From Kick'n It at Kidani to Play'n It at Pop adults only p62/63 last thoughts&request [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

MEK

10-02-2009, 10:57 AM

Good morning my Dis friends! I am ready to get this TR going! :thumbsup2 I've been home for a week now and my pics are still not downloaded onto my computer. It really doesn't matter so much now, because I am at work and can't post pics anyway. I promise to download them tonight.

I am going to keep the introductions short, since this is my 4th TR. I don't do PTR's, only trip reports. If you read my last TR (Kick'n It at Kidani) you will rmember that DH and I were planning a lovely 4 night get away in honor of free dining and our 20th anniversary (but mostly in honor of free dining) :rotfl:!

When free dining was announced in April, I just couldn't control the urge for September weather and Disney food, free Disney food....well, almost free Disney food. DH and I are DVC members and have AP's that don't expire until June 2010, so we figured we could do a real budget trip if we stayed value and got cheap enough flights. We knew we could rationalize this trip under the guise of an anniversary trip! (Our actual 20th anniversary is October 21st, but close enough in my book :rolleyes1)

Well, I fought the urge to upgrade. It was tough, since the memories of Kidani and CSR still lingered, but I perservered. And we got cheap flights - $59 each way from Baltimore. The only changes we made to our original plans were:(1) a rental car and (2) an upgrade to the deluxe dining plan! :cool1:

Let me just say, Our Trip Was Super Duper Fantastic. We really had an awesome time. I am so glad we turned it into an anniversary trip because it really added an extra dose of magic that we never expected. :wizard:

So the dates......

Sunday, September 20th to Thursday, September 24th

and the place......
Pop Century

and the people.......

Me: MEK....Mary Ellen
DH: Denny (aka as Directionless Denny or the DH who forgets his underwear and other assorted items)

So please join in with me as I tell the tale of two grown-ups who left their teenage boys at home (again) to explore the world and the merits of the Deluxe dining plan. We even had the pleasure of a Dis meet this trip. We met the infamous Christine or C (aka Too excited to sleep). We were hoping to meet Sunnie RN (Karla), but I expect she did not get my text messages.

Next up.....The Pre Departure Drama of Teenage Boys

MEK

10-02-2009, 10:59 AM

For your readin pleasure, I am reserving this space for the table of contents. I hope I can keep it straight! popcorn::

DWGal210

10-02-2009, 11:14 AM

I'm in! Sounds like you guys had a great time. Can't wait to read all about it! :thumbsup2

MEK

10-02-2009, 11:44 AM

When you have teenagers, how can you NOT have a little drama before you go away? When we planned this trip last April we really thought the boys (who are 15 and 16 1/2) would do OK alone for 4 nights. However, as the trip became a reality we thought, "Maybe NOT". I kept reassuring myself that everything would be fine, but about a week before we were supposed to leave I decided that the boys needed a little bit more adult supervision. So I frantically set out to find someone who would take each boy on Sunday night and then take them to school on Monday. My DS 16 is not fully liscensed to drive yet. In Delaware a 16 year old must drive with a parent in the car for a full 6 months. He will meet that criteria in mid November.

Once I had them safely supervised for Sunday night, I starting working on getting someone to sleep in the house Monday and Tuesday night. Wednesday was the only night they would be alone. As it turned out, a good friend of mine stayed overnight Monday and Tuesday. It worked out great. In fact, we will be taking this good friend and his wife to Disney in May. Finally, all driving arrangements, to and from school and soccer, were confirmed. Plus spare car keys were given to my nieghbors and all the alcohol in the house was locked and hidden in the shed.

Sounds simple, right? Wrong? My kids really protested with all these last minute changes, but I held my ground. On Saturday evening, we had a huge last minute debate over the house rules, which really stressed me out. I knew that some of this was normal teenage behavior, and that thekids would calm down once we were out of town, but it stressed me out nonetheless. I requested that DS 16 1/2 be home by 12pm the night before we left. I really didn't want him at a friend's house on Saturday night because it would be too difficult to contact him Sunday morning. I wanted everyone home, in their bed, when we left for the airport the next day.

Needless to say, I fell asleep on the coach waiting for my son to come home. I woke up right before he got home (11pm) and was folding clothes when he arrived. Getting ready for this trip proved to be a last minute marathon. I must have done about 5 loads of laundry before we left. I got everything folded and most things put away. It was exhausting.

Once my son got home, I decided to go to bed. But I think my nerves were still shot from the earlier drama. Plus I have a tendency to not sleep well before a trip. And that earlier nap on the couch made me unusually awake. So when I went to bed sleep was not forthcoming. In fact, I tossed and turned, got up and down, took a xanax around midnight, and a benadryl at 3am and finally fell asleep at 4am! :scared1:

Next thing I know.....630am and time to get up for the final preparations. Let's just say that i walked around in a fog for the next two hours, but by 9:10am we were finally on the road to Baltimore. We had an uneventful drive to Baltimore. We took the long way...down Rt. 50 to the Bay bridge. Then our GPS took us some great back roads to the parking lot. We used econopark this trip. It was recommended by some Disers, but initially I was not very impressed. I expect there to be a bathroom. Nope.:sad2:And I really needed a bio break. I liked how the shuttle pulled right up to the car, but I hated waiting for the shuttle to get full before we could leave for the airport. Like I said, I was seriously in need of a bio break and every minute felt like ten.

I really love BWI airport. It is sooooooo much nicer that the Philadelphia airport. Its bright, airy, and never super crowded. We grabbed a couple of McDonald's snack wraps and sodas for the flight. We loaded promptly and the plane started to taxi right on time.

Then we looked up when we heard the following announcement, "Ladies and gentleman, we will be returning to the gate. We have a broken seatbelt and the FAA requires that we return to the gate until it is fixed". Whaaaaaaat? Bummer. It took the maintenance man all of 8 minutes to get on board and fix that belt. Unfortunately, we had to wait about 45 more minutes until we were allowed to taxi out again. Bummer, bummer.

We arrived in Orlando at 3 pm. Our flight was uneventful. Great weather. Our bags arrived promptly. Just as I had gathered the bags my DH returned with the key to the rental car in hand. Our plan was to head directly to Pop, check in, un pack, and get to the Grand Floridian for dinner. No grocery store stops this trip. I actually bought this great little collapsible rolling cooler at Costco and I packed it with water and a bottle of wine. All I needed was ice!

Up next......Is it possible to get the same room at Pop twice??????????

MEK

10-02-2009, 11:47 AM

I'm in! Sounds like you guys had a great time. Can't wait to read all about it! :thumbsup2

Hi DWGal...

Welcome! :banana::dance3::banana: So glad to have you following along.

DWGal210

10-02-2009, 01:02 PM

Hi DWGal...

Welcome! :banana::dance3::banana: So glad to have you following along.

You bet!

Sorry you had some pre-trip drama with the boys. Hopefully that all worked otu OK.

I am the same with sleep on the night before a trip; this year we leave in the wee morning hours of Dec 26th, so between this trip and Christmas, I might have to take it easy the first day! :goodvibes

Scott MC

10-02-2009, 02:00 PM

Yay! A new TR!
I was a lurker on your Kindani TR, but thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to this one.

MEK

10-02-2009, 02:25 PM

You bet!

Sorry you had some pre-trip drama with the boys. Hopefully that all worked otu OK.

I am the same with sleep on the night before a trip; this year we leave in the wee morning hours of Dec 26th, so between this trip and Christmas, I might have to take it easy the first day! :goodvibes

Glad to hear I am not the only pre trip insomniac. I thought I was going to crash and burn the first day, but I did really well and got my "second wind" once we got there and all checked in.

Yay! A new TR!
I was a lurker on your Kindani TR, but thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to this one.

Welcome! :banana::woohoo::banana: I am glad that you decided to come out of "lurkedom" for this TR. Kidani was such a beautiful resort so I thought I might be disappointed with Pop, but it ended up be a great resort for DH and I. We didn't spend a lot of time there. But what time we spent there felt really relaxed, so it was perfect. I felt like we were always running somewhere....either to the parks or another fabulous ADR.

Planning fanatic mom

10-02-2009, 04:57 PM

MEK

10-02-2009, 05:47 PM

I would like to hear more. Our 20th anniversary is next Sept. and I would love to go with just DH. Our drama is that my teenage daughters don't want us to go without them. I will live my trip through you.

Can't wait for more.popcorn::

Oh....I highly recommend an anniversary trip! My DH and I are not big anniverary celebrants. I hate to admit it, but there have many many years where it just came and went. We didn't go down there with huge plans of doing anything special other than our signature ADR's, but every cast member there helped make it really special. I have never been wished Happy Anniversary so many times. Seriously, I think we need to make this an annual event.

I think you're lucky you girls still want to go to Disney. If you had read my June TR you would know that I practically had to drag my DS16 to the parks. I swear he only went into the parks because we had ADRs and he needed to be fed! :rotfl:

kschafer

10-02-2009, 06:24 PM

Woo Hoo!

I'm in for another MEK TR!!!! I am excited to hear about all the eating you did!

wigdoutdismom

10-02-2009, 06:42 PM

Yay, you started! I'm here! Now going back to read!

Lady Lallie

10-02-2009, 06:49 PM

Holy Moly! I am late to the party....I'll be back after I catch up! :surfweb:

Disneymoon09

10-02-2009, 06:59 PM

yay! ive been waiting to hear about this one!

wigdoutdismom

10-02-2009, 07:03 PM

I can just imagine the pre-trip drama with the boys. They were probably ready to have some time to themselves. Then here you come and rock their world! :laughing:

Great start to the trip report, I can't wait to see if you got the same room twice!:goodvibes

mickeysmyboy

10-02-2009, 08:41 PM

:banana: WOOOO HOOO!!! You started!!! I've been waiting!!

I'm so sorry for the teen drama!! Yikes! But, think about it this way, at least no one cried!! :lmao: The night before the trip DH and I took alone in March was a flood of tears!

Can't wait to read more and hear all about the magic!!

Lady Lallie

10-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Okay. I went back and read, all caught up now. I imagine there was tons of drama when leaving the boys! See, I was the responsible child growing up so I had to cart my brother all over creation when my parents went to the Bahamas. Pffft. :lmao:

MEK

10-03-2009, 06:27 AM

Woo Hoo!

I'm in for another MEK TR!!!! I am excited to hear about all the eating you did!

:lmao:Oh...yum....seriously, we had some really, really good food. I took pictures of everything!!!!! I went on STRICT weight watchers before we left because I knew if I came back any heavier I wouldn't have any clothes to wear. :rotfl: It worked well because I had 5 lbs to play with and I made really good use of them.

Yay, you started! I'm here! Now going back to read!

Yeah!:cool1: No TR is complete without commentary from Wig'd and pictures from Shocker!

Holy Moly! I am late to the party....I'll be back after I catch up! :surfweb:

Not late at all! Right on Time! :woohoo:

yay! ive been waiting to hear about this one!

:banana::cool1::banana: Welcome! All I can say is if we were treated this good for an anniversary, I can only imagine what a Disneymoon would be like! And yours is right around the corner....Congratulations!

I can just imagine the pre-trip drama with the boys. They were probably ready to have some time to themselves. Then here you come and rock their world! :laughing:

Great start to the trip report, I can't wait to see if you got the same room twice!:goodvibes

OMG....you are so right! I really think all they wanted was some parent-free time, but my DH has been so suspicious about my older son's behavior. And my older son is very oppositional, so it makes matters worse. It turned out they were fine and I think they are ready to be alone. The other thing - so many of my coworkers thought I was crazy for leaving them alone and that scared me. But by May, when we visit again, I have run out of "sitters", so they will likely be alone with a few checks from the neighbors.

:banana: WOOOO HOOO!!! You started!!! I've been waiting!!

I'm so sorry for the teen drama!! Yikes! But, think about it this way, at least no one cried!! :lmao: The night before the trip DH and I took alone in March was a flood of tears!

Can't wait to read more and hear all about the magic!!

Welcome!:yay: Oh...I did cry. By the time I was done talking with them on Saturday evening I was definately in tears because it was the most out of control conversation. They were both acting so defiant. I should have just walked away. Now I know better. Anyway, partly my fault for waiting so long to get them better supervision.

We had a really awesome time, so hopefully you will be able to read about most of it before you leave. You were right about the DxDP....it was awesome! But I don't think I could have done it for more than 4 days!

Okay. I went back and read, all caught up now. I imagine there was tons of drama when leaving the boys! See, I was the responsible child growing up so I had to cart my brother all over creation when my parents went to the Bahamas. Pffft. :lmao:

Drama galore!!!! But see....if I had a daughter like you I know I could leave with peace of mind! So your parents were lucky, even though you probably hated it. Just wait until you have kids.....by the time they are in high school you will want to have some REAL "private time" and adults only vacations!

MEK

10-03-2009, 06:32 AM

My DH did NOT download the pics yesterday, but he promises to download them to the "main" computer today. That computer is in his office and I don't go into that room for fear that something might attack me. Mostly I avoid it because I hate messy places!

I will have a real update with real pictures up tonight. It's funny, but I was sooooooo from my lack of sleep that I didn't take any pictures until we got to dinner. So, yup, I will be starting my TR with food porn!

Tomorrow we are going to Dorney Park, Pa for my DH's company picnic. It is supposed to be mid 70's and sunny. It should be a fun day and hopefully we will get in a few coasters!

wsushocker

10-03-2009, 06:57 AM

My DH did NOT download the pics yesterday, but he promises to download them to the "main" computer today. That computer is in his office and I don't go into that room for fear that something might attack me. Mostly I avoid it because I hate messy places!

Allow me to remind you of Wigd's office........:cool1:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/wsushocker/messy_desk_contest_winner.jpg

Mr. I Won't Rent Car

10-03-2009, 07:24 AM

The only changes we made to our original plans were:(1) a rental car and (2) an upgrade to the deluxe dining plan! :cool1:

:confused3

PrincessCaitlin

10-03-2009, 08:21 AM

I'm in can't wait for the first update!popcorn::

kschafer

10-03-2009, 08:42 AM

I had 5 lbs to play with and I made really good use of them.

:rotfl2: OK, that seriously made me LOL!

:woohoo: for starting with food porn!!

annnewjerz

10-03-2009, 09:07 AM

Hi there! :wave2:

I'm in for this one. I lurked on your Kickin it at Kidani thread, so I figured for this one I was obligated to say hi. ;)

I'm SO GLAD to hear that BWI is better than PHL. We are from around exit 6 on the NJ Turnpike and couldn't find anything super cheap out of PHL for our October trip, so we booked BWI. It's a little over 2 hours from our house---but for $49 each way flights on Southwest, I'll take it! :woohoo: :woohoo:

I was so worried that the BWI airport would be some dumpy little hole in the wall airport and would hate it, but from a few reviews I've been getting recently it seems I'll love it!

Looking forward to hearing more about the trip! :thumbsup2

faerieprincess

10-03-2009, 11:48 AM

:lmao: LL got in on the first page and felt late - i'm excited to have made it before the second page finished! i'm here!

Sorry you had to deal with the boys' drama (and trauma!) before you left. That's not a great way to start your vacation :hug: i'm glad it turned out ok in the end.

disneyfanatic101

10-03-2009, 01:01 PM

Just found this board/threads.. Very cool idea! Keep them coming

MEK

10-03-2009, 07:21 PM

Allow me to remind you of Wigd's office........:cool1:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/wsushocker/messy_desk_contest_winner.jpg
:rotfl2: The funny, but sad, thing is my DH's office does bear a close resemblance to that picture. Ok, maybe not THAT bad, but close, very close.

:confused3

:laughing:I named the rental car the "ADR Car". I got it so we could procrastinate before every ADR and still get there on time. Plus my DH gets nervous if he doesn't have his OWN transportation. When I go solo or with the kids I never rent a car.

I'm in can't wait for the first update!popcorn::

Hi Caitlin and Welcome!!!! Are your parents back yet? I bet they had as great a time as we did. First real installment coming up tonight!

:rotfl2: OK, that seriously made me LOL!

:woohoo: for starting with food porn!!

Food porn starting tonight, except my DH's first entree is pretty weird looking...just wait!

Hi there! :wave2:

I'm in for this one. I lurked on your Kickin it at Kidani thread, so I figured for this one I was obligated to say hi. ;)

I'm SO GLAD to hear that BWI is better than PHL. We are from around exit 6 on the NJ Turnpike and couldn't find anything super cheap out of PHL for our October trip, so we booked BWI. It's a little over 2 hours from our house---but for $49 each way flights on Southwest, I'll take it! :woohoo: :woohoo:

I was so worried that the BWI airport would be some dumpy little hole in the wall airport and would hate it, but from a few reviews I've been getting recently it seems I'll love it!

Looking forward to hearing more about the trip! :thumbsup2

Hi Annnewjerz....Welcome! :banana::cool1::banana: So glad you came out of lurking and are joining in. I hope you continue to follow along.

You will definately like BWI better than PHL, especially the Southwest terminal. BWI is a big SWA hub. It's no Orlando, but its a lot nicer than PHL. It's much more open and airy. They did a recent remodel there. Plus....and this is important and something to take note of if you usually fly in/out of PHL.....No circling, No back ups, no lines in the sky waiting to land. You just Land at BWI. What a novel concept! Yeah its further, but its definately worth it for $49 flights. Congrats on that! :thumbsup2

The trip down 301 to Rt. 50 and across the Bay Bridge is actually a much prettier drive than down 95, but it would be a bit longer for you so I wouldn't recommend it.

:lmao: LL got in on the first page and felt late - i'm excited to have made it before the second page finished! i'm here!

Sorry you had to deal with the boys' drama (and trauma!) before you left. That's not a great way to start your vacation :hug: i'm glad it turned out ok in the end.

Hey faerieprincess! Welcome to my newest TR! So glad to have along for third TR. I promise to get this thing moving along tonight.

Just found this board/threads.. Very cool idea! Keep them coming

Hi Disneyfanatic.....Welcome to my TR and to the Disboards. The trip report threads are a great place to meet lots of fun Dis'ers

dawnbu40

10-03-2009, 07:23 PM

MEK

10-03-2009, 07:35 PM

Hi MaryEllen!:wave2: Caitlin told me you started your report so I'm in! Sorry you had teenage drama before you left (we had a little ourelves...a bad breakup a week before we left :sad2:...guess it goes with having teens!) but hopefully that was the only drama all week! Looking forward to hearing all about the trip!

Yeah. :cool1: :thumbsup2I just asked about you and here you are! Wow....Am I psychic????? How was your trip??? I can't wait to hear about it. I can't wait to compare notes.

A breakup? Oh no! Not Caitlin? I hope she is OK. :hug:

MEK

10-03-2009, 09:29 PM

Before I tell you about Pop, I have a quick rental car story. DH and I rented our car from EZ Car rental. We rented a car from there last December and, although it was a striped down Hundai, it was very clean and functional. EZ car had the best price for our September trip, so I decided to rent from them again. The price was $100 for a compact car for 4 days. I never rented a compact before, so I figured "how bad can it be ?" The whole purpose for the car was to get to our ADRs on time. We had ADRs at GF, Boardwalk, the Poly, and the Wilderness Lodge. I figured we needed every advantage we could get to get to our ADR's on time. So I named the car "the ADR car".

Well, when we picked up our car it turned about to be a very small Suzuki. If this was a compact, how small is a subcompact, I wondered ? It must be a car with three wheels. So we looked at this car, figured, "What the heck ?" We got all our luggage in with plenty of room to spare. But no sooner had we started to drive out of the parking garage when my DH declared, "I think there is something wrong with the rear wheels in this car. They are shaking." Great! So I suggested to DH that we just take the car back now if there really was a problem. So DH decided to turn right around. I figured if DH decided to take the car back, it must be really bad.

I let DH handle the negotiations. It didn't take him long to come back with a new set of keys. He said, "they offered me a Toyota corolla or a Jeep Liberty, so I took the Jeep". Wow....talk about an upgrade. Cha Ching! I was thinking about all the $ we had just saved. I remember thinking what a great scam that would be. Rent the cheapest car, tell the attendants there was a problem, and wa la....an upgrade. Seriously though, we would have been fine with the Suzuki, but it did have a legit problem.

So with Ellie, the GPS, leading the way we started our journey to Pop Century. It was after 4pm now and we had a 6pm ADR at Narcoosee's. Time's a wasting...let's get this show on the road. However, as soon as we hit the highway we realized that the Jeep Liberty also had a problem. The steering wheel started to shake at precisely 62mph. We figured it was only a 1/2 hour each way to Disney. Once we got there we would always be driving slower, so we did not return the Jeep Liberty, even though it was sadly in need of a front end alignment. However, if we had needed to do any highway driving on this trip, we would have had to take the car back.

I didn't take any pictures on the way to Disney World. I spent the half hour drive texting the boys to make sure everything was "cool" at home. When we arrived at Pop, I did the regular check-in. I never bothered with the on-line check-in. I did fax a request for a building in the 80's or one in the 70's facing the lake. There was no one waiting to check-in. Haha...so much for the online advantage. The CM who checked me in was really quite gravid with child. Her pin said "9 days until baby". She was really very nice and efficient. Originally she assigned us a first floor room in the 70's. As you may or may not know, I don't like first floor rooms. I think they tend to be noisy with foot traffic. I didn't want to take the chance of noise, so I asked for a non first floor room. She assigned me a new room in the 70's. :cool1: We asked for our anniversary pins for the big 20th and we were set to go.

We drove the car all the way around to the 80's parking lot. In retrospect, we should have stayed right where we were. The walk from the 80's parking lot to our room was a tad lengthy. When we finally got to our section of the 70's we found Rm 3614. As we slowly approached our third floor room I said, "Whaaaaaaat? Waaaaait! I think I was in this room on my solo trip". Is that possible? There are over 2200 rooms at Pop. What are the chances of the same room twice? But I am about 95% sure this was my room back in January of 2008. I was on the third floor, close to the stairs (2 rooms down). Yup....It's the same room.:rotfl:

It was one of those awesome 70's room that is close enough to be a preferred room, but isn't. Outside of our room was a lovely view of the lake and the big red yoyo on the 60's building. I apologize for not taking any pictures when we entered the room, but I know everyone has seen tons of Pop pictures, so I don't think you are missing out.

We quickly unpacked and we changed into our dinner clothes. Since we were eating at a bunch of signature restaurants, I packed some black slacks with a cute black top. The I changed my jewelry and disgarded my crocs for a black pair of sandals. A quick freshening of the makeup and we were ready to go!

The drive to the GF was filled with excitement. It was really the first time I had ever set foot in the GF. I was really looking forward to this dinner and I felt like my fatigue from "next-to-no" sleep was replaced with excitement. Unfortunately, we learned that the self parking lot of the GF is ridiculously far. Once we found the lot, we had to drive nearly to the back of it to find a spot. It had to be a 1/3 - 1/2 mile walk to the main entrance of the GF. Well, I'm probably exaggerating, so let's say it was 1/4 - 1/3 of a mile. :rotfl: We entered the GF and quickly asked for directions. The we followed them straight to Narcoosee's.

We checked in about 5 or so minutes late. The hostess said, "Happy Anniversary (the second such greeting so far)" and gave us a beeper. We did manage to snap a few shots of the few before our beeper went off.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney001.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney002.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney003.jpg

I barely managed to get these three shots and then our beeper buzzed and we were seated. A few people told me to wait for a window seat, but I didn't. I was tired, hungry, and feeling the Disney high. I was just happy to be here so any seat was fine. However, from my seat I did not have much of a vantage point for pictures. I did take a picture of this very sedate looking light fixture for LL:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney005.jpg

Once we were seated we orded cocktails. I know DH had some type of tropical drink we had several types of liquor in it. He declared that it, "really packed a punch". I had a nice sangria.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney008.jpg

Narcoosee's also offered us some complimentary champagne that we were more than happy to drink:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney004.jpg

For appetizers DH ordered the crab cakes:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney007.jpg

I had the mussels which were excellent and plentiful:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney006.jpg

I haven't had mussels that good since I chained my bike to a fence, put the freewheel in my pocket, and hopped the T to downtown Boston. :confused3 Ok this is an ancient memory, but many years ago I did a 4 day bike ride across Massachusetts (I don't think I spelled that right, help me LL) and on the 3rd night of our trip we decided to go into Boston. Remember - no car - we only had bikes and we were sleeping in college dorms. In order to keep the bike from being stolen I was able to slip out the freewheel, which holds the front wheel to the bike. A freewheel will fit nicely in your pocket and no one will take a bike they can't ride.

Ok, so I digress. Anyway, those mussels were mighty good.

For our entrees DH ordered fish. For the life of me I can't remember what kind of fish it was. All I know is the waiter gave him the warning that it was a "whole fish - head and all". I don't know why DH decided to order this. I was the one who was sleep deprived. Well, when it came out it looked like this......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney009.jpg

Ok...that is just creepy looking and I love fish. Imagine if you HATED fish! The outer coating just sort of flaked away to a lovely white fish. Unfortunately, the fish was full of tiny bones which did not enhance DH's dining pleasure. He wasn't loving it and regretted that he did not order the tuna.

I had the surf and turf:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney010.jpg

You can't really see the lobster tail all that well in this picture. I was just so excited to have lobster tail. I can't even remember the last time I had lobster. It was lovely, although it got a tad rubbery as the time passed. The filets were small, but very flavorable. I gave one to DH because he was still not loving his fish and it was too much food for me to eat. I only had a forkful of the scalloped potatoes that adorned the dish. As far as the broccoli - well I was done counting weight watcher's points, so you know where that ended up!

Dessert was almond cheescake for DH:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney011.jpg

This cheescake was amazing. Really, really good! Since I was just coming off a diet and was used to eating next to nothing, I opted for the sugar free sorbet:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney012.jpg

The berries were really good. There was a nice size serving of mixed berries in the bottom of the dish, but the sorbet was just ehhhh because it needed more......SUGAR! Seriously, what was I thinking ordering sugar free sorbet! :confused3

So up next.... a lovely evening in the MK and "Oh my Aching Feet" :sad2:

Lady Lallie

10-03-2009, 09:43 PM

wigdoutdismom

10-03-2009, 10:22 PM

Oh my gosh Mary Ellen, that fish! UGH!!!!

You are a very fine wife to share your steak.:goodvibes

I'm glad you got the Jeep, too bad it was a shakey, shakey beginning with the rental cars....

wsushocker

10-03-2009, 10:22 PM

The CM who checked me in was really quite gravid with child.

This is going to become my newest catch phrase......Wigd is going to get so tired of hearing me say it!

wigdoutdismom

10-03-2009, 10:24 PM

This is going to become my newest catch phrase......Wigd is going to get so tired of hearing me say it!

Shocker may find a very large fish stuffed in his mouth if he is too annoying with that little phrase!:cutie:

Mr. I Won't Rent Car

10-03-2009, 10:35 PM

But no sooner had we started to drive out of the parking garage when my DH declared, "I think there is something wrong with the rear wheels in this car. They are shaking."

However, as soon as we hit the highway we realized that the Jeep Liberty also had a problem. The steering wheel started to shake at precisely 62mph.

However, if we had needed to do any highway driving on this trip, we would have had to take the car back.

We drove the car all the way around to the 80's parking lot. In retrospect, we should have stayed right where we were. The walk from the 80's parking lot to our room was a tad lengthy.

