Pre trip report that will turn live-june 26th-july 10th

[VallCopen]

If that cat was about 8-10 pounds heavier, he could be my Tigger! I have to find (or take) a picture of him. I can't believe how much alike they look!

Glad you got the room location you wanted! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip (after you've had some much needed rest!)

Post your pic if you can find it. Maybe it is your Tiggers long lost relative, living in Pooh's Corner, from Walt's side ofcourse.

 

[disneydreamer74]

Great photos!! Thanks for taking the time to post! My DD3 and I ride the carousels many, many times during our trips. We are gonna try the Mickey Wheel this time and I am excited to be trying something different! Sounds like you are having a great trip so far!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Post your pic if you can find it. Maybe it is your Tiggers long lost relative, living in Pooh's Corner, from Walt's side ofcourse.

I just double checked and don't have one of him in photobucket. I will try to do it tonight.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Here is my Tigger. I couldn't find one that really shows his striped tail ...

This is a couple of years ago ... he's about 18 pounds now!

 

[jwwi]

Great start to your live trip report.

 

[kaoden39]

Love the fireworks from the room. We had that one year and I honestly prefer that to fighting the crowds to get out of the park after wards. I had a giggle at your DD and the look on her face, she was not too sure. You cannot beat the view from the top of Mickey's Fun Wheel can you?

Did you,like Ralph Brennan's?

 

[VallCopen]

What a pretty Cat, 18 pounds - Wow that is a small dog.

We liked Ralph Brennans, it was a little out of our taste range, but we were careful on what we ordered. Can't go to wrong with Filet and Chicken. I don't know if we would eat there again or not though.

Last night we had Tortilla Joe's and that was pretty good. Loved the chips and salsa and the Taco's. We tried to go to Toy Story 3 but they didn't have a 7 or 8 showing and 9 was going to be to late for the little one so we went into the parks for a few quick rides. Tried to take the monorail but something happened and after they loaded everyone on it they unloaded everyone and then asked all people to exit the platform. It appeared that maybe something had been left in the very back car. They wouldn't open the special code door but kept looking at it and talking, maybe it just wouldn't open but I don't know why they would have exited all people back into Downtown Disney, especially after we had been waiting for awhile. Never did hear what the problem was.

Today we are planning to go back into the parks and then maybe the beach but the weather isn't looking so good.

I have been a little bummed about the amount of people in the park, although I knew it would be crazy. We usually go in April and Oct/Nov and that is just way quieter. But luckily we have 2 weeks here and we will make the best of whatever we do.

Tonight I will try for some food shots since we are doing dinner at Naples.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Tonight I will try for some food shots since we are doing dinner at Naples.

Yes, please!

We are looking forward to Ralph Brennan's. Not sure if we will make it anywhere else in DTD but you never know if your review would sway us!

 

[kaoden39]

What a pretty Cat, 18 pounds - Wow that is a small dog.

We liked Ralph Brennans, it was a little out of our taste range, but we were careful on what we ordered. Can't go to wrong with Filet and Chicken. I don't know if we would eat there again or not though.

Last night we had Tortilla Joe's and that was pretty good. Loved the chips and salsa and the Taco's. We tried to go to Toy Story 3 but they didn't have a 7 or 8 showing and 9 was going to be to late for the little one so we went into the parks for a few quick rides. Tried to take the monorail but something happened and after they loaded everyone on it they unloaded everyone and then asked all people to exit the platform. It appeared that maybe something had been left in the very back car. They wouldn't open the special code door but kept looking at it and talking, maybe it just wouldn't open but I don't know why they would have exited all people back into Downtown Disney, especially after we had been waiting for awhile. Never did hear what the problem was.

Today we are planning to go back into the parks and then maybe the beach but the weather isn't looking so good.

I have been a little bummed about the amount of people in the park, although I knew it would be crazy. We usually go in April and Oct/Nov and that is just way quieter. But luckily we have 2 weeks here and we will make the best of whatever we do.

