A Lurker's Trip Report, 4/13 - 4/21, Trying to Turn a "2" into a "10"

[Dennis]

The "flasher" on Pirates? I freaking hate those. We've had the same thing happen a few times. Only once was it so bad that I started flashing my camera directly at them (they were right behind us in the boat) every time they took a photo and they stopped. Otherwise, we just suffer through. I really wish there was something they could do about it, but I can't imagine how they can stop people from being idiots.

I had to suffer through one of these too. On our second ride, there was a guy in front of us that flashed evey single scene on the way to the boat. I told the CM at the boat that this guy was going to flash his way through POC and if he didn't say something to him I was going to throw him off the boat when he started taking pictures. The CM made a general announcement and that must had done the trick because the guy put his camera away.

[Dennis]

Jane, I want to thank you again for taking the time to write up your trip report. This was a very enjoyable read and it sounds like you really found the magic. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[pfalcioni]

An 8!!! Yahooo!!! Shows all your hard work really paid off. And about them not wanting to go back for a long time, give them a few months, make sure to have some Disney pictures scattered around your house (or on your digital picture frame) and I'll bet they'll start thinking another Disney trip a little sooner wouldn't be a bad thing. It works with my DH every year

[jillyb]

Yay for an 8!!!

[Yippee]

So Jane, did you love the Beach Club resort and pool? You got me all excited about staying there next time ... 5 years from now!!

[Jane]

Jane, I want to thank you again for taking the time to write up your trip report. This was a very enjoyable read and it sounds like you really found the magic. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Thanks Dennis, I really enjoyed writing it and I did save it on my laptop so when the kids (and us adults) forget the details as time goes by, they can always look back and read it. I wish I'd done this for other trips and events in their lives before now.

Jane

[Jane]

An 8!!! Yahooo!!! Shows all your hard work really paid off. And about them not wanting to go back for a long time, give them a few months, make sure to have some Disney pictures scattered around your house (or on your digital picture frame) and I'll bet they'll start thinking another Disney trip a little sooner wouldn't be a bad thing. It works with my DH every year

Great idea Pam...My husband did get me a digital frame for Christmas this past year and it has been sitting in the living room unplugged and blank. It looks so sad. I'm sure some Disney photos will make it better.

Jane

[Jane]

So Jane, did you love the Beach Club resort and pool? You got me all excited about staying there next time ... 5 years from now!!

I did love the Beach Club for its great location and the pool. My son enjoyed the water slide, the sand bar area with pails and shovels that other kids have left behind from the kid meals and the whirling waters area of the pool. I liked the sand bottom pool, the fact that there were both sunny and shady areas to relax and the music and games every afternoon were a lot of fun. Since we weren't visiting any water parks, this was definitely a great substitute.

[Jane]

Thanks for making me feel good about the "8" rating everybody! Yay!

I promised I'd post a more about what worked and what I'd do differently, so see below for some of my random, in-no-special-order, thoughts:

1. Tour planning was easier than it could have been because my boys didn’t care about meeting any characters. During our first trip I scheduled three meals with characters to avoid having to wait in line to meet them. This time I asked the boys about their interest in meeting the characters months before we left. Because characters were not a priority for them, my tour planning was simplified in a big way. To those of you who have to juggle attractions and characters, I admire your planning skills and patience. J
2. Bringing our own snacks and breakfast foods was the key to more relaxing mornings, as well as a way to refuel during the afternoon break/pool time. We were able to pack a free bag of food flying Southwest, but I also looked into Garden Grocer as another option.
3. Related to food, I have to let you know that I also packed a large Ziploc bag with a variety of 16 single-serving “nips” from the liquor store for my husband to enjoy before we went out to dinner each night. Using his refillable resort mug for soda or coffee in the food court, he would bring it back to the room and have two cocktails every night before heading out. This was a great way to save money and start the evening with a chill and relaxed husband. I HIGHLY recommend it.
4. If you are staying onsite and plan to get a re-fillable resort mug, it’s great to have a room near the food court. My only room request was to have a room near the lobby and food court and they did grant it. We could hop on the elevator and be in the Marketplace refilling our mugs with coffee in one minute.
5. One thing we didn’t do that I would do in a future trip is to spend more time visiting the various shops in each of the countries in the World Showcase. Even though I told you that we’re not big souvenir shoppers, when we travel we like looking for products that are unique to that region or country. That would be a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.
6. Something I would do again is to limit the number of meal reservations I have during a trip. For our family it was much more relaxing knowing that we could eat whenever, where ever we wanted for the majority of the time we were there. It was great to have a few special meals planned, but there is something to be said for spontenaety.
7. When on vacation, my family usually does everything together. This time we gave each other the okay to not be together 24/7. This made for some great one-on-one time with the kids, and kept us all sane after nine days of vacation.

