Oh Come All Ye Faithful... DIS TR Addicts... UPDATE 4/19

[Charleston Princess]

Rain, rain, go away!

Wine with your burger -- I love it!

I guess if you couldn't head out to any of the Mousefest meets, shopping was the next best thing.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Love it!!

1. you got wine with your burger
2. you got IDed
3. frozen coke - YUM
4. mickey "mouse"
5. DVC tour

Can't wait for more!

Thanks! I was especially tickled by the mickey "mouse" too! Doesn't take much.

I'm all excited for you that he ID'd you I wish I still got IDd!! See C being single has its advantages... you have no DH/kids making you prematurely gray...like me


I can't wait to hear about the DVC tour... I want to know what you thought of the AKV BATHROOM

Paula

Oh I've got grays... and a very good hair stylist! In fact I'm due for a color soon!!

The bathroom was awesome. I'd forgotten that you had talked about it but when I walked in I think I gasped out loud. AMAZING.

Loved the tour of the Pop shop! You can fall in love with a fat Pluto since I fell in love with elf Eeyore...
The rain that day was hugely dramatic and very persistent.
Can't wait for the DVC report!

Elf eeyore... I'm trying to remember if I saw him. I bet he was cute!! Hey- is that ticker in your signature new?

Rain, rain, go away!

Wine with your burger -- I love it!

I guess if you couldn't head out to any of the Mousefest meets, shopping was the next best thing.

Shopping is always good. When in doubt... spend even MORE money!

 

[TarzansKat]

From those few photos, I just love how Christmas-y the shop looks! I just love Pop, I really do!

I have a funny getting carded story for you. Mom, Nana, and I were all having tea at the Grand Floridian. I'd been over 21 for quite some time. I think was maybe a couple of years ago. And the lovely tea lady looked at me, and said, may I see your ID please? I was flabbergasted. I said sure, and laughed as I produced. When she found the year, she said, "My goodness! You look so good, you have beautiful skin!"



And that's my funny story. I'm glad you got the nice compliment, isn't it fun?

 

[wdwgirl03]

hahaha I almost bought that Christmas Pluto...

 

[julezdisney]

I'm all excited for you that he ID'd you I wish I still got IDd!! See C being single has its advantages... you have no DH/kids making you prematurely gray...like me


I can't wait to hear about the DVC tour... I want to know what you thought of the AKV BATHROOM

Paula

I don't even get ID's anymore! And I'M ASIAN! Most people say I look about 16!!!

I wanna see the AKV bathroom.... the Doorway to Dreams out here changed their models to the new Contemorary villas...... whatever they're called....

I'm' starving for a cheeseburger now.

 

[onelilspark]

Oh I love that "mouse!" I hope they still have it in February when I'm back, I'm totally getting it...

 

[retiredkid]

great update and pics. anxious to hear more.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

From those few photos, I just love how Christmas-y the shop looks! I just love Pop, I really do!

I have a funny getting carded story for you. Mom, Nana, and I were all having tea at the Grand Floridian. I'd been over 21 for quite some time. I think was maybe a couple of years ago. And the lovely tea lady looked at me, and said, may I see your ID please? I was flabbergasted. I said sure, and laughed as I produced. When she found the year, she said, "My goodness! You look so good, you have beautiful skin!"



And that's my funny story. I'm glad you got the nice compliment, isn't it fun?

I seriously wouldn't be surprised if they pumped oxygen in like the Vegas casinos just to put us in the shopping mood. It definitely had the holiday spirit and made me think "I must have it" several times.

Good story! I heard another TR where the younger of the tea participants couldn't partake b/c there is alcohol in one of the teas? But yes, since it's been YEARS since anyone doubted my legal status it was a very nice ego boost!

hahaha I almost bought that Christmas Pluto...

Wasn't he cute?

I don't even get ID's anymore! And I'M ASIAN! Most people say I look about 16!!!

I wanna see the AKV bathroom.... the Doorway to Dreams out here changed their models to the new Contemorary villas...... whatever they're called....

I'm' starving for a cheeseburger now.

Wait til you see. I don't have pics but I'll link you to some. WOW. Is all I have to say.

Oh I love that "mouse!" I hope they still have it in February when I'm back, I'm totally getting it...

