5/30/2010-5 Night Disney Wonder Memorial Day Double Dip! Roster-Post 626 on page 42

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

We are home!! Took 12.5 hours to drive both ways. Traffic was easy and we made good time.

My earring...I was SO upset!! I dropped the "F Bomb" about 20 times while still in the tub and the boys are on the other side of the door saying, "Mom! Are you okay?" The service man was WONDERFUL and of course, I started to cry again as he walked out of the bathroom with it between his fingers. He said he usually can't find them, and that I was lucky!! What a night that was!

On the night we ate at Le Cellier, we were having dinner when people starting walking in wet, VERY wet. I then heard the thunder. A CM opened the back door and said to another, "Awful green out there tonight" GREEN? He laughed and shrugged and said, it's just a storm, it'll pass. Well, it didn't!! As we were putting on our ponchos, 4Boones walked up and introduced himself and his wife!! What a treat to get to meet them!! I was a bit worried as we walked back to the Beach Club. The storm was WICKED. The news reported the next morning of the 10,000+ lightening strikes and the 10 homes that were hit and caught on fire! I knew we shouldn't have been out there!

The Beach Club is INCREDIBLE! Loved it!! When we left Country Inns and Suites...VERY nice as well....I got a phone call from the front desk of Beach Club saying our room was ready! How nice! Bell hop took us up to the room, we walk in and I go and pull the curtain back, to find a balcony that over looks, A roof. :O( I told the boys they should have brought a basketball to play with. The bellman asked how long we would be staying, we said, a Week. He promptly called down to the front desk and they were able to move us. The new location was GREAT. First floor, so we had a patio over looking a courtyard, and just 4 doors down from the Marketplace and the lobby! No, it wasn't noisy, just very convenient! We really got our monies worth out of those mugs! We were back and forth day and night!

The heat was bad! We sweated just standing in line for things. Just pushed fluids and took breaks. Wait times were minimal! Even at MK nothing was more then 30 mins...I think Pooh was 30. Most were walk ons! Even the Haunted Mansion we did that twice. BUT there were a lot of people in the parks. I was thankful to have to worry about strollers any more!! It's been a few years, but I had forgotten how much time you waist parking, unloading, reloading and going every time you stop! Each of us had a fanny pack and did just fine!

Ate at a few new places....Captian's Grille, Chef's D'France(?), and did the Grand Gathering Illuminations Dinner. That was awesome! A buffet with foods from different countries, then we went out to the lagoon to a special viewing area for the Illuminations and a dessert buffet. We were STUFFED beyond stuffed. I would definitly do it again!!

I didn't take many photos, but can upload some later. I have to get Colton from his girl's house, start dinner and cut grass! I do have all the wash caught up and we all put it away today! Suitcases are even back in the attic! I bought a Thomas Kincaid print and even got a frame and hung it today! It's called A New Day At Cinderella's Castle. LOVE Kincaid and it's beautiful!

I'll pop back in when I can!
Make It Magical!!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We are home!! Took 12.5 hours to drive both ways. Traffic was easy and we made good time.

My earring...I was SO upset!! I dropped the "F Bomb" about 20 times while still in the tub and the boys are on the other side of the door saying, "Mom! Are you okay?" The service man was WONDERFUL and of course, I started to cry again as he walked out of the bathroom with it between his fingers. He said he usually can't find them, and that I was lucky!! What a night that was!

On the night we ate at Le Cellier, we were having dinner when people starting walking in wet, VERY wet. I then heard the thunder. A CM opened the back door and said to another, "Awful green out there tonight" GREEN? He laughed and shrugged and said, it's just a storm, it'll pass. Well, it didn't!! As we were putting on our ponchos, 4Boones walked up and introduced himself and his wife!! What a treat to get to meet them!! I was a bit worried as we walked back to the Beach Club. The storm was WICKED. The news reported the next morning of the 10,000+ lightening strikes and the 10 homes that were hit and caught on fire! I knew we shouldn't have been out there!

