Originally Posted By fidoprincess We head up to our suite! I open the door and the kids are so excited because it is so BIG! There is a big living room with a sofa flanked by two giant blue arm chairs and a hugh square coffee table. Across the room from the sofa is a cabinet with a tv and dvd player and off in the corner by the sliding doors is a table and two chairs. In the other corner is a large floor plant. It was NICE! Off of the living room is a big powder room and a closet. Go through the door into the bedroom and the room itself is just like a regular two queen beds with the daybed room but there are 2 closets with mirrored bifold doors-yes that brings the total to 3 closets!! The most amazing part was the bathroom. It had a glass shower, then the hugh double sink, and then a bathtub with the toilet in its own little room. The view was over the whole hotel grounds with the focus being the neverland pool. We could see the waterfalls and the other two pools as well as the spot where they used to have the dancing waters show. The kids loved the view and spent a lot of time looking at the neverland pool. DD is so so excited because ds always gets the sofa bed and this time there are two so she can have one!! Little things really make her happy-lol. Then she decided that she would just alternate between the daybed one night and the "big bed" the next night-too cute. The luggage arrived almost instantly and I unpacked a bit and we headed out back to the park. We did a few things but the kids were tired and the lines were long so we headed back early and when we got to the hotel, they were hungry so we went to Croc's Bits and Bites. The food was just awful and my order was wrong after what seemed like an eternity waiting. I ordered 2 childrens meals and a chicken sandwich for myself. Instead I got 2 regular adult chicken strip meals that had so much food the kid could have just shared one but they wanted the cute little lunch boxes. We were all standing together when I placed the order and my kids are obviously kids, 6 & 11 but the CM was all mixed up. At least he gave them the boxes so we carried everything up to the room and none of us liked it. DS tried to eat it and managed more than dd and I did, he ate maybe one whole chicken strip. Then we went to bed in hopes that we would get up and out early Thurs morning because I had seen the weather and they were calling for rain both Friday and Saturday. I wanted to make the most of the good day! Thursday morning we got up and got dressed and headed over to DL. Ds woke up with a sore throat and a runny nose. The same thing happened to him last time and we all ended up sick in Jan so I was watching him closely. We had reservations for breakfast at Carnation and when we got there, I was shocked at the line. It went all the way back around to the bathrooms. I was so so glad that I had made reservations as they took us right away and we all really enjoyed our breakfast. We made sure to get FP every chance we got and pretty much planned out our day according to the different lands. I made a special effort to point out all the special little things like how beautiful the Spring flowers were-just little things and the kids really appreciated being at DL. By the end of the day, we had done almost everything except Dumbo and Casey Junior Train simply because the kids were not willing to wait in those long lines. Also, we could not do any of the "big" rides that ds loves so much because dd wouldn't go and I just couldn't see how to work it out. We couldn't do Splash, Space, BTM, Matterhorn or Indy. I thought about letting ds go alone but then thought what if it broke down and he had to climb out of Matterhorn by himself. I thought about having dd wait at the exits but at 6, there is just no way I would leave her unattended. DS did know ahead of time that it would be this way and he still wanted to go and didn't complain one bit although I did catch him trying to talk her into riding Tower of Terror, "It's just like Jumping Jellyfish with a little haunted mansion thrown in"-lol. We really had a wonderful day but ds was acting up a little bit and the kids had a minor tiff over standing on the same pole. It was time to leave and go to Goofys for Dinner so we checked in and waited just a few minutes for our table. In that short time, ds starts going down hill, doesn't feel well at all. We go into Goofys and I go straight for my favorites, get a plate full and sit down. DD loves it so so much because she loves feeling like a big girl and serving herself anything she wants. Ds is already back to the table and only has 2 chicken nuggets on his plate-uh oh! Next thing I know he is laying across both chairs and won't even sit up when a character comes. By the way, we had great service and tons of characters who each patted ds on the head. I finally told ds to try anything he thought would make him feel better and he got some ice cream but only ate two bites-a lot of money for Goofy's but all I cared about at the time was that he would feel better. I had