We've Bounced Back like Tigger SB09 TR NEW 9/11 CLOSING TIME....

[DisMomAmy]

Amy...

to see the amount of angish I am causing you....





















I just can't bear it anymore.




























NOT! you crack me up girl....you can wait 1 more day

Scrappie

You had me going for a minute there...

Glad I can be a source of entertainment for you.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Can you hear me laughing all the way in New Hampshire????

 

[ljcrochet]

Sounds like a scary moment.
We lost one of my girls in Downtown Disney when she was like 2 1/2. My other girl was done and wanted to walk, so we left DH, BIL and MIL and DD sitting finish up the ice cream. DD followed us and they called out to tell me, but I didn't hear them and DD didn't come up to them. I came back and asked them were DD was they said with you. Scarriest couple of minutes.

What is the id that you usually have on your kids?

 

[DisMomAmy]

Can you hear me laughing all the way in New Hampshire????

I can!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

OMG-I just woke up and am reading a couple of trippie before the kids get up and thank God I'm in bed because otherwise I would have fallen of my seat...

Poor you...(I'd say poor Mae too-but I think you took the worst of it in both situations...)

Having a child go missing even for a minute has got to be the most terrifying thing...(I had a couple of months where David though it very funny to hide in one of the closet and not answer me when I called-this was when he was about 5---NOT FUNNY at all) It was one of the few times that I really raised my voice to him...

I can't wait to see the surprise too...

 

[jmamom]

Wow are you great under pressure! That must have been scary, losing Mae! But I bet she knew where she was the whole time, right? Can't wait to hear about the DVC tour, I'd be sucked into that in a second!

 

[shebaxric]

Hearing about moments like that make me scared to become a mom! I don't think I would've been that cool under pressure, in either situation where Mae was gone. I am glad that she was quickly found and that you yet again gave us a cliffhanger on the whole DVC visit. I'm patiently waiting with everyone else, especially DisMomAmy!

 

[DisneyMomLiz]

Becky, Liz, Lisa and Heidi,

Seriously God's hand must have been on me those 5 minutes or so, to ensure at least one of us (DH or I) had our heads on straight and HE knew she was ok...right

absolutely God's hand was on you

I was lost twice as a kid, once at Great America and then once at the Sears Tower in Chicago during Christmas...I remember them both plain as day and I was probably under 7. I don't know if Mae will remeber her breif moment of being lost at WDW but I will....

I got lost at WDW when I was about 4 years old and all I remember is walking with Pooh to City Hall in MK to wait for my parents. It's actually a good memory, go figure

thanks for your sympathy and now your shaking heads at my worst parent moment above!

No shaking head here. Just and prayers and thanks that everything turned out so well and continues to for all of us!

DVC tour post I hope up on Friday...will be off the Dis tomorrow, as off to Great America for our annual run (me, my Dad, D Bro, his Fiance and Aldine) hope we have fun!

see you all soon!

J-

Have fun at Great America! looking forward to hearing all about it

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh my gosh I'm having total brain freeze-I want to PM you to ask you some scrapbooking questions and a couple of Asperger ?s and I am on brain freeze...I've done this before -why can't I remember to PM-Ok I'm going to chalk it up to PMS-(sorry too much info...)

 

[mousescrapper]

Can you hear me laughing all the way in New Hampshire????

very good.... (sorry Amy)

Sounds like a scary moment.
We lost one of my girls in Downtown Disney when she was like 2 1/2. My other girl was done and wanted to walk, so we left DH, BIL and MIL and DD sitting finish up the ice cream. DD followed us and they called out to tell me, but I didn't hear them and DD didn't come up to them. I came back and asked them were DD was they said with you. Scarriest couple of minutes.

I agree...that typically is how kids get lost, 1 parent or other adult thinks they are w/ you and vicsa versa

What is the id that you usually have on your kids?

Here is a picture:

This one belongs to Michael as you can see....we had one made for each kid. The older two carried their's in a bag or pocket and we punched a hole in the little girls ones and pinned them back wards on their shirts. We just googled an image and then typed out the info, about an index card size and then printed and laminated them. hope that is helpful.

OMG-I just woke up and am reading a couple of trippie before the kids get up and thank God I'm in bed because otherwise I would have fallen of my seat...

sorry!


