A Tale of [family madness in] Two Cities - Final Thoughts & PTR Link! [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

brookelizabeth

01-09-2010, 09:01 AM

A Tale of [family madness in] Two Cities begins before Saturday, December 26, but I'll just sum it up in this.

We live in Minnesota.

Big snow storm on December 24.

Drive 20 minutes to celebrate with Joe's family.

That night we drive 3 hours to celebrate with my family. Can't drive faster than 45 mph. Yippee.

Tired. Drank a lot of coffee.

Arrived safe. Slept well and hard.

Snow won't stop falling.

Even Minnesotans are amazed at the amount of snow.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/WozWorld/Christmas-2009/IMG5549-Small/759930330_frx6u-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/WozWorld/Christmas-2009/IMG5569-Small/759930515_LK7YT-M.jpg
My uncle and aunt's home - it was a cozy place to be on such a wintery day!

Christmas is good.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/WozWorld/Christmas-2009/IMG5575-Small/759930594_PGp6w-M-1.jpg
My Grandma (known as GG to Henry) and Henry napping. :lovestruc

Henry starts running a slight temperature. I buy some Children's Motrin from the only open store in the town.

Henry doesn't sleep well that night. Neither do we.

Fever breaks. Henry is left with a bit of a cold. Which I know he caught from me. :guilty: I ask Joe if it's humanly possible we can go to Disney with NO sickness? Every trip, someone is sick at least a bit. Sigh.

Drive to airport early on December 26. Drank a lot of coffee.

Flight leaves ON TIME! :yay:

So before we truly begin the adventure, let me introduce everyone in case you are a new reader/didn't follow my PTR.

My mother and father-in-law, well known as Grammy and Poppa. First timers. Well...MIL was at MK in 1975.
http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5614-Small/759451688_cVywF-M.jpg

My sister-in-law, known as KK. My nephew started to call her this and it stuck. We RARELY call her by her real name anymore! :laughing: First timer.
http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Vacation/New-Orleans-2010/IMG8428-Small/759761633_nndSB-M.jpg

Henry, my little man - age 2. 4th trip.
http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG6012-Small/759506256_cDAsp-M.jpg

Joe, my big man. 5th trip.
http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5643-Small/759451853_hQSbf-M.jpg

And me! Brook. 5th trip.
http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Tuesday-December-20-2009/IMG7308-Small/759620308_nLLqY-M.jpg

5 adults. 1 toddler.
1 wheelchair. 1 stroller.
3 Disney newbs.
1 Planner. That's me.

2 bedroom at Kidani. December 26-January 1.
2 separate hotel rooms in New Orleans. January 1-January 5.

Ready? Let's ride!

brookelizabeth

01-09-2010, 09:02 AM

Saturday, December 26, 2009
Chapter 1.
Jumping, dancing and...calling the police?!?! Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34955507&postcount=53)
Jumping, dancing and...calling the police?!?! Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34955534&postcount=54)
Jumping, dancing and...calling the police?!?! Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34955557&postcount=55)
Chapter 2.
An unexpected surprise and good eats. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35001262&postcount=121)
An unexpected surprise and good eats. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35001263&postcount=122)
An unexpected surprise and good eats. Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35001264&postcount=123)
--> Additional pictures from Poppa's camera. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35001282&postcount=124)

Sunday, December 27, 2009
Chapter 3.
Where are the crowds? Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35089984&postcount=184)
Where are the crowds? Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35090026&postcount=185)
More pictures from Poppa's camera, and some from KK's (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35090295&postcount=188)
Chapter 4.
Elbows on the table, nose to the wall! Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35154192&postcount=256)
Elbows on the table, nose to the wall! Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35154216&postcount=257)
Elbows on the table, nose to the wall! Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35154244&postcount=258)
Elbows on the table, nose to the wall! Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35154265&postcount=259)
Elbows on the table, nose to the wall! Part Five. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35154291&postcount=260)
--> Video links and Photopass Pictures (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35154291&postcount=260)
Chapter 5.
Touring Kidani. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35166083&postcount=308)
Touring Kidani. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35166105&postcount=309)
Touring Kidani. Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35166119&postcount=310)
Touring Kidani. Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35166129&postcount=311)
Chapter 6.
Handy Manny and "choc-choc"....a magical night for Henry! Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35221649&postcount=361)
Handy Manny and "choc-choc"....a magical night for Henry! Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35221671&postcount=362)
Handy Manny and "choc-choc"....a magical night for Henry! Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35221693&postcount=363)
Handy Manny and "choc-choc"....a magical night for Henry! Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35221708&postcount=364)
Handy Manny and "choc-choc"....a magical night for Henry! Part Five. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35221719&postcount=365)
Handy Manny and "choc-choc"....a magical night for Henry! Part Six. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35221725&postcount=366)
Chapter 7.
"Everything is excellent." Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35344149&postcount=451)
"Everything is excellent." Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35344151&postcount=452)
Chapter 8.
BTMRR Square Dancing. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35428462&postcount=510)
BTMRR Square Dancing. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35428475&postcount=511)

Monday, December 28, 2009
Chapter 9.
As per a 2 year old, "It's a butterfly!" Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35484312&postcount=567)
As per a 2 year old, "It's a butterfly!" Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35484340&postcount=568)
As per a 2 year old, "It's a butterfly!" Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35484359&postcount=569)
As per a 2 year old, "It's a butterfly!" Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35484378&postcount=570)
Chapter 10.
A magical moment for me! Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35504765&postcount=610)
A magical moment for me! Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35504791&postcount=611)
A magical moment for me! Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35504812&postcount=612)
A magical moment for me! Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35504828&postcount=613)
A magical moment for me! Part Five. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35504850&postcount=614)
A magical moment for me! Part Six. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35504871&postcount=615)
A magical moment for me! Part Seven. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35504892&postcount=616)
A magical moment for me! Part Eight. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35504905&postcount=617)
Chapter 11.
"This was worth the whole trip." Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35897168&postcount=755)
"This was worth the whole trip." Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35897187&postcount=756)
"This was worth the whole trip." Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35897200&postcount=757)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009.
Chapter 12.
Is everyone at AK today? Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37176587&postcount=920)
Is everyone at AK today? Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37176607&postcount=921)
Is everyone at AK today? Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37176633&postcount=922)
Is everyone at AK today? Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37176647&postcount=923)
Is everyone at AK today? Part Five. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37176662&postcount=924)
Chapter 13.
An AK evening. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37216287&postcount=961)
An AK evening. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37216297&postcount=962)
Chapter 14.
Corn Diggity Dogs! Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37242743&postcount=986)
Corn Diggity Dogs! Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37242750&postcount=987)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009.
Chapter 15.
Makin' Music at EPCOT. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37285519&postcount=1014)
Makin' Music at EPCOT. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37290083&postcount=1021)
Makin' Music at EPCOT. Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37290106&postcount=1022)
Makin' Music at EPCOT. Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37290146&postcount=1023)
Chapter 16.
Touring the World. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37291128&postcount=1025)
Touring the World. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37291160&postcount=1026)
Touring the World. Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37291174&postcount=1027)
Touring the World. Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37291830&postcount=1030)
Chapter 17.
Biergarten = YUMM-O! Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37316447&postcount=1054)
Biergarten = YUMM-O! Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37316469&postcount=1055)
Chapter 18.
The password is "snowflake". Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37320172&postcount=1066)
The password is "snowflake". Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37320196&postcount=1067)
The password is "snowflake". Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37320201&postcount=1068)

Thursday, December 31, 2009
Chapter 19.
Too much food and too much shopping! Wait, is there such a thing? Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37371139&postcount=1105)
Too much food and too much shopping! Wait, is there such a thing? Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37371155&postcount=1106)
Too much food and too much shopping! Wait, is there such a thing? Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37371229&postcount=1107)
Too much food and too much shopping! Wait, is there such a thing? Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37371248&postcount=1108)
Chapter 20.
How long would you wait for Soarin'? Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37400012&postcount=1130)
How long would you wait for Soarin'? Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37400037&postcount=1131)
How long would you wait for Soarin'? Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37400061&postcount=1132)
How long would you wait for Soarin'? Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37400074&postcount=1133)
Chapter 21...which only has one part, believe it or not! :goodvibes
Henry and the arcade. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37430509&postcount=1162)
Chapter 22.
Shopping, fireworks and a big 'ol DIS meet. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37467455&postcount=1183)
Shopping, fireworks and a big 'ol DIS meet. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37467469&postcount=1184)
Shopping, fireworks and a big 'ol DIS meet. Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37467485&postcount=1185)
Shopping, fireworks and a big 'ol DIS meet. Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37467499&postcount=1186)
Friday, January 1, 2010
Chapter 23.
Good-bye Disney... (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37508484&postcount=1213)
Chapter 24.
Hello New Orleans! Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37518980&postcount=1221)
Hello New Orleans! Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37518992&postcount=1222)
Hello New Orleans! Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37518996&postcount=1223)
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Chapter 25.
New Orleans, Day 2. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37541850&postcount=1239)
New Orleans, Day 2. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37541867&postcount=1240)
New Orleans, Day 2. Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37541876&postcount=1241)
New Orleans, Day 2. Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37541890&postcount=1242)
New Orleans, Day 2. Part Five. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37541897&postcount=1243)
New Orleans, Day 2. Part Six. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37541905&postcount=1244)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Chapter 26.
New Orleans, Day 3. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37564961&postcount=1263)
New Orleans, Day 3. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37564979&postcount=1264)
New Orleans, Day 3. Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37565014&postcount=1266)
New Orleans, Day 3. Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37565039&postcount=1267)
New Orleans, Day 3. Part Five. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37565063&postcount=1268)
Monday, January 4, 2010
Chapter 27.
New Orleans, Day 4. Part One. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37594978&postcount=1303)
New Orleans, Day 4. Part Two. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37595005&postcount=1304)
New Orleans, Day 4. Part Three. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37595036&postcount=1305)
New Orleans, Day 4. Part Four. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37595066&postcount=1306)
New Orleans, Day 4. Part Five. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37595084&postcount=1307)
Chapter 28.
Vacation - Henry's perspective (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37611692&postcount=1331)
Chapter 29.
Final Thoughts and link to the new PTR! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37626032&postcount=1350)

Non-TR Bits
My Little Buzz (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37216458&postcount=963)
Adios, mop! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37242430&postcount=985)
Mary Poppins on Broadway (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37325715&postcount=1074)
New Disney Store on Times Square (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37348653&postcount=1092)
:banana:

All7OfUs

01-09-2010, 09:08 AM

Hey Brook!!

I've seen you around (a lot)! and thought I'd jump in and follow along! :banana::banana::banana:

Liesa

brookelizabeth

01-09-2010, 09:48 AM

Hey Brook!!

I've seen you around (a lot)! and thought I'd jump in and follow along! :banana::banana::banana:

Liesa

Hey Liesa! I have seen you around (a lot) too! :goodvibes I believe I have your PTR already saved in my subscriptions but just haven't caught up yet! I do read your blog from time to time as well. Life in Somewhere-Stan is very interesting!!

onelilspark

01-09-2010, 10:21 AM

How awesome is it that Henry is only 2 and has been to WDW 4 times? I'm jealous...

Lady Lallie

01-09-2010, 10:22 AM

I didn't need a batman signal this time!! I'm so proud of myself. :rotfl2:

GreatBiscuit

01-09-2010, 10:56 AM

Crewman Biscuit reporting for duty!

brookelizabeth

01-09-2010, 11:05 AM

How awesome is it that Henry is only 2 and has been to WDW 4 times? I'm jealous...

:rotfl: Do you read MeMom's reports? Brooklynn has been to WDW ELEVEN times and she's only three! :faint: :laughing:

It was always my wish on every single birthday cake growing up to go to Disney World. My Mom used to say "Maybe this year..." but we never did....so, I'm making up for my lost time. ;) And now, my Mom REALLY wants to go after hearing our stories and seeing our pictures - she may be along on a trip this year or next! :yay:

I didn't need a batman signal this time!! I'm so proud of myself. :rotfl2:

:laughing: Good job!! I don't have a PTR/TR to announce it on, so I'm just hoping people stumble across me....!

Crewman Biscuit reporting for duty!

Hey GB! Thanks for joining in!!

KathyRN137

01-09-2010, 12:00 PM

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/WozWorld/Christmas-2009/IMG5575-Small/759930594_PGp6w-M-1.jpg
My Grandma (known as GG to Henry) and Henry napping. :lovestruc

:goodvibes Awww, that picture is just precious! :goodvibes

And oh, how I hear you about sickness + Disney! :rolleyes:

I'm ready to read all about your latest adventure!!

Kathy

micandminforever

01-09-2010, 12:28 PM

Glad to be stumbling in for another great trip report. :surfweb:popcorn::

Mom2Brooke

01-09-2010, 12:35 PM

Love the photo of GG and Henry, what a precious moment.
Can't wait to read more of your report.

Lovemy3babes

01-09-2010, 12:37 PM

Woot, woot...I'm in again!! You are right, even people from MN are surprised at the amounts of snow we have gotten. Ick!! I can't wait to read more Brook, bring it on! And if you have a chance, check out my TR too please. :) (link is in my siggy)

John's Mom

01-09-2010, 12:40 PM

I'm here! Can't wait for more! :goodvibes

Kathy

shannon47142

01-09-2010, 01:39 PM

joining in for the fun!

disneydusted

01-09-2010, 02:45 PM

Seriously??? I made the first page of a Brook TR????!!! WOW!! :goodvibes I'm ready for another story from you.... I love the new photos of Henry on your signature! Sooo cute! :thumbsup2

MHTeacher

01-09-2010, 03:19 PM

:wave2: Just joining....can't wait to read more. We were also at Disney around the time you were there--12/29-1/1---currently working on writing my first ever trip report.

Your little Henry is precious...looks like he loves life!

gellybean

01-09-2010, 03:40 PM

brookelizabeth

01-09-2010, 03:48 PM

:goodvibes Awww, that picture is just precious! :goodvibes

And oh, how I hear you about sickness + Disney! :rolleyes:

I'm ready to read all about your latest adventure!!

Kathy

Thank you! We thought so too. It wasn't even Henry's nap time. I was SHOCKED that he fell asleep all curled up on GG like that. Just somethin' about Grandma's....! :cutie:

The sickness at Disney thing has got to end! Our Disneymoon was the ONLY trip where one of us wasn't battling something. Thankfully nothing has been too drastic that made us want to do nothing/cancel the trip. We are really considering never going again during high cold season though. The airplane seems to get us every time!

Glad to be stumbling in for another great trip report. :surfweb:popcorn::

::welcome:: Thanks for finding me again! :goodvibes

Love the photo of GG and Henry, what a precious moment.
Can't wait to read more of your report.

Thank you! It was very sweet when we found the two of them that way!

I like your DD's name. ;)

Woot, woot...I'm in again!! You are right, even people from MN are surprised at the amounts of snow we have gotten. Ick!! I can't wait to read more Brook, bring it on! And if you have a chance, check out my TR too please. :) (link is in my siggy)

Hey! Welcome to this TR! Thanks for reading, again! :goodvibes The snow is just nuts this year. And southern MN got slammed again. :eek: :sad2: Hopefully it will all melt before May and we'll have a HOT summer. We deserve one after last year. :laughing:

I just opened your TR, I will get caught up, thanks for pointing it out to me! :thumbsup2

I'm here! Can't wait for more! :goodvibes

Kathy

Hey! ::welcome:: again! Thanks for joining up.

joining in for the fun!

Thanks for reading!!!

Seriously??? I made the first page of a Brook TR????!!! WOW!! :goodvibes I'm ready for another story from you.... I love the new photos of Henry on your signature! Sooo cute! :thumbsup2

:yay: 1st page, 1st page!!! Thank you on the pics! Henry "helped" me this morning in making them, he insisted on the "corn guy" also being there. He thinks he's hilarious. :laughing:

:wave2: Just joining....can't wait to read more. We were also at Disney around the time you were there--12/29-1/1---currently working on writing my first ever trip report.

Your little Henry is precious...looks like he loves life!

Very cool! I just opened up your TR, I will get caught up! :woohoo:

Thank you on the compliment about Henry! He is a sweet little guy (most of the time...he is two! ;)) and a blast to be around. He's such a goof!

IBelieveInTheMagic

01-09-2010, 03:59 PM

YEAH!!! You started!! :cool1: I was just thinking about your TR today, actually and here you are! ;)

I had so much fun following you on Facebook so thanks for the effort you put into it!

I can't wait for the ride to begin.... :worship:

Heather

goin' goofy

01-09-2010, 04:02 PM

Yea, you started! :cheer2: (I was never a cheerleader, but I think pom poms give everything that extra oomph! :lmao:)

I'm in and waiting for the trip to begin!

PopArtGal

01-09-2010, 04:02 PM

Here I am!!

MeMom

01-09-2010, 04:07 PM

We were also at Disney around the time you were there--12/29-1/1---currently working on writing my first ever trip report.

You could have joined us on the Poly beach, if we had known. It was a beautiful place to watch awesome fireworks.

Brook, can't wait to see many fun pictures of an awake and active Henry and his nice mom and dad!

jordanyosh

01-09-2010, 04:45 PM

you went stealth on me and started. Okay I am here now...

DreaGirl

01-09-2010, 04:52 PM

Okay, I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't realize that you started this TR! I'm in, of course!

BrooklynnsMommy

01-09-2010, 05:08 PM

I'm here. Headed back to read.

kschafer

01-09-2010, 06:11 PM

I'm here!

SoonerGirl

01-09-2010, 06:32 PM

Agggg, I just noticed your link in your siggie! I'm here now!

I can't believe Henry got a cold just when it was time to leave for your trip, that just stinks! Poor little guy, I hope it was short lived and that no one else caught the bug.

Can't wait to hear all about your latest adventure!

ILuvCrush

01-09-2010, 06:42 PM

I'm here!!

2xcited2sleep

01-09-2010, 06:49 PM

I'm here... can't wait. Going back to catch up. :)

MEK

01-09-2010, 07:28 PM

zoegirl

01-09-2010, 07:48 PM

Yay another brooke report!

popcorn::

floridascgirl

01-09-2010, 07:51 PM

I'm in, too! :surfweb:

Disneymom3304

01-09-2010, 08:00 PM

I'm in.:thumbsup2 I have lurked on all your other reports and thought I would actually say Hi this time! You have a beautiful family and a wonderful way of writing...hooks me everytime!!popcorn::

ptcrn

01-09-2010, 09:13 PM

I'm here too! :wave: I enjoyed following along with your trip on Facebook, and can't wait to hear all the details! And see all your fabulous pictures!

I would tell you to come over to my TR too, but I guess I should go update it first... :rolleyes1 I'm afraid I've abandoned it a little!

IluvXU

01-09-2010, 09:13 PM

I never realized that you had not been to Disney before your Honeymoon.... you sure have made up for it with Henry, four trips in 2 years, he is lucky!

LoveMyTwoPrincesses

01-09-2010, 09:23 PM

I'm glad to hear that your flight made it out! Wasn't all of that snow crazy? Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Heidi

3prettyprincesses

01-09-2010, 09:24 PM

I've been a lurker (why does that always sound so creepy?:laughing:) and am looking forward to your TR! Your little guy is too cute.:goodvibes

IWISHFORDISNEY

01-09-2010, 09:28 PM

yay another Brooke report!! The crowds were crazy that week. We were up for my sons birthday on the 30th. I cant wait to hear all about it!

manntra

01-09-2010, 09:45 PM

Flossbolna

01-10-2010, 05:26 AM

I wonder wether I will still make it to page three or wether I will end up on page four... :eek: Your TR is already moving fast, will also need to send a PM to nodnol that you have started otherwise she will be very cross with me... You see we are all very much looking forward to your report! :goodvibes

Sounds like you had a bit of a stressful start to your vacation with fever and snow! I love the pic of your grandmother and Henry. I hope she is doing fine, I remember that there were some unpleasant things happening last year, I hope those are well behind her now! :goodvibes

Joe's picture is great, too! I know that you guys are into mirrors, but this one looks so much unplanned and a lot of fun. He looks really happy in the picture! :thumbsup2

praisehisname

01-10-2010, 06:01 AM

I'm in! Going back now to get caught up!

Charleston Princess

01-10-2010, 07:35 AM

Can I just say how excited I was when I saw you had started your trip report? I even had to comment to Charles about it! :lmao:

Can't believe Henry had a fever the night before! :eek: Thank goodness it broke!

Oh, I am so ready to hear all about this fun trip! popcorn::

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 08:51 AM

I nearly made the first page! SHUCKS!

But I found you! :cool1:

Love the new pics in your signature. Gosh our boys are getting too big too fast!

Can't wait to hear the rest of the story.... I said that in Walter Cronkite's voice, just so you know. :rolleyes:

Hate that you guys had a sickie on this trip, too. I know what that's like. I have a bit of a scratchy throat, and the sneezies. I'm sooooooooooo praying it's just because of the crazy temp swings and not the start of something more. :sad2: Cus you know if I get it, the boys'll be right behind me.

I'm so excited that you are starting! :yay:

Love Tale of Two Cities btw. My fave Dickens by far. :goodvibes Hope it wasn't foreshadowing though....

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

:dance3: Glad you found me!!

I had a slight cold two days before we left for WDW. One day I was totally drained and exhausted, but after that I bounced back. It just drives me nuts that no matter how careful I am, Henry catches it! :sad2:

No worries on the Tale of Two Cities...no "worst of times" really! :goodvibes

YEAH!!! You started!! :cool1: I was just thinking about your TR today, actually and here you are! ;)

I had so much fun following you on Facebook so thanks for the effort you put into it!

I can't wait for the ride to begin.... :worship:

Heather

Thanks for following me along on Facebook, it was really fun to post the tweets and the pictures each day. I tried to hold some stuff back for the TR.... :goodvibes

Yea, you started! :cheer2: (I was never a cheerleader, but I think pom poms give everything that extra oomph! :lmao:)

I'm in and waiting for the trip to begin!

That is true about the pom pom's, coming from another non-cheerleader. :laughing:

Here I am!!

Yay! You made it!

You could have joined us on the Poly beach, if we had known. It was a beautiful place to watch awesome fireworks.

Brook, can't wait to see many fun pictures of an awake and active Henry and his nice mom and dad!

I was thinking that as well when I found out she was there the same time as us! I just wonder how many other DISers were there that didn't know about it....

:laughing: about the "awake and active Henry" :goodvibes

you went stealth on me and started. Okay I am here now...

You found me! I was going to PM you this morning. I promise. :flower3: I stink at PMing. I've been meaning to PM ClaireW for like uh, 4 months now? about blogs for activities with kids. :laughing:

Anyway, glad you used your TR Board skills and found me!

Okay, I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't realize that you started this TR! I'm in, of course!

Heya! My TR and PTR were closed while I was gone so I didn't have anywhere to announce it, I'm happy to see all you guys are finding me!

I'm here. Headed back to read.

Hey Jill!

I'm here!

Hey Katie!

Agggg, I just noticed your link in your siggie! I'm here now!

I can't believe Henry got a cold just when it was time to leave for your trip, that just stinks! Poor little guy, I hope it was short lived and that no one else caught the bug.

Can't wait to hear all about your latest adventure!

It's OK - I just started yesterday, you are still early! :goodvibes

I was so very annoyed when Henry caught that cold. It just never fails!

