Frozen Fun at the Beach Club!Our First Disney Trip Dec. 3- 11*Update 5/1*

[Dizneydawn]

Love the report and I read here and write here a ton!!! Great first shot and my "Loved" of the morning was scrolling the last page and being blessed enough to find out that you indeed, had another one not linked yet!

Made my morning!!!

Which also caused me to remember I have not linked my current TR in my signature...so THANKS!!!!!

 

[Jillpie]

Awesome updated report! Ok first, I still think your decision to not rent a car was a good one. (although my son who is a CM there, would disagree, he loves having his car vs buses). After 12 years of DW trips, I still love taking the buses, and remember we are BC DVC members, and still love them. The downtown Disney bus? It's a hit or miss, you could walk up and get one, or you could wait as long as you did. That has not changed in all the years we've been going. I don't know why they haven't improved on this. Having said that, I STILL wouldn't rent a car, the buses to the parks are great from the BC and I love not having to worry about where we're going.

And please tell me you didn't walk away from this vacation without a No Way Jose, oh please tell me you ended up having one, seriously, we end up getting at least 2 a trip! But have to split, they're huge.

Love the pics of your girls, so fun! And the Mad Hatter breakfast (if you get a chance to go on Your next trip, um, which is obviously in the planning already right, and by the way, your girls would LOVE the Disney cruise big time, that's another story) is a lot of fun!

Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[onescgirl]

Great report. You've got a lot of great pics from 1900 Park Fare. I love Avery's flip-flops, too cute!
The buses can be a hit-or-miss. Most of the time, we're good with them.
I writing a TR too & in it I have a day where it only took me 10 min to get from MK to CBR to pick something up we forgot from our room, but yet it took me 1 1/2 hours to get back to MK! It is so frustrating when it happens & you feel so helpless!

 

[dvc at last !]

Thank you! How was the weather and crowds in October? If we get to go back I think I would chose Oct. instead of Dec.

October weather is beautiful. Mid 80ies !
Love to go to the Food and Wine Fest at Epcot. We also go because our children run in the Half Marathon Relay the first weekend of October.
You can also enjoy the MNSSHP.

 

[natebenma]

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

The answer to the guess the island contest is.....

St. John, USVI

Congratulations to JillPie and Natebenma!!!

Extra Points to Natebenma! The second picture is indeed Cinnamon Bay.

Hooray!!! So glad I didn't lose the imaginary money I put on my guess!

I St. John!!!

 

[counselormom]

Love the report and I read here and write here a ton!!! Great first shot and my "Loved" of the morning was scrolling the last page and being blessed enough to find out that you indeed, had another one not linked yet!

Made my morning!!!

Which also caused me to remember I have not linked my current TR in my signature...so THANKS!!!!!

I am so proud to have made your morning! BTW I just found your trip report and it has me cracking up, you are too funny! Anyway, I just left a comment on it a few minutes ago.

Awesome updated report! Ok first, I still think your decision to not rent a car was a good one. (although my son who is a CM there, would disagree, he loves having his car vs buses). After 12 years of DW trips, I still love taking the buses, and remember we are BC DVC members, and still love them. The downtown Disney bus? It's a hit or miss, you could walk up and get one, or you could wait as long as you did. That has not changed in all the years we've been going. I don't know why they haven't improved on this. Having said that, I STILL wouldn't rent a car, the buses to the parks are great from the BC and I love not having to worry about where we're going.

And please tell me you didn't walk away from this vacation without a No Way Jose, oh please tell me you ended up having one, seriously, we end up getting at least 2 a trip! But have to split, they're huge.

Love the pics of your girls, so fun! And the Mad Hatter breakfast (if you get a chance to go on Your next trip, um, which is obviously in the planning already right, and by the way, your girls would LOVE the Disney cruise big time, that's another story) is a lot of fun!

Looking forward to the next installment!

I think you are right about the busses, by the end I was really glad I had not rented a car, but that night I was really kicking myself. You would think they would want to make it easy to get to DTD to spend money . How great to have a CM in the family, I bet you get all the inside scoop!

I'm a little scared to tell you this but I did leave without having a "No Way,Jose". I should have just vetoed the kids ice cream choice and ordered it. Oh well, another reason to go back.

