First ever trip report - Sept 2009 - Tues 22nd (11/11)

[Becx N Gav]

Great trip report Becx!!

My mom sent me the link, and I am glad she did! I love the photos, and the quilt at the Beach Club. I am considering renting points there for my holiday in June, you may just have convinced me!

Don't worry about the lack of subscribers, they will come when the days start adding up! Its a great start and maybe send a link over from the DIsUnplugged board too (that's what I did with my mom's one). I am sure all your fans from there would love to read your report!

Can't wait for the next instalment! (mainly cause I might be in it! )

Thanks for stopping by Kate Hope Uni is going ok, I bet you'll be back home soon?
You'll love the Beach Club, the villas are lovely.

I've put the link in my signature in the hopes a few people will follow it, but I might post on the cruise thread - everyone seems busy with DAP plans, I'm looking forward to hearing all about it I wouldn't say I have fans I haven't been on the podcast yet (not that I've ever been asked - I would love that )

I've written the whole of today but I'll post the rest tomorrow hoefully, it takes a while to find the pics and get the right size. Also I've been taking pics of things we bought and uploading them.

 

[Mojodisney]

Loving the report. Keep it going. I'm one of those lurkers that loves to read the TR's but never comments. But I want you to keep writing so here I am.
Where and what is DLRP?

 

[Becx N Gav]

Loving the report. Keep it going. I'm one of those lurkers that loves to read the TR's but never comments. But I want you to keep writing so here I am.
Where and what is DLRP?

Sorry - Disney Land Resort Paris Thanks for joining and coming out of lurkdom I was the same, I was lurking for probably a year before I got a user name I'm pleased you're enjoying it, more tomorrow

 

[Disneymoon09]

Just found your TR and I'm loving it so far!

 

[praisehisname]

I know some women are really into designer bags, but $2000???

Sounds like you had fun shopping!

Denise

 

[lynn71092]

Subscribing, love your pictures!

 

[Becx N Gav]

Just found your TR and I'm loving it so far!

Thank you, it's kind of you to join in

I know some women are really into designer bags, but $2000???

Sounds like you had fun shopping!

Denise

It's not like everything she buys is designer but this was a treat that she was really looking forward to, it gets better too

I love the Malls and outlets you guys have and Walmart Things are on a different scale in the USA.

Subscribing, love your pictures!

Hi there, thanks I was only using my cell phone camera (Sony Ericsson K850i) it was ok for some things - like food pics - but not in low light or zooming in on things but I'm looking at new cameras for our next trip Some are DH's from his iPhone.

 

[Becx N Gav]

I’d done my research here and had seen how huge the portions were and we all wanted cheesecake We decided to split some apps between us – we got the chicken and hamburger slider and some mini corn dogs.

We also had some bread – I always forget you get bread with a meal in America – in the UK if you asked for it they’d charge you!

I really liked the sliders but the corn dogs weren’t that great. After this I was surprisingly full and didn’t want to half eat my cheesecake and waste the rest – they looked so rich We all decided to get a slice each to go as we were almost done with the mall anyway.
I got the Godiva Chocolate one and DH got a peanut butter cup fudge ripple. I actually didn’t get around to eating it until the Wednesday – I scraped off the cream. Here is a pic

After this I made sure to use the voucher I had for a luxury shopping bag – it was ok for free but I wouldn’t call it luxury and would have preferred a discount someplace

We headed to Fye as A wanted to look at the PSP’s, I wanted a DS game and DH wanted a lead for the car (instead of that tuner thing!). I got the walking game which came with the pedometers with the intention of seeing how far we were walking at Disney. However what with being a bit disorganised, forgetful and getting sick I still haven’t used the blooming thing I will though A didn’t get the PSP from here, not sure why – possibly because they didn’t have the package he wanted.
So we headed out to the car and the sky was looking better. We set off but the roads confused me so much we were heading back a different way to the way we came – right direction but a bit of a longer route!
When we got back on track I managed to totally miss a turn near Sea World – we kept on going straight – that really confuses me when you have to go through a junction to stay on a road, here the road usually stays the main route and any other roads have a junction to join even if you do turn a corner!
We soon realised when it looked totally different to when we had come but we managed to turn around. Back on track we made it back to the BC just after 3pm. We freshened up before we headed over to Epcot for our dinner at Tokyo Dining and our first Dis meet of the trip

 

[Becx N Gav]

We walked over to the International Gateway and headed over the bridge to France, of course we stopped for a Grey Goose Slush - I think DH even had one!

