The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[Charleston Princess]

Gorgeous early morning walk pictures! I love the sun on the buildings!

DD looks like she had a blast at BBB! So fun to get to pick out her own make-up and hairstyle.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Where did you Get the dress DD has on before changing for BBB? Love how it looks more mature!

Also, the pic. With Rapunzel is beautiful.

Thanks! I like those Rapunzel pics too!

That Minnie dress was one of my awesome Walmart clearance finds last year. I think I paid $3 for it! The green Mickey dress that DD wore at CC also came from there. I don't typically buy clothes from Walmart b/c I usually don't see anything I like, but I have noticed that they sometimes have really cute Disney things in the girls section. In fact, I think I saw that Minnie dress there again this year. They go up to size 16 too!!! Might be worth checking your store. I recently found a very cute t-shirt there that looks just like the 'I love NY' shirts but it had a Mickey head in place of NY. Those also went up through junior sizes!

Gorgeous early morning walk pictures! I love the sun on the buildings!

DD looks like she had a blast at BBB! So fun to get to pick out her own make-up and hairstyle.

Thanks! I thought the pink tones of the sunrise were beautiful on the CBR buildings too!

She really did enjoy doing her own thing at BBB... and I managed not to have a meltdown, so all in all it was a success!

 

[MEK]

Oh My - I know I have probably missed more than one update over the past two weeks, but your daughter's BBB appointment looks so fabulous. I love her dress - its really pretty. And I also liked the dress she wore into the parks - so cute. I think her hair turned out lovely, even if the color was a little light. I hear ya though - I would have had to bite my tongue too. But she really does look lovely and you got so many fabulous pictures!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Oh My - I know I have probably missed more than one update over the past two weeks, but your daughter's BBB appointment looks so fabulous. I love her dress - its really pretty. And I also liked the dress she wore into the parks - so cute. I think her hair turned out lovely, even if the color was a little light. I hear ya though - I would have had to bite my tongue too. But she really does look lovely and you got so many fabulous pictures!

Thank you! Believe it or not, the Disney store sold that Rapunzel dress as a nightgown! Seemed crazy to me. It was way too nice to be a nightgown. But it was perfect for a costume because it was made of that satiny, cool fabric and didn't have that itchy stuff underneath.

I love that blue Minnie dress too! I am so excited that DD can still wear it! she usually outgrows everything in just one season, but I'm going to get 2 out of that dress!

It is hard to keep quiet when kids pick stuff out. They just have such, ummm... 'interesting' taste. But she really wanted to prove that she is old enough to do it herself. Just one of those letting go moments as a mother.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Since many of you have expressed your concern over whether or not my DH did in fact starve to death, let me ease your minds and assure you that he is alive and well.

If you recall, he bailed out on us while we were waiting for Rapunzel because he just couldn’t wait that long for something to eat. And if there is one thing the man is good at, it’s sniffing out a meal! Even though it was only 10:30 a.m., he decided to get a burger and fries from…

DD ended up sharing some of his food. I’m not much of a morning eater, so I passed on having a burger and fries for breakfast.

Believe it or not, DD was already asking to change out of her Rapunzel dress. She’d only had it on for about an hour, but she was done with it. Oh well! I took her to the bathroom at CR and she changed back into her Minnie dress.

We hadn’t done anything in Tomorrowland yet, but those Peter Pan FPs were burning a hole in our pockets, so we opted for Fantasyland instead.

And here are those little beauties that DH got for us earlier in the morning…

A huge tourist group (you know the kind that all have matching t-shirts on) made it to the FP line just seconds before us. I was pretty bummed because that one group made the FP line HUGE! Somehow though we got a sprinkling of pixie dust because a CM saw us come in right behind the group and actually opened up one of the side gates in the queue and told us to come on through! We thanked her profusely and she just gave us a wink!

I didn’t even try taking pictures on the ride because they never turn out anyway. When the ride was over, we grabbed another set of FPs for later.

Then it was time for round two of Philharmagic. If you recall, our first showing of the trip was ruined by two terrified and screaming babies. We were hoping to have better luck this time as this is one of our very favorite Disney attractions.

I’m happy to report that there was no screaming this time, just lots of ooohhs and aaahhs!

We loved it as much as ever!

Ok, think waaaaay back to our first MK day. Remember the drama over the castle throw that DD wanted? Well, I told you not to forget what that CM told us… “Just keep your receipts and if you spend $40 on ANYTHING in a Fantasyland shop, you can get the throw”. Those were her exact words. And they would be used against her in a court of law!

