Solo and Unleashed!

[KatMark]

Great picture of the Stormtrooper and the Evil Queen, Jen.

Perhaps it is the event going on now that they are charging $99 at the Castle. That is insane!

I would never request my money back, but we are NOT keen on doing any more parties. They oversell them and you just can't get anything done.

 

[jenseib]

I am caught up

Such pretty pictures of CBR in the morning! I love the one of the lighthouse where the sun looks like a beacon.

I liked that one too!

That does seem like a great deal on the kids' Mickey Waffle breakfast.

It really was, and filling too!

Love your tour of the Dolphin, I have never been inside. I can't believe how difficult it was to find a diet Coke!

I have never ventured in there either, so it was neat to see it in person.

about the environmental terrorist group. Did they not get the irony of a group with their mission handing out flyers that were immediately disposed of?

I know! Total Idiots!

LOVE YOUR LUNCH CHOICE!!!

I must say you rang through my head when I made that choice!

I have eaten breakfast, lunch and 3 dinners at Captain's Grille and have not been disappointed with the food.

I really enjoyed my lunch there. Not a place I would ever even think of if I hadn't read your TR's.

May I add a link to your review to the dining page on the Yacht & Beach Club FAQ? I have a few reviews there for people, and yours is great!

You sure can!

And now for a couple of Captain's Grille "Fun Facts". Did you see the wall mural of the seascape where the sailboat moves from one picture to the next?

Now you tell me....I guess it's an excuse to go back again.

Also, at breakfast and lunch, you get a 10% discount on your bill if you pay using a Disney Visa.

and of course I didn't know that either.

I like your pictures of Stormalong Bay. Were they taken from inside or outside of the pool area?

I was outside by the rail sitting in one of the rocking chairs.

on yummy snacks at the conference.

those were brought to us from Celebrity Cruise Lines. I think they were trying to tempt me to sail with them.

on the seminar running late!

**********************************

I'm glad you missed most of the storm! I was there from Sunday night to Tuesday night and the only rain I saw was on the Magical Express on the way to the resort.

But it was HOT!!!

I had a little bit of rain the next day, but really more of a mist than a rain.

********************************

What an awesome picture of the ghost family on ToT!!!

thanks

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the party. Honestly, I have heard more negative comments than compliments. The things you described like the limited maps, long (and cut-off) character lines and limited merchandise all seem to support the complaints.

I heard a lot of complaints too. And really the ones who seemed to have good reviews were ones who went to Club Evil and had a table and sat in there a couple of hours like we did.

The Club Evil party sounded like fun, though. I loved the things available on the menu and the dessert was so imaginative!

I think they did a really good job with the menu and it was fun looking too.

I love your picture of Cruella and of the other characters.

The guy dressed as Ursula was fabulous!

thanks. There were some really good costumes and some really bad ones.

Great picture of the Stormtrooper and the Evil Queen, Jen.

Thanks.

Perhaps it is the event going on now that they are charging $99 at the Castle. That is insane!

yes, it is crazy and it's sold out for the season too!

I would never request my money back, but we are NOT keen on doing any more parties. They oversell them and you just can't get anything done.

This one wasn't even sold out either and you can see it's pretty crowded. As I walked up front early on to find a map, there was a family walking out and the Dad was complaining that they had to leave and why didn't his wife buy tickets for this event. LOL. She told him she had no idea this would be something he wanted to do. I told them that they were still selling tickets, but I don't know if they went and bought some or not.

 

[dolphingirl47]

You turned into a real magnet for unplanned character interactions. I had to laugh that people stood in a long line for the Stormtroopers and you essentially had one to yourself. I am glad that you enjoyed the event.

Corinna

 

[JKSWonder]

It seriously makes no sense that they wouldn't have enough merchandise for sale. I mean, that's the money maker for them, right?

I would not be annoyed about the long character lines. I would totally expect that and would only go in with a hope of nabbing my top one or two absolute faves, if I approached any at all. I think I would be satisfied just seeing them all out and about.

