Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[PrincessInOz]

Glad to see the bands worked for the busses. If our trip goes off, my parents and brother will be using them and I'm concerned about them getting confused if they have a problem.

When are you going? I can't see the bottom of your ticker on my screen...and that's on a laptop, full screen.

If there is a problem, the CM all seem to want to try to help. But they can't do anything if it is a system problem.

YAY!!! So glad you're finally "here"! What a long travel day; I never enjoy flying through regional airports (fortunately it's not something I have to do for getting to MCO!).

Love your front seat on the bus -- but what the heck was up with the sign??!! The horror..... How un-Disney!

.

It must have been close 10.30 pm when we got to that sign. I was sad to see it in darkness.

That's great your bands worked on the ME! We didn't get to do this as we had no US shipping address! I like the pink band as well. Looking forward to hearing about your experience of using them! I know a lot of negative reports here but we were never able to us FP as I could never be there for RD so we loved it!

The bands also worked on our room door that night. So, as the first intro to MB goes, it was pretty positive.

Nice to hear that your MB worked for you when you got to MCO that night. It was very nice to get the bands before you got to the Beach Club when you picked them you were with Alison in SoCal. It is always great to have a second pair of souvenirs of MB when you got them at the resort. The Beach Club Resort looks very nice.

I have more pictures of the BC. I did think about bundling them all up into one post; but I figured I'd post them in the order I took the,.

great day to arrive and get through all of the band business without any hickups!

Thanks Brandi. The band business was great for us that night.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm so glad that you made there safely! I'm sorry that you had to change rooms mid-stay.

I can't believe that they have to send so many of the MBs, it just seems so wasteful. I hope that they can fix that part of the equation eventually. Looking forward to hearing about your day Monday (even though I heard about the highlights from you and the surprise guest for dinner on Wednesday!) But I won't spoil it!

It's all part of the experience.

If you're anything like me, you'll be reminiscing about what you and Fran were doing 'at the same time' as I post. I kept reading about your days and thinking "now.....we were here and there" whilst you were doing this and that.

I am glad that the Magic Bands worked for you and made the check in for Magical Express such a quick and smooth experience. I was really surprised when they welcomed us by name when we arrived. I actually love sitting on those "thrones".

Corinna

Every experience is a pleasure at Disney.

Whatever one thinks about MB's and FP+ etc, that still must have felt pretty neat.

PS: Nice pictorial on the ME experience. I have never seen it and that gave me a much better feel for it. Thanks!



Jud

Great! Glad it helped.

You know, there is a hot springs about 2 1/2 hours from here, but the reviews are terrible so we've never gone.

Wow such an easy check-in for you guys at the airport and at the resort! Score

Hmm, do you happen to know if this refurb will continue into 2015? We were actually considering staying at the BCV in January if VGF falls through..

That's a shame about the local springs. Pity. Might have been worth checking it out.

I think the refurb will be completed in 2014. You should be fine.

I hate deer. They are everywhere here and I fear hitting one with a car. They do so much damage. Pretty to look at in pics though.
What a lovely town. Love the water and scenery.
I would love to soak in the springs.
What a cute area to have dinner. The Ahi looked good.
Desserts looked good. I would have chosen the apple cobbler. Yum. Love them. LOL.
I wish I lived closer to WDW only because of the funds needed to go for airfare. Time wise is no issue being it is a 2 ½ hour flight for me.
YIKES! Your travel time is insane.
First airport looked nice. I love small airports.
2nd not so much. I deal with NYC airports and hate them so I can imagine Dallas-Ft. Worth would not be a favorite.
3rd airport, love. LOl. Okay really I don’t when coming home being I hate their security line but love it when we land.
Lucky you seeing the fireworks from MK on the airplane. I have never seen WDW when landing or taking off and I look all the time.
I thought after 10pm you had to get the luggage as Disney doesn’t do it after 10.
Glad the bands worked at the DME.
Nice “home” to be checking into.
Nice room.
My 2nd set is also collecting dust. Such a waste of money.
Great updates and pics.

Thanks Scott. You feel about deers the way we feel about kangaroos when we drive in the bush.

