Fleeing Wedding Showers for Epcot Flowers: My Final Morning, Finally! NEW 4/12

[brookelizabeth]

Welcome back! Sorry to hear about the cold weather. We went once in January and some days were awful, but a few were really nice. It's totally hit and miss during January.

But, despite that, it sounds like a successful trip with the first 1/4 of the book planned out! When you get this baby published you are going to get instant sales from us here on the DIS!

Sounds like a wonderful move to cancel the March trip and go for April. As I mentioned on my TR, touring with a little one is a whole new thing. It's completely magical, in a whole different way, to watch their eyes light up with wonder at it all. But, some things are harder. You really have to take the mentality of "go with the flow" and pretty much let her lead. Take extra time to watch the ducks and play in the water features...that sorta stuff. Another tip, that works GREAT for Henry that another DISer gave me was, if you are going to have a sit down meal, do lunch. Use that time to re-charge a bit, reapply sunscreen, etc. Kids always eat better at lunch, and sometimes by dinner they are tired and fussy. Not all kids, but many. Overall, it will be GREAT, I'm sure!!! Where are you staying? Resorts on the monorail, boats, or Epcot area are FANTASTIC with a stroller. The buses are fine, but it's so nice to just wheel right out and not have to deal with folding up the stroller!

 

[norybell]

Hi Nory!!! Glad you had a pleasant trip!!

And I think that's GREAT news that you get to plan a trip with your sisters and niece!! That will be so much fun! It will be great to see your nieces' face light up when she sees the characters for the first time!!

I know, I'm so excited!

But, despite that, it sounds like a successful trip with the first 1/4 of the book planned out! When you get this baby published you are going to get instant sales from us here on the DIS!

I'm already thinking about how fun it will be to do a TR with excerpts from the book included...whoops, probably shouldn't get so ahead of myself here!

Sounds like a wonderful move to cancel the March trip and go for April. As I mentioned on my TR, touring with a little one is a whole new thing. It's completely magical, in a whole different way, to watch their eyes light up with wonder at it all. But, some things are harder. You really have to take the mentality of "go with the flow" and pretty much let her lead. Take extra time to watch the ducks and play in the water features...that sorta stuff. Another tip, that works GREAT for Henry that another DISer gave me was, if you are going to have a sit down meal, do lunch. Use that time to re-charge a bit, reapply sunscreen, etc. Kids always eat better at lunch, and sometimes by dinner they are tired and fussy. Not all kids, but many. Overall, it will be GREAT, I'm sure!!! Where are you staying? Resorts on the monorail, boats, or Epcot area are FANTASTIC with a stroller. The buses are fine, but it's so nice to just wheel right out and not have to deal with folding up the stroller!

Thank you SO MUCH for the toddler-touring tips! I'm trying not to stress out about the planning, but of course I am a little bit. We're staying at the BC, (hooray!), though I'm trying to figure out if it's worth trying to rent points from David's and get a 2-br villa at BCV instead (might be too late for that, not being a DVC person I really don't know).

I am totally excited to take things slow while we're there, and to find out what she loves -- I figure I'll get to see a whole new side of the park (like, I hear there are playgrounds and stuff? )! Luckily, we've all been there enough times that we won't feel we need to see or do everything. And there will be enough grownups in our party that we can take turns doing the grownup stuff.

I am trying not to worry too much about meals...my whole original plan was the lunch thing you suggest -- that really makes sense to me. But my sister really wants to do two character meals (one with Mickey, one with princesses), and I just couldn't get good lunch ADRs for those for our days. And, of course, who knows how the time change will effect her eating (they live in CO). My fingers are crossed that the dinners will work out with afternoon rests! If not, we'll just be canceling a bunch of ADRs, and that's OK, too.

 

[norybell]

So…in the style of Russian nesting dolls, or something like that, how would you all feel about a mini-TR right smack in the middle of this one? Everyone likes miniature things, right? And we don’t really care about continuous chronological timeframes, do we?

