Prince Charmsalot to Accompany the Damsels This Trip But You Must Pose w/ Princesses

[emmysmommy]

After my group was given the grand tour of Walt's apartment above the fire station, we moved on down Main Street and proceeded to The Dream Suite which is located above POTC.

Our Guest Services guide was awesome and provided so much trivia and information on all of these behind the scenes place that I can't remember half of what they told us.

Walt never saw the Dream Suite since he died before it was finished. However, his brother used it regularly.

sorry for the blurry photo - I was a bit excited!

This "grandfather" clock lights up and has animation:

Credenza with guest book. It was interesting to flip through this and see the notes and comments from people who had been guests of the Dream Suite.

Master bedroom:

Special effects button. It played music and dimmed the lights (I believe it did both)

The picture over the bead had hidden special effects and lighting.

Bathroom

Beautiful fiber optics lit up inside the spa tub with a starry effects

Another view

closet with dressing area

Second bedroom with train that runs along the perimeter of the room:

Second bathroom

ME - on the terrace overlooking New Orleans Square area

Terrace for Dream Suite

Champagne on terrace

toasting all things wonderful but especially Disney!

So there you have it! An amazingly wonderful experience.

 

[Alysa]

What an amazing apartment! I'd love to go for a swim in the tub!

 

[emmysmommy]

What an amazing apartment! I'd love to go for a swim in the tub!

I'd love to just dust the furniture to be in there again!

 

[emmysmommy]

If I have to await my WDW trip (in 37 days to be exact) and if I have to work... then I may as well accomplish both by hanging out for the second day at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel!!

Today was a day of rubbing elbows with legislators and politicians (boring another words) ... but they did feed us!

Lunch was served in the Sequoia Ballroom.

First course: salad

Main:

Dessert:

Afternoon break desserts:

Bonus photo of Grand Californian lobby:

So that's all I have to say about that!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Woah! I also just followed the link in your signature, otherwise I never would've found this place. Great pics of everyone (and of your hotels, and of Disneyland, and of the carrot cake cookie )! Such great dining plans as well.

I haven't been to Disneyland in over 4 years, so it's nice to see some pics from 'off-limits' areas like Walt's apartment and the Dream Suite. The food also looks really good - those cupcakes look much better to me than WDW's cupcakes. Ugh, it's not even 5am and now I'm hungry for a cupcake.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Joining in!!!! I've always enjoyed your dining reports, and can't wait to hear all about your next trip!!!

I love that you have that many ADR's - your plans sound awesome!!!

Your VIP tour sounds amazing, how cool that you were able to experience that!

 

[the little marla]

I have cautioned DH that I like characters, and I like photos with characters, and if you go with us, you may need to pose with a princess or two. His reply, “I could pose with that Jasmine girl and see if she has a belly piercing.” He’s such a man! And that my friends is how the title of this PTR was born.

hahaha love it! can't wait! i bet your husband is going to have a ton of memorable quotes!

 

[mommytocalliesue]

SO JEALOUS of your trip....a split stay...so many nights....so many ADR's!!! I so wanted to do a split stay with AKL and BC....but guess who put a kibosh on that....yup....you read my PTR...DH!!! Can't wait to read more!!

 

[Nicole786]

Great pre-trip! I'll be at the BWI 8/19-8/26 so we may run into each other!

 

[emmysmommy]

Woah! I also just followed the link in your signature, otherwise I never would've found this place. Great pics of everyone (and of your hotels, and of Disneyland, and of the carrot cake cookie )! Such great dining plans as well.

I haven't been to Disneyland in over 4 years, so it's nice to see some pics from 'off-limits' areas like Walt's apartment and the Dream Suite. The food also looks really good - those cupcakes look much better to me than WDW's cupcakes. Ugh, it's not even 5am and now I'm hungry for a cupcake.

Hi there my favorite Dis food reviewer extraordinaire!! Thanks for stopping by - I'm thrilled to see you!

I know you were thinking that you stumbled across a food review since that seems to be my focus way too often! But no.... just counting down the days until I can follow in your footsteps and share more Dis dining!

Sadly I didn't try any of the cupcakes or cookies - I'd already indulged enough earlier. I can't imagine running enough miles to make up for the calories!

Joining in!!!! I've always enjoyed your dining reports, and can't wait to hear all about your next trip!!!

I love that you have that many ADR's - your plans sound awesome!!!

Your VIP tour sounds amazing, how cool that you were able to experience that!

Hi there! You are another Dis LEGEND!! Thanks for reading!! Also, I've lurked and peeked at your TR and cue the trumpets.... CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement!! How exciting!

I have cautioned DH that I like characters, and I like photos with characters, and if you go with us, you may need to pose with a princess or two. His reply, “I could pose with that Jasmine girl and see if she has a belly piercing.” He’s such a man! And that my friends is how the title of this PTR was born.

hahaha love it! can't wait! i bet your husband is going to have a ton of memorable quotes!

