Our first SSMC & 1st time @ BLT in a STUDIO UPDATED pg 4...??

[dopeygirl76]

OK so here is the WORST part....the last night. After our dinner with no kids, we headed to Shutters to decide which photos to get....boy is this terrible....they take such great photos, I almost bought the CD but after a lot of discussion we decided that was not a good option for us...what was catching our eye was the awesome borders they put around the photos and we had our own camera FULL of photos...have I mentioned that I took nearly 1000 photos?!!! So we opted for the 10 credit package which meant we got 4 8x10s (they are 2 credits each) and 2 5x7s (1 credit each). It was horrible trying to decide what we were getting but finally we did, we got our photos and took them back to the room. Them we headed to the Lab to pick up the girls and turn in our pager. I had put together a little gift bag for the CMs with chocolate covered pretzel rods so the girls gave them their treats and we said thank you - they we truly amazing!!!! and allowed DH and I to enjoy some time together - which is rare for us!!

We wanted to take one last walk around the top deck and just sat there looking at the ocean. Then DD6 had been asking to play ping pong and since we had time....

On arrival day I had taken an autograph frame to Guest Services with some sharpies and some chocolate pretzel rods for the characters to sign, it was waiting in our room the last night:

DD3 and I were really tired, I actually was getting a cold and she was just worn out but we HAD to see the "Until we Meet Again" show. So we headed to the 4th floor where we got a great spot on the railing. The show wasn't until 10pm and it was 930p. I sat a little and held DD3 - then I got too tired so we told the girls to sit on the floor and a few minutes later:

Yep - that's my baby asleep on the lobby floor..... The show was really neat, they do a little intro and then all the characters stream in and some go to different places around the 3rd and 4th floor lobby area to do photos with guests:

This was all DD6 wanted was to see Daisy and she came right to the corner where we were so we were first to see her, got a photo and went to the room to go to bed.

Up Next: Our Last Meal onboard, saying goodbye and arriving at BLT!!!!!

 

[dj~merlin]

on the second page, that's our lil'ariel in the background!

by chance, did one of your girls draw the numbers for mr. williams'
drawings? [ 2 little girls picked our winning tickets].

 

[dopeygirl76]

on the second page, that's our lil'ariel in the background!

by chance, did one of your girls draw the numbers for mr. williams'
drawings? [ 2 little girls picked our winning tickets].

How funny!!! No our girls were at the kids' club when we went to Ducky's show!! So glad you won though - that was sooo exciting!!!

 

[disney1474]

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing

 

[Harlemgirl720]

The pictures are amazing. I will be doing the Dream Cruise for NYrs next year and a few days at BLT. Cannot wait.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have NEVER been interested in a cruise of any kind, but I have to say, your trip report has me thinking a DVC member cruise might just be in our future at some point. We aren't "sit on the beach" people, but I assume there is lots to do besides that. I do like walking the beach.

Thanks for a GREAT report!

 

[dopeygirl76]

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing

Your welcome - it is fun!!!!

The pictures are amazing. I will be doing the Dream Cruise for NYrs next year and a few days at BLT. Cannot wait.

Thank you - I love taking pictures!! Of course that means I have ridiculous amounts of them!!!

We have NEVER been interested in a cruise of any kind, but I have to say, your trip report has me thinking a DVC member cruise might just be in our future at some point. We aren't "sit on the beach" people, but I assume there is lots to do besides that. I do like walking the beach.

Thanks for a GREAT report!

Oh my - there is SOOOO much to do!!! I really thought you would HAVE to get off the ship at the ports of call, but there are events going on all day long!! We didn't stay on the beach as long as we could because we wanted to fit some of the other things in. It was such a GREAT experience - I HIGHLY recommend the cruise!!!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

Ok so where was I .....the sad part........... when we returned from the "till we meet again" party our luggage was already gone. Off to sleep we went knowing that we would be leaving the MOST relaxing vacation we have ever had!!! We woke up the next morning and got dressed, we opted to leave our stuff in the room until after breakfast - our time was 7am - the morning of disembarkment you eat in the last restaurant of your rotation so we were in Triton's. Also first seating people ate here at 7am - the others were 630am and 645 am and then the next round of folks started at 745am, 8am and 815am. We had one last wonderful meal - this is DD3 after her donut:

They seat you and bring around a tray of pastries. Then you order and off you go....we went to gather our things - trying to stall as long as possible...and then we were off.