The Beach Club is INCREDIBLE! Loved it!! When we left Country Inns and Suites...VERY nice as well....I got a phone call from the front desk of Beach Club saying our room was ready! How nice! Bell hop took us up to the room, we walk in and I go and pull the curtain back, to find a balcony that over looks, A roof. :O( I told the boys they should have brought a basketball to play with. The bellman asked how long we would be staying, we said, a Week. He promptly called down to the front desk and they were able to move us. The new location was GREAT. First floor, so we had a patio over looking a courtyard, and just 4 doors down from the Marketplace and the lobby! No, it wasn't noisy, just very convenient! We really got our monies worth out of those mugs! We were back and forth day and night!

The heat was bad! We sweated just standing in line for things. Just pushed fluids and took breaks. Wait times were minimal! Even at MK nothing was more then 30 mins...I think Pooh was 30. Most were walk ons! Even the Haunted Mansion we did that twice. BUT there were a lot of people in the parks. I was thankful to have to worry about strollers any more!! It's been a few years, but I had forgotten how much time you waist parking, unloading, reloading and going every time you stop! Each of us had a fanny pack and did just fine!

Ate at a few new places....Captian's Grille, Chef's D'France(?), and did the Grand Gathering Illuminations Dinner. That was awesome! A buffet with foods from different countries, then we went out to the lagoon to a special viewing area for the Illuminations and a dessert buffet. We were STUFFED beyond stuffed. I would definitly do it again!!

I didn't take many photos, but can upload some later. I have to get Colton from his girl's house, start dinner and cut grass! I do have all the wash caught up and we all put it away today! Suitcases are even back in the attic! I bought a Thomas Kincaid print and even got a frame and hung it today! It's called A New Day At Cinderella's Castle. LOVE Kincaid and it's beautiful!

I'll pop back in when I can!
Make It Magical!!

I'm glad you had a wonderful trip, it's great that they were able to recover your ring. We're somewhat envious that you're driving distance away.

I find it odd that you mention that the parks were packed, but that the lines themselves weren't too bad. Were you there for rope drop each day to avoid lines? I'm looking for strategy assistance for our upcoming trip in August.

This will be our first complete trip without a stroller. We've done a day or two without a stroller in the past, but not a whole trip. Fanny packs are great -- fashion faux pas and all.

Looking forward to your pictures.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Window shopping.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Chris, I am not sure what the deal was with the crowd level vs the line length, but for whatever reason, we hit it just right. We were there early, but not AT rope drop, maybe missing it by 15 mins? The longest thing we waited for was our second ride on Sorin', but it was posted at 35 mins and ended up being an hour. I had read before we left that other people were reporting the same....packed parks and short wait times. I was truely surprised. Small World was literally a walk on. Never has that happened before.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Beach Club Photos

Entrance

Back Door

The boys checking out the beds! Colton in the foreground, Connor to the back.

Dessert anyone?

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Waiting for Wishes

This made me think of Cotton Candy

I think the castle looks like glass in this photo. Connor(L) and Colton(R)

The Men in my life!

We did the Illuminations International Dinner and Dessert Buffet, a Grand Gathering, with friends of ours that were there at the same time as us. It was WONDERFUL and I would do it again!

 

[minnie4me]

