Could the Dream Turn the Grump into a Believer? Charleston Update 10/13

[SoonerGirl]

Yay on going to DTD before boarding the cruise though I can imagine it must have been weird to not be able to go into a park. Not long to go before your October trip though

Love the DTD pics – what a bummer that Design a tee was closed What great ornaments and pins. I agree there should be separate pins for POFQ and POR.

I laughed out loud at the conversation that took place between Don and Justin at Team Mickey!

Mmm can’t wait to try EoS

I love the 40th Anniversary purchases as well as the cook book. Have you made anything from it?

If I didn't have my October trip to look forward to, I would probably be depressed about being right there and not visiting the parks. As it is I can look back and see that a bit of downtime at WDW can be a good thing!

Don kills me with all the $$ he spends on sports stuff, which is why I don't feel so guilty when I buy new shoes

I haven't made anything out the cookbook yet. I've looked at several times though

Another wonderful update!

Love all the pins. I've not gotten into collecting pins but that made me think about it. Love the cruise pin you picked out

The pins are so cute, I just can't help myself. I resisted the first couple of trips, but I'm making up for it now!

Oh goodness, where do I even begin?

First - I desperately feel the need to go shopping now

Second - have you had time to use the cookbook yet? Do you like it?

Third - men never cease to amaze me in what they think is and isn't worth money

I want to go shopping now too, but I'm trying really hard to be good. Don & I have a trip to Charleston coming up to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, and then WDW in October, I need to save my pennies

I haven't used the cookbook yet, but now that baseball is over and we are home more in the evenings I going to!

wow, you got a second post in before I finished the first So excited that the cruise is coming up!!!

I'm fast like that Actually I type my whole update in word and insert the pictures and everything before I come on here to post. I've lost an update or two when the boards went all crazy in the past, so I learned to write them elsewhere first

I love all the pins you got. What a great idea in getting the ones for each resort you've stayed at. I started doing that with magnets but now the resorts have stopped making them. Guess I'll have to start doing pins instead. Great shopping overall

I can't see the pins ever going away so I thought that would be a good resort specific souvenir to collect.

 

[Happydog]

Well, it's a F&W dessert party, I think they are desserts specific to the event, not like the MK buffet. It's only offered on Thursday & Friday nights though, might not work, depending on your flight

Oh, WELLLLLLLLL.... if that is the case, I am going to do a little research RIGHT now!!!! I am going to double check the flight times I was looking at... and them compare.. if I can do it, I am up for that!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I went to Downtown Disney last year to explore hadn't been there before and i wanted to go to Basin but got so distracted by all the disney goodness I forgot to go find basin.. There's always next time though..

I've been to DTD many times and there are still stores I haven't been in, there is just so much to look at!

Great update! I admire your restraint in being so close to the parks but not going to any of them-- don't think I could do it!
I love your new ornaments!! Definitely my favorite DTD store!

It was kind of sad to be right there and not go to the parks, especially when we'd see the entrance to them. But since we had such a short time on property the way we did things really turned out well. It taught me that we don't have to be on the go all the time when in WDW, it can be very enjoyable just to relax and take it easy. I wish I had learned that lesson earlier, maybe Don wouldn't have turned into the Grump!

Love the DTD pics!!

Thanks! I love DTD

Michelle, do you wear the pins on a lanyard? Or just collect them? I always want to buy some but am not really sure how to display them.

How hilarious how Don is into spending money on sporting goods! My husband is the same way about paintball. Doesn't even check prices!

I have that exact same black and white Mickey & Walt mug. I think it's pretty special and it's my favorite!

No, I don't wear the pins on a lanyard and we don't get into the pin trading, we just collect them. I have a pin trading book that we keep them in, I love to pull it out and look at the pins, makes me happy!

Every month when I open the credit card statement there are charges from sporting goods stores, I have no idea what all he buys. If the boys would quit sports we could easily afford two vacations a year!

