~ A 21 month old, a celebrity sighting, & a whole lotta food~2 week trip~ 2/28 update

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Much nicer! I'd request that one from now on!!!

 

[DisneyMissy]

Nice upgrade!! That is awesome! My niece was the exact same way! Her two favorite things to do at the hotel were jumping on the bed and calling people (which she actually did do once...whoops). She also loved taking a bath in the "big bath tub" aka jacuzzi.

 

[MaryAz]

What a fun report. I have some of the same moving walkway and play place pics in my report from the Phx airport. My younger DD will be 3 in Sep.
Yuck about the smokig room and LOL at the maitience man after midnight. The new rooms look fantastic. Can't wait to read about your time at WDW.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Quick update : I just got back from a week in McCall, Idaho with Todd's family for a mini-reunion. We had a wonderful time up there. It is SO beautiful. We didn't have much internet access and I knew I would have a hard time getting on to do an update. I am working on one right now and hope to post it later today. I will post some pictures of McCall later this week.

Wha a nice place. Beautiful rooms. So nice and big. I'm sure it was nice for Dylan to have so much space to run and play in. Good score. The pictures were really nice.
Ginny

This room was so nice, and it has definitely spoiled us. It was nice to let Dylan run around in such a big space.

I'm aboard!

We have been looking at rental car prices too, and they are just extortionate! Its good to know we could make it cheaper by hiring from the Hilton, I will have a look. Which website did you use?

I'm pretty sure that I used the Avis website. When it asks the location to pick up, click "address lookup" and then type in Lake Buena Vista, FL. It will give you a list of choices and just choose the Hilton Hotel at Disney World. The only negative was that it had to be in by 5:30 pm since they close, so we didn't have a car our last night, but we just walked to a restaurant close by for dinner and spent the evening at the resort.

Oh wow, GREAT upgrades!! Score! I love all of the beautiful pictures with Dylan whizzing by in them. I bet Dylan loved that tub. I know I would, after a day in the parks.

I know it was probably frustrating to spend the day doing errands, but look at the outcome!! Woo-hoo!

Dylan was cracking me up because you could tell he was so excited to go explore every room. The tub was great for him and he had all of his toys set up around the edge.

I know it sounds ridiculous to complain after getting such a nice upgrade, but I was so excited to get to Disney and there were all of these obstacles getting in my way!

What a beautiful upgrade! I would be torn to be wanting to stay at a WDW resort and staying at such a beautiful hotel if the price were right. We've only rented a car once on our first trip in 1997 (there were 12 of us & we stayed 10 days) but we only used the cars to get back and forth to the airport and maybe a couple times to gas station for my bro-in-law cigs It was less expensive to rent 2 cars than pay for Mears shuttle service back then.

My kids are spoiled by staying at BWV so don't think I could convince them to stay off property (it has come out less expensive to rent points the last 2 trips.)

Your little one Dylan is adorable - my GS is going to be 21 mos old this month and not sure when we will take him again to WDW (last visit was in December 2008 and he pretty much stayed in stroller and had just started walking then - late bloomer, I guess.)

Hope you got to go to the parks finally that day! Can't wait to read next installment

Believe me, I would love to stay at BWV too. If we knew about DVC back when we bought into our timeshare program, we probably would have done it instead. But we have been very lucky with the places that we have stayed and can't complain since you definitely have more room than a regular hotel room allows.

Dylan really likes his stroller, so we are lucky that he doesn't mind being in it a lot, but he is much happier when we let him run around and play at the parks. He likes to walk on (& jump off) all of the curbs. Go figure.

Wow, that upgrade is nice! I could easily live there!

Yeah, my first couple of apartments that I lived in were put to shame by that place.

I love that Dylan just decided to stand up and yell at yous to wake you up..

I"m glad yous got a newly renovated room (even if charm was used).. it's absolutely beautiful and great how conveinant it was on the first floor and parking near by.

Great update...

Dylan has no respect for anyone else sleeping. When he is ready to get up, we all have to get up. It's pretty funny, but hopefully it won't be like that forever.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

WOW!! Your room is beautiful!! How nice that you got an upgrade on the room AND the car!! Can't wait to hear more!!!

We couldn't believe our luck with the room, and the car was just icing on the cake after all of the stuff Todd went through that morning.

Wow that upgraded room is gorgeous! I actually think we stayed at Vistana Resort (before Sheraton bought it) the first time I went to FL. Obviously a lot has changed since I was there in 1994 LOL It so pretty!

Thats so funny Dylan kept sneaking off to the phone...okay I could see how it wasn't so funny to you though! He's cute so he thinks he can get away with things

The resort has been upgraded over the last couple of years, but I think the first time we stayed there was around 6 years ago. The grounds are really nice and big, but the rooms have never looked like that before.

