How I Survived 11 Days at WDW with a Disney-Resistant Husband **2/20 THE END **

[cdotla]

Hi Trish,
Wow your photo shoot pics turned out fabulous! You would never what a rough time you had before the shoot. I would have had a mommy meltdown if my DH gave me a rough time, kuddos to you for not losing your cool . The pics look like a happy memory and that is all that matters. Also I have to ask where did you get that Navy strapless dress you posted a few updates back? I know you were intending to wear it for the photo's. It is a really pretty dress too.

Thanks Nichole!

As for the navy dress - I bought it at J.Crew. It was still there the last time I looked - on sale too! I love it! It is a comfy and easy dress to wear.

 

[kaysmommie]

Thank you I found the dress and it's marked down to $69. They have some great clothes on there! Also the sales are good right now too. Do you think J Crew dresses run true to size? I'm between sizes so not sure if I should go up or down. What do you think?

 

[cdotla]

Thank you I found the dress and it's marked down to $69. They have some great clothes on there! Also the sales are good right now too. Do you think J Crew dresses run true to size? I'm between sizes so not sure if I should go up or down. What do you think?

Hey Nichole - glad that you found it. You are right - they are having some great sales right now. For the most part, I find J.Crew runs pretty well to size. However, if they are short on stock, you may want to order 2 dresses in the 2 sizes you are debating between. That way you would get free shipping, and you could simply return the size you didn't want to keep in store. Even if you paid for return shipping if you didn't have a store close by, you would still come out even paying for return shipping if you got free shipping on the initial order.

The code for free shipping on orders over $150 is WGM72A. Good until Aug.23.

I LOVE J.Crew. At least 80% of all clothing I have purchased for me, the kids and Chris the past 2 years has been from J.Crew.

 

[cherokeemamma]

Hi Trish!

Well, I am finally all caught up again. I had left off just after the princess breakfast. I have been very busy with work, kids and such and had fallen a bit behind.

Love the pics from the beach. Looks like after all the driving and all the waiting you all had a great day.

I really just want to tell you that you are a very patient and kind woman. You would put me to shame in the self-control dept. I applaud you for that.

As far as LeCellier goes...I think your DH simply chose the wrong entrée! My DH really does not like steak and the first time we ate there he wanted to get salmon. I told him, "this is a steak house, you need to get steak". He ordered the mushroom risotto fillet and well, he LOVED it!! I couldn't believe it. He said it was the best thing he had ever eaten. Maybe your DH will give it another shot and try a steak! BTW...did you see where LeCellier will soon be 2 credits on the DDP?

Really love the photo shoot pics...like so many others have said; you all look happy and relaxed. You could never tell that you all were stressed beforehand. My favorite is the one of you and DH sitting on the ground and your DD jumping and DS preparing to. I am so happy that it worked out for you.

Looking forward to more....

Thanks for sharing!
Darlene

 

[cdotla]

Hi Trish!

Well, I am finally all caught up again. I had left off just after the princess breakfast. I have been very busy with work, kids and such and had fallen a bit behind.

Love the pics from the beach. Looks like after all the driving and all the waiting you all had a great day.

I really just want to tell you that you are a very patient and kind woman. You would put me to shame in the self-control dept. I applaud you for that.

As far as LeCellier goes...I think your DH simply chose the wrong entrée! My DH really does not like steak and the first time we ate there he wanted to get salmon. I told him, "this is a steak house, you need to get steak". He ordered the mushroom risotto fillet and well, he LOVED it!! I couldn't believe it. He said it was the best thing he had ever eaten. Maybe your DH will give it another shot and try a steak! BTW...did you see where LeCellier will soon be 2 credits on the DDP?

Really love the photo shoot pics...like so many others have said; you all look happy and relaxed. You could never tell that you all were stressed beforehand. My favorite is the one of you and DH sitting on the ground and your DD jumping and DS preparing to. I am so happy that it worked out for you.

Looking forward to more....

