(Almost) Solo in May - Update 11/17 - Not sure if I'd call that Pixie Dust!

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hooray for the start of your solo trip! It looks like you're doing quite well with remembering because of all the pictures you took! How many on this trip?

 

[lbuzz52]

Hi Brook- i'm still miles behind on your other TR- maybe i can keep up with this one!
Lauren

 

[DWGal210]

I'm here, I'm here!!!

Great start!!

 

[vamassey1]

Finally made it over here!

Great start, I would never have had the courage to keep asking to get bumped up. I'm such a chicken. Good for you!

Movies was the first Disney resort we ever stayed in so it holds a special place in my heart. The kids loved the big icons. Definitely needs some updating in the rooms. Loved the disco pose.

 

[eandesmom]

I'm here! thanks for the bat signal (though I'm still late to the party lol).

I forgot it was ASM that you were staying at, I don't think I've ever seem pics of the actual rooms before. Funny on the TV, that's what our cabin at FW had...two of them. I imagine they still do.

Super annoying on the flight. I tell you, all the airlines annoy me these days, there isn't a single one I "love" to fly anymore and booking is an ordeal I dread everytime.

I could have guessed where you ate though. LOL!

 

[merbobear]

Following along!

 

[shan23877]

joining in!

 

[micandminforever]

Joining the fun, sorry I am late.

 

[MeMom]

Isn't MCO just the happiest airport around?

Movies has great photo ops for kids. We have only stayed there once, but I have had many morning walks there when we have also stayed at Music and Sports. (One of the perks of staying at an All Star resort is having three resorts to take pictures at.) Our room there was showing its age, too, so I am glad they have gotten around to sprucing the place up. The only icon I do not like there is that creepy jack-in-the-box. He is scary!

Good to hear the departure from your boys was kept light and happy and tear-free. When Brooklynn and I go in October, we're going to have to sneak out in the early morning and leave Bella asleep at home. She is not happy with us about not taking her to Dizhy Wuhld. We keep telling her she is going on Santa Claus day. I have never been so afraid of a two year old as I am right now!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I love almost solo trips! Can't wait to read and see more!!!!

I am now a big fan! I could use another.

OOHH!! I'm in!! on page one too!

WooHoo....Ive never been on page one before
I had to go back and look at the picture of the tv. That is very funny! Cant wait to see all about your trip! Thanks for the heads up!

Isn't that TV absurd? I couldn't believe it! Thankfully the new rooms are QUITE the step-up! They are beautiful!

YAYAYAY!!! Thanks for the Bat Signal!! Can't wait to hear about this "almost" solo trip...Love your TRs!!!

Thanks Jen!!!!

Gotta love those almost solo trips! Oh I so want Chick-Fil-A for dinner but sadly there are none near me.

There is one in NYC, but it's private and part of NYU. Sarah works at NYU. She has already told me that she'd take me to lunch. Now I just need to take her up on that offer!

Hey Brook! I'm here! So excited to hear about this trip!

Hello Nikki!!!

Whoo Hooo first page!!!

Great start Brook.

We are not fans of Delta either. And with all those empty seats, why the heck would they wnat to charge you $50 to get on the flight?

We stayed at All Star Sports once...just wasn't for us. I'm curious to think of what you thought of it.

EXACTLY! I was so irritated by Delta. They got some not so happy Tweets from me that day... I try to avoid flying them if I can. I'd actually rather pay a bit more than fly them!

Great start.

Yeah... I'm here!! (wow... first page too) I was a bit bummed that my DH Henry won't let me book spring break week yet because he hasn't found out if he will be able to get off work. Now, this man has nearly 3 months of vacation time accrued up from over the years... so if he can't go because other people want to go that same week, I will be very upset.... but I'm gaining confidence from your (nearly) solo trip and thinking of booking it anyway. I've got a boat load of extra banked points for next use year (Dec 1) so it would be a shame not to. Then I'll just gather some friends to come with DD Heidi and me.

You can totally do a girlfriends/DD trip! It would be a BLAST! Go super girly and have fun!!! Go for it!!!

Another reader!
AND after going back to read....
I spy with my little eye, some gifts for those DISers that you were going to meet up with!!!

Very good eye Ms. Wigd!

Did I make the 1st page...Ok, I'll go back and read now!

Thanks for the heads up on FB. Subbed but gotta come back later to read. I'm really looking forward to this TR.

Your welcome! I know I missed some people on FB, I should put out the bat signal on my other TR too.

I'm in! Loved your ASMovie video! I hope you post that soon!

So did you REALLY rent out your points so you could stay value or did it just work out that way?

