Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

So I really should have done an update this weekend, but I worked on music instead. I had a lot of fun making my last video, so I decided to see if I could get part of a song recorded tonight. I usually rerecord my voice a bunch of times, but tonight I just went with the first recording and it sounded OK. We'll see what happens when I listen tomorrow.

But I promise to update before I finish that video. Hopefully tomorrow. Its a little late now.

Oh - and for those who don't know - I took the plunge and joined facebook. It was worth it to see video of Melissa's daughter today.
 
Wasn't that video adorable?

Looking forward to the update when you can get to it!

I am hoping to get on it this evening, but I have so much DIS catching up to do. Yes, her videos are so great! Today's was so cute. I want those waiters to sing me happy birthday in May!
 
Leaving HS............

When I left off Jen and I weren't really feeling HS. We got there waaaaaayyyyyyyy late, I had AP drama, and the crowds were annoying. So all we had done was: fix my AP, order hats, eat lunch, and ride ToT. After we rode ToT we checked out RnR and the wait was an hour, with FP return times several hours away. The general consensus was - Nah!

And then it came to us. We had had such a great time at Epcot this week, why not return there for our last hours at Disney.

But not without taking MORE pictures.

I can never pass up an opportunity to take balloon pictures. I love them. They are so festive....

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Like I said - you can never have too many.....

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We stopped to pick up Jen's hats. I guess I took this picture because it represents how I was feeling when I entered HS that morning:

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Jen found a friend.

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I am really glad that Jen is a photobug because it gave me permission to try to take a few "artsy" shots before we left the park:

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I know I am revealing my age when I tell you that I remember visiting the 5&10 when I was a little girl!

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Now its the 5 and 10 dollar store!

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We had one final friend to say goodbye to before we left the park....

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I will admit Boo, these were downright tempting in the heat.

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Yes -its our 6th and final day! Boo!

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We got very, very lucky. Just as we exited there was a Friendship boat loading. Jen and I hightailed it over there and just managed to get a seat. Phew!

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Believe it or not, I had never taken a Friendship boat TO Epcot. The last time I was on a Friendship boat it was at night and we were moving the opposite direction. I really enjoyed my ride. It allowed me to see the ToT from a completely new perspective.

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Continued in Next Post......
 



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I can definitely see what Brooke loves the boardwalk. It really is a cool looking place.

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Unfortunately, it was hard for me to get good pictures from where I was sitting (wrong side of boat).

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I was, however, in a great position to get good pictures of the Swolphin. I have to call it that because I still can't tell which is which.

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I apologize that I had no narrative to go with this update, but I did really enjoy taking pictures of the Swolphin. It really is a pretty resort. Cynthia and I were almost going to stay there for the first two nights of the East Meets West Trip, but we decided to go with POR. It's hard to beat the price and the ME ride from the airport is a definite advantage. So Swolphin, I am sorry I won't be staying with you, but we will be eating at Bluezoo in May. And I promise that I will stay with you in the future. You're on my list!

Up Next - The final leg of our boat tour and more fun in Epcot!


 
The lack of what you call good pictures of the Boardwalk (I personally think they are still great.) is more than made up for with your Swolphin pictures. They were beautiful. I guess I've never paid attention to either the Swan or Dolphin resorts before to see how very pretty the resorts are.
 
/
Great photos at the Studios, ME. And your pics from the friendship boat turned out great. We've not visited the Boardwalk area in awhile; we will have to see if we can find on the next trip.
 
I never cease to be amazed at your artistic style in photo-taking! Great stuff!!!

yeah, I could tell you two were just not feelin' it. Good call to bail. :thumbsup2

OK, not to be cheeky, but isn't the swan the one with swans on top, and the dolphin the one with non-dolphins on it?? Just sayin'....:lmao:

WHOA that first photo of ToT from his backside is just too creepy with the reflection (presumably from the boat's window) on it!! Wierd! But eerie and perfect for the subject matter!
 
I like balloon pictures too! And all of your artsy photos! I can't the the Swan/Dolphin particularly appeals to be in terms of design/architecture but I have heard the beds are uber comfortable and the prices are very reasonable.

I'm looking forward to trying Bluezoo in May too. It has been getting some pretty rave reviews lately -- including some who think it has the best steak on property. We'll have to test it out!

Glad you are enjoying FB! :thumbsup2
 
Thank you!

I have an entry level Cannon DSLR (Rebel) and Jen has a Cannon point and shoot. I have to agree with what Jen says - its not so much the camera, but knowing how to use it correctly. If you notice, Jen rarely takes a bad shot because she knows how to use all the settings on her camera. That is something I am still mastering and I really learned alot from her.