Right now we have a cruise planned for next year on the Norweigan Epic (Nick characters). We got a really good deal, so as much as I want to take a Disney cruise I just couldn't pass it up.

Great report. You've got a lot of great pics from 1900 Park Fare. I love Avery's flip-flops, too cute!
The buses can be a hit-or-miss. Most of the time, we're good with them.
I writing a TR too & in it I have a day where it only took me 10 min to get from MK to CBR to pick something up we forgot from our room, but yet it took me 1 1/2 hours to get back to MK! It is so frustrating when it happens & you feel so helpless!

Thank you so much, I went crazy on the flip-flops, I'll be showing more off later in the week. I just saw your TR link at the bottom of your post and realized I have been reading your trip report a little at time for the past few nights! I just finished the part where you are getting your room a CBR. I loved the pic of Lexi in the car with her stuffed animals, too precious! Anyway, I'll post my comments over there when I finish, but I wanted you to know I'm enjoying it.

Hooray!!! So glad I didn't lose the imaginary money I put on my guess!

I St. John!!!

I wish you could have made a fortune, great job guessing the actual beach. I too love St. John, I only get to go for the day when we are on a cruise but I've been there five times, so that's kind of like a weeks vacation, right ?? My favorite time was when we rented a jeep and went beach hopping and stopped at Skinny Legs for lunch. I'll be interested to read where you decide to take your anniversary trip.
Thank you so much for keeping up with my chapter links, you are so good to remember. I feel bad that you have to keep messing with it.

October is my favorite time at WDW because of the Food & Wine Festival!

I had forgotten about the Food & Wine festival. I wish I had asked your advice before I set the Dec. date. Live and learn I guess. I hope you are doing well!!

 

[natebenma]

Another super update! Really enjoyable report.

That really stinks about your ride from DTD. Not a great introduction to the Disney bus transportation system. As I have posted on the BC board and in my TR, we use Disney transportation almost exclusively (cabs for early morning breakfast reservations, to Typhoon Lagoon and home from the Poly after fireworks). But we DETEST the DTD return bus. We have devised a plan for the return to the BC that makes a visit to DTD much more enjoyable. We go to DTD after an EPCOT day. Pull a FP for Soarin on our way out. Go to DTD. Take one of the resort boats to either POR, Saratoga Springs or Old Key West, then catch a bus from there to EPCOT. We use our FP for Soarin' and enjoy some other attractions on our way back to BC. It takes awhile, but the trip is peaceful and enjoyable.

Interesting dinner. I love Ashton's shirt- I'm sure whichever sister it is really liked being showcased for a change. Ashton's expression with the Prince is priceless! And Avery is a prettier Cinderella than the one in that picture. Cindy really needs to fire the mice or whatever creature applied her makeup that day!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Great update! Sometimes the buses can be a challenge can't they? The characters at 1900 Park Fare do make up for the disappointment in the food don't they? They crack me up...cute pics of the kids!

 

[MNTwinsMom]

Sorry to hear about the disappointing bus service! I think DTD busses are consistently the slowest.

Enjoying your report and can't wait to hear about Le Cellier!

 

[Slatas]

I'm following along too. Great TR so far, we're thinking about staying at the BC this fall. The pics of the resort are awesome!

 

[mermaid764]

That's too bad that the food was a disappointment at 1900 Park Fare, I have heard a lot of negative reviews about it lately

I love Ashton's shirt, and how fun that the stepsisters took notice of

Can't wait to hear more

 

[counselormom]

Another super update! Really enjoyable report.

That really stinks about your ride from DTD. Not a great introduction to the Disney bus transportation system. As I have posted on the BC board and in my TR, we use Disney transportation almost exclusively (cabs for early morning breakfast reservations, to Typhoon Lagoon and home from the Poly after fireworks). But we DETEST the DTD return bus. We have devised a plan for the return to the BC that makes a visit to DTD much more enjoyable. We go to DTD after an EPCOT day. Pull a FP for Soarin on our way out. Go to DTD. Take one of the resort boats to either POR, Saratoga Springs or Old Key West, then catch a bus from there to EPCOT. We use our FP for Soarin' and enjoy some other attractions on our way back to BC. It takes awhile, but the trip is peaceful and enjoyable.

