AKV CL PTR/TR - taking practically first timers -TR starts on P. 17 (completed)

[Pinkocto]

Finally all caught up! I'm slowly getting around to reading everyone's TR's.

You have the best reason for being behind on reading.

Okay first off, I know i've said this before, but i'll say it again. You truly do take the most amazing pics. I'm especially loving the one with the sunrise coming up over a fence. Gorgeous! You take artistic pics and I like that!

Thank you so much I have never been awake early enough at Disney to catch a sunrise. I stood out there for a while and thought, I needed proof of this moment

The spread of food looks AH-MAZING! I totally wish we could do concierge for this trip. Maybe next time.

It's definitely worth it. And so nice not having to take the wallet out as often. It really saves a lot of money for us. That's one of the things I loved about cruising.

I was getting so frustrated reading about R and M and them always being late or something. Ugh. And i'm so sorry about this last update not being the very best end to the day. Hopefully your next update will be a little easier and nicer.

They were driving me crazy!!! All sense of time had gone out the window. It didn't occur to them that we were always waiting. We finally left them later in the trip, it was just getting ridiculous. The next update has its own drama

And last off...YAY for a last minute cruise!!!

. I'm so excited about it!!! The price was too good to pass up. I can start booking things this coming Saturday. I really want to do the sealion excursion in Nassau but not sure if it will be too cold.

 

[Pinkocto]

Pam, I am really sorry to hear that you are regretting it already. Hopefully by the time that trip comes around you will have forgotten all thee bad about this one.


And that trip will turn out to be wonderful!

I'm trying to figure out a way to tactfully change plans. I'd really like an alone trip and am thinking if I can change dates and/or just invite them for a long weekend it would be much better. They're very good friends and I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun whatever happens. Fingers are crossed

 

[Leshaface]

They were driving me crazy!!! All sense of time had gone out the window. It didn't occur to them that we were always waiting. We finally left them later in the trip, it was just getting ridiculous. The next update has its own drama

. I'm so excited about it!!! The price was too good to pass up. I can start booking things this coming Saturday. I really want to do the sealion excursion in Nassau but not sure if it will be too cold.

Oh gosh, bring on the drama we're ready to hear it!

Have you looked at the weather for that time of year yet? One of my friends goes to the Bahamas EVERY January for the past 10 years because the weather is so nice and warm. It should be great when you go!

 

[franandaj]

For similar reasons, we do not do resort to resort dinner transfers anymore. That's one thing that will be nice about staying at BLT, we have the monorail resort for or dinners that we don't make in the room.

It sounds like they were incredibly frustrating to travel with. I think if we travel with others in the future, we will set ground rules prior to booking and one will be "we are not to be joined at the hip and tied to the same schedule and pace!"

Just keep remembering the good and try not to let the frustrating get in the way!

 

[dgbg100106]

I'm trying to figure out a way to tactfully change plans. I'd really like an alone trip and am thinking if I can change dates and/or just invite them for a long weekend it would be much better. They're very good friends and I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun whatever happens. Fingers are crossed

Maybe invite them for the last part of the trip...

That way you have your time upfront and then they can join you!

 

[dgbg100106]

For similar reasons, we do not do resort to resort dinner transfers anymore. That's one thing that will be nice about staying at BLT, we have the monorail resort for or dinners that we don't make in the room.

It sounds like they were incredibly frustrating to travel with. I think if we travel with others in the future, we will set ground rules prior to booking and one will be "we are not to be joined at the hip and tied to the same schedule and pace!"

Just keep remembering the good and try not to let the frustrating get in the way!

that was our rules too but it did not always work.

but it really did work great for us about 3 years ago when David's sister joined us for the last third of our vacation, we had been and seen and done what we wanted and ready to relax and she was doing all the running around and did not have time for us.

 

[Pinkocto]

We’ve made it to the 3rd day of vacation. The plans were to go to the Magic Kingdom. I woke up around 7:40 and mom not too long after that. We took the short walk out to the CL, have I mentioned how fabulous it was to be on the same floor. If not it was absolutely fabulous. I had some pastries while mom had some coffee. There was not a peep from R & M so we headed down to the pool around 9:15. Stayed for about an hour, I actually got in the water, usually I just lounge in the sun. I like to be really hot before swimming so it must have started out being another scorcher. Mom started to get hungry so we went up before they took breakfast away. I’m pretty sure R & M had their leftovers from the Pepper Market for breakfast. They really enjoyed having the fridge and microwave in the kitchenette. We started to head out and I asked R & M if they had remembered ther anniversary buttons that had been waiting in their room on check-in day. They kept forgetting them and today was no different so M raced back to the room to grab them. We headed out to MK around 11:40 and made it there around noon. I was a bit worried that we were yet again starting the day off late, but it ended up being a very productive day.

I have never been to WDW while any of the Fall decorations have been up, so this was an unexpected treat.

I was just loving all the details.

I was so enthralled I was just taking pictures left and right and completely left the others behind. You can see M’s green shirt in the middle of the picture

I must have stopped and waited for them to catch up.

My one and only balloon picture of the trip.

I thought it was pretty nice these pumpkins had found themselves some chairs to lounge in.

The lack of people was just fantastic.