Since I have no plans to do an actual TR for this quick January trip, I thought, hey, why not stick my relatively few thoughts and even fewer photos right here? Otherwise, what’s the point of having them, right?

Since I took no notes, and most of my photos were for research and thus aren’t TR-worthy, this will be short and sweet, and then back to our regular programming. I promise.

WHEN: Jan. 26-29
WHERE: one night at Caribbean Beach, two nights at Wilderness Lodge
WHY: research for my novel (which is set in the MK)
WHO: just me, on my 3rd solo trip

As usual, I left at the crack of dawn. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sleep at all on the plane, so I can’t say I started off at my best. I was happy—and lucky, considering you never know when you’re flying in the winter—that my flight was on time. I was less happy when I had to wait nearly 45 minutes for Magical Express: There were no lines, but I could tell they weren’t running very many buses. My first clue that WDW in January might be a totally different beast! (A beautiful, happy, and whimsical beast, naturally…just perhaps not striding along quite as efficiently as it tends to in October or in May.)

I arrived at CBR and, I’m sorry to say, was immediately unimpressed. Though there was only one other person at check-in, the many CMs were too busy talking to each other to notice me. After waiting a few minutes, I went over and interrupted them. And while chatty with each other, they weren’t particularly chatty with me. So much for a grand Disney welcome!

The good news was: my room was ready! And they had upgraded me to a preferred location! (Actually, since I was only there for one night and the location was preferred because of its proximity to the pool and the food court, neither of which I ever used, and far away from Custom House, where I’d need to be at seven the next morning, the preferred location was actually bad for me. But they didn’t know that.)

I asked if I could walk from Custom House to my building (Trinidad South), because I’d much prefer to walk than wait for the internal shuttle. They said oh no, it would be way too far. So I waited fifteen minutes for the shuttle. And guess what? It was cold! Even with my warm winter-in-New-York coat on, I was still chilly.

Finally the bus came, and soon enough I was in my room, which was cute.

My traditional solo-trip in-the-mirror shot.

My only request had been for a quiet room, so I was a bit concerned that it looked out over this:

The courtyard of Trinidad South, a.k.a., the largest smoking area I’ve ever seen at Disney!

It ended up being fine, but man, if I had little kids and a downstairs room that opened right onto that, I would not have been pleased!

I immediately headed over to the shops at Old Port Royale for some caffeine and my requisite bottle of wine for later (sure, I could’ve gone to the parks, then gotten wine, but I have my priorities!), taking a few pictures along the way.

This is how windy it was!

It was pretty, but I have to admit I wasn’t really feeling the vibe of the place. I like CSR and POR much, much better. Maybe I would’ve felt differently if it’d been hot out?

In the store, it was déjà vu: Once again, the CMs were too busy chatting to notice me. Finally I got to make my purchase, though I then had to wait fifteen minutes for them to find me one of those free corkscrews (turns out you can’t actually buy corkscrews at Disney anymore—I wonder why? I have a Mickey-head one from a few years ago, though of course I can’t fly with it.). Argh.

Back to my room again, then out to the bus stop. This first day was the only day that I was allowing to be research free, and I’d decided to go to DHS or Epcot, whichever bus came first. Which turned out to be DHS—a whole bus to myself. When I got to the park, my AP wouldn’t scan, but the guy just let me through manually and said it was probably the scanner. I went straight to TOT for a FP. Of course, my AP wouldn’t work there, either. So it was all the way back to Guest Services for a new AP, then all the way back to TOT for a FP. My first day wasn’t really shaping up so well! (Don’t worry, things get better.)

My first sign of the omnipresent January maintenance.

