Don’t tell MM! It’s NOT a bug’s life! A dolphin’s WHAT? The ER? Is that a body?

[saintstickets]

This will be my 3rd TR. There are links to the previous 2 below. First a warning. Although this TR is not rated R, it will not be rated G either. Don’t worry DISboard monitors, it won’t be THAT bad! This trip consists of 6 adults and as usually happens to us, something hilarious or embarrassing arises that might easily offend those that are Prudish Purveyors of Propriety (not that there’s anything wrong with that - one of my favorite lines from Seinfeld). If you are a triple-P, then don’t walk – run away from reading this TR with eyes and ears covered! I’m not sure how that can be physically done without running into a wall but you get the gist of the warning. Now that I’ve gotten the obligatory disclaimer out of the way (and piqued your interest!), let us begin…

 

[saintstickets]

To introduce ourselves, I (DH) am the Disney nut in our family. Everyone else loves coming to WDW but they do not obsess, I mean they do not greatly preoccupy their thoughts with all things WDW like myself. There, that sounds much better doesn’t it? I’m also the planner of our trips. Here is where I differ greatly from the other family members. They would just as soon take off on vacation without even room reservations and wing it! They probably would be fine too but that’s just not me. I think they secretly like having most everything taken care of for them but just won’t admit it. Yeah, that’s what it is! However, on this trip, other than planning for where we go each day, the plans after that are all up in the air. That’s right…I’m winging it! No detailed itinerary (well, not much), just free and easy as a summer’s breeze. GULP!! Traveling with me in our vehicle on this trip is my lovely DW of nearly 30 years and our youngest child (DD-24) and her fiancé (DDfi-24). Flying in to meet us is our oldest child (DS1-28, one of a twin and oldest by 14 minutes) and his new bride (DDiL-26). We are very fortunate to have this new addition to our family. She’s a great person, just what DS needs and fits in well with our craziness. This is her first family trip with us so I’m hoping we don’t scare her off! Our other child (DS2-28) lives in California and was unable to make the trip.

We are a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) family. We have purchased small point contracts over the past 2 ½ years at 4 different resorts. Without going into the details of DVC, if you plan to visit WDW, Disneyland or one of the three other DVC locations (Hilton Head, Vero Beach, Hawaii) at least once every 2 – 3 years, then you should look into DVC. Our initial purchases plus the annual maintenance fees will be recouped as compared to cash rack rates for the locations we have spent our vacations, after 6 trips or roughly 4 years. It was a no-brainer for us. We have enjoyed our 3 trips so far and have trips penciled in each year until 2015…so far. Did I mention I’m the planner? This is not a paid endorsement of or by DVC, Walt Disney Corporation, Buena Vista Productions, Reedy Creek Development, ABC and/or their affiliates. I wish they’d pay me; they SHOULD pay me but I digress (I do that a lot as my years advance and my gray hair increases).

 

[saintstickets]

Now let’s list our planned itinerary for this trip (emphasis on PLANNED) –

Travel & lodging:
5/19/12 (Sat) – Travel from home in South Mississippi to Orlando. The trip is roughly 610 miles and we usually make it in 9 ½ to 10 hours driving time. We have a 2br-lake view at Bay Lake Tower (BLT) reserved for one night and then move to Villas at Wilderness Lodge (VWL). The BLT stay was a last minute add-on to use some DVC points we had after changing plans for future trips.

5/20/12 (Sun) to 5/26/12 (Sat) – Move to a 2br at VWL for the 4 arriving by vehicle. DS and DDiL will have their own studio. After all, they are newlyweds – nope, no worries for PPP’s at this time – at least nothing that I’m aware of and I DON’T want to know about if it did happen! In my best Mississippi redneck voice - That there is some of the inn-u-en-do I mentioned previously. DS & DDiL fly in on Sunday and will fly home on Friday afternoon.

5/26/12 (Sat) – Travel back home and hopefully get in early enough to pick up our puppies from the boarder.

