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

[MissMet]

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

Thanks

 

[MyMuse]

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...

Thanks!

I am named after a Yankee, so no Phillies/Mets happenings happenin' here.

 

[MissMet]

Well, now believe it or not, I am back to report more changes to this trip! It's unbelievable how much this trip has changed... at least for me.

Last you guys heard I added a surprise two days at the beginning of our trip. We would now be arriving at BWV on Mon Sept 28. Well, my dad just found out that he has to go to a conference for work which will not get him to WDW until late Thursday night, Oct 1st.

Now, on the one hand I'm disappointed that my dad won't be there for the first four days- they think he's only missing 2 WDW days.

On the other hand, he will still have 8 days at WDW & now this is kinda becoming both a family vacation & a mini Mother/daughter trip at BWV (again!)... my mom & I did a mother/daughter trip in '05 at BWI & CR.

My dad says there is a very small chance he can get out of it. So I'm not gonna cancel/adjust any of my plans, like ADRs. I'm also trying not to get excited about the idea of the mother/daughter mini trip.

Either way I'll be excited, but I feel bad for my dad when he realizes he's missing 4 days at WDW. I think I'm going to wait until it's real close & I know for sure that he's not gonna be there & then I'll fill him in on my secret & make sure he knows this was planned BEFORE I realized he wouldn't be there.

It's getting so close!!

Up Next: My new adjusted plans for our first day, sans Dad.

 

[disneyscrappinjan]

I just love, love, love your TR. We will also be at the BWV Sept. 28th, 29th and 30th. The 2 days before are at ASM and the last 3 at SSR. I really hope to see you there.

 

[can84]

Sounds like you're going to have an awesome trip! Just wanted to let you know I did the Behind the Seeds tour in EPCOT. It was pretty interesting--it kept my attention and I'm not into gardening at all. It lasted about 90 minutes, and you walk around a couple of the greenhouses and see a bit more than when you are on the Land boat ride. They even give out handouts on how to build your own hydroponic garden Any more changes with your ADRs?

 

[heaven2dc]

I just found this PTR through another thread you had responded to (the one with the debate between SSR & BWV. I agree totally that BWV is the best - and only hotel we've stayed at but have gone thru the DVC tour at SSR and was not impressed - too huge!)

Am so excited for you that you have Boardwalk view rooms (and lucked out at the last minute for those first 2 nights ). I rented points last year for a studio the end of January/early February and got a room above Wyland Gallery and loved the huge balcony. Then when I returned with my then DBFF who got hooked on WDW & BWV, I asked the DVC member who I rented points from to look into December. He was shocked we got a 1 -bedroom villa Boardwalk view for our week. I was solo the first 4 days until my daughter and grandson joined me and they put me way down by Crescent Wave rm # 2001 and I had requested close to elevator, large balcony and upper floor. I had a foot brace on and even tho the stairs were right by my room, I was a little apprehensive walking up them the first night plus the noise outside my room from Jellyrolls didn't allow me much sleep so they moved me to room 3042 the next morning and what an awesome room! I can't say enough about the BWV CM's!!)

Love your choices of ADR - you will be happy with Fulton's. We ate there in 1997 and really enjoyed it. I treated 12 of us to a 10-day stay at BWV paying room rack rates in March 1997 (bro-in-law, wife, kids, another sis-in-law for helping my family after my husband died at Christmas time in a hotel room in Kissimmee when we were just starting our Disney vacation in 1994.) The family treated me to dinner at Fulton's as a thank you for the vacation on our last night there and we had so much fun. I've never eaten at Ohana's but can see why you are disappointed you couldn't get ressies for your traditional first night dinner. But with all the pixie dust you've been blessed with so far, I believe you will luck out on a cancellation and get to eat there after all!

Love your report and can't wait til you get back to read all about it! (I'm also sorry to hear about your dad's friend's son - how sad. It's tough trying to have a good time when this is in the back of your minds. I felt the same way in a sense in 1997 cuz I felt sad that my husband didn't get to see WDW plus the trip was basically paid for from inheritance money I received from when my brother died in a fire a few months before in 1996. I had been planning the trip before my brother died and was going to cancel but my mom said to go ahead and go - my brother Mickey would have wanted us to go even tho he couldn't. He was there in spirit, tho.) Sorry for all the long stories, I can just understand how much you want this trip for your Mom and want everything to go perfectly.

