Food and Wine? Sounds Divine! An October TR - 12/2 A PTR Link!

[Linda67]

Very cool the CM helped you out with a FP reservation to BoG
We kept getting the same error message for our December trip but we had a dinner reservation there so it was no biggie
Really hoping we can get a lunch FP in June
Aren't the bathrooms cool? It's so funny that everyone is running around in there taking photos.
They should have a photopass guy outside the stalls

 

[monica23535]

Sounds like a fun spontaneous trip to the MK, sure looks like it was a great night, even with the puny corn dog!

 

[franandaj]

I'm glad you two went and had some "date night" time. And good job for the CM who got you the reservation for lunch. It shouldn't have taken all that though for someone to help you out there.

That was a tiny corn dog, nothing like what you get from the Corn Dog Palace!

I always keep my blurry pictures too! I don't know why.

Alison, what do you think would be better for us at AKV? A lock off or dedicated? I booked the dedicated, but I should have probably asked someone who knows way more about the rooms than I do. Should i have gotten the lock off instead?

It depends on how "close" you are with DH's family. We stayed with my parents in a dedicated at AKV and even though we couldn't really "lock my parents out of the kitchen/living room", we felt a little awkward that they would wake up and be "in our house" while we were still waking up. We decided then, that any future stays we would get the lock offs, especially with friends and stuff. Parents, well you really can't lock the door and only let them in once you're dressed and ready for them, you just stay in your room until you're ready.

The good thing about the lock offs is that guests have most everything that they need in their room, the microwave, coffee maker, fridge. The only problem is that if they have leftovers in the big fridge that they want for breakfast or you're sharing groceries, it's kind of rude to lock them out of the kitchen/living room.

I checked on the VGF, there is a thread on the Resorts section of the DVC board with room views from the various different rooms. The first post has a lot of info. There are:

6 Grand Villas
30 Standard View Dedicated 2 Bedroom Units
17 Lake View Dedicated 2 Bedroom Units
30 Standard View 2 Bedroom Lock Offs
17 Lake View 2 Bedroom Lock Offs

So the resort is about double the size of the VGC and that means that there are 47 studios and 47 one bedrooms. You never know what will happen on the first day of your opening. Also you can "walk" the reservation, but it's kind of a PITA, but if you find availability prior to the day you want to check in, you might be able to do it. However, not sure how that would work with your other reservation being in place.

 

[MEK]

So what you're saying is I really have to try a corn dog in DL and I should not be sad that I've never had one at the MK? Well OK then!

I do love that picture of the teacups. Very pretty!

I'm glad you guys took a couple hours to spend some time alone. It's always great to get out and do that when you have a little one at home!

 

[Pinkocto]

I love that you went to MK and just enjoyed the evening and totally fabulous how wonderful that CM at BoG was. That poor baby corn dog...

 

[Dugette]

I know right?! I feel the same way too. When my friend told me she was pregnant, she asked when we would be working on our second and actually, that was my answer. I felt like I just had Calvin and got my body back to myself

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels this way! With all the already-having-another-one mommies popping up, I was starting to feel like a weirdo.

Anyway, great update. That is a huge perk of bringing a grandparent along...being able to have a date night after bedtime! That would be so fun.

Awesome that you ran into a great CM at BOG. I wonder if it was the same one that got us our water? Super nice. I'm so glad that worked out for you!

Yeah, I'm pretty sure an order of corn dog nuggets contains way more corn dog than that one! Although, I have now made a mental note to seek out a corndog whenever we make it out to Disneyland.

I really wish I'd had the presence of mind to go into the Tangled bathrooms! At least there are kind people like you that are sharing pictures, though!

 

[PrincessInOz]

YAY for getting BoG. Looks like you had a nice night at MK; corn dog and all.

 

[emmysmommy]

How exciting for another trip! And AKV - a favorite of mine too!

What an awesome CM to hook you up with the BoG FP for lunch. I remember you sharing that frustrating experience. Sounds like despite the frustration it worked out well.

Ah, those Tangled restrooms! Disney perfection. Every time we stopped there I'd take photos. Can you imagine any other bathrooms that are so photogenic?

Heck, an hour and half date night at MK is better than sitting in the room. Any day! Hmmmm.... that's one very small corn dog. It's almost corn dog nugget size.

