Celebrating 2007 with two weeks at the World...with pics; updated:a Day at MGM!

[missmun52]

What a wonderful day by the pool. Last year my DS was afraid of the water . We will see how he likes it this time. He is also afraid of the beach, wont even go near the water. So we never had a "Pool" day. Maybe it will be different this time.

I NEED to have one of those drinks it sounds so yummy! I dont drink at all, so it sounds perfect for my DH and I.

Great installment! cant wait to read more

 

[slk537]

Loved the recent installments. I really long for a day we can take such a long trip and have days just to veg by the pool. It sounds sooo nice!

We enjoyed Coral Reef when we were there too. Good eats!

Allyson

Thank you! I have seen so many good reviews about it lately and we all really enjoyed it so much. We're booking the Candlelight Processional package for our next trip and I was thinking about doing CR for that, but it will most likely be a date night - and I don't think Max will forgive us if we go to CR without him!

What a wonderful day by the pool. Last year my DS was afraid of the water . We will see how he likes it this time. He is also afraid of the beach, wont even go near the water. So we never had a "Pool" day. Maybe it will be different this time.

I NEED to have one of those drinks it sounds so yummy! I dont drink at all, so it sounds perfect for my DH and I.

Great installment! cant wait to read more

Max actually started "swimming" and enjoying water the first time we stayed at VWL. Before that, he would be really nervous about the water. Something that might help: you can check out lifejackets at the pools for your entire stay. Max loved having that available any time we'd swim. He hates it now because he thinks he can swim without it (he cant!) but he'll be taking swim lessons this summer so maybe next time.

 

[slk537]

Moving Day!

This morning I woke up, knowing we'd be moving to VWL. I was excited about moving to my favorite resort and sad about leaving BCV. I really do love the Beach Club almost as much as Wilderness Lodge and it also meant we were approaching the last block of our trip. I know - 6 more nights, boo hoo. But it was still the beginning of the end.

I checked outside to get the Envelope of Doom and it wasn't there . I had been keeping track of our expenses and Goofy had grabbed a printout a few days back so I wasn't expecting any surprises, but I knew the envelope shows up between 6-8 am and I was wondering why it wasn't there at 8:15. I logged on to my bank to check our checking account and no charge had been made yet either

Goofy called and found out we were flagged for no express checkout?? The front desk wasn't sure why that was and was happy to change that She let him know that they would run through the room charges on our account and after we finished packing, Goofy went to return Max's life jacket and pick up the receipt. Everything looked fine and all was well.

I finished getting ready and packing while Max watched more of the Disney singalong songs and such on the cartoons and by the time Goofy was back, we called for the car and hauled everything down. We still didn't need the extra suitcase and I was able to pack the groceries and such in shopping bags since we we driving over, not flying home.

We got in the car and the valet put a charge through for $10. She then noticed our parking slip and realized we were DVC members so I showed her my room key and she credited us back. We left our home for the last nine nights on our way over to the Villas at Wilderness Lodge.

And now? A few thoughts on our stay at BCV:

It was so great to be there for 9 nights. Plenty of time to take advantage of most of what the resort has to offer (we still can't believe we never made it to Beaches and Cream! ) and still have fun at the parks and DTD. The walk to Epcot is so convenient and easy on our little hooves when we're coming back "home"

The room itself: Room #306 on the third floor, overlooking the canal and the villa pool to the right. It was only a few rooms down the hall from the elevator and seeing Wishes from the balcony was great!

- it was the longest we'd stayed in a studio ever and it worked out great. the kitchenette had everything we needed and the one thing we didn't have and thought about using (a blender) was available if we'd have called down for one. The living space - couch and bed - seemed smaller, but the large kitchenette, vanity and bathroom more than made up for it. A good sized room!

- the couch was very comfortable for Max to sleep on. If you have more than one small child, it did pull out very easily into a full size bed, with blankets. The room didn't have a spare pillow or blanket but again, we could have called for some. Instead, he used his towel as a blanket and one of our pillows. Max insisted he didn't want a big blanket and wanted his Buzz towel.

- there was enough room in the closet for all our suitcases, the vaccumn cleaner, pack and play (comes with the room), luggage holder, and all my shirts.

- the drawers under the TV were okay - there were four of them and some were huge and others were small. I would have liked more drawers for clothes

- there was plenty of space on the vanity for everything, but again I would have loved drawers.

