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

[TheDreamsComeTrue]

Those are such cute costumes! Great update!

 

[MNTwinsMom]

A Chocolate croissant and Diet Coke is my breakfast of choice at WDW too!

Great Pirates League photos. Looks like your girls had a fun time turning into pirates for a day.

 

[cinderellabride2011]

I LOVE their pirate costumes and face paintings! So cute!! And that's not a bad price at all!!

 

[counselormom]

Good for you snagging that ADR at Le Celier! We've never eaten there.
We love Kim Possible but have major issues with fighting over the device. Maybe we should split up next time.
Love the Pirate League pics!

Amanda

Never eaten at Le Cellier! With all the trips you've taken. I hope you get to go on your next trip. Yep! I agree about Kim Possible, separate ones for us as well. You'll have to try Pirate League sometime!

Nice job attacking Fantasyland and Tomorrowland! We always hit Peter Pan first, it is one of our favorites, but we never wait in line for it. The line is always long. The line is boring. The wait times posted lie. 20 minutes? HA! Try 45!

First thing or FP.

Pecos Bill is hit or miss. The boys like it so we have gone there for lunch on our first afternoon the last two years. I prefer Columbia Harbor House.

AMAZING photos of your pirate girls! I love the one in front of the canon. The Haunted Mansion photo was also great- you don't see many in that location, I loved the archway and the mansion in the background. I can also see why you love the Dumbo shot! Really captures the Disney moment.

Thanks for the review of Pirates League. Definitely sounds like a winner.

You're welcome, if anyone has any Pirate League questions I'll be happy to answer. Thanks for the compliment about the pictures that means alot coming from you!

Would you mind telling us where you ordered your girls' Pirates Costumes, counselermom? They're too darn cute!
Got our grandson all decked out at the Pirate's League last year - best $35 we ever spent in WDW!

I will be happy to tell you. I ordered them online from buycostumes.com last September. They were running a buy one get one free sale as well as free shipping. I also ordered the girls Halloween costumes (Mad Hatter and Alice) and they seemed to have the best prices. How wonderful that you took your grandson! I'll bet he thinks you guys are the best!!

Love the girl's costumes...so cute! I can't get over what a great job they do on the makeup etc at the Pirates League....wow is all I have to say...the girls look amazing!! Sounds like such a fun day....can't wait to hear about the rest of it

Thank you! I thought they did a great job too and it wasn't nearly as busy and rushed as BBB. They got alot of gifts to take home as well.

 

[counselormom]

Love, love, love the Pirate Pictures!!!!!!

I wonder if I could get my DS to do this on our trip because I think brother/sister pics would be amazing. Funny because the BBB never appealed to me at all- but turn my daughter into a pirate and I am there!

Nice job with the touring!

Thank you, I thought the pictures turned out well. They tried to get us to buy the Photo Package for some way overpriced amount, I'm so glad we didn't.
Oh, brother and sister pics would be so cute! We did BBB later in the week and we enjoyed Pirates League much more.

Thanks on the touring, so thankful for the Dis and touring plans!

Loving your report! We're booked at BC for October, so I'm glad to hear so many great things.

Love the Pirate League pictures. My girls tell me they are a little to "old" for the princesses (really?? ), but I think they might love the Pirate experience.

Oh, and I'm making the cheese soup for dinner tonight.

Looking forward to more.

Thank you so much. BC in October sounds perfect, not too hot or not too cold. Oh no, too old for princesses! I saw your daughters are 6, isn't that just the age that they are starting to think they are so grown up! That hurts a little though doesn't it? Avery is 6 and I don't think she would want to do BBB again either. So Sad!

I hope your cheese soup turned out well.

The girls look awesome! WTG with your "pre vacation" goodies. Being so prepared makes the trip so wonderful, doesnt it?!?!? lol! I love this idea of the pirates leauge & will definitly do this on our vacation!

