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

[MollyMcDaniel]

Hi Lurkey-loo You sound like my friend, PrincessDis....I called her the DisBoard Stalker She finally signed on!!! Thanks for the compliments...I'm very blessed to have a wonderful family.

So...did it feel like a major city hotel?? I'm only laughing because you sound like my DH and mother. They really liked it...especially the beds, size of room, bathroom, the view, etc....but they said it didn't have that same 'resort' feel they get when at the Poly or GF. Of course I reminded them that all of these resorts are sooooo different...kinda like comparing apples to oranges, ya know. The CR holds a special place in my heart because we stayed there as children....brings back sooooo many good memories with my family If my mother had it her way, she would be at the GF, DH would probably be at the WL and my dad would be at the Poly....me???...I'm a little partial to the monorail resorts, so I'll take any of the 3!

Quick question...since you are a DVC person....do y'all have APs or TIW cards?? Just being nosey...we skirt around the idea of DVC, so I'm always curious to see how DVC people do meals, tickets, etc.

Heather

We don't have either one! Usually we only make one visit per year, so it is less expensive for us to get a magic your way. But, last summer I got the itch and booked a very last minute trip (5 days notice!) for myself and DD. Well, it's happened again this year and my husband is coming. It would have been better if we had purchased the AP back in March. Hindsight is 20/20. Again we are just going w/magic your way because we are only doing 2 days at parks and 2 days at the water parks. We have a cruise booked for March, so we will definitly not be back within a year.

Ideally we want to stockpile points and do an Adventures by Disney to Europe....we just need to stop touching those points!

As for dining.....a new feature was recently added to members. We can segment dining, which means you can pay for whatever number of nights you want...not for the length of stay. We also like split stays, so we usually book DxDp for half our trip and then DDP or nothing for the rest. If we are using a 1 bedroom then I cook breakfast and snacks in the room , so we don't eat out as much. And honestly, I get tired of all of the food towards the end so it works out nicely.

I love the DVC program and when your kids get older then you can visit other places. Our best memories as a family have been created at DW. Several times we have brought friends and family that would otherwise never have been able to enjoy such a vacation. I can't tell you how happy it makes me being able to do that. I think I hear kum-by-yah?? Our home resort is BWV, but I think my favorite is BCV.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Nice to see Chef Mickey's at ground level. Now that DD is older, I'm used to only seeing it from above when we walk out of our room. It's a great venue for getting good photos with all the "major players."

 

[sjs314]

That certainly was a late breakfast ADR
Loved seeing CM again, it has been years since I was there with my DS, considered making an ADR there this trip after we switched resorts to WL (I ended up changeing all our breakfast ADRs except our CP at MK since they were all centered around the Epcot resorts) but I ended up booking The Wave instead.
DH normally like to have breakfast close to where we are staying but I am making him get up and get moving this trip no late breakfasts in October.

Love the pic of the monorail passing by. Your family looks great in all your shots

 

[hstrickland]

Yes, can't wait for the cruise! We are doing the Fantasy, Eastern Caribbean 7 nights, 2 oceanview deluxe family suites (taking my mom). DH and I cruise often and actually did NOT want a verandah - DS12 sleep walks! This is my 40th b-day present (turning 40 next June 29, 2012, but we have a school break in Nov.). I was very torn about a WDW trip vs. the cruise, but we will get back to WDW for sure and the kids are the perfect ages. We love the E. Caribbean, so that week in Nov. worked out great and DS12 won't miss any football.

Time to go to sleep - I'm addicted to the boards!

We'll be turing 40 in the same year...okay I just said it...40 Actually it's not that bad...just another number Oh....and before I forget...2 more days, right?!

Our family is doing the 5 day Dream next June....my parents will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary, and my sister and her family are going, too. The kids have never been on a cruise, so they are super excited!!! DH would like to do the Fantasy because it's longer....guess that means we'll have to do another one Your November trip should be perfect...it won't be so hot!!! And nope!...a veranda would not be a good choice for yall. I had a cousin who use to sleep walk during her adolescent years, then it suddenly stopped....never done it since.

We don't have either one! Usually we only make one visit per year, so it is less expensive for us to get a magic your way. But, last summer I got the itch and booked a very last minute trip (5 days notice!) for myself and DD. Well, it's happened again this year and my husband is coming. It would have been better if we had purchased the AP back in March. Hindsight is 20/20. Again we are just going w/magic your way because we are only doing 2 days at parks and 2 days at the water parks. We have a cruise booked for March, so we will definitly not be back within a year.

