MagicBands + Margaritas + Muggles + Minions = TRP. New TR link is up! 10/31

[eandesmom]

Going to be in Vegas for my annual conference the DL hopefully. It might go the other way, DL then Vegas but I would rather have the conference first.

Yup that leaves no time for F & W

I take it the annual conference is in the fall. Yes, work first, then Disney, much better!

It was funny, we had planned to cross paths when we realized our FP+ were for the same time. A couple of texts back and forth and I just happened to be closer to SM. As I scanned the crowd, with my best LG eyes, I spotted the boys. The came over to the side and sat on the wall and waited. I figured as a parent Cynthia would like to know the boys made it and were doing as they were told.

I know I was always happier to find out my kids behaved better when out in public than they did at home.

It was very nice to know they were there and doing what they'd been told, especially since I heard that from you before any of them texted me.

Had nothing to do with the boys getting my extra duplicate Sorcerers cards.

Nope, nothing to do with that at all

I think you are right... I can hope... but seriously doubt it. If you could look... my dates are 10/1 to 10/8. I looked at OKW in studio near hospitality and already it is full for race weekend. One not near hospitality is open... but it shows me that host resorts will lack availability that weekend. I could look at just a one bedroom and but that defeats the "alone" style Steve was hoping for not to mention his family wants their own space.

Own space is a very good thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ugh, it's not good news.
Right now, in the standard studio, only 2 of then nights are available, 10/2 and 10/3

In the pool/garden the 4th and 5th are sold out but the rest is available

For BW view only the 2nd and 5th are available.

I think Pool/Garden is your best chance and you will likely need to waitlist. It depends, if you are doing a sp[lit stay you'll have a good chance, waitlisitng the whole week will be more difficult and of course right over the race weekend itself, the hardest.

I may end up just doing that... keeping the OKW rooms and waitlisting. that way if the standard comes through great... if not, we don't end up losing points by switching to a "lower point" option. Then again, maybe I just borrow more from 2014 to cover the needed extra points. I need more points..... I can see it already.

and then you'll use them. I need more but oh, am not going to do it. It about killed me to walk away from the BW points that I was waitlisted for, they FINALLY became available earlier this month (10 months on the waitlist). We can live with what we have, it is enough, or it should be/needs to be!

How many single use points can you purchase at a time?

24

Which at $15 a pop adds up....still a ton cheaper than rack rate depending on how you use them!

You are right... as bad as the weather can sometimes get... still being in Disney beats anything else.

Exactly!

Caught up. Thanks for not posting skittle pictures!! I do appreciate it!!

My pleasure!

I always think you should just opt for more time in Disney with the cruise! Hope it all works out! Can't wait until I finally take a cruise!

They are fun! And it will be lovely to do it as a couple only.

How you coordinate so many people at so many different places all to meet up at the same time is beyond me. I've got my tiny little family of 3 and I'm all, "I'm good. There's enough on my plate!" Don't know how you do it, wonder woman! Can't believe how wet you guys got! It's gets to the point to where all you can do is laugh because no matter how you fight it, you're gonna get wet!

Exactly, all we could do is laugh.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Whew!

Except….breaking news!

It was just announced that food and wine will start on the 19th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But since I'd already typed all that out…I left it in.

Winner Winner STEAK dinner. In Argentina. Or New Zealand, or Hawaii…

Awesome! That's a lot of permutations to run through, but it's great that things work out for the best!

I loved the Holiday touches on the boat and in the queue but honestly I do think they could have done more with it, a lot more.

I hadn't seen many reports on the Jingle Cruise, so that leaves me to believe most people feel the same way.

What can I say, day one, photo mojo not terribly present!

It'll pick up. It always does.

I had a special DISmeet planned at our FP+! Actually it hadn't really been planned, more just like dumb luck in the planning (or great minds thinking alike) but still it had worked out. Pat (poolrat) had a FP+ for Space the same time we did.

Yay!!!

Space, to me, ties with BTMRR as the best "first" ride to do in the world, or at least in MK and while I'd missed out on one mountain, I was feeling pretty darn good about what we’d been able to get done so far.

Agreed!

This may well be my FAVORITE picture of the trip!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry the rain dampened the day. But you finally got some rides in!

 

[annmarieda]

Own space is a very good thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, he kinda vetoed the one bedroom idea. It would save some points, so I am not sure how that would work... the 2014 points were brought into the 2013 year so they would need to be banked, right? So at least if we did that now we wouldn't have them go into holding. (if we did that after our banking date they would go into holding, right?) Still... even though there is the nice big bedroom that we would have to ourselves at OKW... there is the issue of his parents and where would we put them in addition to the girls if and when they show up.

Ugh, it's not good news.
Right now, in the standard studio, only 2 of then nights are available, 10/2 and 10/3

In the pool/garden the 4th and 5th are sold out but the rest is available

For BW view only the 2nd and 5th are available.

