glendalais Celebrates Summer at WDW!

[glendalais]

Well, it is that time of year again, I'm heading back to WDW :D: ! Honestly, with the economy the way it is, I had actually cancelled this year's trip, but....well, let's start with a story about a little SGT of my own.....

For the past year, I've been hearing everyone talk about giant stimulus checks. I thought for the entire time that they were talking about money given to banks and whatnot.

Imagine my surprise when I'm doing my taxes and come across a field for a "Recovery Rebate Credit". I checked with a few people, and JUST found out that, last year, the Federal Government apparently gave almost everyone in the country money in a bid to stimulate the economy .

Anyway, since I didn't get it last year (since I wasn't eligible and thus didn't know about it :rolleyes :) , I applied for it this year....and, well, now I have more than enough financial breathing room to go to The Most Magical Place on Earth once again :) .

I'm glendalais, and I'm completely naive when it comes to major news events in the United States, it seems :p: .

Tentatively, I will be at WDW 17-24 May 2009. I don't have a hard iteniary as of yet, but am working on it as we speak.

Anyway, my goals for this time round.....

• Finding the ever-elusive Big Wallaby. The third-time will be the charm :p: !
• Meeting other SGTers (both for the first time and again) :) .
• Company D, Cast Connection, Property Control (I've never been)
• A WDW Water Park
• Actually lounging around for once. I've been enough times now that I don't need to kill myself to see everything.
• Casting?????
• If possible, seeing more of Orlando and Central Florida that lays beyond the borders of Disney.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to my third trip to The Place Where Dreams Come True, but I do have some questions.

I'm divided between staying at a value (probably Pop Century - I didn't really like the All Stars when I stayed there last time) or splurging a little bit more for a Moderate (probably Port Orleans). Does anyone here think it's worth the extra cost?

Is there a way to visit the Cast Stores without a car? It seems from the map that I could get there by just walking north from the MK Bus Stop, but that seems like quite a walk, and there's no sidewalk...

Likewise, is it possible to tour Orlando without a car? This would be more of a 'get a feel for the city in preperation for moving there' tour than a 'touristy "ooh...aah....*SNAP*"' tour.

And a really important one. Does anyone know if there's truth to the rumours, that WDW has started counting DLR CM visits against our Maingate Usage?

Anyway, if anyone has any other ideas, feel free to share them.

And if anyone wants to be found, send me your schedule as we get closer. I have a list in my head of CMs I want to meet while visiting, but I'm open to meeting anyone and everyone :D: !

[ktulu]

Jill and I really enjoyed Port Orleans Riverside (then Dixie Landings) when we went for our honeymoon. If you want to relax, there are plenty of places to do so around there.

Just my .02 :)

[Lasolimu]

I'm divided between staying at a value (probably Pop Century - I didn't really like the All Stars when I stayed there last time) or splurging a little bit more for a Moderate (probably Port Orleans). Does anyone here think it's worth the extra cost?

In my opinion, this really depends on how much time you intend to stay at your hotel (you are at WDW so why would you want to do that?). I have stayed at both Pop Century and Port Orleans French Quarter and they have very different atmospheres. If you want your time at the hotel to be more relaxing (you are at WDW so this is probably a good thing) then Port Orleans is worth the extra money. If you are looking somewhere that has a fun atmosphere than go with Pop Century. I do have to say that the best ceaser salad I have ever had was at the Pop Century.

I can't really help with the other stuff having never been a CM on either coast and all of my visits being touristy.

[kurtisnelson]

Likewise, is it possible to tour Orlando without a car? This would be more of a 'get a feel for the city in preperation for moving there' tour than a 'touristy "ooh...aah....*SNAP*"' tour.

No. You really need to find someone to give you a ride, you would not want to live in downtown Orlando, and Lynx sucks at getting you anywhere.

[techie-13]

If you do get a car and decide you have enough time, you may wish to visit the Kennedy Space Center. We did one day away from the parks on our last visit and we went to KSC. Very cool. We paid for a tour that took us out near (can't go to) the launch pads for the space shuttle.

[glendalais]

No. You really need to find someone to give you a ride, you would not want to live in downtown Orlando, and Lynx sucks at getting you anywhere.

Hmm....I might have to think about bringing my car this time around instead of flying.

On that note, has anyone ever driven cross-country before, how many extra days would you budget for driving from LA to Orlando (roughly about 4000 kilometres (2500 miles)). Would the cost be comparable to flying (currently running about $400).

(For the record, before anyone suggests it. I'm not able to rent a car at most places in Orlando due to the Age Restrictions, and the one place that would let me do so would charge me both arms and both legs, lol.)

I will also say that I am leaning towards Port Orleans (Riverside over French Quarter). I'm looking at WDW's website, and I must say that Riverside is absolutely GORGEOUS :D: .

Though I'll admit that Pop Century's Caesar Salad can't be beat, lol.

[Lasolimu]

Oops, I made a mistake in my post, I said I stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter, but it was Riverside. It has clearly been some time since that trip.

[ktulu]

My brother made the drive from LA to Dallas in like 23-25 hours. You'd stay south and go through Houston though. Google maps says it would take about 36 hours :)

Anahiem - Orlando

[glendalais]

My brother made the drive from LA to Dallas in like 23-25 hours. You'd stay south and go through Houston though. Google maps says it would take about 36 hours :)

Anahiem - Orlando

Interesting. Do you know how much he spent on petrol, by chance?

I'm looking at Airfares, and I have a cheap fare that goes into Tampa. The website says it's only a relatively short distance away, but I'm not sure. Could any Floridians give an idea of how far I would be traveling?

[ktulu]

Interesting. Do you know how much he spent on petrol, by chance?

I'm looking at Airfares, and I have a cheap fare that goes into Tampa. The website says it's only a relatively short distance away, but I'm not sure. Could any Floridians give an idea of how far I would be traveling?

I don't recall. He kept it at like 75 I think, but drives a Jeep. I can try and find out, but he is hard to get in touch with sometimes.

The drive from Tampa to Orlando is not too bad, I did that once. Maybe 1 to 1.5 hours. Felt longer for me though...