I picked the Cannon because I had consistently seen great pictures taken with Cannons on the boards. It was really a toos up between the Cannon and the Nikon. If you belong to Costco they often have nice bundled starter and above packages. Also - visit the photography boards. Those guys know A LOT!

I guess it's time to really learn how to use my Sony and Nikon point and shoot cameras.

I will have to plan a visit to Costco this week. Thanks! :goodvibes

Love your photos of the Swolphin and DHS. I agree with you about the Swolphin. Sometimes you can get a great rate, but no ME.
 
I love the pictures from the boat! I love that entire area! It's just so pretty and peaceful :)
 
The lack of what you call good pictures of the Boardwalk (I personally think they are still great.) is more than made up for with your Swolphin pictures. They were beautiful. I guess I've never paid attention to either the Swan or Dolphin resorts before to see how very pretty the resorts are.


Thanks. glad you enjoyed the pics, since I basically had nothing else to say. It went like this - left HS, got on the boat, took pictures......end of story! :rotfl:

Great photos at the Studios, ME. And your pics from the friendship boat turned out great. We've not visited the Boardwalk area in awhile; we will have to see if we can find on the next trip.

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the pics. I am really looking forward to exploring that whole boardwalk area in depth this May. And Cynthia already told me that she likes walking from the BC to HS, so that will be fun. I have only been on that path in the evening. I am sure its a lovely walk during the day (unless its super hot).

I never cease to be amazed at your artistic style in photo-taking! Great stuff!!!

yeah, I could tell you two were just not feelin' it. Good call to bail. :thumbsup2

OK, not to be cheeky, but isn't the swan the one with swans on top, and the dolphin the one with non-dolphins on it?? Just sayin'....:lmao:

WHOA that first photo of ToT from his backside is just too creepy with the reflection (presumably from the boat's window) on it!! Wierd! But eerie and perfect for the subject matter!

I never cease to be amazed at your artistic style in photo-taking! Great stuff!!!

Thanks! So glad you like the pics! You had some great HS pics yourself! :thumbsup2

yeah, I could tell you two were just not feelin' it. Good call to bail. :thumbsup2

I need an HS do-over. Big Time!

OK, not to be cheeky, but isn't the swan the one with swans on top, and the dolphin the one with non-dolphins on it?? Just sayin'....:lmao:

:rotfl: OK Miss Smarty Pants! :rotfl: That much I know, BUT I can never remember which is facing HS and which is facing Epcot. I get totally confused, EVEN with the big icons on top! :sad2:

:

WHOA that first photo of ToT from his backside is just too creepy with the reflection (presumably from the boat's window) on it!! Wierd! But eerie and perfect for the subject matter!

I think that ToT from the back looks creepy in general. It's such a cool looking building from every angle. Wouldn't it be cool to go back stage in there? Really - it looks like there must be all sorts of hidden backstage areas.


Oh, how I love pictures of Mickey balloons!!! :lovestruc

They are so fun! There is nothing better to brighten the mood then a Mickey balloon.

What a great picture of Bo!!! How we have missed him! :goodvibes

The first people that come to mind when I see Boo is you and Chelsea! :flower3:

I like balloon pictures too! And all of your artsy photos! I can't the the Swan/Dolphin particularly appeals to be in terms of design/architecture but I have heard the beds are uber comfortable and the prices are very reasonable.

Glad you like the pics.

I have to say that the Swolphin has never been on the top of my list of places to stay, but I would like to work my way around to it. I definitely think I might try it on a couples only trip when we are more likely to have a car. But the whole lack of ME thing makes it unappealing to me.

I have to say that seeing up close did increase its appeal to me. I love that one half shell water fall.

I'm looking forward to trying Bluezoo in May too. It has been getting some pretty rave reviews lately -- including some who think it has the best steak on property. We'll have to test it out!

I know - I can't wait. Cynthia and I have actually been doing some behind the scene scheming to flip-flop our Tutto and Blue Zoo ADR. We have had some discussion about adding the DxDP to a day or two of our DVC stay. Personally, I think this may work out quite well. As a result, it might be better to move our Blue Zoo a day forward. It looks like a super cool place and I actually bought a new shirt to wear there. :laughing: Silly, yes I know. But when I tried it on that's what came to mind!

Glad you are enjoying FB! :thumbsup2

FB is actually a little cooler than I thought it would be. I love Melissa's videos. Following people's trips is pretty cool, so for that it is worth it!

I guess it's time to really learn how to use my Sony and Nikon point and shoot cameras.

Jen definitely taught me that knowing how to use your camera really increases the outcome of your pictures. It also made me realize that there is so much learn. Try Youtube videos for some good explanations. I have found them really helpful in explaining how to use my camera.

