Excuse me, you'll need to see security. What has Mickeystoontown done? Update 3/25x2

[AvasMommy526]

All caught up! Glad your DD and her hubby made it safely and your husband was feeling better
And we have rented points for our May 2013 trip, we used Davids and they told us if we want we can add the dining plan! They have the member add it on for you as well as the ME We upgraded to BLT theme park view for 11 nights for not much more than a moderate preferred room was going to be (without discount)! Being a big (wedding,Disneymoon, birthday for DD) trip we decided to go "big" but I have to say the prices for some of the other villas were also very reasonable! Good Luck planning, we will be there at the same time!!

 

[haleofafamily]

I am glad your trip is taking a turn for the better! We own DVC and have stayed at AKL twice and just LOVE it! I am 99% positive that when you are renting points you can add the dining plan..I know that as a member I can add it. I don't see that it would be different when renting! I have the name of someone we rented a days worth of points from on our last trip if you are interested!

You can purchase the dining plan when renting points.

I'd love to have the name of the person you rented from! I think the unknown is what everyone's afraid of. I have no idea how to go about the whole process.

It is a very easy process.

Of the DVC resorts we have stayed at I would rate them as follows:
1. AKV - love almost everything about it! Limited CS options
2. OKW - so peaceful and quiet! Huge rooms! Least favorite pool
2. BCV (tie) - love SAB and location! Smaller square footage
4. VWL - beautiful setting, peaceful, decent location. Might seem a lot like home to y'all (log cabin style)
5. SSR - like it don't love it. Grandstand is best SSR location for us
6. BWV - like it don't love it. My favorite slide on property (super fast). Request near elevator or long walk to room
7. THV - SSR - least favorite by far. If it was accommodations for anything other than Disney trip, it would have been perfect. But it just seemed to remote and we had a car. I was always afraid we would get hit by a car when we walked to pool or bus stop - no paths just the road (with no shoulder) to walk on.

If you have any questions ask away. Obviously we love trying new things but we definitely have a favorite!

 

[Bridora]

We loved the pizza from Via Napoli! I remember the crust being sooo good! I'll have to try to save room for dessert next time we go!

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Lisa. I'm glad you made John stay behind and rest and happy he felt better after having his meds.

Your lunch at Via Napoli looks yummy (just wish I could trust eating pizza while on vacation ).

I'm so glad Jesse and Lacey arrived and got the room next to you!

 

[BelleTinkMom]

Hi Lisa.

I'm so glad you enjoyed Via Napoli. That is on our list for our Thanksgiving trip.

I did not write a TR for our cruise. I don't think I finished my TR from our 2011 DW trip. I will write a TR for our Thanksgiving trip this November and I may throw in some Cruise details.

 

[TinksThree]

Wow that wait time at Soarin'! Scary!! I am glad John began feeling better and could enjoy the evening! We loved Via Napoli!! It was so good and I can't wait to go back! Those pizzas do go so far!

 

[sherylcin]

I'd love to have the name of the person you rented from! I think the unknown is what everyone's afraid of. I have no idea how to go about the whole process.

Lisa, just wanted to say that you can definitely add the dining plan when renting points. Just make sure up front with whoever you rent from that they are willing to add it for you as it has to be paid for when it is added and has to be at least 48 hours before your first night.

There's a good "Sticky" on the DVC Rent/Trade Board to read before renting. It's in the "How to Use This Board" Thread. If you have any DVC questions, I'd be happy to help, just PM me. I also think David's is a great option if you feel more secure using him.

 

[rndmr2]

So glad to see you updated! Looks like you had a great 1st day back in the World! Via Napoli is definitely one of the restaurants I want to try on our next trip. My brother and his family and my had been there on a previous trip and they really liked it.

I found this on the Dis Dining page, is this what Hunter had?
--Gelato Frizzante - Ice cream soda Italian style, made with San Pellegrino Aranciata and Vanilla Ice Cream

So sorry to hear about your Aunt's passing. I remember you saying she was sick. And crazy about your mom's phone, I'm sure it was the last thing she needed after all she was going through. My DH did that back in January but his was a LG Enlighten Smart Phone (needless to say THAT phone didn't get replaced right away! LOL) Luckily we had one of our old phones as a back up and he just started using that.

 

[scottny]

Dinner sounded so good.

CBR is so pretty. Sad we are not staying there but I do like trying new resorts so I am good with it and saving money. Mostly the Little Mermaid is what I want to try.

I might have to see if we can get into Via Napoli.

 

[ronnmel]

Well, you know how I feel about trying new resorts (would stay at (almost) every resort on property if I could), so for sure I vote for you to try AoA! Even more so since it's a new resort and I think it just looks phenomenal! Since it's so close to POP, you can even walk there if you feel like exploring. If not AoA, then I think renting DVC points is another great option. If you feel uneasy about renting from someone in particular, you can try David's DVC rental. We haven't tried it yet, and can't really do it for the next trip since it's so much up in the air, but we want to try the next time.

