8 hrs away... 12 days at BWV during F&W, LIVE! *FINAL UPDATE #96*

[MissMet]

So here are the last of the cruise pics. There's a ton more, but I'm not gonna bother... I want to get back to my trip planning.

more from PR & St. Thomas:










All in all it was a relaxing time visiting gorgeous islands. I would love to get back to PR & Bermuda in the future, but now it's time for the real planning to begin!

 

[MissMet]

Back to planning!

So I am only 64 days out! It's coming so quick! I can't believe it.

On the ADR situation. I'm sticking with what I have set up & I'm just giving up on trying to get 'Ohana for the first night. Since it is now free dining all fall & winter for everyone I'm just not bothering to try & get it. I have it later in the week so that's fine. I'm starting to rethink Fultons. I'm excited but I don't know... part of me wants something different. We'll see. This is usually how I get. I get all the adrs & then I over think them & get all crazy. "i will not change my adrs. I will not change my adrs. I will not change my adrs."

Like I said earlier, I'm not planning to do this trip commando. We have 10 days & we are at BWV so there's really no need. Plus, last time I went with friends I did something I vowed I would never do & loved it! One day it was really hot & we had finished up with AK, so we figured instead of heading straight to MK we would go back to the resort, swim & then change for dinner. I LOVED it! I always thought the sound of that plan was terrible & a big waste of time. I always thought, I don't need to rest, I rest on the rides, but I was wrong. It was so nice. It made the day feel so much longer & you didn't have that burn out feel. It was great, so we're planning to head for the pool & TL in the afternoons. I booked the adrs, but we wont necessarily be going to that restaurant's park that day like we would normally do. Basically we're gonna park hop.

Day 1 is the only day I have already planned. I have a rainy day plan & a sunny day plan:

Rainy Day Plan: Drive in & check-in around 7am. Remember we will be visiting family in the area the two days prior so driving in that early will be easy. I'm not going to do online check-in because I'm too much of a control freak! This is my first & probably only chance to have a bw view room & I'm not taking any chances. I want to be able to talk to the cm & request a specific area room. So we'll check in around 7am. Head down to the BW Bakery for some breakfast. We'll still have our rental car that we have to return to the Swan at 5pm so we'll probably head out with it and maybe visit the two disney outlet stores. I've always heard so much about them & I'd love to check them out. I would love to see some of the older, retired merchandise that I've heard about. After some shopping, return the car, get settled in the room & then head to DTD for dinner. I'll HAVE to go into worl of disney to scope out the souvenirs that I will HAVE to purchase later in the trip. I'll probably skip dessert at Fultons & head for Ghirardelli which is a must do for my family! After that we'll probably head back for an early night hanging out on the balcony, taking in the sights & psyching ourselves up for the week!

Sunny Day Plan: Check in around 7am. Head to the BW Bakery for some breakfast. Drive over to TL for opening right at 10am. Pick out some great lounge chairs, go on some rides, spend most of the day in the lazy river & reminisce. I used to go to TL all the time as a kid, but I haven't been in forever, so I'm really excited to get back there! The last time I was there I was 9, so 14 years ago!!! After TL, head back to the room, get settled, change for dinner, return the rental car & head to dtd for dinner, shopping & Ghirardelli ice cream sundae. Then back to the room to end the night on our balcony watching the action on the bw.

Okay so this is my only real day I have every moment planned. I'm very proud of myself because normally I have the entire trip planned down to each & every moment.

Before I go I thought I would share my favorite Ghirardelli ice cream sundae with you. I don't have a pic... I will soon though.

Here it is...show your respect...
The One & Only Haight AshBerry Very Berry Sundae
Strawberry cheesecake ice cream smothered with sliced strawberries under a layer of blueberry cheesecake ice cream, blueberry topping, whipped cream, our chocolate-covered blueberries and a chocolate dipped waffle roll.


Next Up: Off the beaten path ideas & brainstorming.

 

[annnewjerz]

Welcome back! Sorry to hear about the loss of your family friend while you were gone, but hopefully you were still able to enjoy yourselves.

I'm so glad to hear that on your last trip you took a break mid-day and loved doing it. Last trip in September 2007 was DH's first and I wanted him to see everything. We went from park open to park close and were exhausted every night and looking forward to getting home so we could rest a little.

This year, he only agreed to go back on the condition that we took a mid-day break. He didn't care if it was for really long and even agreed that riding the monorail and touring the resorts decorated for Christmas was sufficient on one of our days, but it had to be some sort of break from the park. I'm a little nervous about taking 4 hours in the afternoon away from the parks when the hours are short to begin with---but since we are planning on doing a lot of Signature dinners, I think it'll make sense to go back to the resort, relax and freshen up and then stay out for the night after dinner.

