Where in the world did this ticker come from? UPDATE NEW TRIP REPORT STARTED!!!!!

[andrews1ma]

I hope everyone had a nice relaxing weekend. Our schools are closed tomorrow- but that doesnt affect Andrew...you will see why as you read on....


Ok so in my last update I hinted of a Disney Trip report within a pre-trip report. How am I going to that you wonder? Well technically I am not….but Andrew and my mom are! They are heading to Disney…tomorrow! Yep..they will be there from the 1st through the 6th and are staying at All Star Sports. My mom - we’ll call her Gran- cause that’s what Andrew calls her- and Andrew have been going to Disney together for the past 3 years- and they have sometimes gone twice in one year! Add in our annual family trips to WDW and that brings him to 3 times in one year! This will be Andrew’s 15th trip to the world. When he was younger, just my mom and I would take Andrew and Grumpy would stay home..long story..I’ll get to that another time. Andrew's very first trip was in Feb of 2000 when he was all of 7 months old.

Here they are in 2001 from one of our past trips

and 2003 in front of the statue at CR:

I love those two, and Mom and Andrew of course!

Andrew goes to school year round, which means he is in 9 weeks and off for 3 weeks. They go during his off weeks- which are called track-out weeks. The nice thing is he is tracked out during very convenient months for Disney vactioning. February and October are the times my mom and Andrew go together- and have done MNSSHP without me . Then we go as a family in May. Works great!

When Gran and Andrew go they always stay at AsSports and they love it. My mom always requests a Football Helmet ground floor room as Andrew loves to go out and play football, kick field goals, and there are always other kids out there to get a game going.

They are doing the Quick Service Dining Plan as Gran does not like to be tied down to dinner ressies! They may do one TS and pay oop but haven’t decided which one yet. My mom wants to do Rose and Crown, its her favorite. She was born and raised in Scotland so she enjoys this one a lot!

I do not have their itinerary yet as to which parks they are going to on what days but will update when I do. Andrew will be bringing his digital camera and will hopefully take some good pics. It will be fun to see it from a 10 yr old’s perspective. He should also have some fun stories to share with us when he gets back. I will update as I hear from them and keep you posted- if anyone is planning on heading down later in the week he can give feedback on the weather and crowd levels too!

Next time, Where in the world is Andrew? , a look into WDW trips past, and a list of “Must Do’s/Must Eat”

 

[andrews1ma]

all caught up!



what a cutie!!! and i love that you have him on the deluxe dining plan!



okay, since you asked! now this is just my humble opinion and i totally won't be offended if you shoot me down. if it was me, i wouldn't use 2 TS credits on brown derby. i've heard good things, but not 2 TS credit-type good things. know what i mean? if i was ever gonna go here i'd just pay out of pocket and save my credits. but like i said, that's just me. if i were you, i would just eat at either sci-fi drive-in theater, 50's primetime or mama melrose that day and then on your saturday after animal kingdom have a nice dinner (using 2 TS credits) at jiko at AKL. i've heard very good things about it.....2 TS credits-worthy good things. that way you don't have to go far and can just go throw on your swim suits after dinner and have a relaxing night by the pool! like i said, just my 2 cents....and you may want to refund my money!

i think i'm the only person on the disboards that didn't like ohana. i went there in september 2007 and it was loud, chaotic and the meat was just really dry and gross. maybe it was just an off night. we love kona though so i hear ya on the lapu lapu love!

yay for riding toy story mania this trip!!!

loved your snow pics. we got zilch.

Ok..well as all good Disney itineraries go...they are meant to changed, over and over, nothing is set in stone until the day you leave...well not even then! I have changed so many plans in the past and probably will be rethinking some of these as well. I hate decisions , especially when my husband really has no interest in putting his 2 cents in.

So here is my thought on dining at DHS, we have eaten at Prime Time and liked it- except for when Grumpy almost punched our host for asking him if "He remembered to wash his hands?"when he came out of the restroom OMG! I had to remind him that it was all part of the shtick! We ate at Mama Melrose and really didn't care for it- growing up in NY and eating in some of the best Italian restaurants has ruined us. We have yet to eat at Sci-Fi and I may look into that a little bit more. I do recall some kind of alcoholic milkshake on your report- I think? that I wanted to try . We will see- although I think CP may have to put her 2 cents in on Brown Derby- she is a fan. I do hate using 2 TS though....arggh now you have got me thinking again! I do have time so we will see. I have already canceled Shulas and added The Plaza at MK one day for lunch. But again, that is not set in stone. Oh and I took a look at Jiko's and not much stands out- but I am looking forward to Boma's. I am trying to do as many new places- but it is hard when you have your fave's.
Oh and I can see where you are coming from in regards to Ohana's. It is very loud and some of the meats were dry, but I looooved the dumplings and the Hawaiian Bread Pudding Dessert, and my lapu Lapu mmmmmmm.