Tonight I will try for some food shots since we are doing dinner at Naples.

I think they are having computer problems with the monorail. When we were there a few weeks ago we got on the last monorail for the day. At the time we didn't know. The door on our car kept opening every time the cast member would close it. He said it was gremlins. I do believe they have a big case of gremlins then. Enjoy Naples tonight.

I know the crowds are not fun, but the wonderful thing about staying onsite you can come and go much easier. And the pool at the DLH is so nice to play in and at. Do they still have the second less crowded pool with the beach?

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Great TR so far! Would love to see some food porn

 

[jwwi]

Sounds like I may need to try Tortilla Joe's. Sorry about the monorail problems. I can't imagine if that would happen often at WDW. What a nightmare. It seems like it is so easy to move around DL on foot. Thanks for taking the time to write updates.

 

[VallCopen]

OK I am back!!!! I have been very busy getting settled into the Villas, buying groceries for our big gathering of family, doing laundry and mailing off 7 letters/postcards/brochures to families that I was a fairy Godmailer to, but now that all of those things are done here is what has been happening.

First we went to Naples on Tuesday night, and sorry to let everyone down but we only ordered a pizza since we were somewhat full from snacking during the day. I didn't take a picture because well, it was pizza, but I did get a shot of some of the snacks................

Churro!!!!!!!

Tigger Tail!!!!!!!!!

Both were good, not my favorites, but good. Tonight we were out buying groceries and unpacking and we just got Taco Bell on the way back, sorry not exciting except to me since dinner only cost us about 7.85 tonight.. But we do have Napa Rose coming up so be on the watch for that one........

I walked over to the Grand this morning so that I could hopefully get a Pier View and they already had me in a Redwood Creek/Grizzly View but they said they could sure check. I was kind of excited for that view since it seemed peacefull and relaxing but with all the family and friends I thought it would be neat to get a pier view if possible so I had them check................Well.............

We were so excited to get this view, and funny thing is that it is the exact room we had back in November last year, see it was meant to be.
So needless to say I was stoked when they came back and told me we got the Pier View, then if that wasn't good enough, I started talking to them about my cousin coming in and telling them that I wanted to be sure to have it put on my card and all other charges too. The CM said to wait just one minute and she went back to THE ROOM again and then came back. She said she had wanted to give them a suite but they were sold out, then she said she wanted to give them conceirge(??) but that was booked too at maximum capacity, but she then said that she was going to upgrade them from a standard view to a premium view and decorate their room with celebration things. How cool is that........... They also have them on the same floor as us and just a few doors down from our Villa. Now that is just awesome...... Disney Magic happened all around this morning. Thanks Disney!!!!!!!! Now I can't wait for them to get here tomorrow, I hope they love it..........


Other than that we have only been hitting the parks for about 4 or 5 hours a day since it is soooo busy (for us). Everyone has been tired, a lot this time, but I can't figure out why, but we have used the time to rest and sleep in so all is well.

Here are a few more shots around the park which will wrap it up for the night.

Talk to ya all soon...

 

[Karenann*]

I just think this trip will just bless all your socks off! What a special thing for them to do for your cousin...and so delighted with your view! I am enjoying all the pics too.

 

[jwwi]

Magic and Pixie Dust to you and your family. Congratulations on your room upgrades. With such a long trip maybe 4-5 hours a day in the park is good for your family. Have fun.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Yay for Disney upgrading your cousin! What fabulous pixie dust!

 

[casiland]

Love the picture of the flower arch!!! Good trip review. You are helping to feed my addiction until I can feed it in November.

 

[kaoden39]

It all sounds wonderful!! And your pictures are great!! You have to love the Disney magic!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I don't know how I missed this report!!! I can't believe you mailed out those packages during the middle of your trip!! The kids were thrilled to receive the postcard & autographed photo!!! Thank you again!

