TK and Tink: The Trip Report You Never Saw Coming - *Update 7-22* P43

[TarzansKat]

I LOVE IT!

HA!, can you imagine it?? maroo and I go to Main Street, start a huge popcorn fight right there, and document the whole thing, just so we can put it into our trip report next year!!:lmao::lmao:

Oh my gosh! I would die laughing! It must be video taped!:lmao:

[creativeamanda]

TK and Tink, I so thought of you two today.

We went to Myrtle Beach for the day and ate lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. I had the Category 5 Hurricane there and let me say, it was a nommy rum drink (2 kinds of rum, mind you) that would have made a pirate proud. . .

[TarzansKat]

TK and Tink, I so thought of you two today.

AW! :hug:


We went to Myrtle Beach for the day and ate lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. I had the Category 5 Hurricane there and let me say, it was a nommy rum drink (2 kinds of rum, mind you) that would have made a pirate proud. . .

:lmao:

Good girl!

Er...pirate.

You know what I mean. pirate:

[TarzansKat]

When last we left our daring duo, they were hungry.

So hungry that they decided they couldn't prolong the inevitable, and took the plunge to check in early.

What I didn't realize, having not been there in years, is that the check in area for the California Grill is actually downstairs. Tink, having dined there in the recent past, was able to lead me to the correct area.

I would have to say, one of the things that really put me over the edge (of hunger) was when we were walking through the shops on the main concourse, and they have a new area with all the baked goods/candies/treats. I was starving, and once I saw those I knew we needed to eat soon before I caved! :lmao:

So, we checked in at the podium, and were graciously escorted upstairs. For those of you who don't know, a CM will take you by elevator to the California Grill, and they make polite chitchat with you the whole way. Very, very nice start (and end) to the evening.

I remember waking in and feeling like I'd come home. I hadn't been to the California Grill in years. The last time was probably before I had my son, and with Mom and Nana. We used to go there all the time (even if we weren't having dinner) to have cocktails and enjoy that incredible view.

I think the view literally took my breath away. It had been so long since I'd seen it, I believe I may have even said to Tink, "I'd forgotten." Very wistful, all of a sudden, I'd forgotten how beautiful it was. And is it amazing that something you've done so many times before, but hadn't visited in so long, that you're visiting with someone new, can still take your breath away? I had a lot of moments like that on this trip, and I think of them fondly even now.

Disney is a place of memories for me. So many memories. I sent Tink an e-mail before we left about how special she was to me. About how now, she would be part of that collective Disney memory, how she would be a person that I would think of now whenever I thought of certain places. And it's true. When I see certain things now, they always make me think of Tink. I'll be getting to one of those later, most likely the next chapter.

We seated ourselves in the lounge area, waiting for our table to be ready. I would have to say we probably sat for about 15 minutes. Not too long, and we just chatted, and were also silent some times, just enjoying our relaxation. I took the opportunity to take some photos of the view, and that was lovely.

Ah, Tink! I did take good notes. Our waiter's name was Steven!!!! :goodvibes (We were just debating this the other day. :lmao:)

We were finally seated, and here were our views from our table.

Tink's-
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Mine-
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2205.jpg

Quite fitting, I think. :thumbsup2

Now, I won't lie here. I'm not as good at food reviews as Tink is. But I shall do my best. Before we begin, here we are brandishing our birthday buttons.

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We begin, of course, with the bread basket, and a perusal of the menus. We do have photos of the menu (which may have changed by now) but I'll include those in a seperate post since they really need to be enlarged.

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Well, the menu was totally different from what had been posted on the internet, and that threw me for a loop. Pretty much everything Tink knew she wanted was there, and everything I thought I might get was not. :lmao: I was not dismayed however, just amused, and pleased that I had new choices. Albeit a little perplexed as to what to get.

We did however, know one thing, and that was the type of wine. I let Tink order for me, it was a Riesling she'd had on a previous trip that she'd just loved. We each got a glass, but not before Steven carded us! :rotfl2: Bless him. I should add right here and now that Steven was an amazing waiter, that we had amazing food, an amazing atmosphere and this dinner really couldn't have been better.

When something you've been planning for months goes that well, it's such a pleasure.

I finally was able to make some choices, and out came our appetizers.

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Tink had the goat cheese ravioli, which I had a taste of. It was lovely, absolutely lovely. I can see why she likes it so much. Rich, creamy, and smooth, a perfect bit of pasta with a nice broth, not a heavy sauce. Here's Allears' description: Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli - with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, shiitake mushrooms and basil

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I had this delightful salad which came drizzled with an eight year old balsamic. I was in heaven. It had wonderful flavor. I can't unfortunately remember everything that was in it, but it was very, very nice. And the description of mine - Marinated Spring Vegetable Salad - with Artichokes, Asparagus, Pastel Radish, Goat Cheese, 8 year old Balsamic

For our main course:

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This is Tink's. Seared Pork Tenderloin - with goat cheese polenta, button mushrooms and zinfandel glaze - I know this was like heaven for Tink. She absolutely loved this dish.

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This is mine. Duo of Lamb T-Bone - Marble Potatoes, Fiddleheads, Chic Peas, Salsa Verde, Spring Vegetable Vinaigrette - This was amazing. The meat was very tender, very well prepared, and delicious. The only issue I had with it, which was quite a small issue was that it was difficult to seperate the meat from the bone with the knife I had. I love fiddleheads, and haven't seen them on a menu in ages, so that was a real treat for me.

Now the only problem with my dish is that it's swimming...drowning in butter. And I didn't realize it would be. And the older I get, the more lactose intolerant I get. So I did my best to not soak everything in butter, but still enjoy my meal. You will hear more about this later, but for now, let's run with the fact that I enjoyed it at the time!

Almost stuffed, but having saved room for dessert, we plunged ahead!

Now, here's where the year of celebrations comes into play. Not only did we both receive birthday cards from our waiter, our desserts were birthday-ified as well. In addition, while we were enjoying our dessert, one of the managers stopped by to ask how we liked our meal, to wish us a happy birthday, basically your pleasant talk that is so enjoyable.

In addition to ordering dessert, I also got a nice cup of chamomile tea. It does wonders for settling the stomach after a hearty meal, and I definitely appreciate its soothing qualities. Judging by the picture of Tink's dessert, she got something as well, whether tea or coffee, I'm not sure.

Without further ado, here are our desserts:

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Tink had the Trio of Temptation - (no sugar added) Cheesecake with Pistachio Cookie and Chocolate Banana Sauce, White Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit Puree, and Florida Strawberries with Mojito "Sabyon". I have to say, I tasted some of the mojito sabyon, and it was AMAZING!!!! Now I know she wasn't enamored with all of this, and definitely had her favorites. Hopefully she can weigh in on that, because I don't remember which was which!

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2227.jpg
I had the Blueberry & Lemon - Blueberry Clafoutis with Salted Blueberry Caramel Sauce, Lemon Sorbet, and Pistachio Cookie. It was a nice, light way to end my meal. I would have to say my favorite part of this was the lemon sorbet and the pistachio cookie. I expected a hard cookie, and it was nice and soft, very flavorful.

And Tink and I joked that we would have to ask our waiter how to pronounce Clafoutis, so we could recreate it phoenetically on the DIS.

Klah - Foo - Tee - :lmao: We enjoyed saying that word for the rest of the night, let me tell you.

Now for you observant folks, you may have noticed how dark the skies are in my photos of our views.








Up next - Our Biblical Departure

[TarzansKat]

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[jcc0621]

:cloud9:SOmeday I will get to the Cali Grill.

Sounds like a lovely evening with a good friend:goodvibes

[Charleston Princess]

I was right -- you did head to the California Grill!

What an amazing dinner! Your views, the wine, the entrees, the desserts -- what a nice way to start your dining experiences for the trip! :goodvibes

Now I want to eat there! :laughing:

[MRYPPNS]

Awesome view from your table!

[TarzansKat]

:cloud9:SOmeday I will get to the Cali Grill.

Sounds like a lovely evening with a good friend:goodvibes

It was quite lovely!

I was right -- you did head to the California Grill!

What an amazing dinner! Your views, the wine, the entrees, the desserts -- what a nice way to start your dining experiences for the trip! :goodvibes

Now I want to eat there! :laughing:

You should eat there! It's wonderful. :goodvibes

Awesome view from your table!

I'll never forget it.

[2xcited2sleep]

Looks like a lovely and delicious evening. I can't wait to dine there in Sept! Gorgeous view from your table! I didn't notice the sky until you said something. A biblical departure?:scared1:

[If U Had Wings]

It sounds like a wonderful night! I love Cali Grill. Such a lovely place to start your vacation.

[creativeamanda]

I had so forgotten about the California Grille! :lovestruc Those views are totally beautiful! And, TK, you look better than ever! :rotfl2:

I need tog o read up on that particular location--wondering if it would not be a good meal for dh and I to take dd10 and leave our youngest two at the childcare at the Poly. (But then, we'd have to figure out what to do with 4 meal credits--maybe breakfast--don't they serve like PBJ at the childcare facilities for dinner?)

[TarzansKat]

Looks like a lovely and delicious evening. I can't wait to dine there in Sept! Gorgeous view from your table! I didn't notice the sky until you said something. A biblical departure?:scared1:

You'll enjoy it so much.

And yes.

Quite biblical.

I didn't realize that we were going to be channeling Noah and lining up the animals two by two. :lmao:

It sounds like a wonderful night! I love Cali Grill. Such a lovely place to start your vacation.

It was a great way to start. Relaxed.

I had so forgotten about the California Grille! :lovestruc Those views are totally beautiful! And, TK, you look better than ever! :rotfl2:

I know, I look so gorgeous with my head blocked out, right? :lmao:


I need to go read up on that particular location--wondering if it would not be a good meal for dh and I to take dd10 and leave our youngest two at the childcare at the Poly. (But then, we'd have to figure out what to do with 4 meal credits--maybe breakfast--don't they serve like PBJ at the childcare facilities for dinner?)

I think that your 10 year old would love the view at the very least. I can't remember what the children's menu is like, but I know I really prefer it at all the signature restaurants. So much better than the regular stuff, which can be very repititive. I won't drone on, I promise, it's just one of my pet peeves.

I really do love Citrico's, though. We decided to eat at the California Grill because that had been one of Tink's desires for a long time, so I knew when we planned the trip that had to be one of the ADRs. I'd also eaten at Citrico's on my past two trips, so it was time for a change, but you may want to consider it as well. They are excellent with children. :goodvibes

Anyway, I don't know what they serve at those clubs. We've never used one, although I guess DS is old enough now. Perhaps someone else can chime in?

[eandesmom]

CG is SO on my list for the next trip! At the tippy tippy top!

Your meal sounds heavenly. Well, except for the lamb. Not a lamb fan. DH would be all over it though! What a lovely dinner!!!

[TarzansKat]

CG is SO on my list for the next trip! At the tippy tippy top!

Your meal sounds heavenly. Well, except for the lamb. Not a lamb fan. DH would be all over it though! What a lovely dinner!!!

The funny thing is that I'm normally not a fan of lamb either.

I actually very rarely eat red meat, but this was divine!

[creativeamanda]

We are doing the Deluxe Dining Plan, so we have Yachtsman, Hoop de Doo, Brown Derby, Citricos (on your reccommendation), Cinderella's Royal Table, and California Grille (now) on our list.

With my kids being school age and fully knowledgeable on how to use a cell phone (we'll leave one with them), I think it would be a good idea to take Sweetie to California Grille for a 5:30 meal and then head over to MK at 7:30 for Spectro and Wishes, since Stinky and Boo both are scared of the sound from fireworks.

[TarzansKat]

We are doing the Deluxe Dining Plan, so we have Yachtsman, Hoop de Doo, Brown Derby, Citricos (on your reccommendation), Cinderella's Royal Table, and California Grille (now) on our list.

I love Citrico's so much, I recommend it twice. :lmao: Sorry about that!

You've got some great signature restaurants in there. YUM. YUM.


With my kids being school age and fully knowledgeable on how to use a cell phone (we'll leave one with them), I think it would be a good idea to take Sweetie to California Grille for a 5:30 meal and then head over to MK at 7:30 for Spectro and Wishes, since Stinky and Boo both are scared of the sound from fireworks.

That sounds like a really nice evening! I know my son has a hard time with the fireworks too. We'll have to see how he does on this trip, although given that he's sort of giving up nap time, I don't know if he'll even make it to fireworks on any given night.

[jenjolt]

What a great update!!! Your view at the CG was just breathtaking!! I can't wait to dine there in Sept, I'm now really really looking forward to it!!!!!

.....Channeling your inner Noah...well that certainitely sounds interesting!!!!

[TarzansKat]

What a great update!!! Your view at the CG was just breathtaking!! I can't wait to dine there in Sept, I'm now really really looking forward to it!!!!!

I know you'll love it!


.....Channeling your inner Noah...well that certainitely sounds interesting!!!!

It's going to sound weird, but this biblical event actually contains one of my favorite moments from this trip.

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

What a lovely meal!! Everything looks delicious!! Uh-oh, a biblical ending huh? I think I know what's coming up with that!

[brookelizabeth]

What a perfect dinner! And beaaaaautiful views. :cloud9: The CG food always looks so perfect and amazing - I look forward to a future meal there!!

Oh no...the Biblical return is like Noah, isn't it? :scared:

[All7OfUs]

All I can say is, "Whoa, Dude!!" I am so goin' there!!! Everything looks so melty in your mouth yummy! Thanks for the menus!! Hope nothing changes too drastically in the next year ;)

[AshClan]

Sounds like a great meal at Cali Grill! Thanks for the menu shot. I know it changes all the time, but I always love to peruse menus, and I will be there in 2 months, so it's all the more fun!

BTW, you asked this pages ago, but in terms of the Grey Goose slushie, just think frozen lemonade with a kick ;) They also have the Grand Marnier slushie at the same stand, which is orange-flavored. Never had that, but I've heard it's good too...

You both looked lovely, and those view pictures were fab. Can't wait to hear about the biblical return to the room :rotfl:

[TarzansKat]

What a lovely meal!! Everything looks delicious!! Uh-oh, a biblical ending huh? I think I know what's coming up with that!

It was delish!

What a perfect dinner! And beaaaaautiful views. :cloud9: The CG food always looks so perfect and amazing - I look forward to a future meal there!!

Oh no...the Biblical return is like Noah, isn't it? :scared:

It was absolutely beautiful.

And, the end was certainly beautiful in its own...interesting...way.

All I can say is, "Whoa, Dude!!" I am so goin' there!!! Everything looks so melty in your mouth yummy! Thanks for the menus!! Hope nothing changes too drastically in the next year ;)

It is melt in your mouth yummy. And you know what? Even if it changes, it'll still be fantastic. :thumbsup2

Sounds like a great meal at Cali Grill! Thanks for the menu shot. I know it changes all the time, but I always love to peruse menus, and I will be there in 2 months, so it's all the more fun!

You can thank Tink for those shots. She got some really great pictuers with her camera! :goodvibes


BTW, you asked this pages ago, but in terms of the Grey Goose slushie, just think frozen lemonade with a kick ;) They also have the Grand Marnier slushie at the same stand, which is orange-flavored. Never had that, but I've heard it's good too...

Oh, thank you! I know people rave about these. I'm really not into orange flavored things, but I think the frozen lemonade with a kick is right up my alley. :thumbsup2


You both looked lovely, and those view pictures were fab. Can't wait to hear about the biblical return to the room :rotfl:

Thanks. It was definitely...biblical.

[maroo]

First...I got the shirts....and wow. Just wow. I love them. And my office got to see them and are wondering when I am moving :lmao: - one even looked to see if I had Mickey Ears on my head! She is convinced I am going to grow some.

I told her to look for a tail first! :rotfl: :rotfl2:


YUM on the Cali Grill!!! I simply can not wait for Labor Day! We have a reservation before Wishes. :cloud9: But we need to get up there before the sun goes down, and I had not even thought of that. :scratchin

Did you request a special table?

So...did you have to build an ark? Do you need to know the dimensions of a cubit? We have had 6 straight days of major rain and folks around here are wondering if someone around them is collecting animals two by two. :laughing:

[TarzansKat]

First...I got the shirts....and wow. Just wow. I love them. And my office got to see them and are wondering when I am moving :lmao: - one even looked to see if I had Mickey Ears on my head! She is convinced I am going to grow some.

AWWWW!!!! I am so glad you got them and you love them!!!! WOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :woohoo::woohoo::yay::yay: :banana::banana::banana:


YUM on the Cali Grill!!! I simply can not wait for Labor Day! We have a reservation before Wishes. :cloud9: But we need to get up there before the sun goes down, and I had not even thought of that. :scratchin

You should head on up and have a cocktail in the lounge first. Very relaxing! :thumbsup2


Did you request a special table?

Actually, we didn't, we just lucked out on a table for two right at the window. It was fantastic! :goodvibes


So...did you have to build an ark? Do you need to know the dimensions of a cubit? We have had 6 straight days of major rain and folks around here are wondering if someone around them is collecting animals two by two. :laughing:

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

We've had a lot of rain here too. It's been crazy. I'm taking DS out today because the sun is shining and we're going to take advantage. :thumbsup2

[MegansMom]

What a wonderful meal!!!! It all looked so heavenly from the pictures, I am sure that the flavors were even more so!!! I hope you all are able to remain SNAZZY with that Biblical Departure coming up................. ;)

[TarzansKat]

I hope you all are able to remain SNAZZY with that Biblical Departure coming up................. ;)

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

I'm always snazzy. :lmao:

[Tinkerbellarella]

Hello, all. Just a quick note to let you know that I am in fact alive, though not in the best shape of my life at the moment. But, ya know, working on it.

I have to say a big thanks to my sweet TK for picking up the slack in the past few chapters and the upcoming ones. I'm hoping by then to be on my feet enough to get back with the program. I've read everything and am completely caught up but I'm a tad too tired to properly add my own flavor at the moment, so look for that in the next day or so.

I hope you're all doing well! I think of my DIS buddies often! I miss you guys. :goodvibes

Oh, and LegoMom...TEXAS?!?! You're going to HAVE to fill me in. Color me officially LOST (NOsmokeydragoncreatureonatimetravellingisland).

[TarzansKat]

It's TINK!!!!

:banana::banana::banana:

Happy you checked in, hon, if only to say a quick hello. We all love you and look forward to when you can come back with all the vim and vigor and wit we so know and love. :thumbsup2

But, please, don't feel pressured. I just get a little excited when you post! :lmao: There's nothing wrong with taking time for you, my dear. :hug:

No thanks necessary, but definitely appreciated! It's a pleasure to write this lovely little trippie.

[PaMom001]

Hello, all. Just a quick note to let you know that I am in fact alive, though not in the best shape of my life at the moment. But, ya know, working on it.

I have to say a big thanks to my sweet TK for picking up the slack in the past few chapters and the upcoming ones. I'm hoping by then to be on my feet enough to get back with the program. I've read everything and am completely caught up but I'm a tad too tired to properly add my own flavor at the moment, so look for that in the next day or so.

I hope you're all doing well! I think of my DIS buddies often! I miss you guys. :goodvibes

Oh, and LegoMom...TEXAS?!?! You're going to HAVE to fill me in. Color me officially LOST (NOsmokeydragoncreatureonatimetravellingisland).

I know that reference. I wonder when it's going to start again.

[pooh'smate]

I know that reference. I wonder when it's going to start again.

The last season is starting early 2010.

[brookelizabeth]

The last season is starting early 2010.

Poo.
I do not like how they make us wait until January. :sad2:

but....I guess it makes the winter a tad more bearable.

[TarzansKat]

Oh, yes my friends.

When last we left...us...Tink and I had finished a fantastic dinner at the California Grill. We were happy. Contented. And oh so relaxed.

But we had noted, with mild amusement, during the course of our delightful dining experience, the skies had continued to darken.

And it's quite possible, I may have even said, "Tink...it's going to open up and pour."

Bummer being right. :lmao:

No sooner than our dinner was ending than did that very thing happen.

And the rain rain rain came down down down, in rushing, rising, rivlets.

Indeed. Except I didn't see Piglet floating by. But I may, just may have seen a weathered, older gentleman with beautiful white hair furiously building an ark and lining the animals up two by two.

