"Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is please?" UPDATE! To DVC or not?

[ash-n-brensmom]

Great pics! The castle looks great through the window. I love the Plaza restaurant!

Your mousekeeper was the best mousekeeper I've ever seen!

You will need to come back May 16th. Phinneas and Ferb make their debut at at new character meet and greet.

Wasn't she cool? We had an awesome one at CBR as well..she did a lot with our collection of stuffies and we had fun coming back to the room to find them watching tv and stuff like that!
We are huge P&F fans here as you can see, and I know we will need to see them..hopefully in Oct of 2012 we will be able to make that happen!

It's amazing how that construction is coming along. My sister and I wanted to ride Dumbo just to see it but didn't get around to it.

The new Pooh area is so adorable. The honey thing was neat!

I actually was totally surprised to see how many actual structures we were able to see....I guess I didn't realize just how far along they are. I was disappointed to read that they are behind schedule for the Mine coaster...but they ARE ahead of schedule on other things!
The Pooh line was soooo cute...I wanted to play with some of that stuff!

Yay on riding Dumbo and getting those pics of the expansion - can't wait for it to be finished

Am looking forward to meeting Mary Poppins - she sure is great!

Your mousekeeper sure had some fun! Thanks for the food porn and am glad you still managed to watch the Castle Memories show and Wishes

Mary Poppins is my fave...I told her so, too! I felt like as A$$ afterward...how many 38 yo women tell another woman dressed as Mary Poppins that she is their favorite? Oh well, she was very gracious about it!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

It's our last day.....

Day Eight:

We had to decide where we wanted to go this morning....in the rain. It was pouring!! We had originally planned to go to AK this morning, it's become a bit of a tradition to go there in the morning and then return to the resort to swim and then head off on DME to the airport. But, I wasn't too sure about this weather. I figured the animals wouldn't be much fun in this weather and Primeval Whirl was down for refurb. We decided to try touring MK in this weather. At least most things are inside, right?

We still had to check out and do our resort airline check in..so while everyone ate breakfast I finished packing and we called luggage services to pick up our luggage. It was going to be about a half hour so I went to check us out while Ferb and the girls hung out watching TV. Check out was pretty quick, she just had to figure out how to refund our money left over from our Traveler's Checks. When I was done I used a house phone and called to check on Ferb...no sign of the luggage guys. I stopped by luggage services and now she was telling me ANOTHER half hour...are you serious? Well, I wasn't walking away until she gave me an ETA on the pick up. She just looked at me and I just looked right back. She got on the radio and someone was there in like 10 minutes!! Thank you very much...I have a feeling we would have been moved to the bottom of the list if someone walked up to the desk after me! It was like there was no real order of these pick ups?
Anyways, Ferb and the girls met me at the RAC desk and we got our luggage checked in and then left our carryons with the luggage room.
We got on a bus to MK in record time and arrived about an hour our so after the park opened. There was no one there!! JK! But it was VERY quiet!!

We got Rapunzel a stroller that morning, she was having a very hard time with all this walking by this point. I actually was surprised we didn't need one earlier in the week!! We headed straight for Adventureland. I wanted to see how busy the Princess meet and greets were with all this rain. Well, can I tell you that this turned out to be the BEST day of the week for getting stuff done?!! The princess wait was like 15 minutes!!! I kid you not!!! By this point the park had been open about 2 hours and there was just enough time to get Rapunzel to the washroom and back before our turn!!

We walked out of there and asked where the M&G was for Ariel..it was right around the corner and the wait was 10 minutes or so!

We left there stunned!!! We couldn't believe that in a half our or so we had met all those princesses!! What a great morning...and it wasn't over yet!!
Stitch had been asking to try out Swiss Family Treehouse and Ferb agreed to take her up it while I took Rapunzel on Aladdin's Magic Carpet. We met up after and Stitch said it sucked...oh well, cross another thing of our to do list at least. We asked in the shop behind the carpet where we could meet Aladdin and Jasmine. Right there in the store and they were supposed to be out in like 5 minutes...and there was NO ONE waiting!!!

These two were fun...well Aladdin was fun..

They loved the books we made...this was the most interaction we had gotten from them all week!!

Aladdin loved that you could see his muscles in the pic!!

By now I was thinking we might be able to get in at Crystal Palace because of the rain. We checked and were told it was too early to tell, come back when lunch begins. No worries!

We walked around and took in the lack of crowds and tried to figure out what to do with our time...