 

[MissMet]

I just love, love, love your TR. We will also be at the BWV Sept. 28th, 29th and 30th. The 2 days before are at ASM and the last 3 at SSR. I really hope to see you there.

​

Oh, I'm so excited you joined & that you're enjoying it so far! We'll probably see each other along the way, especially that we're checking in on the same day. I can't wait!

Sounds like you're going to have an awesome trip! Just wanted to let you know I did the Behind the Seeds tour in EPCOT. It was pretty interesting--it kept my attention and I'm not into gardening at all. It lasted about 90 minutes, and you walk around a couple of the greenhouses and see a bit more than when you are on the Land boat ride. They even give out handouts on how to build your own hydroponic garden Any more changes with your ADRs?

I'm so excited to hear that you enjoyed it! It definitely sounds worth the $15. We're gonna do it, but I don't want to schedule it, we'll probably just walk up. Thanks for letting me know.

I actually do have some changes on my ADRs. I'll be typing that report up tonight.

I just found this PTR through another thread you had responded to (the one with the debate between SSR & BWV. I agree totally that BWV is the best - and only hotel we've stayed at but have gone thru the DVC tour at SSR and was not impressed - too huge!)

Am so excited for you that you have Boardwalk view rooms (and lucked out at the last minute for those first 2 nights ). I rented points last year for a studio the end of January/early February and got a room above Wyland Gallery and loved the huge balcony. Then when I returned with my then DBFF who got hooked on WDW & BWV, I asked the DVC member who I rented points from to look into December. He was shocked we got a 1 -bedroom villa Boardwalk view for our week. I was solo the first 4 days until my daughter and grandson joined me and they put me way down by Crescent Wave rm # 2001 and I had requested close to elevator, large balcony and upper floor. I had a foot brace on and even tho the stairs were right by my room, I was a little apprehensive walking up them the first night plus the noise outside my room from Jellyrolls didn't allow me much sleep so they moved me to room 3042 the next morning and what an awesome room! I can't say enough about the BWV CM's!!)

Love your choices of ADR - you will be happy with Fulton's. We ate there in 1997 and really enjoyed it. I treated 12 of us to a 10-day stay at BWV paying room rack rates in March 1997 (bro-in-law, wife, kids, another sis-in-law for helping my family after my husband died at Christmas time in a hotel room in Kissimmee when we were just starting our Disney vacation in 1994.) The family treated me to dinner at Fulton's as a thank you for the vacation on our last night there and we had so much fun. I've never eaten at Ohana's but can see why you are disappointed you couldn't get ressies for your traditional first night dinner. But with all the pixie dust you've been blessed with so far, I believe you will luck out on a cancellation and get to eat there after all!

Love your report and can't wait til you get back to read all about it! (I'm also sorry to hear about your dad's friend's son - how sad. It's tough trying to have a good time when this is in the back of your minds. I felt the same way in a sense in 1997 cuz I felt sad that my husband didn't get to see WDW plus the trip was basically paid for from inheritance money I received from when my brother died in a fire a few months before in 1996. I had been planning the trip before my brother died and was going to cancel but my mom said to go ahead and go - my brother Mickey would have wanted us to go even tho he couldn't. He was there in spirit, tho.) Sorry for all the long stories, I can just understand how much you want this trip for your Mom and want everything to go perfectly.

​

What was up with that guy? Some people just feel the need to "attack" others when their views don't match up. I couldn't imagine going into someone's trip report & telling them how they should or should not type their trip report. The nerve of some people.

Anyway...

I'm so glad you joined my ptr! We definitely share a love for BWV & I'm so glad you had such a great visit. I'm really hoping to get a room close to the elevators, but we'll see.

I'm so sorry about your husband. That must of been such a sad time for you. Then your brother too! I hope the magic of wdw dulled some of the pain you were/are feeling & that it gave you that opportunity to have some joy it such a difficult time.

Don't worry about being long winded in your post... I'm usually the same way.

 

[MissMet]

I'm back again to update you guys on my ADR changes, plans for our first couple of days without my dad and my decision on which tours we'll be going on.

First, I changed my ADRs a little bit. I have serious issues with making ADRs & sticking to them. Maybe it's just the excitement of the trip but I feel like I could always perfect my plans a little more.

