The Pirate Queen & her King take on WDW: no plans attached. midday naps & no maps!

[smileycrissy]

We ordered the same thing. a well done burger with bacon, cheddar, and topped off with sauteed onions.

Best nap of my life.
or, should I say... best series of naps of my life![/SIZE][/COLOR]

I'm salivating over the burger, thanks for making me hungry!

I constantly toss & turn in my sleep but when we stayed at the Swalphin with those sheets, I didn't budge. They weigh you down and knock you right out.

I am really spoiled by these hotels so I agree with booking a nights stay every once in awhile. I went to visit my sister's room in Saratoga Springs when she was here the past few days, it was really nice but I prefer the Dolphin. You just can't beat their views - well maybe you can if you stayed at the Contemporary or Poly but for now I'm a fan of the Dolphin.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

Woah... LOVE the view of DHS from the Dolphin. and that's a great pic. I really do love those hotels. If we do become DVC members, we'll have to remind ourselves to book a night or two at the Swolphin during annivs. They really are lovely, upscale and a nice grownup break from the busy-ness of disney

Seriously. In addition to the bars and upscale dining in the hotel, the Boardwalk, Jellyrolls, the dance hall, and Epcot's international gateway are walkable. That's several different ways to get cultured, trashed, watch fireworks, get romantic, and stumble home for more fireworks. Although you could also DVC on the BoardWalk (I think), and play in the Swolphin.

 

[jaci-h]

Small update... my preschool class pooped me out today. I'm going to bed in a moment.

I wanted to share my happy dance of the night (aside from being treated to margs after work)

WE GOT OUR PHOTOPASS CD IN!!!!!


Now let me just say... it wasn't exactly worth it for a normal trip. We ended up with about 90 photos after I edited, but this wasn't a normal trip! It was our honeymoon and I dearly love the photos we got out of it

 

[TruBlu]

Small update... my preschool class pooped me out today. I'm going to bed in a moment.

Nothing like a DESPERADO to go to bed instead of posting on the DIS!

 

[jaci-h]

We left off at the wonderful kickoff nap of our trip. It was great.

BUT DH was so tired... he wanted to sleep much longer than I anticipated. I mean, I was planning on sleeping til 2pm and then getting up and sprinting to EPCOT to begin our time in the parks.

DH wasn't super happy with me when I began jumping up and down on the bed, shouting "we're at Disney World!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

after battling over waking up (I had to pull the covers off the poor guy and push him out of bed with my feet), we got our stuff together and made our way down to the ferry.

...and missed it by a minute.

But in true Desperado fashion we decided it would be nice to sit on a bench and enjoy the view!

I really adore the boardwalk hotel. and it's where we [later] stumbled upon the DVC model and decided to give it a peeksy... which may have changed the way we vacation forever

anyways... we made it through the countries...

with a pitstop in England. People were calling that phone booth like CRAZY. Dh and I decided against answering it, as we weren't in the mood for an awkward phone conversation.

now... we made it to the futureworld part of EPCOT and my stomach started feeling funny. I told DH to find me a bathroom ASAP because I didn't want to ruin anyone's vacation by yakking in a trashcan in front of their children!

so he ran into mousegears and found a nice sympathetic cast member to lead us to a bathroom. From there, you don't need details . Lets just say it wasn't a highlight of our trip.

Now, I refuse to think it was the food we ate. 1) because it was so darn good, and 2) it was like 3.5 hours after eating and it went away super fast.

I think the issue was a) the inside of that boat was h-o-t. as it was hot outside. b) we got up really early and traveled and I was exhausted. and c) I was so excited I overexerted myself!

Needless to say, we ran back to the international gateway hopped on a boat and got off at the boardwalk to get some pepto & powerades. By then we decided to walk the short distance back to the swan and lay back down.

It was a win-win situation. and we slept. For 3 hours!!!!!!!!!!!

I apologize that my TR has not been super exciting yet. Don't leave me... it's all magic past this chapter!!!!!!

 

[Aimros]

Subbing in! My goal for our next trip to WDW, which coincidentally is our honeymoon, is to be relaxed and enjoy ourselves! That's why I opted out against the deluxe dining plan, because I felt like it scheduled our vacation WAY too much. I am planning on making ADR's for the places we really want to go, but we're also planning a spa/golf day which we've never done, and possible a day off-property (gasp!). I'd like the option of sleeping in and deciding what park we're going to go to when we wake up, rather than planning that out a year in advance like I usually do .

I LOVE the looks of the Swan/Dolphin. I had briefly considered it when I realized we couldn't afford Boardwalk/Beach/Yacht . We LOVE Epcot and DHS, they are our two favorite parks, so someday we will need to stay in that area!

By the way, you're gorgeous, with & without makeup - you definitely didn't need any disclaimer!

 

[reelmom]

Sorry you got sick. I hope you felt better the rest of the trip. I have the numbers to the EPCOT phone booths if you would like them. That way you can be one of the ones calling it like crazy.

 

[smileycrissy]

By the way, you're gorgeous, with & without makeup - you definitely didn't need any disclaimer!

