Oh, Just A Few GALLONS of Pixie Dust! - A July/August 2012 TR

[weswife]

AWESOME!!!!! Exciting upgrade! Your report is wonderful!

 

[PanIsMine]

Joining in! Our dates were very close to each other. I was there Aug 3-8! I'm the same way about the alarms in the morning, except mine must end in an 8. How cool that you got to stay at BLT! What a cliff hanger! Can't wait to read more!
Emily

 

[kansasdisneygal]

Dearest Marissa,

I do not appreciate this cliffhanger at all! Haha, but seriously! Ahhh! I want to see your room and your view and everything that is BAY LAKE TOWER!!

But for reals, awesome update! BLT looks so freaking amazing and we haven't even see the room yet! Those key cards sound really cool!! But I'm amused by small things so ya know!

Too bad the keys didn't work the first time! That seems to happen to me a lot!

Alright...biting my nails in anticipation for the next update!!!!!!

 

[JessicaFaye508]

I read your part about the elevators saying "Eleventh Floor" and I'm just dying. I STAYED ON THE 11TH FLOOR. I could hear the elevator lady say it in my head and I MISS BAY LAKE OMG. I seriously hope I get to stay there again. I know it's my home resort, but it still seems unreal!

OH MY GOD I can't wait to see the room! So did you have a 2 bedroom!?

 

[princess_momma]

Oh my goodness, way to downplay that all until the very end!! I had thought you got upgraded and then I read your post and I was like "Uh...the excitement was that she found an available room that was ready then?" HAHAHA yes, that part was nice but it wasn't the magic!! POST THE VIEWS, POST THE VIEWS. K thanks.

 

[Merida]

I really hope you get to stay there someday, OR move in! Hey, listen, if you steal a doormat, you might as well go ahead and steal two. I'll take the other one.

I am legit obsessed with that doormat now. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's on sale anywhere. Fortunately (for me) I watch TONS of heist shows and thus am prepped and ready for any, er, situation that should arise while I'm at the Contemporary.

After staying at the Disneyland Hotel, I am in LOVE with the Deluxes. There's a special place in my heart for Port Orleans (but that's almost a deluxe!) but there's just something about the Deluxes. So many little details and such great atmosphere.

Love love love the (exterior of) the Grand Floridian. So gorgeous. Basically I'm obsessed with Disney hotels and would even live in the one with the view of the garbage cans. But NOW I know what room to request in BLT, so no trash cans for me!

RFID = radio frequency identification

 

[ShannonMarie]

Seriously? YOu leave us like that? Well I'm still working on reading your Dec. TR so I'll head over to that to tide me over!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

I HAVE TO STAY AT BAY LAKE! I JUST HAVE TO!

That's awesome that yall got a room that was ready, but even more awesome that you had an extra room! WOO HOO!

I always am rearranging my purse/bags. Doesn't it seem like junk just piles in there so fast?!

 

[Reberella]

Yay for checking in early! I love that big castle picture on the inside of the door. I love all that modern Disney artwork in there!

Bay Lake is beautiful! I would love to stay there! That door is SO COOL. Like, seriously. Wow a cool door sign AND a fancy key scanner thing! I have to stay there!!!

Ahhhh! The suspense of the room!!

 

[PirateKate]

I know I'm probably crazy/paranoid, but those RFID scanners give me the creeps.

I'm excited to hear about the room. It sounds amazing!

 

[bellaally]

Sounds like the first gallon right there so excited for you yayyyyy, keep those glasses on cause there is probably floods a coming lol.

 

[Nairnyn]

Someone needs to explain the process of a cliffhanger to you. When you leave us with said cliffhanger, you then come back and RESOLVE, or finish, or tell the story to end the said hanging off the cliff.

You do not prolong it, leaving me with my feet dangling over the side!