We had to wait at the first check out point in the terminal - they try to keep the line at customs moving so if it gets backed up they stop you in the walkway. Then we went down the escalator to the luggage area - headed to Donald (they organize your luggage by character/color AND room number....found a porter - because with our OL there was no way we could manage....and through customs - straight to a waiting bus for BLT!!! We were loaded on the bus by 9am!!!!

We arrived at the Contemporary and went to check in - I had done online check in and there was no wait. However I think being on the cruise and having SUPERB service (even though Disney service is good) it paled in comparison. First I have to say I was tired and had a head cold, but the CM I had was soft spoken and the lobby was bustling....so apparently he said your room is 8032 and it is ready....of course it was 10:15am so of course I heard him wrong and I said "the room is ready?!?!?" and he replies "I just said that" rather sharply - now normally I would not be bothered by someone like that but I think it stung more because even as exhausted as we were - DH and I were both on a Disney high.

So off we went to our room, navigating to BLT - we had only been in the Contemporary to eat at Chef Mickey's so it was nice to see the grounds. We entered at the south entrance of BLT and went up to the 10th floor - we were the first room on the right. First impression - clean room, decent size for a studio - this was our first time in a studio - we have always been in a 1 or 2 BDR. I laid on the bed which was really comfy - I prefer a little give to the bed - DH likes them hard as a board. Bell services came with our bags and I unpacked. This is when the issues became apparent. Many have talked about the lack of a sink in the bathroom so I will not belabor that point, in addition the "bathroom" sink in the kitchen was a problem. Otherwise the closet was of decent size, kitchenette would be great if the bathroom sink was out of there. We unpacked our stuff and realized we were all exhausted - we had reservations for Tony's at 5:10p and had to get of APs (we exchanged 2 GAD vouchers and bought DVC APs). We decided to go to the Contempo Cafe for lunch and back to the room to nap. Contempo Cafe was great. I got a Ham and Swiss Panini with the housemade chips - YUM!!!! DH got a Grilled Jerk Chicken sandwich with pepperjack cheese - he was thrilled because one of the options on the order kiosk was "meat & cheese only"!!! He opted for fries. DD6 had chicken and fries and DD3 had pizza. We also were really excited because they had Gold Peak Sweet Tea in the fountain drink area!!!! After lunch we went back to the room and passed out - DH set the alarm for 3pm to allow some touring time....I was sooooo tired I was not getting up!!!!

So we head to MK by monorail (COOL THING #1 at BLT)....went to the ticket counter and got our APs - CM problem #2 - I had 4 $50 gift cards I wanted to use toward the APs and pay the rest with our Disney Visa - apparently they can only enter 3 different forms of payment and I exasperated the CM. I told him just to put it all on the Visa after he gave the some explanation about using my GCs to buy a $200 GC and then buying my APs. So after I tell him to put it all on the Visa - he says -"I already started this way."

You will not bring me down at my happy place!!!!!

And off we went to bask in the glory of MK!!!!a few shot of Main Street as we entered:

Up next: how much can you fit in with only 5 hrs in MK? and wishes for TOTWL!!!!

 

[Disney Princess]

The end of your cruise sounds wonderful (and sad!). We love cruising, and I'm happy to hear you did too! I must get on a MC someday.

Sorry about the CMs at WDW. I know what you mean - sometimes they just strike you as "off". Hopefully the rest of your trip will leave you with better encounters.

Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[dblr]

Thanks alot for taking the time to do this wonderful trip report, we have been thinking of trying to do a cruise and I am sure once my wife reads this she will be convinced. The only problem is our boys are 15 & 19 and I am sure they won't want to go how would a Disney cruise be without the kids? Are there enough activities for folks without kids i am more the Disney fan then my wife.