Ideally we want to stockpile points and do an Adventures by Disney to Europe....we just need to stop touching those points!

As for dining.....a new feature was recently added to members. We can segment dining, which means you can pay for whatever number of nights you want...not for the length of stay. We also like split stays, so we usually book DxDp for half our trip and then DDP or nothing for the rest. If we are using a 1 bedroom then I cook breakfast and snacks in the room , so we don't eat out as much. And honestly, I get tired of all of the food towards the end so it works out nicely.

I love the DVC program and when your kids get older then you can visit other places. Our best memories as a family have been created at DW. Several times we have brought friends and family that would otherwise never have been able to enjoy such a vacation. I can't tell you how happy it makes me being able to do that. I think I hear kum-by-yah?? Our home resort is BWV, but I think my favorite is BCV.

Thanks for all the information! I didn't know about the splitting of the dining plans...that sounds great!!! Have y'all thought about the new resort in Hawaii?? Our friends that own DVC want to do it next summer. I'll be interested to read reviews on it.

Nice to see Chef Mickey's at ground level. Now that DD is older, I'm used to only seeing it from above when we walk out of our room. It's a great venue for getting good photos with all the "major players."

In only a few years, our kids will probably have other things they would rather do at Disney...DS9 is already getting to that point. That's why Bill and my dad took Stephen to Disney Quest minus the little ones. We've also learned that doing the character breakfast keeps us from having to stand in those long character lines!!!

 

[hstrickland]

That certainly was a late breakfast ADR
Loved seeing CM again, it has been years since I was there with my DS, considered making an ADR there this trip after we switched resorts to WL (I ended up changeing all our breakfast ADRs except our CP at MK since they were all centered around the Epcot resorts) but I ended up booking The Wave instead.
DH normally like to have breakfast close to where we are staying but I am making him get up and get moving this trip no late breakfasts in October.

Love the pic of the monorail passing by. Your family looks great in all your shots

Gosh, Shelia....I'm so very surprised that you changed your ADRs...shocking.

DH was not happy with the pictures I put in that post! He looked at them and said...' I look like a complete dork!'... I said...'not completely, dear'

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Looks like it was a great ("late" ) morning! All the pictures are fantastic but I especially love the looks on the little ones' faces when Pluto is signing his autograph and the big bear hug for Goofy. . What great family memories.

A pool day sounds delightful and I've never set foot in DisneyQuest so would love to hear about that!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

We'll be turing 40 in the same year...okay I just said it...40 Actually it's not that bad...just another number Oh....and before I forget...2 more days, right?!

Thank you Heather, yes, 2 more days at 38, then one more year in the 30's! Yikes! I'm also ok with it, but you better believe I'm trying to stay physically and mentally as young as I can!

I think the 5 day cruise will still be perfect, it's long enough to relax and unpack (shorter than that may feel too rushed). I am really excited to take our children on a cruise, we have gone many times without them, and I know they will freak out when they see the ship! How awesome your folks have been married for 45 years! What a great way to celebrate!

 

[princessamie]

I love the DVC program and when your kids get older then you can visit other places. Our best memories as a family have been created at DW. Several times we have brought friends and family that would otherwise never have been able to enjoy such a vacation. I can't tell you how happy it makes me being able to do that. I think I hear kum-by-yah?? Our home resort is BWV, but I think my favorite is BCV.[/QUOTE]


Okay, now that gives me chills!!! Would LOVE to be able to do that!!! What a gift!!!

I love the links for the H2O stuff! I think stocking stuffers will be in our future as well!!!

Heather, I have to say that I am super jealous of your seating at Chef Mickey's!!! We were in the back room! The lighting was low so I had to switch my camera to auto. You had so much natural sunlight!!!! I could have easily been in manual if we had been seated there! Oh well! I still captured great memories just not quality photos of them!

Loved all of your early morning pictures too! Can't wait to read more!

 

[sjs314]

Gosh, Shelia....I'm so very surprised that you changed your ADRs...shocking.

DH was not happy with the pictures I put in that post! He looked at them and said...' I look like a complete dork!'... I said...'not completely, dear'

You can tell him for me he did not look like a dork at all just a DH who loves Disney!