Unfortunately, we learned that the self parking lot of the GF is ridiculously far. Once we found the lot, we had to drive nearly to the back of it to find a spot. It had to be a 1/3 - 1/2 mile walk to the main entrance of the GF. Well, I'm probably exaggerating, so let's say it was 1/4 - 1/3 of a mile. :rotfl:

:confused3

Diamondintheruff

10-04-2009, 12:27 AM

Wow! That was some fish! It looks more ornamental than edible.

dawnbu40

10-04-2009, 06:49 AM

MEK

10-04-2009, 06:49 AM

MEK, I have to tell you that a yelped out loud when I saw the fish! All I could think of is that part of Little Mermaid when they are seeing Under the Sea and the fish just plops on the plate. :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl: Oh my goodness. That is one huge helping of fish!

:rotfl2: After my DH ordered it, I saw it plated for another customer and I almost did the same thing. I remember thinking, "DH is not going to like that!" We are still debating what type of fish it was. He says rock fish or sea bass. I thought it was red snapper. :confused3 I can't find it on the menu at allears, so I give up. All I know is it had boney spikes on its back. Sheesh!

I really want to try that almond cheesecake. Narcoosee's just looks like a really nice place. I might have to go there. :laughing: How dressy was everyone dressed?

Oh, that almond cheescake was devine. Seriously, it just melted in your mouth. I think that was my favorite dessert all week.

I didn't think people were dressed up at all. Everyone I saw was very casual. I looked about the dressiest there and, believe me, I was not "all that". :laughing:

Too funny about having the same room at Pop! What are the odds of that happening?

Ya know....I am going to EXPECT that room the next time I stay at Pop. I wanted it named the "MEK room". :laughing:

Oh and you spelled Massachusetts correctly.

:thumbsup2 I didn't have any help either! :laughing:

I love the light fixture too....it looks likes some drinking glasses my grandmother use to have. :laughing:

I'm glad you like! I think of you every time I photograph a light fixture. Sometimes my DH will say, "what are you doing?" And I reply "well, taking a picture of that light fixture, of course....what else?"

Oh my gosh Mary Ellen, that fish! UGH!!!!

You are a very fine wife to share your steak.:goodvibes

I'm glad you got the Jeep, too bad it was a shakey, shakey beginning with the rental cars....

I know, I know. What a weird presentation. DH doesn't like lobster or I probably would have offered to switch entrees with him because he definately regretted his dining choice. And for the record, he scarfed that steak down. Yes....the Jeep was definately an good upgrade for the ADR car!

This is going to become my newest catch phrase......Wigd is going to get so tired of hearing me say it!

Oh no. Poor Wigd. Shocker is just like a little kid. You always have to watch what you say around him. :rolleyes1

Shocker may find a very large fish stuffed in his mouth if he is too annoying with that little phrase!:cutie:

:lmao: Good one. Well we all know where to find one freakishly large fish, don't we?

:confused3

Touche! You win!

Wow! That was some fish! It looks more ornamental than edible.

Hi Diamond in the Ruff.... Welcome! :cool1::banana::cool1:

Agreed. But that is one ornament I can live without. I just wonder how the heck they got on that coating on the fish. Now there's some creative cooking. NOT!

MEK

10-04-2009, 06:53 AM

First to answer your questions...yes the break up was Caitlin. Right before we left she found out her bf had been hiding a substance abuse problem :eek:She's hurt but she'll be ok thanks!

OMG THAT FISH!:scared1: We saw someone order that on Wed and it looked awful! I can't imagine having to eat across the table from it :rotfl2:

Oh No! Poor Caitlin! That is such a bummer, especially when you really like someone. But she definately made the right decision. She is too lovely of a young lady to get mixed up with that. Yes...Caitlin....we are talking about you. Here's hugs :hug:

So you saw the fish,too! :rotfl: It was crazy. Actually the sangria and the champagne made it so I didn't even notice the fish anymore! :laughing:

MEK

10-04-2009, 07:11 AM

I can't post a real update now because we are going to Dorney Park for the day, but here are a few more pictures I took on the Narcoosee's deck and as we were leaving the GF to visit the MK.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney015.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney017.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney019.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney021.jpg

As we were rushing to catch the monorail I grabbed a few inside pics.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney024.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney025.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney026.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney028.jpg

The floor.....such a beautiful marble floor.....WOW!

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney023.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney027.jpg

The band.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney029.jpg

Phew....made it.....the monorail.......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney030.jpg

mickeysmyboy

10-04-2009, 07:48 AM

What was the deal with the rental cars?! I briefly thought about renting a car for our trip coming up and EZ was the cheapest. I'm kinda glad I didn't go for it!

How cool is it to get the same room twice!? I wonder what the actual odds of that happening are!? I think it means you were destined to have a fabulous trip!!!

Holy crap! That fish is super scary!! There is no way, no how I could have eaten that!!! How in the world did they think that that was a good presentation?!

Sounds like you guys hads a so-so meal :( You know my love for Narcoosees!! Our meal there was, as you know, one of the best meals ever! Of course, we didn't get anything that looked like that fish!

Planning fanatic mom

10-04-2009, 07:55 AM

:scared1: OHH that fish. Like someone else said, I wouldn't have been able to sit at the same table with it.

Your pics are very nice. We visited the GF for the first time in June just to look around. It is very pretty.

Have Fun at Dorney. I haven't been there since college.

kschafer

10-04-2009, 09:12 AM

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney029.jpg

Someone once commented that this reminded them of the band that played while the Titanic sunk. Now that's all I can think of when I see this :rotfl:

Your dinner looks amazing! Someday....

I also love the pics you took of the floor at GF, I don't think I have ever seen a picture of that before, it is beautiful!

PrincessCaitlin

10-04-2009, 09:38 AM

Thanks for the hugs! :flower3:

Narcossee's what a wonderful way to start a vacation!!

Can't wait to see your MK pics!

faerieprincess

10-04-2009, 01:40 PM

i'm going to join the ranks of those horrified by the fish - that's ghastly! Reminds me of the first time i ordered fish and chips in England and discovered (with horror) that the tail and skin and bones were all still there....under the batter. *shudders*

i'm also glad i wasn't the only one thinking of the band on the Titanic... :rolleyes1

Glad you enjoyed your dinner though!

Diamondintheruff

10-04-2009, 04:12 PM

I was thinking more "Lawrence Welk" when I saw the band.

eandesmom

10-04-2009, 04:58 PM

Me: MEK....Mary Ellen
DH: Denny (aka as Directionless Denny or the DH who forgets his underwear and other assorted items)

Oh Poor Denny, what a description!

:rotfl:

When you have teenagers, how can you NOT have a little drama before you go away? When we planned this trip last April we really thought the boys (who are 15 and 16 1/2) would do OK alone for 4 nights. However, as the trip became a reality we thought, "Maybe NOT". I kept reassuring myself that everything would be fine, but about a week before we were supposed to leave I decided that the boys needed a little bit more adult supervision. So I frantically set out to find someone who would take each boy on Sunday night and then take them to school on Monday. My DS 16 is not fully liscensed to drive yet. In Delaware a 16 year old must drive with a parent in the car for a full 6 months. He will meet that criteria in mid November.

Once I had them safely supervised for Sunday night, I starting working on getting someone to sleep in the house Monday and Tuesday night. Wednesday was the only night they would be alone. As it turned out, a good friend of mine stayed overnight Monday and Tuesday. It worked out great. In fact, we will be taking this good friend and his wife to Disney in May. Finally, all driving arrangements, to and from school and soccer, were confirmed. Plus spare car keys were given to my nieghbors and all the alcohol in the house was locked and hidden in the shed.

Sounds simple, right? Wrong? My kids really protested with all these last minute changes, but I held my ground. On Saturday evening, we had a huge last minute debate over the house rules, which really stressed me out. I knew that some of this was normal teenage behavior, and that the kids would calm down once we were out of town, but it stressed me out nonetheless. I requested that DS 16 1/2 be home by 12pm the night before we left. I really didn't want him at a friend's house on Saturday night because it would be too difficult to contact him Sunday morning. I wanted everyone home, in their bed, when we left for the airport the next day.

Needless to say, I fell asleep on the coach waiting for my son to come home. I woke up right before he got home (11pm) and was folding clothes when he arrived. Getting ready for this trip proved to be a last minute marathon. I must have done about 5 loads of laundry before we left. I got everything folded and most things put away. It was exhausting.

Once my son got home, I decided to go to bed. But I think my nerves were still shot from the earlier drama. Plus I have a tendency to not sleep well before a trip. And that earlier nap on the couch made me unusually awake. So when I went to bed sleep was not forthcoming. In fact, I tossed and turned, got up and down, took a xanax around midnight, and a benadryl at 3am and finally fell asleep at 4am! :scared1:

I actually bought this great little collapsible rolling cooler at Costco and I packed it with water and a bottle of wine. All I needed was ice!

I'm reading along and reading along and thinking....he's not going to be home by midnight, he's not going to be home by midnight....

Oh wait. That was Taylor, last weekend. Suffice to say he's lost his nighttime driving privileges! I think you were VERY VERY smart not to leave them alone. I just had a weekend full of horror stories of teens left alone and what happens.

I :love: that costco cooler, one of the best things I ever bought. Did you check it? I can just imagine the pre-trip stress...I swear we are taking the red eye next time, I think that's the only way I can actually sleep the night before a trip!

Once we were seated we orded cocktails. I know DH had some type of tropical drink we had several types of liquor in it. He declared that it, "really packed a punch". I had a nice sangria.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney008.jpg

Narcoosee's also offered us some complimentary champagne that we were more than happy to drink:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney004.jpg

For appetizers DH ordered the crab cakes:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney007.jpg

I had the mussels which were excellent and plentiful:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney006.jpg

I haven't had mussels that good since I chained my bike to a fence, put the freewheel in my pocket, and hopped the T to downtown Boston. :confused3 Ok this is an ancient memory, but many years ago I did a 4 day bike ride across Massachusetts (I don't think I spelled that right, help me LL) and on the 3rd night of our trip we decided to go into Boston. Remember - no car - we only had bikes and we were sleeping in college dorms. In order to keep the bike from being stolen I was able to slip out the freewheel, which holds the front wheel to the bike. A freewheel will fit nicely in your pocket and no one will take a bike they can't ride.

Ok, so I digress. Anyway, those mussels were mighty good.

For our entrees DH ordered fish. For the life of me I can't remember what kind of fish it was. All I know is the waiter gave him the warning that it was a "whole fish - head and all". I don't know why DH decided to order this. I was the one who was sleep deprived. Well, when it came out it looked like this......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney009.jpg

Ok...that is just creepy looking and I love fish. Imagine if you HATED fish! The outer coating just sort of flaked away to a lovely white fish. Unfortunately, the fish was full of tiny bones which did not enhance DH's dining pleasure. He wasn't loving it and regretted that he did not order the tuna.

I had the surf and turf:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney010.jpg

You can't really see the lobster tail all that well in this picture. I was just so excited to have lobster tail. I can't even remember the last time I had lobster. It was lovely, although it got a tad rubbery as the time passed. The filets were small, but very flavorable. I gave one to DH because he was still not loving his fish and it was too much food for me to eat. I only had a forkful of the scalloped potatoes that adorned the dish. As far as the broccoli - well I was done counting weight watcher's points, so you know where that ended up!

Dessert was almond cheescake for DH:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney011.jpg

This cheescake was amazing. Really, really good! Since I was just coming off a diet and was used to eating next to nothing, I opted for the sugar free sorbet:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney012.jpg

The berries were really good. There was a nice size serving of mixed berries in the bottom of the dish, but the sorbet was just ehhhh because it needed more......SUGAR! Seriously, what was I thinking ordering sugar free sorbet! :confused3

Ok first, those mussels. YUM! I love mussels. I want to go there just for that dish! Oh man, you are going to make me revisit my choices. Well, not really but oh I'd really like to try those

I am shocked that they don't fillet that fish tableside. I've worked in several restaurants that did a whole fish along those lines and we always

1) warned the person about the head/eyes/tail appearance (ours wasn't as spiny but did have some)

2) filleted them tableside to get rid of the bones and present a lovely presentation.

Ours was tilapia...the golden one to be precise...a prehistoric fish that we used to make many a joke aobut its evolutionary journey. But I digress.

I would not have been happy about the lack of deboning. At all.

Other random comments

too funny about the car saga
I can't believe you got the same room, good tat you liked it!
hmmn...black leather sandals, parked far away...oh no....

But I bet you looked marvelous!

jenjolt

10-04-2009, 08:05 PM

I'm here I'm here MEK!! I'm going to have to read back and catch up!! But I'm so excited to hear all about your anniversary trip!!!

MEK

10-04-2009, 11:21 PM

mickeysmyboy

10-05-2009, 05:21 AM

11 coaster rides in 1 day?! Your a braver women then me!! No way could I do that!!

MEK

10-05-2009, 09:14 AM

What was the deal with the rental cars?! I briefly thought about renting a car for our trip coming up and EZ was the cheapest. I'm kinda glad I didn't go for it!

Yeah... I wasn't real impressed with this year's selection of cars. I just think they really let the maintenance slip. When we rented from them last time they just changed hands from L&M, which had a fairly good reputation.

How cool is it to get the same room twice!? I wonder what the actual odds of that happening are!? I think it means you were destined to have a fabulous trip!!!

Isn't that crazy????? I can't believe it either. Very "deja vu like". Great room location.

Holy crap! That fish is super scary!! There is no way, no how I could have eaten that!!! How in the world did they think that that was a good presentation?!

Sounds like you guys hads a so-so meal :( You know my love for Narcoosees!! Our meal there was, as you know, one of the best meals ever! Of course, we didn't get anything that looked like that fish!

:rotfl2: Can you imagine if you were eating dinner with children? That fish could scare the crap out of some of them! I'm thinking of CP's son Connor. I wonder what his reaction to THAT fish would be? :rotfl2:

But, honestly, overall our meal was pretty good. The mussels, crap cakes, and almond cheese cake were awesome, so I have no real complaints. I just felt bad for Denny who was stuck sorting through tiny bones.

:scared1: OHH that fish. Like someone else said, I wouldn't have been able to sit at the same table with it.

Your pics are very nice. We visited the GF for the first time in June just to look around. It is very pretty.

:rotfl: You know....I wonder if there really are some adults that have to get up and walk away from that thing????? Hopefully they took it off the menu by now. Too many crying children, clinging to their mother's side. :laughing:

Thanks for the compliment on the pics. I have more to post later when we return from the park. Gorgeous resort. I wanted to check out of Pop right then and there. Talk about an upgrade!

Have Fun at Dorney. I haven't been there since college.

Dorney was a blast! They really did a good job with that Halloween haunt. Next time, though, I need to spend the night up there or take the next day off from work!

Someone once commented that this reminded them of the band that played while the Titanic sunk. Now that's all I can think of when I see this :rotfl:

:rotfl: You are so right! It looks exactly like that band. You know I love music, so if I hadn't been in such a rush to hop the monorail, I would have loved to listen for I bit.

Your dinner looks amazing! Someday....

I also love the pics you took of the floor at GF, I don't think I have ever seen a picture of that before, it is beautiful!

Narcoosees really is a beautiful location. I'm so glad we kick-started the trip with Narcoosees. It was a perfect beginning. Oh, and that floor, so beautiful!

Thanks for the hugs! :flower3:

Narcossee's what a wonderful way to start a vacation!!

Can't wait to see your MK pics!

You're welcome!

We did have a wonderful start to our trip! And tonight I will post the MK pics!

i'm going to join the ranks of those horrified by the fish - that's ghastly! Reminds me of the first time i ordered fish and chips in England and discovered (with horror) that the tail and skin and bones were all still there....under the batter. *shudders*

i'm also glad i wasn't the only one thinking of the band on the Titanic... :rolleyes1

Glad you enjoyed your dinner though!

:lmao: I can not imagine fish and chips with the tail and bones. Bleech! That does sound pretty bad!

OK, that's two votes for the Titanic!

I was thinking more "Lawrence Welk" when I saw the band.

:laughing: Yeah, I can see that, too! :laughing:

MEK

10-05-2009, 09:32 AM

Oh Poor Denny, what a description!

:rotfl:

Welcome Cynthia! So glad you are along for the ride! :banana::thumbsup2:woohoo:
That title was actually given to Denny many years ago by one of his close friends. I can not lay claim to that particular term of endearment.

I'm reading along and reading along and thinking....he's not going to be home by midnight, he's not going to be home by midnight....

Oh wait. That was Taylor, last weekend. Suffice to say he's lost his nighttime driving privileges! I think you were VERY VERY smart not to leave them alone. I just had a weekend full of horror stories of teens left alone and what happens.

:rotfl2: OK, not so funny for you. Does your state having a driving curfew? Delaware does. In fact, for the first 6 months the 16 yr old needs an adult in the car. I am grateful for that.

:scared1:to the horror store of teens alone gone bad. You will have to share a story or two.

I :love: that costco cooler, one of the best things I ever bought. Did you check it? I can just imagine the pre-trip stress...I swear we are taking the red eye next time, I think that's the only way I can actually sleep the night before a trip!

I :love: that cooler, too. I did check it. It was full of water and a bottle of wine. Since the plastic wheely thing detacts, I just carried that and put it under my seat. We kept that bad-boy filled with ice. No leaks whatsoever. Perfect for a trip to the value resorts!

Ok first, those mussels. YUM! I love mussels. I want to go there just for that dish! Oh man, you are going to make me revisit my choices. Well, not really but oh I'd really like to try those

They were really, really good. I actually had mussels a second time during the trip. The ones at Narcoosees were definately the best. Perfect flavoring to the broth. Yum!

I am shocked that they don't fillet that fish tableside. I've worked in several restaurants that did a whole fish along those lines and we always

1) warned the person about the head/eyes/tail appearance (ours wasn't as spiny but did have some)

2) filleted them tableside to get rid of the bones and present a lovely presentation.

Ours was tilapia...the golden one to be precise...a prehistoric fish that we used to make many a joke aobut its evolutionary journey. But I digress.

I would not have been happy about the lack of deboning. At all.

We did get a bit of a warning. We knew the head was going to be on the fish. We didn't know about the rest of the body. Filleting it tableside does sound like the right thing today. Maybe not of the waiters knew how to do that? :confused3 Interesting. Because it was the bones, not the appearance, that really presented the challenge. When the waiter asked how everything was, and Denny told him about the bones, he just sort-of did this .....:confused3:rolleyes1.

Other random comments

too funny about the car saga
I can't believe you got the same room, good tat you liked it!
hmmn...black leather sandals, parked far away...oh no....

But I bet you looked marvelous!

I did look marvelous. I can only say that because I have no pictures of myself to prove it. :rotfl: But at least my pants fit, because they were way too tight before I started weight watchers! :thumbsup2

MEK

10-05-2009, 09:38 AM

I'm here I'm here MEK!! I'm going to have to read back and catch up!! But I'm so excited to hear all about your anniversary trip!!!

Jen... :cool1::banana::cool1: Welcome Back! Can't wait to hear all about your adventures! I've got to get my TR done fast, so I can keep up with all the good ones that are about to start! :woohoo:

11 coaster rides in 1 day?! Your a braver women then me!! No way could I do that!!

I would have ridden more, but I kept getting that stupid headache everytime we went on an inverted coaster. It would take about 20 -30 mins for the cobwebs to clear, then I was ready to go again. I don't think I did any permanent damage! :rotfl:

DWGal210

10-05-2009, 09:49 AM

MEK

10-05-2009, 10:53 AM

First of all, I just have to comment on that fish. :scared1: Your hubby is one brave guy. I like seafood and all, but I don't really like to be staring it in the face while I eat, KWIM? :rotfl:

I could ignore the face, but those spiny bones. Eeeeek! :scared1: DH is a trouper. He seriously never complains, that's why I felt so bad for him.

I'm sorry you had car troubles starting out. At least you got upgraded - sweet! :thumbsup2

It really was a decent upgrade, I just wish they took better car of their cars. I don't think I will rent from them in the future because I think their fleet of cars is going down hill.

Charleston Princess

10-05-2009, 11:48 AM

I will be back to catch up and read, MEK, but wanted to let you know that I am here and subscribed! :goodvibes

mickeysmyboy

10-05-2009, 12:33 PM

jenjolt

10-05-2009, 01:04 PM

I'm all caught up and I have to tell you...not impressed with the fish LOL!! I'm not a big seafood eater in the first place and that about did me in LOL!!!!! I don't see Naccroossee's in my future anytime soon....LOL!!!

I'm glad you were able to figure everything out with your boys that way you could have a great time with your hubby!!

Ewww to all the rental car dilemna...I really enjoy having a car but I wouldn't want one that was falling apart on me LOL!!!!

Great update and I can't wait to read more!! I love your TRs LOL!

podsnel

10-05-2009, 01:08 PM

Ok! All caught up! :thumbsup2 Just have to say, I really HATE the laundry thing before I go away on vacation- and it is 100 times worse when I go without the kids, because I am always worried they are going to run out of underwear or something while I'm away!:scared1: Hence the millions of pre-trip loads.

And the fish....we have had that in other restaurants, and don't mind our food looking back at us, but DO mind all those bones!! :crazy2: THEY are the real deal-breakers, I think, too!!

MEK

10-05-2009, 01:51 PM

I will be back to catch up and read, MEK, but wanted to let you know that I am here and subscribed! :goodvibes

:cool1::banana::cool1: Yeah....CP....So glad you're here. Now make sure you go back and look at that fish and tell me what Connor would do if he saw it! (particularily in light of his gagging episode at the Columbia Harbour House). :eek: :rotfl:

Mary Ellen, I think Denny had the guy on the right for dinner

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/8780/2970049790098269115S425x425Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2970049790098269115aRfTNB)

:scared: Serves him right for messing with Marlin and Dory :lmao:

:surfweb: Uggggghhhhhhhh! I HATE when I can't see pictures at work. It's such torture. I will comment when I get home.

I'm all caught up and I have to tell you...not impressed with the fish LOL!! I'm not a big seafood eater in the first place and that about did me in LOL!!!!! I don't see Naccroossee's in my future anytime soon....LOL!!!

Well, so far I haven't heard from one Dis'er who is not grossed out by that fish. Poor Mr fishy. But I finally remembered and I think he was a Red Snapper. I remember being intriqued that they had Red Snapper on the menu because its not something I see too frequently. But then again, I do not have the most sophisticated palate so maybe I'm not eating at the right places.

Anyhoo, there were plenty of other choices on the menu and it really is one of the prettiest locations on property, so don't let that whole fish on a plate scare you off.

Ewww to all the rental car dilemna...I really enjoy having a car but I wouldn't want one that was falling apart on me LOL!!!!

Great update and I can't wait to read more!! I love your TRs LOL!

It was not the most well maintained car and I have to wonder how long it was driving like that. I hope they did take it out of service, but I'm sure the didn't.

Glad you're following along. I can't wait to hear about your trip and all your fun Dis meets.

Ok! All caught up! :thumbsup2 Just have to say, I really HATE the laundry thing before I go away on vacation- and it is 100 times worse when I go without the kids, because I am always worried they are going to run out of underwear or something while I'm away!:scared1: Hence the millions of pre-trip loads.

Ditto. I never thought I would get to the bottom of that laundry basket. The worst part is, I STILL don't feel like I'm caught up on laundry! I always worry about my kids not being able to find their soccer uniforms and socks. I hang them all along the railing that runs along my upstairs hall so there is NO WAY they can miss them. Anything to avoid the, "Hey mom where's my soccer uniform" phone call.

And the fish....we have had that in other restaurants, and don't mind our food looking back at us, but DO mind all those bones!! :crazy2: THEY are the real deal-breakers, I think, too!!

Exactly, the bones were killer for DH. Everytime I looked at him he was spitting out another teeny bone. :eek:

eandesmom

10-05-2009, 01:52 PM

Hi All!

I read through everyone's great comments and I promise to respond to everyone individually, tomorrow! It's already 11pm and we just got home from Dorney. Talk about "walk - on". It was walk - on everything. I just really wish I could do hard-core thrill rides, like those coasters that send up spiraling upward and then flying backwards up another 90 degree tower only to leave you hanging there looking straight down. You know - those really crazy ones. But we did ride the tamer coasters numerous times - Talon, Steel Force, and the new one - Hydra (which was down most of the day).

The Hydra is a B&M coaster (the same company that made the Incredible Hulk coaster in IoA). It was very smooth and very fun. I did work up the nerve for the front seat on Talon and that was amazing. I kept thinking we were really going to hit our heads on the track. What a rush! Unfortunately, after several rides on those looping coasters, I started to get one of the "coaster headaches". You know - that funny pressure in your head which is probably a warning that you've knocked your brains against your cranium a few too many times. But I managed to ride Steele Force 5 times, Talon 4 times, and Hydra twice.

We stayed until dark so we could visit a couple of the Halloween Haunt attractions. Well, I think I screamed more at the spooky looking people jumping out of the fog, then I did on the cranium busting coasters. I hated to leave, but we had a long drive home, made longer by an accident that closed all the lanes on I95. The one attraction was just down-right gory, but so much fun. We had a blast. I wish they would have their picnic there again next year.

Anyway - gotta go sleep. Comments and an update will be coming tomorrow!

Sounds like a fun day, I know nothing about that park but it sounds like they have some good coasters! Although I have to say....I don't think of the Hulk as being tame! I like it but I don't think it's tame. Does that make me lame?

UGH on the coaster headache!

:rotfl2: OK, not so funny for you. Does your state having a driving curfew? Delaware does. In fact, for the first 6 months the 16 yr old needs an adult in the car. I am grateful for that.

We do have a curfew, it is 1am. Somehow he managed to "miss" the freeway coming back from a friends and ended up over by his mom's. On a night his mom and sister were away at a game. It is impossible to miss the freeway from where he was to get to his mom's. He'd have had to drive over, or under it. But at 5 minutes to 1 DH didn't want him on the road so let him stay over there. He's not been allowed to drive any of our cars since then, we will see what happens this weekend but he's cut off at night for now. No evidence of anything else but....

see below

:scared1:to the horror store of teens alone gone bad. You will have to share a story or two.

Gone bad is a stretch. Good, actually normally exceptionally good, teens doing stupid teen stuff like saying they are sleeping over at a friends, actually going to a party and getting severe alcohol poisoning. AP/Honors, academic scholarship candidate kinds of teens doing this. Ones that have no history of drinking and such and run the risk of getting kicked off of cheer if caught. And hopefully having the scare of their lives and never doing anything like it again but still! Talk about putting everything at risk!

I :love: that cooler, too. I did check it. It was full of water and a bottle of wine. Since the plastic wheely thing detacts, I just carried that and put it under my seat. We kept that bad-boy filled with ice. No leaks whatsoever. Perfect for a trip to the value resorts!

Did you wrap the wine to keep it from breaking? Or did you check it with ice in it?

We did get a bit of a warning. We knew the head was going to be on the fish. We didn't know about the rest of the body. Filleting it tableside does sound like the right thing today. Maybe not of the waiters knew how to do that? :confused3 Interesting. Because it was the bones, not the appearance, that really presented the challenge. When the waiter asked how everything was, and Denny told him about the bones, he just sort-of did this .....:confused3:rolleyes1.