Hi! It's cute; isn't it? You could always try Disney shopping.

great update and pics. anxious to hear more.

Thanks so much! More coming right up!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So after finishing up some work and breaking one of my trip resolutions within hours of arrival, I noticed something odd peeking through the curtains. What was it? The sun!!!

Of course at this point I’ve missed the afternoon mousefest meets and am about to go on my DVC tour but I’m still happy to see it! Here’s what Pop looks like in the sun!

Here comes the sun…

Note the “warning wet floor” cone… a little reminder of the monsoon.

So it was time for my DVC tour and as advertised they pick you up right at the resort and whisk you away. I had a nice older gentleman who drove me. He’d just started working for Disney within the last few months. He didn’t say but I had the impression that it was as a diversion rather than a reaction to the economy. I actually chatted with several retirees over the course of the trip who had started to work at WDW. That’s my dream! Still trying to decide exactly what I'd do. I'm thinking a "shopkeeper" on Main Street USA. I worked retail for a long time and actually liked it. Or maybe a DVC guide. What would you do?

cont'd

 

[Lady Lallie]

I would be a photopass photographer! Or light fixture cleaner. I thought either of those would be a good fit for me!

Which camera did you use to take those pics? They are very very pretty!

 

[julezdisney]

I'd def. want to do that personal shopping service they're going to be offering. They sort of have it "Unofficially" right now but I heard on Lou's podcast that it's going to be more 'advertised' soon.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I arrived at Saratoga Springs and the DVC “center” or whatever it is called. It was hopping. SO busy! Say what? The economy is bad? You’d never know it here! Of course I’m in denial too so I was in good company.

You walk into the lobby and they check you in and give you a nametag. I didn’t take pictures but there is a pretty wall water fountain behind the lobby desk and the Disney characters are engraved on the stone. Very cool. I was just so overwhelmed that I didn’t take photos. I went into the waiting area and there was water, coffee, lemonade and cookies. As I mentioned it was VERY busy. In fact they were scurrying around trying to find enough empty rooms to accommodate the appointments. My guide came out to greet me before too long and she was delightful. Very willing to go into whatever level of detail I needed (I’d done quite a bit of research so I didn’t need too much). They have a neat little DVD that you watch on a flat screen tv and you can view the different resorts or calculate what your payment will be.

We chatted for a bit and then went off on the tour of the models. WOW. And double WOW on the bathrooms with the whirlpool tub. I think I literally gasped out loud. And I saw my guide do a little jig out of the corner of my eye (not really). The AKL appealed to me more than the Bay Lake Tower but I will say that the BLT (hate that acronym for DVC but love the sandwich) set-up is such that you could be in the tub and watching the fireworks.

As I said, for whatever reason I didn’t take pictures. But my friend Brooke did and her TR is awesome so if you’re interested you can check out the DVC segment here or the whole TR here. Hope you don’t mind the shout-out, Brooke!

We went back to our consultation room and I’m sure my guide figured we were sold. Heck, I was pretty much thinking we were sold. She ran my credit (there are two options – standard or preferred financing) and she came back with a big smile on her face. I’m pretty sure that instead of standard or preferred the machine must spit out “sucker” or “bigger sucker.” I told her how tempted I was but that I wasn’t prepared to make the decision that day. She was very gracious but I think she was surprised. Maybe most people don’t do that? So I made an appt for Mon (this was Thursday) just in case.

I won’t keep you in suspense. I didn’t do it. For a combo of reasons. One the min purchase when buying direct from Disney is 160 pts. As a singleton right now I doubt I can use 160 pts per year. Secondly they were only selling December use years. As someone who will likely be going every Oct for Food & Wine but has the kind of job where you really have to kind of wait and see what is going on, I need an earlier use year so I could still bank the points if I couldn’t use them. And lastly, it is a sizeable investment that I’m not entirely sure I should really be making right now – especially when I need a new car, want a flat screen tv and really should build my rainy day fund. But I am totally sold on the idea of DVC. When I just add up what I spent in Oct and Dec, what I’ll likely spend in 09 and what I’ll spend in 2010 it’s ~ half of a downpayment. So I am actively perusing the resale market for a smaller point contract, with a use year better for me, at Beach Club which I am completely in love with. I’ll keep you posted.

