WHAT A DIFFERENCE 6 MOS. MAKES (or how I learned to love MK) COMPLETE-WRAP-UP 12/29

[tinacaplan]

Hi Tina! Thanks for not racing ahead too far while I was gone!

I'm glad your dinner at Via Napoli was good this time around, and that you got to see illuminations!

French on SE Sometimes I get so annoyed with the loud voice on the self check out machines, that I want to choose Spanish just for the fun of it - DH always stops me, thinking it will seem disrespectful to some.

Wow! I'm excited by news of your Feb trip, but sorry you lost your most excellent flight plans. Sounds like you have alot of decisions to make - it will be fun to have more planning to do!

Hi, Tammie! I wish I had time to get ahead with updates, but that's just not happening.

Our first day was great. EPCOT was awesome, even if we did do SE in French.

 

[annmarieda]

Let's play another round of what would you do...

Well...since my "cheap" flight from Delta has evaporated....I have been thinking and reconsidering my trip. Again and again and AGAIN! And driving myself (and my husband) crazy in the meantime.

So, our original plan was to go down on Tuesday and stay till Saturday. However, I sort of feel, when I lay it all out, that that isn't really enough time and it would be better to go for an extra day, so five nights instead of four.
I feel like an extra day would give us more time to relax, rather than feel like we had a ton of stuff to try and cram in.

That would mean staying at Coronado Springs instead of the Contemporary (or the Beach Club, for that matter, as my husband is still pulling for the Beach Club! ), which I loved....almost everything about! Great pool, decent food court, beautiful landscaping, white linens in the rooms. I've never thought much of the CMs I've encountered there, all are nice but in two stays I didn't encounter one who went the extra mile, though, and sometimes felt like...dare I say it...Coronado kind of lacks that special extra bit of Disney magic. But that does seem like a small thing to save money AND get another day at Disney.

That would be option one, I suppose.

Option two would be moving my reservation to the Beach Club, which would make up for the difference in plane tickets that I am going to have to pay. We would only be going for four nights, though. This is what my husband wants to do, although I have a feeling that IF I were to point out how much less we could stay at CSR for, he'd probably say we should stay there.

Option three would be to sit tight and see if any discounts come down the pike to make the CR a bit more affordable. This is where I really want to stay and I've been planning this trip in my head to be that close to MK and on the monorail resort loop. Because of our proximity, I'd also feel OK with only being there for four nights. My only hesitation is that I know that CMs I met at the BC were fantastic and I wonder if they would be as equally fantastic at the CR.

I suppose this is my way of dealing with everyday stress...start obsessing over the next Disney trip.

I would love any and all opinions on this, though.

so my opinion... not to change anything right now. I mean... I might have to give you a hard time if you change from CR to ANYTHING. Hold tight... maybe a discount will come.

 

[tinacaplan]

I think that we settled it. I priced some things out today...and I think we're going to do six nights at Coronado! I really want to be able to relax and spend some time just hanging out at Disney. Running around at the parks because I'm worried we'll miss something isn't really our style. I realize that the way we tour is not how a lot of people do it, but we enjoy heading back to the resort in the afternoon, going to the pool, taking naps.

Oh, yeah, and there's the small matter that we're able to do this for less than four nights at CR. So there you go. Someday I will stay at the Contemporary...maybe if we go back in the summer of 2013 for Max's sixth birthday?

 

[amandaw]

Congrats on booking Coronado for more days! Y'all are going to have a great trip. And still wanting to stay at CR one day gives you a reason (as if any of us here really need a reason) to go back to Disney!

 

[annmarieda]

I think that we settled it. I priced some things out today...and I think we're going to do six nights at Coronado! I really want to be able to relax and spend some time just hanging out at Disney. Running around at the parks because I'm worried we'll miss something isn't really our style. I realize that the way we tour is not how a lot of people do it, but we enjoy heading back to the resort in the afternoon, going to the pool, taking naps.

Oh, yeah, and there's the small matter that we're able to do this for less than four nights at CR. So there you go. Someday I will stay at the Contemporary...maybe if we go back in the summer of 2013 for Max's sixth birthday?