At any rate I am glad you are getting some first hand experience at ASMovies.

Too weird about the airplane thing. Maybe he had to get the green light to change peoples flights and you asked too early. Good thing you asked again!

Thanks MEK! I will post that - I did a day where I took most of those pics, so I'll include it when we get that far in the report. Day 3 I believe.

My only guess is they only let people on if there are empty seats and at the very last second. It was just weird. You'd think he'd tell me to wait and see, rather than try to scrape $50 out of me. Delta nickel and dimes though. No me gusta!

Hi Brook!
So glad you started, can't wait to read!!

I'm here Brook!!!

Can't wait to see more pics!!!

Hi Hope! More coming today....but you are already starting your vacation, so you'll see these in a week! ENJOY IT!

I'm here! Can't wait to see more pictures of your (almost) solo trip.

Glad there were no tears from the boys when mommy left and even happier that Joe and Henry had a lot of fun together while you were gone.

I love your disco pose!

I was really surprised at how okay Henry was with me leaving...and how okay I was. I guess I did enough mental prep!

LOL about the disco pose. I figured if people were going to see me in the mirror, I might as well make it fun!

Joining in!!!

I've never attempted to fly stand-by, I'm glad it worked out for you in the end!

It wasn't bad! But, I think I lucked out. I would NEVER do it with a small child, that's for sure.

Thank you for the heads up on your new TR.

I have to say I've never had a desire to stay at any of the All Stars except The Pop. I loved the POP! Thanks for taking one for the team!

Your welcome! I tried to get into Pop this trip too, but it was full, so Movies was my next choice. You'll see what I thought of it all in just a bit.

Hooray for the start of your solo trip! It looks like you're doing quite well with remembering because of all the pictures you took! How many on this trip?

I just looked...over 1300. I thought it was less than normal...I guess not!

Hi Brook- i'm still miles behind on your other TR- maybe i can keep up with this one!
Lauren

Take your time! You'll catch up eventually!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm here, I'm here!!!

Great start!!

Hey Katie!!!

Finally made it over here!

Great start, I would never have had the courage to keep asking to get bumped up. I'm such a chicken. Good for you!

Movies was the first Disney resort we ever stayed in so it holds a special place in my heart. The kids loved the big icons. Definitely needs some updating in the rooms. Loved the disco pose.

Movies really has a great "Disney feel". The icons are awesome. The new rooms are beautiful - wait until you see them!

I'm here! thanks for the bat signal (though I'm still late to the party lol).

I forgot it was ASM that you were staying at, I don't think I've ever seem pics of the actual rooms before. Funny on the TV, that's what our cabin at FW had...two of them. I imagine they still do.

Super annoying on the flight. I tell you, all the airlines annoy me these days, there isn't a single one I "love" to fly anymore and booking is an ordeal I dread everytime.

I could have guessed where you ate though. LOL!

FW has been updated! Nice pretty flat panels. When did you stay there?

JetBlue is the only airline I haven't had an issue with (so far). They have been awesome, and I love that they credit you if your flight drops even a buck!

Following along!

joining in!

Thank you for reading!

Joining the fun, sorry I am late.

No worries! You aren't late at all!!

Isn't MCO just the happiest airport around?

Movies has great photo ops for kids. We have only stayed there once, but I have had many morning walks there when we have also stayed at Music and Sports. (One of the perks of staying at an All Star resort is having three resorts to take pictures at.) Our room there was showing its age, too, so I am glad they have gotten around to sprucing the place up. The only icon I do not like there is that creepy jack-in-the-box. He is scary!

Good to hear the departure from your boys was kept light and happy and tear-free. When Brooklynn and I go in October, we're going to have to sneak out in the early morning and leave Bella asleep at home. She is not happy with us about not taking her to Dizhy Wuhld. We keep telling her she is going on Santa Claus day. I have never been so afraid of a two year old as I am right now!

Yes! MCO is the best! I love that "pretty side" with the fountain too. We usually end up coming in on the "not so pretty side" though.

The jack-in-the-box IS weird! Why in the world did they choose him?!?! The new rooms at Movies are beautiful!! I always meant to get over to Music and Sports, but time didn't allow for it this trip. I have a feeling we'll stay at the All Stars again sometime, so I'll have to do it then. We walked a bit around Music in August (to see the suites) and I liked it a lot.

That's funny about Bella! She'll be thrilled with the goodies you'll surely bring back for her though.

 

[brookelizabeth]

After we had our bags settled in the room, Sarah and I went off to the food court at Movies. While I had already eaten dinner, I was certainly not opposed to finding a dessert!

We both loved the giant brooms! Very, very cool.

