Basking in the Glow of the (not so) Creepy Clown -2/11-Pictures, Final Thoughts, PTR!

[tinacaplan]

BLT looks fantastic. I think I would love it. I wish I could figure out how DVC works and what makes it more affordable...someday. We are a long way from even thinking about affording it, but it sounds like such a great idea.

And..really...maybe you should have played the lottery. Who knows what could have happened? You seemed to be on a real streak. And it is reassuring to read about Henry's adventures and know that Max is not really all that unusual.

I, too, cannot wait to see what you bought!

 

[norybell]

Brook! I can't believe you won two DVC lotteries in a row!

A also can't believe this TR is so close to being over...thank goodness you get to start another one soon, otherwise I might go through withdrawal!

What a nice last day you're having, despite the fact that last days are always the pits.

 

[that's nice]

Brook.. great updates!

Juliana and I read though about 4 updates this afternoon from your swimming one to you arriving at your DVC talk. She loved seeing the pics of Henry in the pool!

I loved the pics from the photoshoot! They came out great!

How awesome that you won $100!!!!!!

I loved seeing the Halloween decorations in the MK... I wish I was back there NOW!

I was almost tearing up seeing the pics of you leaving. Man, I am such a sap!

 

[ptcrn]

Brook, I was so very, very behind! I have been away from the DIS for 3 months at least- life just gets in the way! But I have really enjoyed catching up and reading all of your wonderful updates- just in time for your next trip!!

How awesome that you won both prizes- I agree, you totally should have played the lottery that day! I wish I had a husband like Joe, wanting to add on more points! My DH would never agree to DVC, ever!

The pictures of Henry from your photo shoot are just great! I love the one of him walking away down the beach with his pail and shovel- so sweet! And the one of him lying in the sand came out awesome too.

I can't believe Henry just climbed up with perfect strangers on the monorail! What a big boy and so brave!

The pics of you guys leaving MK made me tear up! As you were describing that last walk I could feel the anxiety of needing to leave- I hate that feeling! I always struggle with going to a park on the last day or not, because I don't want to feel rushed out!

Can't wait to read the end and for your trip being so close!!! I will try to keep up from now on!

 

[MeMom]

You had the golden touch on that trip!

I say goodbye to everything, too, and I snap, snap, snap pictures trying to soak in the last seconds of Disneyness as we leave.

 

[jenjolt]

WOW you sure were lucky!! I'm need to bring you along on my trips LOL!! I really need to do a DVC tour one of these days, considering we really want to buy in the near future!!!! Maybe in June I'll finally get around to it!!!!

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU!!!! Reading your report really has sparked my fire to stay at BW again!!! But there is no availablity during my dates but I just might have to book a room Inn side because everytime I read your report I just remember how lovely it was to stay there!!! So I might cave soon, need those AP rates to come out so I can do some playing around LOL!!!!!!

I'm really glad you guys had a great trip and I wish you all the best on your next one!! I cannot wait to see you, Joe, and Henry's adventures!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

It does look a lot like Stacy...but also have you looked at the new planning DVD? I thin kthe girl on that has long dark hair too. I'll have to go watch it again. Al lthe fliming could've been for that. They changed it up A LOT this year...and I think it is much better than it has been over the past couple of years. I am really starting to think it's the girl from that planning DVD the more I think about it. I'll let you know when I watch it again

I haven't seen the new planning DVD, that could make sense too since it was early September. We saw TONS of filming that trip, I meant to take pictures each time we saw it but didn't want to be so obvious. Let me know if you see it on the planning DVD, maybe I will have to order it! (I did order the cruise one )

I can't believe how lucky you were!!

Can we trade husbands for few weeks.....just till i get DVC bought! Skip will NEVER buy it.

but Joe doesn't buy me $250 bags like Tim does!!!! But, I am very, very VERY glad he loves Disney World as much as I do! It certainly makes wanting another trip, and taking long ones easier. Plus, he truly enjoys it with me and Henry, so it makes some wonderful family memories. But the dude likes to think we have as much money as we used to when I was working!