I rode TOT and RNR a few times, then ate at ‘50s Prime Time for the first time since the year DHS opened. It was fun. Then I walked over to Epcot. It was too late in the afternoon to get FPs for Soarin’, and lines in general seemed long to me, so I didn’t ride much. I ate dinner at La Hacienda (which is delicious, but I’ll save my review of it for my upcoming October report) and called it a night. I’d hoped to stay for Illuminations, but I was just too tired. Which was a shame, because it meant I didn’t get to see my favorite nighttime show on this trip. Oh well, I’ll be back soon!

The next morning I woke up super-early, wanting to check into WL and make it to the MK in time for EMH. I decided to openly challenge the CBR CM who told me I couldn’t walk to and from the Custom House, and guess what? I walked to the Custom House. I am just a rebel like that. Took about ten minutes—much quicker than waiting for the bus. I hopped in a taxi and was at the WL by 7:30.

What a beautiful lobby! I don’t have a picture for you, but since you’ve seen hundreds of them, I’m sure you can close your eyes and imagine it, right?

My room wasn’t ready, which was fine. The CM checking me in was lovely, and asked if I minded being in an accessible room with only a shower. I might have wanted a bathtub if I were staying longer, but since I wasn’t, I said I didn’t mind a bit. Then I stowed my luggage and headed out to the boat dock.

Let me tell you: waiting for the boat at WL in January is COLD. Though the ride itself, of course, is beautiful.

Soon enough I was at the MK, where I rode some rides and stuff. (Don’t you just love the detail I’m packing in here?) I was a bit nervous about something. The first thing I’d actually been hesitant to do solo: a character meal. My first character meal in probably 25 years.

And not just any character meal. Breakfast with the princesses!

Since part of my novel is set in the castle, I knew I had to get in there. So I’d sucked it up, decided it was worth a $50 plate of eggs and perhaps some funny looks, and made the reservation.

And guess what? It was soooooooo fun! My server, whose name I sadly can’t remember (this is what happens when you’re not taking TR notes), was wonderful. She seemed tickled pink that I was there alone, and made such a point of being around to take pictures. Plus, I got a wand. And a wishing star. And five prints of me and Cindy (not sure what to do with these—hang them on the wall with the wedding photos?).

Anyway, without further ado, I present: Me and the Princesses!

I was going for that standard princess arm pose, but clearly I hadn’t practiced quite enough in the mirror ahead of time.

My forehead is so shiny in all of these, unfortunately. It must have been the stress!

Ariel looks creepy. I mean, really, really creepy. Perhaps she has been possessed by that anemone-like blue alien sitting on her head.

Belle was my favorite. We discussed how one of the best reasons for having princes around is so they can stay home and take care of the animals for us.

The family that I accidentally captured in this shot made me kinda sad. I don’t think they said more than three words to each other for the entire meal. And here the dad was clearly trying to do something nice for his teen daughters, but they weren’t going to make it easy on him…poor guy!

After brunch I headed out for some more research (a.k.a., riding rides and then recording ideas into my phone’s voice memo that probably had some people seriously questioning my sanity). But pretty soon I was ready for a break from the park. I’ve been a bit in love with the idea of staying in a FW cabin at some point (seems like such a romantic place to write, doesn’t it?), so I decided I’d go check them out for myself.

Yet another (chilly!) boat ride, this time to FW. I decided to walk all the way through the Fort to the cabins, which are about as far from the boat dock as you could get. The sun was shining, though, and it was a lovely walk; I finally warmed up enough to take off my jacket (though not my wool sweater). It was interesting to see all the motor homes set up along the way—totally a different way to do Disney! And the cabins looked very cool.

Of course, after I’d seen them, I walked all the way back. Sure, I could’ve waited for the shuttle, but that seemed more trouble than walking.

And then I did something perhaps crazy: I decided to walk all the way back to the WL. It took me a while to find the path, but once I did, it was pretty much just me and Florida nature for quite some time. Which was both super-cool and a little bit creepy, I have to admit. I’m happy there weren’t any Disney serial killers lurking around in the trees!

