Don’t tell MM! It’s NOT a bug’s life! A dolphin’s WHAT? The ER? Is that a body?

[saintstickets]

And then the Incredible Hulk Coaster (UEP ride)

I didn’t purchase a ride photo at Hulk since there weren’t any weird faces but I did get the “Redneck Photo” from the preview screen

 

[saintstickets]

By now it is after 4:00pm and we are getting a bit weary. We decide to make our way back to WWoHP so DD and DDfi can get a wizard’s wand. Before we got there, DW said to give her the camera. She never asks for the camera so I hesitated. She emphatically stated, “GIVE ME THE CAMERA”. Okay. This was strange but then she took this picture

Can you figure out what that is hanging from this woman’s backside? We couldn’t and I surely wasn’t going to say anything to her because the man with her was twice my size, tattooed everywhere and mean looking! There is no explanation that would suffice to him as to why I told his woman I saw something on her rear! Sometimes it is best to leave well enough alone! As they say, discretion is the better part of valor and in that vein, I will not say anything about DW taking pics of a woman’s posterior!

Sometime around here DS sent a text that they had touched down in Huntsville, AL. About an hour later he sent another text that they were home. As a parent, you always say a little prayer of thanks when they arrive safe and sound. He’s a grown man but he’s still our son and we’ll always worry about all three of our children.

We continued our trek and stopped at a kiosk that had Evil Eye jewelry. DW picked up a wrap around bracelet to give to the daughter of a friend of ours that was getting our mail and newspaper while we were gone. While they were shopping, I snuck out and had to try a

OMG…this frozen treat was to die for! I have read here on the DISboards where others were raving about the frozen Butterbeer and they were all absolutely spot on (like my attempt at British lingo there?) with their rave reviews. By the time the others found me, there was barely enough left for them to sample. Yum, yum, yum. DW, you need to figure out how to make this treat!!

DD and DDfi got their wands from Olivander’s and a chocolate frog from Honeydukes

I wonder if it is significant that DD picked a frog with Salazar Slytherin?

And it was time to make our way back to VWL but the night was not over. Stay tuned…

 

[linzdr]

I am really enjoying your report! You have taken some stunning photos!

 

[MEK]

This was hands - down, your best update.

I have no idea what that blue thing is, though I have a guess that I'm not going to post here.

Excellent pics on the ride. I lost my favorite earring on the coaster ride when it was dueling dragons, but when I sold the they other one (it was gold), I got a nice chunk of change.

Excellent water ride pics. I remember getting soaked on one of those rides and walking around all day feeling like I was wearing a diaper. Your DW was smart to wear running shorts.

BTW- cute pic of the two of you.

I guess you got your $ worth out of the UEP. I really want to see Harry Potter. I have to get there on one of these trips. Have to!

 

[saintstickets]

I am really enjoying your report! You have taken some stunning photos!

Why thank you so much. Just as a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while, this very much amateur photog takes a passable pic now and then!

This was hands - down, your best update.

I have no idea what that blue thing is, though I have a guess that I'm not going to post here.

Thanks MEK and I wasn't about to say anything to the woman either! Actually, it was a little flower but don't ask me what a flower was doing there!!

Excellent pics on the ride. I lost my favorite earring on the coaster ride when it was dueling dragons, but when I sold the they other one (it was gold), I got a nice chunk of change.

Excellent water ride pics. I remember getting soaked on one of those rides and walking around all day feeling like I was wearing a diaper. Your DW was smart to wear running shorts.

Thanks again. I purchased a Panasonic waterproof camera originally for our trip to HHI but you know what happened on that trip. It takes some really good pics but is limited in range with a fixed lens. I hope to use it on our next trip with some REAL sharks!

BTW- cute pic of the two of you.

Awww...shucks ma'am.

I guess you got your $ worth out of the UEP. I really want to see Harry Potter. I have to get there on one of these trips. Have to!

It was so crowded we would not have been able to ride half the rides we did. WWoHP is fantastic. ABC Family channel is having a Harry Potter weekend (AGAIN!). I was watching some of it yesterday and IoA really captured the theming to a tee.

 

[saintstickets]

As previously posted, our day was not finished. We had a really great time at IoA and the WWoHP lived up to all our expectations. Now for the rest of the story....

