DT's 2004 trip

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

Cast

Me—the planner who is trying not to plan this trip
Mike—my husband
Nathan—my son—6 years old

Karen—friend and co-worker
Lloyd—Karen’s husband and the Veteran in our group who made staying at SoG possible

Gary—Mike’s principal/friend
Linda—Gary’s wife
Kendra—Bio/pre-med major—daughter to Gary and Linda
Melanie—6 year old Granddaughter of Gary & Linda (not Kendra’s daughter)

Pre-trip

This trip wasn’t really a planned trip; we went last summer and were not planning to return until summer 2005. One day at work a co-worker/friend asked if we would like to go to WDW with her husband another family. They had 3 rooms at Shades of Green and offered one to us. The price was great but I had to say thanks, but we already have a vacation planned and will have to pass. A few weeks later my husband said we could go but it would have to be a short trip, we could only stay 4 days. I jumped on it; a quick trip is better than no trip.

We met several time over the months leading up to the trip to plan some meals and a rough plan as to what we wanted to do. We decided on one PS per day and everyone agreed on where we wanted to eat. The others in our group had not been to WDW since 1997 so I let them make all the decisions they wanted to make. I made some suggestions and gave them lots of information but tried not to make any decisions.

As spring went on the trip got longer and better; we were up to a week at WDW. Our original plan was to arrive in Orlando and get a cheap room off site of at the All Stars if codes came out. After waiting until a few weeks out and no codes we were given a great opportunity from our good friends. They gave us some of their points to stay at BCV!! We now had two days at Disney’s Beach Club Villas as a scouting mission for our trip next summer. What started as a 4 day dirt cheap Disney trip is looking like a full week long vacation at great resorts.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

Thursday

We hit the road at 2:45 pm for our 17 hour drive to WDW. We have plans to meet the rest of the group at WDW Saturday night so it’s just my little family and I love it. We are so excited, we chat for hours about everything while Nathan watched movies in the back seat. Our plan is to drive all night and hit WDW first thing in the morning, the back up is to stop and rest if we get too tired. The drive is uneventful and goes very easily until about 4 am when we get really tired. We decide to stop for an early breakfast to wake us up. We hit Denny’s in Valdosta, GA for a Big Slam breakfast. We walk in and the place feels like the tundra, it is so cold we cram our breakfast in and run for the parking lot with Nathan still wrapped in his blanket but awake.

Breakfast didn’t do the trick and wake us up since we ate so fast and ran out before we turned in to human Popsicles so we are still tired but getting more excited by the minute. Nathan and Mike start getting pumped up by doing some kind of guy thing yelling back and forth to each other. It works and we are wide awake as we roll through the gates to WDW. It is 8:30 am on my birthday and we are at WDW—life couldn’t be any better.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

It’s a beautiful day as we pull in to the Beach Club and we are impressed just walking in to the lobby. The fist magical moment comes when Art welcomes us to the resort and is so nice to my son. He took the time to talk to us and my son, what a great guy. The lobby is packed and so noisy, there are people every where, some eating breakfast at the little seating areas.

Check in goes smoothly but so different from Wilderness Lodge last summer. I almost had to yell to give my information to the CM while checking in. Our room is not ready at 9 am, no surprise there so we look around the lobby and head out to check out the pool I have read so much about. After that we look around the gift shop and decide to buy Nathan a pin lanyard so he can try his hand at pin trading. I brought 4 or 5 pins from home that I really didn’t want and the lanyard came with 4 pins so he has a few pins to try trading. Nathan’s first trade was with Art in the lobby, he had been so nice earlier so I knew he would be a great CM to start with.

The pin trade went well and my son is hooked. He traded a starter Buzz & Woody pin for a Who Wants to be a Millionaire 100 pin. He loves the pin and Art was so nice to him, he was patient while my son looked over all the pins before deciding on just the right pin.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

Nate and Art doing a little pin trading.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

Here is the first pin Nathan traded for:

tinkerbell · 07-19-2004

steph .. I have already got tears in my eyes!!! if the rest is this good I am gonna have to buy a large box of tissues to read the rest of your TR!!!
I love the picture of Nate and Art pin trading !!!!

**roxie** · 07-19-2004

That just makes me wish I was there!! My seven year old DS and I LOVE to trade pins. Very sweet.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

After the pin trade my husband shows me the 5 pins he and Nate picked out for me. They bought me a birthday pin with Mickey, and anniversary pin (for tomorrow) a BCV pin to remember the trip by, a stars and stripes Mickey pin, and a Minnie teacher pin. What a great birthday, if this is it I would be so happy. I love my family and spending time with them at WDW is so magical.