Yes, Disney doesn't pick up luggage after 10 pm. We were right on the cusp. In any event, we like to pick up our bags anyway and load them on the bus. DH doesn't like waiting up to 3 hours for them to be delivered.

 

[leshunlenese]

Yah! What a great journey and you finally made it! Tthat small airport reminds me of the one in brunswick, 1 terminal and 1 little cafe for food. OH Orlando! HOW i WISH I was there NOW! Love the beach club, even though we were at the YC we some time over there with the refillable mugs and cape may. I even bought the beach club shirt it was much cuter than the YC one. So excited to hear the rest of your trip!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Every experience is a pleasure at Disney.

And there was me thinking that you have followed my trip report.

Corinna

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yah! What a great journey and you finally made it! Tthat small airport reminds me of the one in brunswick, 1 terminal and 1 little cafe for food. OH Orlando! HOW i WISH I was there NOW! Love the beach club, even though we were at the YC we some time over there with the refillable mugs and cape may. I even bought the beach club shirt it was much cuter than the YC one. So excited to hear the rest of your trip!

Glad to see you're still around. I wish I was there too. But as you're a lot closer than me, I know you'll be there a lot sooner than me.

And there was me thinking that you have followed my trip report.

Corinna

I have. I was having a little chuckle when I read that you liked those seats and found them comfortable. I expect that you're a great deal taller than me (not hard to do as I am vertically challenged); which would probably explain the difference in experience.

The back of those chairs are set back too far for my body. If I lean back, my legs are not placed right.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have. I was having a little chuckle when I read that you liked those seats and found them comfortable. I expect that you're a great deal taller than me (not hard to do as I am vertically challenged); which would probably explain the difference in experience.

The back of those chairs are set back too far for my body. If I lean back, my legs are not placed right.

I read your comment completely different. I though this was based on the experience with the Magic Bands and of course I had a complete nightmare with them and more so with the attitude of some cast members when it went wrong. I am not overly tall either.

Corinna

 

[PrincessInOz]

WDW Magic Kingdom 30 September 2013



Wake Up! Wake Up! Let’s Go!




Does anyone truly sleep when they finally arrive 'Home'? I don't.


I was on high energy octane the night before and it took me a while to get to sleep. So it was a foregone conclusion that I got up early the next morning as well.

I didn't want to disturb the boys too much so I made use of the time to take a look at the morning sky.






It also gave me a chance to check out our standard garden view from our room balcony.






About the only thing wrong with the BCV is the lack of view from the majority of the rooms.






I was in a rather reflective mood this morning. After all this time of planning of this trip, it felt rather surreal to be finally here. And I couldn't help but feel a little sad. Isn't that pathetic? The start of the trip and I was feeling sad!!







But I didn't have much time to wool-gather this morning, we had an early start and I needed to get the boys ready. Wake Up! Wake Up! I ended up waking the boys and running them out the door a little this morning.

Thankfully, our timing with the buses had been good and there was a bus pulling in just as we got to the bus stop.






It's always a matter for debate on the Dis as to whether you start your Disney stay with Magic Kingdom or not.







No contest as far as I'm concerned. Whenever I can engineer it, MK will always be my preferred first park to hit.







I'd seen the park all decked out in Halloween colours before; but this was the first time DS had seen it. He LOVED all the pumpkin and orange.







One of the CMs noticed our accessories and directed us to the appropriate area. Time to test out those MB again.







Park entry was a little bit more involved as you first needed to light up the Mickey Head green and then check that your fingerprint was also going to give the matching green light.







Two Greens. Let's Go!!!



(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Knowing I'm on the (Main) Street, Where you Live




How do you feel when you step in the park the first time during a visit? Lerner and Loewe probably put it best for me on this trip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0udu4KYv1zI



I have often walked down this street before






But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before






All at once am I several stories high






Knowing I’m on the street where you live







Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?






Can you hear a lark in any other part of town?






Does enchantment pour out of ev'ry door?






No, it's just on the street where you live!






And oh! The towering feeling







Just to know somehow you are near.






The overpowering feeling







That any second you may suddenly appear!







People stop and stare. They don't bother me.






For there's no where else on earth that I would rather be.






Let the time go by, I won't care if I






Can be here on the street where you live.







