Bargain Betty and Workaholic Starring In:What Are You, A Disney Expert?

[dawnbu40]

This is beautiful; you should get it framed!

I love that pic and it was included in both photo calendars I made!


We don't get to see the kissy picture?

Yes, I thought I'd spare you guys from seeing the kissy pic


Love it!

Thanks! I love the David Doss artwork! He was in Epcot during our May visit and although we didn't get anything that time we got to tell him how much we enjoy his work. I'm sure he would have preferred our money to our compliments but he was very nice

 

[dawnbu40]

Ooooh - a Deluxe Splurge Trip.
That sounds very enticing!!
You'll definitely have to keep us posted.

As for the TR segment, sounds like you guys had a great last day.
We've never been to LTT and were about to but then they nixed the chars.
Is it worth it without them? There's so few good table services in MK...

We also haven't done the Treehouse in years.
The kids have no idea who the Swiss Family Robinson is but I was considering it for our next trip.
Maybe just a place for them to blow off some steam climbing all the stairs!

And nice winter pic of Mickey!
We always browse the Art of Disney but can't bring ourselves to buy one of the prints.
But since we collect dragons, I'd love one of those awesome Malificent dragons...

Lastly, I'm surprised Pop wouldn't let you do something with your meal credit.
On our last trip, we were able to basically get a meal of "sides" for our last credit - milk, some apples, and a dessert (minus the entree).

I will keep you posted on our 2010 vacation plans. It's all up in the air for now. The only certainty is a Sept visit.

As for LTT-this was my second visit there and Dale's first. Caitlin and I ate there on our girls trip just before the characters left. On both occasions the waitstaff was exemplary! Last year just as the characters started coming around I realized my camera batteries were dead The waitress saw that and went in the kitchen and brought me complimentary batteries. I was thrilled and very greatful. The characters did make the meal more fun but the food was good both visits. I personally think the place could use some renovating (including larger rest rooms) or something. As for how it rates in comparison to other places in the park...we preferred lunch at LTT to lunch at the CP (in 2008) but preferred Tony's to both.


The Treehouse-I'm rather suprised it hasn't been updated or removed. At one point I thought they might make it Tarzan or George of the Jungle to make it more significant to today's kids but that obviously never happened. Even though your kids won't know the movie or story they still might enjoy seeing it. Some of the things in the "house" are pretty clever and there is a view from the castle which is pretty cool.

We love the Art of Disney and David Doss is our favorite. A couple years ago we splurged on a good sized print that was about $100 (then the framing cost another 100 ) but the one we got this time was just $18 so it was very reasonable. I think the art makes a nice souvie because we look at them daily and get to feel the magic

When we went to the food court I thought, based on Tr's I'd read, that they would grant us some sort of exchange. The cashier we went to, wouldn't. We would have had to get an entree and then toss it which I wasn't going to do. It wasn't worth making a fuss over but I hated leaving a food credit to waste. The food court was empty when we were there otherwise I would have "bought" someone's meal.

 

[dawnbu40]

Well..that's what I get for not refreshing the page before I posted...you snuck another update in on me!! LOL . It sounds like a nice afternoon..don't you just love finding unexpected items on sale? There you are willing to pay 26 and it rings up at 11..score!

It was a very nice afternoon! There is no place in the world I'd rather spend an afternoon than the Magic Kingdom! I was really excited about the shirt before I found out it was on sale, when I knew I got a bargain I was thrilled

 

[MEK]

Dawn-

Crap! I missed your update last night and now I have no pictures to see. I think I will wait till I get home to comment. I want the full effect.

Bummer about the possibility of no spring trip. I feel like you do - I'd rather go twice and stay mod then go once and stay deluxe. Again - that's why I like DVC. It's one deluxe trip a year and then I'm happy to do a value to get a second trip in.

So please keep us posted on your trip plans. If you don't get to go in the spring at least you will have fun deciding what deluxe to stay in!

 

[dawnbu40]

Dawn-

Crap! I missed your update last night and now I have no pictures to see. I think I will wait till I get home to comment. I want the full effect.

