(Final 8/12)The WILDEST Ride in the Wilderness!" Princess Half Marathon TR/Feb.2014

[momabaarjo]

Some day I am going to stay at BC! I love how close it is to Epcot...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture of the girls in the phone booth...cant wait to find about lunch!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I seem to go in waves...I'll do a bunch and then I'm tired of it and don't update for a while. Sorry about that. I swear I used to churn these things out in the first week or two back and then wish they hadn't gone so fast...now I'm wishing the opposite!

So...I think I had mentioned that I LOVED walking to Epcot from BCV. We had walked along UK & Canada and decided to take the boat back to Morocco because I was hurting quite a bit. I was excited about grabbing dinner at my FAVORITE CS restaurant, Tangerine Cafe! I have a bit of a love affair with this place, like the clouds-part-and-rainbows-appear kind of love:

Yep, that's Rey right there in that photo. This is from 2012. I didn't actually TAKE any photos this trip b/c drama was beginning to unfold (hold your horses, I'll get to that in a minute!) but since I love this place, you get to see more photos of it.

It's not just the lovely decor, it's THIS PLATE OF AWESOMENESS: I present to you the Vegetarian platter. *cue singing angels*

It's all I want when I'm in WS. It doesn't matter if I'm way over in Mexico, my mind is always calculating how long it will take me to get to this platter of goodness.

So...clearly, this is where I was headed. In my vegetarian platter trance, I had forgotten what also ALWAYS.HAPPENS. when we are in World Showcase...

Savannah has nothing to eat.

Savannah is a vegetarian as well, but let's face it, she's 13. So she's picky and not really into exotic foods. The first time we went to WS when she was just 7 years old, she ate fries at Tangerine Cafe after we scoured the countries for SOMETHING. ANYTHING. that did not have meat that she would be willing to eat. Seriously...even in America the only thing on the kids meal was Crustables PB&J (at the time...more on that to come).

Sooooo, a bit of an attitude started to surface when we walked in my favorite CS EVER and she realized there was nothing she wanted to eat. Naturally Eleanor didn't want to eat if Savannah wasn't, so passed as well. This made me frustrated (with the situation, not her, but to her she just sees frustration) and made me feel rushed. I grabbed some food, sat down for approximately 3 minutes to shove it in my face while griping the whole time and I'm unsure what happened at that point but we got up to leave and Savannah was really upset and I was annoyed with her attitude. This left us with some chilly temps walking towards Japan. Most of it washed away when the drummers were out and we stood and watched them finish up. I took a picture but my settings were wrong so I got blur.

The girls took a video though.

Apparently they weren't THAT hungry because they wanted to go into the Japan store yet again. I told Savannah I would wait "out here" and apparently my pointing skills are lacking (as you will see).

I sat and watched the sun go down. It was nice and relaxing and my legs needed a rest.

It got dark. I was tired of waiting & annoyed. I finally got up and started looking around, 45 minutes was a long time to sit waiting. I found the girls and Savannah looked PISSED (I realized a few minutes later she was scared)...she had misunderstood where I said I would sit and they had been looking for me. She had called me TWENTY-TWO TIMES?!?!? I looked at my phone and nothing. Not a single missed call?? (luckily I have a new phone now) Telling her that didn't help the situation b/c I was annoyed when I walked up, thinking they had just taken far too much time and had a little attitude of my own. She was acting like it was my fault, I was acting like it was hers... That, coupled with her being afraid she lost me, sent her over the edge. She just WALKED OFF. At Disney! WALKED OFF!

It was nearly amusing and we do laugh about it now, but Eleanor and I looked at each other in disbelief and took off after her. She was moving pretty fast. We caught up with her at America, the bathrooms. I let her go in and calm herself down, when she came out she had been crying. We talked it out and apologized and decided she needed some food pretty badly. We decided to try America in hopes that they had something other than PB&J. They did! Shew! Mac-n-cheese for both the girls did the trick. We sat outside and let it all wash away.

The thing I love about Disney meltdowns...they are short-lived. The time is too precious there and we are acutely aware that we don't want to waste a single moment more in a bad mood! This was the last drama of the trip and I am so glad we let it go so quickly.