 

[dopeygirl76]

The end of your cruise sounds wonderful (and sad!). We love cruising, and I'm happy to hear you did too! I must get on a MC someday.

Sorry about the CMs at WDW. I know what you mean - sometimes they just strike you as "off". Hopefully the rest of your trip will leave you with better encounters.

Can't wait for the next installment.

Thank the cruise was amazing!!!! And we will always love WDW - "off" CMs and all!!!!

Thanks alot for taking the time to do this wonderful trip report, we have been thinking of trying to do a cruise and I am sure once my wife reads this she will be convinced. The only problem is our boys are 15 & 19 and I am sure they won't want to go how would a Disney cruise be without the kids? Are there enough activities for folks without kids i am more the Disney fan then my wife.

On the Member's Cruise there are MANY people without kids and the activities while family friendly - we did alot without our kids because they wanted to be in the kids club. They also have exclusive teen areas and a teens only "nightclub". Try it!!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

OK sorry about the delay....LIFE!!!!

So we head up Main Street and go to Philharmagic - one of our all time favorites!!! After that the girls wanted to ride the Carosel so we rode twice. By that time we decided we better head toward Tony's we had a 5:10p ADR. We got there just as they started the Flag Retreat and stayed to watch.

Of course then it was time for dinner. DH and I both had the Chicken Parmesean, that is what I always get but last time DH LOVED mine so we both got it. The girls both had the spaghetti and meatball with butter only on their spaghetti - FINALLY no more chicken nuggets and fries. Here are the girls in their Lady and Tramp shirts.

DH and I both were glad we had an ARD here not only because of the yummy food but after hearing Ducky Williams we had to look at some of his work in the restaurant.

After dinner we rode the train over to Toontown and went through Mickey and Minnie's house.

Then DH took DD6 on Goofy's while DD3 and I played at Donald's and the playground. After we went to the teacups and then to the speedway - it was getting close to parade tiem but DD3 really wanted to drive...by the time we got done it was about 7:45p and with MNSSHP throughout the week the crowd for the Mainstreet Elecrtical Parade was NUTS!!! We found a spot where we could leave as soon as the parade was over. Here are some parade photos.

As soon as the parade was over we left go a waiting monorail, headed back to our room, where the plan was to bath the girls, put their PJs on and headed to the TOTWL for Wishes BUT our toilet was not working - called maintanence and within 5 minutes he was there fixed it and we were off.....WOW!!!! Absolutely beautiful!!!! Here are some photos:

After the fireworks we headed back to the room to bed - we had 8:15am ADR at CRT the next morning!!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

OK Day 2 at WDW we had reservations for CRT at 8:10am. Our plan was to be out by 7:30am figuring that was would need anymore than 30 mins to get the monorail and 10 mins to walk to the castle.....We left a little early - about 7:15am we waited 15 mins for the monorail and then were stopped on the rail three times from anywhere from 5-15 minutes. Apprently they were "running safety tests". So with an hour before our reservation we got to the podium with no time to spare!!

This was our first early morning ADR at MK we usually prefer to have brunch becasue we are such early risers and eat breakfast at about 6:30am. I had heard the park was neat to see without so much hustle and bustle - even though we were running late I snapped a few photos:

This was our first breakfast at CRT we had done dinner for DD6s 4th birthday but we really enjoyed breakfast - the food was great!! DH and I both had the scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon and sausage and the girls had the standard kids fare. The chocolate croissant was delicious and of course the princess were great. If you were eating at CRT on Friday Spet 17th - it was my DD3 who was yelling "MY ARIEL!! MY ARIEL!!! I SEE HER!! I LOVE HER!!!" With so much joy that those around us couldn't help but giggle!! So here she is with her big sis and HER ARIEL!!!

Even eating our fill and sitting to stare our the castle windows we left to the park just getting ready to open. We joined the others with early reservations and when the CMs allowed we went straight to Dumbo!! I got some great shots of the Fantasyland expansion from up there!!!