However, if I did not get a goody bag, I would get ticked. You know exactly how many tickets you sold so you should know exactly how many goody bags you should have on hand. Same thing with the maps.

 

[MEK]

Cool party! I haven't read that many good things about it, but it looks like you had a really fun, full night! Nice!

Those drinks with the light up skull looks cool. We got something like that for Star Wars - death star and light saber.

Neat that there were characters roaming around HBD.

Oh that man's costume! Priceless. Great paparazzi shot of him!

Yay for 25 minutes for TSM.

I hate summer nights where the humidity never dies. That sounds tough.

Thanks for sharing so many great shots of the party!

 

[jenseib]

You turned into a real magnet for unplanned character interactions. I had to laugh that people stood in a long line for the Stormtroopers and you essentially had one to yourself. I am glad that you enjoyed the event.

Corinna

I know! I really lucked out with the storm troopers. I bet those outfits are hot though!

It seriously makes no sense that they wouldn't have enough merchandise for sale. I mean, that's the money maker for them, right?

Exactly! They know how many tickets they have for sale, so they need to have that plus extra for both maps and treat bags and then lots of shirts, etc. They know they will sell them eventually even if they have extra.

I would not be annoyed about the long character lines. I would totally expect that and would only go in with a hope of nabbing my top one or two absolute faves, if I approached any at all. I think I would be satisfied just seeing them all out and about.

I expect it too, though they were even longer than I thought they would be for some of the characters, but that is just how it is when rarer characters come out.

However, if I did not get a goody bag, I would get ticked. You know exactly how many tickets you sold so you should know exactly how many goody bags you should have on hand. Same thing with the maps.

I am glad I left early so I could at least get one. I heard that by closing time they were already out.

Cool party! I haven't read that many good things about it, but it looks like you had a really fun, full night! Nice!

Yeah, a lot of people were not happy, thought I still think it went better than the one Villains evening they had about a year ago.

Those drinks with the light up skull looks cool. We got something like that for Star Wars - death star and light saber.

Yes, I thought the light up skull was pretty cool and made for a "prize" for Claire too!

Neat that there were characters roaming around HBD.

It was a total surprise to us and we were so excited about that.

Oh that man's costume! Priceless. Great paparazzi shot of him!

Wasn't it great?

Yay for 25 minutes for TSM.

I hate summer nights where the humidity never dies. That sounds tough.

Thanks for sharing so many great shots of the party!

It's so hard to believe it can be so hot late at night. And we had a milder summer this year at home, so the lows were like our highs most of the summer. Of course last summer was a different story!

 

[jenseib]

As I walked out, I took one last picture of Olaf, because he was so darn cute.





And I walked over to the boat launch as I was too tired to walk back to the Dolphin.

On the boat, I took this picture of one of the cards they had handed us. On the back there are autographs.



On the boat, a little boy was sitting by himself on the window ledge and fell asleep in the funniest position. I was sitting at the back, but inside and I think his parents were sitting just outside the window. It was just the cutest thing.

I exited back at the Dolphin and made my way back to the car.





















I made it to the car and it was still all wet from the rain earlier so I ran the wipers and had to turn on the defrost because it was so steamy and hot outside that everything was fogging up.

I headed out to the gate where I waited behind a guy who was having issues getting the gate to open for him and he had to get out of his truck and do a few things before it open. It was finally my turn and put my validation ticket in for parking and it kept giving me an error. UGH. I had noticed earlier when everyone else was leaving that they had CM out there helping them exit, so I wondered if there was a problem with the tickets. So I hit the help button and explain my problem. They ask if I had the original white ticket….yes I do….put that in first and then the validation ticket for payment. OMG! I am sure they all had a good laugh about that one. It worked like a charm once I did the right procedure!

