Who knew choking each other would earn us fastpasses?

[Bethislucy]

happy New Year.

 

[KatMark]

Happy New Year to you, Lisa, John, Hunter and Lacey. And Momma too!

 

[Kelrykengab]

Hi! I haven't been on the Dis since June until recently and I smiled when I saw this. We ended up going back this past November and had another fabulous trip! I hope you are well and happy new year!

 

[PittypatBR]

Busy time of year - sorry I'm so late, but Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, and Happy New Year!! Hope y'all had a great holiday. I know Hunter has enjoyed being out of school and taking it easy. I really enjoyed hearing about the luau, as that is something we haven't done. And I hope you missed the bad weather New Year's eve. We just got bands of rain last night.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks to all for the Christmas, Birthday and New Year's wishes! I hope that everybody had a wonderful holiday season!

As you can probably imagine, it's been a busy day here at the office....with it being the first day back after a long weekend and my boss arriving home from Spain (he was gone for almost two weeks).

I had hoped to get another installment written today but I don't know if that's gonna happen or not.

We have decided to add another day to our 2011 vacation. We are arriving a day earlier than the free dining promo starts so I already had to find a place to stay our first night. Then, thanks to Momof2disneyboys' trip report, she got me to thinking about a split stay using the new % off special offer Disney has out right now.

We've always thought about trying another resort but didn't want to book anything other than the CBR in the fear that we wouldn't like our choice. But, now we are considering one of the value resorts or the other moderates for a 2 night stay. We wouldn't have the dining plan and we won't have park tickets but that's okay. We are planning on spending that day and a half (we won't arrive until the afternoon) swimming and maybe going to Downtown Disney.

It would cost just under $200 to stay at Pop Century, All Stars Music or All Stars Sports. The cost to stay at Port Orleans Riverside would be just under $300. A stay at the Coronado would be a little over $300. I thought about maybe staying at a deluxe resort but I, simply, can not justify the cost. The cheapest deluxe stay is almost $500. I know that may not sound like a lot but I can think of other things I would want to spend the difference on.

I really think we'll end up at one of the other moderates because, if we were to ever change resorts, it would probably be for another moderate and this would give us an opportunity to try one out. But, I could also use the extra $100 we would save if we stayed value.

So, I have a headache from thinking about our choices.

 

[deedeew80]

Yay for you Lisa! I too have always wanted to try another resort, but am too attached to CBR! I have stayed at All Star Sports & Pop, but I didn't really care for either one of them. IMO, it was too noisy, too many kids, just not CBR! Anyway. Hope you get to try something new for a day or two!

BTW, you always go in May, how is it that time of year? We just might be thinking of going this Spring instead of Oct. Still up in the air, but we are thinking about it! LOL! What deals are out now? How's the weather? Too hot? I don't want to go when it's too hot, especially because of Emma. Want to keep her as happy as can be! LOL! I have to go do some searching now!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey! Lisa
that is so exciting that you are adding to your stay and you are right it will give you guys a chance to experience another part of the Disney resorts. My vote on the value level would be POP! we just preferred it to the All Star's and on the mod level we love POFQ (but, we have never stayed at the others). I do think you would guys would enjoy the CS there the food choices are close to home. I was pricing out the deluxe's this morning for our Sep/Oct trip and just like you cannot justify the cost. Now, that we stayed at the POP, I'm having a hard time justifying the cost for the POFQ. We are just not at the resort long enough for the added cost that we can apply somewhere else on our trip.

Good luck with your decision!
Connie

 

[jenseib]

I vote for Pop too. Save the money and do something extra. Also, did you know you can pick up your tickets early before your package starts. I think it is up to 3 days early. So if you want to go a to aprk you can.

I would really want to go deluxe (for 1 night), but so far the discount wasn't all that great for March (since the prices are higher) If we did it in Dec it was like 162 a night for AKL, now it's way over 200. I can't do that and feel good about it.

 

[ronnmel]

I think you should try another moderate. You might end up loving it a lot, and then you'll have more options for your next trip as to where to stay. I know I would love to stay at all of the moderates. I thought long and hard about upgrading to one for my honeymoon, but in the end the cost is not worth it for us. And fiance is very much against split stay. But if you are doing a split stay, then try something fun!