Hi there Marla! I hope DH enjoys the trip... he better, he gets to spend 13 days with ME!

It may make for an interesting TR depending on how it all works out.... Me the planner, him the spontaneous guy.

SO JEALOUS of your trip....a split stay...so many nights....so many ADR's!!! I so wanted to do a split stay with AKL and BC....but guess who put a kibosh on that....yup....you read my PTR...DH!!! Can't wait to read more!!

Awww... I'm just poorer than you now! You still have a lovely trip. I actually read up on your touring plans and ADRs earlier.

Great pre-trip! I'll be at the BWI 8/19-8/26 so we may run into each other!

Hi Nicole! We just may run into each other and I hope that I say pardon me! Seriously, if you see us say hi!

I'm looking forward to BW. Is that your first time there?

I just saw the video of your parent's surprise 25th anniversary cruise reveal - how awesome! I chuckled when your brother said "they don't get it". Sure wish my kids would get a similar idea for our upcoming 25th!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Hi there! You are another Dis LEGEND!! Thanks for reading!! Also, I've lurked and peeked at your TR and cue the trumpets.... CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement!! How exciting!

Thank you!!!!!

 

[Lisa29]

Great pre-trip report so far

Walts apartment and the dream suite look amazing.

I have read your dining reviews and also always wondered about the picture at the bottom of your posts and who the two others are in it.

 

[Nicole786]

Hi Nicole! We just may run into each other and I hope that I say pardon me! Seriously, if you see us say hi!

I'm looking forward to BW. Is that your first time there?

I just saw the video of your parent's surprise 25th anniversary cruise reveal - how awesome! I chuckled when your brother said "they don't get it". Sure wish my kids would get a similar idea for our upcoming 25th!

Aw thanks! It was a good time plotting the surprise, and the trip was great too!

It will be my brother and I this trip (We go every year, its kind of our tradition) and we stayed at the BWI last year (We loved it!) I wanted to stay at the BC this trip because neither of us has stayed there before, but all they have for my dates is a Lagoon view and it would be $400 more than the BWI So I keep checking to see if a standard opens up, if not it will be BWI for us!

 

[emmysmommy]

Great pre-trip report so far

Walts apartment and the dream suite look amazing.

I have read your dining reviews and also always wondered about the picture at the bottom of your posts and who the two others are in it.

Thanks Lisa! I keep meaning to post the back story to that photo... I think tonight I will do so.

Aw thanks! It was a good time plotting the surprise, and the trip was great too!

It will be my brother and I this trip (We go every year, its kind of our tradition) and we stayed at the BWI last year (We loved it!) I wanted to stay at the BC this trip because neither of us has stayed there before, but all they have for my dates is a Lagoon view and it would be $400 more than the BWI So I keep checking to see if a standard opens up, if not it will be BWI for us!

I hope your room choice opens up at BC. We'll be at YC/BC for a few ADRs! I love the resort - especially Teena, the greeter in the lobby.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Hi there my favorite Dis food reviewer extraordinaire!! Thanks for stopping by - I'm thrilled to see you!

I know you were thinking that you stumbled across a food review since that seems to be my focus way too often! But no.... just counting down the days until I can follow in your footsteps and share more Dis dining!

Sadly I didn't try any of the cupcakes or cookies - I'd already indulged enough earlier. I can't imagine running enough miles to make up for the calories!

I'm still loving the brief glimpses of Disneyland (including parts I'll probably never see) and the preview of your upcoming plans. This is such a fun way to pass some time before your trip and share some of the magic with everyone.

I would've definitely tried a cupcake...and regretted it after. So I'm very impressed with your willpower!

 

[emmysmommy]

Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade

I have been asked a few times about the photo in my signature so now seems like a good time to share that story.

Background: This occurred during our first girl trip in August 2010. We were celebrating Em’s Jr. High graduation.

The Story: We had just arrived at MK and were minding our own business walking up Main Street when all of a sudden we were hit with an amazing dose of pixie dust!!!!

A Cast Member came up to us and asked if Em was enjoying a day at the park with her “sister”. Nice touch Mr. CM! (It was appreciated even though it was obviously not true!!) He asked where we were from and what we were celebrating (Em had her Celebration button for her graduation). He said that he wanted to do something special for us. Ok…. He pulled us aside onto the sidewalk and asked if we were in the parks for a few days, what our ticket situation was and was it just the two of us in our traveling party? Yes, plenty of park hoppers, and yes were our responses.

The CM then prefaced his invitation with saying “I want to knock your socks off!” (kinda hard to do since I was wearing flip flops ) He asked if we wanted to be Grand Marshals in the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade!!!! We had to take a minute to seriously consider this huge commitment….We had soooo many things to do and see in the park and this would seriously mess up our plans, not to mention the fact that I was having a bad hair day! Are you kidding me?? Of course, we would LOVE to be in the parade. He gave us instructions on where to meet and when and what to expect that afternoon. We felt so honored! Why us? We were not even wearing Mickey attire. Oh, maybe it was the Belle crown that Em had bought a few days before and had been wearing to the parks!!