The drive back was quick and I parked and went back to my room. I was so hot and as soon as I walked in my door I stripped down......another nice thing about staying by yourself. I was just soooo hot and I thought about a shower, but I just didn’t have the energy, so I decided to just wash up. And I was in luck! I had left a note to ask for extra washcloths that morning since I didn’t have any before and I had a pile of about 6, plus some on the racks. I felt much better after wiping down with a cool cloth and got ready for bed.

This guy was greeting me tonight.



I plopped in bed and I have to tell you these new mattresses are super comfy. I made a note to myself to strip the bed in the morning to find out what kind they were as we may be getting a new mattress at home in the next year or so.
As I drifted off to sleep I heard the fireworks start up. Oh well, I guess I will miss them, but that was fine with me. What can be more magical than hearing fireworks in the distance as you drift off to sleep?

 

[KatMark]

This is probably the last update I'll get to (I have to still finish packing, laundry and we leave early Friday morning).

Smart move on taking the boat back to the Dolphin, and I I love the pictures as you walked through the Dolphin.

I am glad you got it figured out with getting your car out.

What a cute animal Mousekeeping left for you. I would have wanted a shower too, but when you are that tired, a quick washing off does the trick.

And nothing better than Disney fireworks to take you to dream land.

 

[mattyo]

Great pics!

 

[jenseib]

This is probably the last update I'll get to (I have to still finish packing, laundry and we leave early Friday morning).

Smart move on taking the boat back to the Dolphin, and I I love the pictures as you walked through the Dolphin.

I am glad you got it figured out with getting your car out.

What a cute animal Mousekeeping left for you. I would have wanted a shower too, but when you are that tired, a quick washing off does the trick.

And nothing better than Disney fireworks to take you to dream land.

Have fun! I hope to have a lot posted in the next week...maybe even done, but you know how that goes.

Great pics!

Thanks

 

[MEK]

A

How cute is he? OMG! It's perfect!

I love those fountains at night. Last October we stayed at BWV and our view was of that super cool fountain. It was such a treat to sit on our balcony at night and just stare at it.

I never thought about parking at the Swan/Dolphin. Great idea. I will keep that tip in mind and I am sure I will screw up the ticket as well.

 

[jenseib]

How cute is he? OMG! It's perfect!

I love those fountains at night. Last October we stayed at BWV and our view was of that super cool fountain. It was such a treat to sit on our balcony at night and just stare at it.

I never thought about parking at the Swan/Dolphin. Great idea. I will keep that tip in mind and I am sure I will screw up the ticket as well.

You just have to be smarter than the machine...which evidently I am not!

 

[jenseib]

Day 3, August 24, 2014, Sunday

I had set my alarm once again for 6 AM. I did not really have too many issues getting up because I really had slept so well. The new mattresses at CBR are like heaven. Before I left I even took the sheet back so I could see what kind they were…..just so you know they are BeautyRest.

I got showered and gathered everything together in my suitcase. I wasn’t moving fast, but I wasn’t moving slow either.

My plans had changed though. Originally I planned to get up early, even earlier than 6 and get right ready and going and head over to Universal. I was moving hotels today and I was heading off to Royal Pacific. My plan had been to get over there and get checked in and then go to early entry at Universal Studios and head directly back to Diagon Alley. It was a good plan too! I knew all would have to work well for me to get up and get going that early, but I knew it would be worth it.

Well that plan went right out the window a few days before my trip.
A “mystery” friend had contacted me via facebook and started out by saying “I know you have plans to head to Universal early on Sunday……BUT…….I can get you in the Magic Kingdom for free that morning if you would like to ride the Mine Train”.

I have to admit, I was shocked and not quite sure what to do. I hadn’t done a lot of planning for this trip, but I did have a few things set in my mind already. Did I really want to give up going to early entry at Universal? It could mean I might have to wait 3 plus hours to ride Gringotts. And after all the whole reason I added this extra day was so I could go there especially for Diagon Alley.
Of course I would be a complete idiot if I gave up a chance to go on the Mine Train….who knows when I’ll be back to WDW and I told her after thinking it over for about 5.8 seconds….. YES!
She had told me a time and place to meet. Mystery friend has asked to remain anonymous so I won’t be talking about her too much from here on out.

