Why Not Just Queue Up Another Disney Trip? Link to New TR 6/24 p136!

[eandesmom]

Great recap!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christmas at the World. Someday! I do plan to stay at OKW one of these days, the value is unbeatable for sure!

Love the photo summary and that red solo cup completely cracks me up!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Love the recap as always. I was thinking really hard about staying at OKW. I like the look of the place. When I was changing resorts Disney had taken OKW off the table, ergo AKL.

 

[MEK]

This fits me to a tee!


Of course, DW would say this is more fitting for me!

Personally, I think I would prefer the straight jacket to the restraining chair as well! Anything that reminds me of sparky in the Green Mile doesn't hold much appeal for me!

Great TR, as usual. I'm so glad you enjoyed OKW. You hit it right on the head...it's more of a resort to relax and truly vacation at instead of the hustle and bustle of some of the other resorts. There's nothing wrong with the others...OKW is just different (a good different!). I can't believe I've never had the Turtle Crawl. Gotta add that to my bucket list but I think I'm gonna need a bigger bucket! Getting ready to head out Saturday morning. Hope my TR when I return is half as great as yours has been!

I enjoyed looking at your itinerary for your trip and I hope you and you family have a magnificent time. I suggest that you all stop by OKW for a turtle crawl! Yum! Can you believe I have never been to Seaworld. I really, really need to change that!

Thanks for the report! (and bonus Williamsburg pictures)

Thanks! Couldn't leave out the bonus Williamsburg pics!

I've said it before, but I love your photography. You do an amazing job, with or without a lens cap.

Thank you! I am going to have to work on my mad photography skills to get back up to speed for this upcoming trip. I put the camera in my hand last night to take prom pics and I am definitely a little rusty!

You really made me want to visit during Christmas time. That's a bucket list item for our family.

Could you guys ever go towards the end of Thanksgiving. We did that one year - we took the kids out of school an extra couple days - and the week after T'giving was amazing. Loved it. Didn't love T-giving day itself so we went to Daytona that day.

Great recap!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christmas at the World. Someday! I do plan to stay at OKW one of these days, the value is unbeatable for sure!

Thanks! Christmas is such a great and festive time to visit!

I love the value of OKW and I can't wait to stay in a 1 or 2 BR. The layout is like Vero, which you will see soon enough. I felt like the 1 BR at Vero was huge. Loved it!

Love the photo summary and that red solo cup completely cracks me up!

They should sell those for F&W!

Love the recap as always. I was thinking really hard about staying at OKW. I like the look of the place. When I was changing resorts Disney had taken OKW off the table, ergo AKL.

Thanks!

And you will LOVE AKL. There is just nothing like it. It's so unique! Don't change a thing!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Williamsburg looks like so much fun -- we must head up there at some point!

 

[MEK]

Williamsburg looks like so much fun -- we must head up there at some point!

I think you would really like it! It is such a wonderful place to visit and learn about our country's beginning history! I'm so glad I live as close as I do because it makes repeat visits pretty easy!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I can't wait to stay at OKW this October for all those reasons you mentioned! It's such a pretty resort, and I love that laid back feel, forces me to relax a bit.

Have you tried to just buy a new lens cap? They are usually just a few bucks.

More great pictures from Williamsburg...that is pretty funny about forgetting your camera though, you forget your camera?!?!

 

[Poolrat]

All caught up for the end.

Loved your summary and the bonus Wiliamsburg trip.
REminds me of the schooltrip that wasn't a school trip ( around 9-11) and I went with the kids alone.

4 hours for a Timeshare presentation. I would have been the one setting my watch alarm for 90 min and then just leaving when the alarm went off.
I probably wouldn't have the guts to really do it but I know I would want to at minute 91.

 

[MEK]

I can't wait to stay at OKW this October for all those reasons you mentioned! It's such a pretty resort, and I love that laid back feel, forces me to relax a bit.

Isn't it nice to know that if you book a trip late you always have the chance of getting OKW because knowing you are going to feel laid back is so key to having a great trip!

IHave you tried to just buy a new lens cap? They are usually just a few bucks.

I probably didn't describe the problem well. The rim that broke is actually on the lens. The lens cap is fine, but the lens is not.

IMore great pictures from Williamsburg...that is pretty funny about forgetting your camera though, you forget your camera?!?!