I have been so out of touch on the message board lately. We were in the sweltering heat of Orlando at Universal the same time the Cunninghams were baking in WDW. Glad to hear your trip was fun too. DH and I stayed at Beach Club as part of a cruise package several years ago. It was nice. Is the bottom of the pool there sand? If so it was a neat pool area. I remember eating at the Yachtman's steakhouse one night too.
Other than the heat our 5 days at universal were very nice. But I will admit, it is not Disney. We knew it wouldn't be, so we went with an open mind. Staying at the Royal Pacific resort was a good pick, (giving myself alittle pat on the back.) The grounds were very nice and the pool area was terrific. DS had so much fun, between the pool, superheros and Dr Seuss. He got to meet his favorite superhero: Captain America !! And when we saw Spiderman at breakfast, he knelt down and really had some nice things to say to Trevor. Told him to listen to his parents, be kind to others and work hard in school and he could be a superhero with him anytime. And he told him to eat his fruits and veggies to grow strong !!
The computer animation, etc... on some of the rides there was amazing. Spiderman and The Simpsons by far were the two best. DH rode the Hulk and dueling dragons coasters. (that is not for me and DS is too small yet !!) He said bother were cool.
The best thing about staying on site is the "express pass" . You show your room key and have your own line. We did not wait more than 10 minutes for anything, except for a show that only happened a few times a day. We avoided the water soaking rides, except got a good splash on Jurrassic park.
The worst thing about the vacation (besides the heat) was the food. Well, not the food itself but the restaurant services. The nice restaurants in the park are not open for supper. I guess because the parks close at 8 or 9pm. It was weird. We did get to try Mythos for lunch, excellent !! And so was Emeril's Tchoup Chop at our hotel !! We wanted to try Lombard's seafood place, but it wasn't even open at all. They said it was a seasonal restaurant, and I am not sure what season a seafood restaurant would be open? I tried to stick with some Disboard recommended restaurants there, and as usual they were "spot on". I'll put some pics on this thread as soon as DH helps me !! I'm computer-challenged !!
Glad to hear everyone's summer seem to be going well, although it is going by too fast. ( I guess the faster it goes, the sooner the cruise comes !!)
Off to have a swimming playdate !!
Chris, still loving the pics !! Do you ever enter the contest on the photography board?

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Minnie4me,
Your trip report makes me think of our trips to USO!! thankfully, the boys have always been tall enough to ride all the rides! Dueling Dragons is a favorite as is Spiderman and Simpsons and Men In Black! We also really enjoyed Mythos and Emeril's Tchoup Chop! DH and I ate there alone and sat at the Chef's Table. What a treat! We ate there again on Christmas Day with the boys, but at a regular table. Still very good and worth the trip! We too, love the "express pass" and have stayed on site for just one night to get the 2 days of EP. We check in before park opening and get our room keys, head over and ride all day. I think the restaruants in the park close early to A) get you out of the park at closing and B) Push you over to CityWalk. We usually end up eating there anyway. Margaritaville is a must do, as is the Italian place...and the name escapes me right now. Shoot, we were just there in October! LOL Anyway, the boys even commented while we were in Orlando, "What? We aren't going to USO?" They are getting older and I know they enjoy the coasters more. Maybe next time we can do a split trip....or maybe do that after the cruise instead of WDW. Which is what we did in October...1 day at MGM, 7 night cruise, 2 days USO. Hmmm, got me thinking now!

Can't wait to see your photos!

 

[catzle]

Our first Disney Cruise. Family of 4. 2 girls under age 11. Hoping to get more family to come with. Can't wait. Love looking at all of the pictures.
Here's hoping the weather will be great!

 

[4boons]

Our first Disney Cruise. Family of 4. 2 girls under age 11. Hoping to get more family to come with. Can't wait. Love looking at all of the pictures.
Here's hoping the weather will be great!

Welcome aboard from the 4boons

 

[AlexandNessa]

Michele, I enjoyed your pics of the Beach Club. We have not stayed there yet, but have stayed at the YC and BW. I love the Epcot area resorts. Nothing like walking to Epcot!

BTW, does anyone still call it EPCOT Center? Or am I just showing my age?

One time we made the mistake of walking from the BW to MGM (or whatever it's called now ... can't keep up). That seemed like a good idea at first, until I had one very unhappy, hot camper on my hands ....

We finally found some shade under the RnR queue. But he has never let me live that one down.

Minnie4Me, I am sorry you didn't get to try Lombard's. Wonder if that is an economy victim? Shame if it is. We go to Universal all the time, and it's never been seasonal. We actually have APs to Uni. Got them years ago under the buy one year, get the second free promo. Then we've been renewing every year for about $100 pp. Very cheap. Go once, or even twice, and it's a great deal.

Hope everyone is well.