We slowly walked to Japan and kept our eye out for our cruise table mates from May – Michael and Carol who were also with their friend Sandy.

We got to the bottom of the steps of the restaurant and there was no sign of them. Luckily we had their cell number and texts cost the normal rate so we texted them and found out they were already inside and had checked in
It wasn’t too long before we were shown to our table and we were able to get all the introductions out the way. Carol and Michael along with their daughter and Sandy had just come back from the DVC member cruise, but their daughter had gone home this morning. It was fun hearing all about what they got up to and what special things they did – although IMO the Podcast Cruise we did in May sounded much better

First up I got a drink – Green Tea Martini – it was really nice, not too bitter as green tea can sometimes be and a funky frog colour

DH was happy with beer
For my entree I got the teriyaki chicken, I’m glad I skipped the appetisers as this was plenty for me, I didn’t even finish it all. It was quite a few pieces of chicken and a few bits of veg, there was a bowl of rice, soy sauce and I think seaweed.

When we were done eating the CM’s in the kitchen did a demonstration of how to make a tuna roll. It was amazing how simple they made it look but I would imagine that my attempt would not be so pretty and neat. I wish I had taken more pictures but as I was using the camera on my phone it doesn’t work well indoors unless it's up close. It does work ok for food pics though so even if I do get a new camera for our next trip I will still use it for quick shots of food and drinks!
I did want to try the chocolate ginger cake but was so full I skipped it. After we had paid our bill (not realising they didn’t accept TIW ) we left and made our way back out of Epcot, stopping for a beer and Moroccorita on the way.

 

[suzycute]

Another great addition to your report Becx!

$2000 for a bag??? Thank goodness C's card was declined!

Sorry to hear you've been sick but hope you're better now (and well enough to write a bit more of your report!!)

 

[Becx N Gav]

The plan was to head around to the Yacht Club to pick up the boat for the Illuminations cruise but when we were at dinner Carol told us when she called to confirm the booking Disney had said we could be picked up from the Boardwalk, I then texted Sue and Kate who we’d also invited along just so they didn’t go to the Yacht Club and wonder where we were.
After dinner unfortunately A & C realised they had not brought enough money along with them for dinner and for the money we were to give to Carol for the cruise. Instead of telling them where to meet us and them getting lost I stayed with them and the three of us went back to the villa so they could get the money they needed. DH meanwhile went with Carol, Michael and Sandy to their 1 bed BW villa to have a look around and also look at some of the gifts they got on their cruise including this clock, which I think is very nice.

They also surprised us with some lovely pins and a ton of Mickey head paint samples from Home Depot (as we can’t these here in the UK) – I wasn’t expecting it at all and the pins are wonderful I really love the Bambi one.

We met up again at the boat launch on the BW side and waited until 8pm hoping to see our boat coming. In the meantime I got a call from Sue and Kate, they were at the Yacht Club and had just got my text so were checking with us and I told them to head over to where we were, I felt really bad with all this last minute changes of plan but we had been assured that the boat would come to the BW side.
Kate and Sue got there pretty quick but still no sign of the boat. It was lovely to meet them – I wish we had been able to spend more time with them but we didn’t want A & C to be spending all their with all these crazy Disneynut peeps (not that they didn't enjoy meeting everyone but we wanted them to see as much of WDW as possible).
As it had gone 8pm Carol called Disney to find out where the boat was, they informed her that the boats never leave from BW and the only place you can board is the YC
Typical, we rushed around to the YC (poor Sue and Kate had just done this the other way around ) and when we got there it turned out Disney had made sure we got a good skipper. He soon made up for the miscommunication as he was a blast very personable.
We travelled up to DHS first and he told stories and jokes along the way. As we were heading back towards Epcot he told us the story line of Illuminations which I had never heard before, now it all makes sense and I know what the different sections of music and light/fireworks/pictures represent
Kate, me and Sue (left to right)