Once packed I took everything out to the car, and then I headed to the food court to get something to eat.

My camera was really fogging up this morning, so some of my shots have a glow to them.



And yes, it was already steaming hot outside.





As I crossed over the island I saw that the playground gates were open and I walked through there quickly and took a few shots on the way.







Today I decided on a chocolate muffin and large milk. Would you believe that this was actually a few cents higher than the whole kids meal I had gotten yesterday…and not nearly as filling either, but it was still good.



I then made a pitstop in the bathrooms.



And then I walked out front to catch the bus.







I took a seat and waited. Of course every bus BUT the MK bus came. I texted Jeanne. She was going to meet me as well this morning and we were going to head to the Mine Train together. Her daughter Holly had not yet rode it either. She was at the bus stop as well at her resort.
Both of us got on the bus about the same time, but she said she had a scooter that was being loaded so she would probably be a little later than me.
This was my only experience of catching a bus from CBR and it was perfect as this was the last stop and we headed directly to the parks as soon as I boarded.

It wasn’t long and I was walking up to the MK…and they were already advertising MNSSHP.



I sure wish this had started already as I would’ve loved to have gone.



My friend Nikki said a few days later the park started putting up the Halloween décor as well.

I headed to bag check. I think it was around 8:10 at this point.



I waited off to the side and found Mystery friend and shortly after that Jeanne and Holly arrived.









We got in line…most were already pretty long, but they hadn’t opened many either. After a few minutes they opened a few more off to the right and we made the mad dash over there. We were now very close to the front.

The train arrived and the opening show started….I have never seen this and I can still say I still have never SEEN this. I did hear it though at least this time. We were under the train station basically waiting to get in and the call of the Mine Train was stronger than my desire to see this show.

Soon we were let in and Mystery friend had to leave. They walked us back behind ropes. Jeanne said we had to stay to the right. So we did. As we walked slowly along Main Street, we took the right sidewalk, but was always mindful of staying behind the CM’s walking everyone in.



As we got to the hub we went to the right and came to a stop. We were on the extreme right side and waited till they started to walk us back towards the Mine Train. Then we started off slowly, but then it was more of a brisk walk. Everyone had one destination in mind and we all tried to behave, but keep our spot as well.

As we approached the queue the CM told us Mine Train to the right and we got right in. Not too many people ahead of us either. Jeanne pointed out the crowd coming in from the left side. Word of advice…don’t go left! Those people had to fight to get in line with the whole group that came in from the right and they were at least 30 seconds behind us. That’s a lot of time when people are flowing into a queue.



Needless to say we continuously walked through the whole queue without stopping…I did try and take a few shots as I went though.

 

[jenseib]

Jeanne started counting the people in front of us and she hollered back “I think we’re going to make the first train!”







The theming is GREAT!







As we arrived an EMPTY train was pulling out….but we made it….we were going to be on the first passenger vehicle of the day!



We loaded up and were ready to go!



Wooohooooo!!!



Jeanne hollered up to me to turn around and took this picture!





My view at the top.





And here we gooooooooo!!!!!!!!!





I took a lot of blurry pictures on this ride.



After twisting and turning a bit we slow down and got through the Dwarves mine.

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a fantastic opportunity to get a bonus visit to Magic Kingdom and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. I would have jumped on this as well. The ride looks great and I can't wait to experience this for myself next year.

Corinna

 

[mom2rtk]

Man, I'm feeling hot and tired just reading your report on the party. I can't even imagine what it was like there that night, especially with so many people packed in there. Looks like fun though, practically tripping over so many villains!

And the man dresses as Ursula? OMG! How hysterical and amazing all at once! I'm so glad you brought a photo back for us!

That towel puppy is adorable!

And I'm giving you a pass on being bested by the parking machine. I can't believe your brain cells hung in there as long as they did that day. Mine would have been dead by the end of the seminar!