With all this extra walking (about 2.5 miles, apparently), I was really ready to get into my room, as I’m sure you can imagine! But still no text. So I sank into a comfy chair in the lobby while I waited. By 4:00, I couldn’t wait any longer. I went up to the check-in desk. And sure enough, my room was ready. And had been for quite some time. The text just hadn’t gotten sent. Sigh.

However, once again: upgrade! To courtyard view! Apparently, traveling alone in January is a good way to get upgrades!

My room was on the top floor, and it was fine. I didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. It was just…fine. It didn’t have as much character to me as most of the other WDW rooms I’ve stayed in. But it was clean, and spacious. Being an accessible room, the bed was a king and was really, really close to the ground, and the mattress (though I miraculously slept on it just fine) was terrible—it sank ridiculously low in the middle, as if the same morbidly obese person had slept on it every night for the past twenty years, or something. It was actually kinda bizarre, how bad that mattress was.

(I discovered the upside to being in an accessible room the next morning: Having one of those detachable shower heads meant I had excellent water pressure! And my choice of settings!)

The other thing I thought was strange about the room was the fan in the bathroom. It was really loud, and on a motion-controlled sensor: All I had to do was walk past the bathroom (not even go in!), and it would start running, for at least five minutes. This didn’t bother me, but if I’d been with anyone else, it would’ve been a big problem when one of us got up in the night!

My view, on the other hand, was amazing:

Unfortunately, being on the top floor, I had one of those dormer balconies, which meant I couldn’t see any of the view while sitting down. Sitting down, I could only see the solid wall of the balcony. Bummer.

I lay down on the one solid part of the mattress I could find and took a quick power nap, which really revitalized me. Then it was back to the (chilly!) boat, for more MK research. Then I hopped on over to the CR, for my first-ever meal at California Grill.

Even though I had a reservation and they had a table for me, I volunteered to sit at the bar. The bartender was very nice, and talked me into getting sushi instead of pork. Which was definitely the right decision—it was amazing!

Over dinner, I chatted a bit with the man sitting next to me, who was a local who visited CG once a week for the sushi. He was nice enough. But despite the fact that I dropped the words “my husband” into the conversation as often as humanly possible, he seemed to get the wrong impression. He really wanted to join me in the park for Wishes. “No strings attached,” he said. Um, what strings would possibly be attached, mister?

I tried to put him off subtly (see, thing is, I’ve got some FPs I still want to use first…), which didn’t work. So finally I just said no thanks, I’ve got to go.

And I went. And I saw Wishes in the park for the very first time! It was awesome, though I still prefer Illuminations. I tried to avoid the mass exodus afterwards, but so much of the park was closed off, there was only so much walking around (in the cold) I could do. So I still got caught in the tail-end of the crush, and had to wait a loooooong time for the (freezing!) boat.

The next morning, I was all set for more WDW firsts: my first pre-park-opening breakfast! My first solo buffet!

The early-morning boat ride was, of course, particularly chilly. But it was also particularly gorgeous.

Since the park wasn’t open yet, I disembarked at the CR and walked over.

For this dude, it’s just another day on the job.

I’d heard so many good things about it, I was pretty excited for my breakfast here:

And wow, I wasn’t disappointed! What a yummy buffet!

I told Eeyore that I wore grey just so we’d match, which seemed to cheer him up.

Of course, then I had the added perk of a few empty park pics.

My goal for the rest of the day was to visit every location in my book, in the proper order. But it turned out to be impossible! It was just too much for one day. I cut my losses a bit before Wishes started, hoping to miss the crowds, waited for my final (cold!) boat, and had dinner in the lounge at the WL.

And that, my friends, was pretty much that! The next morning, I considered going back to the MK for a few more hours, but instead I took my time packing and relaxed a little bit.

This was a very strange WDW trip for me. I wasn’t prepared for how much the chilly weather was going to impact things—not being able to relax in the sun for an hour here and there really made the trip feel a lot less like a vacation. And I spent so much time focused on book research that, to be honest, it kinda felt like a business trip (enjoyable business, but business nonetheless). Though on that score, it was amazingly productive—I now have the whole first chunk of this book really figured out in my head, and I just need to get on with writing it!

