A Week at the Boardwalk....WDW - January 2012

[Goldeelox9]

Hey! Welcome to my first trip report in 4 years that does not include a cruise. I know, shocking right. We had a great trip staying at the boardwalk, but I won't lie. We missed the cruise...a lot!

My Past Trip Reports

My DCL Wedding Trip Report & AKL Honeymoon TR

Vanessa's Wedding Weekend Trip Report 12/12~12/14!

February 2007 - Pop Century, Pete's first Visit.

November 2009 - All Star Movies, Treehouse Villas & Disney Wonder - 1st Anniversary.

January 2011 - Port Orleans French Quarter, BLT, DIsney Magic - Part One & Part Two

September 2011 - Disney Dream Back 2 Back

Cast of Characters

Me - Lisa
DH - Pete
DSis - Laura
DBIL - Brandon
DNiece - Alyssa - 4th Birthday
DNephew - Austin - 16 months old
DD - Dad

Also making guest appearances:

Michele, Steve, Caitie & Jasmin

Pete and I bought into DVC on our cruise last year. We used points in September but were saving all of our points (plus most of next years) for Alyssa's "Four Birthday at the Castle" trip.

I planned this trip for all of us. I was so happy my Dad was coming with us. We had to twist his arm and pay for his air to get him to join us, but I love vacationing with my family. It was great!

Our plans had changed back a forth a few times. at 11 months out we booked 2 studios at BLT to make sure we had rooms, then at 7 months out I called and booked us for a week (Sat. - Sat.) at the boardwalk.

Then my sister and I decided we wanted to go down to FL on Friday. There were no 2 bedrooms available so I booked us each a standard view studio for that one night.

Then after checking out airfare my sister decided she was leaving on Friday instead of Saturday. The prices were zoo much cheaper. SOO I canceled our 2 bedroom for Friday night and booked Pete and I in a boardwalk view studio for our last night. Since we were so close to the trip and I had these leftover points I booked my friend Michele and her family a studio at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in a Savanna view room for their first night as they planned to check into an off site hotel for their first night since "Free Dining" did not start until Saturday! Michele and I kept this a secret from her family! It was GREAT.

I had some points left so I also booked a standard studio for my friend Shannon and her husband Jon. They were leaving for a Disney cruise the day we were leaving to head home after our trip.

THEN my sister decided to stay until Saturday since air prices dropped! UGH!!!!

Sooo I borrowed more points and booked her a Garden view studio at the boardwalk since at this late time there were not 2 bedrooms left. I wait listed us for a 2 bedroom. WELL Disney messed up our wait list and we got a one bedroom and a studio. At the boardwalk there are no dedicated 2 bedrooms, they are all one bedrooms and studios together. So essentially we got our 2 bedroom but for 8 points more. I called Disney and they worked it out, refunded my points, but could not guarantee a 2 bedroom. Meaning we may still have to change rooms. BUT at least we all had a place to sleep.

My Dad could not miss work (he works weekends) so he was flaying in Monday and home on Friday.

Can you imagine what our reservations looked like...HAHAH...we had more Magical Express tags then any one family should have!

I have over 2000 pictures from this trip. So lets get started.

 

[jedijill]

I'm in! Wow, my head is spinning from all the reservations changes! Gotta love the flexibility of DVC and yay for you for liking to travel with family. After I took my family in October, I'm done for a long time!

Can't wait to hear more.

Jill in CO

 

[Disney Family Lee's]

We are ready let the good times roll!!

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

I'm here, but I need to go take some motion sickness meds... My head is spinning from reading all the reservation changes...

I'm so glad everything worked out and everyone had a place to sleep...

Ok, I'm ready for more!!!

 

[dara00]

what were your dates in the end?

 

[Goldeelox9]

Day One - January 20, 2012

We woke up super early and my family was at out house by 5:30am. We got to the airport and checked in. Our flight was at 7:20am.

We grabbed some breakfast and listened to some music while we waited.

I was lucky and have Miss Alyssa and Rapunzel sitting next to me. The flight was fine and Alyssa was very good the whole flight.

After the flight we made a quick bathroom break and then we were on our way to the Magical Express. We checked in and we were on our bus in about 5 minutes. Again I lucked out with the best seat mate! This kid can eat some goldfish...she devoured a bag on the way to our hotel!

These two were sitting a crossed the aisle from us.

In no time at all we were heading under the best sign ever!

Austin was SOO excited. HA!

We pulled up to the boardwalk and walked in. I love the Boardwalk. It is so pretty and I just feel like I belong here. Like it's home!

"Welcome Home" is what they said to us when we walked in.

We were told at check in my room was ready and my sister's wasn't. Not a big deal. We were heading back out in a second. My room was pretty far down the hall so we went to drop off our carry on bags.

Austin needed to color for a few minutes while everyone else changed and got ready to go out.

Brandon had planned a surprise for my sister so we we had to head out. We told my sister we were heading to the Contemporary since I wanted to have lunch there. We went out to the boat to travel to Hollywood studios to get a bus to the Contemporary.

After an uneventful boat ride we boarded the bus.