They may have even come from the Animal Kingdom, who can say. ;)

So Tink and I got down to the lobby after some deflightful chit chat with the CM in the elevator, and took one look at the rain and I think we may have collectively thought, "Oh boy."

And I don't mean just rain, folks. I mean monsoon type conditions. Rain that is raining so hard that you can barely see in front of you when you're driving, rain that is raining so hard that it doesn't matter whether or not you have a poncho or an umbrella, you're getting wet.

Does.

Not.

Matter.

And with that in mind, as Tink and I exited the lobby of the Contemporary, I took one look at her and began to speak.

And the conversation was something along these lines.

TK - "Tink?"

Tink - "Yes?"

TK - "You know there is absolutely no way for us to use the bus system without getting absolutely drenched, right?"

Because anything that we could do would involve heading back to the MK, and then bolting it to our bus stop if it wasn't under a covered area, and then having to bolt it back to our village from our bus stop which was soooo very far from our bus stop.

In all reality, it wasn't to bad of a hike, but in the rain, no way.

And before you ask what kind of pansies we are, let me remind you kindly, that we were both dressed in our schnazzy finery. And shoes, that quite frankly, were not made for running. Now if I'd been wearing anything else but that gorgeous green halter dress, I might have gone for it. But no way.

At which point, I said, "Do you want to get a cab?"

Tink heartily agreed. Thank God. She's no fool.

So we made our way to the podium and requested a cab to Caribbean Beach. Again, we are no fools. And we marveled at the amount of rain that was pouring out of the sky, the sheer magnifence of it. It was so, so, so much. I rarely see rain like that, and the last time in Florida, I think was with my Granddad. Sort of fitting considering that we'd toasted the grandparents that afternoon!

Well, eventually, a cab arrived, and we got in.

And no joke...the cabbie had island music playing.

I swear, I looked at Tink, and said, "the music.." and she just nodded and smiled. We were happy, we were contented...it was pouring!!!!

I felt so bad for our cab driver! You could barely see in front of you, and normally I don't feel weird about the whole your cab driver is really a complete stranger that you're trusting thing, but this storm made me feel a little nervous!

Thank god for the island music and the fact that he was so nice.

Eventually, we pulled into Caribbean Beach, and I had an idea. :idea:

TK - "Excuse me? Can I ask a favor?"

One of our favorite lines from the trip ever:

Cabbie - "Where you live?"

:rotfl2::lmao::rotfl::rotfl2::rotfl::lmao:

TK - "Jamaica."

Well that blessed man got us as close to Jamaica as he possibly could. Sadly, our room was not on the outskirts of the village, oh no. And there were definitely some uncovered areas to be negotiated.

In short...Tink and I were going to get wet. And it started when we got out of the cab. There was no choice, no option, it was going to happen.

So we got out and we ran like mad for the nearest covered walkway. Stopped, and I was so confused. I mean, I'd never stayed here before, we'd just checked in that day, and I had no idea where our room really was. :lmao: Well, thank god for Tink's navigatory capacity, because she had a better idea of where to go than I did.

Now, that brief run in the rain from the cab to the overhang, and we were drenched.

I mean, drenched.

We're walking underneath the covered area near rooms that aren't ours, just watching the rain pouring down, and it's amazing. And I'm having a moment. And it's a good one.

Across a completely open courtyard, Tink points, and says, "I think that's our room."

"You think?" I say. :lmao:

I believe she said something to the effect that she was going for it, and she ran across that courtyard, getting even more drenched than she already was if that was possible.

Well, heck. What kind of a pirate would I be if I didn't follow her? :sad2:

I gave a good ole pirate yell (more like a girlie scream) and ran across the courtyard after her. I didn't think it was possible to be any wetter, but it was.

Fortunately, for us, Tink was right. So there we are, standing at our door, near our lovely decorated window, panting, somewhat breathless, completely soaked, and I had never felt so alive in my entire life.

I almost can't put it into words without crying. I have hard time dealing with stress, I always have. And I've had a less than desirable...actually often hostile and extremely degrading...work environment for the past three years now. We won't get into all of it, but it was like in this moment, in the rain, in the dress, in Disney, completely soaked, completely invigorated, finally completely happy to be in a moment, to be alive, to be with Tink, to be who I was and to be so happy.

It was like something in me broke. Something that needed to be released, something that needed to be let go.

And it was wonderful. Wonderful to feel so alive.

I guess it really was sort of biblical now that I think about it.

But enough of my profound musings, and back to the matter at hand.

The fact that before we left, we'd cranked the AC because it had been a bit hot outside, and we wanted a cooler room.

But a cold room when you're soaking wet is no fun.

I looked at Tink.

She looked at me.

I could see it in her eyes. She ran across the courtyard. I had to pirate up and go in the room and turn down the air.

Tink - "I can't do it. I can't go into that cold air."

We're both laughing and smiling and totally drenched, and I opened that door, and that cold air hit me like an artic blast.

It was SO cold. I turned the air a little bit warmer, and then Tink came in. I guess you could say we both took one for the team that evening. :lmao:

We were laughing so hard. It's that kind of laugh that you have when you've given yourself over to the laughter, when you don't care who hears. It's a good feeling.

We both quickly changed for bed, and when I put on my jams and my slippers, did it feel oh so good.

I took that relaxed opportunity to call my boys and see how they were.

They were watching Transformers. Ah, the testosterone. :thumbsup2

And then DS asks me a potentially heartbreaking question.

"You come home to sleep?"

Perhaps the concept of my actually leaving with Auntie Tink hadn't really set in. Maybe he didn't get that I was sleeping somewhere else that night. I basically explained not that night, but soon, and thankfully, my DH was able to distract him and make him laugh over something, and my heart didn't break, only stung a little. But it a good way.

It's only 830pm.

But we're tired.

And we're full.

And we're happy. And shortly...

we're asleep. :cloud9:

[2xcited2sleep]

LOVE it! Even the biblical rain. Isn't it fantastic when with the right person everything is exciting and fun and hysterical? I'm so glad you have that kind of friend in Tink and just think it's super that you "found eachother" here on the DIS. There are good people here. :goodvibes

I can only disagree with you on one point. I, upon seeing rain like that, would have turned myself around and headed to the bar. pirate: A sign from the universe, if you will.

Love that you were asleep by 9pm. Too cute. And you totally have me thinking about bringing slippers, by the way!


Can't wait to hear what happens next. Hope it doesn't involve more rain! :umbrella:

[TarzansKat]

LOVE it! Even the biblical rain. Isn't it fantastic when with the right person everything is exciting and fun and hysterical? I'm so glad you have that kind of friend in Tink and just think it's super that you "found eachother" here on the DIS. There are good people here. :goodvibes

We're both very blessed.


I can only disagree with you on one point. I, upon seeing rain like that, would have turned myself around and headed to the bar. pirate: A sign from the universe, if you will.

HA! I don't think I could have fit in another drink at that point. I was so full! :lmao:


Love that you were asleep by 9pm. Too cute. And you totally have me thinking about bringing slippers, by the way!

There is nothing like slipping your feet into a nice pair of cushy slippers at the end of a long day of walking at Disney. It's like heaven. :cloud9:


Can't wait to hear what happens next. Hope it doesn't involve more rain! :umbrella:

Well, some of it does, but not quite like this. :lmao:

[Charleston Princess]

Indeed. Except I didn't see Piglet floating by. But I may, just may have seen a weathered, older gentleman with beautiful white hair furiously building an ark and lining the animals up two by two.

They may have even come from the Animal Kingdom, who can say. ;)

:lmao::rotfl::rotfl2: This was an inspired piece of writing, TK!

And no joke...the cabbie had island music playing.

I love that even your cab ride was themed appropriately!

I almost can't put it into words without crying. I have hard time dealing with stress, I always have. And I've had a less than desirable...actually often hostile and extremely degrading...work environment for the past three years now. We won't get into all of it, but it was like in this moment, in the rain, in the dress, in Disney, completely soaked, completely invigorated, finally completely happy to be in a moment, to be alive, to be with Tink, to be who I was and to be so happy.

It was like something in me broke. Something that needed to be released, something that needed to be let go.

And it was wonderful. Wonderful to feel so alive.

Awww, this is an awesome moment!

It's only 830pm.

But we're tired.

And we're full.

And we're happy. And shortly...

we're asleep. :cloud9:

I expect you to be up for rope drop the next day! ;)

[jenjolt]

Wow that is some rain you were faced with!! However I'm so glad you were able to laugh it off and really enjoy every moment of Disney with Tink!!! That is what its all about going on vacation and creating happy moments with those that you love!!!!!

I can't wait to hear more about your trip, but what a great first day!!!!

[maroo]

So there we are, standing at our door, near our lovely decorated window, panting, somewhat breathless, completely soaked, and I had never felt so alive in my entire life.

I almost can't put it into words without crying. I have hard time dealing with stress, I always have. And I've had a less than desirable...actually often hostile and extremely degrading...work environment for the past three years now. We won't get into all of it, but it was like in this moment, in the rain, in the dress, in Disney, completely soaked, completely invigorated, finally completely happy to be in a moment, to be alive, to be with Tink, to be who I was and to be so happy.

It was like something in me broke. Something that needed to be released, something that needed to be let go.

And it was wonderful. Wonderful to feel so alive.


Life just doesn't get much better than that, does it?

That is how memories are made! Forget the poncho...we are getting WET!

Some of my favorite memories are of getting soaked. Camp. Spectro in the rain.

Good times! Good times!

[AshClan]

That was a GREAT chapter, TK. I honestly felt like we were all there with you. And what a fabulous description of your happiness :goodvibes

I know what you mean about that kind of rain. I've seen it just a few times in my life. And it's always been at WDW! (Try riding the boat from MK to WL in rain like that. We were all singing the theme to Gilligan's Island!!)

[jmamom]

Great chapter, TK. What an amazing feeling, being free and having fun with a close girlfriend, I can't remember when I last felt so purely happy and in the moment like that. Now I need to email my friends and plan something fun!:goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

Oh, TK! That was nice. And you know what?! I can imagine myself, LeeAnn, and maroo having many a moment like this next year. And you can't plan them, they just happen, don't they? Thanks for the reminder of the WHY of my going!

[If U Had Wings]

I know exactly what you mean about he biblical rain down at Disney. My first trip to POFQ was the year I graduated from college, and I went with one of my roomates. The rain was so crazy that they couldn't even drive us out to our room in the little golf carts. My friend and I just kicked back and enjoyed. It really seemed to release all our tension and put us right in the mood to enjoy Disney.

Nothing like bonding with friends over a whole bunch of raindrops.

[MRYPPNS]

I can only disagree with you on one point. I, upon seeing rain like that, would have turned myself around and headed to the bar. pirate: A sign from the universe, if you will.


I have to agree with Christine....monorail pub crawl!

[TarzansKat]

:lmao::rotfl::rotfl2: This was an inspired piece of writing, TK!

:lmao:


I love that even your cab ride was themed appropriately!

It was incredibly serendipitous.


Awww, this is an awesome moment!


It was awesome. :thumbsup2


I expect you to be up for rope drop the next day! ;)

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Wow that is some rain you were faced with!! However I'm so glad you were able to laugh it off and really enjoy every moment of Disney with Tink!!! That is what its all about going on vacation and creating happy moments with those that you love!!!!!

I can't wait to hear more about your trip, but what a great first day!!!!

We really did have a great first day. And we really did enjoy ourselves, so much, even when we were soaking wet.

Life just doesn't get much better than that, does it?

That is how memories are made! Forget the poncho...we are getting WET!

Some of my favorite memories are of getting soaked. Camp. Spectro in the rain.

Good times! Good times!

I hear you! Some of my funniest Disney memories are from when it's been absolutely pouring out.

That was a GREAT chapter, TK. I honestly felt like we were all there with you. And what a fabulous description of your happiness :goodvibes

Thank you! I'm always so pleased when people feel like they were there with me. It's one of the highest compliments you could give me about my writing, and I thank you so much.


I know what you mean about that kind of rain. I've seen it just a few times in my life. And it's always been at WDW! (Try riding the boat from MK to WL in rain like that. We were all singing the theme to Gilligan's Island!!)

:lmao: I love it!!! The theme to Gilligan's Island!!! :lmao:

Great chapter, TK. What an amazing feeling, being free and having fun with a close girlfriend, I can't remember when I last felt so purely happy and in the moment like that. Now I need to email my friends and plan something fun!:goodvibes

E-mail away! Let us inspire you!!! :goodvibes

Oh, TK! That was nice. And you know what?! I can imagine myself, LeeAnn, and maroo having many a moment like this next year. And you can't plan them, they just happen, don't they? Thanks for the reminder of the WHY of my going!

I'm sure you'll have moments like that. They are unplanned, and totally amazing.


Nothing like bonding with friends over a whole bunch of raindrops.

Truer words were never spoken!

I have to agree with Christine....monorail pub crawl!

:lmao:

You two!

Heidi, on a side note, I can't believe your ticker says 45 days!!! :eek:

[eandesmom]

What a great, touchingly lovely, chapter!

I have to admit though, I'd have been doing the monorail pub crawl as well

:lmao:

I almost can't put it into words without crying. I have hard time dealing with stress, I always have. And I've had a less than desirable...actually often hostile and extremely degrading...work environment for the past three years now. We won't get into all of it, but it was like in this moment, in the rain, in the dress, in Disney, completely soaked, completely invigorated, finally completely happy to be in a moment, to be alive, to be with Tink, to be who I was and to be so happy.

It was like something in me broke. Something that needed to be released, something that needed to be let go.

And it was wonderful. Wonderful to feel so alive.

Thank you for the reminder how cleansing going puddle splashing can truly be! And for letting us be with you, in your moment. Those moments are what get you through future days and I'm so glad you had one just like that!

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Oh that update was wonderful!! What inspiration, I could actually feel all that stress leaving you and feel all that happiness!! I'm sorry it rained but it actually seemed like you guys had sooo much fun!!

[TarzansKat]

What a great, touchingly lovely, chapter!

Thank you!


I have to admit though, I'd have been doing the monorail pub crawl as well

:lmao:

Well, I'll have to keep that in mind. If we're ever all in the World together, perhaps we can all do the monorail pub crawl and someone can volunteer to carry me back to my room. :lmao:


Thank you for the reminder how cleansing going puddle splashing can truly be! And for letting us be with you, in your moment. Those moments are what get you through future days and I'm so glad you had one just like that!

It was so cleansing! Into each life a little rain must fall, eh? ;)

Oh that update was wonderful!! What inspiration, I could actually feel all that stress leaving you and feel all that happiness!! I'm sorry it rained but it actually seemed like you guys had sooo much fun!!

You know what, in all honesty, it was crazy, but that rain was a blessing! Who'd thunk it?

[eandesmom]

Well, I'll have to keep that in mind. If we're ever all in the World together, perhaps we can all do the monorail pub crawl and someone can volunteer to carry me back to my room. :lmao:


:rotfl:

I love that idea, one giant DIS monorail pubcrawl.

:rotfl:

[TarzansKat]

:rotfl:

I love that idea, one giant DIS monorail pubcrawl.

:rotfl:

Think of the various photo opportunities. :lmao:

[LegoMom3]

Aren't those Florida downpours something?! Something else, to be sure....:eek:


So I'm back on the DIS after a week + of no Internet. I'm catching up on exactly two of my threads. This is one of them.:cloud9:

And can't wait until you get to Sunday!!!:thumbsup2

[PaMom001]

Aren't those Florida downpours something?! Something else, to be sure....:eek:


So I'm back on the DIS after a week + of no Internet. I'm catching up on exactly two of my threads. This is one of them.:cloud9:

And can't wait until you get to Sunday!!!:thumbsup2

:cool1::cool1::cool1::yay::cheer2: :cheer2: :wave2: :jumping1:party: :banana: :banana: LegoMom is back

[MegansMom]

I loved that update!!!! What a fun memory.......you found your "YAWP!!!" AND I THINK, it felt good!!!!! ;) 'Bout time!!!



(That comes from Dead Poet's Society........but I am sure you already knew that!)

[TarzansKat]

Aren't those Florida downpours something?! Something else, to be sure....:eek:


So I'm back on the DIS after a week + of no Internet. I'm catching up on exactly two of my threads. This is one of them.:cloud9:

And can't wait until you get to Sunday!!!:thumbsup2

YAY!!!! LegoMom is back! :goodvibes

I can imagine why you can't wait until Sunday. It's coming up, my dear. :thumbsup2

:cool1::cool1::cool1::yay::cheer2: :cheer2: :wave2: :jumping1:party: :banana: :banana: LegoMom is back

DITTO!!!! :goodvibes

I loved that update!!!! What a fun memory.......you found your "YAWP!!!" AND I THINK, it felt good!!!!! ;) 'Bout time!!!

(That comes from Dead Poet's Society........but I am sure you already knew that!)

Okay, I totally had to look it up because it's been years since I've seen that movie. :blush:

Yes, I did. :thumbsup2

[torsie24]

Awesome review so far guys!! :) I can't wait to read more. :)

[brookelizabeth]

I can so relate to that moment when it just breaks inside of you and you feel freedom sweeping over yourself when you can't control anything to make things "better" and instead of getting upset and frustrated, you laugh - it's so wonderful! And what a perfect time to share with a close girlfriend.

Who woulda thought a ride home in a cab in the pouring rain would be such a wonderful memory from a trip. LOVE IT!!

[TarzansKat]

Awesome review so far guys!! :) I can't wait to read more. :)

Thank you! :goodvibes

I can so relate to that moment when it just breaks inside of you and you feel freedom sweeping over yourself when you can't control anything to make things "better" and instead of getting upset and frustrated, you laugh - it's so wonderful! And what a perfect time to share with a close girlfriend.

It's one of the best feelings in the entire world.


Who woulda thought a ride home in a cab in the pouring rain would be such a wonderful memory from a trip. LOVE IT!!

I know! If you'd have asked me beforehand if I ever thought that a little...well, a lot of rain would make me so giddy, I'd never have imagined it.

[jmamom]

Just checking in - wanted to say Tink, Hope you are feeling better! and TK, one month and 5 days!!!!! So close!!!

[TarzansKat]

Just checking in - wanted to say Tink, Hope you are feeling better! and TK, one month and 5 days!!!!! So close!!!

Thanks for checking in! I'm so excited about my trip, I can't wait!

I'm hoping to get an update in here soon, but I've been sick half the week (still recovering) so I'm flat out. First time on the DIS in days.

I've been going through withdrawals. ;)

[jmamom]

Thanks for checking in! I'm so excited about my trip, I can't wait!

I'm hoping to get an update in here soon, but I've been sick half the week (still recovering) so I'm flat out. First time on the DIS in days.

I've been going through withdrawals. ;)

Well then I hope you are feeling better too! :flower3: I don't think you've missed much - I've been so bored this week and have been lokking around for somethinkg to keep me occupied. I think everyone's on vacation.:sad2:

[TarzansKat]

Well then I hope you are feeling better too! :flower3:

Thanks so much, hon!


I don't think you've missed much - I've been so bored this week and have been lokking around for somethinkg to keep me occupied. I think everyone's on vacation.:sad2:

I'm sure there are a lot of people trying to fit in those last minute trips before the kiddos go back to school. I know most of our public schools around here start next week. That always kills me, seeing those yellow school busses is the signal that summer is ending.

But also the signal that my trip is closer. ;) You must be getting excited too! :thumbsup2

[jmamom]

yes I am getting excited too, but time seems to have slowed to a crawl around here. My kids don't go back until the 10th :scared1: and they are bored silly. All the summer camps have finished, and they miss their friends. They would start tommorrow if they could! My little one is especially excited, since she's starting kindergarten and finally gets to be a big kid like her big brother and sister. You think I'd be a little sad, but she has been ready for at least a year, and I am doing a happy dance.:dance3: So anyway, too early to pack, everything is planned, just watching the minutes tick by.:surfweb:

[All7OfUs]

HI TK!

Hope you're feeling better soon, so we can enjoy your company again!

Get well soon!

[TarzansKat]

yes I am getting excited too, but time seems to have slowed to a crawl around here. My kids don't go back until the 10th :scared1: and they are bored silly. All the summer camps have finished, and they miss their friends. They would start tommorrow if they could! My little one is especially excited, since she's starting kindergarten and finally gets to be a big kid like her big brother and sister. You think I'd be a little sad, but she has been ready for at least a year, and I am doing a happy dance.:dance3: So anyway, too early to pack, everything is planned, just watching the minutes tick by.:surfweb:

Oh, what a bummer on them starting so late. How exciting for your youngest! My DS will go to kindergarten next year, and I'm pretty sure I'll be a big ole mess. :lmao:

HI TK!

