SWW 2013:One tiny goal: A picture with every character!-New 6/11 - Link to TR

[MyKidsMom1820]

Love your PTR! Hey, by hubby is named Kenny too! And one of my sons!

We will be there a week ahead of you.

 

[lsenquiz]

Love your PTR! Hey, by hubby is named Kenny too! And one of my sons!

We will be there a week ahead of you.

Welcome and thanks. I wonder if your DH is as picky as mine? he can not stand to be called Ken or Kenneth it has to be Kenny

 

[indimom]

Good luck with the healthy eating.
I definitely understand that struggle. I've completely fallen off that wagon since I went back to school. It's hard to work full time, go to school full time, keep up with the house and do everything I want to with the family... and still find time to eat healthy and work out.
I was totally slacking last year.
Luckily, this semester is arranged a bit better and I've found some time to work out. DD is trying to help me out with the cooking. So, hopefully, I'll drop a few pounds by our July trip also!

 

[lsenquiz]

DD is trying to help me out with the cooking. So, hopefully, I'll drop a few pounds by our July trip also!

If your DD likes to cook tell her to check out the following recipe blog. I stumbled across it a couple of years ago and her recipes are amazing. SkinnyTaste.com

 

[lsenquiz]

As you know our trip is scheduled for May 25th - June 8th. 14 whole days. This will be our longest trip yet. Right now I have reservations at Beach Club Resort for the whole two weeks. Because I spend WAY too much time on these boards, I am now second guessing this decision.

For the first time ever, I am wondering if we should do a split stay. I am the type of person that likes to drive up to the resort, unpack the car and park it until it comes time to go home. However, our stays are normally for 1 week.

So with a 14 day trip I am wondering if we should consider a split stay. The only reason why I would even consider this is because we have wanted to see Fort Wilderness for a few years. For the last two trips I have had a trip over there in my plans but they always got ditched for higher priorities.

Now the big question is if you were going to be there for 14 days would you do it all at the same resort or split stay?

I am trying to make a list of pros and cons so if you have any please through them in:

Split Stay Pros(WL/BCR)
Get to experience a resort we have never been to
Boat ride to MK while at WL
Chip /Dale Campfire at WL without a long trek back to our resort
Fireworks from the Beach at WL without a long trek back to our resort

Split Stay ConsHave to pack up during our trip and move to another resort
We may miss our beloved EPCOT resort area alot

 

[indimom]

If your DD likes to cook tell her to check out the following recipe blog. I stumbled across it a couple of years ago and her recipes are amazing. SkinnyTaste.com

Thanks for that. She does like to cook and she was a little ticked at me last night. I apparently threw away her stash of "cooking light" magazine. Maybe this will win me some brownie points.

 

[lsenquiz]

Day 1 - Fri May 24th​

I am still on the fence about the split stay so I am going to move forward with my PTR assuming that we are going to be at the Beach Club the whole two weeks.

Our plan is to leave our house Friday morning May 24th and head to my father's house which is in Leesburg Florida. It should take us about 6 1/2 to 7 hours to get there. We will spend several hours with my dad and then head here:


doubletree by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
The Doubletree in DTD(Picture from DB Website)

This is always our choice for a hotel when we are arriving in Orlando in the evenings(I have a thing about paying $300 a night for a room if we are not going to use it for the whole day so we will head to BC in the morning.). The rooms are huge and the price is low(especially with a AAA discount).

We should arrive at the hotel at dinner time. We will get checked in, grab our complementary cookies(can't stay at the DB without them) and then head upstairs to drop off our bag. I alway make sure to pack everything we need for the first night in one bag so we do not have much to bring up to the room. Every room is a suite so there is always plenty of room:


db rooms by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
The Rooms at the Doubletree(Picture from DB Website)

After dropping off our bag we will head downstairs and I will more than likely grab a quick beverage here(I love to kick my vacations off with a cocktail):


DB lounge by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Doubletree Lounge(Picture from DB Website)

By now it will be dinner time. Our plan is to go here(I love their sushi selection):


benihana by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Benihana's(Picture from Benihana Website.

After dinner we will head back to the room and enjoy an early night. We want to be up bright and early in the morning to head to the Beach Club

 

[indimom]

I'll have to keep that Doubletree in mind if we're ever on the lookout for an off site suite. We really enjoyed our last stay at a Doubletree (and the cookies didn't hurt).
Now that our kids are older, we've taken to traveling through the night because I hate paying for a hotel just to sleep for a few hours. (Well, that and it makes the drive into a full two days, blah.)