 

[punkin413]

Ok..well as all good Disney itineraries go...they are meant to changed, over and over, nothing is set in stone until the day you leave...well not even then! I have changed so many plans in the past and probably will be rethinking some of these as well. I hate decisions , especially when my husband really has no interest in putting his 2 cents in.

So here is my thought on dining at DHS, we have eaten at Prime Time and liked it- except for when Grumpy almost punched our host for asking him if "He remembered to wash his hands?" OMG! I had to remind him that it was all part of the shtick! We ate at Mama Melrose and really didn't care for it- growing up in NY and eating in some of the best Italian restaurants has ruined us. We have yet to eat at Sci-Fi and I may look into that a little bit more. I do recall some kind of alcoholic milkshake on your report- I think? that I wanted to try . We will see- although I think CP may have to put her 2 cents in on Brown Derby- she is a fan. I do hate using 2 TS though....arggh now you have got me thinking again! I do have time so we will see. I have already canceled Shulas and added The Plaza at MK one day for lunch. But again, that is not set in stone. Oh and I took a look at Jiko's and not much stands out- but I am looking forward to Boma's. I am trying to do as many new places- but it is hard when you have your fave's.
Oh and I can see where you are coming from in regards to Ohana's. It is very loud and some of the meats were dry, but I looooved the dumplings and the Hawaiian Bread Pudding Dessert, and my lapu Lapu mmmmmmm.

i'm sorry....i didn't mean to confuse you! i know it will all work out. okay, i just looked at the brown derby menu. and if you were to go there and pay OOP and you get the cobb salad ($15) and say, for example, your DH gets the ribeye ($36) and your DS gets the grilled cheese ($6), then throw in $20 for desserts and drinks and $15 for a tip, that's like $92. 1 day's worth of credits on the DDP for you guys is about $91. and you're using 2 credits for this. see what i'm saying? i just don't think it's worth the 2 credits. but that's just my opinion and this is YOUR trip so you do what you want. i just thought i'd throw that out there.

yes, sci-fi had a VERY yummy milkshake called marsha's martian with chocolate and vanilla ice cream with bailey's and kahlua. awesome! and their burgers are pretty good. the atmosphere is REALLY cool. i'm sure your DS would love it. remember if you do end up going here for dinner that you can still order a burger even though it's not on the dinner menu.

 

[andrews1ma]

i'm sorry....i didn't mean to confuse you! i know it will all work out. okay, i just looked at the brown derby menu. and if you were to go there and pay OOP and you get the cobb salad ($15) and say, for example, your DH gets the ribeye ($36) and your DS gets the grilled cheese ($6), then throw in $20 for desserts and drinks and $15 for a tip, that's like $92. 1 day's worth of credits on the DDP for you guys is about $91. and you're using 2 credits for this. see what i'm saying? i just don't think it's worth the 2 credits. but that's just my opinion and this is YOUR trip so you do what you want. i just thought i'd throw that out there.

yes, sci-fi had a VERY yummy milkshake called marsha's martian with chocolate and vanilla ice cream with bailey's and kahlua. awesome! and their burgers are pretty good. the atmosphere is REALLY cool. i'm sure your DS would love it. remember if you do end up going here for dinner that you can still order a burger even though it's not on the dinner menu.

You seriously crack me up! i think i had asked you in the past to keep my calendar for me...well now I will ask you if you will be my personal accountant! i love it! The funny thing is - that is exactly what we all probably order! Good Job!Lots to think about...oh and don't worry about the confused thing...I was born that way! Decisions kill me- thats why I love the Dis!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hope Andrew and your mom have a great vacation this week! I think I am a little bit jealous!

 

[andrews1ma]

Hope Andrew and your mom have a great vacation this week! I think I am a little bit jealous!

Aww thanks! I was too, until we booked our trip

 

[andrews1ma]

I just heard from Andrew- he called from the airport in Orlando to say they landed safely, whew now I can breathe again!. He said the weather is stinky...raining..actually pouring and real windy. He is going to call me when they get to the resort to let me know what room they got. Crossing fingers and toes for a ground floor Football Helmet room!