I actually realized I left it at home right as I was leaving the house. I was the driver. So I just decided any pics I wanted to would do with my phone. I thought maybe I wouldn't take as many as usual - wrong!!!!!

All caught up for the end.

Hey - nothing wrong with that!

Loved your summary and the bonus Wiliamsburg trip.
REminds me of the schooltrip that wasn't a school trip ( around 9-11) and I went with the kids alone.

Glad you enjoyed the Williamsburg stuff. So - your kids were supposed to go there on a school trip but it was canceled because of 911? Glad you got to go anyway! It's such a cool place.

4 hours for a Timeshare presentation. I would have been the one setting my watch alarm for 90 min and then just leaving when the alarm went off.
I probably wouldn't have the guts to really do it but I know I would want to at minute 91.

I thought about setting an alarm, but I figured I was OK going up to 2 1/2 hours. After that I had enough but I made up my mind I was sticking it out to the end. Sort of like an endurance test!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great wrap-up! So glad you are getting ready for another trip so we won't have to wait too long for more beautiful pictures and fun stories.

Sorry about your lens.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I was in Williamsburg right after 9-11, we were there for our 35th anniversary. Williamsburg had several special ceremonies at that time. We had just come from Cape Hatteras & were to end our trip in Williamsburg. So we were there the same time as Poolrat Pat! Small world!

 

[Poolrat]

Glad you enjoyed the Williamsburg stuff. So - your kids were supposed to go there on a school trip but it was canceled because of 911? Glad you got to go anyway! It's such a cool place.

I was in Williamsburg right after 9-11, we were there for our 35th anniversary. Williamsburg had several special ceremonies at that time. We had just come from Cape Hatteras & were to end our trip in Williamsburg. So we were there the same time as Poolrat Pat! Small world!

The school trip was scheduled for the 01-02 school year. 9-11 pretty much cancelled any field trips we had. We could not even go the pumpkin patch in the next county over.... less than 5 miles because we crossed the county line.


The Williamsburg trip was scheduled for spring'02. We went over spring break instead.

 

[Moira222]

Post dinner treats

oohmmmm why don't they have these at WDW? I have never seen ultra gourmet candy apples at disney and THOSE are my favorite treat to splurge on when I see them. I even made sure that a candy apple like this was in my Christmas Stocking from Santa Claus. Katie loved that Santa knew how much I love candy apples!

what a great wrap up and trip(s) reports Mary Ellen! I think OKW sounds wonderfully relaxing. Joe and I are trying to convince his dad (81) to come to WDW with us next year. Joe's parents visited the worlds fair in Chicago when they were young, and saw Its a Small World and the Abe Lincoln animatronic that's in the HOP there -- we would just love him to take the trip with us, see these timeless pieces in WDW and just enjoy Katie and the magic that is Disney. Anyway I say this because I do wonder if one of the more layed back resorts are the way to go to let him feel comfortable taking time to himself instead of going going going like we do. I'll have to think on that one for a while!

Love the Williamsburgh photos -- all of them! thanks for sharing

22 days!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Hey there MEK!
I was just reading through your thread and I have to make a couple of comments.
I agree about the laid back feel of OKW.
We really enjoyed our time there this past Christmas and I know you would love, love, love the 1br there. It is big!
I would hate to come home before Christmas, so we go over the busy week but that's OK.
We can deal with those crowds!

I just told Marc that we have to get to Williamsburg! We are going to Boston this summer, so maybe we can try for it next summer...

Our trips are getting close, see ya real soon!

 

[MEK]

Great wrap-up! So glad you are getting ready for another trip so we won't have to wait too long for more beautiful pictures and fun stories.

Hey C - How was your May trip????? I don't doubt that you guys had a wonderful, wonderful time!!!!!

My next trip should be interesting, to say the least. Can't believe its almost here!

Sorry about your lens.

I've got to get the cap holder thing ordered and soon! That really will help!

I was in Williamsburg right after 9-11, we were there for our 35th anniversary. Williamsburg had several special ceremonies at that time. We had just come from Cape Hatteras & were to end our trip in Williamsburg. So we were there the same time as Poolrat Pat! Small world!

That must have been a really interesting time to visit and a very emotional time as well. (no smilie for lump in throat)

The school trip was scheduled for the 01-02 school year. 9-11 pretty much cancelled any field trips we had. We could not even go the pumpkin patch in the next county over.... less than 5 miles because we crossed the county line.


The Williamsburg trip was scheduled for spring'02. We went over spring break instead.