Maybe you should have just stuffed that mattress in your suitcase to bring home with you!

Is there any better sight than the gates out in front of the MK before it opens? What an awesome start to your day. I'm so jealous you got to squeeze in a trip on the Mine Train. Now you don't need to get back to WDW for a few years again, right? Oh right, Claire still needs to ride!

 

[natebenma]

Loved all the pictures of the Dolphin at night. Especially the fountain (the actual fountain, not the restaurant).

Too funny about the trouble getting out of the parking lot. Just what you need at the end of an exhausting day.

Wow, what a great offer from your Mystery friend!!! Hard to pass that up, and I'm glad you didn't

for the Mine Train and being on the first train of cars of the day!

You got some really great pictures of the experience.

 

[jenseib]

What a fantastic opportunity to get a bonus visit to Magic Kingdom and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. I would have jumped on this as well. The ride looks great and I can't wait to experience this for myself next year.

Corinna

It was such a nice bonus! I am so glad I took Mystery Friend up on it!

Man, I'm feeling hot and tired just reading your report on the party. I can't even imagine what it was like there that night, especially with so many people packed in there. Looks like fun though, practically tripping over so many villains!

It was so stinking hot!

And the man dresses as Ursula? OMG! How hysterical and amazing all at once! I'm so glad you brought a photo back for us!

I thought it was really funny too. He put a lot of work in that costume!

That towel puppy is adorable!



And I'm giving you a pass on being bested by the parking machine. I can't believe your brain cells hung in there as long as they did that day. Mine would have been dead by the end of the seminar!

I am sure if I wasn't tired I would've had the same problem.

Maybe you should have just stuffed that mattress in your suitcase to bring home with you!

If it would've fit...I might have tried!

Is there any better sight than the gates out in front of the MK before it opens? What an awesome start to your day. I'm so jealous you got to squeeze in a trip on the Mine Train. Now you don't need to get back to WDW for a few years again, right? Oh right, Claire still needs to ride!

I think that was the first time I have ever been there for opening....maybe many years ago I did, but don't remember it. You can get a lot done at opening.
Yes...that's my excuse...Claire needs to go!

Loved all the pictures of the Dolphin at night. Especially the fountain (the actual fountain, not the restaurant).

Too funny about the trouble getting out of the parking lot. Just what you need at the end of an exhausting day.

Wow, what a great offer from your Mystery friend!!! Hard to pass that up, and I'm glad you didn't

for the Mine Train and being on the first train of cars of the day!

You got some really great pictures of the experience.

I love my Mystery Friend....it was so nice!
I was so excited about being on the first train too. It's such a great ride! I can't wait to take Claire.

 

[jenseib]

We sped along again and then came to a stop outside the cute Dwarves Cottage.













Then we pulled into the station and I quick got a picture of the old Hag.



When we got off Jeanne went to check out the wait time now and it was already at an hour.
So what did I think of it? AWESOME! It was really fun and cute.
It also was funny as many people on facebook asked me how long I waited in line….Um zero minutes technically! It really paid off going at opening and using the strategy that Jeanne had.

Before parting ways I had Holly take a picture of Jeanne and I.



Actually she took like 10. LOL. My phone just kept clicking them over and over.

We said goodbye and I think they were heading to Peter Pan or something in that area. I decided since I was in the park I would hit a few things before leaving.



The first thing I hit was the bathroom!











And you can never get enough pictures of Rapunzel’s tower.



As I walked by the Haunted Mansion I noticed it was walk on so I stopped there first.











I waited for the guy hanging but it never happened…..and I crazy? There usually is a guy in the ceiling hanging right? Well not today.



I always try to get pictures on this ride and most never turn out.









That was a nice ride and a good way to cool off for a bit.

 

[MEK]

Nice Jen! I totally would have jumped on that MK admission and a ride on Mine Train. How perfect is that! Good job trying to get pictures on the ride. I am going to ride it with a FP before MNSSHP and I'm not even sure it I want to try.