I discovered the first WDW resort that I really haven’t liked at all—CBR. Which is fine, that’s why I’m trying them all! And while WL was beautiful, I’m not sure the room itself was nice enough to justify the expense. (I’ll probably feel differently after they’ve had their next refurb, though.)

The shorter park hours were hard to adjust to, as well. Between the hours and the weather, I probably won’t rush back in January anytime soon.

On the other hand, I did have a few really awesome new WDW experiences this time around—two character meals! California Grill! A hike through actual nature! An empty morning park! And Wishes!

I also learned that a solo trip with no plans for a TR makes for an extremely different experience. There was one whole night when I didn’t even bring my camera! Craziness!

I think the biggest problem, though, was that my solo trip this past October was literally perfect, from start to finish. I’m not sure if any trip will ever be able to compare with that one. I can’t wait to start posting that TR—I have it half written already, so I’ll get to it really soon!

And now, let’s put this little Russian doll back inside the bigger one…thanks for listening!

 

[dismagiclover]

Great report in a report. I know what you mean about the January weather. I don't like FL much either when it's cold. I honestly prefer going in June to January even with the crowds. It just feels like Florida. Sounds like a productive trip. Any spoilers of the book for your devoted readers?

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Great update NB!

If I could chose a "Business" trip that would definitely be the one right there.

You'll have to be sure to share some more book details when you get it all wrapped up.

 

[norybell]

Great report in a report. I know what you mean about the January weather. I don't like FL much either when it's cold. I honestly prefer going in June to January even with the crowds. It just feels like Florida. Sounds like a productive trip. Any spoilers of the book for your devoted readers?

Great update NB!

If I could chose a "Business" trip that would definitely be the one right there.

You'll have to be sure to share some more book details when you get it all wrapped up.

I promise there'll be some spoilers in my next TR, which I'll probably start up in the next few weeks!

 

[Leshaface]

Yay!

I don't know; I LOVED it in January when we were there! We're Cali people...we can't handle the type of heat/humidity that Florida has to offer! From what I remember, we were there only DAYS before it got snow in Fl!

So I had no idea you were writing a book?! Where have I been!?! What kind of book is it exactly!? Or is it a secret?

 

[norybell]

Yay!

I don't know; I LOVED it in January when we were there! We're Cali people...we can't handle the type of heat/humidity that Florida has to offer! From what I remember, we were there only DAYS before it got snow in Fl!

Yeah, I guess it just depends on what you're used to! When you've been stuck in snow and freezing temperatures for months, you really hope for sunshine and warmth in FL! But honestly, I think the cold wouldn't have been such a big problem if it weren't for all the boat rides between the WL and the MK. They would've been amazing if it were warmer. But it was really cold out on the water, and I took so many of them, it was like I could never warm up in between!

So I had no idea you were writing a book?! Where have I been!?! What kind of book is it exactly!? Or is it a secret?

Sorry! I think I mentioned it over on my PTR for my October trip, and then forgot that I never brought it up here! I'm working on a YA (young adult) novel set in Disney World. It's not a secret, really. Just something I haven't brought up much because (a) I don't want any random lurkers to steal my ideas!; and (b) I have no idea if I can actually write the thing! But now that I have the plot figured out and it feels much more concrete, I'm bringing it up a bit more (not just here, but also with people in my "real life"). And there will be at least a little more info about it in my next TR, because it was such a major part of my October trip!

Whether or not it turns out, I have to say, it's been a ridiculously fun project thus far!

 

[glennbo123]

So…in the style of Russian nesting dolls, or something like that, how would you all feel about a mini-TR right smack in the middle of this one?

My first sign of the omnipresent January maintenance.