Yes, I am looking forward to meeting up at the Small World DIS Meet, we might fill up a boat.

They do pipe in the music. One night we went up the stair well to the 6th floor(above the monorail) to watched the fireworks and were still able to hear the music. The wishes music is played over the resort channel during the fireworks if you just want to listen to the music one night.

Wouldn't that be so much fun if we did fill up a boat? When the CM asks "How many in your party?" at the front of the line, the response will be "20".

Ooooooooh, I LOVE that they pipe in the music!!! And the music plays on everyone's TVs, or just those with a MK (or even partial MK) view? I thought it was just if you had the view. I so hope we get a partial view!!! It would be magical to watch from our balcony with the music on. Problem is, I want to watch from our room (if possible), the Top of the World Lounge, in MK, and from the CR balcony. How many nights can I squeeze in Wishes?

Double the winnings!! Woo-hoo!

Your good-bye pictures brought tears to my eyes. Just a few...

They made me a bit misty too! I am eager to get back there and see the Castle again! This September trip was just awesome too, so recalling the memories has been a lot of fun and made me get some happy tears in my eyes.

BLT looks fantastic. I think I would love it. I wish I could figure out how DVC works and what makes it more affordable...someday. We are a long way from even thinking about affording it, but it sounds like such a great idea.

And..really...maybe you should have played the lottery. Who knows what could have happened? You seemed to be on a real streak. And it is reassuring to read about Henry's adventures and know that Max is not really all that unusual.

I, too, cannot wait to see what you bought!

Well, DVC is more affordable in the long run, but up front the cost is a bit . And it's truly most worth it if you pay for the entire thing up front (our mistake). The prices of Disney rooms will continue to go up, but DVC rooms will remain within a set point range, so in essence, they don't go up. (our dues can/do, but that's a different story). However, if you are happy with Mod and Value resorts, DVC won't be much of a money savings. I am grateful we purchased because there would have been NO WAY we could have taken Joe's family last year and stayed in a 2 bedroom. Nor could we afford a trip right now either if we didn't have it. Right now we haven't made a penny off our trips, but we know we will eventually.

I really should have bought a lottery ticket, then I might of been able to pay off our current DVC loan and buy more points.

Brook! I can't believe you won two DVC lotteries in a row!

A also can't believe this TR is so close to being over...thank goodness you get to start another one soon, otherwise I might go through withdrawal!

What a nice last day you're having, despite the fact that last days are always the pits.

I can't believe I'm almost done either....finally! Only took me 6 months. All well. I'm just nervous about how long a 15 day trip is going to take me...

It was a pretty good last day, minus the racing through MK in that heat. Blah, that was not cool....but worth it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Brook.. great updates!

Juliana and I read though about 4 updates this afternoon from your swimming one to you arriving at your DVC talk. She loved seeing the pics of Henry in the pool!

I loved the pics from the photoshoot! They came out great!

How awesome that you won $100!!!!!!

I loved seeing the Halloween decorations in the MK... I wish I was back there NOW!

I was almost tearing up seeing the pics of you leaving. Man, I am such a sap!

Aw, how cute that Juliana was reading along! Henry loves to see the other DIS kids too....especially the ones that he is going to meet.

Aren't the Halloween decorations beautiful? I love the colors and how it makes MK look. The Christmas decorations are beautiful, and NOTHING beats the Castle lights, but I do love the orange and browns at Halloween.

It's okay Tim, we all cry at the Castle. We won't tease ya.

Brook, I was so very, very behind! I have been away from the DIS for 3 months at least- life just gets in the way! But I have really enjoyed catching up and reading all of your wonderful updates- just in time for your next trip!!

How awesome that you won both prizes- I agree, you totally should have played the lottery that day! I wish I had a husband like Joe, wanting to add on more points! My DH would never agree to DVC, ever!

The pictures of Henry from your photo shoot are just great! I love the one of him walking away down the beach with his pail and shovel- so sweet! And the one of him lying in the sand came out awesome too.