I think Pool/Garden is your best chance and you will likely need to waitlist. It depends, if you are doing a sp[lit stay you'll have a good chance, waitlisitng the whole week will be more difficult and of course right over the race weekend itself, the hardest.

I kinda figured as much when I saw that the studio at OKW was sold out for race weekend. I guess I will have to really consider my options. Mostly likely is to just stay at OKW... but I did so want to try a different resort. I have read so many people say they own one place and never actually stay there. I guess the fact that we want to use our dvc during race weekends will likely mean we always have to stay at our home resort...or possible do a split stay. ... now there is another option...but since we are only there 7 nights it would likely be just for 2 nights and I can't see Steve or Kira going for that.

and then you'll use them. I need more but oh, am not going to do it. It about killed me to walk away from the BW points that I was waitlisted for, they FINALLY became available earlier this month (10 months on the waitlist). We can live with what we have, it is enough, or it should be/needs to be!

I think we are not too far off of what we really need. Could we use twice as many..definitely. What we need though is maybe another 50 to 100 points per year. I get emails that include small contract listings and I think maybe I should look into it. However, while I get that keeping the same use year would make it less complicated... I am not sure that a small contract at a different resort would not make things more confusing to me. I mean.. say you have 25 or 50 points somewhere. It lets you see 11 months ahead for those resorts, but that really isn't enough to do much with since you can only book 11 months out with points from THAT contract, right? So 25 points would get you a night or so.. but not a full stay. I guess if we had enough 25 point contracts though we could at least be able to get race weekend covered where we want.

24

Which at $15 a pop adds up....still a ton cheaper than rack rate depending on how you use them!

So paying for a transfer of more points is probably a better idea? Especially if you get them at less than $15 pp? And (don't you love all my dvc questions today) if you transfer in points... are they still resort specific or since they are going into your account do they "become" points from your home resort? I am thinking they keep their UY and resort.. right? Just thinking ahead for next years races. I would like to have some different options for the fall than it looks like I will have this time. So maybe a transfer would help?

 

[eandesmom]

Awesome! That's a lot of permutations to run through, but it's great that things work out for the best!

I need to create a Montecarlo simulator for all my various options, predict my rate of success or failure

They really did work out!

I hadn't seen many reports on the Jingle Cruise, so that leaves me to believe most people feel the same way.

I had read that ahead of time so wasn't surprised, or even dissapointed really, just think if you are going to advertise it as they did, a bit more effort would have been nice.

It'll pick up. It always does.

One would hope, huh!

Sorry the rain dampened the day. But you finally got some rides in!

I did! Good ones too

Yeah, he kinda vetoed the one bedroom idea. It would save some points, so I am not sure how that would work... the 2014 points were brought into the 2013 year so they would need to be banked, right? So at least if we did that now we wouldn't have them go into holding. (if we did that after our banking date they would go into holding, right?) Still... even though there is the nice big bedroom that we would have to ourselves at OKW... there is the issue of his parents and where would we put them in addition to the girls if and when they show up.

You can't bank borrowed points, what you'd actually do is keep the borrowed ones as part of the reservation and release current UY points, and then bank those.

I don't see how you'd all fit unless Zoe slept on an air mattress. The in laws would have to take the sleeper sofa unless you gave them the master, Kira would get the sleeper chair and Zoe...cushions on the floor? I'm with Steve. 2 studios works much better unless you want to go for a 2B.

I kinda figured as much when I saw that the studio at OKW was sold out for race weekend. I guess I will have to really consider my options. Mostly likely is to just stay at OKW... but I did so want to try a different resort. I have read so many people say they own one place and never actually stay there. I guess the fact that we want to use our dvc during race weekends will likely mean we always have to stay at our home resort...or possible do a split stay. ... now there is another option...but since we are only there 7 nights it would likely be just for 2 nights and I can't see Steve or Kira going for that.

That is exactly it. For race weekends, holidays, food and wine and the like, you need to assume you can stay at your home resort if you book 11m out. Changing on those weekends or times of year is really difficult unless it's just for a few nights and you are open to a split stay. We've had great luck with waitlists, even during Flower and Garden and Food and Wine but...they weren't race weekends.

The other issue you could have, which I just realized, is that if you waitlist both OKW studios, it is possible that only one of them comes through and half of your group is at one resort. If you want a different resort, what about AKV standard view? I know you've stayed there but has the rest yet? I can't recall if that's part of the current TR or not lol.

I think we are not too far off of what we really need. Could we use twice as many..definitely. What we need though is maybe another 50 to 100 points per year. I get emails that include small contract listings and I think maybe I should look into it. However, while I get that keeping the same use year would make it less complicated... I am not sure that a small contract at a different resort would not make things more confusing to me. I mean.. say you have 25 or 50 points somewhere. It lets you see 11 months ahead for those resorts, but that really isn't enough to do much with since you can only book 11 months out with points from THAT contract, right? So 25 points would get you a night or so.. but not a full stay. I guess if we had enough 25 point contracts though we could at least be able to get race weekend covered where we want.