It seems crazy to me that a Signature restaurant would not know how to do that tableside. I mean if "I" can do it....

:rotfl:

I did look marvelous. I can only say that because I have no pictures of myself to prove it. :rotfl: But at least my pants fit, because they were way too tight before I started weight watchers! :thumbsup2

That's wonderful about the pants! :banana:

kindra657

10-05-2009, 03:55 PM

I'm in! That fish looked scary! I would've sent it back! As for the rental car, we never bother, and as for going without the teenagers....:cheer2: i'm all for it! :goodvibes can't wait to read more! popcorn::

MEK

10-05-2009, 07:42 PM

Mary Ellen, I think Denny had the guy on the right for dinner

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/8780/2970049790098269115S425x425Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2970049790098269115aRfTNB)

:scared: Serves him right for messing with Marlin and Dory :lmao:

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

:worship::worship::worship::worship::worship:

LOL! That is so freak'in perfect! You're really giving Shocker a run for his money with that picture!

Sounds like a fun day, I know nothing about that park but it sounds like they have some good coasters! Although I have to say....I don't think of the Hulk as being tame! I like it but I don't think it's tame. Does that make me lame?

UGH on the coaster headache!

It was a great day! I don't think the Hulk is lame either. This was like the hulk (smooth), but not as long, not as high, and no blast off through the tunnel. I consider it a regular theme park coaster, not one of those really crazy ones that even your kids say, "Wow, that was intense". Dorney park is sort of like a 6 flags, but its owned by Cedar Faire parks. I'm not sure what else they own, but their annual pass for ALL their parks is $150. That could be a serious good deal for thrill ride junkies.

We do have a curfew, it is 1am. Somehow he managed to "miss" the freeway coming back from a friends and ended up over by his mom's. On a night his mom and sister were away at a game. It is impossible to miss the freeway from where he was to get to his mom's. He'd have had to drive over, or under it. But at 5 minutes to 1 DH didn't want him on the road so let him stay over there. He's not been allowed to drive any of our cars since then, we will see what happens this weekend but he's cut off at night for now. No evidence of anything else but....

I had to read this a few times, but NOW I get it. Slick! Nice try! I don't blame you at all for not letting him drive. Why do teens think adults are so lame that they don't know what's really going on. :rolleyes1 Remind me to tell you about the time in July when Brian "stole" my car while I was sleeping.

By the way, 1am seems like a really late curfew to me.

Did you wrap the wine to keep it from breaking? Or did you check it with ice in it?

I used some big plastic packing bubbles that were inside of box that was shipped to me recently. I put the wine and water inside a cardboard box and then put the cardboard box inside the cooler. I used the packing bubbles to cushion everything. Worked like a charm. :thumbsup2 The only stupid thing I did was fill the whole thing with ice after we arrived. Silly me.... I forgot to take the cardboard box out first. :laughing: That was messy!

It seems crazy to me that a Signature restaurant would not know how to do that tableside. I mean if "I" can do it....

I'm glad you explained the whole process to me, because it does seem crazy that they did not filet the fish properly.

I'm in! That fish looked scary! I would've sent it back! As for the rental car, we never bother, and as for going without the teenagers....:cheer2: i'm all for it! :goodvibes can't wait to read more! popcorn::

Welcome Kindra....:cool1::banana::cool1:. I should have posted the picture of the fish, then taken a poll to find out how many people would have sent that fish back!

Going without the teens was so much fun. We are now planning another teenager free trip for May! :woohoo:

MEK

10-05-2009, 09:27 PM

A Magical Evening at the MK (AKA "My aching feet")

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK....you are not going to believe this. this has never happened to me before. I just started working on an update and I LOST it! It vanished! Poof....gone......into thin air. I am so exhausted from my late night at Dorney, that I actually started to fall asleep and I must have closed my update by mistake. OK...that really stinks.

So, I will not get through the entire update, but I really want to start.

So when I left off, we had just left Narcoosees to hop the monorail to MK. Originally I thought we would watch Wishes from the Narcoosee's deck, but I realized that we had just enough to get over to MK before Wishes started. If you read my June 09 TR you might remember that my camera batteries died and I almost got into a fight with a woman right after I went up on the deck outside of the train station to photograph Wishes. It was not one of the highlights of my June trip.

Well, tonight I was going to try again. We got up to the train station just as Wishes started. Let me add a disclaimer to my pics....I have finally decided that it is impossible to get good firework pics with my point and shoot Fuji. I decided not to use any of the special modes, I just put the camera in automatic and here's what I got. It ain't all that.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney032.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney033.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney034.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney037.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney041.jpg

OK...they are bad, but by my next trip I hope to have a better camera and I am going to use a tripod. I really had a hard time keeping the camera steady. I'm not super steady to begin with, let alone after having a few drinks! :laughing:

After Wishes, we decided to do a few things in MK. Despite my sleep deprivation, I was feeling pretty energized. I was so excited to be in the MK and I just wanted to soak up all the energy around me. It was really invigorating.

The castle looked so beautiful....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney048.jpg

The halloween decorations were so cool....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney049.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney051.jpg

Wooh...Where did Denny go?

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney050.jpg

Wait....I'm not even sure if that is Denny.

Oh, there's that crazy castle again.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney056.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney054-1.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney057.jpg

I have always wanted to visit the MK during Halloween and I certainly wasn't disappointed. I especially love the little array of carved pumpkins lined up above the exit which read, "See you real soon". How cute is that?

After we took in the hubbub of Main Street we made a sharp right and headed over to Tomorrowland. I needed to see the new lighting along the TTA. The TTA is one of my favs. It's always there when you need a break. It never disappoints.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney059.jpg

Wow...look at those lights......cool!

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney060.jpg

More Tomorrowland......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney064.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney067.jpg

I was hoping that our ride on TTA might provide some glimpse into the Space Mountain renovations, but that was not to be the case. This is about all I saw,,,,

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney069.jpg

These guys obviously wanted to see some renovations as well.....

Oh Lohttp://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney070.jpg

ok....this is revealing:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney071.jpg

Another ride pic...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney075.jpg

Well, I didn't get as far as I wanted, but maybe I'll get a chance to update again tomorrow night.

wigdoutdismom

10-05-2009, 09:33 PM

Ohhhhh! I didn't know TTA was open! Yay!

You got some really cool castle pics in the spooky lights!

Charleston Princess

10-05-2009, 09:39 PM

All caught up! So, Connor was hugging me good night as I was reading, so I could not resist showing him Denny's fish. His response was, "THAT'S A FISH!" :eek: I must say that your surf and turf looks way better! :laughing:

Sorry about all the teenage angst and the sleepless night! :sad2:

I about dying laughing at the "I am not even sure that is Denny" pic! :lmao::rotfl::rotfl2:

mickeysmyboy

10-06-2009, 06:56 AM

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

:worship::worship::worship::worship::worship:

LOL! That is so freak'in perfect! You're really giving Shocker a run for his money with that picture!

LOL!! All I could think about after I saw the dish on Denny's plate was that fish from Nemo!!

Sounds like a great night in MK so far! I love TTA as well! I love to take a ride with my feet up and feel a little breeze on my face!

Lady Lallie

10-06-2009, 08:13 AM

You know....I love that last pic of the fireworks and the castle. Very pretty and spooky Halloween at the same time. :thumbsup2

I am just so happy that TTA is opened again. I really missed it in May!

MEK

10-06-2009, 08:58 AM

Ohhhhh! I didn't know TTA was open! Yay!

You got some really cool castle pics in the spooky lights!

I think TTA opened the week before we got there. The cool red lights on the track are a nice enhancement, but I really miss see space mountain. It won't be the same until that is up and running. I miss the day-glo lights, twinkling stars, and the screams. Most of all I miss the space mtn music. I hope they don't change that!

The castle does look especially cool at Halloween. I think I like the Halloween decorations better than the Christmas decorations. So glad I got to see them.

All caught up! So, Connor was hugging me good night as I was reading, so I could not resist showing him Denny's fish. His response was, "THAT'S A FISH!" :eek: I must say that your surf and turf looks way better! :laughing:

I knew Connor would love that fish! :rotfl: OMG I crack myself up when I think how he would have reacted to THAT in a restaurant! :rotfl:

Sorry about all the teenage angst and the sleepless night! :sad2:

I just you just have to have a little pain before enjoying the pleasure of a Disney trip! So, it's all good!

I about dying laughing at the "I am not even sure that is Denny" pic! :lmao::rotfl::rotfl2:

I really thought that was Denny, but I looked again and thought, "uhmm, not so sure".

LOL!! All I could think about after I saw the dish on Denny's plate was that fish from Nemo!!

Sounds like a great night in MK so far! I love TTA as well! I love to take a ride with my feet up and feel a little breeze on my face!

OMG! That picture was SOOOOOOOO perfect. Denny got a good chuckle out of that and I was down-right hysterical. :lmao:

We did have a lovely evening in the MK. I tried to put it in my update, but, again, I ended up deleting things. Will carry on with it today/tonight!

You know....I love that last pic of the fireworks and the castle. Very pretty and spooky Halloween at the same time. :thumbsup2

I am just so happy that TTA is opened again. I really missed it in May!

Thanks for the compliment, coming from the expert photographer LL! :thumbsup2 I just really struggle with those fireworks. But come May, I'm gonna kill it down there with a new camera!

Yes, you will get to ride TTA to your heart's content in January. And Space Mtn will be up!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't WAIT for that come May!:woohoo:

Charleston Princess

10-06-2009, 09:12 AM

I knew Connor would love that fish! :rotfl: OMG I crack myself up when I think how he would have reacted to THAT in a restaurant! :rotfl:

He probably would have had to move tables and eat alone! :lmao:

I just you just have to have a little pain before enjoying the pleasure of a Disney trip! So, it's all good!

It's like the dress rehearsal before a performance. ;)

I really thought that was Denny, but I looked again and thought, "uhmm, not so sure".

There goes, Mary Ellen -- taking random pics of guys. :rotfl:

jenjolt

10-06-2009, 11:04 AM

What a hoot it was to read this update!! I enjoyed your pictures...the castle looked really creepy yet beautiful at the same time I really loved that!!!! TTA is such a great ride although it was very creepy for me to ride on it at night, I think Paula may have freaked me out while I was on that ride LOL I scare easily LOL!!!!! I was hoping for a sneak peak too at Space Mountain but no such luck!!

LOL...well let's hope its Denny...if not what a cute pic to have of some random guy at Disney LOL!!!!!

Can't wait for more...sorry you lost your full update...what a bummer!! Thanks for sharing this with us though!

podsnel

10-06-2009, 11:22 AM

ugh! I hate when that happens- when you lose your whole update!!! Really! It just stinks!

And FWIW, I thought your automatic/ no tri-pod pics were great!!!:cool1:

MEK

10-06-2009, 11:36 AM

He probably would have had to move tables and eat alone! :lmao:

:rotfl2: Oh I can just see that. Well, if it makes you feel any better my 16year old, Brian, would have to move to another table, too. He despises fish!

There goes, Mary Ellen -- taking random pics of guys. :rotfl:

I am going to blame that mishap on the sangria, the champagne, and the sleep deprivation!

What a hoot it was to read this update!! I enjoyed your pictures...the castle looked really creepy yet beautiful at the same time I really loved that!!!!

Thanks. glad you liked the creepy castle picture. I can't wait to see the pics from yours and Pauls's trip. Are you doing a joint TR? Can't wait!

TTA is such a great ride although it was very creepy for me to ride on it at night, I think Paula may have freaked me out while I was on that ride LOL I scare easily LOL!!!!! I was hoping for a sneak peak too at Space Mountain but no such luck!!

You who are intoxicated by the Haunted Mansion scare easily?????NO! What the heck was she doing to freak you out?

Can't wait for more...sorry you lost your full update...what a bummer!! Thanks for sharing this with us though!

I do not know what my problem was last night, but TWICE I lost the pictures I posted of HM! I will try again tonight! The whole time I was thinking about you....thinking ...oh Jen is going to be so proud of me for taking these pics!

ugh! I hate when that happens- when you lose your whole update!!! Really! It just stinks!

I will never post an update again when I keep falling asleep. That is just a recipe for disaster. Fortunately I am much more awake today, so tonight's update better go smoother.

And FWIW, I thought your automatic/ no tri-pod pics were great!!!:cool1:

Any you forgot to mention the sangria and champagne I drank right BEFORE taking them! :rotfl: Thanks for the compliment!

LOVEMY3KIDDOS

10-06-2009, 11:59 AM

Ok! All caught up!!! So far so good! Good job on the car upgrade and glad to see you made it around alive with the shaking wheel! LOL
It sounds like you had a nice dinner with just the two of you at Narcoossees! Ahhhhh...what that must be like...a dinner without kids! Some day!!! But, the fish...eh, not sure if I could have stayed to look at that for the whole dinner! It was a bit scary! Actually it was so big and alive-looking that it was like you had a dinner for three! LOL
The fireworks pix look good! Just had to get a little taste of the MK in, right? Tired or not! I get that! We don't land until 10 pm in December...I wish I could get to a park, any park. But, it will be too late!

eandesmom

10-06-2009, 12:21 PM

I had to read this a few times, but NOW I get it. Slick! Nice try! I don't blame you at all for not letting him drive. Why do teens think adults are so lame that they don't know what's really going on. :rolleyes1 Remind me to tell you about the time in July when Brian "stole" my car while I was sleeping.

By the way, 1am seems like a really late curfew to me.

Oh my!

I couldn't agree more about the curfew. It's one of those situations where I bite my tounge as that is between Jeff and his ex to decide what they are ok with and that's what the law is. That said the E's will NOT be allowed out that late when they are that age! It's 1am on Friday and Sat...I forget what on weeknights...maybe midnight? He can't have anyone in the car with him that is under 21 unless they are family for the 1st 6 months.

I used some big plastic packing bubbles that were inside of box that was shipped to me recently. I put the wine and water inside a cardboard box and then put the cardboard box inside the cooler. I used the packing bubbles to cushion everything. Worked like a charm. :thumbsup2 The only stupid thing I did was fill the whole thing with ice after we arrived. Silly me.... I forgot to take the cardboard box out first. :laughing: That was messy!

Ok now it makes sense, the cardboard would stablize it perfectly, that was the part I couldn't figure out! How funny about the box, I would totally do that. In fact, I have although usually it's a beer 6 pack paper holder lol.

I'm glad you explained the whole process to me, because it does seem crazy that they did not filet the fish properly.

It does make me curious as to whether I could still do it

Going without the teens was so much fun. We are now planning another teenager free trip for May! :woohoo:

I want one of those :) just no kids...teens or otherwise!

A Magical Evening at the MK (AKA "My aching feet")

OK....you are not going to believe this. this has never happened to me before. I just started working on an update and I LOST it! It vanished! Poof....gone......into thin air. I am so exhausted from my late night at Dorney, that I actually started to fall asleep and I must have closed my update by mistake. OK...that really stinks.

I hate that! so frustrating. I've started doing mine in a word doc that I save until I go to post, it's been working much better. Of course it means I go on and on and on...

So when I left off, we had just left Narcoosees to hop the monorail to MK. Originally I thought we would watch Wishes from the Narcoosee's deck, but I realized that we had just enough to get over to MK before Wishes started. If you read my June 09 TR you might remember that my camera batteries died and I almost got into a fight with a woman right after I went up on the deck outside of the train station to photograph Wishes. It was not one of the highlights of my June trip.

I totally forgot about that, yikes!

Wooh...Where did Denny go?

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney050.jpg

Wait....I'm not even sure if that is Denny.

Oh, there's that crazy castle again.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney056.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney054-1.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney057.jpg
[/QUOTE]

Love the pumpkins and you've got some nice castle shots. I agree with you about point and shoot and fireworks...sad, but true.

jenjolt

10-06-2009, 12:26 PM

I know...me the HM fanatic...scares easily...she got me a few times so that should be a lot of fun to share with you all LOL!! Yes we are doing a joint TR and I'm currently working on getting the pics uploaded onto photobucket and then we'll discuss a title and we will go from there LOL!! Hopefully later this week we will have it up and running LOL!!!!!

OOOH you took HM pictures..I cannot wait to see them!! YAY! Something utterly fabulous to look forward too!!!!!

praisehisname

10-06-2009, 12:41 PM

I'm really enjoying your report, because DH and I are doing the same thing in December! 4 nights at the Pop, no kids! Can't wait!!!

Denise

MEK

10-06-2009, 07:04 PM

Ok! All caught up!!! So far so good! Good job on the car upgrade and glad to see you made it around alive with the shaking wheel! LOL

Welcome! :cool1::banana::cool1::rotfl2: It would have been a really good upgrade if we didn't have that shaky wheel. I think we forgot about the shaky steering wheel until they day we needed to drive back and go over 62mph!

It sounds like you had a nice dinner with just the two of you at Narcoossees! Ahhhhh...what that must be like...a dinner without kids! Some day!!! But, the fish...eh, not sure if I could have stayed to look at that for the whole dinner! It was a bit scary! Actually it was so big and alive-looking that it was like you had a dinner for three! LOL

It really was a nice dinner and it is sooooooo nice to eat without kids. It was also nice that no one else's kids were there. I saw very few young children during any of our meals. :thumbsup2 (Not that I don't like young kids)

The fireworks pix look good! Just had to get a little taste of the MK in, right? Tired or not! I get that! We don't land until 10 pm in December...I wish I could get to a park, any park. But, it will be too late!

Yup....you bet. At first I thought I would be satisfied just to go out to dinner and watch fireworks from the deck, but then the MK bug bit and I knew I needed more...more....MORE!

Oh my!

I couldn't agree more about the curfew. It's one of those situations where I bite my tounge as that is between Jeff and his ex to decide what they are ok with and that's what the law is. That said the E's will NOT be allowed out that late when they are that age! It's 1am on Friday and Sat...I forget what on weeknights...maybe midnight? He can't have anyone in the car with him that is under 21 unless they are family for the 1st 6 months.

I like 10pm much better as a curfew! We also have the same restriction about extra kids in the car for the first 6 months.

Ok now it makes sense, the cardboard would stablize it perfectly, that was the part I couldn't figure out! How funny about the box, I would totally do that. In fact, I have although usually it's a beer 6 pack paper holder lol.

Yeah. It worked like a charm. Love that cooler!

I want one of those :) just no kids...teens or otherwise!

It was the best. You definately deserve a date night for your next trip!!!!!!

I hate that! so frustrating. I've started doing mine in a word doc that I save until I go to post, it's been working much better. Of course it means I go on and on and on...

I probably should start doing that. But the real problem was that I was way too tired to be doing an update and I kept nodding off and clicking stuff on the computer by mistake! Not good! :sad2:

Love the pumpkins and you've got some nice castle shots. I agree with you about point and shoot and fireworks...sad, but true.

I'm pretty pleased with the castle shots, but, no matter what, I will have better firework pics next trip!

I know...me the HM fanatic...scares easily...she got me a few times so that should be a lot of fun to share with you all LOL!! Yes we are doing a joint TR and I'm currently working on getting the pics uploaded onto photobucket and then we'll discuss a title and we will go from there LOL!! Hopefully later this week we will have it up and running LOL!!!!!

OOOH you took HM pictures..I cannot wait to see them!! YAY! Something utterly fabulous to look forward too!!!!!

Oh, I can't wait to hear how Paula got you! I still have to finish uploading my pics, too. I took about 1500 pics in 5 days. Seesh! I ran out of memory cards and I had to start deleting! :laughing: Can't wait to see what title you come up with. Can't wait to see the pics!

My HM pics are not that great, but I finally got one of the bride! I really started to memorize the different scenes of the HM. I rode it a bunch of times and it is addictive! I just wish I had you there to narrate all the different scenes.

I'm really enjoying your report, because DH and I are doing the same thing in December! 4 nights at the Pop, no kids! Can't wait!!!

Denise

Welcome Denise! :cool1::banana::cool1: You are going to have such a great time! We had a blast! December is such a great time to visit with the Christmas decorations!

MEK

10-06-2009, 08:13 PM

I don't know what the problem was last night but I lost more trip report and deleted more pictures in one 2 hour time span than I have in my whole Dis career! LOL. I think I was just too tired to be posting. I kept falling asleep, jerking awake, and making bad key strokes.

So when I left off last night we had just finished riding TTA. I must have blacked-out for a bit after that, because I really don't remember walking to the back of MK to ride Big Thunder. I just remember it being a walk on. Perhaps the fastest walk-on of all times because before I knew it we were loading.

We had a blast. Here is a trick for making Big Thunder go faster - sleep 2 1/2hrs, drink sangria with a champagne chaser, then ride. Works like a charm. Makes Big Thunder go 30% faster. I'm not kidding - try it! I was screaming like a baby....scream, laugh, scream, laugh! So fun!

I couldn't quite convince DH that a ride on Splash was in order. "I don't want to get wet", he prostested. If I had Wigd's shower cap I would have put it on his head and said, "let's go". But I figured there was plenty of time for splash, so we set out to ride HM.

I have to tell you that I think I am becoming an HM addict. I don't really remember how many times I rode it this trip, but it was alot. I tried really hard to take in all the details. I enjoyed it more with every ride. I decided to take a few pictures of the stretching room.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney080.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney077.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney078.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney079.jpg

And the great madame.......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney081.jpg

I photographed that crazy bride,too, but I did it later in the trip. Must go in order!

After the HM we decided to check out the Hall of Presidents. The next show wasn't for another 15 minutes, so we just nosed around and took a few more pics....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney089.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney088.jpg

The ceiling.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney087.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney085.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney086.jpg

And, of course, a light fixture outside the building for LL...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney083.jpg

We decided not to stick around for the presidents, but we were able to see it later in the week. We were both getting a bit weary so we headed to the front of the park to catch the monorail. Next stop.....the GF.

Once we got inside I decided I had to get MORE pictures.....so here they are......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney094.jpg

Just a few short hours ago this lobby had been teaming with people, but now the GF looked like a ghost town.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney110.jpg

The Mercantile.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney101.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney097.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney099.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney104.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney105.jpg

Check out this beautiful ceiling.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney109.jpg

Some more cool floor pics....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney112.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney115.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney113.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney114.jpg

I really wanted a picture of this car, and since this girl looked so good posing in front of it, I decided not to wait for her to move. lol.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney117.jpg

By the time we reached the GF my feet were really hurting from walking around in my silly black sandals. Ouch! And we still had that 1/2 mile walk back to the car. We put it off as long as we could and finally made the trek back to the ADR car. We got to Pop without difficulty, filled our mugs with some soda (they don't have the frozen cokes anymore - bummer), and dragged our butts into bed. It was around 11:30. I was asleep in seconds flat.....and that's a wrap for Day 1!

Oops....I almost forgot....I felt compelled to take a picture of the GF map. Just in case I hit the lottery and really ever get to stay there (lol I wish)

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20sept%2009%20Day%201/Sept2009-Disney100.jpg

Next up....More Anniversary Surprises at Epcot...and what do you mean that's double booking?

Lady Lallie

10-06-2009, 08:33 PM

Your poor feet! I totally feel your pain!

Thanks for the light fixture.

I'm totally in love with the floors and ceiling at Grand Floridian. I really need to make it over there and check it out.

faerieprincess

10-06-2009, 09:37 PM

We got to Pop without difficulty, filled our mugs with some soda (they don't have the frozen cokes anymore - bummer), and dragged our butts into bed. It was around 11:30. I was asleep in seconds flat.....and that's a wrap for Day 1!

No more frozen cokes!!! noooooo!!! :scared1::eek::sad2:

Sounds like a wonderful first day - i'm so sorry about your feet though - i hope that didn't turn out to be a theme of the trip!

eandesmom

10-06-2009, 09:39 PM

Oh I love those floor pictures! I didn't notice that at all on the floor when Kendall and I had our girls morning over there. I need to go back just to see them.

I love your recipe for making BTMRR go faster. However I'm not sure my head would love that combo the next day. Sangria is really not my friend.

I don't know that I'll ever be able to convince Jeff that WDW is a good trip for just the 2 of us but you never know. I do have a date trip planned for next month though! I'm not sure if we will do a date night on the August trip, although I'd like to....I actually hadn't factored that in yet!

hmmn.

silky and leather?

OW!

wigdoutdismom

10-06-2009, 11:13 PM

Oh, ouch on the feet, I guess it's a good idea to carry some comfy footwear along with the pretty ones.:cutie:

So now I see you know the importance of always carrying a shower cap, you never know when it will come in handy!

Beautiful GF pics!

brookelizabeth

10-06-2009, 11:39 PM

What a great, and FULL, first day! And what are the odds of getting the same room twice??? :laughing:

I'm so excited to ride the TTA in December. I hear it has a new soundtrack though that started on October 2? :sad2:

I've never noticed the detail on the floor at the GF, just beautiful!!!!

Diamondintheruff

10-06-2009, 11:47 PM

The GF is gorgeous from the floor to the ceiling that's for sure!

Hope your feet bounce back tomorrow.

praisehisname

10-07-2009, 05:39 AM

The GF is sooo pretty! :love:

Denise

Charleston Princess

10-07-2009, 05:55 AM

I shall have to remember to NOT follow your advice to make Thunder Mountain go faster -- it feels fast enough to me, thank you very much (you know what a ride chicken I am). :laughing:

I am such a Haunted Mansion fanatic! Love that ride! You got some great pictures!

The Grand Floridian always has such beautiful gorgeous arrangements. I would love to stay there one day, too. :laughing: about the car pic with the woman in it.

Your poor feet -- I hope they feel better the next day.

ILuvCrush

10-07-2009, 08:14 AM

I thought there were rules against starting a new TR...while I'm in WDW!! Here I am on page...I dunno.... FAR AWAY from pg 1 anyways!!

I'm subscribing... then gonna catch up!

Paula

jenjolt

10-07-2009, 09:26 AM

WOOT HM Pictures!! I loved them!!!! I enjoyed all of your pictures this update especially the GF lobby!! Isn't it gorgeous!! I am just in awe every single time I walk into there!! I doubt I will ever be able to afford it but I like to dream!!! Even the GF smells wonderful!!!! LOL!!!

I'm sorry you had achy feet!! I hope a good night's rest was all they needed to feel better!!!!

Anxious for more!!

MEK

10-07-2009, 10:41 AM

Your poor feet! I totally feel your pain!

Thanks for the light fixture.

I'm totally in love with the floors and ceiling at Grand Floridian. I really need to make it over there and check it out.

I don't even remember exactly where that portion of the floor or ceiling was located. I just remember the place was vacant, so I snapped to my heart's content!

No more frozen cokes!!! noooooo!!! :scared1::eek::sad2:

I know, I know......I had no idea the frozen cokes where gone, gone, gone. In its place was the ever popular, but certainly non-equivalent, blue powerade! :sad2 I guess those frozen coke machines broke one too many times! I loved them though!

Sounds like a wonderful first day - i'm so sorry about your feet though - i hope that didn't turn out to be a theme of the trip!

We had a great first day and, unfortunately, the feet do become a recurring theme! :sad1:

Oh I love those floor pictures! I didn't notice that at all on the floor when Kendall and I had our girls morning over there. I need to go back just to see them.

