3 Generations! 2 Resorts! 10 Days! DxDp! 3000 Pictures! - Saying Good-Bye!

[hstrickland]

Yay! I'm all caught up again! I'm glad your boys got to have some fun at DQ! I've been once several years ago, and I didn't like it very much-but I've also never been into video games either!

You have some great shots of the kids at the pool!! Looks like some great fun! I also love your pics from the balcony!!

Great family pictures on the ears! I love the one with the three kids and the color slpash effect!! So cool!!

I'm glad you enjoyed the California Grill! Great view of MK! The food looks delish and the kid's meals also look very good!! What a cool view of Wishes, but I agree- the Poly is the best place to watch the show!

I'm also glad you all enjoyed the CP breakfast- we love eating there! Your kids are too cute with the characters! Awesome pics of the Fantasyland expansion! I'm so excited for it!!

Great updates! I'm excited for more!!

Are y'all planning another family trip within the next year...or will your parents go without you?

I really want to try Crystal Palace on our next trip....whenever that'll be. I wanted to go on our last trip but Reid was so not interested in those characters. Now, of course, he's wants to know all about them & can't wait to go see the Winnie the Pooh movie. Oh well, hopefully, I'll get to have breakfast there one day.

DS10 isn't a big Pooh fan, but he still enjoyed it...probably just because there were characters. I keep wondering if he will outgrown the characters, but so far he still likes having pictures made with them.

I know what you mean about Dumbo! On our last trip, we got to MK one day at Rope Drop, went straight to Dumbo & the wait was already 25 minutes! And yes, it really took us that long to get on the ride. I really hope that gets better once they open up the double Dumbo's in the expansion.

I have a feeling that Fantasy Land will be crazy packed until the newness wears off....did I say 'wears off'?? I must be delusional, right! It will be packed for years

Can't wait to hear about the Pirate's League! Reid is obsessed with pirates. I'm hoping that whenever we do go back, he'll still like pirates & I'll let him do it.

Our oldest is now 10, and he still had a blast. I'm sure Reid would have a wonderful time...and look at it this way...you'll have a costume for Halloween

Can't wait for the pics!

Thanks for the info about the Belle's Castle...hopefully that is true. I would think that there would be a TS in there somewhere...MK needs another decent restaurant...and not a BUFFET!


Heather

 

[twob4him]

Hello!!!
I am really enjoying your trip report and beautiful family! Loved hearing and seeing about FW cabins. I hope to stay sometime! I always vacillate between on-prop and off-prop.

 

[RGirl]

Thanks for the info about the Belle's Castle...hopefully that is true. I would think that there would be a TS in there somewhere...MK needs another decent restaurant...and not a BUFFET!

I know this will come as a shock, but I couldn't agree more!

 

[hstrickland]

Hello!!!
I am really enjoying your trip report and beautiful family! Loved hearing and seeing about FW cabins. I hope to stay sometime! I always vacillate between on-prop and off-prop.

Thanks for the kind words! We really enjoyed the spaciousness of the cabins...I'm looking forward to returning someday...hopefully sooner than later You have four children, right? FW might be an option for y'all.

I guess you could say we are onsite people...Our family enjoys the convenient transportation options, and we like to be completely immersed in Disney...so to speak. But I can completely understand why people choose to stay off-site...especially if you have a big family. The cost at Disney can go way up when you tack on several children. I had a friend who recently returned from a week stay...they did off-site this go round and only paid around $1000...2 bedroom condo, very roomy, great pool area. She said it was great!!!

There are too many options out there...too many great resorts...Disney and non-Disney!! What do ya do!! Every time we go, I change resorts at least twice, if not more!

Heather

 

[hstrickland]

I know this will come as a shock, but I couldn't agree more!

I knew I liked you...we think alike. How funny will it be when they announce the new Belle's Buffet!!!

 

[hstrickland]

The Pirates League – Part 1
Reservations – 10:45am
Day 5​

After Fantasy Land, we booked it over to….

Last year, Pop, Stephen and Jesse encountered the Pirates League, while Faith experienced Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. We assumed that the kids wouldn’t care if they did it again or not…well…they wanted to do it AGAIN…and this time, Miss Faith decided that she was going to be a Sea Wench.

When we arrived, they were ready for us…no waiting! We had to have a ‘before’ shot of the fierce crew…

….then…Arrrr, Matey….It’s time for the transformations to begin!

When entering, there are several things that a future pirate needs to consider….first, the facial effects.

Then, one must decide if they want the entire costume…Guests can chose from three daily pirate packages:


(taken from Allears.net)
First Mate Package: Includes bandana; choice of facial effects – scars, tattoos, fake teeth, earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate coin necklace; one 5x7 inch photo and personalized pirate oath - $49.95 plus tax

Empress Package: Includes bandana; shimmering makeup – face gem, tattoos, nail polish, earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate coin necklace; one 5x7 inch photo and personalized pirate oath - $49.95 plus tax

Captains Package: Includes choice of costume/outfit from selection: choice of facial effects - scars, tattoos, fake teeth, earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate coin necklace; three 5x7 inch photos and personalized pirate oath - $124.95 plus tax.or what package they want.


