My AP-ALOOZA Continues (WE RENEWED!!) ~ NEW TR link posted!

[TheMaxRebo]

Sounds like Aria had fun with Pooh and at the vineyard, and Andrew got to ride Everest and you got on Dinosaur - so wins all around.

Bummer about the mis-information about the boat, but cool you didn't get charged. Sorry Aria was so much trouble at dinner - we are the same way that we feel better if we see othe kids there so for it to be empty and with the non-kid family next to you I can see being extra anxious about it. Just stinks since I see dining as a big part of a Disney trip and one meal down without really enjoying it.

Sounds like a very full but fun day coming up!

 

[dtr_angel]

I'm caught up and will do a longer comment when I'm on my laptop. Loving all the updates and photos!

 

[Imagineer5]

Cute pics with Pooh & Tigger! She seems like she gets a little better with the characters each time, so that's a great thing! Now that we have taken Paxton to the Boneyard, I'm pretty sure we won't be able to pass it up ever again. Seems like Andrew didn't have a hard time getting Aria out of there though. Must be that they didn't wander over to the dig site. That's like kid crack over there! That's really cool that they didn't charge you for the boat, considering they gave you conflicting information on the times. Aria looks a lot happier piloting the boat than sitting on your lap! Future boat captain? Sorry dinner didn't go well. Paxton always does this in church!! Once I get him out to the narthex and away from the congregation, he is perfectly quiet and well behaved.

Yep, it is why short trips are tough, she needs a little warm up time first! No I don't think andrew knew where to go to get to the boneyard and I totally forgot to tell him, but the timing was fine since it gave us time to get back to the pool.

Awww yeah, she was such a stinker at dinner but always happy outside the restaurant. Just not her night I guess.

I think you commented mid post! I Finished up the day! Too excited I guess

Sounds like Aria had fun with Pooh and at the vineyard, and Andrew got to ride Everest and you got on Dinosaur - so wins all around. Bummer about the mis-information about the boat, but cool you didn't get charged. Sorry Aria was so much trouble at dinner - we are the same way that we feel better if we see othe kids there so for it to be empty and with the non-kid family next to you I can see being extra anxious about it. Just stinks since I see dining as a big part of a Disney trip and one meal down without really enjoying it. Sounds like a very full but fun day coming up!

Yes, we all had an awesome time! So easy to do at ak.

We do love to eat and Disney dining is a huge part of our trips, so it was pretty disappointing. Though I think we were both artist point'd out anyway, too, but we just booked there since we were staying at the lodge.

The next day was just wonderful. Perfect end to the quick trip

I'm caught up and will do a longer comment when I'm on my laptop. Loving all the updates and photos!

Thank you so much for reading up! I need to go work on that too!

 

[Dugette]

Yeah, I'm not crazy about the backwards part of Everest either. Not sure why it bothers me, but glad to know I'm not the only one. I just tolerate that for the rest of the ride.

Aw, Pooh is so cute in his holiday attire! Glad Aria was agreeable to the meet.

We have yet to make it to the Boneyard. I'm sure Izzy would love it.

Looks like Aria had a great time at the pool!

That's too bad that the pontoon ride wasn't so great. We did that in 2011 (from the Poly) and loved it. But, we also had time, sunshine, and no toddler. Nice that they didn't charge you!

That's a bummer that she had such a tough time at Artist Point! And why do restaurants have to do that - seating people right next to each other when there's plenty of space open? Drives me nuts. No privacy at all.

Mickey diapers!

Glad you enjoyed the parade and the FP+ location!

Can't wait to hear about Aria and the character meet!

 

[khertz]

Oops, I sure did comment mid-update! Went back and read the rest.

That seems like a really great spot to watch the parade. Too bad about them closing the Wishes spot though. Seems silly...if they are going to end up having to close it, maybe they should move it somewhere else?