I'm glad they're working on this building. It was really getting run-down the last time I was there...lights were out, cobwebs on everything, and don't even get me started on the elevator issues.

Soon enough I was at the MK, where I rode some rides and stuff. (Don’t you just love the detail I’m packing in here?)

I'm hanging on every word.

Ariel looks creepy. I mean, really, really creepy. Perhaps she has been possessed by that anemone-like blue alien sitting on her head.

Whoa. She looks like she could also play the part of Lady Tremaine. With friends like that, who needs anemone's?

Over dinner, I chatted a bit with the man sitting next to me, who was a local who visited CG once a week for the sushi. He was nice enough. But despite the fact that I dropped the words “my husband” into the conversation as often as humanly possible, he seemed to get the wrong impression. He really wanted to join me in the park for Wishes. “No strings attached,” he said. Um, what strings would possibly be attached, mister?

My goal for the rest of the day was to visit every location in my book, in the proper order.

Can't wait for the book!

 

[eandesmom]

Very very fun report in a report! It does look COLD though and I can see where that walk in between would be a bit creepy, hopefully it makes it into the book!

The cabins are a blast, we really enjoyed staying there but it is a very different kind of experience. UGH on the bed at WL though. We we not impressed with the bedding at all when we stayed there but did love that courtyard view!

 

[norybell]

I'm glad they're working on this building. It was really getting run-down the last time I was there...lights were out, cobwebs on everything, and don't even get me started on the elevator issues.

Seriously...they've gotten really behind on their refurb schedule over there...wonder what the mattresses are like in that place?

Whoa. She looks like she could also play the part of Lady Tremaine. With friends like that, who needs anemone's?

(groan)

Very very fun report in a report! It does look COLD though and I can see where that walk in between would be a bit creepy, hopefully it makes it into the book!

The cabins are a blast, we really enjoyed staying there but it is a very different kind of experience. UGH on the bed at WL though. We we not impressed with the bedding at all when we stayed there but did love that courtyard view!

Yeah, the bedding at the WL was really unacceptable. Especially when you consider that some people (not us savvy DIS-ers, of course, with our pin codes and bouncebacks and off-season travel and whatnot, but, you know, more normal people ) can be spending well over $400 a night to stay there! In general I think their refurb schedule should be sped up by a year or two, considering the amount of traffic those rooms see!

 

[All7OfUs]

Loving your trip within a trip. Neat approach! I can see why this would have been an oddball kind of trip for you. Business like, and yet not in some ways.

Boo for CMs who think their job is to chitty chat with each other.

Wasn't Cali Gr. great? I really enjoyed it. So, I gotta ask, did the guy use the old line, "You have cute feet?"

 

[norybell]

Wasn't Cali Gr. great? I really enjoyed it. So, I gotta ask, did the guy use the old line, "You have cute feet?"

Hi, Liesa, I'm so happy to see you over here!

California Grill was amazing. I wish I could have that sushi for dinner tonight! (This is where we really need a drooling smiley.)

That would've been an awfully strange pick-up line, considering I was wearing thick socks and clunky black boots! Actually, I may have been inspired by a certain someone to paint my toenails up real nice for this trip. Except instead of a pretty pale pink, I for some reason chose a hideous shade of neon green. I dunno, it seemed "fun" and "Disney". But it turns out neon green just does not go with my skin tone. If the guy had seen them, he probably would have run screaming!

Come to think of it, maybe I should've taken my shoes off right there at the bar and given that a try!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi, Liesa, I'm so happy to see you over here!

California Grill was amazing. I wish I could have that sushi for dinner tonight! (This is where we really need a drooling smiley.)

That would've been an awfully strange pick-up line, considering I was wearing thick socks and clunky black boots! Actually, I may have been inspired by a certain someone to paint my toenails up real nice for this trip. Except instead of a pretty pale pink, I for some reason chose a hideous shade of neon green. I dunno, it seemed "fun" and "Disney". But it turns out neon green just does not go with my skin tone. If the guy had seen them, he probably would have run screaming!