Thanks for sharing!
Darlene

Hey Darlene...thanks for posting! Yes, the beach day was great, and there is no question Chris missed out on the meal at Le Cellier. Funny you should mention that because just yesterday we were showing our trip photos to my parents for the first time and the topic of the meal at LeCellier came up. Chris again stated that he thought the Canadian restaurant was awful and never wants to go back there again. As many times as I have tried to tell him that his impression of the restaurant would have been much different if he had ordered the mushroom filet, he remains unconvinced.

I am sure one day in the future I will drag him back there and he will order the fillet and give himself a hard kick.

And yes, I have heard that LC is increasing to 2 TS credits for the dinnertime. Which is fine with me, because I always eat there for lunch anyway. I save my evening meals for the Signature Restaurants that aren't open lunchtime. Although I am sure this is going to make lunchtime ADRs even more difficult to get - as if that is possible!

So glad your husband had the good sense to listen to his wife and order the fillet. I am sure he thanked you generously after he tasted it!

Thanks as well for the comments on the photo shoot!

 

[cdotla]

Dinner in France and Illuminations

After we enjoyed some ice creams on the Boardwalk, and bid farewell to the Roots, we decided to venture back over to the Surrey bike rental counter to see if we could cash in our remaining 10 or 15 minutes on our voucher and take another spin around Crescent Lake.

The surrey bike was the one thing I knew in advance that I wanted to do during the photo shoot. I think it made for some excellent photos, which bring back some fun memories. I had no idea how much fun it was going to be to ride around the Boardwalk on a surrey bike. It was a blast! The kids loved ringing the bell as we sailed past people. Surprisingly, those things can actually pick up a fair bit of speed!

We purchased either a 20 or 30 minute voucher when we picked up the bike for the photo shoot and when we returned it before we went on to the ice cream segment of the photo shoot, we were able to get a voucher for the remaining minutes to use at a later date.

Once we finished our ice creams following the shoot, we figured we might as well cash in the voucher and go for another ride. None of us had gotten our fill on the bike during the shoot...it was too much fun!

Unfortunately when we arrived back at the rental desk we discovered that all of the 4 person bikes had already been rented. While I was inclined to save our vouchers for another time so that we could all ride together, the rest of the family insisted on getting a 2 person bike which both of the kids could fit onto along with Chris. The three of them climbed on the bike and probably made it over to the Beach Club in about 2-3 minutes. Once there, they decided to wait another 5-6 minutes until I showed up on foot. Then Chris left the kids with me and used the remaining time on our voucher riding back over to the Boardwalk to return the bike himself. Obviously not the best use of our remaining 10-15 minute voucher.

I have to admit that by this point in the evening, I was not in the best of spirits. While my mood had picked up somewhat by the end of the photo shoot, (surrey bikes, ice cream and Nathan & Jensey can put anyone in a good mood), getting cut out of the last surrey bike ride, and being forced to walk back to the Beach Club pushing an empty double stroller by myself wasn't exactly lifting my spirits.

On the way back to our room with the kids, I stopped in to see if my in-laws were in their room. While my sister-in-law and nephews were out shopping at the Prime outlets on International Drive, my mother-in-law was back in her room waiting for us. She had eaten dinner at Beaches N Cream and gave it awful reviews. All she had to eat was a cheeseburger, but she said it was much worse than the burger we had a couple of days earlier at Hurricane Hannas. Admittedly, she did not try any of their desserts, which I hear are fantastic. (Believe it or not, during our entire 8 day stay, we did not make it to Beaches N Cream even once for a sundae! Since we were on the Deluxe Dining Plan, we were never hungry for snacks in between meals. Next time!)

My MIL came over with us to our 1 Bedroom unit and entertained the kids while I changed out of my dress and put on a more casual shorts outfit. By the time Chris arrived back at the room, it was about 8pm. I suggested that we may want to walk over the International Gateway to see Illuminations. At this point, we had only seen the higher fireworks of Illuminations twice from our balcony, but hadn't seen the full show the way it is meant to be seen from around the World Showcase Lagoon. To my surprise, everyone was in agreement with going, so off we went!

While Katie & I have seen Illuminations many times before, this would be the first time for Chris, Declan and my mother-in-law. I couldn't wait to see how they liked it!