I got a $15 gift card for my “trouble” for taking the time to take the tour and then they offered me a free ice cream sundae, which I declined. I know, declined ice cream but I wasn’t hungry and I don’t need the extra calories. Between that and sleeping on the purchase decision I thought my guide would keel over!

DVC will take you anywhere on resort property that you want to go but I decided to walk over to Downtown Disney for some dinner and shopping. On my way out I explored the resort a bit. I thought it was beautiful! For some reason my photos seem light fixture heavy… hmmm… wonder why that is?

cont'd

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I would be a photopass photographer! Or light fixture cleaner. I thought either of those would be a good fit for me!

Which camera did you use to take those pics? They are very very pretty!

Do ya think light fixture cleaner is its own job code? Maybe! Probably!! You would be a great photopass photographer. That would be fun!

I think those were taken with my Sony point and shoot.

I'd def. want to do that personal shopping service they're going to be offering. They sort of have it "Unofficially" right now but I heard on Lou's podcast that it's going to be more 'advertised' soon.

That would be a fun job!! Although imagine how much "studying" you'd have to do to learn where everything is in World of Disney?? I get lost in there every time!!

 

[jenjolt]

Great Updates Christine!! We are in the same boat as you..with the trips we'll be taking back to the World, DVC would be a good deal especially later on, however I'm letting Prince Phillip research resale as that might be a better option for us!!!

The one thing I love about Pop Century...the Frozen cokes...yummy I can't wait to go get my mug and get me some of that frozen coke...so good oh yes so good LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and if that wireless Mickey "mouse" is still there...I'm so buying it...don't care the cost I will own it LOL!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I would hope light fixture cleaner would have it's own job code!

I love all of your light fixture pictures.

I wonder if we should take the DVC tour when we go down. I don't want to be tempted to do something stupid though.

I just had a thought Are they changing the mugs for What Will You Celebrate? I hope they do. I want a new mug design!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So I’m walking over to Downtown Disney. FYI- the path to get there was not immediately obvious to me. Of course I was like a guy and refused to ask directions. I found it eventually. It was a nice little walk. Shorter than the walk from Boardwalk to Hollywood Studios, I’d say, but I didn’t actually time it or track it.

Have any of you eaten at Fulton’s? I remember eating there as a kid when it was Empress Lily’s. And I remember my brother and I groaning about a “fancy” dinner where we had to behave! Ha-ha.

Speaking of behavior. I have no photos of this but have to share. Was outside of World of Disney near that fiberglass/plastic statue of Cinderella. Know what I mean? Well there was this little boy. Not good at gauging ages but maybe 9? Anyway, no parents in sight. Or no parents who spoke up at what happened next. He proceeded to climb Cinderella. Literally. Such that he ended up with his little legs wrapped around poor Cinderella’s neck. So my first thought was not DIS/family friendly. But then I thought, this kid could get hurt. And where the heck are the parents???

And one more observation from this evening. There were lots of “Pop Warner” kids. Not at all a statement on that event. Think it’s great that they get to come. But there were tons of pre-teens/teens seemingly on their own in Downtown Disney and between the outfits and the language I was wondering where in the heck I was. I don’t know… maybe I’m just getting old.

So I did lots of shopping this evening. You’ll have to wait for the souvie post (no grief—I didn’t keep you hanging on the DVC matter!) I had dinner at Earl of Sandwich. The BLT (noBayLakeTowers) and of course a glass of wine… did you think I was slipping? I took it to go and found a seat on a stone wall by where they had some holiday entertainment for kids. It was very cute!

Oh! Almost forgot! The best margarita ever. When I first arrived at Downtown Disney I went to the Margarita Shack by Captain Jacks (is that what it is called?). And I was hemming and hawing at the menu. They have a bunch of different types on the menu and I couldn’t really tell the difference (and I call myself a drinker!). Well the bartender was super nice and she totally hooked me up. Best. Margarita. Ever. I was a bit loopy. And took the following photos for your enjoyment.

This evening and really for the entire trip I had a great time slowing down and taking in the details. I guess it was a combo of two trips close together and the assurance that I’d be back soon.

