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

[dr&momto2boys]

Just wondering if I have old partly used tickets (from the days when all tickets didnt expire) and they have water-park options on them can I use these to upgrade to an annual passes when we are in wdw in 2011? Would it have to be a premium annual pass? We are now a family of 5 (in2004 we were 4) and my son is now an adult. I didnt know I could up-grade the tickets - I thought I could just use the remaining days. Thanks for any help you can give.
Loving your trip report and all your photos
Makes me wish I was there now!

I'm not sure of the answer to that but I bet someone on the DISboards knows. You could start thread to ask.

Nice update. Love the pics. I agree with the Narnia thing. We saw it last year and I was waiting for the show to start and didn't realize that was the show. We passed on it this year.

That's exactly what I was thinking!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Maybe I can get a little more posted today. I've been preoccupied because we just found out that we're going to have a baby! I had to spend some time on pregnancy sites!

I'm glad we have two trips planned to WDW before the birth of baby #4. (Even though I'll have to skip a bunch of rides.) I'm sure it will be a while before we travel with 4 kids on our own.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Star Tours was next on our agenda. To get there, we walked by the misting Coke bottle and fire engine. We also passed by where the Muppet are. The show was closed while we were there though.

Everyone went on Star Tours except SIL and Avery, Max, Ella, and me. We walked around the gift shop. Max was pretty interested in the build your own lightsabers. When everyone came off the ride I showed them to Jacob and he decided that that was the souvenir he wanted Grandma to buy him. Finally! Max liked them so much too that we had to buy him one. I guess the lesson learned here is pick out your souvenirs early and often.

SIL and Avery took off to catch the High School Musical 3 show. That's where we caught up to them. My kids have no interest in this, so we grabbed a snack from Starring Rolls and the popcorn cart while waiting for the show to end.

Next, we planned for the kids to see Playhouse Disney and possibly The Little Mermaid show while the men and me went to Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster.

I love how Disney carries the theming throuh to the photo and gift shops so well.

Just as we got off ToT, BIL got a call from his wife that Kyle was throwing a fit. He didn't want to do that "baby stuff." SIL wanted him to come and get Kyle right away. Bummer! RRC is so close by. What to do, what to do...

 

[Must C Mickey]

Yeah a new post! I've been waiting...

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Dash over to RRC real quickly or pick up unhappy kid...tough choice. We tried not to influence BIL.
And the choice is...

The phone rang again as we exited the ride. BIL took off running saying, "Tell her I'm on the way!"

Kyle was sulking when we got there. The whole group was just hanging out by Voyage of the Little Mermaid. They never did see the show.

The girls were having a fun time sharing jewelry. Avery taught Ella how to accessorize!

I wanted to get a group photo of the kids in matching shirts, but Kyle wasn't in the mood. These goofballs were entertaining though...

We had planned to have lunch at '50s Prime Time Cafe. We did this 2 years ago on our big group trip, and it was the worst dining experience we had! It had nothing to do with the restaurant. It was just the kids! I think it was Kyle that spilled a drink all over a few family members near him, and Jacob that had an accident and peed MY pants! The kids were all so cranky that Grandma ended up leaving early and walking my two around in the stroller until they both went to sleep. Given the history and the way the day was shaping up so far, we decided to cancel our '50s ADR and eat counter service at the Studio Catering Company. We figured the kids could play at the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground--or whatever it's called--while we got the food and after we finished. A good call I think!

After lunch we used our fast passes for Toy Story Mania and then went back to the hotel. We had covered about all we wanted to.

Finally got the group shot.

It's great how well the cousins get along! All the kids are pretty well behaved when they're all together. It makes for a great trip!

Next: Movie under the Stars, Wishes from the Top of the World Lounge, and the Water Pageant!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Yeah a new post! I've been waiting...

Sorry! Thanks for continuing to follow along! I will finish this thing! Not so sure I'm going to do one next time though!

 

[disneymoon_0307]

Okay....I'm all caught up...geez. Just found your report earlier and it really caught my attention cause I am in the midst of planning a trip for 10 people next september and my daughter is now 15 months...lol. I have to ask, on the day that y'all went to AK where did you get the outfit your daughter had on? It had pink colored plaid with a mickey on the onesie....i love it!!! I can't wait to hear about the rest of y'alls trip.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Okay....I'm all caught up...geez. Just found your report earlier and it really caught my attention cause I am in the midst of planning a trip for 10 people next september and my daughter is now 15 months...lol. I have to ask, on the day that y'all went to AK where did you get the outfit your daughter had on? It had pink colored plaid with a mickey on the onesie....i love it!!! I can't wait to hear about the rest of y'alls trip.