Unfortunately, by the time we got into Epcot from the International Gateway, it was after 8:30pm, and many people were already staking out their spots to view the show. While I normally like to watch the show with a latte and my favourite snack in all of WDW, a Cloudberry Horn pastry from the Kringla Bakery in Norway, we would not have time to get there.

As we were walking over the Bridge between the UK and France, we decided that this was as good as any spot to watch Illuminations, particularly as it would give us an easy exit back to the Beach Club after the show. We wanted to get the kids to bed as soon as possible after Illuminations as we had an early 8am breakfast reservation at Crystal Palace the next morning. We plunked the kids down with my MIL, and Chris & I took off to the bakery in France to pick up a late supper of sandwiches, lattes, waters and pastries. All good, but there are no pastries in France that can touch Norway's Cloudberry horn!

By the time we made it back to the Bridge, we all sat down and had about 10 minutes to enjoy our food before the lights dimmed and Illuminations began.

As I have taken pictures and videotaped Illuminations many times on past trips, I decided to leave the camera and camcorder back in the room and just savoured and enjoyed the show. Illuminations is definitely my favourite nighttime show at WDW, and we have watched it countless times at home on videotape re-living past trips. It was so great to be able to see it again in person. I love the hush that falls over the crowd as the lights are dimmed and the fireworks and music starts, and the globe starts its journey to the center of the World Showcase lagoon.

Chris, Declan and my mother-in-law were all very impressed with the show. And Chris was even more impressed with the convenience of the short walk back to the Beach Club afterwards. If there is a defining moment when someone becomes a convert of staying on property, this was probably it for Chris.

By the time we got back to the room and got the kids settled for the night, my sister-in-law and nephews were arriving back from the outlets. My sister-in-law and I decided to venture over to Downtown Disney to do an hour's worth of shopping before they closed at 11pm. We had a great time shopping around, and we each shelled out a small fortune at Basin.

I strategically left World of Disney until the end. As long as you are in the store by 11pm, they always let you stay shopping. Disney isn't one to push people out of their stores, especially those interested in plunking down cold hard cash.

After we had our fill of shopping, we ventured over to my favourite place in all of DTD - Ghirardelli's -where we each enjoyed a small sundae. Yummy!!!! They make the best ice cream sundaes I have ever tasted.

Photo:meshmar2

With bellies full, and wallets depleted, we eventually made our way back to the Beach Club just before midnite. Then I bid my sister-in-law farewell, dropped off my purchases in the room, picked up my laptop and headed to the Beach Club Lobby for my evening routine. There I plunked down on one of the private loveseat sitting areas to catch up on work and personal emails. In addition to not disturbing my sleeping family, one of the benefits to hanging out in the lobby to tap into the internet is that it is FREE and you can avoid the daily $10 room fee. For a frugal (ok - cheap) gal like me, this was a great little perk! Hanging out in the lobby of the Beach Club became my nightly ritual during our 8 nites at the Beach Club. I was there in the lobby almost every nite at some point between 11pm and 2am. Yes, I am an extreme night owl!

Finally, just after 1am, I made it back to our room at the Beach Club to get some sleep before we would all be up again for our 8am Breakfast reservation at Crystal Palace.

UP NEXT: Another Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom

 

[Queenofallthings]

Can't think of a better ending to a great day than shopping at DTD .... and a ghirardelli's sundae

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Very cool that the surrey bike people give a voucher so that you can really enjoy all the time you paid for. Sorry it didn't work out so well for you.

Love your idea of hanging out in the lobby with your laptop for free internet. Great idea! Think I will be adopting that in October! I hear they just redid the lobby - can't wait to see it!

Ahh... Illuminations. By far my favorite too. That moment when the "narrator" blows out the torches is my absolute favorite. I'll have to check out this pastry from Norway you've mentioned! I've never watched Illuminations from over there... may have to check that out too.

The walk back to BC after Illuminations will convert anyone. Priceless!

You are the energizer bunny going to DTD after fireworks. Awesome! Isn't Basin great. Good tip on being in WoD but not necessarily finished at closing time.

Would you believe I've never tried Ghiardelli? May have to fix that this trip too.