When we got off of Dumbo we were heading to Peter Pan when we ran into Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters. The girls still had their magic wands and the stepmother asked DD6 to use her wand her make Drucilla pretty - we stood there playing with them for quite a while...they all tried to fix the wand and use it themselves - they were such a hoot!!!

After Peter Pan, DH and DD6 went on BTMRR 3 times!!! and DD3 and I shopped a little. Then we rode the Magic Carpets and that camel was spitting on us!!!!

Then we went to see the Country Bears - we had to wait because it wasn't 10am yet!!!!!!

After the Bears we visited Donald:

By that time it was getting pretty hot. So we headed back to BLT for a swim. The girls LOVED the slides, DD3 never got off of the smaller one. The pool itself was nice but as others have said is on the small side. Also another TR noted about kids being unsupervised and DH caught one little guy who was playing in the no entry area and vertured a little too far for his size.

I washed some laundry while we swam and then we went back up to get dressed to continue our evening. The plan was to go to EPCOT to eat and go to Illuminations. Will we make it there????????

 

[PatsMom]

Thanks for more great pictures and updates. We have enjoyed our two stays at BLT! We never bother with the monorail to the MK though - it is much quicker to walk.

 

[dopeygirl76]

Thanks for more great pictures and updates. We have enjoyed our two stays at BLT! We never bother with the monorail to the MK though - it is much quicker to walk.

We had planned to walk but since I wasn't feeling good - I opted to do the monorail - we should have done that before CRT to save time!!!

 

[dvc4life]

Great report Nikki!!!!!! How lucky that your room was ready when you got to BLT. We got there about 10:30 and had to wait till 2-2:30 for our room to be ready - we had a 2 bedroom and it was awesome!!!!

Loved the pictures from the Dumbo ride. They are really doing alot of work back there. Can't wait to see it when they are done.

Looking forward to more of your report.

Have a great day!!!

 

[Friendofpluto]

Thanks for all the great info. My husband and I are booked on next year's member's cruise same category you had- deck 9. Took us quite a while to get in. 6.5 hours calling and 1.5 hours on hold. I am very excited. Right now we are booked in a studio for our pre- trip at BLT. What type if view do you have?

 

[Coach81]

AWESOME REPORT!!!!

1. We've been talking of a cruise.. your report makes me realize that we HAVE to go on one!
2. We'll be at BLT in March.. looking at your pics really gets me fired up for it...

Thanks for all the wonderful pics... great job!

 

[dopeygirl76]

Great report Nikki!!!!!! How lucky that your room was ready when you got to BLT. We got there about 10:30 and had to wait till 2-2:30 for our room to be ready - we had a 2 bedroom and it was awesome!!!!

Loved the pictures from the Dumbo ride. They are really doing alot of work back there. Can't wait to see it when they are done.

Looking forward to more of your report.

Have a great day!!!

Thanks Chris!! I am terrified of heights and usually do not allow DD to put Dumbo up much (until the end of course) but when I noticed the work I was excited to see what was going on!!!

Thanks for all the great info. My husband and I are booked on next year's member's cruise same category you had- deck 9. Took us quite a while to get in. 6.5 hours calling and 1.5 hours on hold. I am very excited. Right now we are booked in a studio for our pre- trip at BLT. What type if view do you have?

We had a Lake View- honestly it was beautiful and peaceful to look at the lake. We did try for Magic Kingdom View but no luck...we were in no way disappointed with the view.

AWESOME REPORT!!!!

1. We've been talking of a cruise.. your report makes me realize that we HAVE to go on one!
2. We'll be at BLT in March.. looking at your pics really gets me fired up for it...

Thanks for all the wonderful pics... great job!

We are cruise lovers now and although we have to skip the SSMC 2011 - we are thinking of doing a 7 day in Feb 2012!! As earlier mentioned we are on a mission to try all DVC resorts and so far we have a different love for each one...there is not one I would avoid although I will say we are DEFINATELY 1 BDR people!!!!