I bought it when we were on a Disney cruise (in anticipation of this trip.) I saw the same line for sale at the gift store in the Contemporary while we were on this trip in May. Maybe they have it online too?

 

[camsmomE]

Has no one else even noticed that you just told us you re expecting?!? AAAAAHHHHH so happy for you!!! Best Wishes to you all! -stace

 

[LaurenLC]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! It's hard to imagine four kids as we're just now figuring out one!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Has no one else even noticed that you just told us you re expecting?!? AAAAAHHHHH so happy for you!!! Best Wishes to you all! -stace

Thank you very much!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! It's hard to imagine four kids as we're just now figuring out one!

Thanks! Don't worry, the first is the most difficult! With our first, we couldn't even figure out how to leave the house for three months! It get's easier every time!

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

Maybe I can get a little more posted today. I've been preoccupied because we just found out that we're going to have a baby! I had to spend some time on pregnancy sites!

I'm glad we have two trips planned to WDW before the birth of baby #4. (Even though I'll have to skip a bunch of rides.) I'm sure it will be a while before we travel with 4 kids on our own.

Just found your TR and love it!!!

Your room at BLT is AMAZING!!!

And congrats on the newest addition to your family!!!

 

[Lisa29]

Still loving your trip report.

Congratulations on your pregnancy - I hope everything goes ok for you.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Just found your TR and love it!!!

Your room at BLT is AMAZING!!!

And congrats on the newest addition to your family!!!

Still loving your trip report.

Congratulations on your pregnancy - I hope everything goes ok for you.

Thanks!

 

[dd50]

First Congratulations on the new baby.

I do agree with the choice of running back to a cranky kid or hitting the next ride. Great choice! You all make it look so easy going with a big group.

Don't you just love when they end up peeing on YOUR pants. Has happened to me more than once.

Love the pics!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Jacob and I did a little shopping at the Contemporary while others were relaxing. When we got back the room was dark and we figured they were out at the movie under the stars.

Sure enough, there they were. It was a nice cool evening. Funny aside, just the day before SIL mentioned that she had never seen a snake in the "wild" before. Well, she had one cross her path out here tonight. How ironic! I've always heard there are a lot of snakes on the resort properties.

I cut out of the movie early to go see Wishes from the Top of the World Lounge. Since I had missed it at MK, I was definately looking forward to this. DH wanted to stay for the movie with the kids and see the water pageant.

Top of the World Lounge is at the top of Bay Lake Tower with viewing on the roof or from inside the lounge of Wishes. Music is played as well. Only DVC owners staying at BLT are allowed up there. The lounge serves drinks and appetizers. We were able to access the lounge and roof directly because the top story of our villa opens to the 16th floor. Most people have to check in with a CM at the desk and be escorted to a special elevator to access the lounge.

FIL bought a round of drinks for us. BIL brought Kyle and Avery up too. They had Kiddie Cocktails.

A few shots before the fireworks began...

From the roof, looking in..

More pictures coming soon...

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Lost my post with the fireworks pics just as I was almost finished! I'll do it again tomorrow.

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

What amazing views from the top of BLT!!!

I can't wait to see the firework pictures... I bet they're amazing too!!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I enjoyed the unique experience at the Top of the World, but it is weird seeing the fireworks so far away from the castle. Nothing can beat Wishes viewed from Main Street. But then again, nothing can beat setting your wine glass down, and walking 100 feet to your room when it's over!

And here's the part where the castle explodes...

BIL took the kids down to see the water pageant before the end of Wishes. Once it was over, FIL engaged the lounge manager in at least a 20 minute conversation. He can talk to anyone for ages! All the while FIL's back was to the window where I watched the entire water pageant go by. He never knew what he missed!

Next up: Our LAST day!

 

[dd50]

Great update! Wow, didn't even know there was a special place for people that stayed in the towers. How nice. It is so funny because the castle looks so tiny compared to the fireworks. You got some good pictures.