Your first day plan(s) sound great. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[MissMet]

This trip I would like to try at least one tour if not more. In all the years I have gone to WDW, I have never taken a tour.

The first one I definitely want to do with my mom isn't really a tour, but more of a class.

Floral Arranging Class It's at SSR on Weds from 2:30 - 3:30. The cost is $40 & you get to keep your arrangement. I know my mom will love this. I read about it on another forum & it seems it's good for everyone including people like me who have no idea what I'm doing.
Here's the link to a forum with info & pics:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2223459


I think that my dad would really love the Magic Behind Steam Trains tour, but I'm still on the fence. It's offered Mon - Sat from 7:30am - 10:30am & the cost is $40 per person. It's sounds kind of neat, but I'm afraid it will be a little boring, plus the whole getting to MK by 7am.


Next I'm also thinking about Behind the Seeds. I've read a lot of postivie reviews about this one, however no one in my family is into gardening to say the least. I have always enjoyed going on the boat ride to see the green house & every review I read says that you don't have to be into gardening to enjoy it. This one is only like $15 per person, so I'm really leaning towards it since it's so cheap.


Next is Undiscovered Future World at Epcot. It takes place Mon, Wed & Fri at 9am and costs $49 per person. This tour goes all through future world & explains the making of Epcot. You also get to ride Soarin & go behind the scenes to wardrobe & a couple of other places. There's also some other perks with this tour, one of which is preferred seating for Illuminations. I think I'm really leaning towards this one, but my parents are scared to see anything behind the scenes because they're afraid it will ruin the magic. From what I can tell though, this one's backstage time shouldn't really ruin anything.


The last one I'm thinking about it Wild By Design AK. This one is basically a three hour walking tour of AK held on Thurs & Fri. The guide basically talks you through the park explains how/why/with what each land was designed. My family are not really big fans of AK & I think this would be a perfect way to learn a new appreciation of the often very overlooked imagineering that took place at AK. This tour is $58 per person.

This is gonna be a tough decision!

Up Next: Info & Pics on the meal I've been looking forward to for almost a year!

 

[MissMet]

OMG I am SOOO excited!! Okay, let me explain.

So as you know we had planned 10 days at WDW. I paid out of pocket to be sure I got BW view. I could only afford the 10 days but we were actually taking off 3 more days. These days we planned to stay with family.

Well, today I was on the member site & I realized I had quite a few points that would be expiring in Aug '10. I realized that I would only be taking one more trip to WDW from now & then & it would be with only one of my friends. I would not need that many points...so my wheels started spinning.

I decided that what the heck I'll give it a try! So I call up member services & don't even bother asking if BW is available. It just isn't, it's during F&WF & there's no way there is every any availability. I figured I would still try & ask for all the DVC resorts I have yet to stay at. Then if there were none of those available, I was planning to pay the $90 fee & try & get one of the non DVC resorts, specifically Yacht or Port Orleans FQ. I knew they would tell me, oh yes we have SSR & OKW available, but I LOATH SSR & OKW I don't hate, but I've stayed there quite a bit & would rather try somewhere new.

So I call up DVC & here's how the conversation went:

DVC CM: Thank you for calling, yada yada...
Me: Hi. I'm trying to book a last minutes stay in a time that I know is very busy. I'll take whatever type of room I can get but I'd specifically love BC or the new tree houses.
DVC CM: You are aware that the tree houses sleep 9.
Me: Yes, I don't mind... I'm desperate.
DVC CM: Okay, I just wanted to make sure you were aware.
...silence...
DVC CM: Okay, we have no availability at BCV.
Me (in my head): Wow, really? I'm shocked, but settled for...
Me: ...Okay
DVC CM: We have no availability at SSR tree house villas.
DVC CM: I do have availability at SSR & OKW.
Me (in my head): I could have mouthed it with you! YUCK! but settled for...
Me: Oh, okay. By any chance do you have anything else?
DVC CM: Let me check for all availability.
Me: Oh, awesome. thank you so much!
DVC CM: WLV... no availability....CRV...no availability...BWV... uh...aaaaaactually...
Me in my head: OH MY GOD!!!!!!! What, what?! Just tell me already!!!
DVC CM: I have a 1 bed BWV for the 28th & 29 but not the 27th.
Me: I'LL TALE IT!!!!
DVC CM: It's only for the two nights are you...
Me: Yes, yes I'll take it! We'll work out the other night.
DVC CM: Ooookay.
Me: I'm sorry, it's just I never dreamed you would have BWV & I didn't want to risk loosing it!
DVC CM: Oh, okay. Well you definitely have it.
Me: Thank you so much!