We call and the room is still not ready (no surprise, it’s still not noon yet) so we decide to head to Downtown Disney for lunch. We head for the bus stop and the DD bus come in a matter of minutes. We have the best ride!! Our bus driver, Sammy, is a riot, he starts out asking us where we are all from. After 5 or 6 people told him where they were from a lady from New Jersey spoke up and Sammy teased her about living in NJ. After that he has us singing songs, we sang I’m a little Teapot and several Disney songs then Sammy told us some bad but very funny jokes. The bus ride is the best I have ever had at WDW, what a blast.

We decide to get Nate a Happy Meal from McDonald’s first. What can I say, it’s nuggets and fries just like at home. Now it’s our turn, we head to Earl of Sandwich for our lunch. I can’t say enough about this place, the sandwiches are great. I have the Earl’s Club and Mike has the Caribbean Jerk Chicken sandwich. Mine is great but Mike’s is better. If you are looking for a good place to eat for very little money this is the place to go, we really enjoy this place and the price is right--$4.95 for each sandwich.

We decide to skip any shopping and head right back to the wonderful pool at BC. It takes a little talking but we get Nate out of there w/o going to the Lego store. We hop on the first bus back and change into out suits in the bathroom and get our wrist bands, and rent a locker and an inner tube. We hit the pool and are not disappointed, it is wonderful. We played in the sand, relaxed in the lazy river and enjoyed some great family time.

mickaholic4077 · 07-19-2004

Let me get this straight--you have to RENT an inner tube?????????????

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

After an hour or so of playing together Mike and Nathan hit the slides and I head for the beach. I have been looking forward to the sun and today is beautiful, it’s about 95 and very sunny. I find a chair on the beach and stretch out for some rays. There are 6 or 7 lounge chairs and the same number of beach chairs and there are 6 or 7 of us enjoying this beautiful afternoon. As I am sunning myself a young teenager comes over with a basket of chicken strips and chips. All of the sudden there are birds everywhere, all of them headed toward the young lady with the food. The next thing I know the lead bird takes flight and goes right for the strip in her hand. There is lots of screaming and chicken is flying everywhere. It was quick and over before she ever knew what hit her, the bird won and enjoy a great lunch.

While I am lying in the sun enjoying my birthday my wonderful husband brings me a Pina Colada. After watching the bird attack the young lady with the chicken strips I was a little worried about the fruit in my cup. The birds take note of my drink but seemed a little more cautious this time. As I lay there the birds begin to circle but don’t seem to be getting closer. I decide to take a chance and quickly eat the yummy pineapple before they have time to call in reinforcements.

While sitting on the beach looking across at the BW I talked to a couple of friends and my mother on my cell phone. It is the perfect spot, so relaxing and sunny. It has not gotten above 75 for 3 weeks at home and I have missed the warm sun. I soak up all I can before I rejoin my guys at the slides. My sweet husband disappears again only to return with another frozen drink, I don’t remember the name but it’s as good as the first.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

Here is my view from the beach at Yacht and Beach Club beach. It doesn't get any better than this.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

This has to be trip 50 down the slide for Nathan.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-19-2004

At about 6 pm we finally get out of the pool and call to get our room number. We finally find our room, room 260, and it is great. It’s so big and it’s just a studio, I can’t imagine how nice the one and two bedrooms are. I snap a few pictures before I allow the family to move in. Mike runs out to get the bags, we are moving to another resort so we only have a couple of over night bags so we don’t worry about bell services.

I hop in a quick shower and the others follow. We decided on Beaches and Cream for dinner before we left home and are sticking to that plan. I almost changed our plans as we walked by Cape May on our way back from the pool, it looked and smelled so good I was almost at the podium asking how soon we could get a table.

We are back down to the pool area and checked in to B&C in less than an hour. We hop over to the arcade for a few games while we wait. My son, bless his heart, was set on winning me a prize for my birthday. He plays several games and can’t win, he looks so sad while he hangs his head and says “Mommy, I am sorry I failed to win you a birthday present.” My heart swells and tears well in my eyes as I tell him I have already gotten the best birthday present; a day with my family at the happiest place on Earth. That helps a little but he is still set on willing me a present. Mike decides to take him over to the gumball like machines and he buys me a little Daisy Duck figurine and proudly presents it to me.

We finally get our table and order dinner. I decide on the hamburger, fries for Nathan (he really doesn’t eat meat) and a grilled chicken sandwich for Mike. The food is good and the restaurant is fun. I am not sure I would go out of my way to eat here but if you are already at BC it’s good. My husband has wanted to try the Kitchen Sink for a couple of years but we are so tired, we drove all night and haven’t been to bed to we decide on a smaller one scoop sundae instead. I wanted to take a few pictures with our new camera at night so I pop out to the pool/beach area while the guys wait on the ice cream. They meet me outside with the ice cream (the biggest one scoop sundae I have ever seen) and we head back up to the room ready for bed. We are all so tired that I think we are asleep before our heads hit the pillows.

cincibar · 07-19-2004

I stayed at BCV last year -- you trip report's bringing back great memories for me!!

tinkerbell · 07-20-2004

wow ... I felt as if I was there with you !! that was a very wonderful first day :)

Storm59 · 07-20-2004

It sounds wonderful! I'm closing my eyes and imagining myself there with you!