- the room was very clean and in good shape. The TV was fuzzy at times, but we'd pull it out and move it and it was fine.

- the H2O Plus shampoo, conditioner and soap was great!

- the balcony was large and was a comfortable place to relax. It had been fun to be out there during the storm and wave to all the other people out on their own balconies, also watching the storm. Until the winds got too much, we were very protected from the rain on the balcony.

- it was a perfect combination of privacy and being close to the action.

Overall, we were very happy in good old room 306 and would be more than fine to stay there again!

The Beach Club was great - Max got his BCV pin and key chain, we all loved both pools - SAB and the villas quiet pool - the CM's were all very nice, we met lots of great families, and have many magical memories. We'll be back..!

 

[slk537]

We drove over to VWL, got our parking permit and checked our bags with bell services. We planned to get something to eat and then head over to the Magic Kingdom on the boat, so we didn't keep any swimsuits or anything back in case we didn't get into our room until 4:00. Goofy dealt with the bags and bell services and Max went to watch cartoons in the kids lounge while I waited to check in. I waited about 5-10 minutes and was in back of someone who was having issues with his view or some such. The CM called over a manager and he was pleasant, but not overly accomodating. I remember thinking "I hope I don't get him..." A few minutes later, sure enough. I got him for my check in.

I wish I could remember what he said - he had a very dry sense of humor and turned out to be just hysterical. Very engaging - he would say something very dry and wait for us to respond back. He chatted as he took my credit card and made sure not to have charging priveleges on Max's (which isn't a biggie, since I keep his key until we get home anyway). He told us a story about a family who had given their son charging priveleges and were surprised when he charged up $500 on his room key. Goofy and I made a note to selves that we will get Max his own gift card when he gets older and always keep him away from the room charge.

The final thing the CM Mgr said that I do remember was this:

CM: "Well I have terrible news for you...your room is on the 4th floor, you have a view of the pool and it's ready right now."

Goofy and I: "woo hoo!!"

CM: "But it's not guaranteed ready until 4:00 so you can take the keys, open the door and look in and then you can't come back until then."

Cute, eh?

CM: "I'm just kidding - you head up to your room and I'll make sure we have your luggage there in 10 minutes."

We were thrilled - it was 10:30 in the morning and now we weren't homeless. We went up to our room and were even more thrilled - it was a corner room with an extra window overlooking Hidden Springs and the other main window overlooking woods and river. Gorgeous!!! Room number 4531.

(Max ran outside to the balcony to check things out!)

We were also tickled to see some towel animals:

Mickey on the bed:

A chicken in a canoe on the kitchenette:

We waited for Bell Services – 10 minutes – and then unpacked. I was blown away by the storage space here. We had drawers in the main room, in the bathroom, in the kitchenette and two closets. Once we were settled in, we walked down to the lobby:

Stopped by the DVC desk:

And then down to Roaring Fork for some CS lunch:

After lunch (which was great) I ran the extra desserts back up to the room, and got the baggalini and Max's pins. We took boat over to MK – while waiting for the boat, we met a family who had just arrived and didn’t have their room yet. The mom mentioned that everyone checking in around them was getting theirs, but they had no luck. I didn't mention our luck We had a nice chat about pin trading and how tall kids had to be for certain rides. This is my favorite part of the trip - I love seeing the water way OVER the road - so cool!!!

Got to MK and went straight to Haunted Mansion where we encountered an exceptionally rude CM regarding Goofy's GAC. We shook it off and then the boys rode BTMRR. While they were on it, I got checked my phone and I have a voice mail from Mayo Clinic to change one of Goofy's appointments when we got back. It was a mini dose of reality in the middle of the Magic Kingdom.

After BTMRR, we all wanted to ride POC again. We got there just in time for the Captain Jack Sparrow Pirate Tutorial so of course we had to stop. Here is "Mac" after pinching some child's pirate ears hat

Jack popping up:

***from a distance, a pretty good likeness, eh??

Max taking his vow to be a good

Following this, Max got his Pirate scroll, which he loved, and we rode POC. Afterwards, we had Dole floats and walked back to front, stopping in Confectionery to get Max this silly Goofy gummy burger candy he had his eye on. We waited for the boat for 15 minutes but had a great conversation with a couple who were staying in the cabins at Fort Wilderness. We all sat outside in the front of boat on the way back. I walked back to room with Max while Steve stopped at the marina to check out Max's life jacket. Today was a day that our feet and tiredness finally caught up with us and we had sore feet and legs.