Interesting dinner. I love Ashton's shirt- I'm sure whichever sister it is really liked being showcased for a change. Ashton's expression with the Prince is priceless! And Avery is a prettier Cinderella than the one in that picture. Cindy really needs to fire the mice or whatever creature applied her makeup that day!

What a smart plan you came up with! Another great thing about the disboards, such creative people!!

Thanks, I agree about Cindy. I think if I had to be that "peppy" all day you would have to "paint" that expression on me as well!

Great update! Sometimes the buses can be a challenge can't they? The characters at 1900 Park Fare do make up for the disappointment in the food don't they? They crack me up...cute pics of the kids!

Thank you! Luckily the bus situation got better.

Sorry to hear about the disappointing bus service! I think DTD busses are consistently the slowest.

Enjoying your report and can't wait to hear about Le Cellier!

Thank you, mmm... Le Cellier, I wish I had some soup and pretzel bread right now!

I'm following along too. Great TR so far, we're thinking about staying at the BC this fall. The pics of the resort are awesome!

Lucky you! I think fall would be perfect!

That's too bad that the food was a disappointment at 1900 Park Fare, I have heard a lot of negative reviews about it lately

I love Ashton's shirt, and how fun that the stepsisters took notice of

Can't wait to hear more

Thank you! More coming soon!

 

[counselormom]

I know all of the Northern and Canadian Disers are used to lots of snow but it is pretty rare in Oklahoma. Here is a picture of my backyard...

On Saturday it was 76 degrees and I was laying out in the sun. Today it is
8 degrees with -13 wind chill. You can tell by the picture how hard the wind was blowing because of the snow drifts. The good news is we are out of school for a few days and that means no work for me!! I am not going to spend all my days off watching movies and eating chocolate chip cookies! I am going to work on an update tommorow and hopefully have it up soon.

 

[DrMomof3]

We have definitely shared your bus frustration. My DH is dead-set against a car rental but I sometimes wonder if we wouldn't be better off!
We enjoyed the 1900 Park Fare dinner but I agree that the food wasn't anything special. My daughter enjoyed it but consistently picks the princess dinner in Norway over returning to 1900. I don't blame her. I find the food and princess interaction much better in Norway!

Amanda

 

[ProudMommyof2]

signing on!

Really enjoying your TR so far. I like your idea of easing into the trip with a day at the resort. I hope your DH can relax!

 

[counselormom]

We have definitely shared your bus frustration. My DH is dead-set against a car rental but I sometimes wonder if we wouldn't be better off!
We enjoyed the 1900 Park Fare dinner but I agree that the food wasn't anything special. My daughter enjoyed it but consistently picks the princess dinner in Norway over returning to 1900. I don't blame her. I find the food and princess interaction much better in Norway!

Amanda

It would be nice to have a car for some of the time and take the bus for others. We will have to try the Norway dinner on our next trip (still crossing my fingers there will be a "next" trip!)

signing on!

Really enjoying your TR so far. I like your idea of easing into the trip with a day at the resort. I hope your DH can relax!

Welcome!! Thank you, our day at the resort turned out just like I wanted it to when I was planning. If we go again I would do the same thing.
Posting another update in a few minutes!

 

[counselormom]

Our Day at Epcot and Dinner at Le Cellier

Turns out we are a rope drop kind of family! Of course this was helped greatly by the fact we had only to walk a few minutes to Epcot, they didn't open until 9:00 and the kids were used to getting up early because of school! But still, I was happy to find that everyone got out of bed easily. After a breakfast of cinnamon bagels, bananas, and O.J. , I packed up the stroller that had been delivered that morning, tied our touringplan (which promised a "1" day) onto the handle and we were first in line at rope drop ready to grab fast passes for Soarin'. When the "rope was dropped" I ran ahead with everyones' cards to the fastpass machines and was delighted at the castmembers at the bottom of the escalator dancing and waving at the crowd with giant hands. Fastpasses in hand for later in the morning we headed toward Test Track as it started raining. The day wasn't as warm as yesterday but was still around 50 degrees. We put our hoods up and kept moving. With a 10 min. or less wait all morning we rode Test Track, Living with the Land, Mission: Space (Avery and I rode the chicken "green" side), Turtle Talk with Crush and of course Soarin'. I enjoyed my 2nd ride on Soarin', but on the first time we rode it we sat on the bottom row with no other people under us, this time we were on the top row and it just wasn't the same (still my favorite ride though).