And Happy Birthday!

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

Here are a few more pictures from our first day.

Here is the walkway to the villas.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

The solarium

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

Here is my son, Nathan.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

Here is our studio room. I decided that we are spending part if not all of our trip here next summer.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

We had a huge balcony over looking the villa's quiet pool.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

The door area of the studio, it's huge. The kitchenette is on the right.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

Here is a night shot of BW from the Y&B Club beach.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

The Y&B Club.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

Day 2

We are up early so we can run over to Shades of Green and check in there before we hit the Magic Kingdom. We are showered, have the car loaded, and are at Shades of Green before 8 am. We are impressed just driving up, we are greeted by a large waterfall in front of the new check in area. We park and go in to the lobby and take a moment to look around. It is huge, it’s bright and very beautiful. I head over to check in while Mike and Nathan look around some more. Even though we had all the paper work sent in before we left home we were unable to check in until our sponsor arrives later today. No big deal, we have a full day planned anyway.

Since we are not checked in we don’t have a parking pass so we drive over to MK. We are still guests at BCV so we are waved right through to the parking lot. We have not driven to the MK in more than 10 years, I forgot how enormous the parking lot is. We are early; it’s not even 8:30 yet so we get a very good parking place in the Minnie lot. We unload what we need for the day, snap a picture of the lot sign (just in case we forget by the end of the day) and walk toward the Ticket & Transportation area. We pick the monorail over the ferry to get to the MK. There is no line and I am looking at the train station/front of the MK in a matter of minutes.

crystalrp · 07-20-2004

Your night shots are gorgeous!

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalrp

Your night shots are gorgeous!

Thanks, Crystal. I was really just playing around with our new camera. I needed a tripod for the slower night shots but I was happy with what I got.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

After a short wait we are ready to hit the parks after the cute little opening ceremony. We never see this because we usually do Extra Magic Hour and I don’t think they do this then. As we walk down Main Street we pause to get our picture taken by the Disney CM on Main Street. We haven’t done this in the past and I have always wanted to. This trip is all about taking our time and enjoying the magic.

We head over to Tomorrowland and go straight to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. My son, Nathan, was so scared of this ride last year and is not at all thrilled about doing it again. I am the responsible parent and tell him he can’t go on his very favorite TTA until he tries Buzz again. I am thinking ahead and pop some soft ear plugs in and off we go. We walk right on and guess what?? He loves it!! My son loves Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin!!! He is so excited and all smiles as we get off. We head over to the WED Way and tour Tomorrowland. My son loves this ride, he is looking all over as we make our round.

After the WED Way we grab FastPasses for Buzz and head over to the Indy Speedway. The line is short and my DS is behind the wheel before I know it. I am the chosen one picked to ride with him. He has a blast and we are all over the road. I am screaming and he is cracking up. I had no idea that these cars can move side to side like they do. It’s a good thing he has 10 more years before he hits the real roads. We hop right back in line for Indy Speedway since the line is still short.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

Indy Speedway

Metalfan · 07-20-2004

Tremendous photos!! I love your report!!!

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

After our second trip through the Speedway we head over to Goofy’s Barnstormer. Nathan sort of liked this last summer and says he’s ready to do it again. We walk right on to it, where is everyone? When we get off Goofy is there signing autographs so we walk up and Nathan meets Goofy and gets his autograph. Here is where I am not sure what to do—I think Goofy is our very own RowdyRaider. I know he is working here today but I have no idea how to approach him to really find out so I chicken out and do nothing. We head right back in line and take another trip on Goofy's BS. Ther is still no line so we are get the front two cars. Nathan picks the front car and he loves it and yells for it to go faster. Where is my little chicken from last summer??

Here is a picture of Nathan and Matt (RowdyRaider)—I think.

tinkerbell · 07-20-2004

oh those are such great pictures !! more more more!!!

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickaholic4077

Let me get this straight--you have to RENT an inner tube?????????????

Not a big deal, you can rent it for an hour or the whole day. I would rather do that than fight for one. This way the pool staff can limit the number of tubes in the pool so people can also swim w/o too many tubes.

