Lisa and Mike's Fairytale Vow Renewal Trip Report

[livinthedisneydream]

Lisa
you are totally living my dream!!! I too wanted to get married at WDW and my mother also talked me out of it. I have told my husband that at some point we will do a VR. Our 10th was last year, so maybe for our 15, can I hire you as my coordinator. I love your welcome bags, everything is GREAT.

My dad passed away 2 years ago and we used some of the money he left us to go on the disney cruise, I am so happy now that I will always remember that trip and also think of my dad.


Cant wait for more

Tara

Thank you so much! It definitely was a dream trip. No problem, I'd be glad to be your coordinator. My family keeps saying this is what I should do after the kiddos get a little older. If you shoot for the 15th, think of all the time you have to plan and get ideas. It does go by so quickly and it's definitely sad when it's over. Of course, there's always another party to be had at Disney. I always look to janet2k for my inspiration. She's done some pretty amazing parties!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one doing something fun with the "extra" money. We really debated about how much we should say or do about his dad this trip. His dad had come with us one time prior and met us over at the Grand when I was pregnant with my 3rd. He and DH's mom spent winters at their condo in Sarasota and were missing the kids and seeing my growing belly so they came over and stayed at the Grand and went to dinner with us. We ended up taking some pix by the old antique cars there and we put those in our slideshow that was shown at the reception.

We didn't do anything at the ceremony b/c we didn't want to upset his mother or the family but we did have a crystal butterfly in our daughters flower wand. When we first went to the cemetery last year after the headstone was placed the boys were asking about gpa and where he was and while we were talking a butterfly kept flying around Mike's mom and the rest of us and my middle one said that that was gpa coming down from heaven to see us. So, ever since then, we have had the butterfly for a symbol of gpa.

We also were supposed to have a butterfly somewhere on the Mad Hatter cake but I don't remember if there was one on there or not.

I hope you get your dream VR! Thanks for listening
Lisa

 

[livinthedisneydream]

OK, I figure I'll start with the resorts. The trip down was uneventful. Everything made it down ok and the driver, Bob, from sunray was fantastic! Very friendly, on time and the most reasonable towncar we've had yet. He also was very accomodating on the crazy group that we had and really worked with us to get us the best rates. Yeah Sunray!!

Also, I must say a yeah to Southwest and their ding fares. We had a most confusing schedule. Me, my mom and three kids Cleveland to Orlando. Next day, DH and my stepdad, Columbus to Orlando. Next day, my sister, her hubby and three kids Columbus to Orlando. Next day, my brother in law, his mom and his 4 boys arrive driving from the condo in Sarasota. Next day, my sister in law and mother in law Columbus to Orlando. Followed on hour later by my sister in law (whose hubby and 4 boys were already there but she is a nurse and had to work). Next day, my brother, his pregnant wife and their 18 month old drive in from Charleston SC. Then, my brother in law and his fiancee in from Cincinnati. Then, my dad and 15yo half brother fly in from Reno.

Of all these people, I booked all flights except my brother in law and his fiancee. Not only did I book these flights on the very first day the schedule was announced, I rebooked each group (except my dad who had ff tix) each time the price dropped. I rebooked each group no less than 3 times!!! However, my time paid off. One day only, there was a ding fare celebrating 15 years in Columbus and all the flights for the Columbus people were $30 each way---yes, they paid with taxes around $80 for a r/t n/s trip! No one paid more than $50 each way! I think I did pretty good. Of course, I told them I would draw the line at packing their bags for them.

Lets see---rooms, check---tix, check---dining arrangements, check,---airfare, check---ground transportation, check. I think I'd done my part. No wonder I didn't have time to pack properly!

Oh, I almost forgot. I had made up cute little itinerary folders for each family group. Inside I had a list of everyone's cell phone numbers and each family's itinerary with where they needed to be and at what time. I had pat on the disney designs board make up adorable invitations to all the meals that we were doing so everyone had another cute souvenier and way to remember the details. I will try to post pix b/c they were so cute.

Actually, I think I will post them at the appropriate time in case I don't have pix at the events.

Also, I really need to find the "helpful hints" that my darling hubby sent out without my knowledge. He has a very dry sense of humor and his ideas were very funny.

And again, it is now midnight and I'm still not even to the arriving at WDW part! I have to apologize b/c I got a late start. We got a final bill from the accounting dept and I ?'d the final bill. I emailed my coordinator to see if we would be receiving a final itemized bill. It doesn't sound like they usually do that so he said he looked over the bill and said we were charged 20 nights at the Grand Floridian and that my mom and brother in law had a higher room category at the Boardwalk and that we had Illuminations viewing fees.