About this time I noticed that Robert had not checked his cell phone one time, come to think of it, other than a phone call from his parents yesterday he hadn't messed with his phone at all. Strange, very strange. When I ask him about it he told me the best news: something was wrong with the school districts' computer system and he could not get work e-mails until they had it up and running and that would be at least a few days!! How cool is that? I don't think that has ever happened before and the week we go on vacation..... I was thrilled and it didn't seem to be bothering him one bit. He spends all day putting out fires and fixing problems. He gets one issue taken care of and another on pops up, it doesn't end. I'd worried that he would check his emails and see fifty problems he wasn't there to fix and worry over it. Now he wouldn't even see them! I prayed a little "thank you" prayer as Robert suggested we go take a look at the World Showcase in the daylight and get some lunch. It had stopped raining awhile before, the sun was out and the prospect of a fun, relaxing vacation that would make him want to travel were looking up!

We spent the rest of the morning working our way around the WS, taking pictures and trying to decide on the best place for a CS lunch.

My suggestions of trying out some "authentic" food in Norway or perhaps some hummus and tabbouleh in Morocco were met with an Ewww... No....
So I shouldn't have been surprised when we hit the United States and their eyes were all aglow at discovering the Liberty Inn. Adventurous eaters they are not! There was no way I was going to waste my CS credit in Epcot on a veggie burger. So as they waited in line I made my way to Boulangrie Patisserie in France. I was hoping to get back in hurry to eat with the rest of the family so I was frustrated when the line was out the door. Luckily, it went quickly and when I saw the pastries, baguettes,croissants and quiches I was so glad I hadn't settled for a burger. I ordered a quiche, diet coke and chocolate cake (it had a fancier name I can't remember) to go and walk-run back to my home country. On the way back I had the strongest urge just to ditch the rest of the family, find a sunny table overlooking the Lagoon, enjoy my lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon shopping and exploring the countries. Someday I hope to live my dream and really visit all these countries but for now I was here and there was this irresistible need to just immerse myself in the whole experience. I could already tell that Robert and the kids were very content to admire the facades of the various countries but were reluctant to take the time to venture inside. I could have insisted, but I figured it would be kind of like taking them all dress shopping with me, not worth it, if you know what I mean?? They had already found a table and had just started to eat, come dessert time I was forced to use my fork as a weapon to keep them away from my cake. It wasn't my fault they chose rice crispy treats.

After Robert finished his lunch he left to find a bathroom and told us he would met us up ahead in France. When we got there, we spotted him sitting at a table looking out at the lagoon (I think that is what I was supposed to be doing!). He looked pretty relaxed and I told the girls to stop before he saw us so I could get a picture. Just as I was about to get it he saw us and got up. This is the pic where I made him sit back down so I could "recreate" the moment. He's giving me the "you are such a dork" look.

After lunch we continued our tour and when we came to France I lured them inside by suggesting that Avery might find something for her room which has a
"Paris" theme.

We found some postcards for her bulletin board.

We also snapped a few shots of some soon to be famous "arteests".

By this time it was around 1:30, we would need to be back by 6:00 for Dinner
at Le Cellier. The temp. had risen to a balmy 60 degrees and we all agreed we better take advantage of it and enjoy SAB before it got cold. So we left France and made our way back to our room for a little break.



Up Next... Dinner at Le Cellier and Kim Possible!

 

[TheDreamsComeTrue]

Great Update, I love the Ashton's and Avery's shirts! Very cute.
Can't wait to hear about Le Cellier.

 

[DrMomof3]

It sounds like a productive morning at Epcot! I don't blame you for wanting to eat something better than the stuff at the American Pavilion. And I often fantasize about "doing" Epcot alone - no kids, no DH, just me taking in the sights!

Amanda

 

[llqool]

Love your daughter's room! Tres chic!