 

[dismagiclover]

I'm glad to hear the Surrey bikes weren't too tough to pedal up the hills. I've read complaints about that. I think we may try them our January trip. Sounds like a great evening. I'm with Chris about the location of the Beach Club! The ability to just casually walk over just for Illuminations and then easily escape the crowds is just awesome!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

So glad to see an update!! We also loved the walk to the Beach Club from Epcot. Sometimes we'd walk around the Boardwalk just for the enjoyment of an evening walk. It was always lovely and peaceful.

 

[cdotla]

Can't think of a better ending to a great day than shopping at DTD .... and a ghirardelli's sundae

You are right about that Queen!

Very cool that the surrey bike people give a voucher so that you can really enjoy all the time you paid for. Sorry it didn't work out so well for you.

Love your idea of hanging out in the lobby with your laptop for free internet. Great idea! Think I will be adopting that in October! I hear they just redid the lobby - can't wait to see it!

Ahh... Illuminations. By far my favorite too. That moment when the "narrator" blows out the torches is my absolute favorite. I'll have to check out this pastry from Norway you've mentioned! I've never watched Illuminations from over there... may have to check that out too.

The walk back to BC after Illuminations will convert anyone. Priceless!

You are the energizer bunny going to DTD after fireworks. Awesome! Isn't Basin great. Good tip on being in WoD but not necessarily finished at closing time.

Would you believe I've never tried Ghiardelli? May have to fix that this trip too.

Hey Christine...I actually quite enjoyed my time in the BC Lobby. I became quite familiar with the late nite cleaning staff. It is amazing - even at 2am that place is still buzzing!

I LOVE that blowing out of the torch as Illuminations starts...it sends eerie shivers of excitement down my spine!

If there are 2 things you *need* to do in October, it is to have a Cloudberry horn from the Kringala Bakery in Norway and a Ghirardelli sundae at DTD!

I'm glad to hear the Surrey bikes weren't too tough to pedal up the hills. I've read complaints about that. I think we may try them our January trip. Sounds like a great evening. I'm with Chris about the location of the Beach Club! The ability to just casually walk over just for Illuminations and then easily escape the crowds is just awesome!

Well....we didn't find the surrey bikes that hard at all! Then again, perhaps Chris was doing most of the work...I didn't ask.

PAUSE: just asked him now: According to him - Piece of Cake. Just kidding....he actually said they aren't the easiest things. So he must have let me off easy due to the fact that I was wearing a dress!

That said, they were so much fun!!! I will definitely be doing them again on our next family trip. Although this time not in a dress!

And yes....as if Chris needed any other excuse to LOVE the Beach Club, that easy walk back after Illuminations was it!

So glad to see an update!! We also loved the walk to the Beach Club from Epcot. Sometimes we'd walk around the Boardwalk just for the enjoyment of an evening walk. It was always lovely and peaceful.

You can't beat the Beach Club, Yacht Club and Boardwalk for the nice walking. I think they beat all the other deluxes for that!

 

[klacey1]

Sorry the rest of your surrey bike time wasn't so great :-( I would have been very upset to miss out and have to walk/push a stroller! You were definitely a trouper.
Glad the gang enjoyed Illuminations, too. Sometimes, I, too have to force myself to put down the camera and just enjoy being in the moment. I'm happy that you got to do that for yourself!
A girl's evening at DTD definitely seems like it was in order for you! Basin is terrific-- so easy to want to buy one of everything!

 

[DrMomof3]

You *are* a night owl!!! I'm such a morning person.
I would NOT have been happy about the surrey bike situation, especially after having to fight with everyone for the photo shoot. You're nicer than I am! I would have probably put my foot down!!!
Can you believe I've never seen Illuminations???? We're an early morning family and it's always so late. Maybe we'll catch it this trip since we're staying at BCV.
I am getting excited to stay at BCV after reading your report!

Amanda

 

[pinkle]

It is starting to sound a bit better! I don't know how you can stay so light when you are surrounded by all that gloom........I guess the Disney magic helps!
I have a shopping question for you (as a north of the border gal)...we've never been bothered to leave the Disney grounds...is it worth the trip to the primeoutlets (any better than bufallo?) Also how long is the drive, we would be renting a taxi.