I will have to plan a visit to Costco this week. Thanks! :goodvibes

Good luck. I hope they have lower priced Cannons. I know they will have the higher priced ones. And they will likely have the Nikons. I know when I priced my Rebel Costco seriously had the best deal going. And I blew it by not buying mine when it was available at Costco. Then they sold out and I had to scramble to get Best buy to offer a comparable deal. whatever you get - make sure you get a distance lense in the bundle. You don't want to have to go back and buy that seperately.

Love your photos of the Swolphin and DHS. I agree with you about the Swolphin. Sometimes you can get a great rate, but no ME.

Yeah - ME is really a deal breaker for me if I don't have a car. I also don't like that the Swolphin has so many extra charges. It reminds me of Verizon. :laughing: Sorry!

Glad you like the pics.:thumbsup2


I love the pictures from the boat! I love that entire area! It's just so pretty and peaceful :)

You should know because you are now the expert after your last fabulous stay. You probably know every little nook and cranny. I really can't wait to check it out in just a few short months!
 
I love that doll-

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Joan had a very special relationship with her last May- look, they are TWINS!

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:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

I need to go back and watch your video.....:goodvibes
 
I love that doll-

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Joan had a very special relationship with her last May- look, they are TWINS!

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:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

I need to go back and watch your video.....:goodvibes

OMG Ellen....This had me totally cracking up today at work :lmao:, but I couldn't get the stupid computer to respond! I remember when you posted this picture, but I totally forgot about it!!!!! :rotfl2:
 
So I have some really important news......BIG NEWS!
As Many of you know I have been stalking the Timeshare store for quite awhile. I never seem to find the perfect contract - too many points, too few points, not the right use year, totally stripped contract, wrong resort, ect, ect.

Well today (with Denny's blessing) I bought an 100 point contract for the VWL. Crazy, I know! But it was the perfect point amount, my use year - March, and all the points coming in 2011. Plus the price was right. VWL is not my first choice. In fact, I really wasn't crazy about the decor last May (although I enjoyed the location and all the outdoor areas). But you know what, Ranger Joe gave me a who new perspective on why the villas were themed that way. And I actually like the thought of spending some Christmas holidays there. Plus knowing that Walts old trains are right downstairs is very nostalgic.

So keep your fingers crossed that we pass ROFR!
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

 
I have to admit part of me is a little sad about switching from the Swolphin. But. And it's a big BUT, given that I'm on a red eye, DME is a humongous plus. In my bleary eyed state, finding a different shuttle spot to depart from makes me cringe just thinking about it. Now really though...the swan at least looks like a swan, I must say. The Dolphin though...really isn't, it's actually a Mahi Mahi or Dolphin fish! And it's a rather ugly fish if you ask me. Those beds are Heavenly, I'll give them that, and rolling the luggage down to move to the BC did sounds kind of fun but I love saving money even more. I am uber excited to eat at bluezoo though...and have a blood orange martini! Or something equally as exotic. Steak huh? Who knew!

I am excited to stay at POR, I really hope we get the mansions. I'm looking forward to beignets and that boat to dinner, that will be a blast! And maybe a little yehaw! All never dones!

Reminds me, we should check out restaurant.com on coupons....maybe I'll do that today since I'm getting nothing else done. I actually took a sick day. I NEVER take sick days (unless it's to actually watch the kids lol) but just felt marginal at best and SO not into it so...there you go. It would be one thing if I was actually playing with the kids, it's they have break (all week) but instead I'm sitting here doing nothing useful.

I really need a vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A real one. And I really need a couples only one. Pathetic when you take your sick day and look at potential trips the entire day. Of course nothing really pencils out...and I think that's what's making me sick!

That and the giant crate that is arriving on Friday...aka the plane. My DVC in a box. Sigh. Even though it's Jeff's deal, I think I'm a little stressed about it.

I digress. But it does explain the bazillion emails you all got from me today. :rotfl:

CONGRATS on your new contract!!!!!!!! Sending pixie dust that it flies through ROFR.

I've never taken the boat all the way from one to the other either. Boat to and from DHS to YC. I don't think we ever took the boat to Epcot, we always walked.
 
OK, not to be cheeky, but isn't the swan the one with swans on top, and the dolphin the one with non-dolphins on it?? Just sayin'....:lmao:

I like your "non-dolphins"! I remember shortly after that place opened and seeing those and thinking, "What the heck? Those aren't dolphins!!" My dad always said it looked more like a Carp.

Congratulations on your new DVC contract, hope it works out for you!

I Love those balloon pics that you took.
 
Fabulous photo boat tour! I do admit, I enjoy staying at the Swolphin (Swan, in particular). The Epcot resort area as a whole is gorgeous, I'm so happy to see it here! Makes me want to go back this minute.

Also, I adore that Queen of Hearts doll. :love:
 

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