We had 4 CS credits left and 3 snack credits, and were very tired so we decided to stay in for the night and I cancelled our Kona reservation. We vegged for a few minutes and then Max and I went down to the Mercantile to borrow a couple of movies (Brother Bear and Haunted Mansion) and then went to the Lobby Concierge. I had seen a sign that said they had a Hidden Mickey hunt so we wanted to ask for the Hidden Mickeys scavenger hunt sheet. While waiting there, there was a lady in front of us who had ADR's for 6 at WCC that night, but was trying to find a place they could get into earlier. She seemed to think the Concierge could get them in someplace close right away. I thought she'd have a better chance grabbing a tide them over snack at Roaring Fork and keeping the WCC ressie, but she was a wee bit crabby and ready to blow so I just smiled and wished her good luck.

Max and I got the Hidden Mickey Hunt and then went back to Mercantile where we asked about Snacks…anything under $4.00. Max and I picked out Tostitos and Tostitos cheese and a nestle ice cream sandwich for Steve. And then? Our BCV snack credits were gone!

We brought the snacks back up to the room, picked up Goofy and went down to Roaring Fork for dinner after trying to find the first Hidden Mickey on the list (fireplace in lobby . Max and Goofy went to get the straws and such and find a table by the pool while I ordered our dinners. When I paid, I accidentally used the my room key from VWL instead of BCV. I noticed in time and had to ask the CM to switch to BCV. She got someone to come over and he credited back and recharged our meals. Whew!!

2 CS meals left for BCV!

We ate dinner outside by pool and then Max went down slide 4 times while Steve soaked in hot tub by the Hidden Springs pool. There was a lifeguard by the pool who was great. He was supporting me when Max begged to go down the slide a few more times. Then he told Max that the rule at this pool is that he can only swim in the pool if he listens to his Mommy and Daddy. And he reminded Max that Sunday was Mother's Day and he had to be especially nice. I LIKED this guy!!

Isn't it cute how he plugs his nose??

Max and I said goodbye and went to villa pool and swam for a quite a while and Goofy joined us. I was absolutely appalled when these girls came down - 15, 16 years old maybe - and began doing back flips into the pool!!! I was bracing myself, praying they wouldn't hit their heads. Fortunately, they stopped. Max and I talked with Steve and a really friendly couple for a few minutes by hot tub and then we went up to room to have Max take bath and wait for Goofy.

Goofy stayed down for a while and really soaked his legs and then before coming up, he ran back to Roaring Fork and brought up pepperoni flatbreads and chocolate milk and two containers of fruit for desserts. We all curled up on the bed, shared the pizzas while watching Haunted Mansion (the movie with Eddie Murphy) saved the fruit for breakfasts and then went to sleep afterward.

I also discovered this evening that we could watch Wishes from the balcony and side window.

What a wonderful day!!!

 

[wilma-bride]

I checked outside to get the Envelope of Doom

@ the Envelope of Doom - on our last trip, our room account was actually in credit due to a major problem with the room and a very generous credit of $100 onto our bill

A few thoughts on our stay at BCV:

It was so great to be there for 9 nights. Plenty of time to take advantage of most of what the resort has to offer (we still can't believe we never made it to Beaches and Cream! ) and still have fun at the parks and DTD. The walk to Epcot is so convenient and easy on our little hooves when we're coming back "home"

I think I may like BCV for the same reason. Weloved being at BWV for the proximity to Epcot and the area itself. Shame on you, though - no Beaches and Cream

the kitchenette had everything we needed and the one thing we didn't have and thought about using (a blender) was available if we'd have called down for one.

A blender - dare I ask

- the couch was very comfortable for Max to sleep on. If you have more than one small child, it did pull out very easily into a full size bed, with blankets.

So, did Max just sleep on the couch as a couch rather than pull it out into a bed? I hadn't really thought about having DS do that next time, rather than pull it out - I would imagine it leaves you with more room too.

The Beach Club was great - Max got his BCV pin and key chain, we all loved both pools - SAB and the villas quiet pool - the CM's were all very nice, we met lots of great families, and have many magical memories. We'll be back..!

It's like the end of an era...sniff...now on to the Wilderness Lodge - I'm looking forward to this

 

[wilma-bride]

CM: "Well I have terrible news for you...your room is on the 4th floor, you have a view of the pool and it's ready right now."

Goofy and I: "woo hoo!!"