Having a child go missing even for a minute has got to be the most terrifying thing...(I had a couple of months where David though it very funny to hide in one of the closet and not answer me when I called-this was when he was about 5---NOT FUNNY at all) It was one of the few times that I really raised my voice to him...

yes I've had my moments of "finding" Margaret in the house

I can't wait to see the surprise too...

coming up next post!

Wow are you great under pressure! That must have been scary, losing Mae! But I bet she knew where she was the whole time, right?

oh yes, isn't that always the case...hence why they say "lost parents"

Can't wait to hear about the DVC tour, I'd be sucked into that in a second!

that you yet again gave us a cliffhanger on the whole DVC visit. I'm patiently waiting with everyone else, especially DisMomAmy!

It's coming up NEXT POST!

Have fun at Great America! looking forward to hearing all about it

we did have a good day...I'll tell you guys about that soon too...and thanks for your sweet comments too

Oh my gosh I'm having total brain freeze-I want to PM you to ask you some scrapbooking questions and a couple of Asperger ?s and I am on brain freeze...I've done this before -why can't I remember to PM-Ok I'm going to chalk it up to PMS-(sorry too much info...)

no problem! just click (I think right click) on my name in the column to the left of any post from me and a drop down choice menu will come up. Just then click on send a private message.

 

[KathyRN137]

We tell them what she looks like and her age and the call goes out!

“Parents Lost for a Mae Last Name!”​

And w/in minutes she comes strolling back in the building w/ a CM, calm as can be w/ a Mickey sticker on her shirt. The CM asks us, “are you the Lost Parents of Mae, here?”

“Yes, we are!”

And then everyone in the vicinity of CS knew about Mae and her “Lost Parents” and that luckily we were found! Whew!

Ahh, all's well that ends well! (At least she was in a smaller, more contained area like the Conservation Station.) Good girl to know enough to approach a CM!

Billy wears one of those runner's ID tags velcroed to his sneaker, just in case...


Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

 

[mousescrapper]

End of Day 6) the DVC Tour….and “pizza by the sinks and a surprise!”



So as not to keep Amy in dispense any longer or for the others eagerly awaiting this post here goes….

Edit Note: I know you are going to kill me, but I didn’t take a single picture the entire time….but where appropriate I have borrowed pictures and links to picture and video sites to help you get a visual perspective.

Our cute driver dropped us off at the SSR-DVC headquarters shortly before 6pm (maybe I don’t really remember the times anymore of this night…it’s all a blur). We checked in at the front desk w/ some friendly CM’s and gave them our name, plus we were using a friend and her husband from back home as a “friend reference” so we gave them that name again as well.

We were able to get the 3 older kids situated in the “childcare area” which reminded me of one of the Kid Play Clubs, like the Neverland Club the kids went to last yr at the Poly. I was able to change Margaret’s diaper here, but because she was under 3 she had to stay w/ Matt and I. Then Matt and I were able to get a drink and a snack in a lovely reception room then were seated in the “family room” to await our Guide (Susan Saunders).

We chatted a bit and she played w/ Margaret a bit too. I was quite impressed how Margaret liked her so well so quickly when she usually takes a long time to warm up to someone. I guess the Disney Magic was already working.

After the just getting to know you kinda conversation and what our family and vacationing style was like…very low key and non-threatening, kinda like talking to an old friend. She stepped out for a minute to get a meeting room set up for us. When she came back she escorted, DH, I, & Margaret back to a room. We stopped first at another snack area where Susan offered us and Margaret another drink and some animal crackers for Maraget. We were getting hungry at this point, we hadn’t had dinner. In the meeting room we went over all the details of buying in to the DVC, what DVC resort we could buy into (Bay Lake Tower at CR), the costs, incentives to buy in now, etc.

Man it sure was enticing! They do a great job answering all your questions and helping you understand how it works and even though they do a good job to get you to buy, at no time did Matt and I ever feel pressured to make a decision right then and there or sign anything. (though the 2 main incentives she offered us right did have date deadlines and the better of the two would expire when we left 2 days from then.)

We were handed a silver bag full of DVC materials: a planning book, point chart/calendar, DVC Member perks booklet and a bonus we were not expecting but 5 little envelopes of immediate FP returns for any park for any FP ride (expiring after we leave). That was very cool!