We pulled up under the bridge between the UK and France along with a few other boats. It was probably the first time I had paid attention the whole way through Illuminations and I enjoyed it a lot more from the boat (not that I didn’t like it before, but we’ve never had a really good spot to see it from or I’ve been trying to film it and that takes away from the experience) it was just so comfortable and realxed.
When it was all over we headed back out and the skipper took some pictures of us (unfortunately mine didn’t come out so I’m stealing this from Sue )

We then went back to DHS to drop off Sue and Kate, the night seemed to have flown by – it was wonderful to meet them and I hope we’ll get to see them again
We then all went back to the Yacht Club and said our goodbyes to Carol and Michael and Sandy before heading back to bed (via the Yacht Club restrooms which are one of my favourites )
It was a great start to the vacation and we couldn't wait to hit the parks tomorrow

 

[Becx N Gav]

Another great addition to your report Becx!

$2000 for a bag??? Thank goodness C's card was declined!

Sorry to hear you've been sick but hope you're better now (and well enough to write a bit more of your report!!)

Thanks!
Yeah, I just couldn't justify paying that much for a bag myself, but I'm not too bothered about fashion. I'd happily spend all that on Disney stuff if I had the chance

I got sick whist on holiday - quite a bad cold (but definately not swine flu thank goodness) and I wasn't better until about two and a half weeks later.

Work has been really busy this week but I'll try and get a few more days written up. I'm actually writing a lot more detail than I expected to. I didn't write very many notes but things have been easy to remember. I hope it's not too boring for everyone

 

[Mojodisney]

Thanks!
Yeah, I just couldn't justify paying that much for a bag myself, but I'm not too bothered about fashion. I'd happily spend all that on Disney stuff if I had the chance

I got sick whist on holiday - quite a bad cold (but definately not swine flu thank goodness) and I wasn't better until about two and a half weeks later.

Work has been really busy this week but I'll try and get a few more days written up. I'm actually writing a lot more detail than I expected to. I didn't write very many notes but things have been easy to remember. I hope it's not too boring for everyone

Glad you are feeling better. You are not boring me!!! Waiting for more.

 

[wishspirit]

Loving the new posts Becx!

Its too bad that your pictures didn't turn out well! I'm glad that a few of us got them though.

I'm sorry about the cold too, I got one at Disneyland Paris last year, and it really made the holiday hard, I spent a lot of it sleeping.

 

[praisehisname]

I got the Godiva Chocolate one and DH got a peanut butter cup fudge ripple.

Two of my favorites! We have a Cheesecake Factory about 2 miles from our house, and I love their food!

we left and made our way back out of Epcot, stopping for a beer and Moroccorita on the way.

Hmmm...I've never heard anyone talk about the Moroccorita before...I'll have to add that to my list of drinks to try!!!

The Illuminations cruise sounds great!

 

[Tickanee]

A little late to the party but I am joining in. Love your report so far...can't wait to read more!

 

[Becx N Gav]

Loving the new posts Becx!

Its too bad that your pictures didn't turn out well! I'm glad that a few of us got them though.

I'm sorry about the cold too, I got one at Disneyland Paris last year, and it really made the holiday hard, I spent a lot of it sleeping.