Well your overall pool is greater but that only helps at 7m. At 25-50, if you bank and borrow you can maybe get a full stay out of it depending on what you are going for. We have 3 contracts at 3 resorts and it's worked very well for us but we also did buy where we wanted to stay and have used the 11m advantage. On the flip side we've had good luck using them elsewhere at 7m.

We have 315 and while it's tight now, I really can't justify more from a dues perspective so we will need to make it work. with the 24 one time, 339 is a number I should be able to live with. If I didn't keep taking so many trips



Seriously though, other than maybe a race trip or 2 for me, we will be taking 2016 (our 2015 UY) off to let them recover.

And when I think of what we've been able to pull off with those points, it's really rather amazing. Especially given that we started with just one at 105.

So paying for a transfer of more points is probably a better idea? Especially if you get them at less than $15 pp? And (don't you love all my dvc questions today) if you transfer in points... are they still resort specific or since they are going into your account do they "become" points from your home resort? I am thinking they keep their UY and resort.. right? Just thinking ahead for next years races. I would like to have some different options for the fall than it looks like I will have this time. So maybe a transfer would help?

Really depends on how many you think you need. In theory a transfer can be less. Problem I seem to see is most transfers offered are usually 50-100 or even larger points and the buyer (transferee) must take all. Smaller transfers at lower price points tend to be ones in the last quarter of the UY. Great for a last minute trip but not for one 7m out. I was looking into it and have decided just to buy the 1x use points.

 

[annmarieda]

You can't bank borrowed points, what you'd actually do is keep the borrowed ones as part of the reservation and release current UY points, and then bank those.

Ok.. I guess that makes more sense. Bottom line is we wouldn't lose points...we would just end up banking which takes our 2014 available points back up a bit.

I don't see how you'd all fit unless Zoe slept on an air mattress. The in laws would have to take the sleeper sofa unless you gave them the master, Kira would get the sleeper chair and Zoe...cushions on the floor? I'm with Steve. 2 studios works much better unless you want to go for a 2B.

I was thinking in the event that the in laws completely bailed. Then it would be like we had last month, only it would be Kira on the pull out sofa..Zoe again on the pull out chair (which was way nicer than the sofa btw) and Steve and I in the master. However, given that they are such a wild card I really shouldn't consider it.

That is exactly it. For race weekends, holidays, food and wine and the like, you need to assume you can stay at your home resort if you book 11m out. Changing on those weekends or times of year is really difficult unless it's just for a few nights and you are open to a split stay. We've had great luck with waitlists, even during Flower and Garden and Food and Wine but...they weren't race weekends.

This definitely makes me glad that we purchased where we did. I can live with always staying there. Staying always at SS... that might have been an issue for me.

The other issue you could have, which I just realized, is that if you waitlist both OKW studios, it is possible that only one of them comes through and half of your group is at one resort. If you want a different resort, what about AKV standard view? I know you've stayed there but has the rest yet? I can't recall if that's part of the current TR or not lol.

That has always been the understanding between Kira and I...that we could end up at different resorts. We were not at the same one last month... in some ways it might be best if we were at different resorts... but then there is the inlaws. I really don't want them too far out for race morning. I did stay at Kidani in a sv room last fall for a night. OMG! SOOO cool. AK is just a bit farther out there than I like...even with a car. However, yes... that has been an idea for the girls. Maybe rather than them move over to us for a night or two or three Steve and I move to them and the in laws take the closer/host resort room.

Well your overall pool is greater but that only helps at 7m. At 25-50, if you bank and borrow you can maybe get a full stay out of it depending on what you are going for. We have 3 contracts at 3 resorts and it's worked very well for us but we also did buy where we wanted to stay and have used the 11m advantage. On the flip side we've had good luck using them elsewhere at 7m.

I could see that helping overall but not completely fixing the situation.

We have 315 and while it's tight now, I really can't justify more from a dues perspective so we will need to make it work. with the 24 one time, 339 is a number I should be able to live with. If I didn't keep taking so many trips

Oh yes.. dues. I think that is the other issue... while double the points would be grand and all... the amount for dues is more than I would like. We have 230 per year... another 50 to 100 would probably be better for us. So right in line with where you are... I think it may be tight from time to time... but better than what we have now. ESPECIALLY since Steve keeps telling his siblings and cousins to come to disney with us and we can get a room for all of us. I seriously think he is going to have to buy another contract or stop telling them that.

Seriously though, other than maybe a race trip or 2 for me, we will be taking 2016 (our 2015 UY) off to let them recover.

That seems like a doable idea. I could see 2016 being a good year for me to do that as well. Or I may end up not booking on points for next february 2015) since it is not going to be even a full weeks trip. Then I should have enough for the fall trip in 2015 assuming I don't borrow more to cover the two rooms this fall. Or I could just borrow from 2015 points for the fall 2015 trip. Assuming ONE room it shouldn't be too bad. But I could see always borrowing in the fall to cover that trip if we keep this up... and it doesn't leave much room for anything else. I need more points. No way around it.