Well, we found ourselves back in the Philharmagic gift shop once again and DD was back to begging for that throw. Again, we looked all around the gift shop and could not find $40 worth of stuff that we really wanted to buy. I thought I was going to have to break it to DD that she couldn’t get the throw, but just as all hope was about to be lost, my DH came up with a BRILLIANT idea! He reminded me of what that CM had told us earlier in the week and said, “So… why wouldn’t the $60 we spent at the BBB count? It IS in Fantasyland and they DO have a shop that sells merchandise?” Why yes! Yes they do! By God I think you’re onto something here!

Well, I have no luck in ever sweet talking anyone into anything, so I sent DH up to the register to do the dirty work. I told him to bat his eyes, compliment her on her stellar service… everything short of asking her out on a date, but don’t come away from the counter without that throw!!!

Apparently, he is quite the charmer because we walked out with this in hand…

He said she basically told him that he was totally full of it and he knew that the BBB didn’t count as a merchandise purchase in Fantasyland, but she was so impressed with his creativity that she was going to let him have it! Score one for us!

As you can imagine, DD was one happy little girl. It took four days, five gift shops, and some repenting on our part, but she got that throw! DH was quite proud of himself too. When he handed DD the throw he couldn’t help but quote Nemo’s dad when he asked her, “Did your man deliver, or did he deliver!”

Time to check out what’s new in Fantasyland…

The wait time for Dumbo said 10 minutes so we hopped in line.

She was so proud of herself for being the keeper of the FPs on this trip!

I’m excited about all the new FL additions and changes, but I do hate to see this moved away from the castle. It just won’t be the same without the castle backdrop.

Ready to fly over the castle for the last time…

Continued in next post

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

All these construction pictures are now outdated since these were taken in November, but I’ll show you what was going on anyway.

The view I will miss…

Up next was Pooh! We were excited to see the new queue.

It’s kind of gross when you think about every person coming through there has had their hands on those bees.

The honey wall was pretty cool, and we scribbled in it for a while.

While we were in line, an older Asian couple walked by us and kept moving up to the front of the line. We didn’t know what was going on and just figured that they were trying to get with their group. Well, apparently they didn’t have a group farther up the line and were just jumping everyone. When they got to the front, they tried to get on the ride and we heard a bunch of people arguing. One guy got really mad and started yelling at them. I felt kind of bad for the older couple because either they didn’t understand English well or just didn’t know how things are done at Disney. I wondered if they had FPs and just didn’t understand how the system works. I hope that was all it was. I can’t imagine anyone being so bold as to jump the whole line when they know better. Anyway, I saw a CM ‘redirecting’ them and then the line got moving again.

We browsed the gift shop for a while.

Then it was back to PP to use that second set of FPs!

Another great ride! I actually enjoy this even more now that I’m not aggravated by trying to get decent pictures. I’ve just accepted the fact that it ain’t gonna happen!

We had a little more time before we had to get to DD’s next adventure, so we went into Liberty Square for a while.

This was the first thing we saw…

I knew that meant no wait, so why not? Let’s go!

Continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

I am hating the Dis right now! Every since they started their "work", I haven't been getting notifications of updates on my subscribed threads nor have I gotten private message notifications. So, I'm going through the USER CP to see what I've missed.

Aww man, I hate that the one day that you needed to be somewhere at an exact time was the day that the buses chose to run on the 20 minute schedule. But, at least you got to the Magic Kingdom quickly and were walking down Main Street in time to make the BBB appointment.

Speaking of BBB, I had to chuckle when you said it was all you could do not to make suggestions to your daughter. I am a matchy matchy kind of girl and I am sure it would have killed me to be quiet too. I have to say that your daughter came out looking like a true Disney Princess! And, I loved the comment about her beauty marks a/k/a freckles.

Hum I am thinking I could go for a Disney burger and fries right about now and it's just a little after 9 a.m. here.

Your husband sounds so much like mine.....sweet talking the ladies to reach a goal. I'm like you...sweet talking all you want, just come back with what I want.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I think I took this one from the queue.

No ride pictures this time though since I took some earlier in the week.

Time was up for us now and we had to start making our way out of the park. We ran into these guys and HAD to stop and watch because they were AWESOME! They were playing the theme song from the Princess and the Frog and they rocked!

I looked next to me and saw this baby watching the band. I thought this was the cutest thing EVER!

Alright, time’s ticking. Gotta get moving…

I love the view from the Crystal Palace area. The colorful umbrellas look so pretty in front of the castle.

The parade was moving along, but we didn’t have time to stop and watch it, so I still haven’t seen this one.

We were heading up the monorail ramp when DD spotted this little guy warming it on a rock.

Our destination…

I forget from one visit to the next just how beautiful this place is.

How many resorts are so pretty that you are compelled to take pictures of the floor?