Isn't that floor just amazing? Did I read somewhere that the tiles where new? Not sure, but I feel like I may have read that here.

I love your recipe for making BTMRR go faster. However I'm not sure my head would love that combo the next day. Sangria is really not my friend.

Too bad. That sangria was really, really good. Whenever I feel like I could use a stiff drink, I conjure up the image of that sangria. I need to learn to make it just like that!

I don't know that I'll ever be able to convince Jeff that WDW is a good trip for just the 2 of us but you never know. I do have a date trip planned for next month though! I'm not sure if we will do a date night on the August trip, although I'd like to....I actually hadn't factored that in yet!

Unfortunately, WDW is a little too far for you and Jeff for a date trip. I think that's why DVC loves us east coast people so much. 2 hours and we are there. But, I do recommend a date night for you in August. You deserve it and you've got built in baby sitters (ie. the teens). :)

silky and leather?

OW!

Leather. Really inflexible leather!

Oh, ouch on the feet, I guess it's a good idea to carry some comfy footwear along with the pretty ones.:cutie:

You know....I usually plan better. I don't know what I was thinking by not packing my crocs. :confused3 I didn't make that mistake twice!

So now I see you know the importance of always carrying a shower cap, you never know when it will come in handy!

I may seriously pack one on my next trip because I could have really used one a few days later! :rolleyes1

Beautiful GF pics!

Thanks!

What a great, and FULL, first day! And what are the odds of getting the same room twice??? :laughing:

Go figure! That will probably never happen again? Or will it???? Boy would I like my former Vero Beach room twice!

I'm so excited to ride the TTA in December. I hear it has a new soundtrack though that started on October 2? :sad2:

Really????? I liked that old one, but now I am really curious to hear the new one. popcorn::

I've never noticed the detail on the floor at the GF, just beautiful!!!!

I bet if any one of us won the lottery, that would be the first thing we would do. Build a new house and replicate the GF lobby floor in our foyer!

The GF is gorgeous from the floor to the ceiling that's for sure!

:thumbsup2 No debate there. It is an amazing place!

Hope your feet bounce back tomorrow.

:sad2: Not quite!

LOVEMY3KIDDOS

10-07-2009, 10:49 AM

MEK

10-07-2009, 10:54 AM

The GF is sooo pretty! :love:

Denise

I hope you and your DH are planning a visit there during your December trip. You will not regret it! (Except that it will make you want to check-in on the spot). :rotfl:

I shall have to remember to NOT follow your advice to make Thunder Mountain go faster -- it feels fast enough to me, thank you very much (you know what a ride chicken I am). :laughing:

.

Yes - CP - following my advice would definately NOT be a good idea for you! :laughing:

I am such a Haunted Mansion fanatic! Love that ride! You got some great pictures!

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 for the HM. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite rides!

The Grand Floridian always has such beautiful gorgeous arrangements. I would love to stay there one day, too. :laughing: about the car pic with the woman in it.

Your poor feet -- I hope they feel better the next day.

:rotfl:I hope she didn't think I was stalking her, but she was very attractive so I let her stay in the picture. If she hadn't been that pretty I would have definately waited for her to leave. I'm so bad!

As for me feet - I think you know the answer to that one!

I thought there were rules against starting a new TR...while I'm in WDW!! Here I am on page...I dunno.... FAR AWAY from pg 1 anyways!!

I'm subscribing... then gonna catch up!

Paula

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo: Yeah - Paula's here! Welcome back! I hope you had a great time!!!!

I think the gang is all here now. Is anyone missing? Yes, C.....is C here yet?????I feel like she's here, but maybe she's not. :confused3

WOOT HM Pictures!! I loved them!!!! I enjoyed all of your pictures this update especially the GF lobby!! Isn't it gorgeous!! I am just in awe every single time I walk into there!! I doubt I will ever be able to afford it but I like to dream!!! Even the GF smells wonderful!!!! LOL!!!

!

thanks Jen. The lobby is so beautiful! I really wish I had a bit more time to explore there. I certainly can understand why people want to stay there. I thought it might feel stuffy, but I didn't think so. It just felt amazing. So who knows????? Maybe, someday, those of us who haven't stayed there will get their chance!

I'm sorry you had achy feet!! I hope a good night's rest was all they needed to feel better!!!!

Anxious for more!!

Well, you can guess what happened with the feet. But, honestly, I tried really hard not to let it slow me down because it was my own darn fault for not preparing better.

Anyway, I am not sure if I will post tonight or not. I have a lot going on, but I did upload half my Day 2 pics and I realize I have soooooooo many things to talk about. My pictures definately got better on Day 2! Sleep will do that!

MEK

10-07-2009, 11:03 AM

Ahhhhh! The Grand Floridian sure is....well, Grand! I love it there just for the sheer beauty! Even if we were willing to put out that kind of money for a hotel, DH would not stay there...he doesn't like it??!! He thinks it is too stuffy for him and the kids would be a bother to other guests. So, I guess I'm out of luck! Oh well! At least your aching feet got to bed at a fairly decent hour and they got a nice dinner and a few great rides! ;)

I always had the vision of the GF being a bit stuffy, too. But I actually didn't feel that way as we were passing through. It just seemed like any other big, busy lobby in WDW. I think that's one of the money things I love so much about WDW. I think everyone gets the same special treatment no matter who you are or what your economic resources are. You are an important customer and you get treated that way! Not so in many other places.

mickeysmyboy

10-07-2009, 01:32 PM

I LOVE your HM pictures!! Sooo great! I must confess, I'm becoming a bit of a HM addict too! I really think it's an imagineering masterpiece!! I can't wait to ride it on Halloween and see the storyteller outside!!!

I'm sorry your feet hurt so much! When DH and went to Artist Point and then Cirque in March I wore cute, black, strappy flats. Holy cow my feet hurt soooo bad! I actually gave up and walked barefoot! DH thought I was completely insane for walking around barefoot but it was on our way from cirque to the bus and his only other option was to carry me!

Charleston Princess

10-07-2009, 10:14 PM

I am such a dork -- I totally thought you had updated again, and here I was ready to comment -- but I see I already have. Must have been wishful thinking...popcorn::

KathyRN137

10-08-2009, 12:17 AM

Yikes, Mary Ellen, you're at 7 pages already... I'm so behind! :eek:

I'm here now, but will have to go back and read from the beginning tomorrow; its already after midnight and I must go to bed....

ZZZZZZZZ

Kathy

dawnbu40

10-08-2009, 06:55 AM

Great pics of the GF! They showed a lot of details that I had never noticed!

Mickey_Mom

10-08-2009, 07:09 AM

Hi there :wave: Really enjoying your report so far.... that fish was :crazy2: and your run on BTMR was hilarious... :laughing:

DWGal210

10-08-2009, 08:59 AM

Another fun update! What I am about to say is blasphemous I'm sure but....I have never been on the Haunted Mansion. :scared1: I know!! I've been bad! It's for sure on the list for our December trip. :thumbsup2

MEK

10-08-2009, 10:15 AM

I LOVE your HM pictures!! Sooo great! I must confess, I'm becoming a bit of a HM addict too! I really think it's an imagineering masterpiece!! I can't wait to ride it on Halloween and see the storyteller outside!!!

It really is. You are so lucky to ride it on Halloween!!!!!!! That would be so cool!

I
I'm sorry your feet hurt so much! When DH and went to Artist Point and then Cirque in March I wore cute, black, strappy flats. Holy cow my feet hurt soooo bad! I actually gave up and walked barefoot! DH thought I was completely insane for walking around barefoot but it was on our way from cirque to the bus and his only other option was to carry me!

I definately thought about walking barefoot a few times. Why not?....My tetanus shot was up to date! Somehow I just couldn't bring myself to do it!

I am such a dork -- I totally thought you had updated again, and here I was ready to comment -- but I see I already have. Must have been wishful thinking...popcorn::

Believe me, if I could, I would update everynight. But I went to Nick's soccer game and got home too late to do anything other than housework! I hope to get one done tonight, but that's still iffy.

Yikes, Mary Ellen, you're at 7 pages already... I'm so behind! :eek:

I'm here now, but will have to go back and read from the beginning tomorrow; its already after midnight and I must go to bed....

ZZZZZZZZ

Kathy

Hey Kathy....Welcome! I have no smilies to welcome you, because they won't work on my work computer today! SOOOO glad to have you join in no matter what the page!

Great pics of the GF! They showed a lot of details that I had never noticed!

Thanks Dawn. I definately had fun taking pictures at the GF. I'm ready to go back!!

Another fun update! What I am about to say is blasphemous I'm sure but....I have never been on the Haunted Mansion. :scared1: I know!! I've been bad! It's for sure on the list for our December trip. :thumbsup2

Well, it's a darn good thing I can't post any smilies today because I would have to give you a triple eek! I hope that Jen is covering her ears.LOL.
So you must ride in December. I will admit, when I first started riding it I didn't love it. I was sort-of eh towards it. But the more I ride it and the more I learn about it, the more I love it. I am just one of those people who has to have alot of repeat exposure before I can notice all the details. So make sure you ride it a few times and definately go back and read Jen Jolt's gnome TR because she describes HM like no other.

Hi there :wave: Really enjoying your report so far.... that fish was :crazy2: and your run on BTMR was hilarious... :laughing:

HI Mickey Mom - I have nothing special to welcome you with because everything is frozen on this dumb *&$%@ computer. But I am SOOOOOO glad to have you following along. Glad you are enjoying the TR so far.

mickeysmyboy

10-08-2009, 10:57 AM

It really is. You are so lucky to ride it on Halloween!!!!!!! That would be so cool!

I definately thought about walking barefoot a few times. Why not?....My tetanus shot was up to date! Somehow I just couldn't bring myself to do it!

I can't wait for a halloween ride on HM :cloud9:

I couldn't bare to walk in those stinken sandals anymore, I actually thought for a second about tossing them in the garbage!!

MEK

10-08-2009, 10:31 PM

I can't wait for a halloween ride on HM :cloud9:

I couldn't bare to walk in those stinken sandals anymore, I actually thought for a second about tossing them in the garbage!!

:rotfl2::rotfl2: That's pretty funny.....it's sure one way to destroy the enemy!:laughing:

MEK

10-08-2009, 11:00 PM

I was hoping to do a full update tonight, but it is already after 10:30pm. So,,,I decided to show you a few pictures of POP. When we got back to Pop on arrival day, we pretty much just crashed into bed. I heard nothing all night long. Pop is sometimes refered to the as "the home of the turbo toilets", but I heard nothing during our first two nights. No toilets, no showers, no water running, no yelling, no screaming. It was very pleasant. But notice, I said ...."First two nights". I will tell you about night 3 when we get there, so be patient! I stayed in Pop, same room (remember), in 2008 and I heard showers going at 2am every night. I could have used earplugs for that trip.

When I got up I grabbed our mugs and headed for some delicious nescafe coffee, :eek: I really only drank it for my caffiene fix, Every morning I threw out half the mug, Bleeeeech! We got up around 7am, drank yucky coffee, and went for a run along the lake. It was nice and quiet and the morning temperatures were pleasant. We hit the 50's parking lot and circled round to the food court to pick up some muffins with our snack credits.

Here is the view from our room.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney1493.jpg

Here is a view of the front of our building and the stairs. Noticed I focused on the speakers because it played 70's music all day. It was like being on an episode of "That 70's show". Just like Kidani, the music was well suited to the resort theme.

Here is more 70's:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney1490.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney1492.jpg

As we came down the stairs we could see Goofy to our left:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney1564.jpg

We really did have an excellent room location. No complaints there.

So ....

Coffee....check

Run........check

Muffins...check

Time to get dressed and ready to go. Here's a picture of the lovely ADR car waiting for us.......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney120.jpg

So, hey....it's not much, but up next......Epcot and "what do you mean its double booking?"

eandesmom

10-08-2009, 11:10 PM

Your feet look much happier!

Not that we saw a picture of you looking oh-so fabulous but....

:)

Sleep is good. Especially with sore tootsies!

Double booking???????????

:scared1:

Charleston Princess

10-09-2009, 05:59 AM

Hurray for a mini-update! Pop is always so fun-looking -- we have only ever stayed there once, but I loved their food court and all the little nods to the different decades!

mickeysmyboy

10-09-2009, 06:33 AM

Love the mini update!! The pop pics look great!! What's this about double booking?!

2xcited2sleep

10-09-2009, 06:51 AM

My goodness! Where have I been? I didn't know you started! How embarrassing especially after that nice shout-out in your opening. :flower3: I have to go off to stupid work now but am looking forward to coming home tonight and catching up!!

It was so great to meet you and Denny! I'm so glad we were able to make it work! Already looking forward to next time... let's start planning F&W 2010! :thumbsup2

MEK

10-09-2009, 08:20 AM

Your feet look much happier!

Not that we saw a picture of you looking oh-so fabulous but....

:)

Sleep is good. Especially with sore tootsies!

Double booking???????????

:scared1:

My feet felt fine again in the morning, but things quickly went downhill from there! :sad2:

Yes....I will tell you the double booking story tonight! It's coming. :surfweb:

Hurray for a mini-update! Pop is always so fun-looking -- we have only ever stayed there once, but I loved their food court and all the little nods to the different decades!

Pop really is so fun looking! I remember the first time I saw it. I was staying at CBR and I kept seeing this strange lights off in the distance. I finally realized that they were the blowling pins of the 50's building. So I took a run over there and was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. I thought it was so animated.

I really wanted to take pictures of all the shadow boxes in the main lobby, but I never got back there to do it. I spent so much time photographing other resorts and I neglected Pop a bit!

Love the mini update!! The pop pics look great!! What's this about double booking?!

Thanks! I will say that one area I really like at POP is the gift shop. I think the resort has one of the best gift shops and I love how it flows right into the food court. Smart.....very smart!

Double booking.....coming up tonight!

My goodness! Where have I been? I didn't know you started! How embarrassing especially after that nice shout-out in your opening. :flower3: I have to go off to stupid work now but am looking forward to coming home tonight and catching up!!

It was so great to meet you and Denny! I'm so glad we were able to make it work! Already looking forward to next time... let's start planning F&W 2010! :thumbsup2

:cool1::banana::cool1: Hey C - So glad you made it! It really was fun meeting you, too! I knew exactly who you were as soon as you walked in, which was so cool! Plus...I want everyone to know that as cute as you are in your pictures, you are even prettier in real life!!!!! :flower3:

I am certain I would like to do a food and wine trip next year. I know I can't leave the home front for a long trip, but I KNOW I can manage a 4 or 5 night trip! Hopefully there will be free dining again, because I'd rather do that then stay on points. I'm saving my points for a 2011 soccer mom's trip.

podsnel

10-09-2009, 10:13 AM

MEK

10-09-2009, 11:19 AM

I always think POP looks so cool and well themed. Our DME pulled in there last November on the way to AKV, and my DH was like "DUH...what's this???"
:rotfl2: Good thing he didn't see it BEFORE we bought those DVC points!!:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Yikes! Now that's a scary thought! :rotfl2::lmao::rotfl: But seriously, that's what I really like about Disney. I love, love, love all the DVC digs (and one of these days I WILL stay at all of them), but I can quickly adapt to a value stay during the low season, especially if that's what my pocket book is calling for! :thumbsup2

DWGal210

10-09-2009, 12:24 PM

Great mini-update! Loved it! :thumbsup2

Looking forward to your update tonight...double booking, huh? The plot thickens....:stir: :rotfl:

Planning fanatic mom

10-09-2009, 04:35 PM

AAWWW!! I miss POP. :love: We really liked it there. Loved seeing your pics.

I have never heard of the word "Double Booking" before. I'm scared.:confused:

Mickey_Mom

10-09-2009, 06:32 PM

Love Pop! Did you do the Hustle? ;)

mickeysmyboy

10-09-2009, 07:48 PM

Love Pop! Did you do the Hustle? ;)

:rotfl2: LOL!! I just got this vision of Mary Ellen stand there rolling her arms and doing the one finger arm pump thing!!

ibedancin824

10-09-2009, 08:58 PM

Yay for the Pop pics we stayed there in august and would def stay again! ;)

wigdoutdismom

10-09-2009, 09:01 PM

Double booking? Sounds illegal!:lmao:

MEK

10-09-2009, 10:50 PM

Great mini-update! Loved it! :thumbsup2

Looking forward to your update tonight...double booking, huh? The plot thickens....:stir: :rotfl:

Thanks! I am so behind right now. I am going to do another short post until my son gets home, then I am going to sleep. Things got a little crazy tonight. I was really hoping to get to the double booking part, but that will probably have to wait until tomorrow.

AAWWW!! I miss POP. :love: We really liked it there. Loved seeing your pics.

I have never heard of the word "Double Booking" before. I'm scared.:confused:

Pop is a pretty cool place. I regret not taking more pictures, but I did save a few more for later.

Ahhhhhh...not to worry......the double booking will make sense very soon.

Love Pop! Did you do the Hustle? ;)

Thanks Mickey Mom - now I am going to have that song stuck in my head for the next 24 hours! :rotfl2: No, I didn't actually "do" the Hustle, but I definately heard it played!

:rotfl2: LOL!! I just got this vision of Mary Ellen stand there rolling her arms and doing the one finger arm pump thing!!

do do, do do, do do do do do......
do do, do do, do do do do do
Do the Hustle.........

Thanks peeps. 11pm and I am ready to get up and do the hustle. :cool1: Yikes!

Yay for the Pop pics we stayed there in august and would def stay again! ;)

:woohoo:Welcome Nicole :woohoo:
I hope you had a great trip! I promise to head over and check out your trippie. I know what your say'in .....I could head right back to Pop tomorrow!

Double booking? Sounds illegal!:lmao:

I guess in WDW it is!!!!!!

Diamondintheruff

10-09-2009, 11:12 PM

You got me wondering about the double booking too.

But when Disney makes a mistake they try to make up for it big time so I'm hoping it all turns out to be in your best interest.

MEK

10-09-2009, 11:26 PM

I think I might change this installment to, "Delusions of Grandeur". What made me think I was going to get a post in tonight? I forgot I needed to review all my music for the confirmation at our church tomorrow. That took way too long. I got started late because I spent the dinner hour in the medical aide unit because of Brian's "turf toe". :rotfl2: Oh I just cracked myself up when I thought about all the possible pictures Shocker could post to illustrate that.

Anyway - turf toe is exactly what it says - the great toe gets inflamed and irritated for stubbing into a turf field repeatedly. This doesn't happen as much on grass fields. Brian showed his toe to the athletic trainer who told him to get it checked pronto before the toe nail needed to be removed. So I took him to the medical aide unit. No need for toe nail removal now, but he did get started on antibiotics which required another 30 minutes waiting at the pharmacy.

The worst part .....there was this poor little girl (I'm guessing 6 or 7 yrs old) with the most horrendous cough sitting right near me. :sick: Not only did she sound like she was really sick, but that horrible cough got to be extremely annoying. Just when I thought we would never have to hear her again, guess who shows up in the same pharmacy with her presription. Yup. Little miss whooping cough. :scared1:

So instead of sitting at the computer with a glass of wine, I sat in the doctor's office and the pharmacy. It was not exactly the way I envisioned my evening.

So back to the story........DH and I decided to drive to Epcot. Why? Because we could. Epcot is so close to Pop...love it. We parked in the AAA lot near the kennel club. We arrived at Epcot shortly after park opening and breezed through the bag check and the turnstiles. My plan was pretty loose today. I wanted to ride Soarin, see stormchasers, have late breakfast (1055ADR at Cape May Cafe) and chill in the world showcase. I felt like we spent a good amount of time in Epcot during our June trip and I think we got to do all of future world. I felt like I could easily skip TT and MS plus all the other attractions like Nemo,ect. The only thing I had an interest in doing was Ellen's energy adventure. But even that was a "take it or leave it" visit.

As we were walking over to Soarin it was easy to see how empty the park was. Sorry - no pics to prove it - you'll just have to trust me on this. We reached Soarin around 9:15 and it was pretty empty outside Sunshine Seasons. Normally this area would be busting with people, but not today. We got Soarin FP's and then checked out the standby line which said 10 mins. We, well really I, decided....what the heck?????? Let's go Standby. Can I just tell you that this was my first time riding soarin in the non -fp line. I have never ridden on this side. It was fun just going back through the queue. There were a lot of newbies on the ride, so it was fun listening to their conversations.

After Soarin I felt a little sad because there was no "Living with the Land" to ride. Remember, my batteries went dead on this ride in June. I was hoping for some pics. Instead, I needed to settle for a few balloon pictures....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney125.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney128.jpg

Our FP return time was after 1030. We left to go find this little attraction:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney136.jpg

On the way we took a few pics....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney133.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney129.jpg

Storm Struck was cute and informative. It was very interactive like the fire safety game. You sit in a very small theatre and on the walls surrounding you is a house, garage, and trees. You watch a simulated storm wipe out a house and many of the items surrounding it. Then the show asked the audience how they would construct certain portions of the property to keep it from getting destroyed. Our audience did well. We answered 9 of 10 questions completely. Once our changes were implemented we saw how our new house and garage would hold up in a storm.

I liked this attraction. I think I really learned some good stuff here. I'm glad I made time for it.

By now its probably 10:30. Time to start making our way over the CMC for some yummy food.

Up next......Over booking explained.

Diamondintheruff

10-10-2009, 12:25 AM

Turf Toe is a new one to me. But then my kids are dancers and hockey players. No turf for them. I'm very familiar with coldbutitis. I get it often myself from sitting at the ice rinks.

Never heard of storm chasers. It sounds cute.

wigdoutdismom

10-10-2009, 12:35 AM

Oh gosh Mary Ellen, I think Shocker's on google images.....:lmao:

I have never seen a 10 minute stand-by for Soarin nor have we ever ridden stand-by. I've always wondered what was going on, on the other side of the wall....

eandesmom

10-10-2009, 01:38 AM

Turf toe is new to me too! We've been dealing with cleat to the knee.....

Glad he got it treated!

walk on Soarin'?

Wow!

Charleston Princess

10-10-2009, 06:43 AM

Despite having a family of soccer players, I have never had to deal with turf toe -- all of our fields around here are grass. Sorry to hear about your evening -- that horrible cough is making its rounds around our school -- I feel like I should be wearing a HazMat suit in my classroom because there are so many germs swirling around me all day long. Yick!

I can't believe how quiet Epcot was for you! I guess that is the difference between going in the middle of September and going on the second weekend of Food and Wine. Stormchasers does sound really fun -- we never made it to it this trip, but I am putting it back on the list for next summer. ::yes::

MEK

10-10-2009, 06:58 AM

You got me wondering about the double booking too.

But when Disney makes a mistake they try to make up for it big time so I'm hoping it all turns out to be in your best interest.

The double booking mistake was actually mine, not there's. Promise to tell you soon!

Turf Toe is a new one to me. But then my kids are dancers and hockey players. No turf for them. I'm very familiar with coldbutitis. I get it often myself from sitting at the ice rinks.

Never heard of storm chasers. It sounds cute.

Coldbutitis - :rotfl2: Love that! I've had an occasional bout of that myself sitting on the cold, hard bleachers in November.

Strom chasers is in innoventions. It was pretty cute. I also recommend that fire safety game. That was a lot of fun. We did it in June. These are definately lesser attractions, but I've done everything else so its fun to try new things.

Oh gosh Mary Ellen, I think Shocker's on google images.....:lmao:

I have never seen a 10 minute stand-by for Soarin nor have we ever ridden stand-by. I've always wondered what was going on, on the other side of the wall....

I hope shocker can find something to make me laugh, because I was practically banging my head against the wall yesterday when the pharm tech told me it could be a 30 - 40 min wait. So Brian and I went next door to a pizza shop and ordered dinner. Brian said, "Mom, instead of complaining you should look at this as a chance for some quality bonding time". :lovestruc :hug: I shut right up. Bad mom!

The 10 min wait was unbelievable. I think it was only 15 or 20 mins when we came back out. It really was an amazingly uncrowded day.

Turf toe is new to me too! We've been dealing with cleat to the knee.....

Glad he got it treated!

walk on Soarin'?

Wow!

He has to take Cleocin four times a day!!!!!!! I'll be texting him every 6 hours - TAKE YOUR MED! If all goes well he should be able to play in his next game on Tuesday! If not, they gave me a name of a foot doctor to remove his toe nail. I seriously don't think it will go that far!

Yes....walk on Soarin at 9:15am. Very cool indeed!

Despite having a family of soccer players, I have never had to deal with turf toe -- all of our fields around here are grass. Sorry to hear about your evening -- that horrible cough is making its rounds around our school -- I feel like I should be wearing a HazMat suit in my classroom because there are so many germs swirling around me all day long. Yick!

I can't believe how quiet Epcot was for you! I guess that is the difference between going in the middle of September and going on the second weekend of Food and Wine. Stormchasers does sound really fun -- we never made it to it this trip, but I am putting it back on the list for next summer. ::yes::

More and more of the high schools have turf fields now, so most of their games are on turf. I have definately seen the incidence of this increase with the turf fields. Not to mention all the tiny black pellets that end up in your car, on your floor, and in the wash.

HazMat suit - :rotfl2: - I was thinking about that - How can teachers and people in doctor's offices stand all these germs. Yuch!!!!!!!!

I definately think the third week od September is a great time to go on the basis of crwd levels. But I really want to hit food and wine next year!

MEK

10-10-2009, 07:12 AM

Today is going to be another crazy day, but I am still optimistic for an update. In the meantime, I am going to post this picture to show you that I really DO know how to smile..........

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney165.jpg

p.s. when I wrote in last night's post that we parked in the handicapped lot, I meant to say we parked in the AAA lot. I went back and changed that! oops!

Charleston Princess

10-10-2009, 07:26 AM

More and more of the high schools have turf fields now, so most of their games are on turf. I have definately seen the incidence of this increase with the turf fields. Not to mention all the tiny black pellets that end up in your car, on your floor, and in the wash.

My nephew is in the 8th grade this year, so I guess we can look forward to that next year. :rolleyes:

HazMat suit - :rotfl2: - I was thinking about that - How can teachers and people in doctor's offices stand all these germs. Yuch!!!!!!!!

I can't begin to tell you how much Lysol and hand gel I have been going through lately. All the nastiness is hitting our school early this year -- one day this week I had five people out of my second period class.

I definately think the third week od September is a great time to go on the basis of crwd levels. But I really want to hit food and wine next year!

Food and Wine was worth dealing with the crowds. I want to go back next year, too, if finances allow it.

That's a great picture of you and Denny with Goofy!

dawnbu40

10-10-2009, 07:34 AM

I love Cape May's breakfast! What a cute picture and it looks almost empty in there!

Lady Lallie

10-10-2009, 08:55 AM

That is a really cute picture of you at Cape May!

I really wish I could be riding Soarin' this morning. :lovestruc

jenjolt

10-10-2009, 09:06 AM

Loved all of your updates MEK!! I just love the theming at POP it is such a fun resort!! Thank you for sharing your pics I'm really looking forward to staying there in January...if that's where we stay:rolleyes1 You never know LOL!!!

10 minute standby for Soarin...that is amazing!!! I'm glad you rode on it!!!! I have never seen that line that short!!! Really enjoyed your balloon pictures it is pretty in the Land Pavillion!!!

