You can spit on Space Mountain from here! An April '13 TR UPDATED 10/19 p. 28

[shalom]

I've not been feeling talkative lately, but I've been reading pretty regularly. Did miss the second batch of pictures that didn't post, though. Did I understand that they'll come back at some point? I thought at first you got more space each month and that's when they'd appear, but then it seemed to me that the set I did see is gone again, so now I'm totally confused.

I was thinking we might stay in the AKL next time we go (likely January 2015), with BLT as second choice, but once I got serious about staying onsite and started debating what requests to put in (meaning it's time to put my money up), BLT promptly moved to the top. And within a day, Saratoga Springs pushed past AKL to second place! I usually push SSR further down on the list, because the units there are smallish, but when it comes to spending actual money, the pools and parking convenience and whatnot suddenly seem more important. Plus with everyone else who has an opinion, SSR is either their favorite resort or second favorite, which I suppose matters more to me in reality than in fantasy.

I'm just hoping we'll get BLT and not have to worry about the small units at SSR.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I had to back peddle to find your announcement for your August trip.

Did you ever try Shutterfly? For pictures?

I never heard of the Professional Internship, but my aunt has a niece from her husbands side who just got that kind of job too. She is from Port Washington. I actually went to school with her mom way back when. Her mom and sister are visiting too in August, I do not know there dates though. What will your sister be doing?

You will love Pop, my dh hated it, but I liked it. Make sure you ask for a 4th floor. The food court is actually very good.

I do use Shutterfly, but usually only for ordering prints and other photo projects. Can you link in pictures from there?

Emma's working in Celebration, so she's not even in the parks. She works in ticket sales, so she goes to various hotels that sell Disney tickets and delivers brochures and such.

I am going to have to ask Emma to see if she can put in some sort of room request. Glad to hear another positive comment about the food court.

Love the 50's Prime Time

Me too.

Woohoo!! Counting down right along with you 26 days

Here are my ADRs -any of them the same as yours? - it would be so cool to run into you

8/14 - OHana 5:05pm
8/15 - Via Napoli 12:45pm
8/16 - TRex 1:00pm
8/17 - Crystal Palace 1:05pm
8/18 - Cape May 5:10pm

Ahh we're getting so close! 3 weeks from Tuesday. So crazy! We actually do not have any ADRs made though I would be curious to see if I could get a walk-up at Via Napoli. Love that place! T-Rex is a lot of fun too. I ate there with my dad last April.

I've not been feeling talkative lately, but I've been reading pretty regularly. Did miss the second batch of pictures that didn't post, though. Did I understand that they'll come back at some point? I thought at first you got more space each month and that's when they'd appear, but then it seemed to me that the set I did see is gone again, so now I'm totally confused.

I was thinking we might stay in the AKL next time we go (likely January 2015), with BLT as second choice, but once I got serious about staying onsite and started debating what requests to put in (meaning it's time to put my money up), BLT promptly moved to the top. And within a day, Saratoga Springs pushed past AKL to second place! I usually push SSR further down on the list, because the units there are smallish, but when it comes to spending actual money, the pools and parking convenience and whatnot suddenly seem more important. Plus with everyone else who has an opinion, SSR is either their favorite resort or second favorite, which I suppose matters more to me in reality than in fantasy.

I'm just hoping we'll get BLT and not have to worry about the small units at SSR.

Aww, that's alright. Sorry you missed out on the pictures. But yes, they should be visible again in a couple of days (or maybe tomorrow actually...that is, until I exceed my bandwidth again ). So hopefully you'll get to see them soon!

haha, well, in all honesty you can't go wrong with any of those resorts. And because SSR is our home resort I'm a little biased because I love it there. If you rented points for SSR it's a lot "cheaper" than some of the other DVC resorts because you don't need as many points per night!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Friday, April 5, 2013

To start off our Friday morning, Dad and I decided to go to the Magic Kingdom again. We had to take advantage of another 7 am opening! After eating breakfast and getting ready, we walked over to the MK (have I mentioned how nice it was just being able to WALK there?). The only downside was that I think it made us sort of slackers. Normally, we try to leave fairly early so we're at the gate for rope drop and the opening show. Once again, we were arriving right as the opening show was starting. Though maybe it wasn't us...maybe they just started it earlier than usual. Atleast we saw it! I've said it about a million times, but there really is no better way to start your day and it's SO much better when it's only 7 in the morning and you have the whole day ahead of you.