We rented a tube for the day and should have gotten it for just an hour to try it out. We ended up letting another family we met use it since Nathan didn't really like it or fit in it well. I really don't know how much they used it since we went off and did our own thing. I told them they could use it as much as they like, just return it to our chairs when finished, I hope they did.

wendy darling · 07-20-2004

I'm so happy for you. People who have never been really do not understand the complete joy you feel at WDW. I have tears in my eyes reading of your happiness and remembering all the good times me and my family have had as well. My children DD"10" and DS"4" never argue or fight at WDW. What a wonderfull place!!!!!!

**Dana** · 07-20-2004

Oh Steph...it's great. All of it. The pictures, the report and the magical memories you had. I am loving every second of it. I can't wait ot read the rest.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

After our two trips on Goofy’s Barnstormer we head to Fantasyland and grap FastpPasses for Mickey’s PhilharMagic. We decide to hop on Dumbo since there is no line. What a classic ride. Nathan and Mike share a Dumbo and I get one of my own. After Dumbo we head over to do Buzz again with our FastPasses. Nathan is thrilled with this ride, he announces it is now his favorite ride! After Buzz it’s off to the WED Way again, Nathan just can’t get enough of this ride. Lucky for us the line is always short and the tour is enjoyable.

It’s back over to Fantasyland and the Tea Cups. Once again there isn’t much of a line so we hop on and spin away. At this point Mike decides spinning rides are no longer for him and we head over to grab FastPasses for Peter Pan before hitting Mickey’s PhilharMagic. I haven’t read much about this on purpose and can’t wait to see for myself what all the excitement is all about. WOW!!! That’s all I can say. This is by far the best show at WDW, I fall in love with it from the minute the show starts. This is something we will have to do again this week. After another spin on Buzz and a trip around on the WED Way it’s time for Peter Pan’s Flight. I love this ride, it is so magical to fly over London.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

It’s getting to be lunch time so we head over to our favorite place, the Plaza Restaurant, for a cool break and a good lunch. We are lucky, without a PS the wait is only 10-15 minutes. I love this place, is small, quiet, and always so cool. The menu is limited but everything is good. We enjoy our lunch while talking about the lack of crowds, where is everyone? It’s Saturday and look at all we have done before noon. Wow!

It’s time for a walk down Main Street and a little window shopping. Mike wants to run out to the can for the other cell phone, my battery is getting a little low and he wants to be sure we can get a hold of Karen and Lloyd so we can check in to our resort and form a plan for tomorrow. While he does that Nathan and I go check out our picture from this morning and look around a little. I love Main Street, it’s so magical.

After buying one of the pictures we head over to the barber shop for a hair cut. Not only is there no line there is an empty chair! I cannot believe this, it’s a beautiful Saturday and we are walking up to almost everything. On the way in the door Nathan notices several Mickey heads on the floor and spends a minute or two trying to pick them up. Michael the barber notices and comes over and tells Nathan to put his hands out, he does and Michael fills his little hands with hundreds of Mickey heads. He is so excited. After dumping all the Mickeys into a bag Nathan climbs into the barber chair. He gets a super hair cut complete with pixie dust sprinkled in his hair. I am shocked to learn that the hair cut only costs $14 (plus tip), that’s what I pay at home, what a deal.

This trip is all about taking a little time to do some of the extras and the barber shop is one of those little extras.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

I love this picture

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

she really took her time and he ended up with a great cut.

**DisneyTeacher** · 07-20-2004

here is the pixie dust

07-19-2004	#1 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	DT's 2004 trip Cast Me—the planner who is trying not to plan this trip Mike—my husband Nathan—my son—6 years old Karen—friend and co-worker Lloyd—Karen’s husband and the Veteran in our group who made staying at SoG possible Gary—Mike’s principal/friend Linda—Gary’s wife Kendra—Bio/pre-med major—daughter to Gary and Linda Melanie—6 year old Granddaughter of Gary & Linda (not Kendra’s daughter) Pre-trip This trip wasn’t really a planned trip; we went last summer and were not planning to return until summer 2005. One day at work a co-worker/friend asked if we would like to go to WDW with her husband another family. They had 3 rooms at Shades of Green and offered one to us. The price was great but I had to say thanks, but we already have a vacation planned and will have to pass. A few weeks later my husband said we could go but it would have to be a short trip, we could only stay 4 days. I jumped on it; a quick trip is better than no trip. We met several time over the months leading up to the trip to plan some meals and a rough plan as to what we wanted to do. We decided on one PS per day and everyone agreed on where we wanted to eat. The others in our group had not been to WDW since 1997 so I let them make all the decisions they wanted to make. I made some suggestions and gave them lots of information but tried not to make any decisions. As spring went on the trip got longer and better; we were up to a week at WDW. Our original plan was to arrive in Orlando and get a cheap room off site of at the All Stars if codes came out. After waiting until a few weeks out and no codes we were given a great opportunity from our good friends. They gave us some of their points to stay at BCV!! We now had two days at Disney’s Beach Club Villas as a scouting mission for our trip next summer. What started as a 4 day dirt cheap Disney trip is looking like a full week long vacation at great resorts. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-19-2004	#2 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Thursday We hit the road at 2:45 pm for our 17 hour drive to WDW. We have plans to meet the rest of the group at WDW Saturday night so it’s just my little family and I love it. We are so excited, we chat for hours about everything while Nathan watched movies in the back seat. Our plan is to drive all night and hit WDW first thing in the morning, the back up is to stop and rest if we get too tired. The drive is uneventful and goes very easily until about 4 am when we get really tired. We decide to stop for an early breakfast to wake us up. We hit Denny’s in Valdosta, GA for a Big Slam breakfast. We walk in and the place feels like the tundra, it is so cold we cram our breakfast in and run for the parking lot with Nathan still wrapped in his blanket but awake. Breakfast didn’t do the trick and wake us up since we ate so fast and ran out before we turned in to human Popsicles so we are still tired but getting more excited by the minute. Nathan and Mike start getting pumped up by doing some kind of guy thing yelling back and forth to each other. It works and we are wide awake as we roll through the gates to WDW. It is 8:30 am on my birthday and we are at WDW—life couldn’t be any better. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes Last edited by DisneyTeacher; 03-28-2005 at 08:19 AM.