P and I did Stormchasers and it was a lot of fun!!! YAY!!! We enjoyed it!!!

I'm sorry you are having a rough week, I wish you a much better week next week! I'm glad DS is getting treated and hopefully will be 100% before you know it!! I have to agree with CP there is something awful going around. I think I picked it up at Disney and had a couple of days where the cold was hurting me but didn't defeat me!! So stay healthy!!!!!! I'm with Jackie though I need to find me a Hazmat suit LOL!! :rotfl:

Lady Lallie

10-10-2009, 09:13 AM

Thank you for sharing your pics I'm really looking forward to staying there in January...if that's where we stay:rolleyes1 You never know LOL!!!
Muhahahaha! I saw that! :rotfl2:

jenjolt

10-10-2009, 09:16 AM

Muhahahaha! I saw that! :rotfl2:

LOL...with us the possibilities are endless LOL!!!! That's part of the planning fun LOL:rotfl:

faerieprincess

10-10-2009, 09:33 AM

Yay, it is wonderful to see you smiling! Great mini updates and looking forward to more! :goodvibes

wigdoutdismom

10-10-2009, 09:46 AM

YOU my friend need to smile more often! So pretty!
Shocker did find some turf toe pictures to post but decided that I would get mad at him because they were just too gross.....:rolleyes1
I just hope that toe at home doesn't look anything like them!:eek:

MEK

10-10-2009, 12:35 PM

My nephew is in the 8th grade this year, so I guess we can look forward to that next year. :rolleyes:

Maybe. :confused3 I wonder if turf fields are a regional thing. Meaning, maybe in Georgia you get warmer weather so the grass fields are easier to maintain. Yet, on the other hand, you get warmer weather so the fields dry out faster. :confused3 uhmmmmm!

I can't begin to tell you how much Lysol and hand gel I have been going through lately. All the nastiness is hitting our school early this year -- one day this week I had five people out of my second period class.

I heard the nastiness is everywhere, already!!!!! :scared1: There was some serious nastiness in the medical aide unit last night and I'm not talking turf toe.

Food and Wine was worth dealing with the crowds. I want to go back next year, too, if finances allow it.

Oh.....I sooooooo want to go next year. I am totally planning on it. I am 95% sure its a 'go'. I'm hittin' it solo since Denny thinks he will need a break from WDW after the May trip!

That's a great picture of you and Denny with Goofy!

Thanks! I think Denny was tickling me so I would laugh!

I love Cape May's breakfast! What a cute picture and it looks almost empty in there!

It was empty in there. We had the last ADR time 1055 and only a few more people were seated after us. I recommend it as a good time to go. Lots and lots of character interaction. I love a late breakfast every once in awhile.

That is a really cute picture of you at Cape May!

I really wish I could be riding Soarin' this morning. :lovestruc

Thanks LL. The Denny tickle works every time! Ditto on riding Soarin'!

Loved all of your updates MEK!! I just love the theming at POP it is such a fun resort!! Thank you for sharing your pics I'm really looking forward to staying there in January...if that's where we stay:rolleyes1 You never know LOL!!!

Thanks Jen! We really enjoyed POP, too. Plus September and January are great months to stay there because it doesn't feel as crowded. I am curious as to where you guys end up. I KNOW you will get a killer AP rate somewhere. I am predicting POFQ as your final destination. :rolleyes1

10 minute standby for Soarin...that is amazing!!! I'm glad you rode on it!!!! I have never seen that line that short!!! Really enjoyed your balloon pictures it is pretty in the Land Pavillion!!!

Shortest line I have EVER seen for Soarin. :thumbsup2 Glad you liked the balloons.

P and I did Stormchasers and it was a lot of fun!!! YAY!!! We enjoyed it!!!

:thumbsup2 You probably knew all the stuff already, being a science teacher and all! :laughing: Next year - food and wine - we break up into teams and do the fire safety thing. Losers buy the winners grey goose slushies! :rotfl:

I'm sorry you are having a rough week, I wish you a much better week next week! I'm glad DS is getting treated and hopefully will be 100% before you know it!! I have to agree with CP there is something awful going around. I think I picked it up at Disney and had a couple of days where the cold was hurting me but didn't defeat me!! So stay healthy!!!!!! I'm with Jackie though I need to find me a Hazmat suit LOL!! :rotfl:

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 to the Hazmat suit! Thanks for the good wishes for a better week. I'm not sure why this week why so rough. But it just felt so ridicuously rushed and I felt like I just couldn't get ahead. And when I finally saw an end in sight.......the dreaded TURF TOE!

Muhahahaha! I saw that! :rotfl2:

I totally predict a split stay .... POP and POFQ. Sounds perfect to me!

LOL...with us the possibilities are endless LOL!!!! That's part of the planning fun LOL:rotfl:

I predict we will not know the outcome of this until AP rates are finally released. I hope you are both following the codes/rates thread for Jan AP rates. I followed that for June and found it really helpful!

Yay, it is wonderful to see you smiling! Great mini updates and looking forward to more! :goodvibes

Thanks! :love: I do look a lot less grouchy when I smile, don't I????? :laughing: I would say there is a good possibility I will get more done today!

YOU my friend need to smile more often! So pretty!

Thanks Anita. I really am trying to make a conscious effort to smile more! :rolleyes:

Shocker did find some turf toe pictures to post but decided that I would get mad at him because they were just too gross.....:rolleyes1
I just hope that toe at home doesn't look anything like them!

popcorn:: OK, now I'm curious. :laughing: I know the whole toe nail can end up coming off. Trust me, Brian's toe is probably not anywhere near as bad as the pictures shocker found.

Probably best that he not post anything too gross. I don't want to scare any of my readers away. As an alternate, I think I would be happy to settle for a picture of CP in that Hazmat suit. :lmao:

eandesmom

10-10-2009, 02:05 PM

Brian said, "Mom, instead of complaining you should look at this as a chance for some quality bonding time". :lovestruc :hug: I shut right up. Bad mom!

He has to take Cleocin four times a day!!!!!!! I'll be texting him every 6 hours - TAKE YOUR MED! If all goes well he should be able to play in his next game on Tuesday! If not, they gave me a name of a foot doctor to remove his toe nail. I seriously don't think it will go that far!

More and more of the high schools have turf fields now, so most of their games are on turf. I have definately seen the incidence of this increase with the turf fields. Not to mention all the tiny black pellets that end up in your car, on your floor, and in the wash.

I despise those black pellets. Kendall plays, and practices, on turf more often than not now and bleh! The boys like to roll around on the turf and it's like STOP! It completely sticks to the warmups especially...think I need to make the boys wear jeans to turf games.

I think all our HS and MS have at least one turf field , they just redid the field at Evans Elementary school and it has turf cut outs. Wild.

WTG Brian!

Today is going to be another crazy day, but I am still optimistic for an update. In the meantime, I am going to post this picture to show you that I really DO know how to smile..........

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney165.jpg

You need to do that more often! Great picture!!!!!!!

manntra

10-10-2009, 02:09 PM

Hi Mary Ellen! :wave:

I was with you on your Kickin it at Kidani TR and am so happy you did another one. I just got back from Kidani (last night....grrrrr) and LOVED IT....have stayed at Jambo three times and I must say I really enjoyed the quaint feeling at Kidani...yes it is smaller but I liked that the lobby wasn't always teeming with people rushing through. Loved the pool :lovestruc...awesome slide...won at Bingo :laughing: we did a lot of pool breaks seeing that it was in the mid 90's every day.
Love your report so far....Pop looks like a really fun place to stay. Do you really think you got the same room twice? We ate at Sci-Fi and we were in the same car, same seat as I was in during my January trip with my other niece! I still had the pictures on my camera so I showed our car-hop waitress! :rotfl:
Oh and to go back to the beginning your DH's fish was :scared1:
Love the HM pictures! :thumbsup2

Tracy

brookelizabeth

10-10-2009, 03:21 PM

Wow! Soarin' was a walk-on!!! :yay: I've never gone through the real queue either. Was it any different?

Looking forward to your update-love the pic with Goofy, you both look like you are having a great time!

MEK

10-10-2009, 03:46 PM

I despise those black pellets. Kendall plays, and practices, on turf more often than not now and bleh! The boys like to roll around on the turf and it's like STOP! It completely sticks to the warmups especially...think I need to make the boys wear jeans to turf games.

I think all our HS and MS have at least one turf field , they just redid the field at Evans Elementary school and it has turf cut outs. Wild.

Supposedly the newest turf fields don't have as many black pellets. I guess the techonology in turf fields has recently made advances. Go figure! Our newest local high school has a turf playing field and a turf practice field. Nice. Turf in Elementary school???? Wow! Personally, my kids really like the Bermuda grass stadium fields. I guess they are the nicest.

WTG Brian!

He was half kidding, but still....he was right!

You need to do that more often! Great picture!!!!!!!

Thanks!

Hi Mary Ellen! :wave:

I was with you on your Kickin it at Kidani TR and am so happy you did another one. I just got back from Kidani (last night....grrrrr) and LOVED IT

Hi Tracy ...:cool1::banana::cool1: Welcome Home and Welcome to my TR. Just Back last night!!!!!! Wow....sounds like you had an awesome time. Can't wait to read about it.

..have stayed at Jambo three times and I must say I really enjoyed the quaint feeling at Kidani...yes it is smaller but I liked that the lobby wasn't always teeming with people rushing through. Loved the pool :lovestruc...awesome slide...won at Bingo :laughing: we did a lot of pool breaks seeing that it was in the mid 90's every day.

I will agree with you there - the lobby did always seem calm and relaxed. And the pool was awesome for mid afternoon breaks! Congrats on winning bingo!!!!

Love your report so far....Pop looks like a really fun place to stay. Do you really think you got the same room twice? We ate at Sci-Fi and we were in the same car, same seat as I was in during my January trip with my other niece! I still had the pictures on my camera so I showed our car-hop waitress! :rotfl:

Pop was a lot of fun. Really a good value. :laughing: I am 99% sure I was in the same room. In fact, I have to find my pictures from that trip to prove that I have the same shot from the front door. If I wasn't in that room, then I was 2 down. But I don't think so cause I remember being right near the stairs. I wish I could find my room map, but I'm pretty sure I tossed the old one.

I got the same table at the CMCafe once. It is funny when stuff like that happens.

Oh and to go back to the beginning your DH's fish was :scared1:
Love the HM pictures! :thumbsup2

:scared1: on the fish and :thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 on the Haunted mansion!

Wow! Soarin' was a walk-on!!! :yay: I've never gone through the real queue either. Was it any different?

Hard to believe, but true. The queue looked exactly the same. It just went in the opposite direction.

Looking forward to your update-love the pic with Goofy, you both look like you are having a great time!

Thanks. We did have a blast!

MEK

10-10-2009, 04:35 PM

After we watched Stormchasers and strolled around Innoventions we decided to start our leisurely walk over to the Beach Club for brunch. The park was empty. We had the whole world showcase to ourselves. I wanted to get some pictures of England and Canada, but by the time we hit Canada it was 10:45am. Time really does fly at Disney world. At the very least, I always feel like time takes on a different dimension when I'm there. I have to try very hard to pay attention to the clock or I would never know what time it was. It's a very weird phenomenon and I wonder if other people experience Disney time vs. Real world time.

I think Canada might be my favorite building:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney153.jpg

How often do you get to take this picture without waiting for a kid to get out of the way?

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney155.jpg

My favorite resort (that I've never stayed in) awaits.........

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney178.jpg

We got to our ADR right on time. I really didn't want to be late because I wasn't sure how long they actually serve breakfast. A few other stragglers came in behind us. As we were waiting for our beeper to go off, the DVC man congratulated us on our anniversary and told us he had something to show us. Just then, our beeper went off, so he reminded us to come back after eating.

Now I should mention that wherever we went CM's wished us "Happy Anniversary". It was so cool. I was beginning to feel a tad special! :wizard: Breakfast was yummy. I did not take a picture of my plate because I didn't want everyone to see what a pig I made of myself. I do know the one thing I really wanted here were the lox and bagels. Yum. When I was a kid I used to go to this Jewish deli and I would always order the Nova lox and bagels. That was my favorite sandwich when I wasn't on my eternal teenage diet. I knew the lox will fill my hankering for a lunch type food and I could still enjoy the breakfast choices.

The character interaction was great here.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney161.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney162.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney160.jpg

Our waitress brought us out an anniversary card and two cupcakes:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney163.jpg

We asked to have the cupcakes packaged to go because we were far too stuffed to eat them.

I really enjoyed taking pictures of the cute little old fashioned beach outfits:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney164.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney166.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney167.jpg

I think I've seen Wig'd post a picture of this hallway, so I needed to venture there and take a few of my own pictures...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney175.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney174.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney170.jpg

Of course, I had to sneak out the back and take a few pictures of SAB. I said to Denny, "Isn't this the coolest?????"

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney171.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney172.jpg

After we had nosed around a bit I told DH I wanted to go back into the lobby to make a phone call.

So we headed back through this door to the lobby:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney176.jpg

I wanted to call member services and purchase our tickets for the Halloween party. I didn't want to wait until the end of the day because I was afraid I might forget. Noon is not the best time to call member services because of the long wait time, but I wasn't in a hurry to go anywhere.

While on hold, I took a few more pictures:

This one is through the glass:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney185.jpg

The lobby:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney182.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney183.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney181.jpg

I took all those pics from my very comfortable chair. After our party tickets were purchased the MS CM asked that one final question, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Those were the words I was waiting to here. Before I knew it, it was out of my mouth, "Do you have any studios at the BC Villas tonight?". DH looked up from checking his stocks to give me the "evil" eye. She said, "Let me check". In all of ten seconds she returned to the phone to tell me there were available studios. I looked over at DH and he did not object. I said, "I'll take it". She said, "that will be 12 vacation points. Do I have your permission to borrow from your 2010 points?" I said "yes".

The next question was unexpected and threw me a bit, "Do you want the dining plan?". Silly, over anxious me said, "No. I already have the dining plan at Pop." She said, "Are you checking out of Pop?". I replied, "No".

She said, "I'm sorry. That is overbooking. I can not book the room for you". Whaaaaat? I felt so stupid. I said, "Really?". Honestly, I had no idea that a reservation on points and a paid reservation for one night would be overbooking. I apologized, but I felt like a smuck. Plus DH was giving me one of those "nan-ny, nan-ny, poo-poo" looks. She told me she could still cancel the transaction and put my points back in my 2010 use year. Good thing.

So, I was that close to staying at the Beach Club for one night. So close I could taste, I could smell, I could feel it. And in the blink of an eye the elusive BC was gone! I tried to pull myself together, but I still felt stupid.

After we got up, mr DVC man caught our attention and told us someone has a special message for us. It was Donald on the phone wishing us a happy anniversary. It was cute, but at the moment I wanted to cry. Oh well....I had to look at the bright side. At least I didn't have to go back to Pop and pack an overnight bag. DH looked at it like this, "That's the equivalent of $120 we save". (12 points x $10 point). Trust me, an overnight at the BC would definately have been worth 12 point to me.

So, LL, here is a beautiful chandilier for you:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney187.jpg

When I return.....the rest of the afternoon at Epcot!

wigdoutdismom

10-10-2009, 04:57 PM

Lady Lallie

10-10-2009, 05:34 PM

Awwww, I was so excited for you to be able to stay at the Beach Club. What a bummer!! :sad2: I would have been very sad!

Thanks for the beautiful light though. I need to get over there for sure!

ljcrochet

10-10-2009, 07:07 PM

Sounds like a great trip. Sorry that you couldn't stay in beach club for one one. My DD wants to stay there after going to breakfast at CMC. I might try to stay there in 2011 depending on when we go.

jenjolt

10-10-2009, 07:12 PM

Awwww...MEK I'm so sorry you weren't able to stay at BC!! I so want to stay there at some point!!!! I would have been very sad also!!! However I know you will be able to stay there someday!!!

I am however glad you had such a good meal and I'm glad that you were able to have some great character interaction!!!!

I am keeping an eye out for the January AP rates and I will let you know what we finally decide!!!!! We don't even know yet what we are doing LOL!!!!!

DWGal210

10-10-2009, 07:33 PM

Oh, I'm sorry you weren't able to stay at BC that night!! I understand the double-booking policy, but come on?! Oh well - maybe gives you something to look forward to on another trip! I would love to stay there as well - it just looks SO peaceful and wonderful!

faerieprincess

10-10-2009, 08:04 PM

I am going to post this picture to show you that I really DO know how to smile..........

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney165.jpg

Awwww Mary Ellen you're beautiful when you smile!

i'm sorry you didn't get to stay at the Beach Club - that's one of my dream resorts too. i don't really understand the double booking problem: if you're willing to pay for two rooms and only use one, you would think they'd be happy to let you? :confused3

i'm glad your breakfast went well, at any rate, and that your buttons are bringing you just the right amount of special attention :goodvibes

Charleston Princess

10-10-2009, 10:28 PM

I have noticed the different time dimension at Disney as well -- I really think it moves differently there -- I wonder if Einstein would be able to explain the phenomenon. :rolleyes:

Breakfast sounds wonderful at Beach Club -- I really want to try it one day!

Ah, what a disappointment for you, Mary Ellen!!! Did you at least promise yourself that you would stay there soon?

eandesmom

10-10-2009, 11:46 PM

What wonderful breakfast pictures. You look like you are having so much fun!

I have to admit, I don't get the double booking thing. I mean you paid for the room at Pop, they had a room available, why do they care if you pay twice? They are your points. :confused3 It just doesn't really make any sense to me.

I'm sure you will stay there someday but oh, that must have just felt like one big tease!

MEK

10-11-2009, 07:44 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just adore Beach Club! Just what I needed to see on this dreary Kansas day.
I can't believe that you were so close to a night at the villas. UGH! Double booking what a headache!:headache:

Glad I could help make a dreary day a little brighter. Did you know that about double booking????? I had NO idea.

Awwww, I was so excited for you to be able to stay at the Beach Club. What a bummer!! :sad2: I would have been very sad!

Thanks for the beautiful light though. I need to get over there for sure!

Oh well - it just wasn't meant to be. If you haven't spent much time at the BC, I would highly recommend it. It is such a cool place.

Sounds like a great trip. Sorry that you couldn't stay in beach club for one one. My DD wants to stay there after going to breakfast at CMC. I might try to stay there in 2011 depending on when we go.

Hi jcrochet....Welcome! :cool1::banana::cool1: Oh, you will love the CMC and I hope you get a chance to stay at the BC. Now that I own DVC the only way I can justify staying there is on points, so one of these days I know I will get my chance and it will be so worth it!

Awwww...MEK I'm so sorry you weren't able to stay at BC!! I so want to stay there at some point!!!! I would have been very sad also!!! However I know you will be able to stay there someday!!!

I am however glad you had such a good meal and I'm glad that you were able to have some great character interaction!!!!

It was a tad of a bummer, but once we left and walked back into Epcot I really didn't think about it anymore. And you're right - I will get there someday. We had a really fun meal and the characters were great. I definately recommend it!

I am keeping an eye out for the January AP rates and I will let you know what we finally decide!!!!! We don't even know yet what we are doing LOL!!!!!

I predict that you guys won't know your final plans until a few weeks before the trip - that's part of the fun. I know you will get a killer AP rate somewhere. I just know it! :wizard:

Oh, I'm sorry you weren't able to stay at BC that night!! I understand the double-booking policy, but come on?! Oh well - maybe gives you something to look forward to on another trip! I would love to stay there as well - it just looks SO peaceful and wonderful!

Yeah, I guess that double-booking policy is pretty strict. Oh well. It does give me something to look forward to, so I'm good! I can't wait until C (too excited to sleep) really gets into her TR because she stayed there for 10 days. I will live vicariously through her! :laughing:

Awwww Mary Ellen you're beautiful when you smile!

Thanks. I am really trying to break that frowning habit! :laughing:

i'm sorry you didn't get to stay at the Beach Club - that's one of my dream resorts too. i don't really understand the double booking problem: if you're willing to pay for two rooms and only use one, you would think they'd be happy to let you? :confused3

That was my thinking. If I am willing to pay you points to stay in an unoccupied room, was the problem? I don't quite get that, but I guess there is a reason behind it. Maybe they are afraid you will give the unoccupied room to someone else? :confused3 Not sure.

i'm glad your breakfast went well, at any rate, and that your buttons are bringing you just the right amount of special attention :goodvibes

We got the buttons because I was trying to be a little dorky. I honestly did not know that those buttons would bring us so much attention. It was truely unexpected. I am not one of those people who go to Disney world expecting the red carpet treatment and I've never been disappointed in the past when I missed the dream team. But, wow....those buttons work!

I have noticed the different time dimension at Disney as well -- I really think it moves differently there -- I wonder if Einstein would be able to explain the phenomenon. :rolleyes:

I'm glad I'm not the only one who goes on "Disney time". Hmmmmmmm, too bad Einstein isn't around to explain this unique phenomenon. :laughing:

Breakfast sounds wonderful at Beach Club -- I really want to try it one day!

Ah, what a disappointment for you, Mary Ellen!!! Did you at least promise yourself that you would stay there soon?

Breakfast was yummy. I love the whole late breakfast, almost lunch thing because I usually eat lunch early. I am always starving by 11am.

I was thinking BC for my May trip. It was on the list of places I wanted to try. But I named VWL first and it was available. I snatched it up because I was afraid if I remained indecisive while they search BC I might end up with nothing. So since I want to try all the DVC resort, BC will have to wait for a future trip. But I also know if we do all meet up for a food and wine trip, if I plan right I might get to stay there a night or two! :thumbsup2

What wonderful breakfast pictures. You look like you are having so much fun!

We did have a blast there. I am so glad we did a character meal, because we missed our character meal in June because of LJ's rash. When I tried to rebook something else for LJ, everything was booked solid.

I have to admit, I don't get the double booking thing. I mean you paid for the room at Pop, they had a room available, why do they care if you pay twice? They are your points. :confused3 It just doesn't really make any sense to me.

I'm sure you will stay there someday but oh, that must have just felt like one big tease!

My thoughts exactly. I guess I should probably investigate the reason for no double booking. Someone here probably knows enough to comment.

It felt a bit like a tease, but mostly I just felt really stupid for not knowing the policy. You know how we Dis'ers get - we are used to knowing "everything", so when we learn something knew we feel overly dumb for not knowing it!

ibedancin824

10-11-2009, 10:17 AM

Hmmm I'd be curious why they wouldn't let you double book I mean they are getting more money out of the deal .... o well you can looked forward to staying at BC in the future!

wigdoutdismom

10-11-2009, 10:51 AM

LOVEMY3KIDDOS

10-11-2009, 10:56 AM

Great first full day so far! I am so glad I don't drink coffee after reading everyone's TR's and comments on the WDW coffee!!! LOL We have been there several times and DH always drinks coffee everyday. He doesn't complain???? Maybe his own that he makes at home is that bad that Disney's coffee doesn't bother him! :lmao:
Can't believe you walked on Soarin'! Amazing!
I'm glad the walk over to the BC is short and easy. We have never done it before, but plan on it during our trip in December. I love the Cape May Cafe breakfast! The characters really are great and the food is also! Cute pix!
Sorry your stay did not work out, but something tells me you will be staying there someday!!! I don't think you are going to give up until you get to!

praisehisname

10-11-2009, 02:49 PM

We've done the dinner at Cape May, but not the breakfast. Glad you enjoyed it! We love, love, love the Beach Club!!! :lovestruc We loved it even more than the Poly. Shhhh, don't tell anyone!

Denise

MEK

10-11-2009, 04:42 PM

I have no clue about the double booking thing. It may be a way to keep a person from using those few points to get the ddp for a day in the middle of a stay when you aren't using it otherwise. .

You mean like what I was trying to do? :laughing: In actuality it would have cost us more to stay on points and keep out Pop reservation for that one night than it would have to stay on points and add the DDP.

My math says: $82 a night for Pop plus about aother $60 a night to add the DxDP. So roughly $142. My cost for staying on points and paying for the DxDP would have been about $120, so I would definately not be getting the better end of the deal for that one night.

Great first full day so far! I am so glad I don't drink coffee after reading everyone's TR's and comments on the WDW coffee!!! LOL We have been there several times and DH always drinks coffee everyday. He doesn't complain???? Maybe his own that he makes at home is that bad that Disney's coffee doesn't bother him! :lmao:

DH is not a coffee connoisseur, I take it! :rotfl: Seriously, its not the greatest coffee but it serves the purpose!

:
Can't believe you walked on Soarin'! Amazing!
I'm glad the walk over to the BC is short and easy. We have never done it before, but plan on it during our trip in December. I love the Cape May Cafe breakfast! The characters really are great and the food is also! Cute pix!
Sorry your stay did not work out, but something tells me you will be staying there someday!!! I don't think you are going to give up until you get to!

Walk - on soarin....I wonder if that will ever happen again?

The walk over to BC is nice and easy. Do you have breakfast planned there??? It really is a great place to hang with the characters.

I got over my disappointment pretty quickly. And....yes....I WILL get there on my quest to stay at every DVC resort!

We've done the dinner at Cape May, but not the breakfast. Glad you enjoyed it!

If you liked dinner you will probably also like breakfast! It's so bright and airy in there. Perfect for a morning meal!

We love, love, love the Beach Club!!! :lovestruc We loved it even more than the Poly. Shhhh, don't tell anyone!

Denise

Is that bad to love the beach club more than the Poly????? (I know there are a lot of Poly lovers on this board). Poly is cool, but I would pick the beach club first, too!

wigdoutdismom

10-11-2009, 05:09 PM

I would love to stay at the Poly some day, but gosh I love the Beach Club. It would take some extraordinary circumstances to get me over there now that we stay on points. Like buy 1 get 4 free!:lmao:

MEK

10-12-2009, 07:39 AM

I would love to stay at the Poly some day, but gosh I love the Beach Club. It would take some extraordinary circumstances to get me over there now that we stay on points. Like buy 1 get 4 free!:lmao:

Now that is DEFINATELY my kind of deal!!!!!!!!

MEK

10-12-2009, 07:43 AM

Happy Monday Everyone.....

I regret not getting a chance to update last night. I tried to around 10pm but I started nodding off before my computer completly booted up. Not a good sign, so I decided not to bother.

I will try REALLY hard to update tonight. I probably could write it at work, but its Epcot and what's Epcot without pictures????? And I DID get that flash photo of the wall opposite the caveman in spaceship earth, so I know what's there now. :rolleyes1 I will give you advanced notice before I post that picture in case you want to be surprised for your next trip!

Charleston Princess

10-12-2009, 08:09 AM

Good morning, MEK! Looking forward to the Epcot update this evening! popcorn::

KathyRN137

10-12-2009, 09:11 AM

Aww, Mary Ellen! I was sorry to read your "fish that got away" story about the Beach Club Studio! :sad2:

You seem to be smiling in a lot more pix this trip! :goodvibes

Kathy

Lady Lallie

10-12-2009, 09:14 AM

I am excited for your update tonight, MEK. I can't wait to see that Epcot picture!

DWGal210

10-12-2009, 09:15 AM

I am excited for your update tonight, MEK. I can't wait to see that Epcot picture!

Me too!!

Good morning, MEK! Hope you have a great week!