The presentation part of the deal was now over and up next was the tour. We picked up the kids from the play area (they were the last ones in there and they each had some drinks and snacks too) and went over to another building to see the models. Now it would have been so cool to have seen the actual BLT…but this would do. Oh first we did a quick mini tour of SSR. Looking at the pool area, pointed at the DVC member lounge, and community hall, plus the coin laundry facility that DVC members could use if staying in a Studio (as there are no laundry capabilities in those).

When we first entered the building, we saw some pictures and drawings of various DVC resorts on the wall and a big 3-D model of the newly refurbished Treehouse Villas at SSR. This was really cool to look at and the kids liked this a lot, especially the bunk room. They were picking out which room they wanted to sleep in already.

Here is the layout of the new Treehouse villas.

and if you are interested here are a bunch of pictures:

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showgallery.php?cat=952

Up next we went down a hallway and walked thru a mock room layout of the AKL Villas. They were very nice and vibrant w/ all the cool colors and vibrant decorations and dark woods.

Here is a link to a tour of an AK Villa:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-villas-kidani/


Then next was what we were waiting for, we stepped thru another door and then it was like standing in the hall of BLT. So very different from AKV. Very modern and sleek. We stepped into a room and walked around the BLT room layout. You got to see in both occasions what a Studio would look like and then the 1 BR, and then together minus a few minor changes the 2BR.


It was such a streamlined and clean look. Very impressive, it was like walking thru an IKEA store…which isn’t that bad, since I love that store! Everything was very well decorated and spaced out so nice, w/ the countertop island, and banquette seating for dining, a nice LR area and the master bedroom area and bathroom rocked! The bathroom is way bigger than the “closet” of a bathroom I have at home.

A 2BR BLT place would include a laundry closet, w/ stackable machines, 1 BR w/ either 2 Queen beds or 1 Queen Bed and a pull out sofa (this depends if you get a lockout (studio and 1BR villa connected an 2 exterior doors) or a dedicated (only 1 exterior door and no Studio kitchen), plus the master bedroom and bath w/ whirlpool tub, and standing shower, fully stocked and equipped kitchen, LR area, 2 balconies and 2 other full baths.

Amenities of course include the walking access to the Magic Kingdom, access to the monorail to Epcot and to other resorts, and to the TTC for other bus service, the walking bridge to the CR and use of their restaurants and shops, a private pool at BLT, Top of the World Lounge for DVC BLT guests only, the community hall and just all the cool perks of staying in a DVC Resort. BLT offers 3 view categories: Magic Kingdom view which includes the castle and Space Mountain, Lake View which includes the back view of the stunning Bay Lake, and a standard view probably looking at the building, more of the external sides looking out at CR or grassy area and parking.

here are two pictures I actually borrowed from DisMomAmy's current TR (thanks): sure she doesn't mind

Here are a few links of pictures of BLT and the room layout/tour:

still in construction April 09
http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/04/bay_lake_tower_update_april_14.html


very cool video of actual tour in BLT:
http://www.wdwntube.com/archives/523

some awesome pictures...check-out the POOL!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29008389@N03/sets/72157621134011746/

No one else was in the layouts w/ us, so we really had time to look it all over, it was like going house hunting. The kids thought it was quite cool as did we!

When we were done in there we went back over to the main building and into the empty ice cream parlor, where we each had a Mickey Mouse Ice cream sandwich (Margaret had a fruit bar). We chatted a bit more w/ our guide Susan before she bid us farewell and hoped she would talk to us soon. A van was waiting to return us to CSR (it was after 8:40 pm at this point, I had no idea we had been here that long).

We did not make a decision about buying in or not at this point. It was very impressive and a bit overwhelming to take it all in right now. The amount of money to buy in at the minimum starting point purchase of 160 points (even w/ the incentives) was still quite scary!

We were impressed, but had some major serious thinking to do over the next 2 days on top of finishing off our vacation.

We got back to CSR and walked back to our room, I started getting the kids cleaned up and Margaret to bed, while Matt walked back over to the food area and went in Café Rix and got a few pizza meals to go and some drinks and brought it back to the room. Mae had already fallen asleep on the bed by the time he got back so the twins ate in my parents room then went to bed themselves. DH realized he did not get enough pizza for us too, so he went back out again and then he and I sat on the floor by the sinks w/ the curtain drawn and ate up some food and chatted a bit more about the whole DVC thing.