 

[disneylovin24]

Awww what a bummer about the weather. I really hope it clears up soon for them

 

[Cory's Gal]

Hi Donna!! Great PTR so far! We will be in WDW the same time as you, not as many days though!! Great plans and great pictures! Andrew is so lucky to be down in FL right now, it's freezing cold here in Minnesota and snowing so being down south sounds like Heaven Can't wait to read more, you have a great writing style!!
~Beth

 

[andrews1ma]

Awww what a bummer about the weather. I really hope it clears up soon for them

It looks like rain on and off for the next day or two and hopefully a clear day or two after that. Thank you for the good wishes!

Meanwhile I am so excited I just noticed that you are a Giants and Yankees fan! We are too! Well the boys are nutso for their Giants and Andrew is a really big Yankees fan. He wore his Teixiera jersey tee and NY hat (that he got signed by some players from the minor league team when they played the durham bulls this summer) on the plane today. I said he was representin . We used to go to Yankees games all the time when we were in NY- thats about all I miss of NY!

He loves staying the All Star Sports - he likes to get his sport on down in Disney- best of both worlds! But...there was a little debacle with the resort...I will do a mini update tomorrow and fill everyone in.

Hi Donna!! Great PTR so far! We will be in WDW the same time as you, not as many days though!! Great plans and great pictures! Andrew is so lucky to be down in FL right now, it's freezing cold here in Minnesota and snowing so being down south sounds like Heaven Can't wait to read more, you have a great writing style!!
~Beth

Woohoo...heres a little pixie dust for low crowds and great weather for us April/Mayers!

I feel for ya in the cold - we left NY a few years ago and I sooo do not miss that kind of winter. We had just enough snow the other day for Andrew to enjoy. It is lingering longer than I would like, I am ready for it to be gone! Hopefully that Punxsutawney Phil will see his little shadow tomorrow? Please tell me spring will be springing real soon!

Anyhow welcome and thank you for the nice words- glad you are enjoying so far! Pre-Trip reports are so much harder to write as they can get a tad boring. I will do my best to try and keep everyone entertained!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yikes a full on Trip Report..that is some serious pressure! Do you not realize the caliber of readers I have on this PTR- including yourself of course!! ahhh I can handle it! I will definitely be taking lots of pics..I love to take pics..it comes with the territory of being a good Diser.

Yes! You can do it! It will be great, no worries. I love that everyone has their own PTR/TR style. We borrow ideas from each other, but in all, we each have our own personality that shines through on the boards!

Sounds like you had a really fun snow day! Love the pic of Andrew crashed out under the blanket. And brownies....yum. Warm chocolate always goes very well with snow.

And Andrew is in WDW!! Where is the "green with envy" smiley?! That is just wonderful that his Gran takes him, very sweet! I hope they got the room they wanted, and that the weather clears up sooner than they say. Or, maybe if they brave the rain there will be no lines!

 

[disneylovin24]

It looks like rain on and off for the next day or two and hopefully a clear day or two after that. Thank you for the good wishes!

Meanwhile I am so excited I just noticed that you are a Giants and Yankees fan! We are too! Well the boys are nutso for their Giants and Andrew is a really big Yankees fan. He wore his Teixiera jersey tee and NY hat (that he got signed by some players from the minor league team when they played the durham bulls this summer) on the plane today. I said he was representin . We used to go to Yankees games all the time when we were in NY- thats about all I miss of NY!

He loves staying the All Star Sports - he likes to get his sport on down in Disney- best of both worlds! But...there was a little debacle with the resort...I will do a mini update tomorrow and fill everyone in.

Looking at the ten day I saw that it looks like they'll be a day of rain then sun then rain then sun for the next week or so, so hopefully they get to enjoy their days in the sun

Gotta love those Yankees and Giants I hate living in NY, but that's the one thing I know I would miss if I ever moved, being able to go to Yankee Stadium.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Glad Andrew and your mom arrived safely! I hope the rain ends soon, and they have a beautifully sunny time down there!

 

[MeMom]

The Orlando forecast I just read said showers for today, but clearing for tomorrow. hey'll have to maybe plan for a lot of indoor attractions today.

I hope they are able to get a room that suits their needs. I thought all the Sports rooms had been redone. The two we've stayed in were bright and fresh and clean. I know Movies is in need of a make-over. The room we stayed in there was like what your mom is saying about the one she's in now. It's time for Pop to start doing the same, too, because it's getting a little worn, but it is still better than our Movies room was.