Alyssa enjoyed not being in a car seat!

We had lunch, but I only have desert pictures. The one with the Raspberry belonged to me and Alyssa!

What great cupcakes!

At lunch Brandon told Laura what we were really doing here. We headed out back to get the boat.

Pete and Alyssa went as the ride alongs while Austin and I hung out....Well he slept and I played on Facebook, same thing!

Little Guy was beat!

We made or way to the bus and headed to Downtown Disney. They were working on the side with the shops and since we didn't feel like walking all the way over there from Pleasure Island we grabbed a bus back to the boardwalk.

Brandon lives for a good PhotoBomb...ALL THE TIME. I had to give him a taste of his own medicine!

Once back at the boardwalk My sister and the kids headed to the Pool, Pete took a nap and I tried to take one.

Someone loved the scary clown slide!

Amy called me not much later to let me know she was on her way! We were going to have dinner at Blue Zoo, but after visiting awhile and watching Alyssa put on some dance shows for us we decided to eat at the Flying Fish. It was a first for both of us.

But first Alyssa and Amy got a picture. Amy made a great impression on Alyssa. She still talks about Amy every few days!

Amy and I only had a short wait for a table. We both got fun drinks and then Amy got the Snapper and I got the Scallops. Of course mine were not cooked right and I had to send them back. But everything was so good once we got it.

Amy and I are desert buddies. We have been sharing deserts for years! We got the Desert Sample thing. It had a Cheesecake with Caramel Corn, a Raspberry Lime Popsicle and a Peanut butter Woopie Pie. Then our servicer brought us a Creme Brûlée for my scallops being raw!

Like always we talked and talked and talked. We closed the place down. Poor Amy had to wake up like 6 hours later to go on a little road trip!

We hugged and I told Amy I hope she can make our Surprise on Wednesday!

I headed to my room down the LONG Hall and found Pete finishing up some work. He had to finish some important work over the first few days of our vacation.

We went to sleep after I told him all about my great time with Amy!!!

Up Tomorrow....Breakfast with Alice and another peaceful relaxing day!

 

[Goldeelox9]

YAY I have readers!!!!

I'm in! Wow, my head is spinning from all the reservations changes! Gotta love the flexibility of DVC and yay for you for liking to travel with family. After I took my family in October, I'm done for a long time!

Can't wait to hear more.

Jill in CO

Tell me about it! It was nuts, but all worked out in the end.

We are ready let the good times roll!!

YAY, glad you are here!

I'm here, but I need to go take some motion sickness meds... My head is spinning from reading all the reservation changes...

I'm so glad everything worked out and everyone had a place to sleep...

Ok, I'm ready for more!!!

It worked out great! We were happy and the kids had a blast!

what were your dates in the end?

January 20 - January 28th! LOL

 

[Disney Family Lee's]

How does the Boardwalk rate to the other DVC Resorts you have stayed at?

 

[Goldeelox9]

I LOVED the boardwalk! We have stayed at:

BLT
Boardwalk Villas
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Saratoga Springs
Wilderness Lodge

This is the order I would rate them!

I loved BLT because it was sooo close to MY Castle. I loved the rooms since they were almost brand new. The Pool was nice too.

Boardwalk Villa's comes in 2nd, but almost tied with AKL. I loved the location, I loved my room, I LOVE the resort. The only downside is no counter service meal options and no place inside to fill my mug. The pool was great. Havign the boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios was really nice! That was two parks we had transportation to and we didn't have to fold up the stroller! The nightlife on the boardwalk was super fun!

Animal Kingdom Lodge is Amazing, The beauty is breathtaking. That being said I am not an Animal Lover. I perer the Pool view. I do like the dining options and the pool is GREAT!

Saratoga Springs is nice and new looking even though it isn't. We stayed in a Treehouse Villa a few years ago and loved it. We loved the Treehouse, hated the bus service to that area. We were a bus or a boat ride from the main resort then had to transfer to another bus to get to the parks. If we were visiting another resort add in another bus/boat/Monorail! UGH!! If we had a car it would have been less of an issue.

The Wilderness Lodge....If you read my past Trip Report you know we will not be staying in these outdate rooms ever again!

 

[Disney Family Lee's]

That's Great Info!!
We may try to stay at Animal Kingdom or BLT on our next stay.
Thanks!!

 

[Goldeelox9]

You will be happy at either!!! They are both great resorts!! I have only stayed at Animal Kingdom - Jambo house. So I can not give any options on Kadani Village!

 

[Goldeelox9]

Day Two - January 21, 2012

Today we all woke up and Laura and I headed to the front desk to check out and back in for our stay. We some with a CM who assured us that her credit card would be linked to her room keys and mine would be linked to my room keys (foreshadowing..LOL). We also picked up the rental double stroller.

I still needed to shower so Laura, Brandon and the kids got the monorail and I jumped in the shower and then Pete and I got a cab.