Do I look different to you? I'm a Grand Marshal!

We walked away pinching ourselves (Ouch, yes this was real!) and re-arranged our plans for the day.

Fast forward to the afternoon….we met at the top secret pre-arranged location and were taken back stage. We were introduced to the other honorary Grand Marshals and our Photopass photographer. Em and I were assigned to an old-fashioned touring car (enclosed) that would follow the lead vehicle, which is the fire truck. As we were waiting for the vehicles to arrive it was starting to get really stormy. The CMs were conferring and there was chatter in their earpieces. This wasn’t looking good since the storm was approaching.

They finally made the decision to cancel the Honorary Grand Marshal part of the parade. But no worries, we were told to pick another day to participate and they would reschedule us. We choose two days later and coincidently the couple that was riding with us picked the same day. This actually worked out much better in the end!

Let’s try this again:
On parade day is was extremely HOT & HUMID – ugh! We were melty at the end of the route.

Once again, we met at a pre-designated location and introductions to some new Grand Marshals were made. The couple from two days before, Chris & Devon, were grouped with Em and me. Our photopass photographer filled us in on where she would be taking photos and shared with us the number 1 rule – don’t wave in someone else’s face!!! Seriously! I thought it would be don’t pick your nose or don’t have them stop the car so you can take a potty break but apparently those things didn’t make the list!


We were assigned our vehicles and this time we were in the fire truck/car thingie – the lead vehicle!!!! Our driver was Barbara and she was awesome. She was enthusiastic and over the top fun! She made the experience amazing!

The photopass gal took some pictures before we started and then we were escorted into our vehicles. The last advice given was to have the time of our life – just like the song lyrics

Pre parade:

Cue the music – Celebrate You

Here's a version on You Tube to give you an idea

Everyday is the right day
It's easy to understand
Cause you get the chance and you take it
Make it the best you can make it
Why should you hold back?
It's the time of your life
You don't wanna miss out
On right here and now
There's so many reasons why
You don't wanna stop
It's your chance, live it up
And everything you do
Celebrate you (oh, oh)
Celebrate you (oh, oh, ahh)

I still tear up when I hear this song at MK!

The music started and our fire truck made the slow loop around the flag pole and then headed up Main Street towards the castle….thus began one of the most thrilling 22 minutes of our lives!! We waved, we cheered, we blew kisses, we clapped, we sang, and we had the time of our lives. It was amazing!

I LOVE this photo:

It was the weirdest thing to see people taking photos and video of us…. I mean I know it wasn’t “us” personally that they were interested in but it was still so odd to know I am waving and blowing kisses to someone on their vacation video!

As we were cruising down Main Street I knew that I would remember every moment, every detail, every sight and sound of this experience for the rest of my life. It was MAGICAL! Seeing Em’s smiling face was priceless!

Approaching the castle…

At the end of the route we were given high fives by Sweetums who was right behind us in the parade. They had a reserved section for the Grand Marshals to view the rest of the parade – in reality it was simply a taped off/roped off section near the backstage area for which a lot of other people ended up mingling with us.

Each honorary Grand Marshal is given a certificate and a coupon for a free photo. (When we were selected to participate in a parade years ago at Disneyland we received special pins.)

We have over 80 photopass photos of the parade so it was definitely worth it to pre-order the CD that trip!

After parade glow (not our best photo because we were sweaty and gross!)

Just after that photo was taken a little girl came over to Emily and asked if she was just in the parade. Why yes! It was cute because the little girl's family then came over and started talking to us about our experience. They asked if we would pose with them in a photo - certainly!

Every return trip we make sure that we stop by and say hi to the CM that made our trip so amazing! In fact, we email photos after every trip now and have big hugs when we see him now!

From a recent trip:

 

[wilma-bride]

Wow Brenda, what an amazing experience. I have often wondered about the picture in your signature (but was too shy to ask - not like me at all). Friends of ours were lucky enough to be part of the Animal Kingdom parade a few years ago and had a great time.

I love your dress by the way

 

[emmysmommy]

Wow Brenda, what an amazing experience. I have often wondered about the picture in your signature (but was too shy to ask - not like me at all). Friends of ours were lucky enough to be part of the Animal Kingdom parade a few years ago and had a great time.

I love your dress by the way

Thanks Joh!! We had actually gone shopping during this trip and purchased the dresses so it worked out well that we had somewhere to wear them!

Awww.. don't be shy!

Note: I didn't go back and re-read this post since it is really LATE here and I lost my two prior versions that disappeared mysteriously. I was going to ditch it but decided to try once more and voila! So if something doesn't make sense in the story... sorry!

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[emmysmommy]

joining in

Hi there! Thanks for reading (and eating popcorn, a Dis favorite! )

My DH's family is from the Chicago burbs so I have a fondness for all things Chicago - especially the Italian Beef!