Hope you're feeling better soon, so we can enjoy your company again!

Get well soon!

Thanks so much, hon. I got a really nice nap today and lots of sleep last night, so I'm almost feeling up to par.

But, I have no voice. Fortunately, you don't need to be able to talk to DIS. :thumbsup2

[Tinkerbellarella]

Hello, my friends, I'm baaaa-ck. (NOPoltergeist)

I'm in the process of catching up and will be doing quotes/comments in phases. Hang in there. Tink's wittiness to follow...

[Tinkerbellarella]

When last we left our daring duo, they were daring. They were a duo.

(NOBatmanandRobin)
...
I'd SO be Batman, by the way. I'm WAY into accessories.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2202.jpg - I love this photo of Tink. She's beautiful and radiating I am happy and relaxed.

Aw. How sweet are you? I DO look happy, don't I. And I'm glad it's happiness I'm radiating and not something unpleasant...like BO...like so many other Disney guests. ::sigh::

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2203-1.jpg - Something about that Mickey head with that dress seems wrong. Very, very wrong. :lmao:

Now let me just tell you that despite the fact that the emblem of the legendary Mouse is covering her face, TK is radiating happiness and relaxation and "OHMYGODWE'REFINALLYEATINGTHISMEAL!!!" every bit as much as I am. And to call her be-a-u-ti-ful would be an understatement.

We were two hot chicks. Too hot chicks, even.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2199.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2200.jpg

OK, people. Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to go PAST the MK and not go in?!?!?! I do believe I gave TK my pouty face. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of said pouty face. But it's darn near irresistable.

I'm learning it from BF.

He's the Pouty Face Master.

I wandered (with Tink LOL) over into Basin

insert record scratching noise here:

TK did not "wander" over to BASIN.
TK walked over there with such strident purpose as to make her wallet scream, "DEAR GOD WOMAN! What are you planning on doing with my contents?!?! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Or something like that.

My journal says, "Can I take half the store?"

I can confirm we in fact smelled half the store.

Tink and I decided we would come back another time at really get our shop on.

And TK's wallet sobbed in relief.

Now, before we'd left the hotel, we decided to put our birthday buttons on our purses. Boy, did we get lots of happy birthdays, and not just from cast members, from other guests as well!

And we were wishing lots of other people, especially the wee ones, happy birthday as well.

A prevalent theme amongst guests wishing us a happy birthday was jokingly asking us if we were 18...or turning 21...again.

To which we became accustomed to replying, "Of course!"

Hunger is ruling us both at this point.

Understatement of the Century

I do have to say, we tried to kill some more time in the shops in this hotel, when we spotted something so wonderful. So amazing. So awesome that it threw me into a fit of giggles, whereupon I exclaimed, "TINK! You have to take a picture of this for Jackie and tell her that her husband needs to buy it."

...

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2201.jpg[/quote]

We were VERY tempted to buy this. And we may or may not have giggled about what may or may not have been a comment made by myself or TK that is not fit for the boards...the first of many. LOL!

Oh Jackie, if only you had been there!

So, know, my dear, that you were thought of not once, but twice this evening. :thumbsup2

Eventually, we can't kill anymore time. Hunger has us in its evil grasp. We decide to take our chances and head over to the restaurant early in case we can get in.

No joke. TK came over to me and said something along the lines of, "That's it, I give, let's go and see if we can get in. NOW."

My stomach whole-heartedly agreed.

Up Next - Where are we eating?

Ooh! Ooh! I know! Pick me! ;)

Just found this and read it while watching Golden Girls.


Thank you for being a friend.
Travel down the road and back again.
My heart is true
You're a friend and a confidant

AND IF YOU THREW A PARTY...

Ok. I'll stop. I'm just sayin'. I can't see a GG reference without breaking out in song.

[TarzansKat]

:woohoo:

Tink is in the ho-ouse!!! Give it up, y'all! :lmao:

(NOBatmanandRobin)
...
I'd SO be Batman, by the way. I'm WAY into accessories.

Hmm....I don't know. But you know what, I'd definitely need to be Catwoman. I just don't see myself as Robin. I'm not a whiny teenage boy. Nope. Whiny, sometimes, teenage boy, not at all! :rotfl2:


Now let me just tell you that despite the fact that the emblem of the legendary Mouse is covering her face, TK is radiating happiness and relaxation and "OHMYGODWE'REFINALLYEATINGTHISMEAL!!!" every bit as much as I am. And to call her be-a-u-ti-ful would be an understatement.

We were two hot chicks. Too hot chicks, even.

Aw, shuckles. You make me blush. We were quite stylin'.



He's the Pouty Face Master.

Better than the poopy face master. Just sayin'.



scream, "DEAR GOD WOMAN! What are you planning on doing with my contents?!?! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Or something like that.
[/QUOTE]

:rotfl2:


We were VERY tempted to buy this. And we may or may not have giggled about what may or may not have been a comment made by myself or TK that is not fit for the boards...the first of many. LOL!

Oh Jackie, if only you had been there!

I totally forgot! That was the beginning of the DIS-inappropriate comments! :lmao:


Thank you for being a friend.
Travel down the road and back again.
My heart is true
You're a friend and a confidant

AND IF YOU THREW A PARTY...

Ok. I'll stop. I'm just sayin'. I can't see a GG reference without breaking out in song.

I used to watch this at my grandparents all the time. It makes me nostalgic for my Granddad. :sad1: But in a good way. :goodvibes

Tink, you know, the next chapter could be yours if you're up to it. We're up to the next day and you're the early riser. ;)

E-mail me if you want to tackle it. :thumbsup2

[Native NYer]

So sorry about the rain. That stinks! But a storm like that in the evening is much better than all day while you're touring the parks!

My nephew got that Indiana Jones set last week after seeing the stunt show at DHS. While we were purchasing it, an interesting young man wanted to know if the Indiana Jones whips for sale were real whips. I wonder what he needed a real whip for :confused3

[Tinkerbellarella]

What I didn't realize, having not been there in years, is that the check in area for the California Grill is actually downstairs. Tink, having dined there in the recent past, was able to lead me to the correct area.

For those of you not in the know, the BF and I had dined there on our "Vacation at the OTHER place in Orlando" in April.

I remember waking in and feeling like I'd come home.

I remember walking in and looking for the wine.

I think the view literally took my breath away. It had been so long since I'd seen it, I believe I may have even said to Tink, "I'd forgotten."

You did, in fact, say that. You also asked for the camera and then shot a whole bunch of pics of said view.

Disney is a place of memories for me. So many memories. I sent Tink an e-mail before we left about how special she was to me. About how now, she would be part of that collective Disney memory, how she would be a person that I would think of now whenever I thought of certain places. And it's true. When I see certain things now, they always make me think of Tink. I'll be getting to one of those later, most likely the next chapter.

FYI - this woman loves to make me cry happy tears. :sad2: :laughing:

We seated ourselves in the lounge area, waiting for our table to be ready. I would have to say we probably sat for about 15 minutes.

I concur.

Ah, Tink! I did take good notes. Our waiter's name was Steven!!!! :goodvibes

Steven was WONDERFUL. Ask for him if you go.

We were finally seated, and here were our views from our table.

Tink's-
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2211.jpg

Mine-
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2205.jpg

How apropos that your view was the GF and mine was of MY castle. Did we comment on that? Regardless, beautiful views and similar to the ones BF and I had in April. We were actually only a few tables down from the table we'd had then. And, ironically, the view of the apocolyptic sky was similar. LOL

Now, I won't lie here. I'm not as good at food reviews as Tink is. But I shall do my best.

Aww, hon. You done good. I'll add some of my flavor to your description too. :D

We begin, of course, with the bread basket...

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2218.jpg

The bread here is fantastic but for some reason I've been enamored with the butter on both visits. I'm a simple girl, really, but it's rich and smooth and I love the little bit of sea salt on top and just NOM.

Well, the menu was totally different from what had been posted on the internet, and that threw me for a loop. Pretty much everything Tink knew she wanted was there, and everything I thought I might get was not. :lmao: I was not dismayed however, just amused, and pleased that I had new choices. Albeit a little perplexed as to what to get.

Oh. My. This is rather funny. Since there was no PTR you have NO IDEA how long we were looking forward to this dinner. And bemoaning the fact that we couldn't find a more current menu than 1/2009. And that I hadn't thought of taking a picture of the menu from my visit in April. So, when TK saw that she recognized almost NOTHING on the menu from our previous "research" I have to say her face was almost comical. Almost.

We did however, know one thing, and that was the type of wine. I let Tink order for me, it was a Riesling she'd had on a previous trip that she'd just loved.

THANK GOD this was still on the menu. For those of you who care to know, I can get you the make/vintage. It's fan-freaking-tastic. Sweet with a lite tangy note at the end.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2219.jpg
Tink had the goat cheese ravioli, which I had a taste of. It was lovely, absolutely lovely. I can see why she likes it so much. Rich, creamy, and smooth, a perfect bit of pasta with a nice broth, not a heavy sauce. Here's Allears' description: Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli - with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, shiitake mushrooms and basil.

I'd like to say something profound about this dish. I can't. I just...it's just...OHMYGODITSSONOM.

And now I want it.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2220.jpg
I had this delightful salad which came drizzled with an eight year old balsamic. I was in heaven. It had wonderful flavor. I can't unfortunately remember everything that was in it, but it was very, very nice. And the description of mine - Marinated Spring Vegetable Salad - with Artichokes, Asparagus, Pastel Radish, Goat Cheese, 8 year old Balsamic.

I didn't taste TK's salad but I have to say that I ne'er saw such a prettily presented appie. It looked fantastic and it was pretty big! I don't think you finished, did you? The goat cheese, I do remember, was dubbed amazing.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2221.jpg
This is Tink's. Seared Pork Tenderloin - with goat cheese polenta, button mushrooms and zinfandel glaze - I know this was like heaven for Tink. She absolutely loved this dish.

I had this in April too...matter of fact the whole dinner was the same as April, except the dessert. I can't say enough about this. This dish had been my first foray into polenta. It's so evenly textured with a strong but not too-strong flavor. The pork was cooked perfectly both times and the glaze was actually more of a consistency of a thicker brother. The flavor complimented the polenta nicely as it had a little tangy zing at the end of it.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2222.jpg
This is mine. Duo of Lamb T-Bone - Marble Potatoes, Fiddleheads, Chic Peas, Salsa Verde, Spring Vegetable Vinaigrette - This was amazing. The meat was very tender, very well prepared, and delicious. The only issue I had with it, which was quite a small issue was that it was difficult to seperate the meat from the bone with the knife I had. I love fiddleheads, and haven't seen them on a menu in ages, so that was a real treat for me.

At first I didn't think I'd necessarily have anything to say about TK's dish.

I should've known better. (NORichardMarx)
I can ALWAYS find something to say, especially about food.

I don't like lamb.
AT. ALL.
Not based on taste, presentation or principle.

I had the teensiest bite of TK's lamb, at her behest. Her request even. I mean, she'd humored me and tried the ravioli (not that I had to pull her leg ;) ) and lo and behold, it was good. I'd still never order it, but I was surprised that I liked it as previously stated I'm not a "lamb" person.

I find that people like lamb or don't. There isn't much room in between.

Oh. And I didn't know what a fiddlehead was until this dish.

Almost stuffed, but having saved room for dessert, we plunged ahead!

I'll admit, I think I sacrificed eating 1 1/2 pieces of pork and some of my polenta in order to have dessert. Call me dedicated.

Now, here's where the year of celebrations comes into play. Not only did we both receive birthday cards from our waiter, our desserts were birthday-ified as well. In addition, while we were enjoying our dessert, one of the managers stopped by to ask how we liked our meal, to wish us a happy birthday, basically your pleasant talk that is so enjoyable.

Random trip memory that TK might not recall: Shortly after we were seated, a young-ish couple was seated behind TK. They were seated at a table for two with a similar view as ours but perhaps a more romantical atmosphere, likely due to company (no offense TK, I love you, but not like THAT :laughing: ). They ordered what looked like a bottle of Dom or Moet or some other astronomically priced bubbly. I'm not sure what they were celebrating, but they were as specially attended to as we were, particularly by the Manager. I only mention this to reinforce how nice it is to see good service in action, even if you aren't the recipient of said service.

Judging by the picture of Tink's dessert, she got something as well, whether tea or coffee, I'm not sure.

Coffee.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2226.jpg
Tink had the Trio of Temptation - (no sugar added) Cheesecake with Pistachio Cookie and Chocolate Banana Sauce, White Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit Puree, and Florida Strawberries with Mojito "Sabyon". I have to say, I tasted some of the mojito sabyon, and it was AMAZING!!!! Now I know she wasn't enamored with all of this, and definitely had her favorites. Hopefully she can weigh in on that, because I don't remember which was which!

Oh.
Oh. My.
Oh. My. Well...you know where I'm going with this.
I'll give you my review based on the menu description but I certainly had a favorite part!

Cheesecake with Pistachio Cookie and Chocolate Banana Sauce (the long skinny thing) - The cheesecake was smooth, the cookie didn't taste altogether pistachio-y to me, more like a shortbread (but still good) and the chocolate banana sauce was pretty powerful. In fact, this was my least favorite part of the dessert because after the first bite or two, it all tasted banana-y to me and I'm not your biggest banana fan (well, with one exception: :banana: ). On a scale of 1-5, I'd say a 3.

White Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit Puree (the thing with the raspberry on it) - I enjoyed this a little more. Not normally a fan of white chocolate, the mousse was well done without being overly white chocolate-y. Sweet, milky, not too rich, smooth. The puree was on the tart side and offered a nice balance. On a scale of 1-5, I'd say a 3.5-4.

Florida Strawberries with Mojito "Sabyon" (you can't see it, it's hidden behind a piece of chocolate "art" that looks kind of like a mohawk to me) - I simply cannot say enough about this part of the dessert. If I were at CG again and this were still on the menu, I'd ask them to skip the other two parts and just give me a bowl full of this. The concept and presentation was so simple: diced strawberries mixed in a very light, fragrant syrup that hinted at the taste of a mojito but without the strength. If I had to accurately describe the flavor, it was like brushing your teeth with a fresh spearmint toothpaste and eating perfectly ripened strawberries at the same time. Honestly, I'd say this was the top dessert of the trip, hands down. And if you don't get it, I highly recommend this dessert. LOL Easily 5 out of 5 stars.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2227.jpg
I had the Blueberry & Lemon - Blueberry Clafoutis with Salted Blueberry Caramel Sauce, Lemon Sorbet, and Pistachio Cookie. It was a nice, light way to end my meal. I would have to say my favorite part of this was the lemon sorbet and the pistachio cookie. I expected a hard cookie, and it was nice and soft, very flavorful.

The only part of this that I tried was the lemon sorbet and I have to agree with TK, it was wonderful. Light with a good sweet/tart balance. Not an overbearing lemon flavor.

And Tink and I joked that we would have to ask our waiter how to pronounce Clafoutis, so we could recreate it phoenetically on the DIS.

Klah - Foo - Tee - :lmao: We enjoyed saying that word for the rest of the night, let me tell you.

I won't lie. Every time TK said, "Clafoutis" after that, I wanted to say, "God bless you!" But it's a fun word. Try it. Say it out loud, right now.

I'll wait.

...

See?
Told you. :thumbsup2

Up next - Our Biblical Departure

A.K.A. A reading from the Letter of TK to the DISboardians.

I'd also eaten at Citrico's on my past two trips, so it was time for a change, but you may want to consider it as well. They are excellent with children. :goodvibes

They are also excellent with potatoes.
Quattro Formaggi style.
NOM.

[Tinkerbellarella]

Oh, yes my friends.

When last we left...us...Tink and I had finished a fantastic dinner at the California Grill. We were happy. Contented. And oh so relaxed.

And FULL.

But we had noted, with mild amusement, during the course of our delightful dining experience, the skies had continued to darken.

Dun, dun, dunnnnnnn.

And the rain rain rain came down down down, in rushing, rising, rivlets.

Indeed. Except I didn't see Piglet floating by. But I may, just may have seen a weathered, older gentleman with beautiful white hair furiously building an ark and lining the animals up two by two.

They may have even come from the Animal Kingdom, who can say. ;)

So Tink and I got down to the lobby after some deflightful chit chat with the CM in the elevator, and took one look at the rain and I think we may have collectively thought, "Oh boy."

And I don't mean just rain, folks. I mean monsoon type conditions. Rain that is raining so hard that you can barely see in front of you when you're driving, rain that is raining so hard that it doesn't matter whether or not you have a poncho or an umbrella, you're getting wet.

Does.

Not.

Matter.

I looked at the rain.
Looked at TK.
Back at the rain.
At TK.
And then Tink spake: Is this the second coming of Noah?

Seriously, it was horizontal rain.
(NOTwister:

"Cow!"
"I gotta let you go Judy, we got cows!"
"'Nother cow."
"I think that's the same cow.")

TK - "Tink?"

Tink - "Yes?"

TK - "You know there is absolutely no way for us to use the bus system without getting absolutely drenched, right?"

We seriously hashed out every plan we could and there was literally not a single option that wouldn't have us exposed to the elements as we ran from one method of transportation, whether it be by foot, monorail or bus, to the next.

And before you ask what kind of pansies we are

I, for one, have been known to be pansyish on occasion, though not this one.

Tink heartily agreed. Thank God. She's no fool.

I think I need you to call BF and remind him of this very fact.

And no joke...the cabbie had island music playing.

To this day, AWESOME.

I felt so bad for our cab driver! You could barely see in front of you, and normally I don't feel weird about the whole your cab driver is really a complete stranger that you're trusting thing, but this storm made me feel a little nervous!

At one point I'm pretty sure that lightning struck the ground on the side of the road near our cab. It was actually pretty scary.

Also, TK failed to mention this, but the sound of the rain on the cab was so loud that he actually didn't hear us correctly and was taking us to the wrong hotel at first.

TK - "Excuse me? Can I ask a favor?"

One of our favorite lines from the trip ever:

Cabbie - "Where you live?"

To this day, EVEN MORE AWESOME.

Well, thank god for Tink's navigatory capacity, because she had a better idea of where to go than I did.

In retrospect, it was super-easy. I think what made it more difficult was the fact that we were trying to stay as dry as possible.

Across a completely open courtyard, Tink points, and says, "I think that's our room."

"You think?" I say. :lmao:

The 1,256 letter screenname posted in the window gave it away.

I believe she said something to the effect that she was going for it, and she ran across that courtyard, getting even more drenched than she already was if that was possible.

I should've said sooner that, at this point, I was ok with being wet. At peace with it even. I'd looked pretty enough for dinner. I didn't need to look pretty for my PJs. So, I pulled off my flip flops (any good girl knows that running in wet flip flops is a danger akin to running through a field where you're the tallest thing during a lightning storm with metal scissors with the sharp ends pointing up) and I took to running and giggling like a 7-year-old through the puddles and across the courtyard. I wish, somewhere, video of this existed.

So there we are, standing at our door, near our lovely decorated window, panting, somewhat breathless, completely soaked, and I had never felt so alive in my entire life.

I almost can't put it into words without crying. I have hard time dealing with stress, I always have. And I've had a less than desirable...actually often hostile and extremely degrading...work environment for the past three years now. We won't get into all of it, but it was like in this moment, in the rain, in the dress, in Disney, completely soaked, completely invigorated, finally completely happy to be in a moment, to be alive, to be with Tink, to be who I was and to be so happy.

It was like something in me broke. Something that needed to be released, something that needed to be let go.

And it was wonderful. Wonderful to feel so alive.

I have to say here that the most important thing that I felt I needed to share with TK on this trip sans family was exactly this feeling. The feeling of being a child at heart and a child in action. When people ask me why I take solo trips time and again, it's for this very reason. It's liberating and amazing. And you don't have to be in Disney to do it either (it's just easier because of all that Magic). Next time you have a summer rain, take off your shoes and go and splash around in the puddles. You'll feel it. ::yes::

The fact that before we left, we'd cranked the AC because it had been a bit hot outside, and we wanted a cooler room.