Bummer about the possibility of no spring trip. I feel like you do - I'd rather go twice and stay mod then go once and stay deluxe. Again - that's why I like DVC. It's one deluxe trip a year and then I'm happy to do a value to get a second trip in.

So please keep us posted on your trip plans. If you don't get to go in the spring at least you will have fun deciding what deluxe to stay in!

Of course I'd really love to go again this spring, I just love seeing all the flowers in bloom, but if Dale gets the transfer it won't happen because the new store is due to open in April. The upside though is that his current hour commute would become 20 minutes tops! That would be wonderful!
As soon as he asked "what's the price difference between CSR and a Deluxe?" I was online getting quotes! He couldn't believe it when 5 minutes later I was giving him prices for AKL, BC and BLT Whatever happens I'll be fine with though because we've been 4 times since April 2008 so I do feel very lucky already! And if we just go in Sept and keep our reservation at CSR I'll be fine with that because it's my favorite mod

 

[meeko_33785]

Sounds like it was a nice last day for you and Dale.

Glad you enjoyed seeing PUSH. I think it's amazing that PUSH's friend is just out there in the open and most people never notice. It's such a fantastic bit of Disney magic.

I feel for you on the wait at LTT. We had that happen more than a couple of times in December when the wait times are drastically different from what they tell you.

 

[MEK]

Excellent picture of the castle! I am glad you wrestled that camera away from Dale!

By the way - did you tell me you have a Nikon d3000? I know its a Nikon, I just can't remember which one. I am zeroing in on my camera purchase and Costco is sold out of the Canon rebels. They have the Nikon d3000 with 2 lenses, bag, memory card and some DVDs / book for $650. I can return it in 90 days if I don't like it. Denny & I are going to Longwood Gardens on thursday and I really want a better camera to photograph all the Christmas trees /poinsettas before the put them away. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the Nikon or send him to Best Buy for the Canon which is a tad more expensive. Decisions decisions - what's a girl to do!

I love the print you purchased and I can't believe you got a $3 frame. I guess that's how you got your name! Strong work - it looks great!

We ate at LTT our last day also. That is so cool that you got to take the mug home. I would have loved that!!!!!

I also really like your pictures of the tree house. Very nice!

I can't believe its time for you to go home. Noooooo - its just too soon! Glad you had a little time to relax at Pop before you hit the Magical Depress!

 

[dawnbu40]

Happy New Year Eveyone! We hope you all have an amazing 2010 filled with peace, love, happiness and Disney trips!

Don't forget that today you can start signing up for the "Disney Give a Day, Get a Day Program"! It's on Disney's website and you sign up your family to help a charity in your area and Disney rewards you with a free park ticket. For AP holders, you can donate your ticket to a charity or get a special FP.Sounds like a great program and hopefully it will encourage people to volunteer! I've already signed up and within the next week 2 local orgs should be contacting us. I chose the Make a Wish Foundation and a food distribution program in Detroit. We love volunteering as a family so this should be a great experience!

Happy 2010!!

 

[pipersmom]

Happy New Year, Dawn! Thank you for the reminder about Give A day..I was going to try and see if we could get one before we leave so that if Piper chooses, we could go to Disney an extra day and skip something else.

 

[MyMuse]

Hi dawn -

I'm finally all caught up!

What a lovely TR and pics. I'm so glad you had a good time. I also met Push, which was a completel surprise and I didn't even realize who was controlling him.

I was busy backing up as he kept on getting closer to me! LOL I'll explain it in my TR if it ever gets re-opened. DIS closed it and moved it to "completed trip reports" which obviously, it is not. *sigh*

Onwards! I'm definitely going back for Food & Wine, MNSSP...probably mid-October somewhere..... I hope! *crosses fingers*

 

[dawnbu40]

Hi dawn -

I'm finally all caught up!

What a lovely TR and pics. I'm so glad you had a good time. I also met Push, which was a completel surprise and I didn't even realize who was controlling him.