 

[lsenquiz]

Day 2 - Sat May 25th(1st Half)​

This day starts off with us waking up at the Doubletree in DTD. I suspect we will all be up bright and early as we will be excited to head over the our resort choice for the next two weeks. I will jump in the shower first while DH makes himself some (he can not even shower before he has his first cup.) As soon as I am done DH will jump in the shower and I will take care of making sure DS8 gets up and dressed. I will also pack everything back up which will take no time at all since we just brought one bag up to the room. Once we are all ready we will head down here:


doubletree breakfast by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Doubletree website

The Doubletree has an excellent breakfast buffet. In addition to the normal stuff they also have a made to order omelet and waffle station.

After a filling breakfast we will head here: Our home for the next two weeks


BeachClub_004_Front_Entrance_JPG_2 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Build a better mouse trip

We will get all checked in(I am leaning towards not doing online check in as I want to be able to make a plea incase we do not get a full balcony). Since I doubt our room will be ready we will head here:


StormAlongBay_006_Lazy_River_JPG by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Build a better mouse trip


StormAlongBay_005_Lazy_River_JPG by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Build a better mouse trip

I am hoping to snag a chair here because I suspect this is where we will spend most of the day:

StormAlongBay_014_Sandy_Beach_JPG by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Build a better mouse trip


I am also hoping that this will be reopened when we go as I enjoy having a pool side bar available:


Hurricane_Hannas_JPG by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Build a better mouse trip

The plan is to eat lunch here:


BeachClub_034_Beaches_and_Cream_JPG by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Build a better mouse trip


BeachClub_035_Beaches_and_Cream_Dining_Room_JPG by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Build a better mouse trip

After lunch we will head back to the pool and wait for the text letting us know the room is ready.

Once we get that text we will head up and unpack:


beach-club-resort-std-stdv-g00 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from Disney Website

Our reservation is for a standard view room.

Up next - Day 2 second half

 

[lsenquiz]

Day 2 - Sat May 25th(2nd Half)​

When we left off last our tummy's were full from lunch at Beaches and Cream and we had just finished unpacking. So now that we are settled in the room we will get cleaned up and take a leasurely walk over to here:


International-Gateway-for-EPCOT-1024x670 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

We need to get our Annual Passes so we will do this at the Guest Services outside of the international gateway[/B]. Once that is complete we will head into EPCOT and see if we can get a fastpass for this:


epcot-soarin_edited by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

With the annual passes and hopefully FPs taken care of we will do some exploring in the world showcase where I am sure to stop and enjoy one(or 2) of these:


epcot slushie by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

Afer we are done exploring we will head over to the Boardwalk. As you know this is where we usually stay and we love this area. We will spend a little time watching the entertainers on the Boardwalk and then head here for dinner:


BigRiver_exterior by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

The Big River Grill is a tradition for us. We always eat dinner here on our first night and we always sit at one of the outside tables. Sitting at that table looking out over the Boardwalk is the point where I start to feel all the stress truely start to wash away.

After dinner we will take a walk around the EPCOT resort area and will end up here:


P1020210 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Finally my own picture!

And finally we will end the evening here:


beachclub movies by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet

Up next a very packed Day 3!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Sounds great so far! I love the Boardwalk area...so pretty! Great way to end the day...a movie on the beach!

 

[indimom]

Looks like an awesome start! Can't wait to hear more of your plans.

 

[danicaca]

I am here, and enjoying your plans so far! I thought our 11 days was a long time! So jelly of your extra 3 days - oh the things I could plan... I am right there with you on the weight loss! I gained so much after our last trip, about 30 pounds also, and on that trip, I felt like I needed to lose weight! I am currently back down to my weight I was on our last trip, and still losing. I started WW last week, but I will post more about that in my PTR tomorrow after I have my first weigh-in! Hoping changing the plan will get my weight loss going again! Looking forward to seeing more about your trip! If we could drive (been there, done that, never again) we would probably be staying at BC. One day...flights are just too expensive, and really eat away at the resort budget!

 

[lsenquiz]

Sounds great so far! I love the Boardwalk area...so pretty! Great way to end the day...a movie on the beach!

I agree. I love starting our vacation like this. It really puts me in vacation mode.

Looks like an awesome start! Can't wait to hear more of your plans.

I should be posting more Friday. This week has been ridiculous at work. Can't wait to get back what I really love to do. Plan my Disney trips.