07-19-2004	#3 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip It’s a beautiful day as we pull in to the Beach Club and we are impressed just walking in to the lobby. The fist magical moment comes when Art welcomes us to the resort and is so nice to my son. He took the time to talk to us and my son, what a great guy. The lobby is packed and so noisy, there are people every where, some eating breakfast at the little seating areas. Check in goes smoothly but so different from Wilderness Lodge last summer. I almost had to yell to give my information to the CM while checking in. Our room is not ready at 9 am, no surprise there so we look around the lobby and head out to check out the pool I have read so much about. After that we look around the gift shop and decide to buy Nathan a pin lanyard so he can try his hand at pin trading. I brought 4 or 5 pins from home that I really didn’t want and the lanyard came with 4 pins so he has a few pins to try trading. Nathan’s first trade was with Art in the lobby, he had been so nice earlier so I knew he would be a great CM to start with. The pin trade went well and my son is hooked. He traded a starter Buzz & Woody pin for a Who Wants to be a Millionaire 100 pin. He loves the pin and Art was so nice to him, he was patient while my son looked over all the pins before deciding on just the right pin. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-19-2004	#4 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Nate and Art doing a little pin trading. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-19-2004	#5 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Here is the first pin Nathan traded for: __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes Last edited by DisneyTeacher; 03-28-2005 at 08:19 AM.

		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > Trip Reports
DT's 2004 trip

07-19-2004	#6 (permalink)
tinkerbell Neverland Tour Guide ® Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Ark-La-Tex Posts: 7,596	Re: DT's 2004 trip steph .. I have already got tears in my eyes!!! if the rest is this good I am gonna have to buy a large box of tissues to read the rest of your TR!!! I love the picture of Nate and Art pin trading !!!! __________________ Stinkerbell, so named by Darth Official Defender of Swiss Family Treehouse MB chitchatter. We don't need no stinkin' post counts Protect Texas!!! Arm A Dillo

07-19-2004	#7 (permalink)
roxie Invisible Woman Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,571	Re: DT's 2004 trip That just makes me wish I was there!! My seven year old DS and I LOVE to trade pins. Very sweet.

07-19-2004	#8 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip After the pin trade my husband shows me the 5 pins he and Nate picked out for me. They bought me a birthday pin with Mickey, and anniversary pin (for tomorrow) a BCV pin to remember the trip by, a stars and stripes Mickey pin, and a Minnie teacher pin. What a great birthday, if this is it I would be so happy. I love my family and spending time with them at WDW is so magical. We call and the room is still not ready (no surprise, it’s still not noon yet) so we decide to head to Downtown Disney for lunch. We head for the bus stop and the DD bus come in a matter of minutes. We have the best ride!! Our bus driver, Sammy, is a riot, he starts out asking us where we are all from. After 5 or 6 people told him where they were from a lady from New Jersey spoke up and Sammy teased her about living in NJ. After that he has us singing songs, we sang I’m a little Teapot and several Disney songs then Sammy told us some bad but very funny jokes. The bus ride is the best I have ever had at WDW, what a blast. We decide to get Nate a Happy Meal from McDonald’s first. What can I say, it’s nuggets and fries just like at home. Now it’s our turn, we head to Earl of Sandwich for our lunch. I can’t say enough about this place, the sandwiches are great. I have the Earl’s Club and Mike has the Caribbean Jerk Chicken sandwich. Mine is great but Mike’s is better. If you are looking for a good place to eat for very little money this is the place to go, we really enjoy this place and the price is right--$4.95 for each sandwich. We decide to skip any shopping and head right back to the wonderful pool at BC. It takes a little talking but we get Nate out of there w/o going to the Lego store. We hop on the first bus back and change into out suits in the bathroom and get our wrist bands, and rent a locker and an inner tube. We hit the pool and are not disappointed, it is wonderful. We played in the sand, relaxed in the lazy river and enjoyed some great family time. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes Last edited by DisneyTeacher; 07-23-2004 at 01:52 PM.