Last I told you:
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)

Updated now that Dad will be MIA the first four days: (changes in orange)
Mon, Sept 28 - ESPN Club @ whenever (no ADRs)
Tues, Sept 29 - Tony's @ 1:30pm (mom's fav)
Wed, Sept 30 - Biergarten @ 5:30pm
Thurs, Oct 1 - San Angel Inn @ 5:45pm (parents first time)
Fri, Oct 2 - Fulton's @ 4:30pm
Sat, Oct 3 - Tokyo Dining @ 1:30pm (first time)
Sun, Oct 4 - Tutto Italia @ 1:30pm and The Plaza @ 7:15pm
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 changed Fulton's to my dad's first night on Friday. He comes in Thurs but it will be late.

I moved Biergarten to Wed night, since My dad has already been & he's not the best when sitting with strangers. He is a friendliest guy you'll meet 98% of the time, but it could get real uncomfortable if, God forbid, they bring up politics or if they have out of control kids. My dad is English & very proper when it comes to table manners. Plus, he's eaten there before so he won't really miss out.

I also added The Plaza. I never bothered trying it before because usually we're on the DDP & the thought of using a credit for sandwiches seemed like such a waste. This time we will have the TIW card so it's gonna end up being less than most CS meals. I've read so many good reviews about it. Another reason is that night is late EMH, MK is open 'till 12am, so it will carry us over into the early morning.

I decided to definitely do the Behind the Seed Tour. It's sounds cool, plus it's only $15! I think that will be the only tour we do though. I'm not going to prebook it, but rather play it by ear & just show up the day we want to do it. Maybe we'll add other tours on, but I doubt it. My parents are against seeing behind the scenes, 'cause they don't want to risk loosing the magic. Plus there are a bunch of other stuff we want to do...

like:

Character in Flight
Parasailing
Mini Golf (my family LOVES it)
Pool Time
Typhoon Lagoon
Maybe Blizzard Beach (since I've never been)
Princess Dy Exhibit (my mom loved her!)

Tonight I talked over with my mom what she would want ti do the first two (actually 4! ) days without my dad. We decided we would visit all the parks and take every photopass pic imaginable. We also discussed that all the years we've been going we really haven't taken in all the shops in the parks. Some we still haven't even been in, like at AK. So we are gonna park hop and just visit all the shops & really look at the shops, not the merchandise. We'll see how long that will last. We will also take a lot of pool time and maybe play some mini golf.

Well, I think that's it for now. It's getting so close! I'm really trying to not rush this time by, 'cause some of the fun is the planning and anticipation.

Up Next: More info on the new experiences I'm looking forward to.

 

[LMO429]

subscribing

 

[MissMet]

subscribing

​

 

[MissMet]

Back again for some more exciting news!

For the last couple of days I had been contemplating going to MNSSHP. We have gone before and enjoyed it, especially the parade. No other parade has ever had me laughing out loud... Boo To You is GREAT!

So I've really been on the fence about if it was worth it to go again. We don't need the extra time in the parks since we'll be there 12 days, we are not into halloween & we're not big candy eaters. So is it worth the $150+ for us to go? I feel like I can say no now, but when I get there I'm gonna change my mind. Well, I guess we'll see if I decide it's worth it or not when we are there, since most nights don't sell out & if they do it's usually last minute.

Now onto the exciting news that I think will help take the attention off of not going to MNSSHP. Today Disney announced that they will be extending the Wishes Dessert Party to Oct 31!!

So today I called up & tried to book for our first night. No go. Buuut I ended up getting Sept 30th! I'm so excited to try it! I will be keeping this a secret... I'm surprising my mom with it. I purposefully planned it for before my dad gets there. My dad is a former alcoholic, therefore non of us drink out of respect for his struggle. Also, I just don't like what it does to people! Well, anyway since my dad gave up the alcohol he found food! He admits that his alcohol addiction just shifted to be food instead of the alcohol. He has already had a heart attack. It is a daily struggle with him. Food addiction has to be the worst! Imagine an alcoholic needing three glasses of alcohol a day to stay alive, but controlling themselves & keeping it to just three glasses- almost impossible. Well, that's what food addicts have to do every day of their lives.

So anyway, my dad has let the diet, "healthy eating", go a little lately. He just had a doctors visit & they told him he had to lay off the sweets, 'cause as of now he's pre-diabetic!

So my plan is not not even tell him about the party. I know it sound mean, but if he doesn't even know it's available, he won't feel like he's missing out. Then if while at MK he notices it, I'll just brush it off & say that it must be a private party or something. He may even come to that conclusion on his own, as there has been many time at Epcot that we've noticed private parties at that little out cove by the water at Rose & Crown.

