(3X Update & FINAL!! 3/24)*~*EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!*~*A Mother/Daughter Feb 2013 TR!

[Alysa]

Those castle photos are AMAZING!!! I love the fireworks one!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Food pictures! Squeeeeeeee! It looks so yummy. Keep the updates coming...

It was pretty tasty!!!

Those castle photos are AMAZING!!! I love the fireworks one!

Thank you!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Hi Karen...I just recently found your gluttonous TR (yesterday) and I read that one and your anniversary one...it has been really slow at work lately. I have really enjoyed reading your reports...I feel like I know your family. You are a fantastic writer.

I love love love the tattoo! I can't wait to read more of your report!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Hi Karen...I just recently found your gluttonous TR (yesterday) and I read that one and your anniversary one...it has been really slow at work lately. I have really enjoyed reading your reports...I feel like I know your family. You are a fantastic writer.

I love love love the tattoo! I can't wait to read more of your report!!

Work was very slow! Thanks for reading!! I love the tattoo as well, I cannot wait until it's finished and I can share!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Chapter 18: "Is THAT the line for POP?!?!?!?!!!" The least pleasant update I'll have with the least amount of photos!

Before I start, I wanted to share a link to my new blog with you guys. I decided to document my training for The Princess Half Marathon next February! I'm sure I'll have a PTR too (ahem...as SOON as I finish this TR!) but I wanted to have a place just to ramble about my running....cause I can never have enough places to ramble?!?? Anyway, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but for those of you interested:
Losing The Glass Slippers

Ok, so, at the end of our 2nd night, Savannah & I were stuffed full of yummy desserts and had just finished riding Big Thunder repeatedly in truly a magical ending to our 2nd day.

We moseyed out of the park, taking our time and stopping to get a picture taken on Main Street.

It was such a nice night and we were in no hurry, I remember feeling quite content. Ahhh...

and then we got to the bus stop. Now folks, I'm not a WDW newbie here, I know how the lines can get at the end of the night. I'm no stranger to waiting a bit and standing on the bus back to the resort after fireworks. THIS, however, was no regular night. I was in such shock I didn't even take a picture?? Let me build the picture in your head...

Do you know how POP is at the END of the bus area? Well, if you didn't, now you do. Picture all the waiting areas and PoP is at the end. So, we're walking UP TO THE BUS AREA and there is this massive crowd of people at the BEGINNING of the bus stops. The.beginning. We noticed two very thick lines that fill that whole walkway down to the buses. The CM's are telling people that these are the lines for AoA and POP. I've never seen anything like it. The POP queue was totally full and then ran ALL THE WAY to the front of the bus stop area folks...like to bus stop NUMBER ONE. Are you understanding? It was insane, but Savannah & I had such a nice ending to our night, we tried to take it in stride.

Painful stride. To stand for an hour to get on a bus is pretty painful and I nearly lost it on a family that I watched walk all the way down the line and CUT into the queue where the actual queue started. I didn't let them in front of me and there were a few others that didn't either, but eventually someone let them in. Hey, we ALL have to wait. Sigh. But, I kept quiet and we did enjoy the water barges.

We eventually got on a bus (55 minutes from when we joined that massive line) and then STOOD on the bus back to the resort for 16 minutes. Oh yes, I timed every painful minute. The relief when we got off the bus was immediate (SHEW!) but short lived when we stepped into a resort SWARMING with BTG's.

It didn't ruin the wonderful night we had at MK, but it really ruined my POP experience, and possibly permanently. We headed to our room and tried to sleep, but we could not even escape them in our room. They were out in the courtyard chanting and cheering and even exhausted as I was, I couldn't sleep it was so loud. At 10:25, I did something I've never done. I called to complain. I let the woman that answered know that I knew I wasn't actually talking to the front desk but that this noise had to stop. She apologized and acknowledged that she wasn't actually at the front desk but that it was after 10pm and she would call security to have them stopped.

I started to doze off but again the chanting woke me and I called AGAIN at 11:05 to complain. This time they put me through straight to security and I was told they would make them stop. I KNOW that PoP isn't always like this, but it really ruined it for me. It didn't feel magical there at all, it felt over-run and made me feel like Disney wasn't really doing anything about it, kind of like I should just expect this staying at a value.

I'm not sure if staying at AKL with Rey just a few months previous had made me expect more quiet, but after being home over a month now, I'm still left with a bad taste in my mouth about Pop. We really loved it previously but somehow I was noticing all the things that were worn out and dirty, packed food court and disregard for people staying there in the name of money (filling the resort with BTG's is a money-maker, after all)

As you can see, there was a reason I finished my last update when I did. We had such a magical day/night and it really didn't mar that at all, just the resort experience.