Aww Mickey!



I'll be honest, I'm going to miss those early openings in August. The EMH are only at 8:00, meaning regular opening is at 9:00. To me that's like the middle of the morning (which is strange because I'm usually not even up that early at home...)!

Anyway, the plan for the day was to do some character meet and greets, see Enchanted Tales with Belle, and pretty much anything else we felt like doing. But we had to start off in Tomorrowland again for another ride on Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear. Somehow on Buzz Lightyear, I maxed out on points!



I honestly have no idea how that happened. It's not like I did anything differently. I really think it just started giving me random points. But it was pretty cool seeing 999,999 on my car! I had finally achieved the ranks of Galactic Hero!

(too bad this picture looks like nothing but I wanted to get one of all the rankings)




After our quick stop in Tomorrowland we continued on toward Fantasyland. When my parents took Emma down in January, one of Emma's friends said that the line for Enchanted Tales with Belle gets long pretty quickly, so Dad said if I wanted to see it we should go right away.

I love the New Fantasyland gates!


When we got to the cottage, the posted wait time was 20 minutes, though I really don't think it was that long. It was fun admiring all of the details while we waited though. It's just incredible what the Imagineers did in this area.



One of the first things that had to be done before the story was assign roles! I thought about raising my hand to be a part of the show but decided not to. I kind of just wanted to watch, seeing as it was my first time ever going in there!



Here are some of the performers. See the little girl in the cape? Yeah, she was picked as the Beast. Ferocious, right?



Then we were taken into the library for the story.


That Lumiere is pretty cool.


Here comes Belle! So pretty. I loved her dress.


The story was (obviously) a shortened version of Beauty and the Beast, and all of the "actors" got to participate when it was their part. It was really cute. The one part that stands out to me was at the very end, when Belle danced with the "Beast" aka the adorable little girl. I about died right there-it was way too cute. And because I almost lost it, I was glad that I didn't volunteer because I would've looked like a moron if I had started getting misty-eyed up there. If you are one of the participants you do get your picture taken with Belle at the end and she gives you a little bookmark. Well, I found someone's bookmark on the ground so I got one of those as a souvenir.

Overall Enchanted Tales with Belle was fun. I don't see myself doing it every trip but it was cool seeing the cottage and everything. Definitely worth trying atleast once!

Since we were in New Fantasyland, I had to go for another ride on Under the Sea!

I also had to get another picture in front of this amazing castle. Seriously, I cannot get enough of it. I could stare at it all day. Don't you just love the waterfalls and the plants everywhere?!




Scuttle!


Again, this ride did not disappoint. I took a couple videos too, so if I can get them uploaded I'll be sure to post those.

We had a great start to our morning, but it was time to meet some characters!

 

[WDWaddictt]

Wow 2hr extra early morning? I would love that!! I am such an early riser, it would be awesome...

Great update...

 

[peachmermaid]

Wow, mk is dark at 7am! I'd love to see it at that time!

While I love your jacket, the old brewers logo is the best, I'm inclined to say go cubs go! Seriously though, I love it.

New fantasyland looks soooo amazing! I can't wait to see it. That little beast is totally adorable!! Belle is super pretty too.

Can't wait to hear about your meet & greets!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Ahhhh I bet it`s so awesome to WALK to MK.

And your right, that good morning show is the absolute best way to start a day. It`s a shame it`s the only park with one left, but at least MK still does.

Congratulations on your Buzz achievement. That`s wicked! Like super duper wicked!

