Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[Queenofallthings]

So happy that you got the extra points!! I can't imagine a better place to spend some Christmas holidays...there is something about a lodge at Christmastime that I love

 

[MEK]

So happy that you got the extra points!! I can't imagine a better place to spend some Christmas holidays...there is something about a lodge at Christmastime that I love

Thanks Queen! I am pretty excited about the possibility of a VWL. I hate too get too excited until I know it passes ROFR. Then I think I would really like to stay there when the lodge is decorated for Christmas.

 

[brookelizabeth]

It doesn't have to close by then, it just has to be approved by Disney by then. So I interpret that as meaning passing ROFR. At least that's the way it reads in the contract.

Ahhhh, well they better approve it quickly so you can have those added perks!!!!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Congrats on finding a contract that works for you! Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you pass ROFR!!

 

[DisneyGirlDownUnder]

MEK: I know I'm late to write on here, but those balloon pics turned out lovely! Also I listened to your song and as a fellow songwriter, it was sooo good! I really enjoyed it

 

[MEK]

Ahhhh, well they better approve it quickly so you can have those added perks!!!!!!

I know it! I am already planning how we can use those extra points! I'd really like to go over Thanksgiving or right after Thanksgiving or the 1st week in December. I really want to try BWV next trip, but I would also like to stay at VWL over the Christmas season.

Congrats on finding a contract that works for you! Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you pass ROFR!!

Thanks Michelle! I really hope its passes since I am already "spending" those extra points in my mind! I'll keep ya posted.

MEK: I know I'm late to write on here, but those balloon pics turned out lovely! Also I listened to your song and as a fellow songwriter, it was sooo good! I really enjoyed it

DisneyGirlDownUnder! And Welcome to the DIS boards. Thanks for the compliment on the song. I really appreciate that, especially coming for someone who writes music. I tend to be super critical of anything I write and I feel like I can't even start to be objective.

One of my coworkers is from Australia. She has been in the states forever, but her family still lives there. Her niece lives there and is coming to visit with her husband this summer.

 

[MEK]

Looks like I am long overdue for an update. I politely asked Jen to update this week, but I guess she ignored me. Seriously, I think Jen is in mourning because she is finally selling her DVC contracts. She will be starting school in the fall and its not financially responsible for her to keep both. And she said if she sells one, she wants to sell the other so she can change her use year.

But on a brighter note, she is planning an early September trip with her family. CSR, I believe. That's her favorite non DVC resort.

So, where were we? Oh Yeah - Still on the boat ride to Epcot. You know the one - the one where I took at least 70 pictures on that boat ride alone. Yes, I have the "last day, take pictures of everything you see", disease. So let's begin where we left off. Shall we?

After we turned away from the Swolpin, we passed another well known landmark.....

I always feel like its hard to see the whole Yacht club. It's easy to pick out the Beach club and the Boardwalk, but the YC always seems like its tucked into that little corner. Yet, clearly its not a small resort and a lot of room is needed to tuck it anywhere.

Why look - There's another friendship boat, heading in the opposite direction.

Funny, I don't exactly remember in what order the Friendship boat stopped. Was it Swolphin, Boardwalk, the BC/YC or did it drop off at the BC/YC before the boardwalk? Perhaps my pictures will help me figure it out. If not, I will call upon you more experienced travelers to answer the question.

The next pictures I have are of the BC. But my pictures did get hopelessly out of order. They uploaded on my computer out of order and now they are completely out of order on Photobucket. No help there!

Trying for a close-up of the slide, but in reality this next picture looks like an impossible, "Where are we now?" picture.

Ah, Beach Club. I long for you even though I am not sure if I am brave enough for the SAB slide. I am brave enough for adult beverages by the pool.

But, wait...what's that in the distance? Tables and chairs?

Why, Yes. Someone is setting up for an event.

Any guesses? When you see something like that you can't help wish a fabulous bride and her groom would materialize out of thing air. But I knew it was still a little too early in the afternoon for an outdoor seating venue like that.

Over to the Boardwalk next.....

Why is it that you can never have enough boardwalk pictures?

Hi Brook! Are you having a great time at the Boardwalk today? I'm on FB now, so keep posting those pictures.

After the boat turned around, I was able to get a few more pictures of the fabulous BC.

What villa will Cynthia and I end up in this spring???????

Continued.......

 

[MEK]

Continued.....

Under the bridge......

I knew I needed to put my camera away, but I just couldn't stop taking pics.

Really, why would I ever need a picture of the sides of a building in France. It's a sickness. I know.

And finally, Christine's private entrance.

Of course in May it will be Christine's et al (Mary Ellen, Cynthia, Melissa, Tracy, and Jen's) private entrance.

Once inside we headed for France. And if my memory serves me right, we saw the film in France. I KNOW we saw it once this trip and this seems like a good time, especially as a way to escape the heat.

The film in France is lovely. It even has seats. Doesn't get any better than that! A/C, seats, and beautiful scenery narrated with a lovely French accent. Oh la la! (That's the extent of my French)

I want to spend some time in here this May perusing the wine selections. Hey - I think that one bottle is a twist off. That'll work for easy access and drinkability!

A French Hidden Mickey

And finally, I gazed at the menu of this fine establishment...

I've never eater here, but would like to someday. I want to try this and Tokyo dining for sushi.

I don't know what made me think I would ever be able to read this menu when I uploaded this picture, but you gotta give me points for trying.

Wait - I can read this menu. I can't understand it. But I can read it! I see I need some serious green for this place!

Up Next....the Rest of Our Day at Epcot and the journey home!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I am so glad we get to see the benefit of your 'it's my last day, I have to take as many pictures as possible' sickness! Really, beautiful photos

 

[dawnbu40]

I love the last day pics! So lovely!