 

[mom24mouseketeers]

Ok, So I am just joining in your TR... better late than never right!

I have giggled so much reading your report that hubby has had to pause what he was watching on TV so he didn't miss anything! Oh well! I even read a few passages to him as well!

I am southern girl (born and raised in GA) but due to the military my last duty station was here in DC at Andrews AFB. So I am a "displaced" southerner. In any case, I say that to say that I understand a lot of what you are writing about and can hear the southern accent as I read! My momma woulda knocked the hat off the guy in the restaurant on the cruise... she don't play! lol

Anyway, I am on board now!

T

 

[sewmess]

I've probably said this before, but CBR is our home at the world too. It is such a nice, laid back, relaxing resort. Although I'd like to sneak a peek at the AoA, not necessarily stay there, but look around.

Glad to hear your DD & DS-in-law got there safe and sound.

Last week (it seems like a lifetime ago now, but it really was just a week ago Sunday) at EPCOT, we fast passed Soarin' but the stand-by was just 20 minutes. I don't think we even used the fast passes.

Always ready to hear some more!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't gotten around to posting replies or another installment. I've been in a bit of a funk and I haven't really wanted to write much. I have, however, finally started getting caught up on reading my subscribed threads.

My aunt passed away on Friday from a cancerous tumor on her brain. This is the second aunt who has died from cancer within a four month time period. The funeral was Sunday and it was a rainy, dreery day making the day seem even worse. I don't know who the pastor was that performed the service but you could tell that he didn't really know my aunt from the things that he said. The service was a bit "impersonal" and it didn't sit right with me.

I know that I've mentioned it before but I'm not a funeral person (as if anybody is) and it takes all that I have in me to attend anyone's funeral. I've always said that I do NOT want a funeral and I mean it. My way of thinking is: "If you didn't come visit me or look at me when I was alive, then don't come visiting or looking at me when I'm dead." I do not want my family standing around having to make small talk when all they can think of is "How am I going to live my life without Lisa, my dear sweet mother, my devoted wife, my Disney trip planner? Whatever shall we do?" (Okay, now I know my sense of humor is finally coming back. )

The subject of funerals somehow came up when we were in Walt Disney World in May, I told my family that when I die, they are to donate anything on my body that's worth giving away, have me cremated, take a trip to WDW and casually sprinkle bits of my ashes throughout the parks. I'll be looking down at them from Heaven and smiling!

Mama's eye surgery is scheduled for tomorrow and I'm taking off work so that I can go with her. It is being done at the surgical center and we should be home tomorrow afternoon. Mama doesn't have internet (I know! What day and age is the woman living in?) so I won't be able to post tomorrow either.

Anyway, that's the reason I haven't been around much. I had hoped that my boss being away this week would give me time to write more. Just my luck, the office has been busy as can be with people freaking out because he's gone. It could have been worse. I could have been sitting here letting my "funk" completely overtake me.

I'm bound and determined that Jesus is going to make an appearance in this trip report (remember that was the teaser at the end of my last installment) before the end of the day today. I'll go ahead and apologize now just in case I don't get to post replies. I'm not ignoring you...I pinky promise!

 

[heatherlekay]

So sorry to hear about your aunts. And I agree with you-it's always disturbing some of the things said at funerals when it's clear the officiant didn't know the person.
Prayers going out that your moms surgery goes smoothly and that things start looking up for you very soon.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I'm so sorry about your aunt. I saw your posting on FB about the funeral. I don't blame you for not wanting one, don't think I do either!

Hope your funk goes away, I've been in one for the past week too. Writing on my TR has helped, so I hope doing an installment on yours helps you! And that your work slows down with less crazies

And hope Mama's surgery goes well!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

My sympathies on your aunt's passing. It can be so hard to think about happy stuff and write TRs when there's sadness around you. I'm sure it's a tough time for your family.
I hope your mom's surgery goes well!!

For the record - I feel like you about funerals. Unless there's a way to make them an actual celebration of the person's life, I do not want to be a part of it. It seems that it's just a thing you have to "get through" in order to start a life without that person. I don't like that idea.

Hope things start looking brighter soon!

 

[sewmess]

My prayers are for your family at this time of mourning. And I hope Mama's surgery went off without a hitch.

I don't like attending funerals either: mostly because the funerals I have had to attend were my Dad's and brother's. Although, I did start laughing in the middle of my Dad's funeral. The officiant did not know Dad well and, trying to take in the things she had heard about him at the church, said something about him "talking and discussing with the saints and great minds that went before." My dad was the ultimate Devil's Advocate. Even if he believed one way, he'd ask questions from the other side, just to keep you on your toes and thinking. I remember thinking when she said that "You mean arguing with..." and that made me laugh. Which I do too often in church anyway.

Anyway, peace be with you.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Jesus! Is that Jesus? Why it certainly is!

Today was the day... the day that we’d be sprinkled with the magical Disney pixie dust ... the day that Jesse would walk hand in hand with his bride of almost one year into the Magic Kingdom .... the day we’d all scream like crazy on Big Thunder Mountain ....the day that we’d stuff a prominent religious figure into a teeny tiny space. What? Read on.....