Oh my God. The rest of the conversation I don't even remember. I was shaking & just saying ok on three second beats.

DVC CM: Yada yada yada
Me: OK
DVC CM: yada yada yada
Me: ok
etc.


I was literally shaking!

So now we will be arriving Sept 27, stay at families & then check in on the 28 at BWV rather than the 30. So now it is 12 straight days at BWV during F&WF!

Now for the fun part. I'm gonna surprise my parents! The only think I'm worried about is the rental car. Now my brother is a manager for enterprise, so he gets them like half price rental cars. We will now only need it for the first day. I have to find out from him if we can bring it in early & get the money back or if I will just have them keep it the whole time. I would go ahead & change the resi, but who do you think I get my OCD planning from, my mom. She would figure it out almost immediately. So now I have this situation to figure out & have to keep the biggest secret ever!

I have never been at WDW for 12 days!! I am so excited!

Okay, I'll stop now. Back to work.


Up Next: I have no idea, probably more hysterics about the big change!

 

[annnewjerz]

WOWWWWW! That's SO EXCITING. I can see why you were freakin out. Congrats congrats congrats, an extra two whole days would be awesome. I was freakin out just because we got one extra day upgraded from POP to BWV for our trip in December.

I think that'll be a great surprise for your DM and I can't wait to hear more about the trip. Not too much longer!

PS: How bout them Phils?

 

[annnewjerz]

This trip I would like to try at least one tour if not more. In all the years I have gone to WDW, I have never taken a tour.

The first one I definitely want to do with my mom isn't really a tour, but more of a class.

Floral Arranging Class It's at SSR on Weds from 2:30 - 3:30. The cost is $40 & you get to keep your arrangement. I know my mom will love this. I read about it on another forum & it seems it's good for everyone including people like me who have no idea what I'm doing.
Here's the link to a forum with info & pics:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2223459


I think that my dad would really love the Magic Behind Steam Trains tour, but I'm still on the fence. It's offered Mon - Sat from 7:30am - 10:30am & the cost is $40 per person. It's sounds kind of neat, but I'm afraid it will be a little boring, plus the whole getting to MK by 7am.


Next I'm also thinking about Behind the Seeds. I've read a lot of postivie reviews about this one, however no one in my family is into gardening to say the least. I have always enjoyed going on the boat ride to see the green house & every review I read says that you don't have to be into gardening to enjoy it. This one is only like $15 per person, so I'm really leaning towards it since it's so cheap.


Next is Undiscovered Future World at Epcot. It takes place Mon, Wed & Fri at 9am and costs $49 per person. This tour goes all through future world & explains the making of Epcot. You also get to ride Soarin & go behind the scenes to wardrobe & a couple of other places. There's also some other perks with this tour, one of which is preferred seating for Illuminations. I think I'm really leaning towards this one, but my parents are scared to see anything behind the scenes because they're afraid it will ruin the magic. From what I can tell though, this one's backstage time shouldn't really ruin anything.


The last one I'm thinking about it Wild By Design AK. This one is basically a three hour walking tour of AK held on Thurs & Fri. The guide basically talks you through the park explains how/why/with what each land was designed. My family are not really big fans of AK & I think this would be a perfect way to learn a new appreciation of the often very overlooked imagineering that took place at AK. This tour is $58 per person.

This is gonna be a tough decision!

Up Next: Info & Pics on the meal I've been looking forward to for almost a year!

Honestly, I'm not into gardening at all but am so excited to take the Behind the Seeds Tour in December. 1. It's only an hour of your time spent away from other Disney greatness, 2. it's only $15 which is super super cheap compared to all of the others, 3. I love the "Living with the Land" ride, I just find the Mickey pumpkins and huge veggies and stuff so cool so I figure it'll be fun to learn more about how they grow the stuff, 4. Pictures are allowed, so it'll be a good fit for testing out the new camera.

Another to consider would be the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. That one gets great reviews, includes lunch at Columbia Harbour House and you get to see the utilidors under the Magic Kingdom. Niceeeee. It's like $55 each, so a little on the pricey side, but it's 5 hours long so actually cheaper per hour than the Behind the Seeds Tour.

We were going to do both during our December trip, but we dropped the KTTK tour. As much as I kept trying to convince myself that 5 hours on a tour would be fun---I knew that me and my travel group would enjoy the time spent in the parks or touring the Christmas decorations more.

Good luck and hopefully it isn't too pain staking to make a decision!!