I told the girls not to smile...your supposed to be locked up for a crime, not happy to be there!!!

They did a pretty good job!

Look who we saw next with only a couple of people in line:

He was a fabulous Naveen...had the accent down pat!! Next, Stitch and I rode HM together and Rapunzel got another ride on SW with Ferb this time!
Then we walked back to see about lunch...we were told to come back later...again....oookaaayyy....

So we walked over to Tomorrowland and rode this one last time:

Check out how mad Rapunzel got at Ferb for sticking his head in

There was one more ride we just had to do this trip...it was our last chance EVER

And then of course one more try at this...we never did get it..

We walked around the corner and saw this pretty lady!

Continued in next post:

 

[teachermommy78]

I'm so sad your TR is coming to an end! can you remind me again how you made your autograph book?

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Okay, now it's time to decide about lunch..we tried one more time at CP and we got in!! They gave us a pager and we walked over to the Photopass CM that's down between CP and Casey's and we got some really cute magic shots...can't wait for that CD to arrive!
We got called right away, they had to wait for us to finish the pics even...great timing.
Lunch was okay there..we have done dinner there before and were not expecting much. We had a good server and got to sit and eat a decent meal and meet some characters that we missed during the week, all as walk ins! Not too shabby..

I told the girls to look sad, Stitch got the idea:

Camera hog!!

We hadn't met The big cheese yet so we tried to find the temporary area they had in Tommorowland..took a few minutes and finally we found it...this was the longest we waited for a character that day...but it was a good thing...some one from one of the Wish organizations was given priority over the line. You should have seen this girl and her sister, she was sooo excited to meet Mickey and Minnie... it brought tears to me and Ferb. We are soo lucky to have healthy girls...

Anyways, then they had a "cheese break" and finally it was our turn:

We left there and gave the girls a chance to pick one more ride before we left...Rapunzel picked BTMRR, I rode with her...and Stitch picked something..Oh man, my brain has lost so much already in a month!!! Sorry, but whatever it was, they had to wait a loooong time for me and Rapunzel...the line for that ride was mis-posted BIG TIME!!! It said 20 minutes and we were in line for like 40!!! But the funny thing was I ran into someone from work while in line. It happens every year..crazy no?

Anyways, it was time to leave...
Stitch wanted me to take this one before we left:

We headed back to the resort and got our carry-ons and changed into somewhat more appropriate clothing for home. We grabbed one last refill in our mugs and had a seat in the lounge to wait for our DME boarding time. I took the girls into the gift shop for one last purchase of candy. I got a frame for my DB and DSIL who are expecting their first baby this summer!! And got Ferb a frame and me a watch!!!! That's right, folks...after asking everyone all week what time it was....on the last day while waiting for the DME to pick us up to take us home...I bought a watch!!

We went outside to wait out the final minutes and took these very sad pics:

While goofing around about being sad, we created this..

She's a little sensitive...

We got on the bus, arrived at the airport to find out that our flight was delayed an hour...then it got delayed again...then it got delayed again...we met a nice family from a town about 15 minutes away from us and they were on the same flight...we were sooooo tired by the time we made it home it was after 1 AM!

Here is our last Disney pic taken at the airport..look how tired Rapunzel is and we still hadn't even made it through security at this point!

That's it folks..I will update later this week with pics of our booty from the trip and final thoughts and hopefully an update on our DVC purchase!!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Mary Poppins is my fave...I told her so, too! I felt like as A$$ afterward...how many 38 yo women tell another woman dressed as Mary Poppins that she is their favorite? Oh well, she was very gracious about it!

Hey don't feel bad, lol! Am sure I'm going to be like a big excited kid when I see all the characters! I think it's safe to bring out the inner kid at Disney World!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Am sad your TR is coming to an end - have enjoyed reading along.

Wow on meeting all those characters in record time! It's surprising what a little bit of rain will do, lol!

Thanks for the CP pics - that Tigger sure wanted to hog the camera! We have just made a breakfast ADR so am looking forward to eating there

on buying a watch just as you were leaving! Am looking forward to seeing the booty pics!

 

[jenseib]

I'm getting caught up, but still have 3 pages to read.
I have to ask....how the heck did Ferb get your weedding ring to have it engraved? I never take mine off, and my DH would have to literally cut it off to get to it. Do you not wear it all the time (My DH NEVER wears his btw)

 

[jenseib]

What a great morning on your last day. I felt sad too when we left.
The Princess and Mickey are now moved to Exposition hall and I notied the wait when we were there was only 15 minutes each, but Claire declined going in. I was kind of bummed.

