TR, Lots of pics and video, too-Celebrated Life, Disney Style!

[Charleston Princess]

Great video! I really, really, really want to go to the P&PP now!

Having DD called a geisha girl would have made me mad, too -- especially since it is quite clear that she is Elizabeth Swann! Grrrr!

 

[lori1043]

Okay, off to Wednesday , Feb 6th. This day we had ADR's at CRT for 12:05. Things were a little sticky this day for me when we checked in. We went to Cinderella's carousel and tried to take the sword out of the stone...

It was kind of a pokey morning since we had such a late night the night before. But it was fine. This was our 3rd time at MK this trip and we had done everything we wanted too for the most part. So we went into some shops by the castle that I had never expolred before. Mickey and the Beanstalk, Tinks Treasures(I ventured into once before), and went by the wishing well. I knew we'd come back later for photos by that when DN3 arrived. We actually got out before them that morning. It was overcast looking that day and luckily, we had plans for EPCOT after our lunch. We were TIRED this day!!!

CRT would only take names for each time about 5 minutes ahead of time, so we waited. We finally got to noon and I walked up to check in-we were first. Here the stickiness happened. They asked for my "prince or princess' and since we had 3 princesses, they told me they couldn't choose. I said, 'well I cannot choose either", but after I felt SOOOOO badly, b/c my DN3 is at such a prime to be the 'special guest" at lunch or whatever they do for the first child that shows(served first, and some other cute things I had read about). So none was picked for our seating time at all. It hit me getting seated that i could've told them DN3. I just looked at my kids and DN when they asked, all dressed up and looking longingly up at me and I just couldn't pick one kid. It was crowded up there so DH, DB, and SIL didn't hear everything happening till I told them. I felt sooo selfish. I kind'a felt that the CRT CM's could have just used all 3 kids, but it didn't happen. BUT as DD8 is still very much into dresing up as whatever-pirate, princess, Star Wars character, ballerina, etc... i just couldn't pick!!


Guilt laden pic...

Anyway, here are some pics of our lunch:
DH and SIL got the suggested crepey looking beef dish(cannot remember the name but it is someone's name and long), I got a turkey foccaccia with salad(yuck on the salad, VERY salty with field greens), and DB got some pork dish. Kids got some kind'a meat saucy pasta(what is new???) but at least it was not mac n cheese!! I wish i would'a gotten that long named beefy crepe dish-yummo!! Dessertwas BEST. i was expecting to be able to get Blueberry Buckle, but it was chocolate buckle(OMG yumm), DH got reasberry sorbet with fruit(yumm), and kids got thier ince cream with chocolate crown in it. DD10 got the same as the kids menue but adult versions. So her desert was bigger than DD8's and DN3's...

you'd think he hated it, but he just gets goofy for pictires!!!

I learned my lesson here-Disney is not the place to try and eat toooo healthy
Kids dessert:

Chocolate buckle:very rich and sweet...

DH and his sorbet:

DD10 ditched her ice cream for the bulj of his sorbet. I have to say, it was very tart and sweet(which i love)

Pics with princess coming up!! We had a great table! This was also our "do we wanna go another day? decision day". Did we add on???

You'll see!

Lori

 

[jordanyosh]

I know where those bathrooms are behind Pan......that's for later in my TR....

I think it's call Major Domo's something...(let me look it up) Major Domo's Favorite Pie. I've had it before....sooooo good.

It looks like your family had fun at the PPP. Well...except for the end of the night. Staying after closing and walking out slowly is the best....

 

[Charleston Princess]

Lori,

I just have to tell you that due to your fabulous TR, pics, and video, we are headed to WDW for a four-day visit (leaving Monday) and going to the Pirate and Princess Party! I couldn't resist it!

 

[DisneyMom14]

Hey Lori! We're baaaack! Love the update! I agree with you - P&P party was way worth the money. I loved walking on to so many rides. Thanks for posting the clips of the fireworks. We only saw them from Tomorrowland as DH was having trouble checking out at the Lunching Pad and we missed getting to the castle in time. I sympathize about the rude people who came and stood in front of you. The same exact thing happened to us for the castle stage show. We were sitting in the hub along with sooo many other people and during the show here come all these other people who stood right in front of us but on the road. Anyway - love the pics and video. Your kids are soooooo cute - LOVE the costumes! Looking forward for more.

 

[byoung]

Great report.

 

[lori1043]

I know where those bathrooms are behind Pan......that's for later in my TR....

I think it's call Major Domo's something...(let me look it up) Major Domo's Favorite Pie. I've had it before....sooooo good.

It looks like your family had fun at the PPP. Well...except for the end of the night. Staying after closing and walking out slowly is the best....

Oh no, the end of the nigt when DD8 wanted to stay-we found hilarious. Sometimes gotta laugh at the kids!! Even when they are givin' ya' trouble. Made her see how silly she was being! It lasted about ,ummm, 5 minutes.
Thanks for looking it up-I was being lazy. Tired.

But refreshed today!!!