When we were staying at Boardwalk last trip we saw a wedding in that spot as we were walking to Epcot. It was beautiful!

 

[Queenofallthings]

There is something about your pictures Mary Ellen that take me right back to the World! I can't get enough of them....I love the French hidden mickey..spectacular!!

Your photos of the resorts could sell for postcards girl!!!!!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

asked Jen to update this week, but I guess she ignored me.

I was not ignoring you! I was ignoring the fact that I had to put my DVC contracts up for sale and our TR was coming to an end - maybe if I ignored it none of it would happen.

It didn't work. Both the TR is wrapping up (without me at this rate!) and my contracts will be listed this week.

*SIGH*

Might as well post the last of my pics and remenisce about how much I love WDW even though I don't know when I'll be going back. (However, I am plotting a Sept trip for my 10th anniversary).

I will leave most of the commentary out; since I am so-freaking-far behind! But do you think we took the bus again? Um, NO! We boated it from MGM to Epcot.

Here is another pic looking at Disney detail. There's no mistaking what resort you're looking at it here.

And then we were here!

I found it like this, I swear!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

But wait! THERE'S MORE!

Tronorail!

Fun with PhotoShop.

I was taking more pics of things I might buy.

Then my camera gave me the strangest message: "Memory Card Full"

So the pics stop here. I packed my Archos and adapter for just this reason. I downloaded my card on the monorail back to BLT before we caught the ME bus to MCO, but it was the last part of the last day so I stopped taking pics and just enjoyed the last few hours in WDW. Can'ya bame me?

D4D

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I love your pictures!!! I believe the Friendship boat order is DHS, Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht, Boardwalk, Epcot. And back. And forth. I do get the order mixed up fairly frequently, so I might be wrong lol...

LOVE the table and chairs hidden mickey in France! How cool is that?!? I totally get the "last day, gotta take tons of pictures" thing. Who knows what little nuance you may want to remind yourself of when you're home???

 

[podsnel]

Love all those pics from both of you...almost as good as being there! The table & chairs in France has to be one of the coolest hidden Mickeys ever! Loved it!

 

[IluvXU]

I always love the BC pictures! Cannot wait till June. Good luck on that add on... I wish we had jumped on a small contract when the announcement was made... oh well!

 

[MEK]

I am so glad we get to see the benefit of your 'it's my last day, I have to take as many pictures as possible' sickness! Really, beautiful photos

Thanks Michelle. Unfortunately, I am going to run out of pics soon. But I saved the best for last - the photopass pics!

I love the last day pics! So lovely!

Thanks Dawn. Glad you are enjoying them.

When we were staying at Boardwalk last trip we saw a wedding in that spot as we were walking to Epcot. It was beautiful!

So it is a wedding spot. Cool. I guess they were setting up for later in the day. I would have loved to see a wedding. Maybe in May if I am lucky!

There is something about your pictures Mary Ellen that take me right back to the World! I can't get enough of them....I love the French hidden mickey..spectacular!!

Your photos of the resorts could sell for postcards girl!!!!!

Thanks Queen. We both love taking pictures. I love capturing a view of something that I wouldn't normally notice. I'm not normally super observant, so the camera helps with that.

Jen found that Hidden Mickey. She's really good at that.

I love your pictures!!! I believe the Friendship boat order is DHS, Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht, Boardwalk, Epcot. And back. And forth. I do get the order mixed up fairly frequently, so I might be wrong lol...

I figured it went in that order, but for some reason I couldn't remember pulling up to the BC/YC. I must have spaced out. I trust that you're right since you stayed there.

LOVE the table and chairs hidden mickey in France! How cool is that?!? I totally get the "last day, gotta take tons of pictures" thing. Who knows what little nuance you may want to remind yourself of when you're home???

Exactly. It's your last chance to see all the little details. I'm sure I will do the same thing next trip.

Jen found that table of chairs hidden Mickey. I saw her taking pictures, so I got in on the action.

Love all those pics from both of you...almost as good as being there! The table & chairs in France has to be one of the coolest hidden Mickeys ever! Loved it!

I am going to seriously look for that same table and chairs in May. I might not have noticed it if it wasn't for Jen.

I'm so glad you are enjoying our pics.

 

[eandesmom]

I am so impressed that you both looked down and actually SAW that hidden mickey, tres maginifique!

I think the YC is harder to see villas it actually is quite a bit smaller than the other two. Not that it's small but I can say, after staying there, you really do feel tucked away and oh so private. I think it's 500 or so rooms which, after WL did feel small.

I am getting SOOOO excited for May! However, Mary Ellen you WILL go down that slide. You have to! But, you can do it after an adult bevie (or two ), I promise!

Jen I am so sorry you are having to sell your contracts, it makes me very very sad!!!!!

I'd love to go to Tokyo dining for the sushi as well, maybe on my next family trip as I think we are ready for a break from Teppan.

Beautiful beautiful pictures. I do think it's Swolphin, BW, BC/YC.

 

[MEK]

Fun with PhotoShop.

This is cool Jen.

Thanks for updating. I know you have had a busy week, but I want the latest on your trip plans for September!

 

[MEK]

I always love the BC pictures! Cannot wait till June. Good luck on that add on...

I hear ya on that. I can't wait until May. I am really looking forward to staying at the BC instead of being a frequent visitor. It's going to be so cool

Good luck on that add on... I wish we had jumped on a small contract when the announcement was made... oh well!

Thanks for the good wishes. I have been wanting a small add on for awhile, so I really hope it passes.