I meant to try the pool, but never did.

You'll see later in my pictures, but the entire sidewalk leading from the Fantasia building to the main building at Movies is lined with palm trees. I loooooooved it and got to walk it several times a day!

Lots of great choices inside, just like all the Values!

I looked around a bit at the choices...and then found the ice cream station. And lo, and behold, they could make me an ice cream cookie sandwich ala Main Street Bakery.

Oh yes.

Oddly, it was more expensive than the ones at the Main Street Bakery. But whatever. I don't care. Come to Momma.

Some of the seating. I found the seating area to be too small for the resort during busy hours. On my last morning I couldn't even find ONE seat open. I had to eat outside! Which was fine for me being solo that day, but what did a family do?!?! So a tip - try to eat before 9 AM (which isn't hard if you are making RD), or grab it and eat in your room.

View from our table.

I thought this was really clever!

I haven't a clue what Sarah ate. But I do remember her going back for an ice cream sandwich as well!

Back out into the lobby...

There are lots of old photos in the hallway between the food court and the gift shop, they are great to look at.

The gift shop sucked us right in.

And it was then I realized I had very little control when I didn't have a husband and child distracting me. The shopping starts here at Movies. I am not a big shopper at Disney usually; however, I bought more this trip than in several trips combined!


$100 later....

2 for us, and 2 were for pooh'smate - but sadly they got LOST IN THE MAIL!

I haven't gotten this far in my Feb/March TR, but these Goofy's Cherry Sour Balls are our latest addiction. Joe, Henry and I all LOVE these things. The bags disappear way too quickly! I think I had picked up a couple bags at the store this trip.

Some postcards for clients and friends, and a new key chain for me!

Watch for me! This was one of those buy $25 and get this watch for $15. I have really wanted and needed a watch for quite a while, so I had a good excuse.

And the beach towel. It was just too soft not to buy! It was another one of those deals that sucker you right in. This was impulse, unlike everything else - but I don't regret it. Our beach towels are terrible, so it's nice to have one cushy one when we go to the beach! We will probably pick up a couple more over the next trips too, they make great souvenirs.

And it was this trip to the gift shop, of course, that I forgot to give my AP discount. All well!

After my shopping spree we walked around the resort just a bit

While I wasn't yet feeling the All Star Movies love, I had to admit, the icons were very, very cool.

Back in the room Sarah and I squinted from our beds at the tiny TV and chatted into the VERY late hours...eventually exhaustion took over...our plan for the next day was to hit 2 parks, AK and MK - pretty much going open to close!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oh my goodness, I love those Sour Cherry Balls. Mmmm. I could so go for those right now!

I have to say that the food courts at the Values are one of the reasons I like staying Value, I think they have the most variety and choices.

 

[jenseib]

You always have problems with your mail. I am think the ups guy is enjoying those ymmuy treats. LOL!
I got that watch this Aug. The last day after Patty left Epcot, I stupidly went into Mousegears. I bought a few more items (after all I had just bought a new suitcase ) and got the watch as well. I didn't "need" it, as I had also bought the giraffe print one on the 1st day, but it was too cute to refuse. And I wear it a lot, but misplaced it recently. I'll find it though. it's just where did I take it off?

 

[CreightonsMomma]

That stinks that the stuff got lost in the mail.

Will you stop posting pictures of yummies and making me want to try them!!!! Tell me more about these cherry sour balls. Are they chewy? They are kind of scaring me. They look like cherry tomatoes and I hate tomatoes. I want to try them but I don't know if I can get over their resemblance to tomatoes.

 

[DWGal210]

They lost the coconut patties?!?!!!! NOOOOO!!! tragedy!!

I bought that beach towel as well. It IS super nice!!

 

[KatMark]

Oooh...I love that watch and beach towel. I hope they have something similar when we get there next week.

Now why would the ice cream cookie cost more at the resort than the park????

You got a lot of great goodies, Brook.

 

[blessedby3]

We got a couple boxes of those coconut mickey heads---yummm--on our last trip! Delicious I cant believe they got lost in the mail. I think they they had x-ray machines and someone took them because they are so good! I eyeballed those beach towels so many time too....but never purchased one They looked very nice Cant wait to read more

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

We also purchased that beach towel in April. I'm only sorry we didn't get two, because DH seems to think he can use it. Boo for forgetting the AP discount, well, here's hoping that more shopping was done and that baby came in handy!

I do like the larger than life icons at Movies. We have never stayed there, but it seems like a nice alternative to POP, especially since they are under refurb.

 

[lbuzz52]

the theming in that food court is pretty cool!
i have to admit, dh being around keeps my shopping in check too...