It was dark and time was approaching for Illuminations! We scurried back towards France for dessert, we wanted to grab something to eat while we waited. Ah...Disney...it's like there was never any drama at all by the time we were back in France.

We went back into the new Patisserie and the girls picked out some dessert.

Then we headed over near the bridge in France to see if we could find a spot for Illuminations. People were already lining the railing...

Up next...Illuminations and WALKING back to BCV. Have I mentioned the LOVE that?!?!?

 

[Tinker326]

Aww....

Sorry that Savannah was upset/scared. But so glad it was all short lived. Guess it happens sometimes.

Plus macaroons help!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

A meltdown in Disney?? Naw, those don't happen.....you must have been mistaken!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Aww....

Sorry that Savannah was upset/scared. But so glad it was all short lived. Guess it happens sometimes.

Plus macaroons help!

I felt really bad when I realized her attitude was really b/c she was scared, but by then I had kind of scolded her for not calling me and she was thinking I wasn't answering my phone. It's always about communication with us, once we calm down and talk it out, it's usually ok. It really freaked me out that my phone didn't ring when she called. Texts worked for some reason though, so we made a deal that if we got separated again to always text...and if all else fails meet back at the room.

A meltdown in Disney?? Naw, those don't happen.....you must have been mistaken!

I'm not sure it's a true Disney trip if there isn't some sort of drama, even if it's just the monorail stopping for 10 minutes and being stuck or it pouring down rain when you are caught out without a poncho...I think it's just par for the course sometimes!

 

[annmarieda]

Generally, I think that it is hard to escape drama while on a trip. People get tired and hungry and frustrated and yes... sometimes even scared. It impacts how people react to each other. When I say people, I mean even the guys can have their moments. However really... girls. we tend to be drama queens.

I am glad you talked it out. Looks like your day ended on a very positive note!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Generally, I think that it is hard to escape drama while on a trip. People get tired and hungry and frustrated and yes... sometimes even scared. It impacts how people react to each other. When I say people, I mean even the guys can have their moments. However really... girls. we tend to be drama queens.

I am glad you talked it out. Looks like your day ended on a very positive note!

It did start and end well, we laugh about the drama now and I think it makes it easier to let go of it when it happens the next time...because there is always a next time!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

So, drama over and snacks in hand, we headed over to the bridge between UK & France to find a spot for Illuminations!

We found a spot, there were people in front of us, but one of them was in a scooter and nice enough when the show started to let Eleanor and Savannah stand right next to her so they could see. It worked out really well! I like to pick a different place for Illuminations each time and this one was fairly nice for seeing Earth, there are other spots in WS where you can barely see it.

ready for some pics?

I love how Illuminations is different from different places. My favorite place to shoot is still Japan. These are shots I took in 2012:

Unique no matter where you watch it in the world...just like the different countries and cultures of the world! See what I did there?

Anyway, back to 2014...Eleanor LOVED Illuminations. AND...have I mentioned how much I LOVED walking to WS from BCV?? Not nearly as much as walking back. The JOY in my heart when Illuminations was over, we walked over the bridge, out International Gateway, and back to our little secret path and were in the room 5 minutes later. This alone was worth the price of BCV. I think it could have been a total dump and I still would have loved it for this. No standing in long lines for buses or falling asleep standing up on a bus all the way back to the resort. Nope. I think they should build more resorts next to parks....but they should be cheaper, for those of us without Deluxe pocketbooks. I know, pipe dream.

I'm a bit rambly this morning!

I believe we went down to soak in the hot tub for a bit, although my notes don't say it, I know it happened. I was still in a lot of pain from my injury/the race, and the hot tub was perfect!

Back in the room the girls had a HUGE Japanese/Italian candy tasting (they were video taping tasting each) and I passed out before they even finished. Our first day at BCV had come to an end but I realized that this meant only one more full day left at WDW before it was time to go home! How does it fly by so quickly??

Up next, our last full day packed full of goodness, sugar, and the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

I absolutely love your pics of Illuminations! Both from this year and 2012! I wish I could take awesome pics like you, but alas, I'll just steal yours!!