I can't believe Henry just climbed up with perfect strangers on the monorail! What a big boy and so brave!

The pics of you guys leaving MK made me tear up! As you were describing that last walk I could feel the anxiety of needing to leave- I hate that feeling! I always struggle with going to a park on the last day or not, because I don't want to feel rushed out!

Can't wait to read the end and for your trip being so close!!! I will try to keep up from now on!

Welcome back!!!!! I so understand about life getting in the way and busy. So glad to see you again though!!! And yes, just 16 days away from our trip!

We ordered a print of that one of him walking away - we really like it too! There was one where he was walking toward the camera with the best smile...but closed eyes!

It was pretty shocking to Joe and I that Henry did that on the monorail too. He's normally pretty timid...but not always around strangers I guess. I think he was just so excited to ride the monorail finally, he didn't even notice!

It is hard to leave! Even though we know we will be back to WDW, probably in less than a year, it's still hard. I hate rushing out, it was a big bummer that we had to almost run this trip on our last day.

You had the golden touch on that trip!

I say goodbye to everything, too, and I snap, snap, snap pictures trying to soak in the last seconds of Disneyness as we leave.

I did! I was just shocked to win two amazing prizes in 2 days!!

I always try to snap all the pictures, attempting to capture the magic, but it just never seems the same in the pictures. There truly is something about being there, in the middle of it all...escaping 'real life' for just a brief blip of time.

 

[brookelizabeth]

WOW you sure were lucky!! I'm need to bring you along on my trips LOL!! I really need to do a DVC tour one of these days, considering we really want to buy in the near future!!!! Maybe in June I'll finally get around to it!!!!

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU!!!! Reading your report really has sparked my fire to stay at BW again!!! But there is no availablity during my dates but I just might have to book a room Inn side because everytime I read your report I just remember how lovely it was to stay there!!! So I might cave soon, need those AP rates to come out so I can do some playing around LOL!!!!!!

I'm really glad you guys had a great trip and I wish you all the best on your next one!! I cannot wait to see you, Joe, and Henry's adventures!!

And on the DVC tour you get free ice cream and free DVC FP cards! Even if you don't buy. If you do buy they give you other goodies, including the most expensive canvas bag you'll ever own. (unless one came with your house )

Ooooh! I hope you get a AP rate!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the BW as much as I did! Isn't it just magical? I LOVE IT and I can't wait to stay there again!!!!! There is just something about it - and the location...

 

[disneydusted]

Woo Hoo!!!! Another prize!! How fun was that??!!
I love all of your "just one more picture" series of MK. I get that way the last day, I go camera crazy!
Cute photo of Henry on the Monorail with the people beside him. He looks so grown up!
Hummmm, so I am wondering what you bought with your $100 gift card? How exciting to just go in and see what you'd like!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Wow! You won again?? Hmmm, I'm thinking I'll just have to take a trip to Disney with you, good things seem to happen when you're there!!
Oh how I completely understand that frenzied, sad feeling you get as you're exiting the MK, snapping pics and absorbing every last detail. I was sooooo teary eyed when we left the MK, I couldn't help it! DH thinks I'm a tad insane I think! But it IS emotional to be leaving a place that makes you so happy, right?

I love all of your shots too, they're awesome! I feel like this trip you gave us all a photo tour of the parks and resort areas, so thanks Brook!

So how's the PTR coming along...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Woo Hoo!!!! Another prize!! How fun was that??!!
I love all of your "just one more picture" series of MK. I get that way the last day, I go camera crazy!
Cute photo of Henry on the Monorail with the people beside him. He looks so grown up!
Hummmm, so I am wondering what you bought with your $100 gift card? How exciting to just go in and see what you'd like!

It was amazing to win again! Joe and I were in total shock about it! (and still are! LOL)

The update with the gift card is coming soon - it's not nearly as exciting as it could have been, but it was fun!!

