What exactly DID you do at Disney? May 2011 TR (TR link pg 44)

[MeMom]

I have some ideas on how to fix that for our next trip so that everyone can be happy. I will also have to learn to relax and have more pool/ resort time. DH has said I can take a solo trip but I’m not really into that right now. I can’t even imagine telling Caitlin I am going without her. A mother/daughter trip might happen one day. We’ll see if Caitlin grows up to like Disney. My guess is she will end up like DH and never want to go.
SEE YOU REAL SOON!

A mother/daughter trip would be very special.
I don't care to make a solo trip, either. I might like one night and part of the two days on either side of it before a family trip just to walk around and get 'detail' pictures that I don't do so well at getting when they are with me. I'm more focused on them. Two nights, max, and then I would be ready for my kids to show up.

Getting time to swim, rest, and maybe do some resort-hopping and other things out of the parks has made our trips much less commando-style now that we have the little ones.

 

[AKL LOVER]

the fireworks from your room!! It's almost worth booking a room like that to be able to see the fireworks and avoid the crowds.

Glad you finished up your TR. I'm on my way over to mine to get another update on so I will be closer to finishing myself. Who knew us May trippers would take so long to finish our TRs??

 

[tinacaplan]

Hard to believe that your TR is over. Totally understand about staying at the BC and chilling. SAB was open till 11 every night while we were there and it was awesome. We had dinner at Beaches and Cream one night and really enjoyed it. We would have gone back, but the wait was INSANE!

I'm sure you're going to have a great time on the cruise and you never know...Caitlyn might just come around!

 

[pinkxray]

No check in the mail yet! Disney really needs to get that to me because I could REALLY use it towards our Oct. 2012 trip!

I really hope all of y'all enjoy the cruise. I will feel terrible if any of y'all don't like it. I do think your DH will like it since y'all can relax as much as y'all want.

That's the bad thing about staying at the deluxes....they spoil you! I ended up canceling our December trip last night. And I think it was so easy for me to do because I wasn't excited about staying at POP & hardly having any time to do anything. Oh well, instead I booked us for an entire week at the of April in Panama City Beach. And I'll spend about $300 LESS than I would've spent for a 3 day vacation in Disney! It'll be our "relaxing" vacation before we hit Disney in October!

I think a week long trip to the beach sounds awesome. We are going to take a break from Disney after this trip. I am kind of tired of giving Disney my money. We will most likely stick to the New England area. DH has never been to New York City or Cape Cod which is strange to me since we live so close to both. I am hoping to spend the next few summers making our way through the northern part of the east coast.

I think Pop will turn out okay. I have been looking at DCL merchandise and MNSSHP merchandise and would much rather spend my money on that then upgrade my room.

I'm bummed for you that this trip wasn't everything that you wanted it to be, but I'm excited about your upcoming trip! I understand your frustrations with certain days not going as planned. HOpefully the next time you go back, it will be more what you want.

As for Beaches & Cream, my FAVORITE is the No Way Jose. I like your idea about all vanilla ice cream. I'm not a big chocolate person, so that would be better in my opinion.

I can't believe how many problems you had with your dining credits! And that CM totally lied to you about them expiring! I would be so mad if I were you. It sounds like you handled it well though.

After awhile I gave up with the dining credits. It was just so predicatable that I would have an issue each time. It was annoying but nothing was going to ruin my last day at Disney

I think our cruise is going to be awesome. I am starting to wish I booked the 4 night since I can't squeeze everything into the 3 night but I am sure I can convince DH to return one day.

Sad to see the TR is over! I enjoyed reading along! And I hope your cruise is great and the Halloween party is awesome!

Your view of Illuminations was better than mine...and I was in Epcot around the lake!!

Beaches and Cream looks yummy...well, the ice cream anyway! I am not big into burgers!!

It has been so long since I saw Illuminations by the lake I don't even remember it.