The convenience of the BCV sounds so awesome! Maybe someday.....wishful thinking!! I can't believe it's already just one more full day left. Bummer!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Wednesday morning dawned our last full day and I was up before the sun, naturally. I took a shower and headed down to the marketplace at 6am for my coffee. Except apparently they don't open until 7am. WHAT?!?!?

People. 7am is like half the day! I thought it was strange that the value resorts open for coffee at 6am and the Deluxes don't? Do cheap people wake up earlier? In all seriousness, I realized they probably waited the hour b/c there is a coffee pot in every room...so back to the room I trekked and made myself some coffee. *sigh* I make my own coffee every single day, on vacation I want someone else to make it for me, even if it's icky Disney coffee.

Coffee and camera in hand, I headed down to take some photos of the resort and hit the hot tub. I know you must know this already, but I love waking up uberearly and photographing the resorts when they are empty. I also just LOVE feeling like I'm the only one around.

Commence early morning photo taking...

I sat here, watching the sun come up!

I had some friends with me as well...

and the sun came up, just like every other day...

ran out of room...continued in next post...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

finishing that post up (too many images. Go figure)

I think that was your biga$$ balcony Tweedle.

After soaking for a bit and watching the sun came up, I went BACK for another few shots of the Breezeway area...I like this room.

also wanted a good shot of Ariel without straight sunlight on her, so I went out front for that shot:

At some point I tired of photos and went upstairs to get the girls up. I did get a shot of myself in the mirror reflection and just a bit of the mess two teenage girls can make in a vanity area in ONE DAYS TIME...

wakey wakey girls! It's time to once again WALK to Epcot! Let the day begin!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I absolutely love your pics of Illuminations! Both from this year and 2012! I wish I could take awesome pics like you, but alas, I'll just steal yours!!

Steal away!

The convenience of the BCV sounds so awesome! Maybe someday.....wishful thinking!! I can't believe it's already just one more full day left. Bummer!!

It was a long day, followed by a half day before leaving, so still a lot more updates! Have no fear, it will take me another few months to get through the next day and a half.

 

[Tinker326]

Tweedle... I am pretty sure I pre-warned you about that 7am opening. I dedicated an entire post to it in my TR- you know EIGHT months ago. I'm sure it was right on your brain at the time! Hahahahaha!

I was forced to walk over to Yacht Club in my PJ's with wild hair because I could not make my Diet Pop in the room. It was so humiliating. Because there are so, so many people up at 6am when you are trying to get your addict fix of caffeine in your PJ's and you don't want people to see you! It seemed like half the resort to me at the time! Just open the marketplace EARLIER. Do people with more money sleep later than those with less? It makes no sense!!!!

LOVE the pics of the resort. May have to steal some. I see my room in there!!! Loved that balcony. And I too, LOVED that walk from Epcot to BCV. Without a doubt- the winning thing about that resort.

Also loved those pics from Illiuminations taken from Japan. Beautiful.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Tweedle... I am pretty sure I pre-warned you about that 7am opening. I dedicated an entire post to it in my TR- you know EIGHT months ago. I'm sure it was right on your brain at the time! Hahahahaha!

I was forced to walk over to Yacht Club in my PJ's with wild hair because I could not make my Diet Pop in the room. It was so humiliating. Because there are so, so many people up at 6am when you are trying to get your addict fix of caffeine in your PJ's and you don't want people to see you! It seemed like half the resort to me at the time! Just open the marketplace EARLIER. Do people with more money sleep later than those with less? It makes no sense!!!!

LOVE the pics of the resort. May have to steal some. I see my room in there!!! Loved that balcony. And I too, LOVED that walk from Epcot to BCV. Without a doubt- the winning thing about that resort.

Also loved those pics from Illiuminations taken from Japan. Beautiful.

OMG, you TOTALLY did tell me about it and I forgot! I remember you walking over to Yacht Club, you had a migraine too, right?!?! Well, you didn't actually tell ME that it wasn't open until 7am, right? You have to direct these things at me, by name, in order to even have a chance of me remembering them. Cause it's all about me.