I have never been inside this restaurant before. I’m always in such a rush to get further into the park or trying to leave before the crowds. I think a milkshake is in order the next time I’m there.

Photobucket is being really glitchy right now so I'll try to do another update later on.

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh gosh, bring on the drama we're ready to hear it!

Have you looked at the weather for that time of year yet? One of my friends goes to the Bahamas EVERY January for the past 10 years because the weather is so nice and warm. It should be great when you go!

Drama to come shortly, no worries

That's wonderful to hear about the weather. I looked it up and the average is 78 degrees in January. Hopefully it won't be too cold in the water.

 

[Pinkocto]

For similar reasons, we do not do resort to resort dinner transfers anymore. That's one thing that will be nice about staying at BLT, we have the monorail resort for or dinners that we don't make in the room.

I just didn't think about how much time it would take to finally get there and back, especially after the parks are closed and you have to take a DTD and then get a resort bus. If that wonderful CM hadn't come along I don't even want to think about how long it would have taken us to get home.

It sounds like they were incredibly frustrating to travel with. I think if we travel with others in the future, we will set ground rules prior to booking and one will be "we are not to be joined at the hip and tied to the same schedule and pace!"

I tried to convince them that they didn't need to be with us every second but they just kept resisting. Finally we just left them, thankfully. No doubt about it, it was very frustrating.

Just keep remembering the good and try not to let the frustrating get in the way!

I try to remember the good I'm glad we were able to do this together, it was good quality family time. I think if we ever do something again it will probably be a cruise. That way I can just say, lets meet up for dinner and any other time do what you want... Maybe in a couple years.

 

[dgbg100106]

Beautiful pictures so far! Love the update, ready for the drama

 

[Pinkocto]

Maybe invite them for the last part of the trip...

That way you have your time upfront and then they can join you!

That is an excellent plan, problem is right now I'm only thinking selfishly and don't want to share my time

I know it will all work out whatever happens.

 

[Pinkocto]

As we headed to Tomorrowland R stopped for a smoke break. I continued on and took some photos.

We did Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor first with a 10 minute wait.

Everyone loved it. I only discovered it a few trips previously and now find it a wonderful way to start the day.

Then we headed over to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin which was a walk-on. Almost to the end of the ride and it stopped for a good five minutes. I took the opportunity to take some behind the scenes pictures.

Mom took the down time to give our car a much needed cleaning.

After our interesting ride we headed to Space Mountain which was another walk-on.

This was one of R’s favorite rides as a kid and it did not disappoint so many years later.

We then headed to Stitch’s Great Escape! which was a ten minute wait only because we had just missed going inside. It was unbearably hot waiting. I think I was wearing jeans and almost went back home to change several times that day. I never did though.

Usually I absolutely love this attraction but it was a little disappointing this time. I’m not sure if there were some technical difficulties, but it just didn’t feel the same. I really wish they had left the fabulously scary Alien Encounter from years ago, I really loved that one. Anybody here remember it?

Before leaving we stopped for some much needed beverages. From the time we entered and left Tomorrowland it was only 1 hour and 15 minutes. We were making great time. As we left we encountered PUSH and watched him for a few minutes.

Next up, Adventureland!

 

[franandaj]

I think we were staying at AK and went to Flying Fish. It took over an hour and a half to get back to our room. If we decide to do a resort to resort dinner we drive or take a taxi.

 

[franandaj]

Nice updates! You snuck them in while I was replying to your transportation dilemma.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Wonderful photos again. I really love the parks at Halloween time and I am a little sad that I am missing that this year. Still, I have all the Christmas decorations to look forward to.

Corinna

 

[dgbg100106]

That is an excellent plan, problem is right now I'm only thinking selfishly and don't want to share my time

I know it will all work out whatever happens.

lol,, this made me laugh, I KNOW exactly how you feel.

David invited his two aunts and one uncle to cruise with us in Feb. You know what this means.... We will all be having dinner every night together and making sure they are where they need to be and the time they need to be there.

 

[dgbg100106]

I think we were staying at AK and went to Flying Fish. It took over an hour and a half to get back to our room. If we decide to do a resort to resort dinner we drive or take a taxi.

We agree, and figured that out the hard way also.

 

[MEK]

Pam - your pictures of an empty MK make me want to be there so bad right now. Don't you just love the Halloween decorations. I can't decide if I like Christmas or Halloween more. I guess Christmas by a nose because its involves all the parks.

Wow - walk on Space mountain during the middle of the day. That is awesome. Gotta love that.

 

[Pinkocto]

I think we were staying at AK and went to Flying Fish. It took over an hour and a half to get back to our room. If we decide to do a resort to resort dinner we drive or take a taxi.

That's too much. Knowing me, I'd have forgotten how nice my meal was by the time I got back to the resort. I usually love the bus system but I won't be doing that again.

Nice updates! You snuck them in while I was replying to your transportation dilemma.

Thanks The next one is with the big drama...

 

[Pinkocto]

Wonderful photos again. I really love the parks at Halloween time and I am a little sad that I am missing that this year. Still, I have all the Christmas decorations to look forward to.

Corinna

Thank you This was the first time I'd seen the Halloween decorations and just loved them. My Disneyland trip next year will be right in the middle of the season so I'll be able to partake in all the festivities. Looking forward to that. Oh, the Christmas decorations are so beautiful.