Can you believe that was over 10 years ago. 9/11 is actually a big reason why we went to Disney on our first trip. Denny thought it would be less expensive to travel and it thought it might even be a bit less crowded. So that once in a life time trip turned into 10 plus years of trips!

oohmmmm why don't they have these at WDW? I have never seen ultra gourmet candy apples at disney and THOSE are my favorite treat to splurge on when I see them. I even made sure that a candy apple like this was in my Christmas Stocking from Santa Claus. Katie loved that Santa knew how much I love candy apples!

The candy apple on the right was on sale for $1.99 so I bought one. It was A-MAZING!!!!!!!! The caramel was really good quality and the apple was perfectly crisp, juicy, and delicious! So good!

what a great wrap up and trip(s) reports Mary Ellen! I think OKW sounds wonderfully relaxing. Joe and I are trying to convince his dad (81) to come to WDW with us next year. Joe's parents visited the worlds fair in Chicago when they were young, and saw Its a Small World and the Abe Lincoln animatronic that's in the HOP there -- we would just love him to take the trip with us, see these timeless pieces in WDW and just enjoy Katie and the magic that is Disney. Anyway I say this because I do wonder if one of the more layed back resorts are the way to go to let him feel comfortable taking time to himself instead of going going going like we do. I'll have to think on that one for a while!

I do think OKW would be a comfortable place for someone who wants to relax and take their time. There were a lot of people at the pool area that you could tell where in no hurry to go to the parks. They were just enjoying the resort. Good luck convincing Joe's dad to visit the world!

Love the Williamsburgh photos -- all of them! thanks for sharing

Thanks! and your welcome!!!!!

22 days!

I think they need a smilie that does a cartwheel because that's how I feel right now!!!!!!

Hey there MEK!
I was just reading through your thread and I have to make a couple of comments.
I agree about the laid back feel of OKW.
We really enjoyed our time there this past Christmas and I know you would love, love, love the 1br there. It is big!

I know I loved the one BR at Vero and I'm pretty sure its the same. It sounds wonderful and its definitely on my bucket list!!!!!!

I would hate to come home before Christmas, so we go over the busy week but that's OK.
We can deal with those crowds!

I think you guys are experts. You have the Christmas system down to a tee. It is REALLY hard to come home right before Christmas. Not fun!

I just told Marc that we have to get to Williamsburg! We are going to Boston this summer, so maybe we can try for it next summer...

It's very cool and there is SO much to do there. Plus - being teachers you can get into colonial Williamsburg 1/2 price. If you decide you ever want to go I will happily pm you my Williamsburg VRBO connection for a condo rental. It's no DVC, but its better than a hotel. Unless, of course, you are staying at the Williamsburg Inn!

Our trips are getting close, see ya real soon!

So excited that its almost here!!!!!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

MEK, it really was a stirring time to be in Williamsburg. On that Friday there was a moment of silence for the whole town. We were proud of our country & to be in Williamsburg at that time!

 

[MEK]

So I did my final thoughts, but no trip report would be complete without an update devoted to Future Trips. Heck - I might just need two updates for this!

But first - there is one important thing I forgot to mention about colonial Williamsburg. If you are a teach - listen up - this is important!

TEACHERS CAN PURCHASE COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TICKETS FOR 1/2 PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's a huge savings and one that isn't readily revealed, but I did find it on one of there web sites.


I also have to show you a copy pictures of Nick and his prom date, A, who he has been dating for about 18 months. I took these pics with my phone. I haven't uploaded the ones of my real camera yet.

Not the best quality pics, but you'll just have to wait for the real ones. Ironically, they both were being eaten by bugs in that last pic which is why Nick's head is down.

How can I wrap up a TR called "Why Not Queue up Another Disney Trip?" without talking about the next trips in my upcoming Disney queue????

Trip 1: June 9 - 19th

I know you have read about the drama surrounding this trip, but right now everything is "status quo" meaning we are all ready to go!

Here's the scoop....

Who?

Me
Denny
Nick

You Know us already, right? But you don't really know my bro's family (names changed)

My Brother BJ
His Wife CJ
son LJ, 12
son Matt, 10
son Jake, 8
son Connor, 5

Here's LJ from our 2008 trip. Memba him?

Picture of a picture here, but you can see from left to right: Matt, Nick, LJ, and Jake. Connor scooted away before I could take the picture. Note: this is about 18 months old so all the boys have grown considerably.