Our cruise is going to be awesome! (Yes, I need to say that everyday so that I really believe it) I have decided that if DH wants to chill out and watch tv I will just go off on my own. I'm not going to try to keep everyone happy, this time I am going to worry about myself for a change.

A mother/daughter trip would be very special.
I don't care to make a solo trip, either. I might like one night and part of the two days on either side of it before a family trip just to walk around and get 'detail' pictures that I don't do so well at getting when they are with me. I'm more focused on them. Two nights, max, and then I would be ready for my kids to show up.

Getting time to swim, rest, and maybe do some resort-hopping and other things out of the parks has made our trips much less commando-style now that we have the little ones.

I really enjoyed the pool/relax time but it is hard when you don't have a trip very often. If I knew we were coming back each year or even every two years it would let me relax much more, but I always try to cram stuff in since I don't know when I will be back.

I loved my solo time this trip but I would really miss my family if I was there all by myself. I don't think I could sit through Wishes without them with me.

the fireworks from your room!! It's almost worth booking a room like that to be able to see the fireworks and avoid the crowds.

Glad you finished up your TR. I'm on my way over to mine to get another update on so I will be closer to finishing myself. Who knew us May trippers would take so long to finish our TRs??

Last year I finished my May trip report in June. That trip was longer and we were there a week later in May. I have no idea why this one took so long.

There were a few times I thought about just giving up but I was determined to finish it off. I hate seeing abandoned TRs.

Hard to believe that your TR is over. Totally understand about staying at the BC and chilling. SAB was open till 11 every night while we were there and it was awesome. We had dinner at Beaches and Cream one night and really enjoyed it. We would have gone back, but the wait was INSANE!

I'm sure you're going to have a great time on the cruise and you never know...Caitlyn might just come around!

I wouldn't mind staying at BC and never going to any parks. It was so relaxing. Maybe at Pop we'll actually leave the hotel and go to the parks since there isn't so much to keep us there. If that's the case I'll stay in a value each trip.

I think the cruise is going to be great. I can't wait!

 

[TinksThree]

Our cruise is going to be awesome! (Yes, I need to say that everyday so that I really believe it) I have decided that if DH wants to chill out and watch tv I will just go off on my own. I'm not going to try to keep everyone happy, this time I am going to worry about myself for a change.

Bravo!!!! Good for you!!!

 

[lbuzz52]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip! It may have had ups and downs, but as a reader I appreciate that. It helps everyone with future planning.
I can't wait to hear about your cruise and MNSSHP!

 

[PirateKate]

Wow, that thing with the dining plan credits would have driven me crazy! At least they sort of fixed it, even if you left some credits unused.

I love the view from your balcony. The one bedroom villa looks really nice. Maybe we'll consider renting points some time.

I'm kind of disappointed you all didn't go to MK for late night EMHs, but it probably wouldn't have worked out well, considering how the rest of the trip had gone. Beaches and Cream looks like a good alternative. I'd love to try that No Way Jose sometime.

I'm sorry your trip report is over, but I'm also really glad you're not really waiting three years to go back. I'll be eager to hear how the cruise goes, so let me know if you start a TR.

 

[pinkxray]

Bravo!!!! Good for you!!!

Thanks so much for sharing your trip! It may have had ups and downs, but as a reader I appreciate that. It helps everyone with future planning.
I can't wait to hear about your cruise and MNSSHP!

DH had no desire to go back so soon after our May 2010 trip. From now on if he says he doesn't want to go he isn't coming. He would probably enjoy it more with more of a break in between. I am hoping the switch up with the cruise will work out well. If not Caitlin and I will be on our own for any future Disney trips.

Wow, that thing with the dining plan credits would have driven me crazy! At least they sort of fixed it, even if you left some credits unused.

I love the view from your balcony. The one bedroom villa looks really nice. Maybe we'll consider renting points some time.

I'm kind of disappointed you all didn't go to MK for late night EMHs, but it probably wouldn't have worked out well, considering how the rest of the trip had gone. Beaches and Cream looks like a good alternative. I'd love to try that No Way Jose sometime.