I'm so jealous of your balcony experience. Mine just sucked. That's ok, we're going to have Giraffes and Antelopes and all kinds of lovely balcony experiences in February!

 

[momabaarjo]

Karen....your pictures are so BEAUTIFUL and your perspective is right on point! SO JEALOUS!

Sorry about the melt downs...they happen and I wish they were over as fast in the in the real world.

 

[annmarieda]

I have always been impressed by your photos, but these updates definitely are among my favs. You really got some amazing shots of illuminations.

Walking back to your resort through the IG is such a great experience. I have only done it once but fell in love with it. In the coming trips I have I will be doing it again. Although not for the BC. I have never stayed there. Someday I really do hope to.

I can't believe how early you were to be up and out of the room. You are awesome! And then to sit and watch the sun come up? I think of all the TRs I read that has to be one of the more magical moments I have read about. No one around... calm, quiet... and slowly the day emerges. A MAZE ING!

 

[saintstickets]

WOW!! Absolutely fantastic Illuminations and early morning BCV pics! WOW again!!! Trying to get caught up with TRs after our trip to WDW and then getting caught up at work too. What a nice way to get "DISboard caught up" by reading your TR!

We have stayed at all the DVC resorts at WDW except VGF and I have to say we love BWV & BCV for the reasons you do...the easy walk to EPCOT. Every resort has it's +'s and -'s but the proximity to WS at these two resorts does it for us!

Looking forward to more of your TR!!

 

[ZellyB]

Your pictures are fantastic. I love those sunrise pictures at the resort. Really lovely. Anxious to hear about your last day, but sad since it means the trip report is coming to an end.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Karen....your pictures are so BEAUTIFUL and your perspective is right on point! SO JEALOUS!

Sorry about the melt downs...they happen and I wish they were over as fast in the in the real world.

Aww, thanks! I didn't spend a lot of time on photographs this trip, but it was nice to catch a few good ones! I wish they were over that fast in the real world too!

I have always been impressed by your photos, but these updates definitely are among my favs. You really got some amazing shots of illuminations.

Thank you! I definitely didn't spend much time on this trip taking photos like I normally do, so it was nice to get a few good ones. I can't wait until PHM b/c I won't have any kids with me and can stop and "photograph the roses"

Walking back to your resort through the IG is such a great experience. I have only done it once but fell in love with it. In the coming trips I have I will be doing it again. Although not for the BC. I have never stayed there. Someday I really do hope to.

It was hands down the best part about staying there!

I can't believe how early you were to be up and out of the room. You are awesome! And then to sit and watch the sun come up? I think of all the TRs I read that has to be one of the more magical moments I have read about. No one around... calm, quiet... and slowly the day emerges. A MAZE ING!

I really RELISH early mornings, period, but at Disney they are even better. It's the time of day that I actually can just sit back and feel like I'm actually on vacation!

WOW!! Absolutely fantastic Illuminations and early morning BCV pics! WOW again!!! Trying to get caught up with TRs after our trip to WDW and then getting caught up at work too. What a nice way to get "DISboard caught up" by reading your TR!

We have stayed at all the DVC resorts at WDW except VGF and I have to say we love BWV & BCV for the reasons you do...the easy walk to EPCOT. Every resort has it's +'s and -'s but the proximity to WS at these two resorts does it for us!

Looking forward to more of your TR!!

Thank you so much! Like I told everyone else, I usually spend a good amount of time getting "the shots" for the trip and this trip I didn't spend barely any time on my photography and regret it a bit now. It's nice to find some gems in the mix of everyday shots that I got!

Your pictures are fantastic. I love those sunrise pictures at the resort. Really lovely. Anxious to hear about your last day, but sad since it means the trip report is coming to an end.

Thank you! Our last day was fantastic and LONG, so many more updates to come!

 

[Trentmom]

I have been slacking majorly. I am now all caught up

Poor Savannah, with being hungry and afraid that you were lost, it took her over the edge into meltdown mode. Glad you guys got it all squared away and didn't last long

Love all your morning shots. So nice and peaceful in the morning

Gorgeous pics of Illuminations. That is my favorite nighttime show