I that mug! Jared does too, I've caught him drinking water out of it more than once since we've been home.

 

[Happydog]

Great update!!! we had a similar DTD trip on our last day at the AKL as well!! Isn't that funny we both stayed there in the end, without a park trip!!??

OH and I will be sporting that SAME 40th anniversary pin on my vintage Mickey camera strap in October....

BASIN is fabulous! I didn't go in for the same reason!!!!

WOD, I opted to hold out, I had done enough shopping at the resort store (AKL) and on the cruise ship!!! LOVE those Xmas ornaments!!! I am saving up for our trip in October now, though!!! I CANNOT wait!!! YIPPEE!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Fantastic report and you haven't even gotten on the ship yet!!!!

Jill in CO

Thanks! We're almost there, one more update and then it will be time to set sail

I love those ornaments and those pins and that coffee mug and the charms and pretty much everything else you bought. If you're going to have a park free Disney day, that looks like a pretty good one.

I had just come to peace with saving trying Zebra Domes for another trip, but now I'm second guessing that decision- yours look really good!

Yup, lots of fun to be had at DTD We have something even more fun in the works for later that day.....

Sorry about the zebra domes, but if you find yourself anywhere AKL, stop in and grab some!

Have been lurking and finally made a profile. Love your TR! Hope your 'resister' doesn't resist so much after this trip!

Thanks for de-lurking & welcome to the DISboards!! I lurked for several months before I joined as well and now it's become quite the addiction I've met some pretty great people on here though!

What a great trip to DTD!! Those ornaments are the cutest thing! I really need to pick me up a few ornaments in Oct!!!! Don't let me forget LOL!!!

EOS looks so good...what yummy yummy sandwiches makes me hungry now!!!

YAY for a good day at DTD!!!

Ok, we need to squeeze in DTD in October too.......are you sure we don't want to just come home on Thursday instead........

EoS is so good! Crazy how much you can crave a sandwich isn't it?

Another great update!! Can't wait till you get on the ship! Maybe you'll have your TR done by the time we sail?? I think we have 7 weeks left!!

Gosh, I sure hope so!! Now that baseball is over, I have more free time on my hands and should be able to update more often. Look, I did two in the span of 5 days this week - yay me!

One more update and we'll be headed to port

Oh, WELLLLLLLLL.... if that is the case, I am going to do a little research RIGHT now!!!! I am going to double check the flight times I was looking at... and them compare.. if I can do it, I am up for that!!

Yes, check out the desserts offered, looks pretty good, and I'd love to have that VIP seating for Illuminations Aren't the events open for booking on like the 24th/26th? Something like that? I can always call and get some more information on it then.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great update!!! we had a similar DTD trip on our last day at the AKL as well!! Isn't that funny we both stayed there in the end, without a park trip!!??

OH and I will be sporting that SAME 40th anniversary pin on my vintage Mickey camera strap in October....

BASIN is fabulous! I didn't go in for the same reason!!!!

WOD, I opted to hold out, I had done enough shopping at the resort store (AKL) and on the cruise ship!!! LOVE those Xmas ornaments!!! I am saving up for our trip in October now, though!!! I CANNOT wait!!! YIPPEE!!!

Ohhhhh, trust me, if we had gone to WDW after the cruise instead of before, I'm not so sure I would have even been allowed to go to DTD

Should I put my 40th anniversary pin on my camera strap too? We could be twinkies

October.....I sooooo want that D&B that Anita posted a picture of on FB, the white one with the black trim and the red Minnie bows all over it - stinkin' cute I tell you!

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

Hello! Just caught up and can I tell you how much I love your report!!!!
Your pictures of the AKL are beautiful!! We walked around there last year when we ate at Boma. Such a beautiful resort. And I so agree, once you go deluxe it's hard to go back. We stayed at the Poly last year and I was hooked!!!