Yeah, Dylan has a phone obsession right now. We just got back from another mini-trip and he was sneaking off to get on the phone the whole time again. We finally unplugged them from the wall so he couldn't call anyone.

That upgraded room was beautiful! You guys were very lucky

Can't wait to read more!

We were so lucky! I think Todd just got there at the right time when people were checking out.

OMGoodness! That is an awesome home to have for 2 weeks! I'm glad you were able to switch and a bonus that it was a free upgrade.

A. gets the same way in a hotel. She gets so hyper for some reason and really tests her boundaries that first day.

I'm like you, I get so annoyed when we have to run errands when we get there, but it has to be done. Can't wait to hear about the rest of the day.

I don't know what it is about hotels. He has been that way ever since he was really little. He loves to play and wrestle on the bed, and that is fine, but jumping on it (& off of it repeatedly) is something else. He just has a lot of energy to burn, I guess.

Much nicer! I'd request that one from now on!!!

We definitely will. Don't know if we will get it, but it is worth asking for!

Nice upgrade!! That is awesome! My niece was the exact same way! Her two favorite things to do at the hotel were jumping on the bed and calling people (which she actually did do once...whoops). She also loved taking a bath in the "big bath tub" aka jacuzzi.

How funny that she does the same things as Dylan. The phone is his big thing right now. We are lucky he doesn't actually get ahold of anyone!

What a fun report. I have some of the same moving walkway and play place pics in my report from the Phx airport. My younger DD will be 3 in Sep.
Yuck about the smokig room and LOL at the maitience man after midnight. The new rooms look fantastic. Can't wait to read about your time at WDW.

That's cool that PHX has the same type of play ground. I think it's a genius idea because any energy that you can burn before a plane ride is a good thing.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

When I last left you, we had just moved in to our new, upgraded condo (yay!) and we were getting ready to go get lunch and groceries. We decided to eat a quick lunch at Taco Bell in the Crossroads area since it was close. On the way over, I asked Todd if we could just go through the drive-thru and eat our food in the car. That way we could drive around the Disney property a little bit to make it feel like we were finally “at Disney”. One of our favorite things to do is just drive around the property and see all of the hotels from the roads, the signs telling you where to go, etc. We like knowing we are surrounded by Disney stuff. So he agreed and off we went.

After we left Taco Bell we headed to DTD, and it took us forever to just make it from one end to the other because it seemed like we hit every red light. But did we care? Nope! We were at Disney and we were happy. Once we got to the end of DTD we decided to drive out to the MK area, since that was one of the farthest places away. We drove all the way to the toll booths and were going to turn around, but then I asked if we could just go look at one of the hotels for a couple of minutes. You see where this is going, right? So we headed on over to the Polynesian and parked. That’s when Todd said, “Well since we’re here, let’s not rush to leave to go to Walmart. We’ll just do it later.” Sounded good to me!

I always forget how beautiful the Polynesian is. We have never stayed here, but we love the Kona Café, so we come here at least once every trip and hang out for a while. The landscaping is beautiful and it always makes me want to go home and plant a bunch of big, leafy plants in my backyard. We took some pictures outside before heading in.

Of course, while we were driving I had spilled my Taco Bell all over my shirt so I headed off to find the bathroom. When I came back, Dylan was making friends with the big Tiki statue. He was really excited about this guy and kept waving hi to him.

We walked out to the beach and took a few pictures and let Dylan see the boats on the water. It’s hard to believe how close everything is in that area. To be able to see the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary resort, and the castle at MK all from one location is amazing. I could sit on that beach all day and be happy.

At this point, it was getting really hot and we were going to leave, but then decided that it was time for Dylan’s first monorail ride ever!! I was so excited because this was one of those “moments” that I had looked forward to for so long. It was worth all of the waiting. He watched the monorail pull up and we asked him if he wanted to go for a ride on it. He just nodded his head and didn’t say a word. Very unusual for him, LOL! He sat on my lap for the first leg of the trip until we got to the GF hotel. We decided to get off and walk around for a little bit.

Waiting for the monorail.

Seeing the monorail for the first time.

His first monorail ride photo!

We headed downstairs and walked around for a while. We sat and listened to the music and just enjoyed being there. When I was young, this was my favorite resort to look at photos of, and I always wanted to stay here. Now, I don't think it is our style, but we enjoy sitting in the lobby and soaking up the atmosphere. The size of the lobby makes you realize how small you are! It’s truly stunning.

Dylan was getting tired, so we headed back up to catch the monorail back to the Poly. On the ride back, Dylan was so excited to look out the window and kept pointing at everything.

He had also seen Todd standing for part of the ride, so of course he had to try it too. You could tell he thought he was such a big boy to be standing up while it was moving.