By the time we got back to our room, we had cooled off a bit and were getting our second wind. We were trying to decide what to do next and where to eat. I’d been trying to find an excuse to visit the Boardwalk area all week and here was a perfect opportunity. DW and I stayed at BWV during our last trip here and love the area. DD and DDfi have never been there. Neither DD or DDfi are very adventurous in trying new foods so I knew Kouzzina by Cat Cora and Flying Fish Café were out. That leaves ESPN club and Big River Grille & Brewing Works as the other TS choices. Both accept TIW and looking at the menus online, we decided on Big River Grille. It was late and they don’t take reservations but we had all night. We parked at the Boardwalk and made our way to here

We walked thru the lobby so DD and DDfi could get a look-see. Out on the boardwalk, there was a magician doing his thing for the gathering crowd. At Big River Grille, they say it will be about an hour wait but that was fine because we wanted to walk around. The CM pointed out the range of the pager around the boardwalk and we took off. I didn’t take any pictures during our trek but here are a few from a previous trip

BWV Lobby during Christmas

I want to go here one night

BCV

It was their first time around Crescent Lake. It really is a hub of activity. There are several places we want to visit one day and the more we saw, the more DD and DDfi fell in love with the area. As we made our way to the Yacht and Beach Club, DD and DDfi saw the pool area and Stormalong Bay.

 

[saintstickets]

That was it; it’s over; they were hooked! Want to guess where they want to stay next? They have vacationed with us to OKW, BLT and VWL but this is the area they want to stay at next time. Oh well DD, you’re hopefully going to med-school next fall so your vacation days are over for a while! DW and I are planning to stay at BCV for the first time next fall during Food & Wine. It will be our first time for both the resort and F&W and we are looking forward to it. Back to the walk around Crescent Lake…someone was having a wedding on the beach in front of BCV. We passed the entrance to EPCOT and circled on around back towards the Boardwalk. We walked into Boardwalk Bakery and the aroma is intoxicating. If we weren’t about to eat, I would have bought out the store! We passed Kouzzina and Flying Fish. We showed them where we got DDfi’s Dr. Pepper flavored jelly beans and about the time we started watching one of the boardwalk entertainers, our pager buzzed. Two more on the boardwalk

It was a pleasant night once the sun went down and we were offered a table al fresco. After that walk, I was starving so I would’ve eaten anywhere! Fortunately, the dive-bombing bugs were not out tonight so we were seated. Antonio was our CM waiter. He was very good and our drinks were never empty and the food was delivered without making us to feel rushed or having to wait. We ordered a plate of beef nachos for appetizers

Big River Grille has a small list of seasonal beer available. I tried the Southern Flyer Lager and it hit the spot. The others ordered strawberry lemonade, raspberry iced tea and peach tea. That peach tea was VERY good. And here is where the evil food porn fairies struck again. Sighhhh. If the pictures had not been so dark, you would have seen my New York Strip with sautéed onions; DW’s shrimp and scallop pasta, DD’s chicken quesadilla and DDfi’s hickory bacon burger. Everything was excellent. As we were eating, EPCOT’s Illuminations began. I didn’t stop to take but one picture and it isn’t that great but you get the idea of how close we were

After our meal, the boardwalk performers were still going. A juggler was just finishing up

DW, DD and DDfi slipped in to one of the shops and I watched a new entertainer. This one was part vaudeville and part magician. His willing accomplice here was a young boy from Arkansas.

It was fun and I’m sure the youngster will remember this for a long time. It was a very nice night to a long and very enjoyable day. We walked around a bit more and then made our way back to our vehicle to return to VWL. Tomorrow is our travel day. It’s a LONG drive back to Mississippi but the excitement isn’t over yet!

 

[saintstickets]

Day 8 – 5/26/12 – Saturday

I am not looking forward to this day! Not only is the vacation over but we have that drive ahead of us. We decided to eat breakfast at Whispering Canyon Café. Three egg platters and a western omelet later, we make our way back to the room to pack it all up. Even though I had signed up for express checkout where you receive your final bill via an email, I still always check at the desk for anything on the bill I didn’t expect. No surprises here so it was tip the bellman, get in the vehicle and drive.

We didn’t make it to the Interstate when we passed this

It’s not the best pic but what do you expect at 80 mph…er…uh 70 mph…no officer, I wasn’t speeding! I’m not sure what they had back there on that rack but it sure looked like a body to us!!! Now you know the last part of the TR title – “Is that a body?” I’m still wondering if grandma didn’t make it the entire vacation and they weren’t going to cut it short for some trivial reason! Just throw a tarp over her, tie her down on the rear rack and let’s go! You never know what people will do at Disney World! Of course, it could have just been a casualty from Star Wars Weekend too!

Once we made it to the Interstate heading north, it got awfully smoky

I heard later that a portion of the Interstate had been closed due to a wildfire nearby. Whew! Dodged that bullet!