I'm sorry your trip report is over, but I'm also really glad you're not really waiting three years to go back. I'll be eager to hear how the cruise goes, so let me know if you start a TR.

Renting points totally spoiled us. I am having a hard time paying Disney prices which is why I think we are sticking with Pop. I just don't see the value in upgrading to a moderate or deluxe since there are no discounts for our night.

After the cruise we will be taking a Disney break but I am actually okay with it this time. Our next trip will most likely be Nov or Feb of 2014 which sounds so far away, but since we are hoping to have another kid or two in the next few years the break will most likely fly by. I can't wait to take a trip to Disney with a toddler or two, you make it look so easy.

 

[Moira222]

Oh No! How could I have missed 4 weeks of updates AND the end of your TR? sorry

but today I caught up ...lots of comments..

They played a few games afterwards.

Afterwards we ended up at Cool Club. I was a bit annoyed at DH for being such a grump and ruining my perfect Epcot morning and thought he deserved some payback.
“Try the one from Italy.” I said, camera ready. Unfortunately, he decided to turn away from me and I didn’t get a picture of the taste. He wasn’t amused, but the 2 ladies behind him thought it was very funny that I made him drink it and tried to get a picture.


I waited awhile and they didn’t return. I found them inside making a video game. We stayed to do the Piggy bank adventure and they played some playstation for at least an hour.

Yep, Playstation when you are at Disney. At least they were Disney games, right?

We did Figment in 2007 but not since, looks like they changed it. We didnt' even make to that section of Epcot this past trip. I have it top on my list for NEXT TIME!

While waiting for the boat Caitlin decided she was hungry so we made our way to Promenade to grab a hot dog.

Only my family chooses a hot dog when you have so many yummy options in WS.

I am really feeling for your whole feeding the family issue - while it makes it easy to guess what they'll pick, I would be so BORED (but maybe that is why your DH is slim and I am NOT)

He did state that from now on no more long trips. 7 days tops b/c after that he wants to be home. He also learned that he does not like Epcot and will no longer go anywhere near WS. From now on our plans will be EMH in Epcot where they can do Soarin and Test Track. DH and Caitlin will go to a waterpark or back to the resort while I move on to WS. [/SIZE][/COLOR]

I totally think that as long as you are both on the same page, go for it. Let DH & Caitlin have some daddy daughter time while you get to enjoy yourself.

I just called and booked our room. I was able to get a 15% AAA discount which is better than nothing.

We will be staying at


CBR!!

In a pirate room- this is what swayed Caitlin

and swimming in the Pirate pool

I borrowed all of these pictures from the FAQ thread and Disney website


I have to say I am pretty excited. It looks like a fun place to stay. I think I counted it out due to size but I don't that will be an issue for our one night. We will have a car so buses won't be an issue.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

I think this looks awesome - I read all the way and see that you are considering a change, but go wit this. Do you somehow have free tix to TL and that's why you were going? seems lik ea lot of extra $$ for one day, esp if you have to pay park admission to go to MNSSHP. I love the WDW resort pools and think they are a blast.

actually these pix make me put CBR back on my list of "someday" resorts"

After our pool time we relaxed for a bit. I checked to see if there were any adrs available for Captians Grill and there was a time for 6:30. It was maybe 330 now and DH was hungry. We decided to see how long the wait was at Beaches and Cream. There was about an hour and a half wait. We headed to the Marketplace where DH got a cheese flatbread to tide him over until dinner.


Finally dinnertime came and we made the short walk over to the YC for dinner. I thought the YC was very pretty and I wouldn’t mind staying there someday. I was hesitant to book the CG for dinner b/c I didn’t think DH would like the YC but he actually liked it. He said it was very masculine, I thought he would think it was stuffy like he did with the GF. I guess I have no idea what DH will think of things in Disney. He always seems to like things I think he wouldn’t.

Anyway, on to dinner.