And when I think of what we've been able to pull off with those points, it's really rather amazing. Especially given that we started with just one at 105.

It really is. I think I just get... I am not sure "greedy" is the right word... but I want more. KWIM? I am happy to book a room just for my in laws or kids..or who ever... but I also want to be able to enjoy some resort rooms that are not always the standard or value studio. The fact we stayed in a one bedroom for a 6 nights is pretty cool considering how much rack rate is. Add in the night at Kidani and if you compare rack rate to our contract cost.. you can definitely start to see where Disney gets their "it pays for itself in a few trips" deal.

Really depends on how many you think you need. In theory a transfer can be less. Problem I seem to see is most transfers offered are usually 50-100 or even larger points and the buyer (transferee) must take all. Smaller transfers at lower price points tend to be ones in the last quarter of the UY. Great for a last minute trip but not for one 7m out. I was looking into it and have decided just to buy the 1x use points.

Sounds like a great decision! I am thinking transfers could get complicated and messy where the one time use is just a more direct option. Can you purchase the one time points if you still have points you could borrow from or if you have current points?

 

[eandesmom]

Ok.. I guess that makes more sense. Bottom line is we wouldn't lose points...we would just end up banking which takes our 2014 available points back up a bit.

Right, as long as you do it before 7/31

I was thinking in the event that the in laws completely bailed. Then it would be like we had last month, only it would be Kira on the pull out sofa..Zoe again on the pull out chair (which was way nicer than the sofa btw) and Steve and I in the master. However, given that they are such a wild card I really shouldn't consider it.

Well, if they do bail and a 1B is avail, I'd just switch then. I wouldn't want to risk the chance that they didn't bail...

This definitely makes me glad that we purchased where we did. I can live with always staying there. Staying always at SS... that might have been an issue for me.

Not to mention OKW is a better point value. I really wanted to own at OKW but we wanted THV advantage..... But it's also why we have only 1 contract that is there.

That has always been the understanding between Kira and I...that we could end up at different resorts. We were not at the same one last month... in some ways it might be best if we were at different resorts... but then there is the inlaws. I really don't want them too far out for race morning. I did stay at Kidani in a sv room last fall for a night. OMG! SOOO cool. AK is just a bit farther out there than I like...even with a car. However, yes... that has been an idea for the girls. Maybe rather than them move over to us for a night or two or three Steve and I move to them and the in laws take the closer/host resort room.

could be an option but yes, it is farther for sure.

I could see that helping overall but not completely fixing the situation.

Oh yes.. dues. I think that is the other issue... while double the points would be grand and all... the amount for dues is more than I would like. We have 230 per year... another 50 to 100 would probably be better for us. So right in line with where you are... I think it may be tight from time to time... but better than what we have now. ESPECIALLY since Steve keeps telling his siblings and cousins to come to disney with us and we can get a room for all of us. I seriously think he is going to have to buy another contract or stop telling them that.

It's hard. The NYE trips KILLED our points, we are borrowed out. But in the big picture, I think it's the right number. That said, oh I LOVED having a 2Br....will be hard to go back to a 1 when it's the 4 of us for the Aulani trip next year.

That seems like a doable idea. I could see 2016 being a good year for me to do that as well. Or I may end up not booking on points for next february 2015) since it is not going to be even a full weeks trip. Then I should have enough for the fall trip in 2015 assuming I don't borrow more to cover the two rooms this fall. Or I could just borrow from 2015 points for the fall 2015 trip. Assuming ONE room it shouldn't be too bad. But I could see always borrowing in the fall to cover that trip if we keep this up... and it doesn't leave much room for anything else. I need more points. No way around it.

Yep. I can see a 25 or 50 making sense for us but on the flip side want to try to live with what we have since we've added on twice in 2 years already

It really is. I think I just get... I am not sure "greedy" is the right word... but I want more. KWIM? I am happy to book a room just for my in laws or kids..or who ever... but I also want to be able to enjoy some resort rooms that are not always the standard or value studio. The fact we stayed in a one bedroom for a 6 nights is pretty cool considering how much rack rate is. Add in the night at Kidani and if you compare rack rate to our contract cost.. you can definitely start to see where Disney gets their "it pays for itself in a few trips" deal.

I do know! I want to stay in a 2B from now on if it's all of us...but how long will it be all of us? really maybe not long enough to need more points and yeah... oh my goodness the rack rate for what we have done wiht our points is just crazy, even with a PIN code or other discount.

Sounds like a great decision! I am thinking transfers could get complicated and messy where the one time use is just a more direct option. Can you purchase the one time points if you still have points you could borrow from or if you have current points?

I think you can purchase for any reason, even if you still have current UY points. You can even purchase just the 1x points and not use any "real" points if that makes sense. The trick is you can only do it once per use year and for one reservation. So, for example, I bought a couple to fill out our Aulani trip last year as I needed to preserve every single BWV point for the NYE trip. I had points I could borrow, but didn't want to. If you end up cancelling they are treated like current UY points but not resort specific so I am not positive on how that works. I don't know if they can be banked but they can be re-used. Or at least that's what I've been told.