I'm here!!

:welcome: thanks for finding me!!

I'm here... can't wait. Going back to catch up. :)

Hey there!

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 08:52 AM

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:So excited that you started. So three Disney newbies - this should be interesting. And one semi-sick toddler. Poor baby. Can't wait to read all about Kidani and your trip! popcorn::

And a wheelchair.
And a stroller.

Can't forget about those. :laughing:

Yay another brooke report!

popcorn::

Hey! Thanks for finding me and joining up again!

I'm in, too! :surfweb:

:welcome:

I'm in.:thumbsup2 I have lurked on all your other reports and thought I would actually say Hi this time! You have a beautiful family and a wonderful way of writing...hooks me everytime!!popcorn::

Oh, thank you! I'm glad you said hello!

I'm here too! :wave: I enjoyed following along with your trip on Facebook, and can't wait to hear all the details! And see all your fabulous pictures!

I would tell you to come over to my TR too, but I guess I should go update it first... :rolleyes1 I'm afraid I've abandoned it a little!

I have your TR open, I will catch up ASAP, so don't update yet. :laughing: I'm really looking forward to it!

Thanks for following me along on Facebook, it was really fun to do all that!

I never realized that you had not been to Disney before your Honeymoon.... you sure have made up for it with Henry, four trips in 2 years, he is lucky!

:laughing: I know...we REALLY made up for it in a short time, didn't we??? I knew I would get hooked...but I figured "every other year" hooked. :rolleyes1

I'm glad to hear that your flight made it out! Wasn't all of that snow crazy? Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Heidi

I was very, very surprised all the planes were leaving on time! And impressed. They really had things going smoothly. A quick de-icing and that was it.

I've been a lurker (why does that always sound so creepy?:laughing:) and am looking forward to your TR! Your little guy is too cute.:goodvibes

:welcome: Thank you for posting a hello! And thank you for reading and the compliment about Henry! :goodvibes

yay another Brooke report!! The crowds were crazy that week. We were up for my sons birthday on the 30th. I cant wait to hear all about it!

It was nuts! I couldn't believe it at some points....and the wait times made me laugh!! Waiting 80 minutes for Buzz Lightyear?! Wowsers.

If I had known you were going to be there you could have joined us on the Poly beach for the fireworks too!

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 08:52 AM

Hi there :wave: I'm new to your TR but I have seen you around :goodvibes
This is going to be a great report.....Kidani...one of my favorite resorts and New Orleans...a place I have always wanted to visit.

Tracy

Hey there! I have seen you around as well! Thanks for joining up and reading along. Kidani was beautiful. Loved it! New Orleans is a very cool City!

I wonder wether I will still make it to page three or wether I will end up on page four... :eek: Your TR is already moving fast, will also need to send a PM to nodnol that you have started otherwise she will be very cross with me... You see we are all very much looking forward to your report! :goodvibes

Sounds like you had a bit of a stressful start to your vacation with fever and snow! I love the pic of your grandmother and Henry. I hope she is doing fine, I remember that there were some unpleasant things happening last year, I hope those are well behind her now! :goodvibes

Joe's picture is great, too! I know that you guys are into mirrors, but this one looks so much unplanned and a lot of fun. He looks really happy in the picture! :thumbsup2

:laughing: You made page 3! :goodvibes I was surprised this morning at how many replies I got since I last checked!

Joe and I have been discussing our next trip (details to be revealed in the future, perhaps a PTR, or whenever we get them settled I'll share) - and your name came up because there might be a day when I could go do the Ultimate Touring Plan at MK, and I was bummed because I knew you wouldn't be there to do it too! :goodvibes Then that worked into a conversation about sulfate free shampoo....:rotfl: My hair is getting longer, so I need to switch to all that stuff soon.

Oh, that is so sweet about you remembering about my Grandma! :hug: She is doing pretty well, she's living with my Uncle and has been since the whole incident with her niece....which spurred some health problems. (grrrrrrr! that whole ordeal still makes me upset...) She hasn't had any major health issues for a while now, thankfully! We had a huge-ol-surprise party for her this past year, she turned 88. We were going to wait until she was 90, but honestly, with everything she has battled over the past 2 years, there might not be a 90. So we went all out this year just to be safe! It was a really great party and she was VERY surprised!

We do a lot of mirror shots, don't we?! :laughing: It's not even planned, it just happens. And this TR is no exception....! That one wasn't planned at all, I was trying to take a picture of the desk area/mirror and Joe got in the way, so I told him to "smile!" and that's what I got....!

I'm in! Going back now to get caught up!

Hey there!!! Thanks for joining in!!

Can I just say how excited I was when I saw you had started your trip report? I even had to comment to Charles about it! :lmao:

Can't believe Henry had a fever the night before! :eek: Thank goodness it broke!

Oh, I am so ready to hear all about this fun trip! popcorn::

:rotfl: I'm so glad I'm not the only wife who talks to her DH about the "Disney boards" and he knows who a few people are. We spoke about you yesterday too due to the crazy weather you guys have been getting!

When I realized he had a slight fever I just sighed. It's always something before Disney!! But, it did break without a problem, thankfully. And the cold wasn't too bad either, just a bit of a runny nose. Which is standard with a toddler it seems! Messy face, runny nose. Always! :headache: :laughing:

Off to church now, I will have an update later today!

gopherdame

01-10-2010, 09:32 AM

RachelNinja

01-10-2010, 12:25 PM

I'm here! Glad that I caught it at the start of your TR! I love the pic of your grandma and Henry napping. I hope that Henry's sickness didn't affect your trip too much!

KristiMc

01-10-2010, 12:34 PM

Yay - trip report time! I followed you on twitter/facebook. It was great to follow your trip and it gave me a little Disney fix until our trip next month.

nodnol

01-10-2010, 01:29 PM

MHTeacher

01-10-2010, 01:33 PM

You could have joined us on the Poly beach, if we had known. It was a beautiful place to watch awesome fireworks.

Thanks MeMom for the invite! :flower3: We actually watched the NYE preview fireworks in the MK on the 30th (my DD's 16 birthday). We went to the Studios for NYE.

We've watched Wishes from the Poly's beach when we've stayed there. It's definitely one of my favorite places to watch it from.

yay another Brooke report!! The crowds were crazy that week. We were up for my sons birthday on the 30th. I cant wait to hear all about it!

:wave2: How fun...we were also there for my daughter's 16th birthday on the 30th. We may have passed each other. I saw a lot of birthday buttons on the 30th and 31st it seemed.

************************************************** ********

Brooke, I'm caught up and ready for some more trip report!:)

Flossbolna

01-10-2010, 02:07 PM

:laughing: You made page 3! :goodvibes I was surprised this morning at how many replies I got since I last checked!

Joe and I have been discussing our next trip (details to be revealed in the future, perhaps a PTR, or whenever we get them settled I'll share) - and your name came up because there might be a day when I could go do the Ultimate Touring Plan at MK, and I was bummed because I knew you wouldn't be there to do it too! :goodvibes Then that worked into a conversation about sulfate free shampoo....:rotfl: My hair is getting longer, so I need to switch to all that stuff soon.

Oh, that is so sweet about you remembering about my Grandma! :hug: She is doing pretty well, she's living with my Uncle and has been since the whole incident with her niece....which spurred some health problems. (grrrrrrr! that whole ordeal still makes me upset...) She hasn't had any major health issues for a while now, thankfully! We had a huge-ol-surprise party for her this past year, she turned 88. We were going to wait until she was 90, but honestly, with everything she has battled over the past 2 years, there might not be a 90. So we went all out this year just to be safe! It was a really great party and she was VERY surprised!

We do a lot of mirror shots, don't we?! :laughing: It's not even planned, it just happens. And this TR is no exception....! That one wasn't planned at all, I was trying to take a picture of the desk area/mirror and Joe got in the way, so I told him to "smile!" and that's what I got....!
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Yes, I guess everyone has been sitting around waiting for you to start your TR! :goodvibes I was hoping to read about it on your PTR, but that was closed??

That sounds intriguing about your next trip with a day where you could do the ultimate touring plan.... I would still love to do that! Even though I guess no one will ever be able to break the current record. Henry Works and Fred Hazelton (the IT guy and the statistician of the UG team) set a new record recently and they waited an average of about 2 minutes per attraction! :scared1: But then, they really should know best, shouldn't they.

Well, who knows when I end up being in WDW next, it might still coincide with your visit - will be waiting patiently on updates regarding next trip! :goodvibes

Good to hear that your grandmother has gotten over her problems. I think it is wonderful that you celebrated the 88th birthday! In Germany we call numbers with two same digits "Schnapszahl" and they are supposed to be lucky numbers and tend to be celebrated in a fun way as well as the official big numbers! :thumbsup2

And I always thought you had a family tradition of family photos taken with a mirror! :goodvibes

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 03:10 PM

Hi Brook,
I'm mostly a lurker but have followed your last 2 trip reports. I'm also in Minnesota and love seeing pics of Henry. He's so adorable! I've commented on him so much my dh knows him too. We leave in 13 days for what has become our 4th annual January trip with my dd's family. Can't wait and I'm glad we weren't there this week with the cold weather!

Hi there! Another Minnesotan! :thumbsup2 That is so sweet about Henry - I know exactly what you mean, Joe knows of a bunch of the DISers as well...and their children. :laughing:

I hope it warms up for you to better temperatures! :eek: I can't believe how cold it's been down there!!! Regardless, being in Disney is always good...but warm Disney is always better. I hope you have a MAGICAL TRIP!! (Do you do TRs? If so, be sure to post a link when you get back!)

I'm here! Glad that I caught it at the start of your TR! I love the pic of your grandma and Henry napping. I hope that Henry's sickness didn't affect your trip too much!

:welcome: thank you for joining in here! :goodvibes Isn't that a sweet picture? Everyone was "ooohing" over them napping together. :cutie:

Yay - trip report time! I followed you on twitter/facebook. It was great to follow your trip and it gave me a little Disney fix until our trip next month.

Glad to provide the fix! :laughing: That is what I will be doing here on the DIS as well until our next trip, which is just much, much too far away....:sad2:

:banana: :banana: a new TR by brook!

Thank you, dear sister!

Brook, I'm here now, hope I didn't miss anything yet!

Nope, you haven't missed a thing! I'm about to post an update-you made it just in time. :goodvibes

Thanks MeMom for the invite! :flower3: We actually watched the NYE preview fireworks in the MK on the 30th (my DD's 16 birthday). We went to the Studios for NYE.

We've watched Wishes from the Poly's beach when we've stayed there. It's definitely one of my favorite places to watch it from.

:wave2: How fun...we were also there for my daughter's 16th birthday on the 30th. We may have passed each other. I saw a lot of birthday buttons on the 30th and 31st it seemed.

************************************************** ********

Brooke, I'm caught up and ready for some more trip report!:)

I'm looking forward to reading your report about how crowded the preview was...I was interested in doing that, but it just didn't happen.

Wouldn't it be fun if we saw each other in our pictures! :rotfl:

Yes, I guess everyone has been sitting around waiting for you to start your TR! :goodvibes I was hoping to read about it on your PTR, but that was closed??

That sounds intriguing about your next trip with a day where you could do the ultimate touring plan.... I would still love to do that! Even though I guess no one will ever be able to break the current record. Henry Works and Fred Hazelton (the IT guy and the statistician of the UG team) set a new record recently and they waited an average of about 2 minutes per attraction! :scared1: But then, they really should know best, shouldn't they.

Well, who knows when I end up being in WDW next, it might still coincide with your visit - will be waiting patiently on updates regarding next trip! :goodvibes

Good to hear that your grandmother has gotten over her problems. I think it is wonderful that you celebrated the 88th birthday! In Germany we call numbers with two same digits "Schnapszahl" and they are supposed to be lucky numbers and tend to be celebrated in a fun way as well as the official big numbers! :thumbsup2

And I always thought you had a family tradition of family photos taken with a mirror! :goodvibes

Yep, my PTR was closed, so I couldn't even reply to the last comments. Perhaps I'll do that over here instead....! From what it seems a bit of "house cleaning" was done the week I was gone. It's alright-I don't mind - I'm just glad people are finding me here now!

OH WOW! 2 minutes per attraction! And they did the Ultimate Touring plan doing that?! Wow, wow. That's INCREDIBLE!

I will keep you posted of whenever plans get settled...perhaps you will be there....!!! :goodvibes

That is very cool about Schnapszah! Very appropriate then for our German background! And wow, that is a mouthful to say it seems. :rotfl:

The mirror thing isn't really a tradition - though it has become one it seems.....! It's just convenient instead of asking someone to take a family photo!

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 03:35 PM

Saturday, December 26, 2009.

As I mentioned, the snow was falling, falling, falling here in Minnesota. I haven't a clue what the total count was ever determined to be, I was too focused on what was coming. Disney. Florida. Warmer than here. Palm trees. Ahhhh. :cloud9:

Would the flight leave on time? We had no idea. Every time we checked it was listed as "On-Time", but we expected a delay. As you now know, there was ZERO delay. That Delta flight took off right on time. Our pilot was a fun one. He cracked jokes and had the whole plane smiling, "When you are seated, keep that seat belt on in case you find out about unexpected turbulence before I do!". Henry did great. Watched Cars. I could tell he wasn't feeling himself 100%, but was still doing good.

This was the very first flight for my MIL and FIL. Well, MIL once rode in a crop duster. I asked the steward for them to get wings or certificate, but apparently they didn't have any, or they forgot....because they didn't even get a "Happy 1st flight!" All well! This was also their first real vacation in 10 years. Their last vacation was camping. In Minnesota. They are not travelers. Yet. :rolleyes1 ;)

The flight went smooth, except the landing. They held us in a holding pattern for a bit, which I do not like one little bit. But, we landed and soon we were boarding the fake monorail!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5612-Small/759451668_4wAcJ-M.jpg
Look honey! It's the fake monorail!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5613-Small/759451672_f4DP2-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5614-Small/759451688_cVywF-M.jpg

We dumped out into the main terminal

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5615-Small/759451696_AefEf-M.jpg

and I suddenly got very confused on where to go. Where was ME? A side or B side? Everyone stopped with me. I was the leader. I had "all the answers". :rolleyes: A bit of panic washed over me as I had a sudden thought of dragging everyone to the wrong side, my FIL who has a bad back and can't walk too far, they all had big carry-ons... I looked at Joe. He has a crazy awesome sense of direction, and sure enough, he led us directly to the correct location. No problem. Whew.

I glanced at my MIL and mentioned this area might be a mad house considering we were entering the busiest Disney season.

It was EMPTY.

:yay:

I led the group past the desk and straight to the red carpet with our vouchers in hand. We were directed to our lane and we waited.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5617-Small/759451703_6PoWK-M.jpg

After about 48 seconds I was asked how long the wait was normally.

Well................we have waited less than 5 minutes, and we have waited over 30.

Thankfully, this was closer to the 5 minute mark. They directed us to a waiting bus that was headed for the All-Star Resorts and then onto Kidani.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5618-Small/759451708_SPMjk-M.jpg

The driver slowed down for everyone to take a picture under the sign, but this is all I managed. Someday I'll get a good shot!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5621-Small/759451728_rEkh8-M.jpg

Our driver was not speedy. Not even close. Quite the opposite. Our ride took well over an hour. Granted he had 3 stops at the All-Stars...but our plane landed at 5:30 and we weren't even to Kidani by 7:30.

But, what matters is that we DID arrive! :thumbsup2

We stepped into Kidani and it was even more beautiful than I could remember from our brief September visit. The large Christmas tree sparkled in the back, ahhhhhhhhhhh....we were here. Our adventure was starting.

I think Joe was a little tired...these pictures aren't the best...there are better ones later, I promise! :goodvibes

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5622-Small/759451735_Kj3s6-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5625-Small/759451761_TvMoU-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5628-Small/759451766_j4tRy-M.jpg

Everyone wandered the lobby while I checked us in. The CM pulled up my name and mentioned our check-out date of December 28.

:scared1:

Hold up!

Nooooo......

Thankfully I had my confirmation numbers (I had FOUR!) written down right in my handydandy Passporter which was in my bag. I scribbled them down for him, he called a manager who hit a few keys on the keyboard and viola! there we were. :banana:

When we were given our room number I asked how close it was to the lobby. I was concerned about those long hallways and FIL's back. I had put a request in and they did note it was a medical need....and they delivered! We were the very first room on the left hand side (standard view) in the hallway directly after the check-in desk--"Red River Hog" side, 1st floor - #7607. Perfect.

We got to our room and dumped our bags. The grocery delivery came up and all was settled and groceries were put away. Our room was "explored". We were all in awe. It felt like the room went on forever and ever between the studio and the master! It was beautiful. Everyone was loving it.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5630-Small/759451778_Qa8i9-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5631-Small/759451784_N2pp3-M.jpg
Foreverly washing sippy cups...

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5633-Small/759451793_nEFVt-M.jpg
Joe took this one

And a few minutes later I took this one:
http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5646-Small/759451871_ynpZr-M.jpg:laughing:

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5634-Small/759451799_EU7wD-M.jpg
The view looking left

Continued in next post

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 03:36 PM

Continued from previous post

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5636-Small/759451810_6eKY5-M.jpg
A close-up of the lamp over the dining room table

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5637-Small/759451818_xvwkX-M.jpg
Over the bench at the dining room table

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5651-Small/759451908_Hs3XE-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5638-Small/759451827_PU4QZ-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5639-Small/759451833_R9roA-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5641-Small/759451839_YHHVt-M.jpg
This is the master bedroom - not a great picture, but the lamps have ostrich eggs in them, which I find very cool!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5643-Small/759451853_hQSbf-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5645-Small/759451866_yFnPY-M.jpg
The door to the master bedroom

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5647-Small/759451876_aePZn-M.jpg
Master bath

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5648-Small/759451885_j5pZU-M.jpg
Headboard detail

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5649-Small/759451894_gKkP4-M.jpg
Poppa all relaxed out - Henry ready to tear up the place!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5653-Small/759451915_q8FhG-M.jpg
Back of the dining room chairs

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5654-Small/759451919_MTH57-M.jpg
The sleeper chair

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5655-Small/759451928_T83HV-M.jpg
The bathroom off the main entrance - 3 bathrooms in a 2 bedroom! :thumbsup2

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5656-Small/759451937_CjA8U-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5657-Small/759451941_crnig-M.jpg
In case people want to know what this stuff looks like!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5659-Small/759451958_cnxWA-M.jpg
In attached studio

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5662-Small/759451978_xBmWq-M.jpg
We had a lock-off, so a 1 bedroom with attached studio - their kitchenette area

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5663-Small/759451986_pXiEm-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5664-Small/759451992_DhMgr-M.jpg
The large piece is a closet with shelves

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5669-Small/759452023_QqSWg-M.jpg
This was on the master bed

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5671-Small/759452045_mMYLt-M.jpg

Continued in next post

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 03:38 PM

Continued from previous post

I don't know who did it, but since the weather was warm the patio doors in the living room and master were opened wide and Henry soon discovered the patio area. We heard a trio of African drummers that were playing near the lobby entrance (if you are looking at Kidani, our room was directly to the left of the lobby), and Henry loves a drum beat, so he and I went out onto the patio and danced to the beat. :goodvibes

Then he realized the the master and the living room patios are connected...he was shrieking in delight running in circles between the rooms! Soon he requested to climb on top of our bed in the master bedroom. He had been looking forward to something for quite a few weeks....

"Jump on Mah's (Mickey's) bed?"

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5666-Small/759452005_jVqaA-M.jpg

It was a perfect way to start the trip. Lots of smiles and excitement! Happy boy means happy Momma!

We were STARVED by this time, so a couple frozen pizzas were put in. You know how everything tastes better when you are at Disney World? Frozen pizza is no exception.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5672-Small/759452051_e53rj-M.jpg

And somewhere between the dancing, the running, the laughing and the eating, Henry pulled a phone off the cradle and dialed 9-1-1 on speaker phone. :eek:

"9-1-1 emergency, do you have a fire or police emergency?"
"No, I'm sorry, I have a toddler!"
"Oh, that's okay, ma'm happens all the time..."

:rotfl:

Around 8:30 I shyly whispered to Joe that I wanted to go to MK. He looked at me a little funny and then quickly agreed.

The little one was put down for bed - he crashed instantly - and we were OFF.

And...

I DIDN'T TAKE A BAG TO THE PARK.

SoonerGirl

01-10-2010, 03:53 PM

Wow Brook, your room at Kidani looks amazing!

I love that you forgot which way to go for ME too, glad I wasn't the only 'expert' that had a brain fart! :lmao:

RachelNinja

01-10-2010, 03:55 PM

Haha, I love how you make even the travel day sound so interesting.

I still haven't stayed on property yet, but I love the pictures of all the details like the ostrich eggs, the headboard, and the Lion King design on the back of the chairs. I'm the kind of person who gets excited over the IKEA catalog because I choose furniture for my pretend apartment! I can't imagine if I were an interior designer for Disney who got to choose/design furniture for WDW rooms!

I definitely agree with you about how everything tastes better at Disney! We eat at our condo quite often instead of eating out, but for some reason, the steak always tastes better (I'm not really a steak eater) AND the corn, from the same exact can we get at home, just tastes so so so good!

Anyway, so excited about this installment and looking forward to more! BTW, love the new signature pictures!

KathyRN137

01-10-2010, 04:33 PM

Ahh, those pix bring back wonderul Kidani Village memories!! :cloud9:
It was fun to see pix of the attached Studio, too.
That big ole bed is just perfect for jumping!! And didn't you just love how the balcony stretched across both rooms?

Ooh, date night already! Can't wait to read all about it...

Kathy

kimmylaj

01-10-2010, 04:38 PM

hey brooke, so glad you have this report going i love your trip reports. i had to laugh at the sippy cup washing brings back such memories. and heading to the park with no bag, now that is freedom.;)

Lady Lallie

01-10-2010, 04:39 PM

Without a park bag!?! :scared1: :woohoo:

I'm so glad your flight wasn't delayed, I was really worried for you!

PracPerfPatricia

01-10-2010, 04:52 PM

Subbing on...:cool1:

so excited to read this...:goodvibes

Let the good times roll...:rotfl:

micandminforever

01-10-2010, 05:32 PM

I love all the pictures of Kidani. A great start to your trip and the MK on the first night how exciting.

The pictures of Henry put a smile on my face, he has becomes such a little man.

MeMom

01-10-2010, 05:38 PM

the living room patios are connected...he was shrieking in delight running in circles between the rooms! Soon he requested to climb on top of our bed in the master bedroom. He had been looking forward to something for quite a few weeks....

"Jump on Mah's (Mickey's) bed?"

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5666-Small/759452005_jVqaA-M.jpg

It was a perfect way to start the trip. Lots of smiles and excitement! Happy boy means happy Momma!

Around 8:30 I shyly whispered to Joe that I wanted to go to MK. He looked at me a little funny and then quickly agreed.

The little one was put down for bed - he crashed instantly - and we were OFF.

And...

I DIDN'T TAKE A BAG TO THE PARK.

Love the headboards and chairs with the carvings in them. We have seen them, but only on a DVC visit. Maybe someday, we will have them as our own for a real stay.