 

[Caretames1]

We fell in love with POR, so back we go in 2 weeks and 4 day( must mention the days) But for our Sept trip,We are going with POP. We wanted to try something new, just to see. I figure it's a short trip, we may really like it. And with it being cheaper, it may lead to more trips

Carey

 

[mickeystoontown]

Yay for you Lisa! I too have always wanted to try another resort, but am too attached to CBR! I have stayed at All Star Sports & Pop, but I didn't really care for either one of them. IMO, it was too noisy, too many kids, just not CBR! Anyway. Hope you get to try something new for a day or two!

BTW, you always go in May, how is it that time of year? We just might be thinking of going this Spring instead of Oct. Still up in the air, but we are thinking about it! LOL! What deals are out now? How's the weather? Too hot? I don't want to go when it's too hot, especially because of Emma. Want to keep her as happy as can be! LOL! I have to go do some searching now!

It's nice that someone else understands exactly how I feel about changing resorts.

We've been the second week of May, the third week of May and the last week of May. If I had a choice, I'd probably go the second week but we don't have that choice anymore since Hunter's in school until the last week of May.

We love May. Yes, there is some heat and, yes, there are rain showers, but we like this time of year. Hunter's been going to Disney every year since he was 1 year old and we have never had any problems. I bought a battery operated, foam blade fan that had a clip on it. We clipped it to the side of his stroller and he was the envy of everybody. We didn't actually leave the parks during the day but we would find nice shady spots to take breaks and let him toddle around (or run around as he got older).

There are new deals out right now on the "special offers" page of the Disney World site. If you book the CBR, you get 25% off if you travel in May. I did the math to see if the new promo would be a better deal for us than the free dining. It actually was not. We are all considered adults and the cost of 4 adults on the dining plan was about $1,400 (I think I am remembering that correctly.) But, if I hadn't already booked with the dining plan, I'd be jumping on the new promo.

Hey! Lisa
that is so exciting that you are adding to your stay and you are right it will give you guys a chance to experience another part of the Disney resorts. My vote on the value level would be POP! we just preferred it to the All Star's and on the mod level we love POFQ (but, we have never stayed at the others). I do think you would guys would enjoy the CS there the food choices are close to home. I was pricing out the deluxe's this morning for our Sep/Oct trip and just like you cannot justify the cost. Now, that we stayed at the POP, I'm having a hard time justifying the cost for the POFQ. We are just not at the resort long enough for the added cost that we can apply somewhere else on our trip.

Good luck with your decision!
Connie

I haven't said a word to my boss about adding another day to the vacation but he'll just have to deal with it. John told his boss that I already had a vacation planned for May and June and never gave them the exact dates. They just said it'd be okay. So, they'll never know that we didn't already have it booked that way.

The discount at Port Orleans French Quarter is 20% while the discount at Port Orleans and Coronado is 25%. I know it's probably not a big deal but the one thing that I keep going back to at the CSR is the fact that the food court has a mandatory 10% tip if you are eating inside the food court if you aren't on the dining plan which we will not be for those two days.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I vote for Pop too. Save the money and do something extra. Also, did you know you can pick up your tickets early before your package starts. I think it is up to 3 days early. So if you want to go a to aprk you can.

I would really want to go deluxe (for 1 night), but so far the discount wasn't all that great for March (since the prices are higher) If we did it in Dec it was like 162 a night for AKL, now it's way over 200. I can't do that and feel good about it.

I remember reading about picking up the tickets early somewhere here in the Dis.

I think we are just going to stay at the resort or DTD that day and a half (we will be arriving in the afternoon on our first day and then have the next day free) so, even if we didn't get the tickets early, we'd be okay.

I would love to stay at a deluxe resort but I just can not make myself pay so much money for a room.

I think you should try another moderate. You might end up loving it a lot, and then you'll have more options for your next trip as to where to stay. I know I would love to stay at all of the moderates. I thought long and hard about upgrading to one for my honeymoon, but in the end the cost is not worth it for us. And fiance is very much against split stay. But if you are doing a split stay, then try something fun!