But a cold room when you're soaking wet is no fun.

Kind of like this morning when I walked into the bedroom after my shower clad in only a towel, not knowing that BF still had the window fan running.

It's frickin' freezing Mr. Bigglesworth!

We both quickly changed for bed, and when I put on my jams and my slippers, did it feel oh so good.

Agreed.
I want my jammies now.

It's only 830pm.

But we're tired.

And we're full.

And we're happy. And shortly...

we're asleep. :cloud9:

For the record, I LOVE the first sleep in Disney. :goodvibes

:rotfl:

I love that idea, one giant DIS monorail pubcrawl.

:rotfl:

I think I'd just take up permanent residence at the Tambu Lounge, Lapu Lapu in hand.
Now, whether that's because I'm enamored of all things Poly and Lapu Lapu or because after that first Lapu Lapu if I get down from the bar stool I won't be able to get back up, is a fact remain to be seen...LOL

[Tinkerbellarella]

Tink, you know, the next chapter could be yours if you're up to it. We're up to the next day and you're the early riser. ;)

E-mail me if you want to tackle it. :thumbsup2

I don't see why not, though it might not make it up until early next week, if that's ok with you.

While we were purchasing it, an interesting young man wanted to know if the Indiana Jones whips for sale were real whips. I wonder what he needed a real whip for :confused3

Just. Plain. Creepy.

[Native NYer]

Just. Plain. Creepy.

I agree.

[If U Had Wings]

Welcome back Tink! Hope everything is going well, and hope your feeling better TK!

[Tinkerbellarella]

Welcome back Tink! Hope everything is going well, and hope your feeling better TK!

Things are, you know, going. :)

Gentle readers, I WILL be posting the next update on this here trippie but it shan't be today. I've left my TR notebook at home (booo, hisss) and while I could probably still write it from memory (it was a private morning, close to my heart), I do also have pictures to accompany it and want to make sure I get the timeframe right.

Hopefully tomorrow.

:flower3:

[TarzansKat]

So sorry about the rain. That stinks! But a storm like that in the evening is much better than all day while you're touring the parks!

So true.


My nephew got that Indiana Jones set last week after seeing the stunt show at DHS. While we were purchasing it, an interesting young man wanted to know if the Indiana Jones whips for sale were real whips. I wonder what he needed a real whip for :confused3

Alright, in defense of the young man who wanted to know if the whips were real.

When I was in college, I had a friend who idolized Indiana Jones. And like any other red blooded American male, he loved Star Wars too. I digress. He had the fedora, and the makings of the whole costume, but no whip.

So I bought him a real whip on Ebay. Let's not talk about the other items that came up when I did that search. :lmao:

Suffice it to say, maybe he wanted it for a Halloween costume, like my friend! SHEESH! ;)


A.K.A. A reading from the Letter of TK to the DISboardians.

That's one of the funniest things I think you've written. It so reminds me of the Christopher Moore book about Christ. :lmao:


At one point I'm pretty sure that lightning struck the ground on the side of the road near our cab. It was actually pretty scary.

Also, TK failed to mention this, but the sound of the rain on the cab was so loud that he actually didn't hear us correctly and was taking us to the wrong hotel at first.

I remember the lightning, but I forgot he was taking us to the wrong place first.


The 1,256 letter screenname posted in the window gave it away.

Alright, I know it was neon, but how could you have possibly seen that through the rain? Did you have on the night vision Bat googles? :lmao:

Welcome back Tink! Hope everything is going well, and hope your feeling better TK!

Thanks! I still have this lingering cough and some congestion, but other than that, I feel so much better. I've been trying to treat myself well and get lots of rest.

Things are, you know, going. :)

Gentle readers, I WILL be posting the next update on this here trippie but it shan't be today. I've left my TR notebook at home (booo, hisss) and while I could probably still write it from memory (it was a private morning, close to my heart), I do also have pictures to accompany it and want to make sure I get the timeframe right.

Hopefully tomorrow.

:flower3:

YAY! A Tink update!!! :banana::banana::banana:

[Native NYer]

I HOPE it was just for a Halloween costume :rotfl2:

[TarzansKat]

I HOPE it was just for a Halloween costume :rotfl2:

Hey! I said he was a friend, not a boyfriend! :lmao: :confused3 :rolleyes1

Okay, in all honesty, TK does not condone that type of stuff.

CP, maybe, but not TK. We'll have to ask her. :lmao:

[Native NYer]

Hey! I said he was a friend, not a boyfriend! :lmao: :confused3 :rolleyes1

Okay, in all honesty, TK does not condone that type of stuff.

CP, maybe, but not TK. We'll have to ask her. :lmao:

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Maybe he was just an obsessed fan :confused3

Do you use Southwest?

[TarzansKat]

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Maybe he was just an obsessed fan :confused3

:lmao:


Do you use Southwest?

Yes. Why?

[Tinkerbellarella]

That's one of the funniest things I think you've written. It so reminds me of the Christopher Moore book about Christ. :lmao:

Glad you enjoyed that. I made myself snort-laugh with that one and ALSO thought of LAMB by Moore.

I remember the lightning, but I forgot he was taking us to the wrong place first.

I can't quite remember where he was trying to take us, though...OKW? The Poly?

Alright, I know it was neon, but how could you have possibly seen that through the rain? Did you have on the night vision Bat googles? :lmao:

The color and the wealth of green that my screenname afforded at the top half of that window could've been seen in ZERO visibility, my friend.

[Charleston Princess]

CP, maybe, but not TK. We'll have to ask her. :lmao:

:rolleyes1

Just kidding! :lmao: Violence and things that can cause pain scare me in real life.

[Native NYer]

:lmao:



Yes. Why?


I'm considering using Southwest for our trip next summer, but am paranoid about the no assigned seats. I'm also kind of bummed about not being able to use Resort Airline Check-in. The rates for the major airlines will be out next month. However, I think Southwest will be significantly cheaper. How did you print out your boarding pass at the hotel? I plan on bringing my laptop, but a printer would be a little much :lmao:

[Tinkerbellarella]

I'm considering using Southwest for our trip next summer, but am paranoid about the no assigned seats. I'm also kind of bummed about not being able to use Resort Airline Check-in. The rates for the major airlines will be out next month. However, I think Southwest will be significantly cheaper. How did you print out your boarding pass at the hotel? I plan on bringing my laptop, but a printer would be a little much :lmao:

Hopping in for TK as I also pretty much exclusively fly SW:

1.) The no assigned seats thing isn't a huge deal, particularly if you do the online check-in and you do it as soon as it's available (24 hours in advance). You'll likely end up in the first or, at the worst, the second boarding group. For example, on the flight TO Orlando, I was one of the first or second people in line and got the pick of the litter in terms of seats for TK and I. Vice versa on the way home.

Here's how it works, once you check in you're assigned a boarding group (A, B or C) and a number. Passengers with the med cards and solo kids board first. Boarding group A, #'s 1-15 are normally reserved for SW's special business/preferred traveler group but if no one is traveling with that status then they don't fill those #'s. Then they seat the rest of the A group, so, theoretically if you get # A16 and there's no one with the preferred status, you'll be the first person on the plane.
After that they seat families with kids under 7, but, if you get in the A group, you're better off, obviously being in line then. Then it's the B group, then C. In my experience, the people who get assigned to the C group usually haven't checked in online and they wait until they get to the airport to check in.

I've done this process 6 times to and fro in the past year and nary a seat issue. Ever.

2.) You can check in to SW at the resorts via online check-in, although I don't know if it's the same process as with the major airlines. Here's how we did it: we happened to be at Epcot when our 24 hour window was due to open, so we strolled on over to the Yacht and Beach Club and went to the Concierge desk. They checked us in and printed our passes, no problems.

Keep in mind, though, that we weren't using Magical Express, so I have no idea how that would be affected.

[MRYPPNS]

Hey! I said he was a friend, not a boyfriend! :lmao: :confused3 :rolleyes1

Okay, in all honesty, TK does not condone that type of stuff.

CP, maybe, but not TK. We'll have to ask her. :lmao:

That was pee your pants funny!!

Just a couple things about SW for Jen NY:
Boarding between A and B with kids... it's kids 4 yo and younger, not 7yo. And depending on the gate staff...only kids and parents board together at that special time....Aunties and Grandparents board with their assigned Letter/Number. You can also checkin 24 hours in advance via you web enablabled phone. Print you passes at the resort front desk later or when you get to the airport. The only differnece with using ME and flying SW home is that you have to bring your own bags to the ME bus on departure, and then check them it. We always get a porter curbside at MCO right off hte bus to take our luggage in for us.

[LegoMom3]

Things are, you know, going. :)

Gentle readers, I WILL be posting the next update on this here trippie but it shan't be today. I've left my TR notebook at home (booo, hisss) and while I could probably still write it from memory (it was a private morning, close to my heart), I do also have pictures to accompany it and want to make sure I get the timeframe right.

Hopefully tomorrow.

:flower3:

WRITE, woman!......write like the wind!!


Er, well....y'know.....when you can....:rolleyes:

.

[TarzansKat]

I can't quite remember where he was trying to take us, though...OKW? The Poly?


If it was the Poly, I think we might have taken him up on it. :lmao:


The color and the wealth of green that my screenname afforded at the top half of that window could've been seen in ZERO visibility, my friend.

Oh, sure, sure, rub in my lack of navigational skills.

:rolleyes1

:lmao:


Just kidding! :lmao: Violence and things that can cause pain scare me in real life.

I hear ya! Thanks for taking a kindly ribbing, my friend. :hug:

I'm considering using Southwest for our trip next summer, but am paranoid about the no assigned seats. I'm also kind of bummed about not being able to use Resort Airline Check-in. The rates for the major airlines will be out next month. However, I think Southwest will be significantly cheaper. How did you print out your boarding pass at the hotel? I plan on bringing my laptop, but a printer would be a little much :lmao:

I see everyone has pretty much answered you, but let me chime in with general experience.

It will, most likely, be your cheapest option. I know how you like to pack. ;) You get two checked bags for free, my dear. :goodvibes

All kidding aside, I've used Southwest exclusively for years. I have rarely...if ever...had a problem, and that includes poor service. The staff is, for the majority friendly, the flights are on time, and the no seat assignment thing is not a big deal at all. It's done in an orderly fashion, and we've never had an issue with getting what we like.

Honestly, I can't speak highly enough of them. Since we use a towncar service, we don't have to worry about ME, but I see Heidi answered that question. And also, it's very simple to have any resort print your boarding passes for you, as long as you're within your twenty four hour window. So no biggie there either.:thumbsup2

WRITE, woman!......write like the wind!!


Er, well....y'know.....when you can....:rolleyes:

.

Dude.

Your siggie has gone country.

Is that because y'all live in Texas now? ;)

Seriously, I love it!!!! YAY FOR A TRIP FOR THE LEGOCLAN!!!!!!!!!:banana::banana::banana:

[Native NYer]

Hopping in for TK as I also pretty much exclusively fly SW:

1.) The no assigned seats thing isn't a huge deal, particularly if you do the online check-in and you do it as soon as it's available (24 hours in advance). You'll likely end up in the first or, at the worst, the second boarding group. For example, on the flight TO Orlando, I was one of the first or second people in line and got the pick of the litter in terms of seats for TK and I. Vice versa on the way home.

Here's how it works, once you check in you're assigned a boarding group (A, B or C) and a number. Passengers with the med cards and solo kids board first. Boarding group A, #'s 1-15 are normally reserved for SW's special business/preferred traveler group but if no one is traveling with that status then they don't fill those #'s. Then they seat the rest of the A group, so, theoretically if you get # A16 and there's no one with the preferred status, you'll be the first person on the plane.
After that they seat families with kids under 7, but, if you get in the A group, you're better off, obviously being in line then. Then it's the B group, then C. In my experience, the people who get assigned to the C group usually haven't checked in online and they wait until they get to the airport to check in.

I've done this process 6 times to and fro in the past year and nary a seat issue. Ever.

2.) You can check in to SW at the resorts via online check-in, although I don't know if it's the same process as with the major airlines. Here's how we did it: we happened to be at Epcot when our 24 hour window was due to open, so we strolled on over to the Yacht and Beach Club and went to the Concierge desk. They checked us in and printed our passes, no problems.

Keep in mind, though, that we weren't using Magical Express, so I have no idea how that would be affected.

Thanks Tink!!!

That was pee your pants funny!!

Just a couple things about SW for Jen NY:
Boarding between A and B with kids... it's kids 4 yo and younger, not 7yo. And depending on the gate staff...only kids and parents board together at that special time....Aunties and Grandparents board with their assigned Letter/Number. You can also checkin 24 hours in advance via you web enablabled phone. Print you passes at the resort front desk later or when you get to the airport. The only differnece with using ME and flying SW home is that you have to bring your own bags to the ME bus on departure, and then check them it. We always get a porter curbside at MCO right off hte bus to take our luggage in for us.

Thanks Heidi! I WISH their parents were going. But it's going to be their grandparents and me with a 2 yr old and a 6 yr old :scared1::scared1::scared1:


I see everyone has pretty much answered you, but let me chime in with general experience.

It will, most likely, be your cheapest option. I know how you like to pack. ;) You get two checked bags for free, my dear. :goodvibes

All kidding aside, I've used Southwest exclusively for years. I have rarely...if ever...had a problem, and that includes poor service. The staff is, for the majority friendly, the flights are on time, and the no seat assignment thing is not a big deal at all. It's done in an orderly fashion, and we've never had an issue with getting what we like.

Honestly, I can't speak highly enough of them. Since we use a towncar service, we don't have to worry about ME, but I see Heidi answered that question. And also, it's very simple to have any resort print your boarding passes for you, as long as you're within your twenty four hour window. So no biggie there either.:thumbsup2


Thanks TK!!!

BTW, I should have taken a pic of the guy who wanted to buy the real whip.

[TarzansKat]

BTW, I should have taken a pic of the guy who wanted to buy the real whip.

Well, yeah! Then we could have determined if there was a level of shadiness there or a genuine Indiana Jones costume curiousity. :lmao:

[Native NYer]

Well, yeah! Then we could have determined if there was a level of shadiness there or a genuine Indiana Jones costume curiousity. :lmao:

:rotfl2: I think I was in shock.

[TarzansKat]

:rotfl2: I think I was in shock.

Let this be a lesson to us all.

Should we be on vacation, and something is so crazy, so stumping, so amazing that we are in fact shocked, we must remember...

"I need to take a picture for the DIS!!!" :idea:

;)

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

[TarzansKat]

Well...on this trip, anyway.

I just wanted to do a mini update here. I know Tink had planned to talk about her morning, but I didn't want to leave you guys hanging.

I have in my notes that I slept well. Although I find it's always difficult to get used a new bed. That first Disney sleep is one of the most fun, because it's the...oh gosh...I have a whole Disney day ahead of me tomorrow...kind of sleep and I really enjoy that anticipation of the whole trip being ahead of you.

Even when you're doing a short weekend, it's still a wonderful feeling. And I would call what Tink and I did as relaxed planning. Prior to the trip we discussed our lists of must dos. In regard to rides, food, touring. And so we had that in mind when we went to the parks and to eat, and it was so helpful. Much like Heidi's list of three things, it's good to have some loose game plan.

Anyway, I woke up at 600am, and Miss Tink was already gone for her morning walk of solitude. I feel all of sudden like talking about Kryptonite and Fortresses. :lmao:

Anyhoo, it was an extremely relaxing morning. I got up and used the coffee maker to boil water for tea. Tink had given me more of one of my favorite teas, it's a vanilla roobois with a hint of caramel finish. Really a dessert tea, but I like it for breakfast. Hey, I was on vacation. I sat at our little table in the room with my tea and my journal and wrote out all my recollections of the previous day. It was nice to get everything out, and to just sit and sip.

I finally started to get ready, and I must tell you something. Not that I don't absolutely adore my family, I do.

It was so nice to get ready in peace and quiet. It's a rare luxury and I love it. No one talking, no one asking me for anything, no one to take care of by myself. No offense Tink, but I think I enjoyed your morning walks as much as you did. :lmao: And our trip was really the perfect blend of together and alone time. Although there wasn't much alone time, but we were both cognizant of some space when we needed it.

Honestly, she's the yin to my yang. :thumbsup2

When Tink got back, it was time to start our day.

Whereve were we headed? ;)

[MRYPPNS]

ahhhhhhh. You, a cup of tea and silence. Bliss.

[LegoMom3]

Well...on this trip, anyway.

I just wanted to do a mini update here. I know Tink had planned to talk about her morning, but I didn't want to leave you guys hanging.

Noted and appreciated....;)


I have in my notes that I slept well. Although I find it's always difficult to get used a new bed. That first Disney sleep is one of the most fun, because it's the...oh gosh...I have a whole Disney day ahead of me tomorrow...kind of sleep and I really enjoy that anticipation of the whole trip being ahead of you.

I love those moments. I love to wave at them as they pass by.....because they seem to go by so FAST!....:rotfl:


Honestly, she's the yin to my yang. :thumbsup2

That's a rare gift you have there!...:goodvibes Treasure it.


When Tink got back, it was time to start our day.

Whereve were we headed? ;)

Oh are you KIDDING ME????!!!!!!......:faint: You're really trying to do me in with this TR, aren't you?!!

http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Unhappy/brick-wall-017.gif




:lmao:

.

[eandesmom]

I finally started to get ready, and I must tell you something. Not that I don't absolutely adore my family, I do.

It was so nice to get ready in peace and quiet. It's a rare luxury and I love it. No one talking, no one asking me for anything, no one to take care of by myself. No offense Tink, but I think I enjoyed your morning walks as much as you did. :lmao: And our trip was really the perfect blend of together and alone time. Although there wasn't much alone time, but we were both cognizant of some space when we needed it.

Honestly, she's the yin to my yang. :thumbsup2



Ahhhhhhhhhh, that just sounds blissful.

[Native NYer]

A relaxing morning of quiet and a cup of tea is the perfect way to start the day. It's great that you managed to both have some alone time on the trip.

Your tea sounds delicious!

[PaMom001]

Yay, another installment. :cool1::banana:

[jenjolt]

What a great Disney Morning!!! Thanks for sharing TK!! Nothing beats sharing Disney with the ones you love! I'm so happy that you have found a great friend in Tink!

[TarzansKat]

ahhhhhhh. You, a cup of tea and silence. Bliss.

You may feel free to recreate that moment on your upcoming trip. ;)

Noted and appreciated....;)

:goodvibes


I love those moments. I love to wave at them as they pass by.....because they seem to go by so FAST!....:rotfl:

I love that line. I love that whole scene.

Oh gosh, thinking about it makes me feel a little flushed. Is it warm in here?

"Do tell, dearie." :love:



That's a rare gift you have there!...:goodvibes Treasure it.

I do, I do, I do. :thumbsup2


Oh are you KIDDING ME????!!!!!!......:faint: You're really trying to do me in with this TR, aren't you?!!

http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Unhappy/brick-wall-017.gif




:lmao:

.

Um, hon. You do know WHAT day this is, right? :lmao:

Ahhhhhhhhhh, that just sounds blissful.

It was sooooo nice.

A relaxing morning of quiet and a cup of tea is the perfect way to start the day. It's great that you managed to both have some alone time on the trip.

Your tea sounds delicious!

It was a really nice way to start the day. :thumbsup2 I wonder if would have the same effect if I tried to recreate that at home.

Yay, another installment. :cool1::banana:

:goodvibes

What a great Disney Morning!!! Thanks for sharing TK!! Nothing beats sharing Disney with the ones you love! I'm so happy that you have found a great friend in Tink!

Happy to share! :thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

Sounds like you had a wonderful peaceful morning. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!

[Charleston Princess]

Morning silence -- a truly delicious way to start your first full day at Disney!!! :goodvibes

[jenb1023]

Finally all caught up with this TR and joining in!

Hi Tink! I know TK through Maroo and All7ofUs's PTR and wanted to read about your adventures. It sounds like an amazing trip so far!

Just a few quick thoughts. . . I love Kohl's too! You can get the best deals there. I don't know who remembered Kokomo from preschool but I remember Johnny Depp from 21 Jump Street (I was in high school) if that tells you how old I am! :rotfl:

How lucky you guys are to have found each other and that kind of friendship! To be able to go to WDW together, priceless! Can't wait to read more!