No matter what, come rain or dingy room, they are in Disney World having fun together. I wish I had the money to take just Brooklynn on a spring break trip. She and I would have so much fun together. I would just follow her around doing whatever she wanted to do, even if it meant doing Nemo five times in a row! I would just have fun being with her and talking with her and laughing at her, because she says some funny things!

I look forward to getting updates about all of their fun. Tell them they are there for a bunch of us.

 

[andrews1ma]

Looking at the ten day I saw that it looks like they'll be a day of rain then sun then rain then sun for the next week or so, so hopefully they get to enjoy their days in the sun

Gotta love those Yankees and Giants I hate living in NY, but that's the one thing I know I would miss if I ever moved, being able to go to Yankee Stadium.

Yep rain/sun/rain/sun etc... it won't stop themthough! They are armed with ponchos and a great attitude! Andrew is psyched to get to the parks already- last night they were supposed to go to DTD but due to a little resort snafu they ended up just hanging at the hotel.

Go yankees !

Glad Andrew and your mom arrived safely! I hope the rain ends soon, and they have a beautifully sunny time down there!

They will, I am sure. Neither rain or crazy large tour groups will keep those two down! I have a brief update coming up.

The Orlando forecast I just read said showers for today, but clearing for tomorrow. hey'll have to maybe plan for a lot of indoor attractions today.

I hope they are able to get a room that suits their needs. I thought all the Sports rooms had been redone. The two we've stayed in were bright and fresh and clean. I know Movies is in need of a make-over. The room we stayed in there was like what your mom is saying about the one she's in now. It's time for Pop to start doing the same, too, because it's getting a little worn, but it is still better than our Movies room was.

No matter what, come rain or dingy room, they are in Disney World having fun together. I wish I had the money to take just Brooklynn on a spring break trip. She and I would have so much fun together. I would just follow her around doing whatever she wanted to do, even if it meant doing Nemo five times in a row! I would just have fun being with her and talking with her and laughing at her, because she says some funny things!

I look forward to getting updates about all of their fun. Tell them they are there for a bunch of us.

You are right about the sports rooms- they were all redone- recently. I think a little white lie had been told to my innocent and trusting mom. I am not sure exactly what happened but they told her she could'nt be in Building 7 or 10- both are helmet buildings- because they are being rehabbed. Hmmmm...I will get to the bottom of that. She said movies was very loud...lot's of large tour groups, etc...and the rooms are definitely worn and in desperate need of rehabbing. As far as the weather- they will just put their crocs and ponchos on and make the best of it. Tomorrow's weather is looking better for them. Thanks for the good wishes- I will be sure to pass them along- my mom is a lurker on the Dis so she will appreciate the good thoughts on their behalf!

And here's a little pixie dust coming your way for future Memom/Brooklynn trips together! My mom booked this one only because she had gotten a 40% code so they were able to get a room for a good deal.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]

 

[andrews1ma]

Yes! You can do it! It will be great, no worries. I love that everyone has their own PTR/TR style. We borrow ideas from each other, but in all, we each have our own personality that shines through on the boards!

Sounds like you had a really fun snow day! Love the pic of Andrew crashed out under the blanket. And brownies....yum. Warm chocolate always goes very well with snow.

And Andrew is in WDW!! Where is the "green with envy" smiley?! That is just wonderful that his Gran takes him, very sweet! I hope they got the room they wanted, and that the weather clears up sooner than they say. Or, maybe if they brave the rain there will be no lines!

I am soooo green with envy! hee hee is that better ! They will make the best of it- my mom is not a dweller and she doesn't get hung up on things that are out of her control such as mother nature. I just spoke with them and have a brief update to follow- and If I had to sum it up in one sentence it would read: "Holy mother of all tour groups!!!!"

 

[andrews1ma]

I just need to preface this next update to let you know that my mom is so non-confrontational. She is the most easy going when it comes to vacationing! That’s why I loved our past trips together as she would let me plan out everything!

Last night they arrived at the resort at about 6:00pm. She said the lobby at All Star Sports was a madhouse. Good thing she did the online check in right- with her 2 little requests: Request #1 building 7 or 10, Request #2 ground floor. These requests are a big deal for her because Gran and Andrew are usually done with the parks at about 5 pm and back at the resort for the evenings…..I know…but that just how they roll.