*lol* I will just keep patiently waiting to know what the actual outcome to all this hanging out on the side of the cliff amounts to.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

OH COME ONNNNN I want to see your room and view and everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The RFID (no idea what it stands for either! ) door scanner sounds awesome!! Hopefully it worked better for you throughout the rest of your trip!

 

[sbprincess]

You have GOT to be kidding me? That's really how you leave us?!?!

I got to the end of your post and thought, "Surely she just ran out of room in this post. It's going to be continued right after this one. [Scroll, scroll] WHAT??? She really left it like that?!?!?" Well, if you're goal was having us sit on the edge of our seats with anticipation - check and check! Now on with the report already!

So excited to see what happened!

 

[marDgreen88]

AWESOME!!!!! Exciting upgrade! Your report is wonderful!

It was SO exciting! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

Joining in! Our dates were very close to each other. I was there Aug 3-8! I'm the same way about the alarms in the morning, except mine must end in an 8. How cool that you got to stay at BLT! What a cliff hanger! Can't wait to read more!
Emily

Hooray! Welcome, so glad to have you!

Oh really? That's awesome! We left the evening of the 3rd... what a sad day.

BLT was incredible... I don't think anything will ever compare to it now!

Yeah, I promise the cliff hangers will stop soon! Thanks for joining!

Dearest Marissa,

I do not appreciate this cliffhanger at all! Haha, but seriously! Ahhh! I want to see your room and your view and everything that is BAY LAKE TOWER!!

But for reals, awesome update! BLT looks so freaking amazing and we haven't even see the room yet! Those key cards sound really cool!! But I'm amused by small things so ya know!

Too bad the keys didn't work the first time! That seems to happen to me a lot!

Alright...biting my nails in anticipation for the next update!!!!!!

HAHAHAHA I'm sorry! No more cliffhangers, I swear!

Thank you! The key cards actually were awesome. They were the same as regular KTTW cards but I really liked the RFID entry. It was SO easy! It's cool, so am I.

Hooray! I hope your nails aren't little stubs yet!

I read your part about the elevators saying "Eleventh Floor" and I'm just dying. I STAYED ON THE 11TH FLOOR. I could hear the elevator lady say it in my head and I MISS BAY LAKE OMG. I seriously hope I get to stay there again. I know it's my home resort, but it still seems unreal!

OH MY GOD I can't wait to see the room! So did you have a 2 bedroom!?

What!!! That's awesome! Clearly the 11th floor is where it's at. It's funny, I meant to ask you over twitter which floor you were on while I was there, but I kept forgetting! I guess your room was right down the hall!

YEAH!!!

Oh my goodness, way to downplay that all until the very end!! I had thought you got upgraded and then I read your post and I was like "Uh...the excitement was that she found an available room that was ready then?" HAHAHA yes, that part was nice but it wasn't the magic!! POST THE VIEWS, POST THE VIEWS. K thanks.

HAHAHA. I mean, that would be cool but not worth all THAT excitement. What I was trying to do was throw yall off the scent, you see.

I SHALL!

I am legit obsessed with that doormat now. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's on sale anywhere. Fortunately (for me) I watch TONS of heist shows and thus am prepped and ready for any, er, situation that should arise while I'm at the Contemporary.

After staying at the Disneyland Hotel, I am in LOVE with the Deluxes. There's a special place in my heart for Port Orleans (but that's almost a deluxe!) but there's just something about the Deluxes. So many little details and such great atmosphere.

Love love love the (exterior of) the Grand Floridian. So gorgeous. Basically I'm obsessed with Disney hotels and would even live in the one with the view of the garbage cans. But NOW I know what room to request in BLT, so no trash cans for me!

RFID = radio frequency identification

If you need a wingman, I'll be glad to step in.

I know what you mean! I will never stick my nose up at the value resorts, but after staying at BLT... nothing will compare!

I'm thinking this room would be pretty big for the two of yall!

OH RIGHT. Thanks!!

Seriously? YOu leave us like that? Well I'm still working on reading your Dec. TR so I'll head over to that to tide me over!