Thank you! Yes, being prepared does make it wonderful! I kinda want my family to go on just one trip with a "not so prepared, organized mom" just so they can see how much of a difference it makes. I'm sure that is how alot of us feel! Hope you get to do Pirates League.

Great update! Cute Pirates! The Pirates League looks like alot of fun!
I wish i was younger!! ha ha

Thank you! There were people of all ages getting Pirate makeovers! I don't know if I could do it though, maybe???

 

[counselormom]

I LOVE their pirate costumes and face paintings! So cute!! And that's not a bad price at all!!

Thank you! I didn't think it was a bad price either. I have a feeling it's only a matter of time before Disney realizes it and raises the price to what BBB costs.

Those are such cute costumes! Great update!

Thank you! Another update coming this weekend. Thanks everyone for reading along and leaving comments!

 

[counselormom]

A Chocolate croissant and Diet Coke is my breakfast of choice at WDW too!

Great Pirates League photos. Looks like your girls had a fun time turning into pirates for a day.

I do have a diet coke every morning for breakfast, but sadly no croissant. Have you been hearing lately how bad Diet Coke is for you?
I still don't think I can give it up. We did have fun at PL, thank you!

 

[kaylamag]

Loved reading your TR and seeing your pics. My family (Myself, DH, DD11 and DD6) are going for 2 weeks in December and have booked the Beach Club.

 

[counselormom]

Loved reading your TR and seeing your pics. My family (Myself, DH, DD11 and DD6) are going for 2 weeks in December and have booked the Beach Club.

Thank you so much. Our daughters are exactly the same age! Wow, two weeks at the Beach Club, that sounds so amazing! I hope you have wonderful, sunny, warm weather.

 

[counselormom]

As I mentioned before, I started selling UpperCase Living to make some extra money for the trip and a big chunk of it went to pay for the Pirates Wishes Cruise. If you've never done it before the idea is that you meet at the Contemporary about 2 1/2 hours before Wishes, have a meet and greet with Captain Hook and his Crew, eat and drink and then parade out to the dock to board the boat. There are games and trivia as you sail around the lake seeing the sights and then just before Wishes you stop right in front of the MK with a perfect view for the show without fighting the crowds. It sounded so wonderful when I booked it, I imagined Ashton and Avery all decked out in their Pirate Outfits, marching with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee to the dock and then my family sitting all together happily watching Wishes and after it was over a "Wow, Mom (or Traci, since in my imagination Robert is chiming in too) that was amazing, you plan the best vacations, how do you do it!!" I know, I know, why do we set ourselves up for such things??? Anyway, that was what I was picturing as we made the walk to the Contemporary. We were cold but everyone was in good spirits and Robert had "commendered" Ashton's sword and was playing Pirate with Avery. We arrived early and in need of a break so I parked the kids in front of the T.V. in the lobby and Robert and I crashed on the comfy couches.

After a rest it was time to check in for the event, we all received bandanas and were instructed to eat all we wanted and grab some "booty" to take with us!!

In the middle of the large room there was quite a spread of PBJ sandwiches, fruit, brownies, desserts and bowls full of chocolate gold coins. They also had a table set up with soft drinks, water, coffee and hot chocolate. We grabbed some goodies and found a place to sit with some of the other families. At one point all three of my family members disappeared and before I could start to worry very much where they had gone they all came back just laughing their heads off. When I ask what they were up to (because I knew it had to be something!) they just laughed even more and Robert whispered, "open your bag" as all three of them proceded to dump pocket and handfuls of "booty" into my bag. There must have been 6 oranges and I have no idea how many chocolate coins along with a dozen packaged desserts. Seriously, we are already eating constantly, do we really need more!! But remember I had promised that I was going to take a break from "nagging" Mom duty this week, so I helped my little Pirates with their heist and laughed along with them. ( Just between us though, I took about half of it and returned it to the table, I guess they really thought I was going to haul all that stuff around??!!) About that time the characters came out for pictures.