I’m kinda glad we weren’t out and about today. It was getting a bit warm

Somebody got stopped

And someone else too

It was Memorial Day weekend and they were out in force. We made it to I-10 and once again, Garmin forewarned us so we would not miss our turn in 334 miles

And that my DISboard friends is that. It was a long week and a very enjoyable one. We had our share of ups and downs but thank goodness the downs were few and the ups were plentiful. Our next trip to WDW will be September, 2013. However, this August DW and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and we are going to celebrate by returning to the State where we honeymooned….Hawaii!!!

 

[saintstickets]

Yup, we are going to Aulani from September 3rd to the 9th. It’s the week after our actual anniversary date but it’s close enough. Besides, the DVC points are less by waiting a week and the airfare is a bit lower as well. Since we don’t have to worry about kids in school, we can go just about any time. The only drawback is I will miss the season opener of the New Orleans Saints! We will be in the air returning to Mississippi. It will be just the 2nd time in my life that I have not watched a Saints game either in person or on TV. The other time was when DD was born. The things we husbands/fathers sacrifice for our family!

In addition to us going to Aulani, DD and DDfi are going on their honeymoon in December. They are getting married in August but are postponing the honeymoon until semester break in December. DDfi (soon to be DSiL!) is working since his graduation this past May but DD is finishing up her Masters with the hopes of getting accepted into medical school the fall of 2013.

Some background on how these two trips came about. I have told my 3 children since they were old enough to understand, that if they eloped or had a SMALL wedding (I mean bride, groom, parents, preacher and the parents are optional!), I would pay for their honeymoon to wherever they wanted to go. I have been to way too many weddings that everyone was stressed out, teed off, or just fighting mad because of all that goes into planning and executing a wedding (perhaps executing is not the right word….or maybe it is ). It is so stressful and I wanted to avoid that for the bride/groom, the mothers of the bride/groom and all the other friends and relatives that would get their feelings hurt or drink too much and make an a** of themselves or whatever. DD is the only one that took me up on the offer and she wanted to go to Hawaii like DW and I did. After pricing the cost of a week’s stay in Hawaii, it dawned on me that I could purchase a DVC add-on contract for roughly the same price and then still have use of the points for a few more decades! DVC just completed this new resort in August, 2011 and we had been thinking about a trip since construction was first announced. I found a small BCV and a small BWV contract, made an offer and both were accepted and passed Disney’s ROFR! Not only did I add 90 points to our existing points, but there were banked points that were available for us as well. For those not familiar with DVC, you get your points each year and if you do not use them that year, you can “bank” (rollover) the points to the next year to use then. It’s a bit more to it than just that but the fact is, I had extra points that needed to be used so we added 2 nights to this BLT/VWL trip, booked DD/DDfi’s honeymoon and also booked our 30th anniversary trip to Aulani! It all worked out just perfect!

Here are our plans (yes, this time I’m planning!) so far…
Mon – 9/03 - Arrive 4:15pm after nearly 10 hours of total flight time. Attend Starlit Hui luau if not too tired.
Tues – 9/04 – Visit USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor | ADR’s at Roy’s Ko Olina @ 6:30pm
Wed – 9/05 – Excursion to Kualoa Ranch – horseback ride to Ka’a’awa Valley and visit famous movie sites, lunch at a private lake, ride a 6-wheel drive vehicle through the jungle, board a catamaran to sail to Mokili’I Island and Hokule’a beach.
Thur – 9/06 – Pool/beach day and attend either Starlit Hui luau that night or Paradise Grove luau
Fri – 9/07 – Oahu Shark tour morning and Waimea Valley tour pm
Sat – 9/08 – Aloha Stadium swap meet to get souvenirs, 2:00pm Couples Ohi Lehua massage at Aulani spa | ADR’s at Aulani’s Ama Ama restaurant @ 8:15pm
Sun – 9/09 – Drive around and see the sights, beach time. Flight leaves at 6:45pm

We are trying to not cram too much in so we can take our time and not be so rushed. This will not be a “commando” trip like so many do at WDW. I don’t know what kind of a toll the flight will take either.

Did you notice what we are doing on Friday? Yup, that’s right, I’m going to give that ole shark another chance to see what he’s made of! This is the tour where they lower you into the shark-infested waters and you are inside a steel cage. Everyone says I’m crazy but I don’t think the sharks are going to stick around too long once they get close to me. I figure once the first shark bumps the cage, the crystal clear Pacific Ocean waters are going to change colors due to the…uh…er…well, let’s just say I better bring a change of clothes! Once I play like an octopus and secrete a defense mechanism, that ole shark is going to hightail it out of there!!!

