So that's why you packed 10 pairs of underwear!!! A Surprise trip Nov. 13

[ZehnJahren]

YAY for GWTS EARS!!! I had these too and I LOVED them! I hope to see them again; I will be taking mine back on our next trip!

That's funny that you had ducks quacking and they started to annoy you. That can definitely happen!!

I think I might stay at AKL for a few nights next fall; looking forward to it, so I am enjoying all your pictures whether they're dark or not!

 

[BridgetR3]

feeling great before 10:00 am huh?!? Hmmm Southwest Louisiana? DH is from Baton Rouge we spent Thanksgiving there this year... small world... can't wait to hear your thoughts on AKL... we're thinking of staying there next year

lol....he is my child to fake sick so I was watching but there was definitely some vomit occurring there so I "think" it was genuine! lol.....

How cool about DH's family being from Baton Rouge. Definitely a small world!

YAY for GWTS EARS!!! I had these too and I LOVED them! I hope to see them again; I will be taking mine back on our next trip!

That's funny that you had ducks quacking and they started to annoy you. That can definitely happen!!

I think I might stay at AKL for a few nights next fall; looking forward to it, so I am enjoying all your pictures whether they're dark or not!

GWTS ears are cool!!! Most times he would hold the ears in his hands or his lap so that we could enjoy them as well.

The ducks quacking at first was cute but there were SOOOOO many of them and the quacking kept getting louder and louder. I would say that we had about 30 ducks around us between the pond in front of us and the bushes behind us.

AKL had good and bad points for us. I loved that it was newer and seemed to be in better condition than the other resorts we've stayed at recently.

 

[Deesknee]

Thanks!! We thought the reveal was hilarious because they were so shocked!! I wasn't upset about the dirty room but I did get upset about the time it took (remember we haven't received the "room is ready" text yet....)

I love the lobby too but didn't notice the "smell" you are talking about. However, the Beach Club has a smell that is unbelievable!!!



Oh the room thing was super frustrating for me. I even lost it a little after we got on the bus and I posted about it on FB. I think you replied to that status. It just wasn't a good start to a trip but thankfully it did get better.....much better!

I'm working on DVC. I think 2014 is our year.

Great updates Bridget! I love the castle pictures & agree with you..never too many.
I am not going to take pictures of the fireworks this time. lIke you I seldom get good ones. Although I got a couple good ones on the Wishes cruise last time.

About Stitch, we had heard the same thing about bumpy, loud, scary. BUT that was when it was the Alien ride. DD#1 and I went on it way back then and ended up disappointed it wasn't scarier. I think the Stitch version is lame also, I prefer cute lovable mischievous Stitch, however more of a Lilo fan myself.

Seems you felt about the same as I did regarding AKV. I did appreciate the balcony view of the giraffes. But, like you all, I enjoy the BW area. Or for a more laid back feeling I love OKW.
Where are you staying next trip with the in-laws? Off site, I know I am just wondering where...if you don't mind me asking.

As far as the thread being quiet. I think everyone is so crazy busy with Christmas, it's hard to find the time for relaxing on the disboards. I know personally, I am way behind.

 

[BridgetR3]

Great updates Bridget! I love the castle pictures & agree with you..never too many.
I am not going to take pictures of the fireworks this time. lIke you I seldom get good ones. Although I got a couple good ones on the Wishes cruise last time.

About Stitch, we had heard the same thing about bumpy, loud, scary. BUT that was when it was the Alien ride. DD#1 and I went on it way back then and ended up disappointed it wasn't scarier. I think the Stitch version is lame also, I prefer cute lovable mischievous Stitch, however more of a Lilo fan myself.

Seems you felt about the same as I did regarding AKV. I did appreciate the balcony view of the giraffes. But, like you all, I enjoy the BW area. Or for a more laid back feeling I love OKW.
Where are you staying next trip with the in-laws? Off site, I know I am just wondering where...if you don't mind me asking.

As far as the thread being quiet. I think everyone is so crazy busy with Christmas, it's hard to find the time for relaxing on the disboards. I know personally, I am way behind.