After we met the characters I started bundling everyone up and making hot chocolates to take with us on the boat. As much as I had been looking forward to this night, I was not so sure about being out on a lake at night in 30 degree weather. Clearly, those in charge didn't think it was a great idea either because about that time someone came out and told us that unfortunatly they were going to have to cancel the cruise because of the cold. They would give us the choice of rescheduling or refunding all of our money. They would also be bringing out a "special" guest for the kids and we would then be taken to the observation deck to view Wishes. If the weather had been better we would all have been really disappointed (well mostly me) but I thought Disney handled it very well, we had already gotten the "character" part of it and would still get to watch Wishes and would get all our money back as well. Boy, did Robert's eyes light up when they said a refund, I think he'd forgotten that I'd paid for this little party, so I was getting the refund. However, I was in a sharing mood, so I told both girls that they could have $50 each to spend on t-shirts or such and gave Robert a little money to help cover the BBB makeovers the girls would be getting later in the week. The rest was mine to spend in Basin at DDD.

Our "special " guest was this guy. He is usually there as a surprise at the end of the Wishes cruise.

A CM asked everyone to gather and he would lead us to the observation deck, at this point alot of people left, at the time I thought they were crazy, I can't believe they would miss a great view of Wishes! It took about 1 minute of being outside on that deck to realize I was the crazy one!! It was cold, I mean windy, chill you to the bone cold!! We found a seat on one very cold metal bench, I wrapped our blanket around us and we huddled together like a group of lost Everest climbers. Nobody moved, nobody talked, we just sat there watching the fireworks and instead of enjoying Wishes I just found myself "wishing" it would hurry up and be over so I could go inside and see if we all still had toes and fingers.

After is was over and we went inside and warmed up a bit, I realized it was time for dinner at 'OHana! This cheered me up! When I had made the ADR, I envisioned us hopping on the monorail , getting to the Poly. and spending some time looking around the beach and pool before dinner. No one was in the mood to go back outside so we looked around inside a little and shopped, the girls bought "sugar" candy tubes and I bought a Mickey Head cookie cutter. Before too long it was time for dinner, when the waiter came by I ask him to bring a "virgin" lapu lapu for Ashton and Avery. They had no idea what that was, and even when they begged I wouldn't tell them.

Don't they look a mess?! I think the cold wind must have whipped that make-up half off of them!

A little coconut race.

I wish we had been hungrier because the food was so good. All the meat made Ashton and Robert very happy and I very much enjoyed the salad, bread and veggies. Of course dessert was a hit! I was really surprised considering how hard it was to get an ADR that there were many empty tables. I think the cold just kept people away. Once again with full tummies we took the monorail back, lucked into getting a bus right away and headed "home" to the BC. By this time it was late (11:00) and the next day was AK, I had purposely planned for us to sleep in and arrive at AK a little later but as I scrubbed the girls faces and transformed them back into kids, they insisted they wanted to make rope-drop. I wasn't so sure they would actually get up but I set the wake up call anyway. After our long day and finally getting warm we fell asleep quickly, me secretly hoping everyone would sleep in.

Loved: Those first few moments of Avery seeing Fantasyland.
Pirates League

Not so Much: Lunch at Pecos Bills, too crowded, just okay food. Being cold,
oh how I hate the cold.

Do-Over: I know that most of the time it's in the 60's or low 70's in December but I will never again chance it. If we get to go again it will be in September or October.


Next Up: Animal Kingdom Day

 

[DrMomof3]

That's too bad that it was so cold for your pirate cruise. But how awesome that you got lots of the fun AND got a refund! That's a pretty good compromise. Glad you liked 'Ohana. I couldn't decide whether to try it again or wait until the kids are a little older. With Zachary finally "counting" at Disney, I'm trying to minimize those fixed price meals!

Amanda

 

[mermaid764]

That's too bad that the weather wouldn't cooperate for the cruise, but how nice that Disney was willing to be that accomodating and bonus on the refund.

Can't wait for more

 

[onescgirl]

The pirate basket was such a cute idea.