That’s all folks. I hope you have enjoyed this TR and maybe picked up a thing or two. I know I have read most of your TR’s as well as others and gathered all kinds of helpful information. If you can’t be at WDW yourself, at least you can live vicariously through other DISboard members by reading their TR’s. Until the next one, Aloha! (See, I’ve already learned Hawaiian for the trip!)

 

[MEK]

Does it have to be over already? boo!

Your pictures of the Boardwalk area are lovely. I think you will all love BCV when you stay there.

Your anniversary trip to Hawaii sounds wonderful. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. I vacationed in New Zealand once and we could have had a return flight with a stop in Hawaii (and two days to stay there), but we opted to stay in Tahiti for two days. Tough choice, I know.

Still, I hope to eventually get there.

I think your DD was smart for choosing the honeymoon. I think weddings nowadays are very over rated, not to mention exorbitantly expensive. Smart girl.

 

[MEK]

Oh - just wanted to add - I DO think that's a body under the tarp.

 

[caa1277]

Fantastic trip report! I really enjoyed reading all about it. Question for you. If you buy your WDW tickets from Undercover Tourist, how do get them added to your KTTW card at the resort?

 

[saintstickets]

Does it have to be over already? boo!

It seems like it just started to me.

Your pictures of the Boardwalk area are lovely. I think you will all love BCV when you stay there.

I am really looking forward to staying here. We are thinking about adding more BCV points to take advantage of the 11 month window.

Your anniversary trip to Hawaii sounds wonderful. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. I vacationed in New Zealand once and we could have had a return flight with a stop in Hawaii (and two days to stay there), but we opted to stay in Tahiti for two days. Tough choice, I know.

Still, I hope to eventually get there.

I think your DD was smart for choosing the honeymoon. I think weddings nowadays are very over rated, not to mention exorbitantly expensive. Smart girl.

We are really looking forward to the Aulani trip. A side benefit is we will be able to scope a lot of things out before DD goes in December.

I would LOVE to go to NZ. We have friends that live in Papamoa Beach and they have asked us to visit countless times. Maybe one day.

Yeah, that really sounds like you had to tough it out by staying in Tahiti!

Oh - just wanted to add - I DO think that's a body under the tarp.

It sure did look like one to all of us.

Fantastic trip report! I really enjoyed reading all about it. Question for you. If you buy your WDW tickets from Undercover Tourist, how do get them added to your KTTW card at the resort?

Thanks for the TR compliment. As to your question about adding UT tickets to our room card, after we checked in, we just went to the Customer Service desk which is usually only a few feet away from check-in. We asked them to add our theme park tickets to our KTTW room card. The two times we have done this, the CM knew exactly what we were asking and it took all of about 5 minutes.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Your plans look awesome. The only thing wrong is the missing of the Saints game but for Hawaii I'll let that one slide. I could text you the scores along the way.

 

[saintstickets]

Your plans look awesome. The only thing wrong is the missing of the Saints game but for Hawaii I'll let that one slide. I could text you the scores along the way.

LOL...don't you dare text the scores!! I will record the game and then watch it when we get back home. I've threatened my dad, my sons and my future SiL that they had better not tell me the score beforehand. The bad thing is missing the game. The good thing is that I can watch it in it's entirety in about 30 minutes by fast forwarding thru all the commercials, huddles and other non-action sequences! We got our tickets today and you don't know how hard it was to post them for sale online at TicketMaster.

 

[ToddyLu]

I finally got caught up tonight and ejoyed seeing your terrific adventure. The pictures told the story so well.....now it is of to make a WLV CD for a good friend that is planning to go to Hawaii....makes sense to me. I can't wait to hear about Aulani. One of these days I am going to meet you guys in Hattiesburg/Petal for lunch....I have neve been to Jelly Rolls either

 

[natebenma]

Woah! I blinked and your trip is over!

Really enjoyed your report and the wonderful pictures.

Super pictures from WWoHP and IoA. We didn't spend much time in the shops- way too crowded, so I appreciate those photos. The area just has such incredible theming!

Did you encounter any of the camera Nazis on the IoA rides? I was told to put down my camera on Rip Saw Falls and Jurassic Park. Yeah, right!

for Frozen Butterbeer. There must be something addictive in there.

The only locker we used was in US (MIB). We avoided the Harry Potter lockers-and the rest of them, too. I took one for the team and sported not-so-fashionable fanny pack.

I didn't know there was a charge for some of the lockers!

We enjoyed our lunch at 3 Broomsticks too. Servicable food, GREAT atmosphere.