DH ordered a burger that was not on the menu, but I knew they had it on the lunch menu so I mentioned that he could probably get that. It was very good and the fries were great.

the place looks awesome

We stayed in the quiet pool until about 845. It is hard to see in the pictures but the BC looks so beautiful at night with all of the lights on and the quiet pool is a lovely way to relax at the end of the night. There was barely anyone there and the hot tub was pretty much empty. There was a little girl around 5 who made her way to the hot tub while eating a Mickey bar which I found a bit strange. She just sat on the stair and didn’t get all the way in but I was watching carefully to make sure she wasn’t dripping ice cream in the water. I wasn’t sure where her parents were either, no one seemed to be watching her.

don't you hate when other people assume that you'll do the right thing?

We got back to our room and I was happy to see that we could hear the music from Epcot and see some of the fireworks from our balcony. I was sad to miss Illuminations but our night turned out very well.

I did take some pictures but they aren't great. It looked much better in person.

yay for hotel viewing of fireworks!

We made it through the Hurricane okay. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be be but we did end up losing power for a few days. The power went out sometime early morning Sunday and finally got turned back on late afternoon Wednesday.
.....

I feel like a moderate might be a better choice but the only one I would really like, POFQ, is full. I don't really want to stay at CBR, DH doesn't like the look of CSR and we have stayed at POR.

Sorry for the venting, DH has been no help and all Caitlin seems to care about is hitting the wave pool at TL. I am just not sure if I want to spend the afternoon at TL when we are going to the MK at 4. I have a feeling DH and DD will be tired and not up to staying through the night until 12. I fully plan on making it the whole night at MK.

glad you made it through Irene okay. we lost only our patio cover/gazebo (like a fancy tent).

I'll bet after being on the cruise Caitlin will have had her share of wavepool time. she's a kid, skip it....she'll get over it! (Yes, I am mean!)

Before I get to the last update of our trip, let me just say that 5 weeks from now we will have just had lunch aboard the Disney Dream.


DH and I received our passports in the mail yesterday and hopefully Caitlin’s will arrive soon. I also dragged the suitcases out of the basement to give them a few days to air out before I pack a month ahead of time.


I have purchased my fish extender of etsy and have about 90% of my FE gifts purchased, made or on their way from their online shopping destinations.

I don't know what this means????

but yay for passports & breaking out the suitcases again!

I also gave DH the dates that he has to take off of work today. “Why do I have to miss 3 days? I thought I was only missing 2? If I take off 3 days people will ask me where I am going and it’s embarrassing to admit I have to go on another Disney trip” Sigh. I need to record are conversations next time. I can remember the exact location he was sitting in when he agreed to another night to attend MNSSH, although I admit I did sneak it in there pretty good.
Been there!!!

Anyway…… our last night at Disney. It’s funny that anyone reading would actually think we made it to MK EMH. Have you been paying attention? Of course we didn’t! IT was a very hard choice for me since Caitlin was willing to go but in the end I was just tired, it had been a long trip and the previous night had been great. Why not just have another night hanging out at the BC and SAB?
.......
At 9pm Caitlin and I watched the fireworks from the balcony again. The view was even better since we were 2 floors higher.

.....

Thanks for reading and sticking with me. I said in the beginning of this report I wasn’t really sure what to make of this trip. Looking back it wasn’t the best DISNEY trip. It had some great moments but not much Disney. We seemed to have lots of fun everywhere besides the parks which needs to change. I have some ideas on how to fix that for our next trip so that everyone can be happy. I will also have to learn to relax and have more pool/ resort time. DH has said I can take a solo trip but I’m not really into that right now. I can’t even imagine telling Caitlin I am going without her. A mother/daughter trip might happen one day. We’ll see if Caitlin grows up to like Disney. My guess is she will end up like DH and never want to go.
SEE YOU REAL SOON![/SIZE][/COLOR]

awesome fireworks shots!

I would be annoyed about the whole dining plan mess up. especially after you'd been through it several times.