 

[Imagineer5]

Yeah, I'm not crazy about the backwards part of Everest either. Not sure why it bothers me, but glad to know I'm not the only one. I just tolerate that for the rest of the ride.

Aw, Pooh is so cute in his holiday attire! Glad Aria was agreeable to the meet.

We have yet to make it to the Boneyard. I'm sure Izzy would love it.

Looks like Aria had a great time at the pool!

That's too bad that the pontoon ride wasn't so great. We did that in 2011 (from the Poly) and loved it. But, we also had time, sunshine, and no toddler. Nice that they didn't charge you!

That's a bummer that she had such a tough time at Artist Point! And why do restaurants have to do that - seating people right next to each other when there's plenty of space open? Drives me nuts. No privacy at all.

Mickey diapers!

Glad you enjoyed the parade and the FP+ location!

Can't wait to hear about Aria and the character meet!

I know, I love to rent the boats there (we have done mickey mouse boats and the Boston Whaler in the past). It is usually very relaxing, but the time constraint plus Aria's attitude put a little damper on things.

No idea! The restaurant was SO empty (and our dinner was pretty early). I wish the couple had asked to move lol!

Oops, I sure did comment mid-update! Went back and read the rest.

That seems like a really great spot to watch the parade. Too bad about them closing the Wishes spot though. Seems silly...if they are going to end up having to close it, maybe they should move it somewhere else?

The parade spot was fabulous!! Wishes FP was a downer but oh well, live and learn! Still got to see the show which is the important thing!

 

[Imagineer5]

Sorry for my absence! Work has been crazy and it is usually during down time at work that I am able to write up TR's and such lol!

But in the last week I was able to do a few disney-related things!! We got our Fantasmic Dessert party tickets (called a Disneyland reservation specialist and they made the ressie for us!), so that is for our first full DL day.

Then on Sunday I had my 180-day ADR window opening for our October trip! I also had a photography class in Boston, so I got to chat with disney dining people on my drive up bc of course the system wasn't working at 6AM (but yes, I was up at 5:45 all ready!!).

Here is what I made:

3D Dessert Party -- waiting for the F&W events to open up so I can make this. IN CASE it doesn't land on my anticipated 10/3 date I Made:

Rose & Crown 3-Oct 7PM

For us instead!

Then day 2-
Biergarten 4-Oct 12PM

V&A Dinner 4-Oct 5:45PM <--- first time for us!! In-laws will watch Aria (and we are staying at the GF so this will be so convenient too!)

Day 3 (my 32nd birthday!) Wish me luck on a good Citricos meal!

LTT 5-Oct 11:45AM

Citricos 5-Oct 5:30PM

Day 3 -

Sanaa 6-Oct 12:50PM

GF Tea 6-Oct 3:40PM

Califortnia Grill 6-Oct 7:30PM

Day 4 - in laws leave, we check out of VGF and head straight to Universal to hopefully check out new Harry POtter stuff!!! Then check into our 1BR Beach Club Villa!

Cape May 7-Oct 6:30PM

Day 5 -

Cape May 8-Oct 7:30AM

Hollywood & Vine 8-Oct 12:10PM

Polynesian Luau 8-Oct 5:15PM

Day 6 -

Akershus 9-Oct 8:05AM

Chef Mickeys 9-Oct 5:30PM

Day 7 (Andrew's last day, he is flying home later this evening) -

Crystal Palace 10-Oct 8:05AM

Beaches & Cream 10-Oct 5PM

Day 8 - just Aria and me left!

Wave 11-Oct 7:30AM

BoG lunch FP 11-Oct <--- waiting for the FP to open up - if I don't get it then I'll do Pinocchio Village Haus or Sleepy Hollow probably.

La Hacienda 11-Oct 6PM

Day 9, we fly home mid-day.