 

[Leshaface]

wow - what a pixie dust moment in getting that reservation for you for BOG! Though, it shouldn't have taken a CM going above and beyond given that you were getting an error with their system ... but still, magic moments like that can really make a trip

My mind was made up that if a CM on the phone wasn't going to help me and a CM at Conceirge wasn't going to help, I was done. It was quite a surprise to see that someone wanted to help!

"I was ‘dying’ to see the HM, so that’s where we went"

Cool!!!! You even managed to make the picture appear the way you were seeing it after drinking at EPCOT!!!!!

I wanted to show you guys the MK through my eyes, that's all!

Awesome! After so many CM's who basically just wanted to say they couldn't do anything, I'm glad you finally found someone who could, and would do something! It's a good thing your DH convinced you to go over to BoG.

I figured if other CM's couldn't help me, one more CM more than likely wasn't going to help me either. Such a great surprise!

I've had bigger corn dog nuggets.

It's really pathetic. It was still tasty...all two bites

So did you save the text, do you take detailed, precise notes, or do you just make it up as you go? That's a very specific time.

Actually seeing texts on my phone helps me remember what happened next since I seemed to text my mom a lot during this trip. Yes, I'm neurotic

Yeah for getting the reservation for BoG.

You have no idea HOW great your post was today. It made me realize, that this will be US on Saturday. Thanks for sharing.

I can't believe it's almost time! So happy for you and Tom!

Very cool the CM helped you out with a FP reservation to BoG
We kept getting the same error message for our December trip but we had a dinner reservation there so it was no biggie
Really hoping we can get a lunch FP in June
Aren't the bathrooms cool? It's so funny that everyone is running around in there taking photos.
They should have a photopass guy outside the stalls

Linda, did I miss it? Do you have a TR?

A PP Photographer is a grand idea! While he's at it in there, he should hand out towels

Sounds like a fun spontaneous trip to the MK, sure looks like it was a great night, even with the puny corn dog!

It was such a fun night! Even though it was short, it was perfect!

I'm glad you two went and had some "date night" time. And good job for the CM who got you the reservation for lunch. It shouldn't have taken all that though for someone to help you out there.

That was a tiny corn dog, nothing like what you get from the Corn Dog Palace!

I always keep my blurry pictures too! I don't know why.

I haven't been to the Corn Dog Palace in soooo long. Definitely before I got preggo. The last time was at the Corn Dog Cart. Love that place!

I feel like if I erase a picture, I've lost a detail in my trip forever.

It depends on how "close" you are with DH's family. We stayed with my parents in a dedicated at AKV and even though we couldn't really "lock my parents out of the kitchen/living room", we felt a little awkward that they would wake up and be "in our house" while we were still waking up. We decided then, that any future stays we would get the lock offs, especially with friends and stuff. Parents, well you really can't lock the door and only let them in once you're dressed and ready for them, you just stay in your room until you're ready.

The good thing about the lock offs is that guests have most everything that they need in their room, the microwave, coffee maker, fridge. The only problem is that if they have leftovers in the big fridge that they want for breakfast or you're sharing groceries, it's kind of rude to lock them out of the kitchen/living room.

I checked on the VGF, there is a thread on the Resorts section of the DVC board with room views from the various different rooms. The first post has a lot of info. There are:

6 Grand Villas
30 Standard View Dedicated 2 Bedroom Units
17 Lake View Dedicated 2 Bedroom Units
30 Standard View 2 Bedroom Lock Offs
17 Lake View 2 Bedroom Lock Offs

So the resort is about double the size of the VGC and that means that there are 47 studios and 47 one bedrooms. You never know what will happen on the first day of your opening. Also you can "walk" the reservation, but it's kind of a PITA, but if you find availability prior to the day you want to check in, you might be able to do it. However, not sure how that would work with your other reservation being in place.

We're all pretty close. If we were with friends, there would be no question that i'd want a lock-off. Plus, DH's dad wakes up early EVERY DAY (he's a milk man) and he absolutely loves making breakfast <---see where i'm going with this This would technically give me 3 mornings off without having to prepare coffee or breakfast

I remember you trying to explain to someone about 'walking' a reservation...I would have no idea how to do that. And like you said, if I did figure out how to do that, how would that work with my current reservation?

I just read on PIO's TR that the BCV will be undergoing some refurbs. Any idea if it will be done by Jan 2015? BCV is up there along with BLT and VGF for the second portion of our trip..

So what you're saying is I really have to try a corn dog in DL and I should not be sad that I've never had one at the MK? Well OK then!