Here's another picture of the boys, plus my boys, plus Nick's GF, plus my nephews' cousins

Where?

Treehouse villa at SSR June 10th - 15th


Food?

We decided on the QSDP for the first part of our trip. I don't necessarily think this DP is worth it, but I am going strictly for convenience with this decision. With 4 boys under the age of 12 I just don't think the regular dining plan is the best option. Too much scheduling and too much herding.

There is one thing about this plan that concerns me. Jake is 8 so he gets the child's plan. This is NOT going to be enough food for him. He is a BIG eater. On one of my recent calls to member services I asked if i could upgrade him to the adult dining plan, but the clear answer was no because he would have a child's ticket. The ticket and the dining plan have to match!

If anyone has any suggestions for this little snafu, please chime in.

We do have one character meal scheduled at my fav - Crystal Palace!

Tickets?

Denny, Nick, and I have APs from our last trip, so we are good.

We also have a TIW for the few TS dinners we have planned for this trip (mostly just for Denny and I)

In case you are wondering what that other ticket is, well it happens to have about 6 left over water park passes on it. I might have to hit a water park this trip, but it will likely be after my bro's family goes home!

So what about bro's family?

Well, Outfitting a family of 6 (even with 2 considered children) is not inexpensive. So my bro's family had opted for the 5 day base ticket. If they decide to go a 6th morning they can upgrade for a few dollars. According to my calculations they save over $300 doing the base ticket versus the park hopper. That's a big chunk of change and since its their first trip I think the base ticket will work out great. I remember my first trip. I WANTED to go back to the same park in the evening. I couldn't wait to see it again.

Itinerary?

Sat June 9th -

Bro and family leave for Lorton, VA to catch the autotrain
Denny, Nick, and I drive in the opposite direction to Allentown PA. We plan to spend the afternoon with Denny's mom, then perhaps hit the Bethlehem Brew Works for a preflight beverage, then check in at ABE (or Lehigh Valley) airport for our 6pm flight on Air Tran to Orlando. I've only flown air tran once. I did not buy assigned seats. Do they do a seat check in 24 hours in advance when I print tickets? I seriously don't remember.

Pick up car from Alamo, although I am keeping one backup reservation on Budget just in case!

Arrive at the Radisson on I Drive to spend the night.

Sunday June 10th -

Check into SSR early and hope for a fairly early availability of the treehouse.

I have heard that people getting off the Auto train can arrive at WDW as early as 9:30am, so I will definitely be at the resort waiting for them.

I am hoping to do a grocery run sometime today, but the majority of the day is going to be spent at the pool waiting for our villa to be ready.

Of course, we will break in the dining plan either by eating right at Artist's Palette or heading over to DTD for the WPE experience.

Once we are in the room and semi unpacked the plan is to bring the nephews to MK for the evening.

And, here's something you probably didn't know - I have not seen the MSEP parade or the castle show - so I can't wait. Everything else is bonus. I am hoping that everyone might want to try Pirates or JC or HM or Philarmagic. And, of course, no arrival would be complete without a spin on the People Mover. I'm sure after spending the night on the auto train my bro's family will be tired and want to head out early to rest for DAY 2

Monday June 11th

Today is another MK day. I think we will probably divide and conquer. Thrill riders will get FP's for the mountains, while less thrill seekers will have to go a different route.

We won't have too much time to stray too far because we have a 10:30 breakfast ADR at none other than...........

Yes - He really IS my favorite!!!!!!

I hope my bro and family enjoy this meal. I knew we had to do one character meal and I'm hoping that the late breakfast keeps everyone semi-full until dinner.

Speaking of dinner, I want to try the Pepper Market for dinner. It looks like the lunch buffet is fabulous, but nilla told me the fish tacos at dinner are amazing, so I'm all for that.

I am hoping that some of my bro's family may want to go back to the MK for the evening. Hopefully the two older boys.

Tuesday June 12th

Today is Epcot day and that means Soarin! I really wish test track was running because I know my nephews would love that. I'm sure we'll do SSE, Nemo, Figment, Turtle Talk with Crush. Then it will be time to hit the World Showcase.

I have an Lunch ADR at Le Cellier for my bro and SIL. If they decide they don't want to use it, Denny and I will. Meanwhile, I'll take the kids to Sunshine Seasons or the Electric umbrella or somewhere. I would prefer SS, but I'll go with whatever works best for the kids.