CM: "But it's not guaranteed ready until 4:00 so you can take the keys, open the door and look in and then you can't come back until then."

Cute, eh?

CM: "I'm just kidding - you head up to your room and I'll make sure we have your luggage there in 10 minutes."

What a hilarious guy!

We went up to our room and were even more thrilled - it was a corner room with an extra window overlooking Hidden Springs and the other main window overlooking woods and river. Gorgeous!!! Room number 4531.

Was it a 1-bedroom - it looks huge!

I also discovered this evening that we could watch Wishes from the balcony and side window.

Oh no!!!! I have never had any desire whatsoever to stay at VWL - and now I am thinking we could try for a week there in April - what have you done to me

Seriously, it looks lovely. And DS would love to be so close to the MK. A lovely day, how lucky you were that your room was available straight away - a nice big helping of pixie dust Can't wait for more.

 

[slk537]

@ the Envelope of Doom - on our last trip, our room account was actually in credit due to a major problem with the room and a very generous credit of $100 onto our bill



I think I may like BCV for the same reason. Weloved being at BWV for the proximity to Epcot and the area itself. Shame on you, though - no Beaches and Cream



A blender - dare I ask



So, did Max just sleep on the couch as a couch rather than pull it out into a bed? I hadn't really thought about having DS do that next time, rather than pull it out - I would imagine it leaves you with more room too.



It's like the end of an era...sniff...now on to the Wilderness Lodge - I'm looking forward to this

We wanted to get some frozen drink mixes and smoothies at SuperT to have in the room, but never got around to it

And yup, Max had tons of room on the couch - we never pulled it out. When we get a 1br he would always just sleep on the couch, so he's used to it. Nice and comfy for him too.

 

[slk537]

Was it a 1-bedroom - it looks huge!

Oh no!!!! I have never had any desire whatsoever to stay at VWL - and now I am thinking we could try for a week there in April - what have you done to me

Seriously, it looks lovely. And DS would love to be so close to the MK. A lovely day, how lucky you were that your room was available straight away - a nice big helping of pixie dust Can't wait for more.

Nope, still a studio! We had a 1 br corner room the first time we stayed there and we were so excited to have the corner again with the extra window. It felt a lot bigger!

We love the VWL - the boat to the MK is great and it is so close to the MK but you can look out your window and feel so very private too. And you can't beat it at Christmastime!

 

[princessjv]

Ahh...Super Target....

The main difference between Target and SuperT is the full grocery section. ST has a full deli, produce, meat dept, frozen foods - anything you'll find at your full service grocery store. They have two of their own brands: Archer Farms and Market Pantry and you can often get national brand foods for lower prices and still great quality. But it's the variety I love. You can get amazing ethnic foods and just ridiculous varieties of everything else. Super Walmart is a full size Walmart with a full grocery, but it's more like low prices and saving money over the regular groceries (which is great and I confess we go to ours to save tons especially on the frozen foods) but ST is high quality, variety and price. Some of the items are downright unique and gourmet and I love just browsing through the grocery section to see what's there.

At the same time, they have everything else you need for your household: clothing, movies, cleaning supplies, toys, cards, etc. It tickles me that I can buy homemade sundried tomato focaccia bread, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD, socks for DH, premade steak kabobs for the grill, a new swimsuit, deli salads, fresh fruit, a birthday card and a new vaccumn cleaner at the same place.

You are a SuperT advertisment! Maybe you should move here and get a job for HQ.

Nope, still a studio! We had a 1 br corner room the first time we stayed there and we were so excited to have the corner again with the extra window. It felt a lot bigger!

We love the VWL - the boat to the MK is great and it is so close to the MK but you can look out your window and feel so very private too. And you can't beat it at Christmastime!

Do you like WLV or BCV better? Or do you like them for differnt things?

BCV's was on my next place to try list. Now maybe WLV will be too. I'm trying really hard to get my DH to buy a DVc...so my plan is to rent at a few and then slide in the home run! It's gotta work

 

[slk537]

You are a SuperT advertisment! Maybe you should move here and get a job for HQ.

Do you like WLV or BCV better? Or do you like them for differnt things?

BCV's was on my next place to try list. Now maybe WLV will be too. I'm trying really hard to get my DH to buy a DVc...so my plan is to rent at a few and then slide in the home run! It's gotta work

HA!! I actually did work for Target (not super) when I was in high school and did not have the same love for it then that I do now. I answered the phones and made announcements. It's been many, many years and I will never forget:

"Attention, attention Target shoppers. The store will be closing in 15 minutes. Please make your final selections and take them to the front checkouts. Thank you for shopping at Target and have a pleasant evening..."