Well, as I will get to eventually, the Grand really was not so grand this stay and really messed up the billing. I'm having Ken look into it b/c I'm wondering if they charged us for our free "wedding" night. The boardwalk view my family received was not anything I had booked, I just thought they had upgraded them. And for Illuminations, I don't remember anyone checking tickets. Most people stayed for EMH but they all had tickets. I was really just curious about the drinks from the Mad Hatter and Reception since we debated long and hard and decided on the billed upon consumption. Of course, now I'm wondering if we were charged correctly.

So, unfortunately, another night and I'm still not to the point of arrival at the Poly but we will get there soon, I promise!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

No one checked tickets at our DP either and I even asked and was told to just let them know later. We just got our statement of how much we are getting refunded and I asked if the viewing fees were taken off and the gentleman who sent me the email said no, and that he didn't know anyone had tickets and he'll be 'checking into it.'

 

[livinthedisneydream]

No one checked tickets at our DP either and I even asked and was told to just let them know later. We just got our statement of how much we are getting refunded and I asked if the viewing fees were taken off and the gentleman who sent me the email said no, and that he didn't know anyone had tickets and he'll be 'checking into it.'

They never checked ours, just asked who wanted to stay and gave them the wristbands. I'm glad I checked, since we had 4 people who decided at the reception not to go to the dessert party at all and I only had two desserts while they were clearing them away at the end. What a waste! Of course the fireworks photos make it all worthwhile!

I'm really just wanting to see it all on paper to make sure it's correct. Maybe they just figure if they're refunding us anything it won't matter but I was wondering why only $850 of the $1500 deposit was coming back. How and where did we do over on the final BEO? I'm sure in the big scheme of things, it's not much, but I just ordered the hi res cd of the pix for $1000 so any extra will come in handy!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

They never checked ours, just asked who wanted to stay and gave them the wristbands. I'm glad I checked, since we had 4 people who decided at the reception not to go to the dessert party at all and I only had two desserts while they were clearing them away at the end. What a waste! Of course the fireworks photos make it all worthwhile!

I'm really just wanting to see it all on paper to make sure it's correct. Maybe they just figure if they're refunding us anything it won't matter but I was wondering why only $850 of the $1500 deposit was coming back. How and where did we do over on the final BEO? I'm sure in the big scheme of things, it's not much, but I just ordered the hi res cd of the pix for $1000 so any extra will come in handy!!

That's what I wanted too. A detailed print out of the final charges and what was under and if anything went over. I don't like how they just give you a total. I went through our BEO and checked what everything should have ended up being, but we shouldn't have to do that part

I really want our photo CD from our MK shoot too (ours is $500 since we only had the MK shoot) and it just seems so hard to justify paying that much for a CD with like 50 pictures on it.

 

[livinthedisneydream]

So my mom and I and the kids arrive at the Polynesian. For the first three nights my little family is shacking up with my parents. We are then moving to the King Kamehameha suite with other family members. We originally had the suite booked for 3 nights but the other family wasn't coming till a day later so we decided to cut costs and stay with my parents another night.

We were in a garden view concierge room #1520, the second to last from the end. It is the same room we had for Easter 2006 and was just as nice. There is a little patio and a plant bed that gives some privacy without totally blocking the view. Lots of ducks and bunnies around too.
Chillin at the Poly---probably watching the top 7 must sees for the first of a million times!

The renovated rooms are so pretty. The only drawback is the bathroom setup. With only one sink and it being inside the bathroom (unlike at other newer deluxes with two sinks outside the toilet/shower area). This was kind of a pain with all the people in the room, but we would just send the others to the lounge while we got ready so it worked out fine. We also had our 4 giant boxes that we'd shipped down with welcome bags and other items so we really didn't spend too much time in the room!

As usual, the concierge lounge was fantastic! The food offerings were wonderful and the staff was so friendly and helpful. Plus, you cannot beat watching the fireworks from the lounge with the music piped in while sipping your special Poly "punch" or other adult bevvie. OK, maybe watching from the beach down below which we did on another night too!

Here's a pic of one of Chef Dick's creations in the lounge at dinnertime.

That day we went to Epcot and looked around a while. Then ate dinner at the lounge (when it's that hot outside, the lounge offerings, especially at the poly, are usually enough to tide us over) Pretty uneventful day but we wanted to rest up we had MGM tomorrow.