Pete and I were there early and we got seats in the Lobby. I love the Lobby at the Grand Floridian. We waited and waited and waited. Then Laura called and told me the following story:

"We are running late. We are talking to the people at the Contemporary Resort. Alyssa and Austin were in the stroller and sharing a blanket. You know Austin hates sharing and he started flipping out and kicking his feet. At that minute the door opened and he kicked his shoe off and it flew out the door and down into the two inches between the monorail and platform."

OMG .... Only them. So they were getting back on the Monorail and would be to the Grand Floridian in a few minutes.

While I waited I tried to be slick and take some pictures of this pretty bride.

In no time at all I hear "Aunt Lisie!!" I look up and .....

YAY they were here.

Brandon and Laura went to talk about Austin shoe and we were hanging out with Alice (or Alyssa) while we were waiting.

A few months ago Alyssa talked Pete and I into a Alice dress and announced she wanted to eat with Alice. Of course I called the next day to make our reservations.

While we were waiting these girls came up and asked if they could get a picture with Alyssa.

Of course I took one too. Alyssa was sooo excited that these girls thought that Alyssa was the "Real Alice".

Our buzzer went off and we headed in. Alyssa was excited. I was too. I had never been to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast.

We had a great Breakfast and visited with a lot of fun people!

Austin enjoyed breakfast more then the characters. He was scared if they tried to touch him, but he waved a lot.

Alyssa liked breakfast too.

What she loved more is her Birthday button. She made sure everyone seen it all week.

They brought out Alyssa's 1st Birthday cupcake of the week.

Finally we met the star of the show!

After breakfast was over Laura and Brandon were going to look in the shops and all and Alyssa, Pete and I caught a bus to Downtown Disney to transfer to Port Orleans French Quarter to meet Michele and family!

We got on the bus and it took forever but finally we got there!

It was so good to see my girls (oh and Michele and Steve too). They had Birthday presents for Alyssa and I checked out the room. No idea why I took no pictures...UGH.

Then Pete and Steve took the bus back to our hotel and I drove Michele and Alyssa. When we got to the hotel we dropped Alyssa up and picked up Laura. We headed to the Super Wal*Mart to groceries for the week. OMG it was zoo great having car access.

While we were gone our room was ready. Sooo I didn't get to walk in and take pictures! UGH...But Steve took some for me. I will post them later.

We got back and we loaded our groceries up on a cart. We had them along with out luggage delivered to our room. I put away our food and stuff then got ready for dinner. We bought breakfast stuff and snacks along with water and juice.

We were all ready (late of course) for dinner.

Austin not so into it....

We hopped in a cab and rushed to the Polynesian.

 

[dara00]

those are some adorable kids! I love their outfits!

 

[danimaroo]

I'm here, we were in Disney from the 18th-29th, so I'll be looking for us in the background. We stayed at Beach Club Villas so we were right nearby!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Hi Lisa! I'm joining in! We got to experience the BW area for the first time on our last trip and we really enjoyed it! I wanted to go inside the hotel to check it out, but I never got a chance. I think I would like to stay there sometime, though!

Alyssa and Austin are so cute! I am loving all of the pictures of them!

 

[janiejake]

Ready for the next entry, Lisa! Enjoying your trip report; keep the pictures coming!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Ready for the next entry, Lisa! Enjoying your trip report; keep the pictures coming!

ditto!

 

[Goldeelox9]

So glad this wasn't locked. I am working on a new update now!!!

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

I'm still here...

 

[Goldeelox9]

Day Three- January 22, 2012

Magic Kingdom Day. I love the Magic Kingdom. It's my very favorite park.

We all work up early. We were excited. I loved having the Kitchen. We had breakfast and headed to the bus stop.

We got to the Magic Kingdom Early. We took some pictures on Main Street before heading to the Castle to wait for our friend's the Lane Family. They were having breakfast at Crystal Palace. We were supposed to eat there too, but we were running late. Luckily we still got to enter the Magic Kingdom Early.

We went into Castle Couture while we waited. Alyssa fell in love with the pressed Pennies.

While waiting on the other side of the castle we saw this adorable little Prince Charming. He was adorable. He was not in a good mood though! LOL

My little Prince Charming was in a Great mood though! LOL

Then we saw them...the Lane's!

I love these girls! I was so happy to spend the day in the Magic Kingdom with them!!

After a few more pictures the rips were dropped!

Our first ride of the day!

I rode with Jasmin while Caitie and Alyssa rode with Pete!

After that we rode Snow white for the last time ever! I am going to miss it. I know the Mine Train is coming, and the Princess meet and Greet, but still!

Next up Winnie the Pooh.

We needed a bathroom break and on our way we ran into these two! Alyssa LOVES Alice so it was nie to see her again!

Then it was time. The character Alyssa has been waiting for. The one she has talked about for months! Rapunzel!!

She was sooo cute and spunky!

After that we headed to the tables near Casey's. Pete ran over and got a yummy sandwich from the Bakery. Then Laura, Brandon and the kids showed up. We had split up for a second. Once they tasted our sandwich they ran to get one too.

While we split up Alyssa got here favorite souvenir of the trip!

Austin had a hair cut in 15 minutes and the poor baby was already tired out!