Fortunately I quit and left for college before the red shirt and khaki pants uniform was mandatory and I could grow to hate the combo - since that's what Max will be wearing next year as one of his school uniform options.

About DVC...I love VWL more than anything. The first day we were there this trip, I actually almost cried when I went back up to the room to get Max's pins and the bag because I was so happy to be there. When we toured in 2002, I fell in love with the VWL model room. I don't know if it's because it reminds me of home but it truly "feels" right to me. I feel like I AM home. The atmosphere is private, yet close the MK. The lobbies - both WL and VWL are breathtaking. The feel is very casual and friendly and fun, yet still deluxe. It's just comfortable. If we ever sold our SSR points to switch resorts, I would love to buy VWL.

That said...just below VWL in my book is BCV. I would highly recommend it for anyone...families, adults only, etc. I think it's Max's favorite...the pool is unparalled, although it does look like they are going to be building a very, very cool water park type pool at the AKL Villas. And you can't beat the walk to Epcot and the Boardwalk. DH picks BCV over VWL for Stormalong Bay only. Otherwise, he'd pick VWL.

Our ratings in order:

VWL (especially around Christmas...!)
BCV (just barely makes second - very close to first)
SSR
OKW
BWV

If you rent points and stay at any of these, you'll have a great case for your DH, I promise you! All five are magnificent. PM me if you want any more detail on what we think the pros and cons of each are.

 

[slk537]

Friday, May 11, 2007

Today was Max’s Grand Adventures in Cooking at the Grand Floridian and we had dinner reservations at Epcot, so we had decided that we wouldn’t be going to any parks during the day.

With our longer trips, we find that full 8+ hour days at the parks – never something we enjoyed – really pale in comparison to combining the parks with enjoying the other things WDW has to offer. We have become content to spend 4-6 hours at a time in the parks, while still allowing time for swimming, Adventures for Max, shopping, DTD, visiting other resorts for lunch or breakfast, relaxing by the pool with a book and a drink, and air conditioned rests in the room. To us, it is the best of both worlds: the excitement of the rides and shows and the relaxation of the resorts and recreation. We are not people who have a room only so we have a place to sleep and shower…a big part of being DVC Members for us is truly taking advantage of the resorts themselves. And then we never need a vacation from our vacation…!

So this morning we got up and ready and drove over to the Grand Floridian for Max’s Grand Adventures in Cooking. Last year Max had done the GF Pirate Cruise and also had the Tea with Alice in Wonderland, both at the Grand Floridian. The same two CM’s were in charge of both of those events last year. We weren’t surprised to see them again here for the Grand Adventures.

**Author’s Note: if you have any questions about any of the Pirate Cruises, Alice in Wonderland’s Tea Party or the Grand Adventures in Cooking – just ask! Overall, very cool adventures for kids!**

The Grand Adventures in Cooking was held at the Mousketeer Club at the Grand Floridian.

We waited for quite a while – we had been told to be there at 9:45 am and they didn’t open the doors until 10:05. Now for most people this isn’t a problem at all. And for us? It wasn’t. I’d like to show you something beautiful…something amazing….something we never, ever thought we would see:

What is that, you ask…? A photo of Max standing there? Looking bored? What is so amazing about that?

This is the child who fidgets and runs and can’t wait for anything. This is the child who would whine about being bored, who would run off and find something else to do, and who wouldn’t listen to anything. And now? Thanks to 27mg of Concerta, this is the child who stood there, bored, and waited patiently. Sniff!!!

We were finally let in and Goofy signed Max in. This was the first time we were not given a pager for him. I didn’t realize this until we had already left, and I was a little uncomfortable with it. I realize that the children weren’t going anywhere outside the resort, but I am overprotective and want them to be able to get in touch with us. Goofy just told me that they did take my cell phone number so I guess all was fine.

As the children were checked in, they watched Peter Pan on a flat screen TV and got aprons on:

We were then told goodbye, and to come back at 11:40 and meet them in the Grand Café lobby.

Goofy and I went back to the main building and went up in the bird cage elevator to the monorail station. We hopped on and rode all the way around to the Polynesian, where we checked into Kona Café and got in right away.