I do love that picture of the teacups. Very pretty!

I'm glad you guys took a couple hours to spend some time alone. It's always great to get out and do that when you have a little one at home!

Yes! Don't even think about getting a corn dog at MK! Disneyland has the best corn dog i've ever had in my life.

It was so nice to spend some time at MK by ourselves. Such a nice, unexpected treat.

I love that you went to MK and just enjoyed the evening and totally fabulous how wonderful that CM at BoG was. That poor baby corn dog...

Definitely a baby corn dog!

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels this way! With all the already-having-another-one mommies popping up, I was starting to feel like a weirdo.

Anyway, great update. That is a huge perk of bringing a grandparent along...being able to have a date night after bedtime! That would be so fun.

Awesome that you ran into a great CM at BOG. I wonder if it was the same one that got us our water? Super nice. I'm so glad that worked out for you!

Yeah, I'm pretty sure an order of corn dog nuggets contains way more corn dog than that one! Although, I have now made a mental note to seek out a corndog whenever we make it out to Disneyland.

I really wish I'd had the presence of mind to go into the Tangled bathrooms! At least there are kind people like you that are sharing pictures, though!

Hopefully next time, you'll be able to bring someone along with you so you and Dug can get a date night and not do solo nights at the parks.

When you come out to Disneyland, i'll totally help you....and give you a detailed directions on how to get to the corn dog places

YAY for getting BoG. Looks like you had a nice night at MK; corn dog and all.

Despite the teeny tiny dog, it was a fun night!

How exciting for another trip! And AKV - a favorite of mine too!

What an awesome CM to hook you up with the BoG FP for lunch. I remember you sharing that frustrating experience. Sounds like despite the frustration it worked out well.

Ah, those Tangled restrooms! Disney perfection. Every time we stopped there I'd take photos. Can you imagine any other bathrooms that are so photogenic?

Heck, an hour and half date night at MK is better than sitting in the room. Any day! Hmmmm.... that's one very small corn dog. It's almost corn dog nugget size.

Those restrooms are amazing! I wonder if Disney knew how popular these restrooms would be that people would go in there and take pictures

 

[Leshaface]

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Today was packed with firsts for us! And the one of them was checking into a Lake View Studio at Bay Lake Tower. We also needed to return the rental car to the Car Care Center located near the Magic Kingdom. The plan was, DH would drop us off at BLT to check-in and drop our luggage off with Bell Services and walk over to the MK. He would drop the car off and take a shuttle to the MK and meet us.

I was up by 6:30 and got coffee ready and started working on our usual breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, muffins and fruit. I really do love getting to eat in the room. Although Tonga Toast from Kona Café is very tempting. Everything got packed up at the Jambo house and left a little after 8 am. We were trying to make DS’s Harmony Barbershop appointment at 9:30 and so far we were making good time. While in the car, I decided to take a photo of our FP+ for the day.



At 8:31am(←Andy! ), we saw this



See how far over we were? Yeah, had no idea we needed to be in the very far right lane. But with some quick maneuvers on DH’s part, we made it over unscathed.

Eight minutes later, we saw this. Our new home for the next 3 nights!



We all had our parts: Right when we pulled up, DH started unloading the bags, DM took care of DS and I went straight inside to check us in. Our room wasn’t ready, but they were able to get one of my requests for our room, which was to be on a higher floor. Cool! When I was checking in, they gave me a whole new box of MB’s. I told them that we already had some from staying at AKV, so we needed to figure out which ones to use. After about 10 minutes, they finally told us we could use the ones we’d been using. They also gave us new KTTW cards just in case we had issues with at the turnstiles.

By the time I was done checking us in, we started walking to the MK around 9:10. We had 20 minutes to make it to the Harmony Barbershop. Thank goodness it’s located in the front of the park! On our walk, I called DH who said he had already dropped the rental car off and was just waiting for a shuttle to take him to the MK. Perfect!

We arrived to the MK, holding my breath at the turnstiles – no issues with mine or DM’s MB’s! DM, DS and I went straight to the Barbershop with a few minutes to spare so we sat outside to wait for DH to show up. I called DH again after a minute to make sure he was at least in the shuttle and he was. I saw him running up to us and got this picture at exactly 9:30am



Okay, I took WAY too many pictures during his haircut! So I’ve chosen the best ones for you guys and narrowed it down from 60 to 15 or so

We all headed inside, where I checked us in and sat down to wait our turn. Goodbye long hair!