- Katie

Planning fanatic mom

10-12-2009, 10:02 AM

DH tried to no avail to get that pic in SE. I can't wait to see what it is.popcorn::

MEK

10-12-2009, 10:49 AM

Good morning, MEK! Looking forward to the Epcot update this evening! popcorn::

I am singing at a memorial mass this evening, but I am still hoping to get an update in when I get. The former bishop of wilmington, DE and the Eastern Shore of Md passed away last week. He was a patient of mine last spring and I really liked him. Seriously one of the most genuine people I have ever met. Truely humble.

Aww, Mary Ellen! I was sorry to read your "fish that got away" story about the Beach Club Studio! :sad2:

You seem to be smiling in a lot more pix this trip! :goodvibes

Kathy

It was a bit of a bummer, but what can you do? You can never be down to long in Disney!

I hope I continue to smile more. Honestly, I haven't looked at all of my pictures that closely, so we'll see! :rolleyes1

I am excited for your update tonight, MEK. I can't wait to see that Epcot picture!

Oh LL, I really hope I can get around to posting it. I will try really hard. Hopefully everything will be quiet at the home front when I get home from the memorial mass.

Continued next post (work computer alert - its acting up) :surfweb:

MEK

10-12-2009, 10:51 AM

Me too!!

Good morning, MEK! Hope you have a great week!

- Katie

It's a coming, promise! Thanks for the good week wishes!

MEK

10-12-2009, 10:52 AM

DH tried to no avail to get that pic in SE. I can't wait to see what it is.popcorn::

Really? Then I guess I was lucky to get it! Now I hope I can find it. :rotfl: I took so many pictures, but I'm pretty sure its in the group that I downloaded to photobucket!

manntra

10-12-2009, 02:08 PM

Looking forward to your SE picture too! :thumbsup2
I didn't know about the overbooking either :confused3
WL looks like an amazing place to stay too...I have a desire to stay at all of them also but I have been stuck in the AKV rut!! I think I saw that you are going next May 2-7th? Those are my dates too!! :laughing: Haven't been in May yet so it will be my first F&G :flower3:

Tracy

eandesmom

10-12-2009, 03:13 PM

Supposedly the newest turf fields don't have as many black pellets. I guess the techonology in turf fields has recently made advances. Go figure! Our newest local high school has a turf playing field and a turf practice field. Nice. Turf in Elementary school???? Wow! Personally, my kids really like the Bermuda grass stadium fields. I guess they are the nicest.

We'll see about the pellets but not until next year! They redid the field over the summer, it is grass but with turf cutouts for soccer goals and baseball plates (I think). Supposedly where drainage is typically bad and to keep those area's intact permanently, the stripes and field outlines are part of the turf.

The bummer is they have to wait all year for the grass to grow in, so no field for Evan year! It should be nice next year though.

faerieprincess

10-12-2009, 06:40 PM

Aww, Mary Ellen! I was sorry to read your "fish that got away" story about the Beach Club Studio! :sad2:

You seem to be smiling in a lot more pix this trip! :goodvibes

Kathy

i think she's tired of us telling her to smile more! Poor Mary Ellen... all her friends want her to smile all the time... so tiresome! :rotfl:

John's Mom

10-12-2009, 06:58 PM

Hi! from Bear, DE. I was a lurker on your Kick'n It at Kidani TR and really enjoyed it.:thumbsup2 I thought I would join in for this report. I found it a few days ago and just got taught up.

Kathy

Diamondintheruff

10-12-2009, 07:09 PM

So that's where those beach umbrella's are from. Of course. I should have figured that one out.

I'm sure you'll end up at the beach club one day. And not just for one night.

MEK

10-13-2009, 09:13 AM

Looking forward to your SE picture too! :thumbsup2

Tracy

Sorry I didn't get to post last night. It ended up be a late night again and then I decided just to go to bed!

I didn't know about the overbooking either :confused3

Tracy

I am glad I am not the only one who didn't know about overbooking. I feel a little less stupid now! :laughing:

WL looks like an amazing place to stay too...I have a desire to stay at all of them also but I have been stuck in the AKV rut!! I think I saw that you are going next May 2-7th? Those are my dates too!! :laughing: Haven't been in May yet so it will be my first F&G :flower3:

Tracy

OMG.......Do I see a Dis meet coming on for May????? This will be my first F&G, too. I am very excited for that and to stay at VWL. You know I always wanted the BC, but when I walked into the WL for dinner at Artist Point I just KNEW I had to stay there.

I may post about May ADRs today, so please chime in. Curious to see what your plans are!

MEK

10-13-2009, 09:15 AM

I am working on a computer that won't let me open a second window without screaming it is out of virtual memory before shutting the window, so it looks like individual responses again!

MEK

10-13-2009, 09:33 AM

We'll see about the pellets but not until next year! They redid the field over the summer, it is grass but with turf cutouts for soccer goals and baseball plates (I think). Supposedly where drainage is typically bad and to keep those area's intact permanently, the stripes and field outlines are part of the turf.

The bummer is they have to wait all year for the grass to grow in, so no field for Evan year! It should be nice next year though.

Interesting field....grass and turf. Well, hopefully you will not be too bothered by the turf pellets next year. I find them all over my car and it drives me crazy. If they get in my new car it will NOT BE GOOD!

i think she's tired of us telling her to smile more! Poor Mary Ellen... all her friends want her to smile all the time... so tiresome! :rotfl:

Yes, my friends are like the paprazzi! :rotfl:

Hi! from Bear, DE. I was a lurker on your Kick'n It at Kidani TR and really enjoyed it.:thumbsup2 I thought I would join in for this report. I found it a few days ago and just got taught up.

Kathy

Hi John's mom.....Welcome!!!! And you are practically my neighbor, too. My kids go to school in Bear! So glad to have you following along!

So that's where those beach umbrella's are from. Of course. I should have figured that one out.

I'm sure you'll end up at the beach club one day. And not just for one night.

I love those beach umbrellas. They are so pretty and festive! I will end up at the BC one of these days and I am just as excited to be staying at the WL in May!

MEK

10-13-2009, 10:12 AM

Ok, Ok, I know, I know.....I never posted last night because i just got too darn tired and decided to go to bed early. I think I got 8 hours of sleep last night. That is a record! I must have really needed it!

So since I didn't post last night, I thought I might take a bit of a side track and post about potential ADR's for my May trip. I will be at the world May2 - 7th, staying at a 2BR in the Wilderness Lodge Villas. I am very excited to stay here. This is right on par with my desire to stay at the Beach Club. Denny and I will be traveling with our friends C & C. Yes, they have the same first initials, but one is a girl and one is a boy. They haven't been to Disney in forever. I am looking forward to showing them around. They are the nicest, most laid back couple, so I really think they will have a blast.

So - the first decision is whether to do the DxDP or not. They told me to decide. Personally, I think the DxDP is a lot of food and I am one of those people who hates to waste anything, so I would be compelled to eat TS all 5 days for every meal. That worked well for September when the park crowds were low. I don't know if I want to spend that much time tied up eating, when I want to be showing my friends around. So, I am leaning towards the Regular dining plan with a few extras. I'll probably have to crunch the numbers a bit more.

So here's what I'm thinking.

We are arriving Sunday afternoon or evening and I think it may be easier to just do CS this night. We will probably rent a car, so we may just pick something up on the way from the airport, depending on arrival time. I will probably make a TS ADR for that night, just in case. If I do, it will probably be the Whispering Canyon Cafe, even though it is not one of my fav places to eat.

Other ADR's I am thinking about are:

Le Cellier (of course). But if I can't get Le Cellier I think I will opt for a late seating at Rose & Crown. I have never eaten here and I really would like to watch Illuminations from here. I think it will be fun for my friends.

Ohana's. I would like to combine this with an evening in the MK. I really think my friends would enjoy this as well. If we can't get Ohana's, which has also become ridiculously popular, then my alternate will be the Wave. I really enjoyed it in June and I love the parking at the Contemporary.

Date Night - Sanaa. Of course, every night will be a date night for us, but you know what I mean. Date night translates into the nice, leisurely dinner where we do a wine pairing with appes, entree, and dessert. I think this restaurant looked so cool when I ventured in there in June. I have been wanting to go back every since. I also think my friends will enjoy seeing the savanah and visiting the AKL. I really would like to eat at Jiko, but I think Sanaa will be a good alternative since we are doing the regular DP.

AK EMH - I HAVE to go to AK EMH. It is a given. I would like to eat at Yak and Yeti on AK EMH. I have never eaten here (couldn't get the ADR for September). I will say that we definately enjoyed the Tusker House lunch and it would make a great alternative dinner. The other option is Boma, because I love this place, too.

And then lastly - I must go back to lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern. I had the best, best, best sandwich there in September and this is now, officially, my favorite lunch place in all of the MK.

Other thoughts - I loved Artist Point and could go back there in a flash. I would really like to try the Yachtsman. I would also like to try 1800 Park Faire for breakfast and the Sci Fi dine in for lunch. Oh and Beaches & Cream - I have yet to eat there. Yeah, yeah, ....I know, with all those added places we should probably go deluxe. But I'm pretty sure I want to stick with the regular and pay for one extra meal OOP.

So, tell me what you think.....

Oh, and as far as that next update is concerned......well, we have soccer tonight so we'll see how that goes. :rolleyes1

LOVEMY3KIDDOS

10-13-2009, 10:28 AM

manntra

10-13-2009, 11:45 AM

I really like your ADR's .....definitely doing LeCellier too...hopefully it won't be too hard.....
Jiko was amazing and I would love to go there again. I just posted a message on my friend's FB suggesting she look at some of the menus and get some ideas it is ONLY 21 days until we can make ADR's! :laughing::laughing:
Sci-Fi is a fun atmosphere and the BLT soup is so good...maybe I will go there and just eat three bowls of that! :lmao:
We will be staying at Kidani in a 1 br....should I feel weird about me sleeping in the huge, wonderfully comfy king size bed and her sleeping on the pull out couch? No right....We are staying on my points, etc. :confused3

Tracy

Charleston Princess

10-13-2009, 12:29 PM

I was in bed early last night, too, Mary Ellen, so I am selfishly glad you didn't post an update. ;)

Your ADRs look really good! Don't you love that they are reverting to the 180 rule soon, so we can get a jump start on our meal ressies?

mickeysmyboy

10-13-2009, 01:54 PM

Great morning!! I love your CMC pics!!! Especially the one with you laughing with donald!!! Toooo cute!!!!!

Sorry about no beach club!! :snooty: Ummmm, if your paying for both rooms why wouldn't they take it!? You should of told her you ww:snootyere mad at your DH and wanted your own room for the night!!! :lmao:

You ADR's look wonderful!! Yummy!!!

MEK

10-13-2009, 02:13 PM

LOL I was thinking...why is Mary Ellen already thinking about her ADR's for so far out?? But, then I remembered the ADR's are changing back to 180 days very soon, huh?! Looks good! I wouldwork those numbers, though. It may be cheaper or equal pricing to go deluxe. If you have enough 2TS meals planned, it will work out!

I agree with you that if we do 2 TS meals we should probably go deluxe. If we do go deluxe I will probably schedule Yachtsman, Jiko, Artist Point, and CRT. I have never done CRT and I would like to do the breakfast.

Okie, dokie,..... now I am thinking about the darn Deluxe dining plan again. OH well, I got some time to decide!!!!!!

I really like your ADR's .....definitely doing LeCellier too...hopefully it won't be too hard.....
Jiko was amazing and I would love to go there again. I just posted a message on my friend's FB suggesting she look at some of the menus and get some ideas it is ONLY 21 days until we can make ADR's! :laughing::laughing:
Sci-Fi is a fun atmosphere and the BLT soup is so good...maybe I will go there and just eat three bowls of that! :lmao:

:woohoo: to 21 more days!!!!!! I have heard nothing bu good about Jiko, so that is totally tempting. I really hope to get Le Cellier, mostly for my friends because I think they would love it.

The BLT soup sounds so yummy. I would love to try that. Oh decisions, decisions.

Yes - your friend should definately be perusing the menus. My friends gave me carte blance. I know them really well so I am not worried at all about picking our meals!

We will be staying at Kidani in a 1 br....should I feel weird about me sleeping in the huge, wonderfully comfy king size bed and her sleeping on the pull out couch? No right....We are staying on my points, etc. :confused3

Tracy

You should definately not feel guilty, but I hear ya!. We thought about inviting a third couple to go with us, but knew someone would have to sleep on the pull-out. I would feel bad about that, too!

I was in bed early last night, too, Mary Ellen, so I am selfishly glad you didn't post an update. ;)

Your ADRs look really good! Don't you love that they are reverting to the 180 rule soon, so we can get a jump start on our meal ressies?

I am very glad that they are reverting back to 180 day ADRS because I thought ADR's were much easier to arrange at 180 days! Can't believe I am already obsessing about it. :rotfl:

Great morning!! I love your CMC pics!!! Especially the one with you laughing with donald!!! Toooo cute!!!!!

Thanks!

Sorry about no beach club!! :snooty: Ummmm, if your paying for both rooms why wouldn't they take it!? You should of told her you ww:snootyere mad at your DH and wanted your own room for the night!!! :lmao:

:rotfl: Hah! That is too funny. I wonder what the CM would have said?????

You ADR's look wonderful!! Yummy!!!

Oh, to spend the day obsessing about food! Gotta love it!

eandesmom

10-13-2009, 02:48 PM

Whispering Canyon Cafe
Yeah, that doesn't do much for me either. I'd probably go straight to DTD or the Boardwalk or somewhere else...I know it's close but....not what I'd want to use an ADR on for an adult only trip.

Le Cellier (of course). But if I can't get Le Cellier I think I will opt for a late seating at Rose & Crown.

The menu oat R&C doesn't do much for me but I love the atmosphere! I think these are great choices. R&C would be very fun as a group.

Ohana's. I would like to combine this with an evening in the MK. I really think my friends would enjoy this as well. If we can't get Ohana's, which has also become ridiculously popular, then my alternate will be the Wave. I really enjoyed it in June and I love the parking at the Contemporary.

Good choices!

Date Night - Sanaa. Of course, every night will be a date night for us, but you know what I mean. Date night translates into the nice, leisurely dinner where we do a wine pairing with appes, entree, and dessert. I think this restaurant looked so cool when I ventured in there in June. I have been wanting to go back every since. I also think my friends will enjoy seeing the savanah and visiting the AKL. I really would like to eat at Jiko, but I think Sanaa will be a good alternative since we are doing the regular DP.

Hmmn...if you use your ADR for WCC or soemthing else that first night then you could do Jiko OOP. Date night usually means splurge to me. lol!

AK EMH - I HAVE to go to AK EMH. It is a given. I would like to eat at Yak and Yeti on AK EMH. I have never eaten here (couldn't get the ADR for September). I will say that we definately enjoyed the Tusker House lunch and it would make a great alternative dinner. The other option is Boma, because I love this place, too.

I'd like to try Tusker House as well.

And then lastly - I must go back to lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern. I had the best, best, best sandwich there in September and this is now, officially, my favorite lunch place in all of the MK.

wow...good to know!

Other thoughts - I loved Artist Point and could go back there in a flash.

I'd pick Jiko over AP only because you've done AP already.

I would really like to try the Yachtsman.
Could be a backup for date night or an alternative to LeCellier.

I would also like to try 1800 Park Faire for breakfast and the Sci Fi dine in for lunch. Oh and Beaches & Cream - I have yet to eat there. Yeah, yeah, ....I know, with all those added places we should probably go deluxe. But I'm pretty sure I want to stick with the regular and pay for one extra meal OOP.

That would be a lot of food! BUT you can get the B&C burgers at Hurricane Hannah's with a CS credit, that's what we plan to do.

Every time I crunch it, the regular plan works out better for us as we'd spend less OOP at those 2 TS places anyway and I don't want to sit down twice a day, most days.

How fun to go with another couple! I think my siblings and parents and I are going to try to plan an adult only food and wine trip for 2011!

As for the black pellets...this is why I have no desire to get a new car. They just blend in with the rest of the mess.

MEK

10-13-2009, 08:19 PM

I'd pick Jiko over AP only because you've done AP already.

That would be a lot of food! BUT you can get the B&C burgers at Hurricane Hannah's with a CS credit, that's what we plan to do.

I agree with everything you said and I would really like to try Jiko, but I think I will still be happy trying Sanaa. I did not know that about Hurrican Hannah's. Very good to know!!!

I actually didn't realize the DxDP was $72 a day. I thought it was like $62 or $65, not that it makes that much of a difference. That would be $320 more per couple. Seriously, we will have a kitchen and be able to store breakfast food and extras. I think I'm sticking with the regular plan with one OOP TS lunch. And I have decided to make the Wave our first night. That way we can take the boat over to the Contemporary. I think that will be a good way to start things. Now I just need good luck on Ohana's and Le Cellier, although I think I will be fine with R&C.

And with that $320 we could go see Cirque de Soliel. I have always wanted to do that!!!!

MEK

10-13-2009, 08:57 PM

So when I left off it was Day 2, our first full day in the world, and we had a great morning walking onto Soarin and we had a lovely late breakfast at CMC. And yes, of course, I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't stay at the BC without double booking, but by the time we got back to the World showcase, I had practically forgotten all about it.

Here are some pictures I took as we were leaving the BC.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney190.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney191.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney193.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney194.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney197.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney198.jpg

Of course, if I ever do get a chance to stay in the villas I will make sure to visit this pool, too:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney200.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney202.jpg

LL ....for you!

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney206.jpg

It's funny, but by the time we got back to the world showcase it had to be after 12:30pm. 3+ hours and we rode Soarin, watched Stormchasers, ate breakfast, and made a call to member services. Wow - I needed to pick up the pace a bit, which brings to a off topic subject.....

the other day I was reading a TR from someone who visited during a similar time that I did. They commented that after Wishes on Sunday night (which started at 8pm) they rode HM, Pirates, Aladin, Splash Mtn, and BT Mtn and something else and were back in their room by 11pm. DH and I only rode the blue line, HM, and BT Mtn and were back in our room by 11pm. Is this because we drove????? Did it take that long to walk to the self pay lot at the GF????? Or DH and I really inefficient in touring that parks>>>>>>>>

OK - back on topic again....here are some world showcase photos:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney215.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney211.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney213.jpg

We started seeing these signs all over the place, which was really a tease since we wouldn't be there for food and wine.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney214.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney218.jpg

We decided to stop in this country first.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney220.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney221.jpg

DH didn't think he had ever seen the France movie, so that was our next stop.

I think this looks so cool. I couldn't resist taking a picture:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney222.jpg

Inside, I became rather intriqued with the gargoyles:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney226.jpg

I wanted to take a picture of this particular gargoyle, but this pesky french CM kept getting in the way:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney229.jpg

I really enjoyed the France Movie. The scenery was exquisite and the narration was lovely. Plus I got to sit!!!

I tooked a few more pictures when we exited....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney225.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney231.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney237.jpg

Look....a box FULL of Remy's

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney230.jpg

Tempting, very tempting......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney234.jpg

So before I could venture any further away from France I finally had .........drum roll please.....the one.....the only.......the indescribably delicious............

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney238.jpg

Yes, this little baby was my first, ever GGS. Did it live up to the hype???? Absolutely. It was yummy. DH didn't want one. I have no idea why. So we sat at a table for a bit and I sent a text to C telling her undescribably, wonderfully vacant the world showcase was. When I finally did meet C, I found out she had never received the two texts I sent her from Disney world. Go figure? I also send Sunnie RN a couple of texts. I knew that today was her travel day and she would be checking in at the Wilderness Lodge. I was hoping to meet up with her the next at the AK (if that was the park she decided to go to). Unfortunately, I suspect that Karla aka Sunnie RN may not have gotten my texts either.

Continued in next post.........

MEK

10-13-2009, 09:29 PM

It was really starting to get hot. Almost summer hot. Not quite as bad as June, but still pretty warm. We slowly wandered around the world showcase, nosing around in the shops and taking pictures:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney243.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney244.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney247.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney252.jpg

Oh the GGS .....good to the very last drop.

Our next stop was the American Adventure. DH loves, loves, loves this show. He always wants to stop there. I am pretty sure we hadn't seen it since June 08. Of course, we arrived as the Voices of Liberty were singing. I love, love, love the Voices of Liberty. As you may or may not know, if I could so any job at WDW for a day, I would want to be a Voice of Liberty. Of course, they would never hire me. I would screw the songs up, but that is my dream job. Wow....are they good. I mean really good. That has got to be the hardest type of singing to do. Their voices are flawless and their dynamics are amazing. simply amazing. When I think about was popular pop singers get paid and I compare them to the Voices of Liberty. Well, there is no comparison. Because the "Voices" are the real deal!!!

As soon as we walked in a CM greeted us with Happy Anniversary. He said, "I have a surprise for you. What is your last name?" He took us over to a phone and this time we got a happy anniversary from Goofy. So far, one Donald and one Goofy. Then the CM handed us a little card with our name that read "Happy 20th Anniversary". Then he said, "follow me".

He led us to an elevator which took us to the second level. Here I am, holding our card, and getting ready for my elevator ride:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney253.jpg

The "Voices" sound even better from the second floor. Their magnificent voices just rise, filling the air with the most harmonious sound.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney255.jpg

But before I knew it, the "Voices" were done. Here is a cool picture of the ceiling:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney257.jpg

I also took some misc pics before all the people on the first floor started to ascend:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney258.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney259.jpg

Everyone who was on the 2nd floor was celebrating an occasion or they were handicapped. We were escorted into the theatre first and told to pick any seat. Here some pics from the theatre:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney260.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney265.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney267.jpg

LL.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney262.jpg

I decided to take non flash photos to see how they were turn out. They are actually NOT terrible, so I will post them.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney269.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney272.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney274.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney276.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney281.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney284.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney285.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney286.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney289.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney292.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney293.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney300.jpg

I really enjoy this show. I like the soundtrack that goes along with it. I always, always get choked up. I am glad I took these pics because now I can look back and remember the show a little better.

Well....from the dark, cool theatre to the blazing asphalt of the world show case.

Up next....finishing the world, a repeat on Soarin, and spaceship earth!

faerieprincess

10-13-2009, 10:22 PM

Great update! The colours in the pictures you took on your way back from BC are really gorgeous. i love the grass/lighthouse one and the one with the swing. Excellent pics!

LOVEMY3KIDDOS

10-13-2009, 10:33 PM

Great update! I love the pix from the walk back to WS from BC. Beautiful!
We have never seen the show in America...didn't really know if the youngest (5) will ever sit through it??

eandesmom

10-14-2009, 12:01 AM

So before I could venture any further away from France I finally had .........drum roll please.....the one.....the only.......the indescribably delicious............

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney238.jpg

Yes, this little baby was my first, ever GGS. Did it live up to the hype???? Absolutely. It was yummy. DH didn't want one. I have no idea why. So we sat at a table for a bit and I sent a text to C telling her undescribably, wonderfully vacant the world showcase was. When I finally did meet C, I found out she had never received the two texts I sent her from Disney world. Go figure? I also send Sunnie RN a couple of texts. I knew that today was her travel day and she would be checking in at the Wilderness Lodge. I was hoping to meet up with her the next at the AK (if that was the park she decided to go to). Unfortunately, I suspect that Karla aka Sunnie RN may not have gotten my texts either.

Oh how frustrating about the texts! Sometimes we get huge delays with our carrier and it is a real problem. GG Slushie is on my must do's next trip!

Our next stop was the American Adventure. DH loves, loves, loves this show. He always wants to stop there. I am pretty sure we hadn't seen it since June 08. Of course, we arrived as the Voices of Liberty were singing. I love, love, love the Voices of Liberty. As you may or may not know, if I could so any job at WDW for a day, I would want to be a Voice of Liberty. Of course, they would never hire me. I would screw the songs up, but that is my dream job. Wow....are they good. I mean really good. That has got to be the hardest type of singing to do. Their voices are flawless and their dynamics are amazing. simply amazing. When I think about was popular pop singers get paid and I compare them to the Voices of Liberty. Well, there is no comparison. Because the "Voices" are the real deal!!!

As soon as we walked in a CM greeted us with Happy Anniversary. He said, "I have a surprise for you. What is your last name?" He took us over to a phone and this time we got a happy anniversary from Goofy. So far, one Donald and one Goofy. Then the CM handed us a little card with our name that read "Happy 20th Anniversary". Then he said, "follow me".

He led us to an elevator which took us to the second level. Here I am, holding our card, and getting ready for my elevator ride:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney253.jpg

Ok so maybe this is a stupd question but how in the world did the American Adventure have that ready for you? I get it at BC...you had a ressie but the calls...what do they do? Bar code those buttons? Have it ready for anyone with a button by the last name? That is some impressive programming if you ask me. It wasn't even generic, it had your names on it.

Cool!

For the record I am quite sure you COULD be voice of liberty. I didn't even know they existed. They are on the list!

Charleston Princess

10-14-2009, 05:34 AM

You have beautiful pictures in this update, Mary Ellen! You got some great shots in World Showcase!

Charles would have to agree with you about the Grey Goose -- he really liked his as well!

What a neat experience at the American Adventure -- too neat to take the special occasion elevator and get a certificate! :thumbsup2

dawnbu40

10-14-2009, 06:50 AM

The American Adventure is one of my favorite attractions at Epcot! I agree the Voices of Liberty are amazing and they always choke me up! Thanks for sharing all the great pics :thumbsup2

MEK

10-14-2009, 08:33 AM

Great update! The colours in the pictures you took on your way back from BC are really gorgeous. i love the grass/lighthouse one and the one with the swing. Excellent pics!

Thanks for the compliment on the pictures. I really liked the subject matter but I didn't think the clarity was all the great. But thank you. It was so fun snapping pictures with very few people around.

Great update! I love the pix from the walk back to WS from BC. Beautiful!
We have never seen the show in America...didn't really know if the youngest (5) will ever sit through it??

Thanks for the compliment on the pictures. Yes - I think your youngest could sit through it because the scenes change really fast and I find that kids are really moved by music. I think the sound track is so inspiring. Of course, a 5 year old won't really understand what's going on, but the animatronics are pretty impressive and should hold their attention. Try it - sit on the end of a row and leave if you need to!

Oh how frustrating about the texts! Sometimes we get huge delays with our carrier and it is a real problem. GG Slushie is on my must do's next trip!

I don't know what the deal with the texts were because C and I had no trouble texting back and forth once she arrived! :confused3

You must try a GGS. Actually, one was not enough. I am definately allocating more spending $ for more GGS's next trip! :rotfl:

Ok so maybe this is a stupd question but how in the world did the American Adventure have that ready for you? I get it at BC...you had a ressie but the calls...what do they do? Bar code those buttons? Have it ready for anyone with a button by the last name? That is some impressive programming if you ask me. It wasn't even generic, it had your names on it.

I don't think Goofy actually said our last name. He just started laughing and siad something about a happy anniversary. I don't remember the exact spiel because I was just so flabbergasted to be getting more attention. The CM asked our name so he could fill out the little card. I think the must have one CM on the lookout for everyone with pins and they do the same thing for birthdays, ect. But it was really a nice touch!

For the record I am quite sure you COULD be voice of liberty. I didn't even know they existed. They are on the list!