 

[MissMet]

Honestly, I'm not into gardening at all but am so excited to take the Behind the Seeds Tour in December. 1. It's only an hour of your time spent away from other Disney greatness, 2. it's only $15 which is super super cheap compared to all of the others, 3. I love the "Living with the Land" ride, I just find the Mickey pumpkins and huge veggies and stuff so cool so I figure it'll be fun to learn more about how they grow the stuff, 4. Pictures are allowed, so it'll be a good fit for testing out the new camera.

Another to consider would be the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. That one gets great reviews, includes lunch at Columbia Harbour House and you get to see the utilidors under the Magic Kingdom. Niceeeee. It's like $55 each, so a little on the pricey side, but it's 5 hours long so actually cheaper per hour than the Behind the Seeds Tour.

We were going to do both during our December trip, but we dropped the KTTK tour. As much as I kept trying to convince myself that 5 hours on a tour would be fun---I knew that me and my travel group would enjoy the time spent in the parks or touring the Christmas decorations more.

Good luck and hopefully it isn't too pain staking to make a decision!!

We basically have the same opinion on the Behind the Seeds Tour. I can say almost definitely we'll be doing it. I am one who really doesn't like the lack of spontaneity on a wdw vacation. So I think I'm gonna do it, but not book it a head. Since we have 12 days, ( omg! i have 12 days at wdw!!) and it's only an hour I think we'll just show up & see if there's any availability when we're ready to go. If we do go, you'll get to hear a review of it from someone like you... green thumbless.

I have wanted to go to the KTTKT for forever! The only problem is I can't get anyone to go with me. Everyone I go to WDW doesn't want to go because they're afraid it will ruin the magic. I guess that one will have to wait until I have a special someone to go with... 'cause then I can force him.

It's gonna be hard to make the decision. I've been reading a lot of reviews of the tours, but it's all subjective. One review contradicts the next.

How about those phillies! Gosh! Maybe the mets could play them from the hospital, since they're all there more than at Citi Field.

 

[MissMet]

Now to backtrack a little. I will post my updated ADR list.

Adding those two days before the trip proved to be a little tough in the adr department. I think because of the original free dining promotion- which by the way, is now the entire fall & winter. I hate free dining!

Mon, Sept 28 - Fulton's @ 5:10pm (family fav)
Tues, Sept 29 - Tony's @ 1:30pm (mom's fav)
Wed, Sept 30 - ESPN Club whenever (first time)
Thurs, Oct 1 - San Angel Inn @ 5:45pm (parents first time)
Fri, Oct 2 - Biergarten @ 5:30pm (my first time)
Sat, Oct 3 - Tokyo Dining @ 1:30pm (first time)
Sun, Oct 4 - Tutto Italia @ 1:30pm (first time since the change over)
Mon, Oct 5 - The Wave @ 5:30pm (first time)
Tues, Oct 6 - Restaurant Akershus @5:10pm (first time)
Wed, Oct 7 - 'Ohana @ 5:25 (family fav)
Thurs, Oct 8 - Rose & Crown @ 1:30 (dad's fav)
Fri, Oct 9 - T-Rex @ 2:30pm (first time)

I have only eaten at 5 of the 12!

So needles to say this is a trip of firsts! first time for most of our adrs, first time with a bw room & first time staying for 12 days straight!

Up Next: Back to our regularly scheduled reporting with the meal I can't wait for!

 

[Nicole786]

I'm subscribing and I am a huuuuuuuuuuge Mets fan. My on again off again ex even works for WFAN!

I'll be at the world October 4th-9th celebrating my 23rd on the 7th! I have lots of plans to share in my own pre-trip that I plan on starting up soon!

 

[MissMet]

I'm subscribing and I am a huuuuuuuuuuge Mets fan. My on again off again ex even works for WFAN!

I'll be at the world October 4th-9th celebrating my 23rd on the 7th! I have lots of plans to share in my own pre-trip that I plan on starting up soon!

Thanks for joining!!

Soooo glad to have another subscriber & on top of that a met fan. Yay for the backup!

Oh, wow WFAN, what a job! So jealous.

Can't wait to see your PTR. I wonder if we'll cross paths?? Where are you staying?

 

[can84]

Count me in! Can't have the Phillies fans outnumber the Mets fans! I'm not a gardening fan at all, but I'm going to try and do the Behind the Seeds tour while I'm there next week. If I make it, I'll let you know how it is!

 

[MissMet]

Count me in! Can't have the Phillies fans outnumber the Mets fans! I'm not a gardening fan at all, but I'm going to try and do the Behind the Seeds tour while I'm there next week. If I make it, I'll let you know how it is!