07-19-2004	#9 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	Re: DT's 2004 trip Let me get this straight--you have to RENT an inner tube?????????????

07-19-2004	#10 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip After an hour or so of playing together Mike and Nathan hit the slides and I head for the beach. I have been looking forward to the sun and today is beautiful, it’s about 95 and very sunny. I find a chair on the beach and stretch out for some rays. There are 6 or 7 lounge chairs and the same number of beach chairs and there are 6 or 7 of us enjoying this beautiful afternoon. As I am sunning myself a young teenager comes over with a basket of chicken strips and chips. All of the sudden there are birds everywhere, all of them headed toward the young lady with the food. The next thing I know the lead bird takes flight and goes right for the strip in her hand. There is lots of screaming and chicken is flying everywhere. It was quick and over before she ever knew what hit her, the bird won and enjoy a great lunch. While I am lying in the sun enjoying my birthday my wonderful husband brings me a Pina Colada. After watching the bird attack the young lady with the chicken strips I was a little worried about the fruit in my cup. The birds take note of my drink but seemed a little more cautious this time. As I lay there the birds begin to circle but don’t seem to be getting closer. I decide to take a chance and quickly eat the yummy pineapple before they have time to call in reinforcements. While sitting on the beach looking across at the BW I talked to a couple of friends and my mother on my cell phone. It is the perfect spot, so relaxing and sunny. It has not gotten above 75 for 3 weeks at home and I have missed the warm sun. I soak up all I can before I rejoin my guys at the slides. My sweet husband disappears again only to return with another frozen drink, I don’t remember the name but it’s as good as the first. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes Last edited by DisneyTeacher; 07-19-2004 at 08:07 PM.

07-19-2004	#11 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Here is my view from the beach at Yacht and Beach Club beach. It doesn't get any better than this. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-19-2004	#12 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip This has to be trip 50 down the slide for Nathan. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-19-2004	#13 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip At about 6 pm we finally get out of the pool and call to get our room number. We finally find our room, room 260, and it is great. It’s so big and it’s just a studio, I can’t imagine how nice the one and two bedrooms are. I snap a few pictures before I allow the family to move in. Mike runs out to get the bags, we are moving to another resort so we only have a couple of over night bags so we don’t worry about bell services. I hop in a quick shower and the others follow. We decided on Beaches and Cream for dinner before we left home and are sticking to that plan. I almost changed our plans as we walked by Cape May on our way back from the pool, it looked and smelled so good I was almost at the podium asking how soon we could get a table. We are back down to the pool area and checked in to B&C in less than an hour. We hop over to the arcade for a few games while we wait. My son, bless his heart, was set on winning me a prize for my birthday. He plays several games and can’t win, he looks so sad while he hangs his head and says “Mommy, I am sorry I failed to win you a birthday present.” My heart swells and tears well in my eyes as I tell him I have already gotten the best birthday present; a day with my family at the happiest place on Earth. That helps a little but he is still set on willing me a present. Mike decides to take him over to the gumball like machines and he buys me a little Daisy Duck figurine and proudly presents it to me. We finally get our table and order dinner. I decide on the hamburger, fries for Nathan (he really doesn’t eat meat) and a grilled chicken sandwich for Mike. The food is good and the restaurant is fun. I am not sure I would go out of my way to eat here but if you are already at BC it’s good. My husband has wanted to try the Kitchen Sink for a couple of years but we are so tired, we drove all night and haven’t been to bed to we decide on a smaller one scoop sundae instead. I wanted to take a few pictures with our new camera at night so I pop out to the pool/beach area while the guys wait on the ice cream. They meet me outside with the ice cream (the biggest one scoop sundae I have ever seen) and we head back up to the room ready for bed. We are all so tired that I think we are asleep before our heads hit the pillows. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-19-2004	#14 (permalink)
cincibar Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 87	Re: DT's 2004 trip I stayed at BCV last year -- you trip report's bringing back great memories for me!! __________________ Hurry baaaack....Dont forget to bring your death certificate......