I can't wait to see your photopass. Is the site slower than molasses for you all? I think we have 7 in our share and it is moving very slow now.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Boo, the end of a trip is always so sad. Those pictures pretty much sum up how I always feel. But atleast it looks like you had a fun last day and got to meet a lot of characters. How lucky that you got to meet Tiana and Naveen with only a few people in line!

 

[BMC423]

holy updates! I'm so far behind!!!!

I'll try to go in order

Thanks for posting those Mr. Smee pictures I had a good laugh... why didn't anyone point that out? All it takes is some sassy kid to say something (when we were at Chef Mickey's a little boy asked Goofy why couldn't he talk... his parents said oh he's just sick )

How cool was it that Stitch was first mate (don't feel bad it may have not been her real birthday but you guys were celebrating it so it counts) she must have been so excited. Peter did look so cute!

Your WS pics are really great I love Epcot this time of the year so pretty.

Those Sundaes from Ghirardelli look delicious... I kind of want one now lol!

Ha ha I was like hey I know those people...thanks you're girls are very cute themselves, they looked like they were having a great time, BTW my son love SPE he kept saying he wanted to "go back to space"!

How exciting that you are thinking about joining DVC... then you'll be going every year!

I think you're last day MK visit was the same day we were at MK... wasn't it the wettest morning ever!

Are you starting a cruise PTR????

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Kara, I had to chuckle. We were supposed to be in AK on the same day as you and your family and we ditched our plans too. Where did we end up that very day? MK! Yep, we were schlepping through the rain too and had the best time. We got all our "must do's" done by lunchtime that day!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

All caught up! But so sad to be at the end. Looking forward to hearing what you guys decide about DVC though.

Isn't it funny how rain can clear the place out? I've lost track of your dates - I thought ours were the same - what day were you supposed to do AK? We ended up there Thursday the 10th in the rain. Not a great park for the rain, but we sure did get things done in record time...

That's awesome how many characters you guys met in such a short time span!! Love the Jasmine and Aladdin interaction - on our 09 trip, they were our best interaction too - Jasmine tried on DD's sunglasses, asked about her purse, etc. So cute.

I love their stockade pics!

The sad pics leading to real tears look very familiar...we've got a sensitive one here too.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Am sad your TR is coming to an end - have enjoyed reading along.

Wow on meeting all those characters in record time! It's surprising what a little bit of rain will do, lol!

Thanks for the CP pics - that Tigger sure wanted to hog the camera! We have just made a breakfast ADR so am looking forward to eating there

on buying a watch just as you were leaving! Am looking forward to seeing the booty pics!

We are sad too!! But, at least Ferb and I know we are returning in Oct and then for sure the whole fam in 2012 probably Oct for that as well.

What a great morning on your last day. I felt sad too when we left.
The Princess and Mickey are now moved to Exposition hall and I notied the wait when we were there was only 15 minutes each, but Claire declined going in. I was kind of bummed.

I can't wait to see your photopass. Is the site slower than molasses for you all? I think we have 7 in our share and it is moving very slow now.

I've seen pics of the new meet and greet area and it looks pretty well organized..we won't be able to try it out til 2012, though.. We are supposed to receive our disk soon from our share group...I will be posting some when it arrives for sure! No worries with downloading..actually I was pleasantly surprised with it this time around!

Boo, the end of a trip is always so sad. Those pictures pretty much sum up how I always feel. But atleast it looks like you had a fun last day and got to meet a lot of characters. How lucky that you got to meet Tiana and Naveen with only a few people in line!

Rapunzel met them last year, thanks to the info here on the disboards Ferb got her in line really early!! Stitch and I rode HM while they waited...this time it worked out perfectly all because of that rain!!

holy updates! I'm so far behind!!!!

I'll try to go in order

Thanks for posting those Mr. Smee pictures I had a good laugh... why didn't anyone point that out? All it takes is some sassy kid to say something (when we were at Chef Mickey's a little boy asked Goofy why couldn't he talk... his parents said oh he's just sick )

How cool was it that Stitch was first mate (don't feel bad it may have not been her real birthday but you guys were celebrating it so it counts) she must have been so excited. Peter did look so cute!

Your WS pics are really great I love Epcot this time of the year so pretty.