 

[annmarieda]

I really really appreciate you always being so good about answering my dvc questions. I am almost sure I ask the same ones or similar ones again and again. Someday I am sure I will get it all down... but honestly, sometimes I still get confused. Just today I was thinking about our 2014 points that will hit and really be for trips in 2015. I was getting all confused... then I remembered to just think of those points as 2015 and it made a bit more sense.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow! You really hit some rain, but I'm sure you could deal with it! So fun you got to meet up and ride with Pat! Great ride pic

Your plans are making my head spin again, but after hearing about SJ and the crime there, ITA with just spending extra time at WDW! I had thought it would be great to sail out of there and explore, too. Too bad that with it being a US territory, more couldn't be done to curtail the crime and preserve the tourist trade.

 

[khertz]

All of the ride photos are so great, especially that one of your parents on Splash!!

Ugh, I hate getting caught in a downpour in the parks and getting uncomfortably wet!! I hope you were still able to make it to dinner on time, though.

 

[eandesmom]

I really really appreciate you always being so good about answering my dvc questions. I am almost sure I ask the same ones or similar ones again and again. Someday I am sure I will get it all down... but honestly, sometimes I still get confused. Just today I was thinking about our 2014 points that will hit and really be for trips in 2015. I was getting all confused... then I remembered to just think of those points as 2015 and it made a bit more sense.

Yes, the whole UY thing is confusing isn't it. It does make fall travel hard, or at least risky and I admit, I like having the DVC travel insurance to cover those trips for that reason. Not that it covers that much but...it's something. It is illogical to think that our 2014 UY really covers calendar 2015 and easy to get confused.

Wow! You really hit some rain, but I'm sure you could deal with it! So fun you got to meet up and ride with Pat! Great ride pic

It was soggy for sure!

We had a blast with Pat.

Your plans are making my head spin again, but after hearing about SJ and the crime there, ITA with just spending extra time at WDW! I had thought it would be great to sail out of there and explore, too. Too bad that with it being a US territory, more couldn't be done to curtail the crime and preserve the tourist trade.

I'm not really sure how much of it has impacted tourism but for the locals no, it's not a good situation. Jeff keeps comparing it to Detroit. Except poor PR can't file for bankruptcy.

All of the ride photos are so great, especially that one of your parents on Splash!!

Isn't that a riot?

Ugh, I hate getting caught in a downpour in the parks and getting uncomfortably wet!! I hope you were still able to make it to dinner on time, though.

At least it wasn't that cold and it was SO wet that it was funny. All you could do at that point was laugh.

 

[eandesmom]

Trip update coming soon, hopefully later today as it is mostly done! But in the interim, I thought I’d post a Spring Break trip update…that’s right Marching on Disneyland! Last week was ADR week there so I booked a couple of things.
As of today, here are our plans

Saturday April 19th

• Drop off Evan with the school group, they have earlier flights. Jeff will drive the rest of us to the airport (Mom, Dad, Eric and I).
• Land at Long Beach at 4pm, pick up rental car
• Drive to GCV, check in.
• Early dinner at Trader Sam’s (have to be done and out by 8pm when it turns adult only)
• Pool??? DTD??? Whatever we feel like. Possibly buy our tickets if guest services is still open

Easter Sunday April 20th
This day is up in the air until we know Evan’s performance schedule. They will either perform this day, or the next. Given that, and the fact that it’s easter, we've given ourselves some options as if they are performing it will be a park day, if they aren't, it may not be.

Option 1.

• Pack up, check out of studio and into 1 bedroom, leaving bags with Bell Services.
• Breakfast at 10 am at Steakhouse 55.
• Park if performance day and performance is in the afternoon/evening. Play by ear (Church maybe) if not a performance day.
• Grocery store at some point.
• Easter Dinner in Villa.

Option 2.

• Pack up, check out of studio and into 1 bedroom, leaving bags with Bell Services.
• Park if performance day and performance is in morning or evening. Play by ear (Church maybe) if not a performance day.
• New Orleans Jazz Brunch at 1pm at Ralph Brennans.
• Grocery store at some point.
• Easter Dinner in Villa.

Personally I am leaning towards wanting option 2 to work out. They have a bloody mary bar!! and the brunch entrees sound so interesting

Check it out

Brunch Specialties

Pork Debris & Biscuits
Slow roasted pork, crimini mushrooms, caramelized onions, housemade biscuit, red eye gravy, pontalba potatoes 15

Seafood Angel Hair Pasta Pancakes
Blue crab, Gulf shrimp, crawfish tails, tomato coulis, pesto drizzle 15

Crab Cakes & Eggs
Pontalba potatoes & Creole hollandaise 17

Bananas Foster French Toast
Applewood smoked bacon, bananas Foster syrup, whipped cream 14

Chicken & Waffles
Wilted baby arugula, andouille sausage, mushrooms, maple-butter sauce 15

Buttermilk Fried New York Steak & Eggs
Scrambled eggs, Pontalba potatoes 16

Cajun Omelet
Andouille sausage, peppers, onions, tomatoes, pepperjack cheese, Pontabla potatoes 13

Monday April 21st.