Thanks for reading along!! Yeah I just couldn't get into AKV for some reason. Later in the week, we visit Beach Club and actually walked out to the Villas to sit for a little while. DH said, "This is what I have missed this week. The feel....the smell.....how quiet it is....." (We found AKV to be loud and busy just about any time but BCV was fairly quiet comparatively since it's only the DVC people.)

We have no clue where we are staying next trip. We do have reservations at a random Marriot hotel but I have a feeling that those will change. I WANT to stay onsite SOOOOOOOO bad. OR I want a nice condo/house to stay in. I don't want to stay in a hotel room offsite. We shall see.

 

[BridgetR3]

Well I'm home again with a sick boy so I figured I would update my story!

This was a morning where we planned to sleep in since we had a late night the evening before. However, we were all awake by 8:30 so we decided to head off to our first park of the day, Magic Kingdom.

Everyone was ready and at the bus stop by 9:05 a.m. Luckily a bus was there so we ran down the little incline and hopped on and were off! Bus pixie dust again.

My first picture at MK was taken at 9:30 so it was about 25 minutes from sitting on the bus to getting through the gates at MK.



Christmas tree with random guy's head.....

We did try to take PP pics here but DS7 just couldn't get his eyes to work. They would water because the sun was so bright so he would squint and the PP lady would tell him to open his eyes which made him upset because he couldn't. Finally we just gave up so as not to aggravate all of us anymore. I thought about getting him sunglasses but they were $14 and as most of you know, I'm cheap so that wasn't happening!



I could get used to these crowds!!!



Love that the decorations were in the shape of Mickey ears.

As we walked by Main Street Bakery/Starbucks, DH decided he wanted a coffee. We all headed in until he saw the line. Maybe that's where our crowds were.....lol.....we decided to skip out on the coffee and keep walking.



Love the Disney trolley.

As we walked a little further, we noticed that they were filming some kind of commercial/show/something. However, we were too excited to ride so we didn't stop except to grab a couple of pictures.





I quickly scanned the crowds at each location and didn't notice anyone "famous" but I was being dragged along so I may have missed someone.



Can you find the hidden mickey?

































O.k. so maybe it was a stretch but DS7 saw it first and I can kinda make it out as well.


As we passed the Mine Train Coaster, you could see the workers fixing up different parts of it. It had come so far since we saw it in June.



Looks like it still has a ways to go on the outside though....

So where are we going? Well first I wanted to grab fastpasses for Little Mermaid since that wasn't one of our 3 FP+ for today.



Hmmm...between 11:05 and 12:05.....that might not work because I have lunch BOG reservations at 11:10 but they do give a 15 minute extension so maybe I could make it by 12:20 maybe? We'll give it our best shot.

DS7 wanted to ride Barnstormer and DS11 wanted Dumbo. The wait times were fairly short so we split up. DS11 really wanted to play in the Dumbo playground but it wasn't being used because the wait times were too short.
We picked a side and were waiting in line as soon as we walked into the playland building.



Those clouds don't look good.



Can we see DS7 and DH? Nope not yet. Maybe we will ride at the same time.



Please hold hands and don't dance. So I promptly broke out in my best nerdy dance. DS11 was totally embarassed.



The water feature has to be my favorite part of Dumbo.



Love the details of the ride.



Within 5 minutes we were on the ride. And we are off....



Is that DS7 and DH? Who knows....I couldn't see the people enough to tell.



And just as quickly as it started, our ride was over...

So we hopped off and walked over to the exit of Barnstormer to see if the other guys were done. As we sat down to wait, I hear a coaster going up the track and look who was on it....



YAY!!! We got to watch them ride!



DS7 loved it as usual. He can't wait for the 7 dwarves mine coaster!

After our ride, we did a little shopping and made our way over to Be Our Guest where the line for lunch was already all the way down the bridge and around the corner.

What would we order? Would we make our Little Mermaid fastpass? Would the boys find anything to eat?

 

[deedee2177]

Another great update!! We are excite about the Mine Train as well. I read somewhere that possible soft openings are plan as early as February. Good sign that it will be up and running when we go in April!!! FINGERS CROSSED!