 

[cdotla]

Sorry the rest of your surrey bike time wasn't so great :-( I would have been very upset to miss out and have to walk/push a stroller! You were definitely a trouper.
Glad the gang enjoyed Illuminations, too. Sometimes, I, too have to force myself to put down the camera and just enjoy being in the moment. I'm happy that you got to do that for yourself!
A girl's evening at DTD definitely seems like it was in order for you! Basin is terrific-- so easy to want to buy one of everything!

It definitely is nice to just enjoy some moments without the camera - that is for sure!

Basin is great isn't it? I have been using my products and loving them! Especially the almond lotion and scrub.

And I definitely need to get back on a surrey bike the next trip - I was robbed!

You *are* a night owl!!! I'm such a morning person.
I would NOT have been happy about the surrey bike situation, especially after having to fight with everyone for the photo shoot. You're nicer than I am! I would have probably put my foot down!!!
Can you believe I've never seen Illuminations???? We're an early morning family and it's always so late. Maybe we'll catch it this trip since we're staying at BCV.
I am getting excited to stay at BCV after reading your report!

Amanda

Honestly Amanda...I am not typically a morning person at home, but I am in Disney. Even when keeping my typical night owl hours.

For some reason, I can be the last one to bed and the 1st one up in the morning because I am so excited to get to rope drop.

So happy for you that you will be at the BC in days. Even if you don't end up taking the kids over for Illuminations, at least you can see some of it from the resort.

It is starting to sound a bit better! I don't know how you can stay so light when you are surrounded by all that gloom........I guess the Disney magic helps!
I have a shopping question for you (as a north of the border gal)...we've never been bothered to leave the Disney grounds...is it worth the trip to the primeoutlets (any better than bufallo?) Also how long is the drive, we would be renting a taxi.

Honestly....if it was me, I would rent a cab for the day. It would likely be cheaper than a taxi. You can get a small car for $30/day.

I haven't been to Buffalo, but I highly recommend both Prime 1 Outlets on I-Drive (about 15 mins away) and Premium (right off I-4, about 8-10 mins away). You can see the list of stores on their websites.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I'm SO glad that Illuminations and shopping (plus alone computer time) put a positive ending on your challenging day! I love the music for that show, so up-lifting! You have me intrigued about the free wireless, I hope we can figure that out at the Poly this fall. I assume it was just an unsecured network and you didn't need a code. Anyway, I am also a nightowl (and now becoming a morning person too - wierd). I love my alone time at night, often time on the disboards! Enjoying the report and pics, thanks so much for sharing it!

 

[mom2mek]

Well it sounds like the day ended on a high note! Illuminations, Basin, and a Ghiradelli sundae sound pretty nice!!

Sara

 

[padawans]

I love your trip report. I envy people that can get by on such little sleep. I need my 8 hours. Its 7:35pm and I'm already yawning.:rotfl

 

[cdotla]

I'm SO glad that Illuminations and shopping (plus alone computer time) put a positive ending on your challenging day! I love the music for that show, so up-lifting! You have me intrigued about the free wireless, I hope we can figure that out at the Poly this fall. I assume it was just an unsecured network and you didn't need a code. Anyway, I am also a nightowl (and now becoming a morning person too - wierd). I love my alone time at night, often time on the disboards! Enjoying the report and pics, thanks so much for sharing it!

Yes...a little Illuminations viewing, shopping and ice cream can fix anything!

As for the free internet, you should head over to the Poly thread to verify, but I am pretty sure the Beach Club is one of the few places on property where you can get free wi fi.

Well it sounds like the day ended on a high note! Illuminations, Basin, and a Ghiradelli sundae sound pretty nice!!

Sara

Thanks Sara! You are right...Definitely a great way to end the day!

I love your trip report. I envy people that can get by on such little sleep. I need my 8 hours. Its 7:35pm and I'm already yawning.:rotfl

Thank you!

I certainly can't operate like that on a long-term basis, but my vacations in WDW tend to go by so quickly, I like to have as many hours awake as I can!

 

[cdotla]

Hey Nichole.........

Got some news for you! J.Crew just turned on a 30% off final sale promotion, plus free shipping on orders over $150 (after the discount is applied though.)

Now would definitely be the time to get that dress.