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07-20-2004	#26 (permalink)
crystalrp Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: skowhegan, maine Posts: 1,235	Re: DT's 2004 trip Your night shots are gorgeous! __________________ 1972~off site 1982~Contemporary 1998~Port Orleans 1999~Caribbean Beach/Disney Magic 2001~Dixie Landings/Disney Wonder 2003~Wilderness Lodge/Disney Wonder 2004~POFQ and AKL

07-20-2004	#15 (permalink)
tinkerbell Neverland Tour Guide ® Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Ark-La-Tex Posts: 7,596	Re: DT's 2004 trip wow ... I felt as if I was there with you !! that was a very wonderful first day :) __________________ Stinkerbell, so named by Darth Official Defender of Swiss Family Treehouse MB chitchatter. We don't need no stinkin' post counts Protect Texas!!! Arm A Dillo

07-20-2004	#16 (permalink)
Storm59 Big Cheese Join Date: May 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 560	Re: DT's 2004 trip It sounds wonderful! I'm closing my eyes and imagining myself there with you! And Happy Birthday! __________________ "You cheated!" "Pirate!" ~ CBR 5/93 ~ ASM 2/95 ~ CSR 7/03 ~ AKL 2/04 ~ PC 2/05 ~ ´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`xxx´¨)Thanks for noticin' me...´¨)

07-20-2004	#17 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Here are a few more pictures from our first day. Here is the walkway to the villas. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#18 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip The solarium Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#19 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Here is my son, Nathan. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes Last edited by DisneyTeacher; 03-28-2005 at 08:20 AM.

07-20-2004	#20 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Here is our studio room. I decided that we are spending part if not all of our trip here next summer. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#21 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip We had a huge balcony over looking the villa's quiet pool. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#22 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip The door area of the studio, it's huge. The kitchenette is on the right. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#23 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Here is a night shot of BW from the Y&B Club beach. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#24 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip The Y&B Club. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#25 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Day 2 We are up early so we can run over to Shades of Green and check in there before we hit the Magic Kingdom. We are showered, have the car loaded, and are at Shades of Green before 8 am. We are impressed just driving up, we are greeted by a large waterfall in front of the new check in area. We park and go in to the lobby and take a moment to look around. It is huge, it’s bright and very beautiful. I head over to check in while Mike and Nathan look around some more. Even though we had all the paper work sent in before we left home we were unable to check in until our sponsor arrives later today. No big deal, we have a full day planned anyway. Since we are not checked in we don’t have a parking pass so we drive over to MK. We are still guests at BCV so we are waved right through to the parking lot. We have not driven to the MK in more than 10 years, I forgot how enormous the parking lot is. We are early; it’s not even 8:30 yet so we get a very good parking place in the Minnie lot. We unload what we need for the day, snap a picture of the lot sign (just in case we forget by the end of the day) and walk toward the Ticket & Transportation area. We pick the monorail over the ferry to get to the MK. There is no line and I am looking at the train station/front of the MK in a matter of minutes. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes Last edited by DisneyTeacher; 07-20-2004 at 03:39 PM.

07-20-2004	#28 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip After a short wait we are ready to hit the parks after the cute little opening ceremony. We never see this because we usually do Extra Magic Hour and I don’t think they do this then. As we walk down Main Street we pause to get our picture taken by the Disney CM on Main Street. We haven’t done this in the past and I have always wanted to. This trip is all about taking our time and enjoying the magic. We head over to Tomorrowland and go straight to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. My son, Nathan, was so scared of this ride last year and is not at all thrilled about doing it again. I am the responsible parent and tell him he can’t go on his very favorite TTA until he tries Buzz again. I am thinking ahead and pop some soft ear plugs in and off we go. We walk right on and guess what?? He loves it!! My son loves Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin!!! He is so excited and all smiles as we get off. We head over to the WED Way and tour Tomorrowland. My son loves this ride, he is looking all over as we make our round. After the WED Way we grab FastPasses for Buzz and head over to the Indy Speedway. The line is short and my DS is behind the wheel before I know it. I am the chosen one picked to ride with him. He has a blast and we are all over the road. I am screaming and he is cracking up. I had no idea that these cars can move side to side like they do. It’s a good thing he has 10 more years before he hits the real roads. We hop right back in line for Indy Speedway since the line is still short. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes Last edited by DisneyTeacher; 07-20-2004 at 03:41 PM.

07-20-2004	#29 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip Indy Speedway Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#30 (permalink)
Metalfan Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 848	Re: DT's 2004 trip Tremendous photos!! I love your report!!! __________________ Rock Hard! Ride Freeeeee! Like a tiger in a cage, I begin to shake with rage! Nothing else.