After getting into costume, it’s time for a new name…a pirate name! This veteran pirate discussed the entire process….he was awesome!!! And really played the part to a tee…he was probably the best that day.

Getting the new pirate name was quite interesting. First, you spin the chest with the dice…

Next, take the dice out and count the numbers….

They use the numbers and your month to come up with your new identity.

Everyone went through this entire process separately. Stephen and Pop decided that they liked their pirate names from last year and wanted to keep them….so…..this is what our new pirates will be called…


Basil Hirecastle – aka…Jesse
Emily Hullbiter – aka…Faith
Will Treasurehound – aka…Stephen
Lawrence Yellowbellow – aka…Pop


It was off to the Muster Stations where the crew would begin training. These stations were so very cool…the entire area looked like the inside of a pirate ship…Disney is so awesome with detail.

Each guest goes to his/her own station where the veteran pirates start the transformation. First up will be Basil Hirecastle…

DS4 usually doesn’t sit still, but for this…he was like a statue! He ate up every minute of the entire process. This pirate walked around joking with all the new pirates, young and old…and talk about realistic…he looked like he had just stepped right out of a movie! The voice, the vocabulary, the costume…just perfect for the entire experience.

Basil was almost complete…just a few more touches….

But…it’s not complete until they take the sacred pirate oath! And let me tell ya…Jesse took this very seriously…it was all real to him.

Next up, we have Emily Hullbiter!...Sea Wench, Pirate Empress…which ever you prefer. The girls get the full makeover…makeup, nail polish…right up Faith’s alley.

Emily wasn’t too sure of this pirate…she knows that the characters aren’t ‘real’…but she wasn’t entirely convinced that this scallywag was in costume.

Emily had to take the sacred pirate oath, also…no getting past this if you want to be in Captain Jack’s crew.

And finally…here you have her….Empress Emily Hullbiter!

There is still more to come from this motley crew…we have two more buccaneers that have to take the plunge! Then…you get to see the final transformations of Capt. Jack’s newest crew….and the pirate portraits.


Stay tuned….
Until then, me Landlubbers…yo-ho-ho…and fair winds!

 

[emma212010]

Are y'all planning another family trip within the next year...or will your parents go without you?

Well, I'm not sure if we're able to take a trip next year because I'll be really busy with school and jobs in the summer! Maybe they will just go without me! Haha, it happened at Christmas! Hopefully the year after I'll be able to go!

 

[emma212010]

Oh how cute!! The PL looks so fun!! Emily and Jesse are too cute!

 

[Yellowbellow]

Let Pop - aka Larry Yellowbellow - speak to the Grandparents and/or you parents who are thinking about taking your parents with you to WDW to be with their grandchildren::: Don't miss the opportunity to let the Grands experinace the Pirats League - I would do it everytime as long as the kiddos want to make the transformation. I loved it and even enjoyed the stares & comments as we walked about the parks. Wonderful Experiance.
We have a book on WDW and it lists 'The Best of _____'. The Best Splurge is listed as the Priates League - I agree - try it

 

[RGirl]

I knew I liked you...we think alike. How funny will it be when they announce the new Belle's Buffet

This made me laugh so hard (and shed a tear or two ), I couldn't get to the PL post without responding!

Off to read about the awesome PL!!

 

[RGirl]

I am loving the PL pics and info. Your family had so much fun!!!!! I wonder if my DD will want to do this one day - she is still very into princesses and doesn't really know anything about pirates. I haven't watched the POTC movies in ages - at what age can kids watch those movies? They are for an older crowd, right? I honestly can't remember.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Let Pop - aka Larry Yellowbellow - speak to the Grandparents and/or you parents who are thinking about taking your parents with you to WDW to be with their grandchildren::: Don't miss the opportunity to let the Grands experinace the Pirats League - I would do it everytime as long as the kiddos want to make the transformation. I loved it and even enjoyed the stares & comments as we walked about the parks. Wonderful Experiance.
We have a book on WDW and it lists 'The Best of _____'. The Best Splurge is listed as the Priates League - I agree - try it

I'm so glad that finally the mystery of your screen name has been revealed in Heather's latest post

I really enjoyed being able to see the entire PL process. Since I have no boys and only a DD12, a trip to the PL (or BBB) is out of the question.

You're a great sport and your grandkids (and kids) are very lucky to have such Disney indulgent grandparents. FIL lives and works in Boca and he has no interest in coming to WDW. In fact, I believe he has never been in the 20+ years he's lived in FL. But, I think we've made-up for his absence

Tell Heather to keep those great photos/captions comin'

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What a fun update! Seeing how excited your crew is just makes me . I can't get over all the detail and themeing-very impressive! Clearly made a big impression last year if everyone wanted to do it again. And I just love that Pop/Larry Yellowbellow gets in on the fun. I'm sure that makes it even more special.