Lori

 

[lori1043]

Lori,

I just have to tell you that due to your fabulous TR, pics, and video, we are headed to WDW for a four-day visit (leaving Monday) and going to the Pirate and Princess Party! I couldn't resist it!

Oh my, green eyed monster stepping out again ...is the cruise worth it??

I am itching to go this September for free dining, but know I'd have to make up my mind, like, in a few days. BUT my kids and DH are wanting to so the cruise-and we are going to sneak in a few Disney days too, just not sure how many yet. I now judge it by the time I have to save for it and by how much is on my Disney CC, b/c it is usually paid off each month. But I got into an accident and our hot water heater went out right after our Disney trip and our savings was pretty much used. So we had to pay for the hot water heater with it. As far as the car goes,you'll love what I did for points. The insurance co. mailed me the check but I put it on Disney CC for the points, then paid it off a few days after with the check I deposited into my acct. These post Disney problems have added about 60 points to my card!! yes, my car was expensive to fix. All I need to do now is pay off the hot water heater($1500 with labor and everything-it is in the attic, hence it cost more). Thankfully, we are still in that zero interest time. Otherwise, it would NOT pay off.
I use my Disney card like a debit card. I use it for groceries and the few other things we do, and pay it off every time i get my paycheck. That way, It is like getting free Disney money. i am sure many others do this and it is not a new concept. I just really like it so far. DH did not want me to get it for years due to the interest rates-he works for that bank-but I have talked him into it for the points and paying it OFF. I think he was afraid it would not get paid off. We have not had a CC in years due to getting into trouble with them when we were in our 20's. But it WILL get paid off-we have learned our lesson the hard way. Hopefully we can get the hot water heater paid off by June.

I am also of the sort who feels the need to save every penny for a vacation before going and never charge it, but feel there is nothing wrong with the other way around-it is just not for us.

That is for another thread though!!

Gotta go start school with the kids -glad you are enjoying and have sooooo much fun at the P&PP!!! I am happy to have fueled that-it is soooo worth it and tyou will not regret it!

Lori

 

[lori1043]

Hey Lori! We're baaaack! Love the update! I agree with you - P&P party was way worth the money. I loved walking on to so many rides. Thanks for posting the clips of the fireworks. We only saw them from Tomorrowland as DH was having trouble checking out at the Lunching Pad and we missed getting to the castle in time. I sympathize about the rude people who came and stood in front of you. The same exact thing happened to us for the castle stage show. We were sitting in the hub along with sooo many other people and during the show here come all these other people who stood right in front of us but on the road. Anyway - love the pics and video. Your kids are soooooo cute - LOVE the costumes! Looking forward for more.

Thank ya, thank ya!!! hello!! glad to see you about, neighbor!!

I have enjoyed your TR too!

Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh my, green eyed monster stepping out again ...is the cruise worth it??

I think the cruise will be worth it! Everything I have read makes it sound like so much fun!

I am also of the sort who feels the need to save every penny for a vacation before going and never charge it, but feel there is nothing wrong with the other way around-it is just not for us.

We do that, too! And we are the same way about credit cards -- got into too much trouble in our 20's and now just refuse to have one. I sure would like a Disney Visa though!

Gotta go start school with the kids -glad you are enjoying and have sooooo much fun at the P&PP!!! I am happy to have fueled that-it is soooo worth it and tyou will not regret it!

Lori

You are right -- it was sooo worth it!

 

[lori1043]

I think the cruise will be worth it! Everything I have read makes it sound like so much fun!



We do that, too! And we are the same way about credit cards -- got into too much trouble in our 20's and now just refuse to have one. I sure would like a Disney Visa though!



You are right -- it was sooo worth it!

Glad youa re back!!! That was fast!!

Cannot wait to hear about it!

Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

Glad youa re back!!! That was fast!!

Cannot wait to hear about it!

Lori

Too fast! Three nights was not long enough! But I keep telling myself that we will be back June 8th for an entire week and that is only two months away!

 

[lori1043]

Too fast! Three nights was not long enough! But I keep telling myself that we will be back June 8th for an entire week and that is only two months away!

How lucky you are!!!

I will be keeping up with your TR's!!

Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

How lucky you are!!!

I will be keeping up with your TR's!!

Lori

Thanks!

 

[PoshMom]

I've been following along for a while now. Enjoying your tr so much. Writing down tips of yours as I read all of this.

 

[PoshMom]

A few questions...would you choose the pop again? If not, would you upgrade to a Moderate? Would it be worth the money to do the Moderate or deluxe? It'll be a while before we go b/c of how small our kids are.

 

[lori1043]

Hey poshmom, sorry i ahven't updated in forever-b/t the last days of the school year, work and activities, plus we went camping- well you get the picture.

To answer your questions...