After we were done roaming around for a bit, we made our way here…

But we weren’t there for the buffet dinner. Being that it was only 1:00 in the afternoon, it was too early for that. So what in the world were we up to???

Up next: Adventures in Wonderland!

 

[sjs314]

Rinky your DD looked lovely with her Diva style hair. I am glad you let her choose what she wanted. Funny story about the Asian couple. We also had a similar expierence but at Cape May when we came back to our table after visiting the buffet the was m Asian couple sitting in our booth. Our server came by about the same time as came back and was trying to get this couple to move , we noticed they were holding there beeper still. I am guessing they too were confused about how the system worked.

I am glad your DH was able to get that burger and fries. Nothing worse than a hungry cranky man.

Your pics of the Fantasyland Expansion do not look much different from when I was there in March.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I am hating the Dis right now! Every since they started their "work", I haven't been getting notifications of updates on my subscribed threads nor have I gotten private message notifications. So, I'm going through the USER CP to see what I've missed.

Aww man, I hate that the one day that you needed to be somewhere at an exact time was the day that the buses chose to run on the 20 minute schedule. But, at least you got to the Magic Kingdom quickly and were walking down Main Street in time to make the BBB appointment.

Speaking of BBB, I had to chuckle when you said it was all you could do not to make suggestions to your daughter. I am a matchy matchy kind of girl and I am sure it would have killed me to be quiet too. I have to say that your daughter came out looking like a true Disney Princess! And, I loved the comment about her beauty marks a/k/a freckles.

Hum I am thinking I could go for a Disney burger and fries right about now and it's just a little after 9 a.m. here.

Your husband sounds so much like mine.....sweet talking the ladies to reach a goal. I'm like you...sweet talking all you want, just come back with what I want.

I can relate the your Dis frustration. However, the Dis does that stuff to me all the time! I am forever losing a TR or being unsubscribed to one. I have no idea how that happens but it is very frustrating!

Yes, we had the best FGM at BBB! I thought her beauty marks comment was very sweet! And I am very much a matchy matchy girl too!

He can sweet talk as long as I am within hearing range and he is working something out for me, but if he ever tries that for any other reason, I will break both his legs and make him eat them for dinner! 'Cause mama don't play that game!

Rinky your DD looked lovely with her Diva style hair. I am glad you let her choose what she wanted. Funny story about the Asian couple. We also had a similar expierence but at Cape May when we came back to our table after visiting the buffet the was m Asian couple sitting in our booth. Our server came by about the same time as came back and was trying to get this couple to move , we noticed they were holding there beeper still. I am guessing they too were confused about how the system worked.

I am glad your DH was able to get that burger and fries. Nothing worse than a hungry cranky man.

Your pics of the Fantasyland Expansion do not look much different from when I was there in March.

Thank you! She was quite pleased with herself over the BBB. I think she looks precious no matter what, but I would've made some 'adjustments' if it had been up to me.

Apparently things are done very differently in Asian countries. I know when we went to a restaurant in Chinatown in NYC, we had some total stranger (an Asian man) come and sit at our table without asking us or speaking a word the whole time he ate. Talk about uncomfortable! So I think it must be a cultural thing. That's funny about them taking your table though! I think things are so crowded over there that they are just used to taking a seat wherever they can find one.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great update!

YAY for 2 rides on PP!! I don't think we have been on Pooh since the queue has been redone. Good thing I guess, it looks like a lot of germs to me!! I can just see my kids touching everything now. Of course they seem to do that in every line. Yes, still.

That is too funny that your DH talked the CM into the throw!! That is good stuff right there. Good for him.

Can't wait to hear about your GF adventures. It's so beautiful there.


Oh and how stinking cute was that baby Snow White with the seven dwarfs???

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Great update!

YAY for 2 rides on PP!! I don't think we have been on Pooh since the queue has been redone. Good thing I guess, it looks like a lot of germs to me!! I can just see my kids touching everything now. Of course they seem to do that in every line. Yes, still.

That is too funny that your DH talked the CM into the throw!! That is good stuff right there. Good for him.

Can't wait to hear about your GF adventures. It's so beautiful there.


Oh and how stinking cute was that baby Snow White with the seven dwarfs???

Doesn't it make you wonder when they will ever realize how nasty things are and not want to touch everything? I sure will be glad when my DD can reason that out for herself. I am a fanatical hand washer so it drives me nuts!

I must say I was pretty proud of that old hubby of mine! I knew he could do it though. He can talk anyone into just about anything. His first job was working at Sears and he always brags that he once sold a lady a helmet with a stationary exercise bike! I swear I am not joking!

Wasn't that baby girl adorable! That right there was cute enough to make you want to have another baby wasn't it?