 

[hstrickland]

I am loving the PL pics and info. Your family had so much fun!!!!! I wonder if my DD will want to do this one day - she is still very into princesses and doesn't really know anything about pirates. I haven't watched the POTC movies in ages - at what age can kids watch those movies? They are for an older crowd, right? I honestly can't remember.

Give here some time...Faith was all about princesses last year and wanted nothing to do with pirates. This year....that all changed. And every now and then she wants me to call her Emily Hullbiter....so I do. As the POTC movies go....hmmmm....my 4 year old lovvvvves them as well as the 5 year old. We have the entire collection at home...would you like to borrow them

I'm so glad that finally the mystery of your screen name has been revealed in Heather's latest post

The kids love his name...and if you ask Jesse, DS4, what's Pop's name...he yells...YELLOWBELLOW, and dies laughing.

I really enjoyed being able to see the entire PL process. Since I have no boys and only a DD12, a trip to the PL (or BBB) is out of the question.

Hmmmm....I would certainly say....yes....too old Then again, there are adults who dress up

You're a great sport and your grandkids (and kids) are very lucky to have such Disney indulgent grandparents. FIL lives and works in Boca and he has no interest in coming to WDW. In fact, I believe he has never been in the 20+ years he's lived in FL. But, I think we've made-up for his absence

Tell Heather to keep those great photos/captions comin'

What a fun update! Seeing how excited your crew is just makes me . I can't get over all the detail and themeing-very impressive! Clearly made a big impression last year if everyone wanted to do it again. And I just love that Pop/Larry Yellowbellow gets in on the fun. I'm sure that makes it even more special.

And just some FYI...my father never has a beard. He ONLY grew the beard last year and this year for the kids and the Pirate Makeovers...seriously! When he got off the plan last year, I had no idea he would have a beard!! My mother was hating it and my children thought it was the best.....the things you do for grandchildren

 

[sjs314]

The PL looks like such fun for kids( of all ages)! I know if they had such a thing back when my DS were younger it would have been a big hit.

Loved seeing the pics of your kids transformation

 

[hstrickland]

The PL looks like such fun for kids( of all ages)! I know if they had such a thing back when my DS were younger it would have been a big hit.

Loved seeing the pics of your kids transformation

Hey Shelia!

I was just telling my sister (she's finally a Diser now) that you were from CT...she lives there, too, in the Glastonbury area. They were in Old Weathersfield and moved several years back....she loves it there!! Small world.

 

[onelilspark]

I love that Faith decided not to be a Princess this year and went with a Pirate instead. She's my kind of girl!!

 

[leshunlenese]

PL looks fun and faith makes a good one, so cute!! Im glad that made this so the boys can dress up

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Hi Heather,

Loved the PL pictures, I have almost the identical set of pictures, we loved the whole experience!!! DD6 has the same costume! Here is a picture of our finished product:

DD6 (Josie) and DH

Since I don't do trip reports (yet!) I thought I would share just a quick picture with you since I feel guilty enjoying all of your hard work doing a trip report and not sharing...
Here is a picture of us at the Poly from last October after Ohana dinner..

Finally, our furbaby Newman at the pre-trip Luau we had!

I hope you don't mind the pictures, I'm not trying to intrude on your report! And the pictures are huge, not sure how to make them smaller, anyway...
We loved PL, I highly recommend it to anyone! Have a great weekend!
Erin

 

[hstrickland]

I love that Faith decided not to be a Princess this year and went with a Pirate instead. She's my kind of girl!!

Totally different experience than BBB, but just as incredible for her.

PL looks fun and faith makes a good one, so cute!! Im glad that made this so the boys can dress up

When your little one is old enough, it's a must-do for ya'll!

Hi Heather,

Loved the PL pictures, I have almost the identical set of pictures, we loved the whole experience!!! DD6 has the same costume! Here is a picture of our finished product:

Since I don't do trip reports (yet!) I thought I would share just a quick picture with you since I feel guilty enjoying all of your hard work doing a trip report and not sharing...
Here is a picture of us at the Poly from last October after Ohana dinner..

Finally, our furbaby Newman at the pre-trip Luau we had!
I hope you don't mind the pictures, I'm not trying to intrude on your report! And the pictures are huge, not sure how to make them smaller, anyway...
We loved PL, I highly recommend it to anyone! Have a great weekend!
Erin

Totally NOT intruding...I'm glad to put a face with a name. I always enjoy looking at people's pictures anyway. You have a beautiful family...y'all look like the perfect All-American Fam. The picture of Newman with the Poly lei is hilarious! A true Disney Dog! Has your daughter done BBB? Was wondering if she liked it as much as the PL? Feel free at any time to post more pics here!!...Seriously. I'm trying to get some of our old CR pictures scanned....and when I say old...like from 1982 old

Do you use Photobucket for your pictures? If so, there is a place on the edit page to resize. If you notice...there are a few of my pics that are larger than others...I just forgot to resize them...somehow skipped over them.