I was busy backing up as he kept on getting closer to me! LOL I'll explain it in my TR if it ever gets re-opened. DIS closed it and moved it to "completed trip reports" which obviously, it is not. *sigh*

Onwards! I'm definitely going back for Food & Wine, MNSSP...probably mid-October somewhere..... I hope! *crosses fingers*

Welcome back! We did have a great time! I was too busy paying attention to Push to notice his friend too. Dale was more interested in the working of it though. Yesterday I was looking for your TR to see if I had missed it somehow. You need to find time to work on it because I want to hear all about it! And YAY for going back!

 

[MyMuse]

Welcome back! We did have a great time! I was too busy paying attention to Push to notice his friend too. Dale was more interested in the working of it though. Yesterday I was looking for your TR to see if I had missed it somehow. You need to find time to work on it because I want to hear all about it! And YAY for going back!

I learn something new in each trip report!

I don't know why they moved it over, which was fine, but to close it? I PM'd the mod, but so far, nothin'. I got an offer on Twitter to place my TR on their forums. i might do that, if they don't re-open it soon, just to start it. Of course, I'll keep both updated.

I'm so excited for your next trip! and, going, deluxe! ooohhhh.....

I'm definitely going to try for CSR, if I go again.

 

[WrightFamily06]

Just joining back in after a long & fun Holiday trip back home ! Sorry to see your TR come to an end .

Your Narcossee's meal looked so yummy , I so want to eat there one day .

Love the picture from walking out of the Castle what a magical moment ! It's always nice to have a day to ride all the classics What a sweet serenade you got & so magical ! Love the print you got , I need to look at those on my next trip , what store on Mainstreet sells prints ?

 

[dawnbu40]

Just joining back in after a long & fun Holiday trip back home ! Sorry to see your TR come to an end .

Your Narcossee's meal looked so yummy , I so want to eat there one day .

Love the picture from walking out of the Castle what a magical moment ! It's always nice to have a day to ride all the classics What a sweet serenade you got & so magical ! Love the print you got , I need to look at those on my next trip , what store on Mainstreet sells prints ?

Hey there! Glad to hear you had a good trip home! Caitlin mentioned the other day that you hadn't been on in awhile and I told her I bet you went home for the holidays

Narcossee's is always a wonderful meal! I hope you make it there sometime!

Our last day was great and the serenade was something I'll always remember! Celebrating an anniversary at Disney is a great experience! Everyone makes you feel really special!

In the MK you can get the prints in a shop on Main Street (totally forget the name) and in Epcot you can get them at the Art Store near Spaceship Earth. You can also search for "David Doss" online and buy them from various places. I bought one online before because I regretted not picking it up on our trip

 

[dawnbu40]

When I left off we were boarding ME to head toward MCO. We had an uneventful bus ride back to the airport and of course I occupied myself by watched the "good-bye" video. Our drop off was the second stop so we got off and headed toward security. I have to say I HATE having to get to the airport so early! ME always drops off at least 2 hours early and we are through security in 20 minutes and then have to wait. However, I do like that it's free so I guess it balances out While we were waiting we heard our names announced Dale went up to the ticket counter and was told we had been bumped to first class Apparently hey needed our seats because some families had been split up and kids would be alone. Well we certainly weren't going to complain! We ended up having the very first seats on the plane. We were the first to board and as soon as we sat down the flight attendants began offering us drinks and snacks. What did I do? I fell asleep. Immediately. As soon as we sat down!

Now ordinarily we fly non-stop. I always book the earliest non-stop flight there and the latest non-stop home. Well this trip we used a TA, I met on the Dis, and I had just instructed her to get the earliest and latest. I forgot to mention non-stop. So this flight was just to Atlanta and not all the way to Detroit. Why do I mention this? Well because as I said I fell asleep before take off and then suddenly Dale was waking me and telling me we had landed I kept insisting to him we hadn't gone anywhere yet and we couldn't get off the plane He eventually convinced me in my dazed state to get off the plane and then we had to run (yes run) all the way across the airport to make our connecting flight. When we finally got there I looked at our seat assignments for the first time and noticed we weren't seated together We both had middle seats with strangers. I really wasn't happy with that especially after how disoriented I was on the last flight Dale approached the ticket agt. and explained the situation and she told him "not my problem". Yeah, great customer service right? When it was time to board that same woman told him that she had switched our seats and gave us a new row number. I guess by not complaining we won her over I was glad that we were able to sit together and we made it back to Detroit after an unveventful flight.