Wow! You won again?? Hmmm, I'm thinking I'll just have to take a trip to Disney with you, good things seem to happen when you're there!!
Oh how I completely understand that frenzied, sad feeling you get as you're exiting the MK, snapping pics and absorbing every last detail. I was sooooo teary eyed when we left the MK, I couldn't help it! DH thinks I'm a tad insane I think! But it IS emotional to be leaving a place that makes you so happy, right?

I love all of your shots too, they're awesome! I feel like this trip you gave us all a photo tour of the parks and resort areas, so thanks Brook!

So how's the PTR coming along...

The PTR is not happening...until this baby is wrapped up. I tried to do 2 reports at once last year and ugh...not a pretty sight. My goal is to start the PTR by Saturday. It was last Saturday, but that obviously didn't happen!

Thankfully Joe gets my weeping and "I don't wanna go!" statements as we leave...because he's in the same boat! No tears from him, but he has said, more than once, that he didn't want to leave. Especially when we are waiting for the ME. We always talk about how it might forget us or something spectacular like that. And I agree! it is very emotional to leave our 'happy place' and just knowing real life is around the corner. Dirty bathrooms, a fake monorail and rude employees await us at MCO!

I really try to do a photo tour of wherever we go and stay! It helps me remember the trip better and, hopefully, gives us all a bit of magic in between trips...so thank you for saying that! We normally take over 2,000 pics a trip, I can't even begin to imagine what this trip will be considering it's almost double in length!

 

[jenseib]

Yeah...Even that $100 FREE giftcard couldn't buy a purse like Tim bought! My husband would think $20 was too much for a purse though!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yeah...Even that $100 FREE giftcard couldn't buy a purse like Tim bought! My husband would think $20 was too much for a purse though!

Good point!

Joe wouldn't care how much I spend on things, as long as I like them/use them; I'm the frugal one! Even for a $20 purse I have to REALLY like it. I'm stinkin' cheap!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We had just bolted through MK, dodging crowds and practically melting in the hot September sun - thinking we would just bareeeeeeeeeeeeely have enough time to grab our bags and head out on the ME; but a bus came quickly and whisked us off to the Boardwalk in record time...and I had not remembered our correct ME time by about 20 minutes. So we had a good half hour plus to spare.

And a $100 gift card.

After our run through MK (who needs a marathon? ), we were thirsty, so the first stop was beverages! Then we meandered over to the Screen Door gift shop on the Boardwalk.

Inside I made a beeline for exactly what I wanted.

I had thought about this and decided long before I had the gift card in my hand what I wanted.

1) Post cards for various DIS kids.
2) The 4 Parks 1 World CD (and apparently I haven't listened to it enough to not know the France music is on there! LOL!)
3) A scarf I had been eying in several stores.

The total came to right around $50 - so I had money to spare for the next trip.

I have listened to the CD quite a bit, and sometimes I start to get misty eyed listening to it and reading your TRs at the same time. And the scarf gets worn a LOT. They were both excellent purchases.

After our purchases were complete Joe went to get our bags from Bell Services and Henry and I went into the lobby where we ran into Mickey Mouse and Cinderella! It was perfect timing because I had those DIS kids post cards to send, so Mickey and Cindy dictated to me what they wanted to say to their sweet little friends. Henry places on the stamps

Our walking DVC advertisement / golfer.

and mailed them off

We had a few minutes to spare, so I sat back in that soft chair and took one last wistful glance at the lobby.

Then I did my usual

This series of three paintings are above the check-in desk

And then Henry and I heard music...

The carousel was playing and moving! I had no idea it did this, it was such a nice little touch!

And then it was time.

Time to go outside and wait for the UnMagical Express.

The UnMagical Depress.

The bus back to reality.

Joe and I held our usual discussion of, "Wouldn't it be great if they forgot us?"

But, it didn't happen.

The bus came, we boarded and soon we were on our way.

There were people on that bus going to the parks. Possibly even a some just starting their vacation.

We stopped at another resort, I cannot recall which one and I snapped this

It's dark, but it's Joe and Henry in the seats across from me. Kind of a fun pic!