The Helmet building ground floor location works great for them- my mom hangs in the room with the door open and reads her book while Andrew is out kicking a football around on the field. She knows this is not a guaranteed request but has not been denied in the last 3 years- her luck finally ran out. When she went to do her online check in she saw that she was in the way back of the resort- farthest building from the food court and bus stops, and on the 3rd floor !

She did get a nice CM that spent almost 2 hours trying to find a solution. The problem is that Disney is now under an invasion. Yes and invasion of ginormous tour groups! The ones that wear the same colored jumpsuits, carry signs and send one person in line to get 100 bagels at breakfast, or 250 fast passes at the parks!

This time my mom kinda messed things up for herself with her requests ( she learned form her mistake in the past- this is a catch 22 situation..follow along) see building 7 and 10 – although being the closest to the food court, and for some cocamamy (sp?) reason, is not considered a preferred location. Had she booked a preferred location then she could not request bldgs 7 or 10. Since she did not book a preferred location (which she would have been more than happy to pay but she took a gamble) then she was stuck with a room way back.

This nice CM was finally able to find a room at All Star Movies, in the Fantasia Building- which I think is preferred- so that was an upgrade- but the only room available was on the 2nd floor. At the point it was almost 8:30 so she said she would take it. There was nothing else to be had..

Oh and I forgot to mention that the CM at Sports told her bldgs 7 and 10 were not available because they were being rehabbed- I am not sure that this is the truth? They have all been recently rehabbed- my mom stayed there last year in bldg 10 and it was brand spankin new- that will make me very upset if they were not being completely truthful with her.

She said the rooms at Movies are definitely older- and it just doesn’t have the same feel. I know, value is value, but when you have your heart set on a specific resort- even if its value- it just kinda stinks when it doesn’t work out.

When I spoke to my mom this morning she said they barely slept as the hotel was hopping all night. People going in and out of rooms, etc…. not just the normal noises that you would expect, and it went on until about 3:00 am. Yikes !

Then this morning, when they went down to the food court for their breakfast and she said it was a mob scene! They couldn’t even get a table. When she went to go get bagels, the leader of the tour group was clearing and scooping up all of the bagels and she had to wait for them to bring out more baked goods.

I told my mom to go to the front desk and see if there was anything they could do but my mom, being the good sport that she is, said she just wants to get Andrew to the parks and not waist another minute of her vacation stressing this. That is where we left off, I think she said that they were going to head to DHS and try and get on TSM- but since it was almost 10:00am, I am not sure that will happen. Especially if the mobs of tour groups have beat her too it. I have no problem with large groups traveling together but at least be mindful and considerate of others.

I will post an update when I hear from them later on and share all the fun stuff that I am sure they will have done together today! I hope Andrew takes some nice pics to post on here!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Ugh, what a pain to have to put up with large tour groups that take all the good rooms and all the bagels. I hope they all went to a park other than DHS today.

 

[amartinwagner]

Long time lurker subbing into your pretrippy. Currently trying to convince my hubby it is time for us to return. So like you were I am currently trying to live vicarously through everyone elses trip and pre trip reports.

 

[andrews1ma]

Quick update as I just got in from Grocery Shopping at Target- HUGE Mistake! I came home with all the food I needed and 2 pairs of really cute shoes!

I had made a phone call to the All Star Moviews before I left just to see if there was anything that could be done. The CM I spoke to was soooo super nice! She said that it is a nightmare right now at ALL the values and didn't know if she would be able to do anything. She said that when she got to work this morning she couldn't even get into the lobby bathroom because it was mobbed. Also my mom called me to tell me that they were definitely not heading to MK this morning- there had to be at least 300 people waiting for the MK bus . i will do an update later and fill you in on their day so far- and it was a good one!

Ok so the cm takes my # and says she will see what she can do. While I was in Target she called me to say that she was able to move my to Port Orleans Riverside - for FREE!!!! I love her! Thank you CM! I will be writing a letter on her behalf as she was just so understanding and compassionate about the situation. I have never had to complain to Disney about anything- lucky enough, and when I was talking with her I was super nice about it. They are going to provide transportation for them as well. I just spoke with my mom and she is thrilled to bits. They will be moving later on tonight. I will wait until they are settled before I do an update so that I can include no room info! I think the funniest part is that my mom didn't even have to do anything- the cm dealt solely with me!

I have never been to Port Orleans- never stayed and never toured it so I have no idea what they are in for! My mom said she doesnt care if she has to sleep in the lobby at POR !I am sure that wherever they are it will be 100 times better! Once I get my groceries put away I will be checking out the POR thread.

Yipee!!! for Gran and Andrew!