Final thoughts......We liked Pop much more than we expected to! Some of the nicest CMs we've ever encountered! Would we like it as much during the busy season? I'm honestly not sure but it's a chance we'd be willing to take!

Food & Wine-this would be best experienced on days without adrs. We didn't sample as much as we'd have liked to because we had our adr at Ohana.

MNSSHP-totally worth the price as are all the hard ticketed parties! We will go again in Sept but I will find a better place to watch Hallowishes!

Celebrating at WDW- the best! We felt really special getting so many congratulations and treats and it was the best anniversary celebration we'll ever have!

Lastly.....

The best thing about the trip was just having time for the 2 of us. It was a really wonderful experience that I will always treasure! HOWEVER, we both missed the "family" experience of WDW. It was my 13th trip to WDW and my first without my parents or daughter and as wonderful as it was, it just wasn't the same. We are so glad we took the trip but we won't go back without family at least while Caitlin is still at home. (even after she's out of the house we'll probably still want to go with her family )

Thank you all for following along!

**Caitlin and I will be starting our joint-PTR and we'd love to have you onboard for that! We'll share all our plans plus share our experiences with the Disney Give a Day program so we hope to see you there!

 

[meeko_33785]

Very cool about being bumped up to first class. Too bad you couldn't have flown first class all the way to Detroit, but al least you two got to be together.

Really enjoyed the trip report, and I'll be keeping an eye out for your and Caitlin's pre-trip.

 

[MEK]

Final thoughts......We liked Pop much more than we expected to! Some of the nicest CMs we've ever encountered! Would we like it as much during the busy season? I'm honestly not sure but it's a chance we'd be willing to take!

Dawn -

to you and your family for volunteering. I am thinking about doing it as well, since there are several opportunities close to my house. I wish I could get volunteer hours for my marching band (because that's strictly volunteer).

Are you able to upgrade the one day pass to an AP? I will be needing a new AP by fall.

I love your final update. Kuddos to you for the first class upgrade, but too bad you slept through the whole thing. Bummer for changing flights. I only did that once. It's so much more time consuming, but works if you aren't on a limited travel schedule and can devote the time towards flying longer.

I totally agree with this review of POP. It was surprisingly nice during my two off season stays, but I would not want to stay there during the high season. I stayed there in late August one year with my boys. Even though the parks were empty, POP was just hopping with people. I like my resort to be a little more quiet, but September was superb. I will not hesistate to stay there in the future. Plus I am looking forward to the day when we can stay POP for a few days during free dining then transition to DVC during food and wine!

 

[WrightFamily06]

How cool that you got upgraded to 1st class for your first flight but sorry to hear that you had to go through all that trouble with your flight making stops

Sorry to see this TR come to an end but I def will be joining in for your joint Pre-TR !

I hope to be putting a Trip on the boards here soon once I see how taxes treat us this year . I'm thinking possibly in September , so we can take advantage of the Military tickets offered this year , we shall see

 

[pipersmom]

I've enjoyed your TR so much Dawn, thank you for sharing it. Woohoo for the first class bump..I guess they thought they needed to even it out on your next connection..lol. Glad you ended up being able to sit together though

I understand what you mean about going without the rest of the family..as much as I joke about it with Piper, I never do anything exciting when she's with her Dad! (Well, aside from shopping alone and sleeping in..lol.) I can't imagine ever going anywhere like that without her either, at least until she's a LOT older..like..married and out of the house, LOL. It's just the two of us though, which also makes a difference, I think.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Link to the new PTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34885422#post34885422