Those Sundaes from Ghirardelli look delicious... I kind of want one now lol!

Ha ha I was like hey I know those people...thanks you're girls are very cute themselves, they looked like they were having a great time, BTW my son love SPE he kept saying he wanted to "go back to space"!

How exciting that you are thinking about joining DVC... then you'll be going every year!

I think you're last day MK visit was the same day we were at MK... wasn't it the wettest morning ever!

Are you starting a cruise PTR????

That is soo true about it only taking one kid noticing Mr Smee's costume...They were lucky that none of them did!

We really lucked out with Stitch being First Mate..and I truly believe things happen for a reason...she was really having a rough time that night and if it wasn't for the first mate thing she was ready to go back to the room and just sleep!!

I want to go back to space too!! I miss that place really bad...especially on a day like today where it is cold and rainy!!

I tried to start a cruise PTR, but it never got off the ground...it doesn't help that I am totally preoccupied with investigating Timeshares right now!!

Kara, I had to chuckle. We were supposed to be in AK on the same day as you and your family and we ditched our plans too. Where did we end up that very day? MK! Yep, we were schlepping through the rain too and had the best time. We got all our "must do's" done by lunchtime that day!

That's too funny!! It really was a pretty amazing day!!

All caught up! But so sad to be at the end. Looking forward to hearing what you guys decide about DVC though.

Isn't it funny how rain can clear the place out? I've lost track of your dates - I thought ours were the same - what day were you supposed to do AK? We ended up there Thursday the 10th in the rain. Not a great park for the rain, but we sure did get things done in record time...

That's awesome how many characters you guys met in such a short time span!! Love the Jasmine and Aladdin interaction - on our 09 trip, they were our best interaction too - Jasmine tried on DD's sunglasses, asked about her purse, etc. So cute.

I love their stockade pics!

The sad pics leading to real tears look very familiar...we've got a sensitive one here too.

Yeah we had similar dates and we were supposed to do AK that day, I'm glad you got a lot done. It's never been our favorite park to begin with, and considering how many things we still wanted to do at MK it just made sense to head back there.
The whole crying thing was totally our fault...it's not like we don't know how sensitive she can be...but we were having fun and got carried away...we learned our lesson, bad Mommy and Daddy!!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

I totally suck!! I am sorry to say that I have no new pics to put up on this post!!
I have neglected the disboards as well as this TR. We have been researching DVC as you all know...and have moved on from there to buying a timeshare. I have digested sooooo much info this past week it's insane!

I am on the computer so much now I should have it hanging around my neck!! But seriously, to keep you all updated:
We originally were thinking of buying into DVC resale. But once you do the math you need to buy so many points and the price per point is higher than buying a resale timeshare right now. And I mean WAY higher. People are giving away their timeshares just to get rid of the monthly maintenance fees.
We have researched where we would like to stay and have narrowed the field down to Wyndham Bonnet Creek. In order to continue having one week per year in the off season that we normally travel we would be paying around $500 a year in maintenance fees. That would give us one week to ten days a year in a TWO bedroom deluxe unit with a COMPLETE kitchen and TWO bathrooms!! Compare that to paying approximately $500 a year in maintenance fees and getting a studio with one bathroom and a kitchenette, all that after paying around $7000-$8000 just to buy the membership? Plus, WBC has 2 lazy rivers, 4 pools with 2 slides (the newest is a pirate theme), activities, barbecues, mini golf, free parking, free transportation to the theme parks, free internet,and it's on WDW property! If we could buy the timeshare for the price of closing costs, transfer fees and maintenance fees...we would be way ahead of the game. You just can't beat the space that Bonnet Creek offers in their units...
So that leaves us with trying to find out about any hidden costs and drawbacks to buying one of these timeshares and then waiting for the right contract to come along!
That's what I've been doing for the last week.

 

[jenseib]

Goodluck with the timeshare looking. I would love to get one (mostly DVC though), but Skip will NEVER ever buy one. He thinks they are dumb. He laughed when my parents bought into one. I personally love the idea of timeshares though. But I don't make the money around here.
I did start a dining review of our cruise. The link is in my signature!

 

[firecracker725]

I have a colleague whose parents own at WBC, and she just raves about it. They've been going to WDW multiple times a year since she and her sister were very small children, and now her sister works at MK.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Your last day was very productive! It is so sad to leave; it does help to know that you will be returning soon!

Good luck with the time share research and purchase!