I hope you have a blast on your cruise & follow up MNSSHP. October was our original vacation plan, but I bumped it to May. I am ready to go again. its agonizing.

I have a bunch of planning questions for you but will PM you.

I have SO enjoyed your trip, even if I have been MIA for a bit. Maybe sometime we can do a mommy/daughter meet up in NYC.

look for a PM!

 

[pinkxray]

Mary Ellen--

Okay..I've tried like 3 times to respond to your post and each time I do it tells me my message is too short and I need at least one character


I guess I'll have to wing it. I hope my e-mail answered a few questions I can't wait to hear what you decide. The Boardwalk seems like a great resort for an adults only trip.


Yes, it is very boring feeding DH and DD. I keep attempting to get back on the WW wagon but having to cook hot dogs and fries for them and chicken with brown rice and veggies for me is very annoying. I have given up trying to lose weight for our trip.

I think we will be staying at Pop. Disney has decided not to offer room only discount this season and I really don't think rack rate at a moderate or deluxe for one day is going to be worth it. Besides maybe we'll love Pop and I can actually plan a budget trip one day.

I wish you hadn't brought up the pictures of CBR. I kind of wish we were staying there now.


We should meet up in NY one day. I will have to wait awhile before I mention that one to DH though. He doesn't want to hear anything about any member of the family leaving the state for awhile.


I did tell Caitlin there will be no waterpark this trip, but we'll see. Our two future trips I would like to do our Nov. or Dec. for a holiday trip or February to do the Princess Half Marathon. I believe Typhoon Lagoon is closed for those months so it's now or never. However we could do Aquatica for about half price. I have the season pass for me that I got last year to get the Discovery Cove discount so I would be free plus DH and DD would get a discounted price. Parking would be free and the season pass gives you a discount on food too. I am going to wait and see how the weather is. I will not bring it up at all but am bring the season pass just in case.

Are you going to do a Pretrip report? How is Katie handling not going to Disney? I can't imagine how Caitlin would react. Luckily for her, DH will never won't to go back without kids. Kids are the only thing I have to convince him to go back.

 

[ksl5f123]

Have you started packing for your cruise? Your ticker says you only have about two and a half weeks. That is usually the point where I start to panic about whether or not I have everything on my packing list.

 

[pinkxray]

Have you started packing for your cruise? Your ticker says you only have about two and a half weeks. That is usually the point where I start to panic about whether or not I have everything on my packing list.

By this time in May I was completely packed and ready to go.

This time.... not so much. I actually haven't started yet. I did bust out the suitcases but I'm not sure what I am waiting for. I will most likely get to it this week. I told DH he is in charge of his own packing this time. I started to get all of his Disney tees out but then I remembered I promised I wouldn't over Disney everything and decided to let him pick out what to wear.

I still haven't gotten our costumes for MNSSHP either. Caitlin doesnt want to be anything princessy now so Areil, Eric and Ursula is out. She wants to be a vampire but I dont really like that idea.

I was really starting to panic last week that maybe this trip was a bad idea. However DH told me the other day that he wants to borrow one of my cameras to use while on Castaway Cay to take pictures so I am hoping we'll have a good time. DH actually wants to take pictures. I think he is excited, he just won't admit it.

 

[TinksThree]

However DH told me the other day that he wants to borrow one of my cameras to use while on Castaway Cay to take pictures so I am hoping we'll have a good time. DH actually wants to take pictures. I think he is excited, he just won't admit it.

Maybe by him doing some of the things he "wants" to do it will give him a little push to the edge and he will see Disney isn't some evil force. I am trying this approach with my DH and so far he is receptive to an adult only trip next October. I am trying to plan things I know will make him happy...but me to!

I am sitting here in my office freezing to death! Just thinking of you about to head off on a lovely Disney cruise is making me extremely jealous!! LOL

 

[pinkxray]

Maybe by him doing some of the things he "wants" to do it will give him a little push to the edge and he will see Disney isn't some evil force. I am trying this approach with my DH and so far he is receptive to an adult only trip next October. I am trying to plan things I know will make him happy...but me to!