Your chocolate crossiant looks so good, I wish I had one now.

I cannot believe it was 35 degrees. We've only been in Sept - when it is HOT.

Your ordeal in the bathroom changing into costumes had me laughing. Especially when your husband asked what took you so long. Husbands just don't realize what all we have to go through to make sure our kids look just right.

The pirate face paintings look great - love the 'glamour' pirate!

Sorry it was too cold for you to do the cruise & enjoy wishes. At least you were able to get some great pics with characters & all that free booty!

 

[TiggerFan3590]

Love your TR-we stayed at the BC Nov 30-Dec 7-LOVED the BC.... Didn't much care for the COLD.... Can't wait for more....

 

[Queenofallthings]

It`s hard when the weather doesn`t co-operate isn`t it! I will never chance a winter Disney vacation again either...I will take the heat and humidity of Aug or Sep over any winter months.

The girls look like there enjoying their drink

 

[natebenma]

Regular pirates say RRRRR! December pirates say BRRRR!

So sorry that it was too cold to enjoy the pirates cruise, and even just the fireworks show from the outside. I do love the character interaction you had and some of the activities before the scheduled cruise- Hook and Smee and then Peter Pan.

Wow, I bet the girls loved drinking out of their pineapple!

Does your family now realize how much research, planning and scheduling went into getting such great reservations- the pirates league/cruise combo, Le Cellier, La Hacienda at Illuminations time, 'Ohana?

It is obvious how much preparation you did before the trip and I can't wait to read what else is in store for your family!

 

[WDWAtLast]

Just found your TR! Love the pirate makeovers!! Sorry it was too cold for the pirate cruise.

 

[counselormom]

That's too bad that the weather wouldn't cooperate for the cruise, but how nice that Disney was willing to be that accomodating and bonus on the refund.

Can't wait for more

I thought Disney was very good about it. I guess that kind of customer service is what keeps people coming back!

That's too bad that it was so cold for your pirate cruise. But how awesome that you got lots of the fun AND got a refund! That's a pretty good compromise. Glad you liked 'Ohana. I couldn't decide whether to try it again or wait until the kids are a little older. With Zachary finally "counting" at Disney, I'm trying to minimize those fixed price meals!

Amanda

I bet you do really think through those fixed price meals! If we hadn't been using the dining plan there is no way I would have planned more than one or two. The prices are just on a whole other level of crazy, just think what kind of meal you could get for $175 at home! Anyway, we did enjoy 'Ohana, but it wouldn't have made it on my short list if I had to pick.

Love your TR-we stayed at the BC Nov 30-Dec 7-LOVED the BC.... Didn't much care for the COLD.... Can't wait for more....

Thank you! We were at the BC at the same time then (or at least part of it).
I agree with you on the cold, it just seemed so wrong, didn't it?

 

[counselormom]

It`s hard when the weather doesn`t co-operate isn`t it! I will never chance a winter Disney vacation again either...I will take the heat and humidity of Aug or Sep over any winter months.

The girls look like there enjoying their drink

I agree, too hot over too cold, anyday!!

The pirate basket was such a cute idea.

Your chocolate crossiant looks so good, I wish I had one now.

I cannot believe it was 35 degrees. We've only been in Sept - when it is HOT.

Your ordeal in the bathroom changing into costumes had me laughing. Especially when your husband asked what took you so long. Husbands just don't realize what all we have to go through to make sure our kids look just right.

The pirate face paintings look great - love the 'glamour' pirate!

Sorry it was too cold for you to do the cruise & enjoy wishes. At least you were able to get some great pics with characters & all that free booty!

I am looking ahead to 2012 for our next Disney trip, October (Fall Break) is my first choice, with Sept. (Labor Day week) being my second. It's good to hear that you had fun, even with the Sept. heat and humidity.

No, husbands don't know what we go through!

I liked Ashton's glamour pirate too, but she looked way too grown-up!

 

[DisGirlAllie]

Subscribing! Looks like a great trip so far!