If anyone is considering going here for a haircut for their child or yourself, I highly recommend an appointment. People were coming up while we were sitting there asking if they had any slots open, and they were not taking walk-ups. They were completely booked. I felt bad. Mainly because had I not been on the DIS, I would have never thought to make an appointment. Who in the world gets their haircut at Disney World!? Apparently, loads of people! And I see why now. Our names got called and we got Margaret. She was above and beyond amazing. So patient, loving and kind. What a wonderful women!


She had DH sit DS in the chair and discuss looks. Not that there’s much you can do with his hair but it’s cute all the same!



Margaret started by giving DS a toy that whirls around when holding a button. She placed a sticker over it so it would constantly be twirling. Even though it was Minnie Mouse, he loved it!



Then Margaret moved over to stickers, placing them all over DS’s shirt and letting him have a few to play with







Then she started snipping!


Continued in Part 2

 

[Leshaface]

When DS makes this face and curls his feet, you know he’s super excited and it was because of the movement of the toy




When Margaret had done all she could with scissors, she explained to me that she would be giving DS a massage. Huh?! I was thinking, “Dang, I wish I could get a massage every time I got a haircut!” That was her way of getting DS used to the razor, so she placed the ‘massager’ on his back



And then started on the back



He scrunched up on the sides, but no tears!





Before you know it, it was time for the big reveal to DS. She had me go towards the back of the chair so I could get pictures.







The big reveal!















Margaret did a fantastic job! Hopefully the next time we go, we can ask for her again. She was so easy going and gentle.



Margaret started using the stickers that she put on DS’s shirt to use as a way to take the excess hair off his shirt. Great idea! Here he is all cleaned up.



So what did DS think of the whole ordeal?





For baby’s first haircut, they give you a certificate, Mickey ears that says ‘First Haircut’, and some of the first snips of hair wrapped up in a little baggie with the stickers he was playing with along with some pixie dust in the bag. Margaret told me to keep the receipt because it said ‘Baby’s First Hair Cut’ along with the date and time to use for scrapbooking.



We were out of the barbershop by 9:55am and on our way…to where??

 

[disneybarbie]

The first haircut experience looks so cute! Beautiful photos, DS could be in a Disney commercial that seems like really good value to

Emma x

 

[Linda67]

Oh those pictures are just too cute for words!!!

Just made my day

Oh by the way, I didn't do a TR because I am lazy I am contributing to the 'No Longer Coming To You Live' thread on the dining boards if you want to see some our antics

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh my goodness you got some cute photos!!! All that for only $18? very cool. Margaret sounds fabulous.

Can't wait to see your BLT photos and what you thought of the room. That one is not high on my list but I know I need to get there eventually.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

great pics from the first haircut! Way more successful than when I try to cut/trim my son's hair! Guess I need to use more stickers

I think my two favorite pictures are the one where you can see you taking the picture in the mirror and the one where he is eating the stickers

 

[glaserjm]

OMG those pics from the haircut are insanely cute!! How did you narrow it down?!

Love that they give the certificate and memorabilia for the haircut, it's a great idea!

 

[monica23535]

His first haircut is so cute!

What a great experience for you all!

I love all the pictures and I would have taken the same amount as you did

 

[KristiMc]

What a great first haircut experience! Calvin did a great job. Great pictures mom! I love the ones from the back with him looking in the mirror.

 

[saintstickets]

Alicia...I finally got caught up with your TR after being away from the DISboards for the past few months. As usual, your TR is great. More please?

 

[Dugette]

Aww, great first haircut! I can't believe how much hair he had at that age! Izzy still doesn't have that much and she's almost 17 months now. I'm pretty sure they barely cut off anything at hers. Anyway, looks like he had a lot of fun! We played with that spinning Minnie too, but the sticker to keep it on would have been a great idea...instead, they had me amusing her with it, which meant I hardly saw what they were doing with her hair. Oh, well. You got a lot of nice pictures! Looks like they did a great job. Now I feel guilty - I just came across our receipt, all crumpled up, the other day and decided to throw it away. But we have the certificate and hair clippings and all - those can go in the scrapbook.

I'm thinking you were on your way towards Space Mountain, given your FP+ screenshot. However, you do have some spare time, so you're probably stopping off somewhere fun along the way? Look forward to hearing about it! Also excited to see what your BLT accommodations are like.