 

[leshunlenese]

I agree that was an late Breakfast. I love chef mickey's. I took the son last year for his first birthday and i think it is definitely something everyone should try once and im glad we did! We will be back after we try some other character meals.

 

[02AggieGirl]

Chef Mickey's really does have the best atmosphere!! We've only been once and it was for dinner. I love all the light that comes in for breakfast!

 

[hstrickland]

.....A pool day sounds delightful and I've never set foot in DisneyQuest so would love to hear about that!

I'm going to try and get that post done today...DH is out of town, DS9 is in CT visiting my sister, and the youngest 2 are tired from Bible School Perhaps I can get lots done!

....Heather, I have to say that I am super jealous of your seating at Chef Mickey's!!! We were in the back room! The lighting was low so I had to switch my camera to auto. You had so much natural sunlight!!!! I could have easily been in manual if we had been seated there! Oh well! I still captured great memories just not quality photos of them!

Loved all of your early morning pictures too! Can't wait to read more!

The first time we went, we were stuck in the back room but had windows. I really prefer to be sitting out where all the action is located, and we didn't seemed crowded at all....and were close to the buffet: Probably won't do Chef Mickey's next trip...there are too many other places we want to try...I could start listing them now....but I won't!

You can tell him for me he did not look like a dork at all just a DH who loves Disney!

I'll be sure to let him know...

I agree that was an late Breakfast. I love chef mickey's. I took the son last year for his first birthday and i think it is definitely something everyone should try once and im glad we did! We will be back after we try some other character meals.

Other great character meals you might want to try (or maybe you already have) 1900 Park Fare, Ohana, Crystal Palace....I would say CRT, but you have a little boy...of course my boys love it...ya just never know!

Chef Mickey's really does have the best atmosphere!! We've only been once and it was for dinner. I love all the light that comes in for breakfast!

If you're ever staying at the CR, it's a convenient stop for breakfast AND you can knock out the whole character/autograph/picture thing...no waiting in lines!

 

[emma212010]

Great update! Glad you enjoyed Chef Mickey's! We still haven't tried it yet, so I'm sure that's on our list for next time! I'm excited to hear about your day!!

 

[hstrickland]

Great update! Glad you enjoyed Chef Mickey's! We still haven't tried it yet, so I'm sure that's on our list for next time! I'm excited to hear about your day!!

If you stay at one of the monorail resorts, it woud be a great way to start the day for breakfast....but not sure if I would make a special trip...unless for some reason yall bring kids along on your next trip

Heather

 

[hstrickland]

Disney Quest - Boys Day Out!
Day 4​

After breakfast at Chef Mickey’s, we headed back to the room to grab our swimming suits, and DH, DS9 and Pop headed to Down Town Disney!

I didn’t think that DD5 and DS4 would REALLY enjoy it. Stephen loves video games, and this would give him a chance to get away from the 2 little ones. Of course DH and Pop were very willing to take Stephen. Since we had our car, they drove over. I’ve read horror stories about buses going to DTD, so I encouraged DH to take the car…he’s one of these who hate to drive when there’s Disney transportation available. On the way, dad snapped a quick shot of my mom’s favorite resort….

When they arrived, it wasn’t crowded at all!!! No problems parking!...

This is a place I would like to try at some point!....

We’re always early everywhere we go…today proved no different….Stephen was soooooo excited. He had been looking forward to unlimited video games for weeks!

Times of Disney Quest
Sunday - Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

This is what the Disney website says….

"Create your own adventures in this one-of-a-kind indoor interactive Theme Park bursting with games that give "state-of-the-art" new meaning. Discover five floors exploding with cutting-edge technology, virtual reality and 3-D experiences — all fueled by Disney innovation and imagination. The entry portal, Ventureport, leads to four different zones."

Explore Zone- a virtual Adventureland where guests are immersed in exotic & ancient locales
Score Zone - superhero competition city where guests can match their gameplaying skills
Create Zone - artistic endeavor, a private “Imagineering” studio for artistic self-expression and invention
Replay Zone - nostalgic fun, a carnival on the moon where guests experience classic rides and games

Prices
Adult-10+ $42.00( at gate) $33.00 (online)
Child-3-9 $36.00(atgate) $28.00(online)

I'm not sure as to how their day progressed...not sure about which games came first, etc. (DH and DS9 are not here to help me;....I'm kinda wingin' this)

As you can tell...it wasn't super crowded at all.