 

[MeMom]

I have to agree with your daughter, I think the light little Mickey dress looks much more comfortable than the Princess dress.

The Grand does greet you with its grandness when you enter it, doesn't it? For me, I think it's because in real life I am not around this type of decor at all, so every time I see it it is 'new' again. The more I go, the more I like the resort. I used to think I would never want to stay there, and although there are other resorts I would choose first, I am no longer opposed to the idea of staying there for a night sometime. Not that they really need Granny Clampett coming to their place, of course....

I enjoy it when we catch the MK band playing, too. They are good and a lot of fun.

Jill and I were talking about all of the indoor and sit-down attractions we'll be doing this summer, with her like she's going to be. We may very well be seeing Philharmagic more than once, too.

 

[sharonW]

same complaint here....hardly any update notifications and now I cannot view many of your pics either! rrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Don't blame your daughter for begging for the castle throw, I love it, what a great reminder of your disney trips to treasure forever!!
I will be checking back later to see if I can view more of your pictures, right now I am getting red x's!!! ugh!!

 

[partyof2]

WAH! So much for me to catch up on, I've basically fallen off the edge of the planet recently.

Your RnRC picture is one of the funniest I've ever seen, but it also terrifies me because I was too chicken to ride before and I thought I had plucked up the courage. Now I'm not so sure!

You guys have really made the most of your vacation time. I really can't believe how much you've crammed into each day, especially your day at World Showcase. I'm so impressed with your stamina!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I have to agree with your daughter, I think the light little Mickey dress looks much more comfortable than the Princess dress.

The Grand does greet you with its grandness when you enter it, doesn't it? For me, I think it's because in real life I am not around this type of decor at all, so every time I see it it is 'new' again. The more I go, the more I like the resort. I used to think I would never want to stay there, and although there are other resorts I would choose first, I am no longer opposed to the idea of staying there for a night sometime. Not that they really need Granny Clampett coming to their place, of course....

I enjoy it when we catch the MK band playing, too. They are good and a lot of fun.

Jill and I were talking about all of the indoor and sit-down attractions we'll be doing this summer, with her like she's going to be. We may very well be seeing Philharmagic more than once, too.

I agree. The GF has really grown on me since our first trip. I think the grounds are so gorgeous there! It wouldn't be my first pick either, but I would enjoy a stay there I think.

I think Philharmagic is a great choice for a hot, tired pregnant lady! The problem is that none of the attractions last long enough to give you a really good break. Maybe you will also need to ride IASW several times!

same complaint here....hardly any update notifications and now I cannot view many of your pics either! rrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Don't blame your daughter for begging for the castle throw, I love it, what a great reminder of your disney trips to treasure forever!!
I will be checking back later to see if I can view more of your pictures, right now I am getting red x's!!! ugh!!

I know. The Dis is being crazy lately! Hopefully it will be much better once everything is updated though. Don't know what happened to my pictures? I can see them.

WAH! So much for me to catch up on, I've basically fallen off the edge of the planet recently.

Your RnRC picture is one of the funniest I've ever seen, but it also terrifies me because I was too chicken to ride before and I thought I had plucked up the courage. Now I'm not so sure!

You guys have really made the most of your vacation time. I really can't believe how much you've crammed into each day, especially your day at World Showcase. I'm so impressed with your stamina!

Well hello and welcome back!

I will not lie to you. RnRC is NOT for the weak of heart! Be brave, or don't ride! No more of it for me.

We do have some serious stamina when we are at Disney. But we are not normally like that. I just have so much adrenaline when I am there that I can just keep going and going. Don't be fooled though. My feet and legs were in pure agony every day after about the 4th day of the trip. I was popping Tylenol, soaking my legs in the hot tob, covering my blistered heels with band aids... the whole nine yards. I was really in pain by then end of the trip. I just force myself to keep going though b/c I only get to go once a year a the most so I don't want to waste a minute of my time there.

 

[jenseib]

I know what your gonna do.....I can't wait to read all about it.

 

[sharonW]

ok, so now I can see all the pics!! omg, how I love the GF. Stayed there many times and it is my favorite resort by far, sooooo beautiful!
Reading your TR and viewing all the fabulous pics makes me want to be there so bad...or at least planning a disney vacation!! So looking forward to you next installment!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I know what your gonna do.....I can't wait to read all about it.

Yep, you know where we're headed.

ok, so now I can see all the pics!! omg, how I love the GF. Stayed there many times and it is my favorite resort by far, sooooo beautiful!
Reading your TR and viewing all the fabulous pics makes me want to be there so bad...or at least planning a disney vacation!! So looking forward to you next installment!!

The GF is a gorgeous resort. You are very fortunate to have stayed there several times. My mom stayed there once and said it was great. Hope you get back there soon.