That's exactly my thoughts. If we stay at another moderate, we may like it as much as the CBR and then do one resort one year and another resort the next.

I have always been against a split stay too until this year. There was no way to get a day (or two) added to the first of our trip since the free dining promo doesn't start until the 27th and we arrive on the 26th. Since I was already going to have to book a stay somewhere (even at the CBR there would be no guarantee that we'd get to stay in the same room for the entirety of our stay). So, given all of the circumstances, a split stay seems to be the best option right now.

We fell in love with POR, so back we go in 2 weeks and 4 day( must mention the days) But for our Sept trip,We are going with POP. We wanted to try something new, just to see. I figure it's a short trip, we may really like it. And with it being cheaper, it may lead to more trips

Carey

I'm happy to hear that you really enjoy POR (and I don't blame you for mentioning how many days until you're back there). I am sure you'll enjoy a stay at Pop and, like you said, that savings may allow you to get back to Disney sooner.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Well, as you can see from my ticker, we have decided on Port Orleans Riverside. I had the kids look at the pictures of the different resorts and that's the one they chose. John didn't get a chance to really get in on the decision making because he kept falling asleep. Can you imagine? I told him if he kept falling asleep, then he wouldn't get a "real" say in the matter. (Actually, I am going to make sure that Port Orleans Riverside is okay with him before I book tomorrow.)

I think the thing that made the decision was the fact that, at Port Orleans, we would get a "two-fer"....you know, we can walk from one resort to the other and use both pools. And, another draw was the boat to Downtown Disney.

I'm not saying that we won't change our minds but, for right now, I am good with our decision.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

French Qtrs was the first WDW resort we ever stayed in, waay back in 2001 but DS4 at the time loved that serpent slide at the themed pool. DH really liked the pool bar

It was our first WDW resort stay but I remembered just adoring the resort. It is neat to be able to ride the boat to DTD but I don't know whether you can easily walk to Riverside

ScatCats jazz bar is small but was a fun place to hang out too. It seems bigger with the open area near the food court & lobby area.

The resort was quaint & not nearly as huge as the lovely Coronado Springs resort, which if my memory serves me right they also charge a gratutity at their food court, Peppers Market. In fact, POFQ is the smallest of all the mod's overall - just one bus stop BUT we back then we also stopped at Riverside to pick up. There was ususally never a problem getting a seat on the way, coming home sometimes a different matter

WE've stayed at all Mod's except Riverside, I feel your pain. It's a hard choice - ENJOY!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Well, as you can see from my ticker, we have decided on Port Orleans Riverside. I had the kids look at the pictures of the different resorts and that's the one they chose. John didn't get a chance to really get in on the decision making because he kept falling asleep. Can you imagine? I told him if he kept falling asleep, then he wouldn't get a "real" say in the matter. (Actually, I am going to make sure that Port Orleans Riverside is okay with him before I book tomorrow.)

I think the thing that made the decision was the fact that, at Port Orleans, we would get a "two-fer"....you know, we can walk from one resort to the other and use both pools. And, another draw was the boat to Downtown Disney.

I'm not saying that we won't change our minds but, for right now, I am good with our decision.

Love the decision! Especially since you plan to just hang out at the resort and DTD! the resort choice will make is soooo easy to do the DTD part!!!
I know you guys are going to enjoy your choice...I really think one of the PO resorts is going to be our choice for our upcoming trip.

 

[natebenma]

Well, as you can see from my ticker, we have decided on Port Orleans Riverside. I had the kids look at the pictures of the different resorts and that's the one they chose. John didn't get a chance to really get in on the decision making because he kept falling asleep. Can you imagine? I told him if he kept falling asleep, then he wouldn't get a "real" say in the matter. (Actually, I am going to make sure that Port Orleans Riverside is okay with him before I book tomorrow.)

I think the thing that made the decision was the fact that, at Port Orleans, we would get a "two-fer"....you know, we can walk from one resort to the other and use both pools. And, another draw was the boat to Downtown Disney.

I'm not saying that we won't change our minds but, for right now, I am good with our decision.

I love it when a plan comes together!

Sorry, I was subjected to two viewings of the A-team over the Christmas school break.