And it was about this time that Joe and I had a conversation that went something like this:

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Me: "That was a great trip. One of our best."
Joe: "I felt like we rushed a lot."
Me: "What?!?!?!?!"
Joe: "Ya, I don't know...."
Me: "Don't even."
Joe: "What?"
Me: "We did NOT run around! Just today! Every other day was "whatever"!!!!
Joe: "Oh, well....I don't know"

I turned away from him at this point. I was not happy with my dear husband. I was hurt, and offended. I had purposely and consciously left plans loose, and gone with the flow - we had several down days and MANY "whatever we felt like doing" evenings. Many. Like all of them except one.

He apologized to me after he thought about it, but he still felt like something wasn't quite smooth about the trip. I shook the mood and just let it go. I knew we'd figure out what the deal was eventually.

And we repeated this conversation, oh...about 5 times since then. And I just brought it up AGAIN after I started writing this.

With this last conversation, we finally figured out what nagged Joe during the trip. It was a combo of rushing on the last day, the heat through the entire trip and the night he did laundry.

I didn't write about the laundry ordeal---I honestly forgot about it . One night at the BWV while I lounged around in bed, ate jelly beans and watched TV; Joe was running around trying to do laundry. Because we were in a Studio Villa we had to use the community washer and dryers. The BWV only has 2 washers and 2 dryers and both had a wait. It took him until about 3 am to get the laundry done, which resulted in very little sleep and he felt off for the entire next day - so he almost felt like he missed a day.

I get it.

That woulda gotten to me too.

So, notes taken for future trips, DH and DW conversation held, we figured things out. We both want to insure the other has a fantastic trip, and that alone means we will! Awwwwww.

So now, back to the ME!

A very cute sign.

I hoped the bus would get lost.

It didn't.

I guess out of all airports, this is one of my favorites!

Of course we had plenty of time to eat and browse.

I knew what I wanted for dinner.

Cha baby! Chick-Fil-A again!

Delish.

Joe and Henry opted for McDonalds. Henry ran around the fish tank again, and we just relaxed and waited.

A little shopping

Playing on the moving sidewalks

And soon we went through security and had an uneventful flight back home.

I gotta say...I LOVE me an uneventful flight!

By the time we landed, gathered our luggage, got a cab and arrived at home it was very late. I remember Henry looking up at our house as we walked toward the front door. In his half asleep daze, he smiled and whispered, "Home."



Final thoughts and pictures from Henry coming up!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Don't you just despise that feeling of knowing it's your last moments at Disney? I really, really do! It stinks!

I love your purchases! I was looking at a light blue Mickey scarf (darn it, I should've got it!) and I gave myself the 4 Parks 1 World CD for Christmas with a giftcard from the in-laws! Honestly, if it were me, I'd have blown that $100 (and then about another $150) on one of those Dooney & Bourke purses! DH wouldn't have cared, I too am the frugal one like you. But I LOVE that CD, LOVE it!

Love all the BW lobby pics and that carousel is beautiful! Such a lovely resort, you're really making me re-think my love of the Grand Floridian!

How cute is Henry mailing off those postcards? Too sweet. I'm sure you made several Dis kids very happy.

Ok, your conversation with Joe had me rolling! Only because it sounds like a familiar conversation I had with my DH this past trip! I thought I was soooo good about being laid back, leaving the parks early to swim or nap, going with the flow (I swear I really did!) and then I say to DH "honey, did you notice how laid back this trip was?" And his answer (which was wrong btw) is that he hadn't really noticed a difference. Of course I then pointed out all the instances of where I was carefree, laid back and very go with the flow. He still didn't see it. Sigh! But he had a great time, he said it probably the best Disney trip we've done so far! Sometimes I don't get that boy.

I keep forgetting that you don't have Chick Fil A's around you like we do. How were those nuggets? Good?? You know, they had a mint chocolate chip shake around St. Patrick's Day. Maybe it'll be out by the time of your trip! I recall your love (obsession) with McD's Shamrock Shake!