I feel like yall might start hating me if I don't get on with this thing! Thanks for doing that, too!

I HAVE TO STAY AT BAY LAKE! I JUST HAVE TO!

That's awesome that yall got a room that was ready, but even more awesome that you had an extra room! WOO HOO!

I always am rearranging my purse/bags. Doesn't it seem like junk just piles in there so fast?!

I hope you get to!!! I really do.

We couldn't even believe it! I can't wait to share!!!

YES. I'm glad you understand! It frustrates me, being such a neat freak!

Yay for checking in early! I love that big castle picture on the inside of the door. I love all that modern Disney artwork in there!

Bay Lake is beautiful! I would love to stay there! That door is SO COOL. Like, seriously. Wow a cool door sign AND a fancy key scanner thing! I have to stay there!!!

Ahhhh! The suspense of the room!!

I love it too! It's all beautiful. And there's so much of it!

Aw, I hope you get to someday! I have a feeling that they'll eventually change all the resorts to that system... but still... haha!

AHH SO MUCH SUSPENSE!!!

I know I'm probably crazy/paranoid, but those RFID scanners give me the creeps.

I'm excited to hear about the room. It sounds amazing!

Pirate Kate! I have missed you around here!

Hahah I totally get what you mean! However, the good news is that they're just like any other hotel key card! They are made to open your (and ONLY your) door!

It WAS!

Sounds like the first gallon right there so excited for you yayyyyy, keep those glasses on cause there is probably floods a coming lol.

OH, you're totally right about that!

Someone needs to explain the process of a cliffhanger to you. When you leave us with said cliffhanger, you then come back and RESOLVE, or finish, or tell the story to end the said hanging off the cliff.

You do not prolong it, leaving me with my feet dangling over the side!

*lol* I will just keep patiently waiting to know what the actual outcome to all this hanging out on the side of the cliff amounts to.

Hahaha please don't hate me!

Thanks for being patient! I PROMISE, it really is coming.

OH COME ONNNNN I want to see your room and view and everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The RFID (no idea what it stands for either! ) door scanner sounds awesome!! Hopefully it worked better for you throughout the rest of your trip!

Hahahah I'm sorry! It was really cool! It may have... but that is a story for another day!

You have GOT to be kidding me? That's really how you leave us?!?!

I got to the end of your post and thought, "Surely she just ran out of room in this post. It's going to be continued right after this one. [Scroll, scroll] WHAT??? She really left it like that?!?!?" Well, if you're goal was having us sit on the edge of our seats with anticipation - check and check! Now on with the report already!

So excited to see what happened!

Hmm... I'm beginning to sense that my readers are ganging up on me?

I will post the next update later today. I PROMISE!!!

 

[danimaroo]

Okay, you're KILLIN' me Smalls! These cliffhangers! AHHHH. I am so excited to see your room. I mean, I already knew about it, but photos, I'm excited to see!!

I actually really like the look of BLT from your photos! I'm very much looking forward to seeing how everything is staying there/staying on the monorail loop.

Um also, the fact you guys got an EXTRA ROOM is unreal! That like, never happens for DVC members, and I mean, I know you guys were paying for a DVC room, but still. That is seriously awesome. This is going to be one special trip!

 

[mermaid764]

Upgraded to what i'm guessing is a two bedroom and possibly an MK view...lol i'm so excited for u guys and what an awesome way to start off your vacation!


BLT is beautiful....i'm so excited for you that you got to stay there....the pool area looks beautiful and hopefully you guys had a chance to check it out!

 

[marDgreen88]

Okay, you're KILLIN' me Smalls! These cliffhangers! AHHHH. I am so excited to see your room. I mean, I already knew about it, but photos, I'm excited to see!!

I actually really like the look of BLT from your photos! I'm very much looking forward to seeing how everything is staying there/staying on the monorail loop.

Um also, the fact you guys got an EXTRA ROOM is unreal! That like, never happens for DVC members, and I mean, I know you guys were paying for a DVC room, but still. That is seriously awesome. This is going to be one special trip!