I'm very excited about this, but am already feeling pretty guilty about my dad. But I know it's for his own good. A dessert buffet is the last thing a pre-diabetic, who has diabetes in his family needs to be attending. It's not like we're going to WDW & he's staying home. He'll be at WDW for 8 days, which for a lot of people, that's already a long stay.

Up Next: Clothes shopping!

 

[MissMet]

I'm a month out! ​

 

[annnewjerz]

Back again for some more exciting news!

For the last couple of days I had been contemplating going to MNSSHP. We have gone before and enjoyed it, especially the parade. No other parade has ever had me laughing out loud... Boo To You is GREAT!

So I've really been on the fence about if it was worth it to go again. We don't need the extra time in the parks since we'll be there 12 days, we are not into halloween & we're not big candy eaters. So is it worth the $150+ for us to go? I feel like I can say no now, but when I get there I'm gonna change my mind. Well, I guess we'll see if I decide it's worth it or not when we are there, since most nights don't sell out & if they do it's usually last minute.

Now onto the exciting news that I think will help take the attention off of not going to MNSSHP. Today Disney announced that they will be extending the Wishes Dessert Party to Oct 31!!

So today I called up & tried to book for our first night. No go. Buuut I ended up getting Sept 30th! I'm so excited to try it! I will be keeping this a secret... I'm surprising my mom with it. I purposefully planned it for before my dad gets there. My dad is a former alcoholic, therefore non of us drink out of respect for his struggle. Also, I just don't like what it does to people! Well, anyway since my dad gave up the alcohol he found food! He admits that his alcohol addiction just shifted to be food instead of the alcohol. He has already had a heart attack. It is a daily struggle with him. Food addiction has to be the worst! Imagine an alcoholic needing three glasses of alcohol a day to stay alive, but controlling themselves & keeping it to just three glasses- almost impossible. Well, that's what food addicts have to do every day of their lives.

So anyway, my dad has let the diet, "healthy eating", go a little lately. He just had a doctors visit & they told him he had to lay off the sweets, 'cause as of now he's pre-diabetic!

So my plan is not not even tell him about the party. I know it sound mean, but if he doesn't even know it's available, he won't feel like he's missing out. Then if while at MK he notices it, I'll just brush it off & say that it must be a private party or something. He may even come to that conclusion on his own, as there has been many time at Epcot that we've noticed private parties at that little out cove by the water at Rose & Crown.

I'm very excited about this, but am already feeling pretty guilty about my dad. But I know it's for his own good. A dessert buffet is the last thing a pre-diabetic, who has diabetes in his family needs to be attending. It's not like we're going to WDW & he's staying home. He'll be at WDW for 8 days, which for a lot of people, that's already a long stay.

Up Next: Clothes shopping!

I'm a month out! ​

The trip is getting SO CLOSE. I don't think you'll miss MNSSHP. With 12 glorious days in WDW, I'm sure you will have your fair share of park time and if you aren't really into Halloween anyway, what's the point?

I hear you about keeping the dessert party from your Dad a secret. My Dad passed away three weeks before my wedding a few years ago after he went in for a gastric bypass and never came home. Food addiction really is unlike other addictions because you need food to live---so where you might be able to go "cold turkey" with cigarettes and beat your addiction, with food you HAVE to eat it to stay alive and you HAVE to learn to control yourself. I'm sure he will enjoy the rest of the trip so much he won't even notice it.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans---and maybe more about your renovations. Housework is a b&$%h---but we're determined to get all of it done before our housesitter comes over for our trip in December.

 

[can84]

Wow--less than 30 days. Before you know it, you'll be packing! It sounds like you're going to have an awesome time, and it's very sweet that you are watching out for your dad's health Hope you got lots of good bargains while shopping!

 

[MissMet]

The trip is getting SO CLOSE. I don't think you'll miss MNSSHP. With 12 glorious days in WDW, I'm sure you will have your fair share of park time and if you aren't really into Halloween anyway, what's the point?

I hear you about keeping the dessert party from your Dad a secret. My Dad passed away three weeks before my wedding a few years ago after he went in for a gastric bypass and never came home. Food addiction really is unlike other addictions because you need food to live---so where you might be able to go "cold turkey" with cigarettes and beat your addiction, with food you HAVE to eat it to stay alive and you HAVE to learn to control yourself. I'm sure he will enjoy the rest of the trip so much he won't even notice it.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans---and maybe more about your renovations. Housework is a b&$%h---but we're determined to get all of it done before our housesitter comes over for our trip in December.