I've really enjoyed this TR! IMO you had a very laid back attitude and enjoyed so many of the little details that get missed when you're blowing through the parks commando style! Good job!

 

[MaryAz]

You are one lucky girl!!! Great last update!! And soon you will be there again!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Oh I'm totally with you on the UnMagical Express!! It's so depressing when you're on the way to the airport and you see a bus going to Epcot. The worst is when you are at the resort getting ON the bus, and you see a bus pull up full of happy people, so excited to start their vacation.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Don't you just despise that feeling of knowing it's your last moments at Disney? I really, really do! It stinks!

I love your purchases! I was looking at a light blue Mickey scarf (darn it, I should've got it!) and I gave myself the 4 Parks 1 World CD for Christmas with a giftcard from the in-laws! Honestly, if it were me, I'd have blown that $100 (and then about another $150) on one of those Dooney & Bourke purses! DH wouldn't have cared, I too am the frugal one like you. But I LOVE that CD, LOVE it!

Love all the BW lobby pics and that carousel is beautiful! Such a lovely resort, you're really making me re-think my love of the Grand Floridian!

How cute is Henry mailing off those postcards? Too sweet. I'm sure you made several Dis kids very happy.

Ok, your conversation with Joe had me rolling! Only because it sounds like a familiar conversation I had with my DH this past trip! I thought I was soooo good about being laid back, leaving the parks early to swim or nap, going with the flow (I swear I really did!) and then I say to DH "honey, did you notice how laid back this trip was?" And his answer (which was wrong btw) is that he hadn't really noticed a difference. Of course I then pointed out all the instances of where I was carefree, laid back and very go with the flow. He still didn't see it. Sigh! But he had a great time, he said it probably the best Disney trip we've done so far! Sometimes I don't get that boy.

I keep forgetting that you don't have Chick Fil A's around you like we do. How were those nuggets? Good?? You know, they had a mint chocolate chip shake around St. Patrick's Day. Maybe it'll be out by the time of your trip! I recall your love (obsession) with McD's Shamrock Shake!

I've really enjoyed this TR! IMO you had a very laid back attitude and enjoyed so many of the little details that get missed when you're blowing through the parks commando style! Good job!

Thankfully, while I like the Dooney bags, they aren't really my thing. Well, they aren't my thing because of the price tag attached, I don't like them enough to pay that much...does that make sense? I'm sure it does because you are a frugal gal like me! Really though, I would spend that much on a bag if I LOVED it. I'm also in total "Mom of a Toddler" phase of my life, so all my bags are cheap and years old. I really should treat myself to a new bag though! I can't remember the last time I bought a decent one!

I soooooo get that conversation with your DH! Exactly!!!! Thankfully Joe and I did figure it out (5 months later, but all well! ), and I can help avoid some of those possible pitfalls for this next trip. Glad your DH thought it was the best trip so far!! That is a great compliment, but too bad he didn't notice your effort.

I have heard about that mint chocolate chip shake more than once! I am totally scoping out CFA and McD's during our stay. We do have an off-site excursion planned as well, so if I see the minty goodness being available anywhere, you can bet I'll be indulging in one!!!! I soooo hope they are out by then! McD's should be - but I don't know if the stores down there carry them.

I also think this was our most laid back trip to date! Our next one is going to make the commando tourists hyperventilate though...

You are one lucky girl!!! Great last update!! And soon you will be there again!!

Thanks Mary! I was lucky those last two days! And yes, I can't believe our trip is so close already...

Oh I'm totally with you on the UnMagical Express!! It's so depressing when you're on the way to the airport and you see a bus going to Epcot. The worst is when you are at the resort getting ON the bus, and you see a bus pull up full of happy people, so excited to start their vacation.

Oh my word. That would be the WORST! I'm so glad I've never seen another ME roll up with happy excited people. UGH!! I would be happy for them on one hand, wishing them magical trips, but on another be in tears for myself!