Haha, yup that`s one mean looking beast!

That`s so cute that you got misty during the dance.

 

[FancyNancy]

We actually didn't catch ETWB on our last trip. I'm going to make it a priority in January though!

 

[OhMari]

Wow, Emma has a cool job. If you have time, go into the Sunshine store in Celebration. I met a local that works the store for her mom, and they live in Celebration. She was very talkative and told me a lot about Celebration.

I use Shutterfly when I post my pictures. I have to copy the URL properties and then I copy and paste my pictues when I am writing my TR.

 

[shalom]

Aww, that's alright. Sorry you missed out on the pictures.

They're back today! Nice to see the Flower and Garden pics -- that's an event I hope to make sometime.

If you rented points for SSR it's a lot "cheaper" than some of the other DVC resorts because you don't need as many points per night!

Going in through our TS system, they all cost the same number of points for that week. The only difference is availability; SSR is a lot easier to get because it's so big. When I look at the resort, SSR is at the top of my list; when I look at the unit, BLT. If we were doing the parks, BLT would have the edge, but since I had this one planned as a resort vacation, not sure which I'll go for if they're both available.

I've said it about a million times, but there really is no better way to start your day

Agreed. The MK opening show is The Best. That's one of the reasons I don't think I'll be doing the parks next time -- hubby and youngest daughter plan to go only to AK, and I could not do AK and not MK.

Congrats on becoming a Galactic Hero!

When we got to the cottage, the posted wait time was 20 minutes, though I really don't think it was that long.

Josh at EasyWDW says that there's a big rush at opening, but then sometimes it thins out once the people who raced their first thing clear out; looks like you caught that lull without even studying for it!

Congrats on snagging the bookmark. At this point, that's what I most want out of that experience. Well, and seeing it, too, of course.

I love all the waterfalls and the lushness around the Under the Sea area, and really, all the New Fantasyland theming, as well as the theming by the Tangled bathroom. Can't say that last part many places without getting a funny look.

 

[RachelNinja]

Can't believe your next trip is so soon! It's so much fun having Disney friends because it's so true that someone I know is there at almost all times of the year! Helps me get over WDW withdrawal when I know friends are there enjoying it when I can't.

I really think the menu at Prime Time Cafe would be something that fits me, but the possible interactions with the staff might make me nervous! Maybe when we go back with my cousins, we could make a stop there. I think I'd feel "safer" with a bigger group of people!

That Cranium Command pin is so cute! I remember that attraction the most from that extinct pavilion.

Haha, those dark early morning MK photos are such an indication that I'm reading a wdwgirl03 TR!

I like that they don't care about gender when they choose the roles! How adorable was that little girl as the Beast!!! I'd be so excited if I were her mom.

 

[Caretames1]

We got our welcome packet and walked over to BLT. Our room number was 8218, which was actually the 12th floor. Dad had requested to be on a higher floor so they honored that request. Then came the moment we were waiting for. What would our theme park view actually be like? Dad walked in first, and right away he said how cool it was.

I posted this picture on Instagram:

"Terrible Instagram picture but this view is AWESOME!!!!!!!"

Yeah, it definitely did not disappoint. We were SOOOOO close to the Magic Kingdom! And we also had a great view of the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian. It was AMAZING!

We must've stood out on our balcony for about ten minutes just admiring everything (it was also kind of cool watching the sun start to set). I was just so happy to be back in Disney World, and then to get to look out over Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain. WOW. If you read my TR from last April you know how much I raved about our Boardwalk view but I almost think this was better!

When we could finally tear ourselves away from the view, it was time to head to the parks! Any guesses where we went first?!

UP NEXT: Emma's coming!!!

Oh Sarah! What a amazing, beautiful, awesome view! I would have been torn as to what to do...sit and stare out the window, or go to the park! Ok, go to the park won, but the view

 

[Caretames1]

Well I just spent the morning in MK with you, and what fun!

We love the EMH, we had a great MK EHM in Nov, and it was the best day ever!