I agree. Now that I've had time to think through MNSSHP & add on the excitement of the Wishes dessert party, I know I'm making the right decision to not attend. Been there, done that, bought the... picture frame.

I am so sorry about your dad. That must have been so difficult for you and your family!!! Oh my gosh. I can't imagine. You are so right about food addiction- it's horrible!! It's a constant struggle & it affects everyone in the family. Luckily, since going to the Dr my dad has gotten back on track & lost 5 lbs.

Oh, housework is like going to WDW & getting locked in your hotel room for the entire time with Stacey's top 7 on nonstop! It's so bad. Well, in the living room/kitchen I'm repainting, new counters, laying ceramic tile, new light fixtures & a new sink. I have a deadline of Thanksgiving. What was I thinking??

Wow--less than 30 days. Before you know it, you'll be packing! It sounds like you're going to have an awesome time, and it's very sweet that you are watching out for your dad's health Hope you got lots of good bargains while shopping!

I know it's getting so close!! I love to pack my suitcase, so I'm trying to put it off as long as I can- it's so hard! I don't want to rush it all by. I found some really cute shirts that I'm excited about. I'll post some pics of them soon.

Also, hopefully in my next update (or the one after) I can get together all the details & pics of how I'm gonna tell my mom about the surprise- the extra two days.

 

[heaven2dc]

Annnewjerz - I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing so close ot your wedding! How hard that must have been for you You are so right about food addiction in that it can encompass your life and the lives of others.

MissMet - Less than a month away! You definitely have a lot to keep you busy until then. I agree with your decision regarding the dessert party. I'm not sure how you will keep it a secret from your dad after you and your mom attend but it seems best not to tell him ahead of time. You will surely enjoy that time with your mom.

 

[MissMet]

So I did a little shopping. This is big for me as I usually never buy myself anything, especially clothes. Needless to say I was way over due. I already have a couple of shirts that I bought on my last DCL cruise. I have yet to wear them... I wanted to save them for this trip. Those you'll have to see in my pics during the trip.

Here are the ones I bought. So excited!










I don't know if you'll be able to read this one so it says, "Attitude Adjuster... seek within".



This one is not disney but I love it! I'm a big DD fan. There's another one like this that I want but it's on backorder. It has a watermelon on it & says, "I carried a watermelon."


So those are the new clothes. I still need to pick up other miscellaneous items, as well as a new pair of jeans for the cool nights. Trip shopping is almost as good as souvenir shopping.

I'd also like to report that I started watching all the disney classics to help fill the WDW void. In the last week and a half I've watched Toy Story 1 & 2, Little Mermaid, Robin Hood, Peter Pan, Cinderella & Monsters Inc. Up next is Lion King.

I hope everyone has a safe & enjoyable Labor Day Weekend.

Up Next: Beginning details of the scavenger hunt.

 

[lisaluvsmickey2000]

Coming out of lurkdom to let you know I'm following!

My qualifications for joinging your PTR:
1) My SIL is a die-hard Mets fan
2) I'll be at WDW some of the time you are!
3) My name is also Lisa Marie

 

[MissMet]

Coming out of lurkdom to let you know I'm following!

My qualifications for joinging your PTR:
1) My SIL is a die-hard Mets fan
2) I'll be at WDW some of the time you are!
3) My name is also Lisa Marie

Wow! We do have a lot in common. How cool. Actually I don't think I've ever met another Lisa Marie. Lots of Lisas, but no other Lisa Marie. Kinda weird since it's a popular name. Well, it's nice to meet you & I'm so honored you came out of lurkdom to let me know you are here.

Enjoy!

 

[MissMet]

So I just bought a scanner & wanted two try it out. I've been dying to get these to ride pics up on dis for a while now, but I didn't have a scanner. The scanner was cheap so I don't expect much from it. It does the job, but I noticed the coloring is off. In these pics my shirt is a pretty bright pink & it's coming out in the scans as peach. Oh, well. At least it scans.

So these two pics are from my last trip & really belong in my past TR but it's closed, so I though I would share them with you guys. If you didn't get a chance to read my previous TR. I took a trip with my brother & two best friends, who are married, Jason & Tonya. As you will see in these pics Jason is hysterical & really the "woman" in the marriage.

By the way, this was my first time on a roller coaster other than BTMRR! I feel I did good on the pic. I was freaking out though! But I survived.

Enjoy!