2400 pictures! Beach Club, Universal, and Bay Lake Tower Grand Villa-COMPLETE!

[dd50]

I see your trip is right around the corner! What are your plans? WL is a cool resort. It's especially worth a trip if you eat at WCC. I think it's neat that there is a geyser out by the pool/lagoon that shoots off every half hour (I think.)

We are going to be staying at Pop for seven nights (my girls love the place) and my oldest daughter and 2 grandchildren are going to meet us there as she lives on the other coast. I can't wait. It always seems like it takes forever to get here and then before you know it you only have 2 weeks and much to do. Now it is less than a week but I will be ready.

Love the update with all the hair. It looked like Ella didn't know if she was going to like it or not. So cute. I do think that it is a bargain and my grandchildren will probably do that as last time they did the Pirates League and BBB.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We are going to be staying at Pop for seven nights (my girls love the place) and my oldest daughter and 2 grandchildren are going to meet us there as she lives on the other coast. I can't wait. It always seems like it takes forever to get here and then before you know it you only have 2 weeks and much to do. Now it is less than a week but I will be ready.

Love the update with all the hair. It looked like Ella didn't know if she was going to like it or not. So cute. I do think that it is a bargain and my grandchildren will probably do that as last time they did the Pirates League and BBB.

Have a fantastic trip!

 

[dd50]

Have a fantastic trip!

Thanks!

 

[hstrickland]

Lovin' the hair pictures! I knew there was a Barber Shop, but didn't realize they did things like that! How cool! My kids would totally love this. I'm trying to come up with new adventures for them on our next trip, so this could work.

We asked my parents to go with us again, so now, after seeing your pictures of BLT, this might be an option (2 bedroom villa). It would be great to have the extra room and kitchen, not to mention the close walk to the MK. If not that, then probably BC. So hard to choose!! Choices, choices!!!

Still enjoying your TR...love looking at the pictures.

 

[GingerJay]

Such a great report. I just read through the whoooolllee thing!

I'm glad you decided to write one since you had so many different experiences. Can't wait to read about your last few days

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Lovin' the hair pictures! I knew there was a Barber Shop, but didn't realize they did things like that! How cool! My kids would totally love this. I'm trying to come up with new adventures for them on our next trip, so this could work.

We asked my parents to go with us again, so now, after seeing your pictures of BLT, this might be an option (2 bedroom villa). It would be great to have the extra room and kitchen, not to mention the close walk to the MK. If not that, then probably BC. So hard to choose!! Choices, choices!!!

Still enjoying your TR...love looking at the pictures.

Thanks! The hair was lots of fun. The kids loved it! I bet you would like staying in a 2 bedroom villa. It's nice to have the extra space. Watch out, you'll be buying into DVC in a flash! But then you'd miss the Poly and GF. I hope one day there are villas there as well.

Such a great report. I just read through the whoooolllee thing!

I'm glad you decided to write one since you had so many different experiences. Can't wait to read about your last few days

Thanks! I didn't realize it would take me so long to write it (and upload and insert pictures) but it's been fun. I'll have to print it out and save it as a journal of our trip. Unforunately, I'm only on day 4 of making my photobook for this trip.

 

[hstrickland]

It's nice to have the extra space. Watch out, you'll be buying into DVC in a flash! But then you'd miss the Poly and GF. I hope one day there are villas there as well.

That's our fear!!! Actually going to check out one of the "info" DVC meetings (not sure what you call it) when we go in June.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

That's our fear!!! Actually going to check out one of the "info" DVC meetings (not sure what you call it) when we go in June.

In case you're prone to impulse buys (like us ), do some research before you go! We love DVC, so IMO you can't go wrong with buying in, but sometimes you can get extra incentives. We bought resale with our first contract (Boardwalk Villas) and saved some money over buying direct. We knew we wanted to buy into Bay Lake Tower (our second contract) even before it went up for sale, but waited until a special event to buy in. We got a better deal (more incentives) that way. I hear you can extra incentives on the Disney cruises too. (If that's in your future.)