 

[saintstickets]

Places to go & people to see:
5/19/12 (Sat) – Watch Wishes Fireworks from the Top of the World Lounge at BLT.
5/20/12 (Sun) – ADR at the Contemporary’s The Wave for breakfast. Move to VWL. DS & DDiL arriving on DME.
5/21/12 (Mon) – SeaWorld
5/22/12 (Tue) – Discovery Cove
5/23/12 (Wed) – Universal’s Islands of Adventure primarily to see Harry Potter
5/24/12 (Thu) – Kennedy Space Center. ADR’s at VWL-Artist Point for DH/DW; House of Blues for DD/DDfi; Planet Hollywood for DS/DDiL
5/25/12 (Fri) – Take DS & DDiL to airport. Rest, relax and unwind
5/26/12 (Sat) – Make the trip back home

As you can see, we are not visiting ANY Disney World parks this trip, hence the “Don’t Tell Mickey” part of the TR title. It is killing me to be so close and not go into any of the parks. Those of you that are also Disney obsessed, I mean have thoughts preoccupied with all things Disney, will understand. Those that aren’t, well, you probably aren’t reading this TR anyway so pbllltt!

On to the details of the TR and lots of pics!!

 

[ToddyLu]

Woo hoo I am the first respondee!!! So glad you and Grace had a great time. Can't wait for all the pictures.

 

[ToddyLu]

Gosh those four legged children are cute. I drove my daughter around the block tonight. As a Jack Russell she gets a bit squirrely when left in the house too long. Loves to ride in the car and down the street to see DH at the fire dept when he is on duty. Alright Saintstickets as a fellow South MS resident and good friend..in my best Duck Dynasty voice.."Get on wit it"

 

[TinksThree]

You have a TR!! Okay I can't wait to hear about this even if we have to keep it from Mickey! Your dogs are adorable!!

 

[saintstickets]

Woo hoo I am the first respondee!!! So glad you and Grace had a great time. Can't wait for all the pictures.

Gosh those four legged children are cute. I drove my daughter around the block tonight. As a Jack Russell she gets a bit squirrely when left in the house too long. Loves to ride in the car and down the street to see DH at the fire dept when he is on duty. Alright Saintstickets as a fellow South MS resident and good friend..in my best Duck Dynasty voice.."Get on wit it"

You have a TR!! Okay I can't wait to hear about this even if we have to keep it from Mickey! Your dogs are adorable!!

Woohoo!!!! My two favorite Mississippi DISboarders are here!! Thanks for the puppy compliments. They are a mess. Hang on to your hats though. This TR isn't always a smooth ride!!

 

[TinksThree]

Woohoo!!!! Hang on to your hats though. This TR isn't always a smooth ride!!

I would honestly be disappointed f it were smooth. My trips are always smooth!!

 

[ToddyLu]

TInk and I are anxiously waiting to hear about "the body".

 

[saintstickets]

Day 1 – 5/19/12 - Saturday
The drive down was uneventful. When we turned on to I-10 just west of Mobile, AL, our GPS Garmin said “Turn right in 340 miles”. Way to forewarn us Garmin. I might have missed that turn!

Garmin and I have a love/hate relationship. When things are going good, I love it! But there have been several times it has put me on dirt roads, taken me the LONG way around or directed us down someone's driveway and it wasn't the place I was trying to find! There has been more than one tense moment when Garmin said to go one way, MapQuest said another and Google Maps app said another! I usually just blame it on my copilot – DW. Heck, you females always complain about us males not asking for directions and so I ask Garmin and it still gets me lost! What’s a guy supposed to do? I don’t need no stinkin’ maps! See, I don’t plan EVERYTHING…I can wing it too…I might crash and burn but I’m winging it!!