Oh, I'm soooo excited! Two new subscribers in the same day & met fans at that! See all we needed to do was have the mets start to play crappy so all the met fans would have more time for DIS & join my PTR. Okay, mets you can start coming off the DL & playing again... I have enough subscribers.

Oh, I'm so excited to hear from you about the BTS tour! I really want to do it, so I'm excited to hear from you about it, if you can make it.

 

[IloveDMB]

So I don't usually sign onto trip reports, I'm usually more of a lurker, but your name caught my eye.

Huge Mets fan here, had to support my fellow fan!

 

[MissMet]

So I don't usually sign onto trip reports, I'm usually more of a lurker, but your name caught my eye.

Huge Mets fan here, had to support my fellow fan!

I'm honored that you have come out of lurking to support a fellow fan.

 

[MyMuse]

Subscribing! I followed you from someone's TR, but I don't remember whos!

You are going on my dream WDW vaca, so I'm going to live vicariously though you. I hope that's OK.

I am named after a baseball player, but no interest in baseball, I hope that's OK too!

So far, the planing looks great!

 

[MissMet]

Subscribing! I followed you from someone's TR, but I don't remember whos!

You are going on my dream WDW vaca, so I'm going to live vicariously though you. I hope that's OK.

I am named after a baseball player, but no interest in baseball, I hope that's OK too!

So far, the planing looks great!

You can definitely live vicariously through me & no you don't have to be a baseball fan to be a part of my ptr... although it may help to understand all the hysterics of the phillies/mets rivalry.

Actually, you're probably better off not being a baseball fan, specifically a mets fan.

I digress...

 

[MissMet]

So while I try & find some time to write up my new update I figured I'd share this video with you.

I never got to finish my last TR & add all the photos when the photopass cd FINALLY arrived, so I made this video. Now, bare with me as it is my first video I ever made. I figured you guys would enjoy it, because well who doesn't enjoy complete stranger's vacation pictures??

The met fans will really enjoy it, because it is a video of four friends, who are all mets fan & we happened to fly out the morning it was announced about Santana.

Enjoy! Oh, yeah... for whatever reason when I uploaded it from imovie to youtube it got kinda distorted. If you press the HQ button it's a MUCH better quality. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AumSnFY3_Xk

 

[can84]

The video came out really great! Loved the pictures of the lions

So while I try & find some time to write up my new update I figured I'd share this video with you.

I never got to finish my last TR & add all the photos when the photopass cd FINALLY arrived, so I made this video. Now, bare with me as it is my first video I ever made. I figured you guys would enjoy it, because well who doesn't enjoy complete stranger's vacation pictures??

The met fans will really enjoy it, because it is a video of four friends, who are all mets fan & we happened to fly out the morning it was announced about Santana.

Enjoy! Oh, yeah... for whatever reason when I uploaded it from imovie to youtube it got kinda distorted. If you press the HQ button it's a MUCH better quality. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AumSnFY3_Xk

 

[MissMet]

Well, now I thought I would finally take a little time in my PTR to share with you the meal I've been dying to try! Now I may be little, but I LOVE to eat & can eat A LOT! I take after my dad... I live to eat, instead of eating to live. Due to this fact I "diet" 80% of the year, only "cheating" while on vacation or during the holidays. I grew up watching & still watch my parents struggle with their weight & I just don't want to get to that point, so I work hard at it all times to stay "ahead of the game".

Everyone always asks me what I mean by saying diet & really all it is is I eat healthy, but I hate saying I eat healthy because, 1. it makes me feel old to say "i eat healthy" & 2. I think it may be the rebellious side of me. I can't admit that I am doing what the doctors would order.

Anyways...

The last time I went to WDW with the fam it was during F&WF. At the Peru booth, I think, they had this dish that was duck with rice. OMG!! It was so good. I use to be a very "safe" eater, only eating familiar things. Well, I had never had duck before & after this booth visit I was HOOKED!! So I got home & searched the Disboards until I found someone with the recipe. I succeeded & made it for myself. It turned out pretty good.

Now whenever I go out to eat I always look for any type of duck entree, 'cause I love it!

Well, unfortunately this year's F&WF does not offer my favorite duck entree. However, while on the Dis I happened to find a whole forum devoted to the BEST looking duck entree I've ever seen!

I know you all must be like, "It's food Lisa." You don't understand, I've literally become obsessed with this entree. I keep checking the menu to be sure it's still on the menu. Seriously, I told you- I live to eat.

Well, here is the infamous forum covering the meal I litterally am counting down the days to.

There's a pic on page 2 post #23:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2011512

I love reading this forum, 'cause it makes me feel better about my duck obsession.

Enjoy!

Up Next: More changes coming... bitter sweet changes.