If you have any questions about DVC feel free to PM me.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

With the hairstyles all done, we raced (remember, we don't go anywhere fast) down Main Street to Fantasyland. I had to snap a quick picture of "that guy with Mickey Mouse." I can't believe my kids don't really connect that Walt Disney was a person and not just a theme park!

Peter Pan was first. There was a bit of a wait, but not bad! Here are the two oldest cousins who think they are so cool! But not too cool to still hold hands!

We made our way around as much as FL as the kids wanted to do.

Ella has Grandpa (and everyone else) wrapped around her little finger!

None of the kids lack drama! Here's a closer look at Avery's hair too.

I think Max skipped the Winnie the Pooh ride at first, but went back to do it afterall. Doesn't he look like a "tough" little three year old here?

Fantasy Land was a ton of fun! The kids got a lot of attention with their hair. It will be sad when the kids get bigger and aren't so enchanted with FL. We'll enjoy it while we can!

More soon.
(Sorry, photbucket was acting up again!)

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Here's where the day gets screwed up. We split up because the wait for the Speedway was long and Kyle was dying to go to Pirates of the Caribbean. His dad took him there. Grandpa and I were going to take Max and Jake to Buzz Lightyear, but it was busy so we went to AstroOrbiters instead (turns out, also busy!) I think DH, Grandma, and SIL took Avery and Ella to It's a Small World. The girls would do that over and over again!

A view of Tomorrowland from the top of AstroOrbiters

A view of our hotel from up there

While I like that AstroOrbiters is up high--it looks cool. It seemed to take a lot longer than at Disneyland. Maybe it's just me. Buzz Lightyear also is much busier at MK than at DL.

This splitting up and riding only one ride took forever! BIL got caught in a parade and he was the other person with a cell phone. We did all end up meeting just fine at our lunch spot despite delays and poor communication.

We had lunch at Cosmic Ray's.

Thanks to all my reading on he DISboards, I knew I was going to have an iced mochacino here. It's awesome that it counts as a drink on the dining plan. I don't even remember what we ate! I do think it's weird that they don't make a hot dog kid's meal though.

Couldn't resist a close-up of Jacob's hair. By lunchtime it was dry. You can see the confetti/pixie dust if you will. It was not going to be easy to get this stuff out tonight!

Avery and Max and some grown-ups went out to see Storytime with Belle. It was across the way. Jacob is a slow eater, so I waited with him to finish eating. Then he made up his own game with the hulahoops they had available in the restaurant.

Max and Avery were picked to participate in Storytime, but they were too shy to go up. Too bad.

Afterward, Max played with bubbles being blown in the street. It always amazes me that the simplest things draw the kids. Who needs all these fancy attractions, anyway?

Next up: We split up again. Will it turn out as well as last time? And to finish the day, dinner at CRT and Wishes.

 

[oboedm]

Next up: We split up again. Will it turn out as well as last time? And to finish the day, dinner at CRT and Wishes.

Great update! I love the hair. I am contemplating doing it for my 4 yr olf nephew. It's cheaper than Pirates league, but they don't get the "costume" (teeth, bandanna, etc.) so I don't know what to do... pay more for something they can keep? Or go with the cheaper option...

Can't wait to hear about dinner at CRT! We are eating there in Sept, and so I am excited to hear your report.

 

[Native NYer]

Great update!
The pixie dusted hair is too cute.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Wonderful TR so far. I only have a few questions:
1. What was the cost of the pineapple drink at Ohana's?

2. Did you see any adults at AK with their faces painted or tatoo's?

3. What time of day did the movies at BLT happen?

4. Was it easy to get the pixie dust and hair goop out?

Thanks

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Great update! I love the hair. I am contemplating doing it for my 4 yr olf nephew. It's cheaper than Pirates league, but they don't get the "costume" (teeth, bandanna, etc.) so I don't know what to do... pay more for something they can keep? Or go with the cheaper option...

