2009 The Good, the Bad & the Magical -Final Thoughts

[Mackflava99]

Epilogue - 2009 trip to WDW-

Overall, it was a wonderful vacation; I think we really utilized a lot more that our resort had to offer than previous years. I also think that we really felt “at home” as corny as it sounds, we got into that comfort zone.
Anyway, I cherish these times with my family, I truly enjoy the times I get to spend with my kids experiencing new things.
Overall, the decision to drive was a good one, we saved a lot of $$ from the previous year’s vacation budget and even with the 2 driving tickets we came out ahead. I have no issue doing it again, i am formerly apoligizing to my wife for all the complaining i did prior to going.
Also, in the ever ending discussion about DDP and if it really saves money, well it does. I calculated the menu prices vs. what we paid and it came out very positive. Now ,maybe we would have not gotten a dessert every time, but we also got some main courses we may not have ordered. Plus, I just love the fact I don’t have to carry my wallet all week.
Also, we utilized the DVC discounts at many stores and activities, so it was a very budget friendly trip (for once)
Our decision to budget our twins spending by allocating them $$ on a gift card was also smart once again.
We also missed seeing 2 other friends who were in town, Lauren and Mary Lou, we just didnt connect up with their families, but they had wonderful trips too..
Finally, the Beach Club front desk had my girls’ room keys read "Princess Mackenzie" and "Princess Taylor"- that was a pretty cool touch.
Best Pool – here are the family's pool rankings –
Best Pools
1. Beach Club
2. Coronado Springs
3. Polynesian
4. Wilderness
5. Caribbean (mostly because of the kid water play area)

Best Waterslides:
1. Beach Club
2. Polynesian
3. Boardwalk
5. Saratoga
6. Riverside
We really didn’t care for Saratoga Springs that much... the water is very shallow, plus it was dirty, but it might have been the time of day.-. While the Beach Club Waterslide is terrific- they also felt the Boardwalk waterslide and Poly were VERY close- I went on them all too- my ratings are pretty consistent-
Restaurants-
From our ADRs here are our favorites:
1. Ohana’s - Great food, a lot of fun and terrific service
2. LeCellier - Best meal, best service
3. Spoodles - Consistanylt excellent, we will miss you Spoodles
4. Hollywood Brown Derby – terrific once again.

Best lunch – (tie)
Flame Tree Barbeque
Beaches and Cream

We also found a lot of Hidden Mickeys:
In Japan (http://www.bryangalloway.com/Japan-Hidden%20Mickey.JPG)
Beach Club 1 (http://www.bryangalloway.com/HiddenmickeyBC1.JPG)
Beach Club 2 (http://www.bryangalloway.com/Hiddenmickey%20BC3.JPG)
At Spoodles (http://www.bryangalloway.com/hiddenmickey%20spoodles.JPG)
At Rafiki’s Planet watch (http://www.bryangalloway.com/AK%20hidden%20mickey.JPG)

We also saw 3 different Pocahantas’s
1.) At DHS (http://www.bryangalloway.com/pocahantas2.JPG)
2.) At AK (http://www.bryangalloway.com/mackdancin.JPG)
3.) At Planet Watch (http://www.bryangalloway.com/AK%20Pocohantas.JPG)
This gets hard to explain to the kids…


Next trip-
I want to try the treehouses, but I am not sure it would be a unanimous vote.
I can’t wait to go back again, and will live off of all the rest of your trip reports until I return again.

All I know is that I want to make sure my kids get to avoid the bad local character pictures : a Long Branch NJ Statue of Liberty guy (http://www.bryangalloway.com/untitled.JPG) outside Liberty tax accounting. Plus he signed their autograph book in Spanish.

I hope you all enjoyed my trip reports. I had fun writing them
Bryan

P.s. thanks to my R-N neighbors and all the people with John/Kate hairdos for keeping me in consistant laughter !!