 

[lsenquiz]

I am here, and enjoying your plans so far! I thought our 11 days was a long time! So jelly of your extra 3 days - oh the things I could plan... I am right there with you on the weight loss! I gained so much after our last trip, about 30 pounds also, and on that trip, I felt like I needed to lose weight! I am currently back down to my weight I was on our last trip, and still losing. I started WW last week, but I will post more about that in my PTR tomorrow after I have my first weigh-in! Hoping changing the plan will get my weight loss going again! Looking forward to seeing more about your trip! If we could drive (been there, done that, never again) we would probably be staying at BC. One day...flights are just too expensive, and really eat away at the resort budget!

. Welcome. I hear you about the flights. If we had to fly we might not get to go at all. I am so grateful that we are less than 8 hours away.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Your plans look terrific!! I love the Boardwalk area!! So pretty and relaxing!!

 

[Kitkat6595]

I'm here as well! I LOVE the Beach Club - what a beautiful resort. We were thinking of eating at Beaches & Cream on our trip. It looks so good. Love your plans so far!

 

[lsenquiz]

I'm here as well! I LOVE the Beach Club - what a beautiful resort. We were thinking of eating at Beaches & Cream on our trip. It looks so good. Love your plans so far!

This will be out first stay at the Beach Club and our first time eating at Beaches and Cream. I know we will love it.

 

[lsenquiz]

Your plans look terrific!! I love the Boardwalk area!! So pretty and relaxing!!

I agree. The Boardwalk is my Happy Place

 

[lsenquiz]

Day 3 - Sun May 26th​

This day has us waking up for the first time at the Beach Club. We will be waking up bright and early and heading here for Star Wars Weekends:


hollywood studios by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

The park doesn't open until 9am but when we went to Star Wars weekends in 2011 we realized that they frequently open the park early on SWW days. So we plan to get there at 8am.

We will be following prodigal. As soon as we enter the park my DH will head here:


TSMania_FP_Machines by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Allears

And my DS and I will be heading to get signed up for this:


Photo0054FourBySix by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

My DS has done Jedi Training 8 times before but he still loves it.

With our FPs and Jedi training admittance ticket in hand we will head here:


star tours by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo Borrowed from the internet

This is DS8s favorite attraction so I suspect we might ride this a few times.

The Star Wars characters will start coming out at 9am so we will spend quite a bit of time meeting and greeting with them. We do have 2 additional days allocated to SWW Character M&Gs so we do not plan to completely exhaust ourselves with this like we did last time we went in 2011.

I will be very happy if we have the following M&Gs taken care of by the time we leave DHS on this day:


SWW donald by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

Since the particular trooper shares a meeting spot with Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, & Vader Goofy we will take whoever we can get.


Shaak Ti, & Mace Windu by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr


luke by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

Hopefully we can get Leia at the same time.


commander cody by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

Fingers crossed that we time this so we can get Captain Rex at the same time


anakin by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

Would be very happy if Queen Amidala was meeting with Anakin.

We will also keep a close eye on the time so we make sure we use our FPs for this within the allotted window:


TSM by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

We plan to find our spot for this at 11:30pm:


P1020090 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

While DS and I are guarding our parade spot my DH will head over here and grab us something to eat while we sit on the curb:


pizza planet by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

The parade is schedule to start at 12:30pm and will finish up by 1pm. Unlike other parades this one only goes from the entrance to the hat.


P1020087 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr


P1020083 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr


After the parade we will head here:


indian jones by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

This is my least favorite attraction in DHS but my DS loves it so we will do it. However, I may need to swing by here and get one of Julie's famous Bloody Marys before we go in.


prime-time-cafe-sign-2 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

After Indiana Jones, we will head back for more character M&Gs. When we have had enough of that we will head over here:

disney jr by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

Even though my DS is eight he still loves this. He is looking forward to the addition of Doc McStuffin.

Next we plan to head to the Art of Animation building. Although we spend a lot of time here on every trip for Characterpalooza we have never actually done the animation class. My DS is really looking forward to it.

After our Animation class we will head back over for some more character M&Gs. We will not have alot of time so we will just focus on seeing a couple of the characters that roam around:


Zam Wesell by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr


Clone trooper by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

My son informs me that this is a Clone Trooper and he would also like to get a Storm Trooper the next time.


We wil hang out in the Star Wars area until it is time for our dinner reservations here:


sci-fi by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

After dinner we will head over for our last attraction of the night - Hyperspace Hoopla:


hoopla by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

This show is such a hoot. It takes place on a stage by the hat but we prefer to watch on the American Idol screen. For us, the crowd just gets to be too much by the stage.

We will head back to the resort after Hoopla. I suspect we will turn in early since we got such an early start to the day and took no breaks.