Can't wait to hear about dinner at CRT! We are eating there in Sept, and so I am excited to hear your report.

If your nephew is really into pirates than the whole PL experience may be worth it. Neither of my kids are. We bought the exact costumes they use though at the store that was there before PL. I'm sure we paid a lot less! I just think the Barber Shop is a different but cool experience! IMO, a four yr old will remember it equally as fondly than if you blow the big bucks on PL.

Great update!
The pixie dusted hair is too cute.

Thanks!

Wonderful TR so far. I only have a few questions:
1. What was the cost of the pineapple drink at Ohana's?

2. Did you see any adults at AK with their faces painted or tatoo's?

3. What time of day did the movies at BLT happen?

4. Was it easy to get the pixie dust and hair goop out?

Thanks

1. I don't know. Sorry. My in-laws paid for the drinks.

2. Yes!

3. After sundown. They have the times posted. I'm thinking like 8:30 or 9pm.

4. NO! Even with several washes (the same night) the kids hair was still tinted. It was worth it though. You'll see pictures of the morning after look coming soon.

 

[Melissa<3Disney]

Can't wait for the next update! We have a big group dinner planned at CRT on our last night of our trip! I'm interested in seeing how you guys liked it! Loving the TR so far!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Can't wait for the next update! We have a big group dinner planned at CRT on our last night of our trip! I'm interested in seeing how you guys liked it! Loving the TR so far!!

I'll see if I can get to it today. I'm trying to get at least my first photobook done by the July 31st when a discount expores at Picaboo. I figure this trip will be two books. Hopefully not more!

 

[Dug-says-HI-THERE!]

Well, I've gotten caught up on your TR---well done so far!!

That's quite a group of troopers you've got there....still at it after 8 days.....IMPRESSIVE!!

 

[hstrickland]

I'll see if I can get to it today. I'm trying to get at least my first photobook done by the July 31st when a discount expores at Picaboo. I figure this trip will be two books. Hopefully not more!

I'm trying to get my Star Wars installment done, but not getting very far! I know what you mean with the photobooks....we have around 1600 pictures! Guess I need to buy several books. It's so hard to choose pics....I just want ALL of them to be in the book. On our last 2 Disney trips, I used the Disney Scrapbook...can't do it now because there are too many pictures.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Well, I've gotten caught up on your TR---well done so far!!

That's quite a group of troopers you've got there....still at it after 8 days.....IMPRESSIVE!!

Thank you! We've got our longest ever trip planned in December. I think the more we get of Disney, the more we want! Me, anyway! Some day my children will either love that we did so much Disney, or be all Disney-ed out.

I'm trying to get my Star Wars installment done, but not getting very far! I know what you mean with the photobooks....we have around 1600 pictures! Guess I need to buy several books. It's so hard to choose pics....I just want ALL of them to be in the book. On our last 2 Disney trips, I used the Disney Scrapbook...can't do it now because there are too many pictures.

I haven't done the Disney books because I always have so many photos and it's cost prohibitive for that. For such a big trip, I can usually get away with two Picaboo books. I love Picaboo because it can be customized so much. They end up looking beautiful. You can use a photo as a background and put pictures on top of any size and at any angle. For instance I use a lot of landscape pictures and just pop a picture or two in that don't block anything important. I took a picture of a sandcastle and used it as my background for our Cape May breakfast pics. I do use almost ALL my pictures (2400!) Some pages I do collages and it's a way to get a lot in. I wish I could show off my books!

It doesn't look like I'll get another installment of my TR in today. I've spent every free moment on my photobook #1!

 

[dd50]

Great update. Love the hair. All children love FL and they are small for such a short time so enjoy it while you can. I went on the tea cups last week and haven't done that in years.

I am about a year (or more) on scrapbooks so I think that you are doing good. Most I don't even have on the computer yet.