Hahaha... be killed no longer!

I am not surprised by this at all. I feel like your opinion might be changing shortly...

IT WAS. SO UNREAL. I still can't believe it. HOORAY!!!!

Upgraded to what i'm guessing is a two bedroom and possibly an MK view...lol i'm so excited for u guys and what an awesome way to start off your vacation!


BLT is beautiful....i'm so excited for you that you got to stay there....the pool area looks beautiful and hopefully you guys had a chance to check it out!

Hahah um... you will find out in about five minutes!!!

Thank you so much! That's really sweet. And yes, we definitely did!

PS. OMG. I just noticed your ticker... SEVENTEEN NIGHTS? OMG! Do tell!

 

[marDgreen88]

The One With the BEST. VILLA. EVER!!!!
Part 1!

July 29, 2012

I didn’t think I was hearing what my dad was saying correctly. I mean, there’s no way we got THAT MUCH of an upgrade, right?

…Right?

Wrong.

We totally DID get that big of an upgrade.

I was absolutely FLOORED.

I was in total and complete shock.

I literally could not comprehend what was happening.

We booked a 1-bedroom villa. We booked a room with a lake view.

That isn’t what we ended up with.

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

We got a TWO bedroom villa!!! TWO. And the view? We’ll talk about the view later.

When we decided to stay at Bay Lake Tower, we thought that a 1-bedroom would be just fine. The 2-bedroom villas were too far out of our price range. We had to save for a long time to even afford the 1-bedroom! We knew that Anna and I would have to share the couch bed, and that Jacob would have to sleep on the chair bed. We were totally and completely okay with that.

I would have been happy in any room, on any floor, with any view in that resort. I was grateful to be able to stay there no matter what, and since we weren’t able to book a MK view room in the first place, I would have been very happy with a view of the lake, or the pool… heck, I would have been happy with a view of the sidewalk. I wouldn’t have cared!

But THIS room… with THIS view…

THIS WAS HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that anything like this would happen to ME.

So you can basically imagine my reaction to this news, right?

I ran around that villa like a chicken with its head cut off, checking out every little nook and cranny. I literally think I started to hyperventilate, and at one point I actually had to shut myself in (one of) the (three) bathroom(s) so I could shed some happy tears.

After about 300,000 “OH MY GOOOOOOSH”es…

57,400 “ARE YOU SERIOUS”es…

8,258 “WHAAAAT”s…

and 914 “I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS”es...

…it all started to sink in. This was our room. THIS. THIS?!?!?! YES. THIS.




I’m guessing you want to know what it looked like?




**CONSIDER THIS YOUR WARNING: As I’m sure you understand by now, I was SO SO SO SO SO SO excited about this room. SO SO SO SO SO SO excited, that my DIS brain was not working properly, and I did not immediately take pictures of everything. So… the pictures you’re about to see range from okay to terrible, and were all taken at random times throughout the week. Some of them I took from the camcorder when my regular camera was charging, and a lot of them have our stuff in them. I am terribly sorry about this… but I hope that you can look past the stuff (and the quality of some of them) and that you’ll still be able to get a good idea of how amazing this villa was.

I now present Bay Lake Tower, room 8112!

When you first walk in, you are presented with this lovely sketch of the main mouse.

Here it is up close:

Going to the left... the first thing you come upon is a door. You open it, and BAM! A washer and dryer, right there for your convenience. (We personally thought that was a nice touch. We didn't have to pack as much underwear. TMI?)

If you walk past the laundry machines, you come upon another door, which is a closet! Incase you needed a high chair, some hangers, or a vacuum cleaner... there you go.

There is one more door on the left side of the villa...

It leads to the second bedroom! The first thing you come upon when you walk in is the bathroom. You walk in (it's open, there isn't a door) and come upon the sink, or the vanity, whatever you want to call it!

To the left, separated by a sliding door...