We were all up and at ‘em early in the day and ready to hit the Magic Kingdom! As we walked to the Jamaica bus stop, we were chatting about what we wanted to see and do. So, what did we want to see and do? Why, everything humanly possible of course. The Disney/CBR bus mojo was still with us and we were on a bus and pulling into the Magic Kingdom in no time at all.

Soon, very soon, we’d initiate Jesse into The wonderful world of McBride Walt Disney World Park Touring Club. Lacey and I went through bag check while the guys went through the no bag entrance and we met up at the turnstiles. Before entering the park, we took care of some business that needed tended to and then were walking under the train station.

Here we go! Are you ready Jesse? Would he be able to handle it? Would I cry like I always do? As soon as we walked into the park, I could feel the energy. I could feel the magic. I could see the ugly building facade. Oh bother! Those facade took away from some of the grandeur of Main Street!

Who am I kidding? I’d take an ugly tarp covering a building on Main Street over the real world any day! We were in the Magic Kingdom!

There was only one thing that Jesse really insisted on doing and that was to get pictures made by a Photopass photographer. Seriously? That’s the one thing that he insisted upon? Yep! But, that’s not all of the story. You see, Jesse has taken one item with him no matter where he travels for years now. Whether that be all the way to South America or to the Smoky Mountains. That one item would be Jesus and I’m not talking figuratively. I’m talking literally. See:

That Jesus doll has gone all over the place and appears in many of Jesse’s blog posts. He really wanted to have Jesus photographed in the Magic Kingdom....one of the most magical places on Earth. The Photopass photographer was really cool about it and had no problem taking several shots of Jesus with the castle in the background. Some people looked at us like we were crazy standing there holding a Jesus doll up in the air but ya’ll know us...we didn’t give two hoots if they were looking at us or not. Once Jesus had his picture made, Lacey and Jesse strolled over to the locker (that was the piece of business that we had to attend to before going into the park) and stuffed Jesus into the tiny space for the rest of the day. Sorry Jesus!

While they were away, we asked the Photopass photographer to take some pictures of us and I thought they turned out pretty good.

We wanted more pictures taken when Lacey and Jesse returned but we stepped to the side so that other families could have their pictures done. I took pictures and we listened to these guys singing for the guests:

Ahh, it felt so good to be back at the Magic Kingdom! The year between our visits had seemed to drag by so slowly. And, for the record, yes, I did shed a tear or two while standing there. I couldn’t help myself. I was just so happy to have my whole family together. Here come Lacey and Jesse in the sea of folks streaming down Main Street:

We hopped back in the line for the Photopass photographer and then had a few more pictures made:

A few pictures made..........where’s the picture of Lacey and Jesse? I don’t know! I even have my Photopass CD here with me and it’s not on there. Hum?

Photopass pictures done, we joined the other guests walking down Main Street and took a left when we got to Casey’s. Our first destination was Adventureland!

Hunter and Jesse get along great which makes my heart sing. When Hunter was several years younger, he swore that he’d never like the man who married Lacey. He said that he would break them up because he wouldn’t want anybody to take Lacey away from him. Lacey and Hunter are pretty tight even though there’s ten years between them. Hunter absolutely loves Jesse and looks up to him. I think it helped that we got to know Jesse when he and Lacey attended Master’s Commission together and before the two of them started dating. Anyway, it makes me happy that they get along so well.

The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse was right there so we decided, why not go on up. Hunter talking Jesse’s ear off as we entered the treehouse:

And some of the treehouse and the views from the tree:

While the treehouse is not at the top of our list of “must sees”, it was considered a “must see” this trip due to the fact that we were trying to let Jesse experience everything.

*continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

The Jungle Cruise was the next attraction we came to and I was surprised to see that the wait wasn’t that long. We got into line and boarded our boat just 10 minutes later. I think that I was the only one snapping pictures during our cruise but I didn’t care ‘cause I had a trip report to write and what’s a trip report without pictures?

The front side of water:

And the backside of water:

Approaching a dark creepy tunnel:

Look at all of the elephants:

Don’t look now but this guy’s holding somebody’s head:

What would we do now that we’d cruised through the Magic Kingdom jungle?

**Up next: Blood, Sweat & Ghouls!

 

[thornton0511]

Great update Lisa! So glad to see all of you back together in the world!
Sorry to hear about you Aunt. Were both of them your mama's sisters? She has had a tough year too. I thought that it was interesting that you mentioned not wanting a funeral, everone that has passed on my husband's side of the family had decided to donate their body to science which seemed weird to me (I come from a get yourself a plot to be buried kind of a family) but after 12yrs of marriage it just seems normal now when that happens. Also my husband's parents are missionaries and have always made it known if they die while in a foreign country while on a mission they wish to be left there and not brought home...that still does not sit very well with any of us but what do you do right? Anyways sorry about all of this morbid talk but you started it! lol just kidding!