Breakfast was fun – we were seated overlooking the gardens between the restaurant and the monorail:

This meal was OOP so I have no idea what would have been included if we’d have used a TS credit – Goofy ordered the Big Kahuna Platter (pretty much everything on it!) and I had the Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes. I did also splurge on an Orange Passion Fruit Smoothie with Bunny Ears:

Our server was great and we really enjoyed sitting down to breakfast together and talking about our vacation so far – what we’d done, what we still wanted to do, and what we would leave this time to do on our next trip.

We got our check and asked the server about discounts – AP or DVC. She said she could take our DVC right off our room key and left with the check. She breezed by a few moments later and said something about losing our room key and that she’d be right back.

Huh???

Fortunately she was back with both the bill and Goofy’s room key in a few moments, so all was good.

We got done in time to get back on the monorail and take the short trip back to the Grand Floridian. We met up with some other parents in the Grand Café lobby and chatted with the DVC rep while we waited for the kids. Not too long after we returned, one of the CM’s came out and let us know that our children would be lined up and on their way back – they would hand us each a cookie and then distribute cookies to people around the resort. She reminded us to make sure we kept an extra one for the kids, because often times they have so much fun delivering cookies that they forget to keep one for themselves.

Moments later:

The kids going to the tray to get more cookies to hand out:

Max giving one to a GF CM:

Max had a great time handing out the cookies and he loved his Chef’s hat and apron. But after talking to him, I had some disappointment.

Like many Disney fans, I had first seen the Grand Adventures in Cooking on Food Network’s WDW Unwrapped. I know recipes and schedules change so I wasn’t expecting Max to be making chocolate banana upside down cakes like the show – it’s a few years old, after all. In case you haven’t seen WDW Unwrapped, the kids were involved in mixing batters, cutting bananas with plastic knives, putting the batters and bananas into muffin tins however they wanted to AND decorating chef hats and aprons. I didn’t know if this was exactly what he’d be doing, but I had expected the program to have the same goals as the show said: basic measuring, cutting, mixing, etc. But this?

According to Max, they all watched Peter Pan until all the kids had their aprons on. Then the rest of the morning was comprised of getting their Chef Mickey hats, decorating their aprons with their hand prints, and decorating the cookies. In between each activity?

They watched Peter Pan. The kids actually cooked nothing. The cookies were already baked and ready for them. The frosting was already pre made. The only things the kids really “made” were the decorations on their aprons and putting the frosting on the cookies. They didn’t even get to do the cutouts of the cookies themselves…?!?!? They were all already done.

If we wanted Max to just decorate cookies, we’d have taken him to the cookie decorating afternoons at Boma…which is FREE. (I don’t know if it’s only for AKL resort guests, but you get my point, right?)

Overall? He had fun, he got an adorable Mickey Chef’s hat and apron, he loved handing out the cookies and liked Peter Pan. So was it worth it once? Sure. Will we pay $30 for him to do it again? Nope. I’d rather save the money and have him spend 3-3 ½ hours at one of the Kids’ Club, where he can have dinner and play while Goofy and I have as much time as we want for a date.

Grand Adventures in Cooking? No cooking.

 

[wilma-bride]

Jenn, what a shame about the cooking I must admit, when I first saw your report, I thought to myself that DS would love to do this but if they don't actually cook anything then what is the point DS loes to cook, ie. mix, stir, weigh, roll and cut. Even i fthey let the kids make the cookies that would be something. Not sure if I'll be signing DS up for this, based on your experience - thanks for the warning.

On the plus side, chef Max looks so cute - and I agree, that picture of him waiting patiently is something special

 

[DisneyJo]

That sounds really dissappointing! Surely a cooking course should involve cooking Max did look cute though

 

[Disneyolic]

Definite big disappointment. Thanks for the heads up. I didn't think we would do something like that now but thought it would be nice in the future. But not at all now. I really liked that Pirate cruise at Yacht Club that you posted. I think my boys would love it but I can't figure out any time to fit it in...

 

[princessjv]

I'm going to check that off my list of must do's. I think you should send them an email and complain...maybe they will bring back the real cooking class.

BTW...we ahve the same name! Go figure, right? Maybe we can show up at the same time for dinner sometime...I'll let you go first

ps. We stayed at the BWV's and loved it...to think, I just may LOVE BCV or WLV more... YIPPEE! I'm going to have to see if the family I rented from in Jan. will do it again. I have to convince my DH...must!