 

[MommaMouse411]

wow I didn't realize people booked this cruise in 2008...I'm glad I was able to get in!!! Well I will be there with my son and his father...we can't wait...I'll be decorating my door and going all out...

 

[Tami0220]

Our first Disney Cruise. Family of 4. 2 girls under age 11. Hoping to get more family to come with. Can't wait. Love looking at all of the pictures.
Here's hoping the weather will be great!

Welcome!!! Make sure you have Christopher add you to the list!

 

[Tami0220]

wow I didn't realize people booked this cruise in 2008...I'm glad I was able to get in!!! Well I will be there with my son and his father...we can't wait...I'll be decorating my door and going all out...

And I thought I was crazy when I booked in January. Welcome to our group!!!

 

[Kim&Chris]

At the rate this thread is growing, seems nearly every passenger will be a Dis'er!!

I called DCL a few days ago to see if I could switch my cabin, and the rep said that the ship is filling up fast, and that almost every cat. 11 cabin was gone

 

[lauraDar]

Woo hoo 11 months to go! We have finally made a hotel decision - we're staying at the Country Inn & Suites the night before the cruise. Please add the family we're travelling with to the list: The Sangsters: DW, DH, & DS 9, the DS 9 is particularly interested in getting in touch with another family with a DS9, as is my DD14 and DS5. I think once school starts back (August 7 for us) the months will really fly by!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Michele (WDWCrazyCunninghams) -- I really enjoyed your pictures of your trip -- it makes me excited for our upcoming trip.

Michele (minnie4me) -- Look forward to your Universal pictures. As I've mentioned, we may visit Universal after the cruise next year to see the new Harry Potter land. The kids have never been to Universal and so far haven't asked to go, but I don't think that will last much longer.

Our first Disney Cruise. Family of 4. 2 girls under age 11. Hoping to get more family to come with. Can't wait. Love looking at all of the pictures.
Here's hoping the weather will be great!

wow I didn't realize people booked this cruise in 2008...I'm glad I was able to get in!!! Well I will be there with my son and his father...we can't wait...I'll be decorating my door and going all out...

Catzle and MommaMouse411! I've added both of your families to the first post. Let me know if you want me to make any changes to how it's worded. Yes, it's crazy how far in advance some of us plan. We had actually booked a "dummy" cruise on our last one and once the 2010 dates were announced we transfered our reservation to this double dip.

At the rate this thread is growing, seems nearly every passenger will be a Dis'er!!

I called DCL a few days ago to see if I could switch my cabin, and the rep said that the ship is filling up fast, and that almost every cat. 11 cabin was gone

So much for future discounts on this cruise.

Speaking of everyone on the ship being a DISer, here's a picture of just a portion of the Dis'ers on our last cruise. It'd be fun to have even more than this:

Woo hoo 11 months to go! We have finally made a hotel decision - we're staying at the Country Inn & Suites the night before the cruise. Please add the family we're travelling with to the list: The Sangsters: DW, DH, & DS 9, the DS 9 is particularly interested in getting in touch with another family with a DS9, as is my DD14 and DS5. I think once school starts back (August 7 for us) the months will really fly by!

I've added your friends to the first page. It looks like there is only one family with a DS9 so far, but there are a few with a DS8 or DS10. Our son who will be 8 on this cruise will just have turned 8 two months prior, but as the youngest in our family, he's used to hanging out with older kids. On our last cruise, our boys met a lot of other kids and made one lasting friendship. They still email and call each other nearly 11 months later.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

My pictures are all from the Disney Magic, so not sure if the Wonder has all of the same items. Here are the elevators on Beat Street Deck 3 forward.

 

[MommaMouse411]

KS DISney Dad..

I don't know what DH, DS stands for..but I think it means Dear Husband, Dear Son..???

But my son will be two years old by that time....I'm sure there won't be that many kids that age on the boat.

So, it's me and my DSF (Son's Father lol) and DS2

 

[MommaMouse411]

and also KS DISNEY DAD!! what A cool group pic!!! so hopefully all of us DISers will be dresses as pirates!!! I'm already pricing my pirate suite...what a dork I am.