eaten some of the crab stuffed fish, some roast beef and a few bites of some other stuff when he goes running out to the bathroom. I leave dd there eating at the table!! and followed ds telling him to run to the ladies room, not the men's! I never realized exactly how far it is to the rest room from Goofys! He doesn't get sick but now I have that sinking feeling and know the trip is virtually over. He must have the flu between the sore throat and runny nose and now feeling sick to his stomach. He goes back to the table and says he can wait for us to finish so I grab my favorite tiramisu-yes! the good kind that they had over the holidays with all the chocolate. DD is getting into the dessert and off ds runs again. I again leave dd alone eating telling her to absolutely stay in the restaurant and by the time I catch up with ds, he is hugging the toilet but not sick. We go back into Goofy's and get dd and the camera and go back to the room. We were in Goofys all of 1/2 hour-boohoo. I guess at that point I was really missing DH! At least we could have taken turns and it was the first time I ever left dd anywhere unattended and was a nervous wreck being torn between staying with ds in the restroom and going to check on dd in the restaurant. Decided leaving ds in the restroom sick and alone was scarier than dd eating happily at Goofy's. We get to the room and ds gets sick. He swears it is from Croc's and he has food poisoning and proceeds to throw up all night long until 3am. Lucky we had the two bathrooms. I did call housekeeping to bring us some trash bags saying I had a sick child-they were there in a flash! Luckily, he never had to use them but felt secure having a "bucket". Trust me, it was not a great night! Our plan had been to have the early dinner, stop by the room for warmer clothes and then head back to watch fantasmic and or the fireworks. None of that happened but I felt so so bad for ds and sorry for dd because the next morning we had reservations at the Plaza which is her favorite place just because Pooh is there! She couldn't help but cry a little when I told her we probably wouldn't be going but I told her that if ds was still sick, she could order room service for breakfast and that cheered her up some. She went right to sleep and I sat with ds almost all night in the livingroom. I knew there was a good reason we got the suite! It must have been fate because if we ever needed two rooms, this was the time. DS was moaning and groaning and sort of sleeping on the sofabed and then would run to the powder room every 1/2 hour or so. I was exhausted and Dh ALWAYS handles the vomit part so by 1 am I was really really missing him! Thanks to all the tips I picked up here, I was prepared however and had packed a small spray can of the clorox disinfectant so I used it over and over wiping everything down in the bathroom. It works wonders! Finally around 3:30, I went into the other room to bed, sad and exhausted. More later....
Originally Posted By momof4boys Oh, I am so sorry. I was so jealous when you said you had a suite ( a dream of mine) but you sure needed it. That is my worse nightmare- one of the kids getting sick on vacation. We have been very lucky so far. Nathan got the flu right before our trip last year ( dangerous for him with his heart) but luckily the doctor caught it early and tamiflu knocked it out quickly. Too bad you don't know us- your DS could have rode rides with my DH and older boys and you and DD could have hung out with me and Nathan. You have confirmed my thoughts that I will never take the kids on vacation without my husband. It sounds like you did a great job trying to make the best out of a bad situation. We almost chose Crocs over Goofy's on Friday night ( we had already been to Goofy's the Sat. before and I was worried Goofy's wouldn't be good at a late reservation. So glad we went with Goofy's.
Originally Posted By CindyH Oh, wow, you sure have gone through a lot already! We just got done (crossing fingers) with a bout of something like that - even had to bring younger DS to the ER. Postponed our trip because of this - I can't imagine dealing with it at DL! Hope the rest of your trip went better...
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<The kids loved the view and spent a lot of time looking at the neverland pool. >> I am fairly big on views...I really do think they can enhance the trip if you spend more than the minimum time in the room. This sounds awesome! <<Decided leaving ds in the restroom sick and alone was scarier than dd eating happily at Goofy's.>> I'll back you up on this one, I would have made the same choice. Not that you need MY approval, just saying... <<I knew there was a good reason we got the suite! It must have been fate >> It WASN'T fate, take the credit! YOU made a wise decision! You are an awesome mom, not because you chose a suite, but from your posts I can tell that you really love and care about your children. That is so refreshing these days and I applaud you for it! Awesome trip report...awesome thanks for posting.