An excited boy running between the rooms and jumping on the bed - yep, that's fun stuff! We always try to get connecting rooms to give the girls lots of space to roam around.

So sweet that Joe quickly agreed to an evening run through Magic Kingdom.
The big boys and girls were excited, too! :cool1: :cheer2:

PopArtGal

01-10-2010, 05:41 PM

LOVE the room.

Sadly, my dad's not interested lol My mom and I are hehe

Awe, so sweet that you two got to go out together.

Jupiter&Wolfe

01-10-2010, 06:42 PM

Hi Brook! I read most of your TRs but I mostly lurk and then don't comment. :blush: I commented once maybe, 2 TRs before? Haha. I love your family and little Henry, you really know how to pull people in for the ride as if they were actually there!

Anyway, I'd been waiting for you to start up this new one and didn't realize you'd already gotten started. Can't wait to hear the rest! And I'll make an effort to comment more this time. ;)

Lovemy3babes

01-10-2010, 07:10 PM

I'm glad you took off on time and landed safely. That room is absolutely gorgeous!!

moparop

01-10-2010, 08:06 PM

I finally made it here!

Glad to hear the flight was uneventful especially since you had some first timers along. Hopefully, that next trip to Disney will find the whole family healthy -- unless of course, you are prone tomorning sickness. Henry is looking like he could really use a little sib! *wink wink*

How cool to be lying there at 8:30 and decide it's time for a quick run into MK and have the babysitter there to do it as an adults only trip!

BrooklynnsMommy

01-10-2010, 08:21 PM

I would love to just hop on a bus and go without a bag. John and I did go eat dinner at Caribbean Beach while Mom watched the girls and I took nothing but myself. So nice!!!!

DreaGirl

01-10-2010, 09:19 PM

Disneymom3304

01-10-2010, 09:27 PM

That room is great!!! So much space. MK...no bag:eek:? Do they let moms in without bags?:confused3 Maybe that will be a must do on my list for next time;)

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 09:37 PM

Wow Brook, your room at Kidani looks amazing!

I love that you forgot which way to go for ME too, glad I wasn't the only 'expert' that had a brain fart! :lmao:

Those pictures don't even do it justice - really, we were so tired, they aren't very good pictures! It really is a beautiful room!

When I read that on your TR I smiled to myself too! :laughing: I was so disoriented for some reason this time!

Haha, I love how you make even the travel day sound so interesting.

I still haven't stayed on property yet, but I love the pictures of all the details like the ostrich eggs, the headboard, and the Lion King design on the back of the chairs. I'm the kind of person who gets excited over the IKEA catalog because I choose furniture for my pretend apartment! I can't imagine if I were an interior designer for Disney who got to choose/design furniture for WDW rooms!

I definitely agree with you about how everything tastes better at Disney! We eat at our condo quite often instead of eating out, but for some reason, the steak always tastes better (I'm not really a steak eater) AND the corn, from the same exact can we get at home, just tastes so so so good!

Anyway, so excited about this installment and looking forward to more! BTW, love the new signature pictures!

The travel day is always an adventure for this family it seems! :rolleyes: :laughing:

I love that you design your pretend apartment. :thumbsup2 I do that sort of thing all the time too - "If I had the money, I would do this...." I think it would be a BLAST to be a WDW designer! Of course I would need the talent as well....;)

There truly is something about being at Disney that makes things taste better, isn't there?!

Ahh, those pix bring back wonderul Kidani Village memories!! :cloud9:
It was fun to see pix of the attached Studio, too.
That big ole bed is just perfect for jumping!! And didn't you just love how the balcony stretched across both rooms?

Ooh, date night already! Can't wait to read all about it...

Kathy

Yes! I did love that balcony!! I wasn't expecting that, so it was a nice surprise to have it all all the rooms.

Having other adults along for the trip certainly did have its advantages for late night trips to the park - they became fairly common during our week...!

hey brooke, so glad you have this report going i love your trip reports. i had to laugh at the sippy cup washing brings back such memories. and heading to the park with no bag, now that is freedom.;)

I was happy when Henry moved off the bottle and onto the sippy cup, but really, it's only slightly less annoying! :laughing: Thankfully most of them are dishwasher safe and we have oodles of them at home.

It was amazing to walk through those gates without a bag. Amazing!!!

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 09:37 PM

Without a park bag!?! :scared1: :woohoo:

I'm so glad your flight wasn't delayed, I was really worried for you!

:rotfl: As I typed that I wondered to myself "I wonder what LL will think of this...!"

Thanks for thinking of us with the weather craziness! :goodvibes I was surprised how smooth things were leaving the airport. They had all the runways completely clear!

Subbing on...:cool1:

so excited to read this...:goodvibes

Let the good times roll...:rotfl:

Hey you!!! Thanks for reading!

I love all the pictures of Kidani. A great start to your trip and the MK on the first night how exciting.

The pictures of Henry put a smile on my face, he has becomes such a little man.

I just had to get to MK. I had to see the Castle that night!

He really is growing up so quickly, it's exciting and sad all at the same time.

Love the headboards and chairs with the carvings in them. We have seen them, but only on a DVC visit. Maybe someday, we will have them as our own for a real stay.

An excited boy running between the rooms and jumping on the bed - yep, that's fun stuff! We always try to get connecting rooms to give the girls lots of space to roam around.

So sweet that Joe quickly agreed to an evening run through Magic Kingdom.
The big boys and girls were excited, too! :cool1: :cheer2:

I really enjoyed those details as well, there were many I didn't capture that I wish I had too. I do hope you guys have a DVC stay in your near future! What resort would you pick first?

It was very fun with Henry so excited and running around - he was so happy to be FREE after a long travel day. :laughing:

And yep, Joe and I were ready to run around too!

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 09:42 PM

LOVE the room.

Sadly, my dad's not interested lol My mom and I are hehe

Awe, so sweet that you two got to go out together.

Your Dad isn't interested in AKL? Has he seen pics?!?! :laughing: It's so pretty! Joe is more into the beachy side of things though, where I like the dark and dramatic....he likes AKL but has dreams of the Boardwalk.

Hi Brook! I read most of your TRs but I mostly lurk and then don't comment. :blush: I commented once maybe, 2 TRs before? Haha. I love your family and little Henry, you really know how to pull people in for the ride as if they were actually there!

Anyway, I'd been waiting for you to start up this new one and didn't realize you'd already gotten started. Can't wait to hear the rest! And I'll make an effort to comment more this time. ;)

:welcome: Caroline! Thank you for reading along, and I'm glad you decided to comment! :goodvibes I'm glad you found me here too!

Thank you for your words about my family and my TRs! I try to be descriptive, but not too wordy. And include lots and LOTS of pictures - gotta help other DISers last until their next trip, right? ;)

I'm glad you took off on time and landed safely. That room is absolutely gorgeous!!

I was really surprised we left on time, but it was a relief! The room really was beautiful, I loved it!

I finally made it here!

Glad to hear the flight was uneventful especially since you had some first timers along. Hopefully, that next trip to Disney will find the whole family healthy -- unless of course, you are prone tomorning sickness. Henry is looking like he could really use a little sib! *wink wink*

How cool to be lying there at 8:30 and decide it's time for a quick run into MK and have the babysitter there to do it as an adults only trip!

:rotfl: I read the first half of your post 3 times...I was thinking "Does she know something I don't?!" :laughing::laughing: ;) And yes, I have to agree, Henry does need a sibling! I wasn't too keen on the idea for a long time, but in recent months I've become more and more okay with it....!

It was very handy having other adults along on the trip. ::yes::

I would love to just hop on a bus and go without a bag. John and I did go eat dinner at Caribbean Beach while Mom watched the girls and I took nothing but myself. So nice!!!!

It was freeing! :rotfl2: No diapers. No sippy cups. No fruit snacks. No extra change of clothing. No giant bag! And while its always nice to have Henry along, having nothing to push was a dream!

brookelizabeth

01-10-2010, 09:45 PM

Glad that the flight was uneventful and on time.

So, wait, is ME on A or B...That is totally something I would do! Blank at that same moment.

Kidani is beautiful! I love your room. It looks HUGE!! I appreciate all the details, I'm a nerd like that. :laughing:

So nice to head to the park, alone! Wait, no bag?! Is that a good thing or a bad thing? :laughing:

I can't even remember what side it's on! :rotfl: I *think* it's B. I think. If Joe were upstairs I'd ask him, because he knows! ;)

It was HUGE! We were amazed at how it kept going and going. It was very nice!

If you are a nerd like that, I am too! :laughing:

A very good thing about the bag. Very good. I don't like bag check and we always have at least two bags to be checked - diaper bag and camera bag. I always wanted to see what it was like to just walk in!

That room is great!!! So much space. MK...no bag:eek:? Do they let moms in without bags?:confused3 Maybe that will be a must do on my list for next time;)

:rotfl2: Yes, they do let Mom's in without bags.

Though, I was childless, so perhaps not??? :confused3

;)

:lmao: put it on the "must do list"!!!! Too funny!!! (but it actually might be on mine...:rolleyes1)

SoonerGirl

01-10-2010, 09:49 PM

I can't even remember what side it's on! :rotfl: I *think* it's B. I think. If Joe were upstairs I'd ask him, because he knows! ;)

After this last trip I don't think I'll ever forget again - it is most definitely on the 'B' side :thumbsup2

BrooklynnsMommy

01-10-2010, 10:00 PM

I always tell Brooklynn to look for the B and that takes us to the Mickey bus. She has known what a B looks like forever. So if I ever have a brain lapse Brooklynn will remind me and lead the way!

CJsMom

01-10-2010, 10:00 PM

OMG - no bag? No way!! :rotfl:
I'm so glad your flight got out on time...can't wait to read more!! :thumbsup2

gellybean

01-10-2010, 11:13 PM

Y'all's room looks amazing!!

Maybe I should try to switch our reservation 2 days out to DVC at AKL.

:lmao:

Kidding!! I've done my share of last minute upgrades, lately, TYVM!

I can't believe Henry called 9-1-1. That's hilarious. Thankfully Jack-Jack hasn't managed that one yet.

On a related note... kinda....

I was talking to my mom the other day and she had to go because she had call waiting. She's still not great with the whole clicking over and clicking back thing, and she won't pay for call waiting caller id.

So I didn't think anything of it, just said sure, call me back whenever and I hang up the phone.
About 20 secs later, I hear my mother's voice. Thinking I've lost it, I make sure that I had indeed hung the phone up. I had.

She was talking to Jack-Jack on the cell phone. He had called her from my cell while I was on the house phone with her. He had been her call waiting!

:rotfl:

What would we do without 2 yr old entertainment eh?

Can't wait to hear about your late night MK adventures with no toddler and NO PARK BAG! Oh the horror!popcorn::

Vexorg

01-10-2010, 11:37 PM

Ah, caught this one only six pages in. I was watching the Twitter feed, but look forward to seeing the full TR on this one. Just try not to take a year to finish it, unlike SOME people around here... :rolleyes1

ladybugmom

01-10-2010, 11:48 PM

Hi Brook!! I just found your TR and have enjoyed reading it so far!! Your room is beautiful!! :lovestruc I can't wait to read more!! :goodvibes

Flossbolna

01-11-2010, 02:12 AM

Wonderful Kidani pictures! :goodvibes

I can understand how wonderful it must be to go to a prak without a bag!! And I guess you did not bring the stroller either? ;)

All7OfUs

01-11-2010, 02:59 AM

Hey Liesa! I have seen you around (a lot) too! :goodvibes I believe I have your PTR already saved in my subscriptions but just haven't caught up yet! I do read your blog from time to time as well. Life in Somewhere-Stan is very interesting!!

Yup, this is how far behind I am already. But I'm sitting down with my (3rd) cup of coffee now, to do some serious catching up. ;) My DH was off work for 2 weeks for a "stay-cation" and my 'puter time was SERIOUSLY hampered!!! I'm back for reals now. Watch out. ;)

All7OfUs

01-11-2010, 03:27 AM

2 hours to get to Kidani?!! :scared1: That's as frightening as it gets! I'd have been a basket case by then. But I will say, watching Henry jump on the bed to start off your Kidani time, would more than make up for it!! Nice! :thumbsup2

The room itself looks AMAZING! Simply stunning!

My neice called the cops once too. Funny now; not so much when it happened. :sad2:

So glad they could give you a room that was close by! I'm sure that really helped make the trip more enjoyable for your FIL.

disneydusted

01-11-2010, 08:17 AM

Great first day and it's not over yet!! I'm so glad you and Joe had time to go exploring by yourselves... so nice to have grandparents to watch Henry, then you can relax knowing he is in good hands. Was it strange to change gears and do adult things rather than small child things?

brookelizabeth

01-11-2010, 10:02 AM

Henry wanted to post an update.

:dance3::dance3::banana::worship::surfweb:
:happytv::cutie::santa:popcorn:::worship::woohoo:
:scared1::laundy::moped::moped::boat::scared1:popc orn::
popcorn::

I showed him the smilies under the "More" link....he found the motorcycle in about 2.4 seconds!

He REALLY likes that "corn guy" - and was thrilled when he saw him in my siggy. He just hugged my laptop...! :laughing:

MHTeacher

01-11-2010, 10:03 AM

I'm looking forward to reading your report about how crowded the preview was...I was interested in doing that, but it just didn't happen.

Wouldn't it be fun if we saw each other in our pictures! :rotfl:

It was very crowded, but ok....we managed just fine.

That would be funny if we saw each other in our photos. BTW, I think it's hilarious that you and your DH took nearly the same pic of the bathroom. Like I always tell my hubby, "Great minds think alike." :thumbsup2 and I think it's great that the two of you could run off to MK and leave little Henry sleeping with the grandparents. My kids are older, and DH and I are about to celebrate 20 yrs, but we still love to have a little night, (or weekend, if we get so lucky) to ourselves.

Saturday, December 26, 2009.

Everyone wandered the lobby while I checked us in. The CM pulled up my name and mentioned our check-out date of December 28.

:scared1:

Hold up!

Nooooo......

Thankfully I had my confirmation numbers (I had FOUR!) written down right in my handydandy Passporter which was in my bag. I scribbled them down for him, he called a manager who hit a few keys on the keyboard and viola! there we were. :banana:

Well now, that's just too strange. When we drove onto Yacht Club property and stoped at the security check in, the guard gave us our parking pass. I didn't even pay attention to it until we were unloaded and parked. But it had us checking out the next day! :confused: Luckily, we got that matter cleared up as well.

Don't leave us waiting very long...I can't wait to hear about you and your DH's couple visit to MK!

DWGal210

01-11-2010, 10:14 AM

Hi, I am here!! And it only took me 6 pages. :rotfl:

Henry is just too cute - what a doll face!

Stay warm up there in MN! IA is not much better.....we are supposed to have warmer temps this week. Warmer as in 30 degrees instead of minus 5.....it just kills me that they are talking about "warmer" and it's still freezing....welcome to the Midwest! :goodvibes

SoonerGirl

01-11-2010, 10:33 AM

Good Morning Henry - Thanks for the update!!!

And just cause you like him so much popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::

TravelBug86

01-11-2010, 11:26 AM

Yayyy!!! I'm glad you got out on time with no delays or anything! :yay: I was nervous flying out of NY on the 23rd but we didn't get delayed either- can't get any better than that!
WOW no vacation in 10 years???? I would go CRAZY! LOL Oh, and I always get confused when it comes to looking for the ME... it's sad isn't it?!
Kidani looks AWESOME I definitely love the bathroom layout better at the AKL than any other!
No bag?!! How Liberating!!! :rotfl:

jenseib

01-11-2010, 11:41 AM

Holy cow. I had no clue you started a TR! I just stumbled accross it! Now I got to start reading!!!

jenseib

01-11-2010, 12:47 PM

OK, all caught up!
Please tell that even though you went with no bag, you still took a camera!!!! We NEED pictures! ;)

manntra

01-11-2010, 12:58 PM

:laughing: great update Henry!! popcorn::

I am pretty good at getting off the plane and knowing right where ME is but between you and Wigd getting turned around I better write on my hand! :laughing: I am playing tour guide in May so I am supposed to know everything!! :rotfl2:
Phew that was a long trip to Kidani...even with all the stops.
Don't you just love the rooms? :love: I really love those ostrich lamps too! :goodvibes
So cute with Henry jumping on the bed and loving the balconies!! I could do the same!!! :lmao:
:woohoo: for going to the park with no bag!! :thumbsup2

Tracy

PracPerfPatricia

01-11-2010, 02:03 PM

Brook...

so sorry about Henry not feeling well but he looks pretty happy moving around in you Kidani room...:goodvibes

Good for you for having your reservation #s at the front desk...you go girl...:thumbsup2

Good to hear that your grandmother has gotten over her problems. I think it is wonderful that you celebrated the 88th birthday! In Germany we call numbers with two same digits "Schnapszahl" and they are supposed to be lucky numbers and tend to be celebrated in a fun way as well as the official big numbers! :thumbsup2

This is a lovely tradition...:goodvibes...I think I'm going to have to start implementing some "Schnapszahl" around here...;)

Flossbolna

01-11-2010, 02:25 PM

OH WOW! 2 minutes per attraction! And they did the Ultimate Touring plan doing that?! Wow, wow. That's INCREDIBLE!

I will keep you posted of whenever plans get settled...perhaps you will be there....!!! :goodvibes

That is very cool about Schnapszah! Very appropriate then for our German background! And wow, that is a mouthful to say it seems. :rotfl:

Yes, they supposedly used the Ultimate Touring Plan, but who knows which insider knowledge these two guys had (like exact start times for continuous shows like the Tiki Room etc.). Will be looking forward to hear about plans! :thumbsup2

Regarding Schnapszahl: we like our compound words in German, nothing more natural to us to put a few words after each other and give them a new meaning! Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinderkennzeichnungs-_und_Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgaben übertragungsgesetz

This is a lovely tradition...:goodvibes...I think I'm going to have to start implementing some "Schnapszahl" around here...;)

It can be a lot of fun. Actually my mother had one of the best Schnapszahl birthdays (in German Schnapszahlgeburtstag, see above regarding compound words! :laughing:) ever: she was born on 2/2/44, so she turned 44 on 2/2 in 88! She had a big party for that! :thumbsup2

Actually it comes from card games: If at the end of an evening of playing cards your final result was a number with identical digits, you would have to pay a round of drinks for the other players.

MaryAz

01-11-2010, 02:51 PM

Page 7-really :scared1: Subbing.

marieNJkitty

01-11-2010, 03:50 PM

You always have such great trip reports! I enjoyed following you on Twitter! The villas at AK look so amazing, I can't wait to stay there! We are thinking about going back either next January or April 2011 and staying at AKV.

SoonerGirl

01-11-2010, 04:04 PM

Page 7-really :scared1: Subbing.

I know! Brook TRs move quickly don't they??

Connie96

01-11-2010, 04:13 PM

Hey Brook!
I was MIA for a while, so I didn't get caught up on your previous TR until after it was closed so I couldn't comment. I loved it right to the very end and I was just thrilled to find you again today. I'm all caught up and ready for more! Very fun update. I can feel the excitement and anticipation!

Camster0307

01-11-2010, 04:25 PM

Subbing. And YAY - I'm not too far behind!:woohoo:

I love the pix you take, Brook. You pay attention to detail and it really helps to give a good idea of what it's like to be where you are. The rooms in AKL look beautiful. We were just in studio last spring, but I love the styling of that one bedroom.

So glad you got to get out to MK on your first night.

And BAGLESS?????? I went to the parks bagless once - a long, long time ago. It was glorious. :cloud9:

praisehisname

01-11-2010, 04:31 PM

This was the very first flight for my MIL and FIL. Well, MIL once rode in a crop duster.

:rotfl2:

Glad everything was OK with your ressie! And your room/villa is gorgeous!!!

And somewhere between the dancing, the running, the laughing and the eating, Henry pulled a phone off the cradle and dialed 9-1-1 on speaker phone. :eek:

Thankfully they were understanding!

Can't wait to hear about MK with no bag!

Panotchr

01-11-2010, 08:13 PM

Loving this! Love the pictures of Kidani. We will be there this summer! Thanks so much for those.
Glad Henry seems to be feeling pretty "tip top" once he hit the magic!
Kelly

A.Mickey

01-11-2010, 08:30 PM

I am here! Finally! I saw your signature had changed and noticed the link for the new TR! :thumbsup2

Don't you just love the rooms! We are lucky enough to live 2.14 miles from Woodfield mall where DVC has a Doorway to Dreams store, with model mockups, that look exactly like the real thing at Disney World. We went to a DISmeet back in 08 when they still had the AKV rooms and I loved all the details around The Lion King! Now the models are BLT rooms, wonder what they will be next!

Can't wait to hear about Magic Kingdom without a bag! Isn't it the best!:yay:

Charleston Princess

01-12-2010, 04:45 AM

Are we sure that Disney didn't move the Magical Express counter? Your TR is about the third one I read where someone couldn't remember where it was located. I think Disney switched it around. ;)

Every set of pictures I see of the Kidani rooms makes me want to buy DVC immediately. They are so pretty!!!

You went to a park without a bag??? Is that even possible??? :lmao:

MeMom

01-12-2010, 04:52 AM

I really enjoyed those details as well, there were many I didn't capture that I wish I had too. I do hope you guys have a DVC stay in your near future! What resort would you pick first?

It was very fun with Henry so excited and running around - he was so happy to be FREE after a long travel day. :laughing:

And yep, Joe and I were ready to run around too!

Anywhere! I am not particular. :)
I want to stay at Kidani and Beach Club, and Jill wants to stay at Boardwalk. We both think one night in BLT would be nice to see fireworks from the balcony. We'll be happy anywhere!

Bella was the same way. She was ready to be free from her carseat.

Henry wanted to post an update.

:dance3::dance3::banana::worship::surfweb:
:happytv::cutie::santa:popcorn:::worship::woohoo:
:scared1::laundy::moped::moped::boat::scared1:popc orn::
popcorn::

I showed him the smilies under the "More" link....he found the motorcycle in about 2.4 seconds!

He REALLY likes that "corn guy" - and was thrilled when he saw him in my siggy. He just hugged my laptop...! :laughing:

Good morning, Henry!
Thanks for starting my morning out with a smile.

jenjolt

01-12-2010, 05:44 AM

OY!!! So I've been looking for days under your ticker of Henry for the link for your next TR and it turns out it has been on top this whole time....DOH!!!! Oh well at least I have made it and as usual I'm fashionably late!!

Love the updates so far and GOOD MORNING Henry! Love his smilies...too cute!!!!!!!

NO park bag...that is a huge feat to behold...can't wait to hear all about it!

Charlefours

01-12-2010, 07:35 PM

Yay! I missed that you started this but I am so glad to have found it! :goodvibes

The picture of Henry and GG melted my heart--so precious!! I am glad to hear MIL and FIL survived the trip down. ;) LOVE :love: the room!! Gorgeous and so big.

No park bag? By accident or was this planned? Hmm...waiting to hear more popcorn::

Kara

01-12-2010, 09:59 PM

[B][SIZE="3Brook, so glad I found your new report!!! I love seeing Henry grow! Your room was WOW!! amazing!!!

