Accomodations for Sep Disney trip

[emmajmom]

Hi
I am a NC homeschooler and have registered for the trip in Sept. My 15 yr dd and I are going alone and have reserved a room at POP Century but am considering upgrading to Port Orleans Riverside. We have dinner reservations around 7 at different places each night and thought we could take the boat over (& back) to Downtown Disney after dinner. I am thinking with a 15 yr old we would enjoy this more than POP. Any thoughts?
Janey

[Dianna]

Janey, I've stayed at Port Orleans a long time ago (when it was Dixie Landing) and enjoyed it. The food court is nice, and I think the boat ride to Downtown Disney to shop or eat (or whatever) would be great for a teen. The only drawback to it (and any moderate resort) is that they're spread out so much. You have to walk a ways to get anywhere. That's usually not a problem until the end of a full day at a park, when you're so tired that you wish the bus could deliver you right to your door. If you get a preferred room, it will be near the food court and bus stops, though, so that would negate that drawback.

Pop Century (and the other value resorts) are more compact. But their theming is "busy" compared to the moderates and deluxes, so you might feel more rested and relaxed at a moderate.

We usually reserve at Pop Century due to our budget and family size (we need two rooms), but once our children are on their own, who knows?

I hope this makes sense. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Warmly,
Dianna

[emmajmom]

Thanks Dianna,
I have already upgraded to the POR. I realize there may be a longer walk to our room but have requested one closer to the food court & pool. The bus stops are all around the resort. I prefer a quieter atmosphere so I think this is a good match for us. I messed up and missed our date to make reservations for dining and couldn't get one restaurant I wanted (La Cellier). Other than that we have great dining planned. I really need to stop obsessing about this trip! We went a few years ago and had such a blast! It was the same time of year and with no lines, free dining we really experienced the "magic". Thank you so much for getting the tickets for us.
Janey

[Dianna]

I messed up and missed our date to make reservations for dining and couldn't get one restaurant I wanted (La Cellier).

I had a hard time getting Le Cellier, too. Don't give up, though. Once we get closer and hit the 45-day mark, people may cancel their reservations. (Outside of 45 days folks can get their full deposits back. After that, there's a cancellation fee.) So keep calling (every morning once we hit the 45-day mark, if you can) and you'll probably get something. Also, think about trying for lunch instead of dinner, or a very early dinner (3:30 or 4:00 pm).

Warmly,
Dianna

[Dianna]

Also, I wanted to mention that my favorite meal at Le Cellier is the mushroom filet, but I order it with mashed potatoes instead of the rice. Oh my goodness.... :banana: soooo good!

[emmajmom]

Thanks for the tip. I will start trying at the 45 day mark. Also, we were going to take our daughter to Washington this summer but decided not to because of the heat. Then I saw where your group was going. What advantages would we have going with you all and are you planning any Washington trips in the spring? or is that when all the public schools go? Don't want to get messed up with those kids. LOL

[Dianna]

Thanks for the tip. I will start trying at the 45 day mark. Also, we were going to take our daughter to Washington this summer but decided not to because of the heat. Then I saw where your group was going. What advantages would we have going with you all and are you planning any Washington trips in the spring? or is that when all the public schools go? Don't want to get messed up with those kids. LOL

I think advantages are in the eye of the beholder, so I'll just quote what my travelers have told me they enjoyed the most:
-- a better deal on rooms (we get the group rate)
-- the security of going with a group (I introduce them to DC, the Metro system, etc, and then they feel comfortable exploring on their own)
-- not to have to plan anything (I've done it all for them)
-- meeting/visiting the sites with other homeschooling families

We don't go in spring because it's the most crowded with tourists and the waits to do anything are very long, and that's when most school groups go. October and November are much better crowd-wise, and weather-wise, and we get a better deal on hotels.

I hope this helps!

Warmly,
Dianna