[TarzansKat]

Sounds like you had a wonderful peaceful morning. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!

Hopefully I'll get at least one more update in here before I leave for my trip. :thumbsup2

Morning silence -- a truly delicious way to start your first full day at Disney!!! :goodvibes

It was delicious! :goodvibes

Finally all caught up with this TR and joining in!

Hi Tink! I know TK through Maroo and All7ofUs's PTR and wanted to read about your adventures. It sounds like an amazing trip so far!

Just a few quick thoughts. . . I love Kohl's too! You can get the best deals there. I don't know who remembered Kokomo from preschool but I remember Johnny Depp from 21 Jump Street (I was in high school) if that tells you how old I am! :rotfl:

How lucky you guys are to have found each other and that kind of friendship! To be able to go to WDW together, priceless! Can't wait to read more!

First of all, on behalf of myself and Tink, :welcome:

You just didn't get enough of my brand of crazy over on those other threads, huh? ;) I'm happy to have you here! :goodvibes

We are very lucky to have our friendship.

[PaMom001]

Finally all caught up with this TR and joining in!

Hi Tink! I know TK through Maroo and All7ofUs's PTR and wanted to read about your adventures. It sounds like an amazing trip so far!

Just a few quick thoughts. . . I love Kohl's too! You can get the best deals there. I don't know who remembered Kokomo from preschool but I remember Johnny Depp from 21 Jump Street (I was in high school) if that tells you how old I am! :rotfl:

How lucky you guys are to have found each other and that kind of friendship! To be able to go to WDW together, priceless! Can't wait to read more!

Jen, where in central PA are you? I'm near Harrisburg.

[TarzansKat]

Jen, where in central PA are you? I'm near Harrisburg.

Pardon my random thought here.

You say Harrisburg, and all I can think of is My Fair Lady.

"Hartford, Harrisburg, and Hampshire, where hurricanes hardly ever happen." :lmao:

[PaMom001]

Pardon my random thought here.

You say Harrisburg, and all I can think of is My Fair Lady.

"Hartford, Harrisburg, and Hampshire, where hurricanes hardly ever happen." :lmao:

Well it's right. We hardly ever get hurricanes, we do get them though.

[All7OfUs]

What a sweet way to begin the morning collecting your thoughts, remembering the day before, getting ready without having to hear the littany of "need a wiper", "where's my socks?", and my personal favorite, "I don't like oatmeal, can I have something else?"

I CANNOT wait for 11 months and 18 days!!

[TarzansKat]

Well it's right. We hardly ever get hurricanes, we do get them though.

See, that Professor Higgins did know what he was talking about.

What a sweet way to begin the morning collecting your thoughts, remembering the day before, getting ready without having to hear the littany of "need a wiper", "where's my socks?", and my personal favorite, "I don't like oatmeal, can I have something else?"

I CANNOT wait for 11 months and 18 days!!

AWWWW!!! Liesa needs some :grouphug:

[MegansMom]

That tea sounds scrumptious....does it have a name????

[jenb1023]

First of all, on behalf of myself and Tink, :welcome:

You just didn't get enough of my brand of crazy over on those other threads, huh? ;) I'm happy to have you here! :goodvibes

We are very lucky to have our friendship.

Thanks for the welcome! I love your brand of crazy - I think I may be a similar brand myself! :rotfl:

Jen, where in central PA are you? I'm near Harrisburg.

Then, we are practically neighbors! I live in Camp Hill.

Pardon my random thought here.

You say Harrisburg, and all I can think of is My Fair Lady.

"Hartford, Harrisburg, and Hampshire, where hurricanes hardly ever happen." :lmao:

I love My Fair Lady!!!

Whoops! Forgot to quote you Liesa but I can relate today! My DD stumbled into my room this morning still yawing and wiping the sleeping dirt from her eyes and the first words out of her mouth are "Mommy I am hungry."

[TarzansKat]

That tea sounds scrumptious....does it have a name????

It's by Republic of Tea. I believe it's called Vanilla Roobois. They have a lot of wonderful roobois teas on their website, for those who don't know, those are a red tea that are naturally sweet and naturally caffeine free. Right up my alley. :thumbsup2

Thanks for the welcome! I love your brand of crazy - I think I may be a similar brand myself! :rotfl:

Always happy to share the insanity! :thumbsup2


I love My Fair Lady!!!

Me too! I used to watch all kinds of musicals at my grandparents when I was little, and I've loved them ever since. The Sound of Music still makes me cry at certain parts because I think of watching it with my Granddad (who is no longer with us).

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

What a lovely morning! Mmm that tea sounds delicious and I don't even like tea!!

[TarzansKat]

What a lovely morning! Mmm that tea sounds delicious and I don't even like tea!!

It was lovely! :goodvibes

[brookelizabeth]

Quiet + hot beverage of choice = TRUE VACATION! Ahhhh. That is very, very, very nice.

(i'm jealous! ;))

[TarzansKat]

Quiet + hot beverage of choice = TRUE VACATION! Ahhhh. That is very, very, very nice.

(i'm jealous! ;))

First of all, love your siggie! So stinkin' cute!!!!

And yes, it was very nice. :goodvibes

[TarzansKat]

And I now have some image in my head of John Belushi in a toga. Ah well.

When last we left our daring duo, they were daring!

They were a duo!

And they were a daring duo on a quest!

A quest...for Tonga.

Ah, yes, DIS friends. I'd never partaken in the proliferous bouquet that is Tonga. And Tink had. So we'd agreed quite a while ago that it was time to get rid of my Tonga...

viriginity. :lmao:

Boy, I'm campy this morning. I swear, all this talk of frat parties. Of which I've never attended any, but have heard a lot about. And if movies are any example, well, there you go. :thumbsup2

When last you left us, we were in our room. I was ready, Tink was ready, and it was time to head out and embrace the day.

Now, I must admit. It was very, very, very difficult to head to the Magic Kingdom and walk past it AGAIN!!!! Keep in mind that we'd already done that last night. But, we were motivated. Stalwart. Single-minded even.

Okay, that's a lie. We weren't single-minded, we both really want to go into the MK, but we had breakfast to take care of, and we knew we'd be there soon. Add to that excitment over Tonga and heading to the Magic Kingdom for our first full day to the fact that we had a DIS meet planned, and well, heck, I was walking on cloud nine.

After months of planning, and discussing, and figuring out the dining credits and making our list of must dos, we were doing them! I was giddy like this guy. :banana: Except I'm not as thin. :lmao:

Now, unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced my trip journal, but I'm almost positive Tink and I took a boat to the Poly. Can you take a boat to the Poly? Oh boy. I wish I knew where that journal was.

Anyway, we got there. :lmao:

And oh my goodness. I think that my dear gal Tink would heartily agree with me when I say that each of the deluxe monorail resorts has its own distinct flavor, its own aroma, its own...ahhhhh.

And the Polynesian is no exception. When you walk up and see those beautiful flowers and landscaping and you know what's waiting for you in that lobby...a little slice of heaven...and then you walk in and you smell that gorgeous aroma that just says Poly. Disney, Poly. Oh, it's like heaven. It's so wonderful. And it's not even my favorite monorail resort, but it's just so great in its own right.

Now, we'd planned out our dining plan to a t, so for this tasting of Tonga, we decided to split one counter service. I'm so glad we did, this thing was HUGE!!!! No way I could have eaten one by myself.

While Tink got in line and was waiting for our food (she was a good date ;)), I fooled around with the camera a little.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0092-1.jpg

What can I say? It was cold that morning. ;)

Finally Tink arrived with our bounty and we were ready to dig in. Lucky for you all, though, we did have the presence of mind to indulge in some food art. We took turns with this throughout the whole trip, and I have to say, that was really nice. We really took turns with taking pictures, and I have to say, one of the things that's so great about going with a great friend like Tink, is that where I leave off, she picks up, and vice versa. We really are the yin to each other's yang, Luke and Leia, Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett...wait...no. Not that. I need to stop watching those scary films late at night, they just stay with me.

Anyway, here you go.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0112.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0122.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0132.jpg

So, what can I say about Tonga?

I fear a lynching. I know how passionate every one is about their favorite things. Heck, I'll defend my Dole Whip float to the death, but I do realize some things are not for everyone.

Much like Tonga. Let me tell you what I loved about it. I loved the crust of it. I loved the cinnamon sugar, the sweet crispy taste to the exterior. And I loved the interior, but the raving about the banana filling? Not so much.

Now, I am informed that at Kona Cafe, the Tonga Toast comes with a delightful fruit puree that is slightly tart. And that really balances out the sweetness of the banana, and makes for a more intricate melding of flavors.

Perhaps that's why I wasn't so enamored. I think I would have liked it better if it had some complement like that, whereas we were eating it with maple syrup. So piling sweet on top of sweet on top of sweet like that just wasn't doing it for me.

Now, don't get me wrong. I liked it. I would eat it again. But like some things, I found that the hype just didn't live up to it for me. And that's okay. Because this trip was about trying things, and it certainly was not a bad meal, heck it was quite enjoyable to sit there with Tink, eating that delectable breakfast, and enjoying the scenery of the Poly.

So am I sad I ate it? Heck, no! I really liked it. I just didn't fall in love with it, which is no biggie, because let's face it.

We've got three whole days worth of food to get through here.

Plenty of time. :thumbsup2

[creativeamanda]

See, Tonga Toast just does not appeal to me. There are a lot more yummy breakfast foods that I like--Banana in toast just does not appeal.

[LegoMom3]

I'm with Amanda.....haven't even tried it. Although, reading your description of it, I think I'd be with you on the "outside-cinnamon-sugar-crusty-goodness." Bananas are very "meh" for me. Once in a great while I'll eat one here at home, but it has to be EXACTLY just-ripe. If you cross the line into the least bit mushy, I'm out. Which I think is the turn-off of Tonga Toast for me. I don't expect a perfectly-ripe-banana inside. I expect mush.

Wow. One little TR update suddenly turns into a dissertation on the consistency and properties of bananas!!...:rotfl:

Yes, I'm fairly certain you can take a boat from the MK to the Poly. Haven't done it myself, but I'm thinkin' you can.

Oh and by the way, I love the blue hat.:thumbsup2

.

[pooh'smate]

How delightful to find an update this morning. :goodvibes I am lovin your stylish hat. ;) The Tonga Toast, hmm, some days I want to try it and others not so much. I think I would like to try it but I think it would be just to much with the syrup.

[Charleston Princess]

Love the update (and your hat :laughing:)! I will forgive you for not loving the Tonga Toast and am looking forward to the next set of Tink and TK adventures!!! popcorn::

[eandesmom]

And I now have some image in my head of John Belushi in a toga. Ah well.

We really are the yin to each other's yang, Luke and Leia, Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett...wait...no. Not that. I need to stop watching those scary films late at night, they just stay with me.



An image I didn't need, thanks!

And you do realize that frat parties, by in large, aren't exactly like that. Not to say that some can't be but you know what they say about gross generalizations!

Actually, I am quite positive, not once in my 4 years of sorority life/frat parties did I ever wear a toga.

Just to debunk that.

Sweeny Todd and Mrs. Lovett?

Oh dear Kat, an intervention may be needed.

You know, I didn't even realize you could get Tonga at the Poly CS. I fear I may have the same reaction as you, being rather partial to my own baked french toast (which has apples and raisins) but I MUST try it. If for no other reason than to say I did.

After your review though, I might stick with my Kona sit down plan but good point on sharing it!

[jmamom]

I dragged myself out of bed on my last day to go to breakfast at Kona. Why - to try the Tonga toast. Had the strawberry compote and everything. You know what - meh. I just don't see the big deal. :confused3 How hard it must have been to walk away from the MK again! And yes, there is a boat to the Poly, it looked like a nice ride. My kids were too enamored of the monorail to let me try it, though. How's Tink doing? Send her :goodvibes if you talk to her!

[MRYPPNS]

I think I have figured out the magical formula for enjoying Tonga Toast....at least for me anyways.....I'll let you know the results when I get to test it out.

1/2 serving of Tonga Toast - must be with the strawberry compote
1/2 serving of savory breakfast items (eggs, potatoes and such)


Did you know that you can get Dole Whips at Capt Cooks?? Yum.

[Native NYer]

Enjoyed the update.

Your reaction to Tonga Toast was similar to my reaction to the Lapu Lapu. But that's the beauty of Disney and the dining plan. Lots of options to please everyone.

[All7OfUs]

Soooooo... the tonga was so-so. I suspected it might be, but when you said you at it with maple syrup, I knew it was dead in the water for me right there. It looks like total sugar overkill, so I'm with Heidi- must be eaten with generous portions of savory! Geez, I'm thinking that with some sagey sausage, I could actually do this. Except that bananas may be my #1 Enemy! I would fight to the death to not have to eat a raw banana. :lmao: Cooked are ok, but mush inside toast just isn't happenin.

Luv that you and Tink share the food art responsibilities. maroo, are you listening??! I can't hear you....

Can't comment about frat parties, except that my DH says he cleaned up more than his fair share of other people's ummmm, accidents, and that porn was constantly on the tube. Whatever....

[jenjolt]

I'm going to have to come out and agree with you!! I enjoyed my Tonga toast a lot especially with the Strawberry compote, but it was way sweet for me!!! I couldn't eat the whole thing not even close!! I found out on this trip I was definitely more a savory breakfast eater and not a sweet one!!!

I loved your update!! I have to agree with you again that there is a completely different feel at each monorail resort and I love it!!!! There are a few I love better than others but when you walk in you can just inhale the magic!!!!!!

Can't wait to hear about your first time in the parks together!

[maroo]

Luv that you and Tink share the food art responsibilities. maroo, are you listening??! I can't hear you....


What? What? Did I hear something? :rolleyes1

Nah. Must have been my imagination.

Every once in a while I should just search for the word..."maroo" and see what comes up! :rotfl2:

On the other hand...maybe not. :confused3





Great update, TK!! :) Good to know about the Tonga Toast and that looked HUGE!!!

I had a dream that reminded me of you. I got to meet the REAL Captain Jack. I was with a touring group of wish kids and they surprised us. And I just stayed there...and stayed there...and stayed there. :cloud9: Until I woke up. :headache:

[brookelizabeth]

First of all, love your siggie! So stinkin' cute!!!!

And yes, it was very nice. :goodvibes

Thank you! Yours isn't too shabby either....;) :laughing:

I'm with ya on Tonga Toast. DH loves it. It's too sweet for me. I've only ever had a bite of his, and while it wasn't bad, I just know it would be way too much for me.

Your hat is darling!!! :rotfl:

[TarzansKat]

Okay.

First, I want to apologize. I apparently started a Tonga/Toga debate without even intending to. ;) :lmao:

See, Tonga Toast just does not appeal to me. There are a lot more yummy breakfast foods that I like--Banana in toast just does not appeal.

You know what I would love to try whenever I get back to the World? The macadamia nut pancakes at the Poly. That sounds YUMMY. :thumbsup2

I'm with Amanda.....haven't even tried it. Although, reading your description of it, I think I'd be with you on the "outside-cinnamon-sugar-crusty-goodness." Bananas are very "meh" for me. Once in a great while I'll eat one here at home, but it has to be EXACTLY just-ripe. If you cross the line into the least bit mushy, I'm out. Which I think is the turn-off of Tonga Toast for me. I don't expect a perfectly-ripe-banana inside. I expect mush.

Wow. You know what? You just described exactly how I like my bananas to be. And if they cross the line on either side, I just don't eat them. :lmao:


Wow. One little TR update suddenly turns into a dissertation on the consistency and properties of bananas!!...:rotfl:

I started something without even realizing it. I totally expected to get lynched.


Oh and by the way, I love the blue hat.:thumbsup2

.

Not as schnazzy as my green dress, but nice. ;)

How delightful to find an update this morning. :goodvibes I am lovin your stylish hat. ;) The Tonga Toast, hmm, some days I want to try it and others not so much. I think I would like to try it but I think it would be just to much with the syrup.

Thanks on the hat. :lmao: I think we should all follow Heidi's advice a little further down. Her idea on how to combo it with other things I think sounds really good. :thumbsup2

Love the update (and your hat :laughing:)! I will forgive you for not loving the Tonga Toast and am looking forward to the next set of Tink and TK adventures!!! popcorn::

Do you love Tonga Toast? I couldn't remember. :lmao: Yes, more adventures are a-brewin'. And a DIS meet. :thumbsup2

An image I didn't need, thanks!

Happy to oblige. In order to get that delightful little sight from being burned in your retinas, I prescribe at least five minutes of staring at my siggie and/or avatar.

Better?


And you do realize that frat parties, by in large, aren't exactly like that. Not to say that some can't be but you know what they say about gross generalizations!

Actually, I am quite positive, not once in my 4 years of sorority life/frat parties did I ever wear a toga.

Just to debunk that.

Oh, trust me, I know. I'm sure there were things that happened at my art school parties that were worse. Not that I was privy to those things. :lmao: Anyhoo, all my toga whatnot is hearsay from my one set of friends who were in a fraternity/sorority in college. :lmao:


Sweeny Todd and Mrs. Lovett?

Oh dear Kat, an intervention may be needed.

What can I say? I'm a girl who can't resist Johnny, even if it is gory. :lmao:


You know, I didn't even realize you could get Tonga at the Poly CS. I fear I may have the same reaction as you, being rather partial to my own baked french toast (which has apples and raisins) but I MUST try it. If for no other reason than to say I did.

Okay. I want the recipe for the baked french toast, please. Where's a drooling smiley when I need it?


I dragged myself out of bed on my last day to go to breakfast at Kona. Why - to try the Tonga toast. Had the strawberry compote and everything. You know what - meh. I just don't see the big deal. :confused3 How hard it must have been to walk away from the MK again! And yes, there is a boat to the Poly, it looked like a nice ride. My kids were too enamored of the monorail to let me try it, though. How's Tink doing? Send her :goodvibes if you talk to her!

Glad to know I'm not the only one! I had no idea you would all rally behind me! :goodvibes

Tink is doing well, she just has a lot going on right now. I'll be happy to relay the message that you're thinking of her. :goodvibes

I think I have figured out the magical formula for enjoying Tonga Toast....at least for me anyways.....I'll let you know the results when I get to test it out.

1/2 serving of Tonga Toast - must be with the strawberry compote
1/2 serving of savory breakfast items (eggs, potatoes and such)


Did you know that you can get Dole Whips at Capt Cooks?? Yum.

Heidi, that sounds perfect. I really love a good combo of salt and sweet, and that would probably do it for me.

I did know you can get Dole Whips there. HEAVEN! All the more reason to stay at the Poly. :thumbsup2

[TarzansKat]

Enjoyed the update.

Thanks!


Your reaction to Tonga Toast was similar to my reaction to the Lapu Lapu. But that's the beauty of Disney and the dining plan. Lots of options to please everyone.

That is the beauty of it. May I ask why you didn't like the Lapu Lapu? I really enjoyed mine, but couldn't even finish half of it because of the potency of the liquor. My husband had to help! :lmao:

Soooooo... the tonga was so-so. I suspected it might be, but when you said you at it with maple syrup, I knew it was dead in the water for me right there. It looks like total sugar overkill, so I'm with Heidi- must be eaten with generous portions of savory! Geez, I'm thinking that with some sagey sausage, I could actually do this. Except that bananas may be my #1 Enemy! I would fight to the death to not have to eat a raw banana. :lmao: Cooked are ok, but mush inside toast just isn't happenin.

I think that is one of the funniest things I've ever heard you say. :lmao:


Luv that you and Tink share the food art responsibilities. maroo, are you listening??! I can't hear you....

:rotfl2:


Can't comment about frat parties, except that my DH says he cleaned up more than his fair share of other people's ummmm, accidents, and that porn was constantly on the tube. Whatever....

Ew.

I'm going to have to come out and agree with you!! I enjoyed my Tonga toast a lot especially with the Strawberry compote, but it was way sweet for me!!! I couldn't eat the whole thing not even close!! I found out on this trip I was definitely more a savory breakfast eater and not a sweet one!!!

Again, I so did not expect everyone to agree with me! :lmao:


I loved your update!! I have to agree with you again that there is a completely different feel at each monorail resort and I love it!!!! There are a few I love better than others but when you walk in you can just inhale the magic!!!!!!

It's true, that is a great statement about inhaling the magic!


Can't wait to hear about your first time in the parks together!

It was amazing.

