Oh the places We Go, The People We see

[dizneeat]

WOW!!!!!!!
Awesome pics, Jen!

 

[dolphingirl47]

The photos are beautiful.

Corinna

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great fireworks shots Jen!

 

[jenseib]

WOW!!!!!!!
Awesome pics, Jen!

The photos are beautiful.

Corinna

Great fireworks shots Jen!

Thanks

 

[jenseib]

Nov. 11, 2013, Sunday ~ Day 11

Rise and Shine! I don’t remember how early I got up, but I know it was early. My Mom was up and about early too as they had to be packed and ready to head our fairly early as well.
We discussed the whole snack credit issue and she said they rarely used them, so she was not sure why I had none left. She said they never could figure out half the time how to use the plan and paid out of pocket half the time. She also said they had more charged to the room and gave me some money.
I went down to sort it all out.
The charges were already applied to my card ….isn’t that nice. But they did allow me to pay it off in cash and credit my card back. I asked about the whole credit issue and she said they had some system glitches the day before and she wasn’t aware of what, but maybe that was the problem. She printed up my credits left. Holy Cow! I had SEVERAL snack credits now showing. And clearly when I bought the pretzel yesterday it didn’t take that credit off. I asked about it, and she told me not to worry.
We also had several counter service credits to use up before midnight today as well. Oh gosh. We were going to be eating a lot today!

I then gathered the bags I had packed and took them to the van and drove over to Art of Animation. That was going to be our next resort stay. I figured it would be easier to get checked in and take as much of our stuff over first thing while I still had access to the van.

Claire was very excited to be staying in a Little Mermaid room at the AoA. Back in the Spring when I decided to extend my stay longer I really debated this. At first it was a no brainer, it would be Pop Century in a preferred Pool view room. Then I saw some preview pictures of AoA and it got me thinking. I still debated and it was also announced that the Little Mermaid rooms would be opening earlier than planned. When it came down to it, I just really wanted to check it out and also be in a brand new resort. I decided to book it and even decided I would stay there, even if there wasn’t a discount.
Luckily my wonderful friend Carey got a pin code for free dining and it included the Little Mermaid rooms as the time. I booked my room attached to her pin as well and was able to get free dining for this portion of the trip. I also decided to try out something else new …deluxe dining. I did the fuzzy math beforehand and I figured it would come out to close to the same amount as what I would pay for with regular dining. Well actually when applied it was even less, so I was a happy camper.

I proceeded over to AoA to get us checked in and drop off some of our bags. I texted Carey to let her know I was on my way as well. She had texted me the day before and told me they would give us their light up necklaces they had used during the Christmas party, so we planned to meet up one last time and I could get those and say good bye as well because she was heading home today.

I swore I took pictures of the lobby when I checked in, but if I did they have disappeared because I can’t find them. I thought I brought along my point and shoot, and maybe I did and just didn’t take any pictures.
I got myself checked in. Of course our room wasn’t ready but they promised to text me when it was. I let them know that I had little faith in that as this was my 3rd Disney resort and not one had texted me yet. They even gave me a card I could use to call in and check…Yep I lost that in some very secret safe place. LOL.
They were having a bit of an issue with my tickets and I told them I had picked them up already. Well they played around and told me they now were attached to my new KTTW card. Ok then, that’s nice to have.
I then made my way over to meet up with Carey. Carey was in the LM section as well and she said she was about as far back as you could get. They originally had a closer room but when they went inside it just had a king bed, which wouldn’t work for the 3 of them, so they were moved.
Kadence was in tow and a little disappointed that Claire wasn’t with me. I let her know she missed her, but I had to let her sleep in a bit as we have been so busy.
We chatted a bit and Carey gave me the lay of the land. It was really neat to see the resort in person and I planned to tour around later in the day.

We said our final good byes and I headed back to the Beach Club. Mom and Dad were ready to leave and I got Claire up and going as well. Today was our Downtown Disney day, with plans to go to DHS later in the day to see the Osborne Lights.
Well I decided that today was also going to be nap day. We had been going strong for over a week now and we really needed to have a little bit of mid-day rest.
After my parents left, we finished up with our packing and checking the room and had the rest of our luggage picked up to be transferred to AoA. We then headed out. I think we started our way to the bus stop around 9:40ish. Of course we had to make a stop and get a few pictures.