Like the previous day this will depend on when Evan’s band performs. It may be a park day, it may not.

• Breakfast in villa, lunch and dinner tbd.
• Currently not planning to make dinner reservations, play by ear, figure we can likely walk in to Tortilla Joes or Naples unless we are in a park and something jumps out at us.

Tuesday April 22nd.
This will be a park day.

• Breakfast in villa, lunch somewhere in whatever park we are in, play by ear. We will get Evan probably somewhere between 1 and 3.
• Current plan is to drive to Mrs. Knott’s for dinner

I will most likely be adding a day to Evan’s ticket on this day.

Wednesday April 23rd
Park Day. Breakfast in villa, 1pm lunch at Blue Bayou. Dinner TBD. Could be either Naples or Tortilla Joes or whatever in the parks strikes our fancy.

Thursday April 24th
Most likely a park day.

• Pack everything up
• Breakfast at 9:10 at Storytellers.
• Check out and either stick bags in car or leave with Bell services.
• Parks, poor, dtd or whatever for remainder of day.
• No other official meals planned so will be winging it based on whatever we feel like.
• 6:30, head to Long Beach airport, 8:20 flight leaves and heads home.
• Jeff will pick us up and by midnight hopefully we are all hitting the hay in our own beds.

Questions for my Disneyland Peeps.
Do I need more dining reservations that this or will we be ok?
What should we absolutely hit for CS if we can?
Anything especially cool that I've missed?
I did look at the World of Color package but am leaning against it due to cost for the group.

 

[eandesmom]

Finally, the bus arrived and luckily it was the reverse order of the morning route meaning that Boardwalk was first. We hightailed it up to our room, as fast as anyone can with the Loooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggg Boardwalk hallways and....

PRESTO the MagicBands worked and our doors opened!
I had checked my request after receiving our room number and knew that we'd gotten a room that had been on my list. Not the top of the list, but not the bottom either.

What I had asked for (and yes, specifically by room number in order of preference because well, why not ask?) was a high floor, deep balcony, connected balcony, unobstructed view. Funny thing about the Boardwalk view rooms is that many have less than ideal balcony and viewing situations, either being under an arch or in some cases, only one small one for a 2 bedroom.

I received 2 out of three requests. I took one second to take a peek



I promise there will be more pictures another time. I was in a rush!

Not so in a rush to notice the following.

We had 3 balconies

They were not connected

They were not deep

But they were also, not obstructed!

Oh and we were on a high floor.

2 out of three would do.

I then headed to the phone to call for our bags that had been left with bell services. As I did so I noticed something.

There were NO bags in the room.

At all.

We had landed at 6:14 am.

It was now after 4pm.

DME is supposed to deliver your bags within 3 hours.

We were a little bit past that.

Bell services said they’d be right up with the bags left there and would check on the rest.

Great.

So no one could change or get dry until the bags arrived.

Great.

First, the bell services load arrived. Those that had not checked bags got to go first for changing and drying off. Which was not my parents. They had one bag in each load but the bag they wanted, had been checked.

About 5 minutes later, the 2nd load arrived.

It had been “delayed” due to the rain.
Um. Ok. The rain hadn’t hit until what, 3pm?

Not.Buying.It.

With that, the adult sans Jeff and I, hit the master bedroom and bath to change and get dry. I unpacked what I could, into the kitchen and tried to stay out of the way. By about 4:30-4:45 my folks, Mel and the kids were ready. Their plan was to take the boat so to limit the walking for mom and dad. Jeff I would change once they were out and hoof it. It was going to be tight. I had one reservation for 5:05 and one 5:15. Mel was given instructions to check in for both reservations and reiterate that we wanted to be seated together. In short order, or as short as it can be as you try to find dry stuff without making the room look like a bomb went off we were as cleaned up as the time allowed, tossed a load in the washer and headed out the door.

Melissa had texted me that they were checked in. If memory serves the boat had seemed to take forever to arrive and so they’d just walked as well. I’m not positive though. She assured me we were all going to be seated together. We arrived at Epcot, breezed through the IG and soon enough met them outside.

10 minutes or so later we were seated.

Also outside.

There is a lovely patio area to the left of the R&C that has outdoor seating. In the winter it is covered by an outdoor type tent with clear panels for windows. Not the warmest option but….at least we were all together and with 9 and a split reservation, we didn't want to push it. It did make for

LOUSY pictures though.

Seated, we ordered drinks and perused the menu. And realized we had a problem. All day we'd been talking about Bangers and Mash.

They don’t offer those at dinner.

Sigh.

Kids. Not. Happy.