Come to think of it, maybe I should've taken my shoes off right there at the bar and given that a try!

Without spilling the beans completely, I went with something else equally amazing at CG. For us it was a whole package affair- the ambiance, the table, the food, the friends. Loved it!

So, you went with alien green. I'll bet you were a smash hit at Buzz! You know I'm kidding right?

Neon IS fun and Disney! And yes, you should have flashed him your feet- yet, on the other hand, he was obviously beyond clueless and probably would have tried all the harder. What a gem that one was.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Hi everyone! I got back on Saturday, but been stuck working too much since then to really get on the DIS...

This was kind of a weird trip. It was so quick -- just three nights -- and too chilly for any relaxing in the sunshine, so it genuinely felt like a research trip more than a vacation. Which it was, so I guess that's OK! Plus it was very productive, in that regard; I have the first quarter of the book totally figured out in my head...now I just have to see if I can write the thing!

I'm not going to do a TR for it, but once I've loaded the (relatively few!) pics I took, maybe I'll do a mini-TR post here.

3pp, were you there right before me? I know we were just missing each other, but I can't remember if you were going right before or right after. Did you get stuck with all the rain? I missed it, but it was cold enough in the mornings and evenings to make all those boat rides to and from the WL a bit painful...I don't know if I'd rush back in January anytime soon!

And now the truly exciting news: The March trip is off. But for a very good reason! My other sister has decided it's time to bring my 3-year-old niece for her first visit. So we're going for five nights in early April, just me, my mom, at least 2 out of 3 of my sisters, and my niece! A real girls' trip!

Of course I'm in charge of all the planning. Help! I haven't been to WDW with a 3-year-old since I was a kid, myself!

Hey Nory! I just got back, our trip was from the 30th through the 8th so we missed each other by a day!

We actually had pretty darn decent weather! I was stressing about it beforehand since the forecast seemed to change by the hour! But it turned out well, most days were in the 70's, one in the 80's and only a couple of sprinkles here and there. But DH has declared that October is still his favorite time to go so we're looking to book a trip then.

I'm sorry the weather was less than magical for you. Or should I say less than warm? It really can put a damper on things... we went in February 2008 and wore sweaters everyday! No swimming, it was too cold and forget about sunbathing. I can't believe you rode the boat in with that frigid air! You must've froze!

Awesome news about the girls only trip!! What a fabulous idea! My youngest DD was 4 when we first went, but I'll try to help! Let's see, don't push your niece too far. The parks are exhausting and a 3 year old's feet only go so fast! Definitely bring a stroller or rent one while there. We did that for my then DD4. Don't underestimate the lure of the pool! It's a huge draw for my kids and they wanted to spend time there so maybe schedule some time for your niece to chill out and swim. I agree with Brook too, tired fussy kids aren't usually up for late dinners. Work in a nap if you can or at least make the stroller nap-friendly!

Ooooh, a TR within a TR! Cool! Ok, first thing that stood out here is this pic of Ariel:

Creepy isn't the right word. How about nightmarish! Honestly, she looks like my 10th grade math teacher who always had those glaring eyes with too much eye liner! I'm surprised there wasn't a stampede of screaming children running from her, like the bride of Frankenstein. Creepy, just creepy.

This is a good attempt at the princess arms! If you were wearing a poofy dress, then you'd have it just right!

Didn't the ToT look awful? DD's thought it was an enhancement to make it look creepier! I burst their bubble and told them it was simply maintenance.

What a weird mattress you had at WL! It sounds incredibly uncomfortable. OMG, it's like that movie "The Money Pit". There's a scene where the lady lies down on the bed and literally sinks down into a hole in the center!

Fab shots of the empty MK! That's always a perk of getting an ADR before park opening, glad you liked CP too, it's one of our favorite breakfasts.

I hope the book is coming along well and that this research trip accomplished what you needed it to! Of course I'll be buying a copy of it when it comes out.