Soooooo jealous of your girls only trip!!! I need to get in on one of those. I'm going to an agent conference in November and I am so super excited to be able to explore Disney on my terms!!! And then in January with my hubby, Aunt and some friends from HS to run the marathon. So I will get some adult only time. I do love taking the boys, but I like it as a "big" kid too!!

Happydog, I'm in MD too!!! Bel Air, are you close?

Love the idea of getting a pin from each resort. I may have to steal that idea!!

My little one is so in love with the test track pin. He wants to know if the speed lever moves? They got a neat one with Mickey playing the guitar and it slides and they love that one!!

Can't wait to read more!!

 

[MEK]

Loved your last two updates! I love AK and I am so glad everyone had fun shopping and swimming. What a lovely way to spend your pre cruise time. Doesn't get any better than that. Your pin choices are awesome. What a great idea - get pins from all the resorts you've stayed in. Love that idea.


Your boys are so handsome. Their pool pictures turned out great!

 

[photographymom517]

I'm FINALLY caught up, Michelle!!! I was way back on page 12! Whoops!

Your niece is adorable!!! Do you have a Target near you? I saw the sweetest Minnie outfits today for little girls!!! They had a few tops with bows & flowers on them and the CUTEST dress!!!!

I loved your niece's cake! It was too cute with the matching cupcakes & little cake for her! I can't believe your SIL ordered it 2 months in advance & it was almost not enough time to make it!!! Wow!!! Loved all the birthday pics!!!

Your AKL pictures are making me miss it sooooo much! I am in love with that resort!!! Those rocking chairs are amazing!!! Luke & I sat in them & just relaxed for awhile back in 2009. It was just so peaceful out there! I was jealous when you said you got a dresser in your room!!! We only had 2 drawers on the bottom of the tv stand to put all of our stuff in. We managed to make it fit, but we had stuff thrown all over the bottom of the closet & on top of the tv stand. For a deluxe resort, I was just counting on more storage. I think we actually had more drawers at CBR which was odd to me.

I really loved seeing all the pics of inside & outside at AKL! It brought back so many wonderful memories -- so thank you for sharing!!!

Moving on to my favorite shopping place -- Downtown Disney!!! I loved all of your pins and ornaments! I just started collecting Disney ornaments last year. I bought a couple on our Disney trip last summer and then a few more after they went on clearance on the website after the holidays. I also think its a great idea to collect the pins from the resorts you have stayed at -- especially considering that they don't make resort-exclusive merchandise anymore. I'm thinking the pins are probably the only way you could collect something from each resort now.

I have that cookbook -- but I haven't made anything from it yet

I love the mug with Walt & Mickey! I always look at the coffee mugs because I am a huge coffee drinker!!! I've never seen one with Walt on it before -- did you find it at World of Disney? I didn't even look at their mugs last summer (or at most things in the entire store!) because it was just too crowded in there.

Great 40th anniversary purchases!!! I bought the 40th Mickey ears off the Disney Store website and also the gray 40th tshirt with the vintage MK logo. I can't wait to see all the merchandise they have at the parks for the 40th!!!

I MUST stop by the Basin this trip! Can you believe I've never been??? That was a great gift idea for your mom! I always get my mom something too because she watches our house & dogs for us.

I also just noticed your new ticker!!! Woohoo!!!! How exciting!!! I can't think of anything better than a trip with DISers, F&W and MNSSHP!!! What else do you girls have planned??? Can't wait to hear all about it! Are you guys doing a joint PTR or separate ones?

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Wow, you got some nice goodies! You had me cracking up over the sports equipment though.... that's so typical!

If I see a pic of that cookbook one more time I think I am going to cave! I really do want it, but I know I don't need it! Christmas ornaments are my favorite souvenir though. I love the ones you picked out!