And off to the bus stop.



We had the bad bus mojo again and waited quite a long time for a bus. I think at least 20 minutes.

I took this picture from the bus stop, but I am not even sure what I was trying to get.



And a bush nearby.



Claire and I discussed our bad bus mojo and finally one came and we headed off.
I was excited to see the Décor all around here as well and I took several pictures of it.







We had to get a fun pose. I don’t think we ever took this shot before.





I submitted this next picture in a contest around Christmas time and it won! I won a Disney gift card.





I didn’t even know there was such a thing as the perfectly princess birthday party.







We had some shopping to take care of. Nothing special, but we still had to shop.







We did a lot of browsing. I don’t think we actually bought anything. There we several shirts I liked, but I couldn’t bring myself to pay the Disney prices for them.





I eyed the Dooney’s too. I REALLY liked the retro style pattern, but I wasn’t finding a style of purse I liked with that pattern.









After looking around some more I kept going back to the Dooney’s. I asked if another shop in DTD sold them as well and I was directed to Trend D I believe. I really wanted one and my excuse to get one was to make up for all the bad bus mojo I had had during the stay so far. Surely a new Disney Dooney would make me feel better, right?

We headed over and YES! I found a style I liked. I was so excited. I snatched it up. I think the lady was surprised at how easy the sale was. She went to grab another so I could look at placement (her suggestion, not mine) and I paid with my Disney Visa and got 10% off too! I was on a high leaving that store. Claire was even excited because she saw how excited I was as well and I guess it was contagious.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

So this is the last day of your trip?

 

[jenseib]

So this is the last day of your trip?

Nope! Still 3 more nights!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Nope! Still 3 more nights!

I figured I misread thanks

 

[KatMark]

I am too far behind to comment on things. But I have caught up now and all I can say is WOW on your pictures...excellent job.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Looks like you had a very busy morning. I can't wait to see some of photos from AoA. What style did you go for in the end with the Dooney and Bourke? I have the barrel bag in the WDW retro pattern and an iPad case in the Disneyland retro pattern (I keep quite about all the other Disney Dooneys that I own )

Corinna

 

[scottny]

Great update and pics.

I love browsing in the stores.

Can't wait to see Little mermaid rooms, we are staying there in December.

 

[NYcruiser]

Great report!

 

[jenseib]

I figured I misread thanks

The rest of the family did leave that morning. Claire and I stayed longer.

I am too far behind to comment on things. But I have caught up now and all I can say is WOW on your pictures...excellent job.

I am very behind on many reports. I lost internet for several days and I am just now starting to catch up.

Looks like you had a very busy morning. I can't wait to see some of photos from AoA. What style did you go for in the end with the Dooney and Bourke? I have the barrel bag in the WDW retro pattern and an iPad case in the Disneyland retro pattern (I keep quite about all the other Disney Dooneys that I own )

Corinna

I got the retro style. I believe somewhere along the line I took a picture of it.
I have a few too. LOL. I have one I haven't even used yet.

Great update and pics.

I love browsing in the stores.

Can't wait to see Little mermaid rooms, we are staying there in December.

The theming is great, but it's not very close to the main building at all. I am very glad we did stay there though and got to experience a new resort.

Great report!

Thanks for joining and welcome to Dis!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I, too had to buy a retro style Dooney. It is a little bit bigger than I would like, but I love the pattern. I get lots of compliments on this purse.

 

[jenseib]

I, too had to buy a retro style Dooney. It is a little bit bigger than I would like, but I love the pattern. I get lots of compliments on this purse.

I got a fairly big one too, but I have a lot of junk. LOL

 

[jenseib]

After my wonderful new purchase, we headed out and we needed to take care of Claire’s shopping request of the day.



That would be the Lego Store. She had recently become more interested in Legos and she had been saving some of her money for this store. We looked around and she was in love with the Lego Friends series and she picked a few boxes out and we went to check out. We used Disney gift cards, but what I didn’t know was that the cashier had to go and swipe each on another machine and get the balance and then he would key that into his register. He was a very nice guy, but pretty darn slow. We had used several cards as I was trying to clear out some of the lower balanced/ half used cards. Had I known how the process worked I wouldn’t have done that.
Soon I had a very happy little girl walking by my side. We were 2 happy girls, me with my Dooney and Claire with her bag of Legos.