First, congrats. I can honestly say that I think going for longer and spending less is a great idea. I think you are smart.

However... There... I officially gave you a hard time.

I wish I could do what you are able to. I know that I should change resorts. Every time I think of how much it is costing and how much we could save if only I moved us...

 

[tinacaplan]

Congrats on booking Coronado for more days! Y'all are going to have a great trip. And still wanting to stay at CR one day gives you a reason (as if any of us here really need a reason) to go back to Disney!

First, congrats. I can honestly say that I think going for longer and spending less is a great idea. I think you are smart.

However... There... I officially gave you a hard time.

I wish I could do what you are able to. I know that I should change resorts. Every time I think of how much it is costing and how much we could save if only I moved us...

Oh, I said I THINK we've figured it out. One thing I do know for sure is that I'm not spending that much on plane tickets and not staying for at least five nights. Don't know where those five nights will be, though. I did, however, change my ticker so as not to have to keep changing it.

 

[MEK]

You will love Coronado Springs. Its beautiful and so photogenic! Seriously, you can get the best pictures there. 6 nights sound wonderful! Congrats!

 

[tinacaplan]

You will love Coronado Springs. Its beautiful and so photogenic! Seriously, you can get the best pictures there. 6 nights sound wonderful! Congrats!

We've stayed there twice already and we're big fans. Love the rooms, the grounds are absolutely beautiful, they have a nice playground for Max and the busses have been consistently excellent. Were I not afraid of the busses (and had they put in fluffy down comforters) I might have considered POFQ, as I think its lovely, but I'm not a fan of riding the bus through all the stops in POR prior to actually getting on the road.

 

[tinacaplan]

Where else would we head for our first full day at Disney but the Magic Kingdom? The park that when Mark and I went on our own, we never saw in daylight. Yup. Not once. We went after dinner at Cali Grill, stayed for EMHs, did everything I (thought) we should do there and that was that. In a seven day trip, that was our one trip to the Magic Kingdom. Fast forward to last February and we spent some more time there, but I still wouldn’t have walked away from that saying, “Wow, I LOVE the Magic Kingdom.” So what changed in six months?

Our original plan has us getting up for an 8:15 ADR at Crystal Palace. The day before I thought that we’d have to wake up too early and cancelled it and we’d just get up for rope drop instead. I know, not much of a difference, but it seemed significant at the time.

Well...as it turns out, we made it to MK with plenty of time to spare, but no ADR. Not the best decision, as it would turn out. So...we waited for rope drop. For close to an hour. And there is not much to do while you wait. I took some pictures.

See...empty!

Max started melting down. He was bored and the Florida summer sun was already beating down on us. And we waited some more. It was pretty miserable. We were so close to the entrance that we missed the opening show almost entirely, but we were also among the very first into the park.

And, for some reason, this is the first picture I took once we were inside:

So...what would our first ride of the day be? Dumbo? Peter Pan? Winnie? Fantasyland was ours to conquer...

 

[KatMark]

Too bad you cancelled your ADR, but now you know for your February trip that you can do it as you had no problem getting there "early." I do not think we've ever been there that early to see an empty walkway from the monorail, etc.

I'm going to guess Dumbo. Well, I have to because of you know who.

 

[amandaw]

Woo Hoo! A full day ahead at MK! I'm going to guess that the first ride was Dumbo. I guess I'm just saying that because that's what we do first: Reid & I ride Dumbo while Ed grabs FP's for Peter Pan. I can't wait to hear all about the fun y'all had in MK!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hmmm, I hope Max has a good day Funny to see the park so empty right away. I'm going to vote Dumbo too, because everyone knows if you don't get on it right away you'll wait for an hour.

 

[tinacaplan]

Too bad you cancelled your ADR, but now you know for your February trip that you can do it as you had no problem getting there "early." I do not think we've ever been there that early to see an empty walkway from the monorail, etc.

I'm going to guess Dumbo. Well, I have to because of you know who.

I do...and is he excited for the newly expanded version?

Woo Hoo! A full day ahead at MK! I'm going to guess that the first ride was Dumbo. I guess I'm just saying that because that's what we do first: Reid & I ride Dumbo while Ed grabs FP's for Peter Pan. I can't wait to hear all about the fun y'all had in MK!