I did finally fall asleep, exhausted. I have no idea if they actually made them quiet down or if I was so tired I slept through it. The next morning was the beginning of our LAST DAY and I needed my beauty sleep so we could make the most of it!

Up Next...the beginning of our last day.

 

[Tinker326]

Oh, that would have irked me too! I am a notoriously light sleeper and I would have been furious. It's 11 o'clock and it's a FAMILY resort. Not Cancun Mexico on Spring break. Have some RESPECT!!!

Ugg, Ugg & Triple Ugg!!!

Now, off to check out your running blog! I hope it is filled with inspiring wonderful tips for me. Hahahaha!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Oh, that would have irked me too! I am a notoriously light sleeper and I would have been furious. It's 11 o'clock and it's a FAMILY resort. Not Cancun Mexico on Spring break. Have some RESPECT!!!

Ugg, Ugg & Triple Ugg!!!

Now, off to check out your running blog! I hope it is filled with inspiring wonderful tips for me. Hahahaha!

Inspiring is doubtful, but I ramble a LOT, maybe you can find some tips in between all the blabbering I do!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Hmm...Now I am not sure what to do. I am about to book my resort this weekend and had heavily been leaning towards the POP. I try to convice myself that I can afford a moderate but I am pretty sure I cannot. Now I am even more confused about which resort to pick. I am so glad you posted this because it is definitely a factor I should consider. I am not sure which would bother me more, the people chanting outside or waiting for over an hour to then stand on a bus.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Hmm...Now I am not sure what to do. I am about to book my resort this weekend and had heavily been leaning towards the POP. I try to convice myself that I can afford a moderate but I am pretty sure I cannot. Now I am even more confused about which resort to pick. I am so glad you posted this because it is definitely a factor I should consider. I am not sure which would bother me more, the people chanting outside or waiting for over an hour to then stand on a bus.

Well, I will say that in a future update, the bus situation was rectified pretty quickly (they clearly worked hard to make sure it didn't happen the next night...more on that later!)

AND, I have to say that Savannah LOVED PoP still, in her heart of hearts. She didn't see the things I saw and she saw all the magic and color and DISNEY that we always have in the past. I've talked a bit with Rey about it too and I think some of it comes from going somewhere multiple times. You start nitpicking the more you have gone.

I will say that the food was still fantastic, the rooms were immaculate, as always, and it still felt like home...just loud and not as "perfect" as in the past. Are you going at a time that there might be tour groups? I think it would have been totally different without them.

When we went in Jan. 2012 there were even some groups at Pop that we saw in the food court, but we were in the 50s section that time and never heard a PEEP from them. Totally different experience. My suggestion would be to request 50s section and do NOT do online checkin! Wait until you get there and try to make sure they give you your requested section.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Great update!

Thanks!!!

 

[jerelle]

Loving your trip report and every single picture! I recently went on a Mother/Daughter trip with my DD, for her sweet sixteen, so I'm especially enjoying your updates and seeing mommy/daughter photos. We too were at POP and we too were a bit jaded by our experience(s). The trip was wonderful , just like yours, so we took <most of it> in stride.

Looking forward to MORE!

Jerelle

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Loving your trip report and every single picture! I recently went on a Mother/Daughter trip with my DD, for her sweet sixteen, so I'm especially enjoying your updates and seeing mommy/daughter photos. We too were at POP and we too were a bit jaded by our experience(s). The trip was wonderful , just like yours, so we took <most of it> in stride.

Looking forward to MORE!

Jerelle

Thanks! Ah, we have plans for my dd's Sixteenth bday too! At Disney, naturally! The 16th bday she wants to bring all her friends (4 of them) with her...and luckily my BFF is one of her BFF's moms, so she will come as well and the girls can go off and do their thing while my BFF and I drink around the world and take photos! Yep...and she's just 12. I've got this all planned out already!

 

[cheekypoppins]

ugh thats beyond frustrating,When I get tired I NEEED my sleep n if I don't get it someone pays LOL

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

ugh thats beyond frustrating,When I get tired I NEEED my sleep n if I don't get it someone pays LOL

I cannot stand to be woken up RIGHT as I'm falling asleep. Sometimes I can't get back to sleep for quite a while after that. I almost yelled out the door at them, but I didn't want to cause any conflict...I hate conflict!

 

[danimaroo]

OMG, Karen, that seriously sounds AWFUL. I would have been absolutely livid!

Both with the line for the bus and also the BTGs. There is nothing more that I dislike than the BTG that are rude and chanting and don't stop. I'm fine if they're nice and pleasant, but when they're rude, I just want to ban them all from Disney, hahaha. This goes for dance/cheer groups, too, but we run into BTGs a lot more often than the dance groups.