Despite the reflective mood I had been in getting here this morning, there was nothing like a walk down Main Street to wake me up. After 2 years of planning, I was really finally here, on Main Street in Magic Kingdom.


Yes, there really is nothing like knowing I’m on Main Street.....where you live. No point thinking about the end of the holiday when it hadn't even really begun. It was definitely time to LIVE!


And we had lived it up with the photopass photographers this morning and made the most of the opportunity of being in the park early.






















I'll be happier here.

 

[LegoMom3]

Aaaaahhh!!!.....HOME! Yes, MK is first and last park. Always. GREAT pictures!...I love how empty it looks there!

And no, I don't sleep much on my Disney trips. You can sleep at home! Too much to see and do in the World and besides, I've gotta be up early for my coffee walk.

.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I love the photos of the morning sky. When did you leave to find everything so empty? I know the buses from the Epcot resorts are the stuff that my nightmares are made off and I have never seen Main Street and the hub so empty.

Corinna

 

[Fairy Floss]

Really enjoyed this last post .... Lovely!
Particularly liked the pic of the castle reflected in the water

 

[zanzibar138]

Lovely family photos

I would definitely start with MK too!

And I think the view from your room is nice (as is your whole room!). No park view of course, but at least it's not a carpark

 

[Luvchefmic]

Oh so many things I want to comment on I hope I don't forget: so in no particular order:

There is talk of Fred's job MAYBE sometime this year opening or taking over a truck terminal in FL IF that happens he will eventually be put on salary and be home on a daily basis IF that happens ...I know small word "IF" but lots of meaning.....If that happens then the savings will begin in full force and YES you can expect a guest in your home. That's the only way it could ever happen so he could be here for all the animal/kids ...I would gladly knock myself out with a sleeping pill or some liquid courage for that long flight time just knowing you DH and DS were on the other end of the journey


I LOVE your pictures of Main Street and the accompanying lyrics You also managed to get a picture of "Pluto's cousin" and his handler ....VERY cool !


The WDW entrance sign, I am surprised it was dark, as you know I work nights
and criss-cross through Disney property to get to my job I have NEVER in over 3 years seen it dark , the occasional word darkened, but never the whole sign perhaps Mickey decided the fireworks were enough of a gift to you that first night which I think was pretty awesome ! or more likely someone may have been planning to work on the sign for the aforementioned word

Funny you mentioned the chairs in the BC lobby, its the table in between them that for some reason I have fallen in love with If the refurb includes the lobby boy I would love to get my hands on that I was fortunate enough when they refurbed AKL prior to becoming DVC to get one of the armoires/TV cabinets that were in the rooms...my most prized furniture possession

Alrighty then, on with your show......

 

[dhorner233]

Oh wow! You've made it to DW!! I made it back just in time! Love the family portraits!

 

[SunDial]

After my DS and DD made the trip over when they were each 15 it has been on my wish list to get down under.

I get some long time to catch up every once and a while. Very nice pics of everything PIO.

 

[Pinkocto]

Two years of planning is definitely a lot, glad it was able to come to fruition

Love the different perspectives from your MK photos.

I'm sorry you started off the morning sad, sounds like the MK worked its magic though

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice pictures of the family on Main Street. A very nice day to start your trip at WDW is at the MK.

It is so neat to be able to see the Halloween decorations at the MK after you were at the DLR with the Halloween decorations. It is so neat to see the random pictures on MS where it wasn't that busy.

Great update.

 

[declansdad]

My favourite ADR, breakfast at Crystal Palace. It never gets old walking down an empty Main Street.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Wow, I can't believe how empty it was! When we retire to FL, I'll get to see the parks in their holiday glory.

BTW, we are planning to be in the World 4/13/14 to 4/17/14. I think it will be a go now as my sister just found out yesterday that she will only need a lumpectomy for her surgery!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Wow, I can't believe how empty it was! When we retire to FL, I'll get to see the parks in their holiday glory. BTW, we are planning to be in the World 4/13/14 to 4/17/14. I think it will be a go now as my sister just found out yesterday that she will only need a lumpectomy for her surgery!

oh retire to Florida. Us too