I'm sure that there is more I'm forgetting right now, but that is all for tonight. I'm getting ready to leave for a work conference in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday and need to get to researching the restaurants and things-to-do outside of work while I'm there. I need a Josh and easywdw in Portland to help me out!

Jane

[BlountFam5]

I really enjoyed reading your report Jane! You did do a great job! Love the list of things you would change and you have some great tips too.

This was a great way to save money and start the evening with a chill and relaxed husband. I HIGHLY recommend it.

That is definitely he way to go! If HE can relax, so can everyone else.

[pfalcioni]

This was a great way to save money and start the evening with a chill and relaxed husband. I HIGHLY recommend it.

I second this!!!

I'm getting ready to leave for a work conference in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday and need to get to researching the restaurants and things-to-do outside of work while I'm there. I need a Josh and easywdw in Portland to help me out!

I'm not Josh, and I can't help you with the dining part of the equation, but Portland is pretty much in my back yard! Finding fun things to do is pretty easy, depending on what you want to do and see, and where you're staying.

Washington Park holds plenty of attractions, some with beautiful views of the city and Mt. Hood beyond (on a clear day). I love the Japanese Garden.

The International Rose test garden (in Washington Park) is amazing, and plenty of buds should be coming in to bloom.

Downtown there's Powell's Book Store - Covering a full city block, they live up to their name "A city of books"

Pittock Mansion in the West hills is beautiful, the grounds are a relaxing place to walk and admire the breathtaking view.

[pfalcioni]

Oh, and I forgot about this blog http://www.portlandfoodanddrink.com/...s-in-portland/ it's hosted by a friend of a friend, and we've eaten at a couple of the restaurants on his "most recommended" lists, and have always loved them.

[Jane]

I second this!!!



I'm not Josh, and I can't help you with the dining part of the equation, but Portland is pretty much in my back yard! Finding fun things to do is pretty easy, depending on what you want to do and see, and where you're staying.

Washington Park holds plenty of attractions, some with beautiful views of the city and Mt. Hood beyond (on a clear day). I love the Japanese Garden.

The International Rose test garden (in Washington Park) is amazing, and plenty of buds should be coming in to bloom.

Downtown there's Powell's Book Store - Covering a full city block, they live up to their name "A city of books"

Pittock Mansion in the West hills is beautiful, the grounds are a relaxing place to walk and admire the breathtaking view.

Thanks so much for the suggestions Pam! The conference I'm attending ends at noon on Saturday and my co-worker and I aren't leaving until 11:30 pm to take the red eye back. I just checked the weather and they say it will be sunny and 82 so Washington Park and the gardens there sound great. I'll have to check out that food blog as well. I do have to go re-pack now as I am prepared for cool, rainy weather and not warm & sunny.

Jane

[pfalcioni]

Bring a raincoat and small umbrella anyway - that's the only way to guarantee decent weather!

Have a great time, and wave as you fly over Central Oregon, you'll probably go right over our house ;)