Did you draw your countdown pictures?? They were so cute & very well done!! Impressive!

Thanx for updating thru-out your trip.....you have some beautiful pictures!! Makes me even more excited to get there!!

PS: Love the view from your villa......very jealous.....lol!!

 

[VallCopen]

Ok, so where do I start???? First off thanks for sticking with me soooo far. Things have been busy, crazy, and busy. Everyone is now gone and things hopefully will now mellow a bit but it will take most of the day for us to recover, I am sure.


My cousin and her family arrived on Thursday and were all soooo excited to see we got them a Limo. For anyone wondering we went through Super Shuttle and it was only 122.00 one way for their family of 6 in a strech Limo with beverages and I think light snacks. They had never been in a Limo so that was cool, and the price for the shuttle was only about 50-60 dollars less, so I thought what the heck...... Here they are arriving at the Grand.

So I went to check them in officially and wait what they don't have an upgrade???? I explained to the gal that the previous morning they upgraded them and said they were going to decorate her room. After 20 minutes of explaining and going back to that ROOM she came back and said "I am sorry you must have miss understood." I didn't want to argue or get upset because after all it wasn't something I paid for so I just said ok but I did try to explain it all again and I told her about giving them my credit card so that her charges went on our card just in case she wasn't understanding right. Then she said let me check something. Then she said, they don't have a credit card of yours on file????? Then she said "oh, yes I see, there is another Kelley family that got the upgrade and decorations and, oh my your credit card". She then went to the back room for 20 minutes, atleast, and then came back and said "Luckily the other Kelley family hasn't arrived and we can still switch it all back around. Wow!!!!! That was crazy and I was so happy that it all got resolved back to what we originally were told.




So we got aquainted the first night and just BBQ'd down at the Villa BBQ's. I cut up chicken, veggies, shrimp, & steak the night before so it was all ready when they arrived and the men then prepared the skewers at the BBQ's and got to know one another. And I must say they did great. So then after dinner we had cake to celebrate their 9 year olds birthday and welcome her to our family since we had never met her (she is the new hubbies daughter). After the dinner the kids hit the pools and had a great time.

Friday morning we all took our time getting up and finally made it to the parks around 11:00 am, again here are a few pics.

The parks have been busy but we have all managed to have a great time walking, visiting, eating and just looking around. We went back to the room around 5:00 to get ready for our Napa dinner, and yes I did get pictures.

Salmon dish - they loved it....

My favorite and main reason I go to Napa - Mushroom Bisque

Some type of Pea ravioli - it was very good

My husbands dinner which was an appetizer for two but he made it his main dish.

this rock under the shrimp was soooooo hot

Dinner was very good and the company was great too, we passed on dessert because we were all full, but my hubby was not happy because he said it is part of going out and my DIS friends would be bummed. Sorry I still passed on it.
My cousins husband is a cut up, one of those funny people who never laughs at his jokes so it makes it that much funnier. Here are the pictures of dinner.

All of us after dinner

Jim acting like he was the waiter

Saturday was much of the same, the parks, swimming and then a big (19 people) family dinner at Qutback Steakhouse. My cousins mom, Auntie Lolo, drove 8 hours to see us all and stay one day at Disneyland along with her granddaughter and husband. My brother and his girlfriend also showed up to stay for 2 nights too. So Outbacks was good and we decided to invite all 19 people back to Disney to view the World of Color from our room, good thing we have a 2 bedroom. Funny thing was it was actually not so bad as far as room goes. Some of the guys went and picked up ice cream and brought it back for everyone to eat while enjoying the show, which they were all in awe of. The night didn't end until about 12:45 am when the last guests left, all in all it was a nice night visiting with a lot of family that doesn't get to see one another very often, and it was especially neat for my cousin.


Well Sunday is a whole new chapter which I will try and get back to very soon.

 

[jwwi]

I am still here and happy to hear your time with family went well. Great pictures of the group too. Your pictures from Napa dinner look so good.