Stephen was having the time of his life!!! He was totally in his element!

DH was really enjoying the older arcade games....Stephen wasn't familiar with too many of these.

Classic Pinball!

So....what did they think of.....

Well, as you would assume...Stephen thought it was the best place ever!! He wanted me to go back with him at some point. DH said he had a great time, but he was in no hurry to go return any time soon. We went years ago when it first opened...DH said that not much has changed. My dad said it was just okay...he's not much into video games...he just wanted to spend time with his grandson and son-in-law DH said he thought the 4 and 5 year old were too young to truly enjoy it. They had planned on eating there, but decided against it. Basically it was your basic food at Disney prices...so they hit the McDonald's on the way back to the CR. Guess they were ready to join us at the pool!!!!

Sorry there wasn't lots of detail....if you have any questions, I'm sure DS or DH can answer them


Up next.....Day at the CR pool!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[onelilspark]

I was wondering if it had changed much. I remember being less than impressed with it years ago and hearing that they hadn't updated much hasn't had me chomping at the bit to go back. Geoff's big into video games and electronics, so I thought he might enjoy it, but if nothing's changed, I think he'd be disappointed.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Just read through your entire TR, so far!

Your pictures are GORGEOUS! Can't wait for more!!!

 

[hstrickland]

I was wondering if it had changed much. I remember being less than impressed with it years ago and hearing that they hadn't updated much hasn't had me chomping at the bit to go back. Geoff's big into video games and electronics, so I thought he might enjoy it, but if nothing's changed, I think he'd be disappointed.

I'll have to ask my husband, but I think there were a couple of new things...just don't remember the name of the games. He just said he thought it was a little outdated.

Just read through your entire TR, so far!

Your pictures are GORGEOUS! Can't wait for more!!!

Thanks so much! Glad to have you follow along I'm going to check out your creations!!! I quickly clicked on and skimmed over it, but need to go back and read it completely....looks really interesting.

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

Wow I was busy the past few days and so I got to read 2 updates all at one time.

First: I love all your CR pics from the morning. What a beautiful morning and I agree that is the best time at the resorts. So calm and peaceful.

Chef Mickeys: This to me is more about the atmosphere and characters than the food. We did breakfast twice now and I think next trip we may do dinner. The kids just loved that place.....what kid doesnt like to swing around the napkin a bit. and not have there mom yell at them. Your pics are so cute and its so nice that you get everyone out of there seats for pics with mickey and friends.

Disney quest: That is quite a price for a few hours of video games but I guess hearing the joy in DS9's voice must have been worth it. Im sure that will be a memory that will stick with him....that is a great way to spend time with your dad and grandpop. I will need to keep this in mind for our trip too. DS will be 9 and him and his daddy love video games.

How are you feeling???? are you back to running yet? BTW you will be in your glory in FEB because the busses start running at 3am to get to the starting area for the race. I laugh everytime I read your comments about being early because we are so much like that to. Actually Dh sets his car clock 20 min later so he isnt so early all the time. Who the heck does that???? Usually people set it ahead so there not late. We are of a different breed I guess.

Cant wait to read more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RGirl]

Thanks for another update! It was interesting to hear about Disney Quest since I will most likely never go there!

We haven't done Cape May, yet. If I were staying over in one of the EP resorts, then I definitely would do it for the kids. We aren't really buffet people, but most of the character dining is just that...so, we do it. Maybe someone following along on this TR has been and has first hand knowledge

cdotla, did y'all do Cape May last year??? I know y'all had tons of ADRs...for some reason I was thinking yall ate there.

Heather

Yes, we actually did CM back in May 2010. Good standard buffet breakfast food, with typical character interaction, although no Mickey. (We thought we had just missed him, but I was advised by others after the fact he doesn't make an appearance).

I certainly wouldn't go out of my way for it, but if staying at BC, YC, BW or Dolphin/Swan, it is a great place to start the day.

Thanks to both of you. Wow - somehow I had missed the fact that Mickey isn't there. Ugh - I had heard such great things about it from my Epcot-resort-fan friends, but no one mentioned that Mickey didn't make an appearance. As usual - assuming something is never a brilliant idea. Hmmm - starting to wonder if we should go back to Chef Mickey's instead.