Captains Grill 12-Oct 7:35AM




And sort of related - the photography class was so much fun. During the class I ordered a new lens and also two bigger SD cards for my camera, since I am supossed to be shooting in RAW AND JPEG so that the photos are editable afterwards. That evening we also went out to buy a new computer, replacing our family desktop that I have had since 2002 and was on its last leg, and there was NO WAY i could put a big program like Adobe Lightroom on it. So the last few days each evening we have been transferring stuff over, getting itunes set up, I got a trial version of Lightroom, and started playing with that, plus my new lens came (50mm F1.8) so I started fiddling with that too. I am excited to take some (homefully) better photos at DL in just over 3 WEEKS!!

Ok that is all, I'll probably have a new update up tomorrow

 

[khertz]

Great lineup of ADRs for October!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your photography class. DH really enjoyed his and learned a lot. He also uses Lightroom to edit, and between his new skills and editing software, I think his pictures are better than ever! That's great that you are getting time to work on something you enjoy doing.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

wow - all very exciting. The idea of taking a photography class and using that to help take more/better Disney pictures is great!

And that is quite the line-up for your October trip. Always tough to plan as the 180 day ADR comes out before all the F&WF info is out. Congrats on doing V&A - we did it our last trip and it was honestly one of the best meals of our lives, just an amazing experience!

 

[Imagineer5]

Great lineup of ADRs for October!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your photography class. DH really enjoyed his and learned a lot. He also uses Lightroom to edit, and between his new skills and editing software, I think his pictures are better than ever! That's great that you are getting time to work on something you enjoy doing.

His photos ARE amazing!! I hope to really take some time playing with settings while we are at DL. I haven't figured out lightroom beyond the basics but look forward to spending some time playing in it too. It is fun having a hobby! haha!

wow - all very exciting. The idea of taking a photography class and using that to help take more/better Disney pictures is great!

And that is quite the line-up for your October trip. Always tough to plan as the 180 day ADR comes out before all the F&WF info is out. Congrats on doing V&A - we did it our last trip and it was honestly one of the best meals of our lives, just an amazing experience!

Thank you!! I know, every time I go to Disney I wished I knew how to use the camera and take better photos. So now that I have learned the basics hopefully my photos will be better...

It is tough with F&W, though without anyone to watch Aria most of the trip we won't be doing too many of the events since they are in general geared toward adults. Maybe next F&W visit when Aria is old enough for the kids clubs. The 3D dessert party should be fun, and she will enjoy that one as well...and I definitely have found that we love to have reservations instead of worrying about where we will eat, finding a table, dealing with counter service, etc. I'd much rahter have a ressie and just order an App & a drink than get frazzled dealing with it lol!

Anyway thanks for the comments! Need to go check out your PTR to see about our overlapping!! How's the resort choice going??

 

[Imagineer5]

Final day at WDW for our long weekend visit! But…it was a wonderful day!

Our plan was to have breakfast at Kona (not sure how I planned to have two BF’s at the Poly, but it was worth it nonetheless!), then head to EPCOT, no set lunch, Aria would nap in stroller while we enjoy the park, dinner at Tutto Italia (bc they supposedly had swordfish on the menu…), then walk over to DHS for the Osborne lights, checking out BW holiday decorations on the way and Swolphin/Yacht Club/Beach Club decorations on the way back. (We drove so the car was parked at EPCOT). Plan was a success so I hope you stick around for this fun filled day!

The day started out great and we headed straight over to the Poly in the car, parked, and were seated immediately. We had a nice half-booth table and got to ordering our Kona coffee press-pot, some lilikoi juice, and tonga toast for me and the big kahuna for Andrew. Aria just had some things from each of our plates since both come with so much food – and of course everything was delicious. Definitely one of our favorite places to eat!

Then we headed straight over to EPCOT – we had a 15 or so minute wait and then were let inside.

NICE face, Aria! (She was in a much better mood than this portrays!!