07-20-2004	#31 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip After our second trip through the Speedway we head over to Goofy’s Barnstormer. Nathan sort of liked this last summer and says he’s ready to do it again. We walk right on to it, where is everyone? When we get off Goofy is there signing autographs so we walk up and Nathan meets Goofy and gets his autograph. Here is where I am not sure what to do—I think Goofy is our very own RowdyRaider. I know he is working here today but I have no idea how to approach him to really find out so I chicken out and do nothing. We head right back in line and take another trip on Goofy's BS. Ther is still no line so we are get the front two cars. Nathan picks the front car and he loves it and yells for it to go faster. Where is my little chicken from last summer?? Here is a picture of Nathan and Matt (RowdyRaider)—I think. Attached Images __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#32 (permalink)
tinkerbell Neverland Tour Guide ® Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Ark-La-Tex Posts: 7,596	Re: DT's 2004 trip oh those are such great pictures !! more more more!!! __________________ Stinkerbell, so named by Darth Official Defender of Swiss Family Treehouse MB chitchatter. We don't need no stinkin' post counts Protect Texas!!! Arm A Dillo

07-20-2004	#34 (permalink)
wendy darling Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 63	Re: DT's 2004 trip I'm so happy for you. People who have never been really do not understand the complete joy you feel at WDW. I have tears in my eyes reading of your happiness and remembering all the good times me and my family have had as well. My children DD"10" and DS"4" never argue or fight at WDW. What a wonderfull place!!!!!!

07-20-2004	#35 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 23,887	Re: DT's 2004 trip Oh Steph...it's great. All of it. The pictures, the report and the magical memories you had. I am loving every second of it. I can't wait ot read the rest. __________________ ~82 off-site~91 off-site~97 ASMusic~ ~00 ASMovies~02 Wilderness Lodge~04 Animal Kingdom Lodge~ ~05 Animal Kingdom Lodge & Polynesian~ ~05 Port Orleans French Quarter~06 Old Key West~ ~07 Port Orleans French Quarter~08 Old Key West~ ~09 Saratoga Springs~10 Coronado Springs~ 10 Port Orleans Fench Quarter~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 10 day do all or die trying trip. 193 days 17 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#36 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip After our two trips on Goofy’s Barnstormer we head to Fantasyland and grap FastpPasses for Mickey’s PhilharMagic. We decide to hop on Dumbo since there is no line. What a classic ride. Nathan and Mike share a Dumbo and I get one of my own. After Dumbo we head over to do Buzz again with our FastPasses. Nathan is thrilled with this ride, he announces it is now his favorite ride! After Buzz it’s off to the WED Way again, Nathan just can’t get enough of this ride. Lucky for us the line is always short and the tour is enjoyable. It’s back over to Fantasyland and the Tea Cups. Once again there isn’t much of a line so we hop on and spin away. At this point Mike decides spinning rides are no longer for him and we head over to grab FastPasses for Peter Pan before hitting Mickey’s PhilharMagic. I haven’t read much about this on purpose and can’t wait to see for myself what all the excitement is all about. WOW!!! That’s all I can say. This is by far the best show at WDW, I fall in love with it from the minute the show starts. This is something we will have to do again this week. After another spin on Buzz and a trip around on the WED Way it’s time for Peter Pan’s Flight. I love this ride, it is so magical to fly over London. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes

07-20-2004	#37 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,557	Re: DT's 2004 trip It’s getting to be lunch time so we head over to our favorite place, the Plaza Restaurant, for a cool break and a good lunch. We are lucky, without a PS the wait is only 10-15 minutes. I love this place, is small, quiet, and always so cool. The menu is limited but everything is good. We enjoy our lunch while talking about the lack of crowds, where is everyone? It’s Saturday and look at all we have done before noon. Wow! It’s time for a walk down Main Street and a little window shopping. Mike wants to run out to the can for the other cell phone, my battery is getting a little low and he wants to be sure we can get a hold of Karen and Lloyd so we can check in to our resort and form a plan for tomorrow. While he does that Nathan and I go check out our picture from this morning and look around a little. I love Main Street, it’s so magical. After buying one of the pictures we head over to the barber shop for a hair cut. Not only is there no line there is an empty chair! I cannot believe this, it’s a beautiful Saturday and we are walking up to almost everything. On the way in the door Nathan notices several Mickey heads on the floor and spends a minute or two trying to pick them up. Michael the barber notices and comes over and tells Nathan to put his hands out, he does and Michael fills his little hands with hundreds of Mickey heads. He is so excited. After dumping all the Mickeys into a bag Nathan climbs into the barber chair. He gets a super hair cut complete with pixie dust sprinkled in his hair. I am shocked to learn that the hair cut only costs $14 (plus tip), that’s what I pay at home, what a deal. This trip is all about taking a little time to do some of the extras and the barber shop is one of those little extras. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 162 days 22 hours 16 minutes Last edited by DisneyTeacher; 07-20-2004 at 11:24 PM.