ClaireW

01-13-2010, 08:00 AM

I'm here and glad I found you :yay:, now I'm headed back to read

Oh, and I too keep meaning to PM, sorry you keep slipping down my to-do list :flower3:

ClaireW

01-13-2010, 08:20 AM

Caught up just about thanks to the wonders of nap-time and Toy Story :rotfl2:

Something for Henry popcorn::

And one more chosen by DD (who is a similar age) :bride:

brookelizabeth

01-13-2010, 05:24 PM

I was two pages behind on my own TR! :eek: :laughing: Thank you everyone for your replies!!!! :goodvibes

After this last trip I don't think I'll ever forget again - it is most definitely on the 'B' side :thumbsup2

:rotfl2:

I always tell Brooklynn to look for the B and that takes us to the Mickey bus. She has known what a B looks like forever. So if I ever have a brain lapse Brooklynn will remind me and lead the way!

That is SUCH a good idea! Since I'm also a Brook, and Henry knows "my letter" - that will work slick for years to come.

OMG - no bag? No way!! :rotfl:
I'm so glad your flight got out on time...can't wait to read more!! :thumbsup2

Yep! NO BAG! :yay:

Y'all's room looks amazing!!

Maybe I should try to switch our reservation 2 days out to DVC at AKL.

:lmao:

Kidding!! I've done my share of last minute upgrades, lately, TYVM!

I can't believe Henry called 9-1-1. That's hilarious. Thankfully Jack-Jack hasn't managed that one yet.

On a related note... kinda....

I was talking to my mom the other day and she had to go because she had call waiting. She's still not great with the whole clicking over and clicking back thing, and she won't pay for call waiting caller id.

So I didn't think anything of it, just said sure, call me back whenever and I hang up the phone.
About 20 secs later, I hear my mother's voice. Thinking I've lost it, I make sure that I had indeed hung the phone up. I had.

She was talking to Jack-Jack on the cell phone. He had called her from my cell while I was on the house phone with her. He had been her call waiting!

:rotfl:

What would we do without 2 yr old entertainment eh?

Can't wait to hear about your late night MK adventures with no toddler and NO PARK BAG! Oh the horror!popcorn::

That is ADORABLE!!!!! So so cute! He just wanted to call his Grammy! :cutie:

You are in our Happy Place now!!!! I've seen you on Facebook a few times already - so glad the crowds are low! 20 minutes for Soarin'!?!?! :cloud9:

Ah, caught this one only six pages in. I was watching the Twitter feed, but look forward to seeing the full TR on this one. Just try not to take a year to finish it, unlike SOME people around here... :rolleyes1

:laughing: Or just never finish like my Honeymoon TR?! Ya...never finished. The whole "having a baby" thing got in my way. ;) Glad to see you here!!

Hi Brook!! I just found your TR and have enjoyed reading it so far!! Your room is beautiful!! :lovestruc I can't wait to read more!! :goodvibes

:welcome: Thank you for reading!!! The room was awesome. We loved it! Joe mentioned later in the week about how it seemed more plain, but I personally like that. Usually hotel rooms have borders along the top and all that - Kidani does not. Just painted walls with beautiful artwork. Me like!

Wonderful Kidani pictures! :goodvibes

I can understand how wonderful it must be to go to a prak without a bag!! And I guess you did not bring the stroller either? ;)

EXACTLY! We love our little boy, and really don't mind pushing him around, but ooooooh, only having ME to think about was a dream!

More replies soon....gotta figure out something for dinner!

DisGirlAllie

01-13-2010, 05:42 PM

Oh man. Miss brookelizabeth you may be my only saving grace until August! Keep up the great work! Henry sure is a cutie!

MEK

01-13-2010, 05:50 PM

Great 1/10 update. Can't believe I am reading it 3 days late! That is so NOT cool! Anyway - I am glad you arrived safely Kidani. It's so funny to read about everyone's arrival, because the reaction is the same. Everyone LOVES it. It's cool to see the studio because we had a dedicated 2BR, which worked out better for the teens.

I'm so glad you got such a great location for your room and you were able to hit the MK. Can't wait to see how long you last until you crash! I have a feeling you are really running on adrenaline by this point!

SoonerGirl

01-13-2010, 05:56 PM

:laughing: Or just never finish like my Honeymoon TR?! Ya...never finished. The whole "having a baby" thing got in my way. ;)

Excuses, excuses..... :rolleyes:

lovegrumpy

01-13-2010, 10:03 PM

Yea another trip report. I love reading them.

brookelizabeth

01-13-2010, 10:16 PM

Yup, this is how far behind I am already. But I'm sitting down with my (3rd) cup of coffee now, to do some serious catching up. My DH was off work for 2 weeks for a "stay-cation" and my 'puter time was SERIOUSLY hampered!!! I'm back for reals now. Watch out.

:laughing: That's alright! I get behind all the time - no worries. I have those handy links on the front page too that will help when real life interrupts us of DISing.

And speaking of that...still not caught up on yours! :rolleyes:

2 hours to get to Kidani?!! That's as frightening as it gets! I'd have been a basket case by then. But I will say, watching Henry jump on the bed to start off your Kidani time, would more than make up for it!! Nice! :thumbsup2

The room itself looks AMAZING! Simply stunning!

My neice called the cops once too. Funny now; not so much when it happened. :sad2:

So glad they could give you a room that was close by! I'm sure that really helped make the trip more enjoyable for your FIL.

It was annoying that the driver was soooooo slow. I was itchin' to get off that bus. Henry was very well behaved thankfully, and he also had 5 different laps to sit on/entertain him, so that helped!

My FIL was worn by the time we got to the room, the walking at the airport did him in - and we even took the moving walkway to avoid more walking. Poor guy! I was VERY happy with our room - design wise and location!

Great first day and it's not over yet!! I'm so glad you and Joe had time to go exploring by yourselves... so nice to have grandparents to watch Henry, then you can relax knowing he is in good hands. Was it strange to change gears and do adult things rather than small child things?

It was very, very nice to have the grandparents with-who were more than eager to spend time with their little grandbaby! :goodvibes

It wasn't too strange to change gears for the parks, what was hard was my MIL being there and taking care of Henry sometimes when I was still present. I totally don't mind her taking over and feeding/changing when necessary, but it was awkward for the first few days..."Oh, I can do that..." I kept interrupting - then I learned that she WANTED to do it. She loved it! So...I certainly didn't mind the break. ;) It was hard to not get to do some of the things we love to do with Henry due to the large/slow moving touring party and the crowds....more on all that as the TR progresses too. :guilty:

It was very crowded, but ok....we managed just fine.

That would be funny if we saw each other in our photos. BTW, I think it's hilarious that you and your DH took nearly the same pic of the bathroom. Like I always tell my hubby, "Great minds think alike." :thumbsup2 and I think it's great that the two of you could run off to MK and leave little Henry sleeping with the grandparents. My kids are older, and DH and I are about to celebrate 20 yrs, but we still love to have a little night, (or weekend, if we get so lucky) to ourselves.

Well now, that's just too strange. When we drove onto Yacht Club property and stoped at the security check in, the guard gave us our parking pass. I didn't even pay attention to it until we were unloaded and parked. But it had us checking out the next day! :confused: Luckily, we got that matter cleared up as well.

Don't leave us waiting very long...I can't wait to hear about you and your DH's couple visit to MK!

I think we will have to do NYE again when Henry (and any future child(ren)) are older. It sounded like a great time!!!!

It was a great treat to have the grandparents along for those late night runs to the park. They don't end with this night....:rolleyes:

That is very strange about the parking pass!! Did you have more than one reservation number? We had four (which made the CM's eyes pop! :laughing:) due to the rooms not being readily available when we booked--in January. I was wait listed and it took a bit of arranging and fast CM work to secure it!

Hi, I am here!! And it only took me 6 pages. :rotfl:

Henry is just too cute - what a doll face!

Stay warm up there in MN! IA is not much better.....we are supposed to have warmer temps this week. Warmer as in 30 degrees instead of minus 5.....it just kills me that they are talking about "warmer" and it's still freezing....welcome to the Midwest! :goodvibes

Hey Katie!!! Thank you for the compliment on Henry. I was really hoping everyone would have met him on NYE! All well...a good excuse to meet up again! :goodvibes

:laughing: about the weather! Today it's 25 and it feels WONDERFUL out there!!! We are really loving the warmer temps today. 30 would be a dream!

Good Morning Henry - Thanks for the update!!!

And just cause you like him so much popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::

:rotfl: I'll have to show him the 3 "corn guys" in a row tomorrow morning, he'll love it!

Yayyy!!! I'm glad you got out on time with no delays or anything! :yay: I was nervous flying out of NY on the 23rd but we didn't get delayed either- can't get any better than that!
WOW no vacation in 10 years???? I would go CRAZY! LOL Oh, and I always get confused when it comes to looking for the ME... it's sad isn't it?!
Kidani looks AWESOME I definitely love the bathroom layout better at the AKL than any other!
No bag?!! How Liberating!!! :rotfl:

I was so surprised that we flew out on time, I've had delays from Mpls for "weather" with NO snow. :confused3

I know, I would go nuts without a vacation in 10 years too! They are just homebodies, and their dog is like a child to them, so that was hard for them to be away. I think my MIL got bit by the "travel bug" though...!

Okay, as I was typing "travel bug" I thought, "I'm typing this reply to TravelBug, aren't I?!" :lmao: :rolleyes:

That bathroom at Kidani is amazing. Seriously breathtaking! It's HUGE!!!!! I even suggested we put Henry's pack & play in there, there was so much room! :laughing: We didn't but we could have!

brookelizabeth

01-13-2010, 10:47 PM

Holy cow. I had no clue you started a TR! I just stumbled accross it! Now I got to start reading!!!

Oh! I'm glad you found me! My other reports got closed while we were gone so I couldn't "announce" it like I usually do. I was going to PM people, but I felt weird about doing that! :laughing:

OK, all caught up!
Please tell that even though you went with no bag, you still took a camera!!!! We NEED pictures! ;)

YES! :laughing: Camera doesn't leave my neck. Seriously, I don't even know why we bother with a bag. It's even on the table at meals. :rolleyes:

:laughing: great update Henry!! popcorn::

I am pretty good at getting off the plane and knowing right where ME is but between you and Wigd getting turned around I better write on my hand! :laughing: I am playing tour guide in May so I am supposed to know everything!! :rotfl2:
Phew that was a long trip to Kidani...even with all the stops.
Don't you just love the rooms? :love: I really love those ostrich lamps too! :goodvibes
So cute with Henry jumping on the bed and loving the balconies!! I could do the same!!! :lmao:
:woohoo: for going to the park with no bag!! :thumbsup2

Tracy

Henry gets excited when he sees the smilies now and always points out a few! It's very cute. :goodvibes

Ah, playing tour guide. That was exactly me this trip. I can't say I loved every minute of it. :rolleyes1 More on that later. ;)

I love those lamps! They are so neat! I think Kidani is decorated just beautifully overall. I love the huge hallway windows too, it always had me stopping in my tracks...as you will all soon find out with many, many, many pictures of animals! :laughing:

While I didn't jump on the bed with Henry, I did fling myself across it in a running leap! :rolleyes:

brookelizabeth

01-13-2010, 10:58 PM

Brook...

so sorry about Henry not feeling well but he looks pretty happy moving around in you Kidani room...:goodvibes

Good for you for having your reservation #s at the front desk...you go girl...:thumbsup2

This is a lovely tradition...:goodvibes...I think I'm going to have to start implementing some "Schnapszahl" around here...;)

He was feeling better at that point, much to my relief! His fever had broken in the morning and he was just left with a little sniffle/runny nose.

I was VERY glad I had been organized and filled out the Passporter! I am sure they could have found me regardless, but those numbers made it a lot quicker and less stressful.

I really like that tradition too, Henry's golden birthday was when he turned ONE, so that's kinda out the window already! Maybe when he's 11 I'll go all out! :dance3:

Yes, they supposedly used the Ultimate Touring Plan, but who knows which insider knowledge these two guys had (like exact start times for continuous shows like the Tiki Room etc.). Will be looking forward to hear about plans! :thumbsup2

Regarding Schnapszahl: we like our compound words in German, nothing more natural to us to put a few words after each other and give them a new meaning! Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinderkennzeichnungs-_und_Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgaben übertragungsgesetz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinderkennzeichnungs-_und_Rindfleischetikettierungs%C3%BCberwachungsauf gaben%C3%BCbertragungsgesetz)

It can be a lot of fun. Actually my mother had one of the best Schnapszahl birthdays (in German Schnapszahlgeburtstag, see above regarding compound words! :laughing:) ever: she was born on 2/2/44, so she turned 44 on 2/2 in 88! She had a big party for that! :thumbsup2

Actually it comes from card games: If at the end of an evening of playing cards your final result was a number with identical digits, you would have to pay a round of drinks for the other players.

That is very true about the "insider information" they might of had, or someone else in the parks texting them wait time info, etc. But still, very impressive!

That article you linked to makes me laugh! Whoa...what a word! And that is considered the SHORT title of the law. :rotfl::rotfl:

Page 7-really :scared1: Subbing.

:goodvibes This TR is moving pretty good!! Handy links in post 2 to skip the chit-chat though!

You always have such great trip reports! I enjoyed following you on Twitter! The villas at AK look so amazing, I can't wait to stay there! We are thinking about going back either next January or April 2011 and staying at AKV.

Oh, thank you!!! I'm glad to "see" you again. :goodvibes We all really loved AKV, its beautiful! I have more pictures coming up too.

I know! Brook TRs move quickly don't they??

:goodvibes I'm always surprised and flattered by how many people enjoy these TRs! It's a lot of fun for me to write and share the memories, and I'm thrilled to share our experiences with everyone!

Hey Brook!
I was MIA for a while, so I didn't get caught up on your previous TR until after it was closed so I couldn't comment. I loved it right to the very end and I was just thrilled to find you again today. I'm all caught up and ready for more! Very fun update. I can feel the excitement and anticipation!

:welcome: Thank you for finding me and joining up again! More coming soon...tonight or tomorrow!

Subbing. And YAY - I'm not too far behind!:woohoo:

I love the pix you take, Brook. You pay attention to detail and it really helps to give a good idea of what it's like to be where you are. The rooms in AKL look beautiful. We were just in studio last spring, but I love the styling of that one bedroom.

So glad you got to get out to MK on your first night.

And BAGLESS?????? I went to the parks bagless once - a long, long time ago. It was glorious. :cloud9:

Hey Cammie! I feel like this trip I didn't have as much time to take in those details...I was so busy with everyone and the crowds...but hopefully we still did capture enough to grab that essence of it all!

Bagless!!! :banana:

:rotfl2:

Glad everything was OK with your ressie! And your room/villa is gorgeous!!!

Thankfully they were understanding!

Can't wait to hear about MK with no bag!

The room really was beautiful, I loved everything about it. There are more/better pictures coming throughout the week too!

Huck Sawyer

01-13-2010, 11:22 PM

I just started following your TR just a few days ago. I'm currently 6 months pregnant and on bed rest so my days are long. I have been speed reading your past TR's and you always have me laughing.

brookelizabeth

01-13-2010, 11:35 PM

Loving this! Love the pictures of Kidani. We will be there this summer! Thanks so much for those.
Glad Henry seems to be feeling pretty "tip top" once he hit the magic!
Kelly

I hope you love Kidani! There will be lots more pictures coming up throughout the TR, so stay tuned. :goodvibes

Yes, Henry was feeling much better by the time we arrived--and I think he was very happy to get out and run around after being on the plane and a long bus ride!

I am here! Finally! I saw your signature had changed and noticed the link for the new TR! :thumbsup2

Don't you just love the rooms! We are lucky enough to live 2.14 miles from Woodfield mall where DVC has a Doorway to Dreams store, with model mockups, that look exactly like the real thing at Disney World. We went to a DISmeet back in 08 when they still had the AKV rooms and I loved all the details around The Lion King! Now the models are BLT rooms, wonder what they will be next!

Can't wait to hear about Magic Kingdom without a bag! Isn't it the best!:yay:

Hey there! Thanks for coming over! :goodvibes

If I lived where you did I would be a regular at the Woodfield Mall. :laughing: I would need my little Disney fix... I remember seeing pics of a DIS meet there - and Todd in the spa tub....and a few people under the covers! :rotfl:

Bagless is amazing....aaaaaaaah.

Are we sure that Disney didn't move the Magical Express counter? Your TR is about the third one I read where someone couldn't remember where it was located. I think Disney switched it around. ;)

Every set of pictures I see of the Kidani rooms makes me want to buy DVC immediately. They are so pretty!!!

You went to a park without a bag??? Is that even possible??? :lmao:

I know! It's funny how a few of us that went recently got disoriented! What's the deal? Were they pumping something into the air?! (I'm glad I wasn't alone though!)

I noticed on your PTR about your future DVC purchase....! :woohoo: They really are VERY pretty, and more/better pictures will be coming throughout the TR to help tide ya over.

I thought of LL when I was going bagless! :rotfl:

Anywhere! I am not particular. :)
I want to stay at Kidani and Beach Club, and Jill wants to stay at Boardwalk. We both think one night in BLT would be nice to see fireworks from the balcony. We'll be happy anywhere!

Bella was the same way. She was ready to be free from her carseat.

Good morning, Henry!
Thanks for starting my morning out with a smile.

I'm with ya. I want to try ALL the DVC resorts, so I generally let Joe pick. His #1 is the Boardwalk. I would really like to try the Beach Club too. And I want to go back to the WL because I just loved it so so much...but want to try a few other places first. They all have their special perks!

OY!!! So I've been looking for days under your ticker of Henry for the link for your next TR and it turns out it has been on top this whole time....DOH!!!! Oh well at least I have made it and as usual I'm fashionably late!!

Love the updates so far and GOOD MORNING Henry! Love his smilies...too cute!!!!!!!

NO park bag...that is a huge feat to behold...can't wait to hear all about it!

:rotfl: I'm glad you found me Jen! Maybe I should have made the font a bit bigger on the link! :goodvibes

Yay! I missed that you started this but I am so glad to have found it! :goodvibes

The picture of Henry and GG melted my heart--so precious!! I am glad to hear MIL and FIL survived the trip down. ;) LOVE :love: the room!! Gorgeous and so big.

No park bag? By accident or was this planned? Hmm...waiting to hear more popcorn::

:welcome: thank you for reading!

Isn't that picture of Henry and GG adorable? The whole family was melting and I think every camera came out!

The 2 bedroom seemed just enormous. It went on and on! And the extra bathroom was a very nice bonus, we didn't use it too often, but when we did need it, it was handy.

Planned!!! :thumbsup2

[b][SIZE="3Brook, so glad I found your new report!!! I love seeing Henry grow! Your room was WOW!! amazing!!!

Hey there!!! Thank you for finding me! :goodvibes It's fun to look back at old reports and pictures and see the differences in Henry. I can't even imagine years from now....

I'm here and glad I found you :yay:, now I'm headed back to read

Oh, and I too keep meaning to PM, sorry you keep slipping down my to-do list :flower3:

I keep meaning to PM you as well! Every time I think about it, I'm doing something else...I should really make myself a GIANT note! :laughing:

brookelizabeth

01-13-2010, 11:37 PM

Caught up just about thanks to the wonders of nap-time and Toy Story :rotfl2:

Something for Henry popcorn::

And one more chosen by DD (who is a similar age) :bride:

:lmao: Mommy loves nap time. ::yes::

A girl chooses a bride, a boy chooses food. Nothing changes when they get bigger, does it?! ;)

Oh man. Miss brookelizabeth you may be my only saving grace until August! Keep up the great work! Henry sure is a cutie!

:laughing: Thank you! I hope to provide that "need" to tide you over! Thank you for reading!

Great 1/10 update. Can't believe I am reading it 3 days late! That is so NOT cool! Anyway - I am glad you arrived safely Kidani. It's so funny to read about everyone's arrival, because the reaction is the same. Everyone LOVES it. It's cool to see the studio because we had a dedicated 2BR, which worked out better for the teens.

I'm so glad you got such a great location for your room and you were able to hit the MK. Can't wait to see how long you last until you crash! I have a feeling you are really running on adrenaline by this point!

No worries on being a bit behind! I've been much further behind than 3 days. :laughing: It happens! :goodvibes

I think I might have a few more pics of the Studio...especially once I get a hold of my FIL and SIL pictures. I'll be sure to post them once I get them! I was hoping for a dedicated, but we ended up with a lock-off, which did work out just fine, we didn't use much of the kitchenette, except the fridge for a few things.

The location of the room was superb. I was thrilled the CMs met my request even on such a busy week.

And you are very, very right about running on adrenaline. I was EXHAUSTED, but I just had to get to the Castle! :laughing:

Excuses, excuses..... :rolleyes:

:lmao:

I do hope to finish that TR at some point. I was thinking as part of a PTR...some of my favorite pics are from the day I never covered!

Yea another trip report. I love reading them.

:welcome: thank you for reading!!

I just started following your TR just a few days ago. I'm currently 6 months pregnant and on bed rest so my days are long. I have been speed reading your past TR's and you always have me laughing.

Oh man! Bed rest! :hug::hug::hug: Thank you so much for reading and I'm glad my TRs have kept you smiling and laughing! Hopefully this one will help make the next few months go a little quicker for you too!

brookelizabeth

01-14-2010, 12:36 AM

We left off as Joe and I made our way to MK. At night. Without bags.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5677-Small/759452073_mzyMT-M.jpg
Kidani bus stop decorations.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5678-Small/759452083_dvEqk-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5682-Small/759452106_ZdJ44-M.jpg
See, we weren't the only goofballs headed to the park that late night! ;)

I don't have words for how good it felt to walk in bagless. It was liberating. Camera around the neck. AP and room key in my pocket.

And while you know I love my little boy to pieces, it felt good not having to push a stroller. Real good.

:banana:

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5684-Small/759452116_C3Neq-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5685-Small/759452127_vFzsH-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5686-Small/759452130_HSWsz-M.jpg
I love the popcorn garland!

It was snowing on Main Street.

I had already had my share of snow, but like frozen pizza in WDW, snow is better there too! (mostly just because it's fake though...;))

It was pretty. So, so pretty.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5687-Small/759452137_ovhpX-M.jpg

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And then I heard a few cords of a very familar tune, I grabbed Joe's arm and said, "That's Spectro!"

In my planning for the trip I hadn't expected we'd get to see Wishes (in the park) or Spectro. So this was a very sweet unexpected surprise!

It was cooling off quick outside, so before we grabbed a spot we went into my beloved Casey's and purchased hot cocoa.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5696-Small/759452182_x2pAH-M.jpg
The best food pic EVER! :rolleyes: I laughed as I took this in my sleep-deprived delirium. I sincerely meant to take another sans lid...but....

Nope, I walked out WITHOUT corn dog nuggets. For those of you who know me, you know I love me some corn dog nuggets and was determined this trip to get them since I missed out in September. But...I was full. But, I knew we would be back to MK, so I still had time to get the CDN.