The Rapunzel area is awesome! I can't wait to see it, it fits right in. I think the new FL is just too awesome for words. If you get over to my TR, you see how lucky we got last year. Blown away is an appropriate term

Again, loving the view from your room.

I'm so glad you pictures are back, I tried reading with our them, but I'm glad I waited.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow 2hr extra early morning? I would love that!! I am such an early riser, it would be awesome...

Great update...

The EMH at 7:00 are great.

Wow, mk is dark at 7am! I'd love to see it at that time!

While I love your jacket, the old brewers logo is the best, I'm inclined to say go cubs go! Seriously though, I love it.

New fantasyland looks soooo amazing! I can't wait to see it. That little beast is totally adorable!! Belle is super pretty too.

Can't wait to hear about your meet & greets!

Yes, and it will be even darker when we go that early in December! It's like waking up with the park. So awesome.

Thank you! I love that jacket, even though it is kind of embarrassing admitting I'm a Brewers fan this season... But I still gotta support my team!

You are going to love New Fantasyland!

Ahhhh I bet it`s so awesome to WALK to MK.

And your right, that good morning show is the absolute best way to start a day. It`s a shame it`s the only park with one left, but at least MK still does.

Congratulations on your Buzz achievement. That`s wicked! Like super duper wicked!

Haha, yup that`s one mean looking beast!

That`s so cute that you got misty during the dance.

It sure was awesome walking there. I'm going to miss that in August.

I know! I loved all of the morning shows. Stinks they had to go and get rid of them all.

haha, thank you. I was pretty pleased after that.

I know, right?!

We actually didn't catch ETWB on our last trip. I'm going to make it a priority in January though!

You should see it! ETWB was really cute.

Wow, Emma has a cool job. If you have time, go into the Sunshine store in Celebration. I met a local that works the store for her mom, and they live in Celebration. She was very talkative and told me a lot about Celebration.

I use Shutterfly when I post my pictures. I have to copy the URL properties and then I copy and paste my pictues when I am writing my TR.

Yes, she seems to be enjoying it so far. I am curious to see what Celebration is like. Maybe she'll have to show me when we're there. I also want to see her apartment since she's not in the Disney ones anymore.

They're back today! Nice to see the Flower and Garden pics -- that's an event I hope to make sometime.

I hope you get to see it sometime too. The Flower and Garden Festival is amazing!

Going in through our TS system, they all cost the same number of points for that week. The only difference is availability; SSR is a lot easier to get because it's so big. When I look at the resort, SSR is at the top of my list; when I look at the unit, BLT. If we were doing the parks, BLT would have the edge, but since I had this one planned as a resort vacation, not sure which I'll go for if they're both available.

Yes, that is another reason why it's nice having SSR as our home resort. You can pretty much get it whenever you want!

Agreed. The MK opening show is The Best. That's one of the reasons I don't think I'll be doing the parks next time -- hubby and youngest daughter plan to go only to AK, and I could not do AK and not MK.

Yeah, I do think it would be hard to not do all of the parks!

Congrats on becoming a Galactic Hero!

Thank you!

Josh at EasyWDW says that there's a big rush at opening, but then sometimes it thins out once the people who raced their first thing clear out; looks like you caught that lull without even studying for it!

Yeah, it was nice that it wasn't that crowded. Although I think it definitely helped that it was still so early in the morning.

Congrats on snagging the bookmark. At this point, that's what I most want out of that experience. Well, and seeing it, too, of course.

haha, nice!

I love all the waterfalls and the lushness around the Under the Sea area, and really, all the New Fantasyland theming, as well as the theming by the Tangled bathroom. Can't say that last part many places without getting a funny look.

Me too. The castle and queue area are beautiful. The imagineers did such a great job.

Can't believe your next trip is so soon! It's so much fun having Disney friends because it's so true that someone I know is there at almost all times of the year! Helps me get over WDW withdrawal when I know friends are there enjoying it when I can't.