Now am I going to tell you what we ended up deciding before we left now or make you wait it out a bit…..





Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm






Well for now you can ponder it. I know Amy is pulling her hair out right now


I’ll leave you w/ this for now. When we walked in our room this greeted us on our little table:

Plus we had this little friend by the sink:

And a Minnie window cling on the mirror and my Mom had got a Mickey window cling on her mirror. It was such a sweet and unexpected surprise to find after this long and tiring day. I of course brought them home and the bunny like face is in the little girls’ room in their stuffed animal hanging tree, the little sink dude sits on Aldine’s cello music stand in her room and the window clings fit ever so nicely on the kids’ mirror in their Mickey Mouse bathroom!

Thanks for reading as always!

Up NEXT: Day 7) EPCOT! and How do you work this laminator?


Scrappie (J-)

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yes... pulling out my hair is exactly what I'm doing right now!!

Sounds like an awesome tour!!

Glad to hear you smuggled some towel friends home too... I'm still feeling guilty about it...

 

[ladybugmom]

What?! I can't believe you're leaving us hanging! I hope another update is coming soon! I didn't know you could take the towel creations home! We had one every night when we stayed at the Poly. Great update! Can't WAIT to read more! I'm on the edge of my seat here!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Yes... pulling out my hair is exactly what I'm doing right now!!

Sounds like an awesome tour!!

Glad to hear you smuggled some towel friends home too... I'm still feeling guilty about it...

What?! I can't believe you're leaving us hanging! I hope another update is coming soon! I didn't know you could take the towel creations home! We had one every night when we stayed at the Poly. Great update! Can't WAIT to read more! I'm on the edge of my seat here!!

Hi Amy and Becky,

Amy---I love your hair, please don't pull anymore out

The DVC tour was very awesome...I'm glad we finally did it, had been curious for quite sometime about the whole thing, and for BLT to be the focus resort right...well geez how could we resist taking a peak at the "disney secret"

Don't worry I won't keep you hanging too long....

The towel animals/creations: can't ya take them home?

I read about them before going to Disney back in 08 particularly in re to the POLY and how in the lobby, usually some CM is making them and that you could take one for free....

I wasn't to sure about this, but sure enough when we were there we saw the "towel lady" and the kids loved watching her. I said ok kids time to go and the lady told them they could take one. I was like really


COOL! I told them to pick out one and she said they each could have one.... so we have 3 awesome towel animals.

I feel the little creations that are made up like the ones at the CSR...were a GIFT! meant to be a gift a thank you from our Mousekeeper for tipping her and why not take it, it's part of the magic. Now if we got new creations every night I wouldn't take them all...

I don't feel guilty at all. It's a special piece of Disney resort magic IMHO

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok….

The demand seems to be high, how the whole DVC decision went down and so to keep you no longer in suspense…..


This should give you a clue of what we decided:

Yep, we took the plunge. It wasn’t till the Friday after we got home did it all occur. DH & I talked about it in the very few moments we could steal away to discuss something this big. (we chatted w/ my Mom about the financial aspect and a guest who happened to be a member and was staying at CSR on points on business.) I had done some research over the last yr (since coming home from the 08 trip) about DVC and had looked thru a Vacation Planning book that I had borrowed from a friend of mine. As well I’ve read the “official” stuff and the “unofficial” stuff.

Is this for you…

Is it a good idea…

Is this worth doing….a wise financial investment, etc, etc…..


Thinking out the costs in my head already for the upcoming 010 trip (as this past March trip was an utter surprise and last minute adventure and plan) I kinda knew a range of what our next Disney trip would cost us. Now these numbers are based on 08 pricing so bear w/ me here:

High Level but not a DVC resort rack rate:

Wilderness Lodge Deluxe/Club Level room = 2008 rate $575 per night at 8 nights = $5175.00

Room for 6, larger living space but less money:

Fort Wilderness Cabin = 2008 rate $299 per night at 8 nights= $2691.00

2 Room option in a Mod resort:

POR = 2008 rate $165 per night at 8 nights= $1485 x 2=$2970

Lowest $ point possibility:

All-Stars Family Suite = 2008 rate $220 per night at 8 nights= $1989.00

I also had figured the rack cost of staying in a 2BR DVC resort-Boardwalk = @ $795 per night for 8 nights = $6360+ tax



Even w/ the Fam Suite being the cheapest option per say, you still have to factor in the price of park tickets, and dining whether on a plan or not (not to mention extra costs and cost of getting there) Knowing we want to come back next yr and many yrs beyond that and how nice it would be to take my parents for a change and go w/ friends or family that normally wouldn’t go to Disney really was a huge incentive to think about buying for us. Plus just thinking about the possibility of paying $2000+ in resort costs and having nothing to say of it afterwards except a marvelous vacation (kinda like renting before taking the plunge and buying your 1st home) we felt this hard earned $ we spend on vacation could go further into more and more vacations and memories to come.



So back to Disney, Thursday April 2nd…before we checked out of our room, Matt called Susan on the phone and left her a voice mail stating we are interested in buying in BLT, would like to take advantage of one of the incentives….


BUT!!!!!



We still had a few concerns and questions to ask. Well later that day we received a call (VM on Matt’s cell) from Susan saying she received our message and she’d call us on Friday after we got home.

Which she did and after an hour + long conversation and Matt asking several more questions….I was ready to take the plunge, but DH still needed some reassurance and a little hand –holding. We agreed and said:

YES!



Less than a week later, we received this package in the mail:

The box above and a very cool bag (which I have already used several times!):

Plus all the important info and documents to sign and make it official. We officially closed and became members around the 24th of April and I made our 1st payment and banked our 160 points for the 010 trip just last week.

It’s still a little un-nerving but equally exciting. Right now we financed the points and these next 9 months will be tough, but in March of next yr we’ll be able to make a huge lump sum payment to knock down our P & I and should have it all paid off just after the 010 trip. We hope to add more points sometime in the near future too (a BLT add on before they sell out).

If you really want to know the $ details....just pm me, I can give you what we did, but this is no guaretee or indication what it could cost you....

We are certainty not skeptical about joining and that we won’t end up taking full advantage of all that is has to offer. We already have these trips in the pre-planning stages:

November 2010: girls’ b-day trip and our first trip HOME! At BLT

May 2011: our 15 yr anniversary trip BLT

Month tbd 2013: another family trip, love to stay in the Treehouses at SSR

May 2015: the twins 16th b-day BLT or Boardwalk

We also want to stay at AKV and when the Hawaii DVC opens…oohhh I dream trip to there may possibly happen! Plus DVC Hilton Head, we love the beach!

The money is the biggest thing and the part that still is crazy, but in the end we know it will be worth it. Disney for us is the perfect vacation. Not just the magic, the people, the expectations, but we ar e happy when we travel here, we love it here and can see so many more wonderful memories and experiences to come thru the yrs. It is a place we come back to all the time and especially for Michael…he can be a kid here and that is so important.

I know I don’t need to sell you on the Magic of Disney …we have family and friends who thinks it’s nuts how much we love it and how much we plan to go and go…maybe someday I’ll sell them.

Yes we have other vacations and trips that don’t include Disney, like DC and out west, but for us, Disney is not just a stand-by but the 1st choice.

I am happy w/ our decision and can’t wait to see it all real when we get to go home next yr and walk thru those doors for the first time!

MAGIC!

plus I have to place a shout out to my fellow Disfriend and DVC member who has held this secret of mine just as long as me, I just had to share this w/ someone when we got home so thanks KathyRN for helping me w/ questions and support in this huge big thing plus keeping me from spilling the beans...

Back to the Bounce Back Trip and EPCOT soon!

J-

 

[MRYPPNS]

I'm so green with envy right now!
Good for you and the family.

That box with the keys is screaming to be scrapped!

 

[mousescrapper]

I'm so green with envy right now!
Good for you and the family.

That box with the keys is screaming to be scrapped!

Thanks Heidi!

we are excited...Aldine can't wait for the pool, let;s hope end of Novemeber in FL it will be warm enough. Oddly enough beyond all the space and cool stuff...one of things I'm looking forward to is the


Ha!!!

Yes the box sits under the computer desk right now, but I'm sure I'll figure out something cool to do w/ it!

 

[shannon47142]

CONGRATS
how exciting!!This means more future trip reports!!