What? What? Did I hear something? :rolleyes1

Nah. Must have been my imagination.

I'm so not getting in the middle of this. :rolleyes1


Every once in a while I should just search for the word..."maroo" and see what comes up! :rotfl2:

On the other hand...maybe not. :confused3

:rotfl2:


Great update, TK!! :) Good to know about the Tonga Toast and that looked HUGE!!!

Glad you liked it!


I had a dream that reminded me of you. I got to meet the REAL Captain Jack. I was with a touring group of wish kids and they surprised us. And I just stayed there...and stayed there...and stayed there. :cloud9: Until I woke up. :headache:

Oh.

Heaven.

Heaven and bliss. Yum, yum. :cloud9:

I've had dreams about the real Jack Sparrow, too. I don't want to get kicked off the boards, so we won't go there.

Thank you! Yours isn't too shabby either....;) :laughing:

My siggie is quite popular with the ladies. :lmao:


I'm with ya on Tonga Toast. DH loves it. It's too sweet for me. I've only ever had a bite of his, and while it wasn't bad, I just know it would be way too much for me.

I probably would have enjoyed it more if it didn't have that banana filling. I was so all about the outer crust.


Your hat is darling!!! :rotfl:

Why thank you! Next time I'll have to find one more suited to the weather. :lmao:

[Charleston Princess]

Do you love Tonga Toast? I couldn't remember. :lmao: Yes, more adventures are a-brewin'. And a DIS meet. :thumbsup2

I liked it, but I haven't felt the need to rush back and have it again or anything. Not like some things I have tried at Disney...:rolleyes1

[TarzansKat]

I liked it, but I haven't felt the need to rush back and have it again or anything. Not like some things I have tried at Disney...:rolleyes1

Oooo...is that a portent of things to come in your food and wine trip report, eh, eh???

[Native NYer]

That is the beauty of it. May I ask why you didn't like the Lapu Lapu? I really enjoyed mine, but couldn't even finish half of it because of the potency of the liquor. My husband had to help! :lmao:


:rotfl2: I thought it was a bit too strong for me. I prefer sweet drinks. If I would have had one more of those, I would have lost all ability to reason and tried to dance with Prince Philip during the castle stage show :rotfl:

[jenb1023]

Wow - I am surprised at how many people aren't crazy about Tonga Toast. It was on my list of must trys but now I am not so sure especially since it would only be for me since neither DH nor DD eat bananas in any form. Walking past the MK is tough! On our last trip it didn't work out to go to the MK until day 4 and that was weird to hit all of the other parks first.

[TarzansKat]

:rotfl2: I thought it was a bit too strong for me. I prefer sweet drinks. If I would have had one more of those, I would have lost all ability to reason and tried to dance with Prince Philip during the castle stage show :rotfl:

I hear ya! Very, very strong! And for me, it would be Belle's prince. ;)

Wow - I am surprised at how many people aren't crazy about Tonga Toast. It was on my list of must trys but now I am not so sure especially since it would only be for me since neither DH nor DD eat bananas in any form. Walking past the MK is tough! On our last trip it didn't work out to go to the MK until day 4 and that was weird to hit all of the other parks first.

You know what? If you have the time, try it. If you don't, don't sweat it. :goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

Ha! I can hear it now- Headline: The Great Toga/Tonga debate started right here on TKs TR! Has quite a nice ring to it.

Bananas suck; there I said it. There's only 1 (exactly 1) way to eat a raw banana. And I have no idea why I like them this way. But that's as a frozen banana at MK. Must have something to do with CHOCOLATE! :confused3;)

[If U Had Wings]

Ha! I can hear it now- Headline: The Great Toga/Tonga debate started right here on TKs TR! Has quite a nice ring to it.

Bananas suck; there I said it. There's only 1 (exactly 1) way to eat a raw banana. And I have no idea why I like them this way. But that's as a frozen banana at MK. Must have something to do with CHOCOLATE! :confused3;)



Mmmm.. Hands down, chocolate covered bananas have been my favorite Disney snack since I was a kid. :banana:

[TarzansKat]

But that's as a frozen banana at MK. Must have something to do with CHOCOLATE! :confused3;)

Mmmm.. Hands down, chocolate covered bananas have been my favorite Disney snack since I was a kid. :banana:

I haven't had one of those in ages! Something to try next time. :goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

You're back to posting- Hooray!!! How are you these days??

[TarzansKat]

You're back to posting- Hooray!!! How are you these days??

Obviously, I'm well missed. :blush:

I'm doing well, thanks. Just incredibly busy. And I had a bit of a mental block about my new trip report. Which just started.

I might as well post it here.

TK's New Trip Report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34095262&posted=1#post34095262)

There, you're the first to know. ;)

[All7OfUs]

Beat you to it. Already posted on it :)

[TarzansKat]

Beat you to it. Already posted on it :)

Aw, shucks.

[TarzansKat]

Hi, folks!

I'm in the process of uploading to Photobucket, and there are quite a few photos for the upcoming chapters. :thumbsup2 Hopefully, I'll be able to get an update in soon, even if it's just photos.

[LegoMom3]

Hi, folks!

I'm in the process of uploading to Photobucket, and there are quite a few photos for the upcoming chapters. :thumbsup2 Hopefully, I'll be able to get an update in soon, even if it's just photos.


:banana::banana::banana::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
:yay::yay::yay::cool1::cool1::cool1:













:rolleyes1

[TarzansKat]

:banana::banana::banana::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
:yay::yay::yay::cool1::cool1::cool1:













:rolleyes1

;);)

[TarzansKat]

When we finished the toast they call Tonga, we were happy. Sated.

Ah, the glory of being well fed and breathing in that delightful Disney air.

Now, we had plans for today, and those plans were Magic Kingdom all the way, baby! :thumbsup2 Since this was a short trip, Tink and I decided not to park hop, so today was Magic Kingdom all the way.

As we headed over, we decided to take a picture for you.

Of the sea of humanity.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2229.jpg

And we're not even in the park yet. :lmao:

Apparently there were some issues with the turnstyles that morning, and our arrival conicided with that. Go figure.

We didn't care.

We were happy. :love:

We were dancing like this guy. :banana:

Well, internally. But on the outside we had BIG ole smiles on our faces, as we got ready to head into our happy place.

Now before we got to the park, I did manage to connect with someone. Who shall still remain nameless. You know who you are. And as we were walking in, we were coordinating, leaving messages, getting our meet straightened out. And it was with this goal in mind that we made our way into the Magic Kingdom, and took those first few steps into the bliss that is Main Street and that very first view of the castle.

But not before we took some more pictures of the sea of humanity for you.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0162.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0152.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0142.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2234.jpg
Who doesn't love those first photos of the castle? It's like you're home. :love:

While were pausing and photo'ing, I took some pictures of the decor, this being my first time seeing the celebration theme.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0182.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0172.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2235.jpg
We'll be seeing you later. ;)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2236.jpg
Isn't that pretty? I think Tink took that one.

So where would we head?

Who would we meet?

Any guesses? ;)

[jenjolt]

I remember being there at the same time as you guys or around that and the mornings were always gorgeous and yes there were lots of people but that deter me and LL's spirits and I'm so glad it didn't you and Tink's!!

I'm very excited to find out more about your MK day!!

[eandesmom]

We didn't care.

We were happy. :love:

We were dancing like this guy. :banana:



I have a feeling you were dancing more like this guy

:dancer:

that banana has been known to stand still at times for unknown reasons. He is moving now but wasn't when I first read it.

Looking forward to more!

[TarzansKat]

I remember being there at the same time as you guys or around that and the mornings were always gorgeous and yes there were lots of people but that deter me and LL's spirits and I'm so glad it didn't you and Tink's!!

You know, I should have put this in there. Even though there always seemed to be a lot of people at the get go, it truly didn't feel busy at all. :goodvibes


I'm very excited to find out more about your MK day!!

:goodvibes

I have a feeling you were dancing more like this guy

:dancer:

that banana has been known to stand still at times for unknown reasons. He is moving now but wasn't when I first read it.

Looking forward to more!

The banana wasn't moving? Is it posing for a still life? :lmao:

I like that guy, he's a got a little more frenzy to his steps. Not sure if I can cut a rug like that. :lmao:

[LegoMom3]

When we finished the toast they call Tonga, we were happy. Sated.

Ah, the glory of being well fed and breathing in that delightful Disney air.

Now, we had plans for today, and those plans were Magic Kingdom all the way, baby! :thumbsup2 Since this was a short trip, Tink and I decided not to park hop, so today was Magic Kingdom all the way.

As we headed over, we decided to take a picture for you.

Of the sea of humanity.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2229.jpg

And we're not even in the park yet. :lmao:

Thanks for reminding me why I prefer the parks in September!!:eek:



Now before we got to the park, I did manage to connect with someone. Who shall still remain nameless. You know who you are. And as we were walking in, we were coordinating, leaving messages, getting our meet straightened out. And it was with this goal in mind that we made our way into the Magic Kingdom, and took those first few steps into the bliss that is Main Street and that very first view of the castle.

Indeed that first glimpse of the castle IS bliss.....the way The Black Pearl IS freedom....:lovestruc




http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2235.jpg
We'll be seeing you later. ;)


Y'know, there really needs to be a snort-laugh smilie.....
:lmao:



http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2236.jpg
Isn't that pretty? I think Tink took that one.

So where would we head?

Who would we meet?

Any guesses? ;)


That is neat! Where is it? And how is Tink these days? MISS HER!!!!:hug: Send her a big ol' Skittle Hug for me, 'k?

And as for the rest of the story.....

:rolleyes1

.

[eandesmom]

The banana wasn't moving? Is it posing for a still life? :lmao:

I like that guy, he's a got a little more frenzy to his steps. Not sure if I can cut a rug like that. :lmao:

Yes. He just stands there stuck. Arms up like he was frozen mid "Wahoo!"

Perhaps he knows his days are numbered. Only a matter of time before he becomes...

bananabread

[TarzansKat]

Thanks for reminding me why I prefer the parks in September!!:eek:

You know, despite that terrifying photo, it really wasn't that bad once we got in there. :lmao:


Indeed that first glimpse of the castle IS bliss.....the way The Black Pearl IS freedom....:lovestruc


Indeed. That is quite the analogy! :goodvibes


Y'know, there really needs to be a snort-laugh smilie.....
:lmao:

It would certainly make my life easier. I know I'm having a good day when I can make our dear Tink snort laugh through e-mail. ;)


That is neat! Where is it? And how is Tink these days? MISS HER!!!!:hug: Send her a big ol' Skittle Hug for me, 'k?

I wish I could remember where it is exactly. I'll have to ask her. I think it's between walkways on Main Street towards where we were headed which shall remain undisclosed at the present. ;)

And she's doing well! She had a rough go for a bit there, I'm sure she wouldn't mind me telling you. One of her cats broke its leg and has been in a cast for a while now, the poor thing.

Then her boyfriend managed to get in a cast as well, except he ripped the bicep clear off his bone.

So she's more living up to the Cinderella part of her screen name as opposed to the Tink part, because I'm sure she would LOVE some pixie dust and little magic to clean her house right now. I will definitely tell her that some skittley hugs are coming her way. I don't know when she'll be on the DIS again, but she does tell me to say hello to you all. :goodvibes


And as for the rest of the story.....

:rolleyes1

.

Tee hee.

Yes. He just stands there stuck. Arms up like he was frozen mid "Wahoo!"

Perhaps he knows his days are numbered. Only a matter of time before he becomes...

bananabread

Or Tonga Toast. :lmao:

[Native NYer]

That first day at the MK is just so magical. The beginning is always the best. By the end of the trip, don't you just want to chain yourself to a bench on Main Street?

The sea of humanity is the reason I don't do parades or the NYC subway :lmao:

[Charleston Princess]

Crikey! That is a sea of humanity! :eek:

I am stumped as to which mystery DISer you were meeting...

[TarzansKat]

That first day at the MK is just so magical. The beginning is always the best. By the end of the trip, don't you just want to chain yourself to a bench on Main Street?

YES!!! I so want to chain myself to a bench. You're going to love one of my last moments on my most recent trip. It involves the MK in the I don't wanna leave kind of way. And that's all I'm hinting at for now. :goodvibes


The sea of humanity is the reason I don't do parades or the NYC subway :lmao:

I very rarely do parades or fireworks. I have to really be in the mood. I do have to say however, my family is not opposed to getting a cab back to our resort because sometimes, it's just worth it. :thumbsup2

Crikey! That is a sea of humanity! :eek:

Crikey! I love that word. :lmao:


I am stumped as to which mystery DISer you were meeting...

:rolleyes1

[Charleston Princess]

Crikey! I love that word. :lmao:

I am a sucker for interjections. :laughing:

:rolleyes1

Hmmpppfff. ;)

[creativeamanda]

And I didn't think the crowds inside the park were that bad? What is wrong with me?!?

Great update, and I do love the Mickey balloons on the What will you celebrate decorations.

[eandesmom]

And she's doing well! She had a rough go for a bit there, I'm sure she wouldn't mind me telling you. One of her cats broke its leg and has been in a cast for a while now, the poor thing.

Then her boyfriend managed to get in a cast as well, except he ripped the bicep clear off his bone.

So she's more living up to the Cinderella part of her screen name as opposed to the Tink part, because I'm sure she would LOVE some pixie dust and little magic to clean her house right now. I will definitely tell her that some skittley hugs are coming her way. I don't know when she'll be on the DIS again, but she does tell me to say hello to you all. :goodvibes



Tee hee.



Or Tonga Toast. :lmao:

:grouphug: for Tink and a fairy godmother to clean her house.


:lmao:

Tonga Toast.

[All7OfUs]

Well, that was a humdinger of an update!! I was glad that someone says Sept. crowds are lower!! Good news for me!

But, we had those kind of crowds in April last year, and they really do thin out pretty fast once they're in.

Ahhhh, Casey's. Can I just tell you my mouth is watering right now? A little kraut, a little mustard. Another one later in the week with relish and onions?? Stop. STOP I tell you!

I did embarrass my kids last time with a little jig dancing. It wasn't cuz I had to go either. I was just so exicited to BE there. Even if we were stuck at bag checks, turnstiles, behind slower folks... didn't matter. I was enamoured with taking it all in. :cloud9: Then there was the little "incident" with my sister's car and almost going off the road near the entrance sign too....

Ah well, it will be fun to hear about your meet. Those are always exciting...

[2xcited2sleep]

Wow that's a lot of people! :eek: Can't wait to see who you meet! popcorn::

[shannn]

What an update! The crowds always look worse at the gate than when they disperse. (Of course I've never been in the summer or Christmas or Fourth of July or....)

I'm going to have to try Casey's. I've never been there, but people keeping raving about it in their trip reports.

[maroo]

Do you use touringplans.com?

Do you remember what date you went to the MK that morning? I so curious as to crowd patters in Disney - because crowds were non-existent on our trip...so just wondering if it has a lot to do with park choice?

Although...I think I would have to do MK first if it was a short trip, too! :)


Great update...

Have I already posted that it was a great update? :confused:

[If U Had Wings]

That first picture is just a bit horrifying of the crowd. I'm glad it got better after that.

Tell Tink I'm hoping things ease up for her a bit I'll be hoping some fairydust makes it her way.:)

And I'm thinking that the two of you are off to visit Jack. Final answer.

:rotfl:


I am a sucker for interjections. :laughing:


CP, I just had to let you know that this immediately made me think of Schoolhouse Rock. I can't remember the lyrics exactly, but I'm have a very distinct image of the video to go with it.

[LegoMom3]

..............
CP, I just had to let you know that this immediately made me think of Schoolhouse Rock. I can't remember the lyrics exactly, but I'm have a very distinct image of the video to go with it.


ME TOO!!!....:rotfl2::lmao:


And, because it would have bugged me all day, here are the lyrics to the chorus:


"Interjections
Show excitement,
Or emotion.
They're generally set apart from a sentence
By an exclamation point,
Or by a comma when the feeling's not as strong."


(We watched this recently - great way to reinforce grammar for home school!:thumbsup2)

.

[TarzansKat]

And I didn't think the crowds inside the park were that bad? What is wrong with me?!?

No, inside the park not so bad, but getting in the turnstyles, whoa.


Great update, and I do love the Mickey balloons on the What will you celebrate decorations.

Aren't they cute?

:grouphug: for Tink and a fairy godmother to clean her house.

I'll let her know you're thinking of her.


:lmao:

Tonga Toast.

;)

Well, that was a humdinger of an update!! I was glad that someone says Sept. crowds are lower!! Good news for me!

I love the word humdinger. And yes, Sept. crowds are lower. :thumbsup2


Ahhhh, Casey's. Can I just tell you my mouth is watering right now? A little kraut, a little mustard. Another one later in the week with relish and onions?? Stop. STOP I tell you!

:rotfl2: I love Casey's. I do believe I had it at least twice on my last trip.


I did embarrass my kids last time with a little jig dancing. It wasn't cuz I had to go either. I was just so exicited to BE there. Even if we were stuck at bag checks, turnstiles, behind slower folks... didn't matter. I was enamoured with taking it all in. :cloud9: Then there was the little "incident" with my sister's car and almost going off the road near the entrance sign too....

Ah well, it will be fun to hear about your meet. Those are always exciting...

I don't know what's funnier. Your jig or the potential off-roading.

Wow that's a lot of people! :eek: Can't wait to see who you meet! popcorn::

Hee hee. :goodvibes

What an update! The crowds always look worse at the gate than when they disperse. (Of course I've never been in the summer or Christmas or Fourth of July or....)

Agreed.


I'm going to have to try Casey's. I've never been there, but people keeping raving about it in their trip reports.

Oh, dear sweet lord, woman! GET THEE TO CASEY'S!!!! :goodvibes

Do you use touringplans.com?

I don't.


Do you remember what date you went to the MK that morning? I so curious as to crowd patters in Disney - because crowds were non-existent on our trip...so just wondering if it has a lot to do with park choice?

I can go back and check the date for you.


Have I already posted that it was a great update? :confused:

No, but thanks!

That first picture is just a bit horrifying of the crowd. I'm glad it got better after that.

I was mildly concerned, but I figured, hey it's just two of us.

Soon to be three of us. ;)


Tell Tink I'm hoping things ease up for her a bit I'll be hoping some fairydust makes it her way.:)

I will spread the word. :thumbsup2


And I'm thinking that the two of you are off to visit Jack. Final answer.

:rotfl:


:rotfl2:

ME TOO!!!....:rotfl2::lmao:


And, because it would have bugged me all day, here are the lyrics to the chorus:


"Interjections
Show excitement,
Or emotion.
They're generally set apart from a sentence
By an exclamation point,
Or by a comma when the feeling's not as strong."


(We watched this recently - great way to reinforce grammar for home school!:thumbsup2)

.

Ah, now we can all say we truly learned something here.

Besides that sometimes in May the crowds look mega scary, but really aren't so bad. :lmao:

[Charleston Princess]

I have that Grammar School Rock at school -- we have been known to watch it on down days! :laughing:

[If U Had Wings]

I know have that song stuck in my head, along with my favorite the conjunction junction song. It's amazing how after all these years, so many of those have stuck with me.


And I must admit for the record, I've yet to go to Caseys either.

[TarzansKat]

I have that Grammar School Rock at school -- we have been known to watch it on down days! :laughing:

I haven't watched those in so long! :lmao:

I know have that song stuck in my head, along with my favorite the conjunction junction song. It's amazing how after all these years, so many of those have stuck with me.

Mine, too.

Conjunction junction, what's your function? :lmao:


And I must admit for the record, I've yet to go to Caseys either.

Oh, hon. Please tell me it's on the list for December. ;)

[If U Had Wings]

Oh, hon. Please tell me it's on the list for December. ;)

It definitely is!:thumbsup2

[TarzansKat]

It definitely is!:thumbsup2

Awesome! :goodvibes

[brookelizabeth]

Casey's.....drool. How I love thee my little nuggets of golden corn!

And, yay! You've made it into the park!! :goodvibes:

[All7OfUs]

Casey's.....drool. How I love thee my little nuggets of golden corn!

And, yay! You've made it into the park!! :goodvibes:

They are so good that my sweet little daughter chose to nibble on these, rather than ice cream from the parlor, as we watched the kiss goodnight. Tasty little numbers, those are.

