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Well, we're back from our 4 (1/2) days at the Happiest Place on Earth and boy did we have fun! For both of us it was like being kids again. We got soaked on Splash, ate junk food, yelled when we 'won' the race on RSR, screamed in 'fear' on TOT & Space, and just let ourselves have unencumbered, no-kids-or-hubbies-are-rolling-eyeballs F U N!! Heck, we probably would have gone to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique & had Princess makeovers if we could have gotten away with it.
Since we got to our hotel (offsite for the first night) earlier than expected we decided to upgrade our hoppers & add another day (hence the '1/2 day') and spend Sunday afternoon/evening at the Parks. We were able to keep our cute Cars plastic tickets by doing the upgrade at the WDTC in DTD. Crowds were fine, even if it was Dapper Day (everyone looked so, well, dapper!), and it was the first time for me seeing the Fireworks show, 'Remember, Dreams Come True'. Chills, goosebumps, teary eyes, laughter, all that good stuff. It was also the first time I've ever parked anywhere other than the 'old' parking lot! We parked at Buzz and rode the bus in. Not too unpleasant, but a good reminder of why I love to stay onsite. We did early check in at the Grand Monday morning 7am, got a free upgrade to Courtyard, which is my favorite, right by the elevators. Yay! Really cut down on the walking to and from the parks. Staying onsite is the only way to go! It was the first onsite stay for my BFF and now she's just as 'spoiled' as I am!
The crowds (what crowds?) were wonderful during Mon-Thurs. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood, both guests and CMs. We didn't encounter one single 'grumpus' our whole trip. Maybe it was that good old Disney Magic, maybe it was because we were just so happy to be there that our happiness spilled over. Fastpasses were being enforced at both parks, but since I usually returned within time before it didn't really affect us. I only noticed one party return outside their window, they told the CM their dinner ran late. The CM asked if they had their dining receipt, they didn't, he let them on anyway. Indy went down during our window & I was assured we could return any time that day & our FP would be honored (which it was). All in all, I like that they're enforcing FPs. The FP lines seemed much shorter & to move faster to me. I also experienced Disney's wonderful customer service. I'd bought a cute Minnie Mouse pin & put it on my purse strap. Somehow it fell off & was lost. When I bought a replacement I told the CM what happened and she told me if I still had the receipt for the original to take both receipts to any place that sold pins & they would refund me for the lost pin. And they did! I figured that replacement policy was geared more to children and broken toys. What a great experience.
One down side is that they are no longer giving out the gluten free list at City Hall. Apparently 'legal' decided that giving out a printed list was the same as 'giving medical advice' and since CMs aren't medically trained....well, you get the idea. I don't know if someone threatened Disney with a lawsuit because they got 'glutened' or what, but it was a real bummer. Disney is still accommodating allergies in their usual great way, it's just that you are now entering an establishment 'blind' where before you at least had an idea of what the offerings were. They still call the chef to make your meal, but (ok, I admit I'm a picky eater) now he has to explain what the offerings are and if there doesn't happen to be anything 'safe' that you also like, you've wasted valuable time, both the chefs and yours! I've written to Disney to complain, but once 'legal' gets involved, I doubt anything will be done. If they're concerned about 'medical advice', maybe they could have the RNs at First Aid give out the list. Or have me sign a waiver, whatever! Just give me my list!
Oh yeah, by the way...why didn't anyone tell me about those barstools at Trader Sam's? You know what I'm talking about. Very funny, you guys! The drinks are great & that place is a lot of fun.
As crazy as the 2 crazy girls were while we were in the parks, we became transformed into '2 dignified ladies' for our wonderful dinner at Club 33. How fun to walk down Main St in our fancy feathers, on our way to Club 33. And to ring that bell knowing you were, for one special evening, a 'member' (ok not really, but I could pretend, right?) of that exclusive club! Everything from the moment the door was opened to admit us to the moment our Club 33 escort left us at Main St (the park had closed when we were done 3 1/2 hours after we were seated) was just magical. The food was excellent, they catered to my need to be gluten free easily and deliciously, the servers were all attentive and informative (special thanks to Louis, what a consummate professional), the place so full of 'Disney' that I didn't know where to look next. It was truly a wonderful, memories-that-will-last-a-lifetime experience. We truly felt like 'Disney Princesses'. The souvenir case was pretty well stocked (no ears though) and I was able to purchase some nice items. Now if I can just convince my hubby that the latte mugs are just to look at, don't DRINK FROM IT!!! LOL. A very special public 'Thank You' to the very private person who made this possible. You really did make dreams come true for us.
Now, if anyone can give me step by step instructions how to post pictures on MiceChat from iPhoto...yeah, well, that would be great!
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Originally Posted by Avaren 
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