We had to stop and get a picture or 2.





And then it was time for lunch!



There was a very long line and we got in it. I asked the people around me if this is where I went to check in and they all thought so too, so we waited.



After a bit a lady approached the side of the podium and said she was there for her ADR and she was helped immediately. Well this caused a big ruckus. Almost every person in our line was there to check in for their ADR and this person was helped right away. What none of knew and there is no sign to tell you is that if you have an ADR you go to the side of the podium, if you don’t you stand in the other line to try and get in. They seemed to be having issues fitting people in, which I didn’t understand as once we were seated there were a ton of tables empty in there.
Anyways, some people got darn right nasty with the girls at the podium. I was disgusted, but I kept my mouth shut. They really need to have this explained better.

So Claire and I got out of line and headed over to the side of the podium to check in. They could not find our name. She acted like I was lying about having an ADR. After watching a few in front of me, I realized that they were not finding anyone’s ADR confirmations for that time period of the day. I don’t know if it had to do with the system glitch from the night before, or what the deal was, but luckily I had my confirmation number with me and pulled it out and showed her. After she saw that, she became sweet as pie and didn’t even search anymore and sent us back.



Instantly we liked this place. It was so colorful and fun.









We were seated right near the ice room.



The meteor shower was going to happen over our heads and then go into the ice room.



I forget how often it happens, but every so many minutes (maybe 10 or 15) the meteor shower starts.



Our table was right next to this cute little guy.





This was the view from my chair.



The meteor shower started.



And turned the ice cave red.

 

[jenseib]

The Cave then goes back to blue.



But it flickers quite a bit first.





We made our orders and then took a look around the place.























I LOVED the fish tank.









How cool is this bar?






And the Baby Mammoths were so adorable.



This was our little buddy right next to our table. The only down side was that many people come over to take his picture.





Help!!!! Its melting!

 

[mom2rtk]

Ahhhh..... the castle at night. Sigh. Nothing better.

What a bummer about giving up extra time in the MK only to get back to your room and be kept awake by the race announce. YUCK! I never would have expected that.

I love your fireworks photos. Did you use a tripod or just find an alternate place to stabilize it?

I shot some down at the end of our street. It's a huge show and it's nice to be able to just walk down to the end of the block and see it. But that view has all the streetlights in the shot. I now wish I hadn't been so lazy and had walked all the way down. But nobody will ever come with me. They like to just watch from our street.

You know, I am fully aware of Disney's terrible IT systems, but I have NEVER heard of them being off in your dining/snack credits like that! I can't even imagine what it's going to be like when that's how FP is tracked.

Yeah on treating yourself to the new Dooney!

T-Rex looks pretty awesome. We might have to try that sometime.

 

[Caretames1]

Nov. 8, Thursday, Day 8

We walked off to the side to get situated and I took a picture of Claire with our tickets in hand!


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Now if that's not a happy girl, I don't know what is!

(back to catching up!)

 

[jenseib]

Ahhhh..... the castle at night. Sigh. Nothing better.

What a bummer about giving up extra time in the MK only to get back to your room and be kept awake by the race announce. YUCK! I never would have expected that.

I love your fireworks photos. Did you use a tripod or just find an alternate place to stabilize it?

I shot some down at the end of our street. It's a huge show and it's nice to be able to just walk down to the end of the block and see it. But that view has all the streetlights in the shot. I now wish I hadn't been so lazy and had walked all the way down. But nobody will ever come with me. They like to just watch from our street.

You know, I am fully aware of Disney's terrible IT systems, but I have NEVER heard of them being off in your dining/snack credits like that! I can't even imagine what it's going to be like when that's how FP is tracked.

Yeah on treating yourself to the new Dooney!

T-Rex looks pretty awesome. We might have to try that sometime.

I did use a tripod with my release cord thingy a bob! I really had to think a minute on how to set it to do long exposures. It's been a while.
I guess they made improvements to my disney experience and basically it's MUCH worse that it was before. I haven't looked at it yet, but I heard comments about people wanting to drink and sweat.

I love my Dooney. I am using a different one right now, which I love too, but I am thinking of changing back over soon.

Now if that's not a happy girl, I don't know what is!

(back to catching up!)

She was very happy. She's a spoiled rotten kid!