We found a nice spot to stand, just up from Casey's. I stood in awe of the Castle

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5701-Small/759452191_Pgm2b-M.jpg
I really like the orange.

and sipped my hot cocoa and very soon Spectro started. Love this parade. The music just makes me happy!

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Continued in next post

brookelizabeth

01-14-2010, 12:38 AM

Continued from previous post

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When the last float went by, we walked into the street, joined the crowd and followed it, kinda felt like we were part of the parade.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5875-Small/759453337_ERWF2-M.jpg

I did my best princess wave. princess:

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We followed it to Tomorrowland where we had one goal.

Space Mountain.

We zigged our way through the crowd and got to the queue.

It was out the door.

90 minutes.

Ah. No. I'm tired.

TTA?

Sure!

No wait there. We took our spin through Tomorrowland and talked about how we liked the old announcer better. This one isn't bad, it's just different. He's cheesier.

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http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5886-Small/759453404_9YaGW-M.jpg
For Jordan! Please excuse the BAGS under my eyes!

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Joe's mission this night was dessert. And the location of choice, Main Street Bakery.

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Chocolate chocolate chip muffin

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Saturday-December-26-2009/IMG5893-Small/759453443_jExDp-M.jpg
Chocolate croissant. Also known as "alkdjflkajsdlkf, drool!"

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Apple turnover - Jill, I thought of you while snapping this one!

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Banana bread pudding....Joe's choice!

It was yummy.

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They were giving coupons away on the receipts, which I found interesting.

We slowly walked down Main Street heading for the exit.

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I like this.

Continued in next post

brookelizabeth

01-14-2010, 12:39 AM

Continued from previous post

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We were exhausted. It was past midnight by this point and we were surviving on very little sleep. So, one quick dip into the Fire House, since we had never been and it happened to catch our eye that night,

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and then another pit stop into City Hall

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City Hall light fixture for LL

to get Joe a Guest Assistance Card. It's 12:30 am here and my brain is slowly fading...so if I explained this before, forgive me! For the new readers - Joe is legally blind, very sensitive to light (you'll see him in sunglasses a lot), and color blind. He can see and see clearly, but he sees everything teeny. Kinda like if you were looking through a telescope the wrong way. So, it's nice for him to have a GAC for the shows, so he can sit closer and see the show easier. For shows he's seen he's not quite as concerned-since he's seen the details before, and he does carry binoculars in case we don't bother with it. :thumbsup2

After we had the GAC in hand we made our way back "home" to Kidani Village.

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Of course I had to get a few more pictures before leaving!

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At Kidani

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The butterfly ornaments had moving wings!

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In the hallway

we both rolled into bed quite quickly, grossly aware of the early time we planned to be up - 6:30 am. But in our sleepy fog no alarm was set...

Did I mention we aren't morning people? And that the king bed in the villa was huge, beautiful and really comfortable?

brookelizabeth

01-14-2010, 12:52 AM

I don't yet have the files for our Photopass, or for my FIL or SIL's pictures and video...however, my FIL did email a few...so I'll share some up until where we are in the trip.

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MIL on her first real flight!

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Bye Minnesota! Bye snow!

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I like his room shots - he used the flash that night, unlike us, so his pictures came out much more crisp.

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Artwork in the hallway

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Flossbolna

01-14-2010, 02:03 AM

Charleston Princess

01-14-2010, 04:39 AM

I just love the Christmas decorations at both Kidani and the Magic Kingdom! So pretty!

Laughed out loud this morning over your pic of the hot chocolate! Nice lid! :lmao: Where did you buy it? Was it just at a kiosk?

What a great way to start your trip with Spectro, TTA, and goodies from the Main Street Bakery.

With no alarm set, it sounds like it is up to Henry to make sure you wake up on time. ;)

MeMom

01-14-2010, 05:06 AM

Hearing the Spectro music starting up is a perfect way to start your trip - definitely a nice surprise!

It was interesting to see a 'snow-covered ground from airplane window' picture.

I took a picture of those Mickey vases, too. They are unique.

Your pictures are not helping my urges and efforts to make a spring break trip happen, even on a shoestring budget. I have no business (NO WAY, NO HOW!) going, and yet I have been eyeing those $94 flights daily. I talk myself out of a two day trip daily, and then I am stupid enough to come here and look at pictures like yours! It's not a good thing that I do. :laughing:

After Jill gets over here and sees those apple turnovers and chocolate croissants, maybe she'll beg me to go on a two day spring break trip.

I'd have to do it, of course, because I love her so much. ;)

It is great that you and Joe got to have such a nice start to this trip. I know that big Kidani bed felt good that night. :)

2xcited2sleep

01-14-2010, 05:36 AM

jenjolt

01-14-2010, 06:26 AM

Spectro!! What a gorgeous parade and what amazing photos!!! I just love Spectro...I'm so glad you were able to see it!! Hmmmm...no alarm set...are we going to start taking bets on what time you guys woke up the next morning LOL!!!

Great update Brook!

jenseib

01-14-2010, 07:25 AM

I love your spectro pics. I wish I was there right now watching it! DH says he doesn't want to to any vacation this year. The nerve of him!

BrooklynnsMommy

01-14-2010, 07:34 AM

Starting my day at work with Spectro and an apple turnover! THanks for the happiness. Love those apple turnovers.

On a side note I tossed the idea out to MeMom last night about possibly visiting the Mall of America for a long weekend in October. We aren't one hundred percent sure yet. We have to wait and see what flights look like and that kind of thing. But we thought a girls trip up your way would be fun.

KathyRN137

01-14-2010, 07:39 AM

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Kidani bus stop decorations.

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Ah! I see they finished the bus stop (they were still working on it when we were at Kidani over Halloween.) And those decorations are so beautiful... kinda makes me sorry I missed them.

(They probably started going up in the resort the week after we left!)

What a fun, romantic night at MK... with Spectro as an amazing bonus! :thumbsup2

Kathy

disneydusted

01-14-2010, 08:46 AM

Wonderful update, Brook! I am taken by the Spectro pictures you posted and the one that looks like 2 people that are spinning??? Very fun that you and Joe had that surprise when you went over to MK! :goodvibes
It is hard to stop and realize that the grandmother wants to be helpful and she wants to do all of those little things... it was a new idea to me when I went through that too.
That chocolate croissant is the best!!! We ate them everyday! Walking the miles and miles around the parks I figured it was ok! :rotfl:

Charlefours

01-14-2010, 08:53 AM

wonderful updates! gorgeous pictures as usually. :goodvibes Looking forward to the next chapter...popcorn::

MHTeacher

01-14-2010, 09:09 AM

Great update---I'd been waiting to hear about your's and Joe's visit to the MK while "Henry-less" for the evening. Sounds like you had fun.

Beautiful pictures...I LOVE those butterfly ornaments with the moving wings.

brookelizabeth

01-14-2010, 09:40 AM

What a wonderful evening!! Once again, your pictures are just great and I love it that you take pictures of things that others (including me) don't think of. Perhaps it's me getting excited about our trip (13 days!!), but your bus picture was wonderful. It really got me in th mood of thinking that in two weeks time and another 4 hours later than now we will hopefully be sitting on our first WDW bus to take us to AK! :goodvibes

And I love your late night updates - which then are early morning updates for me when I read them! :goodvibes

13 days!!!!! :faint: where did the time go?! :woohoo:

Thank you for the compliment on the pictures! It's kinda fun to find things we don't yet have pictures of--like the inside of buses. And there is something about that picture that makes me wistful for a trip (even though we just returned :rolleyes:). It's such a familiar sight that you KNOW you are in Disney World when you see it, yet not photographed often.

Even with trying to find things we don't have pictures of yet, I still managed to snap at least 100 of the Castle. :laughing:

I just love the Christmas decorations at both Kidani and the Magic Kingdom! So pretty!

Laughed out loud this morning over your pic of the hot chocolate! Nice lid! :lmao: Where did you buy it? Was it just at a kiosk?

What a great way to start your trip with Spectro, TTA, and goodies from the Main Street Bakery.

With no alarm set, it sounds like it is up to Henry to make sure you wake up on time. ;)

The Christmas decorations were beautiful! I loved them at MK - it just created the lovely atmosphere...snow falling, the lights...so so pretty!

Nice shot of the food, eh?! ;) It was purchased at Casey's.

It really was a wonderful way to start the trip, MK to see the Castle, Spectro a ride and FOOD. :thumbsup2 I was smiling when I fell asleep that night!

We'll see if Henry does his job.......:rolleyes1

Hearing the Spectro music starting up is a perfect way to start your trip - definitely a nice surprise!

It was interesting to see a 'snow-covered ground from airplane window' picture.

I took a picture of those Mickey vases, too. They are unique.

Your pictures are not helping my urges and efforts to make a spring break trip happen, even on a shoestring budget. I have no business (NO WAY, NO HOW!) going, and yet I have been eyeing those $94 flights daily. I talk myself out of a two day trip daily, and then I am stupid enough to come here and look at pictures like yours! It's not a good thing that I do. :laughing:

After Jill gets over here and sees those apple turnovers and chocolate croissants, maybe she'll beg me to go on a two day spring break trip.

I'd have to do it, of course, because I love her so much. ;)

It is great that you and Joe got to have such a nice start to this trip. I know that big Kidani bed felt good that night. :)

I cannot even tell you how many trips I have priced since we've been home. The Disney blues have hit me really, really hard this time. And I have a girlfriend asking about a "girls trip". Last night I priced Pop Century for 5 nights, with food, tickets and a flight it would probably cost us each around $1,000 still (my AP expires in 6 days :guilty:). $1,000 just isn't feasible for us right now since we are trying to put all extra money toward the house so we can sell it. :sad2: And we don't have enough points left for this year for 2 trips...unless we chomp big time into next years...which we don't want to do.

So.........I feel your pain! :laughing: I keep telling myself I can wait, I can wait. And I know I can. It just won't be easy!

Of course you would have to go on a Spring Break trip if Jill begs. A Mother's work is so difficult sometimes, isn't it? ;) (If it helps I can go post the pictures on your thread....:rolleyes1)

brookelizabeth

01-14-2010, 09:41 AM

Kidani looks so beautiful! I hope I can stay there someday.

Hot cocoa (love the lid!), Spectro, snow (of the fake variety) and NO BAGS, on Main St sound like the perfect way to kick off your tip!!

I am sensing some foreshadowing for the morning. A 6:30 wake-up?? My goodness that is early. :scared:

It really is a beautiful resort! The lobby is stunning, and cozy feeling, which I really like. Lots of warm colors and big plush furniture. Plus, the animals. :thumbsup2

Our trip to MK really was a wonderful way to start the trip! We enjoyed being together, just he and I, no bags...and I have to say the Nestle hot cocoa is much better than their Nescafe Coffee! :laughing:

6:30 is insane for us. Even at home we don't get up that early! But, I was determined to get a wheelchair and a FP for TSM.....

Spectro!! What a gorgeous parade and what amazing photos!!! I just love Spectro...I'm so glad you were able to see it!! Hmmmm...no alarm set...are we going to start taking bets on what time you guys woke up the next morning LOL!!!

Great update Brook!

Thanks Jen! I love Spectro too. Love the floats, love the lights, love the music! It's so unique and beautiful.

I think taking bets might be a fun idea...what is your guess?! :rotfl:

I love your spectro pics. I wish I was there right now watching it! DH says he doesn't want to to any vacation this year. The nerve of him!

:scared1: I call a Girls Trip! :laughing:

Starting my day at work with Spectro and an apple turnover! THanks for the happiness. Love those apple turnovers.

On a side note I tossed the idea out to MeMom last night about possibly visiting the Mall of America for a long weekend in October. We aren't one hundred percent sure yet. We have to wait and see what flights look like and that kind of thing. But we thought a girls trip up your way would be fun.

Ah! You made it over here already to spy out those turnovers! :goodvibes (Are you begging MeMom for a trip yet?)

That sounds WONDERFUL about a trip up here to the Mall of America! :dance3: October can be a bit iffy on the weather, sometimes it's beautiful and sometimes it's cold. Early October is probably best, then you can see the fall leaves as well, which are stunning! Keep me posted if things start to pan out!!

Ah! I see they finished the bus stop (they were still working on it when we were at Kidani over Halloween.) And those decorations are so beautiful... kinda makes me sorry I missed them.

(They probably started going up in the resort the week after we left!)

What a fun, romantic night at MK... with Spectro as an amazing bonus! :thumbsup2

Kathy

Back in September when we quickly toured Kidani we were left off at that bus stop, so I wonder what they had to finish in October? Hmmm...who knows! :goodvibes They are really kinda neat, like little huts.

The decorations were very pretty - we've never seen the parks and resorts fully decorated either. When we went in mid-November last year they had just started to put some up in the parks.

Wonderful update, Brook! I am taken by the Spectro pictures you posted and the one that looks like 2 people that are spinning??? Very fun that you and Joe had that surprise when you went over to MK! :goodvibes
It is hard to stop and realize that the grandmother wants to be helpful and she wants to do all of those little things... it was a new idea to me when I went through that too.
That chocolate croissant is the best!!! We ate them everyday! Walking the miles and miles around the parks I figured it was ok! :rotfl:

Yep! Those are 2 people spinning, the fairies with the big glowing wings. They were spinning down Main Street and it looked really neat - I'm glad my camera picked up on it the way it did!

I wasn't hungry at ALL when we were at the Bakery, but that chocolate croissant was still calling my name. I almost stuffed it in!

And don't worry about the calories...Disney food has none! :laughing:

wonderful updates! gorgeous pictures as usually. :goodvibes Looking forward to the next chapter...popcorn::

Great update---I'd been waiting so hear about your's and Joe's visit to the MK while "Henry-less" for the evening. Sounds like you had fun.

Beautiful pictures...I LOVE those butterfly ornaments with the moving wings.

It really was a very fun night! It was lovely to walk around without pushing the stroller. We felt a tad guilty, but Henry is also two, so he doesn't quite know what he's missing.....YET! I'm sure that will change very soon. :laughing:

Aren't those butterfly ornaments incredible?!

SoonerGirl

01-14-2010, 09:51 AM

TravelBug86

01-14-2010, 11:11 AM

Wow, I totally did the EXACT SAME THING on my first night! Went to the MK for Space Mountain only.. line was 80mins so we did the Haunted Mansion and then stopped at the Main St. Bakery on the way out- I even had the chocolate croissant you pictured :laughing: Scary, huh?!

Hi, Henry!!! popcorn::

moparop

01-14-2010, 02:30 PM

What an awesome first night! Catching Spectro on the fly with your honey-- you can't beat that! Whenever I look at your photos it makes me want to get my camera out and play some more. Certain things I feel very confident with - others, not so much!

manntra

01-14-2010, 02:32 PM

Such pretty pictures of Kidani! :lovestruc The bus stop looks so nice with the decorations...they were working on the "lids" that cover you when I was there in October so the bus stop was right out front. Isn't that bed soooo comfortable? A bit high off the ground for me :rotfl2: but it is so plush!
Love your Spectro pictures.....ahhh that music! :goodvibes
Ooohh chocolate crossiant! Good companion for hot chocolate! ;)
What an adorable vase. I really, really, like that!! A lot!! :thumbsup2

Tracy

brookelizabeth

01-14-2010, 03:21 PM

Great pictures as usual Brook! I love the one from Spectro of Chip & Dale where you see their reflection in the mirror - very cute! Can you believe I've still never seen that parade :eek:

I'm guessing that you did NOT make the 6:30am wake up time....

Thank you!!!
Oh you have GOT to see Spectro on your Mother/Daughter trip! It really is a beautiful parade.

Wow, I totally did the EXACT SAME THING on my first night! Went to the MK for Space Mountain only.. line was 80mins so we did the Haunted Mansion and then stopped at the Main St. Bakery on the way out- I even had the chocolate croissant you pictured :laughing: Scary, huh?!

Hi, Henry!!! popcorn::

:rotfl: That's hilarious!!!! Made for a good night, didn't it?! :goodvibes

What an awesome first night! Catching Spectro on the fly with your honey-- you can't beat that! Whenever I look at your photos it makes me want to get my camera out and play some more. Certain things I feel very confident with - others, not so much!

It really was a great way to start the trip. I was so very happy to catch Spectro, I just wish everyone had been there to enjoy it as well.

I'm with on the camera. There are lots of things I am not yet comfortable with/know about. Action shots are very hard for me still - I took WAY more Spectro pictures than what I put here, but due to setting changing/adjusting on the fly, many turned out in a big blur....I keep telling myself to really take the time to learn before the trip, but....!

What I do know for Spectro that I did this time, and the previous time I took a lot of pictures was turn the ISO to the highest (fastest) number you can. Then open the aperture to the largest setting (smallest number) possible. Pair that with a shutter speed of around 1/60 and you can snag some decent shots. I kept playing with the shutter speed, seeing if I could get a better quality with a slower or faster speed. Some turned out because there was enough light, others...not so much. :laughing:

Such pretty pictures of Kidani! :lovestruc The bus stop looks so nice with the decorations...they were working on the "lids" that cover you when I was there in October so the bus stop was right out front. Isn't that bed soooo comfortable? A bit high off the ground for me :rotfl2: but it is so plush!
Love your Spectro pictures.....ahhh that music! :goodvibes
Ooohh chocolate crossiant! Good companion for hot chocolate! ;)
What an adorable vase. I really, really, like that!! A lot!! :thumbsup2

Tracy

Ah! There must have been no lids when we explored Kidani in September. I didn't even notice!

The bed was wonderful!!! Joe and I have a nice king size at home that we usually love to come back home to, but we didn't miss it with that one!

Man! You are right, the croissant would have gone lovely with the cocoa! Must remember that for next time we are at MK when it's chilly.

IluvXU

01-14-2010, 04:05 PM

MEK

01-14-2010, 04:09 PM

Nothing like Spectro music to get the Disney spirit going. How nice that you got to see the parade unexpectedly. How wonderful for a little time alone (just the two of you). I remember having the feeling of freedom when my kids were little. It makes you feel like a bird. You feel like you can go anywhere and do anything....Love it!

You actually don't look tired at all! Too bad for the 90 space mtn wait.....ugggghhhh....... but I love you pics inside the buildings. I think the firehouse is so cute.

Well, me thinks you might oversleep in the morning, but I just have to wait to find out! popcorn::

RachelNinja

01-14-2010, 04:18 PM

The other day I went to the mall with DBF, and we were both getting hungry. We stopped at Nathan's to get fries, but then I saw they had corn dogs and I just had to get one! I didn't grow up eating corn dogs and I've probably only eaten one in my entire life, but when I think about them, I think about you and how much you love the nuggets at Casey's! I remember your CDN ticker!

I will have to get some at Casey's when I go in April. It's a must do because I drool every time you mention them. (The same goes for the apple turnovers that BrooklynnsMommy loves so much!)

CJsMom

01-14-2010, 04:37 PM

What a great first night! Ooh, those Main St. Bakery goodies look yummy! :thumbsup2 So cool that you got to see Spectro. It's nice that you and Joe got to take a little time and play by yourselves. :woohoo:

PopArtGal

01-14-2010, 04:47 PM

Yum! Apple turnovers!!

Those are yummy!

Panotchr

01-14-2010, 07:51 PM

Just reading that you heard the Spectro music made the Spectro music play in my head and that made me so happy :)

I LOVE that parade. It is a MUST see for me. Thanks for the great reminder on this cold, winter night :)

Henry is adorable, as always!

A.Mickey

01-14-2010, 09:30 PM

What a great night at the MK! I know exactly what you were feeling when you had no bags and no stroller! You need that every once in a while!

Love the Mickey glass vase too, that is awesome!

A.Mickey

01-14-2010, 09:35 PM

I
Hey there! Thanks for coming over! :goodvibes

If I lived where you did I would be a regular at the Woodfield Mall. :laughing: I would need my little Disney fix... I remember seeing pics of a DIS meet there - and Todd in the spa tub....and a few people under the covers! :rotfl:

That would be Todd and myself! :hug: Jason wasn't at that meet. :rolleyes1

micandminforever

01-14-2010, 09:41 PM

The pictures were wonderful, and watching Spectromagic is the perfect way to start your trip. I agree the corn dog nuggets are magical at MK.

Your FIL did a great job at picture taking also.

Huck Sawyer

01-14-2010, 10:21 PM

I have never tried these casey corn dog nuggets. I feel like I need to make a trip just to check them out because of all the talk and pictures. :rotfl:

MaryAz

01-14-2010, 10:45 PM

Great update. Glad you got to see Spectro. What a fun,bagless evening!

All7OfUs

01-15-2010, 12:02 AM

Hi Brook!

WHAT?! No CDNs!? I sincerely hope for those of us that love them as much as we do, you don't neglect their procuring!

What a fabulous, bag-less night you had. and he added bonus of Spectro is just plain cool!! Love it!

I have to admit, it'd be a toss-up between TTA and Space for me. I love them both. The 90 min wait would def. be a deal breaker for me to.

Yes, those "crisper" pix of Kidani are very nice. :thumbsup2

pooh'smate

01-15-2010, 10:28 AM

I am joining in. I may not comment much if I get really busy but I am reading. Henry is getting so big. I love the new pics in your siggy.

Lovemy3babes

01-15-2010, 11:10 AM

Brook, I love that you and Joe got a late night together in the Magic Kingdom. It's neat being able to spend a little alone time together, in such a special place. And thumbs up for being able to see an unplanned Spectro! Woot!!

I tried the corn dog nuggets in your honor on our trip. They were pretty tasty. :)

How does the GAC work? Do you have to prove Joe's eye condition? I'm asking because our youngest has Autism and it's something I've thought about for future trips.

GreatBiscuit

01-15-2010, 12:46 PM

Hey Brook! I’m behind a bit so I’ll start with commenting on the first set of installments I missed and then go read the next.

This was also their first real vacation in 10 years. Their last vacation was camping. In Minnesota. They are not travelers. Yet. :rolleyes1 ;) How awesome that they were able to join you on this trip!

Look honey! It's the fake monorail!
Woohoo!

I looked at Joe. He has a crazy awesome sense of direction, and sure enough, he led us directly to the correct location. No problem. Whew. Way to go Joe!

But, what matters is that we DID arrive! :thumbsup2Ain’t that the truth!

Everyone wandered the lobby while I checked us in. The CM pulled up my name and mentioned our check-out date of December 28.

:scared1:

Hold up!

Nooooo...... Picturing BE dropping to her knees with both hands lifted high and screaming to chandelier.

Thankfully I had my confirmation numbers (I had FOUR!) written down right in my handydandy Passporter which was in my bag. I scribbled them down for him, he called a manager who hit a few keys on the keyboard and viola! there we were. :banana: Whew! Good job keeping those #’s handy.

We got to our room and dumped our bags. The grocery delivery came up and all was settled and groceries were put away. Our room was "explored". We were all in awe. It felt like the room went on forever and ever between the studio and the master! It was beautiful. Everyone was loving it. What an AWESOME looking room! Absolutely amazing.

Foreverly washing sippy cups... I remember those days.

Joe took this one
And a few minutes later I took this one: Too funny! I wound up a couple of the same pics that my mom had on her camera.