I really think the menu at Prime Time Cafe would be something that fits me, but the possible interactions with the staff might make me nervous! Maybe when we go back with my cousins, we could make a stop there. I think I'd feel "safer" with a bigger group of people!

That Cranium Command pin is so cute! I remember that attraction the most from that extinct pavilion.

Haha, those dark early morning MK photos are such an indication that I'm reading a wdwgirl03 TR!

I like that they don't care about gender when they choose the roles! How adorable was that little girl as the Beast!!! I'd be so excited if I were her mom.

I know! Though sometimes it makes looking at twitter and Instagram hard because it makes me miss it so much.

You know, the couple times we've been to the Prime Time we have never really had any crazy waiters. Well, Emma did have one who tried to feed her her beans or something. She's got a nice picture to prove that. haha!

Thanks! Emma got it when she bought one of the Epcot 30th anniversary boxed sets and didn't care for it. I was glad to take it off her hands.

haha, you know we love our early EMH!

She was way too cute. I probably would've been sobbing if I was her mom.

Oh Sarah! What a amazing, beautiful, awesome view! I would have been torn as to what to do...sit and stare out the window, or go to the park! Ok, go to the park won, but the view

I know! It was so fun coming back and just getting to stand out there, watching the monorails go by and staring at the castle and Space Mountain. My dad and I were just talking about the view the other day and he said it never got old and how it was better than he expected.

Well I just spent the morning in MK with you, and what fun!

We love the EMH, we had a great MK EHM in Nov, and it was the best day ever!

The Rapunzel area is awesome! I can't wait to see it, it fits right in. I think the new FL is just too awesome for words. If you get over to my TR, you see how lucky we got last year. Blown away is an appropriate term

Again, loving the view from your room.

I'm so glad you pictures are back, I tried reading with our them, but I'm glad I waited.

haha, thanks! Glad you enjoyed the MK morning.

EMH are the best.

I definitely agree about new Fantasyland. It was incredible finally getting to experience it.

Our view was amazing. I wish I was there right now.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Friday, April 5, 2013 cont'd (part 2)

As I mentioned one of my goals for this trip was to meet a bunch of the characters! So after Enchanted Tales with Belle and the Little Mermaid ride, we went over to Storybook Circus.



On our first night Dad and I met Daisy and Minnie at Pete's Silly Sideshow, but skipped Goofy and Donald. I was hoping to meet them that morning. Thankfully when we got there, there was hardly anybody there! I think there might've been one other family and that's it.

First up was Goofy!




And then the amazing Donaldo! Seriously, I am in love with all their circus costumes. So cute.





To continue the character meets, we then headed toward the garden to see Merida. Now, knowing how popular Rapunzel (and Flynn Rider...so glad I got to meet him a couple trips ago!) was, I knew we'd have to get there early to avoid waiting even longer for the actual meet. And when it's just Dad and me on a trip, Dad is always willing to do whatever, so we just went over there right away. There were a few families in front of us, so once the garden area actually opened we wouldn't have to wait too long. At one point Dad asked if I wanted any fastpasses, so while I was waiting, he ended up going to get some for Thunder Mountain. After a wait of about half an hour we were finally let inside the garden.



I could tell that Merida was so spunky just the way she was interacting with everyone. She was really cute. When it was finally my turn she asked me who I was with (or something like that) and when I said my dad, she asked if he hunted bears. haha



So with another character, checked off my must-meet list, we went to use our Thunder Mountain fastpasses. I couldn't resist stopping in the Rapunzel bathroom area. I cannot get over that area. I just love it!

I almost felt stupid for taking my camera out as I was leaving the restroom, but these walls!



Other fun details in the area are these posters.


The lanterns are too perfect.


Apparently we were zigzagging the park because after our ride on Thunder Mountain we went BACK to New Fantasyland for yet another character meet with Ariel!