[TarzansKat]

Casey's.....drool. How I love thee my little nuggets of golden corn!

:goodvibes


And, yay! You've made it into the park!! :goodvibes:

Yes! And very soon, we'll be diving even further in!!! :thumbsup2

They are so good that my sweet little daughter chose to nibble on these, rather than ice cream from the parlor, as we watched the kiss goodnight. Tasty little numbers, those are.

Aw, that's a sweet memory. :goodvibes

[TarzansKat]

Well, duh. Of course we headed to Adventureland and Pirates of the Caribbean. I mean, seriously. Who do you think we are? ;)

Not only was it fitting for that to be our first ride of the trip, it was also a fitting place to meet our DIS friend.

Who shall be introduced momentarily.

After I annoy you by posting a whole bunch of pictures first and prolonging the moment of anticipation to the point where you want to unsubscribe but you just know you can't because you have to see who it is!!!! MWA HA HA!!!! pirate:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0192.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2238.jpg
-We'll be seeing you later...part two.-

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2239.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2240.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2241.jpg
-Does anyone else besides me find it a little disturbing that the telescope is coming out of his eye socket???-

Anyway, Tink and I had some fun taking some photos on our walk over to Adventureland, and of course, in front of the Pirates ride. I just want to take a moment here to tell you how at home I feel in this particular part of the park. And I mean this in all seriousness. With music playing in the background from the POTC soundtracks, with possible Jack Sparrow sightings at the Pirate Tutorials, and with all of the pirate decor, feel, magic in the air...well, it's just...wonderful. I get that same feeling by staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, except different. There it's more relaxed, and here it's more exciting! You're in the Magic Kingdom, you're about to go on Pirates, as soon as you find....

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0252-1.jpg

that's right! It's LEGOMOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I'm not sure preciesly how this came about. Sort of that Tink and I knew at the time LegoMom was living in Florida, and that we really enjoyed her brand of wit and charm, and hey, maybe she would like to join us for a day on our trip. Also, that I had a teensy tiny DIS meet with her on my Pirate's Life for Three trip, and quite frankly, while enjoyable, it was so NOT enough.

And let me tell you, there was no one more accomodating, more, I'm just along on your ride, more, do what you like and I'll follow than our dear LegoMom. But more on that later.

I was so excited to meet her! I mean, I'd already met her, but I was excited to meet her and get to spend some time with her in the happiest place on earth! Big hugs were exchanged all around, and we were laughing and chatting like old friends in no time.

I always worry when I meet new people. Even though I'm pretty much a social butterfly, it's in my Libran nature to want everyone to be happy, to constantly strive for the balance in the conversation, to make sure there are no awkward pauses.

That wasn't necessary at all. We fell into our own little Magic Kingdom routine like we'd done it all before. And well, we had, but never together. And that made this day really special and unique to me. It was the first time in many, many, many years that I'd gone to the Magic Kingdom with girlfriends.

Not a family member in sight. And though I love them dearly, let me tell you...it was kind of nice.

Without further ado, it was time to go ride Pirates!

But not without a little fun in the process. There was no line, so we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the queue. At which point I instructed Tink and LegoMom to give me their best pirate ARRRRRRR!!!! and I snapped a couple of shots.

I don't know if I'm allowed to post those here. Suffice it to say, they're really funny, with the serious backdrop of the queue and the weird faces we ended up making...well...it's blackmail fodder, that's for sure. :lmao:


Up Next - Who drooled more? ;)

[If U Had Wings]

I would expect nothing less than a first stop in Adventureland from a couple of pirates. :)

That whole area is one of my favorites too I always feel emerced in the magic when I'm over there.

[creativeamanda]

Well, ya'll had a great day there. I hate I missed Legomom in June. So glad you two got to see her!

[TarzansKat]

I would expect nothing less than a first stop in Adventureland from a couple of pirates. :)


But of course.


That whole area is one of my favorites too I always feel emerced in the magic when I'm over there.

Me, too! :goodvibes

Well, ya'll had a great day there. I hate I missed Legomom in June. So glad you two got to see her!

Oh, we had a wonderful time. And there's more to come!!! :goodvibes

[maroo]

An UPDATE!!!

Woo Hoo! We have missed you!

Of course you headed to Pirates! What were we even thinking?! pirate:

I, too, am disturbed by the eye socket deal...:rolleyes1

I have not had an uncomfortable DIS meet yet! It always seems like we really do "know" each other from the DIS - and it is like meeting an old friend!

[LegoMom3]

Well, duh. Of course we headed to Adventureland and Pirates of the Caribbean. I mean, seriously. Who do you think we are? ;)

Not only was it fitting for that to be our first ride of the trip, it was also a fitting place to meet our DIS friend.

Who shall be introduced momentarily.

After I annoy you by posting a whole bunch of pictures first and prolonging the moment of anticipation to the point where you want to unsubscribe but you just know you can't because you have to see who it is!!!! MWA HA HA!!!! pirate:

So, do I get to unsubscribe??....:confused3....since I already know who I am?...
:rotfl2:
NEVER!!!!!!!

It's highly appropriate that you chose today to post this. For the first time in a long time, I'm having a major "I miss Disney" day.... Reading your update is bringing me back and that's a good thing...:goodvibes


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2241.jpg
-Does anyone else besides me find it a little disturbing that the telescope is coming out of his eye socket???-

Well now that you've pointed it out......:scared:


Anyway, Tink and I had some fun taking some photos on our walk over to Adventureland, and of course, in front of the Pirates ride. I just want to take a moment here to tell you how at home I feel in this particular part of the park. And I mean this in all seriousness. With music playing in the background from the POTC soundtracks, with possible Jack Sparrow sightings at the Pirate Tutorials, and with all of the pirate decor, feel, magic in the air...well, it's just...wonderful. I get that same feeling by staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, except different. There it's more relaxed, and here it's more exciting! You're in the Magic Kingdom, you're about to go on Pirates, as soon as you find....

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/WDWMay09-0252-1.jpg

that's right! It's LEGOMOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude. I was really tan!! Now, not so much....:rolleyes1


Now I'm not sure preciesly how this came about. Sort of that Tink and I knew at the time LegoMom was living in Florida, and that we really enjoyed her brand of wit and charm, and hey, maybe she would like to join us for a day on our trip. Also, that I had a teensy tiny DIS meet with her on my Pirate's Life for Three trip, and quite frankly, while enjoyable, it was so NOT enough.

Ok, hon, really??!:flower3:...I'm so blushing!!


And let me tell you, there was no one more accomodating, more, I'm just along on your ride, more, do what you like and I'll follow than our dear LegoMom. But more on that later.

I was so excited to meet her! I mean, I'd already met her, but I was excited to meet her and get to spend some time with her in the happiest place on earth! Big hugs were exchanged all around, and we were laughing and chatting like old friends in no time.

Best. Day. Ever.



Without further ado, it was time to go ride Pirates!

But not without a little fun in the process. There was no line, so we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the queue. At which point I instructed Tink and LegoMom to give me their best pirate ARRRRRRR!!!! and I snapped a couple of shots.

I don't know if I'm allowed to post those here. Suffice it to say, they're really funny, with the serious backdrop of the queue and the weird faces we ended up making...well...it's blackmail fodder, that's for sure. :lmao:


:scared1:.....you wouldn't!!.....would you?


Up Next - Who drooled more? ;)

Jury's still out......:rolleyes:




:rotfl2::lmao:




.

[eandesmom]

I find the eye socket disturbing. :scared1:

My boys might think otherwise.

I would have been disappointed had you NOT gone to POTC first!

I can't wait to find out who drooled more!

:surfweb:

[Native NYer]

Great update!

I've never noticed the telescope in the eye socket :scared1:

An afternoon with girlfriends, what a perfect way to spend time at the MK :cloud9:

[MRYPPNS]

Kinda funny that you should post about POTC today. Guess what movie I finally watched today??? I kinda like that Jack character ;)

[Charleston Princess]

Ah, Aloha Isle -- how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

How cool that you were able to meet up with LegoMom and enjoy Adventureland with her! Sure would love to see those queue pictures! :laughing:

[TarzansKat]

An UPDATE!!!

Woo Hoo! We have missed you!

Aw, shucks. :blush:


Of course you headed to Pirates! What were we even thinking?! pirate:

I, too, am disturbed by the eye socket deal...:rolleyes1

Honestly, I never noticed that until now.


I have not had an uncomfortable DIS meet yet! It always seems like we really do "know" each other from the DIS - and it is like meeting an old friend!

I agree!
So, do I get to unsubscribe??....:confused3....since I already know who I am?...
:rotfl2:
NEVER!!!!!!!

It's highly appropriate that you chose today to post this. For the first time in a long time, I'm having a major "I miss Disney" day.... Reading your update is bringing me back and that's a good thing...:goodvibes[/Q"UOTE]

Oh, I have so much more to say about this day, so if it makes you feel any better you can keep reliving it for a couple of weeks now. Since I seem to be averaging one update a week, I hope that helps with your "I miss Disney." :hug:

[QUOTE]
Dude. I was really tan!! Now, not so much....:rolleyes1


That's one of my favorite pictures of you. :goodvibes



Ok, hon, really??!:flower3:...I'm so blushing!!


You were fantastic company. :thumbsup2



Best. Day. Ever.


:thumbsup2


:scared1:.....you wouldn't!!.....would you?



mwa ha ha


I find the eye socket disturbing. :scared1:

I guess it's very pirate-y.


I would have been disappointed had you NOT gone to POTC first!

I can't wait to find out who drooled more!

:surfweb:

Indeed! :lmao:

Great update!

I've never noticed the telescope in the eye socket :scared1:

Who knew?


An afternoon with girlfriends, what a perfect way to spend time at the MK :cloud9:

It was! :goodvibes

Kinda funny that you should post about POTC today. Guess what movie I finally watched today??? I kinda like that Jack character ;)

YAY!!!!! :yay: :banana:

I'm so glad you finally watched it! In its entirety! Go Heidi!

Ah, Aloha Isle -- how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Mhmm, girlfriend. ;)


How cool that you were able to meet up with LegoMom and enjoy Adventureland with her! Sure would love to see those queue pictures! :laughing:

Ha ha. I think LegoMom may fight to the death on those. :lmao:

[TarzansKat]

Alright, I don't know why, but every now and then I have a horrific time with photobucket. As in it decides to shut down all the internet windows I have open. It's a pain in the...ahem.

Anyway, I plan to write the next chapter, but it may not have all the photos I want. Those will most likely be included in a separate update once photobucket stops forsaking me. :lmao:

[jenjolt]

Alright, I don't know why, but every now and then I have a horrific time with photobucket. As in it decides to shut down all the internet windows I have open. It's a pain in the...ahem.

Anyway, I plan to write the next chapter, but it may not have all the photos I want. Those will most likely be included in a separate update once photobucket stops forsaking me. :lmao:

YAY something to look forward to today!!! Can't wait TK!!!!!!

[TarzansKat]

YAY something to look forward to today!!! Can't wait TK!!!!!!

Ha ha. No pressure, right? :lmao:

[jenjolt]

Ha ha. No pressure, right? :lmao:

From me....never LOL!!!!!!!

[maroo]

:woohoo:

[TarzansKat]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!



I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving. Happy Turkey Day! :goodvibes

[TarzansKat]

Ha. Ha ha. Had I but known. Tink knew. She tried to tell me. Traveling with adults is different. "It won't matter if it's busy, Kat, you'll be surprised how much we'll get done."

At which I regarded her with a bemused expression, somewhat reliant on her wisdom of previous solo trips and somewhat in complete and utter disbelief.

But you know what? Oh wise Tink was right.

From our sojourn on pirates and getting our fill of Jack Sparrow...is that even possible...Tink, LegoMom, and I ventured forth. We were ready to get our ride on, so to speak. I won't trouble you with a list of every single thing we did, but just my recollections of the most fun I've had in a long time.

We headed from Adventureland into Fantasyland, ready to take in what I assumed would be the sea of humanity. Truthfully, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It looked pretty much like what I expect Fantasyland to look like at that time of day.

I believe our first ride there was it's a small world. You know, the fun thing about this, besides the fact that I'm one of those crazy people who's absolutely in love with this ride, is that while we were waiting in line, because Tink and I were wearing birthday buttons, a very nice CM struck up a conversation with us. He wished us a happy birthday, and chatted us up, and at the end of our little chat, he gave us three fastpasses to be used on any fastpass attraction at any time that day.

ahem....

SCORE!!!!

I was pretty stoked.

After IASW, we had a little debated as to what to use the fastpasses on. LegoMom had already done some of her must dos, so she was really game for whatever we wanted. Since I'm not so much a thrill ride type of gal, and there was no way I was going to get drenched (Splash Mountain) before our afternoon reservation, I made a little suggestion.

And that's how we ended up on Peter Pan.

That is a ride that I aboslutely love, but will always skip if I don't have a fastpass, because I can't see waiting over an hour for something that lasts less than five minutes. It just doesn't make sense in the TK book of Disney touring. So I was really, really grateful to have those fastpasses, because we were able to take in Peter Pan, one of my favorites.

Now, we did a lot this morning, but my next big memory is actually from the Haunted Mansion.

And let me tell you a little something that I had hinted about LegoMom before. And hon, if you're ready, make sure you're sitting and get ready to blush.

That woman is one of the most accomodating people I've ever met in my life. She made no qualms about telling us she was just along for the ride, this was our trip, she would go where we wanted.

Well, that's all well and good, except she was mostly letting Tink and I ride together, and I thought, you know, if I don't insist, she'll just keep letting us do that, and riding by herself. And I didn't want her to feel like a third wheel, I mean, we invited her for a reason. :goodvibes

So I told Tink that for HM, I was going to ride with LegoMom.

And I am so glad I did.

Not to slam my girl Tink, but this is one of my fondest memories of my trip. You know how you like someone? And you know that you like them because you have things in common, and you share a similar life philosophy? I knew all of this about LegoMom before we'd even shared this morning together.

But I can tell you the exact moment when I knew that she and I were kindred spirits.

As we were riding the Haunted Mansion, and we approached the ballroom of dancing ghosts, she and I leaned forward at the exact...same...time!

I do that every time I ride on the Haunted Mansion. Can you believe that she does it too? I noticed it and I had to just smile to myself. If I hadn't already known, it was then that I knew she really was a good egg.

As I said before, I was amazed at how much of my to do list was getting done. Before we'd left, Tink and I had made our own separate to do lists, to make sure that while we were going with the flow and enjoying ourselves, we were also getting to do our favorite things.

I just couldn't believe how quickly our favorite things were getting done!



Up next - Whereupon I Lose The Filter Between My Brain and My Mouth

[LegoMom3]

And that's how we ended up on Peter Pan.

That is a ride that I aboslutely love, but will always skip if I don't have a fastpass, because I can't see waiting over an hour for something that lasts less than five minutes. It just doesn't make sense in the TK book of Disney touring. So I was really, really grateful to have those fastpasses, because we were able to take in Peter Pan, one of my favorites.

Ditto. There is always a mega-line for this ride, isn't there?! Definintely a good use of those nice birthday surprise Fastpasses.:goodvibes


Now, we did a lot this morning, but my next big memory is actually from the Haunted Mansion.

And let me tell you a little something that I had hinted about LegoMom before. And hon, if you're ready, make sure you're sitting and get ready to blush.

That woman is one of the most accomodating people I've ever met in my life. She made no qualms about telling us she was just along for the ride, this was our trip, she would go where we wanted.

Well, that's all well and good, except she was mostly letting Tink and I ride together, and I thought, you know, if I don't insist, she'll just keep letting us do that, and riding by herself. And I didn't want her to feel like a third wheel, I mean, we invited her for a reason. :goodvibes

So I told Tink that for HM, I was going to ride with LegoMom.

And I am so glad I did.

Not to slam my girl Tink, but this is one of my fondest memories of my trip. You know how you like someone? And you know that you like them because you have things in common, and you share a similar life philosophy? I knew all of this about LegoMom before we'd even shared this morning together.

But I can tell you the exact moment when I knew that she and I were kindred spirits.

As we were riding the Haunted Mansion, and we approached the ballroom of dancing ghosts, she and I leaned forward at the exact...same...time!

I do that every time I ride on the Haunted Mansion. Can you believe that she does it too? I noticed it and I had to just smile to myself. If I hadn't already known, it was then that I knew she really was a good egg.

TK!!!!!......blush???!.....I'm sure there's even a little tear at the corner of my eye!!:flower3: I wish I could hug you right now!!

:flower3::flower3::flower3:



Up next - Whereupon I Lose The Filter Between My Brain and My Mouth

:lmao::rotfl2::lmao:....Oh. My. WORD!....this is what Tink would call a classic *snort*laugh* moment!! From getting weepy to nearly choking on my coffee in 2.1 seconds!...:rotfl:Are you gonna make us wait another week for THAT installment?!! Hmm, very suddenly I'm craving some cheese fries....:confused3


.

[TarzansKat]

Ditto. There is always a mega-line for this ride, isn't there?! Definintely a good use of those nice birthday surprise Fastpasses.:goodvibes

I thought so. :thumbsup2




TK!!!!!......blush???!.....I'm sure there's even a little tear at the corner of my eye!!:flower3: I wish I could hug you right now!!

:flower3::flower3::flower3:

AWW!!! I'll take that hug to go with a side of Disney World, please. ;)


:lmao::rotfl2::lmao:....Oh. My. WORD!....this is what Tink would call a classic *snort*laugh* moment!! From getting weepy to nearly choking on my coffee in 2.1 seconds!...:rotfl:Are you gonna make us wait another week for THAT installment?!! Hmm, very suddenly I'm craving some cheese fries....:confused3


.

I'm sure you're remembering my regression to five year old antics. So, be a good girl and keep it to yourself. ;)

I'll try to get a post up soon, I promise. I do have some of the photos uploaded from the previously mentioned filter event.

[All7OfUs]

I love IASW too; I've even been known to belt out a tune or two there.

AHHHH, kindred spirits. You just know when it happens; it's a magical thing.

Filter moments. You know I'll be around for that; being into confessions and all!

[Charleston Princess]

Ahhh, what a great morning in Fantasyland and on the Haunted Mansion!

I can't wait to find out what you said in the next update!!! :lmao:

[jenjolt]

Awww...I have to agree adult trips are amazing and what you get done well its a lot of fun!!!

Loved this update and glad you had so much fun on one of my favorite rides of all time!!!!!!

Got to love the friends you have made on the DIS boards...I know I considered myself blessed!

[TarzansKat]

I love IASW too; I've even been known to belt out a tune or two there.

I can't remember if we had any vocal people on our boat.


AHHHH, kindred spirits. You just know when it happens; it's a magical thing.


It was quite magical!


Filter moments. You know I'll be around for that; being into confessions and all!

I sort of unleashed my inner five year old.

Ahhh, what a great morning in Fantasyland and on the Haunted Mansion!

I can't wait to find out what you said in the next update!!! :lmao:

I do come up with some pretty interesting stuff. :lmao:

Awww...I have to agree adult trips are amazing and what you get done well its a lot of fun!!!

Loved this update and glad you had so much fun on one of my favorite rides of all time!!!!!!

Got to love the friends you have made on the DIS boards...I know I considered myself blessed!

I feel blessed as well.

[creativeamanda]

What a great installment, TK! I am not a IASW lover, but I absolutely lean forward during the ballroom part of Haunted Mansion. It is one of my favorite parts, and I don't want to miss anything down there.

[shannn]

In 19 days I'll be on my first adult trip! I can't wait to experience this for myself!!

I love that you rode with LegoMom AND that you found a connection. It's so amazing when that happens. The ballroom scene is my favorite, and I so want to jump out of the car and just look around down there. I think if I ever got the chance to go "backstage" of any ride, that would definitely be the one!

[TarzansKat]

What a great installment, TK! I am not a IASW lover, but I absolutely lean forward during the ballroom part of Haunted Mansion. It is one of my favorite parts, and I don't want to miss anything down there.

Me, too! I feel like I see new or different things every time. And of course, I'm looking for the hidden Mickey. :goodvibes

In 19 days I'll be on my first adult trip! I can't wait to experience this for myself!!

I can't recommend it highly enough.


I love that you rode with LegoMom AND that you found a connection. It's so amazing when that happens. The ballroom scene is my favorite, and I so want to jump out of the car and just look around down there. I think if I ever got the chance to go "backstage" of any ride, that would definitely be the one!