Our first stop per usual was Spaceship Earth. I was very excited to see who would be in the photos on the ride – the last few times we had issues being in the pictures! (If you remember from my last TR thread!)…

YAY the pictures were cute!

Had to snap a quick pic showing Daddy was there too, though!

Next up was Nemo and then the Seas. Absolute best place for Aria to run around (especially early in the morning without many people there!!). We all love it here. We have a salt water aquarium so it is fun to compare what we have and maybe get ideas for what we would like to add to the tank!

She even wanted to pose!

We went to the first Turtle Talk show which is always entertaining

 

[Imagineer5]

Then I ran off to use my first FP+ of the day at Soarin! Andrew was going to meet me outside the ride so we could switch off. I like using the FP+ and not dealing with rider swap with this one, because it is such a pain bringing Aria all the way in just to show them she is too young to ride. I wish they would put someone outside offering rider swap cards or something…

Anyway Aria was in very good spirits when I came out, and Andrew ran inside and we just took a little snack break in the nearly empty seating area. I had fun trying to get some cute pics of how silly she was being!

GAH this is why I so needed a photography class. She was being SO cute and not one good photo.

Before I knew it, Andrew was out and we all went to ride Living with the land.

Being Silly in line!

Love the sandman!

So amazing!

And the rosemary Christmas tree!! Mmmm

On our way out we spotted the chocolate display – AMAZING!

Next up an AMAZING MEET!!

 

[Imagineer5]

ONE MORE POST for the day!! I plan to utilize Von's grocery delivery for Disneyland becuase we will not have a car! I have my grocery cart all set to go, just waiting for our arrival day (May 2nd) to open up to pick a delivery window.

My grocery cart consists of:

Milk
24-pack waters
Apple Pear Peach squeeze packets
Teensy Fruits fruit snacks
Apple juice
Strawberry fruit snacks
Organic pomegranate cherry toaster pastries
Apple fruit shredz
Strawberry & peanut butter bars
Cereal for Lynda
Veggie Straws
String Cheese & Pepperonis snack
Granola Bars
Yogurt Squeezers
Apples
Bananas

There are a couple mornings we don't have breakfast planned so I figured Aria could eat her breakfast off her stroller tray on the go. I plan to bring a sippy thermos cup so we can carry around a bit of milk each day...and have snacks for snack time as well as meal time when she is hungry and waiting for our food to come. I usually pack our snacks in the luggage but I am trying to reduce how much we are bringing bc we aren't 100% sure Lynda will be able to use her Air Force enlisted thing to get me a free checked bag lol! (though I still want to check 1 bag, just not 2...).

Soooo any other ideas for stuff to get?? Maybe I'll add sunscreen so I don't forget that...maybe a small pack of diapers since she still wears them for nap time & bed time? IDK. I'd love to add some wine or something but I don't want to screw up the delivery, since I hope to get it delivered before we even get there.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Great reviews (and also PTR) your daughter is very cute but clearly choosy when she smiles my dd was exactly the same during our first trip LOL

 

[Imagineer5]

Great reviews (and also PTR) your daughter is very cute but clearly choosy when she smiles my dd was exactly the same during our first trip LOL

Hahha YES she is very choosy, especially in front of a camera- I pull that out and she usually runs away! She HATES it! Ugh. Lately she has been a lot better though (and overall just is a really happy toddler!) so hopefully more smiles are coming...

Thanks so much for reading along and commenting!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Off topic again (sort of) but I realized I hadn't seen any news about the 2nd part of the Harry Potter section (Diagon Alley & Kings Cross at Universal) lately. Since I plan to spend 1 of our days (when we switch from VGF to BCV) in October, a lot is riding on the presumption the new section will be open. If it isn't open I am 90% set on spending that day at Disney instead, so I do need to keep up with that. So I just headed to the Universal forums and found some photos that make me SOOO excited. I am a HUGE harry potter fan. Somehow I haven't convinced Andrew to go to the UK for the tour of the sets, but besides that I am still the biggest fan *I* know!