Then he realized the the master and the living room patios are connected...he was shrieking in delight running in circles between the rooms! Soon he requested to climb on top of our bed in the master bedroom. He had been looking forward to something for quite a few weeks....

"Jump on Mah's (Mickey's) bed?" What a cool arrival activity!

"9-1-1 emergency, do you have a fire or police emergency?"
"No, I'm sorry, I have a toddler!"
"Oh, that's okay, ma'm happens all the time..." :lmao:

Around 8:30 I shyly whispered to Joe that I wanted to go to MK. He looked at me a little funny and then quickly agreed. WOHOO! Time to unleash the inner park beast!

GreatBiscuit

01-15-2010, 01:17 PM

I don't have words for how good it felt to walk in bagless. It was liberating. Camera around the neck. AP and room key in my pocket.

And while you know I love my little boy to pieces, it felt good not having to push a stroller. Real good. I remember that feeling from my solo morning. It is definitely nice to just walk right in and not have to worry about anything.

And then I heard a few cords of a very familar tune, I grabbed Joe's arm and said, "That's Spectro!"

In my planning for the trip I hadn't expected we'd get to see Wishes (in the park) or Spectro. So this was a very sweet unexpected surprise! Wohoo! That’s awesome. Unless you’re a parade hater. (cough…Jordan…ahem) Which you are aren’t. So awesome it is.

The best food pic EVER! :rolleyes: I laughed as I took this in my sleep-deprived delirium. I sincerely meant to take another sans lid...but.... That’s hilarious!

When the last float went by, we walked into the street, joined the crowd and followed it, kinda felt like we were part of the parade.

I did my best princess wave. princess: Good form!

We followed it to Tomorrowland where we had one goal.

Space Mountain.

We zigged our way through the crowd and got to the queue.

It was out the door.

90 minutes. YIKES! That’s like 1980’s SM crowds right there.

Joe's mission this night was dessert. And the location of choice, Main Street Bakery. It is a good mission and worthy of song.

We were exhausted. It was past midnight by this point and we were surviving on very little sleep. So, one quick dip into the Fire House, since we had never been and it happened to catch our eye that night, I’m glad you did. I haven’t seen too many pics of this place before.

At Kidani.

The butterfly ornaments had moving wings! How cool is that?

We both rolled into bed quite quickly, grossly aware of the early time we planned to be up - 6:30 am. But in our sleepy fog no alarm was set...

Did I mention we aren't morning people? And that the king bed in the villa was huge, beautiful and really comfortable?Uh-oh. I sense an impending disaster young Jedi.

GreatBiscuit

01-15-2010, 01:37 PM

I don't yet have the files for our Photopass, or for my FIL or SIL's pictures and video...however, my FIL did email a few...so I'll share some up until where we are in the trip. :thumbsup2 Awesome job Poppa!

PracPerfPatricia

01-15-2010, 03:07 PM

Nothing like Spectro music to get the Disney spirit going. How nice that you got to see the parade unexpectedly. How wonderful for a little time alone (just the two of you). I remember having the feeling of freedom when my kids were little. It makes you feel like a bird. You feel like you can go anywhere and do anything....Love it!

:lmao: I love it...I agree with ME...you sound so excited to be going out with out a stroller...and I know you adore Henry...you must have been so thrilled to see Spectro...kind of romantic like a date...;) I want to see some unlidded Hot Chocolate next time...:lmao:

too bad about Space...I hope you get on during your trip and that you get some of those corn dog nuggets...:thumbsup2

wdwgirl03

01-15-2010, 04:53 PM

Holy cow, 11 pages already! I didn't even know you started yet. Time to catch up...

ladybugmom

01-15-2010, 11:17 PM

Wow!! The decorations and light at MK are just breathtaking!! I can't imagine going into a park without a stroller and a bag (or even my kids for that matter)--how nice!!!! :goodvibes Glad you were able to enjoy your evening!

jordanyosh

01-15-2010, 11:44 PM

Thanks for the picture shout out!:thumbsup2

Man. You were troopers that night!

Kidani looks beautiful.

Main Street Bakery....I don't think I've examined it that closely...I think I might need to do that in a few weeks.

TyRy

01-16-2010, 09:09 AM

WOW - a few bad days at work, and no Dissing time and I totally missed that you started this. All caught up now and can't wait to read more.

John's Mom

01-16-2010, 12:20 PM

Brook,

Great TR and pictures (as always)!

Kathy

blessedby3

01-16-2010, 03:17 PM

Brook,
I have been anxiously awaiting your trip report and dont know how I have missed it!! Thanks for the great pictures of Spectro! It is one of my favorites- I even have it for one of my ringtones.

The pictures all look great and Im looking forward to hearing all about it.

One positive note- my ticker has gotten shorter since you left. Our original travel dates of Thanksgiving have been moved to May15th:banana:
I CANT WAIT!!

IBelieveInTheMagic

01-16-2010, 05:52 PM

Hi Brook! I love all the updates and pictures! :thumbsup2

I loved the hot chocolate picture (or lack thereof) and your comment about it with the lid!! HA HA....:rotfl2: I still love the picture, lid and all :)

How fun to have your family with you, your precious Henry taken care of and sleeping and you and Joe having a fun date at the MK - that rocks!!

I look forward to more...

Heather

3prettyprincesses

01-16-2010, 06:31 PM

OhMari

01-16-2010, 09:30 PM

:dancer:January Thaw.
I'm sick of snow.

Loving the report.

aceys_h0ney

01-17-2010, 12:25 AM

Brook! Let me tell you how happy I am to have stumbled upon this. I was an avid reader one or two trip reports ago. Well a tragic thing happened, I had to cancel my much planned and beloved Disney trip last year. I was so heartbroken that I could not come back to the DIS for a very very long time. Well thankfully I am planning another trip, one of which we will hopefully get to follow through with. So I started poking around the forums again. Lo and behold there is a trip report by you! Sorry I have not read it all yet I am just so excited to have one to read! Henry sure is growing up. Can't wait to read all about your December trip!
Sorry I hope I don't sound like a crazy stalker I just love your trip reports and this seems like the perfect way to get back in the Disney spirit!

ClaireW

01-18-2010, 03:23 PM

Great Spectro pictures :)

Must add 'play with camera settings' to my to-do list!

DWGal210

01-19-2010, 09:31 AM

Hey there!

Love the pictures!

So I was reading on MeMom / Jills report that you gals are trying to get a MOA meet together...if you do, let me know! I live about 3 1/2 hours from the mall and would love an excuse to get up there again and do some shopping!

MHTeacher

01-19-2010, 02:52 PM

OK.....when are we getting an update? ;)

DreaGirl

01-19-2010, 05:25 PM

MaryAz

01-19-2010, 06:09 PM

popcorn::

thegreggersmom

01-20-2010, 09:38 AM

Yeah! I just found you, too. Cannot believe how BIG Henry is getting.

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 02:49 PM

Great update Brooke. Any visit to Disney without a stroller and bag is different.

As for the bakery treats...
Drool is right... I love love those chocolate croissants... they are for sure my favorite breakfast treat ever. Even Doug knows that is what I want at Disney... no questions ask. Thanks for making me extra hungry!

So when is your next tentative trip?

Those chocolate croissants are delicious! I am not huge on a plain croissant, but mix in the chocolate and I'm allllll for it. I could easily go for one right now. :laughing:

Next trip is currently booked for December 2010. DIS Cruise + land stay; however.....September is calling. :rolleyes1 And we can only afford one trip this year... Nothing yet is fully decided - but September is looking more and more appealing for a bunch of reasons.

Nothing like Spectro music to get the Disney spirit going. How nice that you got to see the parade unexpectedly. How wonderful for a little time alone (just the two of you). I remember having the feeling of freedom when my kids were little. It makes you feel like a bird. You feel like you can go anywhere and do anything....Love it!

You actually don't look tired at all! Too bad for the 90 space mtn wait.....ugggghhhh....... but I love you pics inside the buildings. I think the firehouse is so cute.

Well, me thinks you might oversleep in the morning, but I just have to wait to find out! popcorn::

You are too sweet for saying I don't look tired! :goodvibes I think I look horrible! But, I know I've looked at other people on the DIS when they have said the same thing and gone "What?! They look fine!" :laughing: We are more critical of ourselves...

It really was a fun adventure with just the two of us! To be able to move quickly and not deal with the baby swap...very nice!

The other day I went to the mall with DBF, and we were both getting hungry. We stopped at Nathan's to get fries, but then I saw they had corn dogs and I just had to get one! I didn't grow up eating corn dogs and I've probably only eaten one in my entire life, but when I think about them, I think about you and how much you love the nuggets at Casey's! I remember your CDN ticker!

I will have to get some at Casey's when I go in April. It's a must do because I drool every time you mention them. (The same goes for the apple turnovers that BrooklynnsMommy loves so much!)

:rotfl: That's great!! I was tempted to do the CDN ticker again for this trip, being I didn't get them in September, but just went with a more generic one. Perhaps for the next trip...he he. I had SO many people ask what they were and then laugh!! :goodvibes

I don't really ever get corn dogs anywhere else except Casey's. Just something about them, and being on Main Street...!

What a great first night! Ooh, those Main St. Bakery goodies look yummy! :thumbsup2 So cool that you got to see Spectro. It's nice that you and Joe got to take a little time and play by yourselves. :woohoo:

It was an excellent way to start the trip. It almost felt sneaky....:laughing:

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 02:50 PM

Yum! Apple turnovers!!

Those are yummy!

They are so very good. Joe got one a few trips ago and I took a bite. I miss the French Toast Loaf though!

Just reading that you heard the Spectro music made the Spectro music play in my head and that made me so happy :)

I LOVE that parade. It is a MUST see for me. Thanks for the great reminder on this cold, winter night :)

Henry is adorable, as always!

You are welcome! I love it too! I was very bummed thinking we would miss it this trip. It was a wonderful surprise! And thank you for the compliment about Henry. :goodvibes

What a great night at the MK! I know exactly what you were feeling when you had no bags and no stroller! You need that every once in a while!

Love the Mickey glass vase too, that is awesome!

It was so strange, yet wonderful being free of a bag and stroller! I think as Henry gets older (and future children) I will try my hardest to become bag free on those trips!!

That would be Todd and myself! :hug: Jason wasn't at that meet. :rolleyes1

:rotfl: I had thought it was you, but couldn't remember for sure! I was laughing so hard during that little ordeal I had tears on my cheeks!

The pictures were wonderful, and watching Spectromagic is the perfect way to start your trip. I agree the corn dog nuggets are magical at MK.

Your FIL did a great job at picture taking also.

Thanks! I hope next time I see Spectro I will have a new lens and can pick up some of the closer-up details too. The floats are so amazing!

My FIL is a good photographer - he has won quite a few local awards for his photography work even. I know have all his files (and video! :yay:), so I'll be sure to share them as we go along! I love having pictures from others because everyone always sees things in different ways.

I have never tried these casey corn dog nuggets. I feel like I need to make a trip just to check them out because of all the talk and pictures. :rotfl:

:laughing: Just wait for the pictures.....later in the TR....:rolleyes1

Great update. Glad you got to see Spectro. What a fun,bagless evening!

Thanks! It really was! Spectro was such a great surprise.

Hi Brook!

WHAT?! No CDNs!? I sincerely hope for those of us that love them as much as we do, you don't neglect their procuring!

What a fabulous, bag-less night you had. and he added bonus of Spectro is just plain cool!! Love it!

I have to admit, it'd be a toss-up between TTA and Space for me. I love them both. The 90 min wait would def. be a deal breaker for me to.

Yes, those "crisper" pix of Kidani are very nice. :thumbsup2

I kept telling myself back in September I would get them "next time" we were at MK and ended up NOT getting them. And that was playing in the back of my mind that night, but I just couldn't stuff them in - I wouldn't have enjoyed them. But, I'll let you know, I DID GET THEM THIS TRIP! :dance3: You guys will just have to wait for a the beautiful moment....:laughing:

I love TTA and SM as well - they are two of my favorite rides! I love that the TTA hardly ever has a line.

I think I might have even more pics of Kidani since I now have my FIL and SIL's files. I just have to go through them and upload yet! I'll be sure to share. :goodvibes

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 02:51 PM

I am joining in. I may not comment much if I get really busy but I am reading. Henry is getting so big. I love the new pics in your siggy.

:welcome: thanks for reading! I totally understand about not being able to post - I get so far behind sometimes when real life interrupts! :goodvibes

Thank you on the compliment on the siggy!!

Brook, I love that you and Joe got a late night together in the Magic Kingdom. It's neat being able to spend a little alone time together, in such a special place. And thumbs up for being able to see an unplanned Spectro! Woot!!

I tried the corn dog nuggets in your honor on our trip. They were pretty tasty. :)

How does the GAC work? Do you have to prove Joe's eye condition? I'm asking because our youngest has Autism and it's something I've thought about for future trips.

It really was a lot of fun to go there late night. I was kinda surprised that Joe wanted to come at first, I was just gonna go solo! :laughing: But, I was really glad that he did!

:dance3: on the corn dog nuggets! Glad you liked them! I have heard they also sell them at AK (cannot recall where), but I haven't tried them yet....I wonder if they are as good?

For the GAC you don't have to prove anything - you can simply just go to any guest services and explain your need. For Joe, he needs to be able to sit in front for shows-he just says "I'm legally blind, can I get a Guest Assistance Card for the shows, so I can sit near the front so I can see it better?" (that sorta thing). They pull out a card and put a stamp on it that explains his need - which we show to a CM at the show and they lead us to the location - which is usually the roped off handicap section. There are stamps for all sorts of needs, so whatever he needs you can just explain and they will do it-no questions asked. :thumbsup2 And it's good for your whole trip.

Hey Brook! I’m behind a bit so I’ll start with commenting on the first set of installments I missed and then go read the next.

How awesome that they were able to join you on this trip!

Woohoo!

Way to go Joe!

Ain’t that the truth!

Picturing BE dropping to her knees with both hands lifted high and screaming to chandelier.

Whew! Good job keeping those #’s handy.

What an AWESOME looking room! Absolutely amazing.

I remember those days.

Too funny! I wound up a couple of the same pics that my mom had on her camera.

What a cool arrival activity!

:lmao:

WOHOO! Time to unleash the inner park beast!

:rotfl: I laughed out loud at your comment that I bolded above! Inside, yes, that is pretty much what I did...outside, I was cool and whipped open the Passporter! :cool2:

I remember that feeling from my solo morning. It is definitely nice to just walk right in and not have to worry about anything.

Wohoo! That’s awesome. Unless you’re a parade hater. (cough…Jordan…ahem) Which you are aren’t. So awesome it is.

That’s hilarious!

Good form!

YIKES! That’s like 1980’s SM crowds right there.

It is a good mission and worthy of song.

I’m glad you did. I haven’t seen too many pics of this place before.

How cool is that?

Uh-oh. I sense an impending disaster young Jedi.

Joe isn't big on parades....but he does like Spectro. He humors me though with other parades!! I still have yet to see the normal 12:00 parade at MK or the entire Block Party Bash though...NEXT TRIP! Sorry Joe! ;)

We saw it even longer later in the trip...120 minutes! :eek:

:thumbsup2 Awesome job Poppa!

He does some really nice photography work! He's been through a couple classes and belongs to a camera club...we even have a few of his prints framed around our house. I now have all his files, so I'll be sharing more!

:lmao: I love it...I agree with ME...you sound so excited to be going out with out a stroller...and I know you adore Henry...you must have been so thrilled to see Spectro...kind of romantic like a date...;) I want to see some unlidded Hot Chocolate next time...:lmao:

too bad about Space...I hope you get on during your trip and that you get some of those corn dog nuggets...:thumbsup2

It was like a date! And the next night we had another! :dance3:

I'll keep that in mind about the unlidded cocoa! :laughing:

Oh yes, SM and CDNs are coming up....:hyper:

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 02:51 PM

Holy cow, 11 pages already! I didn't even know you started yet. Time to catch up...

:welcome: glad to see you found me!!!!

Wow!! The decorations and light at MK are just breathtaking!! I can't imagine going into a park without a stroller and a bag (or even my kids for that matter)--how nice!!!! :goodvibes Glad you were able to enjoy your evening!

They are really, really beautiful! I don't feel like I could even really capture the beauty of all the decor. It glowed just perfectly....

Thanks for the picture shout out!:thumbsup2

Man. You were troopers that night!

Kidani looks beautiful.

Main Street Bakery....I don't think I've examined it that closely...I think I might need to do that in a few weeks.

Your very welcome! :goodvibes I think I said it on your TR after I posted the pic, but next time I'm going to try to get Joe and Henry to do it too....:laughing:

Kidani is really beautiful, very peaceful - it certainly doesn't feel like you are in Florida or at WDW, it's very relaxing...just you wait! :thumbsup2

:faint: yes! You must go visit the Main Street Bakery! Do you like ice cream sandwiches? If so, at any time of the day (including breakfast!) you can get one of theirs....two GIANT cookies and 3 scoops of ice cream. One snack credit!! :love: Everything I've had there is good. Yum.

WOW - a few bad days at work, and no Dissing time and I totally missed that you started this. All caught up now and can't wait to read more.

:welcome: Tracy! Glad you found me!!!

Brook,

Great TR and pictures (as always)!

Kathy

Thank you!!! More to come (finally)! ;)

Brook,
I have been anxiously awaiting your trip report and dont know how I have missed it!! Thanks for the great pictures of Spectro! It is one of my favorites- I even have it for one of my ringtones.

The pictures all look great and Im looking forward to hearing all about it.

One positive note- my ticker has gotten shorter since you left. Our original travel dates of Thanksgiving have been moved to May15th:banana:
I CANT WAIT!!

Your ringtone! I LOVE THAT! My phone is not nearly fancy enough to have that sorta thing, but if I ever upgrade.....! :yay:

That is awesome about your ticker getting shorter, and that is QUITE the jump! What made you decide to switch dates? BLT...:cloud9: (I have some pics coming up of it at the end of Day 2 - not many, but a few!)

Hi Brook! I love all the updates and pictures! :thumbsup2

I loved the hot chocolate picture (or lack thereof) and your comment about it with the lid!! HA HA....:rotfl2: I still love the picture, lid and all :)

How fun to have your family with you, your precious Henry taken care of and sleeping and you and Joe having a fun date at the MK - that rocks!!

I look forward to more...

Heather

:laughing: Thanks on the hot chocolate comment! I really truly did mean to take another picture after we were settled into our Spectro spot, but we ended up standing the entire time, and between that and taking pictures...it was gone before I remembered! :rolleyes:

It was a big treat to have the family along. My MIL loved being with Henry too! And he loved being with them. It made it a very different trip too. Not in a bad way, just different! :goodvibes

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 02:52 PM

Cute update!:goodvibes And color me jealous too! Going to MK at night ALONE with my DH would be a little slice of heaven!:cloud9: How fun for you both. A Disney date, aaaahhhh!

You know, I've never gone in the Main St. bakery! Did you just do this :scared1: when you read that? I know, how have I never gone in there yet? I most definitely will next trip though, especially after seeing those chocolate croissants. Love the pics too of the firehouse and city hall. Those are all on my list for our next trip. I fully intend to sloooooow down and see all the details this time. No more charging through the parks, racing from one ride to the next like a crazy person.

Anyhoo, I'm enjoying your TR. Looking forward to the next installment!:goodvibes

I was very excited about being able to have Disney dates! We went to Disney on our honeymoon, so it was like a flashback to that in a way.

:eek: you and Jordan both! You must go into the Main Street Bakery! See my note above too about the ice cream sandwich....:cloud9: (and more coming on that later in my TR :rolleyes1)

We always seem to walk pretty slowly down Main Street and try to soak in some of the details, but then I see another TR and I see there that I have never seen in real life!! There is so much to take in. If you are there during the day it's fun to read the windows with the names.

:dancer:January Thaw.
I'm sick of snow.

Loving the report.

Me tooooooooooooo. The snowbanks are still ginormous around here. Taller than Henry. Some taller than the car.

I'm itchin' for Florida lately!

Brook! Let me tell you how happy I am to have stumbled upon this. I was an avid reader one or two trip reports ago. Well a tragic thing happened, I had to cancel my much planned and beloved Disney trip last year. I was so heartbroken that I could not come back to the DIS for a very very long time. Well thankfully I am planning another trip, one of which we will hopefully get to follow through with. So I started poking around the forums again. Lo and behold there is a trip report by you! Sorry I have not read it all yet I am just so excited to have one to read! Henry sure is growing up. Can't wait to read all about your December trip!
Sorry I hope I don't sound like a crazy stalker I just love your trip reports and this seems like the perfect way to get back in the Disney spirit!

Hey there! I remember you! :goodvibes Glad to see you around again! I'm sorry to hear that you had to cancel a trip.....that would not be easy....:sad2: :hug: BUT! Great news that you have a new one planned!!! When is it set for?

You don't sound like a crazy stalker, no worries. :laughing: I hope my TR can help bring back some of the magic for you!!

Great Spectro pictures :)

Must add 'play with camera settings' to my to-do list!

:laughing: I need to do more of that too! The Photography Boards here are really helpful too for that sort of thing.

Hey there!

Love the pictures!

So I was reading on MeMom / Jills report that you gals are trying to get a MOA meet together...if you do, let me know! I live about 3 1/2 hours from the mall and would love an excuse to get up there again and do some shopping!

:yay: I will keep that in mind! I have no idea if it will pan out - MeMom and Jill were talking October perhaps, but I know they are planning a WDW trip in November, so that might be a lot of money back-to-back for them. I would just love it if it did happen!!

OK.....when are we getting an update? ;)

:lmao: I know! Real life got in the way Thursday-Monday. Then yesterday I tried to catch up on TRs....so TODAY! :dance3:

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 02:53 PM

Did someone say girls trip?! I'm in!:laughing: I wish parks tickets weren't so darn expensive! If you find a flight and room for cheap it's the tickets that break the bank!

Still so envious of you and Joe footloose and fancy free in Magic Kingdom! No bag, no stroller...:cloud9:

Your hot chocolate picture cracked me up. Oops. :laughing:
:laughing:

I could just hear the Spectro music looking at those pictures. On this magic night...

Can't wait to hear how you wake up at 6:30 without an alarm. You should have let me know you needed one, B. would have been happy to wake ya'll up at 5:30! ;)

EXACTLY! That is what is stopping us from two trips this year. The tickets. :sad2: We don't have a lot of points left for this year due to the cost of a 2-bedroom in Premier season, so we are saving those for September, but with the 45% off codes it really makes the Values and Mods reasonable-and food, I can eat cheap! Can't they do a 45% off the tickets? :laughing:

Sadly, my AP expires today. :sad1:

:lmao: too funny about B! I cannot imagine waking up that early...I would be such a grouch! Henry is a sleeper....7:30/8:00 most days. :thumbsup2 But, to actually get to the parks at Rope Drop would be kinda nice!

popcorn::

:laughing: coming soon! :goodvibes

Yeah! I just found you, too. Cannot believe how BIG Henry is getting.