 

[norybell]

Neon IS fun and Disney! And yes, you should have flashed him your feet- yet, on the other hand, he was obviously beyond clueless and probably would have tried all the harder. What a gem that one was.

Now, how do you think he would've reacted if my feet were, I dunno, hairy???

Hey Nory! I just got back, our trip was from the 30th through the 8th so we missed each other by a day!

We actually had pretty darn decent weather! I was stressing about it beforehand since the forecast seemed to change by the hour! But it turned out well, most days were in the 70's, one in the 80's and only a couple of sprinkles here and there. But DH has declared that October is still his favorite time to go so we're looking to book a trip then.

I'm so jealous of your weather! And I totally agree with your DH...October is the best month to go. I'm hoping to make it back in October, too...gotta get the most out of my AP before it expires on 10/19!

Awesome news about the girls only trip!! What a fabulous idea! My youngest DD was 4 when we first went, but I'll try to help! Let's see, don't push your niece too far. The parks are exhausting and a 3 year old's feet only go so fast! Definitely bring a stroller or rent one while there. We did that for my then DD4. Don't underestimate the lure of the pool! It's a huge draw for my kids and they wanted to spend time there so maybe schedule some time for your niece to chill out and swim. I agree with Brook too, tired fussy kids aren't usually up for late dinners. Work in a nap if you can or at least make the stroller nap-friendly!

Thanks so much for the advice! I'm trying my best not to plan too much...my thinking right now is that we'll do mornings in the parks, then back to the BC in the early afternoons for swimming, quiet time, etc. I've made early dinner ADRs, which we can keep or cancel, depending on how things are going. There'll be four adults total, so we'll probably take turns babysitting while the others go do the grownup rides and stuff. I'm a bit worried that, apparantly, Clara HATES being in her stroller...my sister was actually considering not bringing it, but luckily she let me talk her out of that!

I hope the book is coming along well and that this research trip accomplished what you needed it to! Of course I'll be buying a copy of it when it comes out.

Thanks, 3pp! Once the book is out (fingers crossed that it actually gets that far), I'll send you a copy!

 

[clearskies]

Hi Nory, I just saw that you had a second Trip report going on. OK, I was away from the boards for a while. I only read the first post so far I am looking forward to catching up when I am not as beat. It is good to see the creative songs are still flowing.

 

[norybell]

Hi Nory, I just saw that you had a second Trip report going on. OK, I was away from the boards for a while. I only read the first post so far I am looking forward to catching up when I am not as beat. It is good to see the creative songs are still flowing.

Hi, clearskies, good to see you again! I hope everything's going good with you!

You'll never get a hard time from me for being away from the boards for a while...I seem to need months-long breaks from time to time! It's that silly real life, getting in the way of Disney obsession...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great Russian Doll report! Glad to hear it was productive. We went once in January and experienced several veryyyy chilly days. Wheeling Henry around in his winter coat, hat and mittens and ALL the flowers dying? Ya.... but there were a few beautiful days mixed in. January is so hit and miss.

I am very much looking forward to the future TR with bits of the book wrapped into it.

Thank you SO MUCH for the toddler-touring tips! I'm trying not to stress out about the planning, but of course I am a little bit. We're staying at the BC, (hooray!), though I'm trying to figure out if it's worth trying to rent points from David's and get a 2-br villa at BCV instead (might be too late for that, not being a DVC person I really don't know).

You might be able to still get into the BCV, it's worth a shot to contact a reseller and have them at least look into it. A 2 bedroom is AWESOME because you get the fridge (handy for milk and other kid favorites), plus the washer and dryer....VERY nice. Otherwise, the resort will be wonderful I'm sure - excellent location of course!

The character meals will be a blast!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Now, how do you think he would've reacted if my feet were, I dunno, hairy???

Oh no!!! They've corrupted YOUR Impressions de Liesa as well!!! (You all know who I mean.)