Dad and I got our picture together first and then Ariel asked me if I wanted one with just the two of us. She told me she had a professional photographer. haha I have to say I am pretty happy with how the picture turned out! It's probably one of my favorites from the whole trip.




And since we were back in New Fantasyland it was the perfect opportunity to stop in Gaston's Tavern for some Lefou's Brew! I knew from the moment I heard about that drink that I would have to spring for the souvenir cup the first time I got it. I chose the Belle design. I also got a chocolate croissant as a snack.



I'm sure you're all dying to know what I thought of Lefou's Brew. When my parents dropped Emma off in January they both thought it was ok and Emma thought it was too sweet. Well, I LOVED it! It's described as frozen apple juice drink with passion fruit foam on the top. Mmmm! I can't wait to get it again in August. I think it'll be particularly delicious when it's super hot outside. Oh, and the croissant was good too. They also had cinnamon rolls that were no joke, almost as big as your head. LOL. They were HUGE!

Much like Be Our Guest, the tavern has great theming and of course Beauty and the Beast background music. It definitely is an immersive experience.


How awesome is this picture of my dad? He might hate me for posting it but hey, he was the one who posed that way (even though he said he probably looked like a fool )!

 

[dawnbu40]

Great update

New Fantasyland is just so awesome! I loved everything about it!

The picture of your dad is adorable! Looks like you two were having a great time

 

[WDWaddictt]

Great character meets!! Great pictures!!

That is a great picture of your dad! It's awesome to have fun in Disney!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Definitely looking forward to meeting Merida in the future (hopefully when she inevitably moves from her current locale and is hopefully a fastpass-able princess). She's the last of the princesses for me.

I loved finned Ariel as well. So much better in my opinion. I mean all the princesses have legs, so this is totally unique.

Oooooh isn't LeFou's Brew totally fantastic??? I LOVED it. And you're right, soooooo good on a hot day. I want one. Now!

Haha, LOVED your dad's pose. That's awesome!

 

[maryj11]

I cant wait to see the new fantasyland

 

[Caretames1]

Continuing on my catch up journey!



I feel the same way about AK, it is a very restful feeling when entering. Like you are entering a jungle, and you look everywhere at once.

Love the safari pictures! I swear our lion views are always hit or miss. We've not seen the baby elephants either, but a friend of mine did on her trip and they were playing and splashing around. She got some great photos!

EE in the dark would be awesome!

Kadence has gotten more interested in Pin Trading, to the point of trying really hard to trade to complete a set!

Wishes videos was great! When I win the lotto, I know right where getting my first room!

DHS, and TSM, is there any other place to run to in the morning! I like your breakfast choice!

Nice character meets!

We had a great meet with Ralph and Vanellope, great interaction from both!

We are going to try Pizza planet this time around, and I'm glad to hear it was good.

I like the TOT pictures when you played with the settings, made it look antique!

Gotta pose by the Milwaukee sign, Wisconsin Represent!! (side note, we just went to the Packer first training camp on Friday, and it was awesome! Clay Matthews was like 20 feet from us ...stretching! and Jordy Nelson and James Jones was playing catch 10 feet in front of us!)

 

[Caretames1]

I'm really enjoying your Epcot day! I'm sad that Test Track has changed, We haven't ridden the new version yet, but I've heard the same thing you said about it a couple times now. TT was Kadence favorite ride, and I hope she's not disappointed.

Soarin deserves applause! It's my favorite flight!

Even with the clouds, the flowers are beautiful! I love all the Topiaries! The must work on those for a long time to get them that perfect.

I am jealous of your sister, LOL going to the parks whenever, enjoy a nice Disney meal whenever! How cool she got her PI!

As for POP, I think you'll enjoy the grounds and food court. The room is basic, we spend all of our time in the parks, so just a place to sleep and get ready.
My excitement would be for how close to AoA you'll be! Check out the grounds there, it's amazing!

Sorry for you Photo-bucket issues, I have a pro-account, but still I hate the way they changed everything. I think my next TR, I will change to Flicker as well.