 

[BridgetR3]

Another great update!! We are excite about the Mine Train as well. I read somewhere that possible soft openings are plan as early as February. Good sign that it will be up and running when we go in April!!! FINGERS CROSSED!

I've read that the workers were riding it last week to make sure all was well. I would think that it's almost done. Actually in one of my posts way later in my TR, we talk to the BOG CM (I know I know don't give them too much credit) and she said that everything was ready except for the facade parts on the outside and the queue.

It really blew my mind that they couldn't have a crew working on the ride itself while ANOTHER crew worked on the outside parts. Surely they are not the same people. I mean you don't pay the man who engineers the coaster that same amount to plant trees and design a line for the ride....

Anyways, all that to say, I really think you might make it to a soft opening. Here's some to help!

 

[ZehnJahren]

I love the water feature on Dumbo too! I think the "new" Dumbo is way better than the "old" one, but I thought it was in the right spot in the park before and now it's just another ride.

I saw them testing the 7DMT while I was there; they were running the coaster empty. My mom and I were jumping up and down with excitement.

 

[BridgetR3]

How exciting to actually see it testing in person!!!

I've never been to Disney when Dumbo was in "the other spot". Yep that's right, never.

Our first visit was RIGHT after they closed off EVERYTHING Toontown and that area to create New Fantasyland.

 

[BridgetR3]

Anyone still around?? Sorry for my absence! I really thought I would have all kinds of great writing time while off for Christmas but our two weeks off were insane!! They were great fun but VERY VERY busy.

I came here tonight to write an update but I seem to have misplaced the card with my vacation pictures on it. Seriously who does that?!?!? I'll continue to look for them and when (hopefully) I find them, I'll come back to talk about our days.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey! I'm still here. I understand not updating over the holidays like you thought that you would. I thought the same thing. Yeah, didn't happen.

Hope that you find the pics!

 

[BridgetR3]

Whew crisis averted....pictures were found. DH was uber helpful and said something like....."Did you even bring it home from Disney??" Geez.... He's an observant one. o.k. so on with the TR.....

After meeting the guys at Barnstormer, we all headed off to lunch. The closer we got, the more worried I got about the whole thing. After all, I was never really "invited" to test out the fastpass for Be Our Guest and the line was LONG. DH noticed the line and mentioned that he hoped we wouldn't have to wait in that line. I assured him that we would not wait in the line because if my fastpass didn't work we would just go eat at Pinnochio or Cosmic Ray's.

I walked up to the building at the end of the bridge and told the gentleman inside that I thought I had a reservation. He looked at me and kind of chuckled mentioning that I should know if I had a reservation. I told him that I had made one on the site but I wasn't sure it would count since I wasn't invited to participate. He assured me that no invite was needed and he quickly found our names on the list. Soon we were walking past all of the people standing in that very long line and right into the castle. I felt quite a few evil eyes and dirty looks as we passed the waiting crowds.

As soon as we were safely inside with all the suits of armor, DH whispers, "Why would you wait in that line if you can do this??" I told him that most people in that line probably had no clue how to fastpass it to which he answered, "I'm so glad you look all that stuff up." Score one for me!

It still took about 15 minutes for us to get to the room where you order. The touch screens are nice and fun to work but they need about 20-30 more of them if that line is going to get any shorter! Geez they take a while.

We ordered two of the Braised Pork (Coq Au Vin style) - eight-hour slow-cooked pork with mushrooms, onions, carrots and bacon served with mashed potatoes and green beens jardiniere. We also ordered one Feast a la Beast which is the same thing in the kid size. I figured that DS7 would share and no one ordered a dessert.

Every room was available for seating as far as I could tell but I wanted to stay in the Rose Gallery since it is only open at lunch. DH did not understand why I kept passing up empty tables looking around. I finally explained that I was looking for the Rose Gallery because I wanted to see it. He said that he didn't realize there were three rooms and agreed that we needed to go there. Luckily a CM had overheard us and pointed us in the right direction.