 

[princesscinderella]

It's too bad you girls are not going up the week before the swan and dolphin hotels started a wine and food classic last year that was awesome in the courtyard between the two hotels. They are going to do it again this year on oct 7 & 8th. Ps great trip report so far I have been lurking but have not posted yet. We sail out on our first ever cruise on the 29th and have gotten so much info from everyone.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great shopping, Michelle! Love the pins and the christmas decorations and the basin and the food.....EoS is one of my favourite places to hit at DTD.

I'm usually rushing through DTD because we want to cram as much park time in. I think next time, I'm going to have to allocate a day of shopping and do nothing.

 

[Happydog]

Ohhhhh, trust me, if we had gone to WDW after the cruise instead of before, I'm not so sure I would have even been allowed to go to DTD

Should I put my 40th anniversary pin on my camera strap too? We could be twinkies

October.....I sooooo want that D&B that Anita posted a picture of on FB, the white one with the black trim and the red Minnie bows all over it - stinkin' cute I tell you!

OH I cannot wait to hear about the shopping!! YOU get going on those photos woman! Get on the boat already!!??!! I am so excited to see your pictures!!! You undoubtedly did a far better job than I taking pictures on your trip... I was really noticing that I hadn't taken as many as I thought.. I wish I realized that at the time... too much back and forth with my cameras, and then forgetting to pull one out, etc.. I need to get more comfortable asking strangers to take pictures of me and my family!! I don't have hardly any of us... BUT I make up for picture taking at Vero for sure. Anyhow, I will have to borrow a few of yours if I don't have enough from the ship!! I took more of a "tour" with photos on my February dream cruise, with DH, to be honest. I think because I wasn't having to run after my two boys!!

I would have to say that is POSSIBLY the only D & B bag I would consider getting... I really really love my cruise wristlet, but that black and white pattern is TOO cute. AND can I say if I were on the cruise with the queen shopper, yep, I'd be buying more too!!! LOL!!! We have another cruise in November, there were a few things I wanted that I didn't grab, so don't worry I will be gearing up!!!!

YES! You put yours on your strap, too! How funny It is a cute pin, isn't it??!!

 

[Happydog]

Oh! regarding the dessert showing, there is a flight that leaves at 12:35, gets to MCO around 2:40 or so... it is a little earlier than I wanted to leave, but the next one is at 6pm.. this is out of one airport, the other airport has a good afternoon timeslot, but not good on the way home... so I have to still sort that out... may end up getting two one ways, two different airlines, because I can make a better fit... we'll see... still looking...

 

[MeMom]

Yay for time at Downtown Disney!

I agree that they need separate POR/POFQ pins. I have several of the ones you showed. They do bring happiness.

You know Marc is going to do a flowerpot fountain for Anita, right?
It's really just a practice run for when he comes and does mine.
When he's finished, I'll send him to your house.

Sandwiches with Earl - yummmmmmmy!

Jill gets some Basin for the girls's teachers quite often.
Who wouldn't be happy with a sweet smelling, and usually very cute, gift from there?

 

[Disneygrl36]

Quite a nice haul from your day of shopping! I sooooo cannot go in Basin without filling a tube full of bath bombs for stressful days!

 

[KatMark]

Great shopping morning/afternoon, Michelle. We have that Dumbo ornament (surprise, surprise with the Dumbo lover in my house). I love the 40th anniversary ornament and pins too.

I want what you bought your Mom.

Thanks for the pics of the EOS food; we are going for the first time ever in September.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

October.....I sooooo want that D&B that Anita posted a picture of on FB, the white one with the black trim and the red Minnie bows all over it - stinkin' cute I tell you!

Oh great, now I want that purse too!!!
It was at......
Oh never mind, I'm not telling.

 

[Happydog]

Oh great, now I want that purse too!!!
It was at......
Oh never mind, I'm not telling.

Wait, wait, wait... was that purse at WOD? Or somewhere else...

 

[jenseib]

I love all the purchases....and the sandwiches! My goal is to eat one this trip! It's been a few years and they are calling my name!