Yeah, I should really have bought a new camera earlier, we first got a digital camera in 2004 and have been using that until I got my phone but it's no where near as good as the ones out now. I'm taking my time deciding what I want and looking at all the models. I want to be able to take really good pictures like some of the ones other people post

It really sucks getting a cold, I'm not sure if I got it on the plane (Sunday and I was starting to feel unwell on the Weds night). I don't think the aircon/hot weather helped, going from hot to cold all the time. I was still able to carry on though - luckily it didn't spoil any plans (we were due a rest day on the Thursday when it was really bad) but they all had to put up with my runny nose

Two of my favorites! We have a Cheesecake Factory about 2 miles from our house, and I love their food!




Hmmm...I've never heard anyone talk about the Moroccorita before...I'll have to add that to my list of drinks to try!!!

The Illuminations cruise sounds great!

I wish we had Cheesecake Factories over here I'd like to go back and have a proper meal, I think I would have to pace myself over a few hours though as the portions looked massive on other peoples tables

The Moroccorita's are from the stand in Morocco - they also have beers and baclava there It's not very different to the other margaritas you can get, it was just on the way

I would thoroughly recommend the Illuminations cruise, espicially if you can get 10 poeple as it brings it to about $32 a head I'd love to do a Wishes cruise too - might see if we can do one next December

A little late to the party but I am joining in. Love your report so far...can't wait to read more!

Thanks for posting, always good to hear from people I will try to write some more today and get it posted this week. The eveings at home are so busy and work is busy too, the time goes quick and I don't have enough to get everything done

 

[Becx N Gav]

Tuesday 22nd September

On today’s itinerary:
Brekkie in the room
Gav Drive
See Art 7.30am
Leave BC @ 7.40am
MK
Lunch - Pecos Bill
Leave by 3/4pm - rest
Dinner - Kouzinna 6.30pm
Drinks Boardwalk

Again I’d planned for an early start, I was awake around 5.30am. That gave us plenty of time to get ready and have a bite to eat before we headed out. I went down to get coffee's in our refillable mugs at about 5.50am not realising they open at 6am We had also planned on seeing Art the greeter before we set out as by the time we got back he would have finished for the day.
We did really well and got down to get the car at 7.30am (I’d read that you needed to be at the TTC about 40 minutes before the park opens to allow enough time to get to the MK) Gav went in to see if Art was around but he was out the back somewhere and we didn’t know how long he’d be.
We headed out and made our way towards MK. It was so easy to get there and we parked in Minnie 36 – a short walk to the TTC

It was only 8am by this point so I suggested we walk to the Poly to have a look around and grab some coffee. I didn’t realize how winding the paths are and tried to go in a straight line but unless I climbed over the bushes it wasn't going to happen We got to the Grand Ceremonial House and had a wander around. I was eager to get to the MK – just to make sure we were there
I think I was a bit annoying at times because I wanted to make sure we got to places on time and followed the plan but A&C were ‘slow’ to put it nicely. I walk at a fast pace even at WDW, I just can’t walk slowly. Often they would be 20ft behind us and I’d have to stop and wait. I wouldn’t have minded them going at their pace once we’d done everything but it was all the time I’d told them before we left that if we got in early we could go back and rest but I don’t think they were prepared for the heat and all the walking.
So we got our coffee’s and C wanted to get a plastic card holder to go on her lanyard (we got them lanyards with couple of pins each and the Epcot passport last December as a Christmas gift for this vacation). We looked around the store and she found one she wanted.

Next up the Monorail – actually (apart from the Illuminations boat cruise) this was the first Disney Transport they had taken I think by the end of the vacation we’d done all forms of transport
I prefer the resort Monorail as you get to see the other resorts a bit better and it worked out really well time wise as we arrived at MK about 10 minutes before the opening ceremony It was quite cute to watch but hard to see everything if you’re off to the side – the platform is pretty high.

It wasn’t long before they opened the park and we headed in I think we stopped for a bathroom break and I was again getting worried we’d be at the back of all the lines and the early morning would have been in vain – I soon realized the park was pretty dead (it was the day of MNSSHP) but I just have this thing when I hate to see people going faster than we are OK I’m weird I took a few pics of the Halloween decorations

I love the ribbon on this one

 

[praisehisname]

I love the ribbon on this one

Me, too!