I think if I had started serious singing when I was college age and had actually went to school for vocal performance, I could have been a voice of liberty. I just don't have that degree of training. Seriously, they have perfect pitch. They can pick a note, any note, right out of thin air and sing it. Anyone who understands and appreciates what it takes to truely use the voice as an instrument would be so impressed.

You have beautiful pictures in this update, Mary Ellen! You got some great shots in World Showcase!

Thanks CP. I :love: the world showcase...its so beautiful!

Charles would have to agree with you about the Grey Goose -- he really liked his as well!

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 to the GCS. I agree with Christine who wants to purchase one for her house.

What a neat experience at the American Adventure -- too neat to take the special occasion elevator and get a certificate! :thumbsup2

Isn't that cool? I had no idea they did that. Next trip I will have a birthday button, so I might have to go back! :laughing:

The American Adventure is one of my favorite attractions at Epcot! I agree the Voices of Liberty are amazing and they always choke me up! Thanks for sharing all the great pics :thumbsup2

Yeah - they choke me up too. Just the amazing sound. It's just not something you can experience in your eveyday life. The acoustics - perfect! Glad you liked the pics. Did you start your TR yet????? I will check your siggie right now!

jenjolt

10-14-2009, 09:47 AM

DWGal210

10-14-2009, 10:03 AM

Great update! YUM....that slushie looks so good, even at 9AM. :rotfl: I could use one of those right now!

And I agree with the other posters, your pictures are awesome - so cool!

TTYS!

MEK

10-14-2009, 10:40 AM

OOH your pictures took me straight back to EPCOT today MEK!!! Thank you!!! Like your hubby I am a huge fan of the American Adventure!! I just adore that show!!! I have the soundtrack of Golden Dream and I could listen to it all day long...and I just might listen to it during my lunch time LOL!!

Ahhh...I need that soundtrack. I am glad I took you right back to Epcot today. I can't wait to see P's pics from Epcot. I bet the are super fabulous.

YAY for phone calls from Donald and Goofy!!! How much fun are those!!!!

Those phone calls were soooooo fun and soooooo unexpected! Those were the only two we got, so I wonder where else they do that.

HMMM...GCS...still haven't tried one...not a big alcohol fan...but I have heard they are very yummy!! Glad you loved your first one which I'm sure will not be your last!! :cool1:

Let me tell, they are more yummy than alcohol. This is one drink where I could barely taste any alcohol! I would need to drink several more before feeling any alcohol effects! :laughing:

Great update! YUM....that slushie looks so good, even at 9AM. :rotfl: I could use one of those right now!

Oh, yeah, no doubt..... that slushy would look good at 6am in the morning. Right after my first cup of coffee!

And I agree with the other posters, your pictures are awesome - so cool!

TTYS!

thanks! glad you like them!

manntra

10-14-2009, 11:54 AM

Loved your pictures from the BC/Boardwalk....it is such a pretty area! ::yes:: I stayed at the BC and Boardwalk once each before DVC and haven't stayed since....I am in my AKV rut! :rotfl: Plenty of time!!
Mmmmmm that GGS! Wow! I had my first ones this trip too...an orange one and then (CP can help me out here but I think it is called) Parisian Cosmo slush. :yay::yay::yay:
Love all of your special treatment! :thumbsup2

Tracy

mickeysmyboy

10-14-2009, 01:14 PM

Sounds like great Epcot fun!! That slush looks so yummy!! DH had that one in March! I had the Grand Mariner Orange slush and really didn't care for it :guilty:. I have a date with the Grey Goose slush in about 18 days!

I bet you'd be fantastic in the Voice of Liberty!! When DH and I were in WDW in March we got to American Adventure early and went in to sit and look around. We met an older gentleman who told us all about the Voices. I can't remember all of what he said but it was something to the effect that the Voices were hired for a limited time to perform over the 3th of July (I think) but the cast members and guest were so impressed they kept them! I think I posted about the man in my TR.

I also get choked up in American Adventure! But, I have to admit to dozing off in there as well :rolleyes1 I do it in HP too!!! The movie in France as well!! :headache:Really bad, I know!! But, it's cool, dark and you get to sit! :rolleyes: Off to dreamland I go!! It's not that I'm not interested, I really am but I can't help it!! Maybe I should have coffee first!!

MEK

10-14-2009, 02:39 PM

Loved your pictures from the BC/Boardwalk....it is such a pretty area! ::yes:: I stayed at the BC and Boardwalk once each before DVC and haven't stayed since....I am in my AKV rut! :rotfl: Plenty of time!!

I do not think it is possible to get in an AKV rut. Believe me, I was tempted to book there for May, especially after my friends "oohed and aahhhed" at my June pictures. I almost felt bad booking WLV, since they are going with us. But I am sure they will really like WLV, too.

Mmmmmm that GGS! Wow! I had my first ones this trip too...an orange one and then (CP can help me out here but I think it is called) Parisian Cosmo slush. :yay::yay::yay:
Love all of your special treatment! :thumbsup2

I do remember reading about a Parisian cosmo slush, but I also thought they sold something with Gran Mariner???? Someone needs to help us out here to keep our slushes straight!

Sounds like great Epcot fun!! That slush looks so yummy!! DH had that one in March! I had the Grand Mariner Orange slush and really didn't care for it :guilty:. I have a date with the Grey Goose slush in about 18 days!

Well, there you go....there is a Grand Mariner slush. I haven't heard nearly as many good things about the GMS as I have the GGS. So I definately recommend the GCS. It is just perfectly refreshing!

I bet you'd be fantastic in the Voice of Liberty!! When DH and I were in WDW in March we got to American Adventure early and went in to sit and look around. We met an older gentleman who told us all about the Voices. I can't remember all of what he said but it was something to the effect that the Voices were hired for a limited time to perform over the 3th of July (I think) but the cast members and guest were so impressed they kept them! I think I posted about the man in my TR.

That is so interesting. They are really impressive. I can definately understand why they are so popular. And believe me, I really wish I could be a "Voice". I'd even lip synch :laughing:

I also get choked up in American Adventure! But, I have to admit to dozing off in there as well :rolleyes1 I do it in HP too!!! The movie in France as well!! :headache:Really bad, I know!! But, it's cool, dark and you get to sit! :rolleyes: Off to dreamland I go!! It's not that I'm not interested, I really am but I can't help it!! Maybe I should have coffee first!!

I know - I have to fight the urge to sleep, too. Its cool, its dark, its usually after lunch. The perfect sleep combo! Take pictures next time. it works! :laughing:

manntra

10-14-2009, 03:07 PM

wsushocker

10-14-2009, 09:42 PM

Date Night - Sanaa. Of course, every night will be a date night for us, but you know what I mean. Date night translates into the nice, leisurely dinner where we do a wine pairing with appes, entree, and dessert.

That is not what "date night" means to me! :banana:

Diamondintheruff

10-15-2009, 12:25 AM

How sweet to be given the special treatment on your anniversary. What a nice touch.

The voices are gorgeous. I know the hall helps with their acoustics but with their talent they would sound marvelous anywhere.

brookelizabeth

10-15-2009, 10:17 AM

The double-booking thing makes ZERO sense to me. Why wouldn't they want your money twice? Espeically if it's the day of, chances are no one is going to rent that Studio, so why not take the money you are offering??

Don't feel stupid about it! I would have done the exact same thing...I'm sure many people do! Next time just don't say you are already at Pop. ;)

Love your WS pics! And how wonderful that it was empty!!! :thumbsup2 I'm really looking forward to the flash pic on SE!

MEK

10-15-2009, 10:31 AM

As far as I know (which isn't really much :lmao:) I had the Grand Mariner slush and that one was orange in color...it was the one that was featured on one of the Samantha Brown (my mentor :laughing:) specials.
The Parisian Cosmo was (I think) for the F&W festival....it was very festive indeed...bright red in color (as was my tongue :rotfl2:) and had cranberry juice as well as Grey Goose and Contrieau.
Next up will be the lemon flavored one you had...why not just try them all? :rotfl: They went down wayyyyyyyyy to easy!!

Ooooooooohhhhhhhh! A special slush just for food and wine. One more reason that I MUST go next year during F&W. I can do an official taste test of all 3 slushs. I will save the red tounge for last! :rotfl:

Happy that you are going to The Wave your first night....that was one of the best steaks I have ever had (and Jiko too :)) That worked out great for our first night because we then popped right over to MK when we were done.

I also had a really yummy steak there in June. That's exactly what we will do - walk on over to the MK when dinner is done! :thumbsup2 I think that's a perfect start to the trip!

That is not what "date night" means to me! :banana:

:laughing: Oh shocker, now you are making me blush! :laughing: BTW - where's that picture of CP in the hazmat suit! I'm waiting! :rolleyes1

How sweet to be given the special treatment on your anniversary. What a nice touch.

It was so neat! Next trip is my birthday, so I am going back with my button so I can see the WHOLE show from the balcony! :laughing:

The voices are gorgeous. I know the hall helps with their acoustics but with their talent they would sound marvelous anywhere.

You got that right! No argument here.

The double-booking thing makes ZERO sense to me. Why wouldn't they want your money twice? Espeically if it's the day of, chances are no one is going to rent that Studio, so why not take the money you are offering??

Don't feel stupid about it! I would have done the exact same thing...I'm sure many people do! Next time just don't say you are already at Pop. ;)

That is exactly my thinking. It was an empty room that I was going to pay for. Take the $/points and consider it a day. I'm glad there is another DVC'er that doesn't know that rule. And next I will know EXACTLY what to say. However, my DH is a huge rule follower so he would be fretting that they would be cross referencing all the reservations. Yes, for sure we would be hung by our toes by the double-booking police!

Love your WS pics! And how wonderful that it was empty!!! :thumbsup2 I'm really looking forward to the flash pic on SE!

Thanks! I hope to post the SE picture tonight. I really want to get another update in!

praisehisname

10-15-2009, 02:48 PM

Beautiful pictures of WS! I can't wait to hear Voices of Liberty in 58 days!!!

Denise

MEK

10-15-2009, 06:17 PM

Beautiful pictures of WS! I can't wait to hear Voices of Liberty in 58 days!!!

Denise

58 days!!!!! :woohoo: That'll be here before you know it. I hope you love the Voices as much as I do!

wsushocker

10-15-2009, 07:22 PM

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/wsushocker/Hazmattraining5-01.jpg

CP & Charles?

MEK

10-15-2009, 09:36 PM

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/wsushocker/Hazmattraining5-01.jpg

CP & Charles?

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2: That is freak'n Great!!!! I asked for one hazmat-suited CP and just like magic,:wizard: there she is and she is even accompanied by an unknown man! I hope its Charles????? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Thank you shocker - that made my night! :woohoo:

MEK

10-15-2009, 10:28 PM

When I left off we had just watched the American Adventure. As many people have mentioned, the AA can be sleep inducing. It's not that it isn't interesting. Rather, the cool, dark theatre causes even the most hard core Disney buff to succumb to a power nap. But because I spent the whole time taking pictures, I was wide awake.

We we left AA we continued to circle around the world showcase. There was no rush, no time frame, no "hot" kids clamoring to get back to the pool. Just peace and quiet.

So I continued snapping pics as we made our way around.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney303.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney306.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney308.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney309.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney313.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney315.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney316.jpg

Beer stines in Germany.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney321.jpg

And manpri sweats (for Wigd, just in case she needed to see a few more) ....Didn't even know they made them!

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney319.jpg

The crowds were picking up a bit....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney325.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney329.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney330.jpg

Of course, since we were not going to be there for food and wine, these lovely buildings represented the biggest tease of all.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney331.jpg

In just a few short days these colorful, little kiosks would be filled with food, but more importantly, wine! Definate bummer to miss all that.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney334.jpg

I do recall that we rode the Maelstrom this afternoon. I even remember taking a few pictures, but I can't seem to find them. I know I deleted a couple, but I can't believe I have no pictures of Norway. I do remember that my friend, who was staying at our house Monday night to keep an eye on the teens, texted me a few times during the ride. So unfortunately, I missed bits and pieces of the attraction. I was going to try for some no-flash photography, but I am clearly not coordinated enough to text AND take pictures!

We still had FP's for Soarin from earlier in the morning, so our next stop was to take one more ride over California. We totally skipped mission space and test track this trip, probably because we got to ride each a couple times back in June. It was well after 3pm now and we had a 6pm ADR at the Flying Fish. One of our goals for this trip was to make sure we had adequate down time everyday. I admire people who can stay in the parks all day and can head to their dinner ADR without a break. I admire you, I really do. But I like an afternoon break, so I planned for one each day. I need a few minutes to decompress and I like to do that at the pool.

But before we could leave to hit one of the POP pools, we had one more stop to make. We had a date with spaceship earth. Ever since Jen Jolt told me about the mystery picture on the wall opposite the cavemen, I knew I needed to see exactly what was there. Of course, this picture required a flash. It was so cool to walk right on spaceship earth. This has been a very popular attraction in June, with wait times averaging 15 - 20 mins. It was so cool just to hop right on.

I warned Denny that I would be taking a flash photo near the beginning of the ride. I said, "Just chill. There's no one in front or behind us." Denny doesn't like when rules get broken, so I felt it only fair to warn him. So what exactly is on the wall opposite the cavemen????? Well, if you want to be surprised I will post the picture in a separate post. In the meantime here are some other non-flash ride photos.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney344.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney347.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney350.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney351.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney353.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney354.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney357.jpg

Our trip into the future.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney360.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney362.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney365.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney369.jpg

When we got off the ride we decided to email our photo home, but we could not find it anywhere. We searched and searched, but it appears that our sequence was lost in cyberspace. Sad, but true. Oh well, we shrugged it off and made our way to the front of the park!

Up Next....What IS on the wall in Spaceship earth. Disclaimer.....if you want to be surprise just scroll right on over the next post.....

MEK

10-15-2009, 10:33 PM

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney342.jpg

Seriously....how cool is that????? It makes me wonder about all the other things that the imagineers have hidden throughout the various parks. I really need to do some more research before my next trip. I want to be a veritable fountain of Disney trivia the next time I go. I have 6 months to prep. So be prepared to be amazed and astonished when I get back from my May trip! :rotfl:

wigdoutdismom

10-15-2009, 10:40 PM

:rotfl2: Mary Ellen, thanks for the manpris sweats! That's just way too cool! I'm really glad you weren't arrested and taken to Mickey Jail for flashing that camera on Spaceship Earth. I had my camera out in May and they about bit my head off. I quickly put it away......;)

faerieprincess

10-16-2009, 12:36 AM

Great update Mary Ellen! And you were almost smiling in the future! *ducks*

i love this photo:
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney309.jpg

Great eye!

eandesmom

10-16-2009, 12:42 AM

Great pictures!!!!!!!!

I love Spaceship Earth. I can't believe that the last trip was the first time I'd ever gone on it. My pictures were so bad I deleted them all.

I'm glad you snuck one!

Too funny on the adidas manpri's...

Charleston Princess

10-16-2009, 05:43 AM

:lmao::rotfl::rotfl2: What a picture to wake up to this morning, Shocker!!! :laughing:

Mary Ellen, I will be back later to read your update and comment!

MEK

10-16-2009, 06:16 AM

:rotfl2: Mary Ellen, thanks for the manpris sweats! That's just way too cool!

Anita, I thought of you immediately when I saw them! :laughing: I was looking at the soccer jerseys in Germany, and there they were. I assure you that no soccer player would be caught dead wearing those - for warm up or otherwise.

I'm really glad you weren't arrested and taken to Mickey Jail for flashing that camera on Spaceship Earth. I had my camera out in May and they about bit my head off. I quickly put it away......;)

I timed that picture perfectly. I got the camera out of the case just in time to take that picture.

Great update Mary Ellen! And you were almost smiling in the future! *ducks*

i love this photo:
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney309.jpg

Great eye!

I was thinking the same thing...:rotfl:....Gee, look, I'm "almost" smiling. Does that count? :rotfl: I think it does, because usually I am frowning. So, its a huge improvement. As I was posting I thought, "does anyone really smile for Spaceship earth? " :confused3

I like that picture, too. When I posted it I was quite pleased. :thumbsup2 Purely an accident! :laughing:

Great pictures!!!!!!!!

I love Spaceship Earth. I can't believe that the last trip was the first time I'd ever gone on it. My pictures were so bad I deleted them all.

I'm glad you snuck one!

Thanks! My SE pictures are a hair better this trip. My problem is I can't steady the camera and then.....blur......

I was totally excited to get the caveman wall. I have to take another one in May to see what else I missed.

Too funny on the adidas manpri's...

Aren't they the ugliest things? Seriously, who would buy them??????

:lmao::rotfl::rotfl2: What a picture to wake up to this morning, Shocker!!! :laughing:

Mary Ellen, I will be back later to read your update and comment!

Happy Friday, Jackie.....Wasn't that picture a hoot? I asked and Shocker surely delivered! :lmao:

praisehisname

10-16-2009, 07:51 AM

Great update! Thanks for risking being ejected from the park in order to get the pic for us! :rotfl2:

Denise

dawnbu40

10-16-2009, 08:09 AM

Great pics! One of the things I love most about Disney is the attention to detail! No matter how many times we go, I am always noticing something I missed before!

MEK

10-16-2009, 09:15 AM

Great update! Thanks for risking being ejected from the park in order to get the pic for us! :rotfl2:

Denise

Thanks! I was on my way out anyway! LOL! They wouldn't have to take me very far!:rotfl:

Great pics! One of the things I love most about Disney is the attention to detail! No matter how many times we go, I am always noticing something I missed before!

That is soooooo true. There are so many layers of detail. I think that's what make the whole experience so unique!

eandesmom

10-16-2009, 09:59 AM

Anita, I thought of you immediately when I saw them! :laughing: I was looking at the soccer jerseys in Germany, and there they were. I assure you that no soccer player would be caught dead wearing those - for warm up or otherwise.

Aren't they the ugliest things? Seriously, who would buy them??????

All I can picture is a gaucho wearing soccer player wanna-be. Pretending to look cool in the gym but banging the equipment around like an idiot because they really don't have a clue what they are doing.

You know, I'm not against manpri's done well. But those???

UGH!

manntra

10-16-2009, 10:43 AM

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I saw those manpris too!!! And actually even funnier I saw them ON SOMEBODY! With really bad taste obviously!! They must have seen them hanging there and just had to have them! :rotfl2:
Great picture in SE...thanks for breaking the rules and being so brave! :thumbsup2

Tracy

mickeysmyboy

10-16-2009, 11:20 AM

The manpris are too funny!! :rotfl2: LOL!!!

Neat pics of SE!! That wall is really cool!

If you want to be a fountain of Disney Knowledge I have a bunch of really cool Disney Trivia books, I'll put together a list of them for you! They have all sorts of interesting things in them!!

Lady Lallie

10-16-2009, 12:17 PM

Phew. I'm caught up!

That hidden picture in Spaceship Earth is so freaking cool!

jenjolt

10-16-2009, 01:14 PM

Loved your update!!!! Don't you just love being able to take a leisuraly stroll around the World Showcase!!!!!

I have to agree with you...I'm more and more leaning towards having an afternoon break I always felt way more refreshed for my evening activities when I took the break!!!

OOH if you love Disney trivia you have to get the Hidden Magic of Disney book...its fabulous and I know you would love it!!

MEK

10-16-2009, 04:58 PM

All I can picture is a gaucho wearing soccer player wanna-be. Pretending to look cool in the gym but banging the equipment around like an idiot because they really don't have a clue what they are doing.

You know, I'm not against manpri's done well. But those???

UGH!

Acutally, I can "kind-of" picture them on the character Ben Stiller plays in the movie Dodge Ball! Other than that, I just can't see it! LOL

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I saw those manpris too!!! And actually even funnier I saw them ON SOMEBODY! With really bad taste obviously!! They must have seen them hanging there and just had to have them! :rotfl2:

uck! Did you get a picture? :rotfl2: Once I got home I realized that was the only picture I even tried to take of manpris. I'm sure they were all around me, but I remained blissfully oblivious!!!!!

:Great picture in SE...thanks for breaking the rules and being so brave! :thumbsup2

Tracy - it is easy to be "brave" when there is no one around to SEE you break the rules!! :laughing:

The manpris are too funny!! :rotfl2: LOL!!!

I know. I have never see them before! Who knew??? :rotfl: I guess its a European thing!

The manpris are too funny!! :rotfl2: LOL!!!

Neat pics of SE!! That wall is really cool!

Isn't it? I wonder where else there are hidden pictures?

If you want to be a fountain of Disney Knowledge I have a bunch of really cool Disney Trivia books, I'll put together a list of them for you! They have all sorts of interesting things in them!!

Ohhhhh. I would love a list. I wonder to order some books off of
Amazon to make the time go faster between now and my next trip!

Phew. I'm caught up!

LL....I was worried about you. I noticed you hadn't updated your PTR in a few days. You have to admit - that's unusual for you! :laughing:

Phew. I'm caught up!

That hidden picture in Spaceship Earth is so freaking cool!

Thanks. I bet if everyone takes one when they go, we can put them all together and have one big mural!

Loved your update!!!! Don't you just love being able to take a leisuraly stroll around the World Showcase!!!!!

Yes, oh, yes! I especially love it when it isn't June, July, or August. It's just so pleasant being there.

I have to agree with you...I'm more and more leaning towards having an afternoon break I always felt way more refreshed for my evening activities when I took the break!!!

I have to tell you that in all the times I've visited Disney I can only remember one day when I went all day long without a break. It was sooooooo hot that day and I was relying on the bus transportation. It just seemed like it wasn't worth leaving Epcot, being in the room for an hour, then turning right around and coming back to Epcot for dinner. So we went 14 hrs straight. It was a long day, but it was our last day so it was all good.

OOH if you love Disney trivia you have to get the Hidden Magic of Disney book...its fabulous and I know you would love it!!

Thanks for the suggestion. I will put that right at the top of the list!!!

MEK

10-16-2009, 05:11 PM

Going out to dinner tonight with the couple we are taking to WDW in May. I don't know how I am going to stop myself from talking Disney all night. :rotfl2: I hope to update tomorrow! See ya then!

Charleston Princess

10-17-2009, 08:47 AM

Yeay! I am so glad you took the flash photo on Spaceship Earth! Too cool! What a nice rest of the day at Epcot! Isn't it nice when there aren't any kids clamoring for your attention? :laughing:

MEK

10-17-2009, 09:39 AM

Yeay! I am so glad you took the flash photo on Spaceship Earth! Too cool! What a nice rest of the day at Epcot! Isn't it nice when there aren't any kids clamoring for your attention? :laughing:

I was really glad I remembered to take that picture, because, honestly.....I almost forgot. We really did have a lovely day at Epcot. It was hard to leave, knowing that we had only planned to visit that one day.

MEK

10-17-2009, 10:00 AM

By the time we left Epcot, drove back to Pop, refilled our mugs, and hit the pool, it was around 4:30pm. Wow - where did the day go? We visited the 80's pool. It was a little bit of a walk compared to the 60's pool, but it was super quiet over there. There were a few random kids and parents, but we basically had the whole place to ourselves.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney877.jpg

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http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney904.jpg

I'm not gonna' lie - I took a lot of these pictures the next day (Tuesday as opposed to Monday), but I thought I would post some of them today. Our pool break on Monday was super short. We only stayed for about 20 minutes and then went back to the room to get ready for dinner. I really enjoyed the 80's pools and the warm water really felt good on my feet. My feet behaved pretty well for most of the day, but those blisters that started the night before, really started to act up by late afternoon. I found sitting in the pool to be very therapeutic for my poor little tootsies.

So....up next......dinner at the Flying Fish and exactly How far is the self-park lot from the front of the Boardwalk????????? :rolleyes1

Charleston Princess

10-17-2009, 10:34 AM

Great photos of the 80's section of Pop! Reminds me of my childhood! :rolleyes:

I know the answer to the self-parking lot question! :laughing:

wigdoutdismom

10-17-2009, 10:55 AM

I'm glad you were able to soak those poor little tootsies of yours. There is nothing worse than foot pain while at Disney!

I have seen a parking lot at Boardwalk, but have no clue about how far the self park area is......
I'm married to MrIWontRentACar.......

Just someday, somehow, I would just love to have a car down there one time....

manntra

10-17-2009, 11:13 AM

Yum for the Flying Fish! Although that is what I would have done with Denny's fish is made it fly across the room! :laughing::laughing:
Disney water IS therapeutic! There is nothing more refreshing than a quick swim before part II of the day!!:thumbsup2
I have a bunch of books at home too that I will have to write the names down for you....This trip I took a new picture inside TOT of an item in the library that was in one of the Twilight Zone episodes..I did that last year too of another item in there....fun to find things like that!!

Tracy

p.s. I will keep you posted on when I see the May hours out because our ADR day is the same!

MEK

10-17-2009, 01:47 PM

Great photos of the 80's section of Pop! Reminds me of my childhood! :rolleyes:

I know the answer to the self-parking lot question! :laughing:

Oh you young'n! It reminds more me of my college days (what I can remember of those). :laughing:

That parking lot almost made wish I was married to MrIWontRentaCar!:rotfl:

I'm glad you were able to soak those poor little tootsies of yours. There is nothing worse than foot pain while at Disney!

The foot soak was enjoyable, but the foot pain come back witha vengance later that evening.

I have seen a parking lot at Boardwalk, but have no clue about how far the self park area is......
I'm married to MrIWontRentACar.......

Just someday, somehow, I would just love to have a car down there one time....

See above. :rotfl: Seriously, though, this parking lot made me wish I was married to MrIWillOnlyTakeCabs...... Yup....it was THAT far away.

I guess the only way to get MrIWontRentaCar to actually rent one is to make him go to Sea World, or Universal Studios, or, better yet....the Kennedy Space Center. Now that's worthy of a car. Of course, if none of those will work......there's always Vero Beach!

Yum for the Flying Fish! Although that is what I would have done with Denny's fish is made it fly across the room! :laughing::laughing:

Crap, Tracy....I just about lost my ice tea all over the keyboard when I read that. Very funny! :rotfl2:

Disney water IS therapeutic! There is nothing more refreshing than a quick swim before part II of the day!!:thumbsup2!

Definately therapeutic, and made more so by knowing that the next time I will be in a pool is next May!!!!!! It is so freak'n cold and rainy right now that I can hardly remember what that pool was like. that's why I had to post the pics.

I have a bunch of books at home too that I will have to write the names down for you....This trip I took a new picture inside TOT of an item in the library that was in one of the Twilight Zone episodes..I did that last year too of another item in there....fun to find things like that!!

Oh yes - I would appreciate any and all suggestions for books because I really want to focus on that kind of stuff next trip.

p.s. I will keep you posted on when I see the May hours out because our ADR day is the same!

I've been thinking about that. Are they just, all of a sudden, going to post all the park hours for 6 months when the new ADR rule starts. The most important thing I want to know is WHAT NIGHT IS EMH AT THE AK?????? I am totally working around that. I also talked to my friends that are joining us and they are interested in seeing Cirque. I've never seen it and I think this is the right trip to do that. Of course I pick this trip when we are NOT staying at SSR. Don't care though - I will have a rental car (Are you listening.... MrI WontRentaCar?).

