hi Diane -

First of all, your bathroom looks great!!

If it were me, I would probably do a combination of the DP and bringing your own food. How about the "regular" dining plan, and then bring your own breakfast items and snacks? Then you would still have the dining credits to do "sit-down" meals.

Have fun driving!!! We drove once when I was in college and it was actually some of the most fun of the trip, but I like road trips.

Can't wait to hear about your plans!

 

[Queenofallthings]

The bathroom looks amazing...so nice to have it done I'm sure.

When we stayed at SSR and AKL in August, we ate breakfast in the room everyday and had some snacks, but we did the DDP, and I have to say I loved it! There is something about not cooking lunch or dinner that is quite appealing to me when I'm on vacation

I don't know if that helps, but I hope so!

Eric is too cute with the teeth!!

 

[timandlesley]

Bathroom looks GREAT Diane! Bet you are THRILLED there is no toilet in your living room anymore You poor thing, but the final results were SO worth it!!!
Great minds think alike on the dining, we are going the route to save money.
We are struggling with the stroller thing too, this will be our first year without it. I think I'm going to make each kid carry one of those AWESOME bags you got them and have them each carry their pins/water bottle and autograph book in there then I will be less of a pack mule ; ) i sure hope Lauren doesn't poop out on us : )
Lesley

 

[mylag1rl]

Hi Diane - your bathroom turned out beautiful ! A nice place to escape for a soak in the tub. Eric is too cute with his toothless smile and Mickey ears. Don't beat yourself up about the tooth fairy thing it happens to all of us. Great bargains ! I think the driving thing definitely makes sense with the school calendar up in the air. Our school system has a board mtg March 3rd to decide what to do with the make up days. How about your schools ? I think I would stick the stroller in the back of the van just in case. Maybe plan not to use it but it's there just in case.

 

[IluvXU]

Love the bathroom Diane, the color, floor and especially the dark vanity... I have hopes of a new one in our half bath sometime soon.

Yeah for Eric's lost tooth and smile.. that darn tooth fairy- it must be a tough job-

I think driving will ease your mind, and allow for you to get what you need, and travel when you can.

Since I am a million years away from no stroller.. I have no advice. I totally would hate not to have the storage, so I understand. Luke will probably be stroller bound till he is 18... he is a wild man.

I am interested in your final dining decisions. I like to eat in the room breakfast. That works well for us as everyone gets ready to just eat then. Also my kids are cereal girls, so I would hate to buy that. Good luck deciding... I am sure shaving the dining plan back would save you lots of $$$ and you could just keep your favorite reservations.

 

[carissanboys]

I love the dark cabinets in your bathroom.

Very excited about you guys driving down - probably more so than you are!

 

[Sooze]

Ok, REALLY? You're on page TEN already and I'm JUST getting here?! That is AWFUL!!!

I need to go back and read all of your updates... just wanted to let you know I'm here!!