My plan for dinner is to return to Epcot and do SS again (or for the first time). Illuminations is a must. Oh, and a trip to the Ditch will definitely be a necessity! I'll probably get my drink to go.

Wednesday June 13th

I'm thinking AK for today. I think by this point everyone will need a little break and since my bro's family will only have single park tickets there will be no chance of going back into the park at night. I definitely love this park and know that we will be hitting Safari, EE, Dino, and I would love my bro's family to see both Nemo and FOTLK.

When we are parked out the rest of the afternoon will be spent at the pool and then we can hit DTD for dinner at WPE.



Thursday June 14th

My bro's family's last full day in the park. Hopefully everyone will be ready to hit rope drop so we can get our FP's for TSM.

Then I'll take the thrill riders over to ToT and RnR! Star Wars is a must as well as muppets and the GMR. I'll let my bro's family decide if they want to do any of the outdoor attractions like Cars, Motor, Action or Indian Jones. I really hate sitting through those shows in the heat.

I would like to get one of those Dad's Lemonades while we are in the park (I have to thank Caitlin for that suggestion). I find the CS options at this park to really stink and I would love to eat at Starring Rolls, but we will probably opt for AC. My bro's family may want pizza planet.

If everyone is up for it we will head back into the park at night and possibly even queue up for Fantasmic. I'm not sure what we'll do for dinner. I would like to try the CS option at Reglan Rd (I forget what its called) or we can return to Artist Palette, Pepper Market, or WPE.

Friday June 15th

All too soon it will be time from my brother and his family to catch the Auto train in Sanford. Nick will actually be going back with them. This gets Nick a ride straight to our house. I asked him if he wanted to fly back or take the train and he didnt have a preference, so he will be our train guinea pig. My bro's family waited so long to book that they are all traveling on coach seats.


There's a little part of me that wouldn't mind hitting a water park this morning and then heading into Epcot for lunch in Japan. I figure I will have one more CS to use up and I'd like to get sushi at the Japan CS.

After lunch it will be time to head to Daytona. I am hoping for a late afternoon walk on the beach and then we will be spending the evening with our friends K & T.

That's K&T on the left (from May 2010 when they visited us at VWL)

Saturday June 16th

We will be spending the day with K&T and then heading back to WDW after dinner.

At that time we will check in to BWV!

Oh Yeah - this is the only DVC resort we haven't stayed at on the East coast!

Sunday June 17th

I honestly don't know what park we are going to today but I know that we have a reservation at Bistro de Paris for dinner!

Monday June 18th

This is our last full day. I have a breakfast ADR at Boma and a dinner ADR at R&C for the last showing of Illuminations.

Tuesday June 19th

Departure Day. Our flight actually leaves at 10:30 am so we will be up bright and early. I hope I am ready to leave by now and that I don't feel like crying!

So that's the June trip. In my final update I'll tell you about the rest of the queue!

17 Days! Woot! Woot!

 

[Poolrat]

Denny, Nick, and I drive in the opposite direction to Allentown PA. We plan to spend the afternoon with Denny's mom, then perhaps hit the Bethlehem Brew Works for a preflight beverage, then check in at ABE (or Lehigh Valley) airport for our 6pm flight on Air Tran to Orlando. I've only flown air tran once. I did not buy assigned seats. Do they do a seat check in 24 hours in advance when I print tickets? I seriously don't remember.

Yes Unless they changed something recently, when you check in you will get seat assignments and I even think you can change them too.

 

[eandesmom]

Ah. The dreaded kids meal choices. We had that issue in 2009 when the E's were 8 & 9. Both are big eaters but more importantly for them, not typical k's food eaters. I tried to stick to places that didn't offer kids options as part of their menus and it worked really well. It does seem like they e gotten stricter about it, especially at the resorts but at a few places that had kids meals they still let them get a regular cs instead as the cards didn't break the cs credits into adult and. Hold like it did with ts. Not sure if it does now or not.

Good cs for us then was tangerine cafe, starring rolls, cosmic rays, the old Mexico cs location and yak and yeti local.

I loved the prom pics on FB, good looking couple!

Plans look good!

 

[marDgreen88]

Wow! That sounds like such a nice long trip, and your plans look awesome! I hope your brother's family ends up really having a wonderful time!

 

[dawnbu40]

Your plans sound wonderful! I hope you all have an incredible time!