A few pics of the drive in…
Yep, you’re in the South. This was at a FL rest stop -

Lots of nice horse farms on the drive down I-75S and unfortunately, a lot of them were for sale –

And the dreaded toll booths once on the Turnpike –

 

[saintstickets]

But then after a short 10 hour drive and we arrive here –

And here is Bay Lake Tower where we are staying the first night –

Which as you know is connected to the Contemporary by a breezeway –

You check into BLT at the Contemporary. Yes, I did the online check-in and there were no problems. It may have made check-in faster in this case but it definitely did not the next day. More on that later. Our room number was 8041 on the 10th floor. Don’t ask me to explain why 8041 is on the 10th floor. Shouldn’t it be on the 8th floor or room 10041? I stopped out front of BLT and this is waiting for you…

 

[saintstickets]

Not waiting at BLT however is a porter or anyone else to greet you. I guess they figured all that is taken care of next door at the Contemporary. That’s okay, we can take care of it. DDfi, this is what we brought you for! Let’s go young man, tote that barge, lift that bale, get those suitcases! Not really people. He does everything before anyone can ask or say so. DD is fortunate and so are we that he is joining our family. DDfi and I unload everything and walk into the lobby of BLT and are not sure which way to go never having stayed here before. There are 3 cast members talking away at a desk as you first walk in to the lobby. One is trading pins with someone while the other two watch. They don’t stop talking, say kiss my foot or anything. Finally, DW said, “Excuse me. Can you tell us where room 8041 is located?” They were helpful at that point but it was the first time at WDW we’ve ever had CM’s not take the initiative and be pro-active in being helpful and courteous. It wasn’t a big deal by any stretch of the imagination but it just isn’t the “Disney way” we are accustomed to and on this trip, it won’t be the last time to experience such non-Disney mannerisms.

As previously stated, our room was Lake View category. Here are some pics of the room and our view…
Living area and kitchen -

Master BR & 2nd BR –

Laundry room –

View from balcony –

Oh yeah, before anyone asks, here is the coffee maker

I’ve read in other TR’s where some DISboard members MUST know all there is to know about the coffee maker. Don’t ask me anything else about it because I don’t drink coffee! I know, blasphemy to some but it is what it is.

 

[saintstickets]

After unloading everything, DW and I take the quick walk next door to the Magic Kingdom to purchase a Tables In Wonderland (TIW) discount dining card. You can purchase these if you have an Annual Pass, live in FL or are a DVC member. It is a discount dining card that gives you a 20% discount off almost all the Table Service restaurants in the WDW parks, the onsite resorts and some of their counter service locations plus complimentary valet service at resorts for the purpose of dining. The discount applies to the entire bill including appetizers and adult beverages. This makes it a good alternative to the DDP depending on your eating habits. The TIW automatically adds an 18% tip to the bill (except at counter service locations) and this turns many people away from purchasing the TIW card but you’re going to tip anyway (you ARE going to tip aren’t you?!?) so there is a substantial savings. The cost is $100 if you are a DVC member or FL resident & $75 if you are an AP ticket holder. If you’re going to spend $500 (DVC/FL) or $375 (AP) or more during your trip at table service restaurants and you are okay with an 18% tip (I am and more if it warrants), then the TIW card is worth the purchase. The only drawback is that it is not accepted on 8 days (holidays) during the year. It is good for an entire year.

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming after the non-paid, non-professional endorsement; we make it to MK – it’s less than a 10 minute walk from BLT and we go through the security checks and I see this…

Sighhhhhhh…just another reminder that we won’t be inside the parks this trip.

 

[saintstickets]

We get back to the room and DD says you won’t believe what they witnessed. Yes PPP’s, this is the first of the non-G rated events. DD and DDfi were sitting out on the balcony, relaxing and chilling.

For those that don’t know, if you looked down from the heavens to the top of BLT, it is shaped somewhat like a horseshoe, a crescent moon or a half circle – take your pick of descriptions. Our lake view room was on the inside of that horseshoe so you are looking not only at the lake but also at other rooms.