I'm curious to see how your plans stack up against mine. It would be fun for a Dismeet. Maybe Illuminations on the same night or something like that!

manntra

10-17-2009, 02:39 PM

I know!!!! I want an EMH at AK too! I was only there once at night and of course that is not enough....I don't know about the hours....I keep checking and they are up to April so :confused:
I think it is all going to be in my hands anyways so I will just book where I want to eat! :rotfl::rotfl:
I know of LeCellier and Biergarten so I will throw in a couple others somewhere!!
I am sure we will meet up somewhere if not for a quick hi..I just found out a friend of mine from here and her family was there at about the same time I was last week! I couldn't believe she didn't tell me she was going! She knows I am a professional!! :laughing: Oh well...her kids are monsters anyways :scared1: Kidding...kind of!!

Tracy

MEK

10-17-2009, 03:56 PM

I know!!!! I want an EMH at AK too! I was only there once at night and of course that is not enough....I don't know about the hours....I keep checking and they are up to April so :confused:

I have only been to one AK EMH, too and I never rode EE during it. Next trip I am SOOOOOOOOOO riding EE at night. I got to ride it in the front seat this trip and my next goal is night time!!!!!!! I guess I should plan a whole AK day so I can start collecting those FP's to bring back at night. The couple we are taking is not into thrill rides so much. I think he will ride, but she already told me she doesn't do any coaster more intense then BTM. I guess that means I will keeping her FP's, too. maaahahaha!

I think it is all going to be in my hands anyways so I will just book where I want to eat! :rotfl::rotfl:
I know of LeCellier and Biergarten so I will throw in a couple others somewhere!!

Oh Le Cellier .....wouldn't that be nice. But I really want my friends to see illuminations, too so maybe I'll mix it up a bit and do Le Cellier for lunch. I would love to do dinner, but what's the chance of getting a dinner before 8pm, if at all.

I am sure we will meet up somewhere if not for a quick hi..I just found out a friend of mine from here and her family was there at about the same time I was last week! I couldn't believe she didn't tell me she was going! She knows I am a professional!! :laughing: Oh well...her kids are monsters anyways :scared1: Kidding...kind of!!

:rotfl2: Better to avoid the monster kids, me thinks!

MEK

10-17-2009, 04:59 PM

I was really looking forward to this dinner, mostly because I secretly referred to this meal as my "mystery" ADR. I didn't real know what to expect since I never hear a lot of people raving about the Flying Fish. Not that I've read bad comments. I just haven't read much about the place...period.

I was also looking forward to snooping around the boardwalk. The last time we were there was in 06. It was November and it was dark when we arrived. Enough said - I wanted to see the Boardwalk Hotel in the day time.

So the self-park lot at the Boardwalk is just were you would expect it to be - in Tim-buk-tu. Either there or its next-door neighbor - tim-buk-three. I begged Denny to find the absolute closest parking space. My feet were killing me and I was trying to wear my black sandals again. Since we were eating at mostly signature restaurants, I was trying to dress a tad nicer. Tonight I wore a black skirt, which was pretty casual. But I tried to dress it up a bit with a fancier top. Of course, I didn't want to look really stupid wearing my brown crocs. So I packed them for later, because it would be dark by the time we went to watch Illuminations. By night fall, no one would be looking at my feet. But in the day time, with those crocs on, I looked like a perfect candidate for "What not to Wear". I could just picture Stacy and Clinton jumping out of the bushes.

So steady yourself for some pictures of the Boardwalk......

After we walked through the ginormous self parking lot, then the valet parking lot, then across the street, then past some DVC villas (I think), we finally saw this on the horizon......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney373.jpg

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Ahhhhhh, getting closer......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney376.jpg

Be still my aching feet, we are almost there.........

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney378.jpg

Almost to the door of the Flying Fish....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney380.jpg

Look....that is DH standing next to the DVC kiosk. I think he really does want to more more points. ahhhhhhh!

We were greated by a lovely CM as soon as we entered. Here is a view of the restaurant from the small entrance area:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney381.jpg

I have been trying to figure out how to describe the decor of the Flying Fish. I just can't seem to come up with the right words. Art Deco, maybe? Early 90's maybe? I don't know. It was just sort-of strange. The theme was fish - fish everywhere. Scales everywhere.

The floor in the entrance way....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney383.jpg

The ceiling (even LL must admit that these are some strange light fixtures....)

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney392.jpg

The kitchen....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney394.jpg

The bar....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney395.jpg

The scales....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney387.jpg

More ceiling.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney386.jpg

A flying fish.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney385.jpg

If you hate fish, I mean really hate fish....this is probably not the best place to eat.

Our waiter was really great. He offered to take our picture. Yes - I know -its not really a smile. But remember, I WAS in pain. That must count for something...... I am sort-of smirking.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney389.jpg

We started dinner with drinks. DH had some type of dark beer and I had a blue moon with orange slice. At home I recently had a blue moon with a shot of some type of blueberry liquor in it. It was really good. I forget what it was called, but I liked. Wouldn't mind having one right now. Sorry, I digress...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney393.jpg

For appes we each had the crab cake. Denny wanted to compare tonight's crab cake to his Narcoossee's crab cake.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney396.jpg

I think he liked this one the best. It was quite good and a lovely presentation. So, hmmmmm, even though I was surrounded by scales everywhere I looked, and I felt like the restaurant was a bit small, the food was turning out to be quite good.

My entree was the wood-grilled scallops.......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney397.jpg

Here is the description from the menu:

Oak-grilled Hand-harvested Maine Scallops -- English Pea, Pecorino, Basil and Mascarpone-laced Risotto di Carnarolli, Prosciutto di Parma Cracklins $36.00

Denny's entree...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney398.jpg

And the description:

Oak-grilled North Atlantic Bay of Fundy Salmon - sauerkraut-brandade torta, rainbow chard, Blue Lake beans, and vermouth-golden raisin caper butter emulsion $36.00

Oh....by the way....here's the description of the crab cakes:

Flying Fish Cafe Crisp Jonah Lump Crab Cake - savory vegetable slaw, roasted red pepper coulis, ancho chili remoulade $16.00

Now I am being quite sincere when I say that my scallops were absolutely , hands-down, the best scallops I have ever had. I loved the oak grilled flavor. They were sooooooo tasty. As much as I think the ambiance of the Flying Fish leaves something to be desired, this was definately my favorite meal of the trip. I barely had room for dessert, but I forced myself to have a few bites of this.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney399.jpg

Gingersnap-crusted Deep-dish Apple Tart - Almond cream, morello cherry coulis, cinnamon anglaise, maple tuile and rum raisin ice cream $8.00

And, of course....Denny's dessert:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney400.jpg

I do not see a description of his cheescake on the menu, so I will just let the picture speak for itself.

Anybody hungry yet????? I was so stuffed after this meal. Thank goodness my skirt was a tad loose.

At the conclusion of dinner we were presented with two glasses of complimentary champagne......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney401.jpg

So, another lovely meal and my favorite food of the entire trip. I would go back in a heart-beat just to taste those fabulous scallops. And for the record, Denny enjoyed tonight's entree much better than his scary fish encounter at Narcoossee's.

When we left dinner I quickly changed into my crocs. It was just starting to get dark as we stepped out onto the boarwalk. I have room for two more pictures, so here they are:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney403.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney407.jpg

When I return....darkness descends over the boardwalk, illuminations, and the return of "Oh my Aching Feet"

eandesmom

10-17-2009, 05:20 PM

So the self-park lot at the Boardwalk is just were you would expect it to be - in Tim-buk-tu. Either there or its next-door neighbor - tim-buk-three. I begged Denny to find the absolute closest parking space. My feet were killing me and I was trying to wear my black sandals again.
I have been trying to figure out how to describe the decor of the Flying Fish. I just can't seem to come up with the right words. Art Deco, maybe? Early 90's maybe? I don't know. It was just sort-of strange. The theme was fish - fish everywhere. Scales everywhere.

Now I am being quite sincere when I say that my scallops were absolutely , hands-down, the best scallops I have ever had. I loved the oak grilled flavor. They were sooooooo tasty. As much as I think the ambiance of the Flying Fish leaves something to be desired, this was definately my favorite meal of the trip. I barely had room for dessert, but I forced myself to have a few bites of this.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney399.jpg

Gingersnap-crusted Deep-dish Apple Tart - Almond cream, morello cherry coulis, cinnamon anglaise, maple tuile and rum raisin ice cream $8.00

Anybody hungry yet????? I was so stuffed after this meal. Thank goodness my skirt was a tad loose.

ugh! The only time I have been to the Boardwalk was when we were staying off property in 04 and had a car. That parking lot is in Egypt!

We loved it though and I am really looking forward to going there this trip...but walking to it!

I actually LOVE the decor based on the photo's. It reminds me of a very quirky place that Jeff and I love (though the menu is QUITE different). Those light fixtures make me think of Jellyfish.

That dessert is right up my alley, all of my favorite things in one dish.

The black sandals...again?

oh now.....

wsushocker

10-17-2009, 05:43 PM

Oh you young'n! It reminds more me of my college days (what I can remember of those). :laughing:

Are you the one in the white hat?

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/wsushocker/hist06.jpg

wigdoutdismom

10-17-2009, 06:03 PM

IF, I ever get a birthday trip......
I want to eat at Flying Fish, it looks delish!

I think you should have walked the parking lot in your crocs....
Then quick slipped into the little black numbers!;)

jenjolt

10-17-2009, 06:19 PM

I have to agree with Anita...next time where the crocs until the very last minute LOL!!!

Hmmm..Yours is not the first great review of the Flying Fish I have heard!! It seems to be great for seafood...which is why I'll probably never eat there (not a big seafood fan) however I'm so glad you guys had a fabulous meal!!!

Love your pictures of the front of the Boardwalk! I usually go over that way through EPCOT so I've never seen the front of the hotels...I didn't even know they existed LOL!!! So I'm glad you shared those with us!!!!

I'm really looking forward to hearing more about your evening!!

Oh and I meant to mention that I took about 3 shots of the SE wall...so we'll have to put them together when I get to that portion of the trip report!! LOL!!

dawnbu40

10-17-2009, 06:29 PM

I love the Boardwalk area and once again, great pictures! Those desserts look wonderful!

MEK

10-17-2009, 06:48 PM

ugh! The only time I have been to the Boardwalk was when we were staying off property in 04 and had a car. That parking lot is in Egypt!

We loved it though and I am really looking forward to going there this trip...but walking to it!

Oh, you are sooooooo lucky to be staying there. When I look at all my pictures it makes me wish I had put BC or BWV tops on my list for May. I just got scared once she said WLV was available and I knew everyone else would want the boardwalk area for F&G. I was too afraid to ask for anything else, I just grabbed the villa and didn't look back.

I actually LOVE the decor based on the photo's. It reminds me of a very quirky place that Jeff and I love (though the menu is QUITE different). Those light fixtures make me think of Jellyfish.

.

That's what they are - jellyfish! Genius! I knew they were supposed to be something, I just couldn't figure out what.

That dessert is right up my alley, all of my favorite things in one dish.

The black sandals...again?

oh now.....

That dessert was so good, but so rich. I probably would have been full after only eating that.

As for the black sandals - I only packed 2 pairs of crocs, black sandals, my running shoes, and the brown sandals I wore there. Who knew?

Are you the one in the white hat?

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/wsushocker/hist06.jpg

Yup, that's me....that one....right over there..... you know, the one in the white hat! :rotfl2:

IF, I ever get a birthday trip......
I want to eat at Flying Fish, it looks delish!

Oh, it was. I highly recommend it! Shocker - did you hear that????? Someone said Birthday trip!

I think you should have walked the parking lot in your crocs....
Then quick slipped into the little black numbers!;)

Yeah, that's me.... a slave to fashion, a glutton for punishment....take your pick.

I have to agree with Anita...next time where the crocs until the very last minute LOL!!!

Yup - I might have to get a pair of black crocs so I match!

I
Hmmm..Yours is not the first great review of the Flying Fish I have heard!! It seems to be great for seafood...which is why I'll probably never eat there (not a big seafood fan) however I'm so glad you guys had a fabulous meal!!!

They did have some non seafood entrees, but if you don't really like seafood it seems like a silly place to go.

I Love your pictures of the front of the Boardwalk! I usually go over that way through EPCOT so I've never seen the front of the hotels...I didn't even know they existed LOL!!! So I'm glad you shared those with us!!!!

I'm really looking forward to hearing more about your evening!!

Glad you like. It really is a big resort....so spread out. I would love to see a map of it to get myself oriented.

Rest of evening.....I may or may not get to it tonight.

I
Oh and I meant to mention that I took about 3 shots of the SE wall...so we'll have to put them together when I get to that portion of the trip report!! LOL!!

Oh...I can't wait to see what you got! :yay:

I love the Boardwalk area and once again, great pictures! Those desserts look wonderful!

It was fun to spend the morning at the BC and then visit the Boardwalk for the evening. The desserts were really good.

mickeysmyboy

10-17-2009, 07:13 PM

Great update!! Your dinner at Flying Fish sound wonderful!!

If funny that you mention that the self parking lot at Boardwalk is so far. This morning I was listening to this weeks Dis podcast and they were discussing how dnsey is doing away with free valet parking for DVC members. one of the men on the podcast said something to the effect that if you self park at boardwalk and have to carry something lime a 12 pack soda to the resort you out of luck because it's like 7 miles! I'm sure the 7 miles was an exaggeration but I'm sure the walk felt that way too!!

I love, love your pics of Boardwalk! One of these trips we'll finally get over there! Of course, another one of the things I heard on the podcast was how terrible the new Cat Cora restaurant is! :scared1: So, we won't be eating there!

Lady Lallie

10-17-2009, 07:18 PM

Ooooh, those scallops look so yummy!

Something about Flying Fish just draws me there. Your desserts look amazing too. :cloud9:

I love the light fixture even though they are silly looking. :laughing:

podsnel

10-17-2009, 08:37 PM

O.M.G. The parking at the Boardwalk. :sad2: The self parking is one hundred million bazillion miles away, and the valet takes an hour. O.M.G. Good thing the villas are so beautiful once you get in them!:goodvibes That resort has my absolute favorite decor, I think it is GORGEOUS!!! :worship: But it is a place to leave the car at home!::yes::

Glad to hear you liked Flying Fish- we're thinking about going next May. I've only been once, and that didn't work out too well, but the mgr came out to talk to me and said they were having a very bad night. Then she sent my kids a bunch of Mickey chachkeys, so all was forgiven! :rotfl:

Ok- have to run- Tyler is eating short ribs out of the pan on the stove with a ladle...and he loves it, so I have to go protect the leftovers, LOL!!!:rotfl:

LOVEMY3KIDDOS

10-17-2009, 09:05 PM

Whoa!!! I missed 3 updates! How did that happen? You were busy busy busy!!!!

I absolutely LOVE that pic of the gondola! That is so cool and looks very inviting! I don't think I have ever even noticed them.

I have never been on SE! Can you believe it?? I know...tragic! I will have to try to look for the caveman seen if I can this trip. We are definitely riding SE this time...we have made it a must do.

Even 20 minutes at the pool can sometimes recharge those batteries!

Flying Fish sounds great! I am not an big regular fish person...but I ADORE shellfish! I can eat that all day long!

MEK

10-18-2009, 07:29 AM

Great update!! Your dinner at Flying Fish sound wonderful!!

It was really yummy. I highly recommend it. And it wasn't crowded at all. I think there were still empty tables when we left at 7:30pm.

If funny that you mention that the self parking lot at Boardwalk is so far. This morning I was listening to this weeks Dis podcast and they were discussing how dnsey is doing away with free valet parking for DVC members. one of the men on the podcast said something to the effect that if you self park at boardwalk and have to carry something lime a 12 pack soda to the resort you out of luck because it's like 7 miles! I'm sure the 7 miles was an exaggeration but I'm sure the walk felt that way too!!

I would imagine that there are some villas that are nearly 7 miles from that parking lot. I can't imagine how long it would take to walk to a villa that was closer to HS. I never really thought about that before, but it would be nearly impossible to use a car if staying there.

I love, love your pics of Boardwalk! One of these trips we'll finally get over there! Of course, another one of the things I heard on the podcast was how terrible the new Cat Cora restaurant is! :scared1: So, we won't be eating there!

I heard that Cat Cora restaurant was bad, too. I was thinking about it for May, but probably will pass!

Ooooh, those scallops look so yummy!

Something about Flying Fish just draws me there. Your desserts look amazing too. :cloud9:

I love the light fixture even though they are silly looking. :laughing:

If you like scallops, I really recommend a visit there. And the crab cake was almost entree size. It was seriously good. Desserts, too. :thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 three thumbs up for this dinner.

glad you like the light fixture. At least now I know what it is, thanks to the ever observant Cynthia!

O.M.G. The parking at the Boardwalk. :sad2: The self parking is one hundred million bazillion miles away, and the valet takes an hour. O.M.G. Good thing the villas are so beautiful once you get in them!:goodvibes That resort has my absolute favorite decor, I think it is GORGEOUS!!! :worship: But it is a place to leave the car at home!::yes::

[QUOTE]

I definately would like to stay there someday. And I will definately remember to foget about the rental car for that trip! The lobby of the hotel was so interesting. I loved all the blue and white dishes and the horse light fixture and the roller coaster. Pics will be forthcoming!

[QUOTE=podsnel;33988086]Glad to hear you liked Flying Fish- we're thinking about going next May. I've only been once, and that didn't work out too well, but the mgr came out to talk to me and said they were having a very bad night. Then she sent my kids a bunch of Mickey chachkeys, so all was forgiven! :rotfl:

:

Sorry you had a not-so-great meal there. Our meal was surprisingly the best of the trip. I just didn't expect that! I'm glad the manager was so nice and helped make ammends for your bad experience.

Ok- have to run- Tyler is eating short ribs out of the pan on the stove with a ladle...and he loves it, so I have to go protect the leftovers, LOL!!!:rotfl:

OH NO.....SAVE THE SHORTRIBS!!!!!!

Whoa!!! I missed 3 updates! How did that happen? You were busy busy busy!!!!

Actually, you've been really busy getting ready for your trip and you have a lot going on at home!

I absolutely LOVE that pic of the gondola! That is so cool and looks very inviting! I don't think I have ever even noticed them.

I never noticed those gondolas either. What's funny is I never expected that particular picture to turn out so good. When I posted it I thought, well at least I have ONE artistic picture out of 1500! :rotfl:

.

I have never been on SE! Can you believe it?? I know...tragic! I will have to try to look for the caveman seen if I can this trip. We are definitely riding SE this time...we have made it a must do.

Oh - you - must - ride - Spaceship Earth. It's a classic. I never tire of it and the ending is so much better now. But I am still bummed that we couldn't find our picture!

Even 20 minutes at the pool can sometimes recharge those batteries!

Agreed!

Flying Fish sounds great! I am not an big regular fish person...but I ADORE shellfish! I can eat that all day long!

Yum! I love shellfish, too. I had a lot of mussels in this trip! And I love shrimp!

Charleston Princess

10-18-2009, 08:32 AM

Aghhh -- I remember the parking lot being a bit of a hike, but since my feet weren't killing me, it probably didn't feel as bad as it did for you -- your poor feet. :(

Dinner at Flying Fish looks out of this world!!! I love seafood and fish, so I am absolutely drooling all over the keyboard at your pics of crab cakes and scallops! Yum! That deep dish apple tart looks pretty tasty as well!

Isn't the Boardwalk pretty? I think you need to stay there on your DVC points sometime soon. ;)

MEK

10-18-2009, 02:35 PM

Aghhh -- I remember the parking lot being a bit of a hike, but since my feet weren't killing me, it probably didn't feel as bad as it did for you -- your poor feet. :(

Normally I don't mind walking at all. I like it. But having bum fit changed all that!

Dinner at Flying Fish looks out of this world!!! I love seafood and fish, so I am absolutely drooling all over the keyboard at your pics of crab cakes and scallops! Yum! That deep dish apple tart looks pretty tasty as well!

It was a seriously good dinner. If I ever do the deluxe DP again I would definately go back!

Isn't the Boardwalk pretty? I think you need to stay there on your DVC points sometime soon. ;)

I do....I just don't know when. I'm staying VWL this May, fall will be a free dining trip (i hope) and in the spring of 2011 I want to take 2 or 3 of my soccer mom friends. If we go over a weekend I will definately need to stay at OKW to keep the points low. Plus OKW has regular beds in their studios and I think 2 studios would work out best for this trip. No moms want to see anything that resembles a kitchen!!!!!!!

So I guess that brings us up to fall 2011. Brian will be gone so hopefull Denny and I can do anything date trip. This time I think I would like to go later in October or wait until November right after Thanksgiving. Yup - I am planning real far ahead. But that will be the trip where I try for BC or BWV.

MEK

10-18-2009, 03:24 PM

When I last left off, we had just finished dinner at Flying fish. We watched the sun go completely down over the boardwalk before we ventured in to Epcot.

More boardwalk pics....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney404.jpg

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http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney427.jpg

We entered Epcot and decided to visit Mexico. I can't remember if we ever did the boat ride in June. It felt like a long time since we had last visited. I always enjoy the animal carvings here, so I decided to take a few pictures.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney429.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney448.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney449.jpg

It was time to see "hi" to donald and the three caballeros....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney433.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney434.jpg

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http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney440.jpg

I wish I could remember exactly where I took this next picture in Mexico.....Does anyone know????

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney452.jpg

I know I took this as we were leaving and we left through the side door. I guess that's what happens when you take 1500 pictures over 5 days - you lose track of what you were thinking/doing.

Our next stop was Norway. I Know we had stopped here earlier in the day. I guess I thought we took pictures then, when in reality I took them all at night. And they're not very good!

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney455.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney456.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney457.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney458.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney460.jpg

We still had a little time to kill before Illuminations started, so we explored the gift shop. We had no children with us, so we left the obligatory pose with the giant troll to the children who were in the shop with their parents.

Here's some "mini" trolls instead:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney463.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney464.jpg

Continued in the next post.......

MEK

10-18-2009, 03:49 PM

It was about 8:50 when we found a place near the railing outside of Norway. We watched illuminations from this spot in June, and I enjoyed so I figured, "Whythe heck not?". Plus my feet made it impossible for me to even consider walking any further. I still had the 3 mile trek back to the car to consider. So, here goes...... Illuminations.......

The first fireworks....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney465.jpg

The fireworks on the water.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney472.jpg

Followed closely by the Globe.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney479.jpg

And its many changing faces......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney485.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney486.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney489.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney491.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney494.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney497.jpg

The Globe and the fireworks.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney500.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney503.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney513.jpg

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http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney516.jpg

More faces on the globe.....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney518.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney521.jpg

As it opens....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney524.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney527.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney531.jpg

The final fireworks....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney534.jpg

What a great show. Now that I've looked through the pictures, I realize it might be nice to try watching Illuminations from the deck on the Rose & Crown. I am seriously leaning in that direction for May.

Well, I was able to ignore my aching feet for the show, but once we started that slow shuffle back to the International gateway, I really wished I was walking to the front of the park to catch a bus. The self parking lot seemed really, really far away.

We made it as far as the Boardwalk Hotel and I told DH I needed a break. I wanted some inside pictures of the lobby, but the real reason for the break was my feet.

So, here is a light fixture for LL:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney535.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney538.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney537.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney539.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney541.jpg

Continued in next post......

MEK

10-18-2009, 04:07 PM

I have always had a fondness for antique furniture and decorations, so I totally enjoyed nosing around in this lobby. For instance, check out this hooked rug....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney543.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney542.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney544.jpg

Now, if this doesn't take me back. I was a little girl when the Steele Pier still stood in Atlantic City. And I remember my grandparents taking me to see the girl who jumped in the pool on horseback. Yeah, I know, I am showing my age. But I was pretty little and that memory just stuck.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney548.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney549.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney546.jpg

Horses????? Steele Pier?????? Is there a connection here. Am I having a light bulb, ah hah moment?

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney547.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney550.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney553.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney552.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney545.jpg

I really enjoyed sightseeing at the Boardwalk. I sat in the lobby for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, we mustered the energy to make it back to the car. I thought I had put the camera away for the night when we were greeted by the most unexpected surprise in our room. LOOK.......

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney558-1.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee279/mekopp/Disney%20Sept%2009%20Day%202/Sept2009-Disney556.jpg

Well, folks....that's a wrap on Day 2. It was a fun filled, exhausting day. We literally fell into bed. Except I think my older son started texting me just as we were falling asleep. It was after 11pm. What was he still doing awake? Oh, that's right. Their soccer game went into double overtime and they didn't get home until after 10pm. Sorry I missed that. :laughing:

Up next....Day 3.....Animal Kingdom, Front Row on EE with Pictures, and MNSSHP!

wigdoutdismom

10-18-2009, 04:53 PM

Ahhhh, Illuminations how I miss thee!
I think you should defiantly try for R&C ressie with a time that is compatible with Illuminations, we did in June and it was fantastic! We are trying it again in December, I just hope it isn't too cold to sit outside.
I love the Boardwalk Lobby, it looks like so much to see, next time we are at Beach Club I'm going in there to look around for sure!

2xcited2sleep

10-18-2009, 05:30 PM

Hi! :wave: All caught up... finally. :rolleyes1 Silly life getting in the way of the DIS. :sad2:

I had so much to comment on I took notes:

:cool1::banana::cool1: Hey C - So glad you made it! It really was fun meeting you, too! I knew exactly who you were as soon as you walked in, which was so cool! Plus...I want everyone to know that as cute as you are in your pictures, you are even prettier in real life!!!!! :flower3:

I am certain I would like to do a food and wine trip next year. I know I can't leave the home front for a long trip, but I KNOW I can manage a 4 or 5 night trip! Hopefully there will be free dining again, because I'd rather do that then stay on points. I'm saving my points for a 2011 soccer mom's trip.

First of all thank you so much. :blush: You are too sweet. I loved meeting you guys too. I can verify that in fact Mary Ellen does smile in real life! ;) And bring on F&W 2010!!

---------

Grand Floridian looks just lovely. I've heard such nice things about Narcoosee's I can't wait to try it.

The full fish on the plate? :scared:

LOVE your recommendation of sangria w/ a champagne chaser to make Thunder Mountain seem faster! :thumbsup2

What are the odds you'd get the same room at Pop?? Wow! I can't believe they got rid of the frozen coke!

I am so jealous that you had such low crowds for part of your trip. Soarin w/ a 10 min wait? :worship:

I was missing The Land too on this trip. It has reopened now and I've heard that it's not really clear what has changed. :confused3

Ahhh.. the Beach Club. :cloud9: Sorry you weren't able to book the one night there - that stinks. But there is always next time. Like fall 2010 for F&W. :rolleyes1

How nice you have a May trip to plan and look forward to. And how cool to show your friends around who haven't visited in a while. Your ADR plans look great!!

All hail the Grey Goose Slushie!! :worship::worship::worship:

Flying Fish is also on my list of restaurants to try. I'm not a huge fish fan but I've heard great things about this place.

Illuminations - what a perfect way to end the night. :goodvibes