Originally Posted By fidoprincess You know DVC-dad, that was really the scariest thing for me: "I'll back you up on this one, I would have made the same choice. Not that you need MY approval, just saying..." Thanks for posting this as it was a difficult decision especially since dd is 6 and dh just turned 11. I was not fully confident that dd would STAY in Goofys and there was such a mob of people right outside the restaurant waiting to check in, I was really fearful if she had ventured out into that. You can just imagine my relief to turn the corner and see her happily munching away. "It WASN'T fate, take the credit! YOU made a wise decision!"-really it was fate or just good luck-we did NOT pay for the suite. I paid the extra for the view room over the standard room though "requesting" the DTD view. The suite was a free upgrade for us and it would have been silly not to take the suite over the regular room with the DTD view but honestly I was a bit torn-just can never seem to get that view no matter what-lol. Had it just one time years ago and loved it for all the people watching. Obviously, I was so glad in the end to have the suite. I'd never pay for the suite-lol-that would just be too decadent at $500/night(and up!) so I'm glad I took it when given the chance. I finally just decided to always pay the difference for the view at DLH unless I am getting AP rates then I just have to beg for some kind of view. If you are going to get a parking lot view there, you may as well stay on Harbor and be closer. I am in the room much more than I imagine the average person is simply because the kids can't stay up late so I always want something to look at. June, our next trip, a regular standard room was $32 less per night. Believe me, I look out the window at least $32 worth-lol. Without kids, never looked at the view, up and out at the crack of dawn 'til the park closed down each and everyday-pool, who cared about a pool?!, I was at Disneyland-lol! Those days are gone for a while til the kids get older. Glad you enjoyed the report even thought it is too too long. CindyH, "even had to bring younger DS to the ER. Postponed our trip because of this - I can't imagine dealing with it at DL!" HOW AWFUL for you and your family! I am sure now that ds did get a bit of food poisoning from that terrible Crocs bits and bites so we were lucky it went through him so fast. I am sorry that you had to postpone your trip and hope everyone is on the mend now. I know how you feel though, it's so so much easier to be home when someone is sick. Scary to take your ds to the ER!? What did they do for him there? Did it help? Gosh, I am getting to be an old pro with DL and sick kids though. Last time ds got a really bad sore throat and the sniffles and almost didn't make the fantasmic balcony seating! The two times before that, dd got a cold almost immediately. The worst was when dd was only 2, we were also at the DLH with just Grandma and dd was sick for 3 days! We did call up the hotel dr. but they just said make sure she is drinking enough-lol. Nothing they could do and to this day we all swear it was from one of the CA pickles from those outdoor vending carts and none of us will ever eat one again! Did you get to reschedule your trip yet? When will you go?
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<Believe me, I look out the window at least $32 worth-lol.>> LOL !!! I hear ya there! Yeah fidoprincess, I caught that whole deal from your other post about the suite vs. the view, but the view form the suite ended up being not so bad anyway right? I have 5 children, I'm a stay home dad, my oldest is only 11, and number 6 is on the way (due at the end of May). Trust me, I can TOTALLY sympathize with your entire ordeal.
Originally Posted By fidoprincess DVC_dad, WOW, how lucky are you with 6 kids and one on the way!! If I had more than my 2, I would not have attempted DL alone though-lol. I always did wonder what your job was that let you be over on LP so much-lol! Now I know, same as mine! Yes, the view from the suite was very pretty as you could see almost the whole grounds from the waterfalls all the way across to the pool. The kids loved the view and were constantly checking out the pool, how many people were in it and if the slide was open but still I prefer to people watch out the window and there isn't much to see at night facing the pool when the kids are asleep. Facing the other way(dtd/park view), you can also see the mountains in the distance that I think are so pretty. The pool view side past the resort is just all flat but both are better than the parking lot-lol! I just wish they would price it out differently as 3 tiers rather than the 2 like GC does with either resort, DTD view or standard so you could pay for exactly what you want. I've heard many people say they wanted and so requested the pool view and have been disappointed to get the DTD view. Really I think a lot of people just want the Sierra Tower, either view, because it is closer to DL but honestly, the walk from bonita tower is all of 1 minute longer. There is such a limited number of DTD Sierra view rooms that we could keep going for years and never get it again I guess-lol. But the view we had from PP on the second from the top floor was spectacular! If my kids hadn't enjoyed the DH pool so much, I would have changed my reservation to PP when we got home. You could see everything!!
Originally Posted By CindyH <<CindyH, "even had to bring younger DS to the ER. Postponed our trip because of this - I can't imagine dealing with it at DL!" HOW AWFUL for you and your family! I am sure now that ds did get a bit of food poisoning from that terrible Crocs bits and bites so we were lucky it went through him so fast. I am sorry that you had to postpone your trip and hope everyone is on the mend now. I know how you feel though, it's so so much easier to be home when someone is sick. Scary to take your ds to the ER!? What did they do for him there? Did it help?>> Thanks, fidoprincess - DS4 is all better (knocking on wood, knocking on head, etc.) Can you believe it, I myself got the flu last week?!? I am crossing all fingers and toes that we all stay healthy for the next week, since we leave on Sunday for our 3 days in DL. ER was not so bad for us this time. I learned a few things in the past year: 1) Unless your DS/DD is actually in a critical medical situation, wait until morning to go to the ER if it's the weekend (lots of accidents and other not very pleasant people in the ER at night). 2) Do not go to the ER alone with your child - bring spouse, grandparent, friend, anyone. It's really scary to be in that situation, and having someone else (adult) there is really comforting. It all worked out, thankfully, just like your situation. Hard to "plan" with the food poisoning, though!