I agree with Aimros.

I love the Boardwalk as well, its so pretty during the day and night. It's great for photos at anytime of the day. I'm trying to get DF to walk it several times a week as an exercise plan. But what I really like is that it gives you the Disney dose you need without having to step into a park.

Tell the Pirate King he HAS to go to Jellyrolls with you next time. You guys will have a lot of fun there.

 

[LisaKeys]

Aimros - when we stay off property (which will be for half of our trip this coming January with the first 7 days at CSR) we love the Best Western Lake Buena Vista in DTD. The disney view king room (or 2 queens) can't be beat for the $$. Large rooms with a balcony to sit and watch the fireworks from two different parks. Talk about relaxing

 

[Aimros]

Aimros - when we stay off property (which will be for half of our trip this coming January with the first 7 days at CSR) we love the Best Western Lake Buena Vista in DTD. The disney view king room (or 2 queens) can't be beat for the $$. Large rooms with a balcony to sit and watch the fireworks from two different parks. Talk about relaxing

Thanks for the tip LisaKeys! We really love staying on-property and will be at POR for our honeymoon... but I will remember that for the future in case we ever decide to venture out of the Disney bubble just a bit.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

Woah... LOVE the view of DHS from the Dolphin.

Organizing my photo collection and found some pics from the other side of the Dolphin when I was there on business... a few years before I stayed for fun. I think it is considered the "pool view"... but it seems you get a great view of DHS and AK in the distance. Will post them later.

Waste of a great room, I was working a conference 8am-11pm in the "most miserable place on earth".

You can see DHS in this pic...

...and you can see AK off to the right in this one.

 

[jaci-h]

Before I start writing my next chapter of this TR, I wanted to mention what DH said to me earlier tonight. We were sitting on the couch watching tv and I was bugging him. Tickling his feet, armpits, smacking him in the face and hiding.. that kind of thing. You know what he said? "Go write your trip report or something!"

-----------
We left off with my rather sickly moment causing us to go back and get another nap. So we did. around 7pm I was feeling much better and trying not to be upset about wasting a little park time. Dh told me to calm down and we decided that we'd get a little room service for eats before heading to magic kingdom to kick off our first night at Disney with Wishes.

Se we decided to order a pizza from off property...Anthony's it's called and the Swan endorses it as a place to order from. So we got a peppers, onion, and sausage pizza. It was pretty delish. (We have 4 different pizzas on this trip and it probably ranked at #3 but it was still really great!)

so we zipped out of there. Waited 20 mins for a bus (we actually missed it, but made a rule about no running on this trip, not even for buses) and ended up at MK around 9:15. We were in the gates by 9:30 when the last parade float was going by. It was Pete's Dragon! He was so cute. I myself am a huge spectro fan, but the MSEP floats were sweet, too.

I was so distracted by the floats and music, I completely forgot that I was about to see the castle .

As I walked up to the shops (we were surpassing the crowd), that castle popped up. and for some strange reason it took me by surprise. and caused instant tears. It was blue. and looked somewhat like this:

man. I'm crying right now, just thinking of that moment! I don't know what it is about that castle. It really inspires me. Even seeing a glimpse of it from another part of the park takes my breath away! I'm sure you all have similar experiences.

So we got to a good spot to stake out for Wishes (after having to explain to DH that space mountain would be waiting for us) and took some pictures.

By the way, that's DH's "I'm tired of taking pictures" face.

We people watched. and saw a man turn around, not realizing his kid in the stroller was rolling away. The stroller ran into another guest. After the initial horror, we had a darn good laugh at that one.

FINALLY! It dimmed. and it started. [Oh man, I'm tearing up again just thinking about it!] and I started bawling. and since it was dark, I could ugly cry without feeling crazy. I felt like I had IT ALL. My wonderful new husband was next to me with his arms around me, I was watching my absolute favorite show, in front of the castle. I cried during 75% of Wishes. It reminds me of the magical childhood I had, that my prince came ("someday my prince will come!") and that I want my children to have the same experience.

It took me 10 mins to write that paragraph, no kidding. because I'm still bawling.

It meant so much to me that my husband finally could understand how I feel about that place! MK for Wishes on the first night was one of the best choices we made on this trip.

Up next:
We take MK by storm during late EMH til 1:30am!!!!!

also, I'm going to try and add a couple chapters tomorrow

 

[Suellen]

sounds like my kind of trip!

 

[TruBlu]

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Just started page one and love it already! DH and I never have any set plans for our trips to Disney. I read all of these reports and people have ADRs for every day and I can't decide on more than one.

 

[ChristiBell]

Just started the trip report and I'm loving it! Every trip I have taken to WDW has been planned to a different level. For me planning is half the fun, but one of my favorite trips was the summer that I called my boys from work and said, "Do you guys want to go to Disney?" They said, "Sure. When?" "How about this weekend?" I was on the phone with the travel agent Wednesday afternoon, and on the road to Disney Saturday! (Thanks Leslie!!!) NO planning, LOTS of fun!