On the way home, Todd suggested that he go to Walmart to pick up everything we needed and I would stay at the condo with Dylan and unpack all of our suitcases. Yes, I know, I have a very good husband, don’t I? That actually worked out well because Dylan fell asleep in the car on the way back.

We put him down for a nap, Todd went to the store, and I got us all unpacked and put the suitcases away. I sat down to make notes for my TR and I realized how we had just spent about 1 ½ hours doing something totally unexpected, but it was so rewarding. This is a day that I will never forget, since it was Dylan’s first monorail ride and he enjoyed it so much. It’s funny how that Disney magic sneaks up on you when you aren’t expecting it!

Coming up….what do we choose to do with the rest of our day?

 

[xoktenox]

What a great day! Taking the monorail around the MK resorts was one of the favorite parts of my last trip. And I couldn't agree with you more about sitting on the Poly beach and just looking at the GF and Contemporary and the MK, it's amazing Just seeing pictures of it all gives me the goosebumps.

Dylan's so cute on his first ever monorail ride! I like how he thought he was a big boy standing up while it was moving, so adorable!

 

[DreaGirl]

Aww!! He looks like such a big boy standing up on the monorail! What a great way to spend a few hours.

 

[MaryAz]

Ah, the first monorail ride. How fun. Looks like a fun day.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

What a good day you have had. To just let go of the plan and go with what comes your way and enjoy Disney at every part, not just the parks. What a relaxing way to start you big 14 days. Congratulations.

Ginny

 

[The Mad Hatter73]

I love the way the little ones wake us up, isn't it great! LOL

 

[cjackearl]

Ahhh. You made it! I love the pictures of your little guy waiting for the monorail. You can see the wonder in his face.

I LOL at your Taco Bell spill. That is so me.

Kudos to DH for doing the Wal marting. Well rested Dylan? Check. Great condo and car? Check. Groceries purchased? Check. Suitcases unpacked? Check. Sounds like its time for a theme park to me!

 

[jordanyosh]

I found your PTR about a week before you left so I didn't subscribe, but I'm in now! Anything to support a fellow Californian.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Awww! I love the pictures of Dylan's 1st monorail ride! You can tell he absolutely loved it!

 

[ladybugmom]

Awww!! Dylan's 1st monorail ride--how sweet! And the Poly--I miss that place sooo badly! Great choice!! Can't wait to read more!

 

[tinkgurl]

Okay, I just had a big grin on my face reading this update...It's amazing how much your little guy reminds me of my little guy! I can't wait for his first trip with us next year!

 

[SunnieRN]

Wow! Great upgrade! Love your new "home"!

Dylan was so cute with the tiki statue and standing up on the monorail! That is so funny about him picking up the phone and talking. My 15 mo old grandson makes everything in to a phone and babbles on!!

Looking forward to the rest of your day.

 

[Porturican]

I cant wait to read about which celebrity you saw... When we were in Disneyland in Dec 08 we saw Travis Barker and Family, my son (14) was shy to approach him but he was right in front of us with another kid who had approached him and he was sooooo nice.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

aww your son is adorable! I love that he kept sneaking away to use the phone, my DD is 21 months and LOVES the phone, any phone actually, cell phones, house phones, whatever she can get her hands on. She calls it a "TACO" for some reason lol

I'm loving your TR so far. I was thinking about writing a TR for our May trip but I don't think I'd be too great at it. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

What a great day! Taking the monorail around the MK resorts was one of the favorite parts of my last trip. And I couldn't agree with you more about sitting on the Poly beach and just looking at the GF and Contemporary and the MK, it's amazing Just seeing pictures of it all gives me the goosebumps.

Dylan's so cute on his first ever monorail ride! I like how he thought he was a big boy standing up while it was moving, so adorable!

We love doing the monorail loop. Just visiting the resorts transports you to all of these different "worlds", and it's nice to get lost there for a while.

Aww!! He looks like such a big boy standing up on the monorail! What a great way to spend a few hours.

It was such a fun afternoon! He is into copying things that we do, and I thought that was so cute. He is always trying to be like daddy.

Ah, the first monorail ride. How fun. Looks like a fun day.

We had a wonderful couple of hours!

What a good day you have had. To just let go of the plan and go with what comes your way and enjoy Disney at every part, not just the parks. What a relaxing way to start you big 14 days. Congratulations.

Ginny

Yes, the best part was that it wasn't planned. It was much more fun that going to get groceries. And I think it set the tone for us to realize that we could go "off-schedule" easier than we thought.

I love the way the little ones wake us up, isn't it great! LOL

That's what he does in the mornings when he is at home. He yells "dad" over and over until we go get him. It's pretty funny.