I am sitting here in my office freezing to death! Just thinking of you about to head off on a lovely Disney cruise is making me extremely jealous!! LOL

I am trying very hard not to plan and let DH pick whatever he wants to do. I have already told him he doesn't have to go to any of the shows but that I would like to make it to dinner each night. He can chill out while Caitlin and I see the shows.

I am hoping it goes well, fingers crossed.

 

[pinkxray]

We are about 9 days out and I still haven't packed a thing I am having a hard time getting organized for some reason. It doesn't help that I have no idea what to bring. I guess just tshirts and shorts for the days, but what about dinner? I thought about just nice tops and skirts but apparently I dont have any nice tops that I like. I have been shopping all morning but having a tough time finding anything that I like.

I am not expecting DH to dress up for dinner but I did ask him to find me a few pairs of pants or dockery pants that aren't ripped or stained. Still waiting for those. I am guessing he'll get them the night before we leave.

Costumes for MNSSHP are up in the air. Caitlin wanted to be Ariel so we were going to go as Eric, Ariel and Ursula. Now, Caitlin doesn't want to be anything princessy. She wants to be a vampire or a cat. I was browsing costumes and come across Top Gun costumes. I told DH we should go as Maverick and Charile from Top Gun and said okay, but I'm worried that might be too hot. I am about to just pack some Halloween t-shirts.

I have managed to stick with Pop. I decided a few weeks that we should just take the leap and stay at the Poly, but by the time I decided all the garden view rooms were taken. Now all that is left is a one bedroom suite for like 1100 a night. I don't see the point in upgrading to a moderate since we liked Pops food court, plus I think it will be fun to decorate the window for Halloween. Who knows, maybe we'll love it and I won't have to fork over all my hard earned cash for a hotel room in the future. I haven't made any room request b/c I don't really care where we are.

I am starting to get nervous for some reason. I can't wait until we are just on the ship

 

[TinksThree]

I would stick with POP too especially since it is such a short, one night stay! I have never been to POP but it is actualyl on my "to-do" list because it just looks neat. And I have heard good things about the food court.

I find it so hard to pack clothes for a cruise! I am never satisfied with what I have!

Costumes and decisions! Ugh!! If it were me I would be doing the Halloween t-shirt thing but that is only because it is the easy route!!

 

[KatMark]

I think you are smart to stick with Pop. It is only a night and you won't be in the room much. The Poly was always our favorite deluxe (well, it was until we stayed at the AKL), but for one night, it just is not worth it.

Have you gone to the cruise boards about clothes for the trip? There are a lot of helpful hints there I am told.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Since you are taking a shorter cruise you don't need to worry about "dressing up" as there is no formal night. The main rule is no shorts or jeans in the dining room and even then they don't really enforce that.

The dress code is "cruise casual".

For men the basic staples for the dining room are a pair of khaki's/dockers and a nice shirt (polo, button-up, etc).

For women, a casual dress, skirt, nice pants and a top. Nothing too dressy if you don't want.

If you are going to eat at Palo you will need formal clothing.

Nothing fancy but not what you would wear slumming around the house.

Remember room service is free but take some singles to tip the attendant who delivers it.

If you don't want to eat in the dining room one night there are lots of options up on the pool deck and there is the buffet.

 

[lbuzz52]

Maybe by him doing some of the things he "wants" to do it will give him a little push to the edge and he will see Disney isn't some evil force. I am trying this approach with my DH and so far he is receptive to an adult only trip next October. I am trying to plan things I know will make him happy...but me to!

I am sitting here in my office freezing to death! Just thinking of you about to head off on a lovely Disney cruise is making me extremely jealous!! LOL

add me to the list of jealous!

 

[ksl5f123]

Oh wow! I would have never thought about the clothes. I live in my shorts or jeans and polo style shirts. I would need a whole new wardrobe to go on a cruise.

I can't believe you go in just 8 days. How exciting!!!