At this point Kolby started to melt. He had NEEDED a snack earlier and had refused. He is a light eater and while it's a long story, he basically needs to eat about every 2 hours. Which can cause some problems for everyone else. Ultimately for him, its often just about getting calories in him. Which is fine for him. It can, at times, mean the other kids are getting calories at times of day or kinds of calories at others, that they don't need. But that wasn't the story this day. This was a full out refusal to eat melt down, which he is rather famous for. The red eye of course, didn't help. But it’s also not uncommon for this to happen in normal life.

After a LOT of bartering, begging, pleading etc all the orders were placed. Melissa’s took a bit. Between the Gluten Free and the Dairy (and Egg) free it can be a challenge at times. All of the WDW restaurants were excellent about it, some with better options for her than others. She found it simplest here to go with the kids grilled chicken. All pf the kids, except Kolby, got the Fish and Chips. The big boys went for curry, Dad had the veggie and Jeff the chicken. Kolby....settled for a Scotch Egg.

Waiting for the food was the first truly painful experience of the day. Kolby’s eating meltdown aside, they all hit a wall. Heads started to hit the table.

Literally.

Sadly, they are all a little old to be allowed to do that so we spent the 30 minutes while we waited for our food making them straighten up and lean back, color on the placemats, versus being face first on the table.

And the adults enjoyed adult beverages to get us through the pain. A gin and tonic for Mom, Pinot Grigio for Mel and Boddingtons for the rest of us.

As for me, well I had the CP Package! Which meant I got an appetizer, entrée and dessert. For my appetizer I chose

Trio of United Kingdom cheese - with accompaniments $9.99



For my entrée (and most of the gangs)

Fish and Chips - Beer-battered and served with housemade tartar sauce $18.99


And a Harp. I wasn't loving the Boddingtons, it really tasted flat, which it kind of is anyway but neither Jeff or I cared for it though we've had it before.

Mom had



With a glass of Chardonnay

I have no idea what this is!!!

It might be
Grilled New York Strip Tenderloin and Fried Fish - with Yorkshire Pudding, Mashed Potatoes, seasonal Vegetables, Cashel blue cheese butter and red wine sauce $30.99

But the lighting is so rotten, who knows!

Thankfully once the food arrived, at 6pm, it was like 4 new boys. They'd ALL needed protein, in a big way. The adults, well we had all needed our 2 adult beverages each. LOL! With a side of protein.

For dessert I had the Sticky Toffee Pudding (WOW WOW AND WOW!!!!) and I am pretty sure mom got the Jaffa tarts. I didn’t even try to take a picture, it was just too dark.

Then the bill came. Now I had my TIW card but we couldn't use that on the CP dinners. We had them put all the food and drinks, including mom’s and mine’s adult beverages on one bill and used the TIW on that and then had the CP on a separate bill. I do love that you get 20% on all drinks…but really all that does is cover your tip. Which in our case, with 9 people was definitely always worth it and in all cases at Disney on this trip, was deserving of the mandatory 18%. We saved $36 thanks the card and then spent $32 on the tip for the non CP portion of the meals. Still, a net savings.

Dinner done and bill paid, we split up. I am guessing it was about 6:45.
Mel and the boys back to the villa. They were going to pick up a movie and hang out/chill/crash.

Dad and Jeff back to the villa to get Mom and Dad’s bags. Jeff would take them over to the Swan and help them get checked in to the room. Apparently they also watched a game but I am not sure what game, or where they watched it!

Mom and I were off to CP. Except we had some time to kill. I’d read we needed to line up 30-45 minutes ahead of time even though we had the package. That left us with still a solid 30-45 minuters to kill.

So we wandered

And I took some blurry pictures





We shopped a little, looking I think in France and America only (or at least that's all I recall) and a c couple of ornament kiosks. None of which had the uber cool glass ones I just saw on Ellens TR!

Sadly, it didn't occur to me to try and find a story teller and sadly, we knew if we had a slushie or other special drink, we’d not make it through the performance.

We hit the restroom

And got in line.

The line for CP ticket holders was…

ALL THE WAY TO MORROCO!

I guess when you are going to the last night of CP and the last showing, that’s what happens. Oops!

Now, my mom has a VERY good camera and she took lots of pictures. Knowing her, it may be a year before I actually see them so…you get what you get.

The view from our seats



Blurry heralding trumpets







I was obsessed with the horns, SO cool!



The full choir



Amy Grant is the tiny thing in red up front…the zoom on the iPhone didn't exactly cut it.

A little better



And that is all I've got. For pictures that is. What I can't put into imagery is how magical it was to be there, to hear the story, to listen to the music and those amazing horns, with my mom. Worth every penny and I’d do it again in a heartbeat (though would like it better before Christmas, it was slightly odd to be there after the actual day). Though we had tickets for special Illuminations seating there was no way we were going to make it. Or at least Mom wouldn't. Me, I'm part energizer bunny. So I walked her home.

On the way, we stopped at one of my favorite picture spots. I have since added some borders to these but the PP saga still continues to this day and is a story for another time.









And then I walked myself home







I decided to try and fufill a mission.