 

[slk537]

Jenn, what a shame about the cooking I must admit, when I first saw your report, I thought to myself that DS would love to do this but if they don't actually cook anything then what is the point DS loes to cook, ie. mix, stir, weigh, roll and cut. Even i fthey let the kids make the cookies that would be something. Not sure if I'll be signing DS up for this, based on your experience - thanks for the warning.

On the plus side, chef Max looks so cute - and I agree, that picture of him waiting patiently is something special

Max loves to cook too - and he had seen Unwrapped. Fortunately he wasn't disappointed, but I definitely was.

That sounds really dissappointing! Surely a cooking course should involve cooking Max did look cute though

Thanks! I keep telling myself that the hat and apron were adorable

Definite big disappointment. Thanks for the heads up. I didn't think we would do something like that now but thought it would be nice in the future. But not at all now. I really liked that Pirate cruise at Yacht Club that you posted. I think my boys would love it but I can't figure out any time to fit it in...

The Alice in Wonderand Tea Party was fun for him - boys do go too...the Mad Hatter is there and they have a lot of fun being silly, not girly. But the Pirate Cruises? Oh yeah - I DEFINITELY recommend those!!!

I'm going to check that off my list of must do's. I think you should send them an email and complain...maybe they will bring back the real cooking class.

BTW...we ahve the same name! Go figure, right? Maybe we can show up at the same time for dinner sometime...I'll let you go first

ps. We stayed at the BWV's and loved it...to think, I just may LOVE BCV or WLV more... YIPPEE! I'm going to have to see if the family I rented from in Jan. will do it again. I have to convince my DH...must!

Do you go by Jenn/Jen or Jennifer? If that happens, we'll just sit together - Max would love hanging with your Dis Guy and little Tink

We had no complaints about BWV's - and they had the absolute nicest staff. But the other two? Ahhhh....bliss!

 

[slk537]

Once the Grand Adventures in Cooking was over we had planned to go to straight to Target to pick up a few things, but I had run out of room on my camera so we took a quick detour to VWL so I could download all my photos and Goofy could erase them from the memory. Once done with this, we went to Target to pick up a knee brace for Goofy, more sf flavored water for me and more sunblock. And then it was time for the moment Max had been waiting for…time for him to spend his Disney Dollars.

At the Lego Store

On the way to the Lego Store, Goofy and Max passed this Cinderella outside the World of Disney and Goofy decided to pretend Max needed to sit on her shoulders:

He stopped before he actually put him up there, but it was fun watching the two of them playing.

We then moved on to the Lego Store and Max raced inside. I like to call this shot: Aaahhhhwoooooooooooo!!! (Imagine angels singing)

This section of the store seemed to have an issue with the A/C – it was HOT! Once we moved back to the other part of the store, it was much cooler.

After browsing a while, Max finally settled on a Star Wars lego set. Goofy and I threw in a little bunny character set for him to work on building. He was so excited to finally use his Disney Dollars and he was even more excited about legos!

There was a whole wall of these guys behind the cash register and I couldn’t resist taking a photo. I get pretty bored with Legos and this was the first thing I thought was really interesting.

Max wanted to go straight back to the room and play with his Legos, but we needed lunch! So we went over to Earl of Sandwich, where we split a sandwich and salad and got some cupcake crowns to take back to the room. The service was ridiculously apathetic, but as usual the food was excellent. I told Goofy that even though I do love and have always loved the EOS sandwiches, they have been getting worse and worse with the service on each of our last trips and I don’t know if it’s a “must do” for us anymore. Sad…

After lunch, Max again wanted to back to the room and play with his Legos (see a trend here?) but I bribed him with Goofy’s Candy Company and he jumped at that. Goofy wanted to stop at the Pin Shop to get Max an Annual Passholder pin so we split up. Max ran ahead to Goofy’s - I took this photo of him waiting for me in the doorway when I finally caught up to him!

I ordered a make your own treat while Max browsed around to pick out his own treat. I ordered the pretzel rods (they come with 3 in an order) and I got them dipped in milk chocolate and then rolled in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. You know those Take 5 bars? Pretzel, caramel, peanuts, Reese’s PB and milk chocolate? Well I’ve always felt the caramel was unnecessary. So this was my chance to see if I was right and it would be better without the caramel. For the record? I was right.

Here’s a photo of the two left – Goofy and I had to try one back at the room. For the record? The other two actually made it back to Wisconsin with us.

