TheTXTaylors5
He's the Mickey to my Minnie
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2006
- Messages
- 7,381
Hello All! I hope everyone is doing well. I meant to post this months ago ... 
We had an amazing trip to WDW and on the DVC Member cruise in September. Probably won't do another DVC Member cruise (NOT worth the DVC points & oop $$$$ IMHO). But, it was fun. We're taking my Mom and nephew with us on a Disney cruise next December. My Aunt & Uncle from CA might join us too. I can't wait to have my family experience DCL too. We had another magical time at WDW. 
We definitely plan to attend another MNSSHP in the future. We loved it! Now that we have done all three (PPP, MNSSHP & MVMCP), MNSSHP is our favorite. Some trip highlights . . .
We arrived home late Monday night, September 29th. This was the first flight for DS3 and DD6. They did great on the flights. But, we plan to drive for future trips. The whole logistics of it all . . . security (DS3 freaked and thought they were taking his shoes going to MCO. He was better and more understanding on the way back), waiting for the plane and ME, park 'n fly, transportation to port and the parks. We prefer to have our own car.
WDW was fantastic! However, the love bugs did bother us more during the back-end of our trip. Why do they call them love bugs? No one loves them.
We stayed at the Beach Club Villas at the beginning of our trip. This is our favorite resort and area. The kids finally got to play and have fun at Stormalong Bay. The resort itself was a nice get-a-way. Our mission . . . ride Toy Story Mania!
We followed the advice of other DISers and got to rope drop during an EMH (AM). There were still a lot of people there. DH (Bill) made the mad dash to the TSM FP machine and got us FPs for later and then we proceeded to ride it stand-by when a friendly CM ushered us into the FP line. So, we got to by-pass the longer line. That was a nice magical way to start the day. We have never attended EMH (AM), we're more night owls. Well it is true, the early bird catches the worm. We were heading out of DHS by 2 PM having rode TSM twice, RNR three times, Great Movie Ride, Star Tours and the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. Then, we went back to BCV for more fun at Stormalong Bay.
Epcot is one of my favorite parks. I like to casually walk through World Showcase and Soarin' is one of my favorite rides. Bill and I put DS8 and DD6 into the Sandcastle Club at the BC one night (after they pretty much begged). We had a nice picnic meal of chicken and rice from Nine Dragons take-out for dinner and then went to ride Soarin' with our earlier obtained Fast Passes. (DS3 was fast asleep during dinner and Soarin'. He cooperated. Yay!!!!!). Bill got to ride Soarin'. But, by the time he got out it was closed. That is the slowest loading ride ever! But wait, he told a CM I was waiting with a sleeping child upstairs. So, you know what they did????? Have you ever ridden Soarin' by yourself? I did! They led me through the exit and waited for the last ride to finish and then ushered me into an empty room. I had the pick of seats. The CMs even decided to ride with me. That was a very magical moment.
I was so excited when we boarded the beautiful Disney Wonder.
I would LOVE to live on Castaway Cay. It is so beautiful. DS3 did not cooperate enough to stay in Flounder's for Bill and I to venture down to Serenity Bay. We'll just have to go back. We received goodies from DVC every night in our stateroom. Our bags were almost over the weight limit going to MCO. I did some repacking and shifting to make sure we weren't over the weight limit coming home. Somehow, we were under-weight. I honestly don't know how. But, I wasn't complaining. It was safe to say, our suitcases were a little full coming home.
After the cruise it was onto Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. We've visited this resort in the past, but never stayed here. It is so big and grand. Very cool! We are big fans of the boat to Magic Kingdom. On our first night, we had a reservation at California Grill during Wishes. So, we took the boat from WL to CR. That was VERY convenient too. Dinner was yummy. But, they didn't have the pre-ordered special birthday cake I ordered for DD6. So, they gave us a complimentary birthday cake. The view is great. But, is not somewhere we would plan to eat again. Service was very lacking and the food VERY over-priced for what you get. It has been marked off our "To Do" WDW list.
We had a CRT 8:10 am reservation the next morning. This is where the boat came into play again. However, we had to take a boat to CR and then the monorail to MK. It was pure chaos when we got to the MK entrance. I think everyone was either eating at CRT or CP or having their hair done at BBB. There was a longgggggggggggg line to get in. So, I highly recommend getting to MK at least 30 minutes before your reservation. Once we got into MK, we had to wait forever at the check-in at CRT and then the line to meet Cinderella. We finally sat down around 8:50 am for a 8:10 reservation. This is another thing checked off our "To Do" WDW list. The breakfast was great and character interaction was amazing. But, definitely NOT worth the price. But, I highly recommend it at least once for a little princess.
DD6 (and DS8) loved seeing the princesses (Princess Aurora, Snow White, Princess Jasmine, Bell and of course Cinderella). DS3 played shy. I pre-ordered DD6 the chocolate slipper for dessert. Our server was FANTASTIC! He was right on top of everything, didn't rush us and even presented DD6 the slipper with a candle on top. Also, he put a birthday card on our table for all the princesses to sign. Great start to our MK day.
DD6 got to choose the first ride of the day. One of her favorites . . . Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We did the Rider Swap. When Bill rode w/DS8 and DD6, I had my first sighting of the "Dream Team". They were at the exit of BTMRR handing out Dream Ears. I kept mumbling "come on honey hurry up!". We have never won anything official during "YearS of a Million Dream". But, we've had lots of "magical moments".
They came out about ten people too late. However, all was not lost. A very nice gentleman saw me with DS3 at the exit. He gave DS3 his hat. Another wonderful "magical moment". 
Bill and I had another "Date Night". This time we hired Kid's Nite Out to watch the kids in our room at VWL. We used them this past May and loved our sitter. So, I requested her again. She remembered our children. I don't know if that was a good sign or not. 
One thing I DON'T recommend, MK on a Saturday night (We had been at DAK earlier in the days it was great! Rode EE three times!). There was definitely a different feel than past visits, more locals and just way too crowded. We got FP for BTMRR, rode HM stand-by, ate at Cosmic Ray's and then got FP for Space Mountain. Bill and I never get to ride together (unless we hire KNO). So, it was a treat to ride with Bill. We just caught the boat heading back to WL. It's amazing how much quicker you can get around without a stroller and dragging tired-whining kids. We got to watch Wishes from the boat. Truly amazing. Then, Bill and I grabbed Mickey bars from the snack bar and watched the Electrical Light Pageant from the beach before heading back to three sleeping kids.
On Sunday (our last night at WDW), we attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It was really fun. But very hot and humid. Next time, we'd probably wait until the middle or end of October to attend this. We didn't mainly trick-or-treat, but if we saw a stop we'd stop. We love the parties for the short or no lines for rides, fireworks and parades. DD6 and I got to ride BTMRR without getting off. She was VERY happy. We have never seen a parade from Main Street. We aren't patient enough to sit on Main Street for an hour, there are rides to be ridden and fun to be had. We DID get to see the Halloween parade from Main Street. Very cool. We all agreed, it was our favorite party of the three. Don't get me wrong, I still like MVMCP. We're going in December.
However, we DON'T plan to attend a P&PP again. That was NOT worth the money in my opinion.
What an amazing trip. It was sad to leave WDW. But, we'll be back for Thanksgiving and the first week in December. I called Disney last week to add a few days at the beginning of our trip. Since we are driving, I didn't want to arrive on Thanksgiving and have to deal with all the holiday traffic. So now, we arrive on Sunday, November 23rd, OUR "actual" ANNIVERSARY. For our anniversary, I surprised Bill and made an ADR at V&A and called Kid's Nite Out to watch the kids in our room. I can't wait!
Jennifer