Hmm...wonder if you're right? Wasn't the most exciting update, so I thought I'd add some intrigue with a cliffhanger.

Hmmm, I hope Max has a good day Funny to see the park so empty right away. I'm going to vote Dumbo too, because everyone knows if you don't get on it right away you'll wait for an hour.

So true! I love hitting MK for rope drop. You feel like you have Fantasyland to yourself for the first couple of hours which is a huge bonus at Max's age.

 

[tinacaplan]

While I did change my ticker to reflect my indecision, I think I've come to a new conclusion about our upcoming trip; I'm going to keep it the way it is...Tuesday through Saturday at the CR. When I stop and really think about what we're going to do and what Max will enjoy the most, I think it really might be the best idea. I'm planning on doing mostly CS meals, so we'll save some money there and the flight out on that Tuesday are a LOT cheaper than at other times. Another big bonus is that we'll miss the actual Pres. Day weekend completely, so it will be a little less crowded.

Now, I'm not saying I won't change my mind a zillion more times...at least until I finally buy new airplane tix.

 

[natebenma]

Woo Hoo! A full day ahead at MK! I'm going to guess that the first ride was Dumbo. I guess I'm just saying that because that's what we do first: Reid & I ride Dumbo while Ed grabs FP's for Peter Pan. I can't wait to hear all about the fun y'all had in MK!

What she said!!!

I'm going to keep it the way it is...Tuesday through Saturday at the CR. Now, I'm not saying I won't change my mind a zillion more times...at least until I finally buy new airplane tix.

Keep us posted!!!

Wow, the pictures of the empty gate area at MK are amazing!!!

I think you are going to have a great day!

 

[MEK]

Can't wait to see your pictures! Bummer about canceling the ADR, but I admire you for doing it instead of just not showing up.

Poor Max - I remember Nicholas being a year or two older than Max and being near meltdown the first time we went to MK and waited an hour in the June sun! He just plopped himself down on the ground in the middle of everyone! Not good!

 

[annmarieda]

I can't wait to read more about your first full day in MK!!!

While I did change my ticker to reflect my indecision, I think I've come to a new conclusion about our upcoming trip; I'm going to keep it the way it is...Tuesday through Saturday at the CR. When I stop and really think about what we're going to do and what Max will enjoy the most, I think it really might be the best idea. I'm planning on doing mostly CS meals, so we'll save some money there and the flight out on that Tuesday are a LOT cheaper than at other times. Another big bonus is that we'll miss the actual Pres. Day weekend completely, so it will be a little less crowded.

Now, I'm not saying I won't change my mind a zillion more times...at least until I finally buy new airplane tix.

I think this sounds very reasonable.

 

[jaceraden]

I am replying to this now so that I can find it again when the kiddoes are in bed. Can't wait!

 

[tinacaplan]

I am replying to this now so that I can find it again when the kiddoes are in bed. Can't wait!

I'm very slow with my posts, but I hope they're engaging. And we loved the Beach Club, btw!

 

[tinacaplan]

I promise that despite all evidence to the contrary, this is not becoming my February PTR. Promise. However, I had to share with everyone that some decision have been made:

1. We are going to stay at the Beach Club.
What can I say? We fell in love! Even my spendthrift husband agreed and, in fact, pushed for it.

2. We are going to go down on Monday and come home on Saturday, which gives us five nights of Disney bliss. I realized that four nights just wasn't quite enough time. As it is, we are probably going to skip AK entirely. Max just isn't that into it, aside from the Boneyard.

3. I've purchased tickets for our outbound flight (early morning, direct out of Hartford!! ) on Jet Blue! We're both excited, as we've been wanting to try them for awhile now. I'm waiting on buying our flights going home, as they're crazy expensive on every airline and I don't foresee them getting worse and am hoping they might come down a bit. I'm sure we'll end up flying on Southwest on the way home, though.

I am hoping to have an update up before the weekend...we'll see! Can't wait to share out MK day with you all... it really was magical.

Thanks for everyone who's hanging in there with me on the painfully slooooow TR!