I'm looking forward to a new set of adventures for your fun-loving family after your current saga concludes!

 

[haleofafamily]

I see that you have already made your decision, but I wanted to chime in anyway and throw the Swan and Dolphin into the mix.

Last May when we were looking to add a night we originally chose CBR, but Disney messed up the reservation and by the time I realized it all the preferred rooms were taken. So we booked an executive suite at the Dolphin and it ended up being cheaper than 2 rooms at CBR.

My kids LOVED the resort and ask to go back there all the time. While it wasn't my favorite I wouldn't hesitate to go back if we found a deal like that again. They have discounts all the time. The website allears has a link to the special discounts.

We really like trying out all the different resorts. We always find something to love at all of them. On our last trip we ate at the Pepper Market at CSR and loved it!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I love it when a plan comes together!

Sorry, I was subjected to two viewings of the A-team over the Christmas school break.

I'm looking forward to a new set of adventures for your fun-loving family after your current saga concludes!

I have a feeling of relief knowing that we have decided. Well, the kids and I decided. I'll run it by John when I talk to him at lunch. He's a "go with the flow" kinda guy so I'm sure he'll be okay with any choice.

I see that you have already made your decision, but I wanted to chime in anyway and throw the Swan and Dolphin into the mix.

Last May when we were looking to add a night we originally chose CBR, but Disney messed up the reservation and by the time I realized it all the preferred rooms were taken. So we booked an executive suite at the Dolphin and it ended up being cheaper than 2 rooms at CBR.

My kids LOVED the resort and ask to go back there all the time. While it wasn't my favorite I wouldn't hesitate to go back if we found a deal like that again. They have discounts all the time. The website allears has a link to the special discounts.

We really like trying out all the different resorts. We always find something to love at all of them. On our last trip we ate at the Pepper Market at CSR and loved it!

You know, I've never even thought about the Swan or Dolphin. I may have to look and see what kind of deals they have.

 

[Angies1274]

Hi Lisa!!

I've gotten so behind again. But...I wanted to pop in and say Hi!I also saw that you got a new ticker!! That's so exciting to be able to try out another resort plus you get to stick with your favorite as well. The pictures that I have seen of Port Orleans Riverside look beautiful. I love the fact you can take a boat over to DTD! It's high on the list of resorts we would like to try as well.

I hope you had a nice holiday!! I'll be back to catch up on your TR really soon...I promise!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

We were now several days into our Walt Disney World vacation and it was time for a "down day". You know the day when you have nothing planned and you just go with the flow. It took us many many trips to Disney before I realized that everyone needs a "down day". So, we lengthened our vacations and we built in some down time. Hey, seemed like a reasonable thing to do to me.

I did book us a 5:30 p.m. ADR at Planet Hollywood. This would be an out of pocket meal but we planned on using the $15.00 vouchers that came with our packages.

I don't have a clue what time we got up and about that morning. I know that John had to take his seizure meds at 7:00 a.m. and that we fell back asleep. Knowing me, it wasn't a deep sleep from that point. I'm not the type of gal who can sleep late especially while on vacation. My boys, however, are another story.

Once we were up and about, I decided now was as good a time as any to walk over to the Custom House and get our Hoop Dee Doo Review tickets. In order to avoid another another dining credit mix-up, I called Mama to tell her I needed to get her Keys to the World card. When she answered the phone, her voice was almost gone! I told her I'd be right over.

Mama answered the door and, while she sounded horrible, she said she didn't feel too bad. She was tired and her throat was a little scratchy. Thank goodness I built in this day of rest. I asked her if I needed to go to the drug store and get her anything and she said no, she'd be okay.

I got Mama's card and set out on my walk. It was a beautiful day. I know that these pictures will look almost exactly the same as those I posted of my earlier walk but I can't help taking pictures around the resort. It's too pretty not to.

This was our view from our door:

I took a slight right and walked down this pathway towards the promenade. Notice the edging around the grass and shrubbery. It looks like a wooden chain link.

Pathways through the Jamaica buildings:

Ahh, there's the promenade:

I took a left:

One of the play areas:

**Darn it...I've got to handle this phone call. Be back in a bit.