No, we will not stay at Pop again, unless there is no other choice. We will probably do a value again, just b/c I am frugal and hate spending a great amount money on a room we will only sleep and bathe in. We may move up to a moderate on our next trip only b/c we have 2 tween girls and they are getting older and a little more space could benefit us, OR we will get adjoining rooms at a value-2 bathrooms sound great to me!! We'd stay at AllStar Sports or Movies. If we did a mod, I'd probably like to try POFQ or see if a grat code comes out for a deluxe-then it would be WL or the Poly. I still will have trouble parting with the money though just b/c you get a clean, Disney-fied room no matter if you are value, FW or the GF. I feel we lose NOTHING by staying in a value-just room size. And the only way to get queen sized beds is to go to a deluxe.
The ASmovies and Sports is closer than the Pop to the parks anyway. The bus rides were forever. Since we have stayed in the AS resorts 2x before, I feel comfy about going back there. I'd rather spend my $$ on longer trips and eating out more often-like we did for this trip.

I think when we go to WDW before our Disney cruise next December, we will be staying offsite at a Homewood Suites on my DH hotel points-we'll see. If we fly, we may have to stay onsite.

Honestly, if money was no object at this point and my DH was all for it, we'd have a camper and go to FW every year!! I love FW!

Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

Just had to comment. You know I am the same way about the rooms!

I always think about staying deluxe and then end up at a moderate or a value -- it is hard to justify upwards of $300 a night for a room. Like you said, all the hotels are Disney-fied!

Okay, we are not camping people -- maybe, I have just not discovered the joys of camping because I can't imagine that you would like something that I don't . Where do you go camping? Is it tent camping or cabin camping?

 

[lori1043]

Just had to comment. You know I am the same way about the rooms!

I always think about staying deluxe and then end up at a moderate or a value -- it is hard to justify upwards of $300 a night for a room. Like you said, all the hotels are Disney-fied!

Okay, we are not camping people -- maybe, I have just not discovered the joys of camping because I can't imagine that you would like something that I don't . Where do you go camping? Is it tent camping or cabin camping?

hahaaa!!

Okay, well I grew up camping 2-3 times a year in a camper(popup) and my first trip to WDW was at FW in that very popup!! We had so much fun and it was exceptionally clean(FW bathrooms) even though we had our own toilet, we had to shower in the bathrooms. On regular camping trips, my mom or dad would heat up water on the stove and we'd take a bath out of a soapy water pot and a clean water pot. Crazy, but it didn't bug me back then!! But the FW bathrooms were soooo very clean that it was easier just to go there.

My DH, on the WAY other hand, is NOT a camping type person at all. But b/c of me, he sucks it up and we go 1-2 times per year. We started off in a small borrowed tent that we froze our hineys off in and swore we'd never tent camp again(the year we got married-1993). BUT we do not have a camper, SOOOOO, I talked him in to a HUGE tent with divided rooms sowe can put a small port-o-potty(the same one i had growing up ) PLUS we invested in electric blankets with LONG orange extension cords and those wonderful air mattresses and an air pump. Why, oh why, did we not get a camper, you ask??? He'd be sooo much happier in a camper. Well, first we don't have a spot to store it when not in use. And, we'd have to get a tow package put on to the van, which will make the van last a shorter time period. Plus, in my DH humble opinion, "why would i go buy a camper when I want a bigger house first?" Okay then, does that make sense, not so sure, but whatever....

So yes, we tent camp in a 10 man tent, which I consider a 4-5 man tent, my electric blankys, air mattresses, my potty and we heat water on a propane stove for bathing the old fashioned way-and we never go in the summer or winter. All I can handle is about 3 nights in a tent-my personal max, which makes DH happy b/ that is his personal camping out max!

When we do move(we are wanting the house up for sale by whenever he decides to get it on the market ) and one evil plan I have in my head is to make sure our next home has enough driveway/garage or side yard for a camper.

Things we LOVE about camping:

1. nature-leaves, trees, stars(you can see most every one!), quiet, birds chirping, animals rustling(wondering what it is)
2. kids digging in the mud-they LOVE this
3. campfire-hanging out around the fire with a cool (or warm) drink and all the fixin's for s'mores
4. hide and seek with flashlights in the dark-nothing but FUN, scary and adventurous
5. walking/hiking- we are not big hikers, but we love to walk along the camp grounds streets with the doxies(who did very well BTW) and there are easy hiking trails usually

Lots of imagination time for the kids and getting dirty.

Since I wrecked my van, we are wary of putting a tow package on it anyway, so DH eludes the camper question AGAIN! he has no idea how happy he'd be in one! And like i said, it could afford us WDW every year prolly! But i won't tent camp it there-I need a place to get cleaned up more easily. AC is a must too.

We like to go to Little Black creek in Lumberton, Mississippi. About 1.5 hours away from home.

Any further and we'd be in a cabin!


Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

Lori,

You make camping sound like such a blast!!!

I love the idea of sitting around a campfire making smores.

I know DH and the children would love to go camping -- I am the one that is a bit leery of being outside for extended periods of time.

Thanks for all the food for thought -- I may have to be adventurous and try camping at some point. Maybe we will stay in the cabins at FW sometime and I can work my way up from there.