After fixing drinks and grabbing real silverware, I walked around taking pictures. My pictures are junk but I'll share them anyways.







They have paintings all over the walls depicting the life of Beast and Belle. They are amazing. The lighting is not amazing. My camera is 5 year old junk and this is what we get. I need a new camera for the next trip but I'm not ready to drop that much money for one. All I can think of is that is a couple of nights at Disney!! The paintings are MUCH nicer in person!

After walking around the room, I returned to our table just in time to see a CM stop with a cart next to us. She made sure that she was at the right table and delivered our food. SOOOO COOL!!! How do they do that?!?!?!?



The food was unbelievably good. DH said it was his favorite meal all week (including TS!!!!). My boys really enjoyed it but it does have lots of vegetables so if children aren't used to having carrots, onions, and mushrooms in their food they may not like it. Everyone of us stuffed ourselves and rolled our way to the front of the restaurant.

On the way out, I tried to take a picture of the Christmas tree in the "main hall" but because the lights are SO low in here, you get shadows and lights.





Pretty stained glass on the way out.

And off we raced to make it in time for our fastpasses!!

 

[BridgetR3]

Hey! I'm still here. I understand not updating over the holidays like you thought that you would. I thought the same thing. Yeah, didn't happen.

Hope that you find the pics!

YAY!! Someone is still here and I'm glad it's you! I'm still enjoying your trip report. I was sorry to read that your uncle passed away.

Hope ya'll are freezing too bad up "north"!

 

[jrj]

I'm here totally understand how the holidays would cause a pause in updating {hey, that rhymed} glad you're back and can't wait to read more

 

[BridgetR3]

I'm here totally understand how the holidays would cause a pause in updating {hey, that rhymed} glad you're back and can't wait to read more

You're a poet and didn't know it! lol..... Sorry it's early!

I'm thankful that you are still here and I hope to update some each day. Thanks for following along!

 

[ZehnJahren]

I'm still here too! I loved the pictures of your BOG food; I was also getting the dirty looks BOTH times I walked past that long line straight into BOG. I really wanted to stop and tell the people at the back of the line that they could go online and get a FP+ for it, but I figured they'd think I was crazy OR they'd be offsite Guests and I'd get their hopes up for nothing. So I just kept walking!

 

[TinkyCheeks]

Joining in! Last month was our first time in Disney with the decorations, as well. It was such an amazing experience! Loving the TR so far!

 

[DawnFeiss]

I'm still here and not to worry I think Christmas and insane are always in the same sentence I'm my family. And loving this trip report. Keep up the fantastic work

 

[BridgetR3]

I'm still here too! I loved the pictures of your BOG food; I was also getting the dirty looks BOTH times I walked past that long line straight into BOG. I really wanted to stop and tell the people at the back of the line that they could go online and get a FP+ for it, but I figured they'd think I was crazy OR they'd be offsite Guests and I'd get their hopes up for nothing. So I just kept walking!

Our BOG food was absolutely amazing! It's a must do for our next trip even if we have to wait in that long line (although DH is already pestering me about making lunch ADR's). I know! I felt so bad for the people in that line as I passed but I didn't stop to share with any of them.

Joining in! Last month was our first time in Disney with the decorations, as well. It was such an amazing experience! Loving the TR so far!

Thanks for joining us! Oh isn't it nice at Christmas?!?!?! I think I would have rathered the trip if it were warmer. I think Florida broke a couple of records for cold temps while we were there so we never really got to swim. However the decorations seriously are worth the trip!

I'm still here and not to worry I think Christmas and insane are always in the same sentence I'm my family. And loving this trip report. Keep up the fantastic work

Thanks!! I just got overwhelmed with all the running around and felt terrible for not checking in often but then again no one else checked in here either so I guess it's all good!


I'll try to post another update tonight but for now we have dinner, soccer and homework!!

 

[BridgetR3]

Just wanted to wish you all a good morning and a great day!! I have training meetings today that don't start until 9 a.m. That's unheard of around here so I'm excited to have a morning to sleep in.

I hope you all have a great day!