 

[jaci-h]

sounds like my kind of trip!

Glad you're enjoying my TR

Dh caught me here in the office of our home sobbing on the desk and it stressed him out! And he hugged me and told me we could go back as soon as possible. I love that man!

Just started page one and love it already! DH and I never have any set plans for our trips to Disney. I read all of these reports and people have ADRs for every day and I can't decide on more than one.

Lots of TRs on this site stress me out. sometimes people wonder why their kids act out on the trips? because they're retaliating! kids need naps & downtime!!!! Its a fact of life.

Just started the trip report and I'm loving it! Every trip I have taken to WDW has been planned to a different level. For me planning is half the fun, but one of my favorite trips was the summer that I called my boys from work and said, "Do you guys want to go to Disney?" They said, "Sure. When?" "How about this weekend?" I was on the phone with the travel agent Wednesday afternoon, and on the road to Disney Saturday! (Thanks Leslie!!!) NO planning, LOTS of fun!

Bah, those are the best! I'm hoping DH surprises me with a trip during Christmas

 

[smileycrissy]

Dh caught me here in the office of our home sobbing on the desk and it stressed him out! And he hugged me and told me we could go back as soon as possible. I love that man!


Bah, those are the best! I'm hoping DH surprises me with a trip during Christmas

Aw, he's a sweetie.

I hope you are able to come for Christmas. I'm dying to check out the castle with the icicle effect or the Osborne Lights.

 

[jaci-h]

[sorry it took me so long to update. This week was a long week and I am REALLY SICK today. A 2 year old sneezed in my mouth at work and now I have this insane cold. I will try to be better about my updates!]
So we left off with me and my teary sentimentality about Wishes & seeing the castle, etc.

Well after Wishes was over it was time for our first Extra Magic Hours experience! I'm very grateful that Disney includes the swan & dolphin in this benefit.

DH grabbed my hand and whipped me out of sight toward Frontierland. We walked and ooohed and aaaahed.

We decided on our very first ride at Disney to be.... BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAIL ROAD!!!

I've never ridden it in the dark. Lets just say the dark makes it 10 times scarier, which was totally unexpected because I consider that one a baby ride

as we rode it, every time I could see the castle while on it I'd point and yell "CASTLE!!!!" and DH would roll his eyes.

After that, we made it over to Haunted Mansion and jumped on after waiting about 5 minutes.

Waiting in line at HM.

So, the part where it goes dark in the chamber, if you look up you can see very faintly a dead person hanging. DH looks up and yells "there's a dead person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". It was pretty humorous. I could hear some of the adults in our group chuckling. So we ride it and find our first hidden mickey in the dancing ghost scene (my favorite).

After that we jump out and take a route through Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. We pass the teacups which I point out because I have NEVER ridden them and DH vetoes partially because of my upset stomach earlier in the day and mostly because he doesn't like spinning rides.

We go get in line for buzz.

I know tons of people on Dis dislike buzz, but I think its cute! And unfortunately, Toy Story Mania was down on refurb starting the next day (and I'm not crazy enough to go try to ride it the day before it goes on refurb). Oh and while we're on the subject of Refurbs, SMALL WORLD was down! That's a ride I love-to-hate and one of the default rides I like to do in hot weather (which we had plenty of) as break.

anyway, we waited maybe 10 mins for buzz. and I got whooped.

My pitiful score

DH's insane 10x mine score

After that, DH REALLY wanted to ride Carousel of Progress. I haven't really ever heard of it and got the impression from Dis that it was silly, but I didn't complain. It was air conditioned and I didn't have to stand up

So we rode it. and sort of made silly under our breath jokes about it. and nearing the end, during a brief moment of silence on the ride DH, well, FARTED! and then it was all over for us. We could barely make it through the last scene without being disruptive due to our laughter (there were only 4 other people in there with us). Oh... my husband. Adding that to the many reasons why I love him.

by then my feet were starting to hurt and it was about midnight. DH wanted ride Space Mountain of course, but we looked and the wait was 60 mins? NO WAY! We made a rule that on this trip we wait no more than 30 mins for rides. Even the best ones.

So we said "oh, another day we'll come and do it!" and that was that. I wasn't quite ready to leave yet, so we hopped on the Peoplemover I've never been on it before and it was fun to see all the stuff that tomorrowland has from a different angle.

At last, the night was over. It was about 1:30 when we headed to leave but FIRST! we stopped to get our first photopass pics [bought the prepay cd]! They are wonderful Even though we didn't have more than 50 photos on the photopass it was worth it for a trip like our honeymoon. Next time we prepay for it, we'll more likely use it better if we have two or more small children

The Castle is the exact shade of green as DH's shirt!

My favorite, mostly because I love black and white photos

Its true dreams do come true there!

That's all folks! Next time: Epcot & CHEF MICKEY'S!!!!!!!!

Its amazing how much you can do at such a leisurely pace in two or three hours!

 

[Missyrose]

What an amazing night at MK

Great castle pictures, keep the updates coming!