:dance3:thanks for finding me and reading! I know it. :sad2: We were just at the Mall of America on Monday and we had a few points left on a bracelet form a while back so he could ride one ride - he chose the trucks. Last time we were there he was barley at the 35" mark. This time he was at least 2" above it! And last night was his first night in the big boy bed. Sigh.

blessedby3

01-20-2010, 03:26 PM

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 03:47 PM

I have the picture files from both Poppa and KK, so I will be adding them into the report too! :yay:

************************

When we left off Joe and I had made our way back home to Kidani and fallen asleep. It was about 1:00 am and we had forgotten to set an alarm.

At 8:00 am the next morning MIL wakes us up.

:laughing:

She's been up since 6:00. She knew the plan, but also knew how little sleep we had...so she ditched the plan.

I felt awful.

I was the one who made the plan for us all to be at rope drop to avoid the crowds, and what happens if they run out of wheelchairs?! I had read over and over on several sites about how they aren't guaranteed and they DO run out. And here I was sleeping at rope drop! :sad2:

I flew out of bed and quickly got ready, threw some breakfast in my mouth and downed some coffee (btw, we brought Dunkin' Donuts for the room :cloud9:). We made good time that morning and were at DHS by 9:30 am.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-041-Small/769396552_yEhLX-M.jpg

Henry seemed to be doing well that morning, just a little sniffly nose. Nothing major. And, I was too distracted with getting everyone to the park and worrying about wheelchairs to realize Joe wasn't feeling his best.

The plan was for Joe to be the Fast Pass runner, so he went off to TSM while I ventured with the fam for a wheelchair. I looked that direction the second I stepped into the park

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5926-Small/759505589_QUH7M-M.jpg

and much to my relief there was still a HUGE line of available chairs. YES! All my worries left me.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5927-Small/759505594_AayoE-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5928-Small/759505607_E4hs6-M.jpg
The backside of Bo. :rolleyes1 ;)

A DIS meet was planned for this day with SoonerGirl, but she only knew of my original plans of this being an EPCOT day...so we exchanged text messages, and unfortunately, it just wasn't going to work out for the meet.:sad2: I would have loved to met you!! Maybe our paths will cross again. :goodvibes

I directed the family to the back of the park since FIL and MIL are not thrill ride seekers.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-042-Small/769396554_4bqVD-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5929-Small/759505615_Uhew4-M.jpg
As you can tell by the plethora of coats in this pic, it was cool - and a bit dreary out.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5930-Small/759505619_ZJJ6E-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5931-Small/759505631_VCP2s-M.jpg
I think I have taken this same picture every trip!

It was empty back there.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5932-Small/759505635_3jaek-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-044-Small/769396572_yqDhA-M.jpg
Where are the people?

E-M-P-T-Y. I was in awe! I expected crowds everywhere.

:yay: This was gooooood!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5933-Small/759505642_WJqHY-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5934-Small/759505647_tE37u-M.jpg
Henry spotted Buzz right away!

Joe met up with us at Muppets with 3 FPs for TSM in hand - remember, 5 adults? For some reason 2 of the passes wouldn't work in the FP machine, so instead of asking a CM he just left.

Sigh.

All well, roll with it Brook, roll with it. ::yes::

Continued in next post

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 03:50 PM

Continued from previous post

Into Muppets we went

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Katies-Pictures/1004412-Small/769409128_yTFUL-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-046-Small/769396583_cGVYt-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-047-Small/769396590_iYCkH-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Katies-Pictures/1004415-Small/769409152_e9xeH-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-048-Small/769396594_78dfW-M.jpg

Everyone enjoyed the show, even Henry! Last time we did a 3-D show he cried the entire time, so we've avoided them for a year. He didn't keep his glasses on, but he still laughed at the show and sat through it. :thumbsup2 I also recently found out this was my FIL and MIL's first experience with a 3-D show, they thought it was incredible. And we all know it's nothing compared to Mickey's Philharmagic! Though, I do like seeing the old guys in the balcony and the penguin orchestra. I do wish they would update the film though.

After Muppets

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-049-Small/769396598_swcDV-M.jpg

Grammy noticed the Cars were out and alerted Henry. Meeting Mater and McQueen was a must do for this family; however, I could tell Henry's excitement was a tad muted due to the cold he had. I asked him if he wanted to go see them, and he replied with a nod. After a very short wait in line,

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5938-Small/759505683_deBSn-M.jpg

it was his turn

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5941-Small/759505701_qPuqu-M.jpg

and he froze up and didn't know what to do. Just like last trip! :cutie:

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Katies-Pictures/1004418-Small/769409173_PgcBB-M.jpg

He's still new to the character meet and greets, but I figured he'd remember this from our September trip and be an ol' pro! He stood there and kinda looked around, confused, we told him to say "Cheese!" and he did his pose...

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Katies-Pictures/1004419-Small/769409185_J6WYF-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5947-Small/759505751_rrf3A-M.jpg
His "Say Cheese!" pose is two hands up in the air, so he was saying Cheeeeeese! to McQueen.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Katies-Pictures/1004421-Small/769409201_roEXy-M.jpg

So, not sure if it was a combo of the cold and all these people suddenly watching him and being star-struck, but this is the best we got! There is another on the Photopass CD, which should be coming soon.

After we left the area he got more excited. He talked about meeting them. And he still does. He loves seeing those pictures!! :goodvibes

We moved onto the Streets of America area, where there was still nothing for crowds.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5948-Small/759505753_VXQag-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5951-Small/759505778_G98mh-M.jpg
Chillin' with his sippy cup.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-057-Small/769396651_qBvVN-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-060-Small/769396682_fbPf3-M.jpg
"Oh, what have we here?"

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5953-Small/759505803_av4de-M.jpg
Henry REALLY liked this display of little cars and airplanes!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-061-Small/769396692_nbMbr-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5955-Small/759505818_bmBSZ-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5956-Small/759505825_xLZ2q-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5958-Small/759505840_mudce-M.jpg
While looking at the nativity scene Henry spotted the blue Power Ranger who had no line. He seemed a bit intimidated by him, so we didn't go up, but the Ranger waved at him a few times from a distance. It was cute.

This whole no-crowd thing was great! Now if only the whole week can be like this...

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 03:56 PM

Cant wait to see a few pics of BLT:banana:
I hope we are going to like it there. We have stayed at the CR, back before the rehab. We loved it. This time I am most excited about having a washer and dryer in our room!! (I know, thats pretty sad to be excited about doing laundry on vacation- but I always have to do it so Im super excited to be able to do it in the comfort of our room:banana:)

We changed our dates from Thanksgiving week to May 15th because I was just too nervous about the crowds. (I also dont think I can wait that long:rotfl2:)
We are going the day after our oldest gets off from college. I hated to take the other 2 out (we have always done it before, but my son is now on a block schedule and therefore its like missing 2 weeks) but we are doing it and hoping for the best. Now the only thing I am leary of is the weather. Im hoping we dont melt- I dont like the heat:scared1:

Anyway, back to your trip reportpopcorn::

I bet you are going to love BLT! We met a couple on a bus at some point in the trip that was staying there for the first time and couldn't say enough good things about it. They own at SSR, and they said they were taking a punch in the points for staying there that week, but it was worth it. :thumbsup2

I'm with ya on the laundry. We are looking at a studio next trip and I am going to miss the washer and dryer the most! :laughing:

I think dealing with the heat is easier and more enjoyable than dealing with the crowds.... You can always take a break in air conditioning, but you can't tell people to get out of the park. :rolleyes: :laughing: What is the weather supposed to be in May? Is it already in the 90s there? When we went the first week in September it was in the 90s...that was about my limit! But no lines! :dance3:

3prettyprincesses

01-20-2010, 04:02 PM

it was his turn

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Sunday-December-27-2009/IMG5941-Small/759505701_qPuqu-M.jpg

and he froze up and didn't know what to do. Just like last trip! :cutie:

This whole no-crowd thing was great! Now if only the whole week can be like this...[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Oh, this pic is so adorable! Your little Henry looks so sweet. I have a nephew about his age and he is completely obsessed with Mater and Lightening McQueen!

How nice that people stayed away from Disney for you! That's how I look at it when the crowds are low.:laughing: When we first went, it was February 2008 and we thought maybe Disney was going to be closing or something because it was a ghost town!(insert cheesy Clint Eastwood music here!):goodvibes

We took my inlaws recently and they fell asleep during Muppets 3-D! Yet, they loved and roared with laughter over the Country Bear Jamboree!:confused3 I don't get them at all.:lmao:

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 04:05 PM

Here are some more pictures from Poppa's camera that he took prior to where I am in the TR:

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-019-Small/769396428_rZd2i-M.jpg
Sleeper chair and TV in living room

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-020-Small/769396434_49PY3-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-021-Small/769396440_S7AAc-M.jpg
:rotfl:

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-022-Small/769396445_W88oR-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-024-Small/769396455_WQLg8-M.jpg
The studio

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-025-Small/769396461_mDnNg-M.jpg
Lamp over the kitchen table

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-032-Small/769396501_Eso8d-M.jpg
I didn't realize he went exploring that night! Lanterns on the outside of the building.

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-033-Small/769396504_uG6q5-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-034-Small/769396512_qdA2e-M.jpg
Stairs in the lobby leading down to the overlook

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-036-Small/769396526_Q8Rsy-M.jpg

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-037-Small/769396527_JY7ex-M.jpg
Firepit out on the overlook

And from KK's camera:
http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Katies-Pictures/1004389-Small/769408972_Htdj4-M.jpg
Out her window on the plane - pretty!

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Katies-Pictures/1004408-Small/769409092_eRTDa-M.jpg
The tree at MCO

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Katies-Pictures/1004409-Small/769409097_oUu8r-M.jpg
The view off the Studio patio

SoonerGirl

01-20-2010, 04:09 PM

And last night was his first night in the big boy bed. Sigh.

:hug: They get big so fast don't they?

It sounds like a great start to your day! We actually made it over to DHS later that day and it was pretty crowded then. I think it helped that you went away from the thrill rides first thing while everyone else was going to them. :thumbsup2

You had me cracking up with 'the back side of Bo' :laughing:

I was bummed we didn't get a chance to meet this day too - it was a crazy morning for us as well!

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 04:09 PM

Oh, this pic is so adorable! Your little Henry looks so sweet. I have a nephew about his age and he is completely obsessed with Mater and Lightening McQueen!

How nice that people stayed away from Disney for you! That's how I look at it when the crowds are low.:laughing: When we first went, it was February 2008 and we thought maybe Disney was going to be closing or something because it was a ghost town!(insert cheesy Clint Eastwood music here!):goodvibes

We took my inlaws recently and they fell asleep during Muppets 3-D! Yet, they loved and roared with laughter over the Country Bear Jamboree!:confused3 I don't get them at all.:lmao:

"Obsessed"

::yes::

:rotfl: bedspread and sheets, toys, stickers for his wall, clothing....ANYTHING with Cars is spotted from a distance! He loooooves it. He used to ask me about every 10 minutes if he could watch the movie, he'd look at me with a slight smile and whisper, "Cars?" :cutie: We actually haven't watched it in about 2 weeks! :scared1: :lmao:

I like your way of thinking about people staying away while we were at Disney! :thumbsup2 And etching "Feb" as a good time to visit into my brain.

That is funny about your inlaws! I still haven't seen the Country Bear Jamboree, but I hear once is enough. :rolleyes: I'm thinkin' Henry might like it though.

brookelizabeth

01-20-2010, 04:14 PM

:hug: They get big so fast don't they?

It sounds like a great start to your day! We actually made it over to DHS later that day and it was pretty crowded then. I think it helped that you went away from the thrill rides first thing while everyone else was going to them. :thumbsup2

You had me cracking up with 'the back side of Bo' :laughing:

I was bummed we didn't get a chance to meet this day too - it was a crazy morning for us as well!

Way too fast!! After the first 6 months time has flown right by.

It did help to avoid the thrill rides during the day - we didn't even make it to that end of the park! :eek:

That morning was a half blur for me because I was so worried about the wheelchairs. If we hadn't gotten one there would have been no way my FIL could have walked around... I am wishing for a Spring trip...maybe if I can make money appear of out thin air our paths will cross again!

3prettyprincesses

01-20-2010, 04:16 PM

"Obsessed"

::yes::

:rotfl: bedspread and sheets, toys, stickers for his wall, clothing....ANYTHING with Cars is spotted from a distance! He loooooves it. He used to ask me about every 10 minutes if he could watch the movie, he'd look at me with a slight smile and whisper, "Cars?" :cutie: We actually haven't watched it in about 2 weeks! :scared1: :lmao:

I like your way of thinking about people staying away while we were at Disney! :thumbsup2 And etching "Feb" as a good time to visit into my brain.

That is funny about your inlaws! I still haven't seen the Country Bear Jamboree, but I hear once is enough. :rolleyes: I'm thinkin' Henry might like it though.

That describes my sweet nephew to a T! I bought him the soundtrack for his b-day and we played it for the party while he danced some kind of strange Elvis/MC Hammer routine! It was hilarious to see him so excited over just the soundtrack!:laughing: He too has the sheets, blanket, pillow, jammies and so on.:goodvibes

February was an awesome time to go, early February (before President's Day).:thumbsup2 We went again in Feb. 2009 during the last week of the month and it was crazzzzy crowded! Apparently we just so happened to be there along with everyone in Louisiana who were escaping Mardi Gras. Did you know school kids get a Mardi Gras holiday which is why they were all there at Disney? Sooo, I won't make that mistake again! I've never seen so much purple, green and gold in my life! We're talking whole families decked out in these shirts and full grown men with their faces painted!

manntra

01-20-2010, 04:24 PM

Super cute pictures of Henry....I like the one of him standing by the Streets of America looking all casual! :thumbsup2
The Power Rangers freak me out for some reason! :rotfl2::confused3
Miss Piggy sure has a lot of satin gloves! I have always loved the Muppets having grown up watching them.....who doesn't love Kermit? ;) It does need an update though:)
Love the lantern pictures at night from the outside of Kidani....love walking up to that although when I was at Kidani I did miss the smell of the Jambo lobby. :rotfl2:

Tracy

SoonerGirl

01-20-2010, 04:25 PM

I am wishing for a Spring trip...maybe if I can make money appear of out thin air our paths will cross again!

Start buying those powerball tickets! :laughing: That's what Don says to me when I start talking about more trips.

I had to smile reading about Henry and his love for Cars and wanting to watch the movie over and over again. That brought back memories for me, at his age Justin's favorite movie was Hercules. We must have watched it 1,000 times and then all of a sudden one day he was done. No more Hercules! Then we moved on to Tarzan....

KathyRN137

01-20-2010, 04:31 PM

http://brookelizabeth.smugmug.com/Disney-World/TRDecember-2009/Ricks-Pictures/florida-NO-021-Small/769396440_S7AAc-M.jpg
:rotfl:

Henry looks like he's ready for a bath in the "big boy tub!" :laughing:

So happy for you... you got to sleep in AND you had good crowd karma!!!

Brrr, though! Looks a bit chilly in Orlando!

Kathy

MeMom

01-20-2010, 04:39 PM

Nice update with so many pictures. It's nice to see the in-law pictures, too, to see what kinds of things non-Disney maniacs take pictures of.

Henry is cute, as always. He loves wheels, doesn't he? Drew was always that way. All he wanted to do was play with his 'car-cars' all the time. Rolled them back and forth for hours. Planes, trains, and automobiles for that boy all the way!

Thanks for a little bit of Hollywood happiness on this dreary Tennessee evening. :goodvibes

RachelNinja

01-20-2010, 04:48 PM

Oh yay! I love all the pictures of DHS because that's a park we don't typically go to, but it's in the plans this year for DBF and me. I feel so unprepared, so I've been examining pictures so I won't be completely lost.

This might be a silly question, but I've seen the Coca-Cola delivery guy in many TRs. Is his name actually Bo? Is it on a nametag or something? Why is there such a fascination with him?

wdwgirl03

01-20-2010, 04:51 PM

MHTeacher

01-20-2010, 04:52 PM

YAY!! :cheer2::cheer2: A Brooke update. :) Sounds like you had a fun morning at DHS.

I kept looking at your pictures to see if I caught a glimpse of our family, and then realized that we weren't there yet.... DUH! :upsidedow

Jupiter&Wolfe

01-20-2010, 05:48 PM

Ah, those crowd pictures are heavenly! Better not advertise them, you'll trick people! ;) A lot of people don't like DHS, but I don't know why. I love it there. :goodvibes Especially the muppets show.

How was the transportation at Kidani? Did you ever wait a long time for a bus? Did you feel like you were in the middle of nowhere?!:laughing: It's a beautiful resort.

jenseib

01-20-2010, 06:21 PM

Love the updates. I'm so glad you didn't have to fight too many crowds that morning. And glad you got a wheelchair! It does look cold though.

A.Mickey

01-20-2010, 08:15 PM

Wow! Glad the park was so empty! You did go at the most crazy time of the year?!?! Right?!?! :confused3

Liking the back side of Bo :love:!

DreaGirl

01-20-2010, 08:17 PM

jordanyosh

01-20-2010, 09:27 PM

What's up with the lack of crowds? Did you just get lucky? Was it the weather? Was it the lack of discounts offered during that week?

It just seems so weird not to have any crowds...

I mean not that I'm complaining..I'm sure you didn't.

I'm glad Mom let you sleep in, you probably needed it.

Charleston Princess

01-20-2010, 09:35 PM

Why did I have a feeling you had slept in? :laughing: Glad it turned out okay with the wheelchair!

I have never seen Bo's backside before! :rotfl: Cracking me up!

Henry is so cute with the Cars characters! He already seems so much older than the last trip! Tell him to stop growing up so quickly! :eek::goodvibes

kschafer

01-21-2010, 07:07 AM

wow, what a quiet morning! Bo has a cute backside ;)

ClaireW

01-21-2010, 08:19 AM

Enjoyed the update, and doesn't Henry just look so big in some of those pictures? :goodvibes
How's the big boy bed going? Hopefully he's still sleeping well and it's not too :scared1: !!!

DWGal210

01-21-2010, 09:59 AM

Lovemy3babes

01-21-2010, 10:18 AM

I hate mornings when you have to rush around and feel all out of sorts. But, it looks like all was well and you were able to secure the wheelchair. That's good news. :) What is with the lack of crowds at such a busy time of year for WDW? That is crazy! But excellent craziness of course. Great update Brook. Henry with his little sippy cup is adorable!

jenjolt

01-21-2010, 12:02 PM

What a great update Brook!! I love an empty DHS!!! Especially exploring the streets of America!! YAY for Henry enjoying the Muppets and getting to see his beloved Cars!!!

Anxiously awaiting more!!

All7OfUs

01-21-2010, 12:13 PM

I got a couple of updates behind, but that's the beauty of TRs- you can go through them a bit more leisurely than over on the PTRs- at least it seems like that to me. But I digress...

I love that you had the no-crowd mojo! You got a lot of taking in the park done. I think it's so neat that the Muppets was your in-laws first 3D attraction and that they liked it! :thumbsup2 I also think that Henry warming up after the Cars fact was really cute. Funny how sometimes you don't know what kind of impression things make until later- sometimes even years later!

micandminforever

01-21-2010, 12:53 PM

Once again the pictures were great. Henry has the cutest expressions and you can see loves his cars.

burly

01-21-2010, 03:57 PM

popcorn:::surfweb:

MEK

01-21-2010, 04:21 PM

Great update Brooke. No worries about oversleeping - it looks like there was no one there. You sure picked a great day to visit.

Henry's second encounter with cars and he is still shy ....how cute!

The view from the studio room is excellent. I would have LOVED that view (I got the bus stop).

I still love the muppet show, although I agree it needs an update. But it's a hoot the first time you see it.

Looking forward to more......popcorn::

And....it is a sad day when your AP expires.....:hug:

mickeysmyboy

01-21-2010, 04:33 PM

Hi Brook! Joining in a little late! For some reason I missed the start of your TR before our trip :confused3

I love your TR so far! I, of course, love all of your pictures of Kidani! I wish I had thought to get a few pizzas for the room! We had a interesting first night with trying to get dinner, you have to come on over to my TR to find out what I mean ;)

I LOVE that you and Joe went MK that night all by yourselves and bagless! Didn't it feel great!? I took a bag in March when it was just DH and I but it was small. It was sooooo nice not to have a giant bag full of stuff, a stroller and 8500 things the kids absolutely had to take with them! :lmao: I can't wait until they're a little bigger and I can get away with a small bag!

I don't blame you for freaking a little about sleeping late! I would have too! But it seems to have worked out well!

The pictures of Henry and Lightening McQueen and Mater are too cute of course!!

Can't wait for more!

CJsMom

01-21-2010, 09:03 PM

Back side of Bo...:rotfl:

No crowds during Christmas week? What's up with that? :confused3 :thumbsup2

Love the pictures!

MaryAz

01-21-2010, 09:36 PM

Great update. Love all the pics. Henry is just so darn cute!

ladybugmom

01-21-2010, 10:19 PM

Oh wow!! HS was DEAD that day--how wonderful!!! :goodvibes What cute pics of Henry and Lightening McQueen--just precious!! :lovestruc

Panotchr

01-21-2010, 10:20 PM

I have to share something with you....

I teach Kindergarten, but I also teach phonics for a company called Zoo-phonics. I fly around the country teaching teachers how to use the product.

So.. why is that important to you??? Well, I flew to Orlando recently.. no, not to play... but I did have a great room overlooking DTD....
Before I got on the plane, I had to eat and I went to Nathan's ... imagine my surprise that when I ordered the corn dog nuggets.... I thought of YOU... a person I don't even know. LOL I had to laugh at myself a little, but frankly, I hope you felt the love LOL

aceys_h0ney

01-21-2010, 10:31 PM

Oh no to sleeping in! That would have had me :scared1:
Glad it worked out to get FIL a wheelchair still.

I can't believe how empty the park is! Love the pics of Henry saying cheese to Mcqueen. Too cute!

I am nervous about Joe not feeling the best. You guys have the worst luck when it comes to everyone being healthy. I am hoping to read that it was temporary!

Oh we are planning a trip for June. Just waiting to see what deals come out. I was really crossing every finger and toe for the 40% off Deluxe. We got custody of my step son (reason for having to cancel last trip, so we were upset at first but having him is worth way more then a trip) anyway so we need a bigger room. Well Disney sent me a 30% off code and I am not sure yet if we can swing that. Keep your fingers crossed that they send my other account a 40% off!

Lady Lallie

01-22-2010, 09:21 AM

praisehisname

01-22-2010, 09:23 AM

Awesome updates! Henry is even cuter than ever!

Those pictures from inside the Fire House are great; I've never been in there!

Too bad your meet with SoonerGirl didn't work out. Looks like you made the right decision changing to DHS this day; the crowd levels are great!

princess&her4princes

01-22-2010, 12:08 PM

Brook! I can't beleive you started and I missed it!!:eek: So sorry...going back now...I'm sooo far behind on DIS these days!:headache: Maybe this weekend I'll get my DIS groove back on!!:woohoo:

IWISHFORDISNEY

01-22-2010, 03:25 PM

Looks like a very fun trip Brooke. I am in for it!!! How very nice you were able to take your inlaws on vacation. I am sure they will never forget it. That villa looks absolutely amazing. I am surprised that there were no crowds we went up for EThans birthday on the 30th and Epcot was mobbed. You lucked out. I cant wait to hear the rest!!