That's good that you called, but very very frustrating. I mean, how can you be screaming so loud that you are keeping up other guests? Blergh, I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

I don't think it's acceptable at any resort, Value, Moderate OR Deluxe. That isn't okay. I'm sorry.... buuuuut maybe you can just keep renting points for DVC!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

A Very Happy Un-Birthday to You! I am so sorry I didn’t get to wish you a happy birthday ON your actual birthday! When I was scrolling through, trying to find my place in your TR, I saw your tattoo! That is so awesome! My goodness, it is beautiful even without the color!

Your pictures of the animals on the safari are amazing! Savannah’s pictures were great, too! Love Bob and Steve! You really did pick a good day to go to AK! Your wait times were so short! That EE picture of you and Savannah is hilarious! The CM gave you a dirty look? Really? I think it is kind of to be expected that people take pictures of the ride photos! Yeah, they want you to pay for it but I agree with you that it isn’t some high quality picture that you’re getting when you do that! True will be so jealous that you saw Honey Boo Boo! I feel kinda sorry for that kid, too. I mean, she is just a kid and she can’t even enjoy a trip to WDW with her family without people screaming and acting crazy? She seems to enjoy the spotlight now, but I am always concerned about what happens to famous kids when the spotlight goes away. But, I’ll admit that I am part of the problem! True and I are addicted to that train wreck of a show And I do believe that Sugar Bear is picking his nose! Yes, I know all of their names! Don’t judge me! It’s great that you guys got to enjoy so much sunbathing time that day! The weather looked beautiful and the margarita didn’t look half bad either!

Oh, your orange birthday cake was so cute! LOVE the candles! Oh my goodness, that necklace is so adorable and different! I don’t know what it is, but I know it must be from a camera! Is it the setting-thingy? That is the technical term for it, right? Wow, Karen, I barely recognize you from your old picture! Blonde is cute, but being a brunette definitely suits you more And congrats on getting so fit! I say forty is the new twenty! Plus, if I never saw you before and you asked me to guess your age, I would never guess forty! You look good, girl! OK, I just got around to reading your post about your tattoo. I love that you can see part of your tattoo – the leaves on your shoulder are really cool. I can’t see either one of my tattoos, so the next one I get will be in a visible area – and yes, tattoos ARE addicting! It is so adorable that you and your BFF named the trees! Now I see where Savannah gets naming random animals like Bob and Steve! That was such a sweet story about you, Rey and the tree swing! The whole post was touching and I am glad that the tattoo you got had such a personal meaning for you

Oh, I love it when my kids’ cheeks get all pink like that! Savannah looks so rosy! It looks like you had a fantastic time at MK! That was good luck to see the same DJ from the night before! The DP looks wonderful! I want to do that, too, but I already have enough problems with rearranging my trip! Maybe another time I’m so glad you got such a great table! The pictures of the castle light show were really neat. That is great that you got to go on BTMRR four times in a row! Ooh! You have a blog? I’m going to have to read that later! Wow, I am so sorry that you had to wait so long to get on a bus to go back to POP! It is also too bad that the BTGs were being so loud that late at night. I’m not a complainer either, but I am pretty sure noise like that would have put me over the edge, too. OK, now I am all caught up! Sorry that I wrote a novel in your TR I can’t wait to hear about your next day in WDW, though!

 

[roberrl187]

Great trip report

Also, I subscribed to your blog. I am in my own transition where I realized that it's time to pay more attention to my health now that my kids are grown. But as I get more and more into walk/running I keep having setbacks including PF. So frustrating.

 

[WDWaddictt]

I saw those lines forming for the buses when we left before the fireworks started....ouch 55min. That is crazy!!

I would have been furious too with the noise at Pop! Good for you for calling, that is unacceptable!! I know that there is noise by laws in every hotel. When we first arrived the Dance Competition was on and I found there was no issues with them (except that there was lots of them) they seemed very well behaved. But later in the week the Cheerleader Competition girls were arriving and I found that they were out if control, very loud and some even rude. I also didn't see any supervision with any of them. If it was my daughter acting like that I would not have been impressed to say the least. When we were in line for Space Mountain a group of them came in after my 7 yr old DS and I, half of them pushed their way in front of us and then realized not everyone was doing that so then pushed their way behind us. When we got to the part where there is windows they were banging on the glass so hard and screaming at the top of their lungs to bug the families on the other side. Ridiculous!! (oops sorry...see you are not the only one to ramble on...lol)

 

[katt789]

Defs gonna pop over to your Princess Half blog! It's something I really want to do, but I highly doubt I'll be ready by next year, I'm considering one of the shorter races, or one of the EE challenges! It looks awesome!

I've been part of that Pop bus line, ugh, it's SO not fun, the AoA one isn't much better, we waited about the same if not longer and it was at the lowest crowd time of the year! I can't stand the people that think they can cut, ugh!

BTG's all over the place really does ruin it, I'm glad you eventually got your sleep!!