Did I mention I was loopy?????

Hopefully it got better from there…

Have you noticed that in the “jewelry room” the jewelry cases are really crocodiles??

T-Rex was hopping. I saw several kids with the product of the “build a dinosaur” store. Very cute. Have any of you tried this restaurant yet?

Notice the full moon? It was very magical.

And lastly, for LL, take a look at these light fixtures from the “Pooh” store!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great Updates Christine!! We are in the same boat as you..with the trips we'll be taking back to the World, DVC would be a good deal especially later on, however I'm letting Prince Phillip research resale as that might be a better option for us!!!

The one thing I love about Pop Century...the Frozen cokes...yummy I can't wait to go get my mug and get me some of that frozen coke...so good oh yes so good LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and if that wireless Mickey "mouse" is still there...I'm so buying it...don't care the cost I will own it LOL!!!

Thanks! Keep me posted on what Prince Phillip finds out! Frozen cokes were VERY good. I was a bit confused by the blue slushy that is next to the frozen cokes but once I figured out there was "regular" cola colored slushie I was good.

I am seriously regretting not purchasing "the mouse." It would make DIS'ing and chatting so much more fun. I may have to call Disney shopping...

I would hope light fixture cleaner would have it's own job code!

I love all of your light fixture pictures.

I wonder if we should take the DVC tour when we go down. I don't want to be tempted to do something stupid though.

I just had a thought Are they changing the mugs for What Will You Celebrate? I hope they do. I want a new mug design!

Glad you like the light fixture pics. Just posted one more for ya. You should do the tour. But I will tell you that if doing a split stay wait and book from your deluxe. B/C it was a $15 gift card as a Pop Century person but would have been $100 gift card (yes you read that right) as an Animal Kingdom Lodge person had I only waited a few days.

 

[Donald is #1]

We chatted for a bit and then went off on the tour of the models. WOW. And double WOW on the bathrooms with the whirlpool tub. I think I literally gasped out loud. And I saw my guide do a little jig out of the corner of my eye

Oh oh, it sounds like a 1 bedroom villa is in your future instead of a studio! I started off thinking I was going to use studios until I saw the tub and the washer/dryer. My add-ons have allowed me to move up from a studio to 1 BR.

The AKL appealed to me more than the Bay Lake Tower but I will say that the BLT (hate that acronym for DVC but love the sandwich) set-up is such that you could be in the tub and watching the fireworks.

I agree with you on BLT versus AKV. I went to check out the BLT models and they really didn't do much for me. That's what I like about DVC -> there is so much diversity in resorts.

We went back to our consultation room and I’m sure my guide figured we were sold. Heck, I was pretty much thinking we were sold. She ran my credit (there are two options – standard or preferred financing) and she came back with a big smile on her face. I’m pretty sure that instead of standard or preferred the machine must spit out “sucker” or “bigger sucker.” I told her how tempted I was but that I wasn’t prepared to make the decision that day. She was very gracious but I think she was surprised. Maybe most people don’t do that? So I made an appt for Mon (this was Thursday) just in case.

I won’t keep you in suspense. I didn’t do it.

I did something similar on the trip that I purchased DVC. I had a tour at the beginning of the trip and then told them that I needed to think about it. I then made an appointment later in my trip. The only difference is that I did buy during the trip, but I had to decide between AKV and SSR.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh oh, it sounds like a 1 bedroom villa is in your future instead of a studio! I started off thinking I was going to use studios until I saw the tub and the washer/dryer. My add-ons have allowed me to move up from a studio to 1 BR.





I agree with you on BLT versus AKV. I went to check out the BLT models and they really didn't do much for me. That's what I like about DVC -> there is so much diversity in resorts.



I did something similar on the trip that I purchased DVC. I had a tour at the beginning of the trip and then told them that I needed to think about it. I then made an appointment later in my trip. The only difference is that I did buy during the trip, but I had to decide between AKV and SSR.

Yeah... those tubs are incredible! I am a bath person anyway but imagine that at the end of a long park day? With some Basin bath products?? And a glass of wine?? I'm getting closer...

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love the Pooh lights! Oh my gosh, they are so cute. I can't believe I didn't seem them, I even went to that store!

I love your blurry pic.