YUM:

(WARNING JOH - THE NEXT TWO PHOTOS INVOLVE PEANUT BUTTER )

It was pretty busy with orders so I wrote mine down and then joined Max trying to find his own snack. I walked past the counter and saw the cutest thing – a little tray with little cups of candy and something about “Candy Inventor of the Day” written near it. Had to be something regarding YOMD…?

Max and I were looking for items $4 and under and having a blast when we were approached by the sweetest CM. She asked if Max was the only child I had with me and I said, “Yes – we’re just shopping for a treat today.” She looked at him and asked, “Would you like to be our Honorary Candy Inventor? You can invent your own candy?”

Well!! You didn’t have to ask him twice! He quickly agreed and she told us to meet her on the other side of the counter where she gave Max a bunch of Mickey stickers and told him he could decorate a hat and apron any way he wanted. She added his name to the apron and hat and he began to decorate:

Here he is by the jellybean sign, in all his Inventor Splendor:

And having fun with the silly mirror:

Another CM made an announcement over the PA that Max, who was 5 years old from the Great State of Wisconsin was the Goofy’s Candy Company Honorary Candy Inventor and if anyone wanted to watch him invent a special treat, they could come back and watch. And I would like to hug and thank everyone who came back to watch my little boy make his treat!!!

The CM asked Max which kind of treat he would like to make and he chose the Mickey Rice Krispy Treat. He then picked the milk chocolate for the dipping – he didn’t know the difference and we reminded him that milk chocolate = Hershey bar. The CM dipped his treat and then gave it to him, where he was able to invent whatever combination of the special toppings they laid out for him:

And the finished product:

I was absolutely thrilled that Goofy made it in the shop before Max was done decorating so he got to enjoy how cool this was. At the end, Max was given a Magical Moments Certificate:

Once this was over, they pulled out a bunch of toys from the back of the store and announced it was time for the Goofy’s Candy Co parade. They invited anyone to come back and be in the parade. Max got to be the first person right behind the CM who led the parade and it was adorable! It kills me that my camera battery died, but I do have a photo on my phone of Max in the parade, wearing YOMD Mickey ears. They all paraded around the store several times singing this catchy song to the tune of M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E:

G-O-O-F-Y-S Candy Company!!!

Unfortunately for me, the boys got this part in their heads but not the rest so they would each spontaneously burst into song on random parts of the trip. I particularly remember them doing this at the monorail…

G-O-O-F-Y-S Candy Company!!!

I picked up my pretzels while Goofy picked up about 3 boxes of shortbread – just shortbread, not cookies I used a snack credit for my pretzels and asked if I could use one for Max’s treat (I was 99% positive it was complimentary, but needed to ask!). The CM said absolutely not – it was no charge.

We walked outside and it was sprinkling. The rain was cooling and lasted about 10 – 15 minutes. Max was in a great mood and had had a wonderful afternoon. We drove back to the villas in the rain and it was gone by the time we got “home”. We had some time after vegging and Goofy and I wanted to hit the pool. Max, on the other hand, wanted to (gasp! ) play with his Legos. This continued to be a theme.

Moral of story? No Legos until way end of the trip.

 

[slk537]

We had ADR’s at Whispering Canyon Café that night. It was a lot of fun. We did have a 10 minute wait in the beautiful lobby, so we sat and enjoyed the atmosphere. When the beeper went off it actually told us our table was ready – in words! There was a cowboy twangy accented guy telling us to rustle up for some grub or some such – it was funny…! We had never heard of one of those lights pagers talking to you.

Our server was great – we like fun, but we’re not way out there and she was a good balance. She threw straws at us, teased a little bit, and when Goofy ordered a second shake it came with a huge straw.

Max enjoyed his dinner, coloring, the pony races, and putting a picture of Guido from Cars up on one of the beams:

After dinner, we came back to the room to get cleaned up and then Max and Goofy went to drop Max off at the Cub’s Den. Goofy and I had some date time and enjoyed walking through the beautiful resort, watching the Electric Water Parade and Wishes. After a while he went to pick up Max and borrow some movies. We then all curled up in bed and watched Brother Bear II. A fantastic and magical day!

 

[Disneyolic]

Oh, we are sooooooooooo going to Goofy's Candy Co! I want those pretzel rods you made. Except, did they have dark chocolate there? And, I guess I'll let the kids create their own Mickey rice krispie treats!

 

[rentayenta]

Goofy's Candy Company looks like a blast! We are so there. This is such a fun report.