2xcited2sleep

01-22-2010, 05:06 PM

Great update, Brook! My goodness that villa is beautiful. And love that wall with the lanterns in all the nooks and crannies.

So glad the wheelchair panic ended well. I can imagine your panic but sounds like you needed the sleep. Joe wasn't feeling well? Uh-oh.

Can't believe how empty it looks in your pics. Wow.

Hey-I've never seen Bo's backside before... ;)

H is so cute with his Cars buddies.

Angel16

01-22-2010, 08:33 PM

Brook, Joining in....better late then....well you know. I love your pictures so far. Only have read the first 3 pages, thank you for doing such GREAT trip reports.

Angel16

k_reile

01-23-2010, 10:19 AM

Brook...i am finally here! i will have to watch our reciepts in 2 weeks from today! :cool1: Saw your pic of Henry with Handy Manny...if we can meet him my nephew will be in heaven! :lovestruc

brookelizabeth

01-23-2010, 08:30 PM

That describes my sweet nephew to a T! I bought him the soundtrack for his b-day and we played it for the party while he danced some kind of strange Elvis/MC Hammer routine! It was hilarious to see him so excited over just the soundtrack!:laughing: He too has the sheets, blanket, pillow, jammies and so on.:goodvibes

February was an awesome time to go, early February (before President's Day).:thumbsup2 We went again in Feb. 2009 during the last week of the month and it was crazzzzy crowded! Apparently we just so happened to be there along with everyone in Louisiana who were escaping Mardi Gras. Did you know school kids get a Mardi Gras holiday which is why they were all there at Disney? Sooo, I won't make that mistake again! I've never seen so much purple, green and gold in my life! We're talking whole families decked out in these shirts and full grown men with their faces painted!

:rotfl: I can just imagine the Elvis/MC Hammer dance!!! Henry does this sort of squat and arm pump thing....it's hilarious!

Very good to know about Disney and Mardi Gras time. It's kinda funny they come to Disney, yet decorate themselves for Mardi Gras...:confused: Does Disney do any sort of celebration/acknowledgment of it?

Super cute pictures of Henry....I like the one of him standing by the Streets of America looking all casual! :thumbsup2
The Power Rangers freak me out for some reason! :rotfl2::confused3
Miss Piggy sure has a lot of satin gloves! I have always loved the Muppets having grown up watching them.....who doesn't love Kermit? ;) It does need an update though:)
Love the lantern pictures at night from the outside of Kidani....love walking up to that although when I was at Kidani I did miss the smell of the Jambo lobby. :rotfl2:

Tracy

I thought that pic of Henry was funny too! He's got his hand in his pocket, sippy under arm...:laughing:

I can understand the freak-out thing over the Power Rangers. They aren't my favorite either. I think Henry was a tad intimidated by him. Are they even still on TV?

When my other SIL (Joe's older sister who didn't come on the trip) saw the pics from the Muppets show she flipped! She thought it was awesome that the old guys were in the balcony and all!

There is something about that Jambo House smell, isn't there? :cloud9: I didn't realize we were missing it just now until you mentioned it! I was probably too busy with 9828292 things going on at once with the whole family being there and me playing Tour Guide to notice!

brookelizabeth

01-23-2010, 08:31 PM

Start buying those powerball tickets! :laughing: That's what Don says to me when I start talking about more trips.

I had to smile reading about Henry and his love for Cars and wanting to watch the movie over and over again. That brought back memories for me, at his age Justin's favorite movie was Hercules. We must have watched it 1,000 times and then all of a sudden one day he was done. No more Hercules! Then we moved on to Tarzan....

:laughing: The mention of a "money tree" often comes up here when I talk about more trips. To tide myself over lately I've been opening the DVC points charts for 2010 and looking at how much more expensive Spring is. We could only go for 1 week versus 10 nights!

:rotfl2: about the Hercules to Tarzan! I wonder what Henry's next big thing will be??? He hadn't watched Cars in WEEKS, tonight I suggested a movie (and Joe graciously said I could stay upstairs and DIS while he and Henry watch!), Henry instantly said "Cars!" and Joe suggested "The squirrel movie" (UP) or "the dog movie" (101 Dalmatians). "No, I want Cars!" :lmao:

Henry looks like he's ready for a bath in the "big boy tub!" :laughing:

So happy for you... you got to sleep in AND you had good crowd karma!!!

Brrr, though! Looks a bit chilly in Orlando!

Kathy

It's like a swimming pool to him! :laughing: I was SHOCKED at the crowd level! TouringPlans.com said this was a good DHS day, and they were right!!

It was cool - but not bad. Certainly better than the negative temps in Minnesota. ;)

Nice update with so many pictures. It's nice to see the in-law pictures, too, to see what kinds of things non-Disney maniacs take pictures of.

Henry is cute, as always. He loves wheels, doesn't he? Drew was always that way. All he wanted to do was play with his 'car-cars' all the time. Rolled them back and forth for hours. Planes, trains, and automobiles for that boy all the way!

Thanks for a little bit of Hollywood happiness on this dreary Tennessee evening. :goodvibes

It is really interesting to go through the in-laws pictures and video! (Speaking of videos, my FIL took a TON!! I'll be posting links as soon as I finish uploading it all). And to hear their comments about things and what they really liked. They are all ready to go back again!

Yes, anything with wheels....or really, anything that goes. Boats and snowmobiles are cool too! Especially snowmobiles right now due to the weather.

I hope to bring you a bit more Hollywood Studios happiness tonight...! :thumbsup2

Oh yay! I love all the pictures of DHS because that's a park we don't typically go to, but it's in the plans this year for DBF and me. I feel so unprepared, so I've been examining pictures so I won't be completely lost.

This might be a silly question, but I've seen the Coca-Cola delivery guy in many TRs. Is his name actually Bo? Is it on a nametag or something? Why is there such a fascination with him?

I have grown more and more fond of DHS each trip. But navigating it is something else! I let Joe do that! :laughing: I hope you don't get lost....the park is laid out sorta strange.

Not a silly question! :goodvibes Yep, his name is Bo - he does have a name tag. Charleston Princess' daughter, Chelsea, started the fascination with Bo insisting her picture be taken with him. So now several DISers take pictures of Bo for Chelsea, which she loves and appreciates!!

brookelizabeth

01-23-2010, 08:32 PM

Bummer about your DIS meet not working out. :sad2:

Henry is so cute with Lightning McQueen. He must've been in heaven. :cloud9: I know my cousin's son would FLIP if he got to see the real Lightning McQueen!

I hope next trip Henry has a bigger reaction! He gets excited AFTER the meet...too star struck! :rotfl:

YAY!! :cheer2::cheer2: A Brooke update. :) Sounds like you had a fun morning at DHS.

I kept looking at your pictures to see if I caught a glimpse of our family, and then realized that we weren't there yet.... DUH! :upsidedow

:laughing: What day did you arrive again? It would be so cool if you were in the background of some of our pics!!

Ah, those crowd pictures are heavenly! Better not advertise them, you'll trick people! ;) A lot of people don't like DHS, but I don't know why. I love it there. :goodvibes Especially the muppets show.

How was the transportation at Kidani? Did you ever wait a long time for a bus? Did you feel like you were in the middle of nowhere?!:laughing: It's a beautiful resort.

I've never not liked DHS, but it wasn't my favorite park...and while it still isn't my favorite, it has grown on me to like it even more as Henry gets older. There is a lot of things he likes there - the Cars, Muppets, Playhouse Disney, Toy Story, a very cool playground and a car show. I'm certain he will like Indy as he grows too. Sharing all that with him and Joe has been really special, lots of memorable moments at DHS!! This trip was no exception...a couple of my favorite moments are coming up.

KATHY - YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS IF YOU ARE GOING BACK TO AKV IN 2011...(she has a NYE trip planned for then!)
The bus transportation from Kidani was excellent! The bus stops first at Kidani (except the DTD bus, which stops at Jambo first). So sometimes when we got on the bus was crowded, but after a quick stop at Jambo many people would get off and we'd get a seat. I felt sorta bad for those at Jambo because they would end up standing. But, I imagine it's not like that all the time - due to the higher crowds the buses were much more busy.

We never waited for a bus more than 10 minutes. EXCEPT on NYE when Joe was trying to get to the Poly beach. He waited over 20 minutes. But, the buses were also being directed on various roads due to the fireworks display certain roads were closed, so routes were taking a LOT longer.

The bus rides aren't very long to the parks, in my opinion. Maybe 15 minutes or so...we didn't feel horribly removed from everything. But, it does feel like you are in the middle of nowhere because of the themeing! :laughing: I love that!

Love the updates. I'm so glad you didn't have to fight too many crowds that morning. And glad you got a wheelchair! It does look cold though.

We were in awe that it was so empty back there! And we loved it while it lasted!

Wow! Glad the park was so empty! You did go at the most crazy time of the year?!?! Right?!?! :confused3

Liking the back side of Bo :love:!

Yep! If you can believe it by those crowd pics!! :dance3:

brookelizabeth

01-23-2010, 08:32 PM

I'm glad you got some sleep, but Joe's not feeling well has me nervous. I hope he doesn't start feeling worse.

When we were at HS a lot of people were having trouble with the FP machines too.

Henry is so cute. I remember A. being exactly like that, but this last trip when she was almost 3.5 she totally grew out of the shyness around character phase.

I agree, 40% off tickets would be awesome! Then we could split a room, even at rack rates, and that would be a true discount trip! Sorry about your AP expiring. That is a sad day!

Oh, B. doesn't wake up at home until around 8. It's on vacation that he is an early bird. He doesn't want to miss a moment I guess. ;)

Joe...:sad2: it wasn't good...

It turned out that KK's ticket NEVER worked in the FP machines. :confused3 We had to get a special ticket for her everyday to get FPs for her. It was strange.

Good to hear about the shyness with the characters! So far Henry has hugged all the fuzzy characters he has met on the past trips, but both times just kinda froze up with McQueen and Mater....maybe on our next trip he'll give them hugs! :laughing:

B. must be REALLY excited about being at Disney waking up that early!!! :rotfl: I'm glad he's normally an 8:00-er though...it's so nice. I like it best when I wake up before Henry does and have some Mommy time with a cup of coffee and the DIS. But it's rare, I stay up too late!

What's up with the lack of crowds? Did you just get lucky? Was it the weather? Was it the lack of discounts offered during that week?

It just seems so weird not to have any crowds...

I mean not that I'm complaining..I'm sure you didn't.

I'm glad Mom let you sleep in, you probably needed it.

Nope, we weren't complaining one bit!

I'm not entirely sure what was up with the lack of crowds that day/morning. We DID hit the crowds...just wait. I don't think my pictures do it justice, but our AK day was nutsy.

TouringPlans.com said this would be a good DHS day, and they were right. :thumbsup2 I think also since we avoided the thrill rides, that helped.

Why did I have a feeling you had slept in? :laughing: Glad it turned out okay with the wheelchair!

I have never seen Bo's backside before! :rotfl: Cracking me up!

Henry is so cute with the Cars characters! He already seems so much older than the last trip! Tell him to stop growing up so quickly! :eek::goodvibes

Because you've read my TRs in the past and you know we aren't RD people! :lmao: Someday I will make it, someday!

I figured you might appreciate the other side of Bo....! ;) I was just waiting for my FIL and noticed...so had to get a shot!

I tell Henry almost every day to stop growing up. Now I'll tell him it's not just Mommy who wants him to stop! :goodvibes

wow, what a quiet morning! Bo has a cute backside ;)

:lmao: I couldn't say something here about the sturdiness of it...but I'll resist....!

Enjoyed the update, and doesn't Henry just look so big in some of those pictures? :goodvibes
How's the big boy bed going? Hopefully he's still sleeping well and it's not too :scared1: !!!

He is doing VERY good in the big boy bed! The first night went perfectly. The next day, the first nap, he crawled out and I let him be for about 15 minutes seeing if he'd go back in. Nope, just playing. So I went in, put him back in bed and told him he could play in bed, but had to stay IN bed. I watched him on the video monitor and he started to climb out again and I just said "Henry!" through the wall and he stopped and obeyed. Such a good boy! He played and read his books in bed, and then fell asleep. That night, no problems - but he did fall out in the middle of the night, but was okay. Since then, no problems at all! In the morning he still calls for me, he waits until I open his door and them climbs out. Almost every morning he also turns around and points at the bed and says "No front!" :rotfl: I'm amazed at how smooth it's gone! I think he was really ready for it and is excited about having a bed like ours, so that helps!

brookelizabeth

01-23-2010, 08:34 PM

Henry is so sweet! What a doll - your family picture next to Lightning McQueen was a good one - how about a Christmas card pic for next year? :goodvibes

I'm glad they had wheelchairs available; I know just what you mean about having a plan and then not sticking to it. But at least you got some rest!!

I think a McQueen Christmas card would be very, very appropriate from this family! And a great idea...storing that way for the next trip!

The rest was worth it, we would have been cross eyed if we had gotten up that early!

I hate mornings when you have to rush around and feel all out of sorts. But, it looks like all was well and you were able to secure the wheelchair. That's good news. :) What is with the lack of crowds at such a busy time of year for WDW? That is crazy! But excellent craziness of course. Great update Brook. Henry with his little sippy cup is adorable!

We were really surprised at the lack of crowds back there! It was fantastic!

The morning was a bit blurry for me...and even looking back at pictures and watching the video my FIL took I hear conversations on the video that I don't remember being a part of even. :lmao: Too much going on at once!

What a great update Brook!! I love an empty DHS!!! Especially exploring the streets of America!! YAY for Henry enjoying the Muppets and getting to see his beloved Cars!!!

Anxiously awaiting more!!

I love that Streets of America area too, it's just so neat looking back there. I would really like to take a lot of time some trip and check out more details. We did some of that in September this past year, but I would like to do more, there is so much to see!

I got a couple of updates behind, but that's the beauty of TRs- you can go through them a bit more leisurely than over on the PTRs- at least it seems like that to me. But I digress...

I love that you had the no-crowd mojo! You got a lot of taking in the park done. I think it's so neat that the Muppets was your in-laws first 3D attraction and that they liked it! :thumbsup2 I also think that Henry warming up after the Cars fact was really cute. Funny how sometimes you don't know what kind of impression things make until later- sometimes even years later!

Oh yes, take your time! No worries about being behind a few updates...it happens! :goodvibes

My in-laws were just amazed at the Muppets. They loved that there were bubbles in the theater, the wind and the water...it was kinda funny because I knew what to expect and am not as wowed by it anymore...I'm becoming a Disney snob! :laughing: So, it's fun to hear them talk about it and get some of that wonder back!

I wonder what Henry will think years down the road of these Disney trips...what bits he will remember....he talks almost daily about some aspect of the trips already!

Once again the pictures were great. Henry has the cutest expressions and you can see loves his cars.

Thank you!!! :goodvibes He really does love his McQueen and Mater. I can't wait to take him to Disneyland when Cars Land opens there!

popcorn:::surfweb:

I'm hoping to update tonight!! :goodvibes

Great update Brooke. No worries about oversleeping - it looks like there was no one there. You sure picked a great day to visit.

Henry's second encounter with cars and he is still shy ....how cute!

The view from the studio room is excellent. I would have LOVED that view (I got the bus stop).

I still love the muppet show, although I agree it needs an update. But it's a hoot the first time you see it.

Looking forward to more......popcorn::

And....it is a sad day when your AP expires.....:hug:

We were very happy we got the view we did...I was sorta nervous we would get the bus stop! Was it noisy? We would occasionally hear delivery trucks, but it wasn't bad at all. I would stay in that room again in a heartbeat.

I hope they do update the Muppets with the emphasis they have putting more on them this year. I haven't heard any rumors of it, but ya never know, right?!

And it was a very sad day when the AP expired...and even sadder when I realized it would not be renewed...sigh. BUT, it's OK! We still get to go this year...! 3 times in 2009 was a dream come true. :lovestruc

Hi Brook! Joining in a little late! For some reason I missed the start of your TR before our trip :confused3

I love your TR so far! I, of course, love all of your pictures of Kidani! I wish I had thought to get a few pizzas for the room! We had a interesting first night with trying to get dinner, you have to come on over to my TR to find out what I mean ;)

I LOVE that you and Joe went MK that night all by yourselves and bagless! Didn't it feel great!? I took a bag in March when it was just DH and I but it was small. It was sooooo nice not to have a giant bag full of stuff, a stroller and 8500 things the kids absolutely had to take with them! :lmao: I can't wait until they're a little bigger and I can get away with a small bag!

I don't blame you for freaking a little about sleeping late! I would have too! But it seems to have worked out well!

The pictures of Henry and Lightening McQueen and Mater are too cute of course!!

Can't wait for more!

:welcome: glad you found me!!! I am buzzing over to your TR right now...I will get caught up ASAP! Excited that you started!! And curious as to what your dinner was....!

It was amazing having no bag!! When we do a "no kid(s)" trip I will try going bagless. It almost feels strange, like I forgot something, but it's so nice! I'm so with ya on looking forward to when they get bigger and getting away with a small bag!!!!! No diapers?! :faint: :laughing:

brookelizabeth

01-23-2010, 08:35 PM

Back side of Bo...:rotfl:

No crowds during Christmas week? What's up with that? :confused3 :thumbsup2

Love the pictures!

:goodvibes The lesser seen side of Bo....:rolleyes1

It was wonderful having no crowds for a while!!!

Great update. Love all the pics. Henry is just so darn cute!

Thank you! :cutie:

Oh wow!! HS was DEAD that day--how wonderful!!! :goodvibes What cute pics of Henry and Lightening McQueen--just precious!! :lovestruc

It really was quiet in the back part of DHS - I bet the thrill rides were jumpin' though! We didn't even make it to that end of the park!

I have to share something with you....

I teach Kindergarten, but I also teach phonics for a company called Zoo-phonics. I fly around the country teaching teachers how to use the product.

So.. why is that important to you??? Well, I flew to Orlando recently.. no, not to play... but I did have a great room overlooking DTD....
Before I got on the plane, I had to eat and I went to Nathan's ... imagine my surprise that when I ordered the corn dog nuggets.... I thought of YOU... a person I don't even know. LOL I had to laugh at myself a little, but frankly, I hope you felt the love LOL

:lmao::lmao::lmao:Oh that's hilarious! I do the same thing! Hence the picture of Bo on my TR here - that reminds me of Charleston Princess every trip! Have I ever met her? Nope! :goodvibes Thank you for thinking of me!!!

I hope you enjoyed your corn dog nuggets! I *might* be making a trip to NYC this spring/summer, if we make it to Nathan's I'm getting them, I've never gotten them there!

Oh no to sleeping in! That would have had me :scared1:
Glad it worked out to get FIL a wheelchair still.

I can't believe how empty the park is! Love the pics of Henry saying cheese to Mcqueen. Too cute!

I am nervous about Joe not feeling the best. You guys have the worst luck when it comes to everyone being healthy. I am hoping to read that it was temporary!

Oh we are planning a trip for June. Just waiting to see what deals come out. I was really crossing every finger and toe for the 40% off Deluxe. We got custody of my step son (reason for having to cancel last trip, so we were upset at first but having him is worth way more then a trip) anyway so we need a bigger room. Well Disney sent me a 30% off code and I am not sure yet if we can swing that. Keep your fingers crossed that they send my other account a 40% off!

The sleeping in did have me in a frenzy that morning. Everything was sorta blurry until we got the wheelchair and my FIL was comfortable.

And yes! We DO have the worst luck with vacation and sickness! It's always something it seems. Thankfully it's never so bad that it stops us from having a great trip...but to be illness free would be nice! September 2009 was pretty good, I just fought a cold for the first 2 days, after that it was great! This one though, not so good. :sad2:

I hope you get that 40% off code!! Also worth looking into is Annual Pass rates - if one of you purchases an Annual Pass, you might get that 40% off (I see it a lot for AP rates!), and the savings might outweigh the extra cost of the AP over a normal ticket. And congratulations on getting custody of your step-son!!!!! :yay::yay::yay:

brookelizabeth

01-23-2010, 08:36 PM

I'm caught up.

I've decided you can never stop doing PTRs and TRs because I'd miss seeing Henry too much. :rotfl2: He's so adorable and I can't believe how much he has grown up!

That's too bad about oversleeping but sometimes sleep is necessary even in Disney!

Aw, thanks LL! :hug: That's so sweet to say! No plan to stop the PTRs and TRs, so you are safe for now. I enjoy writing out our trip and re-living it all with you. It's fun to watch the DIS kids grow up, isn't it?

And someday, someday, I WILL make RD! :laughing:

Awesome updates! Henry is even cuter than ever!

Those pictures from inside the Fire House are great; I've never been in there!

Too bad your meet with SoonerGirl didn't work out. Looks like you made the right decision changing to DHS this day; the crowd levels are great!

Thank you! :goodvibes We had never been in the Fire House either, I never even really noticed it much. It's a tiny little shop, but the details are great. If I knew a firefighter there are tons of great Mickey themed gifts in there for them!

Brook! I can't beleive you started and I missed it!!:eek: So sorry...going back now...I'm sooo far behind on DIS these days!:headache: Maybe this weekend I'll get my DIS groove back on!!:woohoo:

No worries!!! Glad you found me!!! :goodvibes

Looks like a very fun trip Brooke. I am in for it!!! How very nice you were able to take your inlaws on vacation. I am sure they will never forget it. That villa looks absolutely amazing. I am surprised that there were no crowds we went up for EThans birthday on the 30th and Epcot was mobbed. You lucked out. I cant wait to hear the rest!!

It was a treat to share our timeshare space with them. Disney can be so expensive, to remove the cost of a room for people is a blessing to do! We hope to bring people with us every other year, or every third year.

You were at Epcot on the 30th?! So were we! We really didn't think it was too bad though...probably because our AK day, the day before, was NUTS! :rotfl:

Great update, Brook! My goodness that villa is beautiful. And love that wall with the lanterns in all the nooks and crannies.

So glad the wheelchair panic ended well. I can imagine your panic but sounds like you needed the sleep. Joe wasn't feeling well? Uh-oh.

Can't believe how empty it looks in your pics. Wow.

Hey-I've never seen Bo's backside before... ;)

H is so cute with his Cars buddies.

Kidani really is beautiful. It's so calm and relaxing. As you will find out as my story goes on, the animal watching would pull me outside all the time. It was amazing to just take it in.

Brook, Joining in....better late then....well you know. I love your pictures so far. Only have read the first 3 pages, thank you for doing such GREAT trip reports.

Angel16

:welcome: Thank you for reading!!

Brook...i am finally here! i will have to watch our reciepts in 2 weeks from today! :cool1: Saw your pic of Henry with Handy Manny...if we can meet him my nephew will be in heaven! :lovestruc

And welcome to you as well! TWO WEEKS?! Really!? That time flew by, didn't it? How very exciting!!!!! Are you going to do a TR when you get back? I can't wait to hear about Caleb's reactions to it all. :cutie:

Handy Manny was a very cool meet, he's right outside Playhouse Disney. Sometimes they have some other characters from PHD there too. :thumbsup2