I would have to say I love the whole ride, but I most look forward to that particular scene. There's just so much going on it it, I love it.

[If U Had Wings]

It is sounding like it was such a wonderful morning. You are so right about traveling with just adults. It is amazing how much you can see and do with no kids with you. Everytime I travel with my nieces it's like traveling with a road version of a broadway show. Our last family trip we had the kids stroller carrying what felt like about 20 bags. Everytime we'd stop it was the great shuffle to be sure we were bringing along the right bags and had what we should have in tow. I swear we spent more time rearranging bags in the stroller than on rides themselves.

[TarzansKat]

It is sounding like it was such a wonderful morning. You are so right about traveling with just adults. It is amazing how much you can see and do with no kids with you. Everytime I travel with my nieces it's like traveling with a road version of a broadway show. Our last family trip we had the kids stroller carrying what felt like about 20 bags. Everytime we'd stop it was the great shuffle to be sure we were bringing along the right bags and had what we should have in tow. I swear we spent more time rearranging bags in the stroller than on rides themselves.

I know what you mean! We've gotten the bag thing down to a science, but I imagine it's harder with two little ones.

[If U Had Wings]

I know what you mean! We've gotten the bag thing down to a science, but I imagine it's harder with two little ones.


Honestly I'm not even sure that it's the kids anymore. They are pretty much ready to go in the parks. My SIL and brother though are a different story. Egads they bring so much stuff with them! No lie our last trip they brought the double stroller, but half of it was taken up with bags right from the get-go. By the end of the day the entire thing would be bogged down with bags. There was no room for my younger niece at all in the stroller. She was hitching a ride with my mom in the wheelchair. :rotfl: It drives me - the queen of the itty bitty teeny tiny park bag nuts.

[maroo]

Ok.

Where are my brain cells?

Anyone seen any extra lying around here?

Because I would swear I have already posted a response over here and can not find it..... :headache:


Anyway...

I love the report so far! You guys having a blast and getting so much done really excites me for our all adult trip planned in Sept! I keep telling All7ofUs that we will get a lot of stuff done...now I have proof! :thumbsup2

I love the Haunted Mansion story. Sounds like you guys had a GREAT time!!

Now...

Should I throw some popcorn::?

Nah.

[jmamom]

Still here - enjoyed the last update. Isn't so cool when you find someone who just gets you?
I know I haven't made many comments lately - but its for a good reason - we just got a new puppy! I swear its like having a newborn, but I still find time to read the reports. Laundry and housework - not so much.:rolleyes:

[2xcited2sleep]

I can't wait to hear about the filter incident. popcorn:: Sounds like a positively delightful time in the MK. :)

[TarzansKat]

Honestly I'm not even sure that it's the kids anymore. They are pretty much ready to go in the parks. My SIL and brother though are a different story. Egads they bring so much stuff with them! No lie our last trip they brought the double stroller, but half of it was taken up with bags right from the get-go. By the end of the day the entire thing would be bogged down with bags. There was no room for my younger niece at all in the stroller. She was hitching a ride with my mom in the wheelchair. :rotfl: It drives me - the queen of the itty bitty teeny tiny park bag nuts.

Oh, gosh. I would have to say I was worse when my son was little, but now that he's older and I am all about how little we can take. Now for us, that still means a backpack, but at least it's not like when we had to bring diapers and whatnot. :lmao: Although we still carry wipes, because quite frankly, those are good for everything! Gross outdoor table? Grab a wipe. Touched something sticky on a guardrail? Wipe those hands off! :lmao:

Ok.

Where are my brain cells?

Anyone seen any extra lying around here?

Because I would swear I have already posted a response over here and can not find it..... :headache:


Anyway...

I love the report so far! You guys having a blast and getting so much done really excites me for our all adult trip planned in Sept! I keep telling All7ofUs that we will get a lot of stuff done...now I have proof! :thumbsup2

I love the Haunted Mansion story. Sounds like you guys had a GREAT time!!

Now...

Should I throw some popcorn::?

Nah.

No popcorn throwing, please! :lmao: You'll have a great time on your adults only trip, trust me.

Still here - enjoyed the last update. Isn't so cool when you find someone who just gets you?
I know I haven't made many comments lately - but its for a good reason - we just got a new puppy! I swear its like having a newborn, but I still find time to read the reports. Laundry and housework - not so much.:rolleyes:

Congrats on the new puppy! I want details! Name, breed, gender, fill us in!!! :goodvibes

I can't wait to hear about the filter incident. popcorn:: Sounds like a positively delightful time in the MK. :)

We were having a really great Magic Kingdom day. :thumbsup2

[TarzansKat]

That, as of late, I've been DIS absent.

I do have a perfectly good reason, which I'd love to relate in song. ;)

ahem...

A Pirate's Life for Three, A Pirate's Life for Three...
What can be said of the beauty of a pirate's life for three...

We journey to Disney, fill up on fun
treat ourselves most heartily, yo ho

We ponder the thought of adding one
to this family of ours, yo ho

What starts as a dream
for a new little bean
becomes a reality, yo ho

And so to relate
the first trimester I face
no more drink up, me hearties yo ho

A Pirate's Life for Three, A Pirate's Life for Three
we're ready to open a new door
and now, I am happy to report...

A Pirate's Life for Four






The day after Thanksgiving, I found out we're expecting our second child. :yay:

[LegoMom3]

CONGRATULATIONS TK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:cool1::cool1::cool1:
:dance3::dance3::dance3:
:grouphug::grouphug:




I can't tell you how HAPPY I am for you hon!!! I so wish I could give you a big ol' hug right now......so consider yourself virtually hugged!:hug:

----ETA: LOVE the "song"!!

.

[TarzansKat]

CONGRATULATIONS TK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:cool1::cool1::cool1:
:dance3::dance3::dance3:
:grouphug::grouphug:




I can't tell you how HAPPY I am for you hon!!! I so wish I could give you a big ol' hug right now......so consider yourself virtually hugged!:hug:

----ETA: LOVE the "song"!!

.

THANK YOU!!!!

Big hugs!!! :goodvibes

[eandesmom]

YAY!!!!!!

And I love your new siggie!

:cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1:

[All7OfUs]

Well, if that ain't some excitin', darn-tootin' good news!! (I love that word, as you well know!) You must have made good use of your time as of late. cuz, you weren't at the World, and well, now you are.... (not as if I was counting or anything).

I really pray that everything goes really well for you, my friend!! Take care of yourself, and you post whenever you feel up to it. Which may be less than normal- and that's ok!

[TarzansKat]

YAY!!!!!!

And I love your new siggie!

:cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1:

Thank you! :goodvibes

Well, if that ain't some excitin', darn-tootin' good news!! (I love that word, as you well know!) You must have made good use of your time as of late. cuz, you weren't at the World, and well, now you are.... (not as if I was counting or anything).

Oh, sure you weren't counting the days. :lmao:


I really pray that everything goes really well for you, my friend!! Take care of yourself, and you post whenever you feel up to it. Which may be less than normal- and that's ok!

Thank you! I'm trying to get rest (which is debatable when you have a four year old, but we do our best) and just take it easy, which leaves little time for...anything. I have such a small supply of energy, most of it goes into my four day work week and by the time I hit Saturday, I'm spent.

I can't wait for the second trimester. I love the wonder woman phase. :thumbsup2

[jmamom]

Congrats on the new puppy! I want details! Name, breed, gender, fill us in!!! :goodvibes



A new puppy pales in comparison to your news!! She's 12 weeks old, a golden retriever named Josie (as in Josie and the pussycats - we also have a kitty). She's soooo much trouble and lots of fun. But I figure if I survived 3 three-year-olds, I can handle one puppy. Maybe.:upsidedow

[TarzansKat]

A new puppy pales in comparison to your news!! She's 12 weeks old, a golden retriever named Josie (as in Josie and the pussycats - we also have a kitty). She's soooo much trouble and lots of fun. But I figure if I survived 3 three-year-olds, I can handle one puppy. Maybe.:upsidedow

Goldens are such wonderful family dogs. I've heard great things about that breed. We've always had little dogs, so I can hardly imagine training a big one with all that puppy energy! Good luck! :goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

Thank you! :goodvibes



Oh, sure you weren't counting the days. :lmao:



Thank you! I'm trying to get rest (which is debatable when you have a four year old, but we do our best) and just take it easy, which leaves little time for...anything. I have such a small supply of energy, most of it goes into my four day work week and by the time I hit Saturday, I'm spent.

I can't wait for the second trimester. I love the wonder woman phase. :thumbsup2

Well, ok, I admit, I was hoping an awful lot :goodvibes

I remember it being so, so very hard to sleep, and just did whenever I could- wherever I could. I remember falling asleep once in the floorboards of my in-laws car once on a road trip to Canada.

Hang in there, my friend!!

[TarzansKat]

Well, ok, I admit, I was hoping an awful lot :goodvibes

I remember it being so, so very hard to sleep, and just did whenever I could- wherever I could. I remember falling asleep once in the floorboards of my in-laws car once on a road trip to Canada.

Hang in there, my friend!!

I actually took a nap yesterday, and that was divine. I was able to stay up late and spend time with my husband! :lmao:

[TarzansKat]

For those of you who are interested...

Awaiting The Bean: TK's Pregnancy Chronicles (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2354401)

[brookelizabeth]

I was a couple updates behind - great report, I'm looking forward to hear what you said...

but onto the important stuff...


CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

:yay::yay::yay:

and i loved your little tune. :laughing:

[maroo]

For those of you who are interested...

Awaiting The Bean: TK's Pregnancy Chronicles (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2354401)

I would have LOVED to follow this thread. I hope you will post here about whatever you want! :mad:

[TarzansKat]

Hey guys. I apologize. I see that in my overzealous desire to share my pregnancy with those of you I count amongst my DIS friends, I managed to upset some other people who had no desire to read my thread but felt necessary to do so and comment on it's lack of validity.

I will abide by the webmaster's decision to close my thread without contacting me as this is a public board, and their perogative. I guess if you all want to hear about my pregnancy, I'll have to work it in to my trip reports and other CB threads I belong to.

I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

[TarzansKat]

I was a couple updates behind - great report, I'm looking forward to hear what you said...

but onto the important stuff...


CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

:yay::yay::yay:

and i loved your little tune. :laughing:

THANK YOU!!! And I am rather musical when I want to be. :thumbsup2

I would have LOVED to follow this thread. I hope you will post here about whatever you want! :mad:

Thanks, hon. :hug:

[TarzansKat]

Hi, everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that I, and Tink, want to wish you all a very Happy Holiday. I don't know if she'll be coming back to the boards...soon, or at all really, but she still thinks of you fondly, and wishes you well in the coming new year, as do I. :santa:

[TarzansKat]

I had this chapter totally written, and photobucket killed it.

That's right, you heard me. Photobucket. I know I talked about switching to another photo sharing site, and I haven't, and it's my own dang fault. So we're going to run this one without pictures for now, and get them up there in a separate post when it wants to work for me. :goodvibes

So, we'd had a ton of fun going on all the rides we wanted, and there was one little item on my to do list that begged to be done.

Actually, I may have begged to do it, you can ask LegoMom and Tink.

I really, really wanted to meet the Princesses in Toon Town. Now, the line for the Fairies was quite long, but the Princesses? FIFTEEN MINUTES! SCORE!!!! I was mega excited. I didn't know who would be there, but I was hoping. Oh, so hoping.

First, was Cinderella, and I made sure Tink got a lovely shot with her favorite on her own. And then, oh...my dear DIS friends, there she was...

Belle.

In.

The.

Gold.

Dress.

Now let me clarify for you that I have met Belle before. But I've met her in France, in her provincial blue.

She was in her beautiful golden yellow ball gown, and well, I lost it. That was it. The internal filter between your brain and your mouth, the one that I usually employ with great finesse, being Libran and all, well it was just gone.

Tink and LM, they let me go up by myself, and I just couldn't help it.

I blurted out, like a true five year old, "You're MY FAVORITE!!!!"

Belle was so gracious, god bless her. Now, Tink and I were sporting birthday buttons, and our special tiaras for this meet and greet so Belle wished us a happy birthday and asked if we had special plans. We told her where we were headed (I'll keep that a suprise for now), and she informed us to be careful of letting Beast have any cake, because he tends to make a mess.

Let me tell you, Belle was...beautiful. I don't mean to sound corny, but she was. And meeting her in the dress, it just fufilled a dream for me. For something that had such an amazing impact on a fifteen year old, it still does fifteen years later, you know?

It never ceases to amaze me how much Disney can mean in our lives.

The last princess we greeted was Aurora, and she was just lovely. They all were really perfect, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the Princesses with my girlfriends.

[Charleston Princess]

You are so adorable, TK!!! In your excitement at seeing Belle and blurting out, "You're my favorite!" you have done what we have all wanted to do at sometime in our adult lives at Disney!!! :lmao:

[MRYPPNS]

I did about the same thing with Cinderella a few years back. It's kind of funny how it just takes you over.

[LegoMom3]

I haz pictures to post?.....:flower3:


....of a couple of beauties with their princesses! (one being "Micky-fied" of course....;)).

Let me know and I'll toss 'em up!


.

[TarzansKat]

You are so adorable, TK!!! In your excitement at seeing Belle and blurting out, "You're my favorite!" you have done what we have all wanted to do at sometime in our adult lives at Disney!!! :lmao:

I just couldn't help myself. :lmao:

I did about the same thing with Cinderella a few years back. It's kind of funny how it just takes you over.

It does just take over, that's true. :thumbsup2

I haz pictures to post?.....:flower3:


....of a couple of beauties with their princesses! (one being "Micky-fied" of course....;)).

Let me know and I'll toss 'em up!


.

Oh, feel free. :thumbsup2 Just doctor me up as per usual. Ears and all. :lmao: And thank you, I've been having such a hard time with pictures lately.

[All7OfUs]

YOu know what's really, really cool?? That Tink and LegoMom "got it". They let you be the little girl you needed/wanted to be in that moment, and they let you run with it.

I could cry right now...;)

[TarzansKat]

YOu know what's really, really cool?? That Tink and LegoMom "got it". They let you be the little girl you needed/wanted to be in that moment, and they let you run with it.

I could cry right now...;)

They totally let me run with it.

But don't let that fool you. Tink had her very own moment later that evening. ;)

[LegoMom3]

Ladies and -- ....ladies!!:rotfl:May I present to you, the Princesses and their princesses!

Our gal Tink in a moment of true glory....look at that beaming face!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j311/LegoMom3/GalsWDW025.jpg


And look how awed Belle is to be hearing that she's TK's favorite!!!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j311/LegoMom3/GalsWDW026-1.gif


TK, I gave you a nice sparkly star....I thought it was more princess-y than a plain ol' Mickey head. Not that there's anything wrong with Mickey's head.....just sayin'.:rolleyes:

And I'm waiting for more on this day because you KNOW this was only the beginning of losing the filter between your brain and your mouth!!:lmao::rotfl2:

.

[maroo]

pictures! I NEED pictures!

How awesome is that! I don't know that I have ever seen her in her gold dress?!

[TarzansKat]

LM, thanks for posting those! I know we came up with some real gems later on.

Maroo, isn't she gorgeous in that dress? :goodvibes

[pooh'smate]

I am so gad that you got to meet Belle. She is my favorite too. She is a beautiful Belle. I love your star. LM is right it is more princess-y.;)

[TarzansKat]

I am so gad that you got to meet Belle. She is my favorite too. She is a beautiful Belle. I love your star. LM is right it is more princess-y.;)

Me, too! One of the highlights of my trip, that's for sure. :goodvibes

[Native NYer]

I love that you told Belle she's your favorite. I need to drag, I mean bring, my nephews to meet the Princesses in ToonTown this summer :lmao:

[TarzansKat]

I love that you told Belle she's your favorite. I need to drag, I mean bring, my nephews to meet the Princesses in ToonTown this summer :lmao:

Surely auntie can bribe them with something....big lollipops, perhaps? ;)

[eandesmom]

Belle is the bomb! I also like the sparkly star, very very much:goodvibes

I love that you told her she is your favorite!

[TarzansKat]

I love that you told her she is your favorite!

Yes. I regressed to my inner five year old. ;)

[jenjolt]

Don't you just love meeting the princesses! I get so overwhelmed meeting Aurora everytime and I just have to tell each time that I have a Prince P waiting at home for me too LOL!!!! SO glad you have those great memories!! I loved meeting characters with my friends!

[TarzansKat]

Don't you just love meeting the princesses! I get so overwhelmed meeting Aurora everytime and I just have to tell each time that I have a Prince P waiting at home for me too LOL!!!! SO glad you have those great memories!! I loved meeting characters with my friends!

It's a wonderful feeling when they share your enthusiasm. :goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

Such lovely pictures of you both!! REally, that star just does so much for you!! J/K :lmao:

Seriously, you scored with the gold dress, and i love that you were tapping into the inner 5-yr. old!

[TarzansKat]

Such lovely pictures of you both!! REally, that star just does so much for you!! J/K :lmao:

Seriously, you scored with the gold dress, and i love that you were tapping into the inner 5-yr. old!

It was a fine moment, that's for sure.

[TarzansKat]

Feeling Grand - How to Plan a Disney Trip In 18 Days or Less (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2369364)

[TarzansKat]

I can't believe it's been a month since I've updated this. It's time, don't you think?

Before Tink and I were to head to our lovely tea at the Garden View Lounge in the Grand Floridian, we took a lovely train ride with LegoMom. We made a complete loop, and dicussed plans for meeting up later, hopefully to watch Wishes together.

Tink and I headed off to the Grand Flo, and we were early. We spent some time relaxing in the lobby before I checked us in a little bit early. It was so much fun to sit there and people watch and just be. I would have to say this is one of my favorite relaxation moments from the trip. It ranks right up there with our Pina CoLavas upon arrival.

Writing about this makes me want to go with her again so badly.

We got into tea early, and what can I say?

We wore our tiaras.

We had nomtastic food.

We had an excellent server whom I enjoyed so much, I took her picture.

How many times did we sigh with contentment? :goodvibes



Pictures with food descriptions will be added soon. :thumbsup2


Next Chapter (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35554150&postcount=498)

[If U Had Wings]

Tea, tiaras and nomtastic food, what more do you need?

People watching at the GF is just a bonus.

[eandesmom]

I can't believe it's been a month since I've updated this. It's time, don't you think?

Before Tink and I were to head to our lovely tea at the Garden View Lounge in the Grand Floridian, we took a lovely train ride with LegoMom. We made a complete loop, and dicussed plans for meeting up later, hopefully to watch Wishes together.

Tink and I headed off to the Grand Flo, and we were early. We spent some time relaxing in the lobby before I checked us in a little bit early. It was so much fun to sit there and people watch and just be. I would have to say this is one of my favorite relaxation moments from the trip. It ranks right up there with our Pina CoLavas upon arrival.

Writing about this makes me want to go with her again so badly.

We got into tea early, and what can I say?

We wore our tiaras.

We had nomtastic food.

We had an excellent server whom I enjoyed so much, I took her picture.

How many times did we sigh with contentment? :goodvibes



Pictures with food descriptions will be added soon. :thumbsup2

you are there right now!!!!!!

[All7OfUs]

Are you going to wear your tiara tomorrow? I can't help but to wonder!

[TarzansKat]

It's been a while, but here are the photos I promised from tea. I don't remember if I mentioned that Tink and I hung out in the lobby a bit, and just chilled. We both took virtually the same photo of the GF lobby ceiling with our cameras, I guess we were feeling artsy. I've included hers here, and her pictures from tea. Enjoy! :goodvibes

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2252.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2255.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2256.jpg - My view

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2258.jpg - Tink's view

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2259.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2260.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2261.jpg - Tink, being good, got her whipped cream on the side. I, however, had mine plopped right on. :lmao:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2262.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/tarzanskat/DSCN2263.jpg



Next Chapter (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35673979&postcount=509)

[creativeamanda]

The tea looks heavenly. Maybe someday when I just take the girls. . .

[LegoMom3]

Just heavenly!!:goodvibes Which tea package did you guys get? I suppose it'll depend on how much I feel like eating at the time, but right now I'm waffling between the Sally Lunn and the next one up (don't remember the name).

LOVE the views from this room! Beautiful.....

.