[mouseketeer mom]

Awwwww! Say it isn't so! The reports are over!!
Bryan,
I loved each and every minute of your reports. You are candid, funny, and I love all the ratings and recaps especially. I love to know what worked and what didn't. Thanks for sharing your family pictures with us too!
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Hi to the girls!
Lisa

[SallyMcQueen]

Great trip reports. Definitely is making me think hard about staying at BC next time we go. Thanks again.

[AuntKari]

Hi Bryan,
Thanks so much for including us on your holiday! Great fun to read it all and I am so pleased it turned out to be a great trip. Nice to hear you enjoy being with your kids-just wonderful. Thanks for all the tips and joy in reading. Aunt Kari

[NotaGeek]

Thanks for the reports! :beer:

[Kathy Jetson]

I just finished reading your whole report. I loved it! It sounded like you planned it perfectly for the right amount of down time and park time. I would love to do that someday but we only stay 1 week and we are on the go in the parks from morning till night. Thanks for taking me along on your trip:mickey:

[yjgirl32]

Bummer. :sadwave: They are over. I don't think i've laughed so much when reading a report. I hope next month I can put at least a smile on someone's face with my reports. Thank you so much for sharing.

[aprilisis]

Awesome reports- Thanks!!! :thumbsup: I'm sad that they are over. When's your next trip??? ;)

[DizNee143]

glad you and your family had a great trip overall!! thank you so much for sharing it with us..i enjoyed reading all about it!! :mickey:

[marylouwho]

Enjoyed all of the reports and the pictures, as well. I'm glad that you didn't regret your decision to drive. Nice that Donna got a formal apology...lol.

your reports are making me want to try out BC next. maybe. :thumbsup:

sorry we didn't get to meet up too. maybe next time!

nice recap, great job, Bryan!

[faline]

Fun reports! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

[BluewaterBrad]

Your reports were fantastic!! Thanks!!:mickey:

[BelleKP]

Thanks Bryan for your terrific reports!! :thumbsup: Loved your ratings and great sense of humor!
Your R-N neighbours had DH and myself :rotfl: . . . my favourite was fishing off the balcony and trying to catch the 'gator! Priceless!
I'm just sad there is nothing left to read! :mickey:

[princessgirls]

Thanks Bryan for your great reports! I enjoyed reading all about your families adventures. I'm right with you about spending time with your family. It is the greatest gift we can give to our children.

I will think of you when I'm heading over the Driscoll bridge on our way to "The shore" as we say here in Jersey.

Happy Summer!

Julie:mickey:

[LilRonGal]

I have skimmed a few of your reports and will read them more in depth later.... I am enjoying your stories. The fishing neighbors had me cracking up and the girls are BEAUTIFUL! Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. :)

[WDWCrazyKaren]

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your reports. I've read them all (some of them twice!) and just had a great time living vicariously through you and your family.

I'm so glad that it really was "magical".

Now, go back again so I can read another trip report! :thumbsup:

[Madzac]

I really really enjoyed reading your trip reports and seeing the pictures of your lovely daughters. Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! :)

[NJGIRL]

Enjoyed reading your posts and I agree with you on the Kate hair do:confused:

[diz_girl]

All I know is that I want to make sure my kids get to avoid the bad local character pictures : a Long Branch NJ Statue of Liberty guy (http://www.bryangalloway.com/untitled.JPG) outside Liberty tax accounting. Plus he signed their autograph book in Spanish.


I love driving by there at tax time and seeing the guy dressed up as the State of Liberty.

Thanks for all of your trip reports. They were all very enjoyable.

[vizsla]

Thanks for the reports. I really enjoyed reading them.

[denygold]

Great reports ! Thanks

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

Thanks for a great trip report. I really enjoy the ones that make me feel like I'm right there with you.

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for the Report! :smickey:

[A Mouse Fan]

What a wonderful trip you had with your family. I really enjoyed reading your trip reports and think it was awesome that your family took the time to enjoy different resorts around WDW!
Thanks for sharing your trip with us!