 

[NJtoATL]

I just love your review and pictures of the Disney Renewal. I plan on doing the same for my 15th Wedding Anniversary in 2011. You have a lot of creative ideas. A woman after my own heart

 

[livinthedisneydream]

Today we had breakfast in the lounge. Most days, this was the routine. We also learned quickly to shower in the evenings before we went to bed, because it was just so darn hot. It was complete ponytail weather.

Anyway, we then went over to MGM. Now here I am breaking my big rule. I almost always do split stays. I have no problem changing resorts, in fact I love to do it. However, I usually plan my parks around the resorts we are staying at, thus minimizing the need for buses. With 3 kids and a stroller, the buses are our enemy! So, off we go to MGM with not too many stops. We have lunch at the Sci Fi which we haven't been to in a while. But, since we're with my mom I thought she'd get a kick out of it.

My kids love MGM. We did the Animation tour which is cute and vow to come back to get a pix with Ratatouille characters when DH arrives (of course, we never do---when at Disney if you see it, do it, don't put it off!)

We arrive about 10 minutes early for our ADR and the place is packed. My 2 yo is not to happy about waiting today. We are finally seated and we spend the time trying to keep DD happy. Mom loves how neat the inside of the restaurant is. We decide to split a burger which was good. However, for the time we spent here, we could've eaten at Victoria and Alberts. It was sooooooo slow! Kind of murphy's law when you've got a fussy toddler on your hands. Anyway the food was pretty good. The kids got the tumblers with raspberry lemonade and the glow in the dark Cap Hook and Tink. We thought these were pretty cute but miss the old days when the kids meals were served on a glow in the dark frisbee w/Sci Fi logo on it.

My pix did not turn out well inside but here's one after we're done

After lunch, we do Playhouse Disney live which DD loves and Great Movie Ride. My kids all love this ride and the wait wasn't too bad. We're in the main room getting close to the front and then it seems like we're just stuck in the same place not moving. The kids are watching the movies and don't care, but I'm wondering what's going on. Finally, a cm comes on the microphone to tell us they're experiencing technical difficulties due to the severe thunderstorms outside. What?, thunderstorms? So, he tells us to stay put since it is a "torrential" downpour and we are all cool and dry. We sit down in the row and try to get comfy. About 5 minutes later, middle Ds says he needs to use the potty. Oh, great, can't you hold it? No, mommy. Ok, so I ask the cm where the nearest restroom is and he's like "you're going to want to stay put, it's really bad out there. The reason we can't let anyone into the ride is that the people getting off the ride won't leave the exit b/c of the thunderstorm so it's totally backed up. The bathrooms are across the "street" and you'll get soaked and may not be able to get back in. Great!

So, I go back to my mom to drop off DD. She's fussy. My mom's like, "you better take her with you, she won't stay with me" OK, great, now I get to get soaked AND take DD so she gets soaked too! But what can I do---we're off. At first, we're laughing b/c it's crazy how bad it's raining. There's NO ONE walking around. Everyone's wondering why we're crazy enough to leave our shelter. In hindsight, I could've just let him pee his pants, he would've had a shower walking out of the park anyway

We make it across the street and he does his business. While debating if we should wait until it slows down a bit to cross back over, a nice boy in a wheelchair starts talking to us. Turns out, he's on a "make a wish" trip and was just so excited to tell us all about it. He was just so sweet and we loved hearing all about his Orlando adventures. Just when you're feeling bad for yourself and the kind of day you're having, something comes along to make you remember how good you've really got it!

Anyway, we decide to head back to the Great Movie Ride. Now we're wet and it's cold in there and DD is ready for a nap. Of course, my mom and oldest DS want to stay put since they're dry but I tell them no way, we're done. We go out to the stroller and I dump out the 3" of rain in the seat before trying to put soaked DD in it. She wants no part of it so now I'm carrying all 30# of her and pushing middle DS (5yrs) in the stroller. My mom is walking with her umbrella staying dry. We get to the bus stop and thankfully DD falls asleep while I'm holding her. Then comes the fun part, we wait 40 minutes---yes, 4-0 minutes for a bus! This is why I save MGM until the time we are staying at an Epcot resort. When we went later in the trip and were at the Boardwalk, we just walked along the river!

We get back to the poly and I lay DD down wet clothes and all to continue sleeping. We then realize that it's after 5 and the evening offerings would be out in the lounge. I go down and make us a plate and grab that terrific "punch". After that, we just hung out, got dry and waited for DH and my stepdad to arrive. Since they didn't get to the resort until later, we just had desserts in the lounge and watched the fireworks from there.

Lesson learned---you just can't count on the busses!