A certain coffee cup mission

As some of you know, I like to buy a cup on the first day of a trip to then enjoy from the first morning onwards. A real cup, nice and big and feels right in the hand. I won’t buy it just for the sake of having one though, it has to be JUST right.

I headed out and around to the main BW store, Thimbles and Threads, by way of the tree



Zip

Zero

Zilch

Of interest

I peeked at the small store inside, by the elevator bank

Zip

Zero

Zilch

Of interest

Which is a bummer. There is a goofy boardwalk villa design I LOVE that they have on a tee, and a tumbler, but not a mug. I’d buy that in a heartbeat.
Except it probably wouldn't be dishwasher safe with my luck. So I did what any sane person would do.

I went in, and went to bed. The entire villa was asleep
And then got up to peek at Illuminations as they went off. Yes, we could see them.
And hear them.
Which woke Jeff up. We though they were over, that we’d heard the finale.
Guess what?

There is a special holiday ending. It kept going. While we were too tired and comfy to get up, we listened to it boom away and gratefully drifted off once it was done.

Sorry for the short update but hey, we are through day 1!

 

[Pinkocto]

Great storytelling, I'm feeling all the stress of no bags, having to rush to clean up and get to dinner, and the meltdown. How do the other kids take the meltdowns?

Besides the exhaustion dinner sounded lovely and delicious. Bonus that sitting together wasn't an issue.

So glad you were able to get some quality mom time

 

[Pinkocto]

I forgot to comment about the DL plans. That trip is coming up quickly!

It was just a snack, but the garlic, cheddar pretzel stick was absolutely scrumptious. It was at the new Fantasy Faire at a little stand called Maurice's Treats, or something like that. They toast it up right on the spot, yummy!

And the cheese dog from Corn Dog Castle was delicious. Alison says the real corn dogs are fabulous too.

You don't need the WoC package to get good spots, you can get the FPs in the morning. I messed up and didn't get one, but still had a great spot on the bridge.

 

[CarolynK]

The CP sounds lovely! It's a nice memory with your mom. There's something about a choir singing Christmas music that chokes me up.

Gotta love the TIW card.

Unbelievable that you had to call about your bags!

The poor sleep-deprived kids, I feel badly for them! At least they perked up with some dinner!

 

[Poolrat]

So THAT's what happened after we parted.


Yeah not buying the rain delay story. But glad the bags finally came. Great job on dividing and conquering and on the high floor and unobstructed view.

Sorry you did not find your special trip mug. I never picked one up either, didn't see one that caught my eye AT ALL. In fact I think other than the NYE pin I don't think I bought much else.


Oh yes the special holiday tag!!!! I hope the booming was not a problem for super sonic hearing Jeff.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I don't see the need for the WOC package. Just get a Fastpass for it. We did that and had no problems. You get a viewing area assigned. We showed up about 30 minutes prior to the show and had a good spot.

We really enjoy the French Market for CS and Flo's V8 Cafe.

We're at the Boardwalk in May, and I keep thinking to myself "please don't be at the end of the labyrinth...."

Wow, really? That long for you to get your luggage. That's not cool.

Yours is like the third TR I've read today where the line for the CP was back in Timbuktu.

 

[rentayenta]

I like option 2.

I much prefer Naples to Tortilla Joe's. I find their food very salty. What about the UVA bar for dinner? Lamb burgers and garlics fries. Ask Alison, I know of what I speak.

Steakhouse 55.

Please don't skip the Plaza Inn's fried chicken meal. It's the best CS in DL/DCA. By far.

Whitewater Snacks for dinner? Or Hearthstone Lounge? Both have cheap, yummy fare. Storytellers can be reasonable too. Even Napa Rose if you stick to the appetizers and salads for a lighter meal. They make a killer Mai Tai. Amazing wine list. Kids welcome. Really it's nice but not that nice. It's still Disney after all. Steakhouse 55 for dinner would be good too.

Did I say not the miss the Plaza Inn's fried chicken?

 

[emmysmommy]

Oh, like Jenny said, Plaza Inn! Yum! Cove Bar at DCA is also another favorite. (You already noted Trader Sam's - another fun place!) I'm a big fan of the pomme frites at Café Orleans. Another place to try is cocktails at Carthay Circle downstairs in the lounge. Just beautiful!

We'll definitely need to try and meet up.

Ok, onto your review.

That was crazy about those bags not being delivered sooner to your room. Strange.

Very nice view from your balconies.

I finally tried R&C for the first time in December so I know what you mean about that fabulous toffee pudding. It was so much better than I expected. I'd go again just for a Scotch egg and toffee pudding.

When we went to the CP show our first night we were in line almost an hour before they let us in and the line was between Japan and Morocco. Those are some crazy lines. I agree with you, it was such a wonderful experience. I'd love to do it again.

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Cynthia!
We are back and all caught up here. Your travel plans seem to shape up nicely. Love them!
And your update was fun too! Love that you had dinner at R&C and the photos are great.