...is the toilet and shower! That's also where you can find most of the towels and washcloths.

This is an odd picture, but it's the shower curtain. I'm not sure what my point was in taking it, but... here it is anyway!

This is the inside of the shower. Again, a really odd picture! At this point, I was using my video camera to take pictures while my regular camera was charging (both batteries had died)! Why I didn't think to use someone else's camera, I have no idea! Hahah. Anyways, I really liked the tiles. I thought they were pretty. AND. This shower head was literally the best one I've ever used. It had WONDERFUL pressure. I was so amazed.

So let's go back out of the bathroom, into the bedroom! The first thing you see as you come out of the bathroom is the TV and drawers. (There was also a closet in both of the bedrooms.)

Beyond that, there is a table and chairs.

Our lovely curtains! When you open the curtains, you come upon one of the two balconies! (We'll get to that later, though!!!)

And of course, the entire room!

I positively LOVED this room. It was absolutely perfect!

The artwork above the beds:

Both of the beds are QUEEN. I slept in the one under the Minnie picture. Hehe. And those beds? I’m not exaggerating at all when I say that I have never slept in a more comfortable bed. I was amazed… it was a beautiful thing.

The bed spreads had this awesome pattern on them! (I apologize, the coloring here is way off. Oof.)

Let's tour the rest of the place, shall we?! When you leave the second bedroom, you're back in the main entrance/hallway. Straight ahead is the hall bathroom!

It's a smaller bathroom than the others, but it had a sink, toilet, and shower, so you hear no complaints from us! It opened with a sliding door.

When you leave the hall bathroom, you come upon the living room. We're not gonna go in there quite yet, though. Let's go to the master bedroom!

The first thing you come upon in the master is the bathroom! It's right beyond the door.

Straight ahead, you see the sink area.

Next to the sink on the right is a sliding door.

Continued in Next Update​

 

[marDgreen88]

The One With the BEST. VILLA. EVER!!!!
Part 2!

July 29, 2012

Beyond that sliding door is the toilet and shower!

There is also some beautiful artwork in there!

So the toilet and shower are to the right of the sink... so what's to the left?

THIS.

You're probably wondering what that is...

I'll tell you.

It's a sliding door that opens to the bedroom... FROM A WHIRLPOOL TUB! So yes, the master has a shower AND a tub. AMAZING.

Here it is from the other side:

And here is the bedroom itself! In this picture you can partially see the TV and dresser with drawers, and the bed! (And the balcony, of course... but we're still saving that for later!)

The KING bed:

I really liked the bed spread on this bed too!

My favorite part about the king bed was the headboard and artwork above it! I call it the piano bed. Isn't it awesome?!?!

And here is a side table next to the bed.

That's about it for the master! Let's go into the living room! When you walk out of the master, directly to your right is the living room, starting with this:

Yes. That is a BOOTH. I loved eating breakfast there! It was so comfortable!

(Look closely at the artwork... it's SPACE MOUNTAIN!)

I thought that was a really cool looking table!

The TV and drawers are next to the booth.

Here is a shot of the (messy) living room. Clearly, Jacob made himself at home. We all felt very comfortable and very at home!

In that picture you can see the window (…duh), the TV, and a couple of chairs. That chair on the right could actually be made into a bed! The chair on the left was a regular chair, just made for sitting. Hahah.

The chair (bed) and the lamp up close, complete with a view of part of Jacob:

Here is the other chair and the ottoman:

Here is the couch, that could also be turned into a bed! (That's where Jacob slept and he said he was really comfortable. Basically everything in the entire villa was extremely comfortable!)

This is the artwork above the couch. I WANT THAT. I really, really want it. Can you tell what it is? It’s the Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower, AND the monorail track!

Lamp table next to the couch:

From the couch, you could see a door. The door actually led to the balcony off of the master bedroom! (So you could walk out from the living room, and walk back in through the master bedroom! So much coolness.)

Here's another angle:

Continued in Next Update​