So if anyone else is a big fan then I bet you will be excited to see the photos (or already have...). I was so excited to see the Grimmauld Place sign! so cool.

Apparently the Hogwarts Express station in Hogsmeade at IoA is also moving forward & testing the train ride as well.

Word on the street is the June 1st soft opening may be pushed back into Summer a bit, which means that we should be fine in October BUT that I bet crowds will be ridic.

Random, but if anyone is a fan, is there ANYone out there that was all for Harry & Hermione to end up together?? A few months ago I read that J.K actually wanted them to end up together but felt too much pressure from her fans to make it Ron & Hermione. I am STILL excited to hear that LOL! She should do a HP re-do...

Ok that is all...for now...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

It is tough with F&W, though without anyone to watch Aria most of the trip we won't be doing too many of the events since they are in general geared toward adults. Maybe next F&W visit when Aria is old enough for the kids clubs. The 3D dessert party should be fun, and she will enjoy that one as well...and I definitely have found that we love to have reservations instead of worrying about where we will eat, finding a table, dealing with counter service, etc. I'd much rahter have a ressie and just order an App & a drink than get frazzled dealing with it lol!

Anyway thanks for the comments! Need to go check out your PTR to see about our overlapping!! How's the resort choice going??

Definitely with you about at least having some plans vs. spending a 1/2 hour in the park asking everyone in you group "what do you want to do?", "I don't know, what do you want to do?" Though I'm not super happy about the new policy with having to give a 24 hour notice to all ADR cancellations or get a penalty. I understand wanting to avoid no-shows, but sometimes you don't know until that day if people are not up for a specific cuisine or the kids are just not in great moods/won't sit still, etc.

As far as resorts go, we are still in POR (though with the latest discount price). Depending on if additional discounts come out (I know last year some Disney Visa didn't come out until May and some AP discounts didn't come out until July for the time we are going this year) we may still look to move to a monorail resort - likely the contemporary given the construction planned for the Poly.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

seems like a fun morning but man, Aria was giving you the stink eye et the EPCOT entrance

Your grocery list looks pretty good! We love those organic toaster pastries, though I think we only have strawberry ones in the stores by us.

Adding some sunscreen and diapers might make sense. Worse case you have extra versus not having any and needing it.

We are HP fans, but have held off on Universal until the kids are older. I did see that report that JK Rowlings, looking back on it, wishes she stuck with having Harry and Hermione together. I saw someone's comment that Ron would read that and thing "Really? You already have my sister and now you want my girl too!"

 

[saintstickets]

Then on Sunday I had my 180-day ADR window opening for our October trip!
Here is what I made:

V&A Dinner 4-Oct 5:45PM <--- first time for us!! In-laws will watch Aria (and we are staying at the GF so this will be so convenient too!)

DW & I have been once and it was by far the best dining experience ever!! And fortunately we were able to share the wine pairings or else we would be crawling out of there after 7+ glasses of adult beverages each!

California Grill 6-Oct 7:30PM

It really is a small world....we have ADR's for California Grill on this same day but at 7:00pm! We'll TRY to save some food for y'all.

Day 4 - in laws leave, we check out of VGF and head straight to Universal to hopefully check out new Harry POtter stuff!!! Then check into our 1BR Beach Club Villa!

Stop in and say hi....we are staying at BCV!

Random, but if anyone is a fan, is there ANYone out there that was all for Harry & Hermione to end up together?? A few months ago I read that J.K actually wanted them to end up together but felt too much pressure from her fans to make it Ron & Hermione. I am STILL excited to hear that LOL! She should do a HP re-do...

In her next book, maybe she can take a page from the old "Dallas" TV series and Harry wakes up from a dream and is married to Hermione?

Great update...looking forward to more!

 

[disneygirl2785]

I'm here! I'm here! So glad to read your reports again (pre and post trip!)