DD said there were two little boys, naked (or as we say in the South – nekked) and they were pressing their….ummm….male appendages up against the balcony glass door! I’m not sure of their purpose but these kind of things are not that unusual for little boys and maybe in some not-so-public venues, it might be considered cute.

But the over the top thing was that a few floors away, there was an old man walking around in his birthday suit with the balcony shades open for all to see!

A word to the wise folks, if you’re gonna walk around your room au naturel (at any age), you probably aren’t super model material and Disney is family oriented so let’s let the kiddies remain innocent as long as possible without possibly scarring them for life! Makes you wonder if those two little boys had seen someone on our side of the tower and were just copying them! NOOOOO…it wasn’t me. I was walking to MK to get the TIW card, remember? I have an alibi….this time.

 

[saintstickets]

After that excitement, we want to do a little shopping, see the monorail at the Contemporary and grab a bite. We walk across the walkway that connects the two resorts and this is the view of the harbor behind the two resorts…

You don’t realize just how close many of these resorts are to each other as the crow flies. From that same walkway you can see the top of Wilderness Lodge where we will stay starting tomorrow…

Maybe someone can also explain how you enter the walkway from the BLT side on the 5th floor but you exit the walkway on the Contemporary side on the 4th floor? The breezeway is level. It does not slope. Gotta love those mouse engineers.

 

[saintstickets]

We decide to eat here...

At the Contempo Café, you place your order yourself…

The food was average for a counter service restaurant. It’s a bit pricey, even by WDW prices but we were hungry and it’s convenient. I’ve never taken food pics before so be kind as I decided to try it this trip…when I remembered! Here is what we had at Contempo Café…

Pasta with Marinara Sauce

Angus Bacon Cheeseburger with Fries

Spice Crusted Mahi Sandwich with Green Bean Salad

Pepperoni Flatbread

And for dessert – Red velvet cupcake & Lemon cream cupcake…

 

[saintstickets]

After we finished eating, DW and DD shopped and DDfi and I went to the observation deck that is under the monorail that enters the Contemporary. As you can see, BLT is close by. That is the Bay Lake in the distance.

It wasn’t long before a monorail arrived from the Magic Kingdom…

We make our way back to the room to relax while we wait for Wishes Fireworks to begin at 10:00. I’ve read on other TR’s about people having problems with the free Wi-Fi service. Every once in a while I would lose my connection on my laptop while staying at both BLT and VWL but for the most part, it worked fine. I never had a problem with my iPhone nor did DW with her Blackberry. I think we lost our connection maybe 4 times combined on her iPad or my laptop during the entire week’s stay. Here are the instructions left in the room to access Wi-Fi. Remember that it is an unsecure network so take precautions just as you would in any public Wi-Fi facility.

Up next - we watch Wishes from the Top Of the World Lounge at BLT.

 

[ToddyLu]

Poor DDFi he is getting a real dose of Disney. Supposed to be one of the innoscent places on Earth---ehh, not so much this trip. I have never seen nudity at any WDW resort---that made for an interesting first few hours. Was that the "body" you mentioned in your title? Loving the pictures by the way?

 

[therussells08]

I'm here and I'm so excited to read your TR!

No triple-P here, so I'm good to go!

I am right there with you on the GPS thing. I love my GPS, but sometimes I want to drag it behind my car so it will suffer a slow, painful death.

Ahh I love your BLT pictures! It makes me so excited to hopefully be a DVC member in the near future...

We are going to get the TiW card next month because I'll be getting an AP! John really likes his beer with dinner and I don't always want dessert/appetizers, so I think it will be a good choice for us!

Oh your poor DD...that sounds traumatizing. Nobody wants to see body parts pressed against glass. Period. That's why we have curtains, people. And that's also why we don't press ourselves against glass!

Yay! Your first food pics! That stuff looks good...I could go for that red velvet cupcake right about now!

Can't wait for more!