Thanks for sharing your ride photos- both the regular and red neck ones. Great facial expressions!

You got a Slytherin card. Cool!!! We got Helga Hufflepuff.

I scrolled through your pictures yesterday, but didn't have time to comment. I was thrown off by the Christmas photos. So glad to read the explanation today.

I also missed the reference to the body the first time around.

Congrats on your upcoming anniversary and the Aulani stay. That place looks awesome!

I'm also excited to hear that there is a BCV stay in your future. BC/YC is my happy place!

 

[saintstickets]

I finally got caught up tonight and ejoyed seeing your terrific adventure. The pictures told the story so well.....now it is of to make a WLV CD for a good friend that is planning to go to Hawaii....makes sense to me. I can't wait to hear about Aulani. One of these days I am going to meet you guys in Hattiesburg/Petal for lunch....I have never been to Jelly Rolls either

Thanks Lu. We are really looking forward to Aulani. If y'all have another DISmeet on the Coast, please let me know. I'm so old, I think I might be able to stump the piano players at Jelly Rolls!

Woah! I blinked and your trip is over!

Really enjoyed your report and the wonderful pictures.

Super pictures from WWoHP and IoA. We didn't spend much time in the shops- way too crowded, so I appreciate those photos. The area just has such incredible theming!

Did you encounter any of the camera Nazis on the IoA rides? I was told to put down my camera on Rip Saw Falls and Jurassic Park. Yeah, right!

for Frozen Butterbeer. There must be something addictive in there.

The only locker we used was in US (MIB). We avoided the Harry Potter lockers-and the rest of them, too. I took one for the team and sported not-so-fashionable fanny pack.

I didn't know there was a charge for some of the lockers!

We enjoyed our lunch at 3 Broomsticks too. Servicable food, GREAT atmosphere.

Thanks for sharing your ride photos- both the regular and red neck ones. Great facial expressions!

You got a Slytherin card. Cool!!! We got Helga Hufflepuff.

I scrolled through your pictures yesterday, but didn't have time to comment. I was thrown off by the Christmas photos. So glad to read the explanation today.

I also missed the reference to the body the first time around.

Congrats on your upcoming anniversary and the Aulani stay. That place looks awesome!

I'm also excited to hear that there is a BCV stay in your future. BC/YC is my happy place!

I know, the TR went so quickly but time flies when you're having fun, right?

We didn't make it over to the US side so I don't know the locker fee situation over there.

Nope, didn't see any camera Nazi's at IoA. Maybe they heard of my heroic bout with the shark and left me alone?

We are looking forward to our stay next year at BCV. It will be 2 years from when we purchased the BCV contract to when we actually stay there. We've stayed at BWV and love the area.

The WWoHP really should have been at DHS. It fits in at Disney so much better. I bet Disney is kicking themselves for not pursuing it with J K Rowling!

As for butterbeer, I'm trying to find the recipe online that most resembles what we tasted. If I find it, I'm going to make it by the gallon!!!

 

[Deesknee]

WOW! Bill Thank you! That was an awesome TR. I look forward to the Aulani one. I could NEVER do the shark cage thing. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to, but I swear I would probably pass out. We did the little "shark reef" at typhoon lagoon and I thought I was going to have a panic attack. haha Although talk about cold water! Yikes! I think that gave the "Seinfeld episode" to my sons future unborn sons!

congratulations on 30 years. We will be celebrating our this Nov. in WDW.

Your photos of WWoHP are wonderful. Actually, the first that have made me really want to go there. So there you go again being a budget buster.
Not sure if you didn't say, or if I missed it, but I don't recall you saying how the food was there.

We love the BWV, although only stayed there once many years ago.. We've never stayed at BCV.

Too funny that your wife took the photo of the females back side. Perhaps someone should have given her the "wife stare".


Thank you again for the wonderful TR. I will say a prayer for no future migraines for you wife, especially on your upcoming trips. Oh, btw, a Pats fan wouldn't have missed the games. ... I know there was a tv on in my DD delivery room. (trust me not for long). Your priorities are in order it seems.

 

[podsnel]

Hi! I am catching up back here in Seaworld and Discovery Cove- I just had to say I am SO GLAD someone helped you with all of your injuries, you poor man!

Also- DC looks AWESOME! We have gone swimming with the dolphins before, but not there- I have friends who have been to DC and all of them RAVE about it! We'll definitely have to put it on our list-

And Seaworld looked great, too- my kids still haven't been there, but Pods and I went when we were first married. I love the combo deal you got, too!

Ok- back to more catching up. I have alot to read!!